July is the quietest month on Severnside with only 147 species having been recorded. It does have a more optimistic feeling to it than June, with the appearance of returning waders and in recent years the regular appearance of Little Egrets, Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls. Unusual species seen have included dispersing Crossbill, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Goshawk and a Stone Curlew (1999). A spell of strong SW or W wind usually produces a few Storm Petrels and Manx Shearwaters.
July 2014
31st July
A good selection was reported from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth today including 3 Wood Sandpipers, a Spotted Redshank, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 12 Ringed Plover, 160+ Dunlin, 40+ Redshank, 6 Turnstones, 3 Snipe, 36 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpipers, 80+ Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 72 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 3 adult Tufted Duck and 4 ducklings, 5 Teal and 2 Swifts.
30th July
The 3 Wood Sandpipers remained on the Pilning Wetland at Northwick Warth where other sightings involved a Ruff, 2 Knot, 2 Little Ringed Plovers (adult & juvenile), 2 Whimbrel, 87 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 57 Redshank, 30 Lapwing, 130 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Little Grebes, 400 Black-headed Gulls, a Greylag Goose, 62 Canada Geese, 4 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Stock Doves, 7 Swifts, a Wheatear and 100+ Pied Wagtails. A Sanderling was seen at New Passage.
29th July
Another warm and bird filled day from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth including the 3 Wood Sandpipers, an adult Little Ringed Plover, 80 Dunlin, 25 Lapwing, 40 Redshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 2 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 150 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 13 Turnstones, 74 Canada Geese, 8 Teal, 3 Wheatears, a Hobby and a Yellow Wagtail.
Hobby, Pilning Wetland 29.7.13 © Simon Williams
28th July
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland included the exceptional record of 3 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 90+ Dunlin, 22 Redshank, 25 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 65 Canada Geese, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 3 Little Grebes, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, a Hobby, 2 Kestrels, a Yellow Wagtail and 30+ Pied Wagtails. A Whimbrel and 100 Curlew were roosting on the Northwick Warth salt marsh. Another 3 Common Sandpipers and 40 Linnets were seen at Aust Warth.
27th July
Another bird filled day with combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth of 2 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, single Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover, 4 Knot, 35 Lapwing, 43 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 49 Canada Geese, 12 Teal, 2 Stock Doves, 130 Linnet, single Peregrine, Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Whitethroat and Swift. Another 60 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, flock of 6 Little Egrets, 250 Black-headed Gulls, 50 Herring Gulls, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 16 Canada Geese, 130 Mallard, a pair of Shelduck with one fresh duckling, a Garden Warbler and 5 Swifts. Another 6 Common Sandpipers, 55 Redshank and 2 Turnstones were reported at Aust Warth.
juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 27.7.13 © Mark Coller
26th July
Yet another scorching day with a good selection on the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth including 2 Wood Sandpipers, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Common Sandpipers, 20 Dunlin, 52 Redshank, 5 Snipe, 37 Lapwing, 60+ Curlew, a Turnstone, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 36 Canada Geese, 5 Teal, 3 adult Tufted Duck and 6 ducklings, 2 Little Grebe broods and a Peregrine, 2 Stock Doves and a Wheatear. Another 8 Common Sandpipers, 5 Redshank, a Whimbrel, 2 Stonechats and a Whinchat were reported at Aust Warth. Just a single Dunlin was seen at Severn Beach.
Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 26.7.14
a colour ringed bird that dropped out of the sky with 11 others.
UPDATE: received 28.8.14
The bird was ringed as an adult male in Iceland in April 2012 and here are it’s sightings since:
21.04.12 Grafarvogur, Reykjavík, SW Iceland
20.07.12 Vatnsholt, Grímsnes, Árnessýsla, S Iceland
05.06.13 Vatnsholt, Grímsnes, Árnessýsla, S Iceland
03.07.13 Vatnsholt, Grímsnes, Árnessýsla, S Iceland
18.02.14 to 04.03.14 Landje van Geijsel, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, Noord Holland, W Netherlands
05.03.14 to 10.03.14 Uitgeesterbroekpolder, Uitgeest, Noord Holland, W Netherland
26.07.14 Pilning Wetland, South Gloucestershire, SW England
28.07.14 Parc Ornithologique du Marquenterre, Somme, N France
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 26.7.14
Little Egrets, Pilning Wetland 26.7.14
25th July
The 2 Wood Sandpipers remained all day on the Pilning Wetland/Northẃick Warth where other sightings involved 4 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 3 Whimbrel, 26 Redshank, 39 Curlew, 5 Teal, 5 adult Tufted Duck plus 6 ducklings, 32 Canada Geese, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 10 Pied Wagtails, 25 Goldfinch, a male Kestrel, a juvenile Whinchat, a Kingfisher, 5 Swift and a mixed roosting flock of 100 Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins. Click on the picture below to see a short video of the Godwits.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 25.7.14
24th July
A hot and humid day. Two Wood Sandpipers were found on the rear lagoon of the Pilning Wetland this evening where a Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, 4 Common Sandpipers, 32 Lapwing, 35 Curlew, 23 Canada Geese and a Little Egret were also present. Another 7 Common Sandpipers were reported at Aust Warth. Click on the Wood Sandpiper picture below to see some Youtube video of the 2 birds.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 24.7.14
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 24.7.14
23rd July
An evening visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced the first 2 Snipe of the autumn, 3 Common Sandpipers, 42 Redshank and 20 Lapwing.
22nd July
The heat wave continued. Combined sightings from the Northwick Warth involved an adult Mediterranean Gull, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, a Golden Plover, a Whimbrel, 30 Lapwing, 52 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 14 Canada Geese, a Kingfisher, juvenile Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 20+ Pied Wagtails and 8 Swifts.
21st July
A hot day. A Little Ringed Plover, 30 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 6 Canada Geese, a Kingfisher and the 7 Tufted Duck ducklings were reported in the Northwick Warth area. Another 7 Common Sandpipers and 5 Redshank were seen at Aust Warth. An evening ringing session at the Grebe Pond reed bed produced a number of Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Swallows and a control Reed Warbler (L056823) originally ringed at Chew Valley Lake as a juvenile on 2nd July 2010. Three juvenile Starlings were also radio tagged as part of a research project.
Starling with radio transmitter, Pilning Wetland 21.7.14
the transmitter is attached to the back of the bird and will is released after a short time when the bird moults feathers
20th July
Combined reports from Northwick Warth included a Golden Plover, an adult Little Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 33 Lapwing, 3 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, an adult Yellow Wagtail and a Kingfisher. Another 2 Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth. A family party of 5 Swifts remained over the seafront houses at Severn Beach.
Pilning Wetland 20.7.14
The recently flooded sheepfield looking south from the public footpath. Should be magnet for migrant waders over the next few months.
Golden Plover, Northwick Warth 20.7.14
19th July
Thunderstorms over night dropped a few new birds onto Northwick Warth and Pilning Wetland including an adult Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, a summer plumage Golden Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plover (2 juveniles), a Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpipers, single Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 20 Lapwing, 60+ Redshank, 25 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 250+ Black-headed Gulls, a Kingfisher and a Stonechat. Click on the picture below for some video of the Spotted Redshank on Youtube.
Spotted Redshank, Pilning Wetland 19.7.14
Spotted Redshank, Pilning Wetland 19.7.14
18th July
Another humid day with thunder storms forecast for tonight. Several visits to the Northwick Warth area and Pilning Wetland
produced 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 adult Little Ringed Plovers, a summer plumage Golden Plover, 18 Lapwing, 34 Redshank, 20 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 18 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 adult Tufted Duck and 7 ducklings, 5 Canada Geese, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull and a Yellow Wagtail. Another 2 Common Sandpipers and 5 Redshank were reported at Aust Warth.
Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 18.7.14
17th July
A hot (29°C) and humid day. Two Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 20 Lapwing, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, an adult Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 16 Redshank, 3 Common Gulls, 2 Kestrels and 3 Stock Doves were reported from the Northwick Warth area.
16th July
Pumping of freshwater onto the Pilning Wetland commenced today so a few waders should appear soon. Reports from here and Northwick Warth included 20 Lapwing, 100 Curlew, 10 Common Sandpipers and 9 Redshank.
15th July
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 11 Lapwing, 33 Redshank, 100+ Curlew, 16 Oystercatchers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 4 Little Grebes, 4 Shelduck broods (30+ young), 3 adult Tufted Duck and ducklings, 250 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Pied Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and a Kingfisher.
14th July
A Little Ringed Plover, 28 Oystercatchers, 16 Lapwing, 90 Curlew, 16 Redshank and 200 Black-headed Gulls were seen at Northwick Warth. At least 4 Common Sandpipers were seen this evening at New Passage.
13th July
A morning visit to Northwick Warth produced a summer plumage Golden Plover, 14 Lapwing, at least 5 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers(1st sentry box pool), a Common Sandpiper, 30+ Oystercatchers, 80 Curlew, 7 Redshank and the usual Tufted Ducks. Another Common Sandpiper was seen at Aust Warth.
12th July
A Hobby was seen early morning at Severn Beach. A visit to Northwick Warth produced 11 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, 3 adult Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe broods, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, a Kestrel family (2 young) and a Raven. A Kingfisher, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Redshank, 7 Shelduck ducklings and a Yellow Wagtail were seen at Aust Warth.
11th July
Just 30 Curlew and 90 Black-headed Gulls were reported from Northwick Warth.
10th July
Two Little Egrets, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 26 Lapwing, 4 Curlew, 5 adult Tufted Duck and 6 ducklings were reported from Northwick Warth. Sixteen Canada Geese were seen at Chittening Warth. A Common Gull was seen at Severn Beach.
9th July
Reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Little Egret, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 12 Redshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 20 Curlew, 7 Lapwing, an Oystercatcher, 2 pairs of Little Grebes (5&3 young), 11 Shelduck ducklings, 3 adult Tufted Duck plus ducklings and at least 150 Black-headed Gulls.
Common Sandpipers, New Passage 9.7.14
8th July
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 5 Little Ringed Plovers on the flash, a Little Egret, 11 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 6 Common Sandpipers at New Passage, a Little Grebe, 3 adult Tufted Duck plus the duckling brood and 70 Black-headed Gulls.
Common Sandpipers, New Passage 8.7.14
7th July
An afternoon visit to Northwick Warth produced 4 Little Ringed Plovers (2 adults), 18 Curlew, 17 Lapwing, 7 Oystercatchers, 11 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 90 Black-headed Gulls, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons and the female Tufted Duck and ducklings.
Little Ringed Plover, Northwick Warth flash 7.7.14
Tufted Duck brood, Pilning Wetland 7.7.14
6th July
Two adult and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwing and a female Tufted Duck with 7 fresh ducklings (1st breeding record for here) were seen at Northwick Warth. Five Common Sandpipers were reported at Aust Warth.
5th July
A sunny and sometimes breezy day. Sightings from Northwick Warth included 2 Little Egrets, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, at least 20 Curlew, single Common Sandpiper and Lapwing. Another 2 Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth.
Little Ringed Plovers, Northwick Warth flash 5.7.14
4th July
Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included 7 Little Ringed Plover (5 adults) on the flash, a Little Egret, a Redshank, 50 Back-headed Gulls (2 juveniles), a juvenile Great Black-backed Gull and 3 Sand Martins.
3rd July
An evening visit to Northwick Warth produced 5 Little Ringed Plovers (4 adults) and 3 Lapwing on the flash and 100 Black-headed Gulls in the area.
2nd July
Reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 14 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck and 4 flyover Siskins. A Redshank and 18 Oystercatchers were seen from the shore at Severn Beach.
Bullfinch, Severn Beach 2.7.14 © Rod Holbrook
1st July
An adult and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover were seen at Northwick Warth. A Common Sandpiper was the first of the autumn at Aust Warth. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard at Chittening Warth.
