Following two of the quietest months of the year, August can be an interesting month with a total of 172 species having been recorded during this month. The numbers and variety of waders increase, as do the numbers of migrating warblers, Yellow Wagtails, Whinchat and Wheatears. Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls are expected. Rarities in August have included Slavonian Grebe (1996), Red Crested Pochard (1998), Goshawk, Osprey, Sabine’s Gull, Kentish Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper (1995, 2001), Grey Phalarope, Wryneck (1976,1984,2003, 2010 and 2014), Marsh Warbler (2009) and Red-backed Shrike (2003).
August 2014
31st August
Yet another Wood Sandpiper, an adult, was reported on the Pilning Wetland. Other reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage area included a female Merlin, a soaring Goshawk (with a Buzzard), a Wryneck (found in sea wall front gardens at New Passage), a Ruff, 40+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, a Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 50+ Canada Geese, 20+ Yellow Wagtails, a Wheatear, a Redstart, 2 Tree Pipits, a Raven and a Swift. Another Redstart, 2 Whinchats and a Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth. Click on the image below for some Youtube video of the Wryneck interacting with House Sparrows.
Wryneck, New Passage 31.8.14
30th August
The Wood Sandpiper continued it’s stay and attracted quite a few visitors. Other sightings from the Northwick Warth area included 45 Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Shoveler, 2 Raven, 3 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears, 15 Yellow Wagtails and a male Redstart. At least 130 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover and 4 Wheatears were seen at Severn Beach. At least 65 Redshank were reported at Aust Warth.
Wood Sandpiper, Northwick Warth 29.8.14 © Vic Savery
29th August
The juvenile Wood Sandpiper showed very well all day close to the footpath on Northwick Warth where other sightings involved a Ruff, 3 Greenshank, single Knot, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 40+ Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Oystercatchers, 48 Curlew, 12 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egrets, 27 Canada Geese, 4 Tufted Duck, 40+ Teal, 9 Little Grebes, 21 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Swifts, single Whinchat and Wheatear. The first Barn Owl of the year was seen hunting around the Glen and Chestle Pill at New Passage this evening. Click on the picture below for some Youtube video of the Wood Sandpiper.
Wood Sandpiper, Northwick Warth 29.8.14
28th August
An evening visit to Northwick Warth produced the 4th Wood Sandpiper of the autumn (feeding on brackish puddles at the base of the seawall), 2+ Ruff, 45 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, 3 Little Egrets, 19 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Wheatears, a Whinchat and a Swift.
27th August
Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 42 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff, 60+ Redshank, 3 Snipe, 250 Curlew, 35 Dunlin, 24 Oystercatchers, single Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Knot, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Tufted Duck, 9 Little Grebes, 15 Wheatears, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 65+ Pied Wagtails, a Whinchat and 2 Swifts.
26th August
A wet morning following a very wet night resulted in a rise in water level on the Pilning Wetland. Reports from the Northwick Warth area included 70 Black-tailed Godwits, a Sanderling, 70 Dunlin, 28 Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers (all seen on the wetland), 2 Ruff and 3 Greenshank (on the flash), 2 summer plumage Grey Plover (on the warth), 5 Snipe, 60 Redshank, 15 Turnstones, 2 Whimbrel, 30 Oystercatchers, 252 Curlew, 4 Little Egrets, 7 Little Grebes, a Water Rail, 4 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Swifts, 13 Wheatears, 80+ Pied Wagtails and 6 Yellow Wagtails.
Ruff & reeve, Northwick Warth 26.8.14
Ruff, Northwick Warth 26.8.14
Little Egret, Pilning Wetland 26.8.14
25th August
A wet day with a south east breeze. Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 2 juvenile Ruff, 28 Black-tailed Godwits, a Golden Plover, 12 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 60+ Redshank, 30 Turnstones, 60 Dunlin/Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egrets, 40+ Teal, 3 Shoveler, 15+ Little Grebes, 9 Yellow Wagtails, a Tree Pipit, a Garden Warbler, 2 Wheatears and a Hobby. Another mixed flock of 90 Ringed Plover/Dunlin, a Snipe and 2 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
24th August
Sightings from Severn Beach included a juvenile Sanderling, a Whimbrel, 130 Dunlin, 95 Ringed Plover (including a colour ringed individual), 6 Little Egrets, 4 Yellow Wagtails and a Garden Warbler. Two Ruff and just 2 Dunlin were seen on the Pilning Wetland this afternoon.
Ringed Plover, Severn Beach 24.8.14
23rd August
Reports from Northwick Warth/New Passage area included 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Green Sandpiper and Snipe, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, single Tree Pipit, Coal Tit and Kingfisher. At least 170 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 15 Turnstones, single Whimbrel, Rock Pipit and Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach.
Yellow Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 23.8.14
22nd August
Sightings from the Northwick Warth area included 61 Redshank, single Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 4 Tufted Duck, 11 Little Grebes, 5 Wheatears, 100+ Pied Wagtails and a Kingfisher. An evening visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced a mixed flock of 400 Dunlin/Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, 15 Turnstones and 2 Redshank. Another Kingfisher and 5 Redshank were reported from Aust Warth.
21st August
A Green Sandpiper, 15 Sand Martins, 3 Willow Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Redstart, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Hobby and a Tree Pipit were reported from Northwick Warth. At least 200 Ringed Plover/Dunlin and a few Turnstones were seen from the shaft beach at Severn Beach.
20th August
A juvenile Mediterranean Gull, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper, 8 Turnstones, 20 Lapwing, 50 Curlew, a Little Egret, 50 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 Gadwall, 71 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 2 Stock Doves, single Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Whinchat, Wheatear and Redstart were reported from the New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. A mixed flock of 300 Dunlin/Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstones, a Knot and 4 Little Egrets were present at Severn Beach. Another Kestrel and Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth.
19th August
Combined reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plover, single Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper, 57 Redshank, 23 Turnstones, 38 Teal, 3 Gadwall, a Shoveler, 2 Wheatears and the first Coal Tit since autumn 2012 (New Passage pines). A mixed flock of at least 100 Dunlin/Ringed Plover, 12 Redshank, 2 Knot and 3 Wheatears were seen at Severn Beach. Another 30 Redshank, 6 Common Sandpipers, 18 Teal, 11 Canada Geese and a Greylag were reported from Cake Pill at Aust Warth.
18th August
A stunning juvenile Red-necked Phalarope was found on the Pilning Wetland this evening. It was flushed and nearly caught by a Sparrowhawk before eventually heading off very high and east and was seen by just 5 lucky observers. Other sightings here involved 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plover, single Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Snipe, 14 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 72 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 29 Teal, a Shoveler, 2 Swifts, 5 Sand Martins, a Yellow Wagtail and a Peregrine. Three Little Egrets, 110 Ringed Plover, 68 Dunlin, 4 Turnstones, a Knot and a Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach. Click on the picture below for a Youtube video of the Phalarope swimming.
Red-necked Phalarope, Pilning Wetland 18.8.14
Red-necked Phalarope, Pilning Wetland 18.8.14
17th August
Single Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and Little Egret were reported from Northwick Warth. A Wheatear was seen at Severn Beach.
16th August
Reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, 5 Whimbrel, 20 Redshank, 15 Dunlin, 24 Lapwing, a Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 28 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 60+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 15 Little Grebes (including 3 fresh downy grebelets), 6 Swift, single Peregrine, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail. Another 2 Little Egrets, 70 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, a Whimbrel and a Wheatear were reported from Severn Beach.
15th August
A Hobby, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egrets, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Dunlin, 9 Whimbrel, 85 Curlew, a Snipe, 4 Common Sandpipers, 70 Canada Geese, 27 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 50+ Sand Martins and a Wheatear were reported from the Northwick Warth area. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach.
Spotted Flycatcher, Severn Beach 15.8.14 © Vic Savery
14th August
Combined reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included a Common Tern, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 23 Turnstones, 15 Redshank, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 15 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 100 Curlew, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 30 Canada Geese, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Swifts, 100 House Martins and 12 Sand Martins. Another 2 Little Egrets were seen from Severn Beach. Reports from Aust Warth involved a Common Sandpiper, 80 Redshank, 15 Dunlin, 24 Canada Geese and 11 Teal.
13th August
A juvenile Mediterranean Gull, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpipers, 40 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Ringed Plover, 100 Oystercatchers, 80 Curlew, 30 Lapwing, a Snipe, 15 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 7 Little Grebes, 27 Canada Geese, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Teal, 2 Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Stock Doves and 2 Sparrowhawks were seen at Northwick Warth this morning over the 14+ metre high tide.
12th August
Another windy and wet day. At least 4 Storm Petrels were reported off Severn Beach this evening. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, a Little Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 10 Dunlin, single Ringed Plover, Little Egret, Greylag, Kingfisher, Wheatear and Swift.
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 12.8.14 © Dan White
a fresh plumaged individual
11th August
A breezy evening tide produced a moulting Storm Petrel and an exhausted Fulmar and a mixed flock of 100 Dunlin/Ringed Plover at Severn Beach. Click on the image below for some Youtube video. It was quiet at Northwick Warth with just 80+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 12 Teal, a Little Egret, 80 Oystercatchers, 23 Lapwing, 10 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 40 Curlew, a Turnstone, a Wheatear, a Peregrine and 30+ Pied Wagtails reported.
moulting Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 11.8.14
10th August
An increasingly windy day. Two Whimbrel, a mixed flock of 100 Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 40 Curlew, 50 Oystercatchers and 20 Shelduck were seen from Severn Beach. Four juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Redshank, just 10 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, 60 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Little Egret, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, a Shoveler, 12 Teal, a Greylag, 70+ Canada Geese, single Yellow Wagtail, Kingfisher and Peregrine were reported from the Pilning Wetland/ New Passage area.
9th August
Sightings from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 8 Snipe, a Whimbrel, 85 Redshank, 80 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, a Ringed Plover, 38 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 60+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 15 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 40+ Pied Wagtails, 3 Stock Doves, single Wheatear and Tree Pipit. Another 2 Common Sandpipers, 28 Redshank, single Kingfisher and Redstart were reported at Aust Warth. A Whimbrel, 4 Little Egrets, 60 Ringed Plover and 90 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach.
Green Sandpipers, Pilning Wetland 9.8.14
8th August
Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland involved 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 38 Lapwing, 24 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, a Little Egret, 61 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 10 Teal, a Shoveler, a Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 33 Pied Wagtails and a Kingfisher. A Whimbrel and 3 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach. A juvenile Whinchat was seen at Aust Warth.
Whinchat, Aust Warth 8.8.14 © Vic Savery
7th August
Once again the New Passage/Pilning Wetland was the centre of attention with 2 Wood Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Snipe, 80 Redshank, 50 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 34 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 13 Teal, a Gadwall, a Shoveler, 82 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Wheatear, Whinchat and Swift. At least 45 Dunlin and 20 Ringed Plover were seen on the late afternoon high tide at Severn Beach.
6th August
Two Wood Sandpipers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 140 Dunlin, 37 Lapwing, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 47 Redshank, 20 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 82 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 12 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 90 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, a Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 40 Pied Wagtails, 40 Sand Martins and 2 Swifts were reported from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area. A Whimbrel and a mixed flock of 35 Dunlin and Ringed Plover were reported at Severn Beach.
5th August
Much of the same today with 2 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 43 Dunlin, 36 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpipers, 50 Redshank, 20 Turnstones, a Little Egret, a Greylag, 80 Canada Geese, 9 Teal, a drake Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 400 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Stock Doves, 2 Wheatears, 2 Grey Wagtails, 30 Pied Wagtails and 5 Swifts seen in the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area.
4th August
Combined visits to New Passage produced a Little Egret, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 275 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, a Sanderling, 80 Redshank, 25 Turnstones, a Common Sandpiper, 5 Teal, a Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 82 Canada Geese and a Greylag from the sea wall and nearby 3 Wood Sandpipers, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 215 Black-headed Gulls, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 29 Lapwing and 2 Wheatears were seen on the Pilning Wetland. A Greenshank flew south past Chittening Warth.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 4.8.14
3rd August
A dry and sunny day. Combined sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved 3 Wood Sandpipers, a moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 3 Sanderling, 2 Common Sandpipers, 25 Ringed Plover, 320+ Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 74 Redshank, 36 Turnstones, 23 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, a Little Egret, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 82 Canada Geese, single Greylag, Shoveler, Kingfisher and Yellow Wagtail. Another 30 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach.
Curlew Sandpiper, New Passage 3.8.14
Wood Sandpipers, Pilning Wetland 3.8.14 © Karle Burford
Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 3.8.14
2nd August
Another day with torrential rain showers. The only reports came from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth where a juvenile Marsh Harrier (3rd record of the year), 3 juvenile Wood Sandpipers, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Sanderling, 2 Snipe, 90 Curlew, 15 Ringed Plover, 340 Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 64 Redshank, 15 Turnstones, 2 Common Sandpipers, 37 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 60+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, a Raven, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Swift and 4 Sand Martins were seen.
roosting waders, Pilning Wetland 2.8.14
A fraction of the waders seen today. Birds commute between here and the foreshore with new birds arriving throughout the day.
1st August
A change in the weather with the new month with some torrential rain early afternoon. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 3 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 17 Ringed Plover, 170+ Dunlin (commuting between the wetland and New Passage), 95 Redshank, 26 Lapwing, 5 Whimbrel, 28 Curlew, 18 Oystercatchers, 3 Snipe, 14 Turnstones, 8 Little Egrets, 74 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 12 Shelduck, 370+ Black-headed Gulls and a Swift. Another 5 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach and 7 Common Sandpipers, 5 Redshank and 80 Linnets were reported from Aust Warth.
