March is a slightly better month than February with a total of 172 species recorded during this month. As each day passes the expectation of an early spring migrant increases, Wheatears usually being seen by mid month along with Chiffchaffs, Sand Martins and possibly Little Ringed Plovers. Rarities have included Black Kite (2010), Green-winged Teal (2014), Avocets, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Hen Harrier and Cetti’s Warbler (2003), Bearded Tit (2004), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Mandarin (2006) and Siberian Chiffchaff (2007).
March 2015
31st March
Another windy day with the wind coming from the north west most of the day. Reports from the Northwick Warth area included the Red-breasted Goose, 12 Canada Geese, 75 Shelduck, 56 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 40 Oystercatchers, 20 Redshank and 3 Little Egrets. A dark-bellied Brent Goose was seen at Severn Beach this morning and at least 80 Kittiwakes were seen on the evening tide.
30th March
A less windy day today. Four Kittiwakes and 2 dark-bellied Brent Geese were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved the Red-breasted Goose, 15 Canada Geese, 91 Shelduck, 8 Wigeon, 35 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 5 Dunlin, 25 Redshank, 67 Oystercatchers and 45 Pied Wagtails.
29th March
A windy day following a stormy night. Sea watching from Severn Beach produced a Great Skua, 2 Little Gulls (adult & 1st winter), an exceptionally early Arctic Tern, 3 Gannets, 400+ Kittiwakes and 50 Turnstones. A brief visit to a very windswept Northwick Warth produced the escaped Red-breasted Goose, 16 Canada Geese, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 30 Wigeon, 111 Shelduck, 30 Teal, 30 Redshank and a Sand Martin. Click on the Kittiwakes below for a slow motion video on Youtube.
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 29.3.15
Arctic Tern, Severn Beach 29.3.15 © Dan White
28th March
An increasingly windy day with periods of heavy rain. A Merlin and at least 110 Kittiwakes were seen from Severn Beach. Reports from Northwick Warth involved 48 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Turnstones, 110 Teal, the Red-breasted Goose, 6 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall and 4 Chiffchaffs.
27th March
A Common Crane was reported this morning flying over New Passage towards the Pilning Wetland area. Other reports from here involved the Red-breasted Goose, 8 Canada Geese, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, single Water Rail, Little Egret and Wheatear and at least 7 Chiffchaffs. A Cettis Warbler and another 6 Chiffchaffs were reported at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach and another Cetti’s Warbler was heard at Chittening Warth.
26th March
A cool breezy day with less to report. The usual Red-breasted Goose, 12 Canada Geese, 100+ Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 55 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 4 Little Grebes, a Little Egret, 130 Turnstones plus a Wheatear were seen in the Northwick Warth area. A Peregrine and at least 120 of the Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach over the high tide.
25th March
Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3 Little Egrets, 120 Turnstones, 80 Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers, a Merlin (attacking the Turnstone flock), 2 adult male Peregrines in a dog fight, the Red-breasted Goose, 13 Canada Geese, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 60 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 103 Shelduck, 4 Little Grebes, 2+ Water Rails, 3+ Chiffchaffs, a flyover Siskin and a Common Seal fishing successfully in Chestle Pill. A female Eider flew up river close to shore at Severn Beach late morning then landed on the falling tide and floated off down river. Other sightings at Severn Beach included a Continental Cormorant, at least 45 Kittiwakes in a raft off shore, another 17 Shelduck and a Little Egret. Click on the Water Rail picture below for some Youtube video.
Water Rail, New Passage 25.3.15
Common Seal, New Passage 25.3.15
Continental Cormorant, Severn Beach 25.3.15 © Mark Coller
24th March
A Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 85 Redshank, 65 Oystercatchers, 2 Dunlin, 3 Little Egrets, 8 Canada Geese, the Red-breasted Goose, 90+ Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, a Water Rail, 3+ Chiffchaff, a Merlin and 2 Peregrines were seen in the Northwick Warth/New Passage/Pilning Wetland area today.
23rd March
Another high spring tide at Northwick Warth produced 3 Little Egrets, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Turnstones, 122 Redshank, 78 Oystercatchers, 2 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, the Red-breasted Goose, 9 Canada Geese, 105 Shelduck, 120 Teal, 48 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 2+ Water Rails and a Water Pipit. Three Little Egrets, 2 Little Grebes and 5 Tufted Duck were reported at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach.
Turnstones, New Passage 23.3.15
22nd March
Combined reports from Northwick Warth/New Passage/Pilning Wetland over the highest tide of the spring (14.6m) produced a Great Crested Grebe, 68 Black-tailed Godwits,100+ Redshank, single Bar-tailed Godwit and Grey Plover, 38 flyover Golden Plover, 70+ Shelduck, 14 Canada Geese, the Red-breasted Goose, 90 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 2 Water Rails, 4 Chiffchaff, single Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher and flyover Redpoll. Another 40 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 30 Shelduck and 2 Snipe were seen at Aust Warth. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach this morning and a Barn Owl was seen there this evening.
21st March
An early morning spring tide visit to Aust Warth produced a Great Crested Grebe, 110 Wigeon, 40 Teal, a Jack Snipe, a Snipe, 30 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, a Chiffchaff, 40 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Peregrine and 2 Buzzards. Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 68 Black-tailed Godwits, a Lapwing, 13 Snipe (Grebe Pond), 110 Redshank, 80 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Water Rail, 8 Canada Geese, the Red-breasted Goose, 40 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 70+ Shelduck, 2 Wheatears, single Peregrine and Raven, 2 Chiffchaffs (trapped & ringed) and the remains of a predated Sand Martin. A Wheatear was reported at the Severn Beach shore and nearby 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Buzzards and 2 Chiffchaff were seen at the Orchard Pools. A Short-eared Owl flew over the coast road at Chittening Warth, where 13 Gadwall, a Water Pipit and another Wheatear were seen.
Buzzard, Aust Warth 21.3.15
20th March
Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 59 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Dunlin, 70+ Redshank, 54 Curlew, 60+ Oystercatchers, the Red-breasted Goose, 29 Canada Geese, 4 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 64 Shelduck, 45 Teal, 30 Wigeon, single Merlin, Kingfisher, Water Rail, Wheatear, Sand Martin and 6+ Chiffchaff. At least 80 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 30 Shelduck and 11 Pintail were seen from Severn Beach.
19th March
At least 65 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Dunlin, 65 Redshank, a Little Egret, the Red-breasted Goose, 12 Canada Geese, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, 80 Teal, 35 Wigeon, 35 Shelduck and a Water Rail were reported in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. A Black Redstart was seen on the fossil beach at Aust Warth and another Water Rail was heard in the reeds near “Rod’s log”.
18th March
A frosty, cold and foggy morning followed by sunshine. The only reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved the Red-breasted Goose, 40 Shelduck, 70 Teal, 40 Wigeon, 3 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail, a Little Egret, 60 Black-tailed Godwits, 65 Redshank and 40 Dunlin. At least 35 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 8 Wigeon, 3 Grey Plover, 4 Dunlin and a Snipe were seen on the late afternoon high tide at Severn Beach.
Grey Plover, Severn Beach 18.3.15 © Dan White
17th March
A sunny and less windy day. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 3 Little Egrets, 7 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, the escaped Red-breasted Goose, 13 Canada Geese, 32 Shelduck, 8 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 40 Teal, 35 Wigeon, 2+ Little Grebes, 12 Moorhens, 2 singing Chiffchaff and a singing Grey Wagtail. A Short-eared Owl, 3 drake Common Scoter, 30 Shelduck, 8 Gadwall, a Little Egret, 4 Grey Plover, 10 Dunlin, 61 Turnstones and a male Wheatear were seen from the Severn Beach shore and nearby 3 Snipe, 5 Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe were seen at the Orchard Pools. Another 50 Shelduck, 64 Oystercatchers, single Snipe and 3 Stonechats were seen at Chittening Warth and another male Wheatear and 100+ Meadow Pipits were reported at Aust Warth.
Wheatear, Aust Warth 17.3.15 © Vic Savery
16th March
A cold north east wind and light rain showers still managed to produce a few migrants today. Reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth/New Passage included a Little Ringed Plover (1st sentry box area with Wagtails), a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, the Red-breasted Goose, 17 Canada Geese, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 45 Teal, 40 Wigeon, 42 Shelduck, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Little Grebes, 9 Moorhens, a Water Rail, 42 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Curlew, 45 Oystercatchers, 96 Redshank, 7 Dunlin, 2 Lapwing, 31 Pied Wagtails and 2 Chiffchaffs. Sightings from Severn Beach included 5 Grey Plover, 32 Oystercatchers, 15 Turnstones, 2 Gadwall and 2 Wheatears.
Little Ringed Plover, Northwick Warth 16.3.15
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 16.3.15
2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 16.3.15
15th March
At least 2 Water Rails and the escaped Red-breasted Goose were reported in the Northwick Warth area this morning. An adult Continental Cormorant (Sinensis) flew north east close to shore at New Passage where a garden feeding Coal Tit was also seen. Two male Wheatears and 70 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
phonescoped Water Rail, New Passage 15.3.15 © Lisa Presland
This showy individual appears most days on the sewage works outfall 50 metres inland/upstream of Chestle Pill
sluice gates usually with Grey Wagtail and Moorhens for company.
14th March
Another breezy and cold day. The escaped Red-breasted Goose remained at Northwick Warth where 3 Water Rails, 10 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 60 Meadow Pipits, single Redpoll, Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail were also seen. A male Wheatear, 3 Stonechats, 2 Rock Pipits, single Raven and Little Grebe were reported at Chittening Warth. A male Blackcap was seen again in a Severn Beach garden.
13th March
Most of the day was wet cold and windy with late burst of sunshine late afternoon. An escaped Red-breasted Goose was the colourful highlight of the day on Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth where other reports included 101 Shelduck, 8 Canada Geese, 3 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebes, single Little Egret and Water Rail, 12 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Grey Plover. A Coal Tit was present in a New Passage garden. Click on the Geese below for a short Youtube video.
Red-breasted Goose, Pilning Wetland 13.3.15
12th March
A female Merlin, 12 Canada Geese, 30 Shelduck, 8 Tufted Duck, 7 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 70 Teal, 50 Wigeon, 24 Coot, 7 Moorhens, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Water Rail, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 60 Turnstones, 2 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 3 Chiffchaffs and a Raven were seen at Northwick Warth. The first Wheatear and a calling flyover Little Ringed Plover of the year were found at the Severn Beach shore today where 29 Shelduck and 2 Gadwall were also seen. Four Tufted Duck and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Orchard Pools. Another 70 Dunlin, 18 Shelduck and a Little Grebe were seen at Chittening Warth.
11th March
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 92 Turnstones, 4 Dunlin and 72 Shelduck were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby 6 Tufted Duck, single Little Grebe, Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler were reported at the Orchard Pools. Reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth included a Merlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 9 Shoveler, 47 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon and 14 Teal.
10th March
A fine sunny day. A visit to New Passage produced 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 100+ Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, 60 Turnstones, 2 Water Rails, 45 Shelduck, 10 Tufted Duck, 20 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 21 Canada Geese and a Kingfisher. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Severn Beach this morning.
9th March
The first Sand Martin of the year was seen at New Passage this morning where other sightings involved a Pheasant on the shingle beach, 19 Canada Geese, 9 Gadwall, 40 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 2 Water Rails, 106 Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers and 4 Turnstones. Another 60 Turnstones, 40 Dunlin, 20 Shelduck, a Gadwall and a Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach.
8th March
Reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland were of a Little Egret, a Green Sandpiper, 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 110 Redshank. 85 Oystercatchers, 40 Dunlin, 32 Turnstones, 16 Canada Geese, 8 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 70 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 2 Water Rails, 2 Grey Wagtails, a Scandinavian Rock Pipit and 20 Meadow Pipits. A Water Rail, 3 Jack Snipe, 13 Stonechats and 2 Kestrels were reported at Aust Warth. A Rock Pipit was seen at Severn Beach where a Tawny Owl was heard calling after dark.
7th March
A warm (15°C) and sunny spring day with a southerly breeze. Combined reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth included a Little Egret, 8 Canada Geese, 90 Shelduck, 5 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 13 Gadwall, 70 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Water Rails, 100+ Redshank, 40 Dunlin, single Ringed Plover and Lapwing, 2 Stonechats and 2 Chiffchaffs. Another 40 Shelduck, 10 Snipe and a Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach.
6th March
Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland involved single Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Knot and Ringed Plover, 124 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 9 Turnstones, 37 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Water Rails, 29 Canada Geese, 69 Shelduck, 130 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 23 Coot, 3 Little Grebes, a Merlin, 2 Sparrowhawks, a Scandinavian Rock Pipit, a Water Pipit, 30+ Pied Wagtails and a Stonechat. Another 5 Ringed Plover and 37 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
Avocet, New Passage 6.3.15 © Vic Savery
5th March
A morning visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth produced single male Merlin, male Peregrine and Little Egret, 2 Little Grebes, a Water Rail, a Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 50 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 12 Canada Geese, 3 Tufted Duck, 200 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 75 Shelduck and 2 Stonechats. Another 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach and a Cetti’s Warbler and 4 Snipe were the highlights from Stupp Pill at Chittening Warth. Click on the Merlin picture below for some video on Youtube.
Merlin, Northwick Warth 5.3.15
4th March
Reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth included a Little Egret, 3 Canada Geese, 160 Shelduck, 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, a Shoveler, 160 Wigeon, 90 Teal, a Water Rail, 90 Curlew, 70 Oystercatchers, 80 Curlew, 60 Dunlin and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls.
3rd March
A female Merlin was seen hunting the wader flock at New Passage/Northwick Warth this morning where other reports today included a Grey Plover, 50 Redshank, 40 Dunlin, 5 Canada Geese, 160 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, a drake Shoveler, 3 Little Grebes, a Water Rail and a Chifchaff. Another 5 Tufted Duck, single Little Grebe, Snipe and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach.
2nd March
Another breezy day produced a single flock of at least 50 Kittiwakes off Severn Beach where at least 100 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin and 8 Ringed Plover were also seen. A female Merlin, 123 Shelduck, 100+ Teal, 70 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew and 60 Dunlin were seen from windswept New Passage.
1st March
A breezy day produced a flock of 13 Kittiwakes late afternoon at Severn Beach. A Barn Owl was seen hunting over Aust Warth at 10pm.
