April 2015

April is the second most productive month of the year in the number of species seen. At least one individual of 201 species have been recorded in April. A month when the last of the “winter” birds depart and most “summer” birds arrive. Birds to expect are at least three Tern species, Skuas, “ sylvia” Warblers, Common Redstarts, Whinchats, Yellow Wagtails with the chance of Pied Flycatcher, Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler and Hobby. Rarer sightings include; Stone Curlew (2006), Slavonian Grebe (1989, 2000), Ring-necked Duck (1988), Sabine’s Gull (1990, 1992), Red-rumped Swallow (1988), Red-throated Pipit (2012), Willow Tit (1988), Mealy Redpoll (2004), Osprey and Long-eared Owl (2006).

April 2015

30th April

A morning visit to Northwick Warth produced 20 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, a Little Egret, 3 Whinchat, 2 Wheatears, single Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail. A Garden Warbler was singing in a hedge near Severn Beach railway platform.

29th April

A breezy day with early morning rain. Sightings from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area involved 4 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 2+ Snipe, 48 Oystercatchers, single Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Whinchats, single Merlin, Peregrine, Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear. Three Whimbrel, 70 Dunlin and 20 Ringed Plover were seen on the afternoon high tide at Severn Beach.

28th April

A quiet day with just 2 Little Egrets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Whimbrel, 29 Dunlin, a Whinchat and 2 Wheatears reported from the Northwick Warth area. Another 25 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 30 Shelduck and 7 Common Gulls were seen at Severn Beach.

27th April

Combined reports from Northwick Warth involved the male Ring Ouzel in it’s usual field, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, 15 Whimbrel, single Common Sandpiper and Snipe, a Little Egret, 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Teal, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears, several Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers. Just 32 Dunlin, 13 Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 2 Gadwall and 12 Black-headed Gulls were seen from the Severn Beach shore and 2 singing Lesser Whitethroats were heard and a Grasshopper Warbler was seen in the scrub. A Cetti’s Warbler was reported at Chittening Warth.

26th April

The first Cuckoo, Swift and 2 Sanderling of the year were seen at New Passage where 121 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and a Bar-tailed Godwit were also present. Nearby the male Ring Ouzel, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 16 Whimbrel, 7 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Whinchat, Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler were reported on Northwick Warth. At least 250 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 19 Ringed Plover, 9 Turnstones, 5 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, 23 Shelduck, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail were present at Severn Beach. Another 15 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper and Yellow Wagtail were seen at Aust Warth.

Little Ringed Plover, Northwick Warth 26.4.15 © Mark Coller

25th April

The only reports were of the Ring Ouzel and 4 Little Ringed Plover at Northwick Warth and 10 Whimbrel, 3 Little Egrets, a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroats at Severn Beach.

Hudsonian Godwit & Black-tailed Godwits, Meare Heath, Somerset 25.4.15

The 3rd ever British record of Hudsonian Godwit was a major attraction today just 35 miles south of Severnside.

Click on the image for a short video on Youtube.

24th April

A cooler day with a southerly breeze. The male Ring Ouzel remained at Northwick Warth most of the day where other reports included the first Garden Warbler of the year, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2+ Reed Warblers, 4 Wheatears, 40+ Sand Martins, 2 Jays, single Whinchat, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail, 2 Greylag Geese, 8 Canada Geese, 4 Teal, 3 Gadwall. 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 9 Ringed Plover, 30+ Dunlin, single Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper. The female Eider from yesterday remained off Severn Beach where other sightings involved 20 Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 37 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover and 2 Turnstones.

Ring Ouzel, Northwick Warth 24.4.15 © Dan White

Eider, Severn Beach 24.4.15

23rd April

Another sunny day with a north east breeze. Morning sightings from Severn Beach involved a female Eider, 9 Shoveler, a Greenshank, 16 Bar-tailed Godwits, 9 Whimbrel, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Common Sandpipers, 9 Turnstones, 4 Dunlin, 20 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Wheatears, a Sedge Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. A male Ring Ouzel was found on Northwick Warth this afternoon where other reports involved 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 18 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egrets, 30 Black-headed Gulls, 9 Canada Geese, 11 Mute Swans, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 8 Teal, a Raven, 10 Wheatears, 5 Yellow Wagtails, at least 2 Reed Warblers, a Sedge Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. At least 3 Whinchats, 6 Wheatears, a Reed Warbler and 40 Whimbrel were seen at Aust Warth. Another 25 Whimbrel were reported at Chittening Warth. Click on the Ring Ouzel below for a short Youtube video.

Ring Ouzel, Northwick Warth 23.4.15

22nd April

A warm and sunny day with a moderate strength north east wind. Sightings from Severn Beach included 8 adult Little Gulls, 98 Bar-tailed Godwits, 18 Grey Plover, 28 Whimbrel, 10 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 13 Black-headed Gulls, 4+ Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Wheatears, a Peregrine, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler and a steady passage of Swallows and Martins. Just 5 Little Ringed Plover, 9 Ringed Plover, 24 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 White Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and at least 2 Lesser Whitethroats were reported from the Northwick Warth area. Another single Little Egret, Common Sandpiper, Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were reported at Chittening Warth. Click HERE for some Youtube video of the Bar-tailed Godwits.

Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel and Grey Plover, Severn Beach 22.4.15

Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 22.4.15

Grey Plover, Severn Beach 22.4.15

21st April

A White Stork flew high south west over New Passage at about 10.20 this morning where other reports involved 7 Little Ringed Plover, 15 Ringed Plover, 26 Dunlin, 9 Whimbrel, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 55 Oystercatchers, single Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 13 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 4 Tufted Duck, 15 Teal, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 9+ White Wagtails, 10+ Wheatears, single Tree Pipit and Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a steady stream of Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins. A male Ring Ouzel was found at New Pill just south of Severn Beach where 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, 2 Black-headed Gulls and a Peregrine were also present. The Whinchat remained at Aust Warth.

White Stork, New Passage 21.4.15 © Dan White

20th April

At least 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 8 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 12 White Wagtails and 8 Jays were reported from Northwick Warth. A Short-eared Owl, a Whinchat and a Little Egret were seen at Aust Warth. At least 22 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew and 6 Gadwall were seen at Severn Beach. I had an away day on the Isles of Scilly and managed to see Britain’s second only Great Blue Heron.

Whinchat, Aust Warth 20.4.15 © Rod Holbrook

Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 20.4.15 © Darren Robson

Great Blue Heron, Bryher, Isles of Scilly 20.4.15

19th April

Combined reports from Northwick Warth/New Passage included a Short-eared Owl, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 11 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 9 Whimbrel, 12 Redshank, 12 Curlew, 76 Oystercatchers, single Bar-tailed Godwit, Little Egret and Common Sandpiper, 9 Canada Geese, 9 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 32 Shelduck, 6 Cormorants, 9 White Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails, a Wheatear, 33 House Martins, 223+ Goldfinches and 76 Linnets. Single Whinchat, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler were reported at Aust Warth. Another 2 Whimbrel, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Wheatear were reported from Severn Beach. Another 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Cetti’s Warbler were heard at Chittening Warth.

18th April

Another sunny day with a north east wind. Few reports were received but they did involve the first Marsh Harrier of the year seen flying north east over the South Glos section of Chittening Warth, the first Whinchat of the year in Sheep fields at Aust Warth where a Whitethroat was also seen. A brief visit to the Flash on Northwick Warth produced 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 11 Ringed Plover and 4 Dunlin. Reports from Severn Beach included single Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Wheatear, 39 Shelduck from the shore and nearby a Cetti’s Warbler was heard again at the Orchard Pools.

Whinchat, Aust Warth Sheep fields 18.4.15

17th April

A sunny day with a cold north east breeze. Reports from Northwick Warth/Plining Wetland/New Passage included 6+ Little Ringed Plover, 6 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpipers, 12 Redshank, 55 Oystercatchers, single Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit and Snipe, 5 Little Egrets, an Arctic Tern, 8 Black-headed Gulls, 13 Canada Geese, 3 Gadwall, 5 Teal, 53 Shelduck, 4 Little Grebes, a Raven, 18 White Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and visible fly by migrants including a Tree Pipit, 115 Meadow Pipits, 215 Goldfinches, 67 Linnets, 94 Swallows. 3 Sand Martins and 2 House Martins. Another 29 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 17 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 4 White Wagtails, 4 Whitethroats and 2 Lesser Whitethroats were reported from the Severn Beach shore area and nearby a late Jack Snipe, 5 Tufted Duck and a Cetti’s Warbler were present at the Orchard Pools. Another 3 Cetti’s Warblers and a Common Sandpiper were reported at Chittening Warth and another 9 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Common Sandpipers and 70 fly by Meadow Pipits were seen in the Cake Pill area at Aust Warth.

Little Ringed Plover, Northwick Warth 17.4.15 © Lee Gardiner

16th April

Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Ringed Plover, 5 Common Sandpipers (Chestle Pill), 6 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 30 Sand Martins, single Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat, 7 Wheatears, 18 White Wagtails and 6 Yellow Wagtails. Another 6 Gadwall, 23 Oystercatchers, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, single Wheatear and Redpoll, 2 flyover Yellow Wagtails and the first Reed Warbler of the year were reported at Chittening Warth.

Yellow Wagtail, Northwick Warth 16.4.15

Snipe, Pilning Wetland 16.4.15

15th April

A foggy start followed by a warm sunny day and then mist returning mid afternoon. Combined sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 7 Little Ringed Plovers, a Whimbrel, 8 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank, 28 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 4 Little Grebes, 9 Canada Geese, the Red-breasted Goose, 31 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Jays, a Tree Pipit, a male Yellow Wagtail, 27+ White Wagtails, 2 House Martins, 40+ Sand Martins, 30 Swallows and 3 Willow Warblers. Another 40 Shelduck, 15 Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Egrets, 2 singing Willow Warblers, single Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat were present at Severn Beach.

White Wagtail, Northwick Warth 15.4.15

14th April

The 5 Little Ringed Plovers remained at Northwick Warth where other sightings involved 2 Little Egrets, 5 Ringed Plover, a Snipe, 2 Little Grebes, 8 Wheatears, 18 White Wagtails, 2 Ravens, a Redpoll and the escaped the Red-breasted Goose. Two Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper and 18 Curlew were reported from Severn Beach late afternoon.

13th April

Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage area involved 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 21 flyover Whimbrel, 4 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, a drake Gadwall. 32 Teal, the Red-breasted Goose, 3 singing Willow Warblers, 25 White Wagtails, single Redstart, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear and Tree Pipit. A Grasshopper Warbler was heard early morning at Severn Beach where 5 Ringed Plover, 35 Shelduck and a Raven were also seen. A Little Egret and 3 Cetti’s Warblers were reported from Chittening Warth and another Cetti’s Warbler was heard at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach.

12th April

The only reports received on a cool and windy day from Northwick Warth were of 3 Little Ringed Plovers, single Common Sandpiper and Little Egret and 13 White Wagtails.

11th April

A fresher day with a cold wind. Reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Little Egrets in one flock, 3 Snipe, 33 Redshank, 3 Shoveler, single Gadwall and Red-breasted Goose, 11 White Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 5 Sand Martins, 27 Swallows and 5 Blackcaps. Just 4 Black-headed Gulls and a single Ringed Plover were reported from Severn Beach. The first Sedge Warbler of the year was found at Chittening Warth.

10th April

A warm day with north east veering south east wind. An Osprey was seen high over Severn Beach at 10.33 this morning being mobbed by large Gulls before it drifted north east. Other sightings at Severn Beach included single Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover and Ringed Plover, 10 Black-headed Gulls, 29 Shelduck, 4 Teal, 2 Canada Geese, a Tree Pipit and a Wheatear. A Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Little Grebes and 3 Tufted Duck were reported at the Orchard Pools. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved an Arctic Tern, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, a Snipe, 60 Black-headed Gulls, the Red-breasted Goose, 5 Canada Geese, a drake Wigeon, 35 Teal, 3 Shoveler, single Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Raven, 2 flyover Yellow Wagtails, a Yellowhammer, 3 Tree Pipits, 6 Willow Warblers, 6+ Blackcaps, a Wheatear, 5 White Wagtails, 4 Stock Doves, 10+ Swallows, single House Martin and Sand Martin. Two Peregrines were seen at Aust Warth.

silhouette Osprey, Severn Beach 10.4.15

9th April

Another fine warm day day. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 9 Little Ringed Plovers (wetland scrape), 5 Snipe, a Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 40 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 32 Oystercatchers, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 16 Teal, a drake Wigeon, the Red-breasted Goose, 7 Canada Geese, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Little Egrets, 18 Black-headed Gulls, 8 Jays (including a group of 6 heading north east), 9+ Wheatears, 15 Swallows, 3 Sand Martins, 2 House Martins, 2 Green Woodpeckers, a Willow Warbler and 12+ Chiffchaffs (2 trapped and ringed). Another 10 Wheatears were seen at Aust Warth. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard again at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach.

8th April

A warm and sunny day. An impressive 11 Little Ringed Plovers were seen on various wet areas of Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland where other reports involved 3 Snipe, a Ringed Plover, 30 Redshank, a Little Egret, the Red-breasted Goose, 2 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 6 Wheatears, 2 singing Willow Warblers, 12+ Chiffchaffs (3 trapped & ringed), 40+ Swallows, 10 Sand Martins, 2 House Martins and 3 White Wagtails. Sightings from Severn Beach this morning involved the Red-breasted Goose with 5 Canada Geese, 4 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Duck on the river, 2 Ringed Plover, a summer plumage Dunlin, 30 Shelduck, a Raven and 17 Swallows.

7th April

Another misty dawn followed by a warm and sunny afternoon. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland included 4 Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, 9 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 10 Tufted Duck, 7 Shoveler, 30 Shelduck, 20 Teal, 7 Canada Geese, single Red-breasted Goose and Greylag Goose, 8 Sand Martins and 10 Swallows. Nearby, 30 Redshank, 29 Turnstones and 4 Dunlin were reported from New Passage where the Nightingale was heard again late morning.

6th April

A warm and sunny day following a foggy start produced an influx of migrants. A very early Nightingale was heard this morning in scrub at the back of the Glen at New Passage. Other reports from here involved a Greylag Goose, the Red-breasted Goose, a Little Egret, a Red-legged Partridge, 3 Willow Warblers, a House Martin, 8 Swallows and 8 Wheatears. Another 10 Wheatears, 2 Swallows, 6 Shoveler and 2 Gadwall were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and a Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Canada Geese and a Gadwall were reported nearby at the Orchard Pools. Another 3 Cetti’s Warblers and 68 Redshank were reported from Chittening Warth and 5 Wheatears and a Willow Warbler were present at Aust Warth.

5th April

A brief search at Severn Beach just after the morning high tide produced a drake Green-winged Teal, 3 drake Red-breasted Mergansers, 20 Shelduck, 4 Wheatears and 3 Swallows and this evening a Great Crested Grebe and 11 Teal appeared on the high tide. A summer plumage Water Pipit and a late Jack Snipe were reported at Aust Warth. Reports from the Northwick Warth area involved a Little Ringed Plover, 11 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Egrets, 11 Chiffchaffs, 4 Wheatears and a White Wagtail. Another 5 Wheatears, 3 Cetti’s Warblers and a Swallow were reported from the City and County of Bristol section of Chittening Warth. Click on the Green-winged Teal picture below for a short Youtube video of this lone duck.

Green-winged Teal, Severn Beach 5.4.15

Red-breasted Mergansers, Severn Beach 5.4.15

4th April

The usual sightings plus a few new migrants today. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved the Red-breasted Goose, 5 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 4 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover, 109 Redshank, a Lapwing, 320 flyover Meadow Pipits, 2 Swallows, a Sand Martin and a Raven. At least 30 Shelduck were seen at Aust Warth and another 30 Shelduck and 2 Swallows were seen at Severn Beach.

3rd April

Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included 7 Common Scoter, the escaped Red-breasted Goose, 4 Canada Geese, 6 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 37 Teal, 52 Shelduck, single Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover and Little Egret, 36 Black-tailed Godwits, 78 Redshank, 2 Turnstones, 3 Stock Doves, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Swallows, a Sand Martin and a White Wagtail. Another 8 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin, 4 Canada Geese and 2 Shoveler were seen at Severn Beach.

Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 3.4.15

2nd April

An early morning visit to Northwick Warth produced 8 Canada Geese, the Red-breasted Goose, a Greylag Goose (flew off south), 70+ Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 3 Wigeon, 70 Teal, a Little Egret, 68 Redshank, 12 Curlew, 47 Oystercatchers, single Snipe and Ringed Plover and at least 5 Chiffchaffs. A flock of 120 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.

1st April

Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 2 Canada Geese, the Red-breasted Goose, 2 Shoveler, 47 Teal, 70+ Shelduck, a Dunlin, 51 Redshank, a White Wagtail and a Swallow. A Kittiwake and 11 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach.