Following two of the quietest months of the year, August can be an interesting month with a total of 173 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, Red-necked Phalarope (2014), 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 2015
31st August
A 14.3 metre high tide produced a good number of birds today in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area with 25 Black-tailed Godwits, single Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Ruff and Common Sandpiper, 240 Curlew, 140 Oystercatchers, 100+ Redshank, 30 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover, 25 Turnstones, 3 Little Egrets, 20 Wigeon, 130+ Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, single Pochard and Shoveler, 6 Little Grebes, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Hobby and a Kingfisher. A Knot, 120 Ringed Plover and 60 Dunlin remained at Severn Beach. Two Barn Owls were present at Aust Warth this evening.
30th August
The first Merlin of the autumn was seen early morning on Northwick Warth (on the 2nd sentry box fence). Other sightings over the high tide from here and Pilning Wetland included 2 Little Ringed Plover, 9 Ruff, 18 Black-tailed Godwits, 15 Snipe, 90 Redshank, 140 Oystercatchers, 200 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Ringed Plover, 25 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 7 Tufted Ducks, 6 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 50 Teal, a Pochard (unusually on Wetland floods), 5 Little Grebes, 2 Ravens, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 60+ Pied Wagtails. Four Little Egrets, 2 Knot, a Whimbrel, 170 Ringed Plover and 60 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach.
29th August
Combined sightings from Pining Wetland/New Passage/Northwick Warth included 11 Ruff, 11 Black-tailed Godwits,
60 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, 30 Turnstones, 40 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 75 Redshank, single Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 100+ Canada Geese, 50 Teal, 5 Wigeon, a Little Grebe, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Wheatear, Peregrine, Kingfisher and Siskin. The evening high tide at Severn Beach produced 4 Little Egrets, 3 Sanderling, a Knot, 7 Turnstones, 140 Ringed Plover and 60 Dunlin.
28th August
Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage/Northwick Warth included a Wood Sandpiper, 13 Ruff, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Ringed Plover, 5 Snipe, 80 Oystercatchers, 110 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Little Egrets, 100+ Canada Geese, 45 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 50 Meadow Pipits, 40 Pied Wagtails, 10 Sand Martins, 100+ Goldfinches, single Raven, Hobby and Kingfisher. A Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler and 10 Blackcaps were trapped and ringed. A Knot, a Little Ringed Plover, 110 Ringed Plover, 35 Dunlin and 5 Little Egrets were seen from Severn Beach this evening.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 28.8.15
Knot, Severn Beach 28.8.15
27th August
Combined sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved a juvenile Common Tern, 2 Wood Sandpipers, at least 13 Ruff, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 10 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 200 Mallard, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 180 Black-headed Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails and 7 Sand Martins. An evening high tide visit to Severn Beach produced a Whimbrel, a Knot and a mixed flock of 90 Ringed Plover/Dunlin.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 27.8.15
26th August
Sightings from New Passage/Pilning Wetland involved a Red Kite (flying low south west), a juvenile Yellow Legged Gull, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Common Sandpipers, 6 Dunlin, 150+ Redshank, 50 Curlew, 90 Teal, 5 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, single Yellow Wagtail and Rock Pipit. A juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 90 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin and 2 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
Red Kite, New Passage 26.8.15
Little Ringed Plover, Severn Beach 26.8.15
25th August
Two Wood Sandpipers, 6 Ruff, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, single Knot, Snipe and Little Egret, 8 Dunlin, 13 Ringed Plover, 90 Redshank, 8 Curlew, 6 Oystercatchers, 30+ Turnstones, 50 Canada Geese, 2 Gadwall, a Shoveler, 100 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 9 Sand Martins, single Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail remained in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. A near high tide visit to Severn Beach produced a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 85 Ringed Plover, 27 Dunlin, 60 Oystercatchers, a Turnstone, 100 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Little Egrets and 3 Grey Herons. Another 25 Redshank, 14 Curlew and 3 Grey Herons were reported at Aust Warth.
24th August
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 2 Wood Sandpipers, 6 Ruff, 7 Snipe, single Green Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Redshank, a Little Egret, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Hobby, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a Whinchat. At least 20 Ringed Plover and 10 Dunlin were seen from Severn Beach.
23rd August
A very wet morning, turning dry mid afternoon. Just 3 Wood Sandpipers, 5 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Lapwing, 130 Redshank, 9 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 200+ Canada Geese, 6 Tufted Ducks, 11 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats and 3 Yellow Wagtails were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Three Little Egrets, a Sanderling, 70 Ringed Plover and 20 Dunlin were seen from Severn Beach.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 23.8.15
22nd August
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved an adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Ruff, 6 Snipe, a Whimbrel, 65 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 14 Teal, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a Redstart. Sightings from Severn Beach included 7 Little Egrets, 30 Ringed Plovers, 20 Dunlin, 25 Redshank and a Turnstone.
21st August
Much of the same today with 4 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Ruff, 2 Lapwing, 110 Redshank, 65 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 20 Turnstones, 3 Wigeon, 30 Teal and 150+ Canada Geese seen from New Passage/Pilning Wetland.
20th August
Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 4 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 95 Redshank, 40 Turnstones, 75 Dunlin, 55 Curlew and 15 Teal. A brief visit to Severn Beach produced 5 Little Egrets, a Sanderling and a mixed flock of 80 Dunlin/Ringed Plover. Reports from Aust Warth involved 60 Redshank, 3 Shelduck and 56 Mallard.
19th August
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Ruff, 3 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 65 Dunlin, 100 Redshank, a Little Egret, 180 Canada Geese, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 3 Sand Martins, 2 Wheatears, single Peregrine, Kingfisher, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Willow Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
18th August
A good selection today including 4 Wood Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Ruff, 3 Snipe, 2 Lapwing, 30 Turnstones, 40 Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 45 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 190 Canada Geese, 3 Wigeon, 6 Tufted Duck, 8 Teal, 5 Little Grebes, a Peregrine, 8+ Yellow Wagtails, a Wheatear, 2 Redstarts and 2 Spotted Flycatchers at New Passage/Pilning Wetland area. An Osprey was seen drifting south east over the Western Approaches distribution park at Severn Beach, a Cetti’s Warbler was reported at the Orchard Pools and 7 Little Egrets were seen from the shore.
Wood Sandpipers, Pilning Wetland 18.8.15
Redstart, New Passage 18.8.15 © Martyn Hayes
Osprey, Severn Beach 18.8.15 © Viv Savery
17th August
Combined sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 4 Wood Sandpipers (record count), 2 Knot, a Ruff (Reeve), 2 Golden Plover, 3 Snipe, 2 Lapwing, single Common Sandpiper, Little Egret and Whimbrel, 80 Redshank, 50 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 150 Canada Geese, 6 Tufted Duck, 25 Teal, 3 Wigeon, a Hobby and 2 Kestrels. A Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Redstarts were reported from Aust Warth and a Kingfisher was seen at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach. Click on the Wood Sandpiper picture below for some Youtube video of 2 of the birds.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 17.8.15
Ruff & Lapwing, Pilning Wetland 17..8.15
16th August
At long last some decent waders dropped out of the sky. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved 3 juvenile Wood Sandpipers, 5 Ruff, single Black-tailed Godwit and Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Knot, 30 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 55 Curlew, 75 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 140 Canada Geese, 2 Teal, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Sand Martins, single Wheatear, Whinchat and Peregrine. At least 50 Ringed Plover and 85 Dunlin were seen at the Severn Beach shore and the female Ring-necked Parakeet remained in the Abbot Rd area of Severn Beach.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 16.8.15
one of three that spent most of the time at distance creeping around the middle of the freshly flooded wader scrape.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 16.8.15
15th August
The Ring-necked Parakeet was seen again early morning in Severn Beach village and nearby a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 40 Ringed Plover, 90 Dunlin, 5 Little Egrets, 9 Shelduck, 450 Black-headed Gulls, 80 Herring Gulls and 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen from the Severn Beach shore. Just 80 Redshank, 130+ Canada Geese and 240 Black-headed Gulls were reported from New Passage. A Yellow Wagtail and 20+ Pied Wagtails were hunting insects on the fresh flooded areas of the Pilning Wetland.
14th August
A brief late afternoon visit to New Passage produced 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Lapwing, 120+ Redshank, 52 Oystercatchers, 149 Canada Geese, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Little Grebes, a Hobby and a Kingfisher. A visit to Severn Beach produced 4 Little Egrets, 4 Whimbrel, a Sanderling, 30 Ringed Plover and 70+ Dunlin.
13th August
Sightings from New Passage/Pilning Wetland involved 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Dunlin, 15 Turnstones, 100+ Redshank, single Little Egret, Common Sandpiper and Ringed Plover, 2 Teal, 2 Mute Swans, 45 Canada Geese, 7 Tufted Ducks, 3 Sand Martins, a male Redstart and 6 Wheatears. A female Ring-necked Parakeet was present all day in gardens at Severn Beach and nearby 4 Little Egrets, 30 Ringed Plover, 65 Dunlin and 2 Redshank were seen from the shore. Another Little Egret was seen at Aust Warth.
Ring-necked Parakeet, Severn Beach 13.8.15 © Rod Lees
12th August
Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included a Green Sandpiper, 80 Dunlin, 80 Redshank, single Whimbrel, Little Egret and Lapwing, 60 Curlew, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Teal, 2 Mute Swans, 6 Tufted Duck, 50+ Canada Geese, 3 Whinchats and a Yellow Wagtail. An evening high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 12+ Little Egrets, a Sanderling, 2 Turnstones, 50 Dunlin and 14 Ringed Plover.
11th August
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 250 Black-headed Gulls, a Little Grebe on the Severn, 70 Redshank, 18 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones, 60 Curlew, 100+ Mallard, single Common Sandpiper, Little Egret, Raven, Sand Martin and Kingfisher were seen at New Passage. Nearby, single Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, juvenile Little Ringed Plover and Little Egret, 3 Snipe, 2 Lapwing, 3 Little Grebes, 3 Teal, 80 Canada Geese, adult plus 6 juvenile Tufted Ducks, 1+ Yellow Wagtail and 2 Swifts.
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 11.8.15
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 11.8.15
10th August
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 250 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, single adult Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper, 50 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 20 Dunlin, 6 Tufted Ducks, a Teal, 7 Canada Geese and 3 Yellow Wagtails were reported in the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area.
9th August
The 5th Severnside record of Ring-necked Parakeet was reported flying south west from New Passage. Other reports from here included 105 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 110 Redshank, 25 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 130 Canada Geese, 4 Yellow Wagtails, a Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtails and 100 Goldfinches.
8th August
Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area involved an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Gulls, 250+ Black-headed Gulls, 110 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 14 Turnstones, single Lapwing and Common Sandpiper, 6 Tufted Duck ducklings, 80 Canada Geese, a Peregrine, a Little Egret, a Kingfisher, 2 Ravens, a Grasshopper Warbler, 20+ Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers (2 trapped and ringed), 3 Sedge Warblers, 14+ Blackcaps, 7+ Whitethroats and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
7th August
A moulting adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Common Sandpipers, single Whimbrel and Little Egret, 120+ Dunlin, 100+ Redshank, 70 Canada Geese, 2 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 5 Teal, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Willow Warblers and 4+ Lesser Whitethroats were reported from New Passage/Northwick Warth area.
6th August
Morning, rising tide sightings from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 4 Mediterranean Gulls (an adult in heavy wing moult plus a fully winged adult with 2 juveniles), 6 Common Terns, 250+ Black-headed Gulls, a Greenshank, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Knot, 2 Common Sandpipers, 32 Turnstones, a Whimbrel, 110 Dunlin, a Sanderling, 13 Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Lapwing, 49 Redshank, 80+ Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 147 Canada Geese, the Tufted Duck family, 10 Shelduck, 7 Little Grebes (4 adults, 3 juveniles), a Yellow Wagtail and a Swift. At least 30 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
5th August
Combined sightings from New Passage/Pilning Wetland involved 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult & juvenile), 180 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Sanderling, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Common Sandpipers, single Whimbrel and Little Ringed Plover, 110 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 100+ Redshank, 31 Turnstones, 9 Lapwing, 20 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, the female Tufted Duck with 6 ducklings, 2 Teal, 90+ Canada Geese, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Kingfishers, a Wheatear, a Hobby, 3 Sand Martins and a Swift.
adult Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 5.8.15
juvenile Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 5.8.15
4th August
Reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 3 Little Egrets, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpipers, 9 Lapwing, 8 Ringed Plovers, 60+ Dunlin, 100+ Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers, 100+ Canada Geese, the family group of Tufted Duck, a Raven and 4 Swifts.
Dunlin and Knot, New Passage 3.8.15
3rd August
Combined sightings from New Passage involved single 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, adult Knot and Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 800 Black-headed Gulls, 140+ Dunlin, 100+ Redshank, 30 Turnstones, 10 Ringed Plover, 60 Oystercatchers, 80 Curlew and 3 Common Sandpipers. Nearby a Little Ringed Plover, another Common Sandpiper, 9 Lapwing, 120 Canada Geese, a female Tufted Duck with 6 now well grown ducklings and a Yellow Wagtail were seen on the Pilning Wetland.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 2.8.15
2nd August
A fine sunny day. A morning high tide visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth produced 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 250 Black-headed Gulls, a Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Whimbrel, Snipe and Little Ringed Plover, 9 Lapwing, 70 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover, 100+ Curlew, 60 Redshank, 15 Turnstones, at least 60 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 111 Canada Geese, 3 Teal, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Swifts.
Kingfisher, Pilning Wetland 1.8.15
1st August
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area involved 2 Mediterranean Gulls (juvenile & adult), single Little Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper, 8 Lapwing, 35 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 110 Redshank, 18 Turnstones, 40 Oystercatchers, 107 Canada Geese, 3 Swifts, a Hobby, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 20+ Pied Wagtails, a Willow Warbler and a Kingfisher (trapped and ringed). Two Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
