July is the quietest month on Severnside with only 150 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 Mediterranean 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 2016
31st July
A Bee-eater was heard above Aust Cliff, South of the M48/Severn Bridge this morning (only the 2nd Severnside record). Another quiet morning on Pilning Wetland with just 3 Green Sandpipers, single Common Sandpiper and Redshank, 40+ Lapwing, 5 Little Egrets, 140+ Canada Geese, 12 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Grebes and a Yellow Wagtail being seen in a brief visit.
30th July
A Little Ringed Plover, 3 Green Sandpipers, 6 Dunlin, 42+ Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Teal and a Yellow Wagtail were seen on Pilning Wetland. Two Common Sandpipers and 16 Curlew were reported at Aust Warth.
29th July
Fewer bird were present on Pilning Wetland this morning with just 2 Green Sandpipers, 36 Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 9 Little Grebes, 5 Teal, 2 Shoveler, a Yellow Wagtail, 3 Sand Martins and 3 Swifts being seen. A brief visit to New Passage produced 17 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plover, 26 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 20 Oystercatchers, 6 Curlew and 120+ Canada Geese. A Raven and Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach this morning.
28th July
A breezy day with some rain showers. The usual 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Green Sandpipers, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 70+ Redshank, 8 Turnstones, 3 Little Egrets, a Water Rail chick, 9 Little Grebes, 130+ Canada Geese, 2 Shoveler, 600 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Yellow Wagtails were seen on Pilning Wetland. A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 4 Ringed Plover and 4 Dunlin.
27th July
A good selection of waders for this time of year with 13 species reported. Sightings on Pilning Wetland included 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Snipe, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 140 Dunlin, 35 Lapwing, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egrets, 150 Canada Geese, 4 Teal, 10 Little Grebes, 400+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Ravens, a male Kestrel, at least 5 Yellow Wagtails, 40 Pied Wagtails and 2 Swifts. A Sanderling, 10 Turnstones, a Whimbrel, 8 Dunlin, 16 Curlew, 11 Redshank, 35 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret and 36 Shelduck were seen from New Passage.
juvenile Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 27.7.16
26th July
Another adult Mediterranean Gull (two thirds hood), 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 125 Dunlin, 2 Turnstones, a Snipe, 80+ Redshank, 35 Lapwing, 150 Canada Geese, 4 Little Egrets, 9 Little Grebes and 4 Yellow Wagtails were seen at Pilning Wetland. A Whimbrel was seen at Severn Beach.
25th July
An adult Mediterranean Gull (complete hood), 600+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Green Sandpipers, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, 110 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 30 Lapwing, 2 Turnstones (on rear wader scrape), 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 135 Canada Geese, 3 Tufted Duck broods, 3 Shoveler, 8 Teal, 2 Water Rail chicks, 6+ Yellow Wagtails were all seen on Pilning Wetland today.
24th July
A Greenshank, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Green Sandpipers, 5 Little Ringed Plover, a Snipe, 80+ Dunlin, 15+ Redshank, 35 Lapwing, 35 Oystercatchers, 15 Redshank, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 350 Black-headed Gulls, 62 Canada Geese, 3 Tufted Duck broods, 2 Mute Swans plus 5 cygnets, 2 Shoveler, 70+ Pied Wagtails and 5 Yellow Wagtails were seen in the Pilning Wetland area.
23rd July
Another 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult with complete hood and a 1st summer bird), 500+ Black-headed Gulls, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 70+ Redshank, 60+ Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 5 Little Egrets, 37 Canada Geese and at least 4 Yellow Wagtails were seen on Pilning Wetland. Another Yellow Wagtail was seen at Severn Beach.
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 23.7.16
Dunlin, Redshank and Gulls, Pilning Wetland 23.7.16
22nd July
An adult Mediterranean Gull (advanced “peppered”head moult), 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Snipe, 70+ Redshank, 30+ Dunlin, 40 Lapwing, single Common Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Little Egrets, 2 Water Rail families, 9 Teal and 4+ Yellow Wagtails were reported on Pilning Wetland. At least 50 Curlew were seen on Northwick Warth salt marsh.
21st July
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included an adult Mediterranean Gull, an adult Little Stint, 8+ Little Ringed Plovers, 20+ Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 55 Dunlin, 75 Redshank, 2 Snipe, a Whimbrel, 20 Curlew, 40+ Lapwing, 35 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 38 Canada Geese, 5 Teal, 4 Yellow Wagtails, single Kingfisher and Wheatear.
20th July
A cooler day with a moderate West wind. A good selection today including an early group of 4 adult Little Stints, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 11+ Little Ringed Plovers, 30+ Dunlin, 66 Redshank, single Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 5 Little Egrets, 22 Canada Geese on Pilning Wetland. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were seen on Northwick Warth salt marsh. A Whimbrel and 2 Common Sandpipers were reported at Aust Warth.
Little Stints and Dunlin, Pilning Wetland 20.7.16
Yellow Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 20.7.16
19th July
The hottest day (32°C) of the year so far. Reports from Pilning Wetland involved a Greenshank, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 26 Dunlin, 60+ Redshank, 25 Lapwing, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Cormorants, 2 Water Rail broods, at least 10 Little Grebes, 19 Canada Geese, 3 Tufted Duck broods and 5+ Yellow Wagtails.
18th July
A very warm (28°C) sunny day following a foggy start. Sightings from Pilning Wetland included 8 Little Ringed Plovers, 24 Dunlin, 12 Lapwing, 15 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 2 adult Water Rails and 2+ chicks, the 3rd pair of nesting Little Grebes this year, 600+ Black-headed Gulls of which 300 were hawking insects,18 Canada Geese, 9 Teal, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Ravens. Two juvenile Green Woodpeckers were seen on the seafront at Severn Beach.
Little Grebe, Pilning Wetland 18.7.16
a record 3rd pair to nest here this year
Water Rail, Pilning Wetland 18.7.16
Water Rail chick, Pilning Wetland 18.7.16
17th July
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved 14 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 34 Dunlin, 8 Lapwing, 28 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 18 Canada Geese, 9 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck broods, 34 Shelduck ducklings, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Yellow Wagtails and a male Kestrel.
16th July
Reports from Pilning Wetland included 10 Little Ringed Plovers, 24 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 25 Redshank, 15+ Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, a Water Rail, 3 Tufted Duck broods, 6 Teal, a Shoveler and 3 Yellow Wagtails. A Rock Pipit was reported at New Passage.
15th July
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 13 Little Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper, 26 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 20+ Lapwing, 4 Little Egrets, a Water Rail, a Gadwall brood, 3 Tufted Duck broods, 5 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans plus 5 cygnets, 40+ Pied Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a male Kestrel. A Whimbrel was reported on Northwick Warth.
Dunlin and Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 15.7.16
14th July
At least 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 43 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 20+ Lapwing, 8 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 13 Little Grebes and a Yellow Wagtail remained on Pilning Wetland where a Water Rail and at least 2 young were seen (first confirmed breeding at this site, an empty nest was found in May). The first Wheatear of the the autumn was seen on Northwick Warth and a Kingfisher was seen again at New Passage.
13th July
A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced an adult summer plumage Mediterranean Gull, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, a Greenshank, 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 33 Redshank, 20+ Lapwing, 12 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck broods (6,4 & 4), 10 Little Grebes and a Yellow Wagtail. A Kingfisher and 3 Common Sandpipers were seen at New Passage.
Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 13.7.16
12th July
The first Greenshank of the autumn, just 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 22 Lapwing, 15 Dunlin, 3 Little Egrets and a Yellow Wagtail were seen on Pilning Wetland.
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 12.7.16
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 12.7.16
11th July
At least 16 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 8 Dunlin, 12 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Teal and a Yellow Wagtail were seen on Pilning Wetland. Another Common Sandpiper, 40 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers and and at least 300 Black-headed Gulls were seen from New Passage.
10th July
The usual remained on Pilning Wetland including 11 Little Ringed Plover, 3 adult Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 6 Dunlin, 17+ Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Teal, a Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 20 Pied Wagtails and a Peregrine. A Kingfisher was seen at New Passage.
9th July
At least 18 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, 30+ Lapwing, 29 Redshank, 5 Dunlin, 9 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck broods, a female Shoveler, 3 Little Egrets, were seen on Pilning Wetland. Seven Common Sandpipers, 30 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, 12 adult Shelduck and a group 23 identical sized ducklings were seen from New Passage. An Adder was seen on the 2nd sentry box footpath at Pilning Wetland, as far as I know the 1st record here.
8th July
A brief morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 13+ Little Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper, 9 Lapwing, 6 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 80 Black-headed Gulls and a Yellow Wagtail. At least 20 Oystercatchers were present on Northwick Warth.
7th July
At least 18 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 12 Dunlin, 20+ Redshank, 20+ Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Tufted Duck broods, 5 Teal, a Yellow Wagtail and 40+ Sand Martins were seen on Pilning Wetland.
juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, Pilning Wetland 7.7.16
Sand Martins, Pilning Wetland 7.7.16
6th July
A record count of 20 Little Ringed Plovers on Pilning Wetland late afternoon where other sightings included 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Snipe, 3 Dunlin, 16+ Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Little Grebes, a Gadwall brood of 3 ducklings, 3 Tufted Duck broods (6,4 & 4) and 2 Yellow Wagtails. At least 25 Curlew and 15 Oystercatchers were seen on Northwick Warth.
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 6.7.16
5th July
Two Green Sandpipers, at least 14 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Black-tailed Godwits,14 adult Dunlin, 15 Redshank, 14 Lapwing and 3 Little Egrets were seen on Pilning Wetland. Two Ringed Plover were reported on the Northwick Warth flash.
4th July
At least 16 Little Ringed Plovers (10 juveniles & 6 adults), 2 Green Sandpipers, a Snipe, 12 adult Dunlin, 22 Redshank, 16 Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets and 6 Teal were seen on Pilning Wetland. At least 180 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers and 43 Shelduck were seen on Northwick Warth and 2 Common Sandpipers, another Redshank and 6 Curlew were present at Aust Warth.
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 4.7.16
Adult and juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, Pilning Wetland 4.7.16
3rd July
At least 11 Little Ringed Plover (6 juveniles & 5 adults), 2 Black-tailed Godwits, single Green Sandpiper and Snipe, 20 Lapwing, 20 Redshank, 8 Dunlin, a Little Egret and 3 Grey Herons were seen at Pilning Wetland. A Kingfisher and Common Sandpiper were seen at New Passage and 28 Shelduck ducklings were seen off Northwick Warth.
2nd July
A Green Sandpiper, 9 Little Ringed Plover (5 juveniles & 4 adult), 16 Lapwing, 9 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets and 4 Sand Martins were seen on Pilning Wetland this morning. At least 70 Curlew flew north past Severn Beach this evening.
Little Egret, Pilning Wetland 2.7.16
1st July
Another windy day. At least 12 Little Ringed Plover (4 juveniles & 8 adults) remained on Pilning Wetland this morning where single Green Sandpiper, Curlew and Redshank, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Sand Martins were also seen. A Fulmar was seen off Severn Beach late afternoon.
