September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 194 species seen at least once in this month, is the third highest in the year. It is the time when most of the summer visitors will depart and a good selection of early winter visitors will arrive towards the end of the month. Any West or South West gales will produce the usual seabirds but the more exotic have occurred; Sooty Shearwater (1974), Balearic Shearwater (1988), Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull. Other rarities that have appeared in September include; Red-crested Pochard (2 in 1996), White Storks (2010), Glossy Ibis (2010), Cattle Egret (2012), Great White Egret (2013), Crane (2014), Honey Buzzard (1996), Dotterel (1974), Kentish Plover (2006), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998, 2006, 2008, 2014), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1989, 2003), Terek Sandpiper (1986), Semipalmated Sandpiper (2009), Red-rumped Swallow (1977), Wryneck (2003, 2010, 2015) and Rose-coloured Starling (2004). Local rarities have included pale-bellied Brent Geese, Osprey, Spoonbill (2008, 2011), Nightjar (2006, 2013), Hawfinch (1998), Willow Tit (1992), Nightingale (1999), Lapland Bunting and Ring Ouzel.
September 2016
30th September
Another breezy day with some torrential rain showers. A Spotted Redshank, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 5+ Little Stints, 3 Ruff, 93 Grey Plover, single Common Sandpiper and Golden Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 9 Lapwing, 165 Black-tailed Godwits, 110 Knot,1400+ Dunlin, a Little Egret, 9 Barnacle Geese, 9 Shelduck, single Guillemot, Merlin and Wheatear were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth/New Passage area. A Redstart, a Whinchat, a Stonechat and 2 Wheatears were reported at Severn Beach.
Barnacle Geese, Northwick Warth 30.9.16 © John Martin
Ruff, Northwick Warth 30.9.16 © John Martin
29th September
A windy day. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved 5 juvenile Little Stints together on the Butts Pool, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 2 Snipe, 9 Lapwing, 2 Grey Plover, 100+ Knot, 300+ Black-tailed Godwits, single Bar-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover and Common Sandpiper, 120 Redshank, 500 Dunlin, a Little Egret, a Common Tern, a 1st winter Common Gull, 22 Gadwall, single Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine. At least 70 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin and 100 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
Black-tailed Godwits and Knot, Pilning Wetland 29.9.16
28th September
A breezy and overcast day. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth/New Passage included 3 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Ruff, single Common Sandpiper and Snipe, 72 Grey Plover, 9 Lapwing, 305 Black-tailed Godwits, 100+ Knot, 800 Dunlin, 130 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, lots of Wigeon and Teal, 25 Skylarks, single male Sparrowhawk, Wheatear, Stonechat and Rock Pipit. At least 60 Ringed Plovers and 6 Little Egrets were present at Severn Beach. Click HERE to see a short Youtube video of some of this morning’s waders on the wetland.
27th September
Sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved 3 Little Stints, 2 Ruff, single Common Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and Golden Plover, 28 Grey Plover, 9 Lapwing, 10 Ringed Plover, 70 Redshank, 320+ Black-tailed Godwits, 130+ Knot, a Little Egret, 500 Wigeon, 350 Teal, 16 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck, 10+ Little Grebes and a Stonechat.
26th September
A cooler day with a light breeze and occasional light rain. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Ruff, at least 4 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, single Jack Snipe and Common Sandpiper, 21 Grey Plover, 9 Lapwing, 10 Snipe, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Knot, 80 Redshank, 500+ Dunlin, a Little Egret, at least 9 Little Grebes, 36 Shoveler, 430 Wigeon, a Stonechat and 3 Wheatears. A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 60 Ringed Plover. Click on the Ruff picture below for a short Youtube video.
Ruff, Northwick Warth 26.9.16
Little Stints, Pilning Wetland 26.9.16
Little Stints, Pilning Wetland 26.9.16
25th September
A day of sunshine and showers and strong West wind in the afternoon. An Avocet, 3 Little Stints, the usual Black-tailed Godwits and Knot flock, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, 4 Grey Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers and 4 Wheatears were seen in the Northwick Warth area.The first Guillemot of the year flew upriver on the 3pm high tide at Severn Beach where other sightings included a juvenile Common Tern, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 70 Ringed Plover and 50 Turnstones. A Whinchat was seen at Aust Warth.
Avocet, Northwick Warth 25.9.16 © Paul Bowdler
24th September
Another day with a good variety and number of waders. Three Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, a Ruff, 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, 100+ Knot, 70 Redshank, 13 Ringed Plover, 7 Grey Plover, 8 Lapwing, 600 Dunlin, single Common Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit and Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 7 Shelduck, 2 Pintail, 9 Shoveler, 350 Wigeon, 2 Wheatears, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen in the Northwick Warth/New Passage area.
23rd September
Once again the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth/New Passage area was the centre of attention with 4 Little Stints, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 2 Common Sandpipers, 18 Snipe, 180+ Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Grey Plover, 50 Knot, 450 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 10 Lapwing, 60 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 19 Shoveler, 5 Pintail, 5 Wheatears, single Raven, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Kingfisher. Another Wheatear was seen at Severn Beach.
Common Sandpipers, Pilning Wetland 23.9.16
22nd September
Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included a juvenile Wood Sandpiper, 4 juvenile Little Stints, 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 1500 Dunlin, 65 Grey Plover, 290 Black-tailed Godwits, 170 Knot, 8 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 90 Canada Geese, an Egyptian Goose, 5 Pintail, 150+ Wigeon, 4 Wheatears, single Peregrine, Kingfisher and Whitethroat. Another Curlew Sandpiper, a Peregrine and 4 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
21st September
Much of the same was reported from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland with flocks of waders roosting and feeding. Sightings included the Wood Sandpiper, 4 juvenile Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 24 Grey Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 1100 Dunlin, 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 165 Knot, 80 Ringed Plover, 70 Turnstones, 90 Redshank, 70 Curlew, 110 Oystercatchers, 6 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 7 Pintail, 14 Gadwall, 18 Shoveler, 130 Wigeon, 2 Wheatears, single Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Yellow Wagtail. Another Common Sandpiper, 10 Redshank and 44 Wigeon were seen at Aust Warth and another Curlew Sandpiper was seen at Severn Beach. A Water Vole was seen swimming across Chestle Pill at New Passage.
20th September
Another high tide with lots of waders including the juvenile Wood Sandpiper, at least 1000 Dunlin, 2 juvenile Little Stints, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Golden Plover, 16 Grey Plover, 6 Lapwing, 90 Ringed Plover, 140+ Knot, 90 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, 90 Curlew, 120 Oystercatchers, 8 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 10 Pintail, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Ravens, single Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, a Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers and 8 Wheatears all being seen on Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland.
Wader roost, Pilning Wetland 20.9.16
a fraction of the flock this morning
19th September
A juvenile Wood Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Little Stints, 5 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 16 Grey Plover, a Whimbrel, 11 Snipe, a Golden Plover, 6 Lapwing, 30 Ringed Plover, 140+ Knot, 260 Black-tailed Godwits, 500+ Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 90 Curlew, 120 Oystercatchers, 70 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 9 Little Grebes, 15 Pintail, 20 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 15 Shoveler, 140 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 5 Shelduck, 2 Kestrel, a Peregrine, 2 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Rock Pipit were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area.
18th September
Once again the very high tide produced large mobile flocks of waders. Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included a Wood Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Grey Plover, 2 Golden Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 140+ Knot, 190 Black-tailed Godwits, 110 Redshank, 120 Oystercatchers, 500+ Dunlin, 25 Ringed Plover, 80 Turnstones, 3 Snipe, 90 Curlew, 6 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, an influx of 20 Pintail, 80 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 22 Shoveler, a Wheatear and a Whinchat.
1st winter Mediterranean Gull and Black-headed Gull, Northwick Warth 18.9.16
17th September
A high spring tide produced some very mobile and restless wader flocks. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved 2 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints, a Ruff, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Golden Plover, 23 Ringed Plover, 300+ Dunlin, 90 Redshank, 80 Turnstones, 4 Snipe, a Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 120+ Black-tailed Godwits, 100+ Knot, 7 Lapwing, 80 Curlew, 120+ Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 11 Little Grebes, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 12 Shoveler, a flock of 120 Linnets, single Hobby, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail. At least 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Knot, 3 Little Egrets, single Peregrine, Wheatear, Redstart and Stonechat were seen at Severn Beach.
16th September
A good number and selection of birds were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area today including 2 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Sints, 2 Grey Plover, a Golden Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 100+ Knot, 270+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, 70 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, 90+ Redshank, 300+ Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 7 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, 3 Pintail, 60+ Wigeon, 90+ Teal, 25 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck, single Redstart (trapped and ringed), Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Peregrine.
15th September
The 2 Wood Sandpipers remained on Pilning Wetland where other reports from here and Northwick Warth involved a Little Stint, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, 35+ Knot, 220+ Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Golden Plover, 300 Dunlin, 105 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwing, 55 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret and a Spotted Flycatcher. Click on the Wood Sandpiper image below for a short Youtube video.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 15.9.16
14th September
A humid and mainly overcast day with North East breeze. Combined visits from from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth produced 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 juvenile Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, a Spotted Redshank, the large flock of Black-tailed Godwits and Knot, 100+ Redshank, 28 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, a Common Gull, 9 Little Grebes, 45 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 90+ Teal, 3 Whinchats, 5 Wheatears, 5 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit. A Barn Owl was seen again over Aust Warth after dusk.
13th September
A dry morning followed by thunder and showers. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 2 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 290 Black-tailed Godwits, 107 Knot, 3 Ruff, 50+ Curlew, 30 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, 5 Lapwing, 90+ Redshank, single Bar-tailed Godwit and Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Egrets, an adult Common Tern, 18 Wigeon, 6 Wheatears, single Kestrel, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat and Kingfisher.
12th September
Plenty of birds today in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area including the mobile juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints, single Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 9 Curlew Sandpipers, 90 Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, 170 Dunlin, 90 Turnstones, 10 Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 2 Lapwing, 60 Redshank, 6 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 90 Canada Geese, 9 Mute Swans, single Black Tern, adult Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier and Raven, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Wheatears, single Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Rock Pipit and Redstart.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 12.9.16
11th September
A day with some excellent birds. The day started well with a Great White Egret that was found early morning at the mouth of Chestle Pill, New Passage before it flew off to land on rocks next to the Second Severn Crossing and was watched at distance of 2 Km. A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was found with roosting waders on the Northwick Warth Flash early afternoon. Other sightings from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included a Little Stint, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 2 Greenshank, 4 Knot, 190+ Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Redshank, 110 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 80 Canada Geese, a juvenile Garganey, 3 Pintail, a Tufted Duck, 25 Wigeon, 30 Gadwall, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, single Peregrine, Whinchat and Tree Pipit. Another 7 Little Egrets were seen from Severn Beach.
Little Egret, Grey Heron and Great White Egret, New Passage 11.9.16
10th September
A wet morning followed by a sunny afternoon. Combined sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved 9 Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Stint, 10 Knot, 2 Ruff, a Greenshank, at least 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 240 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 70 Redshank, 2 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Egret, an Egyptian Goose, 20+ Gadwall, 3 Pintail, 25+ Wigeon, 3 Wheatears and 5 Yellow Wagtails.
9th September
Reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Knot, 2 Greenshank, 4 Ruff, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 120 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Redshank, 37 Turnstones, 50 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Wheatears and a Yellow Wagtail. Another 2 Wheatears were seen at Aust Warth.
8th September
A bright and windy day. A stunning adult Sabine’s Gull was a surprise find heading down river from Severn Beach just after the midday high tide. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Ruff (2 Reeves), 2 Greenshank, 4 Knot, 93 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, a Little Egret, 38 Wigeon, 22+ Shoveler, 3 Pintail, a Wheatear and 12 Yellow Wagtails.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 8.9.16
Ruff and Reeve, Pilning Wetland 8.9.16
7th September
Sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 6 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers (roosting on The Flash), 6 Ruff (2 reeves), 2 juvenile Little Stints (on The Flash), 2 Greenshank, 4 Knot, at least one Bar-tailed Godwit, 90 Black-tailed Godwits, 180+ Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers, 8 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Pintail, 2 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, an Egyptian Goose, 40 Canada Geese, 400+ Black-headed Gulls, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, single Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat and Hobby. Another Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 80 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin and 3 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach. A Barn Owl was out hunting close to the road at Aust Warth at 8.10 am.
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 7.9.16
6th September
A warm and humid day with another good selection of waders. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included the first 8 Bar-tailed Godwits of the autumn, 80 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Ruff, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 juvenile Little Stints, 2 Greenshank, 14 Knot, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 8 Snipe, 73 Turnstones, 120 Redshank, 80 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 70 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, 15 Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, an Egyptian Goose, 200+ Canada Geese, a juvenile Garganey, 8 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 5 Wigeon, 24 Shoveler, 90+ Teal, single juvenile Peregrine, Hobby, Kestrel and Raven, 8+ Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail and a Lesser Whitethroat. Another flock of waders at Severn Beach produced 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 120 Ringed Plover, 90 Dunlin and 30 Turnstones where 5 Little Egrets and a Wheatear were also seen.
Bar-tailed Godwit and Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 6.9.16
Curlew Sandpipers, Severn Beach 6.9.16
5th September
A murky damp start to the day with a lot of good new birds dropping in with 19 species of wader seen. Most reports were from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth where an Osprey was seen for 15 minutes before drifting South early afternoon (only 20th site record). Other sightings included a mixed flock of 66 mainly Common Terns with a few Arctic Terns early morning, a Wood Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Spotted Redshanks, 4 Greenshank, 5 Ruff, 14 Knot, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Sanderling, 3 Snipe, 15 Lapwing, 350 Dunlin, 80 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, a juvenile Garganey, an Egyptian Goose, 80 Canada Geese, a juvenile Peregrine, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Wheatears. At least 150 Curlew and 2 Wheatears were seen at Severn Beach.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 5.9.16
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 5.9.16
4th September
A windy day following a wet and windy night. At least 2 Manx Shearwaters (plus a dead individual), a Whimbrel, 60 Turnstones, 140 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 5 Little Egrets, a Wheatear and Kingfisher were reported from Severn Beach. Another Manx Shearwater was seen from New Passage. Other reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included juvenile Black Tern, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and Sanderling, 2 Greenshank, 130+ Redshank, 57 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Knot, a Green Sandpiper, 15 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 10 Little Grebes, an Egyptian Goose, 240 Canada Geese, 31 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 6 Wheatears, single Hobby and Raven. A Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpipers were reported at Aust Warth.
3rd September
An increasingly windy and wet day.The juvenile Black Tern, a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 11 Knot, 3 Greenshank, 110 Redshank, 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Egrets, the Egyptian Goose, 80 Canada Geese, 9 Mute Swans, 9 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Yellow Wagtails, single Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Kingfisher were seen in the Pilning Wetland Northwick Warth area.
Black Tern, Pilning Wetland 3.9.16
Black Tern, Pilning Wetland 3.9.16
2nd September
A juvenile Black Tern, a Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, a Ruff, 16 Knot, 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 5 Snipe, a Whimbrel, 40 Lapwing, 200+ Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 20+ Turnstones, 160 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 130 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 10 Shoveler, an Egyptian Goose, 70 Canada Geese, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, single Raven, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Whinchat were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area today. A Raven was seen at Severn Beach.
1st September
The autumn got off to a flying start with 2 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, a Ruff, a Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Knot, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Snipe, 4 Ringed Plover, 170 Dunlin, 85 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 140 Redshank, 5 Little Egrets, 6 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, an Egyptian Goose, 230 Canada Geese, 9 Mute Swans, 10 Little Grebes, 11+ Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, single Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Spotted Flycatcher were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth/New Passage area today. A Kingfisher was seen at Aust Warth this evening.
