November is still a month worth looking for birds. It has a respectable total of 182 species recorded during the month with a few surprise birds. Remarkable records include; Britain’s first Black-bellied Storm Petrel and Britain’s 5th Pacific Diver just 2 days apart in 2009. Other national and local rarities include American Golden Plover (2013), Great Northern Diver (1984,2015), Black Guillemot (2015), Ring-necked Duck (2000), Smew (2010), Green-winged Teal (2014), White-rumped Sandpiper (1998), Long-tailed Skua (1994), Glossy Ibis (2015), Woodlark, Shorelark, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, Cory’s Shearwater (2000), Whooper Swan (1983) and Richard’s Pipit (1993), Dartford Warbler (2005,2015) and Waxwing (2005). A Merlin or two can usually be seen perched on posts anywhere between New Passage and Aust Warth. Short-eared Owls can often be seen hunting at dusk over the salt marsh at Aust Warth. Seabirds seen in South West gales include Leach’s Petrel, Pomarine Skua and Little Auk.
November 2016
30th November
Another icy (-6°C) dawn with spells of fog during the morning. A dark-bellied Brent Goose was seen again at the Severn Beach shore and nearby 3 Water Rails and single Woodcock, Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaff were present at the Orchard Pools. A visit to New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 330 Lapwing, 3000+ Dunlin, 9 Grey Plover, 25 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Water Rails, a Little Grebe, 30 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 500+ Wigeon, 80 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 7 Shelduck, a Little Owl and Stonechat.
29th November
An icy morning followed by bright sunshine. Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland where there was still plenty of open water included 300+ Black-tailed Godwits, 3000+ Dunlin, 20 Lapwing, 140 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 28 Canada Geese, 7 Tufted Ducks, 400+ Wigeon, 150 Teal, a Pintail, 2 Water Rails, 2 Little Owls and a Stonechat. A Brent Goose was seen at Severn Beach.
28th November
A sunny day with a cold North East breeze. At least 400 Black-tailed Godwits, 30+ Grey Plover, 6 Golden Plover, 70 Lapwing, 40 Knot, 50 Redshank, 100 Curlew, 3000+ Dunlin, 57 Canada Geese, 500+ Wigeon, 80 Teal, 13 Shelduck, 10 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorants, 2 Water Rails, 2 Ravens and 2 Little Owls were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area.
Little Owls, Severnside 28.11.16
27th November
No reports were received today.
26th November
A repeat of the weather today. Combined reports from Northwick Warth to Aust involved 480 Black-tailed Godwits, 175 Knot, 3000 Dunlin, 30 Grey Plover, 6 Golden Plover, 260+ Lapwing, 2 Jack Snipe, 6 Snipe, 500+ Wigeon, 2 Water Rails, 2 Ravens, 2 Little Owls and a Stonechat.
25th November
Another cold day with a biting North East wind. Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland including 4 fly over White-fronted Geese at 11.am, 600+ Wigeon, 10 Shelduck, 12 Canada Geese, 100+ Teal, a Little Egret, 70 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 2000 Dunlin, 300 Lapwing, 300+ Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Little Owls, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Two adult Bewick’s Swans flew upriver past Aust Warth at 4.05pm.
Bewick’s Swans, Aust Warth 25.11.16
24th November
Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 7 Brent Geese, 38 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, 500+ Wigeon, 60 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 14 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 300+ Lapwing and 120 Dunlin. A Jack Snipe, 3 Common Snipe and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth.
23rd November
A brief visit to New Passage in a strong North East wind produced just 94 Canada Geese, 500+ Wigeon, 4 Shelduck and 40 Curlew.
22nd November
A dreary but mainly dry day. The water levels are high on the wetland and there are puddles everywhere. Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 470 Black-tailed Godwits, 130 Curlew, 320 Lapwing, 70 Grey Plover, 40 Redshank, 500+ Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Little Grebes, 75 Canada Geese, 800+ Wigeon, 5 Shelduck, 200 Teal, 17 Gadwall, 31 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, single Little Owl, Raven and Sparrowhawk, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Water Pipits (near 1st sentry box). A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 14 Grey Plover, 100+ Turnstones, 100+ Dunlin, 19 Ringed Plover, 12 Redshank, 5 Grey Herons, single Shelduck and Sparrowhawk.
21st November
An awful wet day with several inches of rain. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced little more than 20 Shoveler and the usual flocks of Redshank, Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwits. Three Snipe were seen on Northwick Warth Landfill site.
20th November
A dry day following a very windy wet night as a result of Storm Angus. Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 300+ Black-tailed Godwits, 3000+ Dunlin, 140 Grey Plover, 70 Knot, 240 Lapwing, 90 Curlew, a Little Egret, 35 Canada Geese, 400+ Wigeon, 22 Shelduck, 90 Teal, 20+ Shoveler,6 Gadwall, 2 Ravens, a Peregrine and 2 Water Pipits (near 2nd sentry box).
19th November
Another wet day. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved a Little Egret, 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 3000+ Dunlin, 90 Grey Plover, 10 Knot, 40 Redshank, 240 Lapwing, 6 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 600+ Wigeon and 25 Canada Geese.
18th November
Another day of rain showers and a gusty cold wind. Lots of birds were present in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area again today but the large flocks of waders were mobile and difficult to count in the strong wind. At least 3000 Dunlin, 260 Lapwing, 40 Knot, 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Curlew, 120 Oystercatchers, 76 Grey Plover, 80 Redshank, 22 Ringed Plover, 28 Canada Geese, 600+ Wigeon, 80 Teal, 12 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Ravens, single Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Yellowhammer, Rock Pipit and Water Pipit.
Kenny the Kestrel, Pilning Wetland 18.11.16 © Dan White
17th November
A wet and windy day. An impressive 3500+ Dunlin, 300+ Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Knot, 33 Grey Plover, 22 Ringed Plover, 260 Lapwing, 28 Canada Geese, 13 Shelduck and 400+ Wigeon were seen on Northwick Warth.
16th November
Another high tide this morning produced the large flock of Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwits, Knot, Redshank and Dunlin on Northwick Warth. Nearby, 240 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 28 Canada Geese, 90 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler and 2 Ravens were seen on Pilning Wetland.
15th November
A 14+ metre morning high tide produced an impressive number and variety of birds viewable from New Passage including a Spotted Redshank, 350+ Black-tailed Godwits, 130 Knot, 20+ Grey Plover, 280 Redshank, 2800 Dunlin, 180 Oystercatchers, 30 Turnstones, 140 Curlew, a Little Egret, 24 Canada Geese, 700+ Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, single flyover Brambling, Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Nearby 3 Jack Snipe, 9 Snipe, 230 Lapwing, 90+ Teal, 20+ Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Little Grebes and 2 Water Pipits were seen on Pilning Wetland.
14th November
A record 536 Black-tailed Godwits and 140+ Knot were seen from New Passage and other sightings from here/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 2000 Dunlin, 90 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, a Jack Snipe, 17 Snipe, 240 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 21 Canada Geese, 650 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 6 Tufted Ducks, 6 Gadwall, 20+ Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 2 hunting adult Peregrines, 2 Ravens, 20+ Fieldfares and a Water Pipit.
13th November
The large flock of Knot, Black-tailed Godwits and Wigeon remained along the shore at Northwick Warth.
12th November
At least 115 Knot, 290 Black-tailed Godwits, 125 Lapwing, 30 Grey Plover, 65 Turnstones, 1200 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, the large flock of Wigeon, 90 Teal and 5 Tufted Duck were reported from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland.
11th November 
A Little Egret, 5 Jack Snipe, 9 Snipe, 70 Lapwing, 2 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 90 Teal and 2 Water Pipits were seen on Pilning Wetland and nearby 350 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Knot, 400 Dunlin, 80 Oystercatchers and 600+ Wigeon were seen from New Passage.
10th November
A Little Egret, 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 600 Dunlin, 28 Grey Plover, 80 Redshank, 70 Lapwing, 7 Tufted Duck and a Water Pipit were seen at Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth. Another 19 Grey Plover, 80 Dunlin, 2 Jack Snipe, 10 Snipe, 100 Wigeon and 2 Ravens were seen at Aust Warth. A Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Gadwall were reported at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach.
Water Pipit, Pilning Wetland 10.11.16
9th November
Much of the same today. At least 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Knot (one taken by female Sparrowhawk), 3 Grey Plover, 400+ Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 25+ Turnstones, 50+ Curlew, 24 Canada Geese, 400 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 3 Water Pipits, single Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were seen on Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland. Another 200 Wigeon, 20 Teal and another Sparrowhawk were reported at Aust Warth.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 9.11.16
8th November
At least 350 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, a Little Egret, 600+ Wigeon and 20 Canada geese remained on the shore at Northwick Warth. A Water Pipit was seen on Pilning Wetland.
7th November
A day with a cold North East wind. At least 350 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Jack Snipe, 9 Snipe, 30 Knot, 35 Redshank, a Grey Plover, 9 Golden Plover, 40 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Water Rails, 58 Canada Geese and 3 Water Pipits were present on Pilning Wetland. Another 7 Jack Snipe, single Grey Plover, Peregrine and Stonechat were reported at Aust Warth.
6th November
At least 350 Black-tailed Godwits, 95 Knot, a Pintail and 2 Water Pipits were reported ay Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth.
5th November
An Avocet, a Ruff, the large Black-tailed Godwit and Knot flock, 2 Water Pipits, single Pintail, Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were the highlights at NorthwickWarth/Pilning Wetland.
4th November
The usual 390+ Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Grey Plover, 70 Knot, 60 Redshank, 120 Lapwing, 400 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, 8 Tufted Duck, 48 Canada Geese, 1000 Wigeon, 110 Teal, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Ravens were seen from New Passage/Pilning Wetland.
3rd November
Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included a Ruff, 6 Jack Snipe, 16 Snipe, 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Knot, 20 Grey Plover, 120 Lapwing and the usual Wigeon and Teal flock. Another 20 Grey Plover and 400 Dunlin were reported from Aust Warth. At least 200 Curlew flew up river past Severn Beach.
Buzzard, Pilning Wetland 3.11.16
2nd November
A morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced a Ruff, 126 Knot, 340+ Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 40 Grey Plover, 600 Dunlin, 140 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 16 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 41 Canada Geese, 11 Pintail, 4 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 700+ Wigeon, 110 Teal, a Little Owl, 5 Redpoll, 6+ Siskin, 2 Chiffchaffs and at least 2 Rock Pipits.
1st November
The usual flock of Black-tailed Godwits, Knot, Dunlin, Wigeon and Teal were seen in the Northwick Warth area.
