May is the equal 3rd most productive month of the year with at least one individual of 193 species being seen. The summer migrants continue to move through including Garganey, Hobby, Cuckoo, Spotted Flycatcher, more Terns and Skuas with the chance of Pomarine. “Small” wader numbers should rise during the month with Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sanderling and the chance of a Curlew Sandpiper or Little Stint. Rarer records include Subalpine Warbler (2004), Golden Oriole (2016), Bee-eater (2007), Spoonbill (1998,2015), Honey Buzzard (1991,2011), Montagu’s Harrier (2015), Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Kentish Plover (2004), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1990), Temminck’s Stint (2004,2016), Broad-billed Sandpiper (1988), Dotterel (2011), Franklin’s Gull (1984), Laughing Gull (2012), Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull, Roseate Tern (1990) and White-winged Black Tern (1990).
May 2017
31st May
Sightings from Pilning Wetland included 2 Little Egrets, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Redshank, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Lapwing chicks. 24 Canada Geese, 8 Shelduck ducklings and a drake Shoveler. Three Cetti’s Warblers were reported at Chittening Warth and another was still singing near Severn Beach railway platform.
30th May
A breezy day. Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 2 Little Egrets, 8 Greylag Geese, 8 Canada Geese, 26 adult Shelduck plus 8 ducklings, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 16 adult Lapwing with 5+ chicks, a Curlew, 8 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin, 2 Ravens and a Hobby. Another Dunlin and a singing Cetti’s Warbler were present at Severn Beach.
29th May
A cloudy day with some heavy rain showers. The Spoonbill, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 8 adult Lapwing with 5+ chicks, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 8 Shelduck ducklings, 13 Canada Geese and 2 Ravens were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. Just 6 Dunlin and a singing Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Severn Beach.
28th May
Sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved the Spoonbill, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, a Curlew, 4 Lapwing chicks, 2 Little Egrets, a 1st summer Little Gull, 5 Black-headed Gulls, a Cuckoo and several broods of fledged Pied Wagtails. Click on the image below for a short Youtube video of the Spoonbill feeding this morning.
Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 28.5.17
27th May
A breezy cooler day following some thunderstorms during the night. The Spoonbill, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 adult Lapwing and 4+ chicks, 2 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 20 Oystercatchers, single Redshank, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 11 Canada Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 34 adult Shelduck and 8 ducklings, 14+ Tufted Duck, 17 Gadwall, the hybrid Ring-necked/Tufted Duck and a Black-headed Gull were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Another Little Egret, 2 Sanderling and a singing Cetti’s Warbler were reported at Severn Beach.
26th May
The sunniest and warmest day of the year so far. The Spoonbill remained on Pilning Wetland where other sightings included 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 3 Black-tailed Godwits. Reports from Severn Beach involved 11 Sanderling, 3 Ringed Plover, 19 Oystercatchers and a singing Cetti’s Warbler.
25th May
Another very warm and sunny day. Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved the Spoonbill, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin, 8 adult Lapwing and 6 chicks, a Little Egret, 4 pairs of Little Grebe, 8 Shelduck ducklings and 11 Black-headed Gulls, A flock of 8 Sanderling, 2 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach over the morning high tide.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 25.5.17
24th May
A warm and sunny day. The Spoonbill remained on Pilning Wetland all day where other sightings from here and the Northwick Warth area included the Little Stint, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 adult Lapwing plus 6 chicks, a Little Egret, 2 Pochard, at least 3 pairs Little Grebes and 2 Hobby. A flock of 18 Sanderling were seen at Severn Beach.
23rd May
The third Spoonbill of the year was found on Pilning Wetland at 07.30 but flew off South at 08.45. Other reports from here and Northwick Warth involved a Little Stint, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 adult Lapwing and 4 chicks, 2 Little Egrets, a pair of Pochard, Ring-necked Duck/Tufted Duck hybrid, 12+ Tufted Duck and 12+ Gadwall.
Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 23.5.17
22nd May
A warm and sunny day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included the first Little Stint of the year, 2 Avocets, 6 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 adult Lapwing plus 2 chicks, single Curlew and Little Egret, 7 Canada Geese, 18 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 12+ Tufted Duck and the Ring-necked Duck/Tufted Duck hybrid. A Cetti’s Warbler was still singing near Severn Beach station.
Little Stint, Pilning Wetland 22.5.17 © Lisa Presland
21st May
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Black-tailed Godwit (possibly Continental Limosa ssp.), 4 Little Ringed Plover, a Snipe, 1+ Redshank, 2 Lapwing chicks, 24 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Canada Geese, a pair of unseasonal Pochard, a fresh brood of 8 Shelduck ducklings, a family party of Greenfinches with 3 fledged young, 2 Wheatears, a Hobby and a Yellow Wagtail (heard near the cattle several times but not seen).
Hobby, Northwick Warth 21.5.17 © Dan White
20th May
The presumed Ring-necked Duck/Tufted Duck hybrid was relocated on the Grebe pond at Pilning Wetland. Other reports from here and Northwick Warth involved a Little Ringed Plover, 24 Dunlin, 26 Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing chicks, 2 Shoveler, a Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail.
19th May
Reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 31 Ringed Plover, 39 Dunlin, 4 Lapwing chicks from 2 broods, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 10 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Stock Doves. A singing Cetti’s Warbler and a Whimbrel were reported at Severn Beach.
18th May
A return to dry weather. The male Blue-headed Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail were seen around cattle on Northwick Warth mid morning. Nearby, a third Lapwing brood of 2 chicks were found on Pilning Wetland where 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Egrets and 3 Black-headed Gulls were also seen. Another 24 Black-headed Gull, 55 Ringed Plover, 75 Dunlin and a flyover Siskin were seen at New Passage. Another 5 Black-headed Gulls and the 2 Shelduck ducklings were seen at Severn Beach.
17th May
A very wet day. A male Blue-headed Wagtail was found on Pilning Wetland this morning where other sightings included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Whimbrel, a mixed flock of 70 Dunlin/Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egrets and a pair of Shoveler. A Common Sandpiper was seen at New Passage. An early afternoon visit to Severn Beach produced 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 14 Sanderling, a Grey Plover, 11 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstone, 9 Shelduck with 2 very early ducklings, a male Wheatear and a singing Cetti’s Warbler.
Blue-headed Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 17.5.17
16th May
Another breezy and increasingly wet day. At least 70 Ringed Plover, 70 Dunlin, a Sanderling, 4+ Little Ringed Plover, 7 adult Lapwing (plus 4- Chicks), 2 Little Egrets, a pair of Shoveler plus the usual Gadwall and Tufted Duck were seen on Pilning Wetland. Four Whimbrel flew North over New Passage.
15th May
A windy day with rain showers. Sightings from Pilning Wetland this morning included an Avocet, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 60 Ringed Plover, 81 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 3 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Teal and 2 Shoveler, 15 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 3 Turnstones and 6 Black-headed Gulls were seen from Severn Beach. A Whimbrel and a Peregrine were reported at Aust Warth.
Avocet, Pilning Wetland 15.5.17
14th May
A mainly sunny but breezy day. The Spoonbill remained on Pilning Wetland where other reports included 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 55 Ringed Plover, 45 Dunlin, a Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 15+ Gadwall, 14+ Tufted Duck and 3 Teal. Reports from Severn Beach involved a Whimbrel, 10 Turnstones, 35 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. A Whinchat was seen at Aust Warth.
New Passage 14.5.17
13th May
The second Spoonbill of the year landed on Pilning Wetland early afternoon where other reports included 2 Little Egrets, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 15+ Ringed Plover, 35+ Dunlin, a Redshank, 2 Whimbrel, 32 Oystercatchers, 7 adult Lapwing plus 3 chicks, single Cuckoo and Hobby. Two Cetti’s Warblers were reported at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach and nearby 4 Whimbrel, 3 Ringed Plover and a Wigeon were reported from the estuary shore.
Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 13.5.17 © Darren Pearce
Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 13.5.17
Lapwing chicks, Pilning Wetland 13.5.17
12th May
A day of rain showers following some rain during the night. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4+ Little Ringed Plovers, 12 Whimbrel, 8 adult Lapwing (plus broods of 1 and 3 chicks and at least one pair still incubating despite marauding Jackdaws everywhere), 26 Dunlin, 25 Ringed Plovers, single Turnstone, Redshank and Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Little Grebes, 4 Canada Geese, the usual Tufted Duck and Gadwall, a drake Wigeon, 3 Teal (2 drakes) single White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Raven and Hobby. Two dark-bellied Brent Geese, 60 Dunlin, 31 Ringed Plover, single Turnstone and Whimbrel were seen at Severn Beach.
Brent Geese, Severn Beach 12.5.17
11th May
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 5+ Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Whimbrel, 106 Dunlin, 39 Ringed Plovers, single Redshank and Turnstone, 7 adult Lapwing (+2 chicks), 2 Little Egrets, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 14+ Tufted Duck, 12+ Gadwall, single drake Wigeon and drake Shoveler, 3+ Yellow Wagtails, single White Wagtail, Peregrine and Hobby. Another 54 Ringed Plovers, 80 Dunlin and 2 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
Hobby, Northwick Warth 11.5.17
10th May
A sunny, warm day. Sightings at Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included at least 8 Little Ringed Plovers, 8+ Lapwing, a Redshank, 6 Whimbel, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egrets, a drake Wigeon, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a White Wagtail and a Hobby. The Severn Beach morning wader roost consisted of 2 Sanderling, 70 Dunlin, 23 Ringed Plover and 4 Turnstones. A Cetti’s Warbler was still singing all day near Severn Beach railway platform. Single Peregrine, Whinchat and Stonechat were seen at Aust Warth.
9th May
The Black-winged Stilt remained on Pilning Wetland at Northwick Warth (click HERE for some video of the Stilt being attacked by a Lapwing today). Other reports from here included 2 Greenshank, 8 Lapwing, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Little Grebes, 4 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Teal, a drake Shoveler, 5 Yellow Wagtails, single Short-eared Owl and Cuckoo. A Red Kite was seen flying North at Aust Warth. At least 22 Ringed Plover, 35 Dunlin, 6 Turnstones, 14 Black-headed Gulls and a Cetti’s Warbler were present at Severn Beach.
Turnstone, Severn Beach 9.5.17
8th May
The sunniest day of the year so far. The Black-winged Stilt was still present on Pilning Wetland where 6+ Little Ringed Plovers, a Greenshank, 5 Dunlin, 8 Lapwing (2 chicks still alive), 2 Little Egrets, 6 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Greylag Geese, 4 Canada Geese, a drake Wigeon, a Shoveler and 4 Teal were also seen. Three Tree Pipits flew North at New Passage. Sightings from Aust Warth included 2 Grey Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Whimbrel, 3 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover and a Short-eared Owl and nearby 48 Shelduck were present on Northwick Warth. Single “Commic” Tern, Yellow Wagtail and Cetti’s Warbler were reported at Severn Beach.
Black-winged Stilt, Pilning Wetland 8.5.17
Black-winged Stilt, Pilning Wetland 8.5.17
nesting Lapwing, Pilning Wetland 8.5.17
7th May
A sunny day with a lighter breeze. The star find was the first Severnside record of Black-winged Stilt on Pilning Wetland early this morning where it stayed all day. Other reports from here and the Northwick Warth area included single Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank and Little Egret, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Lapwing (plus 3 chicks), 2 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Teal, single Peregrine, Kestrel, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail and Lesser Whitethroat. An afternoon high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 4 Grey Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Turnstones, 60 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover. A Short-eared Owl and a Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth. Click on the picture below for a short Youtube video of the Black-winged Stilt feeding.
Black-winged Stilt, Pilning Wetland 7.5.17
6th May
Yet another day with a cool East wind. Hundreds of Swifts, Swallows, House Martins and a few Sand Martins were seen heading North East for most of the day. A Wood Sandpiper remained on Pilning Wetland and other reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Wigeon, a Hobby, 6 Tree Pipits, Yellow Wagtails, 4 Siskins and a Whinchat. At least 30 Dunlin, 12 Grey Plover, 16 Whimbrel, 3 Wheatears and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Severn Beach.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 6.5.17 © Dan White
5th May
Another day with a strong East/North East breeze. An excellent variety was reported. A dark morph Arctic Skua flew up river past New Passage where other sightings from the Northwick Warth area involved 2 fly by Avocets, 2 Wood Sandpipers, single Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit and Little Egret, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Lapwing plus 2 freshly hatched chicks (the first for many years), 2 Redshank, 50 Bar-tailed Godwits, 11 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, a pair of Wigeon, 6 Black-headed Gulls, single Mediterranean Gull, Merlin, Red Kite, Short-eared Owl and Wood Warbler (heard at New Passage), 200+ Swifts, 4+ Yellow Wagtails, 2 Siskins and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. A flock of 14 Arctic Terns, 7 Whimbrel, 41 Bar-tailed Godwits, 46 Grey Plover, 35 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 6 Knot, 16 Turnstones, the first Sanderling of the year, 3 Peregrines together, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and 50+ Swifts were reported at Severn Beach.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 5.5.17
4th May
Another cool, sunny and breezy day. Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, single Common Sandpiper and Knot, 70 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 2+ Yellow Wagtails and a Lesser Whitethroat. Another 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Whimbrel, 35 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 8 Black-headed Gulls, 50+ Swift and a Yellow Wagtail were reported at Severn Beach.
3rd May
A cool day due to a strong North East breeze. Two Avocets were seen at low tide this morning off Northwick Warth where other reports included single Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper and Knot, 3 Whimbrel, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 74 Dunlin, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Little Owl and Lesser Whitethroat. Another 17 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Peregrines, single Whimbrel, Grey Plover and Cetti’s Warbler were reported at Severn Beach.
Avocets, Northwick Warth 3.5.17
2nd May
A Greenshank, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Whimbrel, 2 Grey Plover, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 61 Dunlin, single Knot, Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper and Curlew, 2 Snipe, 6 Lapwing, 3 Redshank, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Teal and the usual Tufted Ducks and Gadwall were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. Just 5 Whimbrel, 2 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported at Severn Beach. A pair of Stonechats, 2 Whimbrel and another Greenshank were seen at Aust Warth.
Whinchat, Aust Warth 1.5.17
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 1.5.17
1st May
A dry morning followed by thunderstorms mid afternoon. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included 5 Grey Plover, 19 Bar-tailed Godwits, a summer plumaged Knot, a Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 5 Whimbrel, 130 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 2+ Little Ringed Plover, single Common Sandpiper and Snipe, 6 Lapwing, 30+ Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Little Grebes, 2 Canada Geese, 35+ Shelduck, the usual Gadwall and Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, a drake Shoveler, a female Wigeon, 7 Wheatears, 40 Sand Martins, single Short-eared Owl, Swift and Yellow Wagtail. At least 12 Whimbrel, 3 Grey Plover, a Whinchat and 2 Short-eared Owls were seen at Aust Warth. Another Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin and a Cetti’s Warbler were present at Severn Beach.
