July is the quietest month on Severnside with only 153 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 2017
31st July
Combined reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth included 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Whimbrel, 3 Sanderling, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 39 Turnstones, 150 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers, 15 Ringed Plover, 80 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 130+ Canada Geese, single Egyptian Goose, Shoveler and Teal, 3 Ravens, 2 Kestrel, 5 Swift, 90 Sand Martins and a Yellow Wagtail. Another 4 Common Sandpipers were reported at Aust Warth.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 31.7.17
30th July
At least 8 Turnstones, 90 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 78 Redshank, an Egyptian Goose, 137 Canada Geese and a Peregrine were reported from New Passage today. Three Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach and the first Whinchat of the autumn was reported at Aust Warth.
29th July
Just 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Little Egrets were reported from New Passage.
28th July
An adult winter plumage Mediterranean Gull. 250+ Black-headed Gulls, a Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Dunlin, 4 Turnstones, 70 Redshank, 35 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, an Egyptian Goose, 78 Canada Geese, a Raven and 3 Swifts were seen in the Northwick Warth area. Another 3 Little Egrets and 7 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
Black-headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 28.7.17
27th July
Another breezy day with occasional heavy rain. Two Little Egrets, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Whimbrel, 6 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plover, 15 Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 45 Curlew, 30 Redshank, an Egyptian Goose, 74 Canada Geese, 3 Swifts and 2 Yellow Wagtails were seen in the New Passage/Northwick Warth area. The first Wheatear of the autumn was seen at Severn Beach.
26th July
A breezy day with showers. Sightings from the Northwick Warth shore this morning included a summer plumage Knot, 2 adult Sanderling, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 7 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 5 Turnstones, 68 Redshank, 33 Lapwing, 70 Curlew, 45 Dunlin, 80+ Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 14 Shelduck (including 7 ducklings), 300+ Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull, 3 Ravens, single Hobby and Yellow Wagtail. Nearby 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, a Gadwall, 13 Little Grebes, 2 Swifts and a Kestrel were seen on Pilning Wetland.
Snipe and Redshank, Northwick Warth 26.7.17
25th July
Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland/New Passage included an Egyptian Goose, 39 Canada Geese, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, single Greenshank, Knot and Sanderling, 2 Little Egrets and 5 Yellow Wagtails. Two Common Sandpipers were seen at Severn Beach on the evening high tide.
24th July
A morning high tide visit to New Passage/Northwick Warth produced a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets, 35 Dunlin, 2 Turnstones, 50+ Redshank, 40+ Lapwing, 30+ Curlew, 84 Oystercatchers, a Ringed Plover, 19 Canada Geese and 3 Yellow Wagtails. An impressive flock of 14 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach as well as 7 small Shelduck ducklings, a Whimbrel, 50+ Curlew and 2 Kestrels.
Little Egrets, Severn Beach 24.7.17
23rd July
An early morning visit to New Passage produced an Egyptian Goose, 19 Canada Geese, 7 Shelduck, 2 Little Egrets, 40 Dunlin, 50+ Redshank, 30+ Curlew, 2 Turnstones, single Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Hobby and Raven.
22nd July
The Temminck’s Stint and 2 Little Ringed Plovers were relocated in Chestle Pill at New Passage after abandoning Pilning Wetland due to high water levels and lack of exposed mud. Other sightings at New Passage included 2 Common Sandpipers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 60+ Redshank, 48 Dunlin and 2 Turnstones. Sightings on Northwick Warth salt marsh involved an Egyptian Goose with 33 Canada Geese, a Little Egret, 45 Lapwing, 20 Curlew, 36 Oystercatchers, 6 Shelduck, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Ravens. Another 7 Black-tailed Godwits landed briefly on Pilning Wetland where a Teal and 2 Grey Herons were also present. Click on Stint below for a close up video on Youtube.
Temminck’s Stint, New Passage 22.7.17
Temminck’s Stint, New Passage 22.7.17
21st July
An early morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced just a single Lapwing due to high water levels and lack of mud (hopefully they will drop soon). Reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth involved an Egyptian Goose, 39 Canada Geese, a Common Sandpiper, 54 Dunlin, 3 adult Turnstones, 45 Lapwing, 70 Redshank, 36 Oystercatchers, a Whimbrel, 9 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Ravens, a Sparrowhawk and juvenile Coal Tit.
Egyptian Goose, New Passage 21.7.17
20th July
The Temminck’s Stint remained all day on Pilning Wetland. A Cattle Egret flew South over New Passage (only 3rd Severnside record). Other reports from the Northwick Warth area included 5 Little Egrets, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 38 Dunlin, 51 Redshank, single Green Sandpiper and Whimbrel, 34 Canada Geese, 5 Teal, a Yellow Wagtail and a Kingfisher.
19th July
The first autumn record and only the 3rd ever adult Temminck’s Stint for the Severnside patch was found on Pilning Wetland this morning. Other reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult & juvenile), 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper, 25 Dunlin, 35 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 380 Black-headed Gulls, 34 Canada Geese, 3 Ravens and 4 Yellow Wagtails. Another Yellow Wagtail was seen at Severn Beach. Click on the Stint picture below for a short Youtube video.
Temminck’s Stint, Pilning Wetland 19.7.17
18th July
A evening visit to the shore at New Passage produced a Black-tailed Godwit, 31 Dunlin, 26 Lapwing, 67 Redshank, 9 Curlew and 29 Canada Geese.
17th July
A Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Ringed Plovers (adult & juvenile), 4 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 35 Lapwing, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 22 Canada Geese, 6 Tufted Duck ducklings and a Wigeon were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another 7 Canada Geese, 2 Whimbrel and 2 Common Sandpipers were seen at Severn Beach.
16th July
A Greenshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plovers (juveniles including 2 smaller “home grown”), a Common Sandpiper, 40+ Redshank, 35+ Lapwing, 7 Canada Geese and 350 Black-headed Gulls were seen on Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth despite very high water levels and tractors Hay cutting. The Common Scoter was reported again off New Passage.
15th July
A change to a grey and windy day. The drake Common Scoter, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 40+ Lapwing, a Little Egret and 7 Canada Geese were reported from New Passage/Pilning Wetland. Two Common Sandpipers were reported at Cake Pill, Aust Warth.
14th July
A warm and sunny day. The drake Common Scoter remained asleep off New Passage where other sightings included an adult Mediterranean Gull with 250 Black-headed Gulls, 7 Canada Geese, a brood of 7 small new Shelduck ducklings plus 3 full grown juveniles, 11 Curlew, single Black-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper. Nearby a Green Sandpiper, 5 Little Ringed Plover (one juvenile), 56 Redshank, 23 Dunlin, 27 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck ducklings, 5 Ravens, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a flock of 40+ Linnets were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Another brood of Shelduck (7 half grown ducklings) and 50+ Curlew were seen at Severn Beach. Recent ringing recoveries: An adult Reed Warbler trapped and ringed Pilning Wetland 22.7.16 was caught at Slimbridge on 8.7.17. A juvenile Reed Bunting trapped and ringed also 22.7.16 at Pilning Wetland was caught at Chew Valley Lake 7.4.17.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 14.7.17
13th July
A 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Dunlin, 41 Redshank, single Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and Yellow Wagtail were reported from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area.
12th July
The drake Common Scoter remained anchored off New Passage this morning. Other sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included an adult Mediterranean Gull with 200 Black-headed Gulls, a Little Ringed Plover, 40 Redshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 45 Lapwing, 40+ Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpipers, 16 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 11 Little Grebes and 6 Tufted Duck ducklings.
Black-headed Gulls and Mediterranean Gull, Northwick Warth 12.7.17
11th July
An afternoon visit to New Passage produced the drake Common Scoter, 6 Common Sandpipers, 52 Redshank, 51 Dunlin, 4 Curlew and a Little Egret. At least 6 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 47 Lapwing, 12 Little Grebes, 6 Tufted Duck ducklings and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Pilning Wetland.
10th July
A drake Common Scoter, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 230 Black-headed Gulls, 31 Curlew and 20 Oystercatchers were seen from New Passage this morning. At least one Greenshank, 5 Little Ringed Plover (2 juveniles), 27 Dunlin, 17 Lapwing, 40 Redshank, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Tufted Duck ducklings, single Raven and Yellow Wagtail were seen on Pilning Wetland. A Little Egret was present at Severn Beach.
Common Scoter, New Passage 10.7.17
9th July
At least 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 40 Curlew, 24 Oystercatchers, 10 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 7 Little Grebes, 6 Tufted Duck ducklings and 2 adult Yellow Wagtails were reported from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. A Kestrel and 3 Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth.
8th July
Reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Dunlin, 5 Little Egret, 3 Teal, single Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Yellow Wagtail.
7th July
A warm and sunny day. A very brief view from Severn Beach this morning produced 4 Mediterranean Gulls (an adult & 3 juveniles) and 4 Little Egrets. Another 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls were seen at New Passage this afternoon.
6th July
Reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, single Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 15 Redshank, 3 Little Grebe broods, 2 Wigeon and a Yellow Wagtail.
5th July
A hot day (27°C). Sightings from Pilning Wetland included a moulting adult Ruff (black headed), a Common Sandpiper, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 18 Redshank, 30+ Lapwing, a Little Egret, 10 Gadwall, a Teal, 6 Tufted Duck ducklings and a Kestrel. Two Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Curlew and 100+ Black-headed Gulls were seen from New Passage.
Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 5.7.17
4th July
An afternoon visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced single Little Egret and Black-tailed Godwit, 2 adult Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 35 Lapwing, 230+ Black-headed Gulls and a Peregrine.
3rd July
Another breezy but quiet day with just 2 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 14 Lapwing and 90+ Black-headed Gulls reported from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth. A Manx Shearwater was reported off Severn Beach mid afternoon.
2nd July
At least 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Teal and 20 Lapwing remained on Pilning Wetland.
1st July
A sunny and breezy day. Reports from Pilning Wetland included single Little Egret and Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 22 Lapwing, 3 Redshank and 3 Teal.
