Following two of the quietest months of the year, August can be an interesting month with a total of 178 species having been recorded during this month. The numbers and variety of waders increase, as do the numbers of migrating warblers, Yellow Wagtails, Whinchat and Wheatears. Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls are expected. Rarities in August have included Slavonian Grebe (1996), Red Crested Pochard (1998), Goshawk, Osprey, Caspian Gull (2006), Sabine’s Gull, Roseate Terns (2016), Red-necked Phalarope (2014), Kentish Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper (1995, 2001), Grey Phalarope, Wryneck (1976,1984, 2003, 2010 and 2014), Marsh Warbler (2009) and Red-backed Shrike (2003).
August 2017
31st August
Two juvenile Garganey, an Egyptian Goose, 50+ Teal, 5 Shoveler, a Tufted Duck, 140+ Black-tailed Godwits (including the recent colour ringed individual), 90 Redshank, 40 Ringed Plover, 90 Dunlin, 3 Knot, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Ruff and Little Egret, 30+ Yellow Wagtails, 5 Wheatears, 2 Coal Tits, a Willow Warbler, a Kingfisher, 2 Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk were seen in the New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area.
Kingfisher, New Passage 31.8.17
30th August
Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 2 juvenile Garganey, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 150+ Black-tailed Godwits, 90+ Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 3 Knot, 45 Turnstones, 50 Ringed Plover, 130 Dunlin, 18 Snipe, 22 Lapwing, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, an Egyptian Goose with the Canada Goose flock, 2 Shoveler, 60+ Teal, 22 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, 4 freshly hatched Little Grebe chicks, 3 Little Egrets, a juvenile Common Gull, 20+ Yellow Wagtails, 10 Wheatears, 7 Blackcaps, single Swift, Kingfisher, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler. Another 7 Little Egrets, 4 Wheatears and a Yellow Wagtail were seen at Severn Beach.
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 30.8.17
29th August
An Egyptian Goose flew South over Aust Warth with a flock of 200 Canada Geese this morning where a Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers and a Sparrowhawk were also seen. Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 2 juvenile Garganey, the Egyptian Goose with the large flock of Canada Geese, at least 70 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Greenshank, 3 juvenile Knot, 115+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 30+ Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, 18 Lapwing, 90+ Redshank, a Little Egret, 35 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 2 Ravens, 2 Kestrels, single Hobby and Sparrowhawk. Another 4 Little Egrets and 2 Wheatears were seen at Severn Beach.
28th August
A fine warm and sunny day. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved 2 juvenile Garganey, an Egyptian Goose, 150+ Canada Geese, a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Greenshank, 2 Knot, single Ruff, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper, 110 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 75 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 40 Turnstones, 12 Snipe, 4 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egrets, 35+ Yellow Wagtails, 60+ Pied Wagtails, 2 male Redstarts, 3 Tree Pipits, 2 Wheatears, 4 Whitethroats, 15 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, single Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Coal Tit, Kingfisher, Raven, Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Hobby.
Egyptian Goose, Pilning Wetland 28.8.17
Juvenile Garganey, Pilning Wetland 28.8.17
27th August
Much of the same today with 70 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, single Ruff, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and juvenile Common Gull, 2 juvenile Garganey, 2 Wheatears, 20+ Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit.
26th August
The 2 juvenile Garganey, 2 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 90+ Black-tailed Godwits, 28+ Yellow Wagtails, 15+Blackcaps, single juvenile Common Gull, Knot, Ruff, Kingfisher and Swift were reported in the Northwick Warth/New Passage area.
25th August
A good selection was reported from the Northwick Warth area including 2 juvenile Garganey, 24 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 95 Canada Geese, 9 Little Grebes, a Little Egret, 150+ Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Greenshank, 5 Common Sandpipers, 145 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, 250 Ringed Plover, 200+ Dunlin, 23+ Yellow Wagtails, single Swift, Wheatear, Kingfisher, Hobby, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Another 9 Little Egrets, 3 Wheatears and a Lesser Whitethroat were seen at Severn Beach.
24th August
Combined reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 6 Snipe, 2 Knot, 180 Black-tailed Godwits (including a colour ringed individual; Orange above Blue Left leg, Yellow Right leg), 240+ Ringed Plover, 200+ Dunlin, 90+ Redshank, 40 Turnstones, 25 Lapwing, a Little Egret, a juvenile Common Gull, 2 juvenile Garganey, 38 Teal, a Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 14 Gadwall, 250+ Canada Geese, 15 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Swift, 2 Raven, 3 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, single Kingfisher, Peregrine and Kestrel. Another 2 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats and a Stonechat were seen at Aust Warth.
23rd August
A dry and breezy day with a 13.7 metre spring tide. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth produced 4 Greenshank, 185 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Knot, 2 Common Sandpipers, 60+ Turnstones. 23 Lapwing, 16 Snipe, a Whimbrel, 45 Curlew, 260+ Dunlin, 200+ Ringed Plover, 190 Oystercatchers, 110+ Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, a juvenile Common Gull, 220 Black-headed Gulls, a juvenile Garganey, 30 Teal, 290 Canada Geese, 14 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, a Kingfisher, 3 Swift, 7+ Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. At least 5 Little Egrets were roosting at Severn Beach.
22nd August
Two juvenile Garganey, 22 Teal, 140 Canada Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Greenshank, 6 Snipe, 20 Lapwing, 56 Black-tailed Godwits, 110+ Redshank, 230 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin, single Green Sandpiper and Whimbrel, 11+ Yellow Wagtails, 6 Wheatear, 2 Swift and a Kingfisher were reported in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. At least 3 Whinchats, a Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail were seen at Aust Warth.
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 22.8.17
21st August
A damp and misty morning followed by a warm and sunny afternoon. Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 95 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 117 Redshank, 154 Ringed Plover, 160 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 24 Lapwing, 50 Turnstones, 80 Oystercatchers, 12 Curlew, single Knot and Whimbrel, 2 Little Egrets, 150 Canada Geese, 9 Shelduck, 2 Kingfishers, 15 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Wheatears, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler, single Sparrowhawk and Peregrine.
20th August
Combined sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a Greenshank, 95 Black-tailed Godwits, 100+ Redshank, a Knot, 55 Ringed Plover, 35 Oystercatchers, 26 Lapwing, single Green Sandpiper, Snipe, Water Rail and Shoveler, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Swift, single Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and Coal Tit.
Green Sandpiper and Snipe, Pilning Wetland 20.8.17 © Tony Scott
19th August
A windy day. A Garganey, 13 Common Terns, a Greenshank, 6 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear were reported from New Passage/Northwick Warth. Two Storm Petrels were seen from Severn Beach on the evening high tide.
Common Terns, New Passage 19.8.17 © Lisa Presland
18th August
An increasingly windy day with heavy rain showers. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 60 Dunlin, 30 Redshank and a Little Egret were seen from New Passage this morning and nearby reports from Northwick Warth included 2 juvenile Garganey, 101 Black-tailed Godwits, another 95+ Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 10 Dunlin, 5 Swift, 2 Redstarts, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail and juvenile Peregrine. A female type Common Scoter, 40 Turnstones, a Sanderling, a mixed flock of 40 Ringed Plover/Dunlin and a Sparrowhawk were reported from Severn Beach. Another Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth.
Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 18.8.17
17th August
Reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 115 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Redshank, 76 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, 40+ Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 15+ Yellow Wagtails, 28 Teal, 2 Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and 4 Swift. A mixed flock of 120 Ringed Plover and Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach.
Turnstone, New Passage 17.8.17 © Lisa Presland
16th August
A sunny and increasingly windy day. Reports from the Northwick Warth area included 2 Garganey, 12 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 12 Teal, 8 Shelduck (including 6 ducklings), 109 Black-tailed Godwits, 8+ Whimbrel, 140 Dunlin, 3 Green Sandpipers, a Knot, 90 Redshank, 70 Ringed Plover, 60 Turnstones, 30 Curlew, 6 Snipe, 20 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 6 Swift, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, Jay and Kingfisher. Another 7 Little Egrets, 140 Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin and 3 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
Juvenile Garganey, Pilning Wetland 16.8.17 © Martyn Hayes
assorted Waders, Pilning Wetland 16.8.17 © Martyn Hayes
15th August
A sunny day. Combined sightings from New Passage and the Northwick Warth area included 2 juvenile Garganey, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 63 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Green Sandpipers, single Little Egret, Whimbrel, Snipe and Knot, 150 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 14 Gadwall, 4 Wheatears, 11 Yellow Wagtails, 60 Pied Wagtails, 3 Swift, 40 Sand Martins, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Cuckoo, Kingfisher, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler.
14th August
Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 4 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 61 Black-tailed Godwits, 300+ Dunlin, 90 Redshank, 70+ Ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, 20 Lapwing, 60 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 120 Canada Geese, 6 Shoveler, 14 Teal, 2 Swifts, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and 3 Yellow Wagtails.
13th August
Combined reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 61 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 180 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 20+ Lapwing, 50+ Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egrets, a Pochard, 11 Gadwall, 110 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Hobby, Peregrine, Kestrel, Cuckoo, Garden Warbler, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and Kingfisher.
12th August
An elusive juvenile Garganey remained on Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth where other sightings included 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 150 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 9 Ringed Plover, 50 Oystercatchers, 25 Curlew, a Little Egret, 160 Canada Geese, 2 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 14 Gadwall, 12 Teal, a Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Yellow Wagtails. Single Wheatears were seen at Aust Warth and Severn Beach.
11th August
A dry and sunny morning. A good selection today with some new arrivals and the water level dropping nicely on the rear wader pool. Combined visits to New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced an adult Mediterranean Gull, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 2 juvenile Garganey, 5 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 90+ Canada Geese, 2 new Little Grebe chicks (6th brood of the year), 2 Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpipers, 8 Snipe, 60+ Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Ringed Plover, 30+ Lapwing, 60 Turnstones, 130 Dunlin, 90 Redshank, 60 Curlew, single Knot, Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel and Little Egret, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 60+ Pied Wagtails, 4 Swift, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Stock Dove, single Tree Pipit, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Hobby and Kestrel. Another 21 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 20 Turnstones and a Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach.
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 11.8.17
Juvenile Garganey, Pilning Wetland 11.8.17
10th August
A sunny dry day. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 2 Green Sandpipers, 53 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 120 Dunlin, 70 Turnstones, 100+ Redshank, 85 Curlew, a Little Egret, 170 Canada Geese, a drake Pochard, 2+ Sparrowhawks, 7 Yellow Wagtails and 3 Lesser Whitethroats. A Swift was seen at Severn Beach.
Yellow Wagtail, Northwick Warth 10.8.17
9th August
Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 93 Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Dunlin, single Knot, Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper, 11 Snipe, 80+ Redshank, 20+ Lapwing, 85 Curlew, 40 Turnstones, 18 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 80 Canada Geese, a Pochard, 11 Shelduck, 7 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 4 Yellow Wagtails, single Wheatear, Raven, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Another 3 Little Egrets, 40 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin and 2 Kestrels were seen at Severn Beach.
8th August
At least 54 Black-tailed Godwits, 300+ Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 60 Curlew, 3 Ringed Plover, 40+ Turnstones, 4 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 160 Canada Geese, 4 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, a Raven, 15+ Willow Warblers and 70 Linnets were reported in the Northwick Warth area. A Whimbrel, a mixed flock of 150 Ringed Plover/Dunlin and 2 Swifts were seen at Severn Beach. A Common Sandpiper and 2 Kestrels were reported at Aust Warth.
Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Dunlin, Pilning Wetland 8.8.17
Wader numbers are building here as the water levels are dropping nicely.
7th August
A morning high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 45 Ringed Plover and 90 Dunlin. Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 240 Black-headed Gulls, a Sanderling, 47+ Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Dunlin, 14 Ringed Plover, 60 Turnstones, 70 Redshank, single Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel, 80 Canada Geese, 7 Shoveler, a Pochard, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Swift, 150 Sand Martins, single Little Egret, Raven, Peregrine and Hobby.
6th August
The only reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 45 Black-tailed Godwits, 210 Dunlin, 45 Turnstones, single Sanderling and Yellow Wagtail.
5th August
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 24 Black-tailed Godwits (including one juvenile of the continental subspecies Limosa), 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Sanderling, 35 Turnstones, 12 Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 97 Redshank, 21 Lapwing, 25 Oystercatchers, 165 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 8+ Little Grebe, 150 Canada Geese, 6 Tufted Duck, 7 Teal, 120 Black-headed Gulls, 14 Swift, 6+ Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit.
Juvenile Limosa Black-tailed Godwit (right), Pilning Wetland 5.8.17 © John Martin
4th August
An immature Shag dropped onto the river at Severn Beach at 05.50 before flying off strongly South 10 minutes later. Other sightings from Severn Beach included 3 Whimbrel, 90 Curlew, 57 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin, 17 Turnstones and an exhausted Fulmar floating up river (16.45). Combined reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included the first Goosander of the year, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, an Egyptian Goose, 80 Canada Geese, 6 Tufted Duck, 19 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Common Sandpipers, a Snipe, 100+ Dunlin, 31 Turnstones, 20 Ringed Plover, 59 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 60+ Linnets, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Kestrel, single Hobby, Kingfisher, Swift and Sparrowhawk. Click on the Shag image below for a short Youtube video,
Shag, Severn Beach 4.8.17
3rd August
Another wet and windy day with wind turning South West. A morning visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced 90 Redshank, 70 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 6 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 6 Teal and 2 Yellow Wagtails. An afternoon seawatch at Severn Beach over the rising tide produced at least 2 Storm Petrels, a Fulmar, 2 Little Egrets, 20 Ringed Plover, 50+ Dunlin, 9 Turnstones, single Whimbrel, Sanderling and Common Sandpiper.
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 3.8.17
Fulmar, Severn Beach 3.8.17
2nd August
A day of showers and a moderate South East wind. Sightings from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpipers, 34 Turnstones, 68 Redshank, 22 Lapwing, 150 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 130+ Canada Geese, 4 Teal, 7 Shelduck ducklings, 12 Little Grebes, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
Common Sandpiper, New Passage 2.8.17
1st August
Sightings from New Passage included 2 Mediterranean Gulls (winter adult & juvenile), 220 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, an Egyptian Goose, 170+ Canada Geese, 200+ Dunlin, 10 Turnstones, 49 Curlew, 50 Redshank, single Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper. A Peregrine was present over Aust Cliff this afternoon.
