September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 195 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, 2016), Crane (2014), Honey Buzzard (1996), Dotterel (1974), Kentish Plover (2006), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2016), 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 2017
30th September
Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area involved a Spotted Redshank, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Little Stints, 8 Ruff, 560+ Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Knot, 90 Redshank, 200+ Dunlin, single Little Egret, Pintail, Wheatear, Stonechat and Peregrine.
29th September
Two Spotted Redshank, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, 3 Ruff, 2 Golden Plover, a Greenshank, 18 Knot, 450 Black-tailed Godwits, 220 Dunlin, 90 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, a Little Egret, a Pintail and a Peregrine were seen on Pilning Wetland.
28th September
Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved a Spotted Redshank, 5 Little Stints, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 7+ Ruff, a Greenshank, 20+ Knot, 350 Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, 350 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 110 Wigeon, a Pochard, a Water Rail, 3 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Stonechats, 2 Coal Tits and a Hobby. Another 8 Little Egrets, a Wheatear and a Stonechat were seen at Severn Beach.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 28.9.17 © John Martin
27th September
Another misty start with an East breeze and rain by late afternoon. A female Marsh Harrier flew South from New Passage after being mobbed by Crows. Other reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 2 Spotted Redshank, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, 8 Ruff, a Greenshank, 20+ Knot, 20+ Snipe, 460 Black-tailed Godwits, 90+ Redshank, 40 Lapwing, 60 Curlew, 60 Turnstones, 400+ Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, single Pochard and Pintail, 50+ Wigeon, a Water Rail, 2 Ravens, 2 Kestrels, single Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Reed Warbler and Brambling.
Spotted Redshank, Pilning Wetland 27.9.17
Little Stint, Pilning Wetland 27.9.17
Marsh Harrier and Crow, New Passage 27.9.17 © John Martin
26th September
A foggy start followed by sunshine and the breeze from the East. Once again Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth was the centre of attention with an elusive Spotted Redshank, 9 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, 5 Ruff, 450+ Black-tailed Godwits, 20+ Knot, 500+ Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 60 Turnstones, 140+ Redshank, 6 Snipe a flyover Grey Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Water Rails, a Merlin, 7 Stonechats, 2 Redpolls and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
Curlew Sandpipers, Pilning Wetland 26.9.17
25th September
A murky grey day with an East breeze produced a good variety of sightings in the Northwick Warth/New Passage/Pilning Wetland area including a Spotted Redshank, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, 4 Ruff, 3 Avocets, 22 Snipe, a Whimbrel, 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 340 Dunlin, 46 Ringed Plover, 50 Turnstones, 30 Lapwing, 30+ Knot, 140+ Redshank, 50 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, an impressive 13 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, 12 juvenile Common Terns, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Water Rail, Hobby, Raven, Stonechat, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail.
Little Stints, Pilning Wetland 25.9.17
Avocets, Northwick Warth 25.9.17
juvenile Common Tern, New Passage 25.9.17
2nd winter Mediterranaean Gull, New Passage 25.9.17
24th September
Another day of South East wind produced Severnside’s 7th Yellow-browed Warbler in the clump of trees behind the sluice at New Passage. Other reports from here and the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a Spotted Redshank, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, 4 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 470 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Snipe, 22 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Wheatears, single Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher and Yellow Wagtail.
23rd September
A warm day with a South East breeze. Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 2 juvenile Spotted Redshank, 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 2 juvenile Little Stints, 5 Ruff, 20+ Knot, an impressive 470 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Bar-tailed Godwits, 260+ Dunlin, 70+ Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 90 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, single Hobby, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Stonechat and Yellow Wagtail.
Spotted Redshank, Pilning Wetland 23.9.17
22nd September
Combined reports from Northwick Warth/New Passage/Pilning Wetland included single juvenile Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper, a Sanderling, 3 Ruff, 27 Knot, 550+ Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plover, 50 Turnstones, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 450 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 95 Canada Geese, 52 Wigeon, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Coal Tit, single Wheatear, Peregrine and Kestrel.
Peregrine and Black-tailed Godwits, New Passage 22.9.17
21st September
Reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a juvenile Little Stint, 31 Knot, 4 Ruff, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, at least 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Redshank, 25 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 180 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 46 Wigeon, a female Pintail, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Grey Wagtails, single juvenile Hobby, Kestrel, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail. A visit to Cake Pill, Aust Warth produced a Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Shelduck, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Kestrel.
Curlew Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 21.9.17
Curlew Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 21.9.17
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 21.9.17
20th September
An increasingly breezy day. Sightings from Northwick Warth/New Passage/Pilning Wetland included juvenile Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, a Greenshank, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, 285 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Curlew, 100+ Oystercatchers, 100 Redshank, 500+ Dunlin, 70 Ringed Plover, 21 Knot, a Snipe, 30 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 86 Canada Geese, 25 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 2 Wheatears, single Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Whitethroat, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. At least 3 Little Egrets, 29 Ringed Plover and 54 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
Little Stint, New Passage 20.9.17
19th September
An early morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced the juvenile Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, 2 Greenshank, 12 Knot, 180+ Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Snipe, 250+ Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 90 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 14+ Little Grebes, 12 Wigeon, 90+ Linnets, a Wheatear and a Kestrel. Another 3 Little Egrets and a Lesser Whitethroat were seen at Severn Beach.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 19.9.17
18th September
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage/Pilning Wetland included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, a juvenile Little Stint, 12 Knot, 3 Ruff, 180 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Dunlin, 90+ Redshank, single Little Egret, Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Barn Owl, Whitethroat, Stonechat and Yellow Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff and 3 Blackcaps, 5 Wigeon, 5 Tufted Duck and a Pintail. Another 2 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
17th September
An evening visit to Pilning Wetland produced 3 Avocets, juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, juvenile Little Stint, 9 Ruff, a Greenshank, 12 Knot, 80 Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Redshank, 130 Dunlin, 20 Lapwing, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 140+ Canada Geese, single Egyptian Goose, Kestrel, Kingfisher and Yellow Wagtail. Another Little Egret, 3 Kestrels (including a ringed individual), Peregrine, Raven and Kingfisher were reported at Aust Warth.
Avocets, Pilning Wetland 17.9.17
16th September
Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Ruff, 15 Knot, 140 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 2 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, an Egyptian Goose, 95 Canada Geese, 40+ Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, a Wigeon, 40 Teal and 3 Yellow Wagtails.
Egyptian Goose, Pilning Wetland 16.9.17
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 16.9.17
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 16.9.17
15th September
The usual Black-tailed Godwit flock was seen commuting between Pilning Wetland and the shore at New Passage.
14th September
A fresh day with a cool breeze and occasional rain shower. An exhausted Manx Shearwater, a Raven and a Redstart were reported at Severn Beach. Reports from the Northwick Warth area included 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 90+ Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Ruff, 7 Knot, 30 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 80 Redshank, 20+ Lapwing, 3 Wheatears, single Little Egret, Pintail, Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
13th September
Following a night of Storm Aileen producing 70 mph gusts we were hoping for/expecting some more seabirds today at Severn Beach. The day totals included a juvenile Sabine’s Gull, at least 3 Leach’s Petrels, 5+ Manx Shearwaters, single Arctic Skua, Fulmar and Gannet, 3+ Arctic Terns, a Peregrine, 5 Little Egrets, 40 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin and 7 Turnstones. A Bar-tailed Godwit, 120 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruff, 10 Ringed Plover, 70 Dunlin, 36 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 2 Common Terns and a Yellow Wagtail were reported from the Northwick Warth area.
Sabine’s Gull, Severn Beach 13.9.17 © Adam Rawson
Sabine’s Gull, Severn Beach 13.9.17 © Adam Rawson
Leach’s Petrel, Severn Beach 13.9.17 © Dan White
Leach’s Petrel, Severn Beach 13.9.17 © Dan White
12th September
A day of sunshine and less wind. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, 115 Black-tailed Godwits (including the colour-ringed individual), 18 Knot, 24 Lapwing, 105 Redshank, 35+ Ringed Plover, 200+ Dunlin, 40 Curlew, 50 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 94 Canada Geese, 16 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, a Pintail, 2 Wheatears, single Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. A Manx Shearwater, a Guillemot, another 8 Little Egrets and 50 Dunlin were reported from Severn Beach.
11th September
A windy day after a very windy and wet night. As expected Severn Beach produced a reasonable selection of seabirds including 2 Leach’s Petrels, a Storm Petrel, a Grey Phalarope, 7+ Manx Shearwaters, 2 Gannets, single Common Tern and Arctic Tern. Other sightings here involved a Peregrine (attacking Leach’s Petrel and Manx Shearwater), 7 Little Egrets, 70+ Turnstones, 90 Dunlin, a Wigeon and a Wheatear. Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved an exhausted Manx Shearwater floating down river, 19 Knot, 4 Ruff, 140 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Redshank, 300 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover, 25 Lapwing, single Wigeon, Pintail, Yellow Wagtail and Swift.
Leach’s Petrel, Severn Beach 11.9.17 © Adam Rawson
Grey Phalarope, Severn Beach 11.9.17 © Adam Rawson
Manx Shearwater, Severn Beach 11.9.17 © Adam Rawson
Gannet, Severn Beach 11.9.17 © John Martin
10th September
A windy day. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included 94 Canada Geese, 2 Wigeon, a Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Egrets, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 17 Knot, a Ruff, 150+ Black-tailed Godwits, 85 Oystercatchers, 55 Ringed Plover, 18 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 80 Turnstones, a Snipe, 2 Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, 40+ Pied Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, 70 Linnet, single Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Kingfisher. Two Manx Sheawaters and another 5 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
Knot, New Passage 10.9.17
9th September
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 17 Knot, 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Snipe, single Greenshank and Ruff, 90 Turnstones, 55 Ringed Plover, an influx of 500+ Dunlin, 100+ Oystercatchers, 120 Redshank, 45 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 12 Little Grebes, 74 Canada Geese, 3 Wigeon, a Pintail, 3 Swift, 8 Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Wheatears, 6 Stock Doves, 70 Linnets, single Coal Tit, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Another 30 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plover, a Raven and Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach.
8th September
A windy morning with spells of horizontal heavy rain showers. Dry and bright by mid afternoon. A morning sea watch at Severn Beach in foul weather and a 13.5 metre spring tide produced a juvenile Black Tern (North, ahead of a squall at 08.20) and 3 Manx Shearwaters where other reports included 4 Little Egrets, 10 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck, 7 Turnstones and a Ringed Plover from the shore and a Redstart remained in the railway scrub.The flock of 210+ Black-tailed Godwits including the colour-ringed individual, 12 Knot, 90 Turnstones, 120 Redshank, 300+ Dunlin, 35 Ringed Plover, single Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, Greenshank and Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 45+ Coot, 2 Wigeon, 3 Tufted Duck, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, single Wheatear and Coal Tit were reported from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
Manx Shearwater, Severn Beach 8.9.17
7th September
Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 18 Knot, 210+ Black-tailed Godwits (including the colour-ringed individual), 2 Greenshank, a Ruff, 300+ Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 20+ Lapwing, 150+ Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Yellow Wagtails, single Kestrel, Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher and late Swift. Another 45 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin and a Redstart were reported from Severn Beach. A Little Egret and a Stonechat were seen at Aust Warth.
Ringed Plover, Severn Beach 7.9.17
6th September
Much of the same today with 210 Black-tailed Godwits, 130 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 12 Knot, 350 Dunlin, 40 Turnstones, single Ruff, Green Sandpiper and juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Egrets, 40+Teal, 40+ Gadwall, 15 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, a female Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 160 Canada Geese, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, a Kingfisher, a Swift, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel being seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area.
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 6.9.17
5th September
A wet morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 14 Knot, 220 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Dunlin, 160 Redshank, 2 Snipe, single Greenshank, Green Sandpiper and Ruff, 2 Little Egrets, a female Pintail, 10+ Shoveler, 50+ Gadwall, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, a Swift and a Kingfisher. A Redstart was in the railway scrub near Severn Beach station.
Colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit, New Passage 5.9.17
present in the area since 24th August, the details have been sent to the BTO and hopefully we will get it’s history back soon.
4th September
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 2 Greenshank, 6 Knot, 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, single juvenile Little Ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper, 95 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin,135 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 80 Teal, 43 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 3 Whinchat, 5 Wheatears and 10+ Yellow Wagtails. Just 3 Little Egrets and 2 Ringed Plover were seen from Severn Beach on the early evening high tide.
3rd September
A wet day with a North East breeze. The Egyptian Goose reappeared with the 180+ Canada Geese on Northwick Warth where 120+ Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 30 Ringed Plover, 160 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, single Green Sandpiper, Knot and Little Egret, 30+ Gadwall, 10+ Shoveler, 8 Yellow Wagtails and a Whitethroat were also reported.
Willow Warbler, Northwick Warth 2.9.17 © Lisa Presland
2nd September
A juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 198 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, 40 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 80+ Redshank, 20+ Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, a Whinchat, 4 Wheatears, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 10+ Yellow Wagtails, a Swift, 2 Coal Tits, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen in the Northwick Warth area. Anther 8 Little Egrets, 50 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 2 Wheatears and a Whitethroat were seen at Severn Beach.
Whinchat, Northwick Warth 1.9.17
Sparrowhawk with a Turnstone, New Passage 1.9.17
1st September
A fine sunny start to the month with a light North East breeze in the morning. The large flock of 160+ Black-tailed Godwits remained on Northwick Warth where 2 Greenshank, single Ruff, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 8 Knot, 7+ Snipe, 70+ Redshank, 130 Dunlin, 60 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, 8 Shoveler, 45 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Wheatears, 8+ Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Coal Tit, single Whinchat, Swift, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were also seen. Another 11 Little Egrets, 8+ Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and Wheatear were reported at Severn Beach.
