April is the second most productive month of the year in the number of species seen. At least one individual of 207 species have been recorded in April. A month when the last of the “winter” birds depart and most “summer” birds arrive. Birds to expect are at least three Tern species, Skuas, “ sylvia” Warblers, Common Redstarts, Whinchats, Yellow Wagtails with the chance of Pied Flycatcher, Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler and Hobby. Rarer sightings include; Stone Curlew (2006), White Stork (2015), Spoonbill (2017), Slavonian Grebe (1989, 2000), Ring-necked Duck (1988), Green-winged Teal (2015), Sabine’s Gull (1990, 1992), Red-rumped Swallow (1988), Red-throated Pipit (2012), Willow Tit (1988), Serin (2017), Mealy Redpoll (2004), Ospreys and Long-eared Owl (2006).
April 2018
30th April
A sunny but cold day with a strong North breeze. A pair of Garganey were found on Pilning Wetland today where other sightings from here and New Passage included an Avocet, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 32 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 15 “Commic” Terns, a Yellow Wagtail and 5 White Wagtails. Just single Black-headed Gull, Swift and Peregrine were reported from Severn Beach. A Whinchat was seen at Aust Warth and nearby 2 Redstarts were found above Aust Cliff.
Garganey, Pilning Wetland 30.4.18
29th April
Ten Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed Godwit were seen from Severn Beach. Reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 50 Shelduck, 2 drake Shoveler, a pair of Teal, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 6 Lapwing, a Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, a Little Egret, 6 White Wagtails, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Lesser Whitethroat. Another 8 Shelduck, 3 Whimbrel, 30 Oystercatchers, single Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Kestrel and Peregrine were seen at Aust Warth.
Bar-tailed Godwit, Severn Beach 29.4.18 © Brian Thompson
28th April
Another cool day with a North East breeze. A Great White Egret flew North East over the Fossil beach at Aust Warth at 09.45 where 2 Yellow Wagtails were also seen. Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland to Aust Warth area involved 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 8 Whimbrel, 7 Common Sandpipers, a Snipe, 18 Gadwall, 18+ Tufted Duck, a pair of Teal, a pair of Shoveler, 200+ Sand Martins, 9 Swifts, 8 Wheatears, 25+ Yellow Wagtails, 12 White Wagtails, single Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, Raven, Kestrel and female Merlin. Another 8 Whimbrel, 4 Mute Swans, a drake Tufted Duck, a Little Egret, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 7 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Reed Warblers, 3 Wheatears and a Sedge Warbler were seen at Severn Beach. Two Cetti’s Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 3+ Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat were reported from Chittening Warth.
27th April
A cold wet day with a North East breeze. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a Wood Sandpiper (first April record), 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, single Sanderling, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 2 Great Crested Grebes, a brood of 15 fresh Mallard ducklings, 18 Canada Geese, 32 Shelduck, a male Whinchat, 5 Wheatears, 12+ Swift, 5 White Wagtails and at least 38 Yellow Wagtails including a male Channel Wagtail. A wet early morning visit to Severn Beach produced just 12 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Whitethroats and 2 Lesser Whitethroats.
Channel Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 27.4.18
26th April
Another breezy day. A quiet day with just 4 Little Ringed Plovers, a Little Egret, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 10 White Wagtails, single Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and Peregrine were reported from the Northwick Warth area.
25th April
An increasingly breezy day. A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling early morning in Severn Beach and a few hours sea watching from here this afternoon produced an Arctic Skua, an adult Gannet, 2 unidentified Terns, c.20 Kittiwakes, 2 Whimbrel, 9 Ringed Plover, a Sanderling, a Swift and 2 Ravens.The usual combination of 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Commnon Sandpipers, a Raven, 2 Stock Doves, 2 Wheatears, 5 White Wagtails and a Lesser Whitethroat were reported in the Northwick Warth area.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 25.4.18
24th April
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Dunlin, 60 Oystercatchers, single Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit and Snipe, 2 Swifts, 2 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 5 White Wagtails.
23rd April
A cloudy day with occasional sunny spells with a cold West breeze. Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 2 Great White Egrets (at 07.40 for 10 minutes), a Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, 5 Lapwing, a Snipe, 3 White Wagtails, 2 Raven, 15+ House Martins, 5 Stock Doves, single Swift, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit, Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing near the railway platform in Severn Beach.
Great White Egrets, Pilning Wetland 23.4.18
22nd April
A misty day with sunshine eventually bursting through. An Osprey was watched for 10 minutes off New Passage (at 09.45) feeding on a fish before being mobbed by gulls and flying off North. A Red Kite flew North over Pilning Wetland (at 13.05) and the 3rd Severnside record of White Stork also flew East (at 15.25). Other sightings from the Northwick Warth area included a Little Egret, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 11 Turnstones, 6 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 2 Wheatears, single Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Redpoll, Coal Tit, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Another Yellow Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 3 Whitethroats were present at Severn Beach. A Peregrine and 3 Stock Doves were seen at Aust Warth this morning.
Osprey, New Passage 22.4.18 © John Martin
21st April
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included the a female Goshawk (being mobbed by a Buzzard), an Avocet flying up river at 09.55, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Whimbrel, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 45 Redshank, 60+ Black-headed Gulls, the first Swift of the year, 4+ Sedge Warblers, single Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wheatears, 9 Yellow Wagtails, a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk. Reports from Severn Beach involved 3 Whimbrel, 4 Ringed Plover, 15 Dunlin, 17 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Wheatears, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Redpolls, a Siskin and a Pheasant.
20th April
Dense fog until midday followed by a warm and sunny afternoon. Sightings from Severn Beach included a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Whimbrel, 8 Dunlin, a Great Crested Grebe, a male Sparrowhawk, 2 Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Siskins and 3 Redpolls. A pair of Tawny Owls were heard calling in the village at 22.30. It remained quiet in the Northwick Warth area with just 2 Little Ringed plovers, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Egret, 4 “unidentified” Terns, 10 Common Gulls, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2+ White Wagtails, single Yellow Wagtail, Redpoll and Wheatear being reported. A Short-eared Owl and a Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth.
19th April
A warm and sunny day. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included a single Bar-tailed Godwit and Grey Plover, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel, 12 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 25+ Turnstones, 40 Oystercatchers, 12 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Sedge Warblers, single Water Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat and Wheatear. A reeling Grasshopper Warbler, single Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Pheasant were reported at Severn Beach.
18th April
A cloudy morning with a South East breeze, becoming warm and sunny in the afternoon. The good run of new birds continued with a reeling Grasshopper Warbler early morning at New Passage where later 2 Severnside rarities were found in the form of a winter plumage Red-throated Diver and a Nuthatch (in tree tops in the Glen). Other reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage area included 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 80 Redshank, 3 Snipe, single Bar-tailed Godwit and Knot, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 18 Tufted Duck, 20 Shoveler, 5 White Wagtails, single Yellow Wagtail and Water Pipit, 2 Sedge Warblers, 6 Wheatears and a Yellowhammer (flying South). Another 2 Common Sandpipers, 22 Shelduck, 3 Canada Geese, 4 Gadwall, 2 Whitethroats, single Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler were reported at Severn Beach and a Treecreeper was seen near the Orchard Pools.
Red-throated Diver, New Passage 18.4.18
17th April
A cloudy day with a strong Southerly breeze. The only reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 11 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, 5 Snipe, 60 Redshank, a Little Egret, 88 Shelduck, 4 Wheatears, just 2 White Wagtails, 2 Sedge Warblers and a Raven.
16th April
Reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage included 2 Ring Ouzels (female near 2nd sentry box, a male bird at New Passage), at least one male Redstart, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 3+ Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Golden Plover, 90+ Redshank, 40 Curlew, a Merlin, 18 Tufted Duck, 29 White Wagtails, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Wheatears, single Water Pipit, Tree Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Redpoll.
Ring Ouzel, Northwick Warth 16.4.18
15th April
A damp grey day with a South East wind. The Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area was the centre of attention from early morning with a fine Stone Curlew (4th Severnside record), an Ashy-headed Wagtail, 2 Golden Plover, a Grey Plover, 3+ Whimbrel, 35 Curlew, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 120 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 5 Lapwing, 19 Black-headed Gulls, a Wood Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler, 17 Yellow Wagtails, 45+ White Wagtails, a Water Pipit, 3 Tree Pipits, single Siskin and Redpoll.
Ashy-headed Wagtail, Northwick Warth 15.4.18
Stone Curlew, Northwick Warth 15.4.18
Stone Curlew, Northwick Warth 15.4.18
14th April
A misty start to the day followed by bright sunshine. A Wood Warbler was found at New Passage where other reports from here and the surrounding Northwick Warth area included a pair of Pintail, 17 Wigeon, 28 Teal, 18 Shoveler, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Greenshank. 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 125 Redshank, 36 Turnstones, 29 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwing, 25 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 20 White Wagtail, 3 Redpolls, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, single Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Water Pipit and Siskin. Two Great Crested Grebes, 94 Shelduck, 30 Redshank and 35 Oystercatchers were seen from Severn Beach on the evening high tide.
Wood Warbler, New Passage 14.4.18 © Aravind Ramesh
13th April
The overcast weather remained until mid afternoon. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved a female Merlin, 6 Little Ringed Plover, single Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel, 140 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 16 Ringed Plover, 25 Dunlin, 4 Little Egret, a pair of Pintail, 19 Shoveler, 57 White Wagtails, 20 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 2 Tree Pipits, 200 Sand Martins, a Cetti’s Warbler (on old landfill site), 2 Sedge Warblers a Kestrel plus Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps everywhere. A Short-eared Owl and a pair of Kestrels were seen on Aust Warth. The first Whinchat of the year was found on Chittening Warth.
12th April
A gloomy day with the cold North East wind. An impressive visible migration of Goldfinches, Meadow Pipits with a few other species, involving thousands of birds all heading low into the wind. Three Arctic Skuas also flew North East past Severn Beach at 07.40, where other sightings included 2 Grey Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 60 Dunlin, 15+ Ringed Plover, 47 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 40 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 7 House Martins and a Tree Pipit. Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area involved 19 Canada Geese, a pair of Pintail, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, 8 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 1860+ Meadow Pipits, 460+ Linnets, 1590+ Goldfinch, 20+ Siskins, 6+ Yellow Wagtails, c.50 White Wagtails, a Water Pipit and a Wheatear.
11th April
The cold, wet weather and North East wind continued. A visit to the Northwick Warth area produced a Common Sandpiper, 60 Redshank, 9 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, at least one Little Ringed Plover, 16 Canada Geese, 23 Tufted Duck, 12 Shoveler, 6 male Yellow Wagtails, 12 White Wagtails, single Reed Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler, 100+ Swallows, 20+ House Martins, a female Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Two Bar-tailed Godwits, 31 Oystercatchers, 17 Ringed Plovers, 20 Dunlin and 6 Black-headed Gulls were seen from Severn Beach. A Short-eared Owl and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth.
Yellow Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 11.4.18
10th April
Another grey, damp day with a cool North East breeze. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved a Common Sandpiper, 9 Black-tailed Godwits (on the Flash), 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 140+ Redshank, 16 Canada Geese, 18 Tufted Duck, 14 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 32 Shelduck, 100+ Swallows, 5 House Martins, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3+ White Wagtails, singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, single Willow Warbler, Siskin, Kestrel and male Sparrowhawk. An afternoon high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 4 adult Little Gulls, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 17 Ringed Plover, 34 Oystercatchers, 72 Shelduck, 4 Teal, 2 singing Chiffchaff, and 30+ Swallows.
Little Ringed Plover, Northwick Warth 10.4.18
9th April
A damp, grey day. A morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced a Little Egret, 3 Greylag Geese, 16 Canada Geese, 20+ Teal, 6 Wigeon, 40 Shelduck, 20+ Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 16 Shoveler, 140+ Redshank, 35 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, a Wheatear and 6 Swallows. A Common Tern was seen at Severn Beach.
8th April
A Red Kite flew South East over the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach (10.45) where 2 Little Egrets, 30 Curlew, 2 singing Blackcaps and 2 Willow Warblers were also reported. Four Whimbrel, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 16 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, a Red Kite (East at 11.00), a Sparrowhawk, at least 50 Swallows, 20 Sand Martins, a House Martin, 2 Water Pipits, 3 White Wagtails, 150+ Meadow Pipits, 3 Wheatears, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Willow Warblers and 10+ Chiffchaff were reported from Northwick Warth/New Passage.
7th April
A very wet start to the day with an East breeze turning dryer with a light South West wind late morning. A good selection and number of migrants were seen and heard. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 100+ Redshank, 2 Snipe, 5 Lapwing, 2 Ringed Plover, 40 Oystercatchers, 35 Curlew, a Little Egret, 10 Canada Geese, 50+ Shelduck, a female Pintail, 22 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 25 Tufted Duck, 40+ Teal, 6+ Little Grebes, a Red Kite (flew East at 09.45, the same or another South at 13.55), a Kestrel, 2 Water Pipits together, a Yellow Wagtail, 120+ Swallow, 20+ Sand Martins, 2 House Martins, 5+ Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, 6+ Blackcaps and 4 Lesser Redpolls. A dark morph Arctic Skua flew North East over Severn Beach at 12.10 where other sightings involved a Great Crested Grebe lingering over the high tide and then floated down river, a drake Goosander (flew North East), 6 Black-headed Gulls, 7 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, single male Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Siskin all flying North East along with 40+ Swallows, 10 Sand Martins, 70+ Goldfinch and 50+ Meadow Pipits. A Short-eared Owl and a Kestrel were present at Aust Warth.
Red Kite, Pilning Wetland 7.4.18
a record shot at over 1 Kilometre range in the rain
6th April
Three Greylag Geese, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, a Little Egret, 16 Tufted Duck, 3 Swallows and a Sand Martin were seen on Northwick Warth and a single flock of c.16 Common Scoter being seen from New Passage. Two Cetti’s Warblers, 3 Swallows and a Chiffchaff were reported at Chittening Warth. Just 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Swallows and a Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach. A Wheatear and a Stonechat were seen at Aust Warth.
5th April
A Little Egret, 3 Snipe, 52 Shelduck, 14 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall and 12 Shoveler were seen on Pilning Wetland/Norhwick Warth. Another 65 Shelduck, 50 Curlew, 30 Redshank and a Weasel were seen at Severn Beach.
4th April
Combined reports the New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 12 Canada Geese, 60 Shelduck, 14 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 16 Tufted Duck, 22 Teal, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Turnstones,110 Redshank, a Snipe, 60 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwing, a Little Egret, a House Martin, 15+ Swallows, 8 Sand Martins, 5 Wheatears, 2 Water Pipits, a White Wagtail, 25 Pied Wagtails, 2 Willow Warblers, 20+ Chffchaff and a female Merlin. A Cetti’s Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff and 8+ Gadwall were reported at Chittening Warth. Click on the Water Pipit below to see a short Youtube video.
Water Pipit, New Passage 4.4.18
3rd April
A breezy day with sunshine and rain and hail showers. The first Purple Sandpiper for two years, a drake Common Scoter, 40+ Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, single Ringed Plover, Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Sand Martin were seen this morning at Severn Beach. At least 66 Shelduck and 30 Turnstones were seen from New Passage. A Swallow and “plenty “ of Wheatears were reported at Aust Warth. Click on the Purple Sandpiper below for a short Youtube video.
Purple Sandpiper, Severn Beach 3.4.18
2nd April
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a male Merlin, the first Great Crested Grebe of the year, 80 Redshank, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Golden Plover, 16 Canada Geese, 70 Shelduck, 2 Water Pipits, 4 Swallows, 10 Sand Martins, 5+ Chiffchaff and 3 Wheatears. Eleven Common Scoter were present off Severn Beach on the evening high tide.
Great Crested Grebe, New Passage 2.4.18
Golden Plover, Northwick Warth 2.4.18
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 1.4.18
1st April
A pair of Pintail, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatears and a male Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach. A Little Egret, 120 Redshank, 4 Lapwing, a Snipe, 14 Tufted Duck, 20 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, a Water Pipit, 3 Sand Martins and a Swallow were seen in the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area. Two Short-eared Owls were hunting over Aust Warth this afternoon.
