January is a slightly better month than December, the daylight hours slowly lengthen resulting in a monthly total of 167 species. Like any of the mid winter months it can be good for wildfowl sightings if inland waters freeze, with the chance of Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander or some fly by Bewick’s Swans. Seabirds seen in gales have included Cory’s Shearwater (2004), Storm Petrel, Leach’s Petrel, Little Auk, Red-throated Diver and Grey Phalarope. Other January birds include; Slavonian Grebe (2010,2016), Green-winged Teal (2015), American Golden Plover (2002), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Shorelark (2004), Waxwing, two Common Cranes that flew over Severn Beach (2000), Whooper Swans (2005, 2018), Bittern (2011,2017), Glaucous Gull and a few rare sightings of Hen Harrier.
January 2019
31st January
An icy morning (-3°C) with only a few small areas of open water on the wetland. A brief visit to Northwick Warth produced the 5 White-fronted Geese, 115 Canada Geese, 140 Shelduck, 450+ Wigeon, 40 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 120 Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Redshank, 200 Dunlin, 40 Curlew and a Water Pipit. Single Short-eared Owl, Kestrel and Stonechat were reported at Aust Warth.
30th January
An icy morning followed by sunshine. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included the 5 White-fronted Geese, 117 Canada Geese, 400+ Wigeon, 138 Shelduck, a Pochard, 80+ Black-tailed Godwits, 350+ Lapwing, single Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Short-eared Owl and Water Pipit. Sightings from the Severn Beach shore included 2 Jack Snipe, 3 Snipe, 50 Turnstones, 50 Redshank, 9 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 24 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 20+ Reed Buntings and a Stonechat. Nearby single Treecreeper, Grey Wagtail and Cetti’s Warbler were present at the Orchard Pools. Three Ravens and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth.
29th January
A cold, grey and damp day. A brief visit to New Passage produced the 5 White-fronted Geese, 77 Canada Geese, 121 Shelduck, 500+ Wigeon, a Little Egret, 80 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 350+ Lapwing and 60 Curlew. A Stonechat and a female Blackcap were seen in Severn Beach.
28th January
The 5 White-fronted Geese, 128 Shelduck, 54 Canada Geese, 500+ Wigeon, 200 Dunlin, 350+ Lapwing and 120+ Black-tailed Godwits remained in the Northwick Warth area. A Short-eared Owl flew high South West over Severn Beach this morning where other sightings included 90 Turnstones, 8 Ringed Plover (including a regular returning colour-ringed bird), 300+ Dunlin, 40 Curlew and 60 Wigeon. A Short-eared Owl was seen again at Aust Warth in the afternoon.
White-fronted Geese, Pilning Wetland 28.1.19
27th January
A cold and windy day. The 5 White-fronted Geese, a pair of Pintail, 125 Black-tailed Godwits and a Water Pipit were reported from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland. At least 200 Dunlin, a pair of Shoveler and a hunting Peregrine were seen from Severn Beach.
26th January
An increasingly wet and breezy day. Much of the same was reported from the Northwick Warth area including 5 White-fronted Geese, 500 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 130+ Shelduck, a Pochard, 95 Canada Geese, a Water Rail, 400 Lapwing, 125 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 72 Redshank, 150 Dunlin, 8 Snipe, single female Merlin and a Water Pipit. A Short-eared Owl was seen again at Aust Warth.
25th January
Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 5 White-fronted Geese, 30 Canada Geese, 112 Shelduck, 400+ Wigeon, 80 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, a Little Egret, 92 Redshank, 135 Curlew, 150 Oystercatchers, 250+ Lapwing, 150 Dunlin, a Golden Plover, a hunting pair of Peregrines, 2 Short-eared Owls, a Kestrel, 58 Pied Wagtails and a Water Pipit.
24th January
A morning high tide visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 5 White-fronted Geese, 79 Shelduck, 17 Tufted Duck, 450+ Wigeon, a Little Egret, 80+ Black-tailed Godwits, 90+ Redshank, 650+ Lapwing, 190 Curlew, 140 Oystercatchers, 400 Dunlin, 18 Snipe, a male Sparrowhawk and 3 Ravens. Another 70 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones, 10 Ringed Plover and 2 Rock Pipits were seen at Severn Beach. A Short-eared Owl was reported near Cake Pill at Aust Warth.
23rd January
An icy and sunny day with 14.2 metre high tide. Combined reports from Northwick Warth included 5 White-fronted Geese, 94 Shelduck, 600+ Wigeon, single Pochard and Pintail, 500+ Lapwing, 80 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Snipe, 120 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, single Sparrowhawk and Water Pipit. Four Jack Snipe, 24 Reed Buntings, 3 Rock Pipits and a Stonechat were reported from the Severn Beach salt marsh and nearby 2 Cetti’s Warblers and 2 Treecreepers were found at the Orchard Pools. A Short-eared Owl was seen again at Aust Warth.
Water Pipit, Northwick Warth 23.1.19
Treecreeper, Severn Beach 23.1.19
22nd January
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 5 White-fronted Geese, 500+ Wigeon, 91 Shelduck, 70+ Canada Geese, a Little Egret, 85 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 130 Curlew, 95 Oystercatchers 500+ Lapwing, 300+ Dunlin and a Water Pipit. Another 16 Shelduck, a flock of 9 Greenfinches and a female Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach. A Short-eared Owl was seen again at Aust Warth.
21st January
The 5 White-fronted Geese, 81 Canada Geese, 70+ Shelduck, 7 Tufted Duck, single Pochard, drake Pintail, Little Egret and Kingfisher, 75+ Black-tailed Godwits, 600+ Lapwing, 300 Dunlin and a Golden Plover were seen on Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland. Sightings from Severn Beach included 15 Shelduck, 2 Snipe, 4 Grey Herons, 35+ Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 2 female Blackcaps and a single Kestrel. At least one Short-eared Owl was reported at Aust Warth.
White-fronted Geese, Northwick Warth 21.1.19
20th January
The 5 White-fronted Geese, 70+ Shelduck, 550 Wigeon, 2 drake Pintail, a Pochard, 86 Black-tailed Godwits, 600 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover and 90 Common Gulls were reported from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland. Three Short-eared Owls were reported at Aust Warth. A female Blackcap was seen again in Severn Beach.
19th January
A Short-eared Owl, 5 White-fronted Geese, 37 Canada Geese, 70+ Shelduck, single Pochard and drake Pintail, 330 Wigeon, 80+ Black-tailed Godwits, 600+ Lapwing, 90 Oystercatchers and 2 Little Egrets were seen in the Northwick Warth area today. An afternoon visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 10 Shelduck, 70 Wigeon, 60 Turnstones, 50 Redshank, 100 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover. Two Short-eared Owls and a Jack Snipe were seen at Aust Warth.
18th January
A cool, damp, grey day with an East wind. An adult Mediterranean Gull, 5 White-fronted Geese, 32 Canada Geese, 74 Shelduck, 400+ Wigeon, 100+ Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 23 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 80+ Black-tailed Godwits, 600+ Lapwing, 70 Redshank, 110 Dunlin, 80 Oystercatchers, 3 Snipe, a Grey Plover, single Peregrine, female Merlin and male Sparrowhawk were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilming Wetland area. A female Blackcap was seen again in a Severn Beach garden.
Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 18.1.19
17th January
The sunniest day of the year so far. Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 5 White-fronted Geese, 50+ Shelduck, 300 Wigeon, 10 Tufted Duck, single Pochard and Pintail, 80 Black-tailed Godwits, 500+ Lapwing, 90 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 40 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, single Little Egret, Sparrowhawk and Short-eared Owl. Three Short-eared Owls were seen again at Aust Warth.
16th January
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included the 5 White-fronted Geese, 45 Canada Geese, 250 Wigeon, 28 Shelduck, single Pochard and Pintail, the Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwing flocks, 6 Snipe, a male Merlin and a Cetti’s Warbler. A female Merlin and a female Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach. Two Short-eared Owls showed at Aust Warth.
15th January
The 5 White-fronted Geese remained settled on Northwick Warth where other sightings included 49 Canada Geese, 39 Shelduck, 250 Wigeon, 170 Teal, 36 Shoveler, single drake Pochard and Pintail, 80+ Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Curlew, 140 Redshank, 60 Dunlin, 500+ Lapwing, a Water Pipit and a Sparrowhawk. Two female Blackcaps were seen in gardens at the opposite ends of Severn Beach village.
14th January
A late morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 5 White-fronted Geese, 35 Canada Geese, 28 Shelduck, 300 Wigeon, 24 Shoveler, 11 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, a drake Pintail, 90 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Redshank, 600 Lapwing, 85 Curlew, single Snipe and Little Egret. Three Short-eared Owls and 2 Stonechats were seen from Aust Warth. A high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 4 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 60 Turnstones and 15 Shelduck. Nearby a pair of Blackcaps were seen in a garden.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 14.1.19
13th January
A brief visit to New Passage early afternoon produced the 5 White-fronted Geese, 120+ Canada Geese, 30 Shelduck, 240+ Wigeon and a Kingfisher. At least 3 Short-eared Owls and 2 Jack Snipe were seen at Aust Warth. A male Blackcap was still present in a Severn Beach garden.
12th January
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved the 5 White-fronted Geese, 130+ Canada Geese, 300+ Wigeon, 40 Shelduck, 12 Tufted Duck, 400 Lapwing, 120 Dunlin, 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 55 Redshank and a Yellowhammer. A Merlin, 2 Peregrine and 2 Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth. A Stonechat was present at Severn Beach.
11th January
Much of the same was reported from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland including the 5 White-fronted Geese, 35 Canada Geese, 22 Shelduck, 250+ Wigeon, 120 Teal, 400+ Lapwing. 90 Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Dunlin, single Little Egret, Short-eared Owl, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. Another 21 Shelduck, a Peregrine and 2 Blackcaps were were seen at Severn Beach. At least 2 Short-eared Owls were seen from Aust Warth at dusk.
10th January
Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 5 White-fronted Geese, 40 Canada Geese, 200+ Teal, 350+ Wigeon, a Pochard, 80+ Black-tailed Godwits, 70+ Dunlin, single Little Egret, Water Rail and Peregrine. Four Short-eared Owls were seen again at Aust Warth. Sightings from Severn Beach included 23 Ringed Plover, 80 Turnstones, 70 Dunlin, 11 Shelduck, 70 Wigeon and a male Blackcap.
9th January
Another sunny day. The 5 White-fronted Geese remained on Northwick Warth (click HERE for a short video) where other sightings involved 40 Canada Geese 51 Shelduck, 250 Wigeon, 102 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 90 Curlew, 400 Lapwing, 220 Dunlin, single Snipe, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Raven and Peregrine. Four Short-eared Owls, a Kestrel and a Stonechat were seen at Aust Warth. At least 22 Ringed Plover, 56 Dunlin, 72 Turnstones, 2 Blackcaps and a Raven were seen at Severn Beach.
8th January
A sunny day with much of the same being seen including 5 White-fronted Geese on Northwick Warth and 4 Short-eared Owls at Aust Warth.
7th January
A cloudy, grey day. A morning visit to Northwick Warth produced 5 White-fronted Geese, 94 Canada Geese, 45 Shelduck, 300+ Wigeon, 32 Shoveler, 20+ Gadawall, 10 Tufted Duck, 90 Teal, a Pochard, a Little Egret, 40 Oystercatchers, 90 Dunlin., 40 Redshank, just 5 Black-tailed Godwits and 52 Pied Wagtails. At least one Short-eared Owl was seen on Aust Warth at dusk.
White-fronted Goose, Northwick Warth 7.1.19
6th January
The 5 White-fronted Geese remained on Northwick Warth. At least 3 Short-eared Owls and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth. A male Blackcap was present in a Severn Beach garden.
5th January
An icy morning. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning area included the 5 White-fronted Geese, 36 Canada Geese, 250+ Wigeon, 60 Shelduck, 24 Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, 18 Gadwall, a Pochard, 90+ Teal, 155 Black-tailed Godwits, 460 Lapwing, 400+ Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 2 Snipe, single Water Rail, Kingfisher, male Sparrowhawk and female Merlin. A Jack Snipe was seen early morning at Aust Warth and 3 Short-eared Owls and a Woodcock were seen there this afternoon.
4th January
Another frosty morning. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 5 White-fronted Geese, 140 Teal, 120 Wigeon, 2 drake Pintail, a Pochard, 110+ Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Dunlin, 250+ Lapwing, 4 Ravens, single Peregrine and Merlin. A Jack Snipe and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth.
White-fronted Geese, Northwick Warth 4.1.19
3rd January
A dull, grey day with an East breeze. Five White-fronted Geese were found again this morning on Northwick Warth where other sightings included 65 Shelduck, 60 Canada Geese, 110 Teal , 150 Wigeon, 26 Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 2 drake Pintail, 450+ Lapwing, 130+ Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, a Rock Pipit and a Peregrine. Two Blackcaps were seen at New Passage. Three Short-eared Owls and 3 Jack Snipe were reported early morning at Aust Warth. At least 70 Turnstones, 40 Redshank, 200 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 60 Wigeon and a Stonechat were seen at Severn Beach.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 2.1.19
2nd January
A cold and frosty -2°C start. Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 49 Shelduck, 130 Teal, 58 Canada Geese, 90 Wigeon, 400+ Lapwing, 60 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Turnstones, 300+ Dunlin, a Little Egret and a Water Rail. A visit to the salt marsh at Severn Beach produced a flock of 20 Reed Buntings, 2 Snipe, 3 Grey Herons and at least 50 Wigeon. A Woodcock was seen at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach. Four Short-eared Owls, 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel were seen from Aust Warth late afternoon.
White-fronted Geese, Northwick Warth 1.1.19 © John Martin
1st January
Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 5 White-fronted Geese, 40 Canada Geese, 2 drake Pintail, a Pochard, a Little Egret, 500 Lapwing, a Golden Plover, 115 Oystercatchers, 97 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, a female Merlin and a Raven. A Barn Owl was seen very early morning near Chittening Warth. An afternoon visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced 29 Shelduck, 70 Wigeon, 4 Grey Herons, 60 Turnstones and a Stonechat.
