March is a slightly better month than February with a total of 178 species recorded during this month. As each day passes the expectation of an early spring migrant increases, Wheatears usually being seen by mid month along with Chiffchaffs, Sand Martins and possibly Little Ringed Plovers. Rarities have included Black Kite (2010), Green-winged Teal (2014), Avocets, Cattle Egret (2017), Crane (2015, 2017), Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Hen Harrier and Bearded Tit (2004), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Mandarin (2006) and Siberian Chiffchaff (2007).
March 2019
31st March
A cooler day with a North East breeze. An Osprey, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, a Golden Plover, 30 Black-tailed Godwits, 180 Redshank, 2 Peregrines, a Sparrowhawk, 16 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 100+ Sand Martins, 245 Meadow Pipits, 280 Goldfinch, 14 Siskins and 3 Redpolls were reported in the New Passage/Northwick Warth area. Another 270 Meadow Pipits, 9 Sand Martins, single Swallow and Little Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach.
30th March
Another foggy morning with mist over the estuary all day. Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included 60+ Shelduck, 30 Teal, 12 Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, a Little Egret, 8 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Lapwing, a Golden Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, 30 Curlew, a Knot, 180 Redshank, single Green Sandpiper, Merlin, Raven, Kingfisher and Willow Warbler, 5+ Siskins and influx of Sand Martins, Swallows and House Martins. Another 3 Ringed Plovers, 56 Shelduck, 3 Swallows and a singing Cetti’s Warbler were reported at Severn Beach.
Golden Plover, Northwick Warth 30.3.19
29th March
A foggy morning followed by a sunny warm afternoon. A slight increase in variety with 129 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, single Grey Plover and Golden Plover, 90+ Turnstones, 60 Oystercatchers, 180 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, 90+ Shelduck, 37 Teal, 19 Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 14 Shoveler, a male Merlin, 60 Sand Martins, a Swallow and a Water Pipit reported from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area. A Black Redstart, a singing Willow Warbler and a Sand Martin were reported from Severn Beach.
28th March
Reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included a female Marsh Harrier (North East mid afternoon), at least 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlin, a Knot, 200+ Redshank, 30+ Turnstones, 4 Lapwing, single Water Rail, Raven and Sparrowhawk, 3 Little Egrets and 7 Sand Martins.
27th March
Another frosty dawn followed by a warm sunny day. Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 4 Little Ringed Povers, 63 Black-tailed Godwits, 180 Redshank, a Knot, just 2 Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, 50 Curlew, 5 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 35 Oystercatchers, 90+ Shelduck, 30 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 16 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, a female Sparrowhawk and a Sand Martin. A Redpoll flew North East over Severn Beach. A Grey Seal was seen from New Passage.
26th March
A cold dawn followed by another dry and sunny day. An early morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 170 Redshank, 50 Curlew, just one Dunlin, 4 Snipe, 5 Lapwing, 8 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 80+ Shelduck, 40 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Egrets and a Water Pipit. Another 13 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 70 Curlew, a White Wagtail and a Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach.
Water Pipit, New Passage 26.3.19
25th March
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area on another sunny day with a North breeze involved 110 Shelduck, 8 Canada Geese, 70 Teal, 7 Wigeon, 15 Gadwall, 14 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail, 7 Little Egrets, 105 Turnstones, 160 Redshank, 50 Curlew, 3 Sand Martins, 10+ Siskins, single Raven and Sparrowhawk.
24th March
A sunny day. Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 80+ Shelduck, 9 Canada Geese, 60+Teal, 18 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, a Water Rail, a Little Egret, single Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover, 160 Redshank, 55 Turnstones, 3 Snipe, 5 Lapwing, 43 Oystercatchers, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 70+ Curlew, a male Merlin, 2 Ravens, 7 Sand Martins, 5 Siskins, single Wheatear and Redpoll. A Pheasant, 2 Shoveler, 14 Wigeon, 2 Ravens and 4 Siskins were reported at Severn Beach. A Red Kite drifted over Aust Warth.
23rd March
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage area involved a Great White Egret flying North East, 2 Little Ringed Plover, single Ringed Plover and Golden Plover, 18 Sand Martins, 4 Redpoll, a male Merlin, a Kestrel, 2 Peregrines and 2 Sparrowhawks. A female Merlin, a pair of Kestrels, single Peregrine, Raven and Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth. Another Wheatear, 2 drake Shoveler, 8 Teal, 11 Wigeon, 10 Shelduck, 6 Dunlin, 9 singing Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach.
22nd March
A morning visit to Northwick Warth/New Passage with 14.4 metre tide produced 160 Redshank, 8 Dunlin, 2 Lapwing, 2 Ringed Plover, 90+ Shelduck, 14 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Bar-headed Geese and a Water Pipit. Another 28 Shelduck and a Little Egret were seen at Severn Beach. Two Short-eared Owls and a Skua specie were seen from Aust Warth. Chiffchaffs were singing throughout the area.
Water Pipit, New Passage 22.3.19
21st March
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage area included a Water Pipit, 2 Wheatears, 12+ Sand Martins, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Snipe, 205 Redshank, 69 Oystercatchers, 66 Curlew, 6 Dunlin, 100+ Shelduck, 12 Shoveler and 14 Gadwall. A fresh dead Tawny Owl was found on the coast road near Northwick Warth landfill site. Single Short-eared Owl, Kestrel, Raven and Stonechat were seen at Aust Warth. A Cetti’s Warbler was found dead, apparently colliding with a window of a house in Station Road, Severn Beach. The Ring-necked Parakeet was reported again at Redwick/New Passage mid afternoon.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 21.3.19
20th March
Several visits to the Northwick Warth/New Passage/Pilning Wetland area produced 3 Little Ringed Plover with a Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 120+ Redshank, 40+ Turnstones, 9 Dunlin, a Lapwing, 70 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 100+ Shelduck, 12 Shoveler, 14 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 70 Wigeon, 30 Teal, the first Wheatear of the year, 7 Sand Martins, 6 Chiffchaffs and a Ring-necked Parakeet (only the 10th Severnside record). Another Wheatear was reported at Severn Beach.
Ring-necked Parakeet, New Passage 20.3.19
19th March
A Little Ringed Plover, 90+ Redshank, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 10 Dunlin, 25 Turnstones, single Lapwing and Little Egret, 15 Canada Geese, 2 Water Rails, 2 Sand Martins and a male Merlin were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area.
Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 19.3.19
18th March
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 2 Little Ringed Plover, 25 Turnstones, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Dunlin, 3 Lapwing, 92 Redshank, 35 Curlew, 80+ Shelduck, 85 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 3 Little Egrets and 4 Chiffchaffs. At least 3 Chiffchaffs were singing near Severn Beach railway station.
17th March
A sunny day. The first Little Ringed Plover of the year was found on Northwick Warth where other sightings included a Little Egret, 2 Lapwing, 80 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon and 20 Teal. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth.
16th March
Another windy day at Severn Beach produced a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, at least 60 Kittiwakes and a Peregrine. At least 104 Shelduck, 49 Redshank, 44 Oystercatchers and 5 Black-tailed Godwits were seen from New Passage.
15th March
At least 50 Kittiwakes, 120 Turnstones, 20 Shelduck and 2 Ravens were seen from Severn Beach in windy conditions. At least 113 Shelduck, 120 Wigeon, 70 Redshank and a male Stonechat were seen at New Passage.
Stonechat, New Passage 15.3.19
14th March
The breezy conditions continued. Two Gannets, at least 70 Kittiwakes and a flock of 130 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach. A brief visit to a very windswept New Passage produced just 103 Shelduck, 160 Wigeon and 40 Teal. Two Short-eared Owls were seen at Aust Warth.
13th March
Another windy day due to Storm Gareth. Combined sightings from Severn Beach included a Great Skua, 2 Gannets, 55 Kittiwakes and 22 Turnstones. At least 112 Shelduck and a Chiffchaff were reported from Northwick Warth. Just 15 Black-tailed Godwits were seen on Pilning Wetland.
12th March
A windy day produced at least 10 Kittiwakes off Severn Beach.
11th March
At least 11 Knot, 120 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Lapwing, 90 Redshank, 110 Shelduck, 250 Wigeon, 40 Teal, a female Pintail, 2 Little Egrets and a Water Pipit were seen in the New Passage/Northwick Warth area. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth.
10th March
A very windy morning at Severn Beach produced a Fulmar, 8 Kittiwakes, 2 Common Scoter, 45 Turnstones and a Peregrine.
9th March
Another windy day produced a flock of at least 30 Kittiwakes off Severn Beach. Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included 5 Knot, 22 Turnstones, 2 Lapwing, a Ringed Plover, 55 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 90+ Shelduck, 130 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 26 Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck and 6 Chiffchaffs.
8th March
A brief visit to New Passage produced 100+ Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 60 Curlew, 7 Knot, 3 Ringed Plover, a Lapwing, a Little Egret, 130 Shelduck, 40 Teal, 15 Gadwall, 120 Wigeon, a Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail. A female Blackcap was still visiting feeders in a Severn Beach garden.
7th March
A drake Common Scoter and a flock of 40 Kittiwakes were seen at Severn Beach.
6th March
A wet and dismal day. At least 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Redshank, 50 Curlew, a Little Egret, 120 Shelduck, 240 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall and 62 Pied Wagtails were seen from New Passage/Northwick Warth.
5th March
A calmer day with rain showers. A drake Common Scoter, a Kittiwake, 160 Shelduck, 240 Wigeon, 40 Teal, a Little Egret, 150+ Redshank, 11 Knot, 14 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin and 160+ Black-tailed Godwits were seen from New Passage. A Chiffchaff was singing at Severn Beach.
4th March
Another grey day with a windy afternoon. A morning visit to the Northwick Warth area produced 280+ Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Knot, 150 Redshank, 20 Turnstones, 40 Dunlin, 7 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 20 Canada Geese, 45 Teal, 250 Wigeon, 90 Shelduck, 12 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 14 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, single Merlin, Kestrel and Chiffchaff. An adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull, at least 100 Kittiwakes, 90 Turnstones, 4 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 40 Curlew, 9 Shelduck, 11 Teal and 20 Wigeon were seen from Severn Beach this afternoon.
Merlin, Northwick Warth 4.3.19
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 4.3.19
3rd March
An increasingly windy day as Storm Freya arrived in the afternoon. Reports from Severn Beach included 25+ Gannets, 4 adult Kittiwakes, 36 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 45 Oystercatchers and a Snipe.
2nd March
At least 60 Knot, 280 Black-tailed Godwits, 180 Redshank, 50 Curlew, 50 Oystercatchers, 30 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 80 Shelduck, 240 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Coal Tit were reported from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area.
1st March
A quiet start to the month with at least 180 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Turnstones, 150 Redshank, 70 Curlew, 10 Lapwing, 50 Dunlin, single Knot and Snipe, 90+ Shelduck, 50+ Wigeon, 105+ Teal, a Little Egret, 50 Pied Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, 4 Siskins and 2 Chiffchaffs reported from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area.
