April is the second most productive month of the year in the number of species seen. At least one individual of 208 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; Great White Egrets (2018), Stone Curlew (2006,2018), 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), Ashy-headed Wagtail (2018), Willow Tit (1988), Serin (2017), Mealy Redpoll (2004), Ospreys and Long-eared Owl (2006).
April 2019
30th April
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a female Marsh Harrier, 3 Garganey (2 drakes), 17 Gadwall, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Lapwing, 8 Whimbrel, a Snipe, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Cuckoo, 3 Swifts, 6+ Wheatears, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Yellow Wagtail. Another Whimbrel, 8 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach. A Grasshopper Warbler was reported today. The Nightingale was still singing on territory. Click on the image below for a short video of a pair of Garganey feeding.
Garganey, Pilning Wetland 30.4.19
29th April
A warm and settled day. Three Garganey (2 drakes), 150+ Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Whimbrel, 3 Lapwing, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Little Egret, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtails, 5 Wheatears, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 42 Shelduck and 19 Gadwall were reported from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland. Another 2 Whimbrel and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach. The Nightingale was still singing on territory.
28th April
A less windy day with the female Citrine Wagtail, 2 Channel Wagtails, several Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, a Wheatear, 230+ Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Whimbrel, the drake Garganey and 27 Gadwall reported from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. Another 4 Whimbrel, single Little Egret, Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were reported at Severn Beach. The Nightingale was still singing and showing occasionally.
27th April
A very windy day as Storm Hannah crossed the country. Combined reports from sea watching at Severn Beach involved 4 Pomarine Skuas (4 NE at 8.15), at least 3 Great Skuas, 3 Arctic Skuas (NE at 09.30), an adult Gannet, 7 Fulmars (together at 09.00), 18 Arctic Terms, 15 Kittiwakes, 80+ Common Gulls and 2 Common Scoter. The female Citrine Wagtail, a Channel Wagtail, the drake Garganey, 13 Dunlin (including a colour ringed individual) and 2 Little Ringed Plovers remained on Pilning Wetland.
26th April
Another day with rain showers and an increasing South West wind. Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included the female Citrine Wagtail, a male Blue-headed Wagtail, 3 White Wagtails, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Whinchat, 3 Wheatears, the first Swift of the year, a Lesser Whitethroat, a drake Garganey, 24 Gadwall, 220 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Lapwing, 9 Dunlin, single Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel. Single Common Tern, Peregrine, Raven and Whimbrel were seen at Severn Beach.
Garganey, Pilning Wetland 26.4.19
25th April
A day of occasional torrential rain showers and a South East wind. An incredible day when another Citrine Wagtail, a male, was found on Pilning Wetland where the female was still present with at least 2 Blue-headed Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, 6+ Yellow Wagtails, a Wheatear, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and a Whimbrel. A morning visit to Severn Beach produced 2 dark-bellied Brent Geese (flew down river), 3 “Commic” Terns, 13 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Common Gulls, 5 Whimbrel, a Turnstone, 3 Ringed Plover, a Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Peregrine. Click on the male Citrine Wagtail below for a short video.
male Citrine Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 25.4.19
female Citrine Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 25.4.19
Blue-headed Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 25.4.19
24th April
A cooler and increasingly wet day produced the first Severnside record of Citrine Wagtail, with a female found on Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth where a male Blue-headed Wagtail, 15+ Yellow Wagtails, 4 White Wagtails, 4 Wheatears, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Lapwing, 60 flyover Bar-tailed Godwits, single Whimbrel, Little Egret, Peregrine and Raven were also seen. A morning start at Severn Beach produced 2 dark morph Arctic Skuas (07.45 & 07.55), a Great Skua (10.55.), 6 Black-headed Gulls, 17 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Dunlin, a Hobby, 2 Wheatears, a Tree Pipit, 2+ Cetti’s Warblers and 2 Siskins.
Citrine Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 24.4.19 © Aravind Ramesh
23rd April
Another day with a North East breeze and mist over the river. A good selection was reported from Severn Beach this morning including 3 Pomarine Skuas (dark morph at 09.50, 2 pale morph at 10.55), a Great Skua feeding on the shoreline, a Skua sp., an adult Gannet, 20 “Commic” Terns, single Little Tern and Black Tern, 6 Black-headed Gulls, 430 Bar-tailed Godwits, 14 Whimbrel, 6 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2+ Cetti’s Warblers, single female Redstart and a Lesser Whitethroat. Sightings from the Northwick Warth area included at least 8 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Lapwing, a Little Egret, 90+ Shelduck, 2 Teal, single Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit. Click on the Skua below for a short slow motion video,
Great Skua, Severn Beach 23.4.19 © Aravind Ramesh
Whimbrel, Severn Beach 23.4.19
22nd April
A fine warn day with sunshine. Reports from the Severn Beach area included at least 230 Bar-tailed Godwits moving North East, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, 3+ singing Cetti’s Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and a Wheatear. Another 70 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Avocets, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, 30 Oystercatchers, 92 Shelduck, 15 Canada Geese, 4 Teal, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Yellow Wagtails and a Lesser Whitethroat were seen in the Northwick Warth area.
Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 22.4.19
21st April
Another warm and sunny day. Reports from Severn Beach included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 8 Black-headed Gulls, single dark-bellied Brent Goose, Little Egret and Pheasant, 4 Whimbrel, 4+ Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, a Wheatear and a Sparrowhawk. The dark-bellied Brent Goose, 20 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 6 Whimbrel, 2 Reed Warblers and 4 Whitethroats were seen at Aust Warth. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 11 Canada Geese, 90+ Shelduck, 18 Tufted Duck, a Little Egret, 30 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Ringed Plover, single Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit and Yellow Wagtail. The Nightingale was still singing and showing occasionally. Click HERE for a sound recording video.
20th April
The warmest day of the year (23°C) so far despite the North East breeze. A good selection was seen or heard in the Severn Beach area including 2 Avocets (high North East), 32 “Commic” Terns, 9 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Common Gulls, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Wigeon, 25 Shelduck, 4 Teal, a pair of Tufted Duck on the river, a Pheasant, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Tree Pipit, 2+ Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Siskins, 2 Redpolls, a Wheatear and a male Sparrowhawk. The only reports from Northwick Warth were of Reed Warblers, a male Whinchat, 2 Wheatears and a Redpoll. A Short-eared Owl, a Jack Snipe, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Wigeon, 2 Kestrels, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Whitethroats and a Wheatear were reported from Aust Warth. The Nightingale was still singing from dense cover.
19th April
Another warm (20°C) day with a North East breeze. Reports from the Severn Beach area included a dark morph Arctic Skua, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a mixed flock of 50 Dunlin/Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 11 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Shelduck, 19 Teal, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Tree Pipit, at least 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers, several Reed Warblers, Whitethroats, single Lesser Whitethroat and Sparrowhawk. The first Whinchat of the year was found on Northwick Warth and other reports from here and the New Passage area involved 3 Sandwich Terns,70 Shelduck, 2 Avocets, 5 Little Ringed plovers, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 28 Dunlin,200+ Black-tailed Godwits, single Whimbrel and Lapwing, 4+ Reed Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Wheatears, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a White Wagtail. Three Reed Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, a Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Whitethroats and 4 Lesser Redpolls were reported from Chittening Warth. A Nightingale was found singing in suitable breeding habitat on Severnside today.
18th April
An even warmer day despite the North East breeze. Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 2 Avocets, the impressive flock of 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 15 Whimbrel, 30 Dunlin, single Common Sandpiper, Lapwing and Little Egret, 14 Canada Geese, 6 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Tree Pipits, 8 Wheatears, 7 Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Siskins, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroats and a Peregrine. Reports from Severn Beach involved 19 Whimbrel, 20 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 2 Arctic Terns, 16 Black-headed Gulls, single Cetti’s Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat and Peregrine. Another Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat were seen at Aust Warth.
Avocet, Northwick Warth 18.4.19
17th April
Early morning mist followed by 18°C and a murky evening high tide and a South East breeze. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved a Ruff, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 21 Whimbrel, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Common Sandpipers, single Grey Plover and Lapwing, 50 Curlew, a Little Egret, 55 Shelduck, 20+ Teal, the first Grasshopper Warbler of the year, 12+ Wheatears, 6+ Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Siskin, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat. Reports from Severn Beach included 5 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 117 Black-headed Gulls, 26 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, a Pheasant, 6 Wheatears, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Cetti’s Warbler and Kestrel. Single female Pied Flycatcher, Cetti’s Warbler, Whitethroat and Redpoll were reported at Sea Bank power station, Chittening Warth.
16th April
A wet morning and a warmer murky afternoon. The flock of 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Whimbrel, 5 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Lapwing, 5 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails, single Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Redpoll were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. Combined reports from Severn Beach included a Little Gull, 32+ Kittiwakes, 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Whimbrel, 70 Curlew, 6 Dunlin, 17 Ringed Plover, a Red-legged Partridge, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Sparrowhawk.
15th April
The weather remained sunny with a South East wind. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved 4 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, single Common Sandpiper and Lapwing, 2 Greylag Geese, 7 Canada Geese, 6 Mute Swans, a Little Egret, 6 Wheatears, single Fieldfare, Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail. Another 3 Greylag Geese, 6 Shoveler, 10 Shelduck, a Black-headed Gull, 2 Whimbrel, 15 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover,7 Wheatears, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Severn Beach.
Greylag Goose, Northwick Warth 15.4.19
14th April
A cold sunny day with an East breeze. An early morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced the large roosting flock of 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Common Sandpipers, 12 Redshank, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, a Little Egret, 5+ singing Willow Warblers, 2 Wheatears, single Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail. An afternoon visit to Severn Beach produced 2 Greenshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Ringed Plover, 70 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, single singing Willow Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat.
13th April
A dry sunny day with a South East breeze. Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 6 White Wagtails and 6 Wheatears. Reports from Severn Beach involved 19 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Ringed Plover, 90 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 23 Shelduck, a Cetti’s Warbler, a Reed Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroats.
Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 13.4.19
12th April
The East wind continued on another sunny day. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 11 Canada Geese, a pair of nesting Mute Swans, 60 Shelduck, 50 Teal, 11 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, a Ruff, 11 Little Ringed Plovers, 240+ Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, a Snipe, 9 Turnstones, a Little Egret, a male Redstart, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 6 White Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, single Raven and Sparrowhawk. A Red-legged Partridge was heard and seen on the railway track at Severn Beach and 6 Black-headed Gulls were seen from the shore.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 12.4.19
11th April
Another sunny day with a North East breeze. Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 10+ Little Ringed Plovers, single Common Sandpiper, Lapwing and Ringed Plover, 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Teal, 70+ Shelduck, 5 Wheatears, 3 White Wagtails and 2 Yellow Wagtails. A Whimbrel, 20 Curlew, 3 Ringed Plover, 26 Shelduck, 8 Black-headed Gulls, single Wheatear, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach. Three singing Willow Warblers were reported at Aust Warth sheep fields.
Yellow Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 11.4.19
10th April
A sunny day with a cold North East wind. Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 11 Little Ringed Plovers, a Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, the first Common Sandpiper of the year, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Redshank, a Water Pipit, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 20+ White Wagtails and 2 Siskins. A drake Goosander flew up river off Severn Beach where other reports included a male Redstart, 7 Wheatears, a singing Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers, a Yellow Wagtail, 5 Siskins and 5 Black-headed Gulls. A late Fieldfare was seen in Aust Warth sheep fields.
Common Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 10.4.19
9th April
A cool day with rain showers and a North East breeze. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a Little Gull, 2 Greenshank, 90 Black-tailed Godwits, 14 Little Ringed Plover, 40 Turnstones, 40 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 2 Lapwing, 12 Canada Geese, 70+ Shelduck, 5 Wigeon (2 drakes), 15 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 10 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, a Peregrine, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 12 White Wagtails (a flock on rear wader pool), 20+ Pied Wagtails, 6 Wheatears and 40+ Siskins. Four adult Kittiwakes, 32 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Ringed Plover (flew high North East), a Little Egret, 11 Teal, a Ring Ouzel, 12 Wheatears and a Willow Warbler were reported at Severn Beach.
Ring Ouzel, Severn Beach 9.4.19
8th April
A misty morning and a North East breeze. A morning high tide visit to Severn Beach produced a flock of 33 adult Little Gulls, a Sandwich Tern, 9 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Ravens, 2 singing Willow Warblers and a fly over Yellow Wagtail, 2 Siskins and many Linnets, Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches and Swallows all heading North East. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/New Passage area involved 14 Little Ringed Plovers, 150+ Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Turnstones, 30 Redshank, a Lapwing, 80+ Shelduck, single male Merlin and Kestrel, 4+ Yellow Wagtails, 6+ White Wagtails, a Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipits, 3+ singing Willow Warblers, 30+ Siskins and thousands of other visible migrants all heading low North East consisting of Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Goldfinches, Wood Pigeons, Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins.
7th April
A dry day with a cool North East breeze. An Avocet was found roosting in the Severn Beach salt marsh on the morning high tide. Visible migrants were seen heading over New Passage included 2023 Meadow Pipits, 437 Linnets, 205 Goldfinches, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 30 Golden Plovers, 9 Siskins, a Redpoll and numerous Swallows and House Martins. A Wheatear and 2 Little Ringed Plovers were seen on Northwick Warth. Another 2 Wheatears and 2 Kestrels were seen at Aust Warth.
Avocet, Severn Beach 7.4.19
6th April
A dry day with an East wind. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/New Passage area included a hunting female Marsh Harrier, 2 Red Kites, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Grey Plover, 90 Black-tailed Godwits, single Lapwing, Little Egret, drake Wigeon, Raven, Wheatear and Tree Pipit. At least 60 Curlew and 56 Shelduck were seen from Severn Beach.
5th April
Another showery day with an East breeze. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Lapwing, 50 Oystercatchers, 55 Curlew, a Little Egret, a drake Wigeon, 2 White Wagtails, 7 Wheatears, single Redstart, male Merlin, Peregrine and Raven. At least 50 Turnstones, 18 Black-headed Gulls, a Willow Warbler and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported at Severn Beach.
Redstart, Northwick Warth 5.4.19
4th April
Another wet day with brief periods of sunshine. Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a Marsh Harrier (found feeding on a Moorhen before flying off North), 10 Little Ringed Plovers, a Lapwing, 3 Ringed Plover, 11 Shoveler, 80 Shelduck, a Water Rail, a male Redstart, 4 Wheatears, 3 White Wagtails and many Sand Martins/Swallows and a few House Martins.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 4.4.19
3rd April
A dawn frost. The first Yellow Wagtail of the year flew North over Northwick Warth where other reports involved a White Wagtail, 10 Pied Wagtails, a record spring count of 14 Little Ringed Plovers (on salt marsh near 1st sentry box), single Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit, 47 Oystercatchers, 40 Redshank, 20 Curlew, single Lapwing and Little Egret, 15 Canada Geese, 13 Gadwall, 79 Teal, 66 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, a House Martin, 40 Swallows/Sand Martins and several Siskins. Single Little Egret, Kestrel and Raven were seen at Aust Warth.
Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 3.4.19
2nd April
A cold day with blustery rain and hail showers. At least 60 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Knot, 12 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Snipe, 50 Redshank and a Willow Warbler were reported from the Northwck Warth area. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth.
1st April
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included an Osprey (North at 09.40), 2 Red Kites (North at 09.20 and 14.40), single male Merlin, Kestrel and Raven, 13 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, a Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, a Wigeon, many Sand Martins and Swallows, several House Martins, 3 Willow Warblers, 600+ Meadow Pipits, 100+ Pied Wagtails, 280+ Goldfinches, 3 Redpoll and 5 Siskins. Another 2 Kestrels, more Swallows and Sand Martins were seen at Aust Warth.
