July is the quietest month on Severnside with only 157 species having been recorded. It does have a more optimistic feeling to it than June, with the appearance of returning waders and in recent years the regular appearance of Mediterranean Gulls. Unusual species seen have included Cattle Egret (2017), Great White Egret (2018), Temminck’s Stint (2017), dispersing Crossbill, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Goshawk and a Stone Curlew (1999). A spell of strong SW or W wind usually produces a few Storm Petrels and Manx Shearwaters.
July 2019
31st July
Another breezy day. Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 50+ Curlew, a Whimbrel, 3 Ringed Plover, 40+ Dunlin, 80+ Redshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 30+ Oystercatchers, 15 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 140+ Canada Geese, single Greylag, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Kingfisher.
30th July
A wet and breezy day. An early morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced an adult Black Tern, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Ringed Plovers, 240 Dunlin, 6 Turnstones, 15 Lapwing, a Whimbrel, 3 Little Egrets, 145 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 2 Kingfishers, single Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Yellow Wagtail. Another 2 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
Black Tern, Pilning Wetland 30.7.19
29th July
A Wood Sandpiper was heard calling several times flying around Pilning Wetland after all the waders were flushed by a low flying Microlight. Sightings from here and the Northwick Warth area included single Green Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Whimbrel, 26 Lapwing, 130+ Dunlin, 50+ Redshank, 400 Black-headed Gulls, 165+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 4 Teal, 2 Ravens, 5 Stock Doves, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and a Yellow Wagtail.
28th July
Single Green Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Ringed Plover and Black-tailed Godwit, 200+ Dunlin, 120+ Redshank, 5 Common Sandpipers, a Little Egret, 149 Canada Geese, a Greylag, the final Mute Swan cygnet, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Kingfisher were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area.
27th July
Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Green Sandpiper and Snipe, 200 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 120+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 6 Teal and a Kingfisher. Five Little Egrets were seen from Severn Beach.
26th July
A cooler day. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included single Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel, 13 Turnstones, 200+ Dunlin, 140 Redshank, 30 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 250 Black-headed Gulls, 121 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 3 Teal, 3 Kestrels and a Yellow Wagtail. Another Whimbrel was present at Severn Beach.
25th July
Another very hot day with the temperature reaching 31°C. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved an adult Great White Egret (07.00-07.45), when it departed North East), 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, c.500 Black-headed Gulls, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, 28 Lapwing, 90+ Redshank, 6 Turnstones, 140+ Dunlin, a Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 12 Cormorants, 124 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 5 Teal, the one remaining Mute Swan cygnet still, 2 Kestrels, 4 Yellow Wagtails, single Raven, Redstart, Kingfisher and Cetti’s Warbler (Chestle Pill, New Passage). Click on the Egret image below for a short Youtube video.
adult Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 25.7.19
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 25.7.19
24th July
A warm but fresher day. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 136 Redshank, 10 Turnstones, 90+ Dunlin, a Little Egret, 75 Canada Geese, a Greylag, a presumed Canada x Greylag hybrid and a Raven were seen on Pilning Wetland. Another 250 Black-headed Gulls, the first Common Gull of the autumn, 100+ Curlew, 5 Dunlin and 8 Little Egrets were seen from Severn Beach. A number of Roesel’s Bush Crickets were heard at Severn Beach.
23rd July
A foggy start but the temperature quickly exceeded 30°C. A morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Turnstones, 90 Dunlin, 100 Redshank, 20+ Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Teal, 58 Canada Geese, single Kestrel, Kingfisher, Sedge Warbler, Coal Tit and Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
22nd July
A morning visit to Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth produced 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 juveniles & an adult), 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Turnstones, 26 Lapwing, 110 Dunlin, 120+ Redshank, a Little Egret, 3 Teal, 53 Canada Geese, 3 Ravens and 2 Kestrels.
juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, Pilning Wetland 22.7.19
21st July
Three juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Whimbrel, 20+ Curlew, 20+ Lapwing, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 66 Dunlin, 123 Redshank, single Turnstone, Little Egret and 2 Kestrels were reported in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. Another Whimbrel, 50+ Curlew, 3 Common Sandpipers, a mixed flock of 12 Ringed Plover/Dunlin, 5 Little Egrets, a Kestrel and a Yellow Wagtail were seen from Severn Beach.
20th July
A breezy day after a wet night and early morning. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced a Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 96 Dunlin, 60+ Redshank, 22 Lapwing, 31 Canada Geese and 5 Teal. A Little Egret and 3 Common Sandpipers were seen at New Passage. At least 120 Manx Shearwaters were seen over the morning high tide at Severn Beach where a Ringed Plover and 15 Curlew were also present.
Manx Shearwaters, Severn Beach 20.7.19
19th July
A wet day with some torrential rain showers and short periods of sunshine. Three juvenile Great White Egrets were a surprise find in the Grebe Pond reed bed at 12.20. Two flew off high North East at 12.45 and the third flew onto the rear wader pool a few minutes later. Other sightings from Pilning Wetland and New Passage included 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, a Whimbrel, 140+ Curlew, 16 Lapwing, 82 Dunlin, 110 Redshank, a Turnstone, 29 Canada Geese and a Raven.
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 19.7.19
18th July
The first juvenile Mediterranean Gull of the year was found at New Passage. Other reports from the Northwick Warth area included 5 Little Ringed Plovers (4 juveniles), 2 Black-tailed Godwits, single Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper, 60+ Curlew, 90+ Redshank, 32 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 18 Little Grebes (6 adults, 11 grebelets and one full size juvenile), 23 Canada Geese, just one remaining Mute Swan cygnet, 2 Ravens, 3 Stock Doves and a singing Cetti’s Warbler near the Chestle Pill sluice. Another 6 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
juvenile Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 18.7.19
17th July
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Green Sandpipers, 5 Little Ringed Plovers (2 juveniles), a Snipe, 22 Dunlin, 35+ Redshank, 12 Curlew, 18 Lapwing, 3+ Little Egrets, 3 Ravens, 4 Kestrels, 2 Stock Doves and a Yellow Wagtail.
16th July
Another warm and sunny day. A Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Whimbrel, 85+ Redshank, 20+ Lapwing, 14 Dunlin, 3+ Little Egrets, 5 Ravens, 2 Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and at least one Yellow Wagtail were seen in the Pilning Wetland area today.
Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 16.7.19
15th July
A warm and sunny day. Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved 5 Little Ringed Plovers, a Whimbrel, 62 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, 20 Curlew, 18 Lapwing, 3+ Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 20 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan cygnets, 5 Ravens, single Yellow Wagtail, hunting Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Another 3 Little Egrets were seen from Severn Beach.
Hobby, Pilning Wetland 15.7.19
14th July
Combined reports fromn NorthwickWarth/Pilning Wetland included 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 21 Lapwing, 40+ Redshank, 4+ Little Egrets, 19 Canada Geese, 2 Ravens and a Redstart.
13th July
An evening visit to Pilning Wetland produced an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Ringed Plover, 11 Lapwing, a Little Egret and 14 Canada Geese. Of note, pumping of water into the dry rear wader pool has started.
12th July
Little change today with just 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 30 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 11 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 200 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Yellow Wagtails being seen in the Northwick Warth/New Passage area
11th July
A Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Redshanks, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, 5 Lapwings, 2 Mute Swan cygnets, 2 Kestrels, 7 Ravens and 2 Yellow Wagtails were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area.
10th July
Sightings from the Northwick Warth area included an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 4 Kestrels, a hunting Peregrine, 2+ Yellow Wagtails and a Spotted Flycatcher.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 10.7.19
9th July
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 47 Redshank, 18 Dunlin, 5 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 7 Ravens, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Stonechat. A drake Common Scoter, 45+ Curlew and 4 Little Egrets were seen from Severn Beach.
Common Scoter, Severn Beach 9.7.19
8th July
Two adult Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin, 33 Redshank, 5 Lapwings, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Egret and 3 Ravens were were seen in the Northwick Warth/ New Passage area this morning. Another 6 Little Egrets were seen from Severn Beach.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 8.7.19
7th July
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 12 Dunlin, 33 Redshank, 5 Lapwing, a Little Egret, single Teal, Kestrel and Yellow Wagtail were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. A Common Sandpiper was seen at Severn Beach.
6th July
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 22 Redshank, 7+ Lapwing, a Little Egret, a drake Teal and a Sparrowhawk.
5th July
Another hot day. The star bird was found at 09.55; a Glossy Ibis flying over and landing on Pilning Wetland (4th Severnside record). Other sightings from here and Northwick Warth included 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 25+ Redshank, 5+ Lapwing, 2+ Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, a drake Teal, 3 Ravens, single Yellow Wagtail and Coal Tit. A Water Vole swam across Chestle Pill at New Passage at high tide. Click on the Ibis image below for a short Youtube video.
Glossy Ibis, Pilning Wetland 5.7.19
4th July
A hot (25°C) and sunny day. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 5 Little Ringed Plovers (one juvenile), 30 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 5 Lapwing, 11 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 140+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Mute Swan cygnets, a drake Teal and a Lesser Whitethroat. An afternoon visit to Severn Beach produced 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Curlew, a Little Egret and a Lesser Whitethroat.
3rd July
A quiet day with just 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 27 Redshank, 4 Lapwing, single drake Teal and Raven being seen on Pilning Wetland. A Grey Seal was seen from New Passage.
2nd July
Another warm and sunny day with a North breeze. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/New Passage area included 30 Redshank, a Little Ringed Plover, 12 Curlew, 4+ Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Little Grebe chicks, another fresh brood of 7 Shelduck ducklings (at least the 5th family this year), 2 Ravens, single Sand Martin and flyover Siskin. Another 40 Curlew, a Little Egret, a Lesser Whitethroat and 3 singing Cetti’s Warbler were present at Severn Beach.
1st July
A quiet start to the month with just one Little Ringed Plover, 18 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 6 Lapwings, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets and 111 Shelduck (new brood of 4 ducklings) being reported from the Northwick Warth/New Passage area.
