Following two of the quietest months of the year, August can be an interesting month with a total of 180 species having been recorded during this month. The numbers and variety of waders increase, as do the numbers of migrating warblers, Yellow Wagtails, Whinchat and Wheatears. Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls are expected. Rarities in August have included Slavonian Grebe (1996), Red Crested Pochard (1998), Goshawk, Osprey, Caspian Gull (2006), Sabine’s Gull, Roseate Terns (2016), Red-necked Phalarope (2014), Kentish Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper (1995, 2001), Grey Phalarope, Wryneck (1976,1984, 2003, 2010 and 2014), Marsh Warbler (2009) and Red-backed Shrike (2003).
August 2019
31st August
A decent end to the month and a 14 metre high tide. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved 2 Curlew Sandpipers (a different adult to yesterday and a juvenile), 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, single Greenshank, Whimbrel and Knot, 4+ Common Sandpipers, 81 Black-tailed Godwits, 80+ Dunlin, 50 Ringed Plover, 21 Lapwing, 95 Curlew, 130 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, 70+ Redshank, 46 Turnstones, single Great White Egret and Little Egret, 380+ Canada Geese, 56 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, a Wigeon, 4 Wheatears, 6 Yellow Wagtails, a Tree Pipit and a Kestrel. Another 5 Little Egrets, 25 Curlew, single Common Sandpiper, Raven, Whinchat and Wheatear were seen at from Severn Beach.
30th August
Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included single juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank, 88 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Turnstones, 110 Oystercatchers, 50 Dunlin/Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, 20 Lapwing, 377 Canada Geese, 4 Shoveler, a Great White Egret, 3 Wheatears, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Yellow Wagtail. A Manx Shearwater, 2 Curlew Sandpipers (adult & juvenile), 190 Dunlin, 50 Ringed Plover, 30 Turnstones, 9 Shelduck and a Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach.
adult Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 30.8.19
29th August
A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was seen in the mixed wader flock on the Severn Beach shore this morning and nearby a Cetti’s Warbler was singing near the railway platform. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 2 Spotted Redshanks, 100+ Black-tailed Godwits, 120+ Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 14 Ringed Plover, 12 Lapwing, single Knot and Snipe, 400+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 2 Shoveler, a Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, at least one Yellow Wagtail and a Kingfisher.
Spotted Redshank, New Passage 29.8.19
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 29.8.19
28th August
A cooler, cloudy day with rain in the afternoon. An Osprey flew high South East over Pilning Wetland at 10.10 where other sightings from here and Northwick Warth involved the Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 106 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Knot, 23 Turnstones, 150 Redshank, 55 Oystercatchers, just one Dunlin, 430+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, 8 Wigeon, 3 Yellow Wagtails, a Wheatear and a Kingfisher. A wet, late afternoon high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 90+ Dunlin, 29 Ringed Plover, 9 Turnstones, 130 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, 7 Little Egrets and a Kestrel.
Osprey, Pilning Wetland 28.8.19
juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 28.8.19
27th August
Combined sightings from the Northwick Warth/Plning Wetland area included the Great White Egret, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 250+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 3 Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, a Greenshank, 150+ Redshank, 109 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Knot, 5 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 29 Lapwing, 60 Turnstones, 3 Common Terns, 2 Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk, 5+ Yellow Wagtails, 4+ Tree Pipits and a Whinchat. At least 9 Little Egrets were seen off Severn Beach.
26th August
A misty start to the day turning hot and sunny later. Four Avocets, single Sanderling, Grey Plover and Whimbrel, 80+ Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, 60 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 20 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 250 Canada Geese, single Greylag, Wigeon, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine, 10+ Yellow Wagtails, 3 Whinchats and a Lesser Whitethoat were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. Another 15 Turnstones and a Whinchat were reported at Severn Beach.
25th August
A hot sunny day.The usual 200+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 13 Shelduck, 90+ Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Lapwing, 90 Redshank and a Little Egret were reported from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area.
24th August
Another warm, sunny day with a South East breeze. A decent selection of new migrants were seen today including a Pied Flycatcher in a garden at New Passage and a juvenile Marsh Harrier drifting South at 10.55. Other sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, just 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets, 280+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, 13 Teal, a Wigeon, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Tree Pipits, 4 Stock Doves, single Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Raven, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Two Wheatears and at least 5 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
Marsh Harrier, New Passage 24.8.19
23rd August
A warm and sunny day with the a change to a South East breeze. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included the Great White Egret, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 300+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylags, 2 Bar-headed Geese, 22 Gadwall, a Sparrowhawk, 98 Black-tailed Godwits, 86 Redshank, a Knot, 20 Lapwing, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Redstarts, a Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, 12 Blackcaps, a Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Wagtails and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
Redstart, Pilning Wetland 23.8.19
22nd August
Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included the Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 44 Black-tailed Godwits, 50+ Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 12 Lapwing, 300+ Canada Geese, 2 Bar-headed Geese, a Greylag, 13 Shelduck, 10 Cormorants, 4 Yellow Wagtails, a Kingfisher and the first 2 Rock Pipits of the autumn. Three Little Egrets and 40 Ringed Plover were seen from Severn Beach.
Bar-headed Goose, Pilning Wetland 22.8.19
21st August
The juvenile Great White Egret reappeared on Pilning Wetland today. Other sightings from here and the Northwick Warth area involved a Greenshank, 83 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Redshank, 12 Lapwing, single Knot and Common Sandpiper, 370+ Canada Geese, 2 Bar-headed Geese, a Greylag, 12 Mute Swans, 10+ Little Egrets, 4 Yellow Wagtails and a Kestrel.
20th August
Reports from the Northwick Warth area included 250+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 2 Bar-headed Geese, a Little Egret, 220 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 29 Turnstones, 42 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 5 Snipe, 20 Redshank, 2 Peregrines, 2 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, single Hobby, Kingfisher, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail. A Little Egret, a Greenshank, 138 Ringed Plover, 58 Dunlin, 5 Turnstones and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach.
19th August
At least 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 110 Redshank, 360 Canada Geese, 3 Greylags, 2 Bar-headed Geese, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Kingfisher and a Peregrine were seen on Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland. Two Little Egrets were seen from Severn Beach.
18th August
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a summer plumaged Grey Plover, a Greenshank, 33 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Ringed Plover, 100 Dunlin, 3 Turnstones, 120 Redshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 12 Lapwing, 60 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 360 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 11 Mute Swans, 3 Shoveler, 47 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Kingfishers, 3 Swift, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Garden Warbler and a Pheasant.
Spotted Flycatcher, New Passage 18.8.19
17th August
A brief early evening visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced a Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 85 Redshank, 12 Lapwing, 45 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, a Little Egret, a record count of 440+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylags and 2 Ravens.
16th August
The Great White Egret remained for it’s third day on Pilning Wetland where 3 Green Sandpipers, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, a Common Sandpiper, 140+ Ringed Plovers, 70 Dunlin, 88 Redshank, 12 Lapwing, 4 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 300+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 11 Mute Swans, single Kingfisher, Peregrine and Kestrel were also seen.
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 16.8.19
15th August
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included a Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 120+ Ringed Plover, 75 Dunlin, 10 Lapwing, 2 Knot, 65 Redshank, 115 Curlew, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Green Sandpiper and Greenshank, 140 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 350 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Tern, 30 House Martins, 30 Sand Martins, 3 Wheatears, single Cetti’s Warbler, Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat.
14th August
The first August record of Great White Egret landed on Pilning Wetland at 12.45 and was seen feeding here and 100 metres up stream from the Chestle Pill sluice. Other sightings from the Northwick Warth area included an influx of 89 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Knot, 12 Lapwing, 80+ Redshank, 40 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 47 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, 5 Common Sandpipers, single Greenshank, Grey Plover, Green Sandpiper and Little Egret, 200+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 11 Mute Swans, 6 Shoveler, 24 Teal, a Kestrel, 2 Kingfishers, 3 Swifts, a Redstart and a Wheatear.
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 14.8.19
13th August
At least 130 Dunlin, 70 Ringed Plover, a Turnstone and 2 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach. An afternoon visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced 11 Knot, 28 Black-tailed Godwits, 80+ Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 10 Lapwing, a Little Egret, a Greylag and a Kingfisher.
12th August
A morning visit to the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area produced 28 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 80 Redshank, 12 Lapwing, 13 Turnstones, single Green Sandpiper, Snipe and Little Egret, 348 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 9 adult Mute Swans and a well grown cygnet, 2 Wheatears, single Raven, Swift and Sedge Warbler.
11th August
Another breezy day. A Storm Petrel was reported at Severn Beach where other sightings included 12 Little Egrets, 6 Knot, 20 Turnstones, 40 Dunlin and 5 Ringed Plover. Combined sightings from New Passage/Northwick Warth involved 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 80+ Redshank, 15 Turnstones, 2 Common Sandpipers, 10 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 70+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, single Hobby, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler.
Knot and Black-tailed Godwits, New Passage 11.8.19
10th August
A day of gales and squally heavy rain showers. A Sabine’s Gull was reported off Severn Beach late afternoon where other sightings included 4 Storm Petrels, 2 Fulmars, 3 Great Skuas, 12+ Gannets, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 3 Terns (probably Sandwich), 5 Common Scoter, 4 Knot, a Whimbrel, 68 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 15 Ringed Plover and 2 Little Egrets. An early morning visit to New Passage produced 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 80+ Redshank,15 Turnstones, 70+ Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper and a Little Egret.
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 10.8.19 © Aravind Ramesh
9th August
A breezy day. Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 13 Arctic Terns, 18 Common Terns, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Common Sandpipers, 80+ Redshank, 70+ Dunlin, 15 Turnstones, 12 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 249 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 30 Gadwall, 2 Sparrowhawks, single Hobby, Kestrel and 3 Swifts. An afternoon visit to Severn Beach produced at least 12 Little Egrets, a Whimbrel, 47 Dunlin, 23 Ringed Plover and a Sparrowhawk.
Arctic Tern and Common Terns, New Passage 9.8.19
8th August
A Greenshank was present at Severn Beach early morning. Sightings from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 110 Redshank, 19 Turnstones, 14 Lapwing, 70+ Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Snipe and Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 130+ Canada Geese, a Greylag and a Kestrel.
7th August
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved 2 Sanderling, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Common Sandpipers, 14 Turnstones, 45 Oystercatchers, 75+ Redshank, 13 Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, a Snipe, a Little Egret, 160+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 3 Shoveler, 7 Teal, single Hobby, Peregrine, Kestrel, Swift, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail. Five Little Egrets, 2 Whimbrel, 10+ Blackcaps and 10+ Whitethroats were reported at Severn Beach.
6th August
A breezy day with heavy rain showers. The only reports from the Northwick Warth area were of 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 62 Redshank, 9 Dunlin, 14 Lapwing, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 185 Canada Geese, 2 Greylags and a Kestrel. A Tree Pipit flew over Severn Beach.
5th August
A dry and sunny day following a night of rain showers. The first 2 Garden Warblers of the year were found at New Passage this morning. Other reports from here and the Northwick Warth area included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Ringed Plover, 80+ Redshank, 70 Dunlin, 50 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers, 13 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 100+ Canada Geese, 3 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 5 adult Mute Swans plus a half grown cygnet, 3 Kestrels, a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Stock Doves, single Kingfisher and singing Cetti’s Warbler.
Kingfisher, New Passage 5.8.19
4th August
A Spoonbill was found on Pilning Wetland at 07.35 and shortly after it flew out onto the rising tide line off Northwick Warth to feed (the first record for 2 years and the first to be found in August). Other sightings from here included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Ringed Plover, 70+ Redshank, 90+ Dunlin, single Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 8 Cormorants (flew west), 80+ Canada Geese, 6 Teal, a Shoveler, 2 Ravens, a juvenile female Peregrine, a Kestrel, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit. Click on the image below for a short Youtube video of the Spoonbill feeding on the estuary shore.
Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 4.8.19
3rd August
A high (14 metre) tide visit to the Northwick Warth area produced some decent numbers and variety on Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland including an adult Mediterranean Gull, 230+ Curlew, 200+ Dunlin, an influx of 80+ Turnstones, 6 Ringed Plover, single Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit and Little Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, 14 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 84 Canada Geese, a Greylag, 5 Teal, 2 Stock Doves, a Kestrel and a singing Cetti’s Warbler (Chestle Pill).
2nd August
A morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland a Grey Plover, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Ringed Plover, 6 Common Sandpipers, 6 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plover, 150+ Dunlin, 90 Oystercatchers, 60+ Curlew, 50+ Redshank, 14 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, a Common Gull, 4 Shoveler, 5 Teal, 2 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Kingfisher. Two Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
1st August
A warm and humid start to the month. A morning visit to the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area area produced a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 16 Lapwing, 60 Curlew, 40+ Dunlin, 90+ Redshank, 130+ Canada Geese, a Greylag, 7 Teal, a Little Egret, 3 Ravens and a Kingfisher.
