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), Cattle Egret (2017), Great White Egret, Crane (2015, 2017), Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Hen Harrier and Bearded Tit (2004), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Mandarin (2006) and Siberian Chiffchaff (2007).
March 2020
31st March
A cool and dry end to the month. At least 258 Black-tailed Godwits remained on Pilning Wetland.
30th March
A day with a cold North Breeze.An early evening walk from Severn Beach to New Passage and back produced 4 Canada Geese, 4 Shoveler, 20 Wigeon, Turnstones and Curlews at Severn Beach and circa 400 Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Ringed Plover, 15 Redshank, 12 Canada Geese, 40 Wigeon, 6 Tufted Duck and 4 Shoveler on Pilning Wetland. No Wheatears or Hirrundines could be found.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 30.3.20
29th March
Another day with a cold North East breeze. At least 60 Black-tailed Godwits, the usual Redshanks, 2 Little Ringed Plover and a Water Rail were reported from the New Passage area. A female Sparrowhawk was hunting Severn Beach gardens today.
28th March
A cold day with a strong North East breeze. No reports were received today.
27th March
Another icy dawn followed by sunshine and a cold North East breeze. Reports from Severn Beach included 30 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 35 Curlew, a Lapwing, 3 Buzzards, single Peregrine and Kestrel, 2 Siskins, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaffs everywhere. Three Little Ringed Plovers, 76 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, 20 Shelduck, a Water Rail and a Kestrel were reported from the New Passage area.
26th March
The sunny, dry weather and cool East breeze continued. The Covid-19 lockdown continues with just Little Ringed Plover, a Water Rail, the usual Shelducks, Oystercatchers, Redshanks, newly arrived Chiffchaffs and Meadow Pipits reported from the New Passage area.
25th March
Another sunny and dry day following a frosty dawn. An early morning visit to Northwick Warth produced 15 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 50+ Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Curlew, 40+ Redshank, 12 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, numerous singing Chiffchaffs and a few Blackcaps. Sightings from Severn Beach involved 2 Greylags, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck and a pair of Tufted Ducks. Click HERE for a short Youtube video of Avocets on The Flash.
24th March
A warm, sunny day with a South East breeze. Most local people seem to be in Covid-19 lockdown. Sightings from a house in Severn Beach included 3 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, a fly over Redpoll and displaying Meadow Pipits.
23rd March
On what is likely to be the last day of decent coverage for some time; two Cranes were seen flying South high over Northwick Warth at 5pm (they veered off East as they approached Severn Beach). Other reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 7 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 50+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 50+ Redshank, 8 Lapwing, a Little Egret and 80 Teal. A Little Egret was seen heading South over Severn Beach.
Avocets, Pilning Wetland 23.3.20
Lapwing, 23.3.20
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 23.3.20
22nd March
Another sunny day with a cool East breeze. Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 11 Avocets, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Lapwing, a Knot, a Little Egret, 2 Greylags, a Bar-headed Goose, 17 Canada Geese, many Chiffchaffs, single Raven and Sand Martin. A flock of at least 8 Red Kites flew North East over the Prince of Wales crossing at Severn Beach early afternoon where a steady overhead passage of Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Goldfinches heading up river was seen this morning.
21st March
Still a cool North East breeze but sunny most of the day. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved 8 Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Avocets, 18 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Snipe, 100 Redshank, 6+ Lapwing, 120+ Turnstones, 4 Little Egrets, 12 Canada Geese, 50+ Shelduck, 22 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, 90 Teal, 40 Wigeon, 70 Sand Martins, 3+ Wheatears, a Stonechat and 20+ Chiffchaffs. At least 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Stonechats and a Wheatear were reported from Severn Beach and another 2 male Stonechats were present at Aust Warth.
20th March
Another cool day with a North East breeze. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a Spoonbill, 4 Avocets, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 24 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Lapwings, a Little Egret, 10 Canada Geese, 60 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 15 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Peregrines, a Sparrowhawk, 20 Sand Martins, 14+ Chiffchaffs, the first Siskin of the year, a noticeable overhead migration of 1500+ Wood Pigeons and 1000+ Meadow Pipits. A Red Kite flew low across the river from Aust Warth. A Wheatear, 3 singing Chiffchaffs, a Stonechat and a Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach.
19th March
A cool, damp day with a North East breeze. Afternoon visits to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 5 Avocets, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, a Ringed Plover, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 46 Knot, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 120+ Redshank, 4 Lapwing, 90 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, 190 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 60+ Shelduck, 100 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, 80 Wigeon, 30 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, a Water Pipit, 50 Pied Wagtails, a Raven, 30+ Sand Martins and 6+ Chiffchaffs.
Avocet, Pilning Wetland 19.3.20
Avocets, Pilning Wetland 19.3.20
18th March
Another grey and damp day. Sightings from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included at least 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 42 Knot, 22 Snipe, 110 Redshank, 4 Lapwing, 180 Turnstones, just 3 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 13 Canada Geese, 60+ Shelduck, 30 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck,100+ Teal, 40 Wigeon, 25 Sand Martins and a Stonechat. A Wheatear, a Stonechat and at least 2 Chiffchaffs were reported from Severn Beach.
Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 18.3.20
Knot, New Passage 18.3.20
17th March
A cold and drizzly day. Sightings from New Passage/Northwick Warth included 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 40+ Knot, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 110 Redshank, 100+ Turnstones, 90 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwings, a Little Egret, 90 Teal, 50 Shelduck, 8 Tufted Duck, 90 Wigeon, 15 Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, at least 4 singing Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap.
16th March
A dry, sunny but very quiet day. A Little Egret, 9 Tufted Duck, at least 10 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 60 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 40 Redshank, 2 Blackcaps, single Chiffchaff and Kestrel were reported in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. A Short-eared Owl was reported again at Aust Warth.
15th March
A wet morning. Combined reports from the New Passage to Aust Warth coastal strip included 3 Little Ringed Plovers, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Snipe, 65 Redshank, a Short-eared Owl, a Kestrel, 30+ Pied Wagtails and a Stonechat.
14th March
Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 90 Redshank, a Knot, a Little Egret, a Water Pipit and a singing Chiffchaff. A Short-eared Owl remained at Aust Warth.
Little Ringed Plovers, Northwick Warth 14.3.20
13th March
A mainly, sunny and breezy day. Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 18 Knot, 180 Turnstones, 200+ Curlew, 80 Redshank, 70 Oystercatchers, 5 Snipe, 4 Lapwing, a Little Egret, a Water Rail, 2 Canada Geese, 78 Shelduck, single Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine. A Scandinavian Rock Pipit and 4 Stonechats were seen at Severn Beach and a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine and a Kestrel remained at Aust Warth,
12th March
A windy day. At least 11 Kittiwakes and 4 Ringed Plovers were sen at Severn Beach. Another very high spring tide produced the first 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese of the year, the Short-eared Owl, a male Merlin, 2 Peregrines, 2 Kestrels, a Raven and up to 6 Stonechats at Aust Warth. Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 8 Canada Geese, 70 Shelduck, 180 Wigeon, 195 Turnstones, 215 Curlew, 140 Oystercatchers, 40 Dunlin and 80 Redshank.
Spring Tide flood, Aust Warth 12.3.20
11th March
A dry and breezy day with a very high (14.5 metre) high tide. Sightings from Aust Warth included a Short-eared Owl, 2 Peregrine, 2 Ravens, 2 Stonechats, 140 Oystercatchers and a Jack Snipe. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included the first Bar-tailed Godwit of the year, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Turnstones, 3 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 70 Redshank, 210 Curlew, 105 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 10 Canada Geese, 84 Shelduck, 23 Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, 14 Tufted Duck, 170 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 40 Stock Doves and 2 Chiffchaffs. A Stonechat was present at Severn Beach.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 11.3.20
10th March
A brief wet and windy look off New Passage produced just 10 Canada Geese, 36 Shelduck, 70 Wigeon, 30 Redshank and 15 Turnstones.
9th March
The first Red Kite of the year was seen flying North over New Passage where other reports included 30 Shelduck, 4 Canada Geese, 19 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 150 Wigeon, 124 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egrets, 30 Redshank, 3 Snipe and 12 Lapwing.
Red Kite, New Passage 9.3.20 © Aravind Ramesh
8th March
A breezy day with occasional rain showers. A Short-eared Owl was seen hiding out of the wind on Aust Warth late afternoon and a brief visit to New Passage produced 80+ Shelduck and 90 Oystercatchers. Click on the Owl image below for a short Youtube video.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 8.3.20
7th March
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 7 Knot, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 2 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 17 Canada Geese, 3 Chiffchaffs, single Kestrel and Peregrine. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth this morning.
6th March
A sunny, cool day following a frosty dawn. Afternoon reports from the New Passage area included the male Wheatear, 120+ Turnstones, 5 Lapwing, single Little Egret, Water Rail and Grey Wagtail.
Water Rail, New Passage 6.3.20 © Lisa Presland
Wheatear, New Passage 6.3.20
5th March
Another grey and cool day brightened by an early male Wheatear on Pilning Wetland (apparently the 1st reported in the UK this year). Other reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 75+ Shelduck, 3 Canada Geese, 220 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 30+ Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, single Little Egret and Water Rail, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Lapwing, 40+ Redshank, 8 Dunlin, 2 Stonechats, single Chiffchaff and Kingfisher.
Wheatear, Pilning Wetland 5.3.20
4th March
A cold and wet day with a North East breeze. The usual 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 displaying Lapwing, 30 Redshank and 240+ Wigeon were seen on Pilning Wetland this afternoon.
3rd March
A brief visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 5 Little Egrets, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Redshank, 30 Dunlin, just one Lapwing, 120 Oystercatchers, 180 Curlew, 2 Canada Geese, 90 Shelduck, 250+ Wigeon, 120 Teal, 30+ Gadwall, 12 Shoveler and 10 Tufted Duck.
2nd March
No reports were received today.
1st March
A quiet start to the month. Reports from Northwick Warth /Pilning Wetland included 50 Shelduck, 30 Canada Geese, 10 Shoveler, 120 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 200+ Curlew, 40 Dunlin, 50 Oystercatchers, 5 Lapwing, a Water Rail and 2 Stonechats. A Peregrine was seen at Aust Warth.
