September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 197 species seen at least once in this month, is the third highest in the year. It is the time when most of the summer visitors will depart and a good selection of early winter visitors will arrive towards the end of the month. Any West or South West gales will produce the usual seabirds but the more exotic have occurred; Sooty Shearwater (1974), Balearic Shearwater (1988), Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull. Other rarities that have appeared in September include; Red-crested Pochard (2 in 1996), White Storks (2010), Glossy Ibis (2010), Cattle Egret (2012), Great White Egret (2013, 2016, 2019), Crane (2014), Honey Buzzard (1996), Dotterel (1974), Kentish Plover (2006), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2019), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1989, 2003), Terek Sandpiper (1986), Semipalmated Sandpiper (2009), Red-rumped Swallow (1977), Wryneck (2003, 2010, 2015), Rose-coloured Starling (2004, 2018), Ortolan Bunting (2018) and Yellow-browed Warbler (2017). Local rarities have included pale-bellied Brent Geese, Osprey, Spoonbill (2008, 2011), Nightjar (2006, 2013), Hawfinch (1998), Willow Tit (1992), Nightingale (1999), Lapland Bunting and Ring Ouzel.
September 2020
30th September
A wet end to the month with a South East breeze. A visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced a Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, just 20 Dunlin, 5+ Knot, 240+ Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Turnstones, 140+ Redshank, 19 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Kingfishers, 2 calling Cetti’s Warblers and 100+ Swallows (flying in from Wales and heading East).
29th September
A visit to the New Passage shore on the falling tide produced 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 20+ Knot, 90 Redshank, 300+ Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, 30 Ringed Plover and a Little Egret. Five Ruff were seen on Pilning Wetland. A Great Crested Grebe was seen off Severn Beach.
Curlew Sandpiper, New Passage 29.9.20
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 29.9.20
28th September
Reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 6 Ruff, 10 Golden Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 15 Knot, 160+ Black-tailed Godwits, 90+ Redshank, 70 Ringed Plover, 300 Dunlin, 11 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Water Rails, a Greylag Goose, 70 Shelduck, 24 Shoveler, 5 Pintail, 8 Gadwall, 32 Wigeon, 132 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, single Raven, Kestrel, Wheatear, Kingfisher and Redpoll.
27th September
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 9 Ruff, 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 8+ Knot, 250 Dunlin, 10+ Snipe, 20 Lapwing, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, a Water Rail, 45 Shelduck, 50 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 3 Pintail, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Peregrines, a Raven, 3 Swallows, 3 Wheatears, 2 Grey Wagtails, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Whinchat.
26th September
A cool day with North West wind. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 8 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Ruff, 20 Knot, 200+ Dunlin and a Little Egret.
25th September
The Pectoral Sandpiper, at least 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Ruff, 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Knot, 20 Lapwing and a calling Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland.
Curlew Sandpipers, Pilning Wetland 25.9.20
24th September
A breezy day. The Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 9 Grey Plover, 14 Knot, 450 Dunlin, 45 Ringed Plover, a Garganey, 2+ Pintail, a Water Rail, 5 Swallows, 2 House Martins, a Wheatear and a Whinchat were the highlights of visits to New Passage/Pilning Wetland today.
23rd September
The Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, 6+ Ruff, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 20 Knot, 30 Lapwing, 6 Grey Plover, 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, single Golden Plover, Whimbrel and Little Egret, 5+ Snipe, a Garganey, 8 Pintail, 2 Peregrine, 20 Swallows/House Martins, 3 Ravens, single Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Stonechat were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Two Ravens were seen at Aust Warth.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 23.9.20
22nd September
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included a Cattle Egret, the Pectoral Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Ruff, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, single Sanderling and Grey Plover, 35 Knot, 32 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Snipe, 40 Ringed Plover, 400 Dunlin, 20 Lapwing, a Garganey, 75 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall, 60 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 3 Pintail, 5 Tufted Duck, 300 Canada Geese, 2 Water Rails, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechats, 9 Swallows, single Sedge Warbler, Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Siskin, Yellow Wagtail, Kingfisher, Raven, Peregrine and Kestrel. Click on the Egret below for a short Youtube video.
Cattle Egret, Pilning Wetland 22.9.20
21st September
A sunny day following some early morning fog. Reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included the Pectoral Sandpiper, a Little Stint, at least 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Ruff, 2 Sanderling, 5 Golden Plover, 9 Grey Plover, 10+ Knot, 50+ Snipe, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 45 Curlew, 40 Turnstones, 100+ Redshank, 100 Oystercatchers, 280 Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plover, 8 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, single Sparrowhawk, Swallow, Cetti’s Warbler, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail and Siskin. Three Stonechats and 2 Cetti’s Warblers were reported at Chittening Warth. Late news was received of a Nuthatch in a Severn Beach garden “earlier this month”, rarer here than Pectoral Sandpiper.
20th September
The Pectoral Sandpiper remained on Pilning Wetland for it’s 8th day where other sightings included 2 Little Stints, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Golden Plover, 7 Grey Plover, single Ruff and Sanderling, 550 Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plover, 25 Knot, 70 Oystercatchers, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Curlew, 110 Oystercatchers, 20 Lapwings, 90 Redshank, 30 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, a Garganey, 11 Pintail, 300 Canada Geese, 110 Shelduck, 18 Shoveler, 90 Mallard, 35 Wigeon, 30 Gadwall, 85 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, single Merlin and Kestrel, 2 Ravens, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Stonechat, 3 Wheatears, a Swallow, a Redpoll and 300+ Linnets.
19th September
A sunny day with a Spring tide and cold North East wind. An excellent variety and number of birds were reported from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area including the juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, 3 juvenile Little Stints, 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, the first Jack Snipe of the autumn, 15 Snipe, 4 Ruff, 2 Golden Plover, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, 16 Ringed Plover, a Grey Plover, 18 Lapwing, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Knot, 40 Turnstones, 50 Curlew, 150 Redshank, 550 Dunlin, 80 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 300 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 110 Mallard, 40 Shelduck, 30 Gadwall, 25 Shoveler, 50 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 150 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Common Gull, 2 Hobby, a Peregrine, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Swallows, a Tree Pipit, a Wheatear and 350+ Linnets. Another Sanderling was seen in the mixed wader roost at Severn Beach. Click on the image below for a short Youtube video.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 19.9.20
18th September
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included the Pectoral Sandpiper, 5 juvenile Little Stints, 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 20+ Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Lapwing, 16 Snipe, 300+ Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 28 Turnstones, 40 Curlew, 200 Redshank, 110 Oystercatchers, single Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and Little Egret, 150 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 2 Pintail, a Garganey, 400 Linnets, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 12 Swallows, single Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. A mixed flock of 2 Sanderling, Ringed Plovers, Dunlin and Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
Little Stints, Northwick Warth 18.9.20
Pectoral Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 18.9.20
Sanderling, Severn Beach 18.9.20 © Rosemary Setter
17th September
Another excellent day with the following reported from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area; a Spoonbill flew East early morning, a Great White Egret, the Pectoral Sandpiper, a Little Stint, at least 9 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, a Sanderling, 30 Knot, 3 Golden Plover, 18 Lapwing, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 60 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Curlew, 150 Oystercatchers, 14 Turnstones, 45 Ringed Plover, 200 Redshank, 10 Snipe, the Garganey, 300 Canada Geese, 40 Shelduck, 35 Gadwall, 25 Shoveler, 30 Wigeon, 80 Mallard, 100 Teal, 2 Pintail, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, an impressive 300 Linnets, 3 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears, 3 Grey Wagtails, single Stonechat, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Siskin, Kingfisher, Hobby and Sparrowhawk. Another 26 Ringed Plover, 25 Dunlin and 4 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach and another Kingfisher was seen at Cake Pill, Aust Warth.
16th September
A decent selection of species were reported today from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area including the Pectoral Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 20+ Black-tailed Godwits, 27 Knot, 20 Ringed Plover, 200+ Dunlin, 45+ Turnstones, 25 Lapwing, 160 Redshank, 200 Oystercatchers, 45 Curlew, 6 Snipe, the Garganey, 3 Pintail, 17 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 110 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 25 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall, 50 Shelduck, a Greylag Goose, 120 Canada Geese, a Water Rail, 6 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Whinchats,180 Linnets, 31 Collared Doves, a Whitethroat, several Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, single Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Two Sanderling were seen in the mixed flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover at Severn Beach and a Redpoll flew over here.
15th September
Another warm day. Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 2 Pectoral Sandpipers (seen on Butts Pool and one on he New Passage shore that flew of South with Redshanks), the Garganey, 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Ruff, 33 Black-tailed Godwits, 23 Knot, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 120 Redshank, 150 Dunlin, just one Ringed Plover, 20 Turnstones, single Kingfisher, Yellow Wagtail and Redpoll.
Pectoral Sandpiper, New Passage 15.9.20
14th September
A warm day (27°C). The Pectoral Sandpiper was still present but elusive for most of the day on Pilning Wetland. Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area involved 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Knot, single Sanderling, Common Sandpiper and Snipe, 40 Ringed Plover, 200+ Dunlin, 120 Redshank, a Little Egret, the first 2 Great Crested Grebes of the year, a Garganey, 4 Yellow Wagtails, single Hobby, Kestrel, Raven, Stonechat, Wheatear and Kingfisher.
13th September
A Pectoral Sandpiper was found on Pilning Wetland this afternoon (9th Severnside record). Other reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 6+ Curlew Sandpipers, 35 Knot, 30 Turnstones, 200 Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plover, single Common Sandpiper, Ruff, Sanderling, Little Egret, Garganey and Yellow Wagtail.
Ruff and Pectoral Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 13.9.20
Pectoral Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 13.9.20
Ruff and Pectoral Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 13.9.20
12th September
Reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 100+ Dunlin, 20 Knot, 25 Ringed Plover, single Sanderling, Little Ringed Plover and Yellow Wagtail.
11th September
A late morning visit to New Passage produced at least 11 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 49 Knot, 90 Ringed Plover, 290 Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, single Little Ringed Plover, Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail.
10th September
A morning visit to New Passage/Northwick Warth produced 6 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Ringed Plover, 240 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 50 Turnstones, 40 Knot, 180 Redshank, 90 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Little Egrets, 250+ Canada Geese, one Greylag Goose, 40 Shelduck, 6 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear.
9th September
A good number and selection were reported from the New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area including a Garaganey, 304 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 50 Shelduck, 3 Pintail, 15 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall, 11 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 120 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 7 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Greenshank, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 65 Knot, 240 Dunlin, 180 Redshank, 34 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 80 Ringed Plover, 35 Oystercatchers, 25 Curlew, 30 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 2 Ravens, a Sparrowhawk, 6 Yellow Wagtails, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and a Wheatear. Another 7 Little Egrets were seen from Severn Beach.
Curlew Sandpiper, New Passage 9.9.20
Wader flock, New Passage 9.9.20
8th September
At least 7 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 48 Knot, 45 Black-tailed Godwits, 280 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, 200 Redshank and 20 Turnstones were seen in the New Passage area.
Curlew Sandpiper, New Passage 8.9.20
7th September
Sightings from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved 6 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 32 Knot, 44 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Snipe, 120 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 157 Redshank, 24 Lapwings, 50 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 110+ Canada Geese, one Greylag Goose, 22 Shelduck, 200 Teal, 4 Pintail, 4 Shoveler, 8+ Yellow Wagtails, single Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Raven.
6th September
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 3+ juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, an Avocet, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 150 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Knot, 2 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 120 Redshank, 280 Dunlin, 32 Ringed Plover, 38 Lapwing, 50 Oystercatchers, a Water Rail, 4 Little Egrets, 120+ Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 15 Shelduck, 120 Mallard, 7 Shoveler, 35 Gadwall, 80 Teal, 35 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Tree Pipit and 8 Siskins. Three Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
5th September
A sunny day. Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved the first Garganey of the year, Great White Egret, 8 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Stint, 4 Little Ringed Plover, at least one Avocet, 138 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Knot, 80 Redshank, 50 Lapwing, 300 Dunlin, 170 Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 30 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 200+ Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 50+ Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 3+ Pintail, single Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear and Siskin. Another 5 Little Egrets, 30 Ringed Plover, 70 Curlew, 20 Turnstones and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach.
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 5.9.20
Garganey, Pilning Wetland 5.9.20 © Matt Plenty
4th September
A good selection were seen in the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area including 8+ juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a juvenile Little Stint, a Sanderling, 4 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 28 Knot, 88 Black-tailed Godwits, 270 Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plover, 90+ Redshank, 50 Lapwing, 80 Oystercatchers, 35 Curlew, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Egret, 140 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, a Pintail, 80 Teal, 51 Shelduck, 19 Wigeon, a Water Rail, 2 Whitethroats, single Willow Warbler, Stonechat, Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. A Red Kite and a Whimbrel were seen at Severn Beach.
Curlew Sandpipers, New Passage 4.9.20
3rd September
A breezy and damp day. Visits to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Ringed Plover, 112 Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Knot, 120 Redshank, 40+ Turnstones, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Green Sandpiper and Whimbrel, 50+ Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 60 Ringed Plover, 300 Dunlin, 50 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, single Water Rail, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 140+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, a Pintail, 90+ Teal, 9 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, 3 Wheatears, 6 Yellow Wagtails, single Hobby, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Raven and late Swift. Another 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach.
Curlew Sandpiper, Northwick Warth 2.9.20
2nd September
A morning visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced a Marsh Harrier, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, an Avocet, 70+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Ringed Plover, 7 Knot, 90 Redshank, 50 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 14 Turnstones, 250+ Ringed Plover, 90 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 22 Shelduck, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears and a fly over Siskin.
Cattle Egret, Northwick Warth 1.9.20
1st September
A sunny start to the month. A Cattle Egret, 2 Avocets, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Knot, a Common Sandpiper, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 140+ Redshank, 120 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 50 Lapwing, 90 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 18 Shelduck, 250+ Canada Geese, 2 Ravens, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears and a flock of 80 Goldfinches were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area.
