A year that is memorable for the wrong reason; Covid-19. The virus arrived in the UK in the early part of the year and on March 23rd the first National Lockdown was implemented. Various levels of restriction were implemented for the rest of the year. Because of these restrictions there were fewer visiting birdwatchers and less opportunity to cover the whole recording area. Added to this the total destruction of some prime habitat around Severn Beach, Orchard Pools area and the closure of the access road to Aust Warth for work on the new sea defences. Despite all of this 174 species were recorded including the fantastic addition of Collared Pratincole in May. Other notable birds included Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swans, Egyptian Geese, Velvet Scoter, Garganey, Cranes, 4 Spoonbills, 6 Cattle Egrets, Great White Egrets, Pectoral Sandpipers, Grey Phalarope, Spotted Redshank, Wood Sandpipers, Razorbill, Guillemot, Storm Petrels, Pomarine Skuas, an Osprey, Marsh Harriers, multiple Red Kites, the 4th Rose-coloured Starling for Severnside, Grasshopper Warblers, Pied Flycatcher, Crossbills, Twite, Woodlark, Snow Buntings, Hawfinches, Firecrests and the first Tree Sparrow for 7 years. The first successful breeding of Avocets along with breeding attempts by 4 other wader species to different levels of success. Disappointments included the lack of any Bewick’s Swan, White-fronted Geese, Goldeneye, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Little Tern, Little Gull, Purple Sandpiper, Wood Warbler, Tawny or Barn Owls.
Click on the Calendar pictures below for detailed daily sightings and pictures for each month....
