March is a slightly better month than February with a total of 182 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 Little Ringed Plovers. Rarities have included Black Kite (2010), Green-winged Teal (2014), Cattle Egret (2017), Spoonbill (2020), Great White Egret, Crane (2015, 2017, 2020), Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Hen Harrier and Bearded Tit (2004), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Mandarin (2006) and Siberian Chiffchaff (2007).
March 2021
31st March
Another warm day to end the month. Sightings from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 7 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Avocets, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Turnstones, 3 Lapwing, 70 Redshank, 90 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Canada Geese, 80 Shelduck, 15 Wigeon, 25 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 40 Teal, 2 Ravens, 2+ Willow Warblers and a Crossbill flying North. A Cetti’s Warbler remained near Severn Beach railway station.
30th March
A warm day with temperature exceeding 22°C. Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a flock of 15 Sandwich Terns (upriver at 09.05), a Greenshank, 4 Avocets, 5+ Little Ringed Plovers, 50+ Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Curlew, 3 Lapwing, 35 Turnstones, 70 Redshank, 142 Oystercatchers, a Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 17 Canada Geese, 80 Shelduck, 14 Gadwall, 25 Shoveler, 12 Wigeon, 62 Teal, 19 Mallard, a Raven, 2 Water Pipits, many Chiffchaffs, 2 singing Willow Warblers, 20 Sand Martins and a Swallow. A Cetti’s Warbler remained near Severn Beach railway station.
29th March
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 100+ Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Redshank, a Ringed Plover, 3 Lapwings, 120 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, a Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 16 Canada Geese, 100+ Shelduck, 15 Wigeon, 42 Teal, 16 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 9 Shoveler, single Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, 70+ Sand Martins, 7 Swallows, 6 Chiffchaffs, single male Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler and Kingfisher. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard singing again near Severn Beach railway station.
28th March
Reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included a Bar-tailed Godwit, 245 Black-tailed Godwits, 55 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 89 Shelduck, 15 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall and 4 Tufted Duck. Four Avocets were seen from Aust Warth.
27th March
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 240+ Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank and a male Merlin. A Ring-necked Parakeet and Little Egret were seen in Severn Beach this afternoon.
26th March
A wet and increasingly windy day. Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland involved 350+ Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 120 Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers, 25 Curlew, 5 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, just one Dunlin, a Little Egret, 13 Canada Geese, 70 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall, 60 Teal, 38 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 4 Sand Martins and a female Sparrowhawk. Another 20 Shelduck and a flock of 30 Kittiwakes were seen from Severn Beach.
25th March
At least 190 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Avocets, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, a Grey Plover, 4 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 4 Lapwing, 160 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 70 Oystercatchers, 8 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 21 Canada Geese, 55 Shelduck, 31 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 20 Wigeon, 35 Teal and a singing Cetti’s Warbler were reported from New Passage/Pilning Wetland. A male Blackcap visited a garden bird bath in Severn Beach.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 25.3.21
24th March
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 4 Avocets, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 219 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Redshank, 4 Lapwing, single Dunlin and Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 16 Canada Geese, 45 Shelduck, 16 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 25 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 5 Sand Martins, 4+ Chiffchaff, single Raven, Kestrel and Cetti’s Warbler.
23rd March
Reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 2 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 127 Black-tailed Godwits, 152 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 34 Turnstones, 3 Dunlin, 10 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 12 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 40 Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck, 40 Teal, 25 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, single male Merlin, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and singing Cetti’s Warbler.
Avocets, New Passage 23.3.21
Avocets, New Passage 23.3.21
22nd March
Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 5 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Lapwing, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Snipe, 51 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 50 Shelduck, 14 Shoveler, 74 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 19 Mallard, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Water Rail, Raven, Cetti’s Warbler and Sand Martin.
21st March
A Yellowhammer was singing at New Passage. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 150 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 3 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and a Raven. The singing Cetti’s Warbler was still present at Severn Beach railway station.
20th March
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 3+ Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Redshank, 50 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 4 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 10 Canada Geese, 20+ Shoveler, 80 Teal, 50 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck and a male Merlin. A Cetti’s Warbler was still singing near Severn Beach railway station.
Snipe Pilning Wetland 20.3.21
19th March
Sightings from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included the first Greylag Goose of the year, 10 Canada Geese, 35 Shelduck, 130 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 4 Lapwings, 22 Turnstones, 1750+ flyover Meadow Pipits heading North East, 2 Ravens, 6 Sand Martins, single Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail and 3 Siskins.
18th March
Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included an Avocet, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 30 Curlew, 4 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 7 Mute Swans, 100 Teal, 77 Wigeon, 55 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, a Cetti’s Warbler, a singing Chiffchaff and 2 Sand Martins. Another 20 Wigeon, 22 Shelduck, 40+ Turnstones and 3 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach.
17th March
A dry day with a cool breeze. Reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 2 Avocets, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 40 Redshank, 3 Snipe, a Merlin and the first Sand Martin of the year.
16th March
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 100 Redshank, 3 Lapwing, 60 Curlew, 70 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, 60 Turnstones, just 5 Dunlin, 7 Canada Geese, 70 Shelduck, 100 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 11 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Kingfisher.
Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 16.3.21
15th March
A brief visit to New Passage this morning before the security fencing was installed produced 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Redshank, 60 Curlew, 20 Turnstones, 45 Shelduck, a Little Egret and 2 flyover Siskins. A Cettis Warbler and a Raven were present at Aust Warth. The Cetti’s Warbler was still singing near Severn Beach railway station. One of the bird species yet to be seen on Severnside, 3 Penduline Tits have been present a short distance away in North Somerset for over a week and were still present today. Plenty of clumps of reed mace to hide some of these beauties.
Penduline Tits, Weston airfield 15.3.21
14th March
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included the first Avocet of the year, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Lapwing, 90 Oystercatchers, 80 Curlew, 20 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 8 Canada Geese, 55 Shelduck, 11 Tufted Duck, 110 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers and a Chiffchaff. A Cetti’s Warbler was singing again from a hedge near Severn Beach railway station.
Avocet, Pilning Wetland 14.3.21
13th March
It remained breezy for most of the day. Reports from Severn Beach included a Leach’s Petrel, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Gannets, 40 Kittiwakes, a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 40 Turnstones, 60 Dunlin from the shore and a male Blackcap on garden feeders. Three Little Ringed Plovers were seen at New Passage. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth.
12th March
Another windy day. Seabirds were still present at Severn Beach including the first March record of Leach’s Petrel seen on the morning and afternoon tides along with an adult Little Gull, adult Mediterranean Gull, 80 Gannets, 130 Kittiwakes and 3 Common Scoter (2 drakes). Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 30 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Curlew, 70 Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 12 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 90 Wigeon, 35 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck and a Chiffchaff. A 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull was seen from Chittening Warth. Click on the Leach’s Petrel image below for a short video.
Little Ringed Plovers, New Passage 12.3.21
Leach’s Petrel, Severn Beach 12.3.21
Common Scoters, Severn Beach 12.3.21
11th March
A remarkable day following overnight gales. Highlights of the day were extraordinary records at Severn Beach of an early adult Long-tailed Skua seen by 3 independent observers between 16.05 and 16.17 at close range and a record flock of at least 300+ Gannets this morning. Other reports from here included 2 adult Little Gulls, 400+ Kittiwakes , a Fulmar, an Auk Sp, a pair of Pintail, 50 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 80 Turnstones, 25 Dunlin and 3 Peregrines together and a Tawny Owl calling near the railway station at 23.45 rounded the day off nicely (less than annual here). Two immature Pomarine Skuas and a female Goosander were reported from Chittening Warth. Reports from New Passage included a Gannet, 15 Kittiwakes, 24 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 80 Curlew and 80 Redshank. Click on the image of the Gannet flock below for a short video.
Kittiwakes and Gannets, Severn Beach 11.3.21
Gannet, Severn Beach 11.3.21
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 11.3.21
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 11.3.21
10th March
A wet day with an increasingly strong Southerly wind. At least 10 Gannets were seen lingering just upriver from the Prince of Wales Bridge in the gloom early afternoon. At least 60 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 30 Redshank, 20 Turnstones and 30 Dunlin were seen from Severn Beach. Another 60 Shelduck, 10 Canada Geese, 150 Wigeon, a male Little Ringed Plover, 45+ Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwing, 15 Dunlin and 10 Turnstones were seen from New Passage.
9th March
Much of the same was reported from New Passage/Pilning Wetland including a male Little Ringed Plover, 30 Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Dunlin, 4 Lapwings, 24 Curlew, 6 Snipe, 90 Redshank, a Little Egret, 9 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 15 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 170 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. A dark-bellied Brent Goose was seen from the Severn Beach shore and 2 Coal Tits were seen in a Severn Beach garden (scarce here)
8th March
Reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Dunlin, 100 Turnstones, 60 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 40 Shelduck, 180 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers, Another Cetti’s Warbler was singing in a garden hedge in Severn Beach.
7th March
A quiet day with just a Little Egret, 50 Redshank, 25 Dunlin, 3 Lapwing, 110 Wigeon, 24 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 60 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, single Chiffchaff and Stonechat being seen at Pilning Wetland.
6th March
A brief afternoon visit to Pilning Wetland produced 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Dunlin, 4 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 10 Canada Geese, 26 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 50 Wigeon, 60 Teal and a Stonechat. Two Short-eared Owls were reported from Chittening Warth.
5th March
Another cold visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Lapwing, 30 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones, 70 Curlew, 90 Redshank, 120 Oystercatchers, 45 Shelduck, 23 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 220 Wigeon, 140 Teal, a Water Rail, a singing Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Stonechats. A Jack Snipe was flushed at Chittening Warth.
Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 5.3.21
4th March
Yet another cold, grey and misty day. A brief afternoon visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Lapwing, 20 Dunlin, 60 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 9 Canada Geese, 45 Shelduck, 20+ Shoveler, 12 Gadwall and 5 Tufted Duck.
Merlin, Northwick Warth 3.3.21
3rd March
Another cold and misty day. Reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included another 4 very early Little Ringed Plovers (a male and 3 females), 40+ Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 4 Lapwing, 60+ Redshank, 30 Dunlin, 8 Turnstones, 50+ Curlew, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 50+ Shelduck, 220 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 18 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 3 Stonechats, a singing Cetti’s Warbler, 5 Chiffchaffs and a male Merlin.
Golden Plover, Northwick Warth 2.3.21
2nd March
Another cool and cloudy day with a North East breeze. A flock of 34 Golden Plover were seen on Northwick Warth. Other reports from here and Pilning Wetland included 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Curlew, 4 Lapwing, 70 Redshank, 10 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 65 Shelduck, 10 Canada Geese, 220 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 24 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 12 Tufted Duck, single singing Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Stonechat and Grey Wagtail. Another 2 Stonechats were seen at Severn Beach.
Black-tailed Godwits and Curlews, Pilning Wetland 1.3.21
1st March
A cold and grey start to the month. A brief visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced 66 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Redshank, 25 Curlew, 2 Lapwing, single Snipe and Little Egret, 200 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 18 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 2 Peregrines (successfully catching a Black-tailed Godwit as a team), single Stock Dove, Chiffchaff and flyover Siskin. At least 30 Turnstones and 30 Dunlin were seen on the shore at Severn Beach and a Treecreeper and female Blackcap were seen in a garden here.
