July is the joint quietest month on Severnside with only 159 species having been recorded. It does have a more optimistic feeling to it than June, with the appearance of returning waders and in recent years the regular appearance of Mediterranean Gulls. Unusual species seen have included Glossy Ibis (2019), Cattle Egret (2017, 2020), Great White Egrets (2018, 2019), Temminck’s Stint (2017), dispersing Crossbill, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Goshawk and a Stone Curlew (1999). A spell of strong SW or W wind usually produces a few Storm Petrels and Manx Shearwaters.
July 2021
31st July
The month ended with much of the same with a Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Avocets, 2 Ringed Plover, 20 Lapwing, single Redshank, Dunlin and Little Egret, a female Tufted Duck with a single small duckling being seen on Pining Wetland.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 31.7.21
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 31.7.21
30th July
Storm Evert passed through the area this morning with gusty wind and some torrential rain. Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 6 Little Ringed Plovers (4 juveniles), 4 Avocets, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Redshank, 50 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 40 Lapwing, 500 Black-headed Gulls, 200+ Canada Geese, many feeding Sand Martins, House Martins, Swallows and a juvenile Yellow Wagtail.
29th July
A visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced a male Blue-headed Wagtail, a Wood Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Avocets (3 juveniles), 30+ Lapwing, 3 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 350+ Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 400 Black-headed Gulls, a Yellow Wagtail and a Raven.
28th July
A morning of sunshine and heavy rain showers followed by a dry and breezy afternoon. An afternoon visit to Pilning Wetland produced at least 2 Wood Sandpipers, 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Avocets, a Green Sandpiper, 25 Lapwing and 2 Ravens. At least 85 Redshank, 10 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin, 4 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 200 Canada Geese and a Greylag Goose were seen from New Passage on the falling tide. A Whimbrel was present again at Severn Beach.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 28.7.21
27th July
Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 summer plumaged Knot, 3 Avocets, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 38 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 32 Lapwing, 16 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 168 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 12 Gadwall, 7 Teal, a Shoveler, 22 Stock Doves, 5 Yellow Wagtails and a Raven. A Whimbrel flew over Severn Beach.
26th July
The Wood Sandpiper remained on Pilning Wetland with 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Avocets (juveniles), 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 19 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 155 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 2 Ravens and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
Green Sandpiper & Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 26.7.21
25th July
A visit to Pilning Wetland and New Passage produced single Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper, 4 Avocets (3 juveniles), 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 30 Lapwings, 2 Snipe, 155 Dunlin, 72 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 64 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 4 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, a Raven and 5 Yellow Wagtails.
24th July
A cooler day following torrential early morning rain. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Wood Sandpiper, 4 Avocets, 148 Redshank, 84 Dunlin, 11 Turnstones, 6 Curlew, single Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and Snipe, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Gadwall, 3 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, a male Blue-headed Wagtail, 4 Yellow Wagtails and a Hobby.
Blue-headed Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 24.7.21 © Aravind Ramesh
Avocet, Pilning Wetland 24.7.21
23rd July
A slightly cooler day (28°C). A Wood Sandpiper was the best of the bunch at Pilning Wetland early afternoon, seen for a few minutes, before it disappeared into an area out of view. Other sightings here and at New Passage were of 120+ Redshank, 24 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 30+ Lapwings, single Snipe, Turnstone, Little Egret, Grey Heron and Greylag, 100+ Canada Geese, 2 Ravens and a Yellow Wagtail.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 23.7.21
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 23.7.21
22nd July
The heat wave continued with temperature exceeding 31°C. Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Common Sandpipers, 10 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin, 80+ Redshank, 3 Curlew, 25+ Lapwing, 80 Canada Geese, 7 juvenile Shelduck, a Common Gull and 100+ Black-headed Gulls.
21st July
No reports were received today.
20th July
No reports were received on another very hot day.
19th July
The heat wave continued with temperature exceeding 30°C. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced a Green Sandpiper, 85 Redshank, 30 Dunlin, 35+ Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, 28 Canada Geese and 2 Ravens.
18th July
A hot day with 100’s of Black-headed Gulls hawking flying insects throughout the area.
17th July
Another very warm day with no reports received.
16th July
The only report was of a Little Egret at what was the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach, may the developers rot in hell.
15th July
A hot day with no reports received.
14th July
Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved a Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 25 Redshank, 20+ Lapwing, 2 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 2 Shelduck broods (9&5) and 4 Ravens. A Cetti’s Warbler was singing again near Severn Beach railway station.
13th July
No reports were received today.
12th July
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 13 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, 27 Redshank, a Dunlin, 20+ Lapwing, 2 Curlew, a Little Egret, 9 Canada Geese, 4 Ravens and a Hobby.
11th July
An increasingly wet day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Little Ringed Plovers (3 juveniles), 28 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 20+ Lapwings, a Curlew, 2 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 9 Canada Geese, 2 Ravens, a Hobby and a Kestrel. Four Little Egrets flew North East over Severn Beach.
10th July
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced the family of 6 Avocets, 60+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 15 Dunlin, 4+ Little Ringed Plovers and 20+ Lapwings.
full grown Avocet chick, Pilning Wetland 10.7.21
9th July
The usual 6 Avocets and 7+ Little Ringed Plovers (including 2 juveniles) were the only reports received from Pilning Wetland.
8th July
The usual Avocets and Little Ringed Plovers were reported from Pilning Wetland.
7th July
An adult Mediterranean Gull (different individual to yesterday), 60 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Common Sandpipers , 2 Curlew and 30 Shelduck were seen from New Passage. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced the Avocet family, 6+ Little Ringed Plovers, 60+ Black-tailed Godwits, 28 Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, another 2 Common Sandpipers, 25 Lapwings, 2 adult Dunlin, 5 Teal, a pair of Gadwall with their first 2 ducklings of the year and a Sparrowhawk.
6th July
At least 29 Black-tailed Godwits, the 6 Avocets, 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 6 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, single Redshank, Curlew and Common Gull were seen on Pilning Wetland. Two Mediterranean Gulls (adult and 2nd winter) were seen among 70 Black-headed Gulls from New Passage.
5th July
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 2 adult Avocets with 4 well grown young, 4+ Little Ringed Plovers, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 9 Redshank, 36 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, a Little Egret, 17 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 8 Shelduck with 12 young and a Sparrowhawk.
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 4.7.21
4th July
Another day of torrential rain showers with occasional short periods of sunshine. The water levels of the pool at Pilning Wetland have risen by about 2 inches. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced a Green Sandpiper, 12 Redshank, the Avocet family, 8+ Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Curlew, 2 Teal, a Grey Heron, a Sparrowhawk and a creche of 9 young Shelduck of 2 different ages.
1st summer Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 3.7.21
3rd July
A day of sunshine and torrential rain showers. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 2 first summer Mediterranean Gulls (one with metal ring), the usual 6 Avocet family, at least 13 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 12 Lapwing, 9 Curlew, a Little Egret, 100+ Black-headed Gulls (7 juveniles) and the first Wheatear of the autumn.
Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 2.7.21
2nd July
A quieter day with just an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 adult Avocets and 4 juveniles, 3+ Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Lapwing, single Whimbrel and Curlew, 6 Turnstones, 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 55 Black-headed Gulls, a Little Egret, 5 Grey Herons, 18 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 127 Mallard, the usual Shelduck with 7 remaining ducklings reported from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area.
Black-winged Stilt, Pilning Wetland 1.7.21
1st July
The 2 Black-winged Stilts, 2 adult Avocets plus 4 juveniles, 6+ adult Little Ringed Plovers, a Ruff, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 7 Redshank, 18 Lapwing, 5 Curlew, a Little Egret, 80 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Wigeon, 4 Teal and 2 Ravens were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
