September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 198 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, 2020), Great White Egret (2013, 2016, 2019,2020), Crane (2014), Honey Buzzard (1996), Dotterel (1974), Kentish Plover (2006), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020), 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, 2011,2020), Nightjar (2006, 2013), Hawfinch (1998), Willow Tit (1992), Nightingale (1999), Lapland Bunting and Ring Ouzel.
September 2021
30th September
Little change in the weather or birds. A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced just 30 Ringed Plover, 15 Turnstones, 7 Dunlin and a Rock Pipit. Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 190 Redshank, 40+ Lapwing, 30 Snipe, a Little Egret, 120 Canada Geese, 250+ Teal and 50 Wigeon.
29th September
Another wet and sometimes breezy day. Combined reports from Severn Beach included 65 Turnstones, 50 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 78 Curlew, 5 Little Egrets, 10 Shelduck, 6 Teal and a Sparrowhawk. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Knot, 40+ Lapwing, 220+ Redshank, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebes, 43 Canada Geese, an influx of 350 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 10+ Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 400+ Linnets and 2 Wheatears.
Common Snipe, Pilning Wetland 29.9.21
28th September
A wet day. Reports from Severn Beach included the first September record of Goldeneye, an eclipse male, was seen at New Pill where 15 Shelduck, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 98 Curlew, 36 Oystercatchers and 8 Little Egrets were also seen. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 183 Black-tailed Godwits, 33 Knot, 134 Redshank, 10 Snipe, 48 Lapwing, 7 Turnstones, 2 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebes, 33 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 27 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler, 65 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Kingfishers, 350+ Linnets and a Wheatear.
27th September
A breezy day with showers. A Little Stint, 600+ Dunlin, 60 Ringed Plover, 20 Turnstones, 10 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets and a Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved 35 Knot, 190+ Black-tailed Godwits, 130 Redshank, 47 Lapwing, 10 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 10 Curlew, 38 Oystercatchers, 5 Turnstones, 2 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 2 Little Grebes, 37 Canada Geese, 30 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, 54 Teal, 45 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, a Tufted Duck, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, a Wheatear, 400+ Linnets, single Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
Common Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 27.9.21
26th September
Combined reports from Severn Beach included a juvenile Little Stint, 620 Dunlin, 14 Ringed Plover a Turnstone and a Peregrine. Reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Green Sandpipers, 264 Black-tailed Godwits, 250 Redshank, 14+ Snipe, 15 Knot, 2 Stonechats, 180+ Linnets, single Yellow Wagtail and Grey Wagtail,
25th September
At least 47 Knot, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, the usual 150+ Redshank, 40 Lapwing and a Green Sandpiper were seen on Pilning Wetland this morning. Sightings from Severn beach on the mid morning high tide included 600 Dunlin, 10 Ringed plover, 8 Little Egrets and a Rock Pipit.
24th September
Another sunny and dry day. A morning visit to Severn Beach produced 600+ Dunlin, just 10 Ringed Plover, 8 Little Egrets and 2 Rock Pipits. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved a Green Sandpiper, just one Black-tailed Godwit, 180+ Redshank, 40 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 4 Shoveler, 10 Wigeon, 300+ Linnets, a Yellow Wagtail and a Sparrowhawk.
23rd September
Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Curlew Sandpiper, 280 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Redshank, 6 Snipe, 40 Lapwing, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Mute Swans, 40 Canada Geese, 2 Shoveler, 40 Teal and 20 Wigeon. Just 200 Dunlin and 5 Ringed Plover were reported from Severn Beach.
22nd September
Combined reports from Severn Beach following a 13.2 metre high tide included a juvenile Little Stint, 600+ Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plover, 4+ Little Egrets, 9 Turnstones, 2 Ravens, 2 Wheatears, single Grey Wagtail and Rock Pipit. At least 290 Black-tailed Godwits, 13 Knot, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 120 Oystercatchers, 35 Lapwing, 66 Curlew, 11 Snipe, 90+ Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 6 Shoveler, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 90 Meadow Pipits, 390+ Linnets, 30 Goldfinch, single Sparrowhawk, Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler and Willow Warbler were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
Little Stint, Severn Beach 22.9.21
21st September
Another settled sunny day. The Curlew Sandpiper remained at Severn Beach where other sightings included a Knot, 600+ Dunlin, 41 Ringed Plover, 146 Curlew, 12 Little Egrets, 13 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon and a Sparrowhawk. Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area involved 300 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 190 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 55 Oystercatchers, 4 Knot, 30 Dunlin, 45 Lapwing, 19 Snipe, a Little Egret, 9 Wigeon, 280 Linnets, 5 Wheatears, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 10 Yellow Wagtails, a Rock Pipit, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Willow Warbler.
20th September
An early morning visit to the Severn Beach wader roost produced a Curlew Sandpiper, a Knot, 420 Dunlin and 20 Ringed Plover. At least 260 Black-tailed Godwits, 190 Redshank, 2 Knot, 35 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 15 Dunlin, a Water Rail, 2 Grey Herons and 4 Shoveler were seen on Pilning Wetland.
19th September
A flock of 244 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Knot and a Peregrine were reported from New Passage. Reports from Pilning Wetland included 40 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 50 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, a Kingfisher and 3 Spotted Flycatchers. Sightings from Severn Beach included 61 Ringed Plover, 300+ Dunlin, 7 Knot and a Wheatear.
18th September
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Redshank, 35 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler and 2 Wheatears. The evening high tide at Severn Beach produced a Curlew Sandpiper, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Knot, 400+ Dunlin, 50 Ringed Plover, 95 Curlew and at least 14 Little Egrets.
17th September
Another warm and sunny day. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Green Sandpiper, 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Lapwing, 75 Redshank, 6 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 7 Shoveler, 120+ Teal and a Sparrowhawk. Three Little Egrets roosted at New Pill, just South of Severn Beach.
16th September
A warm and sunny day. Combined reports from New Passage included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 310 Black-tailed Godwits,45 Turnstones, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Egret, 120 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 2 Wheatears, single Rock Pipit and Sparrowhawk. Nearby a Green Sandpiper, 35 Lapwing, 32 Redshank, a Snipe and a Raven were seen on Pilning Wetland. A Curlew Sandpiper, 27 Turnstones, 260 Dunlin and 70 Ringed Plover were seen late afternoon at Severn Beach.
15th September
At least 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Lapwing, 130 Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears and a Stonechat were seen on Pilning Wetland. The egret roost at New Pill just South of Severn Beach contained 18 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons.
14th September
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 2 Glossy Ibis, 2 juvenile Little Stints, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, 170 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 35 Lapwing, 8 Dunlin, a Turnstone, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Greylags, 34 Canada Geese, 37 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 35 Gadwall, 80 Teal, 27 Wigeon, 70 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 300 Black-headed Gulls, 300 Linnets, a Whinchat, 3 Wheatears, 2 Ravens, 17 Pied Wagtails, Kestrel and Hobby. Sightings from Severn Beach included a Curlew Sandpiper, 380 Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plover and 12 Turnstones at Shaft beach and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 93 Curlew, 45 Oystercatchers, 19 Shelduck, 10 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and a Wheatear were seen at New Pill. A visit to Aust Cliff produced 3 Pheasants.
Glossy Ibises, Pilning Wetland 14.9.21© Matthew Hall
Little Stints, Pilning Wetland 14.9.21
13th September
Two Curlew Sandpipers, a Knot, 15 Turnstones and a mixed flock of 250 Dunlin/Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach. Another Curlew Sandpiper, 240+ Black-tailed Godwits, 170 Redshank, 15 Dunlin, single Common Sandpiper, Snipe, Little Egret, Wheatear and Stonechat were seen on Pilning Wetland. Another 2 Knot, 10 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover and 300 Linnets were seen at New Passage.
Stonechat, Pilning Wetland 13.9.21
Curlew Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 13.9.21
12th September
At least 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Knot, 80 Dunlin, 35 Curlew, 2 Grey Herons and a Rock Pipit were seen from New Passage and at least 150 Redshank were present on Pilning Wetland. A Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 150 Dunlin, 100 Ringed Plover and 6 Turnstones were reported at Severn Beach.
11th September
A juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 167 Black-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 152 Redshank and 3 Shoveler were seen on Pilning Wetland. Combined reports from New Passage included 2 Curlew Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 150 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 6 Turnstones, 2 Greylags, 30 Wigeon, 2 Peregrines, a Kestrel, a Whinchat, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears and a Rock Pipit. A mixed flock of 40 Ringed Plover/Dunlin and another Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach
10th September
A day of sunshine and showers. A high tide visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced just 70 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, a Wheatear, 20 Pied Wagtails and a Kestrel. A flock of 14 Little Egrets were seen roosting at New Pill, just South of Severn Beach. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/NorthwickWarth included 3 Curlew Sandpipers, a Knot, 280+ Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Redshank, 100 Ringed Plover, 300 Dunlin, 70 Curlew, 55 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 4 Shoveler, 130 Teal, 150 Linnets, 6 Yellow Wagtails, a Rock Pipit and a Wheatear.
9th September
A wet day. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 280+ Dunlin, 130 Ringed Plovers, a Turnstone and 2 Wheatear were seen on the Severn Beach shore and a Redstart and a Garden Warbler were seen in the coastal scrub. Another juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 280 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 40 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, a mixed flock of 100 Dunlin/Ringed Plover, 300+ Linnets, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Wheatear and Tree Pipit were reported from New Passage/Northwick Warth
8th September
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Redshank, 10 Snipe, single Little Ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper, 40 Lapwings, 35 Curlew, 10 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 120+ Linnets, 9 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Sparrowhawks. A Curlew Sandpiper, 380 Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plover, 35 Curlew, 5 Little Egrets, 40+ Chiffchaffs, 20+ Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats and 2 Garden Warblers were seen at Severn Beach. Two Red Kites wee reported over Aust.
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 8.9.21
7th September
A hot and sunny day with the temperature reaching 29°C. Combined sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Ruff, 40 Lapwings, 120+ Redshank, 100+ Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Oystercatchers, 15 Curlew, 6 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 6+ Wheatears and 3+ Yellow Wagtails. Another juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 380 Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plover, single Common Sandpiper, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach.
6th September
A morning of dense fog clearing to a warm and sunny day. Sightings from Severn Beach included 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 180 Ringed Plover, 250 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whitethroats, 30+ Blackcaps and a Wheatear. Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Ruff, 160+ Black-tailed Godwits, 70+ Redshank, 20 Turnstones, single Green Sandpiper, Snipe and Wheatear but viewing conditions were poor.
5th September
A cloudy start followed by a warm and sunny day. The 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 265 Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper were seen in Severn Beach high tide roost and a Garden Warbler was seen in a hedge near the railway station. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included a Ruff, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Redshank, 10 Curlew, 8 Snipe, 23 Lapwing, 4 Turnstones, just single Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Little Egret, 50 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 3 Wheatears, 10 Blackcaps, single Sedge Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart.
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 5.9.21 © Aravind Ramesh
4th September
Sightings from Pilning Wetland included 2 Little Stints, single Ruff and Green Sandpiper, 280 Black-tailed Godwits, 130 Redshank, 40 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 6 Shoveler, 8 Wigeon, 50 Teal and 35 Gadwall. Two Curlew Sandpipers, 120 Dunlin and 30 Ringed Plover were seen in the high tide roost at Severn Beach.
Little Stints, Pilning Wetland 3.9.21
3rd September
A change to a warm and sunny day. Reports from Severn Beach included 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Sanderling, 50 Ringed Plover,136 Dunlin, a Turnstone, a Little Egret and 2 Wheatears. The 2 juvenile Little Stints remained on Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth where other sightings included a Wood Sandpiper, a Ruff, 2 Green Sandpipers, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Redshank, 21 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 18 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 45+ Gadwall, 2 Greylags, a female Redstart, a Yellow Wagtail and 2 Wheatears.
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 2.9.21
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 2.9.21
2nd September
Yet another cool, overcast day with a North East breeze. Severn Beach finally produced a selection of waders on the “low” high tide (9.5 metre) with birds being easily scanned easily from the concrete sea defences. The first 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers of the autumn, a summer plumaged Grey Plover, a juvenile Sanderling, 150 Dunlin, 100 Ringed Plover, 25 Turnstones, a Little Egret and 8 Wheatears. The 2 juvenile Little Stints remained on Pilning Wetland where other reports included single Greenshank, Ruff and Green Sandpiper, 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Redshank, 15 Lapwing, Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 11 Wigeon, a Spotted Flycatcher and hunting Hobby.
Little Stints, Pilning Wetland 1.9.21
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 1.9.21
1st September
Another cool, grey day with a North East breeze. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 2 Little Stints, 2 Ruff, 240+ Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Redshank, 7 Snipe, 8 Lapwings, 7 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 5 Shoveler, 40+ Gadwall, 50 Teal, 4 Yellow Wagtails, single Wheatear and Sedge Warbler. At least 200 Ringed Plover/Dunlin, another 4 Wheatears and a Spotted Flycatcher were seen at Severn Beach.
