November is still a month worth looking for birds. It has a respectable total of 187 species recorded during the month with a few surprise birds. Remarkable records include; Britain’s first Black-bellied Storm Petrel and Britain’s 5th Pacific Diver just 2 days apart in 2009. Other national and local rarities include American Golden Plover (2013), Great Northern Diver (1984,2015,2020), Black Guillemot (2015), Ring-necked Duck (2000), Smew (2010), Green-winged Teal (2014), White-rumped Sandpiper (1998), Long-tailed Skua (1994), Glossy Ibis (2015), Woodlark, Shorelark, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, Cory’s Shearwater (2000), Whooper Swan (1983) and Richard’s Pipit (1993, 2018), Dartford Warbler (2005,2015) and Waxwing (2005). A Merlin or two can usually be seen perched on posts anywhere between New Passage and Aust Warth. Short-eared Owls can often be seen hunting at dusk over the salt marsh at Aust Warth. Seabirds seen in South West gales include Leach’s Petrel, Pomarine Skua and Little Auk.
November 2021
30th November
A grey, damp and breezy end to the month. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included the 2 Barnacle Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 400+ Canada Geese, 400+ Wigeon, 8 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 80 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 600+ Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Lapwing, 60 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 80 Oystercatcher, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, a Kestrel and a Kingfisher. At least 170 Turnstones, 10 Ringed Plover, 47 Redshank, 35 Curlew, 50 Dunlin and 12 Wigeon were seen from Severn Beach.
29th November
Another cold day with some of the wetlands partially frozen. The highlight of the day was the first November record of Spoonbill that was found on Pilning Wetland late afternoon. Other sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved 2 Barnacle Geese, 29 Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 13 Shelduck, 450+ Wigeon, 150 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 32 Shoveler, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 700+ Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Lapwing, 180 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 100+ Dunlin, 16 Snipe, single Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail. At least 12 Ringed Plover, 160+ Oystercatcher, 41 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin, 55 Curlew, 55 Redshank, 4 Pintail, 8 Shelduck, 5 Teal and 60 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach.
Kingfisher, Pilning Wetland 29.11.21
Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 29.11.21
28th November
A much calmer, mainly dry and sunny day. A visit to Pilning Wetland produced the first 2 Barnacle Geese of the year with 26 Greylag Geese, 250 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 200+ Wigeon, 70 Teal, 25+ Shoveler, 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 50 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin and 3 Snipe. Another 120 Dunlin and 40 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach.
Barnacle Geese and Greylags, Pilning Wetland 28.11.21
27th November
A cold and windy day as Storm Arwen moved over with it’s resulting North West gales. Sightings from Pilning Wetland included 300+ Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot, 30 Lapwing, 20 Redshank, 400 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 220 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 25+ Shoveler, 6 Shelduck, 260 Canada Geese and a Greylag Goose. At least 90 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 30 Wigeon and a Peregrine were seen from Severn Beach.
26th November
A wet and breezy morning visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 210 Dunlin, 265 Lapwing, 20 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, 150 Redshank, 50 Curlew, 170 Canada Geese, 24+ Greylag Geese, 32 Shoveler, 180 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, a Kestrel and 2 Stonechat.
25th November
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a hunting Marsh Harrier, 620 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 15 Knot, 300 Redshank, 450 Dunlin, 350+ Lapwing, 75 Curlew, 20 Oystercatcher, 40 Turnstones, 10 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 250 Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 11 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 25 Shoveler, 70 Teal, a Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 2 Stonechat, 6 Siskin, single Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Grey Wagtail and Cetti’s Warbler. An early morning visit to Aust Cliff produced 2 Raven, 3 Grey Wagtail, 5 Shelduck, single Pheasant, Sparrowhawk, Brambling and Siskin.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 25.11.21
24th November
A cold and dreary day. Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included a Green Sandpiper, 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 15 Knot, 220+ Redshank, 350 Dunlin, 250+ Lapwing, 60 Curlew, 70 Oystercatcher, 10 Snipe, single Little Egret, a Water Rail, 26 Greylag Geese, 230 Canada Geese, 33 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 300+ Wigeon, 70 Teal, a Peregrine and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers. At least 9 Shelduck, a Little Egret, 35 Wigeon and 20 Curlew were seen from Severn Beach. A female Marsh Harrier was seen hunting over Chittenng Warth from a train.
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 24.11.21
23rd November
A frosty dawn followed by a very cloudy day. Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included a hunting female Marsh Harrier, 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 250 Lapwing, 60 Curlew, 300 Dunlin, 10 Snipe, 40 Redshank, a Little Egret, 300 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 120 Canada Geese, 30 Greylag Geese and a Stonechat. Early morning reports from Aust Cliff involved 30 Golden Plover, 30 Lapwing, 11 Brambling, 24 Siskins and a Rock Pipit.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 23.11.21
22nd November
A cold and sunny day with a North East breeze. An early morning start at Aust cliff/services proved interesting with the first 10 White-fronted Geese of the year (flew North East at 08.30), 2 Bewick’s Swan (flew North East at 09.10), 17 Brambling, 30 Siskin, 82 Chaffinch, 680 Fieldfare, 731 Redwing, 624 Wood Pigeon, 2 Peregrine, single Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Raven, Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail. Reports from Severn Beach included 5 Common Scoter, 120 Dunlin, 40 Wigeon and 2 Stonechats. Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland involved 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 350 Dunlin, 150 Lapwing, 80 Curlew, 35 Turnstones, 3 Snipe, 70 Redshank, 100 Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 300 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 120 Teal, 10 Shoveler and a Cetti’s Warbler.
White-fronted Geese, Aust Cliff 22.11.21 © Matthew Hall
Bewick’s Swans, Aust Cliff 22.11.21 © Aravind Ramesh
21st November
A much cooler day with a North East breeze. Early morning reports of migrants over Aust Cliff/Services included a Crossbill, 36 Brambling, 93 Siskins, 200+ Chaffinch, a Merlin, 2 Peregrine, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, 15 Stock Dove, a Little Egret, 420 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Raven and a Chiffchaff. Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland involved 4 Jack Snipe (flushed on wetland), 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot, 400 Dunlin, 250 Lapwing, 80 Curlew, 3 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 30 Greylag Geese (record count), 120 Canada Geese, 25 Shelduck, 150 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 70 Mallard, 20 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, a Peregrine, 2 Stonechat and a Grey Wagtail. Another 20 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 12 Curlew, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Stonechat and a Kestrel were seen at Severn Beach.
Greylag and Canada Geese, Pilning Wetland 21.11.21
20th November
A low tide visit to New Passage produced 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, 75 Curlew, 400 Dunlin, 190 Redshank, 70 Lapwing, 26 Ringed Plover, 250 Wigeon, 7 Grey Heron and a Rock Pipit. Another 40 Wigeon, a Stonechat and a Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach.
19th November
A cloudy and mild day. Reports from New Passage included 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Redshank, 500 Dunlin, 5 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 250 Canada Geese, 20+ Greylag Geese, 250+ Wigeon and a Stonechat. Another Little Egret was seen at Severn Beach.
18th November
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland this afternoon produced a flighty Water Pipit on the rear wader pool. A low tide visit to Severn Beach produced 2 Ravens and 2 Little Egrets. At least 530 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Knot, 200+ Redshank, 300 Dunlin, 90 Curlew, 100 Lapwing, 50 Oystercatchers, 90 Turnstones, 20 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 320 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose and 300+ Wigeon were seen from New Passage.
17th November
A brief visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced 550+ Black-tailed Godwits, 300 Dunlin, 160 Redshank, 200+ Lapwing, 300+ Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 20+ Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 60 Teal, 250+ Wigeon, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron and a Rock Pipit.
16th November
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 250 Redshank, 200+ Lapwing, 15 Snipe, 100+ Dunlin, 97 Turnstones, 30+ Curlew, 50+ Oystercatchers, 418 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 20+ Shelduck, 300+ Wigeon, 90+ Teal, 15 Shoveler, 13 Gadwall, 2 Water Rails, a Little Egret, a Stonechat and 28 flyover Siskins. Another 18 Siskins, 3 Brambling, single Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Pheasant were reported from Aust Services/Cliff.
15th November
At least 450 Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Redshank, 200 Lapwing, a Golden Plover, 150 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, 30 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 20 Shelduck, 250 Teal, 200 Wigeon, single Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler and Rock Pipit were reported from New Passage/Pilning Wetland. Another 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 17 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 8 Shelduck and 61 Curlew were seen at Severn Beach. At least 260 Fieldfares flew over Aust Cliff.
Greylag Goose and Lapwings, Pilning Wetland 15.11.21
14th November
Reports from Aust cliff/Services this morning included a Siberian Chiffchaff (seen and sound recorded) and flyover migrants consisting of 72 Brambling, 538 Chaffinch, 22 Greenfinch, 45 Siskin, 32 Linnet, 3 Redpoll, 127 Redwing, 16 Fieldfare, 8 Stock Dove and 1629 Woodpigeon. Two Blackcaps, male and female, were feeding in a Severn Beach grden.
13th November
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Great White Egret (flew off South), a Water Pipit, 230 Black-tailed Godwits, 13 Knot, 80 Lapwing, 41 Curlew, 30 Redshank, 200 Wigeon, 11 Shelduck, 3 Pintail, 15 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 2 Ravens, a Stonechat and a Peregrine.
12th November
A wet windy day. A seawatch from Severn Beach produced 5 Little Gulls, 120 Kittiwakes, 4 Shelduck, 27 Ringed Plover and a Rock Pipit. A brief scan of windswept Pilning Wetland produced 90+ Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 4 Greylag Geese, 120 Canada Geese, at least 20 Shoveler, 90 Teal, 12 Gadwall and a flighty and elusive Water Pipit.
11th November
A brief visit to New Passage produced the Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Redshank flock roosting on the salt marsh and at least 60 Lapwing. Two Green Sandpipers were seen on Pilning Wetland. At least 90 Turnstones, 15 Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank, 30 Wigeon and 10 Shelduck were seen at Severn Beach.
10th November
A damp, grey day. Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area involved the hunting Marsh Harrier, 150+ Back-tailed Godwits, 14 Knot, 250+ Redshank, 140+ Curlew, 250+ Dunlin, 90+ Oystercatchers, 85+ Lapwing, 3 Snipe, Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 170+ Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 12 Shelduck, 220+ Wigeon, 110 Teal, 20 Gadwall, 32 Shoveler, a Tufted Duck, 20+ Meadow Pipits, 3 Stonechats and a singing Chiffchaff. Another 40 Wigeon, 50+ Curlew and 3 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 10.11.21
9th November
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included a hunting female Marsh Harrier, 12 Knot, 30 Black-tailed Godwits, 180+ Redshank, 120 Curlew, 60+ Dunlin, 70+ Oystercatchers, 59 Turnstones, 94 Lapwing, 185 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, 20 Shelduck, 150+ Wigeon, 30+ Teal, 23 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 50 Mallard, 2 Grey Heron, a Kestrel and a Cetti’s Warbler. Another 94 Turnstones, 8 Dunlin, 38 Curlew, 5 Shelduck, single Sparrowhawk and Raven were seen from the Severn Beach shore and a male Blackcap was feeding in a garden.
8th November
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced a Little Egret, 9 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 10 Gadwall, 160 Teal, 180 Wigeon, 10 Shelduck, 100+ Canada Geese, 85 Lapwing, 250 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 45 Turnstones, 150 Curlew, 150 Oystercatchers and a Stonechat. Another 60 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 3 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets and a Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach.
7th November
A day with sunny intervals and a light west wind. Sightings from Aust Cliff/services included a Great Northern Diver (flew South West), a Goosander (flew South West), 22 Brambling, 1210 Fieldfare, 1270 Redwing, 286 Chaffinch, 13 Bullfinch, 4 Redpoll, 29 Siskin, a Peregrine, a Kestrel and 2 Ravens. Reports from the saltmarsh at Aust Warth involved 40 Redshank,5 Dunlin, 15 Turnstones, 60 Curlew, 10 Lapwing, 30 Oystercatcher, 10 Wigeon and a Kestrel. A Merlin, 100 Curlew, the mixed Black-tailed Godwit/Redshank/Dunlin flock, 200+ Wigeon, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen from New Passage. Another 70 Wigeon and 2 Rock Pipits were seen at Severn Beach.
6th November
The usual wader and wildfowl flocks were reported off New Passage on the falling tide.
5th November
Once again the peak of Aust Cliff/services produced some interesting fly by visible migrants (07.00-10.10) including 6 Goosander, 3 Brent Geese, 32 Brambling, 19 Siskin, 3 Redpoll, 870+ Fieldfare, 2500+ Redwing, 100 Chaffinch, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2150 Woodpigeons, 7 Stock Dove, 190 Dunlin, 2 Stonechat and 2 Peregrine. A Little Egret, 9 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 250+ Teal, a Water Rail, 4 Snipe and just 5 Lapwing were reported on Pilning Wetland.
drake Goosanders, Aust Cliff 5.11.21 © Matt Hobbs
4th November
A repeat of the weather today. Another early morning start by 3 birders at Aust Cliff/Services produced some quality birds flying overhead between 07.00 and 09.40 including 3 Hawfinch, 26 Brambling, 49 Siskins, 7 Redpoll, 270 Chaffinch, 179 Fieldfare, 246 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, a Rock Pipit and 10500 Woodpigeons. A visit to New Passage on the falling tide produced a female Marsh Harrier departing South West down river, 2 Greylag Geese, 100 Canada Geese, 250+ Wigeon, 40 Curlew, 120 Redshank, 100+ Dunlin, a Raven, flyover Siskins, a Rock Pipit and the unusual site of a flock of 20 Long-tailed Tits heading west, several miles, across the river to Gwent. At least 23 Ringed Plover, 60 Turnstones, 50 Curlew, 100 Dunlin, 70 Wigeon, a Redpoll and a Kestrel were seen at Severn Beach.
Hawfinch, Aust Cliff 4.11.21 © Aravind Ramesh
Brambling, Aust Cliff 4.11.21 © Aravind Ramesh
3rd November
Another cold start to the day. Visible migration reported from Aust services included 2 Hawfinch, 10 Redpoll, 155 Chaffinch, 52 Redwing, 6 Fieldfare, a Rock Pipit and 9 Little Egrets.An afternoon visit to New Passage produced a hunting Short-eared Owl (over Northwick Warth), 90 Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 250 Wigeon, 130 Redshank, 40 Turnstones, 40 Curlew, 50 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret and a Grey Heron. Another Little Egret, 40 Wigeon and at least 130 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
2nd November
An early morning frost followed by bright sunshine. Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 2 Short-eared Owls, 160+ Canada Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, 35 Shoveler, 280+ Wigeon, 24 Gadwall, a Pintail, 53 Mallard, 8 Shelduck, 30+ Teal, a Water Rail, 15+ Coot, 80+ Lapwing, 120+ Redshank, 30+ Oystercatchers, 80 Curlew, 120+ Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and a Kestrel.
1st November
A less windy day following a stormy night. An early morning visit to Severn Beach produced just 8 Kittiwakes, 10 Ringed Plover, 23 Curlew and 11 Shelduck. Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland included a Merlin, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Grey Plover, just 100 Dunlin, 130 Redshank, a Knot, 8 Ringed Plover, 109 Turnstone, 90+ Lapwing, 40 Oystercatcher, 200+ Canada Geese, 300 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, a Peregrine and a flyover Siskin.
