December is one of the quietest months with only 165 species recorded during the month. It can be a good month for wildfowl with the chance of Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander if inland waters freeze or some fly by Bewick’s Swans. A good selection of seabirds have occurred in December gales including Black-throated and Great Northern Divers, Leach’s Petrel, Little Auk, Grey Phalarope and Pomarine Skua. Other rarities have included a stunning male Desert Wheatear (2013), Eastern Yellow Wagtail (1993), Green-winged Teal (2013), Egyptian Goose (2013, 2019), Glaucous Gull, Waxwing (2010) and in the winters of 1940 & 1941, Cirl Bunting.
December 2021
31st December
Another mild, wet and windy day to end the year. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 400 Black-tailed Godwits, a Golden Plover, 3 Knot, 350 Lapwing, 350 Dunlin, 60 Curlew, 60 Redshank, a Little Egret, 6 Grey Herons, 28 Greylag Geese, 90 Canada Geese, 8 Tufted Duck, 200 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 18 Shoveler, 18 Shelduck, 400 Wigeon and a Raven.
30th December
A mild, breezy and wet day. At least 350 Black-tailed Godwits, 350 Lapwing, 400 Dunlin, 70 Curlew, 90 Redshank, a Little Egret, 120 Canada Geese, 26 Shelduck, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 20 Shoveler, 350+ Wigeon and 40 Teal were seen on Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth.
29th December
Another breezy day with drizzle. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Pssasge included a hunting Peregrine causing panic to the 600+ Black-Tailed Godwits, 400+ Lapwing, 100 Curlew, 350 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, also 2 Grey Herons, 120 Canada Geese, 450+ Wigeon, 200 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 30+ Shoveler and 8 Shelduck. At least 40 Kittiwakes, 100 Turnstones, 350 Dunlin and a Raven were seen at Severn Beach.
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 29.12.21
28th December
A breezy day. Once gain there was little change with the large flock of 600+ Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Lapwing, 350 Dunlin were seen on Pilning Wetland.
27th December
No change today with 600+ Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Lapwing, 60 Curlew, 100 Redshank, 500 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 200+ Teal, 250 Wigeon, 8 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 35 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, a drake Pintail and 2 Stonechats still present on Pilning Wetland.
26th December
The flock of 700+ Black-tailed Godwits, 400+ Dunlin, 400 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, 80 Curlew, a Little Egret, 5 Pintail, 300+ Wigeon, 100+ Teal. 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 40 Shoveler, 8 Shelduck and 2 Stonechats were seen on Pilning Wetland late morning.
Pintail, Pilning Wetland 26.12.21
25th December
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced a hunting Marsh Harrier, 700+ Black-tailed Godwits, 10+ Knot, 400 Lapwing, 40 Redshank, 450 Dunlin, 70 Curlew, a Little Egret, 350 Wigeon, 8 Shelduck, 3 Tufted Duck, 40 Shoveler and 80 Teal.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 25.12.21
24th December
A dreary wet day. A morning visit to New Passage/Pilning Weland produced a Marsh Harrier, 750+ Black-tailed Godwits, 270 Lapwing, 400 Dunlin, 37 Snipe, 70 Curlew, 60 Redshank, a Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, 40 Shoveler, 80 Teal, 2 Pintail, 7 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 400+ Wigeon, 8 Shelduck, 200+ Canada Geese, 2 Peregrine and a Stonechat. At least 200 Dunlin, 15 Curlew, a few Turnstones and Ringed Plover, 40 Wigeon and a Stonechat were seen at Severn Beach.
23rd December
Another grey and cold day with rain showers. At least 700 Black-tailed Godwits remained on Pilning Wetland where other sightings involved 450 Dunlin, 270 Lapwing, 90 Curlew, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 500 Wigeon, 200 Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 12 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 50 Teal and 4 Tufted Duck.
22nd December
A cold morning with some of the wetland pools being partially frozen. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a new record counts of 750+ Black-tailed Godwits, 650 Dunlin, 15 Knot, 280 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 80 Redshank, 28 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 20 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 100 Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 450 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 14 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, a Pintail and 4 Ravens. A mixed flock of several hundred Dunlin with Turnstones and Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach. Reports from Aust Cliff/services included 14 Wigeon, 5 Curlew, a Raven, 7 Chiffchaff and 2 Grey Wagtails.
21st December
A cool day. Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a hunting Marsh Harrier, 600 Black-tailed Godwits, 250+ Lapwing, 450 Dunlin, 100 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 100 Oystercatchers, 13 Turnstones, 90+ Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 350 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 15 Shoveler and 26 Shelduck. A Siberian Chiffchaff remained with 6 Chiffchaff on the gravel beds at Aust Sewage Works/Aust Cliff.
20th December
A brief low tide visit to New Passage produced 400 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 90 Oystercatchers, 250 Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 90 Wigeon and a Peregrine. Three Chiffchaffs were seen feeding on the gravel beds at Aust Sewage Works/Aust Cliff including a Siberian Chiffchaff.
19th December
A cold day with persistent fog. The only birds seen at Pilning Wetland were at least 200 Wigeon and 140 Lapwing.
18th December
The only report received was of 44 Gadwall and 5 Shoveler on one of the Tesco Pools at the Western Approach distribution Park, Severn Beach.
17th December
A cool, grey day with an East breeze. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 220 Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 7 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 280+ Wigeon, 50 Teal, 30 Mallard, 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Curlew, 20 Turnstones, 200 Lapwing, 300 Dunlin, 110 Oystercatchers, 4 Grey Heron and a Grey Wagtail. At least 3 Stonechats, 2 Snipe and a Pheasant were present at the Severn Beach salt marsh.
Brent Goose, New Passage 17.12.21
16th December
A quiet day with just 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 75 Redshank, 200 Dunlin, 200 Lapwing, 50 Curlew, 120 Oystercatchers, 500 Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 300 Wigon, 60 Teal, 5 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall and a Rock Pipit reported from Pilning Wetland/New Passage. A Cetti’s Warbler was reported from Aust Warth. A female Blackcap was present in a Severn Beach garden.
15th December
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced the large flock of 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Redshank, 40 Curlew and at least 200 Lapwing.
14th December
Another quiet day in the Northwick Warth/pilning Wetland area with 450+ Black-tailed Godwits, 150+ Redshank, 63 Curlew, 200+ Lapwing, 100+ Dunlin, 14 Snipe, 300+ Wigeon, 250+ Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 8 Shelduck, 45 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 17 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck and 20+ Mallard being seen. Another 70 Dunlin, 50 Curlew, 15 Redshank, 70 Oystercatchers, 20 Wigeon, 6 Shelduck and a Kestrel were seen at Severn Beach shore and a Woodcock (1st of the year) was seen at dusk flying across the coast road here. A 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull was reported at Avonmouth Sewage Works.
13th December
Much of the same was reported from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area including 450+ Black-tailed Godwits, 150+ Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 250+ Lapwing, 50+ Curlew, 4 Snipe, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 300+ Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 500+ Wigeon, 4 Shelduck, 19 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 40+ Teal, 20+ Mallard, a Kestrel and a Grey Wagtail. Another 20 Wigeon, 100+ Oystercatchers, 58 Curlew and 30 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach
12th December
The only reports were of 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Lapwing, 150 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 18 Shoveler and 10 Shelduck on Pilning Wetland.
11th December
A brief visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 200 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 60 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 300 Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 450 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 20 Shoveler, a Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall and 30 Shelduck. Another 20 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 50 Dunlin, 100 Turmstones, 10 Redshank and 20 Curlew were seen from Severn Beach.
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 11.12.21
10th December
A bief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Lapwing, 100 Dunlin, 40 Curlew, 300+ Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 22 Shelduck, 20+ Shoveler, 30 Teal and 300 Wigeon.
9th December
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Knot, 50 Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 45 Curlew, 150 Lapwing, single Snipe and Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 280 Canada Geese, single Greylag Goose, 550 Wigeon, 28 Shelduck, 22 Shoveler, 75 Teal, 7 Gadwall and a Tufted Duck. Another 50+ Knot, 40+ Dunlin, 29 Redshank, 11 Turnstone, 6 Oystercatcher, 23 Curlew, 4 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, single Grey Heron and Sparrowhawk were seen from Severn Beach. A Jack Snipe, 2 Curlew, 15 Wigeon and 4 Teal were reported from Aust Warth and nearby 15 Wigeon, 2 Pheasant and a Grey Wagtail were seen at Aust Cliff/serices.
8th December
A windy morning as Storm Barra continued it’s move over the country. Just 27 Kittiwakes, a Pintail, 20 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 6 Ringed Plover, 600 Dunlin, 90 Turnstones, 25 Curlew, a Redshank and a Kestrel were reported off Severn Beach this morning, A windy visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 450+ Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 80 Redshank, 500 Dunlin, 80 Curlew, 300+ Canada Geese, 450 Wigeon, 20+ Shoveler, 22 Shelduck, 90 Teal, a Raven and a Peregrine.
7th December
An increasingly windy day with heavy rain showers as Storm Barra arrived. A brief visit to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Knot, 80 Lapwing, 100+ Redshank, 120 Curlew, 120+ Oystercatchers, 250 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 240 Canada Geese, 28 Greylag Geese, 450+ Wigeon, 14 Shelduck and a hunting Peregrine.
Curlew, Pilning Wetland 7.12.21
6th December
An increasingly wet and breezy day. A hunting Marsh Harrier, 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 125 Redshank, 320 Lapwing, 500 Dunlin, 190 Curlew, 154 Oystercatchers, 5 Snipe, single Grey Heron and Little Egret, 28 Greylag Geese, 220 Canada Geese, 500+ Wigeon, 70 Teal, 18 Shelduck, 22 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, a Pintail, 40 Mallard, 14 Moorhen, 14 Coot, 2 Little Grebes and a Stonechat were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another 45 Redshank, 73 Dunlin, 5 Curlew, 56 Turnstones, 2 Shelduck and 15 Wigeon were seen from Severn Beach.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 6.12.21
5th December
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Marsh Harriers, 630+ Black-tailed Godwits, 180 Lapwing, 250 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 20 Curlew, 100 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 300 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 340 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 28 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, single Pintail and Tufted Duck, 8 Shelduck, a Raven and a Chiffchaff. Two Stonechats were seen on the salt marsh at Severn Beach.
4th December
Reports from Pilning Wetland included a hunting Marsh Harrier, 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 300+ Lapwing, 150 Redshank, 7 Snipe, 30 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 28 Greylag Geese, 140 Canada Geese, 480 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 70 Teal, 2 Gadwall and a Sparrowhawk.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 4.12.21
3rd December
A morning visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced at least 700 Black-tailed Godwits, 320 Lapwing, 7 Knot, 100 Redshank, 500 Dunlin, 20 Curlew, a Snipe, 80 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 300 Canada Geese, 450+ Wigeon, 13 Shelduck, 70 Teal, 23 Shoveler and a Raven.
2nd December
At least 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 14 Knot, 200 Lapwing, 70 Redshank, 150 Dunlin, 10 Curlew, 4 Snipe, a Little Egret, 500+ Wigeon, 70 Teal, 8 Shelduck, 20+ Shoveler, 300 Canada Geese, 2 Ravens and a Stonechat were seen in the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area. An injured Jack Snipe was found at Severn Beach but unfortunately died in care.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 2.12.21
1st December
A breezy, grey and damp day. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Knot, 250+ Lapwing, 70 Redshank, 30 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 450+ Wigeon, 10 Shelduck, 25+ Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 70 Teal and 2 Ravens.Two Barnacle Geese remained with 300 Canada Geese off New Passage. A late afternoon scan from Severn Beach produced at least 170 Tunstones, 20 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin, 35 Redshank and 35 Curlew.
