2021 SIGHTINGS
Another year with most of the recording area hotspots being closed or difficult to access including Aust Warth, Northwick Warth salt marsh and the area south of Severn Beach including Chittening Warth. It was the first year since 2016 not to have an addition to the patch list. A mediocre 173 species were reported but did include some excellent birds and once again Avocets, Little Ringed Plovers and Lapwings bred successfully.
Once again because of the access restrictions there were fewer visiting birdwatchers and less opportunity to cover the whole recording area. Highlights included a Great Northern Diver, Bewick’s Swans, Pink-footed Goose, Egyptian Goose, White-fronted Geese, Garganey, Goosanders, Goldeneye, White Stork, 2 Glossy Ibis, 2 Spoonbills, a Cattle Egret, Great White Egrets, 2 Black-winged Stilts, Spotted Redshanks, Wood Sandpipers, a record flock of over 750 Black-tailed Godwits, unprecedented March Long-tailed Skua, spring Sabines Gull, Leach’s Petrels, Storm Petrels, Pomarine Skuas, a flock of 300 Gannets, Osprey, Marsh Harriers, multiple Red Kites, Grasshopper Warblers, Blue-headed Wagtails, Siberian Chiffchaff, Hawfinches, Crossbills, Snow Bunting and a dead Long-eared Owl.
Disappointments included the lack of any Eider, Black Tern, Purple Sandpiper, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Firecrest, Black Redstart or Barn Owl.
Click on the Calendar pictures below for detailed daily sightings and pictures for each month....
