January is a slightly better month than December, the daylight hours slowly lengthen resulting in a monthly total of 170 species. Like any of the mid winter months it can be good for wildfowl sightings if inland waters freeze, with the chance of Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander or some fly by Bewick’s Swans. Seabirds seen in gales have included Cory’s Shearwater (2004), Storm Petrel, Leach’s Petrel, Little Auk, Red-throated Diver and Grey Phalarope. Other January birds include; Pink-footed Goose (2021), Slavonian Grebe (2010,2016), Green-winged Teal (2015), American Golden Plover (2002), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Eastern Yellow Wagtail (1994), Shorelark (2004), Waxwing, two Common Cranes that flew over Severn Beach (2000), Whooper Swans (2005, 2018), Bittern (2011,2017), Glaucous Gull and a few rare sightings of Hen Harrier.
January 2022
31st January
Much of the same to end the month. A Marsh Harrier, 470+ Black-tailed Godwits, 32 Knot, 800 Dunlin, 400+ Lapwing, 180 Redshank, 50 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, 4 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Heron, 200 Canada Geese, 500 Wigeon, 28 Shoveler, 30 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 80 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechats, single Peregrine, Kestrel, Raven, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
30th January
The usual 580+ Black-tailed Godwits, 15 Knot, 400 Lapwing, an impressive 6000+ Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 5 Snipe, 180 Canada Geese, 450+ Wigeon, 100 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Merlin, a Sparrowhawk and 2 Stonechats were seen on Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth. At least 30 Snipe, 6 Curlew, 7 Shelduck, single Little Egret, Stonechat and Rock Pipit were seen at Chittening Warth.
Grazing Wigeon, Pilning Wetland 30.1.22
29th January
A mild and breezy day. A brief scan of Pilning Wetland produced 450 Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Lapwing, 250 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 300 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck and 10 Shoveler. Another 90 Wigeon, 20 Shelduck, 40 Canada Geese and 70 Curlew were seen from New Passage. A Short-eared Owl, a Jack Snipe, 50 Teal, 20 Redshank, a Peregrine and 3 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth. At least 40 Wigeon and 30 Shelduck were seen at Severn Beach.
28th January
A morning of dense fog. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Lapwing, 350 Dunlin, 80 Curlew, 80 Turnstones, 40 Redshank, 400 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 10 Shoveler, 30 Shelduck and 40 Canada Geese. Three Jack Snipe were seen at Aust Warth.
27th January
At least 450 Black-tailed Godwits, 300 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin, 80 Curlew, 100 Turnstones, 40 Redshank, a Golden Plover, 4 Snipe, a Little Egret, 200 Canada Geese, 24 Shelduck, 3 Tufted Duck, 300 Wigeon and 60 Teal were seen on Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth. Five Avocets, 10 Shelduck, 20 Curlew and 2 Stonechats were reported from Aust Warth. Another 20 Shelduck and 100 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach.
26th January
A dull and cool day. Two Marsh Harriers, 450+ Black-tailed Godwits, 28 Knot, 5 Golden Plover, 320 Lapwing, 60 Redshank, 400 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 90 Turnstones, 80 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Tufted Duck, 280 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 12 Shelduck, 12 Shoveler and a Kestrel were seen at Pilning Wetland/New Passage. A Short-eared Owl, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Jack Snipe, a Kestrel and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth. Reports from Severn Beach to Chittening Warth included single Grey Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Shelduck and 40 Wigeon.
Golden Plover, Pilning Wetland 26.1.22
25th January
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 450 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Golden Plover, 350 Lapwing, 600 Dunlin, 70 Oystercatchers, 90 Redshank, 45 Curlew, 19 Turnstones, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 13 Coot, 21 Moorhen, 16 Shelduck, 12 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 60 Mallard, 350 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck and a Sparrowhawk. A Marsh Harrier, another 18 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 18 Mallard, 25 Teal, 50 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew and 450 Dunlin were seen at Chittening Warth.
24th January
A dull and cool day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved a hunting Marsh Harrier, 4 Golden Plover, 400+ Lapwing, 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 2000+ Dunlin, 200+ Redshank, 80+ Turnstones, 60+ Curlew, 50+ Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 5 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 240 Wigeon, 60+ Mallard, 60+ Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 12 Moorhen, 9 Coot, 3 Little Grebes, a flock of 17 Greenfinch and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. Another 100+ Dunlin, 43 Curlew, 3 Turnstones, 44 Teal, 34 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall and 7 Shelduck were reported from Severn Beach. At least 2 Chiffchaff remained at Aust Sewage Works.
23rd January
The usual 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 2000+ Dunlin, 400+ Lapwing, 70 Curlew, a Little Egret, 300 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 14 Shoveler and a Stonechat were seen on Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth. Another 800 Dunlin,104 Turnstones and 3 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach. A Siberian Chiffchaff and at least 12 Chiffchaff were seen at Aust Sewage Works.
22nd January
Another dry and cold day. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Jack Snipe, 27 Snipe, 350+ Lapwing, 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, 2000 Dunlin, 120 Redshank, 80 Curlew, a Little Egret, 5 Tufted Duck, 14 Gadwall, 18 Shoveler, 320 Wigeon, 80 Teal and a Chiffchaff. Five Avocets, 20 Curlew, 250 Dunlin, a Snipe, 40 Wigeon, 10 Shelduck, 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth.
Avocets, Aust Warth 22.1.22
21st January
A -4°C start to the day with most of the wetland covered in ice. Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a hunting Marsh Harrier, 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, a Knot, 35 Turnstones, 350+ Lapwings, 16 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 100 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 200 Wigeon,49 Canada Geese, a Stonechat and a Raven. A Jack Snipe, 2 Snipe, 8 Redshank, 30 Lapwing, 10 Curlew, 20 Shelduck, 2 Stonechats and 2 Rock Pipits were seen at Aust Warth. Another 40 Wigeon, 3 Chiffchaff, single Grey Wagtail, Raven and Peregrine were reported from Aust Services/sewage works.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 21.1.22
20th January
Another frosty dawn followed by a crisp, sunny day. At least 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 2000 Dunlin, 300+ Lapwing, 100 Redshank, a Little Egret, 7 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 20 Shelduck, 12 Shoveler, 250 Wigeon and 70 Teal were reported from New Passage/Pilning Wetland. A Little Owl was seen at Northwick.
19th January
A late morning visit to Pilning Wetland, New Passage produced 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Knot, 70 Curlew, 1200 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 100 Redshank, 80 Oystercatchers, 150 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 250 Canada Geese, 7 Tufted Duck, 60 Teal, 300+ Wigeon, 30 Shelduck, 2 Stonechats, a Rock Pipit and a Peregrine.
18th January
Another icy morning. Reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland involved a Bar-tailed Godwit, 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 350 Lapwing, 2500 Dunlin, 70 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 110 Redshank, 250 Wigeon, 70 Teal, a Sparrowhawk and a Stonechat.
Stonechat, Pilning Wetland 18.1.22
17th January
An icy morning with partially frozen pools on the wetland. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Common Sandpiper, 20 Knot, 520+ Black-tailed Godwits, an impressive 4500+ Dunlin, 450 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, 100+ Oystercatchers, 120 Redshank, 40 Greylag Geese, 20 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 350+ Wigeon and 70 Teal.
16th January
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Redshank, 400+ Lapwing, 15 Curlew, 50 Dunlin, 28 Greylag Geese, 5 Tufted Ducks, 8 Gadwall, 15+ Shoveler, 200 Wigeon and 60 Teal. A Merlin was reported at New Passage.
15th January
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 700 Dunlin, 400 Lapwing, 10 Knot, 30 Redshank, 60 Curlew, a Little Egret, 40 Greylag Geese, 7 Pintail, a Pochard, 10 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 20 Shoveler, 25+ Shelduck, 250 Wigeon, 110 Teal, 2 Peregrines, single Sparrowhawk and Grey Wagtail. Another 50 Wigeon and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth and 30 Pied Wagtails were seen at Aust Services.
14th January
A frosty morning with a North East breeze. At least 400 Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Lapwing, 60 Curlew, 120 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 320 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 40 Shelduck and 30 Canada Geese were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area.
13th January
Another day of dense fog. Several hundred Lapwing, with Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin were just visible through the murk at Pilning Wetland.
12th January
A day of frost and fog. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Common Sandpiper (1st January record), 1100+ Dunlin, 150 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Curlew, 300 Lapwing, 80 Turnstones, a Little Egret, a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 28 Greylag Geese, 30 Canada Geese, 40 Shelduck, 300+ Wigeon, 4 Tufted Duck, 20 Shoveler and 50 Teal. A 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull was reported at Avonmouth Sewage Works.
11th January
A cooler day. An impressive 1200 Dunlin, 150 Lapwings, 300 Lapwing, 250 Wigeon, 20 Shoveler, 50 Teal and a hunting Peregrine were seen on Pilning Wetland. A dark-bellied Brent Goose, 28 Greylag Geese, 180 Canada Geese, another 150 Wigeon and 15 Shelduck were seen from New Passage. Two pairs of Pintail, 12 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon and 70 Oystercatchers were seen from the shore at Severn Beach.
10th January
At least 300 Dunlin, 150 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Redshank, 300 Lapwing, 90 Curlew, 100 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 140 Canada Geese, 380 Wigeon, 8 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 40 Teal, 20 Shoveler and a Grey Wagtail were reported in the Pilning Wetland /New Passage area. Another 200+ Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 19 Turnstones, 6 Shelduck and a Stonechat were seen in the Chittening Warth area.
9th January
Combined Reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 15 Knot, 600 Dunlin, 300 Lapwing, 110 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Greylag Geese, 104 Canada Geese, 400 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 14 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler and 2 Stonechats. Another 200 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover and 90 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach. Another 2 Stonechats, 40 Redwing and a Kestrel were reported at Aust Warth.
8th January
A visit to Pilning Wetland produced 240+ Black-tailed Godwits, 700 Dunlin, 200 Lapwing, 60 Redshank, a Snipe, 70 Curlew, 400 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 20 Shelduck, 20+ Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck and 3 Little Grebes. At least 350 Dunlin, 17 Ringed Plover, 60 Turnstones and a Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach.
7th January
Another cold day. At least 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Knot, 250 Lapwing, 700 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 140 Curlew, 100 Oystercatchers, 70 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 28 Greylag Geese, just 5 Canada Geese, 22 Shelduck, 450 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, a Peregrine and 2 Ravens were seen in the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area. Another 300 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 9 Shelduck and a Stonechat were reported at Severn Beach.
Dunlin, Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 7.1.22
6th January
A breezy damp day. Much of the same was reported in the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area including 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, 250 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, a Little Egret, 450 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 12 Shelduck, 12+ Greylag Geese and 10 Canada Geese. Another 700 Dunlin were seen from Severn Beach.
5th January
A frosty dawn. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included the dark-bellied Brent Goose, 350 Wigeon, 12 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 70 Teal, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Knot, 250 Dunlin, 80 Redshank and 200 Lapwing. At least 1000 Dunlin were seen from Chittening Warth.
4th January
A colder day with a biting North wind and occasional rain shower. Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included a Brent Goose, 29 Greylag Geese, 90 Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 80 Teal, 240 Wigeon, 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Curlew, 240 Lapwing, 400 Dunlin, 105 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret and 6 Grey Herons. Another 510 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover and 43 Turnstones were reported from Severn Beach.
3rd January
Another mild, damp and murky day but produced some good birds. Sightings from Severn Beach included a Leach’s Petrel being harassed by gulls, 2 Great Northern Divers heading down river at 11.30 (1st January record), a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 82 Turnstones, 8 Curlew, 240 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover and a Peregrine. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Knot, 400 Dunlin, 20 Lapwing, 18 Snipe, 100+ Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 39 Shoveler, a Pochard (on the river), 14 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 140 Teal, 280 Wigeon,11 Shelduck, 5 Greylag Geese, 7 Canada Geese, a Peregrine and 2 Stonechats. A Short-eared Owl, 150 Lapwing, 30 Oystercatchers, 5 Curlew, 8 Redshank, 10 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 50 Teal, a Kestrel, 2 Ravens and a Stonechat were seen at Aust Warth, Another Raven and a Chiffchaff were reported from Aust Services/Cliff.
Leach’s Petrel, Severn Beach 3.1.22 © Matthew Hall
2nd January
Reports received from New Passage included a Marsh Harrier, an Avocet, 150 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Knot, 760 Dunlin, 60 Curlew, 110 Oystercatchers, 80 Redshank, 12 Snipe, 360 Wigeon, 20 Shoveler and a Peregrine.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 1.1.22
1st January
A warm (13°C) and murky start to the year. A skein of 28 Greylag Geese flew low and East over Severn Beach village early morning. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a hunting Marsh Harrier, 350 Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Lapwing, 350 Dunlin, 100 Redshank, 100+ Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, 10 Snipe, a Jack Snipe (flushed), a Little Egret, 12+ Greylag Geese, 20 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 400+ Teal, 350 Wigeon, 5 Tufted Duck and a Stonechat.
