February is generally another quiet month with only a total of 162 species recorded. Gales in this month have produced Storm and Leach’s Petrel, Pomarine Skua and all records of Puffin. Other rarities seen include Spoonbill (2004), Bittern (2011&2012), Avocets, Ring-billed Gull (1987), Green-winged Teal (2015), Great Grey Shrike (1999,2000,2004), Shorelark (2004) and Cirl Bunting (1943).
February 2022
28th February
A Marsh Harrier was seen at Chittening Warth. At least 19 Avocets were seen from New Passage and a Ruff, 3 Knot and 490 Black-tailed Godwits were seen on Pilning Wetland.
27th February
The sunniest day of the year so far with a light South East breeze. Early morning reports from Aust Services/Cliff included migrants heading North East; 850+ Wood Pigeons, 94 Stock Dove, 21 Meadow Pipits, 2 Brambling, 8 Siskins plus single Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and 2 Peregrines in the area. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced a Little Egret, 250 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 40 Redshank, a Peregrine and 2 Kestrels.
26th February
At least 100 Turnstones remained at Severn Beach. A Marsh Harrier was seen again at Pilning Wetland.
25th February
The usual 90+ Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 50 Curlew and 70 Oystercatchers were seen from New Passage. A Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Stonechats were reported from Aust Warth.
24th February
A bright and breezy day. A Water Pipit, 25 Shelduck, 30 Oystercatchers, single Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Chittening Warth. At least 150 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 20 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 3 Rock Pipits, 4 Stonechats and a Kestrel were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from New Passage involved 36 Canada Geese, 90 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 40 Curlew and 5 Dunlin. A visit to the new Aust Wetland that now has some puddles produced a Marsh Harrier.
Water Pipit, Chittening Warth 24.2.22 © Matthew Hall
one of the wet fields at Aust Wetland, 24.2.22 © Matthew Hall
23rd February
Combined reports from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland included 3 Avocets (Northwick Flash), 60+ Dunlin, 68 Redshank, 36 Curlew, 5 Lapwing, 54 Oystercatchers, just one Turnstone, a Little Egret, 43 Shelduck, 260+ Wigeon, 13 Shoveler, 47 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 21 Mallard and a Cetti’s Warbler. An adult Mediterranean Gull, a Water Pipit, 200+ Dunlin, 103 Oystercatchers, 24 Redshank, 39 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall and 2 Shelduck were seen in the Chittening Warth area. Sightings from Severn Beach included 162 Turnstones, 26 Dunlin, 4 Canada Geese and 4 Wigeon.
22nd February
Another windy day. Reports from Severn Beach included 13 Kittiwakes, 36 Turnstones, 19 Dunlin, 16 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank, 11 Curlew, 6 Shelduck, 36 Wigeon and 10 Teal. A Fulmar, 22 Redshank, 20 Oystercatchers, 19 Teal, 6 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck and 2 Ravens were reported from Chittening Warth. Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland included 48 Turnstones, 71 Redshank, 6 Dunlin, 43 Curlew, 61 Oystercatchers, 3 Lapwing, a Grey Heron, 286 Wigeon, 21 Teal, 28 Shelduck, 9 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck and a Cetti’s Warbler.
21st February
A very windy day. Despite 2 hours of gazing at the river at Severn Beach this morning the only sightings were of 20 Turnstones and 10 Dunlin trying to find some shore to roost on. Just 90 Shelduck, 300 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 80 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers and 200 Dunlin were seen at Pilning Wetland /New Passage.
20th February
Another windy day. Two Fulmar, at least 70 Kittiwakes and 40 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach. The only reports from New Passage/Pilnig Wetland were of 110 Curlew, 6 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall, 50 Teal, 200 Wigeon, 80 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler and 4 Grey Herons.
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 20.2.22
19th February
A day of gusty wind. A single Kittiwake, 70 Turnstones and 5 Shelduck were seen at Severn Beach. Another 100 Shelduck, 250 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 12 Shoveler, 100 Dunlin, 130 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers and a Peregrine were seen at New Passage/Pilning Wetland.
18th February
A day with a Spring tide and very strong wind. Combined reports from Severn Beach included at least 40 Kittiwakes, 4 Pintail, 3 Shelduck, 60 Turnstones, 100 Dunlin and 15 Curlew. Another 5 Kittiwakes, 90+ Shelduck, 180 Wigeon and 40 Curlew were seen at New Passage.
17th February
A breezy day but then a lull before Storm Eunice arrives in the early hours of tomorrow with it’s predicted 85 mph gusts. An adult Mediterranean Gull, 17 Kittiwakes, 11 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, 62 Turnstones, a Knot, 100 Dunlin, 13 Curlew, 2 Ravens, single Stonechat, Grey Wagtail and Peregrine were seen from Severn Beach. A skein of 15 White-fronted Geese were photographed flying down river past from New Passage late morning by one lucky observer. Otherwise, it remained quiet at Pilning Wetland/New Passage with just, 70 Shelduck, 100 Wigeon, 51 Canada Geese, 8 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 150 Curlew, 100 Oystercatchers, 300 Dunlin, 11 Redshank and 30 Lapwing being seen. Another 31 Shelduck, 9 Teal, 103 Oystercatchers, 30 Dunlin, 34 Snipe, 2 Ravens, 2 Stonechats and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Chittening Warth.
White-fronted Geese, New Passage 17.2.22 © Alan Garwood
White-fronted Geese, New Passage 17.2.22 © Alan Garwood
16th February
An increasingly windy day as Storm Dudley passed over the country. Most birds had disappeared from Northwick Warth with just 70 Shelduck, 200 Dunlin and 100 Oystercatchers being seen. At least 300 Kittiwakes were seen from Severn Beach over the morning and evening high tides.
15th February
A very wet and miserable day. A brief visit to New Passage produced just 90 Shelduck, 350 Wigeon, 15 Canada Geese, 100 Redshank, 120 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, 50 Dunlin and nearby there were 150 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 60 Teal, 60 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall and 9 Tufted Duck on Pilning Wetland.
14th February
A low tide visit to New Passage produced 14 Avocets, 50 Redshank, 70+ Curlew, 109 Turnstones, 100 Dunlin, 127 Canada Geese and 84 Shelduck. It was unusually quiet on Pilning Wetland with most of the waders not on site with just 150 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, a Little Egret, 250 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck and 12 Shoveler present. Two Kittiwakes, 60 Turnstones, 6 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plover, 12 Shelduck, 15 Teal, 12 Wigeon, a Merlin and a Peregrine were seen from Severn Beach.
13th February
The 12 Avocets remained at New Passage where 350 Dunlin, 60 Curlew, 60 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 15 Canada Geese and a Peregrine were seen. Reports from Pilning Wetland included 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Knot, 300 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, 100 Dunlin, 220 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck and a hunting Peregrine. At least 30 Shelduck and 80 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.
12th February
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 12 Avocets, 490 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Knot, 380 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, 30 Redshank, 200 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 280 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 13 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, a Merlin and a Chiffchaff. The first Purple Sandpiper for 4 years was found late afternoon at Severn Beach where 60 Turnstones, 5 Dunlin, 30 Shelduck and 20 Wigeon were also seen.
Avocets, New Passage 12.2.22
11th February
A frosty morning followed by sunshine. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 5 Avocets, 16 Knot, 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, 350 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 52 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Heron, 40 Canada Geese, 37 Shelduck, 14 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 55 Teal, 350 Wigeon, 8 Tufted Duck, a Grey Wagtail and a Cetti’s Warbler. At least 10 Chiffchaffs were reported from Aust Sewage Works.
10th February
An Avocet was seen on the shore from New Passage where other sightings included 90+ Shelduck, 150 Wigeon, 400 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 50 Curlew and 70 Oystercatchers. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 450+ roosting Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Knot, 300 Lapwing, 40 Curlew, 500 Dunlin, 250 Wigeon and 5 Grey Herons.
9th February
An Avocet, 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Knot, 280 Lapwing, 80 Curlew, 800 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 110 Shelduck, 400+ Wigeon, 40 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck were seen on Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth today. Another 14 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 10 Redshank and 40 Oystercatchers were seen on the Severn Beach shore and a female Blackcap was present in a garden here.
8th February
A quiet day with just 300 Dunlin, 180 Lapwing, 40 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Shoveler, 40 Teal, 400 Wigeon, 95 Shelduck, 7 Tufted Duck and 40 Canada Geese being reported from Pilning Wetland/New Passage. A Little Egret was seen at Severn Beach.
7th February
Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland included just 57 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Knot, 1400+ Dunlin, 200+ Lapwing, 92 Curlew, 58 Redshank, 14 Oystercatchers, 3 Turnstones, 3 Grey Herons, 61 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, a Little Grebe, 109 Shelduck, 600+ Wigeon, 50+ Teal, 15 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 45+ Mallard, 2 Water Rails, single Cetti’s Warbler, Grey Wagtail, Kestrel and Peregrine. Another 200+ Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 11 Oystercatchers, 14 Shelduck, 23 Teal, 40 Wigeon and a Kestrel were seen from Severn Beach.
6th February
After a very windy night it was disappointing to see no seabird activity at Severn Beach with the only reports being 300 Dunlin and 80 Turnstones. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 4 Avocets, 200 Black-tailed Godwits, 350 Lapwing, 800 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 5 Snipe, 5 Grey Heron, 69 Canada Geese, 124 Shelduck, 400 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 28 Shoveler, 2 Peregrine and a singing Cetti’s Warbler.
Avocets, Pilning Wetland 6.2.22
5th February
Reports today included the first February record of Glossy Ibis, 2 Marsh Harriers, 350+ Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 400 Lapwing, 80 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 40 Canada Geese, 131 Shelduck, 300 Wigeon, 23 Shoveler, 90 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, single Sparrowhawk and Peregrine. An increasingly windy day produced 10 Kittiwakes and 75 Wigeon at Severn Beach.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 5.2.22
4th February
Once again, reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved 400 Black-tailed Godwits, 800 Dunlin, 220 Curlew, 400 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, a Little Egret, 7 Grey Heron, 250 Canada Geese, 86 Shelduck, 100 Teal, 250 Wigeon, a Raven and 2 Stonechats. Another 40 Wigeon and 2 Shelduck were seen from Severn Beach.
3rd February
A visit to Pilning Weland/New Passage produced 350+ Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Dunlin, 400 Lapwing, 150 Curlew, a Little Egret, 7 Grey Herons, 75 Shelduck, 250 Wigeon, 40 Teal and a Raven
2nd February
An early morning, high tide visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Grey Plover, 200 Redshank, 400 Lapwing, 800 Dunlin, 130 Curlew, 140 Oystercatchers, 9 Grey Herons, 40 Canada Geese, 72 Shelduck, 400 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 10+ Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 20 Fieldfare and 2 Raven, A Merlin was seen at Chittening Warth. Another 20 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 2 Ringed Plover and a Kestrel were seen from the Severn Beach shore. An exploratory visit to the new Aust Wetland that is being created produced 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal, 70 Herring Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 60 Redwings, 10 Fieldfare, 20 Linnets, single Grey Wagtail and Stonechat.
Grey Plover, New Passage 2.2.22
1st February
At least 450 Black-tailed Godwits, 350 Lapwing, 80 Redshank, 400 Dunlin, 80 Curlew, 70 Turnstones, 50 Canada Geese, 70 Shelduck, 300 Wigeon, 3 Tufted Duck and 2 Ravens were seen at Pilning Wetland/New Passage. A male Blackcap was seen in a Severn Beach garden.
