March is a slightly better month than February with a total of 183 species recorded during this month. As each day passes the expectation of an early spring migrant increases, Wheatears usually being seen by mid month along with Chiffchaffs, Sand Martins and Little Ringed Plovers. Rarities have included Black Kite (2010), Green-winged Teal (2014), Cattle Egret (2017), Spoonbill (2020), Great White Egret, Crane (2015, 2017, 2020), Long-tailed Skua (2021), Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Hen Harrier and Bearded Tit (2004), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Mandarin (2006) and Siberian Chiffchaff (2007).
March 2022
31st March
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 25 Avocets, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Knot, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Dunlin, 8 Snipe, 120 Redshank, 8 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 2 cream crowned Marsh Harriers, 40 Teal, 12 Gadwall, 20 Shoveler and 8 Tufted Duck. Another 2 Marsh Harriers (male & female) were seen at Chittening Warth.
30th March
An early morning start at Severn Beach produced an adult Little Gull, a first summer Mediterranean Gull, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Gadwall, 3 Sand Martin, 9 Redwing, 3367 Meadow Pipits heading North East, 273 Goldfinch, 101 Linnet, single Redpoll and Brambling. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Ruff, 2 Avocets, 4 Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper, 6 Knot, 6 Snipe, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Lapwing, 4 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, 6 Buzzards, 75 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 15 Gadwall, 20+ Shoveler and 10 Tufted Duck.
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 30.3.22
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 30.3.22
29th March
The day started with light rain and remained cooler and overcast all day. Early morning reports from Severn Beach included 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, single Grey Plover, Little Ringed Plover and Lapwing, 30 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 15 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 52 Shelduck, 2 Pintail, 7 Wigeon, single Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Peregrine, Kestrel and Raven and at least 3630 Meadow Pipits counted heading into the North East wind over a 4 hour period. A Water Pipit, another 40 Shelduck, 5 Canada Geese, single Jack Snipe and Snipe, 3 Curlew, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Peregrine, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Chiffchaff and 5 Sand Martins were reported from Chittening Warth. At least 12 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 90 Redshank, 12 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 20+ Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 15 Gadwall, 50 Teal, 50 Wigeon, the first 2 Swallows of the year and 12 Sand Martins were seen on Pilning Wetland. At least 20 Canada Geese and 75 Shelduck were present on Northwick Warth.
Little Ringed Plovers, Pilning Wetland 29.3.22
Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 29.3.22
28th March
Another sunny day with a cool North East breeze. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included a Great White Egret, 2 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Knot, 2 Avocets, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Lapwing, 190 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 6 Snipe, 4 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 9 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 25 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 50 Wigeon, 15 Mallard, 40 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, a Marsh Harrier, 6 Fieldfare and a White Wagtail. A brief scan from New Passage produced 3 Little Egrets, 45 Shelduck and 20 Turnstones. Another 26 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon and 2 Ringed Plover were seen from Severn Beach. Reports from Chittening Warth included 14 Shelduck, 28 Gadwall, 85 Teal, a Tufted Duck, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 60+ Redshank, 13 Oystercatchers and 2 Curlew.
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 27.3.22
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 28.3.22 © Matthew Hall
27th March
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 2 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Avocets, 105 Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Dunlin, 190 Redshank, 32 Oystercatchers, 10 Lapwing, a Snipe, 9 Canada Geese, 9 Mute Swans, 40 Shelduck, 32 Shoveler, 19 Gadwall, 51 Wigeon, 38 Mallard, 65 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 3 Grey Heron, a Little Egret, single Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Fieldfare, a Redpoll and 2 Siskins. Reports from the visible migration hotspot at Aust Services/cliff included the first Marsh Tit (heard in mound wood) record since 2009, another Red Kite, 2 Ravens, 3 Chiffchaff, 250+ Meadow Pipits, 76 Linnet. 12 Redpoll and 33 Siskin.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 27.3.22
Ruff and reeve with Redshank and a Dunlin, Pilning Wetland 27.3.22
26th March
A dry and sunny day with a North East wind. Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Marsh Harrier, a Red Kite, 25 Avocets, 26 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Knot, 13 Dunlin, 210 Redshank, 12 Snipe, 11 Lapwing, 63 Curlew, 56 Turnstones, 30 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 4 Little Grebes, 10 Canada Geese, 37 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, a Pochard, 10 Gadwall, 53 Wigeon, 20 Mallard, 51 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, a Raven 5 Chiffchaff, singing Cetti’s Warbler and Blackcap, a Water Pipit and a Redpoll. A Great White Egret flew East over Severn Beach where other reports involved 30 Turnstones, 8 Ringed Plover, 26 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, a Redpoll, 8+ singing Chiffchaffs, 2+ Blackcaps and many Meadow Pipits, Goldfinch and Linnets heading into the wind. Highlights from a visible migration watch at Aust Cliff/services included single Mediterranean Gull, Red Kite, Merlin, Sand Martin, Wheatear, Hawfinch, 5 Crossbills, 141 Siskin, 135 Goldfinch, 80 Linnet, 13 Redpoll, 15 Brambling, 138 Redwing, 455 Wood Pigeons, 16 Stock Doves, 500+ Meadow Pipit, 9 White Wagtails and 3 Tufted Duck.
25th March
There was some excellent visible migration over Aust Cliff/services this morning including the first March record of Goshawk (flew South West), a Red Kite, a Yellow-legged Gull, 1035 Wood Pigeons, 14 Stock Doves, 3 White Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 225 Meadow Pipits, 183 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 2 Sand Martins, 24 Siskins, 14 Redpolls and 183 Goldfinches. A few reports were received from Pilning Wetland /New Passage involving 8 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 45 Turnstones, 25 Oystercatchers, 15 Curlew, 30 Shelduck and a female Pochard. There were several singing Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs near Severn Beach railway station.
Yellow-legged Gull, Aust Services 25.3.22 © Matt Hobbs
Fieldfare, Aust Services 25.3.22 © Matt Hobbs
Siskin, Aust Services 25.3.22 © Matt Hobbs
24th March
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Avocets, 28 Knot, 246 Black-tailed Godwits, 113 Turnstones, 50 Redshank, 8 Dunlin, a Snipe, 2 Lapwing, 9 Curlew, 11 Oystercatchers, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Pintail, 3 Gadwall, 13 Shoveler, 48 Wigeon, 2 Little Egrets and 3 Chiffchaffs. Visible migration over Aust Services/Cliff involved a Hawfinch, 2 Crossbills and 16 Brambling. A Red Kite flew over Severn Beach and a Grey Seal was seen from the sea wall.
23rd March
The sunny warm weather and South East breeze continued. A Ruff, another record count of 40 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 30 Knot, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 8 Lapwing, 43 Curlew, 11 Snipe, 68 Turnstones, 17 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 8 Canada Geese, 76 Shelduck, 22 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 80 Wigeon, 45 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, a Raven, 4 singing Chiffchaff, a Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Redpoll and 2 Siskins were reported from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Sightings from a Severn Beach garden included 7 Grey Herons heading North East and 2 singing Chiffchaffs and the shore south of Severn Beach produced 40+ Oystercatchers, 54 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 2 Canada Geese, 22 Shelduck, 9 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 47 Teal, a Sparrowhawk and 4 Chiffchaffs.
22nd March
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved a Marsh Harrier, 34 Avocets, 283 Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Knot, 11 Lapwing, 21 Curlew, 13 Dunlin, 35 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 50+ Black-headed Gulls, 24 Shelduck, 16 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 27 Wigeon, 30 Teal and 5 Tufted Ducks. Another 32 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall, 12 Wigeon, 29 Teal, 8 Oystercatchers, 6 Curlew, 37 Redshank, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Cetti’s Warblers and a Sand Martin were reported from Chittening Warth.
21st March
Another warm day with an East breeze. Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a hunting Marsh Harrier, a new record count of 38 Avocets, 2 Green Sandpipers, 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 34 Knot, 17 Snipe, 11 Dunlin, 10 Lapwing, 70 Redshank, 40 Turnstones, 35 Oystercatchers, 28 Curlew, 10 Canada Geese, 36 Shelduck, 6 Pintail, 52 Wigeon,18 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 22 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Ravens, single Brambling, Redpoll and Cetti’s Warbler.A Jack Snipe, 39 Redshank, a Snipe, 18 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, a Dunlin, 38 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebes, 70 Meadow Pipits, a Raven and 4 singing Cetti’s Warblers were reported from Chittening Warth.
20th March
A Marsh Harrier, 2 Avocets, 500 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Knot, 65 Redshank, 35 Dunlin, 6 Snipe, 4 Lapwing, 8 Shoveler, 23 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, a Grey Heron and 2 Chiffchaffs were reported from Pilning Wetland. At least 100 Redshank, 70 Turnstones and 3 Dunlin were seen from New Passage. Reports from Severn Beach included 12 Dunlin, 10 Curlew, a singing Chiffchaff, visible migrants heading North East; 1520 Wood Pigeons, 25 Pied Wagtails, 394 Meadow Pipits, 131 Linnets, 128 Chaffinch and 8 Siskins.
19th March
An impressive 5 Garganey (3 drakes), 2 Avocets, 470 Black-tailed Godwits, 28 Knot, single Little Ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper, 14 Dunlin, 2 Lapwing, 40 Redshank, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, 14 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 21 Teal, 3 Chiffchaff, single Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Raven and Cetti’s Warbler were reported at Pilning Wetland.
Garganey, Pilning Wetland 19.3.22 © Matthew Hall
18th March
A Great White Egret was reported on Pilning Wetland this evening where 3 Avocets, 5 Lapwing, 470 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Knot, 6 Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, a female Pochard, 8 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 30 Teal, 15 Canada Geese, a Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Siskins were also reported. An early morning visit to Aust Cliff and sewage works produced a flyover Water Pipit, 9 Brambling, 10 Siskins, 2 Blackcaps, 10 Chiffchaffs, a Raven and a Pheasant. Three Chiffchaffs were singing in Severn Beach.
17th March
At least 23 Avocets remained off New Passage.
16th March
No reports were received today.
15th March
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 34 Avocets, a Green Sandpiper, 450 Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Knot, 93 Redshank, 30 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 40 Shelduck, 45 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 14 Shoveler, the first Wheatear of the spring, single Redpoll, Sparrowhawk and Chiffchaff. Another 60 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 70 Turnstones and a Chiffchaff were reported at Severn Beach.
14th March
A sunny spring day. A record early date for Tree Pipit over New Passage this morning but still no Wheatears to be found. Other reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Marsh Harrier, 35 Avocets (record count), 350+ Black-tailed Godwits, 26 Redshank, 53 Curlew, 4 Lapwing, 4 Turnstones, a Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 12 Canada Geese, 72 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 45 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 14 Gadwall, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, 20+ Pied Wagtails, 10+ Meadow Pipits and 2 Kestrels. Reports from Severn Beach included 48 Curlew, 39 Turnstones, 9 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank, a Dunlin, 36 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 50+ Black-headed Gulls and 20 Linnets.
Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 14.3.22
Avocets, Pilning Wetland 14.3.22
13th March
The only reports were of a single Avocet, 120 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Redshank, 7 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 80 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall on Pilning Wetland and 80 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon and 60 Turnstones on a high tide visit to New Passage.
12th March
A record flock of 796 Black-tailed Godwits, 83 Redshank, 25 Dunlin, a Knot, 5 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 13 Shoveler, 80 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 6 Gadwall, a Peregrine and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Pilning Wetland. Another record flock of 31 Avocets, 50 Shelduck and 20 Curlew were seen at Northwick Warth. A Siberian Chiffchaff was seen again at Aust Sewage Works with at least 17 other Chiffchaffs in the area, A flock of 45+ Kittiwakes were seen off Severn Beach in a gusty South East wind.
11th March
A wet day with a South East wind. A visit to Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth produced a Sand Martin, 23+ Avocets, 600+ Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Knot, 120 Dunlin, 10+ Snipe, 10 Lapwing, 70 Redshank, 60 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 40 Teal and 10 Shoveler. A singing Cetti’s Warbler, another 40 Redshank, 10 Curlew and 2 Snipe were present at Aust Warth.
10th March
At least 115 Turnstones, 20 Curlew, 50 Shelduck, a singing Chiffchaff and the first Sand Martin of the year were seen at New Passage this morning.The flock of 420+ Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Redshank, 15 Lapwing, 80 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck and 40 Teal were seen at Pilning Wetland. At least 22 Avocets remained off Aust Warth. Another singing Chiffchaff was heard in Severn Beach.
9th March
The usual 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Dunlin, 20 Lapwing, 40 Redshank, a Little Egret, 220 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall and 25 Fieldfares were seen on a brief visit to Pilning Wetland. Reports from Chittening Warth included 2 Jack Snipe, 60+ Dunlin, 24 Redshank, 2 Turnstone, 37 Oystercatchers,16 Shelduck, 14 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon, 35 Teal, 350+ Black-headed Gulls, a Raven, 3 Cetti’s Warblers and a Grey Wagtail..
8th March
A cold day with a Southerly breeze. The first 3 Little Ringed Plovers of the year were found on Pilning Wetland where other sightings included 450+ Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Dunlin, 20 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, a Little Egret, 14 Shoveler, 180 Wigeon and 50 Teal. At least 60 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 60 Redshank, 200 Dunlin and 40 Curlew were seen at Northwick Warth. At least 17 Avocets were were seen distantly off Aust Warth and 8 Shoveler with 4 Gadwall were seen on a restored pool near Cake Pill.
Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 8.3.22
7th March
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Marsh Harrier, 450 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Knot, 220 Dunlin, 70 Curlew, 35+ Lapwing, 50 Oystercatchers, 40 Turnstones, 100+ Redshank, 7 Snipe, a Little Egret, 4 Pintail, 5 Tufted Duck, 18 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 75 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 42 Shelduck, 12 Canada Geese, 6 Stock Dove, single Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat and Grey Wagtail. Visible migrants over Aust Cliff/Services early morning included a Crossbill, 4 Brambling, 44 Chaffinch, 2 Siskins, 11 Sock Doves, 3 Grey Wagtails, 37 Meadow Pipits plus 2 local Peregrines. Sightings from Chittening Warth included single Peregrine and Sparrowhawk, 22 Shelduck, 25 Teal, 150 Dunlin, 10 Curlew, 700 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Stock Dove, 5 Skylarks, 4 Rock Pipits, 20 Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail and a Stonechat. At least 25 Avocets were reported off Aust Warth.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 7.3.22 © Matthew Hall
6th March
At least 16 Avocets, 400 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Lapwing, 60 Redshank, 70 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 150 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 75 Shelduck were seen in a cold North East wind at New Passage/Pilning Wetland. Another 9 Shelduck and 40 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach. An early morning visit to Aust Cliff/Services produced a Sskin, Raven and Pheasant.
5th March
Another sunny day with a cool North East breeze. A record 26+ Avocets were feeding on Pilning Wetland where other sightings included a Mediterranean Gull among 60 Black-headed Gulls, 300+ Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, a Little Egret, 12 Shoveler, 90 Teal, 40 Wigeon, 5 Tufted Duck and 4 Gadwall. Reports from Severn Beach included 75 Turnstones, 10 Dunlin, 15 Curlew, 20 Wigeon, a Stonechat and a Peregrine. At least 60 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 30 Curlew and a Raven were seen from New Passage. Two Yellowhammers, 4 Crossbills, 6 Brambling, 122 Chaffinch, 30 Siskins, single Merlin and Pintail were reported over and from Aust Cliff/Services.
Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 5.3.22
4th March
A bright and sunny day. A quiet visit to Pilning Wetland produced a Little Egret, 450+ Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Lapwing, 20 Dunlin, 90 Teal, 10 Shoveler and 80 Wigeon. Another 200 Wigeon, 50 Shelduck, 70 Redshank, 50 Curlew, 30 Turnstones and a singing Chiffchaff were reported from New Passage. A roosting flock of 22 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach.
3rd March
Another grey and wet day. At least 20 Avocets, 50 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 85 Shelduck and 200 Wigeon were seen from New Passage. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced just a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 60 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 80 Wigeon and 4 Tufted Duck. Just 8 Shelduck and 20 Wigeon were seen from the sea wall at Severn Beach.
Avocets, New Passage 3.3.22
2nd March
A wet and dismal day but a good selection of birds. A visit to Pilning Wetland produced 15 Avocets, a Green Sandpiper, 450+ Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Redshank, 40 Lapwing, 28 Snipe, 120 Dunlin, 15 Curlew, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 200+ Wigeon, 200 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck, a Marsh Harrier, a hunting Merlin, and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. At least 87 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 12 Canada Geese, 40 Redshank and 80 Oystercatchers were seen from New Passage.
1st March
Sightings from a brief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a hunting Marsh Harrier, 450+ Black-tailed Godwits, 9+ Knot, 20 Lapwing, 80 Redshank, 15 Canada Geese, 96 Shelduck, 250+ Wigeon, 60 Teal, 12 Shoveler, a Little Egret and 2 Grey Herons. At least 15 Avocets were roosting off Aust Warth.
