July is one of the quietest months on Severnside with only 161 species having been recorded. It does have a more optimistic feeling to it than June, with the appearance of returning waders and in recent years the regular appearance of Mediterranean Gulls. Unusual species seen have included Glossy Ibis (2019), Cattle Egret (2017, 2020), Great White Egrets (2018, 2019, 2022), Spoonbill (2022), Temminck’s Stint (2017), Black-winged Stilt (2021), dispersing Crossbill, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Goshawk and a Stone Curlew (1999). A spell of strong SW or W wind usually produces a few Storm Petrels and Manx Shearwaters.
July 2022
31st July
A breezy end to the month following a brief spell of overnight rain. A morning high tide visit to New Passage produced 13 Lapwings, 135 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 120 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 40 Mallard, 400+ Black-headed Gulls and a flock of 120+ Linnets. Nearby on Pilning Wetland, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 230 Redshank, 11 Lapwings, 35 Dunlin, 4 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Teal, 3 Gadwall and another 300 Black-headed Gulls were seen. A single Curlew, 8 Canada Geese and a Kestrel were the only birds of note seen at high tide from the Severn Beach sea wall.
30th July
A cooler, cloudy and breezier day. A brief morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 35 Black-headed Gulls, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Redshank, 18 Lapwings, 14 Dunlin, single Green Sandpiper, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 65 Canada Geese, 2 Gadwall, a Shelduck and a Kestrel. Combined reports from New Passage included a Knot, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Redshank, 70 Dunlin, 8 Turnstones, 40 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 500+ Black-headed Gulls, 94 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 40 Mallard, a Kestrel and a Coal Tit. At least 5 Little Egrets, 8 Curlew and a Common Sandpiper were seen from the Severn Beach shore.
Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 30.7.22
29th July
A hot and sunny day. A visit to the parched Pilning Wetland that is need of some rain, produced single juvenile Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit and Snipe, 6 Redshank, 11 Lapwings, a Grey Heron, 40 Canada Geese, 4 Gadwall, 100 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Swifts. Nearby 90 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 28 Canada Geese and 45 Shelduck were seen from New Passage. A scan from Severn Beach 3 hours after high tide produced an impressive 600+ “large” Gulls settled on the shingle islands near the pipes, mostly Herring Gulls with some Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a few Great Black-backed Gulls, 300 Black-headed Gulls and at least 6 Little Egrets.
28th July
An early morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 2 Knot, a Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Dunlin, 14 Lapwing, 5 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Gadwall, 3 Grey Herons, a Little Egret and a Swift. Nearby the 2 Knot, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Redshank, 155 Dunlin, 8 Turnstones, a Curlew, 14 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 120 Canada Geese and 50 Shelduck were present at New Passage. A visit to the Severn Beach shore on the falling tide produced a Great White Egret, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstones, 28 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, single Dunlin and Redshank, 350 Black-headed Gulls, 120 Herring Gulls, 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Cormorants, 300 Starlings and a Kestrel. A Jersey Tiger Moth was found in my Severn Beach garden.
Redshank, Dunlin and Knot, Pilning Wetland 28.7.22
Knot, Pilning Wetland 28.7.22
Great White Egret, Severn Beach 28.7.22
27th July
Another quiet low tide visit to Pilning Wetland produced just 4 Lapwings, single Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Kestrel. Combined reports from New Passage included a Knot, 60 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstones, 200 Redshank, 133 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 11 Lapwings, 3 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 80 Canada Geese, 40 Shelduck, single Peregrine and Kestrel. A late afternoon visit to Severn Beach on a rising tide produced 2 Whimbrel, 100+ Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, single Redshank and Dunlin, a Great White Egret, 11 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 100+ Herring Gulls, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, an impressive 80 House Sparrows, single Wheatear and Swift.
26th July
Combined reports from New Passage included a Knot, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Curlew, 125 Dunlin, 13 Turnstones, 35 Oystercatchers and 10 Canada Geese. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced just 2 Green Sandpipers, a Snipe, 25 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Mute Swans and 4 Little Grebes.
25th July
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Redshank, 110 Dunlin, 28 Lapwings, 2 Snipe, 2+ Green Sandpipers, single Sanderling, Knot, Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Mute Swans, 12 Canada Geese and a Redstart. Sightings from New Passage involved some of the same birds as the wetland plus a few extras; a Knot, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 110 Dunlin, 50 Oystercatchers, 50 Redshank, 5 Curlew, single Greenshank, Turnstone, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 100 Canada Geese and 40 Shelduck.
Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 25.7.22
Lapwing, Pilning Wetland 25.7.22
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 25.7.22
24th July
A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 28 Lapwings, a Yellow Wagtail and 5 Mistle Thrushes together.
23rd July
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Green Sandpipers, 24 Lapwing, 20 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 140 Black-headed Gulls, 10 Canada Geese and a Grey Wagtail. Another 148 Redshank, 3 Curlew, 5 Turnstones and 480 Black-headed Gulls were reported at New Passage early this evening.
22nd July
At least 3 Green Sandpipers, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 26 Lapwings, 60 Dunlin, 120 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 60 Canada Geese, a Gadwall, 5 Little Grebes, single Swift and Grey Wagtail were seen at Pilning Wetland. An early morning, low tide visit to New Passage produced 2 Knot, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Turnstones, 105 Dunlin, 140 Redshank, 16 Oystercatchers, 6 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 50+ Shelduck and a Kestrel.
21st July
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area (with most waders moving between the two sites) included 2 Knot, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Turnstones, 80 Dunlin, 150 Redshank, 12 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, 18 Lapwings, single Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 320 Black-headed Gulls, 70 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck broods and 2 Swifts.
Knot and Dunlin, New Passage 21.7.22
20th July
A cooler and cloudy day. An early afternoon visit to Pilning Wetland produced a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 75+ Redshank, 18 Lapwing, a flock of 12 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swans, 30 Canada Geese, 250+ Black-headed Gulls, 4 Stock Doves and a Swift.
19th July
Another hot day with the temperature rising to 33°C by early afternoon then cooling slightly following heavy rain showers. Combined reports from New Passage included an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Sanderling, 65+ Dunlin, 4 Curlew, 70+ Redshank, 18 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 28 Canada Geese, at least 3 Shelduck families and 100+ Black-headed Gulls. Reports from Pilning Wetland involved 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, single Snipe, Green Sandpiper and Ringed Plover, 55+ Dunlin, 18 Lapwings, 140 Redshank, 9 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 28 Canada Geese, 25 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Swifts and a Yellow Wagtail.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 19.7.22
Juvenile Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 19.7.22
Sanderling, New Passage 19.7.22 © Derek Clarke
18th July
A hot day withe temperatures exceeding 34°C by late afternoon. A quick early morning low tide visit to New Passage produced a Whimbrel, 46 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 90+ Redshank, single Common Sandpiper, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 150 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Canada Geese, 88 Shelduck (5 family groups), 30 Linnets, single flyover Tree Pipit and a Grey Wagtail. An even shorter visit to Pilning Wetland produced single Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, 57 Dunlin, 18 Lapwing, 20 Redshank, 5 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 70 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Swifts and a Grey Wagtail. A Great White Egret, 10 Little Egrets, 220 Black-headed Gulls, 200+ Herring Gulls, 2 Shelduck and 3 Swifts were seen at Severn Beach in a hot high tide visit.
Little Egrets, Pilning Wetland 18.7.22
17th July
A hot day with the temperature reaching at least 31°C by mid afternoon. An early morning visit to New Passage produced at least 31 Dunlin, 110 Redshank, 12 Curlew, 17 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, a mixed flock 40 adult and Shelduck ducklings, plus 2 Grey Wagtails. At least 25 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 150 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, 120 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Ravens and a Grey Wagtail were seen at Pilning Wetland. At least 8 Little Egrets were roosting on the high tide at Severn Beach.
16th July
A hot day with lots of sunshine. Another early morning visit to New Passage produced the same adult Mediterranean Gull, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 14 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers, a Dunlin, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 24 Canada Geese, 3 families of Shelducks and a Grey Wagtail. A scan of the 1st sentry box pool at Pilning Wetland produced an Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Redshank, 9 Dunlin, 9 Lapwings, single Little Egret and Grey Heron and 140 roosting Black-headed Gulls. A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 4 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin, 15 Oystercatchers, a Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons and 10 Shelduck.
15th July
A warm and dry day. An early morning visit to New Passage produced another adult Mediterranean Gull, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Dunlin, 11 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 10 adult Shelduck with 5 broods of ducklings of different sizes consisting of groups of 14, 3, 12, 19 and 12, plus a flock of at least 40 Linnets on the salt marsh. Another Spoonbill, an immature the 6th individual of the year, an adult Little Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwings, 60 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, 5 Canada Geese, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 moulting juvenile Redstarts, 2 juvenile Sedge Warblers and 3 Swifts were seen on Pilning Wetland this morning.
Redstart, Pilning Wetland 15.7.22
14th July
It continued to be warm and dry. Combined reports from New Passage on the morning and evening high tides included 2 Knot, 24 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers, 150 Redshank, 100 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 500+ Black-headed Gulls, 16 Canada Geese, 7 adult Shelduck and at least 23 ducklings,and a Kestrel. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Lapwing, 10 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets and 35 Black-headed Gulls. Another 200+ Black-headed Gulls and 10 Shelduck were seen from the Severn Beach shore and a Coal Tit visited a garden bird bath.
13th July
A dry and warm day. Another Mediterranean Gull (1st summer/2nd calendar year), 220 Black-headed Gulls, a Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Curlew, 70 Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 14 Canada Geese, 6 adult Shelduck plus ducklings and a Kestrel were seen from New Passage. Two Turnstones, the first for several weeks were seen at Severn Beach. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, 16 Lapwings, a Grey Heron, 35 Black-headed Gulls. 2 Grey Wagtails and a Kestrel.
12th July
A cooler and cloudy day. Reports from New Passage on the morning and evening tides included a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 240+ Black-headed Gulls, 3 Dunlin, 70 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, 60+ Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 6 adult Shelduck and at least 19 ducklings, a Grey Wagtail and a family of at least 4 Coal Tits (2 adults and 2 recently fledged young). Sightings from Pilning Wetland involved 3 Little Ringed Plovers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Lapwing, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Canada Geese, 45 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes and 30 Black-headed Gulls.
Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 12.7.22
11th July
The hot weather continues, reaching at least 28°C this afternoon. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced a hunting female Marsh Harrier (1st July record), 10 Little Ringed Plovers, 10+ Dunlin, 6 Redshank, 15 Lapwings, single Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Canada Geese, 25 Black-headed Gulls, a Redstart, 2 Swifts, 100 Swallows, 120 Sand Martins and a Sparrowhawk. A drake Common Scoter, 4 Ringed Plover, 24 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, 4 adult Shelduck plus ducklings, 40 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Grey Herons were seen late afternoon from New Passage. A Little Egret and 60 Black-headed Gulls were seen at Severn Beach.
10th July
Yet another hot (27°C ) dry day. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included a Great White Egret flying over, 12 Little Ringed Plover scattered around on three of the pools, 12 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 17 Lapwings, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 30 Black-headed Gulls, 8 Canada Geese, 2 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebes, 30 Pied Wagtails feeding on freshly cut hay, 25 Swallows, 2 Stock Doves, 4 Grey Wagtails (2 juveniles), single Redstart and Siskin.
9th July
A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced a few new arrivals. Sightings included 8+ Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Redshank, single Dunlin and Green Sandpiper, 15 Lapwing, a Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, a Little Grebe, 25 Black-headed Gulls, 140 Swallows and 6 Sand Martins in and around the reed bed and a Yellow Wagtail. A Little Egret was seen at Severn Beach.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 9.7.22
8th July
Another hot (25°C) and sunny day. Combined reports from the rapidly drying out Pilning Wetland this morning included a Great White Egret, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, 4+ Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 12 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Teal, a Sand Martin, 4 Swifts and a Redstart. A Water Rail was reported from Aust Warth reed bed.
7th July
A warm and sunny day. A mid morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 10 Little Ringed Plovers (4 adults, 4 full sized juveniles and 2 well grown chicks), a Green Sandpiper, 11 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 22 Lapwings, 80 Black-headed Gulls, single Grey Wagtail and juvenile Redstart. Just 6 Canada Geese, 4 adult Shelduck plus a large group of ducklings, 6 Oystercatchers and 45 Black-headed Gulls were seen from New Passage.
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 4.7.22
6th July
A quieter day with 14 Little Ringed Plovers (9 adults, 2 full sized juveniles, 2 well grown and one small chicks), 2 Green Sandpipers, 5 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, single Little Egret, Grey Heron, Teal and 90 Black-headed Gulls being seen on Pilning Wetland. Nearby, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 80 Black-headed Gulls, 10 Oystercatchers at least 24 adult Shelduck with some ducklings were seen from New Passage.
5th July
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 13 Little Ringed Plovers (5 adults, 5 juveniles, 2 well grown and one newly hatched chicks), 61 Redshank, 7 Dunlin, 20 Lapwings, single Grey Heron and Teal. A visit to New Passage produced 8 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 6 Canada Geese, 15 adult Shelduck and broods of 16, 12 and 3 ducklings, 140 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Grey Wagtails single Kestrel and Lesser Whitethroat. A Peregrine flew over Severn Beach.
Shelduck and ducklings, New Passage 5.7.22
4th July
A sunny dry day. An early morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced an almost full breeding plumage male Ruff, 8 Little Ringed Plovers (3 adults, 5 juveniles plus one occupied nest), 6 Dunlin, 57 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 90 Black-headed Gulls and 4 Teal. A brief visit to New Passage produced an adult summer plumage Mediterranean Gull, 110 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Oystercatchers, 6 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 14 adult Shelduck with 3 ducklings. Click HERE for a short Youtube video of the Ruff.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 4.7.22
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 4.7.22
3rd July
Sightings at Pilning Wetland included 2 Mediterranean Gulls (2nd & 3rd calendar year birds), the Spoonbill for 20 minutes, 5 Little Ringed Plovers (3 adults, full sized juvenile & a chick), 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 14 Lapwing and 120 Black-headed Gulls.
Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 2.7.22
2nd July
A day of some sunny spells with some heavy rain showers. A brief and wet morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced the adult Spoonbill, 6 Little Ringed Plovers (4 adults, a full sized juvenile and a chick), 3 Dunlin, 57 Redshank, 12 Lapwing, a 3rd calendar year Mediterranean Gull, 200 Black-headed Gulls, at least 30 Mallard, single Teal, Shelduck and Sand Martin and Red Kite was reported here mid afternoon.
Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 1.7.22
1st July
A good start to the month with an adult Spoonbill appearing on Pilning Wetland this morning (the first July record for here and the 5th individual this year) where other sightings included 2 Avocets, 8 Little Ringed Plovers (4 adults, 3 full sized juveniles and a well grown chick plus one occupied nest still), single Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 31 Redshank and 22 Lapwings, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 second calendar year Mediterranean Gulls, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 70+ Mallard, 3 Teal, single Shoveler and Tufted Duck, 2 Sand Martins, 10 Swifts and a Grey Wagtail.
