September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 199 species seen at least once in this month, is the third highest in the year. It is the time when most of the summer visitors will depart and a good selection of early winter visitors will arrive towards the end of the month. Any West or South West gales will produce the usual seabirds but the more exotic have occurred; Sooty Shearwater (1974), Balearic Shearwater (1988), Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull. Other rarities that have appeared in September include; Red-crested Pochard (2 in 1996), White Storks (2010), Glossy Ibis (2010, 2021), Cattle Egret (2012, 2020), Great White Egret (2013,2016,2019,2020), Crane (2014), Honey Buzzard (1996), Dotterel (1974), Kentish Plover (2006), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1989, 2003), Terek Sandpiper (1986), Semipalmated Sandpiper (2009), Red-rumped Swallow (1977), Wryneck (2003, 2010, 2015), Rose-coloured Starling (2004,2018), Ortolan Bunting (2018) and Yellow-browed Warbler (2017). Local rarities have included pale-bellied Brent Geese, Osprey, Spoonbill (2008,2011,2020), Nightjar (2006, 2013), Hawfinch (1998), Willow Tit (1992), Nightingale (1999), Lapland Bunting and Ring Ouzel.
September 2022
30th September
A cool and increasingly blustery and wet day. Combined reports from New Passage included 2 Little Stints, 2 Ruff, 10 Golden Plover, 700 Black-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 30 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 110 Turnstones, 120 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 21 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 3 Ravens, single Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. Another 4 Little Stints, 12+ Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 18 Knot, 400 Black-tailed Godwits, 450 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 45 Lapwings, 10 Redshank, 2 Snipe, a Grey Heron, 15 Wigeon, 110 Teal and 2 hunting Peregrines were seen on Pilning Wetland. An impressive 220 Turnstones, just one Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 7 Wigeon, 4 Shelduck and a Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach. Click HERE for a short Youtube video of some Little Stints and HERE for the wader flock on the wetland being attacked by a Peregrine.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 30.9.22
29th September
Sightings from New Passage on the falling tide included the first Guillemot sighting of the year, 2 juvenile Little Stints, 7 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a record count of 835 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Curlew, 110 Redshank, 100 Oystercatchers, 110 Turnstones, 25 Ringed Plover, 450+ Dunlin, single Greenshank, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 14 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 38 Teal, 3 Ravens, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Two Spotted Flycatchers were seen at Aust Cliff/services.
Ravens, New Passage 29.9.22
Guillemot, New Passage 29.9.22
Curlew Sandpiper, New Passage 29.9.22
28th September
A cool and cloudy day. An early morning high tide visit to Severn Beach produced a juvenile Little Stint, 35 Ringed Plover, 85 Dunlin, 170 Turnstones and 50 Shelduck. A good selection and number of birds were seen again on Pilning Wetland including another juvenile Little Stint, at least 6 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 600+ Black-tailed Godwits, 500+ Dunlin, 40 Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Knot, a Golden Plover, 45+ Lapwings, 6 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 12 Canada Geese, 2 Pintail, 170 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 70 Linnets, 6 Blackcaps, 4 Chiffchaff, 12 Swallows, single Kingfisher, Yellowhammer and Cetti’s Warbler. Reports from Aust Cliff/services included 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Redwings, single Raven, Tree Pipit, Little Egret, Coal Tit, Grey Wagtail and Peregrine.
Little Stint, Severn Beach 28.9.22
Little Stint, Severn Beach 28.9.22
Wader flock, Pilning Wetland 28.9.22
27th September
A cool and breezy day with a moderate strength West wind. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included a Greenshank, 4 Ruff, 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Redshank, 45+ Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 4 Little Egrets, 160 Canada Geese, 190 Teal and 18 Wigeon. Nearby, a Curlew Sandpiper and 2 Knot were seen at New Passage. At least 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 160 Turnstones, 90 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret and 2 Common Gulls were seen on the morning high tide at Severn Beach.
26th September
A breezy day with a North West breeze. Early morning reports from Severn Beach included a Manx Shearwater, 2 Great White Egrets, a juvenile Little Stint, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, a Sanderling, 120 Turnstones, 250 Dunlin, 60 Ringed Plover, 50 Curlew, a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull and 120 Shelduck. Another 4 juvenile Little Stints, 4+ Curlew Sandpipers, a Ruff, 425 Black-tailed Godwits, 240 Redshank, 60 Dunlin, 53 Lapwings, 2 Knot, 2 Snipe, 18 Little Egrets (equal record count), 2 Grey Herons, 260 Canada Geese, 240 Teal, 50 Wigeon, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Raven, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Peregrine were seen at Pilning Wetland. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to travel 90 minutes to Oxfordshire late afternoon to see my first Common Nighthawk in Britain. A very rare vagrant from North America seen roosting on a garden fence and then in flight at dusk.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 26.9.22
2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, Severn Beach 26.9.22
Little Stints, Pilning Wetland 26.9.22
Common Nighthawk, Wantage, Oxfordshire 26.9.22
25th September
A fine settled, sunny autumn day. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/ New Passage included a calling Yellow-browed Warbler (8th Severnside bird), the first juvenile Little Stint of the autumn, 10 Curlew Sandpipers, a Golden Plover, 2 Ruff, 400+ Black-tailed Godwits, 210 Redshank, 35 Lapwings, 3 Knot, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 300 Dunlin, a fly over Great White Egret, 6 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 110 Canada Geese, 450 Teal, 8 Pintail, 20 Gadwall, 40 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Cetti’s Warbler, Raven, Merlin and Sparrowhawk. Combined reports from Severn Beach on the morning and evening high tides included single Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, 49 Ringed Plover, 116 Dunlin, 110 Turnstones, 5 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets and a Sparrowhawk.
24th September
Early morning high tide reports from Severn Beach included 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 47 Ringed Plover, 88 Dunlin, 98 Turnstones, 89 Curlew, a Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 105 Shelduck and 2 Grey Wagtails. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced a fly over Golden Plover, 3 Ruff, 320+ Black-tailed Godwits, 212 Redshank, 35 Lapwings, 4 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Pintail, 26 Wigeon, 15 Gadwall, 80 Mallard, 250+ Teal and at least 150 Linnets. Nearby, 146 Turnstones, 13 Dunlin, 14 Ringed Plover, 121 Curlew, one Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank, 25 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons and 45 Wigeon were seen from New Passage. A visit to the fossil beach at Aust Warth produced 4 Ravens, 20 Canada Geese, single Kestrel and Grey Wagtail.
Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper and Ringed Plover, Severn Beach 24.9.22
23rd September
A bright and sunny day. Highlight from an early morning visit to Aust Cliff/services produced a Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Ravens, 30 flyover Canada Geese and a Siskin. Reports from Pilning Wetland included 4 Ruff, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Redshank, 45 Lapwings, 4 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 200+ Canada Geese, 5 Pintail, 290 Teal, 150 Mallard, 35 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, single Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. An evening high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 65 Ringed Plover, 80 Dunlin, 6 Turnstones, 6 Little Egrets and 3 Wheataears.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 23.9.22
22nd September
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 3 Ruff, 330+ Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 170 Canada Geese, 110 Teal, 18 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, single Pintail, Kestrel, Grey Wagtail and 40+ Linnets. An early evening high tide visit to Severn Beach produced a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 150 Dunlin, 67 Ringed Plover, 20 Turnstones, 100 Curlew, a Great White Egret, 6 Little Egrets, 94 Shelduck and a Kestrel.
21st September
The first Redwing of the autumn, 12 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Stonechat and 4 Grey Wagtails were reported from Aust Cliff/services this morning. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 190 Black-tailed Godwits, 45 Lapwings, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Grebes, 110 Teal, 8 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall and a Raven. Late afternoon high tide visits to Severn Beach and New Passage produced 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 110 Dunlin, 65 Ringed Plover, 35 Turnstones and a Stonechat at the former and another 30 Turnstones, 30 Curlew and a Common Sandpiper at the latter.
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 21.9.22
20th September
A quieter day with a very low (8.6m) high tide meaning most of the small waders, if present, remaining on the distant shoreline. A morning visit to New Passage produced 140 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, just 30 Dunlin, 4 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 3 Pintail, 25 Teal and a Coal Tit. Reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Ruff, 148 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 50 Lapwing, a Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 220 Canada Geese, 18 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, a Shoveler, 150 Teal and 2 Kestrels. At least 24 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Little Egrets and a Sparrowhawk were reported from Severn Beach.
19th September
Early morning reports from Aust Services included single Treecreeper, Tree Pipit, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, Coal Tit, Raven, Sparrowhawk, Little Egret, 2 Grey Wagtails and 15 Chiffchaff. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland involved 3 Ruff, a Greenshank, 90 Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Redshank, 56 Lapwings, a Common Sandpiper, 11 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 200 Canada Geese, 26 Wigeon, 160 Teal, 6 Gadwall, a Pintail and a Yellow Wagtail. Two Knot, 4 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 69 Turnstones, 82 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Redshank, 24 Curlew, a Little Egret, 3 Pintail, 6 Wigeon and 25 Teal were seen from New Passage.
18th September
A day with an autumnal feel, cool with sunny periods. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included a juvenile Little Stint, 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Ruff, a Greenshank, 120+ Black-tailed Godwits, 220 Redshank, 20 Dunlin, a Turnstone, 4 Snipe, 48 Lapwings, 2 Grey Herons, 230+ Canada Geese, 8 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 3 Little Grebes, a Water Rail, and a Sparrowhawk. A morning visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 73 Turnstones, 59 Ringed Plover, 48 Dunlin, 95 Curlew, 12 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Cormorants, 78 Shelduck, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 fly over Redpolls, single Rock Pipit, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Mid afternoon sightings from Aust Warth looking south towards Northwick Warth included an impressive 14 Curlew Sandpipers, a Greenshank, 350 Dunlin and 5 Stonechats.
17th September
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland involved a juvenile Little Stint, 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 3 Knot, 140+ Black-tailed Godwits, 150+ Redshank, 40 Lapwings, 40 Dunlin, a Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 380+ Canada Geese, 180 Teal, 8 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, a Pintail, 320+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Ravens, single Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher,Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit. A Bar-tailed Godwit was seen from New Passage. Just 37 Ringed Plover, 46 Dunlin, 14 Little Egrets and a Raven were reported from Severn Beach. Highlights from the Aust Cliff/services area included a Merlin, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a Coal Tit and 2 Grey Wagtails.
16th September
Early morning sightings from Aust Cliff/services included a fly over Little Stint with at least 40 Ringed Plover and 5 Dunlin, single Little Egret and Redstart, 2+ Spotted Flycatchers, a Coal Tit, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2+ Redpolls, 3 Peregrines together, single Hobby, Kestrel, Raven,and 16 fly over Greylag Geese. A 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, a Whinchat and a small mixed flock of Dunlin, Ringed Plovers and Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach just before high tide. At least one juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 4 Knot, a Greenshank, 35+ Dunlin, 200+ Redshank, 140 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, 200+ Canada Geese, 200+ Teal, 6 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall and a Redstart were seen on Pilning Wetland.
15th September
A cooler day with North breeze with some sunny spells. A good selection and number of birds were seen on the now wet wader pool at Pilning Wetland at high tide, including at least 10 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 9 Knot, 165+ Black-tailed Godwits, 240 Redshank, 45 Lapwings, 35 Dunlin, a Snipe, 2 Grey Herons, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, 5 Little Grebes, 255 Canada Geese, 230 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 110 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, single Sand Martin, Grey Wagtail and Wheatear. A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced just 20 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 125 Curlew (flying up river) and a Wheatear. A brief afternoon, low tide visit to New Passage produced the Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank flocks (seen earlier on the near by wetland) plus 20 Ringed Plover and a Little Egret. Combined reports from Aust Cliff/services included a fly over Mediterranean Gull, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Treecreeper, a small number of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, 4 Buzzards and 2 Kestrels.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 15.9.22
Knot and Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 15.9.22
14th September
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 95 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot, 260 Redshank, 45 Lapwings, 6 Dunlin, a Grey Heron, 320 Canada Geese, 240 Teal, 2 Pintail, 6 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, a Shoveler, 2 Little Grebes, a Kestrel and a Wheatear. Two juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a mixed flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Wheatears and a Grey Wagtail were reported at Severn Beach. Reports from Aust Cliff/services included single Treecreeper, Redstart, Coal Tit, Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Raven and Grey Wagtail, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Sparrowhawks and 2 Kestrels.
Pintail and Teal, Pilning Wetland 14.9.22
13th September
A cloudy and eventually wet day. The first Treecreeper of the year, 11 Ravens, single Hobby, Peregrine, Little Egret and Coal Tit were reported from Aust Cliff/services this morning. Sightings at Pilning Wetland included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 5 Knot, 95 Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Redshank, 50 Lapwings, 60 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 230 Canada Geese, 140 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 3 Ravens, 6 Stock Doves, single Wheatear and Kestrel. Another 80 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, 6 Little Egrets and 5 Wheatears were seen at Severn Beach. A wet afternoon visit to New Passage produced 90 Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Redshank, 120 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 50 Turnstones, a Common Sandpiper, 200+ Canada Geese, a few Teal and Wigeon.
12th September
A cloudy, warm and humid day. At least 7 Curlew Sandpipers (adult & 6 juveniles), a mixed flock of 300 Ringed Plover/Dunlin, a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, single Sparrowhawk, Swift and Wheatear were reported from Severn Beach today. Four juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 7 Knot, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff, 200 Curlew, 67 Oystercatchers, 80 Turnstones, 5 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 13 Canada Geese, 29 Wigeon, 12 Teal, a Tufted Duck, single Grey Wagtail and Wheatear were seen from New Passage. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 7 Knot, 70 Black-tailed Godwits, 44 Lapwings, 75 Redshank, 17 Dunlin and a Snipe, 3 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, an impressive 246 Canada Geese, 26 Wigeon, 145 Teal, 140 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall and a Grey Wagtail. At least 7 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Ravens, 2 Sparrowhawks, single Lesser Whitethroat, Coal Tit, Grey Wagtail, Kestrel and Ringed Plover (flying North over the Petrol station) were reported at Aust Cliff/services this morning.
11th September
A good selection of migrants were seen today on the morning and evening high tides. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved 3 Curlew Sandpipers (adult & 2 juveniles), 200 Dunlin, 95 Ringed Plover, 10 Turnstones, a Great White Egret, 12 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 17 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 2 Teal, a Sparrowhawk and a Grey Wagtail. A brief high tide visit to Pilning Wetland produced single juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, Ruff, Knot and Common Sandpiper, 70 Black-tailed Godwits, 190 Redshank, 38 Lapwings, 250 Black-headed Gulls, 106 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, single Pintail and Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, a Sparrowhawk and a Grey Wagtail. Nearby at New Passage reports included 2 Avocets, 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff, 6 Knot, 200 Oystercatchers, 40 Redshank, 100+ Turnstones, 205 Curlew, 6 Ringed Plover, 29 Dunlin, a Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, 24 Greylag Geese, 11 Wigeon, 112 Teal, single Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Whinchat, Grey Wagtail, and 2 Wheatears. Three Spotted Flycatchers and a Tree Pipit were seen at Aust Cliff/services.
Great White Egret, Severn Beach 11.9.22
10th September
Another early morning high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, single Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper, 95 Ringed Plover, 230 Dunlin (one ringed with Yellow ring with black 1JJ on right leg and an orange ring on left leg that was caught as a juvenile at Yynslas NNR near Aberystwyth on 29.8.22), 40 Curlew and 95 Turnstones. A Greenshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Knot, 70 Turnstones, 97 Oystercatchers, 155 Curlew, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Ringed Plover and 5 Wheatears were seen from New Passage. A brief scan of the 1st sentry box pool on Pilning Wetland produced 60+ Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Redshank, 45 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Snipe and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 92 Canada Geese, 160 Mallard, 150 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon, single Pintail, Shoveler, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail. Combined reports from Aust Cliff/services included 2 Redstarts, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Tree Pipits,15+ Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers, 20+ Chiffchaff, 2 Jays, 2 Coal Tits, 10 Ravens, 2 Kestrels, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Sparrowhawk.
Knot, Severn Beach 10.9.22
9th September
An early morning high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 100+ Turnstones, 200 Ringed Plover, 190 Dunlin, 90 Curlew, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 16 Shelduck and a Kestrel. A Ruff, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 36 Lapwings, 3 Common Sandpipers, 4 Snipe, 4 Grey Herons, 19 Canada Geese, 150 Teal, 180 Mallard, 7 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, a Pintail, 50 Linnets and a Grey Wagtail were seen at Pilning Wetland. Reports from New Passage included a Golden Plover, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 94 Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers and a Kestrel.
8th September
Another day of sunshine and thundery showers. Three Curlew Sandpipers (yesterday’s adult with 2 juveniles), a mixed flock of 400+ Ringed Plover/Dunlin, 90 Curlew, 4 Canada Geese, 12 Curlew and a Kestrel were seen from Severn Beach this morning. At least 30 Black-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 10 Redshank, 11 Lapwings, 3 Snipe, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Grey Heron, 42 Canada Geese, 85 Teal, 9 Wigeon and 8 Gadwall were seen early afternoon at Pilning Wetland. A late Swift was seen at New Passage.
Adult Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 8.9.22
7th September
A breezy day with sunshine and thundery showers. Highlights from a late morning visit to Pilning Wetland included single Ruff and Greenshank, 5 Common Sandpipers, 46 Black-tailed Godwits, 15 Redshank, 14 Lapwing, a Snipe, 2 Grey Herons, 43 Canada Geese, 4 Gadwall, a Wigeon, 70 Mallard, 70 Teal and a Grey Wagtail. Combined reports from New Passage involved 81 Turnstones, 6 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 4 Curlew, 55 Redshank, single Common Sandpiper and Grey Heron, 40 Teal and a Wheatear. A moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Knot, a juvenile Sanderling, 90+ Turnstones, 200+ Ringed Plover, 170+ Dunlin, 2 Ravens and a Grey Wagtail were seen at Severn Beach.
Adult Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 7.9.22
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 7.9.22
6th September
Reports were received from much of the coastal strip today from the North and Southern limits and sites in between. From the very North of the patch at Aust Cliff/services the highlights were a Tree Sparrow (flew from hedge on edge of stubble field), another 4 Redstarts, single Coal Tit, Whitethroat, Swift and Raven, 45 Linnets (in stubble), 2 Little Egrets, 9 flyover Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Kestrels. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved 80 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, 120 Redshank, 32 Lapwings, 60 Turnstones, 6 Common Sandpipers, just 4 Curlew, single Dunlin, Snipe and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 26 Canada Geese, 79 Teal, 5 Gadwall, 150 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Wheatears, a flock of 90 Linnets, 16 Sand Martins, single Cetti’s Warbler and Grey Wagtail. At least 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, another 130 Turnstones, 170 Ringed Plover, 130 Dunlin, 2 Grey Herons, 10 Curlew, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Kestrel were reported at Severn Beach. At the very South of the patch, another 2 Curlew Sandpipers (adult breeding plumage & juvenile at Mitchell’s salt rhine), 12 Little Egrets, 90 Curlew, 10 Shelduck and 250 Black-headed Gulls were seen at Chittening Warth.
5th September
A morning walk around the sheep field footpath at Pilning Wetland produced a Cattle Egret flying low South (only the 13th Severnside record since the first in 2012). Other sightings from here included 2 Greenshank, 58 Black-tailed Godwits, 34 Redshank, 31 Lapwings, a Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 70 Canada Geese, 25 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 9+ Yellow Wagtails, single Whinchat, Grey Wagtail and Kestrel. At least 100 Canada Geese, 18 Teal, 5 Common Sandpipers, 4 Curlew and a Little Egret were seen from New Passage on the afternoon high tide. A scan of the shore from Severn Beach produced 180 Ringed Plover, 170 Dunlin, 12 Oystercatchers, 120 Curlew, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 10 Shelduck, a Wheatear and a Kestrel.
Whinchat, Pilning Wetland 5.9.22
4th September
A cloudy day with a moderate strength Southerly wind. Combined reports from Aust Cliff/services involved single Redstart, Swift, Coal Tit, Willow Warbler and Grey Wagtail, 9 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Kestrels. The Curlew Sandpiper, 200 Ringed Plover, 300 Dunlin, 60 Turnstones and a Little Egret were seen at Severn Beach. At least 95 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Redshank, 24 Lapwings, 4 Snipe, single Dunlin, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 125 Canada Geese, 140 Mallard, 70 Teal, 8 Wigeon, a Shoveler, 550 Black-headed Gulls, single Yellow Wagtail, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen this afternoon on Pilning Wetland.
3rd September
A day with a South East breeze and only a few sunny spells. Once again Aust Cliff/services produced some interesting reports with the 3rd Pied Flycatcher of the autumn, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Redstarts, 3+ Willow Warblers, 30+ Chiffchaffs, 2 Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Sand Martins, many Swallows, 5 Grey Wagtails, 30 Pied Wagtails, a Raven, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 12 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, single Greenshank and Turnstone. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper remained at Severn Beach where other sightings included 177 Ringed Plovers, 240 Dunlin, 71 Turnstones, 40 Curlew, 12 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 9 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, single Peregrine and Grey Wagtail. It remained quiet at Pining Wetland with just 18 Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 24 Lapwings, a Grey Heron, 60 Canada Geese and 20 Teal were seen on the only remaining partially wet wader pool. Another 91 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, 60 Redshank, 25 Curlew, 10 Canada Geese, 25 Teal and 2 Wheatears were reported from New Passage on the falling afternoon tide.
Spotted Flycatcher, Aust Cliff/services 2.9.22
Firecrest, Aust Cliff/services 2.9.22 © Aravind Ramesh
Redstart, Aust Cliff/services 2.9.22 © Aravind Ramesh
2nd September
Another good day for migrants because of the North East breeze. Early morning reports from Aust Cliff/services included a Firecrest (ringed and 1st September record for Severnside), 5 Redstarts (3 ringed), a Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Willow Warblers (ringed), 10 Chiffchaff, 7 Tree Pipits, 2 Coal Tits, 9 Grey Wagtails, single Reed Warbler (ringed), Wheatear, 2 Ravens and 2 Kestrels. A late morning search of the Severn Beach shore produced 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 150 Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, 40 Turnstones, 70 Curlew, a Snipe, 11 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons and a Redstart. Another juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was reported at New Passage. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 3 Grey Herons, 120 Canada Geese, 15 Teal and 2 Yellow Wagtails.
Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 1.9.22
Tree Sparrow, Aust Cliff/services 1.9.22 © Matthew Hall
1st September
Another mainly overcast day with a North East breeze. An early morning visit to Aust Cliff/services produced some good migrants including a Tree Sparrow (ringed), 2 male Redstarts (ringed), a Garden Warbler, 2 Coal Tits, 5 Willow Warblers, a Whinchat, 4 Wheatears, 4 Tree Pipits and flyover waders including 2 Ringed Plover,single Dunlin and Curlew. The juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 150 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 40 Turnstones, a Redshank, 8 Little Egrets, 2 Wheatears and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach. Another brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced just 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Snipe, single Little Egret and Heron, 30 Canada Geese, 20 Teal, single Wigeon and Wheatear. Another 75 Black-tailed Godwits, 180 Redshank, 94 Curlew, 25 Oystercatchers, 40 Turnstones, 28 Canada Geese, 2 Wigeon and 10 Teal were seen from New Passage. A hunting Hobby was reported over Chittening Warth.
