2025 Sightings

2025 SIGHTINGS

June is usually one of the quietest months on Severnside with a total of only 167 species seen. It is the month to do those jobs at home unless any strong West or South West winds occur. This weather can produce a good selection of seabirds including Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Fulmar and Storm Petrel. June now produces regular Great White Egret and Spoonbill and has had some rarities including Cattle Egrets (2024,2025), White Stork (2024), 2 Black-winged Stilts (2021), Temminck’s Stint (2024), Rose-coloured Starling (2012), Woodlark (2018), Franklin’s Gull (1988), Alpine Swift (1999) and Nightjar (2023).

Click on the calendar pictures below for previous month’s sightings..........

23rd June
Another mixture of cloud and sunshine in a cooling West wind. At least 10 Little Ringed Plover (including 3 almost full grown juveniles), 19 Lapwing, a Redshank, 30+ Oystercatchers, 7 Curlew, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, a Canada Goose, 90+ Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, single drake Teal, 120+ Black-headed Gulls, Kestrel and Hobby, 3 Ravens, 3 Swifts, single cock Pheasant, Yellow Wagtail and Grey Wagtail were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Another 9 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 12 Shelduck and 3 Gadwall were reported from the Severn Beach shore

22nd June
A cooler 20°C day with a gusty South West wind. Reports from Pilning Wetland involved 5+ Little Ringed Plover, 22 Lapwing, 8 Redshank, single Cattle Egret and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 7 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, a drake Teal, 120+ Black-headed Gulls and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. At least 12 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret and 17 Shelduck were seen from the Severn Beach shore.

21st June
The hottest day of the year so far (31°C) and humid with a South East breeze. Sightings from Pilning Wetland included 7+ Little Ringed Plovers, 18 Lapwing, 14 Redshank, single Cattle Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 90+ Black-headed Gulls (one juvenile), single juvenile Yellow Wagtail and Sand Martin, 2 Swifts and a Kestrel. A Hobby was reported at Aust Warth.

Cattle Egret, Pilning Wetland 21.6.25

20th June
Another scorching 30°C day with a light South East wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Redshank, 22 Lapwings, 4 Oystercatchers, single Cattle Egret and Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, a Canada Goose, 2 Mute Swans, 75 Shelduck, 15 Gadwall, 102 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 90+ Black-headed Gulls, 15 Sand Martins, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Marsh Harrier, Yellow Wagtail and Swift. At least 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 2 Shelduck and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach. A Pheasant, 11 Swift and 2 Grey Wagtails were reported from the Aust Cliff/services area.

Cattle Egret, Northwick Warth 20.6.25 © Matthew Hall

19th June
The hottest day of the year so far (30°C). Two Avocets, 3+ Little Ringed Plovers, 14 Oystercatchers, 36 Lapwings, a Ringed Plover, 9 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, a Canada Goose, 31 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, a Teal, 40+ Black-headed Gulls, single Sparrowhawk, Grey Wagtail and Sand Martin were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 18 Shelduck, single adult Great Black-backed Gull, Marsh Harrier (flew North East), Kestrel and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers.

18th June
A hot (25°C) and sunny day with a West breeze. Reports from Pining Wetland included at least 8 Little Ringed Plovers including a 2nd family with 3 half size chicks, 3 Redshank, 30+ Lapwings, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall including the 1st duckling of the year, a Teal, 12 Black-headed Gulls and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. Two Little Egrets, 7 Shelduck, single Kestrel, 2nd calendar year male Marsh Harrier and singing Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

17th June
The weather remained the same. A Black-tailed Godwit, 5+ Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 27 Lapwing, a Shelduck and 4 Gadwall were seen at Pilning Wetland today. The only sightings of note from the Severn Beach shore involved 2 Curlew, 22 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 26 Shelduck, 7 Black-headed Gulls, single Marsh Harrier and Kestrel.

16th June
Another dry, warm (22°C) and sunny day with a West breeze. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 5+ Little Ringed Plovers, 24 Lapwings, 7 Redshank, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Mute Swan, 7 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, single drake Teal, Cetti’s Warbler and Kestrel. At least 2 Curlew, 2 Shelduck and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers were reported from Severn Beach.

15th June
A sunny day with a warm West wind. Combined visits to Pilning Wetland produced a Black-tailed Godwit, at least 7 Little Ringed Plovers including 2+ now flying juveniles, 3 Redshank, 35+ Lapwings, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, 14 Black-headed Gull and a Cetti’s Warbler. Reports from the Severn Beach shore involved a few Curlew and Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 3 Shelduck and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. With it being relatively quiet at the moment a fine male Desert Wheatear just 20 miles away in Keynsham was a welcome distraction and a nice reminder of the individual I found at Severn Beach in December 2013.

Desert Wheatear, Keynsham 15.6.25

14th June
A warm and sunny day with a gusty South West wind. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 6+ Little Ringed Plover, 24 Lapwings, single Great White Egret, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 6 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, single Cetti’s Warbler, Kestrel and Grey Wagtail. At least 19 Curlew, 28 Oystercatchers, 4 Shelduck, 90 Black-headed Gulls, 2 singing Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 14.6.25

13th June
Hot and sunny with a Southerly wind for most of the day. Combined Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a breeding plumage Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Little Ringed Plover (10 adults and 3 near full size surviving juveniles from the first brood), 4 Redshank, 30+ Lapwings, an Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 28 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, at least 4 adult Little Grebes in 3 territories, 3 Black-headed Gulls, single Kestrel and singing Cetti’s Warbler. At least 15 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, just 6 Shelduck, a surprise influx of 80+ Black-headed Gulls and 4 singing Cetti’s Warblers were reported from the Severn Beach shore and breeding success of Stonechat was noted nearby at the Western Approaches Business Park.

12th June
A wet morning but warm all day with the wind veering from North East to South West. Reports from the Severn Beach included included 17 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 8 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, single Great Black-backed Gull, Little Grebe, Swift and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers. A wet and blustery visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced at least 2 Little Ringed Plover, 16+ Lapwings, single Oystercatcher and Redshank, 3 Great White Egrets flying North East, single Little Egret and Canada Goose, 3 Shelduck, 7 Gadwall, 6 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Stock Doves and a Coal Tit.

Great White Egrets, Pilning Wetland 12.6.25

11th June
A warm (25°C) and sunny in a South East breeze. At least 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Avocets, 15+ Lapwings, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Marsh Harrier were reported from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. A Curlew, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons and 4 Shelduck were seen at Severn Beach.

10th June
Another breezy, sometimes sunny, dry day with a gusty West/South West wind. The first Pomarine Skua for 4 years was seen off Severn Beach this morning (pale morph at 7.35 for 5 minutes before it departed high South west). Other reports from Severn Beach involved Shelduck, 22 Black-headed Gulls, single Marsh Harrier and singing Cetti’s Warbler. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 6+ Little Ringed Plover (at least one juvenile), 2 Redshank, 26+ Lapwings, 12 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, a Canada Goose, 28 Shelduck, 8 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, single Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Cetti’s Warbler and Coal Tit (first of the year!).

9th June
The weather remained the same as yesterday. At least 11 Little Ringed Plovers (8 adults and 3 well grown chicks), 3 Dunlin (including a colour-ringed individual), 26+ Lapwings, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, 8 Gadwall, single Tufted Duck and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Pilning Wetland. Reports from the Severn Beach sea wall included 3 Curlew, 14 Oystercatchers, 7 Little Egrets, 4 Shelduck, a Pheasant, 9 Coot, 5 Little Grebes, single adult Great Black-backed Gull, singing Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Kestrels.

8th June
Another day of sunshine and cloud with the persistent West/South West wind. A visit to Pilning Wetland produced 2 Avocets, at least 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 19 Lapwings, a Little Egret, 3 Shelduck, 8 Gadwall and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. Combined reports from the Severn Beach shore/sea wall included Oystercatchers, 6 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 11 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck, 5 Little Grebes (3 chicks), 9 Coot (7 chicks) and 2+ singing Cetti’s Warblers.

7th June
A day with some heavy rain showers between some sunny spells. A Spoonbill, 2 Avocets, 6+ Little Ringed Plover (at least 2 well grown chicks), a pair of Redshank, 24+ Lapwings, 31 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 12 Canada Geese, 30+ Shelduck, 11+ Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, single Teal, Swift, Raven and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Pilning Wetland/New Passage. Another 5 Little Egrets, 6 Oystercatchers, 14 Shelduck, 80+ Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers and a Kestrel were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 7.6.25

Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 7.6.25

6th June
Over night rain followed by cloud and sunshine in a gusty South West wind. A Black Tern was reported from Aust Warth this morning. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3+ Little Ringed Plover, 12+ Lapwings, 18 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret, Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 10 Shelduck, 11 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, single Great Black-backed Gull and Cetti’s Warbler. At least 6 Little Egret, 20 Shelduck, single Kestrel and singing Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

5th June
A morning of heavy rain. Some bright spells in the afternoon with a West/South West wind. Reports from the blustery Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Avocets, 3+ Little Ringed Plover (1+ chick), 16+ Lapwing, 5 Oystercatchers, a Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 17 Canada Geese, 31 Shelduck, 14 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, Skylarks busy feeding young and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. Another quiet day at Severn Beach with 13 Oystercatchers, 3 Shelduck and a Kestrel reported. A Great White Egret, 3 Stonechats and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth.

Skylark, Pilning Wetland 5.6.25

4th June
A mainly cloudy day with a gusty West wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Avocets on the estuary shore, 5+ adult Little Ringed Plovers, 13+ Lapwing, 21 Oystercatcher, a Grey Heron, 8 Canada Geese, 31 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall and 3 Swifts. Two Little Egrets, 5 Shelduck, 9 Coot (7 chicks), a Little Grebe and 4 singing Cetti’s Warblers were reported from the Severn Beach sea wall.

3rd June
The first significant rain for a month, heavy showers until mid morning then a mixture of sunshine and cloud with a gusty West wind. At least 20 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 5+ Little Ringed Plovers, 15 Lapwing, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 16 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 5 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Duck were seen at Pilning Wetland. Reports from Severn Beach included 8 Sanderling, 4 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 4 Little Egrets, 10+ Shelduck, a Little Grebe, 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers and a Kestrel.

2nd June
A sunny, warm day with a West/South West breeze. At least 6 Little Ringed Plover (2+ chicks), 2 Avocets, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 23 Lapwings, 20+ Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 23 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 16+ Shelduck, 20+ Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Pilning Wetland/New Passage. Two Oystercatchers, 7 Little Egrets, 8 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, single Little Grebe and Kestrel, 2 Cetti’s Warblers were reported from Severn Beach. A Red Kite was seen circling over the A403 coast road in the Northwick Warth area.

Dark morph Arctic Skuas, Severn Beach 1.6.25

Arctic Skua, Severn Beach 1.6.25

1st June
A windy day with a mixture of sunshine and cloud. Combined reports from the Severn Beach shore included 2 lingering Dark morph Arctic Skuas, 7 Dunlin, a few Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 8 Shelduck, single Great Black-backed Gull, Little Grebe (on flood beneath the railway), Red Kite, Kestrel and 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers. It was quiet and the windswept Pilning Wetland with 4+ Little Ringed Plover, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 13+ Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 9 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 20+ Gadwall and a Tufted Duck worth a mention. A Stonechat family were seen on Aust Warth.