2025 Sightings

2025 SIGHTINGS

September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 205 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 (1974,2025), 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 (2012,2020,2023), Crane (2014,2023), Honey Buzzard (1996), White-tailed Eagle (2024), Dotterel (1974), Kentish Plover (2006), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998,2006,2008,2014,2016,2019,2020), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1989,2003), Terek Sandpiper (1986), Semipalmated Sandpiper (2009), Lesser Yellowlegs (1984,2024), Red-rumped Swallow (1977), Wryneck (2003,2010,2015), Rose-coloured Starling (2004,2018), Ortolan Bunting (2018) and Yellow-browed Warbler (2017,2022). Local rarities have included pale-bellied Brent Geese, Osprey, Spoonbill (2008,2011,2020), Great White Egrets, Nightjar (2006,2013), Hawfinch, Willow Tit (1992), Nightingale (1999), Lapland Bunting and Ring Ouzel.

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

16th September
A mainly sunny day with a moderate strength West wind. Combined reports from the Severn Beach shore included the Grey Phalarope and juvenile Sabine’s Gull, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Greenshank, 30 Curlew, a few Ringed Plover and Dunlin, 7 Little Egrets, single Grey Heron and Mute Swan, 53 Shelduck, single Common Tern, Mediterranean Gull, Cetti’s Warbler, Rock Pipit and 2 Wheatears. The Grey Phalarope and Sabine’s Gull were also seen at New Passage where other reports from there and Pilning Wetland involved 15 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Greenshank, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, a Sanderling, 5 Turnstone, 100 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 50 Lapwing, 90 Redshank, 8 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 250+ Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, 340 Teal, a Pintail, 2 Shoveler, 4 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 2 Kestrel, 7 Raven, single Kingfisher, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Rock Pipit and Siskin. Four Oystercatcher, 7 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, single Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby and Peregrine, 2 Raven, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wheatears, 2 Tree Pipits and 4 Siskin were reported from Aust Cliff/services this morning.

Sabine’s Gull and Grey Phalarope, Severn Beach 16.9.25 © Matthew Hall

15th September
A day of sunshine and rain in a strong South West/West wind. One of the better “seabird days” at Severn Beach with the second Sooty Shearwater sighting but the first for 51 years, a juvenile Sabine’s Gull, 3 Grey Phalarope, 3 Leach’s Petrel, 4 Storm Petrel, single Razorbill, Arctic Skua, Black Tern and Arctic Tern, 3 Common Tern, 4 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adults & 2 2nd summer), 10+ Manx Shearwaters, 11 Kittiwakes, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 15 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 2 Curlew, single Sanderling and Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 3 Teal, single Hobby, Peregrine, Rock Pipit and Wheatear. At least 13 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, a Sanderling, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Sandpiper, 80 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstones, 59 Lapwing, 70 Redshank, 25 Curlew, 2 Mute Swan, 320 Canada Geese, 10 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 250+ Teal and a Wheatear were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Click On the flight pictures below of the Sooty Shearwater and Sabine’s Gull for some short Youtube videos.

Curlew Sandpipers and Sanderling, New Passage 15.9.25

Sooty Shearwater, Severn Beach 15.9.25 © Aravind Ramesh

Sabine’s Gull, Severn Beach 15.9.25

Sabine’s Gull, Severn Beach 15.9.25

Grey Phalarope, Severn Beach 15.9.25

14th September
A cloudy day with plenty of rain from early afternoon. A Common Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin, 48 Ringed Plover, 5 Oystercatcher, 7 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 24 Cormorants, 60 Canada Geese, 6 Shelduck, a Wigeon, 5 Teal, single Pheasant, Kestrel and Peregrine, 2 Jay, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Sand Martin, 19 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Stonechat, 3 Grey Wagtails, single Tree Pipit, Redpoll and 12 Siskins were reported from the Aust Cliff/services area. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 10+ Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Ringed Plover, 290 Dunlin, a few Turnstones, 60 Lapwing, 90+ Redshank, 30 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 250+ Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 10 Shelduck, 350+ Teal, 10 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, single Kestrel, Reed Warbler, 4 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 2 Whinchat, single Cetti’s Warbler, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail and Sand Martin. A Redshank, 4 Curlew, 3 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 44 Shelduck, 2 Cetti;s Warblers, single Whinchat and Wheatear were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

Ruff, Pilning Wetland 14.9.25

13th September
Another day of sunny intervals with some torrential rain showers. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 24 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stint, 2 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, single Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Turnstone, 150 Dunlin, 90 Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, 5 Curlew, 60 Lapwing, 100 Redshank, 120 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Heron, a Greylag Goose, 400 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swan, 10 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 370 Teal, 20 Sand Martins, 2 Raven, 2 Kestrel, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 5 Wheatears, single Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail and Rock Pipit. A Grey Phalarope (flying down river), 2 Black Terns, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 54 Ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatcher, 57 Curlew, a Turnstone, 8 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese, 35 Shelduck, single female Goosander/Red-breasted Merganser, adult Mediterranean Gull, Kestrel, Raven, Sand Martin and Redstart were seen from the Severn Beach shore. A Siskin was seen at Aust Cliff/services.

12th September
A day of sunny spells interspersed with torrential rain showers with bursts of strong wind. Sightings from the Severn Beach shore included a juvenile Sabine’s Gull, at least 8 Manx Shearwaters, single juvenile Black Tern, “Commic” Tern, adult Mediterranean Gull and Spoonbill (flying North East), 8 Ringed Plover, 40+ Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Heron, 31 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, a Teal, 2 Great Black-backed Gull and 3 Wheatears. A good selection of birds were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area despite less coverage including 20+ Curlew Sandpipers, 3+ Little Stint, single Sanderling, Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff, 5 Snipe, 60+ Lapwing, the usual Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Ringed Plover flocks, 2 Grey Heron, 260+ Canada Geese, 280+ Teal, 17 Wigeon, 4 Pintail, 8 Gadwall, single Kestrel, Peregrine and Grey Wagtail.

Manx Shearwater, Severn Beach 12.9.25

Mediterranean Gull, Severn Beach 12.9.25

Spoonbill, Severn Beach 12.9.25

11th September
A wet day with rainfall of biblical proportions in a strong gusty wind. A Storm Petrel, 8 Manx Shearwaters, a dark morph Arctic Skua, 2 Black Terns, 2 Arctic Terns, single Common Tern and adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Turnstone, 8 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 21 Curlew, 5 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 5 Canada Geese, 15 Shelduck, single female Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and 2 Wheatears were seen from the Severn Beach shore. A juvenile Wood Sandpiper, 35+ Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, 2 Ruff, 2 Knot, 9 Common Sandpipers, 2 Avocets, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Turnstones, 500 Dunlin, 250 Ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, 55 Lapwings, 270 Curlew, 120+ Oystercatchers, 80 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 190+ Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 4 Pintail, 270+ Teal, single Raven, Peregrine, Kestrel, Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Wheatear, 2+ Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage/Northwick Warth area.

Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 11.9.25 © Matthew Hall

Mediterranean Gull, Severn Beach 11.9.25

Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 11.9.25

10th September
A sunny start becoming cloudy with rain showers. An impressive 35 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, 7 Common Sandpipers, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Avocets, 9 Snipe, 2 Knot, single Green Sandpiper, Ruff and Whimbrel, 5 Turnstones, 53 Lapwing, 280 Dunlin, 250 Ringed Plover, 150+ Oystercatcher, 140+ Curlew, 150 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 370 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 340 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 8 Pintail, 7 Gadwall, 2 Raven, 5 Wheatears, 9 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Stonechat, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 6 Sand Martin, 2 Kestrel, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, single adult Mediterranean Gull, Hobby, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Whinchat and Tree Pipit were reported from the New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area. A mixed flock of 60 Ringed Plover and Dunlin, single Turnstone and Snipe, 48 Curlew, 15 Little Egrets, 7 Grey Heron, single Canada Goose and Mute Swan, 18 Shelduck, 14 Teal, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, single Kestrel, Cetti’s Warbler, male Redstart and Wheatear were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

Curlew Sandpiper, New Passage 10.9.25

Curlew Sandpiper, New Passage 10.9.25

Avocets, Northwick Warth 10.9.25

Little Stint, New Passage 10.9.25

Little Stint, New Passage 10.9.25

9th September
A mainly cloudy day. The high “spring” tide produced a good variety and number of shorebirds and wildfowl today. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included the 3rd Glossy Ibis of the year, a Wood Sandpiper, 24 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stint, 4 Ruff, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 12 Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 160 Ringed Plover, 450 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 3 Snipe, 40 Lapwing, 130 Redshank, 80 Oystercatcher, 170 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 400+ Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, a Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 3 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 300+ Teal, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 34 Sand Martins, 2 Kestrel, single Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Raven, Ring-necked Parakeet, Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler, Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit, 5 Wheatears and 3 Grey Wagtails. The Ring-necked Parakeet was seen later at Severn Beach where other reports involved 60 Curlew, 12 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Heron, 19 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 2 Wheatears, 2 Grey Wagtail and a Whinchat.

Ruff, Pilning Wetland 9.9.25

Whinchat, Severn Beach 9.9.25

8th September
A warm and sunny day with a passing thunderstorm. At least 10 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Little Stint, 7 Ruff, 7 Knot, 5 Turnstones, 250 Dunlin, 70 Ringed Plover, 5 Common Sandpiper, single Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel, 80 Redshank, 140 Oystercatcher, 150 Curlew, 3 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 340 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 250+ Teal, 9 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, single cream crown Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Coal Tit, Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Wheatears were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included 7 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 16 Shelduck, single Teal, Cetti’s Warbler, male Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wheatears and a Tawny Owl.

Lesser Whitethroat, Severn Beach 8.9.25 © Mark Smith

7th September
A day of thunder storms and torrential rain showers. Early morning reports from the Aust Cliff/services area included 5 Grey Plover, 200 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin, a Curlew, 3 Snipe, 5 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 4 Shelduck, 19 Teal, 2 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 11 Chiffchaff, a Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Wheatear and 2 Grey Wagtail. A Little Stint, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Knot, 3 Turnstone, 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 7 Snipe, a Black-tailed Godwit, 50 Ringed Plover, 70 Dunlin, 140+ Redshank, 180 Curlew, 150 Oystercatchers, 40 Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 330 Canada Geese, 6 Shelduck, 18 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 140+ Teal, 2 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, single Common Gull, Kingfisher, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Whinchat, single Sedge Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Just 10 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 25 Oystercatcher, 4 Little Egrets, 20 Canada Geese, 2 Grey Wagtail, single Tree Pipit and Wheatear were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

6th September
Another sunny day with a moderate strength South East wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included an Osprey flying South West (only the 50th Severnside record but the 9th this year), a Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, 90+ Redshank, 4 Turnstones, 7 Dunlin, 20+ Ringed Plover, 32 Lapwing, 80 Oystercatchers, 90 Curlew, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 100+ Canada Geese, 8 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 74 Teal, 2 Kestrel, 2 Raven, single Hobby and Sparrowhawk, 40 Sand Martins, 2 Wheatears, 4+ Yellow Wagtail, single Grey Wagtail and Tree Pipit. Single juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Sanderling and Common Sandpiper, 70+ Ringed Plover, 104 Dunlin, 10 Curlew, 13 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Canada Geese, 17 Shelduck, 9 Teal, 5 Wheatears, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Osprey (the New Passage bird), Tree Pipit, Sand Martin and Willow Warbler were reported from the Severn Beach shore. Single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 3 Kestrels, single Peregrine, Raven, Coal Tit and Willow Warbler were reported from the Aust Cliff/services area.

Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 6.9.25

Kestrel, Pilning Wetland 6.9.25

5th September
A sunny day with a light West wind. A good selection was reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage/Northwick Warth area including a Common Sandpiper, 90+ Redshank, 42 Lapwings, 7 Curlew, 31 Oystercatchers, 5 Turnstones, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 190 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, a Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, a Pintail, 40+ Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 340 Black-headed Gulls, single adult Mediterranean Gull and Common Tern, 40+ Pied Wagtails, 4 Kestrel, 3 Rooks, 2 Sand Martins, 5 Wheatears, 2 Whinchat, single Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Coal Tit, Willow Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. Single Knot and Whimbrel, 70 Turnstones, 220 Ringed Plover, 46 Dunlin, 120 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 16 Little Egrets, 7 Grey Herons, 26 Shelduck, 5 Teal, a Little Grebe, 5 Wheatears and a Sparrowhawk were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

4th September
A sunny day with some heavy rain showers in a gusty South West wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Snipe, a Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plover, 50+ Lapwings, 90 Redshank, 75 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 160+ Canada Geese, 50+ Teal, singe Pintail, Great Black-backed Gull, Coal Tit and Cetti’s Warbler. Single Whimbrel and Knot, 300+ Ringed Plover, 40+ Dunlin, 80 Turnstones, 2 Oystercatchers, 17 Curlew, 10 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 14 Shelduck, single Great Black-backed Gull, Cetti’s Warbler and Wheatear were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

3rd September
A mixture of sunshine, cloud and some torrential rain showers in a gusty South West wind. A Common Sandpiper, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 51 Lapwing, 90+ Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 70+ Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 40+ Teal, a Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, single singing Cetti’s Warbler, Kingfisher, Kestrel and Raven were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included a Knot, 170 Ringed Plover, 170 Turnstones, 20 Dunlin, 9 Oystercatcher, 11 Curlew, 11+ Little Egrets, 23 Shelduck, single Sparrowhawk and Wheatear.

Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 3.9.25

2nd September
A day of sunshine, cloud and rain showers with a South East breeze veering West. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Common Sandpiper, 18 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Turnstones, a Dunlin, 160 Redshank, 33 Lapwing, 12 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 80 Canada Geese, 8 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, 120 Mallard, 38 Teal, 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult and 1st summer/2cy), 6 Rooks (scarce here), single Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Peregrine, Raven, Cetti’s Warbler, Firecrest (1st of the year in the Glen), Grey Wagtail and 2 Yellow Wagtails. At least 80 Ringed Plover, a few Dunlin, 2 Oystercatcher, 6 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Shelduck, Great Black-backed Gull, single Wheatear and Kestrel were reported from the Severn Beach shore on a very “low” high tide (just 8.85 metre compared to a 14 metre tide due in a week’s time) that resulted in no high tide roost forming.

adult Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 2.9.25

1st September
A blustery day with lots of sunshine. Six Black-tailed Godwits, 65+ Redshank, 40+ Lapwing, 12 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 80+ Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 250+ Black-headed Gulls (including single Polish and Dutch colour ringed birds), single Sand Martin, Coal Tit, Redstart, Yellow Wagtail, Kestrel and 4+ Wheatears were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included 150+ Ringed Plover, 12 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin, 93 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, 11 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 19 Shelduck, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Wheatear.