2026 Sightings

2026 SIGHTINGS

February is generally another quiet month with only a total of 168 species recorded. Gales in this month have produced Storm and Leach’s Petrel, Pomarine Skua and all the records of Puffin. Other rarities seen include Spoonbill (2004,2023), Bittern (2011,2012), Great White Egret (2023,2025), Glossy Ibis (2022), Cattle Egret (2024), Ring-billed Gull (1987), Pink-footed Goose (1996,2023), Green-winged Teal (2015), Shorelark (2004), Great Grey Shrike (1999,2000,2004) and Cirl Bunting (1943). Be prepared for early migrants with recent February records of Wheatear (2025) and Little Ringed Plover (2021).

5th February
A Spring tide on a wet day with a gusty East wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included a Golden Plover, 41 Snipe, 25 Turnstone, just 7 Dunlin, 100+ Oystercatcher, 108 Redshank, 125 Curlew, 470 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 63 Greylag Geese, 19 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 32 Shelduck, 320 Wigeon, 290 Teal, 44 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 2 female Pochard, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Raven and a Cetti’s Warbler. At least 6,000 Dunlin, 30 Oystercatcher, 4 Curlew, 4 Snipe, 58 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 20 Teal and 2 Stonechat were seen from the Severn Beach shore. Click on the image below for a short Youtube video of the murmurating Dunlin flock seen from Severn Beach.

Dunlin, Severn Beach 5.2.26

4th February
The sunniest day of the year so far with a cool East breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Turnstone, 3 Ringed Plover, 60 Redshank, 160 Oystercatcher, 180+ Curlew, 350+ Lapwing, a Little Egret, 68 Greylag Geese, 16 Canada Geese, 27 Shelduck, 290 Wigeon, 110 Teal, a pair of Pintail, 16 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 female Pochard, 2 Stonechat, 2 Water Rail, single Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaff and Cetti’s Warbler. At least 3 Snipe, 7 Curlew, 82 Shelduck, 38 Wigeon, 76 Teal, a Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Stonechat, single Rock Pipit and fly over Redpoll were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

Pintail, New Passage 4.2.26

3rd February
A dreary wet day with a cool East wind. At least 130 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 300+ Lapwing, 80 Curlew, 130 Oystercatcher, single Turnstone, Snipe and Grey Heron, 20 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck, 280 Wigeon, 120+ Teal, a Tufted Duck and 3 female Pochard were seen at Pilning Wetland/New Passage. At least 35 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, a Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Rock Pipit and a Chiffchaff were seen at Severn Beach.

2nd February
A cloudy day with some light rain and a North East breeze. Reports from Severn Beach included; an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 18 Snipe, 7 Curlew, 70 Shelduck, 22 Wigeon, 27 Teal, single Pheasant, Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler. At least 40 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 100 Curlew, 300+ Lapwing, 60 Oystercatcher, a Little Egret, 60+ Greylag Geese, 20 Canada Geese, 320 Wigeon, 140 Teal, 5 Shelduck, the usual Shoveler and Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, a Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Stonechat were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.

Kingfisher, Pilning Wetland 1.2.26

1st February
A cloudy and wet day. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved a Jack Snipe, 95 Curlew, 100+ Oystercatcher, 400+ Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 5 Dunlin, single Turnstone and Little Egret, 55 Greylag Geese, 20 Canada Geese, 7 Shelduck, 450 Wigeon, 240 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 3 female Pochard, 5 Tufted Duck, single Water Rail, Kingfisher, Raven, Chiffchaff, Cetti’s Warbler and Grey Wagtail. Two Ringed Plover, 10 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 5 Canada Geese, 44 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 2 Water Rail, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, single Chiffchaff and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Severn Beach shore.