2026 Sightings

2026 SIGHTINGS

February is generally another quiet month with only a total of 169 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), Tundra Bean Geese (2026), 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).

17th February
A sunny morning, cloudy afternoon with an East wind. A Water Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 30+ Redwing, single female Merlin (flew towards Wales) and Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth. Single Golden Plover and Black-tailed Godwit, 1000 Dunlin, 150 Curlew, 40 Redshank, 102 Oystercatcher, 300+ Lapwing, 2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, a Mute Swan, 7 Greylag Geese, 20 Canada Geese, 6 Shelduck, 300+ Wigeon, 150 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, single Pochard, Water Rail and Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Raven, 3 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, single Chiffchaff and Kestrel were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 40 Turnstone, 200 Redshank, 21 Oystercatcher, 14 Curlew, 2 Canada Geese, 65 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 3 Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Stonechats and a Kestrel were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

16th February
A breezy day with a gusty West wind and some sunshine. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included an adult Kittiwake, 20 Dunlin, 60+ Lapwing, 60+ Curlew, 30+ Redshank, 60 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 7 Greylag Geese, 40+ Canada Geese, 30 Shelduck, 190 Wigeon, 110 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, single Pochard, Water Rail and Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Stonechat, 2 Peregrine and a Kestrel. At least 4 Dunlin, 60 Oystercatcher, 34 Shelduck, 80+ Wigeon, 2 Stonechat and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Severn Beach.

Kittiwake, New Passage 16.2.26

15th February
A mainly wet day with a moderate strength South West Wind from early afternoon. Reports from Severn Beach included a calling Tawny Owl (at 03.30), 20 Oystercatcher, a few Curlew, Redshank and Dunlin, single Grey Heron and adult Mute Swan, 18 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Stonechat, single Rock Pipit, female Blackcap and Kestrel. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 250 Dunlin, 80 Oystercatcher, 110 Curlew, 140 Redshank, 200 Lapwing, 25+ Snipe, 4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 7 Greylag Geese, 25 Canada Geese, 24 Shelduck, 260+ Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 36 Shoveler, 23 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 female Pochard, a Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Raven, 2 Kestrel, 3 Stonechat, single Water Rail, Coal Tit and Cetti’s Warbler. A Water Rail and 2 Stonechats were reported from Aust Warth.

14th February
A decent sunny day after a frosty dawn. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 30 Dunlin, 4 Turnstone, 48 Snipe, 40 Redshank, 55 Curlew, 40 Oystercatcher, 200+ Lapwing, 5 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 7 Greylag Geese, 12 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swan, 30 Shelduck, 110 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 3 Pintail, 2 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail, 3 Common Gull, a Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Raven, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 50+ Redwing, 10 Fieldfare, 4 Stonechat and a Grey Wagtail. At least 7 Curlew, a Mute Swan, 58 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, single Water Rail, Kestrel and female Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach. Five Snipe, a Grey Heron, 5 Mute Swan, a Gadwall, 30 Teal, 8 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, a Chiffchaff and 2 Stonechat were reported from Aust Wetland.

13th February
Another cloudy day with rain showers with the wind veering to a moderate strength cold Northerly. The highlight was a flock of 9 Tundra Bean Geese that flew over Northwick Warth from the North before heading inland, South East over Pilning Wetland. Other reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 60 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 70 Oystercatcher, 75 Curlew, 280 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, a Little Egret, 7 Greylag Geese, 12 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 2 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck, 30 Shoveler, 19 Gadwall, single Water Rail and Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Stonechat. At least 9 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 35 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 6 Shelduck, single Cetti’s Warbler and Stonechat were reported from Severn Beach.

12th February
A mainly cloudy day with some rain in a South West breeze. Early morning reports from Aust Warth included a Water Pipit, 2 Jack Snipe, a Snipe, 11 Curlew, 2 Redshank, a Grey Heron, 53 Shelduck and 4 Teal. An Avocet, 31 Turnstone, 11 Dunlin, 18 Oystercatcher, 36 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 400 Lapwing, 12 Snipe, 3 Little Egret, 7 Greylag Geese, 6 Canada Geese, 46 Shelduck, 340 Wigeon, 100+ Teal, 20+ Gadwall, 20+ Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, single adult Mediterranean Gull, Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, Kestrel, 2 Stonechat, 4 Ravens, 11 Fieldfare, 60 Redwing and 3 Roe Deer. At least 15 Curlew, 8 Oystercatcher, 56 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, single female Blackcap, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff and Kestrel were reported from Severn Beach.

11th February
A sunnier day with rain showers and moderate strength South West wind. At least 100 Dunlin, 120 Redshank, 350+ Lapwing, 90 Curlew, 6 Oystercatcher, a Little Egret, 6 Greylag Goose, 16 Canada Geese, 26 Shelduck, 320+ Wigeon, 38 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 130 Teal, 2 female Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, single Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaff were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach involved 35 Oystercatcher, 12 Curlew, 20 Shelduck, 86 Wigeon, 2 Rock Pipit, a Cetti’s Warbler and a calling Tawny Owl (in the evening). The first Merlin record of the year, 8 Snipe, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 28 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 9 Wigeon, 64 Teal, 11 Stock Dove, 2 Kestrel, 25 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare and 5 Stonechat were seen at Aust Wetland. Three Roe Deer were seen on Pilning Wetland.

Wigeon, New Passage 11.2.26

10th February
Another grey day with some heavy rain showers. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area involved 6 Golden Plover, 440 Lapwing, 64 Curlew, 8 Snipe, 122 Redshank, 36 Turnstone, 220 Dunlin, 19 Oystercatcher, a Little Egret, 45 Greylag Geese, 17 Canada Geese, 3 Egyptian Geese (flying NE), 33 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 340 Wigeon, 260 Teal, 2 female Pochard, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Water Rail, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, single Stonechat, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. At least 15 Turnstone, 8 Redshank, 14 Curlew, 90 Oystercatcher, 9 Canada Geese, 66 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 3 Stonechat, single Raven, female Blackcap, Cetti’s Warbler, Rock Pipit and Siskin were reported from Severn Beach. Once again 6,000 Dunlin were reported from the South end of Chittening Warth where other reports included 150+ Knot, 70 Black-tailed Godwit, 200 Redshank, 7 Curlew, 30 Oystercatcher, 33 Shelduck, 70 Gadwall, 65 Teal, a female “Sawbill” heading up river, 2 Cetti’s Warbler and a Stonechat.

9th February
A dull morning with a few sunny spells later with rain showers in a South East wind. A Common Sandpiper, 34 Golden Plover, 50 Knot, 280 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 430 Lapwing, 90 Curlew, 20 Oystercatcher, 9 Canada Geese, 26 Shelduck, 290 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 40 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechat and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach/Chittening Warth included 3 Turnstone, 200+ Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 14 Curlew, 65 Oystercatcher, 33 Shelduck, 44 Wigeon, 42 Teal, 2 adult Great Blacked Gulls, a Water Rail, 2 Blackcaps and a Raven.

Great Black-backed Gulls, Chittening Warth 9.2.26

8th February
A grey day with light rain in a South East breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Knot, 120 Dunlin, 120 Redshank, 28 Snipe, 125 Curlew, 450 Lapwing, 80 Turnstone, 55 Oystercatcher, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 35 Greylag Geese, 16 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swan, 23 Shelduck, 51 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 350+ Wigeon, a Pintail, 290 Teal, 2 Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 62 Common Gull, a Water Rail, 2 Raven, 3 Stonechat, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, single Coal Tit, Peregrine and Kestrel. At least 6,000 Dunlin, 5 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 2 Stonechat and a Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach.

7th February
Another day of rain with a few brief sunny spells. Reports from the Severn Beach/Chittening Warth area included 6,000 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 4 Snipe, 98 Shelduck, 19 Wigeon and 2 Rock Pipit. At least 110 Dunlin, 100 Redshank, 27 Turnstone, 100 Oystercatcher, 130 Curlew, 400+ Lapwing, 6 Snipe, single Common Sandpiper and Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egret, 65+ Greylag Geese, 50 Canada Geese, 16 Shelduck, 350 Wigeon, 240 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 3 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, single Coal Tit, Stonechat and Kestrel were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.

Snipe, Pilning Wetland 7.2.26

6th February
A mixture of cloud and rain with brief sunny spells. At least 140 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 120 Oystercatcher, 450 Lapwing, 3 Turnstone, 60 Greylag Geese, 6 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 24 Shelduck, 360 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 31 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 female Pochard, single Kestrel and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from the Severn Beach/Chittening Warth area included at least 6,000 Dunlin, 100 Redshank, 4 Snipe, 113 Shelduck, 23 Wigeon, 27 Teal, a Water Rail, 2 Stonechat and a Cetti’s Warbler.

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.