2026 Sightings

2026 SIGHTINGS

March is a better month than February with a total of 188 species recorded during this month. As each day passes the expectation of an early spring migrant increases, Wheatears usually being seen by mid month along with Chiffchaffs, Sand Martins and Little Ringed Plovers. Rarities have included Booted Eagle (2025), White-tailed Eagle (2025), Black Kite (2010), Green-winged Teal (2014), Cattle Egret (2017,2024,2026), Great White Egrets, Spoonbill (2020,2023,2025), Glossy Ibis (2025), Crane (2015,2017,2020,2022,2023,2024,2025), Long-tailed Skua (2021), Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Goshawk (2022), Hen Harrier and Bearded Tit (2004), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Mandarin (2006), Woodlark (2024) and Siberian Chiffchaff (2007,2023).

3rd March
A mixture of sunshine and cloud in a North East breeze. Early morning reports and migrants from the Aust Cliff/services area included 10 Barnacle Geese (flying North East), 2 Canada Geese, a Pheasant, a Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, a singing Firecrest, 4 Grey Wagtail, a Redpoll, 3 Crossbill, 20 Siskin and a Yellowhammer. Single Little Ringed Plover, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Snipe, 80 Knot, 20 Lapwing, 2 Turnstone, 70 Redshank, 80 Oystercatcher, 35 Curlew, a Dunlin, 3 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 15 Canada Geese, 34 Shelduck, 190 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 11 Tufted Duck, single Pochard, Water Rail, Great Black-backed Gull, Cetti’s Warbler, Kestrel and hunting Marsh Harrier were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 14 Canada Geese, 75 Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 18 Teal, a Water Rail, 2 Chiffchaff and 3 singing Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 3.3.26

Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 3.3.26

2nd March
A cloudy start then turning into a fine Spring day with a Southerly breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved an early Little Ringed Plover, 5 Knot, 3 Turnstone, 10 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 80 Oystercatcher, 35 Curlew, 20 Lapwing, a Cattle Egret, 4 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 20 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swan, 32 Shelduck, 190 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 30+ Shoveler, 30+ Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 3 Wheatears (one male), 4 Raven, 2 Kestrel, single Grey Wagtail, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff and Peregrine. A mixed flock of 300 Dunlin, Knot and Turnstones flew down river at Severn Beach where other reports included 4 Curlew, 78 Shelduck, 24 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 2 Stonechat, 5 singing Cetti’s Warblers and at least one calling Tawny Owl (at 22.30).

Wheatear, Northwick Warth 2.3.26

Cattle Egret, Pilning Wetland 2.3.26

Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 2.3.26

Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 1.3.26

1st March
A sunny morning, cloudy afternoon with a gusty South West wind. A visit to Pilning Wetland produced 2 Jack Snipe, 14 Snipe, a Black-tailed Godwit, 19 Lapwing, 20 Curlew, 3 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 7 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 28 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 90 Wigeon, 160 Teal, a female Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck and a Cetti’s Warbler. Reports from Severn Beach included 2 Turnstone, 8 Curlew, 6 Oystercatcher, 38 Shelduck, 21 Wigeon, 11 Kittiwakes, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, single Water Rail and Kestrel.