2025 Sightings

2025 SIGHTINGS

April is the equal most productive month of the year in the number of species seen. At least one individual of 215 species have been recorded in April. Species to expect are at least three Tern species, Skuas, Redstarts, Whinchats, Yellow Wagtails with the chance of Pied Flycatcher, Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler and Hobby. Rarer sightings include; Pectoral Sandpiper (2022), Stone Curlew (2006,2018), Great White Egrets, White Stork (2015,2018,2021), Spoonbill (2017,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024), Slavonian Grebe (1989,2000), Ring-necked Duck (1988), Green-winged Teal (2015), Sabine’s Gull (1990,1992), Red-rumped Swallow (1988,2022), Woodlark (1976,2024), Alpine Swift (1993,2025), Red-throated Pipit (2012), Willow Tit (1988), Serin (2017), Hooded Crow (1994,2024), Mealy Redpoll (2004), Long-eared Owl (2006) and 2 Citrine Wagtails (2019).

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

12th April
A mainly sunny day with a light South West wind. Reports from Severn Beach included a dark morph Arctic Skua, 5 Whimbrel, 7 Curlew, 14 Oystercatchers, single Snipe, Little Egret and dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5 Canada Geese, 27 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 40+ Teal, a Pheasant, 2 Tree Pipits, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whinchats, 6 Wheatears, 9 Cetti’s Warblers and 4 Reed Warblers. The same dark morph Arctic Skua, 8 Avocets, 8 Little Ringed Plover, single Bar-tailed Godwit and Common Sandpiper, 14 Lapwings, 2 Snipe, 35 Oystercatchers, 17 Curlew, 5 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 25 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 38 Gadwall, 70 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Wheatears, single Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Raven, 18 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Stonechat and Wheatear were reported from the Aust Cliff/services area.

Dark morph Arctic Skua, Severn Beach 12.4.25

Grey Heron, Pilning Wetland 12.4.25

11th April
A warm (22°C) and sunny day with very little wind. Combined reports from the Severn Beach shore included a Greenshank, 5 Common Sandpipers, 20 Grey Plover, 11 Whimbrel, 30+ Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and dark-bellied Brent Goose, 14 Canada Goose, 35 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, 70 Teal, a Pheasant, 4 Whitethroats, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Cetti’s Warblers and a Yellow Wagtail. At least 6 Avocets, 2 Jack Snipe, 8 Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 14 Bar-tailed Godwits, 58 Oystercatchers, 19 Curlew, 5 Snipe, 17 Redshank, 3 Turnstones, 17 Lapwings, 2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, 12 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 36 Shoveler, 28 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 72 Teal, the first Mallard brood of the year, 2 Ravens, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 White Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, a Reed Warbler and 6 Willow Warblers were reported from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Nine Gannets were reported off Chittening Warth. At least 2 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 80 Shelduck, a Pheasant, 5 Chiffchaff and 8 Blackcap were reported from Aust Cliff /services this afternoon.

Jack Snipe, Pilning Wetland 11.4.25

Greenshank, Severn Beach 11.4.25

10th April
A sunny day, warm in the sunshine with the East/North East wind still. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Jack Snipe, 6+ Little Ringed Plover, 6 Avocets, 97 Bar-tailed Godwits, 14+ Lapwing, 3 Ringed Plover, 20 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, a Greylag Goose, 3 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, 14 Shelduck, 34 Shoveler, 28 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 55 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Wheatears, single Blue-headed Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler. Reports from the Severn Beach shore involved 14 Whimbrel, 60 Curlew, 45 Oystercatchers, 12 Redshank, a Dunlin, 5 Canada Geese, a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 41 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 3 Cetti’s Warblers and 3+ Whitethroats.

9th April
Another dry and sunny day with a East/North East wind. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included the first Grasshopper Warbler of the year, at least 150 Bar-tailed Godwits, 70 Curlew, 85 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Canada Geese, 59 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Whitethroats, 4 Cetti’s Warblers, single Yellow Wagtail and Siskin. A Jack Snipe, 9 Avocets, 2 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Little Ringed Plover, 14 Lapwings, 12 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, 26 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 40 Gadwall, 36 Shoveler, 60 Teal, a Tufted Duck, single Reed Warbler and Blue-headed Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtails and at least one White Wagtail were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Single Mute Swan, Whitethroat, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat and Sparrowhawk, 2 Pheasants, 2 Kestrel, 11 Chiffchaff and 3 Blackcaps were reported from Aust Wetland.

Blue-headed Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 9.4.25

Brent Goose, Severn Beach 9.4.25

Ruff, Pilning Wetland 9.4.25

Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 9.4.25

8th April
A cloudy morning and sunny afternoon with alight North East breeze. Combined reports from Severn beach throughout the day included 146 Bar-tailed Godwits, 10 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin, 35 Oystercatchers, 10 Curlew, single dark-bellied Brent Goose and Canada Goose, 38 Shelduck, 70 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 2 Common Terns, 3 Cetti’s Warblers and 3 Whitethroats. At least 8 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Ruff, a Green Sandpiper, 5 Avocets, 4 Snipe, 14 Lapwings, 2 Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, a Canada Goose, 12 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 25+ Gadwall, 12 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3+ White Wagtails, 2 Ravens, single Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Kestrel and Peregrine were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another Whitethroat, 7 Tree Pipits, 2 House Martins and 2 Swallows were seen in the Aust Cliff/services area.

Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 8.4.25

7th April
Another sunny day with a North East breeze. Combined reports from the Severn Beach shore included 2 Whimbrel, 4 Grey Plover, 120+ Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 30 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, a drake Pochard (flew North East), 2 Little Gulls, 24 Arctic Terns, the 5th Osprey of the year, a Red Kite, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Woodlark, 5 singing Willow Warblers, 3 Cetti’s Warblers and the first Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler of the year. At least 6 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ruff, 9 Avocets, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Jack Snipe, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 30 Redshank, 14 Lapwings, 2 Snipe, single Green Sandpiper, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 26 Shelduck, a pair of Goosanders, 4 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 30+ Gadwall, 35+ Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, a drake Pochard, 7 Little Gulls, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 5 White Wagtails, 5 singing Willow Warblers, single Reed Warbler (first of the year), Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Kestrel were reported from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. A Wryneck was reported near the Aust Warth reed bed where a pair of Stonechats were also seen. A Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Gulls and 2 Redstarts were reported from Chittening Warth.

Sand Martin, Pilning Wetland 7.4.25

6th April
Another warm (19°C) and sunny day with a North East wind producing a good selection and some new birds. A lot of coverage today at Severn Beach produced a Little Ringed Plover, 8 Grey Plover, 2 Redshank, single Bar-tailed Godwit and Dunlin, 34 Curlew, 45 Oystercatchers, 8 Little Egrets, single Grey Heron, dark-bellied Brent Goose and Greylag Goose, 6 Canada Geese, 38 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, a Gadwall, 20 Teal, 39 Little Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 10 Common Terns, 3 Sandwich Tern, a dark morph Arctic Skua, 2 Red Kites, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Ravens, 200+ Sand Martins, 45 Swallow, 9 House Martins, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Redwing, 6 Wheatears and 7 Yellow Wagtails. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 2+ Jack Snipe, 3 Avocets, 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Ruff, 3 Green Sandpiper, 62 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, 14 Lapwings, 5 Dunlin, 5 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 17 Shelduck, 43 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 60 Teal, single Raven, Peregrine and Redstart, 120 Sand Martins, 8 Swallows, 5 Willow Warblers, a Cetti’s Warbler, 8 Wheatears, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 4+ White Wagtails and 2 Water Pipits. Reports from Chittening Warth involved a Bar-tailed Godwit, 45 Oystercatchers, 6 Curlew, 5 Little Egrets, 23 Shelduck, single Gadwall and Pheasant, a Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Cetti’s Warblers. A male Redstart, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Ravens, 3 Willow Warblers, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Ravens, 26 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows and a House Martin were reported from Aust Cliff/services

5th April
A glorious sunny day with strong North East breeze. The highlight was an Alpine Swift that whizzed through early afternoon (only the 3rd Severnside record after April 1993 and June 1999) at Severn Beach where other reports included single Osprey (at 12.00, 4th individual this year) and Marsh Harrier, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 14 Grey Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 20 Curlew, single Dunlin and Little Egret, 19 dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Canada Geese, 35 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 7 Teal, 8 Little Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 700+ Sand Martins, 60+ Swallows, 5 House Martins, 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Cetti’s Warblers, 5 Wheatears, 4 Tree Pipits, single Fieldfare, Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area involved 2+ Jack Snipe, 2 Ruff, 2 Avocets, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 8+ Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers, 14 Lapwings, 16 Dunlin, 10 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 46 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 30+ Gadwall, 10 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, a Pheasant, 3 Wheatears, 4+ White Wagtails, single Peregrine, Kestrel, Redstart, Water Pipit, Yellow Wagtail and Willow Warbler.

Yellow Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 5.4.25

Wheatear, Severn Beach 5.4.25

4th April
A cloudy morning following overnight rain, then sunny with moderate strength North East wind. A good selection was reported from the Severn Beach shore with many birds heading East or North East into the wind including 4+ Little Ringed, 42 Grey Plover, 45 Bar-tailed Godwits, 15 Dunlin, 12 Curlew, 11 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 6 Canada Geese, 22 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 2 Arctic Skuas, 42 Little Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull, 4 Common Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 59 Sand Martins, 53 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 3 Cetti’s Warblers, 2500+ Meadow Pipits, single Tree Pipit, Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Redpoll and Red Kite. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area involved 3 Jack Snipe, 6+ Little Ringed Plover, single Ruff and Green Sandpiper, 35 Dunlin, 12 Redshank, 5 Snipe, 14 Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 4 Canada Goose, 2 Mute Swans, 24 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 46 Gadwall, 18 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 15 Sand Martins, 25 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 3+ White Wagtails, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, at least 2 Red Kites, single Kestrel and Water Pipit. A Red Kite was seen perched at Aust Warth

Red Kite, Severn Beach 4.4.25

Lapwing, Pilning Wetland 4.4.25

Red Kite, Pilning Wetland 4.4.25

Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 4.4.25

3rd April
A sunny day with the temperature reaching 20°C but feeling cooler in the gusty East wind. Single Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Green Sandpiper and Jack Snipe, 6+ Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 14+ Lapwings, 40 Redshank, 6 Snipe 20 Dunlin, 5 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 2 Egyptian Geese, 4 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 49 Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 34 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Ravens, 9 House Martins, 2 Swallows, 17 Sand Martins, 3 Wheatears, 2+ White Wagtails, single male Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit, were reported from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Combined reports from the Severn Beach shore included 7 Ruff, 25 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 41 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 4 Little Gulls, a Marsh Harrier, 36 Sand Martins, 25 Swallows, 11 House Martins, 2 Wheatears, 3 Redpolls, 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers, single Raven, Siskin and nearby 4 Tufted Duck and a Little Egret were seen at the Orchard Pools. Another Wheatear, 7 Sand Martins, 6 Swallows, 6 House Martins and 3 White Wagtails were reported from the Aust Cliff/services area this evening.

Spotted Redshank, Pilning Wetland 3.4.25

Spotted Redshank, Pilning Wetland 3.4.25

Egyptian Geese, Pilning Wetland 3.4.25

Ruff, Severn Beach 3.4.25 © Matt Hobbs

2nd April
Another sunny day with a cold East wind. Single Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit and Snipe, 4+ Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Avocets, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Grey Plover, 12 Lapwings, 25 Redshank, 45 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Canada Geese, 16 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 60 Teal, single Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and 7+ White Wagtails were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included 3 Ringed Plover, 17 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, a Pink-footed Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Marsh Harriers, single Sparrowhawk and Raven, 26 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, a Willow Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, a Redwing and 2 Tree Pipits.

Grey Plover, Severn Beach 1.4.25

1st April
A sunny day with a cold East breeze. The 3rd Osprey of the year flew North East past Severn Beach early this morning where other reports included a Jack Snipe, 4 Grey Plover, 21 Dunlin, 7 Redshank, 15 Curlew, 8 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, a Greylag Goose, 9 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck, 8 Tufted Duck, 17 Shoveler, 30+ Teal, 2 Wigeon, 12 Little Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Common Gulls, single Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, 2 Ravens, 9 Sand Martins, 2 Willow Warblers, 4 singing Cetti’s Warblers and a Wheatear. Combined Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included a Little Gull (flew North East), a Ruff, 2 Jack Snipe, 4+ Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Avocets, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Grey Plover, single Bar-tailed Godwit and Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 18 Redshank, 43 Oystercatchers, 50+ Curlew, 5 Turnstones, 2 Dunlin, 3 Little Egrets, 9 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swan, 52 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 79 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 42 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Swallows, 12 Sand Martins, 4 White Wagtails, single Raven and Wheatear. Four Crossbills (in Pines), a Brambling, 16 Sand Martins, 2 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing and 3 Redpolls were reported from Aust Cliff/services this morning.