2025 Sightings

2025 SIGHTINGS

Despite the onset of winter and the decrease in hours of daylight, October is a month with the highest number of recorded species, with a grand total of 216. Rarities have included records of Black-necked Grebe (1996,2015), Red-footed Falcon (2014), Pallid Harrier (2025), Long-billed Dowitcher (1977), Lesser Yellowlegs (1984,2024), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985,2024), Red-necked Phalarope (2001), American Golden Plover (2013), Black Guillemot (1998), Bearded Tits (2012,2013,2025), Yellow-browed Warbler (2001,2013,2015,2016,2024) and Red-throated Pipit (2015). Other national and local rarities recorded include Glossy Ibis (2009,2023), Caspian Gull (2024), Ring-billed Gull, Spoonbills, Cattle Egret (2019,2020,2024), Great White Egrets, Cranes (2016), Whooper Swans, Mandarin (2017), Roseate Tern, Hooded Crow, Dartford Warbler, Montagu’s Harrier (1991), 3 Pallid Swifts (2022), Hen Harrier, Ring Ouzel, Shorelark, Woodlark, Mealy Redpoll, Common Rosefinch (2017), Firecrest, Hawfinch and Common Crossbill.

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

22nd October
Some sunny spells this morning then a few rain showers later. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Black-tailed Godwit, 160 Redshank, 64 Lapwing, 44 Curlew, 160 Oystercatchers, 5 Snipe, 3 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 160 Canada Geese, 15 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 170+ Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 217 Teal, a redhead Goosander (1st record on the wetland), 2 Water Rail, 2 Ravens, single male Bearded Tit (only the 8th record), Kestrel, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat and Grey Wagtail. At least 7 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 38 Shelduck, 3 Stonechat, single Redstart (for 9th day), Cetti’s Warbler and Rock Pipit were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

Redstart, Severn Beach 22.10.25

Goosander, Pilning Wetland 22.10.25

21st October
A gloomy wet morning with some afternoon sunshine in a light South West wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 26 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Curlew, 75 Oystercatchers, 58 Lapwing, 25 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 5 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swan, 120 Canada Geese, a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 25 Shelduck, 220 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 160 Teal, 9 Common Gulls, single Grey Wagtail, Stonechat, Siskin and Kestrel. At least 13 Ringed Plover, 13 Turnstones, 7 Curlew, 6 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Heron, 43 Shelduck, 25+ Wigeon, 20 Teal, 4 Stonechats, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, single Redstart, Rock Pipit, Coal Tit and Kestrel were reported from the Severn Beach shore.

Black-tailed Godwit, New Passage 21.10.25

Brent Geese, New Passage 21.10.25

20th October
A grey and wet day with the a South East breeze. Highlights from the Severn Beach shore included 8 Grey Plover, 27 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 20 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Heron, 3 dark-bellied Brent Geese, 32 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 40+ Wigeon, 12 Teal, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Stonechats, 2 Redwing, 2 Siskin, single Redstart, Rock Pipit and Grey Wagtail. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 90 Dunlin, 150 Redshank, 170 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, just 2 Lapwing, 6 Grey Heron, 200+ Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 110 Wigeon, 95 Teal, 26 Shoveler, a Water Rail, 2 Jays and 3 Swallows.

Brent Geese, Severn Beach 20.10.25

19th October
A cloudy day with some rain in a South East wind. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included 20 Turnstones, 3 Redshank, 21 Curlew, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 48 Shelduck, 40+ Wigeon, 20+ Teal, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Water Rail, 5 singing Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Stonechats, single Rock Pipit and Redstart. Just 3 Snipe, a Redshank, 2 Grey Heron, 26 Shoveler, 70 Wigeon and 80 Teal were seen on Pilning Wetland.

18th October
A cloudy day with a light East wind. Sightings from Pilning Wetland included a Grey Plover, 3 Snipe, 100+ Lapwing, 3 Redshank, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 250 Canada Geese, 30+ Shoveler, 250+ Wigeon, 140+ Teal, 3 Pintail (one drake), single Water Rail and Pheasant, 2 Ravens, single showy Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat and Kestrel. A Grey Plover, 3 Turnstones, 15 Curlew, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 38 Shelduck, 40+ Wigeon, 36 Teal, a Great Black-backed Gull, 4 singing Cetti’s Warblers, single Redstart, Grey Wagtail, Stonechat and Rock Pipit were reported from the Severn Beach shore. A hunting Merlin was seen at Aust Wetland.

17th October
Another day with a few sunny breaks in a North East breeze. A Jack Snipe, 3 Snipe, 2 Grey Plover, 59 Black-tailed Godwits, 110 Redshank, 12 Curlew, 20 Turnstones, 30 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 100 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 340 Wigeon, 220 Teal, 2 Kestrel, a Raven and a Grey Wagtail were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 14 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 30 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 50 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers, single Redstart, Stonechat and Rock Pipit were reported from the Severn Beach shore. Reports from Aust Cliff/services included a Crossbill, 40+ Redpoll, a few Siskins, 2 Redwing, single Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit and Cetti’s Warbler.

16th October
A brighter day with the same North East breeze. Reports from Severn Beach included 5 Oystercatchers, 40+ Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Grey Heron, 8 Canada Geese, 35+ Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, 55 Wigeon, 20 Teal, single Great Black-backed Gull, Redstart, Kestrel and Peregrine, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Rock Pipits, 4 Stonechats and 3 Siskins. At least 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlew, 80 Lapwing, 160 Redshank, 5 Snipe, a Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 120 Canada Geese, 6 Shelduck, 40+ Shoveler, 320+ Wigeon, 250+ Teal, 3 Pintail, single Water Rail, Grey Wagtail and Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Siskins and 3 Stonechat were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.

15th October
A mainly grey day with the North East wind persisting. The first Severnside record of Pallid Harrier was seen early this morning. A bit of a shock as a juvenile flew up and across the Severn Beach salt marsh at close range, being mobbed by Crows, before it flew low East over the seawall footpath, the railway line and was then lost to view heading North East. Other reports from Severn Beach included 86 Curlew, 8 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Heron, 65 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 26 Teal, single Great Black-backed Gull, Sparrowhawk, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat, Rock pipit and Siskin. Single Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Snipe, 74 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Shelduck, 20+ Shoveler, 6 Wigeon, 110+ Teal, a Water Rail, 2 Siskins and a Stonechat were reported from Pilning Wetland. Reports from Aust Cliff/services included Brambling, Siskin, Redpoll and 2 Redwings.

14th October
Another dreary grey day with a light North East breeze. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included 17 Lapwing flying North East, 14 Curlew, a Snipe, 4 Little Egret, 5 Grey Herons, a Mute Swan, 60 Shelduck, 56 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 2 Swallow, 3 singing Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Siskin, single late Redstart, Grey Wagtail, Stonechat, Peregrine and Rock Pipit. At least 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Oystercatcher, 67 Lapwing, 50+ Curlew, 40+ Redshank, 6 Snipe, 3 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 60+ Wigeon, 28 Shoveler, 240 Teal, 2 Raven, a Stonechat, 4 Siskin and a Kingfisher were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.

Redstart, Severn Beach 14.10.25

13th October
A murky grey day with low cloud and a light North East wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 90 Lapwing, 50+ Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 100 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 2 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 12 Canada Geese, 16 Shelduck, 25 Shoveler, 150 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 8 Pintail, 10 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail, 2 Sandwich Terns, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, a Grey Wagtail, 7 Siskin and 5 Redpolls. At least 75 Curlew, a few Turnstones, a Snipe, 6 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 40+ Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 3 Cetti’s Warblers, 5 Redwings, single Grey Wagtail, Rock Pipit and Stonechat were reported from the Severn Beach shore. A Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, single Great Black-backed Gull and Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 4 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare, a Grey Wagtail and 27 Siskins were reported from Aust Cliff/services.

12th October
A misty, then cloudy day with a light North East breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 61 Lapwing, 125 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 100+ Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Heron, 20 Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 55 Wigeon, 150+ Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, single Mediterranean Gull, Water Rail, Kestrel, Grey Wagtail and Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Ravens, 3+ flyover Crossbills, 2 Siskins and 5 House Martins. At least 25 Turnstones, 20 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Canada Geese, 9 Wigeon, 4 Shelduck, a Kestrel, 2 Rock Pipits, 4 Stonechat, a Wheatear, many Chaffinches, a few Siskins and Redpolls were reported from Severn Beach.

11th October
An overcast day with little wind. A Tawny Owl was heard early this morning at New Passage where other reports included a Snipe, 60 Redshank, 28 Curlew, 30 Oystercatcher, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 80 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 3 Shelduck, the usual Wigeon and Teal flocks, 2 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechats, 2 Kestrels and a Peregrine. A Merlin and 2 Wheatears were seen at Severn Beach. Meanwhile with some interesting birds on the Isles of Scilly I had an away day to St. Agnes and managed to see a Mourning Dove (1st English record), an American Pipit, a juvenile Spotted Sandpiper, a Hoopoe plus least 140+ Great Shearwaters and 3 Sooty Shearwaters from the Scillonian III crossing. Click on the Pipit images for some Youtube Video.

Hoopoe, St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly 11.10.25

Mourning Dove, St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly 11.10.25

American Pipit, St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly 11.10.25

American Pipit and Meadow Pipit, St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly 11.10.25

10th October
A cloudy day with a North West breeze. A quiet day despite the high Spring tide with just a Common Sandpiper, 35 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Water Rail, single Stonechat and Rock Pipit plus the regulars being reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Two Wheatears were reported from Severn Beach. I was fortunate to be passing Rutland Water in Rutland today and had the opportunity to see this obliging juvenile Baird’s Sandpiper, a species that is well overdue to be found here on the Severnside patch. Click on the image below for a short Youtube video.

Baird’s Sandpiper, Rutland Water, Rutland, 10.10.25

9th October
A mixture of sunshine and cloud in a light wind. At least 6 Ringed Plover, the usual Lapwings, Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, Canada Geese, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, single Tufted Duck and Stonechat were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.

8th October
Another cloudy day with a light West wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3 Grey Plover, single Common Sandpiper, Knot and Snipe, 5 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 120 Redshank, 130 Curlew, 200 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, single Little Egret and Water Rail, 5 Pintail, a Merlin and a Kestrel. I have been in East Yorkshire for a few days and was fortunate enough to be close enough to Bempton Cliffs when news broke of the presence of a White-throated Needletail to manage to see it at dusk. The image below of the same bird was taken at Scarborough 2 days later. If you click on the Swift you can see my quarter speed Youtube video of this memorable event.

White-throated Needletail, Yorkshire © Paul Chapman

7th October
A cloudy day with a light West wind. Early morning reports from the Aust Cliff/services area included 2 Snipe, 65 Canada Geese, 9 Crossbills, 29 Siskins, single Treecreeper, Yellowhammer, Grey Wagtail, Rock Pipit, Swallow, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Single Curlew Sandpiper, Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover and Turnstone, 9 Grey Plover, 100 Dunlin, a few Lapwing, Redshank and Oystercatchers, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, the usual wildfowl, a Water Rail, Grey Wagtail, Rock Pipit and Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine and 2 Raven were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included 2 Stonechat, 2 Wheatears and 2 Kestrels.

Crossbill, Aust Cliff/services 7.10.25 © Matthew Hall

6th October
Another sunny and breezy day with a West wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Curlew Sandpiper, 8 Grey Plover, 35 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, 120 Redshank, 90 Oystercatchers, 63 Lapwing, 73 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 120 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 18 Shelduck, 41 Shoveler, 30 Wigeon, 7 Pintail, 160 Teal, single Tufted Duck and Water Rail, 2 Crossbills, 10 Siskin, single Swallow, Kingfisher and Wheatear. Three Stonechats, single Wheatear, Swallow and Kestrel were seen at Severn Beach. Below is an image of some of the 100’s of Whooper Swans I saw migrating South down the East Yorkshire coast today. The orange glow of the sunset was a nice feature.

Whooper Swans, Easington Beach, East Yorkshire 6.10.25

5th October
A breezy and sunny day. A Curlew Sandpiper, 50 Dunlin, 54 Redshank, 25 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 60 Canada Geese, 15 Shelduck, 3 Siskin, single Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Rock Pipit were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. An adult Gannet was seen from the Severn Beach shore.

4th October
A very windy day as Storm Amy passed over. At least 3 Leach’s Petrels, a Storm Petrel, a Little Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Ringed Plover, 17 Curlew, 12 Turnstone, 11 Dunlin, single Sanderling, 2 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 18 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 11 Common Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Swallows, single Rock Pipit, Raven, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Peregrine were reported from Severn Beach. Two Curlew Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 55 Oystercatcher, 18 Curlew, 30 Redshank, 30 Dunlin, 108 Canada Geese, 36 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 46 Teal, 2 Wheatears, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Kestrel, Wheatear and Kingfisher were seen at New Passage.

Kingfisher, New Passage 4.10.25 © Mark Smith

3rd October
A cloudy day with some heavy rain and an increasing strength Southerly wind as Storm Amy started to arrive. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3 Little Stints, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 120 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover, 39 Oystercatchers, 47 Curlew, 60+ Lapwing, 50 Redshank, 10 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 14 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 6 Shelduck, 76 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 119 Wigeon, 78 Mallard, 4 Pintail, 358 Teal, single Tufted Duck, Great Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, Siskin, Grey Wagtail, Kestrel and 2 Peregrine. At least 7 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 28 Shelduck, 20+ Wigeon, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers and a Sparrowhawk were reported from Severn Beach.

2nd October
A cooler, cloudy day with a Southerly breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3 Little Stints, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 7 Grey Plover, 150 Redshank, 70 Lapwing, 200+ Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 12 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 200+ Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 60+ Shoveler, 36 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 230 Teal, 2 Kestrel, 2 Siskin, single Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler, Treecreeper (rare here), Grey Wagtail and Rock Pipit. At least 5 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Siskins were were present at Severn Beach. Single Pheasant, Curlew, Grey Heron, 8 Chiffchaff, 150 Linnet and 300 Goldfinch were reported from Aust Cliff/services. Nearby, 3 Stonechats and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Wetland and a Wheatear was seen at Aust Warth.

Little Stint and Dunlin, Pilning Wetland 1.10.25

Common Sandpiper, New Passage 1.10.25 © Mark Smith

1st October
A mainly sunny day with a light South West breeze. Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 2 Little Stints, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, 7 Grey Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Golden Plover, Ruff and Turnstone, 70 Lapwing, 3 Ringed Plover, 14 Snipe, 270 Dunlin, 180 Redshank, 17 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 300 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 12 Shelduck, 70 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 55 Wigeon, 250+ Teal, single Tufted Duck, Water Rail, Common Gull, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Rock Pipit and Redpoll, 2 Ravens, 2 Peregrine, 2 Stonechat, 3 Wheatears, 3 Grey Wagtails and 3 Siskins. A Turnstone, 40 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, 7 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Heron, a Mute Swan, 7 Canada Geese, 20+ Shelduck, 20+ Wigeon, a Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Wheatears, single Stonechat, Rock Pipit and Raven were reported from Severn Beach.