March is a slightly better month than February with a total of 184 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 Black Kite (2010), Green-winged Teal (2014), Cattle Egret (2017), Spoonbill (2020,2023), Great White Egret, Crane (2015, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2023), Long-tailed Skua (2021), Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Goshawk (2022), Hen Harrier and Bearded Tit (2004), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Mandarin (2006) and Siberian Chiffchaff (2007, 2023).
March 2023
31st March
An unsettled day with a strong West wind and some heavy rain showers. At least 200 Kittiwakes, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 30 Shelduck, a Gadwall, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, single Raven and Peregrine were seen from Severn Beach over the afternoon high tide. A brief visit to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area produced 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 32 Oystercatchers, 10 Curlew, 6 Lapwings, a Barnacle Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 35 Shelduck, 28 Shoveler, 50 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 17 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck and a Peregrine.
30th March
A day of sunshine and showers. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland involved 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 6+ Lapwing, single Snipe, Little Egret, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 10 Shelduck, 28 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 35 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, 2 Swallows, 80+ Sand Martins, single Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail (earliest record) and Raven. Eighteen Avocets, 10 Curlew, 3 Canada Geese and 60 Shelduck were seen from New Passage. Another 35 Shelduck, 2 Canada Geese, 12 Curlew, 5 Kittiwakes, (3 adults & 2 1st summer) and a Kestrel were seen from Severn Beach.
Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 30.3.23
29th March
An overcast day with lots of rain in a South East breeze. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Lapwings, single Snipe and Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Canada Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 6 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 6 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Sparrowhawks, a Kestrel, 2 Willow Warblers, 10+ Chiffchaffs, 6 Swallows, 7 Sand Martins and a Raven. At least 23 Avocets were seen off Aust Warth. A brief scan from the Severn Beach sea wall produced just 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers, 30 Shelduck and 2 Wigeon.
28th March
A mainly wet day with a breeze from the South. A Little Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing, 6 Curlew, single Snipe, Little Egret and Baranacle Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 8 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 40 Teal, a Pochard, 12+ Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 40+ Sand Martins, single Swallow, Wheatear, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were reported from Pilning Wetland. Nearby, 20 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers, 13 Turnstones, 3 Redshank, 30 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon and 4 Teal were seen from New Passage. At least 3 Wheatears, 2 Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, 4 Curlew and a Kestrel were seen on a low tide evening visit to Severn Beach.
27th March
A warm sunny day with a light East breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a few firsts for the year in the form of 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 very high Common Cranes drifting South, a Red Kite heading North East, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 10 Avocets, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 4 Lapwings, 60 Curlew, 120 Redshank, 11 Little Egrets, single Grey Heron, Barnacle Goose and Pochard, 8 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 50 Teal, 20 Wigeon, 4 Little Grebes, 12+ Moorhens, 6 Coot, a singing Willow Warbler, 8+ Chiffchaffs, single Siskin and Grey Wagtail, 2 Peregrines, 4 Kestrels and 9+ Buzzards. Another 11 Siskins, a Sparrowhawk and 2 Peregrines were seen at Aust Cliff/services this morning.
Egyptian Geese, Pilning Wetland 27.3.23
Common Cranes, Pilning Wetland 27.3.23 © Matt Hall
26th March
A cooler day with wind coming from the North East. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland involved 22 Avocets, a Little Ringed Plover, 170 Redshank, 4 Lapwings 38 Oystercatchers, 58 Curlew, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 15 Shelduck, 40 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 6 Sand Martins, a Swallow, 20+ Chiffchaffs, the Siberian Chiffchaff and a Peregrine. A flyover Little Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstones, 12 Oystercatchers, 4 Curlew, 12 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 5 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach. A brief visit to Aust Warth produced 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Perergines.
25th March
A breezy morning following a windy night with rain. A scan from Severn Beach over the morning high tide produced the first records for the year of Arctic Skua (adult pale morph), Sandwich Tern, Common Scoter (drake) and Sanderling. Other sightings from the Severn Beach shore included 2 Gannets, 12+ Kittiwakes, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Wigeon, 4 Shelduck, 100 Turnstones, single Redshank, Little Egret and Kestrel. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included single Little Ringed Plover and Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Avocets, 70 Curlew, 2 Lapwings, a Barnacle Goose, 4 Canada Geese, 22 Shelduck, 17 Shoveler, 40 Teal, 14 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, the Siberian Chiffchaff, 15+ Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap. A Merlin and 4 Avocets were seen from Aust Warth.
Arctic Skua, Severn Beach 25.3.23 © Aravind Ramesh
24th March
Sunshine and heavy rain showers with a gusty South West wind. Sightings from Pilning Wetland included 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Lapwing, a Snipe, a Barnacle Goose, 3 Shelduck, 50 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 10 Chiffchaffs, single Siberian Chiffchaff and Stonechat. Nearby 60 Redshank, 70 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 4 Canada Geese, 70 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon and a Kestrel were seen from New Passage. A Peregrine and a male Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach.
23rd March
A mild and breezy day with rain for most of the afternoon. Two Avocets, 40 Redshank, 20 Dunlin, 5 Lapwing, 2 Grey Herons, a Barnacle Goose, 40+ Shelduck, 22 Gadwall, 11 Shoveler, 40 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, a Peregrine and a Stonechat were seen on Pilning Wetland. Combined reports from New Passage included 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Avocets, 70 Turnstones, 300 Redshank, 45 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 21 Canada Geese, 45 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, single Wheatear, Kestrel and Peregrine. An adult Kittiwake, 25 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon and a male Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach.
Wheatear, New Passage 23.3.23
22nd March
A breezy day with some light rain. An adult Gannet, 15 Pintail (4 drakes, 11 females flying North), 24 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, single male Blackcap, Stonechat and Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3 Little Ringed Plovers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 100 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwing, 3 Grey Herons, 27 Canada Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 42 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 18 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 50 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, single Stonechat, Kestrel and Merlin. At least 50 Chiffchaffs and a Raven were seen at Aust Cliff/services area.
21st March
A day of sunny intervals, occasional light rain showers with an increasing strength South West breeze. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 18 Avocets, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 180 Dunlin, 140 Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers, 35 Curlew, 12 Turnstones, a Ringed Plover, 6 Lapwings, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Little Grebes, a Barnacle Goose, 36 Canada Geese, 44 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers, a Siberian Chiffchaff, 20+ Chiffchaffs, the first Swallow of the year, 10+ Sand Martins, 2 Stonechats, single Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Another 2 Avocets, 7 Snipe, a few Curlew and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth and nearby 2 Ravens, an impressive 50+ Chiffchaffs were seen at Aust Cliff/services area of which an impressive 32 were trapped and ringed near the sewage works. At least 30 Turnstones, 45 Shelduck, 20 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 35+ Kittiwakes, 180 Black-headed Gulls and a male Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach.
Siberian Chiffchaff, Pilning Wetland 21.3.23
20th March
A cloudy day with heavy drizzle and poor visibility across the river. The 3rd Spoonbill of the year was found just before 7 AM on Pilning Wetland where other reports today included a Little Ringed Plover, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 13 Knot, 2 Snipe, 6 Lapwings, 4 Dunlin, single Oystercatcher and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, a Water Rail, 4 Little Grebes, a Barnacle Goose, 24 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 17 Shelduck, 70 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 25 Gadwall, 24 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, the Siberian Chiffchaff, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, single Grey Wagtail, Siskin, Sand Martin and Stonechat. At least 100 Turnstones, 22 Oystercatchers, 15 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plover, 7 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck and 10 Wigeon were seen from the Severn Beach shore this morning. Single Jack Snipe, Snipe, 3 Canada Geese, 25 Shelduck, 30 Teal, 2 Kestrels, 2 Chiffchaffs, single Rock Pipit and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Chittening Warth. Click on the Spoonbill image below for a short Youtube video.
Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 20.3.23
19th March
Dry, sunny and a Westerly breeze. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 11 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Lapwings, 39 Oystercatchers, 32 Curlew, 2 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, a Barnacle Goose, 16 Canada Geese, 73 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 22 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 2 Little Grebes, a Stonechat, at least 20 Chiffchaffs including a Siberian Chiffchaff, 6 Sand Martins, a Peregrine, a Little Egret, 20 Curlew, a Grey Heron and 24 Shelduck were seen from the Severn Beach shore at low tide. Early morning reports from Aust Cliff/services involved a Merlin, 7 Shelduck, a Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Raven and 5 Siskins.
Avocets, Pilning Wetland 19.3.23
Siberian Chiffchaff, Pilning Wetland 19.3.23
18th March
Another mild sunny day with a light South West breeze. A 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, 24 Canada Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 42 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 40 Redshank, 35 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers and 20 Turnstones were seen from New Passage. Nearby, 4 Avocets, 6 Lapwing, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 16 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 2 Sand Martins, single Stonechat and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Pilning Wetland. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved 8 Ringed Plover, 20 Curlew, 25 Oystercatchers, 25 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 20+ Chiffchaffs, single Raven, Kestrel, Cetti’s Warbler, Stonechat and Rock Pipit from the sea wall/shore and 5 Stonechats, single Green Sandpiper and Wheatear from the Western Approach area. Reports from Aust Cliff/services this morning included at least 15 Chiffchaffs, 7 Sand Martins, 2 Coal Tits, 9 Siskins, single Sparrowhawk and Grey Wagtail. A Jack Snipe, 30+ Snipe, 18 Black-tailed Godwits and the first 2 Willow Warblers of the year were reported from Aust Warth.
17th March
A warmer day with a couple of rain showers in a Southerly breeze. A morning low tide visit to Severn Beach produced 4 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 45 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon and 4 Stonechats. Sixteen Avocets were seen distantly from New Passage where other sightings included 110 Turnstones, 40 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers, a Barnacle Goose, 10 Canada Geese, 37 Shelduck, 100+ Wigeon, 5 Teal and a Stonechat. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced just 5 Lapwing, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Little Grebe, 2 Canada Geese, 50 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, a Pochard, 8 Tufted Duck and a Stonechat.
16th March
Another cloudy and increasingly wet day. The Black Redstart, 2 Canada Geese, 25 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 90 Turnstones and a Stonechat were seen on a low tide visit to Severn Beach. Reports from Aust Cliff/services included a Sand Martin, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Sparrowhawks, single Blackcap and Kestrel. At least 11 Avocets, 90 Turnstones, 140 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 30+ Curlew, a Barnacle Goose, 25 Canada Geese, 68 Shelduck, 70 Wigeon and a female Merlin were seen from New Passage. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland involved 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Lapwings, single Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 28 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 11 Tufted Duck, single Pochard, Little Grebe and 2 Chiffchaffs.
15th March
A grey and increasingly wet day with a Southerly breeze. The first male Wheatear of the year was seen at Severn Beach where other sightings involved 20+ Shelduck, 20 Wigeon and 4 Curlew. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 150 Dunlin, 100 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, 35 Oystercatchers, 5 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 17 Canada Geese, 52 Shelduck, 70 Wigeon, 85 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 13 Gadwall, 9 Tufted Duck and a Pochard. A bit of excitement this afternoon involved the appearance of of an Alpine Swift feeding over the car park of Oldbury Power Station, less than 6 miles as the Swift flies from the Severnside patch. With just 2 records on Severnside (Aust Cliff April 1993, Northwick Warth June 1999) another would be very welcome. Click on the Swift image below for a short slow motion Youtube video.
Oystercatcher, Pilning Wetland 15.3.23
Alpine Swift, Oldbury Power Station 15.3.23
14th March
The sunniest day of the year so far but a moderate strength North West made it feel quite cold. The usual 21 Shelduck, 2 Canada Geese, 20 Wigeon, an impressive 160 Turnstones, 4 Curlew, 4 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, a Great Black-backed Gull and the Black Redstart were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included the first Sand Martin of the year (over the wetland), 250 Dunlin, 40 Curlew, 90 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, single Lapwing, Ringed Plover and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, single Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, 29 Canada Geese, 120 Shelduck, 141 Wigeon, 95 Teal, 29 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, single Pochard, Peregrine, Cetti’s Warbler and Stonechat. Six Avocets and a Short-eared Owl were seen at Aust Warth and nearby a drake Pintail was seen again on Aust Wetland.
Black Redstart, Severn Beach 14.3.23
13th March
A cloudy and sometimes wet day with a strong South West wind. At least 63 Gannets, 52 Kittiwakes, 40 Common Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Shelduck, 25 Dunlin, single Black Redstart, Grey Wagtail and Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from wind swept Pilning Wetland/New Passage included single Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose, 18 Canada Geese, 154 Shelduck, 111 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 3 Little Grebes, 300 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 61 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 50 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, single Raven and Peregrine.
Gannet, Severn Beach 13.3.23
12th March
Another cloudy day with some rain in a South West breeze. The Black Redstart, a Pink-footed Goose with 2 Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach this morning. The first Little Ringed Plover of the year, 6 Ringed Plover, 250 Dunlin, 40 Curlew, 20 Redshank, a Pink-footed Goose, 8 Canada Geese, 90+ Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, single Water Pipit, Peregrine and Raven were seen from New Passage early afternoon. Nearby, 4 Lapwings, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Barnacle Goose, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 50 Shoveler, 27 Gadwall, 160 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 2 Little Grebes, a Siberian Chiffchaff and 2 Chiffchaffs were seen on Pilning Wetland. A visit to Aust Wetland produced 4 Lapwings, 50 Teal, single Stonechat and Kestrel.
11th March
A cloudy day with rain in the afternoon. Little change in the variety at Severn Beach with 23 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, single Gadwall and Teal, the Black Redstart and a singing Cetti’s Warbler being reported. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 40+ Avocets, 250+ Black-tailed Godwits, 300 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 50 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 5 Lapwing, single Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose, 20 Canada Geese, 80+ Shelduck, 75 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 19 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, single Pochard, Little Grebe, Peregrine and Kestrel. A drake Pintail, 30 Teal and 12 Lapwings were seen at Aust Wetland.
10th March
A cool day with a North West breeze. The first Yellow-legged Gull of the year (adult flying up river), 20 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, a Great Black-backed Gull, a Peregrine and the Black Redstart were seen at Severn Beach. Some Avocets, 200 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, a Barnacle Goose, 17 Canada Geese, an impressive 117 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, and 20 Teal were seen from New Passage. The only sightings of note at Pilning Wetland involved 18 Lapwing, an Oystercatcher, the Pink-footed Goose, 7 Canada Geese, 4 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 70 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, single Little Grebe, Pochard and Peregrine.
Pink-footed Goose, Pilning Wetland 10.3.23
9th March
A dismal grey and wet day. A visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 25 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 2 Stonechats, a flock of 26 Reed Buntings and a Kestrel. Nearby a garden Blackcap remained feeding on Crab apples. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included single Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose, 35 Canada Geese, 25 Shelduck, 21 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 45 Wigeon, 65 Teal, a Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Curlew, 8 Lapwing, 20 Dunlin and a Grey Heron.
8th March
A cold day following overnight snowfall with sleet/snow for the rest of the day. The weather hampered viewing due to reduced visibility but the Black Redstart, male Blackcap, 3 Stonechats, a Kestrel, 2 Canada Geese, 52 Shelduck, 45 Wigeon, 20 Teal and a few Curlew, Oystercatchers and Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 50+ Black-tailed Godwits, 30+ Curlew, 35 Redshank, 200+ Dunlin, 8 Lapwing, single Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 11 Canada Geese, 26 Shelduck, 75 Wigeon, 70 Teal, a Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall and a Little Grebe.
Severn Beach 8.3.23
Blackcap, Severn Beach 8.3.23
7th March
A cold day with light rain showers and sunny intervals in the afternoon. The Black Redstart, 20 Dunlin, 15 Curlew, 48 Turnstones, 12 Canada Geese, 90 Shelduck, 45 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 2 Stonechats and a male Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach. The Pink-footed Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese, 12 Canada Geese, 70 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 7 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons remained on Pilning Wetland. A Merlin, 25+ distant Avocets, 200+ Black-tailed Godwits, 600 Dunlin, 110 Redshank, 48 Oystercatchers, 45 Turnstones, 29 Curlew, 73 Shelduck, 215 Wigeon and 15 Teal were seen from New Passage.
Black Redstart, Severn Beach 7.3.23
6th March
Two Avocets, 40 Turnstones, 40 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 70 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 10 Canada Geese, 93 Shelduck, 70 Teal, 50 Wigeon, a pair of Tufted Duck, a male Pheasant, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, the Black Redstart, 2 Stonechats, 22 Reed Buntings, single Peregrine and Kestrel were seen from the Severn Beach shore. At least another 10 Avocets, 120 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Curlew, 600 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, a few Turnstones and Redshank, 32 Shelduck and 120 Wigeon were seen from New Passage. Pilning Wetland was quieter than usual probably due to noisey machinery on the sea wall but 2 Baranacle Geese, 2 Wigeon, 140 Teal, single drake Pintail, Pochard and Tufted Duck, 53 Lapwing and 2 Grey Herons were still seen.
Avocets, Severn Beach 6.3.23
Great Black-backed Gulls, Severn Beach 6.3.23
5th March
A cool and cloudy day with a breeze from the West. The Black Redstart, 120 Dunlin, 90 Turnstones, 40 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 12 Canada Geese, 65 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 20 Teal, single Great Black-backed Gull, Stonechat, Rock Pipit, male Blackcap, singing Cetti’s Warbler (at the allotments) and Kestrel were reported at Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 43 Avocets (new record count), 560 Black-tailed Godwits, 800 Dunlin, 20 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 70 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, single Pink-footed Goose and Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese and 2 Canada Geese, 22 Shelduck, 120 Wigeon, 75 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, single Pochard, Gadwall, Peregrine and 2 Ravens.
4th March
Another cloudy day with a breeze from the North. Combined reports from Severn Beach included the Black Redstart, 2 Stonechats, 2 Canada Geese, 75 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 20 Curlew and a flock of 50 Jackdaws roosting at dusk. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved an Avocet, 150 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Turnstones, 50 Curlew, 180 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Pink-footed Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese, 22 Canada Geese, 21 Shelduck, 140 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 5 Gadwall, a Pintail, 2 Peregrine, single Sparrowhawk and Raven.
Avocet, New Passage 4.3.23
3rd March
It remained cold with a North East breeze. Reports from Severn Beach included a Ring-necked Parakeet (calling in flight near the railway platform), the Black Redstart, a male Blackcap feeding on Crab apples, a singing Cetti’s Warbler at a new location (a bush next to the Tea room), 50+ Shelduck and several Curlew on the shore at low tide. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved 150 Black-tailed godwits, 40 Curlew, 35 Lapwing, 300 Dunlin, 25 Redshank, 9 Turnstones, some very distant Avocets, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, the Pink-footed Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese, 18 Canada Geese, 19 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 160 Teal, single drake Pintail and Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck and a Kestrel. In addition a late report was received of a drake Manadarin Duck seen at Chestle Pill, New Passage “earlier this week” (only the 3rd Severnside record). A low tide visit to Aust Warth produced 20+ Avocets, 35 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 30 Wigeon, 15 Shelduck, 2 adult Great Black-backed Gulls, a Rock Pipit and 4 Stonechats.
Stonechat, Aust Warth 3.3.23
2nd March
Another cool day with an East wind. The Pink-footed Goose reappeared at Pilning Wetland after a four day absence and other sightings included just 2 Black-tailed Godwits, single Dunlin, Lapwing, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 2 Barnacle Geese, 16 Canada Geese, 10 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, 150 Teal, single Shelduck, Pochard and Kestrel. At least 260 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 23 Shelduck and 46 Wigeon were seen from New Passage. The Black Redstart, 64 Shelduck, single Stonechat and Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach. A Jack Snipe, 23 Avocets and 2 Rock Pipits were reported at Aust Warth.
Pink-footed Goose, Pilning Wetland 2.3.23
1st March
It remained cold with a moderate strength North East wind. The Black Redstart remained mobile on the Severn Beach sea wall seen early morning and afternoon where other sightings included 20 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 2 Canada Geese, 8 Curlew, 6 Turnstones, a male Blackcap and a Kestrel. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland involved 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Redshank, single Snipe and Grey Heron, 2 Barnacle Geese, 2 Canada Geese, a Shelduck, 80 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 30 Redwings, single Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff and Peregrine. At least 300 Dunlin, 11 Turnstones, 50 Redshank, 14 Canada Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 11 Shelduck and 70 Wigeon were seen from New Passage. A decent count of 22 Avocets, 150 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Stonechats were reported from Aust Warth.
