September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 200 species seen at least once in this month, is the third highest in the year. It is the time when most of the summer visitors will depart and a good selection of early winter visitors will arrive towards the end of the month. Any West or South West gales will produce the usual seabirds but the more exotic have occurred; Sooty Shearwater (1974), Balearic Shearwater (1988), Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull. Other rarities that have appeared in September include; Red-crested Pochard (2 in 1996), White Storks (2010), Glossy Ibis (2010, 2021), Cattle Egret (2012,2020,2023), Great White Egret (2013,2016,2019,2020,2022,2023), Crane (2014, 2023), Honey Buzzard (1996), Dotterel (1974), Kentish Plover (2006), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1989, 2003), Terek Sandpiper (1986), Semipalmated Sandpiper (2009), Red-rumped Swallow (1977), Wryneck (2003, 2010, 2015), Rose-coloured Starling (2004,2018), Ortolan Bunting (2018) and Yellow-browed Warbler (2017). Local rarities have included pale-bellied Brent Geese, Osprey, Spoonbill (2008,2011,2020), Nightjar (2006,2013), Hawfinch, Willow Tit (1992), Nightingale (1999), Lapland Bunting and Ring Ouzel.
September 2023
30th September
A cloudy day with 14+ metre high tide. Reports from Severn Beach included 2 Great White Egrets heading North East at 07.25, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 30 Ringed Plover, 300 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 10 Curlew, a Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 18 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 2 Grey Herons, 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers, 5+ Siskins, 2+ Stonechats, 2+ Wheatears, a Sparrowhawk and 2 Peregrines. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage are involved 2 Little Stints, 10 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Grey Plover, 30 Lapwings, 12 Knot, 300+ Dunlin, 100 Oystercatchers, 120 Curlew, 250 Redshank, 6 Snipe, 2 Great White Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, single Little Egret, Pink-footed Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese, 45+ Greylag Geese, 280 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 10 Shelduck, 14 Wigeon, 230 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, a Grey Wagtail and a Wheatear.
29th September
A dry and sunny day with a west wind. Three Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 12 Ruff, 15 Knot, single Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit and Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Lapwing, 30 Ringed Plover, 250 Dunlin, 250 Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers, 85 Curlew, 12 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, a Barnacle Goose, 280 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 140 Teal, 18 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, single Tufted Duck and Water Rail, 4 Wheatears, 2 Stonechats, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Siskins, single Rock Pipit, Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included some (but fewer than yesterday) Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstones and Curlew, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 12 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 2 Redpoll, 5 singing Cetti’s Warblers, single Rock Pipit, Wheatear and Kestrel.
Hobby, Pilning Wetland 29.9.23 © Matthew Hall
28th September
A cooler and grey day. Combined reports from Severn Beach on the very high tides included 2 Little Stints, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, single Knot and Sanderling, 30 Turnstones, 150 Ringed Plover, 300+ Dunlin, 10 Curlew, 9 Little Egrets, single Grey Heron and Mute Swan, 12 Shelduck, 2 Wheatears, 5 singing Cetti’s Warblers, single Rock Pipit, Kestrel and a Peregrine (successfully attacking the wader flock). Another 19 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Little Stints, 13 Ruff, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 13 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin, 9 Turnstones, 250 Redshank, 22 Lapwings, 10 Snipe, 12 Knot, single Grey Plover and Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 7 Mute Swans, 15 Shelduck, 12 Shoveler, 9 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 4 Gadwall, single Tufted Duck, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, 2 Sand Martins and 4 Wheatears were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Two Stonechats were seen Aust Wetland.
27th September
An increasingly windy day with the arrival of Storm Agnes. Reports from Severn Beach included a Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 80 Turnstones, 250 Dunlin, 70 Ringed Plover, 80 Curlew, 4 Little Egrets, 10 Shelduck, 2 Cetti’s Warblers and a Grey Wagtail. Another 2 Little Stints, 12 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Redshank, 34 Lapwings, 10 Snipe, 12 Curlew, 2 Grey Herons, single Little Egret and Barnacle Goose, 300 Canada Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 5 Shelduck, 22 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 200 Teal, a Water Rail, 8+ Wheatears, 4 Grey Wagtails, 4 Sand Martins, single Hobby, a fly over Coal Tit and Redpoll were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area
Little Stints, Pilning Wetland 27.9.23
26th September
A breezy day with some sunshine and showers. Combined reports from several visits to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area produced single Little Stint, Greenshank and Grey Plover, 8 Ruff, 29 Lapwing, 51 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Redshank, 90 Curlew, 130 Turnstones, 10 Snipe, 2 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plover and just one Dunlin, 2 Grey Herons, single Little Egret and Barnacle Goose, 230 Canada Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 28 Shelduck, 14 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 140 Teal, 2 Wheatears and 2 Sparrowhawks. Single Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper, 360+ Dunlin, 80 Ringed,Plovers, 10 Turnstones, 40 Oystercatchers, 120 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Wagtail and 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers were reported from Severn Beach.
25th September
A dry sunny day with a moderate strength South West wind. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included the 1st winter Grey Phalarope, a Little Stint, 12 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Redshank, 36 Lapwings, 5 Ringed Plover, 50+ Turnstones, 3 Knot, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Herons, single Little Egret, Great Black-backed Gull and Barnacle Goose, 65 Canada Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 21 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 350 Teal, 18 Wigeon, a Water Rail, 2 Marsh Harriers, single Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Grey Wagtail. Reports from Severn Beach involved a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 103 Turnstones, 10 Ringed Plover, 22 Dunlin, 10 Curlew, 8 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers, single Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Kestrel. Click HERE for a short Youtube video of the Grey Phalarope.
Grey Phalarope, New Passage 25.9.23
Grey Phalarope, New Passage 25.9.23
Little Stint, Pilning Wetland 25.9.23
24th September
A breezy, damp and grey day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a 1st winter Grey Phalarope, 12 Ruff, 23 Knot, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 34 Lapwings, 6 Snipe, single Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper, 190 Redshank, 10 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Barnacle Geese, 65 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Shelduck, a Garganey, an impressive 800 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 100+ Linnets, single Kingfisher, Kestrel, Wheatear and Grey Wagtail. Reports from Severn Beach involved 7 Knot, 80 Turnstones, 3 Dunlin, 6 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 6 Shelduck, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers and a Rock Pipit.
23rd September
A sunny morning and a dry day. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 11 Ruff, 37 Knot, a Grey Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Redshank, 30 Lapwing, 11 Snipe, 18 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 2 Water Rails, a Garganey (on the New Passage shore), a Barnacle Goose, 30 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 18 Wigeon, the usual Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall flocks, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Wheatears, 2 Siskins, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved the Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Turnstone flock, 30 Curlew, 11 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 25 Shelduck, 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers, single Grey Wagtail and Rock Pipit. Once again news broke of another rarity at St.Govan’s Head in Pembrokeshire so within an hour was on my way to see the the first British record of Canada Warbler and my first sighting of one since the spring of 2019 at Point Pelee, Ontario. The picture below was taken a few seconds after it had just showed in full view just 5 metres from us. I was too slow switching my camera on!
Canada Warbler, St. Govan’s Head, Pembrokeshire 23.9.23 © Rob Laughton
Garganey and Knot, New Passage 23.9.23 © Matthew Hall
22nd September
A mainly sunny day with some brief torrential showers. Combined reports from Severn Beach included a single Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper, 470 Dunlin, 80 Ringed Plover, 120 Turnstones, 20 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, 11 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 5 Shelduck, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and 4 singing Cetti’s Warblers. At least 9 Ruff, 15 Knot, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Redshank, 4 Snipe, 33 Lapwings, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Barnacle Geese, 30 Canada Geese, 8 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall , a Tufted Duck, 250 Teal, single Water Rail, Stonechat, Yellow Wagtail, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were reported from Pilning Wetland. Sightings from New Passage included 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 50 Knot, 30 Curlew, 5 Shelduck and a Wheatear. A Barnacle Goose, a Little Egret, 3 Kestrels and a Stonechat were seen at Aust Warth.
21st September
A day of sunny spells and some torrential downpours. Few reports were received on what seems a quiet day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Snipe, 32 Curlew, 20 Knot, 30 Lapwing, 60 Redshank, 10 Turnstones, 20 Ringed Plover, 10 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Barnacle Geese, 25 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 240+ Teal, 16 Shoveler, 3 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 2 Wheatears, single Kingfisher, Kestrel and Peregrine. A Little Stint, the usual Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstone flock, a Whinchat and 4 Wheatears were reported at Sever Beach. Meanwhile, there has been an exceptional arrival of North American birds to the UK in the last few days including only the 3rd ever record of Magnolia Warbler and the first for the mainland so I found myself at dawn on a Pembrokeshire headland.... It seems likely I will be dashing away from the Severnside Patch again in the next few weeks.
Magnolia Warbler, St. Govan’s Head, Pembrokeshire 21.9.23
Magnolia Warbler, St. Govan’s Head, Pembrokeshire 21.9.23
20th September
A very wet and sometimes windy day. A Manx Shearwater, 110 Turnstones, 60 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, 25 Curlew, 11 Shelduck, single Great Black-backed Gull and Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3 Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 12 Ruff, 70 Knot, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Dunlin, 19 Ringed Plover, 23 Lapwing, 40 Curlew, 7 Snipe, 15 Redshank, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 30 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 6 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 300 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 350 Black-headed Gulls, 120 Linnets, 2 Sand Martins, 60 Swallows, 85 House Martins, single Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Raven and Grey Wagtail. Click on the Curlew Sandpiper image below for a short Youtube video of one of the Curlew Sandpipers.
juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 20.9.23
19th September
Another windy and wet day courtesy of ex hurricane Lee with some sunny spells during the afternoon. The most interesting sightings came from Severn Beach where the highlight was a good candidate for Azorean Yellow-legged Gull (flying South West towards Portishead Marina), at least one Leach’s Petrel, 5 Manx Shearwaters, a juvenile Little Stint, 3+ Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 200 Turnstones, 400 Dunlin, 200 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egrets, 28 Shelduck, single Gadwall, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, 21 Great Black-backed Gulls and a “Commic Tern”. A breezy visit to Pilning Wetland produced a juvenile Little Stint, 4 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 20 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 200+ Teal, 80 Swallows, 80 House Martins and 2 Sand Martins. Another 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 280 Knot, 160 Redshank, 100 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 Turnstones and 20 Canada Geese were seen from New Passage. Eight Shoveler and 2 Ravens were reported from Chittening Warth.
Leach’s Petrel, Severn Beach 19.9.23
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 19.9.23
18th September
An increasingly windy and sometimes wet day. Reports from Severn Beach included a Little Stint, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 400 Dunlin, 180 Ringed Plover, 70 Turnstones, 105 Curlew, 67 Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper, 14 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 25 Shelduck, a Wigeon, 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers, single Garden Warbler, Grey Wagtail, Coal Tit and Peregrine. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved 12 Ruff, 12 Bar-tailed Godwits, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 280 Knot, 150 Redshank, 100 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 32 Lapwing, 55+ Snipe, 8 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, a Turnstone, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, a Water Rail, 2 Barnacle Geese, 90 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 30 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 200+ Linnets, 2 Siskins, 2 Wheatears, single Kingfisher, Sedge Warbler, Grey Wagtail, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
Garden Warbler, Severn Beach 18.9.23
Little Stint, Severn Beach 18.9.23
17th September
A wet and sometimes very wet day. Combined reports from Severn Beach included a Little Stint, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 90 Turnstones, 200 Ringed Plover, 400 Dunlin, 45 Curlew, 6 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 65 Shelduck, 3 Teal, a Great Black-backed Gull, a late Sand Martin, 2 Wheatears, 4 singing Cetti’s Warblers, single Siskin and Grey Wagtail. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 8 Ruff, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 180 Knot, 340 Redshank, 10 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 26 Lapwing, 80 Oystercatchers, 150 Curlew, single Common Sandpiper, Little Egret, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 250 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 380 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, single Grey Wagtail, Sparrowhawk and Red Kite.
16th September
A dismal wet day wit a North East wind. Early morning reports from Aust Cliff/services included a Firecrest, 25 Greylag Geese, 3 Peregrine, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Ravens, single Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Jay, 35 Chiffchaffs, 2 Mistle Thrushes and 5 Siskins. Three juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Sanderling, 4 Whimbrel, 500+ Dunlin and 200 Ringed Plover were reported from Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Ruff, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 23 Dunlin, 12 Turnstones, 100+ Redshank, 31 Lapwings, 10 Snipe, single Knot, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Barnacle Goose, 70 Canada Geese, 400+ Teal, 4 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 4 Ravens, a Kestrel and a Kingfisher. A Stonechat and 2 Kestrels were seen at Aust Warth.
Ruff and Curlew Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 16.9.23
15th September
A dry and sunny day with a light South East wind. At least 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Sanderling, 80 Knot, 70 Turnstones, 620 Dunlin, 280 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck, 3 Teal, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers, single Grey Wagtail and Siskin. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 170 Redshank, 30 Lapwings, 3 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 50 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 35 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 280 Teal and a Grey Wagtail. Combined reports from New Passage included 10 Bar-tailed Godwits, 180 Knot, 3 Common Sandpipers, 7 Redshank, 36 Oystercatchers, 34 Curlew, 21 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plover, single Grey Heron, Little Egret and Barnacle Goose, 40 Canada Geese, 8 Shelduck, 33 Teal and 18 Cormorants.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 15.9.23
juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, Severn Beach 15.9.23
14th September
Early morning reports from Aust Cliff/services included a Cattle Egret (heading South West), a Hobby, 3 Grey Wagtails and 8 Siskins. The Cattle Egret was relocated at Pilning Wetland/New Passage where other reports involved 31 Lapwing, 3 Ruff, 48 Knot, 150 Redshank, 120 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 40 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 10 Turnstones, 8 Ringed Plover, just 2 Dunlin, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, a Barnacle Goose, 300 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 15 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 120 Teal, a Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes, single Cetti’s Warbler and Kingfisher, 2 Wheatears and 2 Grey Wagtails. At least 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, single Little Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Knot, 400 Dunlin, 200 Ringed Plover, 60 Turnstones, 3 Little Egrets, a Canada Goose, 3 Wigeon and a Grey Wagtail were seen at Severn Beach.
13th September
A dry and sunny day. Early morning sightings from Aust Cliff/services included 4 Cranes flying South West, a Golden Plover, 40 Oystercatchers, 20 Canada Geese, 6 Grey Wagtails, 5 Redpolls, 3 Siskins, 2 Ravens and a Peregrine. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved a Knot, 120 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 80 Turnstones, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Curlew, 6 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 21 Shelduck, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 3 Wheatears, single Lesser Whitethroat and Grey Wagtail. A Knot, 5 Ringed Plover, 12 Turnstones, 6 Curlew, 6 Shelduck, 5 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails, single Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Grey Wagtail were seen from New Passage. Several visits to Pilning Wetland produced a Greenshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Redshank, 24 Lapwing, 70 Snipe, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 300 Canada Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 40 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 220+ Teal, 4 Little Grebes, a Raven and a Kestrel.
12th September
Cloudy with some heavy rain showers finishing off with a sunny afternoon. Morning and evening visits to Severn Beach produced a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 17 Knot, 180 Ringed Plover, 180 Dunlin, 60 Turnstones, 5 Curlew and Oystercatchers, 13 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 21 Shelduck and a Wheatear. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Ruff, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 21 Snipe, 150 Redshank, 35 Curlew, 50 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 20 Turnstones, 32 Lapwing, a Knot, 10 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 19 Canada Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 6 Shelduck, 40 Shoveler, 21 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 450+ Teal, 4 Little Grebes, 10 Stock Doves, 2 Kingfishers, 4 Yellow Wagtails, single Cetti’s Warbler and Kestrel.
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 12.9.23
Barnacle Goose, Pilning Wetland 12.9.23
juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 12.9.23
juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 12.9.23
11th September
A cloudy morning with light rain showers becoming brighter by mid afternoon. Reports from Severn Beach included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Knot, 60 Turnstones, 170 Dunlin, 140 Ringed Plover, 130 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 11 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 34 Shelduck, 3 Teal, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Grey Wagtail, Wheatear, Cetti’s Warbler, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Visits to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area produced 2 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 145 Redshank, 30 Turnstones, 24 Lapwing, 15 Snipe, single Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Little Grebes, 130 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 25 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 200+ Teal, single Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Grey Wagtail.
juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 11.9.23
10th September
Some torrential rain showers in the morning then remaining warm and humid. Early morning reports from the Aust Cliff/services area included 2 Cattle Egrets, a Little Egret, 5 Redshank, 7 Oystercatchers, 16 Curlew, 3 Pintail, 7 Shelduck, 3 Peregrines, single Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Raven, 6 Grey Wagtails and 3 Siskins. Nearby, 5 Shelduck and a Cetti’s Warbler were present at Aust Warth. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Ruff, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 12 Curlew, 40 Snipe, 21 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpipers, 180 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 75 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 5 Shelduck, a Garganey, 2 Pintail, 300 Teal, 24 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Wheatears, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Kingfisher, Kestrel, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Cetti’s Warbler and Stonechat. A Short-eared Owl was reported flying South over the salt marsh at Severn Beach where other sightings involved 30 Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 160 Curlew, 14 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 29 Shelduck and 2 Wheatears.
9th September
A foggy morning clearing to a hot (28°C) and humid afternoon. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Spotted Redshank, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruff, 3 Knot, 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 150 Redshank, 25 Lapwing, 28 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 350 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, the Garganey, 37 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 160 Mallard, 340 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Wigeon, 5 Little Grebes, a first summer Mediterranean Gull, 2 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Grey Wagtails, single Hobby, Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler and Kestrel. At least 6 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese and singing Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Severn Beach shore. Single Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat, Coal Tit, Willow Warbler and 18 Chiffchaff were reported from the Aust Clliff/services area.
female type Garganey in the fog, Pilning Wetland 9.9.23
juvenile Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 9.9.23
8th September
Another hot and humid day. Reports from Aust Cliff/services included the 3rd Osprey of the year, the first Nuthatch for 4 years, 7 Spotted Flycatchers, 54 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Ravens, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Lesser Whitethroat, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Pheasant. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved a Guillemot floating offshore, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, single Whimbrel, Ruff, Common Sandpiper and Knot, 9 Dunlin, 70 Turnstones, 145 Redshank, 12 Curlew, 26 Lapwing, 28 Snipe, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 150 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 11 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, 27 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 10 Wigeon, 160 Mallard, 355 Teal, a Tufted Duck, 2 Wheatears, 2 Kestrels, single Coal Tit and Tree Pipit, At least 30 Ringed Plover, 3 Great White Egrets, 5 Little Egrets, 12 Shelduck, single Great Black-backed Gull and Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach. Click on the Guillemot image below for a short Youtube video.
Guillemot, New Passage 8.9.23
7th September
A 30°C day with hazy sunshine and a light North East breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Ruff, 3 Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 6 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 400 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 120 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, single Garganey, Wigeon and 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a Sparrowhawk. Single Whimbrel, Little Egret and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers were reported from Severn Beach.
Knot, New Passage 7.9.23
6th September
No change in the weather, still hot and sunny. A record flock of 9 Cattle Egrets, 3 Ruff, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, single Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel and Green Sandpiper, 15 Knot, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, 7 Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin, 175 Redshank, 35 Curlew, 26 Lapwings, 26 Snipe, 70 Turnstones, 7 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, 6 Little Terns (3 adults, 3 juveniles), 2 Sandwich Terns, 8 Common Terns, 6 Arctic Terns, 30 “Commic” Terns, a Greylag Goose, 320 Canada Geese, 8 Shelduck, a Garganey, 300+ Teal, 15 Gadwall, 160 Mallard, 25 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, single Wigeon, Water Rail, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, 2 Ravens, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Tree Pipits, 2 Siskins, single Cetti’s Warbler and Wheatear were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A morning visit to Severn Beach produced a mixed flock of 40 Ringed Plover and Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 8 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 6 Shelduck and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. Another Spotted Flycatcher was seen at Aust Cliff/services this morning. Click HERE for a short Youtube video of the Little Terns bathing and HERE for a video of the juvenile begging the adult for food.
Cattle Egrets, Pilning Wetland 6.9.23
Little Terns, New Passage 6.9.23
5th September
Another hot (28°C) and humid day with a East breeze. Morning visits to Severn Beach produced a fly over, calling Spotted Redshank (heading North East), 40 Curlew, 90 Ringed Plover, 130 Dunlin, 2 Turnstones, 11 Little Egrets, single Grey Heron, Great Black-backed Gull and Grey Wagtail. Combined visits to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area produced a Lapland Bunting (seen on the salt marsh and flew off North East), 9 flyover Crossbills, single Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Ringed Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 19 Knot, 16 Dunlin, 29 Lapwing, 22 Snipe, 3 Oystercatchers, 142 Redshank, 30 Curlew, a Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, a Water Rail, 300 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Shelduck, the Garganey, 265 Teal, 25 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 170 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, single Pintail, Wigeon, Kingfisher, Sedge Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Sparrowhawk, 2 Wheatears, 2 Kestrels and 4 Ravens.
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 5.9.23
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 5.9.23
4th September
A hot and sunny day day with the afternoon temperature reaching 29°C. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Garganey (immature/female), 15 Avocets, single Greenshank, Whimbrel, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Knot, 2 Ruff, 16 Snipe, 160 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 19 Dunlin, 52 Turnstones, 26 Lapwings, 60 Curlew, 5 Oystercatchers, 6 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 300 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 6 Shelduck, 38 Shoveler, 122 Mallard, 306 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, a Wigeon, 2 Water Rails, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens, 3 Grey Wagtails, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Tree Pipits, 5 Siskins, single Kingfisher, Coal Tit, Whinchat and Redpoll. At least 40 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 5 Little Egrets and a Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach. Sightings from Aust Cliff/services included 2 Ravens, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Tree Pipit.
3rd September
A warm (25°C) and sunny day. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Avocets, single Greenshank, Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 21 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones, 160 Redshank, 120 Curlew (including a colour ringed individual. Right leg; Black above Yellow, Left Leg; Blue above Orange above White. This individual was ringed as a chick at RAF Honington, Suffolk in May 2019 and this is the 1st report of it since then), 90 Oystercatchers, 25 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 300 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 120 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, a Wigeon, a hunting Marsh Harrier, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Jays, single Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. At least 80 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 4 Turnstones, 5 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 20 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, a 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Great Black-backed Gulls, single Cetti’s Warbler and Kestrel were reported from the Severn Beach shore. Early morning reports from Aust Cliff/services included 3 fly over Black-tailed Godwits, single Curlew and Ringed Plover, 28 Canada Geese, 2 Pintail, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls plus 18+ Tree Pipits, 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails, 23 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers, single Wheatear, Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Raven, Coal Tit, Siskin and Redpoll.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 2.9.23
2nd September
A misty morning high tide, turning warm and sunny all afternoon with a light North East breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a fly over Hawfinch, 2 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 44 Knot, 24 Lapwing, 32 Ringed Plover, 35 Dunlin, 75 Turnstones, 16 Snipe, 220 Redshank, 220 Curlew, 150 Oystercatchers, single Greenshank, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 300 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 10 Shelduck, 43 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 175 Teal, 80 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Wheatears, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails, single Cetti’s Warbler, Tree Pipit, Kingfisher, Raven, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. At least 40 Knot, 150 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 85 Turnstones, 14 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and 25 Canada Geese were seen from the Severn Beach shore. Early morning reports from the Aust Cliff/services area involved 4 Curlew, 16 Oystercatchers, 4 Canada Geese, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Tree Pipits, single Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear and Grey Wagtail.
Cattle Egret, Pilning Wetland 1.9.23
1st September
A dry day with some sunny periods and 14+ Metre high tide. Combined reports from the Severn Beach shore included 2 Common Sandpipers, 44 Knot, 217 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 32 Turnstones, 70 Curlew, a record 20 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 12 Mute Swans, 11 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls,2 Wheatears, single Kingfisher, Lesser Whitethroat, Raven, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Peregrine. An excellent variety of birds were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area including the first Cattle Egret of the year, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel, 44 Knot, 2 Ruff, a Greenshank, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 163 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 23 Lapwing, 25 Ringed Plover, 32 Dunlin, 11 Turnstones, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Snipe, 240 Curlew, 220 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egret, 7 Grey Herons, 300 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, a Greylag Goose, 30 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 8 Shelduck, 130 Teal, 12 Gadwall, single Tufted Duck, Water Rail, Redstart, Tree Pipit and Siskin, 6 Sand Martins, 4 Wheatears, 2 Kingfishers, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Kestrels, single Raven, Hobby and Peregrine. Early morning reports from Aust Cliff/services involved 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlew, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Shelduck, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, single Grey Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail.
