December is one of the quietest months with only 168 species recorded during the month. It can be a good month for wildfowl with the chance of Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander if inland waters freeze or some fly by Bewick’s Swans. A good selection of seabirds have occurred in December gales including Black-throated and Great Northern Divers, Leach’s Petrel, Little Auk, Grey Phalarope and Pomarine Skua. Other rarities have included a stunning male Desert Wheatear (2013), Eastern Yellow Wagtail (1993), Cattle Egret (2022), Green-winged Teal (2013), Egyptian Goose (2013, 2019), Glaucous Gull, Waxwing (2010) and in the winters of 1940 & 1941, Cirl Bunting.
December 2023
31st December
A very windy day with squally torrential rain and hail. At least 12 Kittiwakes, 100 Turnstones, 35 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 16 Shelduck and 40 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach. An impressive 4000+ Dunlin, 130 Oystercatchers, 110 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 50 Lapwings, 2 Grey Herons, 60+ Greylag Geese, 90 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, 14 Shelduck, 12 Gadwall, 65 Shoveler, 400+ Teal, 255 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, a Pochard and 2 Ravens were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area this morning.
Turnstones, Severn Beach 31.12.23
30th December
Another wet and cloudy day. Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 1800 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 60 Lapwings, 90 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, a Snipe, a Little Egret, 63 Greylag Geese, 130 Canada Geese, 5 Mute Swans, 11 Shelduck, 500+ Teal, 250+ Wigeon, 65 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, single Tufted Duck, Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler and Rock Pipit. Another 140 Lapwing (flying South), 8 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 30 Teal, single Kestrel and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Severn Beach.
29th December
Another breezy day with rain showers. At least 1800 Dunlin, 96 Turnstones, 150 Lapwing, 85 Oystercatchers, 95 Curlew, 44 Redshank, 12 Snipe, 9 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 72 Greylag Geese, 240 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, 14 Shelduck, 70 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 320 Wigeon, 550 Teal, a Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area this morning. Reports from the Aust Warth area included 6 Jack Snipe, 36 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 14 Curlew, 20 Shelduck, 2 Stonechats and 3 Rock Pipits. Another 150 Dunlin, 16 Shelduck, 31 Wigeon and a Stonechat were seen at Severn Beach.
28th December
Some sunshine between torrential rain showers and still very windy. At least 2000 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 80 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 80 Redshank, 3 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 2 Mute Swans, 54 Greylag Geese, 220 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 350 Wigeon, 50 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 450 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, single drake Pintail and Pochard were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. No seabirds were seen from Severn Beach despite the prolonged strong West wind with just 21 Turnstones, 40 Dunlin, 17 Curlew, 7 Oystercatchers, 5 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, 38 Wigeon and a Great Black-backed Gull worthy of a mention.
27th December
A very wet and windy day as Storm Gerrit arrived with mainly South/South East wind. At least 2600 Dunlin, 150 Lapwings, 80 Oystercatchers, 110 Curlew, 2 Mute Swans, 50+ Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 34 Shelduck, 340 Wigeon, 280 Teal, a Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 40 Shoveler and 25 Gadwall were seen in the windswept Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another 11 Curlew, 30 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatchers, 5 Redshank, 5 Shelduck and 35 Wigeon were seen from Severn Beach. The first Little Owl of the year was seen today.
Little Owl, 27.12.23 © Vic Savery
26th December
A brief morning sunny spell turning cloudy for the rest of the day. A brief afternoon visit to Pilning Wetland produced 200 Dunlin, 25 Curlew, 70 Lapwings, 4 Grey Herons, 3 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, 40+ Shoveler, 23 Gadwall, 360 Teal, 50+ Wigeon, 17 Stock Doves, 2 Stonechats, single Kestrel and Chiffchaff.
25th December
A wet and windy Christmas day. An early morning low tide stroll at Severn Beach produced 15 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon and a Peregrine. At least 150 Lapwings, 30 Curlew, 4 Grey Herons, 52 Greylag Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 5 Shelduck, 35+ Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, 45 Wigeon, a drake Pintail, 350+ Teal, a Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck and a Stonechat were seen at Pilning Wetland.
Tufted Duck and Pochard, Pilning Wetland 25.12.23
24th December
A wet and windy day with a strong West wind. A Fulmar, at least 83 Kittiwakes, 6 Pintail (5 drakes), 10 Wigeon, 220 Dunlin, 11 Turnstones, 14 Curlew and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls were seen from Severn Beach. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included the 52 Greylag Geese, 10 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 6 Shelduck, 95 Wigeon, 350 Teal, 25 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 200 Dunlin, 80 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, 60 Lapwings, single Snipe, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 2 Stonechats, 40 Redwings and a Kestrel.
23rd December
Another cloudy day with a gusty South West wind. The usual 150 Lapwings, 65 Curlew, 50 Oystercatchers, 120 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 4 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 52 Greylag Geese, 160 Canada Geese, 5 Mute Swans, 14 Shelduck, 165 Wigeon, 450 Teal, 35 Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck and a Raven were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A Leach’s Petrel, 26 Curlew, 3 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, single Kestrel and Rock Pipit were seen from the Severn Beach shore late afternoon. Click on the video grab below for a slow motion video of the Leach’s Petrel.
video grab Leach’s Petrel, Severn Beach 23.12.23
22nd December
A dry, breezy and cloudy day. Two Kittiwakes and a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull were reported from New Passage. Additional sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 120 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones, 70 Lapwings, 60 Redshank, 45 Curlew, an Oystercatcher, a Little Egret, 4 Mute Swans, 52 Greylag Geese, 220 Canada Geese, 24 Shelduck, 185 Wigeon, 550 Teal, 40+ Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck and a Stonechat.
21st December
Storm Pia crossed the area today with very strong North West/West wind. At least 150 Turnstones, 150 Dunlin and 27 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach on the afternoon high tide. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved 275 Dunlin, 70 Lapwings, 25 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 6 Mute Swans, 52 Greylag Geese, 195 Canada Geese, 33 Shelduck, 40+ Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall, 230 Wigeon, 550 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Ravens, single Kestrel and Stonechat.
20th December
A cloudy day with light rain and a gusty West wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 250 Dunlin, 80 Lapwings, 56 Curlew, 30 Redshank, a Little Egret, 53 Greylag Geese, 35 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 15 Shelduck, 155 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 2 Stonechats and a Chiffchaff. Another 20 Curlew and 45 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach.
19th December
Rain for most of the day with a West wind. A single Black-tailed Godwit, 1200 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 94 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 4 Turnstones, 7 Grey Herons, 54 Greylag Geese, 60 Canada Geese, 6 Mute Swans, 19 Shelduck, 145 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 35 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 2 Ravens, single Stonechat and male Sparrowhawk were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
18th December
Cloudy with rain from mid afternoon. At least 2000 Dunlin, 150 Lapwings, 130 Curlew, 120 Redshank, 3 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 50+ Greylag Geese, 54 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 30 Shelduck, 140 Wigeon, 450 Teal, 28 Gadwall, 40+ Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck and a Raven were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Combined reports from Severn Beach included 17 Ringed Plovers, 22 Curlew, 39 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin, a Redshank, 2 Water Rails, 60 Wigeon, 15 Shelduck, 3 Ravens and 100 Fieldfares.
17th December
It continued to be overcast with a gusty South West breeze. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a female Merlin, a Marsh Harrier, 3500 Dunlin (at high tide), 240 Lapwings, 120 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, 60 Redshank, 30 Turnstones, a Snipe, a Little Egret, 80 Greylag Geese, 90 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 12 Shelduck, 220 Wigeon, 400 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 45 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall, 80 Fieldfares, single Chiffchaff and Kestrel, 2 Ravens and 2 Stonechats. Another 26 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon and 5 Mute Swans were seen at Severn Beach.
16th December
Another dull and cloudy day. Early morning reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included at least 3500 Dunlin, 230 Lapwings, 90 Curlew, 120 Oystercatchers, 120 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 53 Greylag Geese, 64 Canada Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 14 Shelduck, single Pintail and Pochard, 45 Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall, 240 Wigeon, 250+ Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechats, single Water Pipit, Cetti’s Warbler, Grey Wagtail and Kestrel. Another 24 Shelduck, 30 Teal and 10 Wigeon were seen at Aust Warth. Click HERE for a short Youtube video of some of the Dunlin flock in flight.
15th December
Dull, cloudy for most of the day. The Severn Way footpath leading North from New Passage towards Aust Warth reopened today after being closed for almost 3 years. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Black-tailed Godwit, 1200 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 90 Redshank, 60 Curlew, 8 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 52 Greylag Geese, 43 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 13 Shelduck, 200+ Wigeon, 360 Teal, 40+ Shoveler, 35+ Gadwall, single drake Pintail, Stonechat, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. A morning high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 200+ Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, a Grey Heron, 45 Wigeon, 12 Shelduck, single singing Cetti’s Warbler and Stonechat.
an “Arty” picture of Wigeon, New Passage 15.12.23
14th December
A cold grey morning with spells of sunshine in the afternoon. An impressive 2000+ Dunlin, 130 Lapwings, 80 Redshank, 50 Curlew, a single Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Snipe, 3 Grey Herons, 53 Greylag Geese, 28 Canada Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 22 Shelduck, 70 Shoveler, 50 Gadwall, 185 Wigeon, 450 Teal, 11 Tufted Duck, single singing Cetti’s Warbler, male Peregrine and female Merlin were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another 140 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 20 Dunlin, 15 Turnstones, single Grey Heron and Mute Swan, 21 Shelduck, 45 Wigeon and a singing Cetti’s Warbler were present on a morning visit to Severn Beach.
13th December
An overcast day with a cold North west wind from late morning. An early morning visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 200+ Dunlin, 6 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon and 2 Stonechats. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 2 Avocets, 500 Dunlin, 12 Turnstones, 50 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, 25 Redshank, 15 Lapwing, a Grey Heron, 52 Greylag Geese, 100 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, a female Pochard, 55 Shelduck, 270+ Wigeon, 60 Shoveler, 80 Mallard, 30 Gadwall, 550 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck and a Kestrel.
12th December
A dry morning followed by light rain during the afternoon. At least 300 Dunlin, 80 Oystercatchers, 68 Curlew, 20 Lapwings, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 53 Greylag Geese, 85 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 12 Shelduck, 120 Wigeon, 530 Teal, 45+ Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall, a drake Pintail and a hunting Peregrine were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
11th December
A dry day starting very overcast with some sunshine in the afternoon. A low tide visit to Severn Beach produced 2 Canada Geese, 23 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 2 Ravens, 70 Redwings, single Water Rail, Grey Heron, Siskin and Cetti’s Warbler. At least 500 Dunlin, 300 Lapwings, 45 Curlew, 50 Oystercatchers, 70 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, single Little Egret, Little Grebe and Great Black-backed Gull, 39 Greylag Geese, 110 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 190+ Wigeon, 300 Teal, 40+ Shoveler, 15+ Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck and 2 Ravens were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area this morning at low tide. A male Tawny Owl and a Barn Owl were present at Aust Wetland this evening.
10th December
A wet morning and a gusty South/South West wind all day. At least 7 Snipe, 160 Lapwings, 70 Redshank, 20 Dunlin, 17 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 52 Greylag Geese, 80 Canada Geese, 9 Mute Swans, 15 Shelduck, 45+ Shoveler, 15+ Gadwall, 190 Wigeon and 220 Teal were seen in a very wet and windswept visit to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 10.12.23
9th December
Storm Elin passed over the area today with rain and a strong West wind. At least 52 Kittiwakes, 250 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 7 Curlew, 20 Shelduck and 20 Wigeon were seen from Severn Beach. At least 200 Lapwings, 170 Oystercatchers, 50 Dunlin, 21 Curlew, a Little Egret, a Great Black-backed Gull, 55 Greylag Geese, 130 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 185 Wigeon, 260 Teal, 20+ Gadwall, 50+ Shoveler and a drake Pintail were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
8th December
A cloudy, damp day with a Southerly breeze. A quiet day at Severn Beach with 15 Curlew, 30 Dunlin, 20 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon and a Rock Pipit being reported. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 30 Black-tailed Godwits, 280 Lapwings, 104 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 90 Dunlin, a Snipe, 53 Greylag Geese, 240 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 20 Shelduck, 50+ Shoveler, 35+ Gadwall, 270 Wigeon, 290 Teal and a Peregrine. A Crossbill flew South West over Aust Cliff/services where other sightings included 188 Redwings, 30 Fieldfares and a Siskin.
7th December
A cloudy and breezy morning followed by a wet afternoon. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 190 Lapwings, 200 Dunlin, 63 Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 50 Turnstones, a Grey Heron, an Egyptian Goose (only the 2nd record this year), 61 Greylag Geese, 180 Canada Geese, 11 Shelduck, 280 Wigeon, 230 Teal, 25+ Gadwall, 40+ Shoveler, a Pintail and 2 Ravens. Another 16 Shelduck were seen at Severn Beach in a low tide visit.
6th December
Sunshine and cloud and a light South East breeze. Two White-fronted Geese were seen flying North East at 10.15 this morning from Aust Cliff/services where other reports included 98 Fieldfares, 45 Redwings, 3 Ravens, 3 Brambling, 45 Siskins, single Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Redpoll. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 260 Lapwings, 60 Redshank, 35 Curlew, 200 Dunlin, 32 Turnstones, a Snipe, 4 Grey Herons, 55 Greylag Geese, 30 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, 37 Shelduck, 340 Wigeon, 375 Teal, 63 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall, single Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Kestrel, Raven, Cetti’s Warbler, Chiffchaff and Rock Pipit. Another 60 Curlew, 40 Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 80 Dunlin, 2 Turnstones, 50 Wigeon, 10 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and a Rock Pipit were reported from Severn Beach.
5th December
A cool, grey day with a light North wind. Early morning reports from Aust Cliff/services included 6 Goosander heading up river, 3 Lapwing, 12 Fieldfares, 9 Siskins, single Peregrine and Brambling. A Knot, 180 Lapwings, 60 Redshank, 51 Curlew, 46 Turnstones, just 8 Dunlin, 3 Grey Herons, 53 Greylag Geese, 120 Canada Geese, a Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 3 Pintail, 65 Shelduck, 60 Shoveler, 25 Gadwall, 350 Wigeon, 375 Teal, 100 Mallard, single Kestrel, Grey Wagtail and Rock Pipit were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved 200 Dunlin, 32 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 12 Redshank, 7 Turnstones, 24 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 5 Gadwall (at the Orchard Pools), 2 Water Rails, single Kittiwake, Kingfisher, Stonechat and Grey Wagtail.
4th December
A miserable and very wet day. A very brief and wet high tide visit to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area produced just 13 Curlew, 40 Lapwings, 50 Dunlin, 2 Grey Herons, 55 Greylag Geese, 62 Canada Geese, 11 Shelduck, 170 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 130 Teal and 2 Tufted Duck.
3rd December
A warmer (7°C) but cloudy and wet day. The only reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 69 Black-tailed Godwits, 1000+ Dunlin, 120 Lapwing, 12 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 80 Redshank, 5 Grey Herons, 56 Greylag Geese, 150 Canada Geese, 21 Shelduck, 260 Wigeon, 230 Teal, 45+ Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, single Kestrel and Stonechat. Another 200 Dunlin, 15 Redshank, 11 Shelduck, 55 Wigeon, 40 Teal, a Gadwall, single Grey Wagtail and Rock Pipit were reported from a morning visit to Severn Beach.
2nd December
Another -2°C day with persistent icy fog and most of the freshwater pools covered with ice. Morning reports from Severn Beach included a Short-eared Owl, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 25 Oystercatchers, 9 Redshank, single Snipe, Lapwing and Grey Heron, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Shelduck, 86 Wigeon, 48 Teal, 4 Stonechats, 3 Rock Pipits and a Cetti’s Warbler. Another 150 Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Dunlin, 2 Turnstones, 10 Lapwing, 7 Snipe, 10 Curlew, 23 Redshank, a Grey Heron, 24 Coots, 52 Greylag Geese, 103 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 5 Shelduck, 150 Wigeon, 110 Teal, 55 Shoveler, 35 Gadwall, a pair of Pintail, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechats, single Peregrine and Sparrowhawk were reported in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area in poor visibility. Early morning reports from Aust Cliff/services in dense fog involved 23 Dunlin, single Redshank and Snipe, 3 Teal, 3 Chiffchaff, single Pheasant, Grey Wagtail and Rock Pipit.
Stonechat, Pilning Wetland 2.12.23
1st December
An icy -2°C start to the day. A male Marsh Harrier, 230 Black-tailed Godwits, 1000 Dunlin, 140 Lapwings, 30 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 60 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 55 Greylag Geese, 260 Canada Geese, 42 Shelduck, 550 Teal, 200 Wigeon, 50+ Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck and a Stonechat were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 200 Dunlin, 10 Redshank, 12 Curlew, 20 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 2 Ravens, 4 Siskins and a Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach.
