January is a slightly better month than December, the daylight hours slowly lengthen resulting in a monthly total of 174 species. Like any of the mid winter months it can be good for wildfowl sightings if inland waters freeze, with the chance of Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander or some fly by Bewick’s Swans. Seabirds seen in gales have included Cory’s Shearwater (2004), Sabine’s Gull (2023), Storm Petrel, Leach’s Petrel, Little Auk, Red-throated Diver and Grey Phalarope. Other January birds include; Spoonbill (2023), Pink-footed Goose (2021), Slavonian Grebe (2010,2016,2024), Green-winged Teal (2015), American Golden Plover (2002), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Eastern Yellow Wagtail (1994), Shorelark (2004), Waxwing (1958,2011,2024), two Common Cranes that flew over Severn Beach (2000), Whooper Swans (2005, 2018, 2023), Bittern (2011,2017), Glaucous Gull and a few rare sightings of Hen Harrier.
January 2024
31st January
A cloudy day with some light rain showers. Single Jack Snipe, Snipe, redhead Goosander, male Marsh Harrier, Raven, Stonechat and Rock Pipit were reported from Aust Warth this morning. The first Mediterranean Gull (adult) of the year, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 16 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 20 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones and a Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 24 Black-tailed Godwits, 2000 Dunlin, 300 Lapwings, 70 Curlew, 6 Oystercatchers, 75 Redshank, 15 Turnstones, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 36 Greylag Geese, 17 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 75 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 40 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 3 Pintail (2 drakes), 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, a singing Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Stonechats, single Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Raven.
30th January
Another dry, cool and cloudy day. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 105 Curlew, 2000 Dunlin, 180 Lapwings, 95 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 130 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 59 Shelduck, 40 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 150+ Wigeon, 190+ Teal, 5 Tufted Duck and 2 Stonechats. At least 250 Dunlin, 80 Turnstones, 4 Curlew, a Snipe, 12 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon were seen from the Severn Beach shore.
29th January
Another overcast dull and cold day day. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 2000 Dunlin, 90 Lapwings, 150 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 75 Redshank, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 6 Greylag Geese, 70 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 13 Shelduck, 40 Shoveler, 23 Gadwall, 200 Wigeon, 260 Teal, 11 Tufted Duck, a Kestrel, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers and 3 Stonechats. Another 26 Shelducks, 25 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 2 squealing Water Rails, 75 Redshank and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers and a male Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach.
28th January
A mild and cloudy day. A late afternoon visit to Pilning Wetland produced 90 Lapwings, 10 Curlew, a few Snipe, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 5 Shelduck, 8 Gadwall, 90 Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 35 Redwings and a Stonechat. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved a Jack Snipe, 130 Dunlin, 147 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 110 Oystercatchers, single Grey Heron and Water Rail, 35 Shelduck, 31 Wigeon, 26 Teal, a Cetti’s Warbler, 5 Siskins, a Grey Wagtail and a pair of Blackcaps. Sightings from Chittening Warth included 3 Jack Snipe, 2000 Dunlin, 300 Redshank, 200 Turnstones, 60 Curlew, 45 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 80 Shelduck, 3 Pheasants, 2 Peregrine, 3 Ravens, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Water Pipit and Stonechat.
Redwing, Pilning Wetland 28.1.24
27th January
A cloudy day. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3000 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 90 Oystercatchers, 80 Curlew, 20 Snipe, single Turnstone, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Greylag Geese, 75 Canada Geese, 5 Mute Swans, 60 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall, 220 Wigeon, 435 Teal, 3 Pintail, 11 Tufted Ducks, 4 Stonechats, single Water Rail, Raven, Grey Wagtail, Cetti’s Warbler and Kestrel. Two Blackcaps (male & female) were feeding on apples in a Severn Beach garden.
26th January
A sunny day with a light South West wind. A morning high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced a 1st winter Little Gull, 70 Oystercatchers, 30 Wigeon, 9 Shelduck, 20 Teal, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Stonechats and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. Reports from the Plning Wetland/New Passage area included a Green Sandpiper, 500 Dunlin, 70 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, 70 Redshank, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 10 Greylag Geese, 110 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 13 Shelduck, a drake Pintail, 5 Tufted Duck, 50+ Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 300 Teal, 280 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Stonechats and Cetti’s Warbler.
25th January
A warmer, less windy day. At least 30 Turnstones, 7 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 90 Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 8 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, single Cetti’s Warbler and Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 1200 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 80 Redshank, 10 Turnstones, 90 Curlew, 2 Snipe, single Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 10 Greylag Geese, 65 Canada Geese, 40 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 280 Wigeon, 360 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Ravens, single Cetti’s Warbler and Stonechat. A Jack Snipe, 25 Redshank, 40 Curlew and 50 Shelduck were seen at Aust Warth and nearby 2 Ravens, single Pheasant, Little Egret, Stonechat, Grey Wagtail and Peregrine were reported from Aust Cliff/services.
24th January
Following a night when Storm Jocelyn passed over the area just a single Kittiwake, 45 Turnstones, 50 Dunlin, 30 Wigeon and 5 Shelduck were the only birds worth a mention at Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 250+ Lapwings, 500 Dunlin, 80+ Snipe, 50 Redshank, 70+ Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 30 Turnstones, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 4 Greylag Geese, 85 Canada Geese, 11 Shelduck, 3 Pintail, 300 Teal, 250 Wigeon, 35 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall and 2 Ravens. Two Snipe, 2 Redshank, 2 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 3 Shoveler, 166 Wigeon, 3 Ravens, 4 Stonechats, single Kestrel and Merlin were reported from Aust Warth.
23rd January
Another wet and windy day. Reports from Pilning Wetland involved 200 Lapwings, 15 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 4 Shelduck, 25 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 240 Wigeon, 230 Teal and 6 Tufted Duck. Just 6 Ringed Plover, 20 Redshank, 30 Dunlin, 9 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon and a male Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach.
22nd January
A windy day following a night when Storm Isha passed through. A female Common Scoter, 41 Kittiwakes, 8 Ringed Plover, 20 Turnstones, 25 Redshank, 50 Dunlin, 12 Shelduck and 50 Wigeon were seen from Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Nortwick area included 43 Black-tailed Godwits, 300 Lapwings, 150 Oystercatchers, 57 Curlew, 200 Dunlin, 10 Turnatones, 15 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 13 Greylag Geese, 140 Canada Geese, 10 Shelduck, 280 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 23 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechats, single Raven, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Little Owl. Another 140 Wigeon, 4 Ravens and a Stonechat were seen in the Aust Warth area.
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 22.1.24
female Common Scoter, Severn Beach 22.1.24
21st January
A warmer day with an increasingly strong South veering South west wind. The first 30 Kittiwakes of the year, 17 Ringed Plover, 22 Dunlin, 160 Turnstones, 68 Redshank, 12 Curlew and a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull were seen from the Severn Beach shore. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 230 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 150 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Greylag Goose, 85 Canada Geese, 17 Shelduck, 450 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 25 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck and a Stonechat. A Great White Egret was seen flying South from Aust Cliff/services.
20th January
A warmer day with an increasing strength South West wind. The freshwater pools were still mainly frozen. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland /New Passage area included 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 162 Lapwings, 55 Curlew, 150 Redshank, 400 Dunlin, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 140 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 42 Shelduck, 15 Shoveler, 21 Gadwall, 440 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 3 Pintail, a Tufted Duck and 2 Stonechats. Another 10 Curlew, 25 Shelduck and 40 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach.
19th January
Another -5°C icy, dry and sunny day. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage where the freshwater pools remained frozen for a 3rd day, included a Black-tailed Godwit, 350 Dunlin, 140 Lapwings, 50 Curlew, 200 Redshank, 2 Snipe, a Turnstone, a Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swans, 150 Canada Geese, just 4 Shelduck, 350 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 14 Shoveler, a male Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, 2 Peregrines, 2 Stonechats plus a Cetti’s Warbler feeding on the sewage works outfall. At least 300 Dunlin, 24 Ringed Plover, 30 Turnstones, 70 Curlew, 30 Redshank, a Water Rail, 40 Shelduck, 4 Pintail, 2 Gadwall, 90+ Wigeon, 10 Teal, a male Blackcap, 2 Peregrines and a Merlin were reported from the Severn Beach shore. The same or another Merlin was reported at Aust Warth late morning.
Pintail, Severn Beach 19.1.24
Cetti’s Warbler, New Passage 19.1.24
18th January
The coldest dawn (-5°C) and the sunniest day of the year so far. With most of the pools frozen, there were fewer of some of the wildfowl species present. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included a Goshawk heading high upriver (only the 10th Severnside record), 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 300 Lapwings, 95 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 5 Turnstones, a few Snipe, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Greylag Geese, 83 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck, 3 Pintail, 3 Gadwall, 11 Shoveler, 70 Wigeon, 260+ Teal, 2 Stonechats, 2 Peregrines, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. At least 100 Dunlin, 43 Turnstones, 80 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 5 Lapwings, single Grey Heron and Mute Swan, 21 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 28 Teal, 110 Wigeon, 15+ Reed Buntings, 3 Stonechats, single male Blackcap, Rock Pipit and Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach. Another 38 Lapwings and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust warth at dusk.
17th January
A cold (-1°C), dry day with most of the wetland pools frozen. Reports from the Pilnng Wetland/New Passage area involved a Jack Snipe, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 450 Lapwings, 800 Dunlin, 85 Redshank, 120 Oystercatchers, 105 Curlew, 8 Snipe, 3 Grey Herons, a Water Rail, just 8 Greylag Geese, 95 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck, 350+ Teal, 320 Wigeon, 75 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, single Peregrine and Stonechat. Another 75 Wigeon, 10 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall and male Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach.
16th January
A cold and sunny day. A flat calm estuary and the wetland partially frozen. At least 80 Turnstones, 90 Redshank, 150 Dunlin, 55 Curlew, 28 Oystercatchers, a Water Rail, 11 Shelduck, 130 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 2 Pintail, 2 Gadwall and a fly over Siskin were reported from the Severn Beach shore this morning. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included a Black-tailed Godwit, 4000+ Dunlin, 500 Lapwings, 130 Oystercatchers, 85 Curlew, 105 Redshank, 18 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 40+ Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 16 Shelduck, 70 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 300+ Wigeon, 560+ Teal, a Kestrel and 2 Stonechats.
Stonechat, New Passage 16.1.24
15th January
A cold and sunny day with a North East wind. At least 2500 Dunlin, 250+ Lapwings, 90 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, 60+ Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 52 Greylag Geese, 100 Canada Geese, 7 Shelduck, 320 Wigeon, 370 Teal, 55 Shoveler, 10 Pintail, 20 Gadwall, a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Ravens, single immature male Merlin, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier and Stonechat were reported im the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Reports from Severn Beach included 20+ Snipe, 30 Curlew, 15 Dunlin, 16 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 2 Water Rails, single Peregrine, Rock Pipit, female Blackcap and Cetti’s Warbler. Another 4 Ravens, 2 Chiffchaff and a Grey Wagtail were seen in the Aust Cliff/services area.
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 15.1.24
14th January
A warmer and sunny day with a light West wind. Reports from Severn Beach on the early morning 13.6 metre high tide included 2 Jack Snipe (flushed out of the salt marsh by the fast rising tide), 33+ Snipe, 17 Ringed Plover, 20 Curlew, 20 Dunlin, a Grey Heron, 12 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, a Water Rail and 5 Stonechats. An impressive 4500 Dunlin, 740 Lapwings, 95 Oystercatchers, 110 Curlew, 85 Redshank, 34 Snipe, 4 Turnstones, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 52 Greylag Geese, 30+ Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 39 Shelduck, 55 Shoveler, 31 Gadwall, 450 Wigeon, 12 Pintail, 380 Teal, single Pochard and Tufted Duck, 2 Ravens, 3 Chiffchaffs, single immature male Merlin, Water Pipit, Stonechat and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
13th Janauary
Another cloudy and cold day. An early morning visit to Aust Warth at high tide produced single Jack Snipe and Snipe, 4 Redshank, 6 Dunlin, 150 Wigeon, 35 Shelduck, single Water Pipit and Stonechat. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2000+ Dunlin, a Black-tailed Godwit, 280 Lapwings, 69 Curlew, 70 Redshank, 15 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 32 Greylag Geese, 37 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 21 Shelduck, 9 Pintail, a Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck, 33 Gadwall, 55 Shoveler, 380 Wigeon, 350 Teal, 2 Peregrines, single Stonechat and Cetti’s Warbler. Another 120 Wigeon, 6 Shelduck, a female Blackcap and a Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach.
Wigeon, New Passage 13.1.24
12th January
The dry, cloudy, cool weather continued. At least 1000 Dunlin, 300 Lapwings, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 76 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 40+ Greylag Geese, 84 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 11 Shelduck, 50+ Shoveler, 300 Wigeon, 380 Teal, 3 Pintail and a Tufted Duck were seen in the Pining Wetland/New Passage area. Another 40 Dunlin, 5 Turnstones, 31 Oystercatchers, 11 Curlew, a Snipe, 8 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, single Water Rail, Stonechat and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Severn Beach. Two Jack Snipe were seen at Aust Warth.
11th January
Another cold day with North East breeze. A Jack Snipe, at least 2000 Dunlin, 106 Black-tailed Godwits, 250 Lapwings, 22 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 18 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 44 Greylag Geese, 160 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 8 Shelduck, 190 Wigeon, 400 Teal, 60 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechats, 2 Ravens, a Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A visit to Severn Beach produced 20 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, single Water Rail and Greylag Goose, 9 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon and 2 Rock Pipits. At least 10 Curlew, 7 Wigeon, 4 Chiffchaffs, single Kestrel, Raven and Grey Wagtail were reported from Aust Cliff/services. A Little Owl was seen again.
10th January
A frosty -1°C dawn with some of the wetland pools partially frozen, a sunny day with a moderate strength North East wind. At least 400 Lapwings, 20 Curlew, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 600+ Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 30 Turnstones, 20 Redshank, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, 42 Greylag Geese, 130 Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, 3 Pintail, a Pochard, 55 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 640 Teal, 140 Wigeon, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechats, single Merlin and Kestrel were reported from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Another 100 Dunlin, 12 Turnstones, 7 Ringed Plover, 10 Curlew, 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Snipe, 11 Shelduck and 55 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach.
9th January
Another dry day with a cold North East wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 300 Lapwings, 30 Curlew, 20 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, 26 Greylag Geese, 90 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, 60 Shoveler, 21 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 90 Wigeon, 540 Teal and 2 Ravens. A visit to the Orchard Pools area of Severn Beach produced 4 Mute Swans, a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk.
8th January
A cold day with a biting North East wind. Two Great White Egrets (flew North East), 37 Black-tailed Godwits, 280 Lapwings, 34 Turnstones, 38 Oystercatchers, 52 Curlew, 19 Redshank, 17 Snipe, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, 33 Greylag Geese, 23 Canada Geese, 15 Shelduck, 3 Pintail, a Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, 68 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 230 Wigeon, 310 Teal, a Water Pipit, 3 Rock Pipits, 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. A Jack Snipe, at least 90 Oystercatchers, 23 Dunlin, 48 Shelduck, another Water Pipit, 2 Stonechats, single Rock Pipit and Raven were seen at Aust Warth where a Whooper Swan was seen to flyover heading down river. Another 2 Pintail, 24 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 6 Oystercatchers, 9 Curlew and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported at Severn Beach.
7th January
A fine cold and sunny day with plenty of good birds seen. The highlight was a Waxwing calling and seen in flight over Northwick (only the 5th Severnside record) where a Little Owl was also seen. The first Red Kite of the year was seen circling over Aust Cliff/services and nearby a Short-eared Owl, 6+ Jack Snipe, 10 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 250 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 2+ Water Pipits, 3 Rock Pipits and 2 Stonechats were reported at Aust Warth. The Slavonian Grebe, 14 Avocets, a Black-tailed Godwit, 210 Turnstones, 65 Dunlin, 260 Lapwings, 83 Oystercatchers, 43 Curlew, 25+ Snipe, 43 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 9 Grey Herons, 4 Mute Swans, 50+ Greylag Geese, 70 Canada Geese, 35 Shelduck, 270 Wigeon, 52 Shoveler, 400 Teal, 27 Gadwall, 4 Pintail, 6 Tufted Duck, single Pochard, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Stonechat were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach involved a Grey Plover, 500 Dunlin, 200 Oystercatchers, 22 Ringed Plover, 30 Turnstones, 15 Curlew, a Water Rail, 37 Shelduck, 65 Wigeon, 31 Teal, 2 Stonechats, single Chiffchaff, Sparrowhawk and Roe Deer from the shore and nearby 8 Gadwall, 4 Mute Swans, a Grey Heron and a Cetti’s Warbler were present at the Orchard Pools. At least 2 Jack Snipe, 2 Snipe, 150 Turnstones, 50 Dunlin, 12 Curlew, 194 Oystercatchers, a Mute Swan, 30 Shelduck, 32 Teal, a Pheasant, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Cetti’s Warblers, 3 Stonechats and 4 Rock Pipits were reported at Chittening Warth.
6th January
A dry day with sunshine. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included the Slavonian Grebe, 200 Lapwings, 250 Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, 90 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 7 Grey Herons, a Little Grebe, 50+ Greylag Geese, 8 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 50+ Shoveler, 30+ Gadwall, 190 Wigeon, 380 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, single Cetti’s Warbler and Peregrine. The only reports from Severn Beach involved 22 Snipe and a Great Black-backed Gull. A Stonechat was seen at Aust Warth and nearby a hunting Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Wetland (the first record for this new site).
5th January
A cool and mainly sunny day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included the Slavonian Grebe, 280 Dunlin, 12 Turnstones, 75 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 400 Lapwings, 40 Redshank, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 6 Grey Herons, 3 Mute Swans, 53 Greylag Geese, 100+ Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 320 Teal, 40 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, single Pochard, Peregrine, Kestrel, Water Pipit, Stonechat and Cetti’s Warbler. Reports from Aust Warth involved 4 Short-eared Owls, at least one Jack Snipe, 6 Snipe, 20 Curlew, 25 Redshank, 22 Shelduck, 3 Stonechats, 6 Rock Pipits and a Peregrine. Another Curlew, 4 Shelduck, 2 Stock Doves, a Pheasant, 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Wetland. An early afternoon high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 40+ Turnstones, 100 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 55 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 18 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 2 drake Pintail, 4 Teal and 2 Stonechats. A Little Owl was seen today.
Slavonian Grebe, Pilning Wetland 5.1.24
Slavonian Grebe, Pilning Wetland 5.1.24
Slavonian Grebe, Pilning Wetland 5.1.24
Little Owl, 5.1.24
4th January
Another overcast and damp day. Cmbined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included the Slavonian Grebe, 500 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 50 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, 5 Grey Herons, a Water Rail, 4 Mute Swans, 54 Greylag Geese, 120 Canada Geese, 10 Shelduck, a Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 30 Gadwall, 50 Shoveler, 350 Teal, 120 Wigeon, 2 Stonechats, single Merlin, Raven, Blackcap and Cetti’s Warbler. At least 3 Jack Snipe, 11 Snipe, 11 Curlew, 2 Water Rails, 56 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 15 Teal, single Water Pipit and Cetti’s Warbler, 5 Rock Pipits and 4 Stonechats were reported at Aust Warth. Reports from Severn Beach included 300 Dunlin, 72 Turnstones, 12 Redshank, 35 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 4 Canada Geese and a Raven.
Pochard and Tufted Ducks, Pilning Wetland 4.1.24
Water Pipit, Aust Warth 4.1.23 © Matthew Hall
3rd January
A wet morning with some snatches of sunshine later. A winter plumaged Slavonian Grebe (first since 2016 and only the 6th Severnside record) was found on Pilning Wetland this morning. Additional reports from Pining Wetland/Northwick Warth involved 450 Dunlin, 45 Curlew, 57 Redshank, 68 Lapwing, 40 Oystercatchers, 14 Snipe, 10 Ringed Plover, 28 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 54 Greylag Geese, 8 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, 18 Shelduck, 360 Teal, 230 Wigeon, 44 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, single Pochard and Tufted Duck, 650 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Ravens and single Chiffchaff and Stonechat. Two Ravens and 2 Peregrines were reported at Aust Warth. Another Raven was seen at Severn Beach. Another 2 Stonechats and 2 Kestrels were seen at Chittening Warth. Click on the picture below for a short Youtube video of the Slavonian Grebe.
Slavonian Grebe, Pilning Wetland 3.1.24
Slavonian Grebe, Pilning Wetland 3.1.24
2nd January
A wet morning followed by very strong West wind as Storm Henk passed over the area. A 1st winter Little Gull and 2 Ravens were seen at Severn Beach early afternoon. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 2700 Dunlin, 120+ Curlew, 85 Oystercatchers, 50 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swans, 54 Greylag Geese, 65 Canada Geese, a drake Goosander (flew East), a Pochard, 15 Shelduck, 65 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 400 Wigeon, 420 Teal, 120 Fieldfares, 40 Redwings, single Peregrine and Stonechat.
1st January
Happy New Year. A dull and cloudy start to the year with rain all afternoon. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 2 Jack Snipe, 8 Snipe, 800 Dunlin, 98 Curlew, 7 Oystercatchers, 30 Lapwing, 80 Turnstones, 50 Redshank, a Little Egret, 5 Grey Herons, 3 Mute Swans, 52 Greylag Geese, 58 Canada Geese, a Pochard, 7 Shelduck, 4 Pintail, 6 Tufted Duck, 400 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 650 Teal, 3 Stonechats and a singing Cetti’s Warbler. Another 105 Turnstones, 5 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, 2 Canada Geese and 40 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach this morning.
