January is a slightly better month than December, the daylight hours slowly lengthen resulting in a monthly total of 175 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 (2023,2025), Cattle Egrets (2025), 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), Common Cranes (2000), Whooper Swans (2005,2018,2023), Bittern (2011,2017), Glaucous Gull and a few rare sightings of Hen Harrier.
January 2025
31st January
A cool day with some sunshine until mid afternoon. A quiet end to the month with 270 Lapwings, 90 Oystercatchers, 140 Curlew, 100 Redshank, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swans, 57 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 34 Gadwall, 280 Wigeon and 90+ Teal reported from Pilning Wetland/New Passage. Three Shelduck, 34 Wigeon and a female Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach.
30th January
A nice sunny day following overnight frost. At least 55 Turnstones, 10 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, a Mute Swan, 18 Shelduck, 35+ Wigeon, an adult Great Black-backed Gull, 3 garden Blackcaps (2 males), 2 Stonechats, single Cetti’s Warbler, Rock Pipit and Peregrine were reported from Severn Beach. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 24 Redshank, 140 Curlew, 350 Lapwings, 40 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 28 Canada Geese, 6 Mute Swans, 41 Shelduck, 32 Shoveler, 34 Gadwall, 300+ Wigeon, 220 Teal, single Stonechat and Rock Pipit.
Turnstones, Severn Beach 30.1.25
29th January
An overcast day with alight North East breeze. Just 50 Dunlin, 50 Curlew, 400 Lapwing, 60 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 8 Mute Swans (4 adults), 36 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 38 Gadwall, 240+ Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 25 Redshank, 15 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 14 Shelduck, 40+ Wigeon, single Water Rail, Great Black-backed Gull and female Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach.
28th January
A wet morning with moderate West wind all day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 110 Redshank, 110 Oystercatchers, 71 Curlew, a Grey Heron, an adult Mute Swan, 230 Canada Geese, 56 Shelduck, 90 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 24 Gadwall and 12 Shoveler. Severn Beach was even quieter than usual with just an adult Kittiwake, 60 Turnstones, 12 Curlew, 8 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 12 Wigeon and a female Blackcap worth a mention.
27th January
A wet and breezy day. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 160 Lapwings, 140 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, a few Redshank, 3 Greylag Geese, 200 Canada Geese, 38 Shelduck, the usual Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Gadwall and a Raven. At least 150 Turnstones, 12 Oystercatchers, 10 Curlew, 6 Redshank, a Grey Heron, 4 Shelduck, 16 Wigeon, 2 Water Rails, single Great Black-backed Gull, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach.
26th January
Another very wet day as Storm Herminia arrived in our area. A Bar-tailed Godwit, 40 Redshank, 59 Curlew, 300 Dunlin, 200 Oystercatchers, 120 Lapwings, 3 Turnstones, 12 Greylag Geese, 200+ Canada Geese, 37 Shelduck, 300+ Wigeon, fewer Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall than on recent days were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 20+ Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 2 Shelduck, 20+ Wigeon and a female Blackcap.
25th January
A cold start followed by a mainly sunny day. At least 30 Curlew, 70 Oystercatchers, 24 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, a Water Rail and 2 Cetti’s Warblers were reported from Severn Beach. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 25 Redshank, 20+ Dunlin, 12 Curlew, 350+ Lapwings, single Little Egret and Mute Swan, 60+ Wigeon, 40+ Teal, a few Shoveler and Gadwall.
24th January
A windy day due to Storm Eowyn produced a flock of at least 70 Kittiwakes off Severn Beach where other sightings included 4 Dunlin, 120 Turnstones, 8 Curlew, a Shelduck, 8 Wigeon and a Raven. At least 140 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, 12 Turnstones, just 30 Lapwings, single Redshank and Grey Heron, 12 Greylag Geese, 550 Canada Geese, 39 Shelduck, 15 Shoveler, 21 Gadwall, 120+ Wigeon, 70+ Teal, 4 Pintail (2 drakes) and a Raven were seen in the very windswept Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 24.1.25
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 24.1.25
23rd January
A squally, wet and cool day with some strong westerly wind gusts. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 400 Lapwings, 27 Curlew, 30 Dunlin, 7 Snipe, 4 Redshank, 12 Greylag Geese, a Canada Goose, 8 Shelduck, 200+ Wigeon, 20+ Gadwall, 20+ Shoveler, 80+ Teal and a Tufted Duck. A brief low tide visit to Severn Beach produced 10 Curlew, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck and 70 Wigeon.
22nd January
A cold and misty day with snippets of sunshine. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced a Black-tailed Godwit, 300 Dunlin, 500 Lapwings, 6 Curlew, a Snipe, 2 Grey Herons, a Shelduck, 20+ Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall, 40 Wigeon, 3 Pintail (2 drakes) and 60+ Teal. At least 150 Oystercatchers, 20+ Curlew, 7 Shelduck, 30+ Wigeon, 2 Blackcaps (male and female) and a Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach. A male Marsh Harrier was reported at Aust Warth.
21st January
A day with some sunshine with a light South East breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 300+ Dunlin, 500+ Lapwings, 90 Redshank, 94 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 12 Greylag Geese, 160+ Canada Geese, 2 adult Mute Swans, 8 Shelduck, 24 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 230+ Wigeon and 90+ Teal. At least 130 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 49 Shelduck, 22 Wigeon, 7 Teal, a Water Rail, 2 Stonechats, a Kestrel and a female Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach.
20th January
Some early mist over the river then followed by a mainly cloudy day with little wind. Sightings from Severn Beach on the late morning high tide included a surprise Guillemot, 280 Dunlin, 110 Oystercatchers, 13 Curlew, 2 Snipe, a Redshank, 23 Shelduck, 24 Wigeon, 7 Teal, an adult male Peregrine and 2 Stonechats. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 19 Dunlin, 500+ Lapwings, 80 Curlew, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 9+ Greylag Geese, 160 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 5 Shelduck, 240 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 20+ Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Water Rails, single adult female Peregrine, Kestrel and Stonechat.
Guillemot, Severn Beach 20.1.25
19th January
Another cool, cloudy day with a South East breeze. At least 400 Lapwings, 50 Dunlin, 30 Snipe, 70 Redshank, 2 Turnstones, single Snipe and Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 12 Greylag Geese, 200 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, 250+ Wigeon, 95 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck and a Stonechat were seen in the Pilning Wetland New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included 40 Redshank, 34 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 9 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 51 Teal, 25 Greenfinches, 45+ Goldfinches, a female Blackcap and at least one Redpoll. At least 360 Dunlin, 12 Curlew, 5 Redshank, 25 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 22 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 33 Teal, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Grey Herons, a Kestrel and a Stonechat were seen at Aust Warth.
18th January
Another cool and grey day with a South East breeze. A Black-tailed Godwit, at least 550 Lapwings, 70 Curlew, 120 Oystercatchers, just 3 Dunlin, 16 Turnstones, 5 Redshank, a Little Egret and 2 Grey Herons, 3 Shelduck, 22 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 240+ Wigeon, 90+ Teal, 3 Ravens, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A few Curlews and Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 7 Shelduck, 40+ Wigeon, single Rock Pipit and female Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach. Single Grey Heron, Kestrel and Stonechat were seen in the Aust Warth/sheep fields area.
17th January
A cool and mainly overcast day with a South East breeze. A Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Golden Plover, 5 Snipe, 500+ Lapwings, 72 Redshank, 120 Dunlin, 140 Oystercatchers, 30+ Turnstones, 84 Curlew, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 61 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, 28 Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, 110+ Teal, 200+ Wigeon, 2 Ravens, single Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included 7 Shelduck, 47 Wigeon, 2 Stonechats, single Rock Pipit and female Blackcap.
Golden Plovers and Lapwings, Pilning Wetland 17.1.25
16th January
Another foggy day with poor visibility. The few sightings in the fog from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 350+ Lapwings, Redshanks, Curlews, Oystercatchers, single Snipe, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 22 Canada Geese, a Shelduck, 120+ Wigeon, 60+ Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler. At least 20 Redshank, 60 Dunlin, Curlews, a Grey Heron, Wigeon and a female Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach.
15th January
A day with dense fog until early afternoon. At least 1200 Dunlin, 250 Lapwings, 35 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 140 Oystercatchers, 16 Snipe, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 95 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 220+ Wigeon, 200+ Teal and the usual groups of Shoveler and Gadwall were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A female Blackcap and a Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach. A Kestrel was seen at Aust Warth.
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 15.1.25
14th January
A +8°C cloudy and dry day. Sightings from Severn Beach involved just 6 Shelduck, 32 Wigeon, 3 Redshank, 4 Stonechats and a female Blackcap. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced 300+ Lapwing, 34 Curlew, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, a Mute Swan, 20 Shoveler, 36 Gadwall, 10 Wigeon and 60+ Teal. Three Jack Snipe were reported from Aust Warth salt marsh.
13th January
Still cold and cloudy. At least 300 Lapwings, 30 Curlew, 50 Dunlin, 145 Oystercatchers, a Mute Swan, 4 Shelduck, 32 Shoveler, 44 Gadwall, 390 Wigeon, 250+ Teal, 2 Stonechats, 2 Ravens, single Grey Wagtail, Peregrine and Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 18 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon and 2 female Blackcaps were seen at Severn Beach.
12th January
A warmer but still cool day with a slight thaw. A brief visit to the still frozen Pilning Wetland produced 35 Dunlin, 350 Lapwings, 3 Curlew, single Snipe, Grey Heron and Mute Swan, 40 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 60 Wigeon, 90+ Teal and a female Sparrowhawk. At least 45 Redshank, 3 Oystercatchers, 15 Curlew, 13 Shelduck, 30+ Wigeon, a Water Rail and 2 Stonechats were reported from Severn Beach. Ten Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap were seen in the Aust Cliff/services area this afternoon and nearby 200 Dunlin, 150 Lapwings, 4 Curlew, a Snipe, 4 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 2 Stonechats and another Chiffchaff were seen at Aust Warth.
11th January
Another grey and freezing day. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Spoonbill (circling high over the frozen pools before drifting South), 200+ Lapwings, 120 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 15 Redshank, a few Turnstones, 11 Snipe, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 11 Shelduck, 200+ Wigeon, 250+ Teal, a few Shoveler and Gadwall and 2 Chiffchaffs. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved 3 Ringed Plover, 18 Redshank, 60 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Shelduck, 34 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 2 Stonechats and a female Blackcap. At least 250 Dunlin, 13 Snipe, 7 Redshank, 6 Curlew, 7 Shelduck, a Shoveler, 50 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 2 Pintail, 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth.
female Blackcap, Severn Beach 11.1.25
10th January
A -3°C dawn, gloomy grey, with a cold North East breeze. Sightings from Severn Beach included just 20 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 30 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 2 Ravens, 2 Stonechats and 4 Blackcaps feeding together on apples in my garden (2 males, 2 females). Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area where the pools were frozen involved 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Dunlin, 70+ Curlew, 200+ Lapwings, 40+ Redshank, 26 Snipe, 2 Grey Herons, single Canada Goose and adult Mute Swan, 12 Shelduck, 230+ Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 35 Shoveler, 23 Gadwall, single Kestrel and Stonechat.
9th January
Another bitterly cold day with most freshwater pools frozen. An afternoon high tide visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced a Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Snipe, just 10 Dunlin 122 Curlew, 45 Redshank, 300+ Lapwings, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 21 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck, 270+ Wigeon, 240+ Teal, a drake Pochard, 6+ Tufted Duck, 50+ Shoveler, 35+ Gadwall, single Stonechat and Kestrel. Reports from Severn Beach included just 40 Dunlin, a few Curlew and Oystercatchers, 3 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 2 Stonechats, single Water Rail and female Blackcap.
Pochard and Tufted Ducks, Pilning Wetland 9.1.25
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 9.1.25
8th January
An icy dawn and remaining cold all day in a North East breeze. A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 80 Oystercatchers, 12 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 2 Stonechats and a female Blackcap. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved just 60+ Dunlin, 65 Turnstones, 60 Redshank, 70 Curlew, 250+ Lapwings, single Snipe and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, an adult Mute Swan, 54 Canada Geese, 23 Shelduck, 240+ Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 30+ Gadwall, 30+ Shoveler, single Great Black-backed Gull and fly over Redpoll.
7th January
A cold and sunny day. Just 300 Dunlin, 90 Redshank, 60 Curlew, 200+ Lapwings, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 15 Canada Geese, an immature Mute Swan, 26 Shelduck, 250+ Wigeon, 100+ Teal, 30 Shoveler, 32 Gadwall, 2 Ravens and a Kestrel were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
6th January
A frost free but cool day following torrential overnight rain. An impressive 300 Turnstones, 8 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 7 Oystercatchers, a few Curlew, 30+ Wigeon and 2 Stonechat were seen at Severn Beach over the morning high tide. Reports from the Pilning Wetland /New Passage area included a flock of at least 4500 Dunlin, 150 Oystercatchers, 300 Lapwings, 110 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 2 Grey Herons, 36 Canada Geese, 24 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 30+ Gadwall, 400 Wigeon, 80+ Teal, 2 Ravens, single Kestrel, hunting Peregrine and a Stonechat.
Dunlin, New Passage 6.1.25
5th January
Some morning rain falling on some lying snow from overnight snowfall. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Knot, 2200 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 150 Lapwings, 120 Curlew, 140 Oystercatchers, 5 Snipe, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 20 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 19 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 32 Gadwall, 600+ Wigeon, 90+ Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, single Kestrel, Stonechat and Grey Wagtail. Morning reports from Severn Beach involved 5 Turnstones, 8 Redshank, 50 Dunlin, a few Curlew and Oystercatchers, 6 Shelduck, 30+ Wigeon, 70+ Teal, 2 Stonechats and a male Blackcap.
Wigeon, New Passage 5.1.25
4th January
Another -1°C dawn, cloudy all day with a North East breeze. At least 35 Redshank, a few Oystercatchers and Curlew, a Grey Heron, 5 Shelduck, 40+ Wigeon, 40+ Teal, a Water Rail, 2 Blackcaps (male and female) and a Stonechat were reported from Severn Beach this morning. A Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, at least 600 Dunlin, an impressive 330 Lapwings, 30 Turnstones, 20 Redshank, 150 Oystercatchers, 80 Curlew, 7 Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 160 Canada Geese, an adult Mute Swan, 19 Shelduck, 220 Wigeon, 130 Teal, the usual Gadwall and Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, single Chiffchaff and Rock Pipit were present in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Three Jack Snipe, 12 Snipe, 8000 Dunlin, 2 Water Rails, 3 Stonechats, 3 Rock Pipits and a Water Pipit were reported from Chittening Warth.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 4.1.25
3rd January
Another icy morning with the wetland pools mostly frozen. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Turnstones, 80 Redshank, 120 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, 450 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, single adult Mute Swan and Barnacle Goose, 22 Canada Geese, 74 Shelduck, 300+ Wigeon, 110 Teal, 30 Gadwall, 24 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, single Short-eared Owl, Stonechat, Chiffchaff and Cetti’s Warbler. Reports from Severn Beach involved a Ringed Plover, 12 Redshank, 6 Shelduck, 30+ Wigeon, single Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pipit and female Blackcap. At least 30 Snipe, 2 Water Pipits and a Stonechat were seen on Aust Warth.
Rock Pipit, Severn Beach 3.1.25
Ringed Plover Severn Beach 3.1.25
2nd January
An icy -1°C dawn and then sunny and cool all day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 100+ Redshank, 800 Dunlin, 280 Lapwings, 40 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 7+ Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, a Barnacle Goose, 56 Greylag Geese, 40 Canada Geese, 70 Shelduck, 280 Wigeon, 180 Teal, 40+ Shoveler, 34 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Ravens, 2 Stonechats, single Water Rail, Kestrel, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Cetti’s Warbler. A Snipe, 14 Redshank, 18 Curlew, a Little Egret, 5 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 40+ Wigeon, 10 Teal, 2 Water Rails and 2 Stonechats were reported on the morning high tide at Severn Beach where a male Blackcap was feeding in a garden. Four Cattle Egrets flew over Northwick Village (1st January record). At least 10 Chiffchaffs were seen at at the sewage works near Aust services.
1st January
A very windy start to the year following an overnight gale with rain for most of the day. An afternoon visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 12 Turnstones, 200+ Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 60 Curlew, 210 Lapwings, 95 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret and Barnacle Goose, 80+ Greylag Geese, 230 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 40+ Shoveler, 42 Gadwall, 320 Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 2 Tufted Duck and 2 Ravens. At least 20 Dunlin and 20 Wigeon were seen in stormy weather at Severn Beach this morning.
