February is generally another quiet month with only a total of 166 species recorded. Gales in this month have produced Storm and Leach’s Petrel, Pomarine Skua and all the records of Puffin. Other rarities seen include Spoonbill (2004, 2023), Bittern (2011,2012), Great White Egret (2023), Glossy Ibis (2022), Cattle Egret (2024), Ring-billed Gull (1987), Pink-footed Goose (1996, 2023), Green-winged Teal (2015), Shorelark (2004), Great Grey Shrike (1999,2000,2004) and Cirl Bunting (1943).
February 2024
29th February
Another day of showers with a gusty West wind. A quiet end to the month with just 50 Dunlin, 150 Turnstones, 40 Redshank, 50 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, 8 Snipe, 10 Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 26 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 62 Shelduck, 90 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 11 Tufted Duck, a mixed flock of 100 Fieldfares/Redwings, single Chiffchaff and Kestrel reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A Peregrine, 4 Ravens and 2 Chiffchaffs were reported from Aust Cliff/services.
28th February
Cloudy then wet with a gusty South West wind. Another quiet day day with single Knot and Black-tailed Godwit, 200 Turnstones, 55 Dunlin, 67 Redshank, 20 Lapwings, 2 Snipe, 91 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 7 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, a Water Rail, 2 Little Grebes, 28 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 48 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 120 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 150 Fieldfares/Redwing, single Chiffchaff and Siskin reported at Pilning Wetland/New Passage. Another 12 Shelduck and 40 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach.
27th February
Another cool day with a South West wind. Combined reports from Severn Beach included 70 Redshank, several Snipe, 9 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 26 Teal, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Water Rail, 2 Ravens, 11 Stonechats, 2 Cetti’s Warbler and a female Blackcap. A Knot, 100 Turnstones, 150 Dunlin, 25 Lapwings, 38 Curlew, 80+ Redshank, 100 Oystercatchers, 8 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 3 Mute Swans, 19 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 120 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Stonechats, single Sparrowhawk and Chiffchaff were reported in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 60 Fieldfares, 15 Redwings, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Aust Cliff/services.
26th February
Cool and sunny in a strong North East wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 20 Lapwings, 45 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 9 Dunlin, a Snipe, 9 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 45 Canada Geese, 62 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 130 Wigeon, 170 Teal, 14 Tufted Duck, single 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull, hunting female Merlin, Coal Tit and Kestrel. An adult Yellow-legged Gull flew past Aust Cliff/services where other reports involved 2 Peregrines, 2 Ravens, single Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail and Pheasant.
25th February
A wet day with a cold North East wind. Another quiet day with just 100 Dunlin, 10 Lapwings, 20 Curlew, 85 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 155 Wigeon, 160 Teal, 34 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, single Pochard, Tufted Duck and Kestrel reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another 26 Shelduck, 8 Wigeon, 65 Teal, 3 Cetti’s Warblers, single female Blackcap and Kestrel were reported from Severn Beach. At least 8 Shoveler, 21 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 10 Coot, 3 Stonechats, single Lapwing and Kestrel were seen at Aust Wetland.
24th February
A chilly day, light wind and dry. A female Goshawk (1st February record) mobbed by 2 Peregrines, 2 Little Egrets and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Cliff/services area this morning. Two Short-eared Owls, 2 Stonechats and 2 Ravens were seen at Aust Warth. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included at least 200 Dunlin, 80 Curlew, 22 Lapwings, 38 Oystercatchers, 49 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 26 Canada Geese, 54 Shelduck plus the other usual wildfowl, the first Kingfisher of the year and 2+ Chiffchaffs. A brief morning visit to Severn Beach produced 29 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 11 Wigeon, 4 Teal, a Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Stonechats and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers.
23rd February
A cool (6°C) day with some heavy rain showers and a gusty West wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 65+ Redshank, 55 Curlew, 15 Lapwings, 90 Oystercatchers, 3 Snipe, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 68 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 42 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 120 Wigeon, 160 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes and 2 Stonechats. Three Short-eared Owls were seen at Aust Warth.
22nd February
More rain for most of the day. Fewer birds today with just 25 Lapwings, 35 Curlew, 34 Oystercatchers, 100 Redshank, 14 Turnstones, 20 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 16 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 27 Shelducks, 32 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 160 Wigeon, 90 Teal and 2 Tufted Duck were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another 14 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon and 3 Stonechats were seen at Severn Beach.
21st February
A wet day with a gusty South West wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 70 Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 25 Lapwings, 45 Curlew, 70 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstones, 4 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 12 Canada Geese, 33 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 120 Wigeon and 2 Tufted Duck. An afternoon high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 50 Dunlin, 280 Turnstones, 2 Curlew, 10 Shelduck and 14 Wigeon.
20th February
Another day of sunshine with a fresh South West breeze. At least 300 Dunlin, 84 Turnstones, 10 Ringed Plover, 20 Shelduck, 15 Wigeon, 12+ Stonechats, single Cetti’s Warbler and Sparrowhawk were reported at Severn Beach. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 50 Lapwings, 80 Redshank, 62 Oystercatchers, 45 Curlew, 13 Turnstones, 15 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 12 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 26 Shelduck, 25 Shoveler, 170 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 14 Gadwall, 4 Pintail, 5 Tufted Ducks, 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel. Two Jack Snipe, single Snipe, Water Pipit, Rock Pipit and Short-eared Owl were seen at Aust Warth. Click HERE for a short video of the Short-eared Owl hunting.
19th February
A sunny day. Three Egyptian Geese (1st February record) were seen flying South from the Aust Cliff/services area. A Short-eared Owl, 100+ Wigeon, at least 6 Stonechats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Ravens and a Pheasant were reported from Aust Warth. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage/Northwick included another Short-eared Owl (with damaged right eye), 2 Jack Snipe, 5 Snipe, 11 Knot, 50 Lapwings, 50 Oystercatchers, 44 Redshank, 65 Curlew, 10 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 13 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 29 Shelduck, 4 Pintail, 7 Tufted Ducks, 32 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 120 Wigeon, 240 Teal, a Water Pipit, 5 Rock Pipits, a Stonechat, 2 Ravens and a Little Owl. An afternoon high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 100+ Redshank, 30 Dunlin, 58 Oystercatchers, 54 Curlew, 54 Shelduck, 31 Wigeon, a Water Rail, 2 adult Great Black-backed Gulls and at least 16 Stonechats.
Short-eared Owl, New Passage/Northwick Warth 19.2.24 © Rosemary Setter
18th February
A mixture of fog, sunshine and cloud. More birds seem to have moved on, with just 60 Lapwings, 45 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 30 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 45 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Stonechats, single singing Chiffchaff and Kestrel being seen at Pilning Wetland. At least 80 Turnstones, 20 Curlew, 23 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, 4 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck and a Short-eared Owl were seen at New Passage. Reports from Aust Warth included another 3 Short-eared Owls, single Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler and Stonechat.
17th February
A cloudy day with a breeze from the South. Another quiet day with 10 Lapwings, 45 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 14 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 42 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 17 Gadwall, 210 Wigeon, 160 Teal, 13 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Stonechats and a Chiffchaff being reported from Pilning Wetland/New Passage. At least 45 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 5 Turnstones, 3 calling Water Rails, 6 Canada Geese, 48 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, 20 Teal, an adult Great Black-backed Gull, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers and 2 Stonechats were reported from Severn Beach this morning.
16th February
A sunny morning becoming cloudier later with some light rain. A Common Scoter nocturnal flight call was heard over Severn Beach at 03.35 this morning. It was a quieter day in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area with just 80 Lapwings, 90 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 60 Redshank, 42 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 19 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 170 Wigeon, 11 Pintail, 160 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, single Stonechat and Chiffchaff reported. Two flocks of Common Scoter were reported calling over Aust Warth this evening and a Short-eared Owl was seen this afternoon.
15th February
A warm (16°C) and cloudy day. A morning high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced an impressive 1500+ Dunlin plus 80 Turnstones, 2 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 2 Stonechats and this evening at least 3 Common Scoters were heard giving their nocturnal flight call low over the sea defences heading North East at 19.55. Reports from Pilnng Wetland/New Passage included just 30 Lapwings, 50 Curlew, 70 Redshank, 50 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, single Water Rail and Greylag Goose, 7 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 36 Shelduck, 24 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 180 Wigeon, 170 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck and a singing Chiffchaff.
Turnstones and Dunlin, Severn Beach 15.2.24
14th February
Another wet day. The first Golden Plover of the year, 1600 Dunlin, 200+ Lapwings, 140 Curlew, 90 Redshank, 90 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 10 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, 38 Sheduck, 30 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 250+ Wigeon, 190 Teal, 11 Tufted Duck, a Raven, a hunting female Merlin and a singing Chiffchaff were seen in the Pilning Wetland /New Passage area. A morning high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 60 Oystercatchers, 10 Curlew, 150 flyover Lapwings, 5 Canada Geese, 25+ Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 10 Teal and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers.
13th February
Another very high Spring tide on a wet day. A morning, very high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 100+ Dunlin, 30 Oystercatchers, 13 Curlew, 3 Snipe, a Great Black-backed Gull, 20 Shelduck, 70 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall and 2 Rock Pipits. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included the first Bar-tailed Godwit of the year, 3 Knot, 2000+ Dunlin, 40 Turnstones, 150 Oystercatchers, 130+ Curlew, 80 Redshank, 200 Lapwings, 150 Oystercatchers, 16 Snipe, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 5 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 24 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 190 Wigeon, 220 Teal, 12 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Pintail, 2 Stonechats, single Chiffchaff, Kestrel and Peregrine. A Short-eared Owl was reported at Aust Warth early morning.
Bar-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 13.2.24
12th February
A cool sunny day with a 14.3 metre tide covering the salt marshes. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Knot, 4000 Dunlin, 300 Lapwings, 200 Curlew, 150 Redshank, 90 Turnstones, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 12 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 45 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 200+ Wigeon, 110 Mallard, 7 Pintail, 260+ Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Stonechats. At least 8000+ Dunlin were seen flying off the Southern end of Chittening Warth from Severn Beach where just 70 Wigeon and 3 Shelduck were present at high tide. Three Short-eared Owls were washed out of the salt marsh by the morning tide at Aust Warth.
14.3 metre Spring tide, Northwick Warth 12.2.24
11th February
A day of cloud with some sunny periods. Sightings from Pilning Wetland included 550 Dunlin, 250+ Lapwings, 21 Curlew, a Little Egret, 7 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Shelduck, 34 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 20 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechats and a Chiffchaff. Another 60 Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, 30 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 3 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 22 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Grey Wagtail were seen from the Severn Beach shore.
10th February
The first dry and sunny day for sometime. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included the showy Cattle Egret, a female Merlin, a Mediterranean Gull, 4000 Dunlin, 250+ Lapwings, 70 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 70 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 20+ Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 5 Shelduck, 9 Pintail, 12 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, a Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 200+ Wigeon, 220 Teal, 3 Stonechats, single Pheasant, Raven, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Redpoll. At least 17 Ringed Plover, 25 Dunlin, 8 Shelduck and 25 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach this morning. A Red Kite (drifted West), 2 Ravens, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap were reported in the Aust Cliff/services area.
Cattle Egret, New Passage 10.2.24
9th February
A breezy and very wet day with brief drier spells. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland/ New Passage produced 200 Lapwings, 40 Curlew, 90 Redshank, 80 Dunlin, single Little Egret and Greylag Goose, 24 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 13 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 200 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 170 Teal, a Pochard and 2 Tufted Duck. Another 6 Pintail (3 drakes), 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 12 Shelduck, 15 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 20 Mallard, 70 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 4 Stock Doves, 2 Grey Herons, a Barn Owl (hunting just after dusk), 2 Kestrels, a Peregrine, 500+ Jackdaws, 30+ Rooks and 5 Stonechats were seen on the now very wet Aust Wetland. Two Short-eared owls were reported at Aust Warth.
Pintail, Aust Wetland 9.2.24
8th February
A wet day with the wind veering from North East to Southerly. At least 400 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 50 Curlew, 45 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 30 Greylag Geese, 30 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 12 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 170 Wigeon, a pair of Pintail, 220 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, single female Merlin, Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaff were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Sightings from the Severn Beach shore on a low tide visit included 20+ Turnstones, 10 Curlew, 11 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 13 Shelduck and 45 Wigeon.
7th February
Another grey and dull day but the wind was now from the North East. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved single Cattle Egret, Water Pipit and female Merlin, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Lapwings, 80 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 80 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 17 Greylag Geese, 25 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 15 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 10+ Gadwall, 210 Wigeon, 240+ Teal, a Pochard, 2 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck and 2 Stonechats. Another Water Pipit, 2 Short-eared Owls, 4 Jack Snipe, 5 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 200 Lapwings, 5 Canada Geese, 7 Rock Pipits, 3 Stonechats, 2 Ravens and a Kestrel were seen in the Aust Warth area and nearby another 4 Pintail, 17 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall, a Shoveler, 2 Curlew, single Lapwing and Snipe, 2 Pheasants, 20 Fieldfares, 9 Redwings, 2 Kestrel and a Stonechat were reported from Aust Wetland. Reports from Severn Beach included 12 Ringed Plover, 90 Turnstones, 50 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 19 Shelduck, 45 Wigeon, 10 Teal and a female Blackcap and finally a Short-eared Owl on the salt marsh at dusk. A Long-eared Owl was heard calling before dawn at an undisclosed location. Click on the images below for a short Youtube videos of the Cattle Egret and the Severn Beach short-eared Owl.
Cattle Egret, New Passage 7.2.24 © Lisa Presland
Short-eared Owl, Severn Beach 7.2.24
6th February
Another grey and increasingly windy and wet day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included an obliging Cattle Egret (first February record), 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Lapwings, 43 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 200 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 23 Greylag Geese, 110 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 15 Shelduck, 50 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 250 Wigeon, 7 Pintail, 280 Teal, a Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, single Kittiwake and Coal Tit, 2 Stonechats, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Raven. At least 150 Kittiwakes, 250 Turnstones, 250 Dunlin, 15 Shelduck and 50+ Wigeon were seen from the Severn Beach shore.
Cattle Egret, New Passage 6.2.24
Cattle Egret, New Passage 6.2.24
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 6.2.24
5th February
A windy, grey and drizzly day. An adult Yellow-legged Gull, the first Fulmar of the year, 8 Ringed Plover, 230 Turnstones, 130 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 10 Curlew, 26 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon and a Raven were seen at Severn Beach. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 90 Lapwings, 8 Greylag Geese, 120 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 7 Pintail, 55 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 300 Wigeon, 400 Teal and 5 Tufted Duck. Another 31 Shoveler, 38 Shelduck and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Wetland. A Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Kestrels, 2 Peregrines and 2 Ravens were seen in the Aust Cliff/services area. A Long-eared Owl was seen briefly this morning at an undisclosed location.
Pintail, Pilning Wetland 5.2.24
Fulmar, Severn Beach 5.2.24
4th February
Another breezy, grey and damp day. Less of the same were seen in a brief visit to Pilning Wetland with just 20 Lapwings, 30 Curlew, a Little Egret, 10 Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 8 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 110 Wigeon, a pair of Pintail, 200+ Teal, 4 Tufted Duck worthy of a mention.
Greylag Geese, Pilning Wetland 4.2.24
3rd February
A grey, breezy and drizzly day. The usual 300 Dunlin, 35 Redshank, 130 Lapwings, 40 Curlew, 5 Snipe, single Little Egret and Water Rail, 19 Greylag Geese, 110 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 37 Shelduck, 40 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 230 Wigeon, 7 Pintail, 220 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, a Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another 90 Dunlin, 70 Turnstones, 20 Curlew, 31 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach. Two Ravens were present on Aust Warth.
2nd February
A cloudy day with drizzle and a gusty South West wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved, 50 Dunlin, 90 Lapwings, 55 Curlew, 40 Redshank, a Little Egret, 12 Greylag Geese, 110 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 18 Shelduck, 30 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 200+ Wigeon, 6 Pintail (4 drakes), 240 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck and 2 Stonechats. Another 110 Dunlin, 90 Turnstones, 15 Oystercatchers, 46 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon and a Raven were seen at Severn Beach.
1st February
A cool, sunny day with a light South West wind. At least 24 Black-tailed Godwits, 1000+ Dunlin, 120 Lapwings, 30 Redshank, 35 Curlew, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Greylag Geese, 25 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 25 Shelduck, 40+ Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, a drake Pintail, 180+ Wigeon, 250+ Teal and a Stonechat were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another 80 Dunlin, 80 Turnstones, 10 Curlew, 15 Shelduck and 25 Wigeon were seen on a brief visit to the Severn Beach shore.
