February is generally another quiet month with only a total of 168 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 (2023,2025), 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 2025
28th February
A frosty dawn with river mist followed by the sunniest day of the year. A Hawfinch and a Brambling were seen at Aust Cliff/services this morning where other sightings included 3 Little Egrets, 6 Shelduck, a Pheasant, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Peregrines, 3 Ravens, a Chiffchaff, 21 Redwings, a Grey Wagtail and 17 Siskins. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Lapwings, 110 Oystercatchers, 76 Curlew, 16 Snipe, 110 Redshank, 4 Turnstones, 250 Dunlin, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 60 Shelduck, 37 Shoveler, 50 Gadwall, 170 Wigeon, a drake Pintail, 230 Teal, 3 Pochard (one drake), 5 Tufted Duck, single Water Rail and Kestrel, 2 Ravens, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Siskins and a Short-eared Owl (late afternoon). A Snipe, 4 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 33 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 8 Wigeon, 6 Teal, single Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler and male Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach.
27th February
A sunny day but cold in the shade. Five Knot, 280 Dunlin, 105 Redshank, 130 Oystercatchers, 80 Curlew, 11 Lapwings, 13 Snipe, 4 Turnstones, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Greylag Geese, 5 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, an Egyptian Goose, 43 Shelduck, 21 Shoveler, 34 Gadwall, 220 Wigeon, a drake Pintail, 220+ Teal, a female Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, a Great Black-backed Gull, 16 Common Gulls, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 5 Stonechats, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Water Rail, Kestrel, Siskin and were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 5 Turnstones, a Redshank, 9 Curlew, 2 Shelduck, 13 Wigeon and Common Scoters were heard calling as they flew over this evening. A Sparrowhawk was seen at Aust Warth
Egyptian Goose, Pilning Wetland 27.2.25
Green Woodpeckers, Pilning Wetland 27.2.25
26th February
A mixture of cloud and sunshine. A brief low tide visit to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area produced 6 Lapwings, 60+ Oystercatchers, 28 Curlew, 75 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Canada Goose, 11 Shelduck, 22 Shoveler, 24 Gadwall, 25+ Wigeon, a drake Pintail, 110+ Teal, 3 Pochard (one drake), 5 Tufted Duck and a Chiffchaff. A Stonechat was seen at Severn Beach.
Pintail, Pilning Wetland 26.2.25
Pochard, Pilning Wetland 26.2.25
25th February
Another sunny day with a light South West wind. Reports from Severn Beach included a Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 16 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 3 Stonechats, single Kingfisher, Redpoll, Cetti’s Warbler and male Blackcap. Three Jack Snipe, 10 Turnstones, 250 Dunlin, 16 Shelduck, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Cetti’s Warblers, 7 Stonechats, single Pheasant, Grey Wagtail and 2 Rock Pipits were reported from Chittening Warth. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included at least 45 Redshank, 54 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, 6 Lapwings, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 6 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 40+ Shelduck, 15 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 200+ Wigeon, a drake Pintail, 250+ Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, single Water Rail, Kestrel, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail and Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Siskins, 2 Ravens and 6 Stonechats.
24th February
A breezy and sunniest day of the year so far. At least 8 Curlew, 21 Oystercatchers, 10 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 3 Stonechats and a Rock Pipit were reported from Severn Beach. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a 3 Lapwings, 64 Curlew, 50 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Canada Geese, 10 Shelduck, 300 Wigeon, 24 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 60 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 25 Common Gulls, 2 Stonechats and a Cetti’s Warbler.
23rd February
A mild, wet and windy day. A Bar-tailed Godwit, 180 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 42 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Canada Geese, 65 Shelduck, 290 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 32 Gadwall, 28 Shoveler, 5 Tufted Duck and a pair of Pintail were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 5 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstones, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 33 Shelduck, 14 Wigeon, single Sparrowhawk and Stonechat were seen at Severn Beach.
22nd February
A warm and sunny day. At least 12 Curlew, 2 Canada Geese, 44 Shelduck, a few Wigeon and Teal, single Water Rail and Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach. At least 40 Turnstones, 7 Snipe, 64 Curlew, 35 Lapwings, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese, 49 Shelduck, 32 Shoveler, 28 Gadwall, 250 Wigeon, 5 Tufted Duck, a drake Pintail and 80+ Teal were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
21st February
Another grey day with some rain showers in a strong South wind. A high tide visit to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area produced 72 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin, 40+ Redshank, 48 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 80 Canada Geese, 85 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 28 Gadwall, 350+ Wigeon, 90 Teal, single Water Rail and Cetti’s Warbler. Severn Beach was quiet with single Ringed Plover and Redshank, a few Curlew and Oystercatchers, 14 Shelduck and 16 Wigeon reported from the shore.
20th February
A warmer but wet and windy day with a moderate strength South wind. At least 300 Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, 70 Redshank, 95 Curlew, 8 Oystercatchers, 12 Lapwings, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 90 Canada Geese, 95 Shelduck, 38 Shoveler, 42 Gadwall, 350+ Wigeon, 110+ Teal, 2 Tufted Duck and a Kestrel were seen at Pilning Wetland/New Passage. The only birds of note reported from Severn Beach involved a few Oystercatchers and Curlew, 32 Wigeon and a Grey Wagtail.
Kestrel, Pilning Wetland 20.2.25
19th February
A warmer, cloudy day. Reports from Severn Beach included 30 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 26 Shelduck, 14 Wigeon, at least 12 Stonechats including 8 males, 2 Redpolls and a Chiffchaff. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved 80 Redshank, 15 Turnstones, 280 Lapwings, 71 Curlew, 4 Grey Herons, single Great White Egret and Little Egret, 2 Canada Geese, 39 Shelduck, 40 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 450 Wigeon, a drake Pintail, 200+ Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail, 5 Stonechats, single Kestrel, Peregrine and Chiffchaff.
18th February
A warmer and sunny day. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included the earliest and first February record of Wheatear (the first UK record of the year), 300+ Lapwings, 80 Curlew, 5 Dunlin, a Snipe, 3 Mute Swans, 44 Shelduck, 190 Wigeon, 80+ Teal, a drake Pintail, 45 Gadwall, 43 Shoveler, a flock of 70 Fieldfares, 5 Stonechats, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Kestrel. A morning high tide visit to Severn beach produced 2 Lapwings, 38 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, a Turnstone, 12 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 8 Teal, a Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Stonechats. Reports from the Aust Cliff/services area included 250 Dunlin, 7 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 15 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 2 Ravens, 6 Chiffchaffs and a Stonechat and nearby 10 Snipe, a Grey Heron, 20+ Redwings and 3 Stonechats were seen Aust Wetland. A Barn Owl was seen at dusk on Aust Warth.
Wheatear, Northwick Warth 18.2.25
17th February
Another cool day with a North East breeze and a few more sunny spells. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 130 Turnstones, 60 Dunlin, 85 Redshank, 300 Lapwings, 90 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 51 Shelduck, 190 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 45 Gadwall, 40 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, single Water Rail, Grey Wagtail, Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaff. At least 12 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers, 38 Shelduck and 30+ Teal were seen at Severn Beach.
16th February
Another cool day with a few glimpses of sunshine. Reports from Severn Beach included 12 Curlew, 51 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 20 Teal, a Water Pipit, 2 Stonechats, single Cetti’s Warbler and female Blackcap. A Black-tailed Godwit, at least 50 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 12 Canada Geese, 51 Shelduck, 190+ Wigeon, 80+ Teal, 38 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, a drake Pintail, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Chiffchaff and a Stonechat were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A Barn Owl was seen late afternoon at Aust Warth.
15th February
A cool, grey and wet day day with a light North East breeze. A morning high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 2 Grey Heron, 33 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 16 Teal, a Siskin and 2 Blackcaps (male & female) were seen feeding in a garden. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 250+ Lapwings, 20 Redshank, 100 Dunlin, 12 Turnstones, 70 Curlew, 130 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Water Rail, 4 Canada Geese, 44 Shelduck, 350+ Wigeon, 80+ Teal, a drake Pintail, 40+ Gadwall, 30+ Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, a Chiffchaff and 2 Stonechats.
14th February
An overcast day with some light rain and the wind still from the North East. A Barn Owl and a male Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach this morning. The usual 200+ Lapwings, 20 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 120 Oystercatchers, 3 Canada Geese, 38 Shelduck, 32 Shoveler, 42 Gadwall, 180+ Wigeon, 90+ Teal and a Kestrel were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
13th February
No change in the weather. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 150+ Lapwings, 140 Oystercatchers, 63 Curlew, 20 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Canada Geese, 32 Shelduck, 32 Shoveler, 220 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, single Kestrel and Cetti’s Warbler. At least 33 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon and 60 Teal were seen from the Severn Beach shore. Two Barn Owls were seen long the A403 coast road at 3 am.
12th February
Still murky, grey and cold with a North East wind. Reports from the Severn Beach included a Red Kite flying North East, 2 Redshank, 15 Turnstones, 7 Curlew, 18 Shelduck, 30+ Wigeon, 10 Teal, a Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Stonechats from the shore and 2 Canada Geese, a Shelduck, 3 Redpolls and 3 Siskins were seen in the Orchard Pools area. The same Red Kite continued North East over Pilning Wetland/New Passage where other reports included a female Merlin, 11 Canada Geese, a drake Pintail, 5 Tufted Duck, the usual Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall, 400 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 2 Snipe, Oystercatchers, Curlew, single Little Egret, Water Rail, Raven and Cetti’s Warbler. A Jack Snipe, 8 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 22 Oystercatchers, 21 Curlew, a Dunlin, 34 Shelduck, 60+ Wigeon, 3 Stonechats, 7 Rock Pipits, 18+ Skylarks, single Kestrel and Raven were seen at Aust Warth.
Siskin, Severn Beach 12.2.25 © Matthew Hall
11th February
Yet another cool and cloudy day with a North East breeze. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 16 Snipe, 20 Redshank, 240 Lapwings, 120 Oystercatchers, 38 Curlew, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 36 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 270 Wigeon, 190+ Teal, 2 Tufted Duck and 2 Ravens. At least 15 Turnstones, 5 Redshank, 18 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 26 Shelduck, 30+ Wigeon, single Great Black-backed Gull and male Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach.
10th February
Another unpleasant day, overcast and rain in a cold North East wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 300 Lapwings, 46 Curlew, 20 Redshank, just 10 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 11 Canada Geese, 44 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 48 Gadwall, 300+ Wigeon, a drake Pintail, 200+ Teal, 11 Tufted Duck and a Kestrel. Two Stonechats and a female Blackcap were seen again at Severn Beach.
9th February
A chilly day with short periods of sunshine with a gusty North East wind. Reports from the Orchard Pools area at Severn Beach included a rare sighting of a Marsh Tit (in a tit flock), 2 Little Egrets, 8 Coot, single Water Rail, Redpoll, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. A low tide visit to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area produced at least 300 Lapwings, 130 Oystercatchers, 23 Redshank, 24 Curlew, 34 Shelduck, 260+ Wigeon, 80 Teal, 28 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Ducks. A late afternoon visit to Aust Wetland produced 3 Snipe, a Grey Heron, a Shelduck, 4 Coots, single Barn Owl, Sparrowhawk and Stonechat, 22 Redwings, 40 Fieldfare and 2 Roe Deer.
8th February
Another cold unpleasant gloomy grey day with a North East wind. Yesterday’s Dark-bellied Brent Goose was relocated on Pilning Wetland where other sightings included 280+ Lapwings, 34 Curlew, single Grey Heron and Shelduck, 90 Wigeon, 22 Shoveler, 28 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck (no reports received from the salt marsh side of the sea wall). The only birds worth a mention from the Severn Beach shore involved 12 Curlew, 6 Shelduck and 20+ Wigeon.
7th February
A brisk North East wind made it feel cold on a grey and murky day. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 8 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, single Redshank and Snipe, 41 Shelduck, 24 Wigeon, single Teal, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Pipit and female Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach. Sightings from a very windswept Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 300 Lapwings, 39 Curlew, 20 Turnstones, 9 Redshank, just 3 Dunlin, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 17 Shelduck, 190+ Wigeon, 30 Gadwall, 28 Shoveler, 90+ Teal and a Sparrowhawk.
Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Severn Beach 7.2.25
6th February
A frosty and misty morning followed by a sunny afternoon. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 7 Snipe, 89 Turnstones, 300 Lapwings, 30 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Canada Goose, 28 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 34 Gadwall, 280 Wigeon, 4 Pintail (2 drakes), 180+ Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, single male Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Chiffchaff. At least 12 Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 23 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, single Water Rail, male Marsh Harrier and female Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach. The male Marsh Harrier was also seen hunting over Chittening Warth. Reports from the Aust Cliff/services area involved 2 Curlew, 23 Shelduck, 68 Wigeon, 2 Teal, at least 22 Chiffchaffs (at the sewage works), 2 Ravens, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
Pintail, Pilning Wetland 6.2.25
5th February
A cool and sunny morning followed by a cloudy afternoon with the occasional rain shower. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved 30 Redshank, 20 Dunlin, 90 Curlew, 300 Lapwings, a Little Egret, 70 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 300+ Wigeon, 220+ Teal, 34 Shoveler, 32 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechats and a Kestrel. A female Blackcap and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach. A Merlin was seen heading South from Aust Warth.
4th February
A dry and cloudy morning followed by a moderate South West wind and rain in the afternoon. A female Merlin, a male Marsh Harrier, 110 Turnstones, 200 Dunlin, 140 Redshank, 85 Curlew, 130 Oystercatchers, 15 Canada Geese, 80+ Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 32 Gadwall, 240+ Wigeon, 230 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, single Chiffchaff and Rock Pipit were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 12 Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 90+ Turnstones, a Grey Heron, 30+ Wigeon and a female Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach
3rd February
A repeat of the weather. At least 350 Lapwings, 95 Curlew, 21 Turnstones, 20 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshank, single Dunlin, Little Egret, Grey Heron and Mute Swan, 13 Greylag Geese, 44 Shelduck, 36 Shoveler, 34 Gadwall, 250+ Wigeon, 210 Teal, 15 Tufted Ducks, a Water Rail, a Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechats and a Tawny Owl were reported in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 9 Snipe, 2 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 24 Shelduck, a drake Shoveler, 35+ Wigeon, 9 Teal, single Stonechat, Redpoll and another Tawny Owl were seen at Severn Beach.
2nd February
A dry and sometimes sunny day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 350 Lapwings, 42 Curlew, 20 Redshank, 2 Turnstones, 2 Dunlin, single Snipe, Grey Heron and Mute Swan, 10 Shelduck, 240 Wigeon, 36 Shoveler, 32 Gadwall, 200+ Teal, 2 Tufted Duck and a Kestrel. A Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, a Mute Swan, 20 Shelduck, 55 Wigeon and a female Blackcap were reported at Severn Beach.
Shoveler, Pilning Wetland 2.2.25
Lapwings, Pilning Wetland 2.2.25
1st February
A cool and cloudy day with a South East breeze and Spring tides. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Bar-tailed Godwit, 300 Dunlin, 350 Lapwings, 130 Oystercatchers, 110 Curlew, 20 Redshank, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 3 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 52 Shelduck, 38 Shoveler, 30+ Gadwall, 280 Wigeon, 300+ Teal, 2+ Tufted Ducks, single Marsh Harrier and Grey Wagtail. At least one Jack Snipe, 2 Snipe, a few Curlew, a Grey Heron, 18 Shelduck 60+ Wigeon, 20 Teal, single Stonechat and female Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach.
