June is usually one of the quietest months on Severnside with a total of only 167 species seen. It is the month to do those jobs at home unless any strong West or South West winds occur. This weather can produce a good selection of seabirds including Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Fulmar and Storm Petrel. June has had some rarities including Great White Egret (2015, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), Cattle Egrets (2024), White Stork (2024), Spoonbill (2017, 2022, 2023, 2024), 2 Black-winged Stilts (2021), Temminck’s Stint (2024), Rose-coloured Starling (2012), Woodlark (2018), Franklin’s Gull (1988), Alpine Swift (1999) and Nightjar (2023).
June 2024
30th June
A grey day after some overnight rain. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced single Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Ringed Plover (one juvenile), 8 Redshank, 16 Lapwings, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Swifts, single Sand Martin and Kestrel. Single Curlew, Grey Heron, Shelduck and 9 Gadwall were reported from Severn Beach. At least 30 Oystercatchers, 65 Curlew, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 55 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 2 Pheasants, 4 Great Black-backed Gulls and 100+ Black-headed Gulls were reported at Chittening Warth.
29th June
The weather remained the same. Reports from an almost dry Pilning Wetland included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, single Shelduck and Teal, 150 Black-headed Gulls and a Great Black-backed Gull.
28th June
Another dry day with a mix of sunshine and cloud with a West wind. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced just 2 Little Ringed Plover, 9 Lapwings, 5 Grey Herons, a single Shelduck, 20 Black-headed Gulls (3 juveniles) and at least one Lesser Whitethroat. Reports from Severn Beach included 45+ Curlew, 18 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 30 Shelduck, a Gadwall, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Hobby.
27th June
A cooler day with a gusty West wind. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved 12 Manx Shearwaters, single Fulmar and Kittiwake, 6 Common Sandpipers, 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 44 Shelduck, single Great Black-backed Gull and Cetti’s Warbler. At least 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Redshank, 12 Lapwing, 140+ Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 12 Shelduck, a Kestrel and a Lesser Whitethroat were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
26th June
An even hotter 28°C day with a light wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 9+ Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers, 12 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 12 Curlew, 3 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 6 Mute Swans (4 cygnet), 13 Shelduck (10 ducklings), 3 Teal, single Tufted Duck and Gadwall, 50+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk, 2 juvenile Stonechats, single Raven, Yellow Wagtail and Grey Wagtail. With a singing male White-spotted Bluethroat spending it’s 4th consecutive summer at Slimbridge WWT, I decided to spend a few hours this morning in proper Gloucestershire. Click on the image below to watch a short Youtube video of it singing.
White-spotted Bluethroat, Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire 26.6.24
25th June
A hot (25°C) day. Single adult Mediterranean Gull, Avocet, Green Sandpiper, 7+ adult Little Ringed Plovers, 22 Lapwings, 6 Redshank, 14 Curlew, 2 Great White Egrets, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 13 Shelduck (10 ducklings), 35 Black-headed Gulls, single Coal Tit, Lesser Whitethroat, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included 12 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 40 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, single Lesser Whitethroat, Grey Wagtail, Jay and an early returning male Wheatear.
Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 25.6.24
24th June
A warm and cloudy day with a West breeze. A Great White Egret (flying South East), 3 Green Sandpipers, 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 13 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, 40+ Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 22 Shelduck (8 ducklings), 2 Teal, 46 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls (one juvenile), 4 Sand Martins and 3 Lesser Whitethroats were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included 30+ Curlew, 22 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 42 Canada Geese, 18 Shelduck and a Lesser Whitethroat.
23rd June
Another warm and sunny day with a light South West breeze. At least 8 Little Ringed Plover (2 juveniles), 5 Black-tailed Godwits (including one of the Limosa form), 7 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, single Common Sandpiper, Curlew and Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 7 Mute Swans (4 cygnets), 6 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 35 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Sand Martin, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were were reported from Pilning Wetland. A morning high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 40+ Curlew, 20+ Oystercatchers, 7 Shelduck, 2 adult Great Black-backed Gulls, single singing Lesser Whitethroat and Cetti’s Warbler.
22nd June
A warm and sunny day with a gusty West wind. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included single Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 8+ Little Ringed Plover (two juveniles), 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Redshank, 13 Curlew, 18 Lapwings, 3 Grey Herons, the family of 6 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, 4 Teal, 44 Black-headed Gulls (one juvenile), 6 Sand Martins, single Lesser Whitethroat, Kestrel and Grey Wagtail. Two Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, 20+ Curlew, 11 Shelduck, single Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Severn Beach shore.
21st June
A dry and sunny day with a South West breeze. The usual 7 Little Ringed Plovers (all adults), 12 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Mute Swans (4 cygnets), 2 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Black-headed Gulls, a Kestrel, 12+ Skylarks, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Sand Martin, Coal Tit and Kestrel were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area this morning. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included a Ringed Plover, 30+ Curlew, 5 Oystercatchers, 14 Shelduck, 3 Black-headed Gulls, single Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat.
20th June
The weather remained the same, warm and sunny with a light wind. Reports from Pining Wetland/New Passage included 3 Avocets (one of which is colour-ringed), at least 4 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew, 8 Redshank, 7 Lapwings, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 8 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, a juvenile Common Gull, 11 Black-headed Gulls (one juvenile), 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Kestrel. At least 28 Curlew, 22 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, 14 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 2 adult Great Black-backed Gulls, single Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were reported from the Severn Beach shore.
Avocet, Pilning Wetland 20.6.24
19th June
Another warm and sunny day with a North East breeze. Much of the same was seen today at Pilning Wetland including an Avocet, 6+ Little Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 17 Lapwings, 2 Great White Egrets, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 11 Black-headed Gulls, 10 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 3 Swifts, 2 Sand Martins and a Sparrowhawk. Reports from Severn Beach included 10 Curlew, 24 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, 31 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 7 Swifts, 23 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, single Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat.
Meadow Pipit, Pilning Wetland 19.6.24
18th June
A dry and sunny say with a North wind.Two Great White Egrets, an Avocet, at least 7 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 14 Lapwings, a Curlew, 3 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Canada Geese, 16 Shelduck, 12 Gadwall, 6+ Little Grebes, 4 Swifts, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Kestrel were reported from Pilning Wetland/New Passage. Another 10 Lapwings, 6 Stonechats (3 fledged young), 2 Kestrels, single Sparrowhawk and Hornet were reported from Aust Wetland. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included 3 Curlew, 22 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great Black-backed Gull, 29 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 50+ Mallard, single Lesser Whitethroat and Cetti’s Warbler.
17th June
A warm and sunny day. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included a record flock and first June record of 10 Cattle Egrets, 2 Avocets, 7 Little Ringed Plover (2 juveniles), 19 Redshank, 5 Lapwings, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Mute Swans (4 cygnets), 14 Shelduck (10 ducklings), 16 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 6+ Little Grebes, single Teal, Black-headed Gull and Great Black-backed Gull, 10 Swifts, 3 Ravens, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Grey Wagtail, Kestrel and Sand Martin. Five Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth and a Yellowhammer flew North along the sea wall at Severn Beach.
Cattle Egrets, Northwick Warth 17.6.24
Cattle Egrets, Pilning Wetland 17.6.24
16th June
The sunniest day of the year so far but cool in a South West breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Avocets, 6 Little Ringed Plover including 2 now flying juveniles, 5+ Lapwings, 5 Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 6 Mute Swans (4 cygnets), 16 Shelduck, 12 Gadwall and a Tufted Duck. A low tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 2 Curlew, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 27 Shelduck, single Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat.
15th June
A breezy day with a gusty West wind. Sightings from Severn Beach included 3 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Kittiwakes, a Guillemot, single Curlew, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 5 Shelduck and 15 Swifts. A Spoonbill, 7 Little Ringed Plover (2 juveniles), 2 Avocets, a Green Sandpiper, 12+ Lapwings, 3 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 6 Mute Swans, 14 Shelduck, 12 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, a Black-headed Gull, 25+ Swifts and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Pilning Wetland.
Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 15.6.24
14th June
A mixture of sunshine and some heavy rain showers. The Temminck’s Stint, 3 Avocets, 6 Little Ringed Plovers (2 juveniles), 13 Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Ducks, 7+ Little Grebes, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 15 Swifts, 2 Ravens and 6 Sand Martins were seen on Pilning Wetland. Click on the picture below for a short Youtube video of the Temmink’s Stint filmed at 125+ metres range.
Temminck’s Stint and Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 13.6.24
13th June
A cloudy day with a Southerly wind and light rain by late afternoon. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included the adult Temminck’s Stint, 2 Avocets, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, at least 6 Little Ringed Plovers (2 juveniles), 12+ Lapwings, a Redshank, 4 Curlew, 22 Oystercatchers, single Spoonbill and Great White Egret, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 9 Black-headed Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Shelduck, 18+ Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 7+ Little Grebes, 20+ Swifts, 2 Sand Martins, 3 Ravens, 13 Mistle Thrushes (families of 7 & 6), 5 Grey Wagtails (3 juveniles), single Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat.
12th June
A sunny day with a light West wind. Combined reports from Pining Wetland/New Passage included a Temminck’s Stint (the 6th Severnside and 1st June record), 2 Avocets, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Little Ringed Plover (2 home grown juveniles still), a Snipe, 2+ Lapwings (4+ full size chicks), 7 Redshank, a breeding plumage Great White Egret, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 2 flyover White Storks (5th Severnside record, last seen April 2021), 3 Barnacle Geese, a Canada Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Shelduck, 19 Gadwall, 2 drake Tufted Ducks, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 30+ Swifts, 2 Red Kites, single Kestrel, Peregrine, Raven, Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat. An evening visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 2 Curlew, 8 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron and 7 Shelduck.
Temminck’s Stint, Pilning Wetland 12.6.24
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 12.6.24
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 12.6.24
11th June
A cool day with a North West wind. At least 6 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 10+ Lapwings, 8 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, the pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets, 4 Shelduck, 16 Gadwall, single Shoveler and Tufted Duck, 20+ Swifts, a Sand Martin, 3 Ravens, single Lesser Whitethroat, Peregrine and Kestrel were reported from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Sightings from Severn Beach included 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatchers and 4 Shelduck. Two Avocets, a Little Egret, 5 Stonechats (3 juveniles) were seen at Aust Warth.
10th June
A mixture of sunshine and cloud in a cold North wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Avocets, 2 adult Little Ringed Plover, 6 Ringed Plover, 9+ Lapwings, 9 Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 14 Shelduck, 22+ Gadwall (8 ducklings), a pair of Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 7+ Little Grebes, 3 Black-headed Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, 150+ Swifts heading North East, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Raven. It remained quiet at Severn Beach with 14 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, a few Curlew, a Grey Heron and 8 Shelduck reported from the shore. A Redshank, 6 Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets, many Swifts and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Wetland and nearby a pair of Stonechats were seen with 4 fully fledged young at Aust Warth.
9th June
Sunny early morning, turning cloudy for the rest of a breezy day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Whimbrel, 5 Little Ringed Plovers (2 juveniles), 14 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew, 18 Oystercatchers, 17 Lapwing (at least 4 juveniles), 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 7 Mute Swans, 24 Shelduck (10 ducklings), 23 Gadwall (including a 2nd brood of 7 ducklings), 96 Mallard, a drake Tufted Duck, 6+ Little Grebes, 3 Grey Wagtails, single Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Coal Tit. At least 6 Curlew, 21 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 16 Canada Geese, 13 Shelduck, 16 Gadwall, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, single Cetti’s Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Kestrel were reported from Severn Beach. Three Little Egrets, single Grey Heron and Kestrel, 6 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall and 3 Stonechats (2 adults and a juvenile) were seen at Aust Wetland.
8th June
A pleasant warm and sunny day. A visit to Pilning Wetland produced 4 Little Ringed Plover (2 adults and 2 juveniles), 19 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, 7+ Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, the Mute Swan family, 2 Shelduck, 16 Gadwall, 3 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Swifts, a Kestrel and a Water Vole. Another 5 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 4 Curlew, 8 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 7 Shelduck and 7 Gadwall were seen from the Severn Beach shore. Click on the image below for short Youtube video of two of the Little Ringed Plovers.
Little Ringed Plovers, Pilning Wetland 8.6.24
7th June
A sunny day with a gusty West wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 adult Little Ringed Plovers, 17 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 7+ Lapwings (at least 2 full grown juveniles), 5 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 6+ Little Grebes, 9 Canada Geese, a pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets still, 21 Shelduck, 22+ Gadwall including the year’s first brood of 8 ducklings, a drake Tufted Duck, 20+ Swifts, a Lesser Whitethroat and a presumed escaped Lanner type Falcon. At least 11 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck were seen from the Severn Beach shore.
6th June
A warm, dry day with some sunny spells. Two adult Little Ringed Plover, 17 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin, 7 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 9 Lapwings (2 full size juveniles), 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 7 Mute Swans (5 cygnets), 15 Shelduck, 15 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, 7 Black-headed Gulls, single hunting Hobby, Kestrel and Lesser Whitethroat were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
5th June
A breezy day with sunny intervals. Two adult Little Ringed Plovers, 11 Dunlin, 23 Ringed Plovers, 9 Lapwing (2 full grown chicks), 7 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 22 Shelduck, 20 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, 5+ Little Grebes, 3 Black-headed Gulls, 11 Swifts, single Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another 14 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 3 Canada Geese and a Black-headed Gull were seen at Severn Beach. Reports from Aust Wetland included 3 Lapwings, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Greylag Geese, 7 Shelduck, 2 Black-headed Gulls, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels and 4 Stonechats. With things being fairly stagnant here on the estuary at the moment I spent some time not too far away on the Somerset levels. Wonderful birds in fantastic habitat included a Gull-billed Tern, a summer plumaged American Golden Plover, Great White Egrets, Cattle Egrets, a booming Bittern, many Hobby, Marsh Harriers, Red Kite and Cuckoo etc plus Grass Snake and Common Lizard. Click on the Tern image below for a short Youtube video.
Gull-billed Tern, Shapwick Heath, Somerset 5.6.24
American Golden Plover, Tealham Moor, Somerset 5.6.24
Little Ringed Plover chicks at 19 days, Pilning Wetland 4.6.24
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 4.6.24
4th June
An overcast and windy day with an occasional light shower. A morning visit to New Passage produced 2 Avocets, at least 5 Little Ringed Plovers (3 adults and 2 well grown chicks that have relocated to the Butts Pool), 11 Lapwings including a single and 2 chicks from 2 broods, single Curlew and Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 21 Shelduck, 22 Gadwall, 13+ Little Grebes (3 broods including 4 new grebelets) and a family party of 6 Ravens. At least 2 Fulmars, a Mediterranean Gull, 22 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Shelduck, 130 Mallard, a Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroats were reported from the Severn Beach shore.
Sanderling, Pilning Wetland 3.6.24
3rd June
A dry, warm day with sunny spells. Morning and afternoon visits to Pilning Wetland produced single Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank, 2 adult Little Ringed Plovers (chicks have now moved out of view but parents still protecting them), 24 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 9 Lapwings (2 large chicks), a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Mute Swans (5 cygnets still), 4 Shelduck, 20+ Gadwall, single drake Teal and Tufted Duck, 3+ Little Grebes and 2 Black-headed Gulls. Another 4 Sanderling, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 29 Shelduck, a cock Pheasant and 3 Lesser Whitethroats were reported from the Severn Beach shore.
Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 2.6.24
2nd June
A hot day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Avocets, 5 Little Ringed Plovers (3 well grown chicks), 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Lapwings (2 well grown chicks), a Ringed Plover, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 7 Mute Swans (5 cygnets), 6 Shelduck, 20 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck and 6 Swifts. At least 3 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, a Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 34 Shelduck, single Black-headed Gull and Great Black-backed Gull, a Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroats.
Knot, Dunlin and Sanderling, Severn Beach 1.6.24
Red Kite, Severn Beach 1.6.24
1st June
A warm day with hazy sunshine and a light North East breeze. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included at least 4 Little Ringed Plovers (at least 2 chicks), 7 adult Lapwings, 4 Curlew, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 30 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall, single Teal and Tufted Duck, a Red Kite and 4 Swifts. A Sanderling, a Knot, 6 Ringed Plovers, 7 Dunlin, 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 16 Shelduck, 40 Mallard, a Red Kite, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Severn Beach shore. Two Black Swans were seen again on the Flash at Northwick Warth.
