December is one of the quietest months with only 168 species recorded during the month. It can be a good month for wildfowl with the chance of Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander if inland waters freeze or some fly by Bewick’s Swans. A good selection of seabirds have occurred in December gales including Black-throated and Great Northern Divers, Leach’s Petrel, Little Auk, Grey Phalarope and Pomarine Skua. Other rarities have included a stunning male Desert Wheatear (2013), Eastern Yellow Wagtail (1993), Cattle Egret (2022), Green-winged Teal (2013), Egyptian Goose (2013, 2019), Glaucous Gull, Waxwing (2010) and Cirl Bunting in the winters of 1940 & 1941.
December 2024
31st December
A little more sunshine today and breezy. A Jack Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, at least 340 Lapwings, just 5 Dunlin, 8 Turnstones, 170 Redshank, 300 Curlew, 200 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 200 Canada Geese, 100 Greylag Geese, 40 Shelduck, 300+ Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 28 Gadwall, 120+ Teal and a Stonechat were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach involved 20 Turnstones, a few Curlew and Oystercatchers, 4 Shelduck and 30+ Wigeon.
30th December
Yet another gloomy day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 170+ Redshank, 100 Dunlin, 250 Lapwings, 90 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 59 Greylag Geese, 70 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 2 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 45 Gadwall, 280+ Wigeon, 110+ Teal single Tufted Duck, Water Rail, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Another 15 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck, 30+ Wigeon, single Stonechat and male Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach. A Short-eared Owl was reported at Aust Warth
29th December
Another cool day with a few breaks in the cloud and some sunshine. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 14 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 280 Lapwings, 52 Curlew, 23 Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, single Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 13 Greylag Geese, 18 Canada Geese, 8 Shelduck, 34 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 240+ Wigeon, a drake Pintail, 140+ Teal, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Ravens, 6+ Stonechats, single Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail. A few Curlew and Oystercatchers, 4 Shelduck and 30+ Wigeon were seen at Severn Beach.
28th December
No change in the weather, remaining grey and misty. With both high tides still occurring during darkness, just 4 Turnstones, 6 Redshank, 19 Oystercatchers, a few Curlew, 4 Shelduck, 30+ Wigeon and a Stonechat were reported from the Severn Beach shore. At least 300 Lapwings, 100 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 40 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, 5 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 20 Greylag Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 30 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 20 Shelduck, 22 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 120+ Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 2 Stonechats, single Short-eared Owl and Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
27th December
Another grim, dull and mist day. Reports from Severn Beach involved 5 Shelduck, the usual 40+ Wigeon, 3 squealing Water Rails, single Stonechat, male Blackcap and Stonechat. Three Black-tailed Godwits, at least 300 Dunlin, 90 Curlew, 95 Oystercatchers, 280 Lapwings, 45 Redshank, 8 Snipe, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 40+ Greylag Geese, 30+ Canada Geese, 23+ Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 230 Wigeon and 90 Teal were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A Woodcock and 2 Stonechats were seen in the Aust Cliff area South of the M48.
26th December
Dull and misty most of the day with both high tides in darkness. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 300+ Dunlin, 180 Lapwing, 15 Curlew, 50 Redshank, single Snipe, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 42 Greylag Geese, 35 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 7 Shelduck, 30+ Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 210+ Wigeon, 80+ Teal and 4 Tufted Duck. The gloom and mist at Severn Beach produced uncounted Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Turnstones, Oystercatchers, Curlew and Redshank, 19 Shelduck, some Wigeon and Teal, a Stonechat and a garden feeding male Blackcap.
25th December
A morning with some river mist. Low tide reports from the Severn Beach shore included 60 Dunlin, 80 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 8 Shelduck, 40+ Wigeon, 6 Teal, 2 Water Rails and 2 Stonechats. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved 12 Turnstones, 55 Dunlin, 22 Snipe, 50+ Redshank, 50+ Curlew, 28 Oystercatchers, 95 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Barnacle Goose, 52 Greylag Geese, 30 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 24 Shoveler, 30+ Gadwall, 280+ Wigeon, 230+ Teal, 4 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Water Rails, 2 Ravens, single Rock Pipit and Grey Wagtail.
24th December
A grey and damp day. At least 110 Turnstones, 300 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, a Grey Heron, 10 Shelduck, 35+ Wigeon, single Stonechat and male Blackcap were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 300 Dunlin, 230 Lapwing, 20 Curlew, 35 Redshank, 5 Snipe, single Little Egret and Barnacle Goose, 50+ Canada Geese, 21 Shelduck, 240+ Wigeon, 110 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall and female type Marsh Harrier. Two Short-eared Owls were reported from the Aust Warth/Northwick Warth area.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 24.12.24
23rd December
A cool day with some early sunshine turning cloudy with drizzle later. Reports from Severn Beach included an impressive 310 Turnstones, 48 Dunlin, 18 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 8 Shelduck, 40+ Wigeon, 8 Pintail, single Great Black-backed Gull, Water Rail, Sparrowhawk, Cetti’s Warbler, female Blackcap and 3 feeding Redpolls. Another 1100+ Dunlin, 5 Turnstones, 50+ Redshank, 100+ Curlew, 150 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 56 Greylag Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 55 Canada Geese, 14 Shelduck, 220 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 16 Gadwall, 2 Ravens and a Roe Deer were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A Short-eared Owl was reported from Aust Warth.
22nd December
Another cold day with a strong West/North West wind. At least 150 Turnstones and 300 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach. A Bar-tailed Godwit, at least 2000 Dunlin, 75 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, single Snipe, Little Egret and Barnacle Goose, 56 Greylag Geese, 85 Canada Geese, 32 Shelduck, 240 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall and 70+ Teal were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
21st December
A windy and wet morning. At least 50 Turnstones, a few Curlew and Oystercatchers, a Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon and 2 Teal were seen from the Severn Beach shore. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved 600 Dunlin, 40+ Redshank, 70+ Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, single Turnstone, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 26 Shelduck, 250 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 38 Gadwall, 34 Shoveler and a Tufted Duck.
20th December
A cool day with a mixture of sunshine and cloud with light rain in the afternoon. A late morning high tide visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced a Jack Snipe (flushed on the wetland), 150 Lapwings, 300+ Dunlin, 2 Turnstones, 70 Curlew, 60 Redshank, 80 Oystercatchers, single Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 38 Greylag Geese, 80 Canada Geese, 32 Shelduck, 40+ Shoveler, 30+ Gadwall, 210 Wigeon and 140+ Teal. At least 30 Wigeon remained on the Severn Beach salt marsh a female Blackcap was still feeding on apples in my garden.
Greylag Geese, New Passage 20.12.24
19th December
A cool and mainly cloudy day. The first 2 Bewick’s Swans of the year were found at Pilning Wetland/New Passage this morning where other sightings included 350 Dunlin, 3 Turnstones, 35 Redshank, 94 Curlew, 180 Lapwings, 93 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 36 Greylag Geese, 250 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 23 Shelduck, 60 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 240+ Wigeon, a drake Pintail, 250+ Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Ravens, single Grey Wagtail, Peregrine and Kestrel. At least 150 Turnstones, 16 Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 12 Curlew, 3 Oystercatchers, 30+ Wigeon, 10 Teal, 6 Shelduck and 2 squealing Water Rails were reported from Severn Beach. At least 100 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, 40 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 3 Water Pipits and a Kestrel were reported on the Bristol section of Chittening Warth and 2 Short-eared Owls were seen hunting over Aust and Northwick Warths at dusk.
Bewick’s Swans, Pilning Wetland 19.12.24
Bewick’s Swan, Pilning Wetland 19.12.24
18th December
A strong South West wind in the morning dropped off by lunchtime, cloudy with some light drizzle. A Black-tailed Godwit, 500+ Dunlin, just 20 Lapwings, 95 Oystercatchers, 90 Curlew, 30 Redshank, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 300+ Canada Geese, 2 immature Mute Swans, a Shelduck, 40+ Shoveler, 40+ Gadwall, 210 Wigeon, 120 Teal and a Tufted Duck were reported from the very windswept Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. The strong wind at Severn Beach failed to produce any seabirds with just 30+ Wigeon being seen.
17th December
Another dark, cloudy day with Southerly wind. A morning high tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced a Grey Heron, 11 Shelduck, 70+ Wigeon, 12 Teal, 6 Redpolls, single Water Rail and Stonechat. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included single Black-tailed Godwit and Jack Snipe, 500+ Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 200 Lapwings, 90+ Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, several Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, single Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 14 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 45+ Shoveler, 50 Gadwall, 220+ Wigeon, 300+ Teal, 4 Tufted Duck and a pair of hunting Peregrines.
16th December
Another day with some sunshine and a cool wind. Reports from Severn Beach included 16 Redshank, 11 Curlew, 3 Oystercatchers, 8 Shelduck, 20+ Wigeon, 8 Teal, feeding flocks of 30+ Greenfinch and 7 Redpolls, single Great Black-backed Gull, Kestrel and female Blackcap. Two Short-eared Owls were seen again from Aust Warth and nearby 7+ Chiffchaffs were seen at Aust Cliff/services (at the sewage works).
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 16.12.24 © Vic Savery
15th December
A warmer day with a mixture of sunshine and cloud in a South West wind. A few Curlew and Oystercatchers, 3 Shelduck, 30+ Wigeon and a female Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach. A low tide visit to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area produced 30 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 70 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, 190 Lapwing, single Little Egret and Barnacle Goose, 60 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 35 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 180 Teal and 200+ Wigeon. Two Short-eared Owls and a Stonechat were reported again from Northwick/Aust Warths.
14th December
A cool, mainly sunny day with a light West breeze. At least 650 Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 350 Lapwings, 95 Oystercatchers, 68 Curlew, single Little Egret and Barnacle Goose, 13 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 40+ Shoveler, 38 Gadwall, 290 Wigeon, 170 Teal, single Merlin and Short-eared Owl were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Combined reports from Severn Beach included 10 Oystercatchers, a few Curlew and Redshank, an immature Mute Swan, 11 Shelduck, 40+ Wigeon, 2 Water Rails, 3 Stonechats, single Cetti’s Warbler and female Blackcap. Another 2 Short-eared Owls were reported from Aust Warth.
13th December
Another cold and cloudy day with a North East breeze. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area involved 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 800+ Dunlin, 85 Redshank, 40 Turnstones, 280 Lapwing, 200+ Curlew, 95 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 5 Canada Geese, single Mute Swan and Shelduck, 45+ Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 290 Wigeon, 210 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, a Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats.
12th December
The weather remained cool and grey. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 2 Short-eared Owls, 30 Dunlin, 200+ Lapwings, 90 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, a Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, a Barnacle Goose, 5 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, 35+ Shoveler, 40+ Gadwall, 150 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail and 2 Ravens. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved a few Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 35 Curlew, a Little Egret, 4 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, single Peregrine, Great Black-backed Gull, Water Rail, Stonechat and garden feeding female Blackcap.
11th December
The dismal cool, grey weather and North East wind continued. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 210 Dunlin, 400+ Lapwings, 40 Oystercatchers, 30 Redshank, 90 Curlew, single Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 2 Mute Swans, 6 Shelduck, 25 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 150+ Wigeon and 90+ Teal. A brief late afternoon high tide visit to Severn Beach produced a few Redshank, 2 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 15+ Wigeon, single Water Rail, Cetti’s Warbler and Stonechat.
10th December
A cool cloudy day with a North East breeze. The first Woodcock of the year was seen at Sever Beach where other reports included 4 Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 10 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 6 Wigeon, a Water Rail and a Stonechat. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved an Avocet, a decent count of 300 Turnstones, 170+ Lapwings, 330 Dunlin, 55 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 60 Redshank, single Little Egret and Barnacle Goose, 50 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 5 Shelduck, 20+ Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall, 150+ Wigeon and 120+ Teal.
Avocet, Pilning Wetland 10.12.24
9th December
Another cool day with moderate strength North East wind. Reports from Severn Beach included 14 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstones, 2 Oystercatchers, 8 Curlew, 7 Shelduck, 24 Wigeon, 3 Pintail (one drake), a Shoveler, 3 Teal and 2 Stonechats. The Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area produced 300 Dunlin, 230 Turnstones, 200 Lapwings, 70 Curlew, 70 Redshank, 7 Oystercatcher, 5 Snipe, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 2 Greylag Geese, 20 Shelduck, 19 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 150 Wigeon and 120 Teal.
Stonechat, Severn Beach 9.12.24
8th December
A cold day with strong Northerly wind. A late morning visit to the windswept Pilning Wetland/New Passage area produced just 100 Dunlin, 50 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 14 Lapwings, 30 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Barnacle Goose, 200 Canada Geese, 22 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 220 Wigeon and 200 Teal. Severn Beach was quiet with just 70 Turnstones, 4 Curlew, 3 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, a Raven and a Stonechat worth a mention.
7th December
A stormy day with gale force gusts from the West veering North West by midday. Single 1st winter Mediterranean Gull and 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull, 11 Kittiwakes, 220 Turnstones, 250 Dunlin, 4 Curlew and 110+ Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 6 Teal and a Water Pipit were reported from Severn Beach. Two Bar-tailed Godwits, 3000 Dunlin, 110 Curlew, 50 Oystercatcher, single Little Egret and Barnacle Goose, 170 Canada Geese, 34 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 340 Wigeon and 200+ Teal were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Two Kittiwakes and a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull were seen at Chittening Warth.
6th December
A sunny start and wet by late afternoon. The wind started to increase at dusk ahead of the arrival of Storm Darragh. A brief low tide visit to Pilning Wetland/New Passage produced 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 70 Redshank, 96 Curlew, 130 Lapwings, 400 Dunlin, 6 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Barnacle Goose, 176 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swans, 21 Shelduck, 35+ Shoveler, 28 Gadwall, 250+ Wigeon, 220+Teal, 3 Tufted Duck and a Chiffchaff. Another 170 Dunlin, 13 Curlew, 6 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 24 Wigeon and 2 Stonechats were seen at Severn Beach.
5th December
A wet day with a moderate strength South West wind. A Leach’s Petrel was a nice find at Severn Beach early this morning.
4th December
A cloudy day with light East wind turning Southerly in the afternoon. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 500 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 65 Curlew, 54 Lapwing, 8 Turnstones, 6 Oystercatchers, 5 Snipe, a Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, A Barnacle Goose, 2 Shelduck, the usual Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, single Water Rail and male Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine and 3 Ravens. At least 19 Shelduck, 17 Wigeon, a Water Rail, 2 Stonechats and 3 Blackcaps (2 males, 1 female) were reported from Severn Beach. Another 300 Dunlin, 22 Redshank, 15 Curlew, 86 Common Gulls, single Great Black-backed Gull, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth.
female Blackcap, Severn Beach 4.12.24
3rd December
A cool day with light wind. Reports from Severn Beach involved 23 Curlew, 9 Shelduck, 17 Wigeon, 24 Teal, single Water Rail, Great Black-backed Gull and Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Stonechats, 2 male Blackcaps, 30 Greenfinches and a Redpoll. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 19 Turnstones, 800+ Dunlin, 67 Redshank, 230 Lapwings, 140 Oystercatchers, 100+ Curlew, a Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons, a Barnacle Goose, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 6 Shelduck, 45+ Shoveler, 30+ Gadwall, 270 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, a Water Rail, 12 Common Gulls, 2 Raven, 2 Stonechat, single Cetti’s Warbler and Chiffchaff. At least 50 Wigeon, 35 Shelduck, 3 Snipe, 30 Oystercatchers, 10 Curlew, 2 Short-eared Owls and a Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth.
Pintail, New Passage 1.12.24
2nd December
A colder and mainly cloudy day. Reports from Severn Beach included 6 Curlew, 3 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 2 Shelduck, 42 Wigeon, at least one Water Rail, a Raven, 4 Stonechats, 2 Rock Pipits, a Cetti’s Warbler and a fly over Siskin. Combined sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved a Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, a Golden Plover, 900 Dunlin, 11 Turnstones, 50 Lapwing, 120 Redshank, 90 Curlew, 140 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, a Barnacle Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 17 Shelduck, 45+ Shoveler, 35+ Gadwall, 300 Wigeon, 3 Pintail (2 drakes), 240 Teal, 2 Ravens, 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Redpoll, single Water Rail, Stonechat and Grey Wagtail. Two Short-eared Owls were seen from Aust Warth at dusk.
Lapwings, Pilning Wetland 1.12.24
1st December
A warm (15°C) and cloudy day with a South West wind. A low tide visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 8 Ringed Plover, 30+ Turnstones, 12 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 11 Shelduck, 30+ Wigeon, a cock Pheasant and at least 5 squealing Water Rails. Sightings from a low tide visit to the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Black-tailed Godwit, 30+ Turnstones, 50 Dunlin, 120 Lapwings, 110 Oystercatcher, 110 Curlew, 30+ Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Barnacle Goose, 38 Canada Geese, 260 Wigeon, 230+ Teal, 50+ Shoveler and 20 Gadwall.
