2019 Sightings

December is one of the quietest months with only 164 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), Green-winged Teal (2013), Egyptian Goose (2013), Glaucous Gull, Waxwing (2010) and in the winters of 1940 & 1941, Cirl Bunting.

9th December
Storm Atiyah moved through overnight with heavy rain and gale force winds but by first light it had calmed down. A Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Dunlin, 150+ Oystercatchers, 250+ Lapwing, 130 Curlew, 40 Turnstones, 110 Redshank, 170 Canada Geese, 35 Shelduck and 400+ Wigeon were seen on Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland this afternoon.

8th December
An increasingly windy day with rain showers. An afternoon visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 2 Egyptian Geese, 137 Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, 60 Teal, 40+ Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Lapwing, 130 Redshank, 160 Oystercatchers, 90 Curlew, 80 Dunlin, 2 Water Rails, single Sparrowhawk and adult female Peregrine.

Egyptian Geese, Pilning Wetland 8.12.19

7th December
Hunting male Merlin and Peregrine were seen from New Passage today.

6th December
No reports were received today.

5th December
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a male Merlin, a Marsh Harrier, 30 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Redshank, 150 Curlew, 25 Shelduck, 17 Canada Geese, 150 Wigeon, 110 Teal, 45 Gadwall, 20 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck and a Water Rail.

4th December
A morning visit to to New Passage/Pilning Wetland produced 19 Black-tailed Godwits, 200+ Redshank, 220 Lapwing, 110 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 40+ Gadwall, 100+ Teal, 140 Wigeon, 16 Shoveler and a Kingfisher. Another 30 Redshank, 19 Ringed Plover, 60 Turnstones, 40 Dunlin, 12 Shelduck and a Stonechat were seen at Severn Beach. Another Stonechat was seen this evening at Aust Warth.

3rd December
The usual Wigeon, Teal and Redshank flocks were seen from New Passage. A Stonechat was seen at Aust Warth.

2nd December
An icy dawn (-2°C) with several pools frozen over. A Little Egret, 90+ Canada Geese, 32 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall, 130 Teal, 220 Wigeon, 90 Redshank, 60 Dunlin, 8 Snipe, 2 Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and a Coal Tit were reported from New Passage this morning. Four Stonechats, 12 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon and 10 Redshank were seen at Severn Beach.

1st December
Reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 100 Canada Geese, 300 Wigeon, 40 Gadwall, 40 Shoveler, 130 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 240+ Lapwing, 35 Curlew, 3 Knot, 100+ Redshank, 200 Dunlin, single Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.