2020 Sightings

25th May
A fine sunny day. Combined sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included an early morning only Spoonbill, the Collared Pratincole, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 12+ Lapwing, a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 25 Canada Geese and another Red Kite. A Cetti’s Warbler was singing near Severn Beach railway station.

Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 25.5.20 © Rod Holbrook

Collared Pratincole, Pilning Wetland 25.5.20 © Allan Chard

Red Kite, New Passage 25.5.20 © Allan Chard

24th May
Another breezy and sunny day. At least one Razorbill, 2 Storm Petrels, an Arctic Skua, 6 Common Scoter and 10 Sanderling were reported from Severn Beach. Sightings from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included the Collared Pratincole, 4 Dunlin, 3 Barnacle Geese and a Red Kite.

Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 24.5.20 © Patchbirder

23rd May
The Collared Pratincole remained hunkered down out of the strong South West wind and squally showers at Pilning Wetland. Combined reports from numerous observers at Severn Beach included at least two Storm Petrels, 3+ Arctic Skuas, 4+ Fulmar, 50+ Manx Shearwaters, at least one Gannet, a Guillemot, 3+ “Auks”, single Kittiwake, Mediterranean Gull and Little Egret, 40 Sanderling, 50 Dunlin/Ringed Plover and 4 Whimbrel.

Fulmar, Severn Beach 23.5.20 © Mark Coller

Pale morph Arctic Skua, Severn Beach 23.5.20 © Mark Coller

Dark morph Arctic Skua, Severn Beach 23.5.20 © Matt Hobbs

22nd May
An increasingly breezy day with a South West wind. The only report from Pilning Wetland was of the Collared Pratincole but today it spent much of the time sheltering out of the wind. A good selection were seen off Severn Beach; 1+ pale morph Pomarine Skua (09.25 & 18.35), a pale morph 3 Arctic Skuas, 160+ Manx Shearwaters, 5 Kittiwakes, a 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, 3 Sandwich Terns, a “Commic” Tern, a drake Common Scoter, 10 Sanderling, 85 Ringed Plover, 35 Dunlin and a Turnstone.

Manx Shearwaters, Severn Beach 22.5.20

21st May
A warm and sunny day produced the first Severnside record of Collared Pratincole, found hawking insects over the reed bed and Grebe pond on Pilning Wetland. Other sightings from here and Northwick Warth included 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 10+ Lapwing, a pair of Oystercatchers, a Whimbrel, 10 Ringed Plover, single Dunlin, Little Egret and Red Kite.

Collared Pratincole, Pilning Wetland 21.5.20 © Mark Coller

Collared Pratincole, Pilning Wetland 21.5.20

20th May
Dense sea fog early morning turning sunny and warm later. Reports from an afternoon visit to Pilning Wetland included 10+ Lapwings, a pair of nesting Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons and a pair of Canada Geese with 3 goslings. A Cetti’s Warbler and a Whimbrel were present at Severn Beach.

19th May
No reports were received today.

18th May
The usual Lapwings, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, a Canada Goose brood (3 goslings; the 1st successful breeding here), single Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were reported from Pilning Wetland.

17th May
No reports were received.

16th May
No reports were received

15th May
Reports from Pilning Wetland included a Redshank and a Yellow Wagtail.

14th May
Another fine sunny day. Sightings from Pilning Wetland included a Wood Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 2 Ringed Plovers, 10+ Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 2 pairs of Canada Geese, 10+ Tufted Duck, 3 Shoveler, 25+ Gadwall, single Black-headed Gull, Raven and Yellow Wagtail.

13th May
A sunny day with a cool East breeze. Reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included a Little Stint, a Green Sandpiper, 10 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets and a Yellow Wagtail. A Peregrine and 2 Ravens were seen at Aust Cliff.

12th May
A Ruff, 10 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Black-headed Gulls, 70 Shelduck, 12+ Tufted Duck and 2 Shoveler were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area.

11th May
Reports from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included a Little Stint, 10 Lapwings and a Yellow Wagtail.

10th May
A cooler day with a strong North East breeze. Lockdown birding from home in Severn Beach produced 2 adult Kittiwakes, 5 Whimbrel and 11 Black-headed Gulls all heading into the cold wind.

9th May
A brief visit to the shore and coastal scrub at Severn Beach produced a Whimbrel, 3 Lapwing, a mixed flock of 50 Dunlin/Ringed Plover and 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers.

8th May
An early morning bike ride to Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth produced 3 Grey Plover, a Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, a mixed flock of 60 Ringed Plover/Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons and a Wheatear. A Common Sandpiper, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and 2 singing Nightingales were reported at Severn Beach.

7th May
A Black Redstart was seen on the sea defences at New Passage this morning. Other reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a Ruff, a mixed flock of 40 Ringed Plover/Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets and a Kestrel. A Garden Warbler was heard and seen in Severn Beach.

6th May
Yet another sunny day with a cool East breeze. An early morning bike ride to Pilning Wetland produced a Ruff, a Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Dunlin, 70 Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 8+ Lapwing, a drake Pochard, 14 Tufted Duck, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 20+ Swift, single Wheatear and Tree Pipit. A Stonechat was reported at Aust Warth. Click on the Ruff below for a short Youtube video.

Ruff, Pilning Wetland 6.5.20

Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 6.5.20

5th May
Another sunny day with an East breeze. Lockdown birding at Severn Beach produced a male Whinchat, 2 Whimbrel and a mixed flock of 40 small waders. The Cuckoo was reported as still present on Northwick Warth.

4th May
A sunny day with an East wind. A female Marsh Harrier flew North East over Severn Beach at 12.25 where other reports included a Cuckoo, 2 singing Cetti’s Warblers, a Sparrowhawk, 5 Swifts, 130 Dunlin and 20 Ringed Plover. A Greenshank, 7 Lapwing, 50+ Shelduck, Tufted Ducks, Gadwall, Shovelers, 2 nesting pairs of Canada Geese, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Yellow Wagtails, another Cuckoo, 10+ Swifts, a Kestrel and a steady passage of Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning wetland area.

Cuckoo, Northwick Warth 4.5.20

Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 4.5.20

3rd May
No reports were received today.

2nd May
The Greenshank was reported from Pilning Wetland.

1st May
Another breezy day with a wet morning. Lockdown sightings from Severn Beach involved 2 adult Kittiwakes and a Raven. A Greenshank was reported from Pilning Wetland.