SEVERNSIDE BIRDS






























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January 2007
January is a slightly better month than December, the daylight hours slowly lengthen resulting in a monthly total of 153 species. Like any of the mid winter months it can be good for wildfowl sightings if inland waters freeze, with the chance of Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander and Ruddy Duck or some fly by Bewick’s Swans. Seabirds seen in gales have included Cory’s Shearwater (2004), Storm Petrel, Leach’s Petrel, Little Auk, Red-throated Diver  (1991,1993) and Grey Phalarope. Other January birds include; Great Grey Shrike (2004) and Shorelark (2004), Waxwing (1958), two Common Cranes that flew over Severn Beach (2000), two Whooper Swans (2005) and a few rare sightings of Hen Harrier.
January 31st
A late afternoon visit to New Passage produced just 250 Lapwings, 20 Redshank, 120 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 200 Wigeon and 140 Teal. The Short-eared Owl was seen hunting again over Aust Warth this afternoon and another was found hunting over a field in Severn Beach. There was little coverage today due to the distraction of a Pacific Diver on Farnham Gravel Pits, North Yorkshire. This is the first British record and was apparently  found over 2 weeks ago before news leaked out earlier this week.
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Pacific Diver, North Yorkshire 31.1.7
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Pacific Diver, North Yorkshire 31.1.7
January 30th
Sightings from New Passage included a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Golden Plover, 450 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin, a Black-tailed Godwit, 86 Common Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, 300 Wigeon, 300 Teal and 5 Pintail. The Short -eared Owl and 2 Stonechats remained on Aust Warth.

January 29th
The male Merlin, a Black-tailed Godwit, 42 Oystercatchers, 200 Dunlin, 450 Lapwings and 12 Redshank were seen on Northwick Warth. The Short-eared Owl was seen hunting again at Aust Warth from mid afternoon. Sightings from Chittening Warth included 2200 Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 90 Lapwing and 24 Gadwall.

January 28th
Reports from Northwick Warth included a male Merlin, a  Little Egret, 300 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 40 Shelduck, 2 Water Rails, 3 Snipe, 800 Dunlin, 450 Lapwing,  single Black-tailed Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit. A fly by dark-bellied Brent Goose, 50 Turnstones and a male Blackcap were seen at New Passage. The Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats remained on Aust Warth.
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Little Egret, Northwick Warth 28.1.7
January 27th
A visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced just 80 Turnstones, 100 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 3 Stonechats, single Raven and Peregrine. A Little Egret, 2000 Dunlin, 400 Lapwings, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Black-tailed Godwit, 300 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 5 Shoveler and another Peregrine were seen from New Passage. Two Jack Snipe, 5 Snipe, a Water Rail,  a Chiffchaff  and a mixed flock of 120 Fieldfares and 80 Redwings were found at the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth. The Short-eared Owl performed mid afternoon at Aust Warth and another 2 Stonechats were seen here.
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Stonechat, Severn Beach 27.1.7
January 26th
Sightings from New Passage included the 2 pale and dark-bellied Brent Geese, 350 Wigeon, 350 Teal, 100 Shelduck, 8 Pochard, 500 Dunlin, 400 Lapwing, 10 Redshank,  single Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, male Merlin and Peregrine. There were 2 Jack Snipe and 8 Snipe on the Grebe Pond at Northwick Warth. A visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced 600 Dunlin, 80 Turnstones and 46 Oystercatchers. The Short-eared Owl was hunting again over Aust Warth from mid afternoon where 50 Redwings were also seen.

January 25th
Following an icy night two Brent Geese were found at New Passage this afternoon; a pale-bellied with a dark-bellied bird. This was only the second time the pale-bellied form has been reported on Severnside with the last individual being seen back in 1995. Other reports from here included single Little Egret, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit and Knot, 25 Redshank, 500 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 340 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 100 Shelduck and 4 Shoveler. Nearby, a Water Rail, a Jack Snipe and 5 Snipe were found around the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth. The Severn Beach shore and salt marsh produced a Jack Snipe, 4 Ringed Plover, 50 Redshank,  40 Oystercatchers, 60 Turnstones, 90 Curlew, a Water Pipit, 3 Rock Pipits and 2 Stonechats. The Short-eared Owl was watched hunting at Aust Warth late afternoon and another 2 Stonechats and 200 Lapwing were also seen here.
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dark & pale-bellied Brent Geese, New Passage 25.1.7
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dark & pale-bellied Brent Geese, New Passage 25.1.7
January 24th
An adult Red Kite flew North over Old Passage this morning. Only the 3rd Severnside record but the third consecutive year one has been seen. Other sightings from nearby Aust Warth included a Short-eared Owl, 2 Ravens, a Jack Snipe and a Stonechat. A Little Owl was heard calling from the hedge here. Sightings from New Passage included a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2000 Dunlin, 32 Redshank, 490 Lapwing, 13 Snipe, 18 Oystercatchers, 85 Curlew, 340 Wigeon, 375 Teal, 116 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 80 Redwing and 12 Fieldfares. There were a 1000 Dunlin and 80 Curlew on the shore at Severn Beach and nearby a Water Rail was heard and 19 Gadwall were seen at the Orchard Pools.

January 23rd
Sightings from Chittening Warth included 1500 Dunlin, 180 Curlew, 120 Redshank, 105 Turnstones, 10 Ringed Plover, a Jack Snipe, 1000 Black-headed Gulls, 18 Gadwall, 2 Stonechats and 2 Water Pipits. There were 2000 Dunlin, 400 Lapwing, 23 Oystercatchers, just 7 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 200 Wigeon and 98 Shelduck from New Passage. The Short-eared Owl, a Raven and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth.

January 22nd
Sightings from New Passage in a cold North wind included a Little Egret, 1000 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 100 Curlew, 200 Lapwing, 60 Shelduck and 200 Wigeon. There were 23 Oystercatcher, 55 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 29 Gadwall, 17 Curlew and a Peregrine at Chittening Warth.

January 21st
It still remains quiet with 2000 Dunlin, 23 Redshank, 60 Curlews, 100 Lapwing, 50 Shelduck and 80 Common Gulls seen from New Passage.

January 20th
A very quiet day with just 2000 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 2 Ravens, 100 Curlew and 60 Shelduck reported from New Passage in windy conditions.

January 19th
Sightings from New Passage today included 4000 Dunlin, 400 Lapwing, 45 Redshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, single Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit. A male Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Raven and a Jack Snipe were seen on Aust Warth.

January 18th
Despite storm force winds the only reports from Severn Beach were of single Great Skua and Kittiwake along with 100 Dunlin and 120 Turnstones.

January 17th
A quiet day but with storm force winds predicted later tonight and tomorrow it could get interesting. A visit to New Passage produced the usual 2000 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Redshank, 400 Lapwings, single Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit and 150 Wigeon.

January 16th
A male Merlin, 2 Ravens, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2000 Dunlin, 400 Lapwings, 60 Turnstones, 30 Redshank and 3 Snipe were seen from Northwick Warth. There were 2 Stock Doves and 22 Gadwall at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. Sightings from Chittening Warth included a Woodcock and 2 Lesser Redpolls at the Sea Bank Pools and 1,000 Dunlin, 145 Redshank, 23 Oystercatcher, 3 Ringed Plover, 38 Curlew, 24 Gadwall,  90 Mallard, 11 Wigeon, 11 Teal, a Peregrine chasing the waders, 2 Ravens and 3 Stonechats on the estuary. The Short-eared Owl was watched catching voles at Aust Warth, one of which was stolen by a Kestrel. Two Stonechats also remained here.

January 15th
Much of the same today with 2000 Dunlin, 500 Lapwings, 30 Redshank, 20 Turnstones, single Black-tailed Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit, 250 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 70 Shelduck, 9 Shoveler and a Peregrine were seen from New Passage. Another 45 Shelduck and 2 Stonechats were seen at Severn Beach. The Short-eared Owl and another 2 Stonechats remained at Aust Warth. There were 3 Chiffchaffs at the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth.

January 14th
Reports from New Passage included 2000 Dunlin, 400 Lapwings, 31 Redshank, single Black-tailed Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit, 77 Shelduck, 22 Pintail, 70 Teal and 250 Wigeon. A Woodcock  was an excellent find near the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth where 57 Oystercatchers, 1000 Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, a Chiffchaff and 3 Ravens were also seen. There were 30 Oystercatchers, 25 Redshank and 2 Stonechats at Severn Beach. Another 2 Stonechats and a Short-eared Owl  were seen at Aust Warth this evening.
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Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 14.1.7
January 13th
Another windy grey day with. Sightings from the Severn Beach shore involved at least 6 Kittiwakes including one first winter bird feeding close to the Second Crossing, 60 Turnstones and 2 Ringed Plover. Nearby there were 11 Tufted Ducks on the Orchard Pools. Sightings from New Passage included single Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit and Knot, 400 Lapwings, 160 Curlew, at least 3000 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 190 Turnstones, 300 Wigeon, 70 Teal and 52 Shelduck. There were 5 Tufted Ducks on the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth and a mixed flock of 100 Redwings and Fieldfares were found in the hedge here. The Short-eared Owl was hunting on Aust Warth at dusk.
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1st winter Kittiwake, Severn Beach 13.1.7
January 12th
A Guillemot was reported from Severn Beach where 32 Kittiwakes and 60 Turnstones were also seen. The usual 2000 Dunlin, 300 Lapwing, 35 Redshank, 153 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, a Knot and 45 Shelduck were seen from New Passage. Reports from Chittening Warth included 300 Dunlin, 33 Oystercatchers, a Great Black-backed Gull and a “few” Kittiwakes.

January 11th
Despite gale force winds the only seabirds reported from Severn Beach were 15 Kittiwakes and 3 Little Gulls (an adult and 2 first winter). Fifty Turnstones were also seen here.
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Kittiwake, Severn Beach 11.1.7
January 10th
A visit to New Passage produced 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2500 Dunlin, 400 Lapwings, 300 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 6 Shoveler and a male Blackcap. Sightings from Severn Beach included 50 Turnstones and 7 Ringed Plovers on the shore, 3 Tufted Ducks at the Orchard Pools and 80 Pied Wagtails in a wet horse paddock. Sightings from Chittening Warth included 45 Curlew, 50 Turnstones and 2 Stonechats. A Raven was seen at Aust Warth.

January 9th
Yet another wet and windy day. The highlight was a Razorbill that flew down river close to the shore at Severn Beach. Several small groups of Kittiwakes were also seen here totalling about 50 birds. Reports from Northwick Warth included a male Merlin, 2 Knot, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar Tailed Godwit, 2600 Dunlin, 35 Redshank, 360 Lapwings, 160 Curlew, 38 Oystercatchers, 4 Grey Plover, 32 Shelduck, 340 Wigeon and 80 Teal. A male Blackcap was seen feeding on garden berries at New Passage and a female was seen feeding on peanuts in Severn Beach.

January 8th
Sightings from New Passage included 2 Knot, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers, 300 Lapwing, 1000 Dunlin, 300 Wigeon and 7 Shoveler. Severn Beach remained quiet with just 7 Ringed Plover and 80 Turnstones. Reports from Chittening Warth included 75 Turnstones,  4 Stonechats and a Grey Wagtail. Another 2 Stonechats were seen on Aust Warth.  The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works

January 7th
Another wet morning and little change in the number or variety of birds. Sightings from Northwick Warth included 1000 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 300 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 10 Snipe, 300 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 15 Shelduck, 9 Shoveler and a Raven. The only reports from Severn Beach involved 50 Turnstones, 5 Ringed Plover and a female Blackcap.

January 6th
Heavy rain for most of the day made seeing anything of interest difficult. A high tide visit this morning to Severn Beach produced 70 Shelduck, 80 Redshank, 400 Dunlin, 23 Ringed Plover, 60 Turnstones, a Snipe and 3 Rock Pipits. A male Merlin was roosting on a log on Northwick Warth where 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 300 Lapwings, 1000 Dunlin, 250 Wigeon, 70 Teal and 9 Shoveler were also seen. A Short-eared Owl was present on Aust Warth at dusk.

January 5th
Sightings from Northwick Warth included a female Merlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 1500 Dunlin, 300 Lapwing, 48 Redshank, 100 Wigeon and 8 Shoveler. A male Blackcap and a Kingfisher were seen nearby at New Passage. An adult Little Gull, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 15 Ringed Plover and 80 Turnstones were seen from Severn Beach and 17 Gadwall were seen here at the Orchard Pools. A visit to Chittening Warth produced another 80 Redshank, 24 Turnstones, a Jack Snipe, 14 Gadwall,  2 Stonechats, a Water Pipit and a Peregrine. Another 2 Stonechats were seen on Aust Warth.

January 4th
A Great Skua was seen from New Passage along with the usual 3 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 42 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers, 1000 Dunlin, 300 Lapwing and 7 Shoveler. A female Blackcap and a Pintail were seen on Northwick Warth. A Jack Snipe was flushed on Aust Warth.  The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works where 2 Chiffchaffs were also seen.

January 3rd
There were still 3 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 40 Redshank, 42 Oystercatchers, 98 Curlew, 300 Lapwing, 1000 Dunlin, 100 Wigeon and 11 Shoveler from New Passage. Two Ravens were seen on Aust Warth and nearby 5  Bewick’s Swans flew South over Aust Village.

January 2nd
Sightings from New Passage included the adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Curlew, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 38 Redshank, 42 Oystercatchers, 1000 Dunlin, 300 Lapwing, 40 Teal, 15 Shelduck and 4 Shoveler. The Mediterranean Gull  reappeared later in the wet fields at Southworthy Farm with at least 150 Common Gulls and 400 Black-headed Gulls.
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Little Gull, Southworthy Farm , New Passage
January 1st
An early morning visit to New Passage produced a Great Skua flying down river. Other sightings from here later in the day included an adult Mediterranean Gull,  3 Black-tailed Godwits, 1000 Dunlin, 300 Lapwings, 40 Turnstones, 30 Redshank, 30 Shelduck and 3 Pintail. The Mediterranean Gull was later relocated in a flooded field at Southworthy Farm near the coast road, with 2 adult Little Gulls and several hundred Black-headed Gulls. Another adult Little Gull flew up river from Severn Beach and 20 Gadwall remained here on the Orchard Pools.The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works for it’s 8th year and at least 2 Chiffchaffs were seen in the hedge here.