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Despite the onset of winter and the decrease in hours of daylight, October is the month with the highest number of recorded species, with a grand total of 192. Rarities have included the only records of Black-necked Grebe (1996), Montagu’s Harrier (1991), Long-billed Dowitcher (1977), Red-necked Phalarope (2001), Black Guillemot (1998) and Yellow-browed Warbler (2001). Other national and local rarities recorded include Ring-billed Gull, Roseate Tern, Hooded Crow, Ring Ouzel, Mealy Redpoll, Firecrest and Common Crossbill. There is the chance of a returning Bewick’s Swan, White-fronted Goose or Purple Sandpiper at the end of the month.

October 31st
An interesting end to the month. A Dartford Warbler was found in Bramble scrub at Severn Beach where 4 Stonechats and a Peregrine were also seen. The adult Mediterranean Gull was seen from New Passage along with a male Merlin, 180 Knot, 105 Redshank, 200 Dunlin, 70 Lapwing, 3 Common Gulls and a Kingfisher. A dark-bellied Brent Goose was present off Chittening Warth.

October 30th
A wet morning resulted in very little coverage and few birds were reported today. The usual 350 Knot, 100 Dunlin, 80 Lapwing, 60 Redshank, 250 Teal were seen from New Passage along with 6 Pintail, a Peregrine and a Green Sandpiper. A Short-eared Owl was seen flying South West over Severn Beach mid afternoon.

October 29th
Another warm day with a South wind. Birds seen from New Passage included a Little Egret, 350 Knot, 150 Dunlin, at least 60 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, 200 Teal, 2 Common Gulls and a Kingfisher. A male Merlin, a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 20 Shelduck, 4 Stonechats, 10 Siskins, 2 Redpolls, 2 Brambling and 8 Fieldfares were seen at Northwick Warth.

October 28th
A first winter Mediterranean Gull, a male Merlin, a Black-tailed Godwit, 310 Knot, 82 Lapwing, 60 Dunlin, 62 Redshank, 3 Common Gulls, 180 Teal, single fly over Redpoll and Brambling were seen from New Passage. There were 250 Wigeon, 2 Common Gulls, 25 Redshank, a Common Snipe and 2 Stonechats at Aust Warth. An afternoon visit to Severn Beach produced 6 Grey Plovers, 2 Knot, 2 Stonechats, a Rock Pipit and at least 20 Redwing.

October 27th
A warm day (20 °C) for the time of year, with a Southerly wind. Birds seen from New Passage included the unusual sight of a Little Grebe on the river, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Knot, 50 Redshank, 50 Dunlin, 74 Lapwing and 3 Common Gulls. A male Merlin and a Stonechat were seen on Northwick Warth. Another 4 Stonechats and a Clouded Yellow butterfly were found at Severn Beach.

October 26th
The adult Mediterranean Gull reappeared at New Passage this afternoon. Other birds seen from here included a female Common Scoter, a male and female Merlin, 450 Wigeon, 400 Teal, 51 Lapwing, just 42 Knot, 80 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, a Wheatear and 50 Redwings that flew South. Birds seen at Severn Beach included 2 Stonechats, 120 Turnstone, a Wheatear and 40 Redwing. Another 2 Stonechats were present at Chittening Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

October 25th
Another windy day with heavy showers. A sea watch from Severn Beach produced a Pomarine Skua (unfortunately lacking any “spoons”), single Manx Shearwater, Fulmar, female Common Scoter, dark-bellied Brent Goose, Little Egret, Merlin, Peregrine, 40 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plover and 4 Common Gulls. A flock of 250 Knot were seen from New Passage along with 400 Teal, 140 Wigeon, 69 Lapwing, a Little Egret and a female Merlin.

October 24th
A wet and windy day produced the first Guillemot of the year at Severn Beach where the only other birds of note were 40 Turnstone, a Wheatear and a Common Gull. Birds seen from New Passage included 12 Common Scoter, 400 Knot, 400 Teal, 150 Wigeon, 70 Dunlin and 50 Lapwing.

October 23rd
The 2 Garganey were seen again from New Passage along with 400 Teal, 220 Wigeon, 400 Knot, 100 Dunlin, at least 60 Redshank, 67 Lapwing, a Black-tailed Godwit and a male Merlin. A Grey Plover, 4 Stonechats and 10 Gadwall were seen at Chittening Warth. A Peregrine was present at Aust Warth.

October 22nd
A dry and bright day with some unusual birds associated more with spring than autumn. The best bird was a female type Marsh Harrier, the first October record, that was seen to fly East from Chittening Warth. Other birds reported from Chittening included a Green Sandpiper, 2 Ravens, 6 Stonechats, at least 2 Rock Pipits and a Kingfisher. Two Garganey were seen from New Passage along with a Golden Plover, 200 Knot, 150 Dunlin, 65 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, 400 Teal, 200 Wigeon, a Common Gull, 2 Wheatears, 22 flyover Siskins, 2 Rock Pipits, single Brambling, Blackcap and Swallow. Another Stonechat and Wheatear were found on Northwick Warth. A visit to Severn Beach produced a Little Egret, single Common Gull, Stonechat, Wheatear, Rock Pipit, Coal Tit and 2 Jays. A Water Rail was heard here at the Orchard Pools. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

October 21st
A wet and windy day. The usual birds were reported from New Passage including 250 Knot, 300 Dunlin, 55 Lapwing, 50 Curlew, 380 Teal, 50 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, a Common Gull, 2 Ravens and a Peregrine. There were 130 Turnstones and 2 dark-bellied Brent Geese at Severn Beach. A Rock Pipit and 8 Stonechats were seen at Chittening Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

October 20th
The bird of the day, a “ringtail” Hen Harrier was found this morning at Chittening Warth by a visiting bird watcher. Luckily it stayed and was watched hunting from the coast road and Severn Way Footpath. Other birds here included 4 Stonechats and a Green Sandpiper. The usual 350 Knot, 300 Dunlin, 65 Lapwing, 40 Redshank and 380 Teal remained at Northwick Warth along with a Shoveler and 3 Wheatears. A Rock Pipit and another Wheatear were seen at New Passage. Severn Beach remained quiet with just 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Stonechats and a Wheatear reported.

October 19th
A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced a female Goldeneye, the first for 2 years. Other birds reported from here included 2 Stonechats, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Common Snipe and single flyover Brambling and Siskin. Birds seen at Northwick Warth included 350 Knot, 380 Dunlin, 65 Lapwing, 60 Redshank, 4 Common Snipe a Golden Plover, a Raven, 120 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 2 Common Gulls, 2 Wheatears and the rare sight of a pair of Yellowhammers, settled behind the large target mound. A Kingfisher, another Wheatear and Rock Pipit were seen at New Passage.

October 18th
Another cool, cloudy day with an East wind. A Snow Bunting flew North over New Passage early morning. Other species seen flying North East included hundreds of Chaffinches, at least 20 Siskins, 3 Brambling, 2 Redpoll and 2 Swallows. Other birds seen from New Passage included a Curlew Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit, 380 Knot, 250 Dunlin, 50 Lapwing, 50 Turnstone, a Common Sandpiper, 27 Pintail, at least 60 Wigeon, 200 Teal, a Merlin and a Wheatear. There was little to report from Severn Beach other than the singing Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Ringed Plover, 7 Shelduck and a flyover Brambling.

October 17th
A cool cloudy morning followed by a sunny warm afternoon. A flock of 6 Avocets were a surprise find at New Passage this morning before they flew off west. Other birds seen from New Passage included 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 250 Knot, 350 Dunlin, 53 Lapwing, 40 Redshank, 91 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 5 Shelduck, a Pochard, 2 Common Gulls, single Little Egret, Peregrine, 4 Bullfinches, 2 Fieldfares and 3 flyover Redpoll. Birds seen on Northwick Warth included 8 Common Snipe, 2 Ravens, single Grey Wagtail and Wheatear. Another 2 Peregrines and a Stonechat were present on Aust Warth. A low tide visit to Severn Beach produced the singing Cetti’s Warbler, a Little Egret, 12 Ringed Plover, 6 Shelduck, 2 Stonechats, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Jays and a Blackcap. A Clouded Yellow Butterfly was found on Northwick Warth.

October 16th
The weather remained the same producing an impressive number of visible migrants. Most of the birds were heading in a North East direction unless stated otherwise. A count this morning from New Passage produced 2 Arctic Skuas (South), a Merlin, several thousand Chaffinches, 200 Greenfinches, 100 Siskin, 200 Redwings, 10 Brambling, 5 Redpolls and a single flock of 40 Jackdaws (South). Additional species flying over included Wood Pigeons, Starlings, Reed Buntings, Song Thrushes, Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. Other birds seen from New Passage included 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 250 Knot, 200 Dunlin, 90 Redshank, 35 Lapwing, 50 Turnstone, 200 Teal, 7 Pintail, 50 Wigeon, single Common Gull, Kingfisher and 2 Coal Tits. A Stonechat and a Wheatear were seen on Northwick Warth. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard singing again at Severn Beach. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

October 15th
Another day with an East wind producing a good number and variety of visible migrants, with most birds heading North East. A one hour sample count at New Passage this morning included; 100+ Chaffinches, 120+ Greenfinches, 15 Pied Wagtails, 9 Skylarks, 4 Reed Buntings, 15 Redpoll, 6 Brambling, 12 Siskin, 40 Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes and a Fieldfare. Other birds seen from New Passage included 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 250 Knot, 200 Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 9 flyover Golden Plover, 95 Redshank, 3 Pintail, 2 Shoveler, 300 Teal, a Wheatear and a flock of 27 Long-tailed Tits. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard and seen again in Severn Beach. The Orchard Pools, Severn Beach also produced single Water Rail, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, 10 Gadwall, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Bullfinches and 4 Blackcaps. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

October 14th
A cooler, cloudy day with an East wind. A dark-bellied Brent Goose, 14 Pintail, at least 380 Teal, 70 Wigeon, 250 Knot, 40 Dunlin, 61 Redshank and 32 Lapwing were seen from New Passage. The Severn Beach shore remained quiet with just 30 Dunlin, 17 Ringed Plover, 2 Stonechats and a Peregrine to report, 3 Jays were seen nearby at the Orchard Pools. The drake Ring-necked Duck and a Green Sandpiper were present on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

October 13th
A singing Cetti’s Warbler was a surprise find late morning at Severn Beach, only the second record for here. It was generally quiet elsewhere with few birds reported. A Little Egret, 30 Redshank, 30 Wigeon and at least 300 Teal were seen from New Passage. There were 2 Ravens, 13 Lapwings and single Wheatear, Stonechat and Blackcap on Northwick Warth. Two Stonechats and a mixed flock of 60 Dunlin and Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach late afternoon.

October 12th
A cloudy morning and then heavy rain by mid afternoon. A Dartford Warbler was seen again on Northwick Warth where other birds included 2 Ravens, a feeding flock of 1500 Starlings, 30 Song Thrushes, 10 Blackbirds, 2 Mistle Thrushes, single Redwing and Blackcap. A Little Egret, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 35 Turnstone, just 40 Dunlin, 45 Redshank, 12 Lapwings, 400 Teal, 20 Wigeon, a Pintail and 2 flyover Redpolls were seen from New Passage. Birds reported from Severn Beach included 60 Turnstone, 20 Dunlin, 4 Stonechats, 2 Blackcaps and a Jay.

October 11th
The warm weather continued today. A Dartford Warbler reappeared on Northwick Warth and showed briefly feeding on Blackberries. Other birds here included 2 Blackcaps and many Song Thrushes. The adult Mediterranean Gull remained at New Passage along with a Curlew Sandpiper, 100 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 2 Pintail and a Coal Tit. Birds reported from Severn Beach included 13 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin, 60 Turnstone, a Sanderling, 3 Stonechats, a Wheatear, 2 flyover Siskins and a Jay.

October 10th
A warm day (21°C) with a Southerly wind. A Corn Bunting flew over New Passage this morning. Other birds seen from here included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Golden Plover, 16 Lapwing, 61 Redshank, 300 Dunlin, just 11 Knot, 250 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 5 Pintail, 3 Shelduck, a Coal Tit, 2 Jays, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Kingfisher. Nearby on Northwick Warth there were 2 Stonechats, a Wheatear, a Peregrine and an influx of at least 25 Song Thrushes and 10 Robins. Another 4 Stonechats, a Wheatear, 3 Grey Plover, 9 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach where flyover migrants heading South included 2 Siskins, a Redpoll and a Brambling. Waders at Chittening Warth included 40 Oystercatchers and 100 Curlew. Butterflies making the most of the warm weather included 2 Clouded Yellows at Severn Beach, another Clouded Yellow, a Red Admiral and a Brimstone at New Passage.

October 9th
A good selection of birds were reported on a dry and sunny day. Birds seen from New Passage included 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 250 Knot, 200 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover, 60 Redshank, 9 Lapwing, 5 Shoveler, 6 Pintail, 280 Teal, 2 Common Gulls and 2 Redwing. A female Merlin, 6 Common Snipe, single Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper and Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps were seen on Northwick Warth. A Peregrine, 2 Stonechats and at least 25 Skylarks were present on Aust Warth. Severn Beach produced 24 Ringed Plover and 90 Dunlin. Flyover migrants seen throughout the area this morning included, 5 Swallows, 2 Siskins, 3 Redpolls, Song Thrushes, Meadow Pipits and Wagtails. A Grey Seal was seen at New Passage.

October 8th
An elusive Dartford Warbler remained on Northwick Warth in hedges just north of the target mound. Other birds reported here this morning included 200 Knot, 200 Dunlin, 8 Lapwing, 6 Pintail, single Wheatear, Golden Plover, Grey Plover and Peregrine, 2 Chiffchaffs, flyover Brambling, Siskins, Redpoll, 30 Skylarks and at least 30 Swallows. There were 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Kingfishers and 3 Redwings at New Passage. Two Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth. Little of note was seen at Severn Beach other than 34 Ringed Plovers, 2 Blackcaps and a Jay.

October 7th
The grey anticyclonic weather continued. At least one Dartford Warbler remained on Northwick Warth along with 4 Blackcaps, a Wheatear, 16 Common Snipe, 8 Lapwings, single Black-tailed Godwit and Golden Plover. Birds seen from New Passage included a Curlew Sandpiper, 200 Knot, 200 Dunlin, 65 Redshank, 6 Pintail, 340 Teal, 30 Wigeon, a Kingfisher, an influx of at least 30 Blackbirds and 10 Song Thrushes. Flyover migrants seen here included Redpolls, Siskins and at least 60 Swallows. There were at least 60 Turnstone, 60 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover and 2 Stonechats at Severn Beach. Another 110 Dunlin and 9 Grey Plover were seen at Chittening Warth.

October 6th
A good selection of autumn migrants were reported on a very overcast day. The Dartford Warblers remained on Northwick Warth along with 3 Wheatears, a Whinchat, 200 Knot, a Grey Plover, 3 Common Snipe and some flyover migrants including Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, a Brambling, 2 Redpoll, 2 Grey Wagtails, 20 Song Thrushes and 2 Redwings. Birds seen at New Passage included a female Merlin, a Little Egret, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 60 Redshank, 80 Dunlin, 8 Lapwing, 300 Teal, 6 Pintail, 2 Coal Tits and a Swallow. There were 100 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, another Curlew Sandpiper, 40 Turnstone, single Wheatear, Stonechat and Jay at Severn Beach.

October 5th
A morning of dense fog followed by a cold North wind. A day of quality rather than quantity when the first Severnside record of Dartford Warblers were found by a visiting birdwatcher on Northwick Warth. The 2 birds were found at lunchtime in Brambles near the large target mound and were relocated in the hedge there this evening. Other birds reported from New Passage today included the adult Mediterranean Gull, 68 Redshank, 57 Wigeon, at least 250 Teal and 6 Pintail. There were 85 Dunlin, 21 Ringed Plover and 40 Turnstone at Severn Beach. The drake Ring-necked Duck was relocated on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

October 4th
More signs of autumn migration were reported today. A female Merlin was seen on Northwick Warth along with a good variety of flyover migrants including Siskins, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Pied Wagtails, Reed Buntings, Swallows, Rooks, Jackdaws and another Jay. Birds seen from New Passage included a Grey Plover, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 14 Lapwing, 300 Knot, 400 Dunlin, 55 Curlew, 30 Redshank, 20 Oystercatcher, 47 Wigeon, 400 Teal, 5 Pintail and a Common Gull. There were 25 Ringed Plover at Severn Beach and a Peregrine was seen again at Aust Cliff. A Weasel was seen near the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth.

October 3rd
Another cloudy day with only a few birds of interest reported. There were 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 300 Knot, 300 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 120 Turnstone, a Lapwing, 300 Teal, 31 Wigeon, 5 Pintail and a Shoveler seen from New Passage. A Golden Plover, 3 Common Snipe, 3 Shelduck and a Wheatear were found on Northwick Warth where a small number of flyover migrants included a Jay, Skylarks, Siskins, Chaffinches, Song Thrushes and Pied Wagtails. There were 50 Ringed Plover and 30 Dunlin at Severn Beach. A Peregrine was seen at Aust Cliff.