December is one of the quietest months with only 148 species recorded during the month. It can be a good month for wildfowl with the chance of Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander and Ruddy Duck 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 Glaucous Gull and in the winters of 1940 & 1941, Cirl Bunting.
December 31st
A quiet end to the year. Birds seen from New Passage included a Little Egret, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 500 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 64 Oystercatchers, 150 Lapwings, 400 Wigeon, 25 Shelduck and 2 Peregrines. At Severn Beach there were 30 Shelduck and 20 Ringed Plovers on the foreshore, 2 Water Rails and 25 Gadwall at the Orchard Pools and a male Blackcap spent most of the day in a garden.
December 30th
A mild but very wet day. The highlight was the first Goosander of the year, a drake off New Passage this afternoon. Other sightings from here included a Little Egret, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 1000 Dunlin and 17 Common Gulls. A male and female Blackcap were seen feeding in a Severn Beach garden and 10 Gadwall were present at the Orchard Pools.
December 29th
The day time temperature struggled to get above freezing after a night temperature of -4°C. Birds seen from New Passage included at least 1000 Dunlin, 700 Lapwing, 12 Black-tailed Godwits and a Merlin. The foreshore at Severn Beach produced 2 Peregrines (sharing a kill), 7 Ringed Plover, 50 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew and 35 Shelduck. A male Blackcap was seen feeding in a garden here, a Water Rail and 2 Lesser Repolls were present nearby at the Orchard Pools. A pair of Stonechats and a Brambling were seen with 60 Chaffinches at Old Passage. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Stonechat, Old Passage 29.12.5
December 28th
Another cold day. Sightings from New Passage included 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 500 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 20 Shelduck, 6 Common Gulls and 200 Lapwings. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
December 27th
A day of frost and an eye watering cold North wind. Only a few birds of interest were reported today despite more coverage. A Little Egret, 100 Dunlin, a Black-tailed Godwit and 20 Shelduck were seen from New Passage. A flock of 31 Gadwall and a Cetti’s Warbler were seen in Severn Beach where male and female Blackcaps were seen in 2 gardens. A visit to the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth, produced just 2 Lesser Redpolls. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Blackcap, Severn Beach 27.12.5 © Ray Cottrell
December 26th
The only birds reported today were a male Merlin, 400 Wigeon, 70 Teal and 40 Common Gulls off New Passage in a very brief visit. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
December 25th
A brief search produced only a few interesting birds. Single Black-tailed Godwit, Peregrine and 15 Common Gulls were seen from New Passage. There were 350 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, 60 Redshank, 50 Oystercatchers, 20 Shelduck and 2 Rock Pipits on the foreshore at Severn Beach. The 25 Gadwall and a Little Grebe remained on the Orchard Pools.
December 24th
Another cool and bright day with a good selection of birds. Sightings from Severn Beach included a Woodcock (at the Orchard Pools), 2 dark-bellied Brent Geese, 25 Gadwall, 90 Redshank, 70 Turnstones,
80 Oystercatchers, 3 Common Snipe, 4 Stonechats, 2 Rock Pipits and the Cetti’s Warbler. Birds seen from New Passage included 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 350 Lapwing, 100 Dunlin, 15 Redshank, 50 Curlew, 400 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 60 Common Gulls, 40 Meadow Pipits, 12 Pied Wagtails, 2 Rock Pipits, single Grey Wagtail, Peregrine and Merlin. A Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats were seen on Aust Warth.
Gadwall, Severn Beach 24.12.5
December 23rd
A good selection of birds were reported today including the Cetti’s Warbler, a Jack Snipe, a Knot, 150 Turnstones, 65 Oystercatchers, 20 Shelduck, 29 Gadwall and 2 Stonechats at Severn Beach. There were 7 Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Egret, 22 Redshank, 100 Dunlin, 22 Shelduck and 8 Common Gulls at Northwick Warth. Another 62 Redshank and a male Merlin were seen on the foreshore at Chittening Warth, 9 Lesser Redpolls were seen nearby at the Sea Bank Pools. There were 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Jack Snipe, 2 Stonechats, at least 500 Wigeon and a Peregrine at Aust Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck was seen on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
December 22nd
Sightings from New Passage included 300 Lapwing, 100 Dunlin, 2 Shoveler, a Peregrine and 10 Pied Wagtails. A Great Crested Grebe, 50 Turnstone, 80 Oystercatchers and 14 Shelduck were seen at Severn Beach. A visit to the Sea Bank Pools at Chittening Warth, produced a flyover Little Egret, 2 Lesser Redpolls and a Chiffchaff. Another 12 Pied Wagtails were seen in a field at Aust Warth. The flock of 25 Gadwall remained at the Orchard Pools, where a Tawny Owl has been heard calling during the last week. An adult Mediterranean Gull, with different head markings to the usual New Passage bird, was seen on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
December 21st
The Cetti’s Warbler was relocated in Severn Beach today where 90 Oystercatchers, 50 Turnstone, a Peregrine, 25 Gadwall, 16 Shelduck, 4 Stonechats and a male Blackcap were also seen. The male Merlin, 300 Dunlin, 80 Lapwing and a Kingfisher were seen from New Passage.
December 20th
Sightings from New Passage included an adult Mediterranean Gull, a large mixed flock of Wigeon and Teal, a male Merlin, a Peregrine and 300 Dunlin. A visit to the foreshore at Severn Beach produced 5 Stonechats, a Rock Pipit and 10 Common Gulls, nearby there were 23 Gadwall at the Orchard Pools.
December 19th
The first White-fronted Goose of the year was found on Northwick Warth. Other birds seen from New Passage included 2000 Dunlin, 150 Lapwing, 40 Curlew, 3 Shoveler and a Peregrine. There were 2 Stonechats, 3 Rock Pipits and 2 Siskins on the foreshore at Severn Beach and 25 Gadwall remained on the Orchard Pools.
White-fronted Goose, Northwick Warth 19.12.5
December 18th
After a cold and frosty night there were at least 4000 Dunlin at New Passage this morning. A male Merlin and a Black-tailed Godwit were seen on Northwick Warth. There were 25 Gadwall on the almost frozen Orchard Pools at Severn Beach. A Peregrine was seen at Aust Warth, 4 Stonechats and 55 Redshank were seen from Stupp Pill, Chittening Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
December 17th
A morning visit to Severn Beach over the high tide produced a female Goldeneye, 15 Shelduck, 400 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 70 Turnstones and a Rock Pipit. There were 24 Gadwall, 2 Lesser Redpolls and a Siskin at the Orchard Pools. Birds seen from New Passage included a Little Egret, at least 2000 Dunlin, 36 Oystercatchers, 5 Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Common Gulls. A flyover Snow Bunting and 2 Woodcock were seen at Severn Beach in the afternoon. Another 2 Lesser Redpolls were seen at the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth.
December 16th
The birds remained almost the same as yesterday with a Little Egret, 700 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 38 Redshank, 250 Lapwing, 18 Shelduck, 5 Common Gulls and a Kingfisher seen from New Passage. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard again at Severn Beach and 18 Gadwall were seen at the Orchard Pools.
The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
December 15th
A Little Egret, at least 700 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 150 Lapwing, 230 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 10 Shelduck, 15 Common Gulls, 8 Siskins, a Rock Pipit and a Kingfisher were seen from New Passage. There were 21 Gadwall at Severn Beach on the Orchard Pools and a male Blackcap was seen in a garden. A Water Rail and 5 Stonechats were seen on Chittening Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck reappeared on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
December 14th
A male Merlin, 2 Little Egrets, 1500 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 37 Redshank, 200 Lapwing, 5 Common Gulls, many Wigeon and Teal and were seen from New Passage. The Cetti’s Warbler and 18 Gadwall were seen again today at Severn Beach.
December 13th
Birds seen from New Passage included 1000 Dunlin, 370 Lapwing, 48 Oystercatchers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Redshank, 12 Common Gulls and a Little Egret. There were 4 Stonechats and 2 Water Rails on Chittening Warth. A flock of 17 Gadwall and 2 Lesser Redpolls were seen at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. A Peregrine was seen at Aust Warth.
December 12th
The fog disappeared due to a cold Northerly wind. The Cetti’s Warbler was heard again at Severn Beach. There were just 1200 Dunlin, 48 Oystercatchers and 10 Common Gulls at New Passage. There were still 18 Gadwall and a Water Rail at the the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen this morning at the square roadside pool at Avonmouth Sewage Works.
December 11th
A day of dense fog that refused to clear. Finding birds was difficult except for a Cetti’s Warbler that showed very well at Severn Beach. There were 18 Gadwall on the Orchard Pools and a Water Rail was heard calling here.
Cetti’s Warbler, Severn Beach 11.12.5
December 10th
An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen from New Passage this morning with a high count of 60 Common Gulls, at least 1000 Dunlin, 300 Lapwings, 20 Redshank, 5 Common Snipe and a Rock Pipit. A Cetti’s Warbler was seen and heard at Severn Beach along with 15 Ringed Plover, a Grey Plover, 200 Dunlin, 120 Turnstone, 80 Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers and 7 Common Snipe. A male Blackcap was seen again in a garden here, 2 Water Rails and 12 Gadwall remained at the Orchard Pools. A Peregrine was seen eating prey at Aust Warth.
December 9th
A cool and cloudy day with a light South East wind produced a few interesting birds. Sightings from New Passage included a drake Goldeneye, 4 Shoveler, 250 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 12 Shelduck, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, a Jack Snipe, 400 Dunlin, 350 Lapwings, a Common Snipe, 30 Redshank, 13 Common Gulls, 2 Rock Pipits, single Siskin, male Brambling and Grey Wagtail. A visit to Severn Beach produced 8 dark-bellied Brent Geese, 180 Turnstones, 150 Dunlin, 60 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 5 Rock Pipits and a fly over male Yellowhammer on the foreshore, 14 Gadwall, 2 Water Rails, single Raven and Siskin at the Orchard Pools and a male Blackcap was seen in a garden here.
December 8th
Another quiet day. Birds seem from New Passage included a Knot, 300 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin and 5 Common Gulls. There were 85 Redshank, 80 Turnstones, 60 Oystercatchers, 300 Dunlin and 2 Rock Pipits on the Severn Beach foreshore. There were 13 Gadwall nearby on the Orchard Pools.
December 7th
A visit to Severn Beach produced 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, including one summer plumaged individual, at least 700 Dunlin, 100 Redshank, 100 Turnstones, 80 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers and a possible adult Caspian Gull. Birds seen from New Passage today included 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 16 Common Gulls, a Raven and a Kingfisher. There were 3 Lesser Redpolls at Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth.
December 6th
A big freeze or Westerly gales are needed to liven things up! The usual 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese, 400 Dunlin, 200 Lapwing, 15 Redshank, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Raven were seen from New Passage. There were 120 Redshank and 300 Dunlin at Chittening Warth, 85 Turnstones and 80 Oystercatchers at Severn Beach.
December 5th
The variety and number of birds of birds remains much the same. There were 85 Turnstone, 92 Redshank, 80 Oystercatchers and 150 Dunlin on the foreshore at Severn Beach, 2 Blackaps were seen in a garden here, 14 Gadwall and a Water Rail were present at the Orchard Pools. The 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese, at least 1000 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 300+ Wigeon and 150 Teal were seen from New Passage. A Little Egret was found on Aust Warth.
December 4th
The 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese remained off New Passage along with 8 Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Egret, a Peregrine, at least 1000 Dunlin, 400 Lapwing, 30 Oystercatchers, 21 Redshank, 250 Wigeon, 150 Teal and a Redpoll. Another 85 Oystercatchers, 2 Water Rails, 5 Stonechats, 3 Redpolls, a Siskin and a Chiffchaff were reported from Chittening Warth. There were 30 Redshank and 2 Rock Pipits on the shore at Severn Beach and 14 Gadwall were still on the Orchard Pools.
Brent Geese, New Passage 4.12.5
December 3rd
A wet start to the day, becoming brighter by late morning. Birds seen from New Passage included 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Little Egret, many Wigeon and Teal, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Lapwing, 250 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 38 Redshank, a Knot and a Peregrine. A visit to Severn Beach produced 200 Dunlin, 40 Turnstones, 20 Redshank and a Knot on the foreshore, a female Blackcap was seen in a garden here.
December 2nd
Another wet day. There were 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese, 420 Lapwing, 400 Dunlin, 35 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers, a large flock of Wigeon and a male Merlin on Northwick Warth. There were 50 Turnstone, another 100 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers and 30 Redshank at Severn Beach. A flock of 14 Gadwall remained nearby at the Orchard Pools.
December 1st
The wet weather continued into the new month with the birds remaining much the same. Species seen from New Passage included 4 Brent Geese, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Redshank, 64 Oystercatchers, 250 Dunlin, 400 Lapwing, 5 Common Gulls, single Kingfisher and Peregrine. A Raven flew North over Severn Beach and there were 16 Gadwall nearby on the Orchard Pools. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
