April is the second most productive month of the year in the number of species seen. At least one individual of 189 species have been recorded in April. A month when the last of the “winter” birds depart and most “summer” birds arrive. Birds to expect are at least four Tern species, Skuas, “ sylvia” Warblers, Common Redstarts, Whinchats, Yellow Wagtails with the chance of Pied Flycatcher, Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler and Hobby. Rarer sightings include; Slavonian Grebe (1989, 2000), Ring-necked Duck (1988), Sabine’s Gull (1990, 1992), Red-rumped Swallow (1988), Willow Tit (1988) and Mealy Redpoll (2004).
April 30th
Two dark bellied Brent Geese, 11 Whimbrel, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Siskin were seen at Severn Beach. Another 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Whimbrel, 40 Teal and a Wheatear were found on Northwick Warth.
April 29th
Another quiet day with little reported. At least 16 Redpoll, 2 Tree Pipits, a Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whimbrel, 10 Ringed Plover 12 Dunlin and 3 “Commic” Terns were seen at Severn Beach. A pair of Ravens were seen at Chitening Warth. There were 2 Little Egrets, 72 Shelduck, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Swifts, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and a Wheatear at Northwick Warth.
April 28th
Sightings from Severn Beach today included 50 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 3 Knot, 36 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Whimbrel, 2 “Commic” Terns, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Swifts and a Redpoll. A female Merlin was seen at Aust Warth early this morning.There were 20 Turnstones, 2 Whimbrel and 2 Little Ringed Plovers at Northwick Warth.
April 27th
A search of Northwick Warth produced 10 Whimbrel, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 38 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Ringed Plovers and 3 Lesser Whitethroats. Sightings from Severn Beach included 12 Ringed Plover, 18 Dunlin, single Canada Goose, Wigeon, Reed Warbler and Swift. A group of 15 Common Buzzards drifted inland over Aust Cliff. Another Lesser Whitethroat was found at Chittening Warth.
April 26th
A quiet day with a dawn visit to Severn Beach producing 20 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 10 Dunlin, 12 Ringed plover, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and a fly over Tree Pipit. This evening 2 Swifts flew North here. Another 12 Whimbrel, 3 Lessser Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler and 46 lingering Teal were seen at Northwick Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck reappeared on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Whimbrel & Bar-tailed Godwit, Severn Beach 26.4.6
April 25th
A wet morning followed by a dry afternoon with a South West wind. Sightings from Northwick Warth included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 20 Whimbrel, 44 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 5 Gadwall, 2 Wheatears and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. A Great Crested Grebe was present at Severn Beach this evening along with 13 Ringed Plover, 12 Dunlin, 10 Whimbrel, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 9 Wigeon, single Lesser Whitethroat, Wheatear and Swift.
April 24th
A morning visit to Chittening Warth produced 2 Grasshopper Warblers, a Cuckoo, 2 Wheatears, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers and 35 Turnstones. Another 3 Lesser Whitethroats were present at Severn Beach where this evenings high tide produced 24 “Commic” Terns, 2 adult Little Gulls, 13 Ringed Plover, 18 Dunlin and a Whimbrel. Sightings from Northwick Warth included a Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers, 41 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 2 Wheatears. Another Common Sandpiper and a female Merlin were seen at Aust Warth.
Reed Warbler, Chittening Warth 24.4.6
April 23rd
A few interesting migrants so far after overnight rain. A male Ring Ouzel, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Whinchat, 2 Wheatears, single Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Little Egret were present at Chittening Warth. Another 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler, 45 Teal, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Whimbrel, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, single Little Egret, Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, 4 Wheatear and 2 Tree Pipits were seen at Northwick Warth. Another Lesser Whitethroat was heard near the railway platform at Severn Beach. Late this afternoon a Spoonbill was seen flying South over Northwick Warth and a few minutes later over Severn Beach. A Sanderling, a Short-eared Owl and at least 250 “Commic” Terns were also seen at Severn Beach this afternoon.
Ring Ouzel, Chittening Warth 23.4.6 © John Martin
April 22nd
A warm day with a light North East wind. Most migrants were flying overhead with many Swallows and Goldfinches but one or two interesting migrants were seen on the ground. Visits to Chittening Warth produced a Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Wheatears, many Sedge Warblers, single Reed Warbler, Whinchat and female Redstart. Sightings from Northwick Warth included a Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 20 Whimbrel, single Greenshank and Snipe, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. A pair of Goosander flew down river past New Passage. There were 2 Arctic Terns, 6 Common Terns, another 13 “Commic” Terns and 2 Great Crested Grebes off Severn Beach where 21 Ringed Plover, 19 Dunlin, 3 Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit and at least 4 Yellow Wagtails were seen.
Yellow Wagtails, Severn Beach playing fields 22.4.6 © Ray Cottrell
April 21st
The day started well with a Tawny Owl calling near Severn Beach railway station at one o’clock this morning. With warm settled weather and a light East wind there was an excellent variety and number of birds today. Sightings from Severn Beach included a colour ringed female Ring Ouzel, a female Redstart, a female Pied Flycatcher, 33 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, a Sedge Warbler, 5 Common Whitethroats, a Swift, a Red-legged Partridge, 19 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper. The best find at Northwick Warth was a roosting Long-eared Owl that was flushed from deep within the tall hedge behind the 2nd sentry box this afternoon. Other sightings from Northwick Warth during the day included 74 Teal, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, single Whimbrel, Snipe, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, at least 80 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 2 Yellowhammers, 3 Tree Pipits, 2 White Wagtails, single Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Redstarts and another Red-legged Partridge. A Garden Warbler was found at Sea Bank Power Station, Chittening Warth.
April 20th
A “fall” of migrants were found on Northwick Warth this afternoon including 26 Wheatears, 12 Yellow Wagtails, at least 6 White Wagtails, 100 Meadow Pipits and a male Common Redstart. A Little Egret was also seen here. Single Siskin and Tree Pipit flew over Severn Beach early this morning and brief lunchtime visit produced 2 Common Sandpipers and a Wheatear. A stroll up Northwick Warth this evening was memorable when a Stone Curlew flew up in front of me. Luckily it landed (ST553873) and was watched until dark and was seen by at least 10 other birders. Other birds seen here included 7 Whimbrel, 2 Snipe and a Green Sandpiper. A Short-eared Owl was seen at dusk on Aust Warth.Gary Thoburn kindly supplied the digiscoped image below, taken at great distance in near darkness.
Stone Curlew, Northwick Warth 20.4.6 © Gary Thoburn
April 19th
A Little Egret was seen again on Northwick Warth along with 70 Shelduck, 40 Teal, 3 Wigeon and 4 Knot. A visit to Severn Beach produced 18 Ringed Plover, 10 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin and 4 Whimbrel on the foreshore and a Whitehroat and 3 singing Willow Warblers at the Orchard Pools.
April 18th
The sight of 4 Arctic Skuas and 4 Whimbrel off Chittening Warth this morning were hopefully a sign of things to come. Sightings from Northwick Warth included 2 Little Egrets, 76 Shelduck, 38 Teal and 3 Wigeon. There was a steady passage of Swallows with a small number of House Martins and Sand Martins. Two Canada Geese were found on the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach. An early brood of 4 Coot chicks were seen at Chittening Warth.
April 17th
The bird of the morning was a “silent” Grasshopper Warbler found in a small drainage ditch on Northwick Warth. It eventually hid itself beneath some driftwood at the base of the seawall. A Whimbrel was heard calling here, 3 Canada Geese and 50 Teal were present early morning. Sightings from Severn Beach included a singing Whitethroat, the usual singing Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. Two Little Ringed Plovers were seen again.
Grasshopper Warbler, Northwick Warth 17.4.6
April 16th
A quieter day. A morning visit to Severn Beach produced 3 drake Common Scoter, 2 Whitethroats and 21 Turnstone. Two Whimbrel, single Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Common Sandpiper and 5 Wheatears were seen at Chittening Warth. Sightings from New Passage included a Little Egret, 30 Turnstones, 5 Dunlin, 40 Shelduck and 20 Teal. A Raven was seen at Aust Warth. Three Little Ringed Plovers remained in the area.
April 15th
An Easterly breeze and a warm spring day produced a good variety of birds. Three Little Ringed Plovers were present. Sightings from Severn Beach included 78 Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Common Terns, 15 Wheatears, at least 50 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Tree Pipit and Whitethroat, a steady passage of Swallows, singing Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps. A Short-eared Owl and another Whitethroat were reported from Chittening Warth. A male Redstart and 2 Tree Pipits were found at Aust Warth. Sightings between New Passage and Aust Warth included 2 Canada Geese, 50 Teal, 40 Shelduck, 20 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 6 Dunlin, 3 Turnstones, 2 Ravens, single Peregrine, Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Tree Pipit and another 15 Wheatears.
Redstart, Aust Warth sheep fields 15.4.6
April 14th
A few birds of interest were seen on Northwick Warth including a Whimbrel, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Canada Geese, 70 Shelduck, a Little Egret, 20 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, single Turnstone and Snipe, many Swallows, 3 House Martins and a Sand Martin. There were 11 Ringed Plover at Severn Beach. A Red-legged Partridge was seen again at Aust Warth.
Red-legged Partridge, Aust Warth 14.4.6 © R.W. L. Bowerman
Swallows, Sand Martin & House Martins, Northwick Warth 14.4.6
April 13th
A day when the wind was too strong to find any grounded migrants but not strong enough for any decent seabirds. Birds seen from New Passage included 35 Curlew, 10 Redshank, at least 60 Shelduck and a small number of Swallows. Three Lesser Redpolls were found at the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth. At least 6 Kittiwakes were seen from Severn Beach this evening.
April 12th
Two Little Ringed Plovers were seen today. Severn Beach remained quiet with just 13 Ringed Plovers and a single Dunlin. Sightings from Northwick Warth included a Little Egret, 72 Shelduck and 5 Redshank.
April 11th
There is still little evidence of spring migration. The Little Ringed Plover was still present. A flock of at least 60 Shelduck and 30 Curlew were seen on Northwick Warth. A moderate strength South West wind pushed 85 Kittiwakes close to the sea wall at Severn Beach this evening.
April 10th
Less of the same today with a cool wind for most of the day. A male Little Ringed Plover showed well all afternoon. Two Wheatears remained on Northwick Warth where a small number of Swallows were also seen. A Raven was seen at Chittening Warth.
April 9th
A day with a cool North wind was unlikely to produce much of interest and it didn’t. A Little Ringed Plover remained present. Two Little Egrets and 2 Wheatears were seen on Northwick Warth and another Little Egret was found at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. Sheltered areas out of the wind produced at least 10 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs and 2 singing Blackcaps.
Willow Warbler, Northwick Warth 9.4.6
April 8th
The 2 Little Ringed Plovers reappeared late this afternoon having gone missing this morning. A Short-eared Owl and 10 Lesser Redpolls were seen at Chittening Warth. Other sightings from New Passage included 70 Shelduck, 50 Teal, 40 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank and 12 Swallows. There were another 20 Shelduck and 12 Kittiwakes at Severn Beach where a Short-eared Owl was watched from the town houses in Riverside Park at dusk.
April 7th
The 2 Little Ringed Plovers remained from yesterday. A Great Crested Grebe was seen from Severn Beach. Other birds seen from New Passage included 2 Shoveler, 9 Redshank, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a small number of Swallows and Sand Martins.
April 6th
The first 2 Little Ringed Plovers of the year were found this morning. Very few other birds of note were seen today other than 10 Sand Martins at New Passage, a Swallow and a female Common Scoter at Severn Beach and a few singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps in the area.
Little Ringed Plover 6.4.6
April 5th
A sunny start to the day after a night of frost (-2°C). Birds seen at Northwick Warth included a Tree Pipit, a Wheatear, Blackcap, Chiffchaffs, single Sand Martin, Swallow and Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Grebes, 10 Coot, 56 Shelduck, 17 Redshank, just 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin. A male Wheatear, 11 Grey Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Little Grebes and a Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach.
April 4th
A fine and sunny day with a cool North East wind. It still remains quiet with just a small number of migrants being seen. A Little Egret, 5 Ringed Plover, 25 Redshank, 64 Shelduck, 6 Swallows and 5 Willow Warblers present at Northwick Warth. Just 12 Ringed Plover were seen on the shore at Severn Beach. At least 2 Willow Warblers were seen at the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth and at least 3 singing Blackcaps were heard in the area today.
April 3rd
Sightings from New Passage included a Guillemot floating up river on the high tide, a Little Egret and 23 Redshank. A visit to Severn Beach produced 18 Ringed Plovers and the singing Cetti’s Warbler. Some good birds were seen near the the old Aust motorway service station at Aust Cliff including a female Ring Ouzel, a White Wagtail and several Willow Warblers.
April 2nd
An early morning visit to Northwick Warth produced a male Wheatear, 2 Swallows, 2 Sand Martins, a Willow Warbler, 80 Teal, 30 Shelduck, 60 Turnstone, 30 Redshank and 2 Peregrines. The South West wind increased in strength by late morning and a sea watch from Severn Beach produced a Great Skua (flew inland and North East), a dark phase Arctic Skua, at least 3 Fulmars, a Common Scoter and 6 Kittiwakes. Other reports from here included a Cetti’s Warbler, 5 Sand Martins, 7 Ringed Plover and a Raven.
Fulmar, Severn Beach 2.4.6
April 1st
A settled day with some interesting migrants but no great numbers of anything. The most surprising find was a Dartford Warbler at Severn Beach where single Sandwich Tern, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Swallow, Rock Pipit, a singing Blackcap, 4 singing Chiffchaffs and a Cetti’s Warbler were also seen. A dark phase Arctic Skua, Water Rail and 2 Wheatears were seen at Chittening Warth. Another Swallow and a singing Willow Warbler were found on Northwick Warth. An adult Little Gull showed well at New Passage, a Short-eared Owl was seen again over Aust Warth. A Red-legged Partridge was reported at
Aust Cliff.
