May is the third most productive month of the year with at least one individual of 177 species being seen. The summer migrants continue to move through including Garganey, Hobby, Cuckoo, Spotted Flycatcher, more Terns and Skuas with the chance of Pomarine. “Small” wader numbers should rise during the month with Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sanderling and the chance of a Curlew Sandpiper or Little Stint. Rarer records include Subalpine Warbler (2004), Spoonbill (1998), Honey Buzzard (1991), Kentish Plover (2004), Broad-billed Sandpiper (1988), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1990), Temminck’s Stint (2004), Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull, Franklin’s Gull (1984), Roseate Tern (1990) and White-winged Black Tern (1990).
May 28th
There were 4 Sanderling on the morning high tide at Severn Beach. An adult Gannet was seen floating on the river off Northwick Warth on the evening tide. Other birds seen here included 75 Shelduck, just 12 Dunlin and 2 Lapwing.
May 27th
A very quiet day with just a Fulmar reported from Severn Beach and at least 42 Shelduck on Northwick Warth.
May 26th
A windy day produced single Storm Petrel, Great Skua, Gannet, Fulmar, just 25 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover and 2 Sanderling at Severn Beach
May 25th
The weatherman got it wrong and the wind dropped today. A Fulmar was seen from Severn Beach this evening and the small wader roost contained 26 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover and 2 Sanderling. Northwick Warth produced the resident 50 Shelduck, 5 Curlew, a Lapwing and the unusual flock of 36 Jackdaws.
May 24th
Once again most sightings involved seabirds in the unseasonable weather. A dawn visit to Severn Beach produced 3 Storm Petrels, 4 Fulmar, an adult Gannet, 7 Kittiwakes and a flyby Sanderling. The early evening tide produced 3 Storm Petrels and 3 dark phase Arctic Skuas. The weather forecast remains almost the same for a few more days so we should see a few more seabirds in the area.
May 31st
A Spotted Flycatcher was found in the pines at New Passage. There were 2 Whimbrel, 9 Black-headed Gulls, just 3 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin at Severn Beach. A Lesser Whitethroat was seen carrying food on Nortwhick Warth, presumably feeding young.
May 30th
Another quiet day. A Wheatear was seen at Severn Beach. The usual Shelduck flock, 2 Gadwall, 2 Lapwing and just 14 Dunlin were seen at Northwick Warth.
May 29th
A Little Tern flew down river from New Passage late morning. Other sightings from here included 30 Dunlin, 7 Curlew, 2 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Gadwall and 70 Shelduck. A Cuckoo was heard and seen at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. The evening high tide roost at Severn Beach was dismal with just one Ringed Plover.
Little Tern, New Passage 29.5.6
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 24.5.6
May 23rd
Sightings from Severn Beach included 5 Fulmar, 21 Kittiwakes, 20 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling and a Peregrine. There was little to report from Northwick Warth other than a brood of 6 Mute Swan cygnets on the Grebe Pond, 30 Jackdaws, 50 Shelduck, single Curlew and Lapwing.
May 22nd
Another windy day with the most interesting sightings being seabirds. At least 15 Fulmar, 3 Gannets (2 adults, 1 immature), 2 Arctic Skuas (pale phase and dark phase) and a Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach. The usual 70 Shelduck and a Common Tern were seen from New Passage. Six Mute Swan cygnets hatched on the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach today.
May 21st
A much quieter day today with heavy rain until mid afternoon. A dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Peregrine, just 35 Dunlin and 9 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach. A brief visit to New Passage between the rain produced 70 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall and a Lapwing.
May 20th
The wind eased a little today but still produced a few interesting birds. Sightings from Severn Beach included at least one Storm Petrel, 3 adult Gannets, at least 7 Fulmar, 4 Arctic Skuas (3 continued up river), 2 Kittiwakes, a single Manx Shearwater and 6 Whimbrel. A brief morning visit to New Passage produced just 20 Dunlin and 80 Shelduck.
Gannet, Severn Beach 20.5.6
May 19th
A good variety of sea birds were seen from Severn Beach this morning. At least 3 Storm Petrels were found along with at least 20 Gannets, 15 Fulmars, 120 Kittiwakes, 2 Arctic Skuas (one dark, one light), 3 Common Scoters (one drake, two females), single Manx Shearwater and Common Tern.
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 19.5.6
Gannet and dark morph Arctic Skua, Severn Beach 19.5.6
May 18th
No sea birds were seen on the morning high tide even with a strong South West wind and rain. The only waders reported from Severn Beach were 3 Sanderling, 20 Ringed Plover and 16 Dunlin. A single flock of 200 Kittiwakes eventually appeared off Severn Beach at dusk. Strong winds are forecast for tonight and tomorrow so some other sea birds might yet make it up the estuary.
May 17th
Heavy rain stopped coverage early today. The 2 Bar-tailed Godwits remained at Northwick Warth along with at least 100 Shelduck, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Gadwall, 9 Dunlin and 3 Lesser Whitethroats. Severn Beach remained quiet with just 21 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 2 Gadwall and 2 Lesser Whitethroats.
May 16th
Sightings from Northwick Warth included 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Lapwing, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and 2 Gadwall. A Peregrine, 20 Ringed Plover and 10 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach and nearby a Cuckoo, another Lesser Whitethroat and 4 Gadwall were present at the Orchard Pools.
May 15th
A wet morning produced a few migrants. There were 70 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 15 Turnstone, a Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel and a Wheatear at Severn Beach. A visit to Northwick Warth produced 102 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 20 Ringed Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, single Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and Hobby.
May 14th
It still remains quiet with low numbers of waders. Sightings from New Passage included 94 Shelduck, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Wheatear. The evening high tide produced 12 Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, just 5 Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plovers at Severn Beach.
May 13th
Very few birds were reported today. A Whimbrel, 20 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach, another 2 Whimbrel and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits were reported from Northwick Warth.
May 12th
Sightings from Severn Beach today included a dark bellied Brent Goose, 30 Whimbrel, 100 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, a late drake Teal and a Yellow Wagtail. Northwick Warth was even quieter with just 72 Shelduck, 11 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, a Lapwing, a Wheatear and 2 singing Lesser Whitethroats.
May 11th
Another warm day with a North East wind. The early morning high tide at Severn Beach produced 75 Dunlin, 25 Ringed Plover and 5 Bar-tailed Godwits. A dark bellied Brent Goose and an unidentified Diver flying South West were seen here mid morning. A thorough search of Northwick Warth produced 11 Whimbrel, a Lapwing, 2 drake Shoveler, 40 Shelduck, a pair of Gadwall, 6 Yellow Wagtails feeding around the cattle, a Wheatear, 4 singing Lesser Whitethroats, 30 Jackdaws and a Raven.
Just to prove that spring migration has not finished at Severn Beach, at least 150 Terns; 100 Common and 50 “Commics”, an adult Little Gull, an impressive flock of 48 Common Scoter, 25 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Turnstones and 3 Grey Plover were added to today’s sightings this evening. A Grey Seal was seen close to the shore at New Passage this morning and then again off Severn Beach.
Common Terns, Severn Beach 11.5.6
Grey Seal, New Passage 11.5.6
May 10th
A warm day ending with a thunderstorm produced one or two interesting birds but no great numbers A visit to Northwick Warth produced a dark bellied Brent Goose, a Great Crested Grebe, 65 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 2 Wheatears, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and a Kingfisher was seen in the pill at New Passage. The evening high tide at Severn Beach produced 6 Sanderling, 6 Whimbrel, 60 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover and a female Red-breasted Merganser. A single Wheatear was seen here early this morning.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 10.5.6
May 9th
Sightings from Northwick Warth today included 40 Shelduck, 20 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, the unusual flock of 30 Jackdaws, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and a Yellow Wagtail. There was an increase in small waders at Severn Beach this afternoon with 120 Dunlin and 50 Ringed Plovers being seen. Other birds here included a Great Crested Grebe, 3 Whimbrel, a Wheatear and 20 Shelduck.
May 8th
A few new migrants were found between the heavy rain showers. The best find was a drake Garganey on the “Grebe Pond” at Northwick Warth. Other birds seen here included 21 Whimbrel, a Curlew, 2 Lapwings, 2 Gadwall, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and 4 fly over Siskins. A dark phase Arctic Skua flew North East over Severn Beach early afternoon. Other sightings from here included 3 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 3 Redshank, 25 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and at least 15 Swifts.
Garganey, Northwick Warth 8.5.6
May 7th
It remained quiet today. There were 4 Whimbrel, a Wheatear, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Jays, single Garden Warbler, Redpoll and Tree Pipit at Northwick Warth. The afternoon tide at Severn Beach produced 20 Turnstones, 10 Whimbrel, 18 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover and 4 Great Crested Grebes.
May 6th
A quiet day with only a few birds reported. There were 6 Wheatears, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and 39 Jackdaws at Northwick Warth. Another 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whimbrel, 50 Dunlin and 4 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach.
May 5th
Another fine warm day but with a light West wind. The best bird of the day was a Sandwich Tern flying South West from Severn Beach. Two Lesser Whitethroats and a Wheatear were also seen here. Sightings from Northwick Warth included a Little Egret, a Lapwing, a drake Wigeon, 36 Whimbrel, 13 Wheatears, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Tree Pipit and a high count of 25 Jackdaws feeding around the cattle A Yellowhammer was found at Chittening Warth. Other wildlife sightings of interest included a Painted Lady and 3 Slow Worms at Severn Beach.
Painted Lady, Severn Beach 5.5.6
May 4th
The warmest (25°C) day of the year so far and a North East wind produced a small movement of Terns. At least 80 Arctic Terns, 6 Little Terns, 3 Black Terns and a couple of Common Terns were seen from Severn Beach this morning. Other sightings from here included 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel, 30 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, 5 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 2 White Wagtails. There were 2 Whinchats and a Wheatear at Aust Warth, another 3 Wheatears, a Whinchat, Tree Pipit and Raven at Northwick Warth. A Spotted Flycatcher remained at Chittening Warth.
Little Tern, Severn Beach 4.5.6
May 3rd
Warmer weather today and a few more migrants were found. A Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were seen at New Passage. At least 80 Shelduck, 8 Teal, a drake Wigeon, 8 Whimbrel, 2 Wheatears, a Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail were seen on Northwick Warth. Sightings from Severn Beach included 20 Whimbrel, 3 Wheatears, a male Whinchat and 2 Lesser Whitethroats on the foreshore, a male Wood Warbler, a Redpoll and 2 Stock Doves were found nearby at the Orchard Pools. A Little Egret and a Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth. Another Spotted Flycatcher was seen at the sea bank pools, Chittening Warth.
Whinchat, Severn Beach 3.5.6
May 2nd
The first Hobby of the year was seen at Severn Beach along with 2 Whimbrel, 12 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 3 Turnstones, 3 Tree Pipits, 2 Wheatears, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Yellow Wagtail. Another 5 Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Yellow Wagtail were seen at Northwick Warth. There was a small but steady passage of Swifts in the South wind.
Pomarine Skuas, Severn Beach 1.5.6
May 1st
A windy start to the month produced 2 adult Pomarine Skuas, 2 dark phase Arctic Skuas, an adult Kittiwake and 15 distant “Commic” Terns off Severn Beach. Other birds seen here included 6 Whimbrel and a Peregrine. Sightings from Northwick Warth included 62 Shelduck, 30 Teal, a Little Egret, 17 Whimbrel, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a late Snipe, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 3 Sedge Warblers.
