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November  is still a month worth looking for birds. It has a respectable total of 163 species recorded during the month with a few surprise birds. The most interesting records include; Great Northern Diver (1984), Ring-necked Duck (2000), White-rumped Sandpiper (1998), Long-tailed Skua (1994), Woodlark, Shorelark, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, Cory’s Shearwater (2000), Whooper Swan (1983) and Richard’s Pipit (1993), Dartford Warbler (2005) and Waxwing (2005). A Merlin or two can usually be seen perched on posts anywhere between New Passage and Aust Warth. Short-eared Owls can often be seen hunting at dusk over the salt marsh at Aust Warth. Notable seabirds seen  in South West gales include Leach’s Petrel and Little Auk.

November 2007

November 30th
A grey and damp end to the month. Sightings from New Passage included the usual 2000 Dunlin, 250 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 300 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 2 Ravens and a Stonechat. A Peregrine, 14 Shelduck, 10 Ringed Plover and 50 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach.

November 29th
The same again today. Sightings from New Passage involved 280 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 20 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 1800 Dunlin, 200 Lapwing, 40 Curlew, 34 Redshank and a Stonechat. Two Ravens, a Stonechat and a Grey Wagtail were seen at Aust Warth in the afternoon and 2 Short-eared Owls showed here again at dusk.

                                  
                                                          Grey Wagtail, Aust Warth © R. W. L. Bowerman
                                            
                               
                                                         Raven, Aust Warth © R. W. L. Bowerman

November 28th
Less of the same today but the windy weather forecast for the weekend could produce a good selection.
Sightings from New Passage included 2000 Dunlin, 250 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 300 Wigeon and 7 Shoveler. A single Ringed Plover, 10 Shelduck, 26 Redshank and 15 Dunlin were the only reports from Severn Beach.

November 27th
A cloudy day with the same birds. Sightings from New Passage involved the male Merlin, 3000 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 250 Lapwings, 400 plus Wigeon, 80 Teal and 9 Shoveler. A Great Black-backed Gull and 25 Turnstones were reported from Severn Beach. Two Stonechats were seen on Aust Warth.

November 26th
A morning high tide visit to New Passage produced the male Merlin, an impressive 4000 Dunlin, 220 Lapwings, 60 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, 60 Redshank, 450 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 23 Common Gulls, flyover Brambling, Siskins and Redpoll. Severn Beach was quiet with just 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, 10 Shelduck and 4 Rock Pipits reported. A Firecrest was found in bushes at the square roadside pool at Avonmouth Sewage Works.

                              
                                                         Merlin, Northwick Warth © R. W. L. Bowerman
November 25th
Sightings from the New Passage and Northwick Warth area included at least 2000 Dunlin, 100 Redshank, 150 Lapwings, 40 Oystercatchers, a Snipe, a Little Egret, 500 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 6 Shoveler, a Tufted Duck, 2 Stonechats and 2 Brambling. A Peregrine and a Little Egret were seen at Aust Warth this morning and 2 Short-eared Owls and a male Merlin showed well there this evening. At least 4 Rock Pipits, a Water Pipit and 2 Stonechats remained in the salt marsh at Severn Beach.

November 24th
A grey and breezy day following a cold night. An early morning visit to New Passage produced at least 3000 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 100 Redshank, 250 Wigeon and 80 Teal. Sightings from Severn Beach included 2 Water Pipits, 4 Rock Pipits, 12 Shelduck, a Peregrine and 20 Fieldfare.

     
                                                   some of the Dunlin, New Passage 24.11.7

November 23rd
Another cold and dry day. Sightings from New Passage in a North wind included 300 Dunlin, 100 Lapwing, 40 Oystercatchers, 35 Redshank, 12 Turnstones, 200 Wigeon, 100 Teal and 10 Shoveler.

November 22nd
A dry day with a few birds reported. Sightings from the New Passage area included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 280 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 12 Shoveler, at least 600 Dunlin, 230 Lapwings, 26 Oystercatchers, 42 Curlew, 32 Redshank, 65 Turnstones, 2 Snipe and 2 Stonechats. A brief visit to Severn Beach produced 23 Ringed Plover and 12 Shelduck. A Short-eared Owl was seen at dusk over Aust Warth and another 2 Stonechats were seen here earlier in the day.

November 21st
A Brambling was showed well with a Chaffinch and Tit flock in the hedgerow next to the steps of Aust village church. Although just outside the recording area this was the only report received today.

November 20th
No reports were received today.

November 19th
Another grey and wet day. The only report received involved 11 Common Scoter, 27 Oystercatchers, 45 Dunlin, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Stonechat from Chittening Warth at dusk.

November 18th
A wet day with a moderate strength South East wind. Sightings from Severn Beach included a Merlin, a Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Stonechats, a Brambling, 100 Dunlin, 60 Turnstones, 50 Oystercatchers, 15 Ringed Plover, 20 Gadwall and 14 Shelduck. At least 300 Dunlin, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Little Egret, 80 Teal and 6 Shoveler were seen from New Passage. An evening visit to Aust Warth in blustery conditions failed to produce any Owls but a male Merlin and a Stonechat were present.

November 17th
A frost free morning with a light South West wind. The surprise of the day was a Little Auk that showed from Severn Beach for just 3 lucky observers, between 10.25 and 11.00 when it was least seen floating towards the Second Severn Crossing. Other sightings from Severn Beach included a single flock of 110 Kittiwakes, a Common Scoter, 22 Gadwall, 50 Turnstones and 14 Ringed Plover. Sightings from the New Passage area included the male Merlin, 2 Little Egrets, a Black-tailed Godwit, 400 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 90 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, a Peregrine, an influx of Redwings, several fly over migrants including 3 Brambling, 4 Siskins and a Yellowhammer. Two Short-eared Owls were seen again hunting over Aust Warth from 16.30.

November 16th
A foggy, cold (-3°C) and frosty start to the day. Sightings from foggy Northwick Warth included 2 Merlins (male & female), a Peregrine and 3 Little Egrets. Nearby 2 Bramblings flew North over New Passage. A Short-eared Owl was hunting over Aust Warth at 4.30 this afternoon and a Little Owl was calling from the sheep fields here.

                              
                                                    Peregrine,  Northwick Warth 16.11.7 © R. W. L. Bowerman

                              
                                                                          Kestrel, New Passage 16.11.7 © R. W. L. Bowerman

November 15th
A cold day following a night of frost. A Brambling flew over Severn Beach this morning with Chaffinches. Sightings from New Passage at midday included a Short-eared Owl that was chased off North towards Aust Warth, the first 3 White-fronted Geese of the year that also flew North, a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Plover and 4 Knot with the Dunlin. A Peregrine and a Woodcock were seen over the square roadside pool at Avonmouth sewage works this evening. A Short-eared Owl was seen again this evening over Aust Warth.

November 14th
The male Merlin was seen on Northwick Warth early this morning and an afternoon low tide visit to New Passage produced just 500 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 100 Lapwing, 120 Wigeon, 60 Teal and 10 Shoveler. Reports from Aust Warth included 3 Short-eared Owls, a Little Owl, a Merlin and 2 Stonechats. Two Mediterranean Gulls were seen on the square roadside pool at Avonmouth sewage works this evening.

November 13th
An Arctic Skua off Chittening Warth at dawn and a Short-eared Owl on Aust Warth at dusk were the only reports received today.

November 12th
A cold (-2°C) start to the day and a few interesting reports. Sightings from New Passage included a Spotted Redshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Redshank, 300 Dunlin, 200 Wigeon, 80 Teal, a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechats, 2 Rock Pipits and a Kingfisher. Another 6 Stonechats, a Rock Pipit and 2 Brambling were reported from Severn Beach. A visit to Aust Warth at dusk was productive with at least 2 Short-eared Owls, at least one Barn Owl, a Jack Snipe and a Stonechat being seen and a Little Owl being heard. Just outside the recording area, a Black Redstart was seen on the Aust Moto Service station building this afternoon.

November 11th
An morning visit to Severn Beach produced a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, 15 Ringed Plover, a Knot, 80 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 12 Shelduck, a Little Egret, 9 Rock Pipits, a Peregrine, 13 Siskins and a Redpoll. The male Merlin was seen again on Northwick Warth and sightings from New Passage involved 20 Shoveler, 200 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 300 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, at least 100 Lapwing, single Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Little Egret, dark-bellied Brent Goose, Peregrine, Raven and Redpoll. Two Short-eared Owls eventually showed at dusk on Aust Warth.

November 10th
Sightings from New Passage this morning included a dark-bellied Brent Goose, a 1st winter Kittiwake, 1200 Dunlin, 80 Lapwing, 40 Oystercatchers, 50 Redshank, 200 Wigeon, 5 Brambling and 2 Siskins. An adult Mediterranean Gull, another 2 Kittiwakes, 170 Turnstones, 7 Ringed Plover, a Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipits and 4 Siskins were seen at Severn Beach. The male Merlin was seen on Aust Warth this morning along with 250 Wigeon in Cake Pill, another 70 Redshank, 20 Oystercatchers and a Snipe. A single Short-eared Owl showed well here at dusk.

                              
                                                                                   Kittiwake, New Passage 10.11.7   

                               
                                                      Brent Goose, New Passage 10.11.7 © R. W. L. Bowerman

                              

                                                         Merlin, Aust Warth © R. W. L. Bowerman

November 9th
Morning sightings included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 60 Turnstones and 2 Ravens at Severn Beach and at least 2000 Dunlin and another 60 Turnstones from New Passage. This evening there were 3 Short-eared Owls giving spectacular views at Aust Warth.

November 8th
The star bird was an adult Pomarine Skua (pale form with spoons) that lingered off New Passage at low tide early this afternoon. Other sightings from here included 3000 Dunlin in the morning high tide roost, 150 Lapwing, 70 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, 60 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, a Green Sandpiper, 90 Wigeon and 140 Teal. Nearby, a male Merlin, a very pale Buzzard, a Raven and a Little Egret were seen on Northwick Warth. Another Little Egret, a Peregrine and 3 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth this morning and the Short-eared Owl was still present this evening (5.10 pm).

November 7th
Another day of limited coverage but a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen over Chittening Warth at 11.30. Sightings from Aust Warth this afternoon included 2 Short-eared Owls, a Merlin, a Brent Goose and 2 Stonechats.

November 6th
The only sighting to report was the Short-eared Owl performing well at dusk on Aust Warth. It was seen to catch several Short-tailed Voles.

November 5th
A Short-eared Owl seen early this morning at Aust Warth was the only report received today.

November 4th
The unseasonal warm weather continued. A Snow Bunting was seen and heard in flight over Chittening Warth where other reports included a Water Rail, 2 Stonechats and a Kingfisher. A Water Pipit, 3 Rock Pipits, a Jack Snipe, 25 Turnstones, a Little Egret and 2 Stonechats were seen at Severn Beach. Reports from New Passage and Northwick Warth included a female Common Scoter, 250 Wigeon, 3 Little Egrets, 80 Lapwing, 4 Grey Plover and a Water Rail. The Short-eared Owl showed well at Aust Warth from 4pm where a Barn Owl, a Peregrine and another Little Egret were also seen.

November 3rd
Another fine and sunny day. Sightings from Northwick Warth included a male Merlin, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Plover, 120 Lapwing, 140 Turnstones, 70 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 250 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 7 Shoveler and visible migrants included 2 Brambling, flocks of Fieldfares, Redwings and hundreds of Wood Pigeons flying over. A visit to Severn Beach produced an adult Mediterranean Gull  roosting on the shingle island, 2 Stonechats near the pipes and 18 Gadwall on the Orchard Pools. An evening visit to Aust Warth produced a hunting Short-eared Owl, 2 Peregrines, 2 Little Egrets, 40 Redshank, a Knot, 3 Snipe and 2 Stonechats. The Owl theme continued in the evening with a Little Owl at New Passage, a Tawny Owl on the coast road at Northwick Warth and finally a Barn Owl was seen just off the patch at Hallen, just inland from Chittening Warth. The day started well for me with a dawn visit to Chew Valley Lake to see Avon’s first Glossy Ibis. I arrived just as it dropped onto Herriottt’s Pool where it stayed just a few minutes before if flew off very high towards Somerset.

                  
                                                                                Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 3.11.7  

                                 
                                                                                 Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 3.11.7   

                                    
                                                                                     Merlin, Norhwick Warth 3.11.7   

                                    
                                                                                   Glossy Ibis, Chew Valley Lake 3.11.7   

November 2nd
A mild and sunny day. A quiet day from New Passage with just a single Little Egret, 40 Dunlin, 50 Lapwing, 5 Shoveler, 160 Wigeon and 120 Teal  reported. Two Snipe and 3 Stonechats were seen at Chittening Warth.

November 1st
A quiet start to the month with 4 Little Egrets, 45 Redshank, 100 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin, 80 Turnstones, 200 Wigeon and 140 Teal reported from New Passage. A Peregrine was seen at Severn Beach and nearby 21 Redshank and a Great Black-backed Gull were reported from Chittening Warth. Four Stonechats were seen on Aust Warth.                    
                                    

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