September 2010

September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 185 species seen at least once in this month, is the third highest in the year. It is the time when most of the summer visitors will depart and a good selection of early winter visitors will arrive towards the end of the month. The weather can be very changeable, rain and gale force winds are likely, but calm warm days will also occur. Any West or South West gales will produce the usual seabirds but the more exotic have occurred; Sooty Shearwater (1974), Balearic Shearwater (1988), Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull. Other rarities that have appeared in September include; Red-crested Pochard (2 in 1996), Honey Buzzard (1996), Dotterel (1974), Kentish Plover (2006), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998, 2006 and 2008), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1989, 2003), Terek Sandpiper (1986),Semipalmated Sandpiper (2009), Red-rumped Swallow (1977), Wryneck (2003) and Rose-coloured Starling (2004). Local rarities have included Osprey, Nightjar (2006), Hawfinch (1998), Willow Tit (1992), Nightingale (1999) and Ring Ouzel.

September 2010

September 30th
A reasonable selection of birds were seen today. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved a Spotted Redshank, 3 Little Egrets, 40 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, 30 Oystercatchers, at least 200 Teal, 44 Wigeon, 4 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 11 Skylarks, 20 Meadow Pipits, 15 Long-tailed Tits, 15 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, single Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Kingfisher. A Little Egret, 2 Peregrines, single Kestrel, Grey Plover, Snipe and Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth this morning. Reports from the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works involved 8 Teal, single Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and Cetti’s Warbler.

Spotted Redshank, Northwick Warth 30.9.10

Wheatear, Aust Warth 30.9.10 © Tony Scott

September 29th
An evening low tide visit to Northwick Warth produced 265 Teal, 28 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, 40 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Snipe, 35 Dunlin, 2 Shoveler, 2 House Martins, single Whinchat, Chiffchaff and a Swallow.

September 28th
A grey and gloomy day. Reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Little Egret, a Knot, 45 Redshank, a Snipe, 160 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 10 Curlew, 3 Grey Wagtails, 18 Swallows, 5 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and at least 2 Goldcrests. A Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers and 6 Wigeon were reported from Aust Warth.

September 27th
Another cool day. Combined reports from the New Passage area involved a Curlew Sandpiper, 12 Dunlin, a Knot, 35 Turnstones, 2 Grey Plover, single Greenshank, Little Egret and Common Sandpiper, 80 Redshank, 70 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 12 Wigeon, 175 Teal, 4 Shoveler, a Wheatear and at least 15 Swallows. A Kingfisher was seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth along with 12 Wigeon and just 2 Teal. Three Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe were seen on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works but the Glossy Ibis could not be found in the area despite at least 10 people searching.

September 26th
A cooler day due to an even stronger north wind. The Glossy Ibis continued to show well feeding on freshwater snails in a wet ditch near Hoar Gout (click HERE for location). Sightings from the New Passage area included Single Little Egret, Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel, 75 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 60 Turnstones, 30 Dunlin, 2 Lapwing, 110 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 135 Swallows, 10 House Martins, 4 Siskins, 2 Redpoll and 2 Rock Pipits. Another 90 Curlew, 2 Wigeon, a Redpoll and 2 Ravens were seen at Severn Beach.

Glossy Ibis, near Hoar Gout 26.9.10

Shoveler, New Passage 26.9.10

September 25th
Another sunny day with a cool north breeze. The Glossy Ibis was seen again in ditches near Hoar Gout and a Little Egret also flew over here. A morning high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 25 Turnstones, a mixed flock of 30 Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 90 Curlew, 2 Pintail, 2 Wheatears, 3 Swallows and a Rock Pipit. Two Little Egrets, a drake Common Scoter, a Common Sandpiper, a Knot, 20 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 70 Redshank, 70 Curlew, 60 Turnstones, 40 Oystercatchers, 110 Teal, 15 Wigeon, the first Merlin of the autumn, a Wheatear and 4 Mistle Thrushes (flying south) were seen in New Passage area.

September 24th
A much cooler day with a north wind.The Glossy Ibis was relocated today in various ditches near Hoar Gout. Reports from Aust Warth and Northwick Warth involved 2 Little Egrets, 3 Redshank, a Lapwing, a Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 14 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 12 Mallard, 50 Linnets, 3 Swallows and Kingfisher. An evening visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced 70 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers and 5 Turnstones.

September 23rd
Reports from the Aust Warth area involved single Little Egret, Greenshank, Dunlin and Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 400 Black-headed Gulls, 50 Goldfinches and 10 Linnets. Sightings from New Passage this evening included a Little Egret, 2 Knot, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 75 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, 120 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers, 35 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 120 Teal and 5 Shoveler. There were no reports of the Glossy Ibis today at Hoar Gout but 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe and a Cettis Warbler were reported at the VOSA Pool.

September 22nd
A calm, dry and sunny day. The Glossy Ibis was seen from early morning in the usual ditch near Hoar Gout and 2 Gadwall and 2 Little Grebes were seen nearby on the VOSA Pool. A Guillemot was seen floating on the river at Cake Pill, Aust Warth where other reports involved single Greenshank and Whimbrel, 6 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 36 Mallard, a Wigeon, 450 Black-headed Gulls, 16 Herring Gulls, a Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaffs, 7 Swallows and a Sparrowhawk. A Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, at least 140 Teal, 55 Redshank, 10 Turnstones, 2 Dunlin and 2 Grey Wagtails were reported from New Passage.

Glossy Ibis, near Hoar Gout/VOSA Pool 22.9.10 © Don Smith

September 21st
A foggy dawn followed by dry and sunny weather.The Glossy Ibis was seen from early afternoon near Hoar Gout. Combined reports from Northwick Warth area involved a Little Egret, 2 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Curlew, 3 Knot, 30 Oystercatchers, 60 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, 2 Snipe, 120 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 4 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 9 Swallows, 2 Wheatears, 7 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs, 11 Skylarks, 80 Meadow Pipits, 40 Linnets and 150 Goldfinches.An adult Mediterranean Gull was reported in flight over Chittening Warth where a Cetti’s Warbler was heard.

September 20th
Another fine sunny and breezy day following some rain in the night. Sightings remained much the same with the Glossy Ibis showing at point blank range in the usual ditch near Hoar Gout (The bird was ringed in Spain in 2007 and was part of a flock of 20 Ibis seen in South Devon earlier this month).A Manx Shearwater was seen from Severn Beach over the early morning high tide and nearby a Little Egret and 2 Grey Herons were seen at the Orchard Pools. Two Greenshank and 10 Redshank were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth. An evening high tide visit to Northwick Warth produced a Little Egret, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 150 Redshank, 100 Turnstones, 80 Curlew, 25 Oystercatchers, 12 Dunlin, single Ringed Plover and Snipe, 140 Teal, 3 Shoveler and 4 Shelduck.

September 19th
The Glossy Ibis remained in the ditch near Hoar Gout all day. Reports from New Passage included a juvenile Little Gull, a Little Egret, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 15 Dunlin, 80 Turnstones, 90 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 2 Shoveler, 150 Teal, 20 Wigeon, a Wheatear and a Kingfisher. Two Greenshank, a Kingfisher and a Pheasant were seen at Aust Warth. An evening visit to Severn Beach in a moderate strength south west wind produced a Manx Shearwater, 5 Pintail, a single Ringed Plover and a Hobby.

September 18th
The Glossy Ibis is still present for most of the day in a roadside drainage ditch, click HERE for map. The bird is showing very well in the ditch opposite the Police vehicle compound by the roundabout. Reports from New Passage included a Little Egret, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 80 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, 3 Dunlin, 100 Teal and a Peregrine. A low tide visit to Severn Beach produced 2 Little Egrets, single Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail and Rock Pipit, 2 Whitethroats and 2 Blackcaps.

Glossy Ibis, near Hoar Gout/VOSA Pool 18.9.10 © Gary Thoburn

Glossy Ibis, near Hoar Gout/VOSA Pool 18.9.10

                                                                          Glossy Ibis, near Hoar Gout/VOSA Pool 18.9.10

September 17th
A surprise bird today was the second Glossy Ibis for Severnside that eventually made it on to the recording area by touching down on the VOSA Pool for a few minutes this afternoon. It had a white plastic ring with black lettering R9T on the left leg.
Sightings from the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area included a Little Egret, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, 120 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 60 Mallard, 7 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Wheatears, 2 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a Whinchat and a Redpoll. Another 3 Blackcaps and 5 Chiffchaffs were reported from Aust Warth.

Glossy Ibis, Hoar Gout/VOSA Pool 17.9.10

September 16th
Reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included a Little Egret, 2 Common Sandpipers, 80 Redshank, 55 Turnstones, 3 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, 2 Shoveler, 170 Teal, 20 Wigeon, 8 Wheatears and 2 Yellow Wagtails. Another YellowWagtail, 2 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff were reported from Chittening Warth. A Little Grebe, a Tufted Duck and just a few Teal were present on the VOSA Pool and nearby a Cetti’s Warbler was heard at Avonmouth Sewage Works.

September 15th
Another breezy day with combined reports from Severn Beach involving single Razorbill, Guillemot, juvenile Gannet, Fulmar, juvenile Common Tern and Peregrine, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Terns and 8 Turnstones. Sightings from the New Passage area included 2 juvenile Black Terns, 85 Redshank, 75 Turnstones, a Whimbrel, 15 Curlew, 11 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 160 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 12 Skylarks, 40 Linnets and a Wheatear,

Guillemot and Peregrine, Severn Beach 15.9.10

September 14th
A wet and windy day following a windy night produced a few seabirds on the morning tide including a juvenile Skua, thought possibly a Long-tailed Skua (seen on the water and in flight with gulls), 5 Manx Shearwaters, a Fulmar and a Guillemot. A visit to Northwick Warth this evening in horizontal rain produced a Little Egret, a Common Sandpiper, 85 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 20 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers,160 Teal, 15 Wigeon, 4 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear.

September 13th
A breezy day with showers and drizzle. The only reports received were from New Passage involving single Little Egret, Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper and Raven, 24 Oystercatchers, 70 Redshank, 80 Turnstones, 120 Teal, 30 Wigeon, single Whinchat and Wheatear.

September 12th
Another first Severnside record today involving two White Storks that were seen and photographed flying south over Northwick Warth late morning. Other sightings from the New Passage area involved single Little Egret, Curlew Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Ringed Plover and Knot, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Common Sandpipers, 5 Dunlin, 100 Turnstones, 80 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, 170 Teal, 50 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 60 Mallard, 4 Shelduck, 8 Wheatears and 50 Yellow Wagtails. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard singing in bramble scrub along the railway line at Severn Beach where other reports included 3 Whinchat, 4 Wheatears and a Common Sandpiper. Another 20 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 3 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears and the first Stonechat of the autumn wee seen at Aust Warth.

September 11th
A dry day with a moderate strength south west wind. Sightings from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area involved a Little Egret, 5 Common Sandpipers, 110 Turnstones, just single Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 4 Knot, 80 Redshank, 45 Oystercatchers, 250 Curlew, 2 Grey Herons, 170 Teal, 70 Mallard, 9 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, 6 Shelduck, 3 Common Terns, a Kingfisher, 22 Wheatears, 15 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Whinchat. It remained quiet at Severn Beach with just single Whimbrel, Little Egret, 70 Curlew, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 2 Turnstones reported.

Whinchat, Northwick Warth 11.9.10

Common Tern, Northwick Warth 11.9.10

Turnstones, New Passage 11.9.10

September 10th
Reports from the New Passage area included a Little Egret, 5 Common Sandpipers, a Whimbrel, 70 Redshank, 100 Turnstones, 80 Curlew, 160 Teal, 9 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, at least 15 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Wheatears, 4 Whinchats, a Coal Tit, a Peregrine and many Swallows and House Martins heading south including the bird below. A Greenshank and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits were seen at Aust Warth and a Lesser Whitethroat and a Blackcap were seen nearby in the sheep field hedge.

leucistic Swallow, New Passage 10.9.10 © Richard Cox

September 9th
Combined reports from the New Passage area involved 2 Little Egrets, 4 Common Sandpipers, a Knot, at least 80 Redshank, 140 Curlew, 60 Turnstones, 50 Oystercatchers, just 4 Dunlin, one Ringed Plover, 300 Teal, 40 Mallard, 8 Wigeon, 6 Shelduck, 7 Shoveler, 25 Yellow Wagtails and 5 Wheatears. A brief evening visit to Severn Beach produced a Sanderling, 15 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 4 Turnstones, a Common Sandpiper, 80 Curlew and 2 Wheatears.

September 8th
High tides and a good selection of birds today. Reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included 3 Black Terns, 2 Little Egrets, 4 possibly 6 Greenshank, at least 100 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 55 Turnstones, 4 Dunlin, 140 Teal, 20 Wigeon, an impressive 100+ Yellow Wagtails, 20 Pied Wagtails, a Tree Pipit, at least 10 Wheatears, 5 Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 100’s of House Martins and Swallows, a Redstart, a female Sparrowhawk and a Swift. Another Black Tern, a Sandwich Tern, 4 Whimbrel, 70 Curlew, 38 Oystercatchers, 12 Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Hobby, 4 Whinchat, 3 Wheatears, 400 Swallows, 80 House Martins, a Kingfisher, 3 Blackcaps and 5 Chiffchaffs were reported at Aust Warth. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved a Little Egret, 28 Ringed Plover, 18 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Whimbrel, 70 Curlew, a Turnstone, 5 Wheatears, 70 Swallows, 20 House Martins, a Sand Martin, 8 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaff and a Sedge Warbler on the coastal strip and a Redstart at the Orchard Pools. At least 60 Teal were seen on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

Yellow Wagtails, Northwick Warth 8.9.10 © Mick Garnier

September 7th
Reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included single Ruff, Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Knot, Green Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 115 Redshank, 70 Oystercatchers, 170 Curlew, 80 Turnstones, 8 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpipers, 140 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, at least 40 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats, 20 Blackcaps, 30 Chiffchaff/Willow Warblers, 2 Whinchat, 2 Rock Pipits, a Kingfisher and a Swift. Wader numbers remain low at Severn Beach with just 20 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, a Whimbrel being seen with 4 Wheatears on the beach. A Garganey, at least 35 Teal and 2 Tufted Duck were reported on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

September 6th
A mainly dry day with heavy rain from late afternoon. Combined reports from New Passage included a Little Egret, a Knot, just 3 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatchers, 94 Redshank, 49 Turnstones, 150 Teal, 21 Wigeon and 4 Shoveler. Two Greenshank, a Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpipers, 8 Teal, a Sparrowhawk, 60 Goldfinches, 4 Blackcap and 7 Chiffchaffs were seen at Aust Warth. Sightings from the shore at Severn Beach included 3 Little Egrets, a mixed flock of 50 Dunlin and Ringed Plover, a Knot, 120 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers and a Wheatear. Nearby a Little Grebe and a Kingfisher were seen on the Orchard Pools. Another 3 Little Grebes and at least 50 Teal were seen on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works,

September 5th
A very wet morning followed by showers in the afternoon with an east wind. A Spotted Redshank, a Black Tern, 2 Little Egrets, 70 Turnstones, 90 Redshank, 5 Oystercatchers, 250 House Martins, 30 Swallow, a late Swift, 150 Teal and 20 Wigeon were reported from New Passage. Nearby at least 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 20 Yellow Wagtails, a Wheatear, a Kingfisher, 85 Linnets and a Peregrine were seen on Northwick Warth. Sightings from Severn Beach this evening involved another 2 Spotted Redshank (near the pipes), 2 Greenshank, 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Knot, 30 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 9 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 200 Curlew, 400 Black-headed Gulls and a Wheatear.

Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 5.9.10

Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 5.9.10

September 4th
Another day with a good variety of birds. The first juvenile Curlew Sandpiper of the year was found at New Passage where other sightings included an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, 80 Turnstones, 70 Redshank, 19 Dunlin, 6 Curlew, 8 Oystercatchers, 4 Shoveler, at least 250 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 150 Black-headed Gulls, a Kingfisher, 2 Tree Pipits, at least 150 House Martins, 40 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins. Nearby at least 25 Yellow Wagtails, a Snipe, 7 Shelduck, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, a Spotted Flycatcher, 40 Goldfinches, 60 Linnets, 40 Meadow Pipits were seen on Northwick Warth. Another 6 Little Egrets (with the New Passage bird a record count of 7), 9 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 5 Redshank, a Knot, a Whimbrel, 200 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 400 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Wheatears, 15 Blackcap were reported from Severn Beach.

September 3rd
A good number of reports were received, many thanks to those concerned. The Wryneck was seen again on the Northwick Warth target mound between 10.30 and 11.00 and other reports here included a Hobby, a Whinchat, at least 20 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats and 4 Blackcaps. Combined sightings from New Passage involved an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Sanderling, 24 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover, at least 70 Redshank, 30 Turnstones, 4 Oystercatchers, 7 Canada Geese, 4 Shoveler, 200 Teal and 30 Wigeon. A good selection of migrants were seen at Seabanks and Chittening Warth involving a Whinchat, a Garden Warbler, 10 Blackcaps, a Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a late brood of Reed Warblers being fed, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Ravens, single Snipe, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail and slow but noticeable passage of Swallows and House Martins heading north east. An evening visit to the coastal scrub at Severn Beach produced 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 20 Blackcaps and a Whitethroat.

September 2nd
The fine settled weather continued. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Wryneck on the target mound at 09.20 this morning, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, at least 70 Redshank, 45 Turnstones, single Common Sandpiper and Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin, 3 Canada Geese, 120 Teal, 25 Wigeon, at least 20 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipits, a Wheatear, a Sparrowhawk, at least 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and a Kingfisher. A Greenshank, a Little Egret, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Turnstones, a Redshank and 15 Oystercatchers were seen at Severn Beach.
A Sedge Warbler trapped today on Northwick Warth, ring number X022619 had been ringed 11 days earlier on 22 August at Orfordness, Suffolk. A distance of 296 km.

September 1st
Another fine sunny day with a north east breeze. An adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 70 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, 5 Ringed Plover, 140 Teal, 25 Wigeon, a Tree Pipit, 23 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, single Kingfisher, Mistle Thrush, Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were seen in the New Passage area. Four Little Egrets and just 21 Ringed Plover and 8 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach. Another 2 Little Egrets, 2 Common Sandpipers, 50 Redshank, 7 Dunlin and 2 Whinchats were seen at Aust Warth. Two Tufted Duck, 11 Teal, 20 Mallard, 13 Gadwall, a Lapwing and a Water Vole were reported from the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.