October 2003
October 31st
There were 200 Dunlin and a Grey Plover on Severn Beach just before high tide, a Green Sandpiper was seen nearby on the Orchard Pools. On Northwick Warth, a Peregrine killed a Curlew, leaving 3 Buzzards to strip the carcass. The adult Mediterranean Gull and female Merlin were also present here with 150 Dunlin, 50 Lapwings. A Kingfisher, Tufted Duck and 2 Grey Wagtails were on the Grebe pond, nearby a Blackcap was seen with many Redwings, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds in the field hedges. At least three Bramblings flew over. There were at least 4 Stonechats and 10 Reed Buntings in the reeds at Aust Warth and 2 Bramblings remained in the Willows around the pond at Old Passage.
October 30th
A Merlin was seen on Northwick Warth with 100 Dunlin, 30 Redshank and a Black-tailed Godwit. At Severn Beach there were just 9 Ringed Plover and 50 Dunlin. Two Bramblings were present in Willows around the farmyard pond at Old Passage. Heavy rain in the afternoon made finding anything else difficult.
October 29th
The adult Mediterranean Gull remained in the pill at New Passage and there was little change in the birds on Northwick Warth with 150 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 60 Lapwings, 2 Snipe and a Knot being seen. There were 2 Stonechats at Aust Warth.
October 28th
On Northwick Warth, 300 Dunlin were seen with 65 Lapwings, 45 Redshank and a Knot. The adult Mediterranean Gull was still in the pill at New Passage. Elsewhere wader numbers were still low with just 3 Ringed Plovers on Severn Beach and 100 Dunlin at Chittening Warth. Three Lesser Redpolls and a Snipe were present at the Orchard Pools. Single Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth and Severn Beach.
October 27th
A good selection of birds were seen today with a Firecrest at Aust Cliff being the best find. Other birds seen here were 3 Bramblings, a Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap. On Northwick Warth, a Merlin was present with 300 Dunlin, 45 Redshank, 65 Lapwings and a Black-tailed Godwit. At New Passage the adult Mediterranean Gull was still present with 2 Stonechats. Another Stonechat was at Severn Beach with just one Ringed Plover and a Kingfisher. Away from Severnside today, I managed to take this picture of of the rare combination of Mediterranean Gull and Green-winged Teal in Cornwall.
Mediterranean Gull and Green-winged Teal, Hayle Estuary, Cornwall
October 26th
Some visible migration continued at New Passage with more than 200 Chafffinches and 5 Bramblings flying over. Other birds seen here and at Northwick Warth included 200 Dunlin, 42 Redshank, 65 Lapwings and a pair of Blackcaps. The only bird of note at Severn Beach was a Stonechat.
October 25th
An early start at Severn Beach was very productive, with a fine male Ring Ouzel. Other birds seen here today included a female Goldeneye, several flyover Brambling and Redpoll, single Merlin, Knot and Stonechat. At Chittening Warth, a flock of 250 Dunlin were seen over the high tide and a Little Egret flew towards Severn Beach. Further up the estuary at New Passage the adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Golden Plovers, single Black-tailed Godwit, Blackcap and Kingfisher were present. A fresh dead Water Rail was found on the roadside here. There were more fly over Bramblings, Siskins and a Yellowhammer here. Another 150 Dunlin were roosted on Northwick Warth and two Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth.
Water Rail, New Passage 25.10.3© Chris Trott
October 24th
A late Wheatear and 90 Dunlin were seen on Severn Beach at first light. At New Passage there were 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Dunlin, 40 Redshank and 50 Wigeon. A Stonechat and a late Swallow were seen at Old Passage. This evening a Merlin was present at Northwick Warth with 3 Snipe and at least 50 Redwings.
Merlin, Northwick Warth 24.10.3
October 23rd
A dry, sunny day with a north east wind. There was an obvious movement of Chaffinches early this morning, with several hundred birds seen in thirty minutes. There were 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Lapwings, 25 Dunlin with the adult Mediterranean Gull at New Passage. Twelve Ringed Plovers were seen on Severn Beach. The shelter of Old Passage produced a Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap.
October 22nd
A cold and wet day with few birds of note. There were 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Shoveler and 30 Common Redshank at New Passage. The sheltered trees at Old Passage held a Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaffs. A late afternoon visit to Severn Beach on the rising tide produced 120 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Rock Pipits and 2 Stonechats.
October 21st
A good selection of waders were seen today. At New Passage there were 60 Dunlin, 30 Redshanks, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Snipe, single Sanderling, Grey Plover and Knot. The adult Mediterranean Gull and a Peregrine were also seen here. Another 120 Dunlin and 40 Redshank were seen at Chittening Warth with an adult Yellow-legged Gull. At Severn Beach there were 17 Ringed Plovers, 4 Grey Plovers, a Knot and a Stonechat.
October 20th
A quieter day today with a moderate north west wind. Three Black-tailed Godwits and a Kingfisher remained at New Passage with 30 Redshank and 25 Lapwings. At least 100 Fieldfares and 60 Redwings flew over. A Stonechat remained at Aust Warth and 100 Dunlin were at Severn Beach this afternoon.
October 19th
The heavy passage of Chaffinches continued at New Passage. Over 2000 headed into the cold north east wind in two hours this morning. Other migrants seen here included 6 Bramblings, 25 Siskins, 150 Fieldfares, a Yellowhammer and a Merlin. Three Black-tailed Godwits were present with 25 Redshank and the Kingfisher was in the pill. At Severn Beach the salt marsh contained a flock of 30 Linnets, 3 Rock Pipits and a Wheatear. There were at least 4 Stonechats at Chittening Warth and another at Old Passage.
October 18th
An interesting morning with good numbers of birds. The best find was one, possibly 2 Firecrests at Old Passage. The birds remained in the sheltered trees adjacent to the old Aust Ferry jetty. A Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechats, 80 Fieldfares and 9 Swallows were also seen here. At New Passage there was much visible migration, with most birds moving north or north east. One thousand eight hundred Chaffinches and 150 Fieldfares passed over in just two hours. Other notable migrants seen during this time were 14 Bramblings, 46 Siskins, 2 Redpolls, 13 Swallows and a Yellowhammer. A Golden Plover and Black-tailed Godwit were seen from here. Four Little Egrets (record count) were seen flying north east from Northwick Warth. A Treecreeper was seen in a hedge at Northwick Warth.
October 17th
A cold north east wind made it difficult to find any grounded birds but there was still a steady movement of birds flying over into the wind. At Northwick Warth, the usual Fieldfares, Redwings and Chaffinches were joined by small numbers of Brambling and Siskins. More unusual records were single Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow and a female Merlin. The Mediterranean Gull and Kingfisher were still in the pill at New Passage with two Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Redshank and 120 Turnstones. The wader flock at Severn Beach was just 25 Dunlin and 3 Knot. A male Stonechat was present in reeds at Aust Warth.
October 16th
The first Short-eared Owl of the autumn was seen early this morning at Severn Beach. Waders seen here on the falling tide were 100 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plovers and 4 Knot. Four Blackcaps and 2 Swallows were also present at Severn Beach. The adult Mediterranean Gull showed well at New Passage late afternoon, where waders included 15 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, 4 Snipe, 40 Lapwings and a Black-tailed Godwit. There was steady movement of finches and thrushes over here all day, 40 Siskins and 10 Bramblings being the best birds. A Kingfisher and Stonechat were seen at New Passage, another Stonechat and Peregrine were still at Aust Cliff. Two Clouded Yellow butterflies were seen at New Passage and another was at Old Passage.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 16.10.3
October 15th
Another sunny day with a moderate north east wind. Migrant birds today at New Passage included 60 Fieldfares, 2 Bramblings, 3 Redpolls and a Siskin, seen and heard flying over into the wind. The adult Mediterranean Gull reappeared here today. At Severn Beach the wader roost increased to 180 Dunlin and 12 Ringed Plovers, a Wheatear remained on the sea wall. A Stonechat, Coal Tit and Peregrine were seen below Aust Cliff.
October 14th
The weather remained the same producing more visible migrants. A two hour count of “fly over birds” at New Passage this morning, produced at least 500 Chaffinches, 80 Greenfinches, 4 Brambling, 2 Redpoll, 20 Siskins, a male Yellowhammer, 100 Redwings and 100 Fieldfares. Other birds seen included 6 Swallows, 25 Lapwings, a Kingfisher, 2 Snipe and a Stonechat. At Severn Beach, 3 Goosanders (first of the year) were seen flying towards Portishead. Other notable birds involved 80 Swallows (all heading east), 30 Wigeon, single Wheatear and Redpoll, 80 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover and 2 Grey Plover. A pair of Stonechats remained in the reed bed below Aust Cliff.
October 13th
Another day of north east winds resulted in reasonable visible migration. At New Passage at least 200 Redwings, 70 Fieldfares, 50 Song Thrushes, 30 Blackbirds moved through with a steady movement of finches including Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 8 Siskins and one Brambling. At least 30 Pied Wagtails, 6 Grey Wagtails and 7 Reed Buntings flew over. Migrants at Severn Beach included 9 Swallows, 3 Blackcaps, single Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Brambling. The hawthorn scrub here was full of Redwings, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds. On Northwick Warth notable birds were 20 Wigeon, 120 Teal, single Stonechat, 20 Lapwings, 13 Redshank, single Snipe and Bar-tailed Godwit. The Kingfisher was still in the Pill at New Passage. There were additional pairs of Stonechat at New Passage and Aust Warth.
October 12th
There was reasonable movement of birds over New Passage early this morning. Most of the birds seen flew north east, a few landed briefly. The totals over the first two hours of daylight were 300 plus Redwings, 30 Song Thrushes, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 5 Fieldfares, 30 Blackbirds, Chaffinch and Greenfinch flocks were moving over with a few Siskins, Redpolls and 3 Bramblings, at least 20 Pied Wagtails and 5 Grey Wagtails were seen. Other notable sightings involved 4 Swallows, a Coal Tit and 2 Canada Geese flew west. Two Stonechats were present at Aust Warth. A good selection of birds were reported from Chittening Warth late morning; another 110 Redwings, 9 Fieldfares, 6 Stonechats, 4 Grey Plover, 4 Knot, single Sanderling, Black-tailed Godwit and Green Sandpiper.
October 11th
A warm sunny day produced plenty of visible migration. At New Passage, a late Redstart was seen, a Guillemot floated up and then down river and was later seen off Severn Beach. Other migrants at New Passage included at least 2 Swallows, a Jay, 20 Redwings, many Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Meadow Pipits, and Skylarks. Several fly over Siskins and Redpolls were seen amongst a movement of Chaffinch and Greenfinch. The adult Mediterranean Gull flew inland over Northwick Warth where 12 Redshank, 10 Lapwing, a Grey Plover and 2 Snipe were seen. At least 15 Stonechats were counted between Aust Warth and and Chittening Warth. A Peregrine was seen below Aust Cliff. At least two Clouded Yellow and one Painted Lady butterflies were seen at New Passage.
October 10th
A Common Tern flew past Severn Beach this morning in windy conditions. Little else was seen except for an adult Mediterranean Gull at New Passage with a Kingfisher, 3 Redshank and 3 Lapwing also seen there. A group of 5 Stonechats were found on a hedge at Northwick Warth late afternoon.
Stonechat, Northwick Warth 10.10.3
October 9th
The morning high tide produced one Curlew Sandpiper amongst 350 Dunlin at Severn Beach. A Rock Pipit was at New Passage and nearby there was a single Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe and 2 Stonechats on Northwick Warth. Another Stonechat was seen at Aust Warth.
October 8th
A cold blustery day. Two hundred Dunlin were present on the high tide at Severn Beach this morning. Further up the estuary there were 8 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Knot off Northwick Warth, a Kingfisher and two Clouded Yellow butterflies at New Passage.
October 7th
The first Redwings of the autumn were seen today, a flock of 50 over Old Passage and another 2 at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. Other birds seen this afternoon at Severn Beach included 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Peregrine and 200 Dunlin, one hundred and fifty Turnstones and 50 Oystercatchers. A Stonechat was seen at Chittening Warth. An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the square incinerator pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
October 6th
On the early evening tide, a pair of Common Scoter were the only “seabirds” seen in a gusty west wind. Three Pintail also flew past here, while waders included 150 Dunlin, a Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Ringed Plover and 2 Grey Plovers. The other notable birds seen today were a Bar-tailed Godwit, Peregrine and Kingfisher at Northwick Warth, a Green Sandpiper and 3 Snipe at Chittening Warth.
October 5th
Another cold morning with less wind. The first Brambling of the year was seen and heard flying south over Northwick Warth. Other birds seen here included 2 Stonechats, 3 Golden Plover, a Knot and 5 Snipe. Nearby at New Passage migrants included Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests, Song Thrushes, Grey Wagtails and Reed Buntings. An adult Mediterranean Gull was preening on the tide line at the mouth of the pill and the Kingfisher was also seen here. At Severn Beach there were 200 Dunlin, 7 Sanderling and 2 Grey Plover.
October 4th
A visit to Northwick Warth in a cold north west wind produced 5 Snipe, a Golden Plover, at least one Bar-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher. At least 10 Chiffchaffs were seen and there was some visible migration with flyover Reed Buntings, Grey Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails. Further down the estuary at Severn Beach the wader flock contained 150 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover, single Curlew Sandpiper, Knot and Golden Plover. A Peregrine was seen hunting here, a first winter Little Gull flew past in the gusty wind and a Common Gull was present amongst the Black-headed Gulls. A Severnside rarity was found at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach; a Treecreeper that loosely associated with a flock of Long-tailed Tits. A Kingfisher, Stonechat and an escaped White-cheeked Pintail were also seen here.
October 3rd
The wader flock at Severn Beach contained 250 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plovers, 4 Grey Plovers and a Curlew Sandpiper. A Stonechat was seen here and another two were on Northwick Warth. Other birds seen at Northwick Warth included 3 Snipe, 5 Golden Plover and a Curlew Sandpiper. The adult Mediterranean Gull and a Kingfisher were in the pill at New Passage and a Hobby flew south past here. Migrants included fly over Redpoll, Grey Wagtails, at least 10 Wheatears were seen in the area and a few Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were still moving through..
October 2nd
There was a good selection of waders at Severn Beach at high tide with a Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Knot, six Grey Plover, 20 Ringed Plover with 200 Dunlin. Two Wheatears were also seen here. The adult Mediterranean Gull continued it’s long stay at New Passage. There was another Grey Plover at Northwick Warth along with 5 Wheatears, 3 Pintail and 20 Wigeon.
October 1st
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper could not be found on Northwick Warth today despite extensive searching. Some other birds were seen here including 5 Snipe, single Wheatear, Stonechat and Merlin. The adult Mediterranean Gull remained in the pill at New Passage with a Greenshank and Kingfisher. The wader roost at Severn Beach contained 250 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Grey Plover, single Little Stint and Knot. A juvenile Hobby was seen at Old Passage this evening.
