Following two of the quietest months of the year, August can be an interesting month with a total of 177 species having been recorded during this month. The numbers and variety of waders increase, as do the numbers of migrating warblers, Yellow Wagtails, Whinchat and Wheatears. Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls are expected. Rarities in August have included Slavonian Grebe (1996), Red Crested Pochard (1998), Goshawk, Osprey, Caspian Gull (2006), Sabine’s Gull, Red-necked Phalarope (2014), Kentish Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper (1995, 2001), Grey Phalarope, Wryneck (1976,1984, 2003, 2010 and 2014), Marsh Warbler (2009) and Red-backed Shrike (2003).
August 2016
31st August
Sightings from New Passage/Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included single Black Tern, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper and Snipe, 35 Lapwing, 3 Greenshank, 24 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Knot, 140 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 130 Redshank, 3 Whimbrel, 33 Curlew, 70 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, a juvenile Water Rail, 12+ Little Grebes, an Egyptian Goose, 230 Canada Geese, 8 Mute Swans, 6 Wigeon, 80+ Teal, 19 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 90 Goldfinches, 3 Yellow Wagtails, single Grasshopper Warbler, Wheatear, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk.
Black Tern, Pilning Wetland 31.8.16
30th August
A warm sunny day. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth/New Passage included single Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and Snipe, 2 Greenshank, 4 Knot, 60+ Redshank, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Turnstones, 180 Dunlin, 35 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, a Garganey, 14 Shoveler, 70+ Teal, 10+ Wigeon, an Egyptian Goose, 250 Canada Geese, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 10+ Wheatears and a Coal Tit. A Short-eared Owl appeared again at dusk over Aust Warth.
Garganey, Pilning Wetland 30.8.16
29th August
A Nuthatch was seen in The Glen at New Passage this morning (a Severnside rarity and the first since 2009). Other reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area involved 3 juvenile Shags flying NE early morning, single Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Little Egret, Garganey, Egyptian Goose and Water Rail, 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 30 Dunlin, 35 Lapwing, 3 Shoveler, a Kingfisher, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 12 Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers and a Tree Pipit. A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 16 Ringed Plovers.Two Common Sandpipers, a Raven, 3 Whinchat, 2 Wheatears, single Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl were seen at Aust Warth.
28th August
An adult and a juvenile/1st year Roseate Terns were found early morning roosting with Black-headed Gulls at New Passage but flew of at 07.23 (an adult and 1st winter Terns seen flying down river off Severn Beach at 08.00 were almost certainly these birds). Other reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included 2 Mediterranean Gulls, a Common Tern, single Curlew Sandpiper, Whimbrel and Ruff, 2 Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 6 Snipe, 2 Sanderling, 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 45 Turnstones, 4 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler, 4 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Hobby, Whinchat and Lesser Whitethroat. Reports from Aust Warth included single Knot, Short-eared Owl, Barn Owl, Kestrel and Wheatear. Click on the image below for a short video recording of the Roseate Terns. Only the 3rd Severnside record.
Roseate Terns, New Passage 28.8.16
Roseate Tern, New Passage 28.8.16 © John Martin
27th August
Combined reports from New Passage/Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth included an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, a Ruff, 9+ Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Knot, 30 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, single Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier and Garganey, 8 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear. Two Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth.
26th August
A return to warm and sunny weather. Sightings from New Passage included 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Knot, 110 Redshank, 90 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Common Terns, 350 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Wigeon and 2 Coal Tits. Two Greenshank and a Ruff were seen on the Northwick Warth flash. Other sightings on Northwick Warth included 7 grounded Buzzards, a Peregrine, 4 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Redstart. Single Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 35 Lapwing, 4 Little Egrets, 15 Little Grebes and 190 Canada Geese were seen on Pilning Wetland. A Barn Owl was present over Aust Warth at dusk.
Commons Terns, New Passage 26.8.16
25th August
A grey and misty day with light rain. A juvenile Garganey was found on Pilning Wetland this afternoon. Other sightings from Northwick Warth/New Passage included 2 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Knot, 2 Ringed Plover, 120 Redshank, 2 Little Egrets, single Whinchat and Spotted Flycatcher. An early afternoon high tide visit to Severn Beach produced a juvenile Little Stint, 5 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 90 Turnstones, 180 Ringed Plover, 80 Dunlin and a Little Egret.
Little Stint, Severn Beach 25.8.16 © Allan Chard
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 25.8.16 © Allan Chard
24th August
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 400+ Black-headed Gulls, a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, 2 Snipe, 3 Knot, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 120 Redshank, 70 Oystercatchers, 75 Curlew, 30 Turnstones, 3 Little Egrets, 10 Little Grebes, 2 Water Rails, 2 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 45 Teal, 25 Wheatears, 2 Whinchat, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were reported in the New Passage/Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. Another 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 120 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin, a Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit and 9 Little Egrets were seen at Severn Beach. Another Whinchat was present at Aust Warth.
23rd August
A hot (28°C) day with a South East breeze. A big tide produced a good selection of waders. At least 10 Curlew Sandpipers, a mixed flock of 200 Dunlin/Ringed Plover, a Little Ringed Plover (unusual at this location) and 6 Little Egrets were seen at the Severn Beach shore before most roosted on the rocky shaft beach just south of the Second Severn Crossing. Another 14 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Greenshank, 3 Knot, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Ringed Plover, 120 Redshank, 60 Dunlin, 35 Lapwing, 40 Curlew, 70 Oystercatchers, 2 Snipe, 15 Turnstones, single Little Ringed Plover and Whimbrel, 7 Little Egrets, 2 drake Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, the Egyptian Goose, 200 Canada Geese, single Peregrine and Sparrowhawk, 5 Wheatears, a Whinchat, 6 Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 8 Sand Martins and a Lesser Whitethroat were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage/Northwick Warth area.
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 23.8.16 © Vic Savery
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 23.8.16 © Vic Savery
Greenshank, Northwick Warth “flash” 23.8.16
22nd August
A calmer day but still a few seabird sightings. A record flock of 23 Shags flew up river and inland over Severn Beach (they were relocated on the River Severn at Purton, Gloucestershire as a mixed flock of adults and juveniles) where 2 Storm Petrels, a Great Skua, 2 Black Terns, 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 70+ Ringed Plovers, 60 Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, single Whimbrel, Peregrine and Wheatear. A brief visit to Pilning Wetland produced single Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 40+ Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 9 Little Grebes, the Egyptian Goose, 190 Canada Geese, 5 Gadwall, 30 Teal and 3 Yellow Wagtails. Sightings from the shore at New Passage included an adult Gannet floating up river 3+ Curlew Sandpipers, 110 Redshank, 60 Oystercatchers, 33 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Knot, a Whimbrel, 30+ Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, 21 Turnstones, a drake Wigeon, 100 Teal and 2 Ravens.
Shags, Severn Beach 22.8.16
Shags, Severn Beach 22.8.16
21st August
A windy morning at Severn Beach produced at least 6 Storm Petrels (one exhausted bird taken into care but died within 30 minutes), 2 Gannets, single Black Tern and juvenile Arctic Tern, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 40 Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, a Whimbrel, 60 Oystercatchers, 70 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Teal and 50 Canada Geese. Another 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a Kingfisher were seen at New Passage and nearby a Black Tern, 3 Green Sandpipers, 57 Black-tailed Godwits, single Greenshank, Snipe and Little Egret were also reported on Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetlnd.
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 21.8.16
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 21.8.16
Black Tern, Pilning Wetland 21.8.16
20th August
Another increasingly breezy day. An influx of Curlew Sandpipers with movement between sites. Combined reports from New Passage included 4 Common Terns, an impressive 13 Curlew Sandpipers, 120 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 110 Redshank, 70 Oystercatchers, 10 Turnstones, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 170 Canada Geese, single Egyptian Goose, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, Peregrine, drake Wigeon and Wheatear. A Greenshank, a Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Little Egrets were seen on a very windswept Pilning Wetland. A Great Skua, 6 Gannets, 7 Curlew Sandpipers (probably from New Passage) single drake Wigeon, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper and Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach this morning and a Storm Petrel, 2 Gannets, 3 Little Egrets, 60 Turnstones, 50 Curlew and a Peregrine were seen there this evening.
Whimbrel, Severn Beach 20.8.16
Gannet, Severn Beach 20.8.16
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 20.8.16
19th August
A very wet morning followed by a dry and increasingly windy afternoon. At least 4 Greenshank, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Green Sandpipers, 3 Snipe, a Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Ringed Plover, 120 Redshank, 90 Dunlin, 30 Lapwing, 8 Little Egrets, 3 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 30+ Teal, the Egyptian Goose, 90+ Canada Geese, 15 Little Grebes and a Yellow Wagtail. A Wheatear was seen on Northwick Warth. Sightings from Severn Beach on the morning high tide included at least 100 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 20 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin, a Turnstone, a Little Egret, 60 Mallard, a pair of Shelduck with 22 ducklings, 400 Black-headed Gulls and 5 Sand Martins. At least 85 Common Terns were roosting late afternoon on the shore at New Passage where displaced waders from the Wetland, 40 Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper and 300 Black-headed Gulls were also seen.
Commons Terns, New Passage 19.8.16
Common Terns, New Passage 19.8.16
18th August
A Little Ringed Plover, 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 30 Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets and 4 Yellow Wagtails were seen on Pilning Wetland. A Whimbrel, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Ringed Plover, 80 Dunlin and 70 Redshank were seen from New Passage. Reports from Aust Warth included 12 Common Sandpipers, single Greenshank, Whimbrel and Little Egret. Another 4 Little Egrets, 90 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin and 3 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach on the evening high tide.
17th August
The fine weather continued with a few new arrivals. Sightings at Pilning Wetland included 3 juvenile Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 9 Green Sandpipers, 2 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 3 adult Ringed Plover, single Golden Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe and Common Sandpiper, 100+ Redshank, 130 Dunlin, 40+ Lapwing, a high count of 13 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, at least 10 Little Grebes, the Egyptian Goose, 90 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 7 Gadwall, 35+ Teal, a Raven, 5 Wheatears, 2+ fly over Tree Pipits, 20+ Yellow Wagtails, 60+ Pied Wagtails, A Kingfisher was seen at New Passage. A mixed flock of 150 Dunlin/Ringed Plover, single Whimbrel, Turnstone and Little Egret were seen on the evening high tide at Severn Beach.
Green Sandpipers, Pilning Wetland 17.8.16
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 17.8.16
Common Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 17.8.16
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 17.8.16
16th August
Another hot sunny day with a nice East breeze. Combined sightings from Pilning Wetland included 2 juvenile Greenshank, single juvenile Little Ringed Plover and Whimbrel, 2 Green Sandpipers, 5 Ringed Plover, 80 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 35 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 10 Little Egrets, 9 Little Grebes, the Egyptian Goose, 150 Canada Geese, 4 Gadwall, 30+Teal, 10+ Yellow Wagtails, 60+ Pied Wagtails, single Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat, Raven, Sparrowhawk and male Kestrel. A Redstart, 2 Whinchat and a Lesser Whitethroat were present at Aust Warth this evening. Another Sparrowhawk was seen at Severn Beach.
15th August
A very warm day with an East wind. Single juvenile Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Snipe, 70 Dunlin, 35 Redshank, 40+ Lapwing, 4 Little Egrets, the Egyptian Goose, 150+ Canada Geese, 5 Gadwall, 10 Teal, 7 Little Grebes, a Hobby, 2 Peregrines, a Sparrowhawk, 5 Stock Doves, 10+ Yellow Wagtails, a Wheatear and a Whinchat were seen in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area today. Thee Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth.
14th August
An Egyptian Goose, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult and a juvenile), 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Sanderling, 130+ Dunlin, 86 Redshank, a Snipe, 6 Turnstones, a Ringed Plover, 15 Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, a Shoveler, 6+ Yellow Wagtails and a Whinchat were seen at New Passage/Pilning Wetland.
Yellow Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 14.8.16 © Martyn Hayes
13th August
A Great Skua was seen flying down river off Aust Warth at midday where other reports included 3 Common Sandpipers and 8 Curlew. The Egyptian Goose, 7 Turnstones, 2 Snipe, 63 Redshank and 52 Dunlin were seen on Pilning Wetland this morning.
12th August
Sightings from Pilning Wetland included 75 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 15 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 80 Canada Geese, 15 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 7 Mute Swans, 11 Little Grebes (including at least 2 fresh Grebelets riding on the parent birds back, the 3rd pair to have bred this year), 400+ Black-headed Gulls, 30+ Pied Wagtails, 6+ Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear. A flock of 120 Linnets were seen on Northwick Warth.
11th August
Combined reports from Pilning Wetland involved a Ruff (different bird to 2 days ago), a Greenshank, 66 Redshank, 140 Dunlin, 35 Lapwing, 4 Turnstones, a Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 10 Little Grebes, 90 Canada Geese, 2 Shoveler, 12 Teal, 7 Yellow Wagtails, single Swift, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. Click HERE for a short Youtube video of the Greenshank.
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 11.8.16
Redshank and Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 11.8.16
Redshank, Pilning Wetland 11.8.16
10th August
The Egyptian Goose was seen on Northwick Warth this afternoon from New Passage where 20 Turnstones and 30 Redshank were also present. Sightings from Pilning Wetland involved another 45 Redshank, 85 Dunlin, 40 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 13 Teal, 11 Little Grebes, a Yellow Wagtail, and 2 Ravens. Two Greenshank, a Whimbrel, 8 Common Sandpipers, 8 Oystercatchers, 28 Redshank, 28 Dunlin and a Whinchat were reported from Aust Warth.
9th August
Another sunny and dry day. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/ Northwick Warth included a Ruff, 60 Redshank, 80 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 15 Lapwing, 40 Curlew, 10 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 9 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Swifts, single Tree Pipit and Wheatear.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 9.8.16
8th August
A cool but sunny day. Sightings from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 90+ Redshank, 45 Lapwing, 240 Dunlin, single Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Ringed Plover, 4 Little Egrets, 10 Little Grebes, an Egyptian Goose with 200+ Canada Geese and 2 Swifts. At least 3 Whinchats were reported at Aust Warth.
Egyptian Goose, Pilning Wetland 8.8.16
7th August
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 170 Dunlin, 101 Redshank, 35 Curlew, 55 Oystercatchers, 19 Lapwing, 2 Common Sandpipers, 5 Little Egrets, 7 Little Grebes, 25 Shelduck and at least 3 Yellow Wagtails were reported from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland.
6th August
A fine sunny day. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 30 Lapwing, 40 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Little Egrets, 17 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 13 Little Grebes, a Kingfisher, 35 Pied Wagtails and at least 5 Yellow Wagtails. A Marsh Harrier was apparently seen flying North past Severn Beach this morning.
juvenile Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 6.8.16
Common Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 6.8.16
5th August
Reports from Pilning Wetland included a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Snipe, 300+ Dunlin, 65 Redshank, 40 Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, 3+ Yellow Wagtails, single Kingfisher, Swift, Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat.
4th August
Another windy day following a very unsettled night. Highlight of the day was the appearance of at least 4 Storm Petrels at Severn Beach that were chased by marauding Gulls (one was picked up exhausted and taken into care but unfortunately died a few hours later). Sightings from New Passage included an exhausted Fulmar floating down river, at least 300 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 65 Redshank, a Little Egret and at least 200 Canada Geese. Another Little Egret and a Green Sandpiper were present on Pilning Wetland. Click HERE for a short slow motion Youtube video of a Gull attack and escape of a Storm Petrel.
Storm Petrel and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Severn Beach 4.8.16 © Dan White
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 4.8.16
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 4.8.16
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 4.8.16
3rd August
A day with an increasingly strong South West wind. A Little Tern flew down river off Severn Beach at 07.00 this morning. Combined visits to Pilning Wetland produced 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, 270+ Dunlin, single Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit and Ringed Plover, 65 Redshank, 30+ Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, 12 Little Grebes, 2 Mute Swans plus 5 cygnets, 12 Gadwall, 15 Tufted Duck, 8+ Teal, single Pochard and Shoveler, a Raven, 13 Yellow Wagtails and 120 Linnets.
2nd August
An influx of at least 250 Dunlin on Pilning Wetland was noted this morning where 2 Little Ringed Plovers, single Green Sandpiper and Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank, 30 Lapwing, 6 Little Egrets, 8 Little Grebes and a Yellow Wagtail were also seen. Combined reports from New Passage included 95 Canada Geese, 30+ Shelduck, 90 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew and 2 Green Woodpeckers.
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 1.8.16
Snipe, Pilning Wetland 1.8.16
juvenile Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland 1.8.16
1st August
An increasingly wet day. Sightings from Pilning Wetland included 3 juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Snipe, a Dunlin, 60+ Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Teal, 120 Canada Geese, 12 Tufted Duck, single Gadwall and Shoveler. Another Little Egret, 80 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 10 Turnstones, 7 Dunlin and 8 Curlew were seen from New Passage.
