2026 Sightings

2026 SIGHTINGS

September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 206 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. Any West or South West gales will produce the usual seabirds but the more exotic have occurred; Sooty Shearwater (1974,2025), Balearic Shearwater (1988), Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull. Other rarities that have appeared in September include; Red-crested Pochard (1996), White Storks (2010), Glossy Ibis (2010,2021,2025), Cattle Egret (2012,2020,2023), Crane (2014,2023), Honey Buzzard (1996), White-tailed Eagle (2024), Dotterel (1974), Kentish Plover (2006), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1989,2003), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998,2006,2008,2014,2016,2019,2020,2025), Terek Sandpiper (1986), Semipalmated Sandpiper (2009), Lesser Yellowlegs (1984,2024), Red-rumped Swallow (1977), Wryneck (2003,2010,2015), Rose-coloured Starling (2004,2018), Ortolan Bunting (2018) and Yellow-browed Warbler (2017,2022,2025). Local rarities have included pale-bellied Brent Geese, Osprey, Spoonbill (2008,2011,2020), Great White Egrets, Nightjar (2006,2013), Hawfinch, Willow Tit (1992), Nightingale (1999), Lapland Bunting and Ring Ouzel.

2nd September afternoon update....
A cloudy and sometimes wet day with a South West breeze. Single Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel, 5 Curlew Sandpiper (one adult), 2 Golden Plover, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpiper, single Green Sandpiper and Snipe, 260 Ringed Plover, 250 Dunlin, 26 Turnstone, 40 Lapwing, 94 Oystercatcher, 120 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 90+ Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swan, 4 Shelduck, 152 Mallard, 52 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Kestrel, 8+ Wheatear, 5 Whinchat, 3 Stonechat, 14 Yellow Wagtail, 10 Sand Martin, 3 Cetti’s Warbler, single Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Kingfisher were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included at least one Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Sanderling, 7 Knot, 150 Ringed Plover, 130 Dunlin, 4 Turnstone, 43 Curlew, 8 Oystercatcher, 10 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 14 Shelduck, 70 Mallard, 2 Teal, single Great Black-backed Gull, hunting Peregrine, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Rock Pipit.

Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 1.9.26

Sanderling, Severn Beach 1.9.26

Yellow-bellied Slider, Pilning Wetland 1.9.26

1st September
A dry day with some sunshine in a light West wind. Single Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpiper, 170 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 3 Turnstone, 37 Lapwing, 120 Redshank, 150 Curlew, 90+ Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 240 Canada Geese, 3 Mute Swan, 5 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, single Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Sand Martin, Cetti’s Warbler, Grey Wagtail, 6 Whinchat, 3 Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 4+ Yellow Wagtail, 2 Kestrel and a Yellow-bellied Slider were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included a Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Sanderling, 153 Ringed Plover, 159 Dunlin, 4 Turnstone, a Black-tailed Godwit, 73 Curlew, 8 Oystercatcher, 5 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Canada Goose, 12 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, single Lesser Whitethroat, Grey Wagtail and 2 Kestrel.