2026 Sightings

2026 SIGHTINGS

Despite the onset of winter and the decrease in hours of daylight, October is a month with the highest number of recorded species with a grand total of 218. Rarities have included records of Black-necked Grebe (1996,2015), Red-footed Falcon (2014), Pallid Harrier (2025), Long-billed Dowitcher (1977), Lesser Yellowlegs (1984,2024), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985,2024), Red-necked Phalarope (2001), American Golden Plover (2013), Black Guillemot (1998), Bearded Tits (2012,2013,2025), Yellow-browed Warbler (2001,2013,2015,2016,2024) and Red-throated Pipit (2015). Other national and local rarities recorded include Glossy Ibis (2009,2023), Caspian Gull (2024), Ring-billed Gull, Spoonbills, Cattle Egret (2019,2020,2024,2026), Great White Egrets, Cranes (2016), Whooper Swans, Mandarin (2017), Roseate Tern, Hooded Crow, Dartford Warbler, Montagu’s Harrier (1991), 3 Pallid Swifts (2022), Hen Harrier, Ring Ouzel, Shorelark, Woodlark, Mealy Redpoll, Common Rosefinch (2017), Firecrest, Hawfinch and Crossbill.

3rd October
A mainly overcast day with some brief light rain showers. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage/Northwick Warth area included a Common Sandpiper, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 33 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 8 Turnstone, 60 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 12 Oystercatcher, 50 Curlew, 100 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, a Greylag Goose, 300+ Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 32 Shelduck, 34 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 120+ Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kestrel, 3 Wheatear, 5 Stonechat, single Merlin, Whinchat and Cetti’s Warbler. At least 20 Ringed Plover, 9 Oystercatcher, 60 Curlew, 6 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 95 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kestrel, 2 Stonechat, 2 Cetti’s Warbler and a Red-legged Partridge were reported from the Severn Beach shore. Single Little Egret, Kestrel, Stonechat and flock of 200 Tits with 10+ Chiffchaffs were reported from Aust Warth

2nd October
A mixture of sunshine and cloud with a moderate strength South wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage/Northwick Warth area included 2 Grey Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Common Sandpiper, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Dunlin, 6 Turnstone, 90 Curlew, 58 Lapwing, 140 Redshank, 120 Oystercatcher, single Cattle Egret and Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, a Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese, 290 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 25 Shelduck, 8 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 10 Wigeon, 170 Teal, a Tufted Duck, a Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kestrel, 3 Swallow, 3 Wheatear, single Sparrowhawk, Cetti’s Warbler, Whinchat and 3 Roe Deer. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included 25 Ringed Plover, 10 Turnstone, 6 Oystercatcher, 55 Curlew, 9 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 75 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, single Kestrel and Raven plus several late Clouded Yellow butterflies. At least 15 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 4 Grey Heron, 20 Canada Geese, 15 Shelduck, 15 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and 4 Stonechat were seen from Aust Warth.

Cattle Egret, Northwick Warth 2.10.26

Raven, Severn Beach 1.10.26

1st October
A mainly sunny day with a few brief rain showers in a South West breeze. A Great White Egret, 24 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Snipe, 110 Oystercatcher, 35 Ringed Plover, 49 Lapwing, 120 Curlew, 50 Dunlin, single Turnstone and Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 13 Cormorant, a Greylag Goose, 260 Canada Geese, a Mute Swan, 16 Shelduck, 24 Wigeon, 350+ Teal, 3 Shoveler, single Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Peregrine, Rock Pipit, Stonechat, Kingfisher, Coal Tit and Siskin, 3 Wheatear and 2 Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included 10 Turnstone, 25 Curlew, a few Ringed Plover and Dunlin, 4 Oystercatcher, 7 Little Egret, 7 Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, 45+ Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, 20 Teal, a male Pheasant, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Kestrel, 3 Cetti’s Warbler, single Raven, Stonechat and Wheatear.