2026 Sightings

2026 SIGHTINGS

Following two of the quietest months of the year, August can be an interesting month with a total of 187 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. Great White Egrets, Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls are expected. Rarities in August have included Slavonian Grebe (1996), Spoonbill (2019,2023), Red Crested Pochard (1998), Goshawk, Osprey, Bonaparte’s Gull (2026), Caspian Gull (2006), Sabine’s Gull, Roseate Terns (2016), Red-necked Phalarope (2014), Kentish Plover (2022), White-rumped Sandpiper (1995,2001), Grey Phalarope, Wryneck (1976,1984,2003,2010,2014,2024), Rose-coloured Starling (2020), Marsh Warbler (2009) and Red-backed Shrike (2003).

3rd August
An even hotter 30°C day with light wind. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area the reappearance of the 1st summer Bonaparte’s Gull, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 7+ Little Ringed Plover (4 chicks), a Whimbrel, 63 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 25 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 106 Curlew, 30 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 70 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 5 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck (5 ducklings), 400 Black-headed Gull, 3 Kestrel, a hunting female Marsh Harrier, 3 Raven, 3 Stonechat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, single Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Coal Tit and Rock Pipit. At least 5 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron and a Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach.

Bonaparte’s Gull, Pilning Wetland 3.8.26 © Matthew Hall

2nd August
A hot 28°C day with a light North East breeze. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area involved a Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Little Ringed Plover (4 chicks), 40 Redshank, 25+ Lapwing, a Common Sandpiper, 5 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin, 100+ Curlew, 50+ Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Heron, 60+ Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 16 Shelduck, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, a Cuckoo, 20 Sand Martin, 2 Stonechat, 4 Yellow Wagtail, single Swift and Wheatear. A mixed flock of Ringed Plover and Dunlin, 49 Curlew, 50 Oystercatcher, 5 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Shelduck, 2 Kestrel and 12 Swift were seen at Severn Beach. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was reported at Chittening Warth. A Whimbrel, 2 Stonechat, single Whinchat, Willow Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were seen at Aust Warth and nearby 2 Sparrowhawk, single Coal Tit, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Yellow Wagtail and Stonechat were reported from the Aust Cliff/services area.

1st August
Another dry and sunny day with a light North West wind. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included 30 Oystercatcher, 26 Curlew (including the same Suffolk 2019 colour-ringed bird seen at New Passage last month), 8 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 10 Shelduck, single female Marsh Harrier and 3 Kestrel. Three Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Little Ringed Plover (including now 4 small chicks), 40 Redshank, 30 Lapwing, 70 Curlew, 55 Oystercatcher, 6 Ringed Plover, single Snipe and Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 60 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 20 Shelduck, 6 Tufted Duck (5 ducklings), a Mediterranean Gull, 260 Black-headed Gull, single Sand Martin, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail and Spotted Flycatcher were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.