June is usually one of the quietest months on Severnside with a total of only 164 species seen. It is the month to do those jobs at home unless any strong West or South West winds occur. This weather can produce a good selection of seabirds including Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Fulmar and Storm Petrel. June has had some rarities including Great White Egret (2015, 2020, 2022, 2023), Spoonbill (2017, 2022, 2023), 2 Black-winged Stilts (2021), Rose-coloured Starling (2012), Woodlark (2018), Franklin’s Gull (1988), Alpine Swift (1999) and Nightjar (2023).
June 2023
30th June
A quiet end to the month and a change in the weather with cloud and drizzle in a gusty wind. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced a Little Ringed Plover, 20 Lapwings, single Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose and Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 5 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Swifts and 2 Sand Martins. Combined reports from Severn Beach included 11 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and 150 Black-headed Gulls.
29th June
A warm and eventually sunny day with a moderate strength wind. Reports from the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach included another record of a Nightjar (remarkably heard churring in the afternoon on at least 3 occasions from a stand of Willow trees), a Garden Warbler, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Kestrels and the first Tawny Owl of the year. Nearby, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 35 Shelduck and a Kestrel were seen from the Severn Beach shore. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 4 Green Sandpipers, 43 Lapwings, 19 Redshank, single Great White Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron and Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, a Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 30 Black-headed Gulls, 22 Sand Martins, 4 Swifts, single Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Sparrowhawk and Roe Deer. A Treecreeper, 2 Lapwings and 4 Swifts were seen at Aust wetland.
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 29.6.23
28th June
Another cloudy and breezy day. A Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 19 Lapwings, single Grey Heron and Greylag Goose, 3 Tufted Duck and a Gadwall were seen on Pilning Wetland. Sightings from New Passage included a Curlew, 50+ Shelduck and a Kestrel. Single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 10 Shelduck and 80 Black-headed Gulls were reported from the Severn Beach shore.
27th June
A dry, cloudy and breezy day. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 41 Lapwing, 17 Redshank, single Grey Heron and Greylag Goose, the family of 7 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall, 20 Black-headed Gulls, a Swift and a singing Lesser Whitethroat. Sightings from New Passage included a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew, an adult Turnstone, 4 Oystercatchers, 32 Lapwing, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, at least 49 Shelduck (including groups of 26 and 17 ducklings) and 20 Black-headed Gulls. Another Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret and Grey Heron plus 15 Shelduck and 25 Black-headed Gulls were seen from Severn Beach.
Shelduck with ducklings, New Passage 27.6.23
26th June
A dry and sunny day with a blustery West wind. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 6 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 27 Lapwing, 16 Redshank, a Grey Heron, 20 Black-headed Gulls, a Swift and a Roe Deer. Nearby an adult Little Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwing, a Grey Heron, 75 Shelduck (including 2 broods 27 and 15 ducklings) and a Kestrel. Were seen from New Passage. A juvenile Wheatear, 2 Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Shelduck and a Swift were reported fro Severn Beach. A Willow Emerald Damselfly was found at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach, the first record for the Avon/South Gloucestershire area. Click HERE for a short Youtube video of today’s Roe Deer.
Willow Emerald Damselfly, Severn Beach 26.6.23 © Vic Savery
25th June
Another dry and sunny day with a fresh South West mid from mid afternoon. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved 2 female Common Scoter, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 21 Curlew, 80 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 6 Shelduck, 40 Black-headed Gulls, and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 14 Redshank, 51 Lapwing, 3 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, 89 Shelduck, the family of 7 Mute Swans, 30 Gadwall, 130 Mallard, 5 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 170 Black-headed Gulls including 4 juveniles, 5 Ravens, 3 Swifts, 2 Sand Martins and a Lesser Whitethroat. A Humingbird hawk-moth was seen in a Severn Beach garden.
24th June
A humid, sunny day. Reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 12 Redshank, 18 Lapwing, a drake Shoveler, 4 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 120 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Ravens. It remained quiet at Severn Beach with a Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 6 Shelduck, 5 Black-headed Gulls and a Great Black-backed Gull being seen.
23rd June
Another warm and eventually sunny day. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlin, 56 Lapwings, 13 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, the pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets, a drake Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 80 Black-headed Gulls, Lesser Whitethroats, a Swift and 2 grazing Roe Deer. At least 45 Shelduck ducklings with 30 adults were seen from New Passage. A low tide visit to Severn Beach produced a Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, 8 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck and 16 Black-headed Gulls.
Roe Deer, Pilning Wetland 23.6.23
22nd June
A dry and sunny day. Combined reports from morning and evening visits to to Pilning Wetland produced 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 14 Redshank, 8 Lapwing, single Great White Egret and Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, the family of 7 Mute Swans, 3 Teal, 2 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, 40 Black-headed Gulls, a single Swift and Kestrel. Sightings from New Passage included 12 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, the Pink-footed Goose with 9 Canada Geese, 75+ Shelduck (including 30+ ducklings) and 5 Black-headed Gulls. An early morning visit to the Severn Beach shore produced 2 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron and 7 Shelduck.
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 22.6.23
21st June
A humid day with a mixture of cloud and sunshine. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 4 immature Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 8 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, single Little Egret and Pink-footed Goose, 9 Canada Geese, the family of 7 Mute Swans, a Shelduck, 3 Tufted Duck, 130 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Swift. Severn Beach was quiet this morning with just 4 Curlew, 5 Oystercatcher, a Little Egret, 3 Shelduck and 17 Black-headed Gulls worth a mention.
20th June
A wet dawn (following some heavy overnight rain), mainly dry and sunny for the rest of the day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 45 Oystercatchers, 75 Shelduck, a Shoveler, 9 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 140+ Black-headed Gulls, 3 Swifts and a Sparrowhawk. A Common Sandpiper, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 6 Black-headed Gulls and a Kestrel were seen at Severn Beach. A Lesser Emperor Dragonfly and more Red-veined Darters were seen at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach today.
19th June
A day of cloud and sunshine. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 11 Redshank, 8 Lapwing, single Little Egret, Grey Heron and Greylag Goose, 3 Canada Geese, the pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets, 9 Teal, a Shelduck, 100+ Black-headed Gulls, 3 Swifts and a Kestrel. At least 25 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers, 60 Shelduck and 8 Black-headed Gulls were seen from New Passage. Scarce Odanata seen today at Seven Beach included Red-veined Darter, Small Red-eyed Damselflies and Hairy Dragonfly.
18th June
A cooler but still humid day with occasional rain showers and West wind in the afternoon. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced an Avocet, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper, 8 Redshank, 45 Lapwings, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Shelduck, 10 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 100 Black-headed Gulls, single Sparrowhawk and Swift. Morning and evening high tide visits to the shore/sea wall at Severn Beach produced 15 Oystercatchers, 8 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 3 Black-headed Gulls, singing Cetti’s Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, a Kestrel and most unusual of all a Coot in the surf at Shaft beach (Coot sightings on the river are very rare). At least 30 Pyramidal Orchids were found at the top of the salt marsh at Severn Beach,
17th June
Some early morning rain followed by a humid day with some sunny intervals. A Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plovers ( 2 adults with a juvenile), 2 Dunlin, 7 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 6 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets still, 3 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 9 Teal, 45 Black-headed Gulls and an unusual June record of Coal Tit were seen at Pilning Wetland. The forever returning Pink-footed Goose, 21 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, a Lapwing, 2 Canada Geese and 55+ adult Shelduck were seen from New Passage. Combined reports from the Severn Beach shore included 10 Curlew, a Shelduck, 3 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Kestrel.
16th June
The hot humid weather continued. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included the first 2 returning Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 52 Lapwings, 8 Redshank, a Grey Heron, the Pink-footed Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans with 5 cygnets, a Shelduck, 9 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 70 Black-headed Gulls and 3 Swifts. A few Curlew, Oystercatchers and a Grey Heron were reported from Severn Beach. A least 16 Curlew, 9 Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 54 Shelduck including a creche of 24 ducklings were seen from New Passage,
Grey Heron, Severn Beach 16.6.23
15th June
A hot sunny day. A Greenshank, 8 Canada Geese, 8 Shelduck and 12 Black-headed Gulls were seen at Severn Beach. A brief visit to New Passage produced 6 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 12 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 40+ adult Shelduck with 20+ ducklings and 4 Black-headed Gulls. At least 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 8 Redshank, 22 Lapwings, 2 adult Mute Swans with 5 cygnets, 4 Barnacle Geese, a Shelduck, 5 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 50+Black-headed Gulls, a Kestrel, Sedge Warblers feeding young and 3 Swifts were seen on Pilning Wetland this morning.
Sedge Warbler with a spider egg sac, Pilning Wetland 15.6.23
14th June
Another 29°C day with lots of sunshine. An early morning visit to the Severn Beach shore produced single Great White Egret, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 16 Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 4 Black-headed Gulls and a singing Reed Warbler in the salt marsh reedbed. A Little Ringed Plover, an Avocet, 27 Lapwings, 5 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Black-headed Gulls, single Red Kite, Kestrel and singing Lesser Whitethroat were reported from Pilning Wetland late morning. The first Yellowhammer of the year flew over Aust Cliff/services.
13th June
A hot day with the temperature passing 29°C. A quieter day with just 2 Ringed Plover, 10 Oystercatchers, a Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Shelduck and a Gadwall reported from Severn Beach this morning. Sightings from Pilning Wetland included single Great White Egret and Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets still, 8 Teal, 45 Black-headed Gulls and a Lesser Whitethroat. Another Little Egret, 35 Oystercatchers, 17 Canada Geese, 15 Shelduck, 11 Black-headed Gulls and a Great Black-backed were seen from New Passage at low tide. Four Lapwings, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 3 Shelduck and a Yellow Wagtail were seen at Aust Wetland.
12th June
A sunny, humid day with occasional thundery torrential rain showers. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 15 Lapwings, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Teal (unusual in June), 3 Tufted Duck, 55 Mallard and a hunting Hobby that successfully caught and ate several dragonflies. Nearby, a single Ringed Plover, 40 Oystercatchers, 2 Canada Geese and 50+ plus Shelduck including a creche of 23 ducklings were seen from New Passage. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 8 Shelduck, a Little Egret and 3 Black-headed Gulls were seen from Severn Beach. The day was rounded off with an incredible record of a Nightjar heard and recorded “churring” from my house in Severn Beach at 22.10. Only the 3rd “Severnside” record with singles in September 2006 and September 2013. Click HERE for a recording made using my mobile phone.
Hobby, Pilning Wetland 12.6.23
Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Severn Beach 12.6.23
11th June
Some overnight rain and more showers in the afternoon were the first for nearly 5 weeks. Two Spoonbills were present for 20 minutes off New Passage this morning and other reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 4 Avocets, 2 Redshank, 13 Lapwings, 40 Oystercatchers, a Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, a Pink-footed Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese, 10 Canada Geese, 2 adult Mute Swans and 5 cygnets, 50 Shelduck (including 24 ducklings), 112 Mallard, 8 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, a Shoveler, 18 Black-headed Gulls, a pair of Lesser Whitethroats, a Swift, 5 Ravens and a Peregrine. Reports from Severn Beach included 2 Ringed Plover, 15 Oystercatchers, 14 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 8 Canada Geese,11 Shelduck, 15 Gadwall, 8 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Reed warblers and a Cetti’s Warbler. Click on the Spoonbill image below for a short Youtube video.
Spoonbills, New Passage 11.6.23
10th June
A cloudy and humid day. Reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Avocets, 6 Lapwings, single Little Ringed Plover, Little Egret and Grey Heron, 2 Barnacle Geese, 2 Canada Geese, a pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets, 2 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, a Raven, 2 Siskins and 2 Swifts. Another Little Egret was seen at Severn Beach.
9th June
A hot (26°C) dry and sunny day with a gusty East wind. A Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, a Curlew, 4 Shelduck. 8 adult Kittiwakes, a Black-headed Gull and a Hobby were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Lapwings, a Grey Heron, the Pink-footed Goose, 4 Barnacle Geese, 2 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 40 Mallard, 4 Black-headed Gulls and a Lesser Whitethroat. At least 45 Oystercatchers, 2 Canada Geese, 40 Shelduck and 85 Mallard were seen from New Passage this morning.
Avocet, Pilning Wetland 9.6.23
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 9.6.23
8th June
Another hot (24°C) day with the North East breeze persisting, now a month without rain. A morning visit to the Severn Beach shore produced a Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plover, 3 Oystercatchers, single Curlew, Little Egret and 2 Shelduck. At least 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 25 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 9 Lapwing, a Redshank, 2 Barnacle Geese, 6 Gadwall, 18 Black-headed Gulls, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Swift were reported at Pilning Wetland. Another 11 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers and 34 Shelduck were seen from New Passage.
7th June
A sunny day and warm when sheltered from the cool wind. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 19 Ringed Plovers, 6 Dunlin, 5 Lapwing, the pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets, 12 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Swifts and a Kestrel. Reports from Severn Beach included 8 Sanderling, 21 Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, single Curlew and Little Egret, 2 Shelduck and 5 Black-headed Gulls.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 7.6.23
Ringed Plover and Sanderling, Severn Beach 7.6.23
6th June
A cloudy and dry day with a cool North East breeze. Combined reports from Severn Beach on the morning and Evening high tides included 22+ Sanderling, 11 Grey Plover, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 30 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, single Turnstone and Redshank, 6 Shelduck, 3 Black-headed Gulls and 10 Swifts. Reports from Pilning Wetland included a Sanderling, 51 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, single Redshank, Lapwing, Grey Heron and Little Egret, 2 Barnacle Geese, the Pink-footed Goose, 6 Canada Geese, a pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets, 12 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 50 Mallard, a Shelduck, 2 Black-headed Gulls, a hunting Hobby and 10+ Swifts. Nearby, 10 Grey Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 20 Oystercatchers, single Curlew, Little Egret and 45 Shelduck were seen from New Passage.
Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey Plover, Severn Beach 6.6.23
Grey Plover, Severn Beach 6.6.23
5th June
A cloudy morning and a sunny afternoon, the wind was still cool from the North East. Combined reports from Severn Beach on the morning and evening high tides included 20 Grey Plover, 26 Sanderling, 60 Ringed Plover, 16 Dunlin, 6 Oystercatchers, single Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew and Turnstone, 6 Shelduck and 3 Black-headed Gulls. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Sanderling, 20 Grey Plover (the Severn Beach birds), 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 50 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 42 Oystercatchers, 2 Lapwings, single Curlew, Great White Egret (up river at 06.30) and Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans (5 cygnets still), 40 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, single Tufted Duck, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, 2 Siskins and 2 Swifts.
Grey Plover, Severn Beach 5.6.23
4th June
A hot (24°C) and sunny day. Combined reports from Severn Beach on the morning and evening high tides included 6 late Knot, 15 Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatchers, 7 Shelduck and a Black-headed Gull. A morning visit to Pilning Wetland produced 36 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 2 Grey Herons, a Pink-footed Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese, 13 Canada Geese, 4 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 2 Black-headed Gulls, single Swift and Kestrel.
Pink-footed Goose, Pilning Wetland 4.6.23
3rd June
Another hot and mainly sunny day with a North East wind. Combined reports from Severn Beach included 13 Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, single Ringed Plover and Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Black-headed Gulls and 7 Shelduck. An Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, 26 Ringed Plover, 6 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Barnacle Geese, the Pink-footed Goose (flew East), 11 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans (5 cygnets still), 4 Shoveler (2 pairs), 6 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, a singing Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Swifts and a Kestrel. At least 40 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, single Dunlin and male Yellow Wagtail were seen from New Passage. Eleven Lapwing, 4 Gadwall, single Swift, Sedge Warbler and Sparrowhawk were reportd from Aust Wetland.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 3.6.23
2nd June
A repeat of the weather. Reports from Severn Beach involved 19 Sanderling, a Grey Plover, 180 Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin and 5 Shelduck. Single Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover and Redshank, 13 Lapwing, a Grey Heron, 2 Barnacle Geese, 2 Gadwall and a Lesser Whitethroat were reported from Pilning Wetland. A Lesser Redpoll was singing at Aust Cliff/services.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 2.6.23
1st June
A cloudy start and turning sunny from late morning, still a cool NE wind. At least 14 Sanderling, a Grey Plover, 80 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, 8 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, 8 Black-headed Gulls, and 2 Shelduck were seen at Severn Beach today. Sightings from Pilning Wetland included 2 Avocets, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Ringed Plover, 11 Lapwing, single Redshank and Grey Heron, 2 Barnacle Geese, 10 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Swifts and a Kestrel.
