Following two of the quietest months of the year, August can be an interesting month with a total of 183 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), Spoonbill (2019, 2023), Great White Egrets (2019,2020,2021,2022, 2023), Red Crested Pochard (1998), Goshawk, Osprey, 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 and 2014), Rose-coloured Starling (2020), Marsh Warbler (2009) and Red-backed Shrike (2003).
August 2023
31st August
A mainly wet day with an East breeze. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Greenshank, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 22 Knot, 23 Lapwing, 12 Ringed Plover, 100 Dunlin, 200 Redshank, 90 Curlew, 2 Green Sandpipers, 8 Snipe, 5 Turnstone, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 85 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 15 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 130 Teal, single Tufted Duck, Wheatear, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. A fly over Spotted Redshank, a Little Ringed Plover, 195 Dunlin, 35 Ringed Plover, 20 Turnstones, 12 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Grey Wagtails were reported from Severn Beach. Single Whinchat, Kestrel and Peregrine were seen at Aust Warth.
30th August
A dry and sunny day. The first August record of ringtail Hen Harrier was seen at Aust Warth where other sightings included 2 Wheatears, single Whinchat and Kestrel. Reports from Aust Cliff/services included 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 10 Blackcaps, 6 Siskins plus single Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Peregrine and Saprrowhawk. The usual 300+ Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, 70 Turnstones, a juvenile Knot, 3 Common Sandpipers, 20 Oystercatchers, 25 Redshank, 48 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 14 Shelduck, 2 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, a Stonechat, 2 Wheatears, single Peregrine and Kestrel were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included a Little Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 190 Redshank, 20 Lapwings, 6 Snipe, a Whimbrel, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 300 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 15 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 200+ Teal, single Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Kestrel and Peregrine.
29th August
A cloudy day with some light rain showers. The Spotted Redshank, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 17 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Greenshank, 200 Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 24 Lapwing, 185 Curlew, 94 Oystercatchers, 5 Turnstones, 10+ Snipe, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 300 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 20 Shelduck, 15 Gadwall, 70 Teal, 2 Wheatears, 7 Yellow Wagtails, a Kingfisher and a Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland /New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included 350+ Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 70 Turnstones, 90 Curlew, 50 Oystercatchers, 13 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 15 Shelduck, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, single Great Black-backed Gull and Sparrowhawk.
28th August
Another cool and cloudy day with a light North West breeze. At least 300 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 140 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, a Whimbrel, 17 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 12 Shelduck and a Kestrel were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/ New Passage included the first Spotted Redshank of the year, 2 Little Ringed Plover, single Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Redshank, 26 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 35 Curlew, 62 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 97 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 22 Shelduck, 30 Gadwall, 100 Teal, 4 Shoveler, single Tufted Duck, 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Peregrine, Yellow Wagtail, Siskin and 2 Ravens. Two Spotted Flycatchers, a Yellowhammer and 5 Wheatears were reported from the Aust Cliff/services area and a Whinchat was seen on Aust Warth.
Spotted Redshank, Pilning Wetland 28.8.23
27th August
A cool and cloudy day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included single Greenshank, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 21 Lapwing, 8 Ringed Plover, 37 Turnstones, 4 Redshank, a Great White Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 80 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 9 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 150 Teal, single Tufted Duck, the first Wigeon of the autumn, 3 Little Grebes, a Redstart, 7 Wheatears, 5 Yellow Wagtails and a Sparrowhawk. A Sanderling, 500+ Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, 45 Oystercatchers, 35 Curlew, 9 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 36 Shelduck, single Cetti’s Warbler and Wheatear were reported from Severn Beach. Another 2 Spotted Flycatchers, single Redstart, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroats, 9 Blackcaps and 10+ Chiffchaff were seen at Aust Cliff/services today.
26th August
Another cool day following heavy overnight rain. A good selection of birds were seen at Aust Cliff/services this morning including a Pied Flycatcher, 5 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Redstarts, a Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroat, single Willow Warbler and Grey Wagtail plus 32 Teal. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland involved single Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Redshank, single Great White Egret and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 160 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 25 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 160 Teal, 2 Kingfishers, 4 Sand Martins, 5 Yellow Wagtails and a Roe Deer. At least 600 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 20 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 6 Little Egrets, 10 Shelduck, 3 Kestrels, single Cetti’s Warbler and Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach.
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 26.8.23
25th August
A cooler and mainly dry day. Reports from Severn Beach included a Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Sanderling, 350 Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, 25 Turnstones, 10 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, a Redshank 16 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and 10 Sheduck. A Greenshank, at least 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Redshank, 21 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 2 Grey Herons, 85 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 30 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler and 160+ Teal were seen at Pilning Wetland. Highlights from the Aust Cliff/services area included a Red Kite, 5 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Coal Tits, single Redstart, Garden Warbler, Raven and Little Egret.
Spotted Flycatcher, Aust Cliff/services 25.8.23
24th August
Another humid day. Combined reports from Severn Beach included 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 600 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, 10 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, a 2nd calendar year Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Wheatear and Marsh Harrier (flew South West). At least 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 14 Turnstones, 6 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 7 Curlew, 2 Grey Herons, 300 Black-headed Gulls, a Greylag Goose, 7 Yellow Wagtails were seen from New Passage. Visits to Pilning Wetland produced 35 Redshank, 20 Lapwing, a Great White Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 300 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 30 Gadwall, 120 Teal and a Kestrel. A Redstart and a Garden Warbler were seen at Aust Cliff/services and a Whimbrel was seen at Aust Warth
23rd August
A warm day with Sunny intervals. Reports from Severn Beach included 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Knot, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 52 Turnstones, 8 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons and a Wheatear. Meanwhile I had a day trip to the Isles of Scilly including circuits of Bishop Rock Lighthouse. Birds seen included Britain’s 2nd Red Footed Booby perched on top of the Lighthouse helipad, hundreds of Cory’s Shearwaters, 3 Great Shearwaters, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Balearic Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, Grey Seals, Common Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphin, Harbour Porpoises, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna etc. Click on the Shearwater image below for some slow motion video.
Red-footed Booby, Bishop Rock Lighthouse, Isles of Scilly 23.8.23
Cory’s Shearwaters, Cornwall 23.8.23
22nd August
A humid and sunny day with a moderate strength South West wind. Combined reports from Severn Beach included 3 moulting adult Curlew Sandpipers, single Sanderling and Knot, 400+ Ringed Plover, 160+ Dunlin, 20 Curlew, 9 Little Egrets, single Grey Heron, Lesser Whitethroat and Wheatear. Several visits to Pilning Wetland produced 2 Little Ringed Plover, single Ruff, Green Sandpiper and Dunlin, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 24 Lapwing, 90 Redshank, a Great White Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 240 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 30 Gadwall, 100+ Teal, 2 Shoveler, single Peregrine, Redstart and Wheatear, 2 Whinchats, 36 Yellow Wagtails and 5 Sand Martins.
21st August
A cloudy day with some sunny spells. Two moulting adult Curlew Sandpipers, 350 Ringed Plover, 190 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones, 250 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 8 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese, just one Shelduck and a Kestrel were seen at Severn Beach today. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland involved a Wood Sandpiper, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Ruff, 2 Snipe, 40 Lapwing, 200 Redshank, a Great White Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 280 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 7 Shoveler, 35 Gadwall, 120 Teal, a Sparrowhawk, 700 Swallows, 4 Sand Martins, 2 Whinchats, 15 Wheatears and 12 Yellow Wagtails. Sightings from New Passage included 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 2 Common Sandpipers, 159 Redshank, 45 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 108 Canada Geese, 12 Shelduck, 60 Teal and a Shoveler. Early morning reports from Aust Cliff/services included 2 Redstarts, single Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Grey Wagtails, 30 Canada Geese, single Kestrel and Peregrine.
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 21.8.23
20th August
A day of sunshine and showers. Sightings fro Severn Beach included 300 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, a Knot, 2 Turnstones, 90 Curlew, 15 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Teal, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included single Greenshank and Green Sandpiper, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Redshank, 9 Snipe, 18 Lapwing, single Great White Egret and Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 240 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 35 Gadwall and 90+ Teal. Eight Knot and at least 5 Yellow Wagtails were seen from New Passage. Another Garden Warbler (trapped and ringed) and 3 fly over Yellowhammers (first August record) were reported from Aust Cliff/services
19th August
A wet and windy start becoming dry and sunny from mid morning. A moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper, 300 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 26 Turnstones, a Common Sandpiper, 28 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Teal, 2 Ravens, single Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports fro the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included the 4th Wood Sandpiper of the year, 5 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 20 Lapwing, 135 Redshank, 51 Oystercatchers, 21 Curlew, 12 Turnstones, 3 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 12 Snipe, single Little Ringed Plover, Whimbrel and Great White Egret, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 350 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 12 Shelduck, 62 Gadwall, 5 Shoveler, 119 Mallard, 107 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 15+ Yellow Wagtails, 15 Sand Martins, 3 Wheatears, single Kestrel, Grey Wagtail, Whinchat, Redstart, Kingfisher and Roe Deer. Reports from Chittening Warth included 8 Shoveler flying South West and 2 Ravens.
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 19.8.23
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 19.8.23
18th August
A dismal, humid day with an East wind. At least 184 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 26 Turnstones, 2 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Canada Geese, 3 Garden Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach. Reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included single Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Snipe, Whimbrel and Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 20 Ringed Plover, 18 Lapwing, 46 Turnstones, 64 Curlew, 140 Redshank, a Great White Egret, 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 350 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 12 Shelduck, 150 Mallard, 31 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 55 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Ravens, a Kestrel, 2 Wheatears and 3 Yellow Wagtails. A flyover Grey Plover, 2 Willow Warblers and a Redstart were seen at Aust Cliff/services.
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 18.8.23
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 18.8.23
17th August
A cloudy day with a light East wind. Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 3 Avocets, single Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Snipe and Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers, 140 Redshank, 22 Lapwing, 45 Oystercatchers, 160 Curlew, a Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 300 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 15 Shelduck,150 Mallard, 30 Gadwall, 30 Teal plus 1200 Swallows going to roost at dusk. Reports from Severn Beach included a Knot, 310 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 28 Turnstones, 4 Curlew, 11 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, single Great Black-backed Gull, Cetti’s Warbler, Wheatear and Sparrowhawk.
Avocets, Pilning Wetland 17.8.23
16th August
A sunny and humid day with a light North East breeze. Reports from Severn Beach included a Great White Egret (flying North East), 12 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 140 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 3 Curlew, 6 Teal, 30 Blackcaps, 20 Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat. Reports from New Passage included 2 Whimbrel, 4 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 12 Oystercatchers, 100 Curlew, 200 Canada Geese and 20 Shelduck. Nearby combined reports from Pilning Wetland involved single Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper and Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 20 Lapwing, 80 Redshank. 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, a near record 520 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 35 Gadwall, 240 Mallard, 10 Teal, single Tufted Duck, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail. Two male Crossbills, an impressive 21 Tree Pipits (including 7 trapped and ringed) were reported from Aust Cliff/services.
male Crossbill, Aust Cliff/services 16.8.23 © Aravind Ramesh
15th August
A warm day with sunny intervals.The morning high tide roost at Severn Beach produced at least 290 Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin and 20 Turnstones. Reports from Pilning Wetland included a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 19 Lapwing, 3 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin, 220 Redshank, a Great White Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 320 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 35 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 10 Teal, 2 Sand Martins, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Wheatears.
14th August
A wet start to the day becoming sunny later in a fresh South West wind. Combined reports from Severn Beach included 250 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 4 Turnstones, 20 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, 10 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Shelduck, single Cetti’s Warbler and Wheatear. A Great White Egret, 2 Grey Herons, a Little Egret, 23 Lapwing, 15 Turnstones, 50 Redshank, single Little Ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper, 340+ Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 3 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 20 Shelduck, 270 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Sand Martin were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Click on the Great White Egret picture below to see a Youtube video of it feeding.
Great White Egret, Pilning Wetland 14.8.23
13th August
A cloudy day with a South West breeze and occasional rain shower. A Guillemot, a moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper, 143 Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, 50 Curlew, 5 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons and 2 Gadwall were seen at Severn Beach. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Whimbrel, 20 Curlew, 10 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plover, 25 Lapwing, 110 Redshank, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 350+ Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 38 Gadwall, 7 Teal, 35 Shelduck, 500 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Peregrine, 2 Ravens, single Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Sand Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Lesser Whitethroat and Roe Deer. A Redstart and 4 Willow Warblers were seen at Aust Cliff/services.
Guillemot, Severn Beach 13.8.23
12th August
A day of cloud, sunshine and the occasional rain shower in a South then South West wind. A Storm Petrel was seen well close to shore at Severn Beach early evening where other reports today included 6 Little Egrets, single Grey Heron and Cetti’s Warbler. At least 140 Redshank, 10 Lapwing, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 270 Canada Geese and 8 Gadwall were seen on Pilning Wetland. It was quiet at New Passage with just 3 Turnstones, 12 Dunlin, 8 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 50 Canada Geese and 20 Shelduck being reported.
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 12.8.23 © Simon Ashley
A video grab from some mobile phone footage
11th August
A warm and sunny day with a light South West breeze. Reports from Severn Beach included a Grasshopper Warbler (seen), 2+ Lesser Whitethroats, a singing Cetti’s Warbler, 30+ Curlew and 8 Little Egrets. A visit to Pilning Wetland produced 150 Redshank, 13 Lapwing, a Grey Heron, 100 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Gadwall, a Kestrel, 7 Yellow Wagtails and 40+ Pied Wagtails. Nearby, a Common Sandpiper, 40 Redshank, just one Dunlin, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 80 Canada Geese and 30 Shelduck were seen from New Passage. Reports from the Aust Cliff/services area involved a Little Egret, 10 Shelduck, 3 Ravens, a Peregrine, 6 Wheatears, single Redstart and Tree Pipit.
Yellow Wagtail, Pilning Wetland 11.8.23
10th August
A humid and sunny day with a South East breeze. At least 150 Redshank, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Little Ringed Plovers (5 juveniles), 25 Lapwings, single Snipe and Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 260 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Gadwall, 9 Teal, single Little Grebe, Kestrel, Peregrine, Redstart, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Roe Deer were seen on Pilning Wetland. A late afternoon visit to New Passage produced 10 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 10 Curlew, 2 Redshank, single Oystercatcher and Grey Heron, 128 Canada Geese, 30 Shelduck and a Wheatear. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved 5 Oystercatchers, 6 Curlew, 10 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans (heading South East), single Great Black-backed Gull, Wheatear, Garden Warbler and 3+ Lesser Whitethroats.
Wheatear, Severn Beach 10.8.23
9th August
A warm and sunny day after an early morning river mist. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland included 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 150 Redshank, 22 Lapwings, 7 Dunlin, 2 Grey Herons, 170 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 7 Gadwall, 2 Teal, 80 Mallard, single Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail were seen at Pilning Wetland today. Another 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Dunlin, 70+ Turnstones, 150 Redshank, 8 Oystercatchers, 15 Curlew, 50 Canada Geese, 30 Shelduck were seen from New Passage. At least 8 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and 500+ Black-headed Gulls were seen at Severn Beach today.
Whinchat, Pilning Wetland 9.8.23
8th August
A cloudy day with rain and drizzle. A morning visit to Severn Beach produced a few Curlew and Oystercatchers, 8+ Little Egrets and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage included 5 Little Ringed Plovers, 15 Ringed Plovers, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Snipe, 45 Dunlin, 170 Redshank, 100+ Turnstones, 20 Lapwings, 8 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Grey Heron, 350 Black-headed Gulls, 140 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 45 Shelduck, 7 Gadwall and 5 Teal.
7th August
A dry and mainly sunny day with a Westerly breeze. A morning visit to Severn Beach produced a Whimbrel, 70 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plover, 30 Oystercatchers, 10 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons. A Green Sandpiper, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Lapwing, 180 Redshank, 14 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 240 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Gadwall, 9 Teal and a Kestrel were seen at Pilning Wetland. Nearby, the same 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 170 Redshank plus 19 Turnstones, 7 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 190 Canada Geese, 35 Shelduck, 3 Teal and a Kestrel were seen from New Passage.
6th August
A mostly dry day with a North West breeze. A Little Ringed Plover, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 75 Dunlin, 140 Redshank, 19 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 140 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 8 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 7 Teal, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 200 Black-headed Gulls, a Hobby and a Wheatear were seen at Pilning Wetland. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved a Whimbrel, 50 Curlew, 15 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 6 Oystercatchers, 9 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, single Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, singing Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Garden Warblers were reported from Severn Beach.
juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Pilning Wetland 6.8.23
5th August
A wet and breezy day with wind direction veering from South East to North West, A brief morning visit to Pining Wetland produced an adult Spoonbill (the 7th of the year), 2+ Little Ringed Plover, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 50+ Dunlin, 150 Redshank, 15 Lapwing, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 7 Mute Swans, 5 Gadwall, 2 Teal, an adult Yellow Wagtail and at least 5 Sand Martins. Nearby, 2 Sanderling, an adult Knot, 70 Turnstones, 60 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 90 Oystercatchers, 90+ Curlew (including a colour-ringed individual Black over Yellow on left leg, Blue on Right leg), 140 Canada Geese, 40 Shelduck, 350 Black-headed Gulls and a Great Black-backed Gull. Reports from Severn Beach included a Whimbrel, 20 Curlew, 20 Dunlin, a Redshank, 10 Ringed Plover, 7 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 250+ Black-headed Gulls, 5 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck and a juvenile Lesser Whitethroat.
Spoonbill, Pilning Wetland 5.8.23
4th August
A cloudy day with North West wind. Reports from Severn Beach included a dead Storm Petrel (found on seawall near shaft beach), at least 4 Whimbrel, 40 Curlew, 15 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 20 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck, a Great Black-backed Gull and a Swift. At least 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Turnstones, a Knot, 90 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, 110 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpipers, 100 Redshank, 280 Black-headed Gulls, a 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull, 124 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 40 Shelduck, 2 Wheatears, a Grey Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail were seen from New Passage. At least 6 Little Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, 30 Dunlin, 15 Lapwing, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Redshank, single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 45 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans and several Gadwall were reported from Pilning Wetland. A Lesser Emperor Dragonfly was seen at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 4.8.23
3rd August
A mixture of sunshine and showers with a North West breeze. A morning high tide visit to Severn Beach produced little more than 70 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, a few Dunlin, single Redshank and Grey Heron, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats and 8 Blackcaps (in the coastal scrub near the Pipes). Combined reports from Pilning Wetland/New Passage involved 6+ Little Ringed Plover, 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 19 Lapwings, 3 Ringed Plover, 130 Redshank, 32 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 100 Oystercatchers, 55 Curlew, 10+ Turnstones, a Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, a Greylag Goose, 95 Canada Geese, 45 Shelduck, 3 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 500+ Black-headed Gulls, a Swift, a Yellow Wagtail and 3 Wheatears.
Dark morph Arctic Skua, Severn Beach 2.8.23
2nd August
A mainly wet and breezy day with a few sunny spells. At least 320 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Arctic Skuas (2 pale morph & 2 dark morph), an Arctic Tern, 7 Common Sandpipers, 2 Turnstones, 36 Oystercatchers, 18 Curlew, single Bar-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Little Egret and “redhead” Goosander, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 7 Cormorants and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach today. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Knot, 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, a Whimbrel, 45 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 52 Turnstones, 112 Dunlin, 22 Lapwing, 170 Redshank, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 130 Canada Geese, a Greylag Goose, 7 Mute Swans, 50 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, single Teal, Yellow Wagtail and 3 Swifts.
Knot, New Passage 1.8.23
Green Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 1.8.23
1st August
A dry and sunny day at last. Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 4 adult Knot, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 60+ Turnstones, 100 Dunlin, 90 Redshank, 13 Lapwing, 50 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 2 Green Sandpipers, single Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, a Greylag Goose, 145 Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swans, 50+ Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 200+ Black-headed Gulls, a Swift and a juvenile Redstart.
