July is one of the quietest months on Severnside with only 167 species having been recorded. It does have a more optimistic feeling to it than June, with the appearance of returning waders and in recent years the regular appearance of Mediterranean Gulls and Great White Egrets. Unusual species seen have included Caspian Tern (2025), Cory’s Shearwater (2023), Glossy Ibis (2019), Cattle Egret (2017,2020), Spoonbill (2022), Temminck’s Stint (2017), Black-winged Stilt (2021), dispersing Crossbill, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Goshawk and a Stone Curlew (1999). A spell of strong SW or W wind usually produces a few Storm Petrels and Manx Shearwaters.
July 2025
31st July
A humid day with some sunshine and torrential rain showers. Single Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover, 80+ Oystercatcher, 12 Curlew, 40+ Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 4 Lapwing, 2 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 72 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swan, 40+ Shelduck, single juvenile Whinchat and Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 101 Curlew, 12 Oystercatcher, 9 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 8 Shelduck, single Great Black-backed Gull, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Cetti’s Warbler and 50+ feeding Swifts. A wet and thundery visit to Aust Wetland produced single Grey Heron, Kestrel, Hobby, Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Stonechats and a pair of mating Roe Deer. Five Kestrels were seen at Aust Warth.
juvenile Whinchat, Pilning Wetland 31.7.25
30th July
A warm day with a mixture of sunshine and cloud in a West breeze. A Greenshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Turnstones, 16 Redshank, 10 Lapwing, 20 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Heron, 170 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 35+ Shelduck, single Grey Wagtail and Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included 54 Curlew, 6 Oystercatchers, 8 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron. Single Hobby, Kestrel and Stonechat were seen at Aust Wetland this morning.
29th July
A warm day with rain showers on and off until mid afternoon. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included single Greenshank, Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Turnstones, 3 Common Sandpiper, 41 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover, 15 Redshank, 11 Lapwing, 60+ Oystercatcher, 110 Curlew, 5 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 105 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swan, 35+ Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 350+ Black-headed Gulls, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Hobby, 3 Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, single Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat and Grey Wagtail. At least 77 Curlew, 12 Oystercatcher, 7 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and 4 Canada Geese were seen from the Severn Beach shore. Reports from Aust Cliff/services included 5 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, single Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 15 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, single Pheasant, Great Black-backed Gull and Sparrowhawk and nearby 8 Canada Geese, 2 Stonechats (adult male and a juvenile), single Lesser Whitethroat and Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth.
Stonechat, Aust Warth 29.7.25
28th July
A warm and eventually sunny day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Dunlin, 11 Lapwing, 36 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 30+ Curlew, 60+ Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 120 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 35 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, 6+ Little Grebes, 3 Kestrel, single Spotted Flycatcher and Grey Wagtail. At least 85 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 11 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 6 Canada Geese, 3+ Cetti’S Warblers, single Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Kestrel were reported from the Severn Beach shore.
Spotted Flycatcher, Pilning Wetland 28.7.25
27th July
Cloudy for most of the day with a West wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3 Avocets, a Greenshank, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper, 10 Lapwing, 64 Redshank, 7 Dunlin, 42 Curlew, 85 Oystercatchers, a Great White Egret, 15 Little Egrets, 12 Grey Heron, 170 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 40+ Shelduck, 10 Gadwall, single Arctic Tern, adult Mediterranean Gull and Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 2 Ravens, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, a Sand Martin and 4 Swifts. A Whimbrel, at least 81 Curlew, 11 Oystercatcher, 7 Little Egrets, 130 Mallard, 500 Black-headed Gulls, single Willow Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler and Harbour Porpoise were reported from Severn Beach.
26th July
A warm day with a mixture of cloud and sunshine. A Grasshopper Warbler, at least 60 Curlew, a Ringed Plover, 4 Cetti’s Warblers and a Kestrel were reported from the Severn Beach shore. A quieter day with just single Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper, 8 Lapwing, 26 Redshank, 80 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Heron, 160 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 45+ Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, a Teal, 3 Kestrels and 2 Yellow Wagtails being reported from Pilning Wetland/New Passage.
25th July
A hot and sunny day with a fresh South West breeze. Reports from Severn Beach included a Whimbrel, 70+ Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 9 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese, 19 Shelduck (17 ducklings), a Little Grebe, 800 Herring Gulls (at low tide), a Great Black-backed Gull, a flock of 70 feeding Linnets, 3 Cetti’s Warblers, single Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart and Tree Pipit. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved single Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 12 Redshank, 3 Lapwing, 40 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 7 Grey Herons, 180 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 40+ Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, a Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtails, 3 Kestrels, single Peregrine and Yellow Wagtail.
24th July
A mainly cloudy warm day with light wind. A Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Lapwing, 3 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 45+ Redshank, 65 Oystercatchers, 40+ Curlew, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 190+ Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 40+ Shelduck, an adult female Peregrine and 2 Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Reports from Severn Beach included 45 Curlew, 10 Oystercatcher, single Little Egret, Shelduck and Painted Lady butterfly.
23rd July
Another overcast day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Greenshank, 2+ Little Ringed Plover, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Whimbrel, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 32 Redshank, 11 Lapwings, 8 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Heron, 127 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 40+ Shelduck, a male Marsh Harrier, 4 Peregrine (female with 3 juveniles) and 2 Kestrels. At least 40 Curlew, 25 Oystercatcher, 8 Little Egrets, a Canada Goose, 2 Kestrel, single Lesser Whitethroat and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Severn Beach shore. Reports from Aust Cliff/services included 2 Common Sandpipers, 13 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Heron, 5 Canada Geese, 15 Shelduck, 2 Raven, 2 Crossbills, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single female Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Kestrel and Ring-necked Parakeet (first record for 2 years).
22nd July
A mainly cloudy day with a light South West wind. Single Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper, 35 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 18 Little Egrets, single juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Kestrel and Sand Martin were seen from the Severn Beach shore and a Great White Egret was seen at the Western Approach distribution park. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Greenshank, 3+ Little Ringed Plover, 28 Redshank, 12 Lapwing, 4 Curlew, 6 Oystercatchers, 4 Grey Heron, 126 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 18 Shelduck, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Kestrel and a Hobby.
Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Severn Beach 22.7.25
21st July
A warm, mainly sunny and breezy day. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included single Wood Sandpiper and Greenshank, 7+ Little Ringed Plovers, 5+ Common Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin, 8 Lapwings, 40 Redshank, 4 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Heron, 81 Canada Geese, 5 Mute Swans, 48 Shelduck, single Common Tern and Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Kestrel, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Red Kite, Kingfisher, Sand Martin, Cetti’s Warbler and Grey Wagtail. A Ringed Plover, 12 Curlew and 3 Little Egrets were seen from the Severn Beach shore and single Common Sandpiper, Willow Emerald Damselfly and Lesser Emperor Dragonfly were seen nearby at the Orchard Pools. A Sparrowhawk was seen at Aust Cliff/services.
Red Kite, New Passage 21.7.25
20th July
It remained humid following overnight rain in a light East veering South breeze. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included the Wood Sandpiper, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, 6+ Common Sandpipers, 10 Little Ringed Plovers, 46 Redshank, 9 Lapwing, 6 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 96 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 28 Shelduck, 150+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Kestrels and 2 Ravens. Reports from Severn Beach shore involved 8 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, at least 16 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, a Little Grebe and an adult Mediterranean Gull from the shore and nearby another 2 Grey Herons and 14 Coot at the Orchard Pools.
Mediterranean Gull, Severn Beach 20.7.25
19th July
Another humid and mainly cloudy day. A momentous day with the first Severnside record of Caspian Tern at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach for a few minutes before it departed North. Additional reports from the Severn Beach shore included a Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, a Great White Egret, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 6 Canada Geese and a Kestrel. The Wood Sandpiper, at least 12 Common Sandpipers, single Greenshank and Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Turnstones, a Lapwing, 10 Little Ringed Plovers (including 3 small juveniles), 36 Redshank, 10 Curlew, 6 Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 7 Grey Herons, 110 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 30+ Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, a Teal, 490+ Black-headed Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, 20+ Swift, 2 Kestrel and 4 Sand Martins were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area.
Caspian Tern, Severn Beach Orchard Pools 19.7.25 © Matt Plenty
Caspian Tern, Severn Beach Orchard Pools 19.7.25 © Matt Plenty
18th July
Another warm and humid day with a light South West breeze. The Wood Sandpiper, 6+ Little Ringed Plover, 30 Redshank, single Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 6 Oystercatchers, 6 Lapwings, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Heron, 60+ Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 30+ Shelduck, 240 Black-headed Gulls, a Kingfisher and 2 Kestrels were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. A male Stonechat was seen at Aust Warth.
17th July
A humid day with some rain showers. Early morning reports from the Aust Cliff/services area involved a Grey Heron, 20 Gadwall, 25 Common Scoter flying North East, 8 Swifts, 11 Crossbills (including 5 settled in the Pines) and a Yellowhammer flying North East. The Wood Sandpiper, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 33 Redshank, 6 Lapwing, 15 Oystercatcher, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 4 Curlew, 3 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 46 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 29 Shelduck (25 ducklings), 4 Gadwall, a moulting adult Mediterranean Gull, 5 Swift, 5 Kestrel and a Yellow Wagtail were reported from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. At least 30 Curlew and a few Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, 5 Shelduck, single Kestrel and Cetti’s Warbler were reported from the Severn Bach shore.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 17.7.25 © Jamie Dunning
16th July
A warm and sunny day with a light South West wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included the Wood Sandpiper, 4 Back-tailed Godwits, 3 Common Sandpipers, 5 Little Ringed Plover, single Greenshank, Whimbrel and Lapwing, 43 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 54 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, a Teal, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, single Hobby and Grey Wagtail. A few Curlew, Shelduck and 2 Sand Martins were seen at Severn Beach. Sightings from Aust Wetland included single Lapwing, Grey Heron and Pheasant, 2 Kestrel and a Stonechat.
15th July
An unsettled day with strong South West wind and frequent torrential rain showers. Single Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Whimbrel and Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 4+ Little Ringed Plovers, 5+ Common Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 11 Dunlin, 6 Curlew, 50+ Oystercatchers, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 15 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Ravens, single Sparrowhawk and Grey Wagtail were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 15.7.25
14th July
A warm day with a cooling fresh South West wind. A juvenile Wood Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank, 28 Redshank, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Lapwings, 14 Curlew, 90 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 11 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 30+ Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, single Teal, Kestrel and Lesser Whitethroat were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. At least 35 Curlew and 18 Shelduck were seen from Severn Beach.
Wood Sandpiper, Pilning Wetland 14.7.25
Common Sandpiper, New Passage 14.7.25
13th July
Another roasting 33°C day with a huge swarm of Ladybirds. Sightings from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved a Black-tailed Godwit, 8+ Little Ringed Plovers, 13+ Lapwing, 14 Oystercatcher, 30 Curlew, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 16 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 30+ Shelduck (2 adults), a 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, 430 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Kestrels, 4 Sand Martins, single Grey Wagtail and Swift.
12th July
Another 32+°C day. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Whimbrel, 4+ Little Ringed Plovers, 50+ Curlew, 4 Redshank, 17+ Lapwing, 20 Oystercatchers, 13 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 12 Canada Geese, 32+ Shelduck (at least 30 ducklings), 2 Mute Swans, 250+ Black-headed Gulls and 3 Kestrel. At least 70 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 4 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 14 Shelduck, 400+ Black-headed Gulls feeding on a plague of Ladybirds, single singing Cetti’s Warbler and Coal Tit were reported from the Severn Beach shore.
Whimbrel, New Passage 12.7.25
11th July
An even hotter 33°C day with a light East breeze. A Black-tailed Godwit, at least 6 Little Ringed Plover (at least one new chick), 17 Redshank, 19 Oystercatchers, 90+ Curlew, 15 Lapwings, 7 Little Egrets, 7 Grey Herons, 11 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 30 Shelduck (28 ducklings), 4 Gadwall, a Tufted Duck, 8 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, single Kestrel and Raven were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Combined reports from the Severn Beach area included 12 Oystercatchers, 110 Curlew, 7 Little Egrets, a Great White Egret, 18 Shelduck and a Little Grebe.
Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 11.7.25
Shelduck ducklings, New Passage 11.7.25
10th July
A 29°C day with a South West breeze. Morning and evening high tide visits to the Severn Beach shore produced single Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel, 16 Oystercatchers, 27 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 18+ Shelduck, many Black-headed Gulls, single adult Great Black-backed Gull, male Marsh Harrier, Swift and singing Lesser Whitethroat. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 5+ Little Ringed Plover (including 2+ flightless juveniles), 8 Lapwings, 20 Redshank, a Dunlin, 20+ Curlew, 9 Oystercatchers, 4+ Little Egrets, 12 Grey Herons, 5 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 26 Shelduck (24 ducklings), an adult Mediterranean Gull, 150 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Kestrel and a Yellow Wagtail.
9th July
A hot (25°C) and sunny day, the first of an expected heat wave. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area included 6+ Little Ringed Plovers, 25 Redshank, 11+ Lapwing, an Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 10 Little Egrets, 6 Grey Herons, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, a Yellow Wagtail, 3 Sand Martins and 2 Kestrels. A few Oystercatchers and Curlew, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, 26+ Shelduck (16 ducklings), and a Great Black-backed Gull were seen on a low tide visit to the Severn Beach shore. A Kestrel was seen at Aust Warth.
8th July
A warm and sunniest day of the year so far. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpipers, 5+ Little Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 24 Redshank, 12 Lapwing, 60+ Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese, 4 Mute swans, 2 Shelduck and the crèche of 30+ ducklings, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 380+ Black-headed Gulls, single Kestrel and Grey Wagtail. At least 12 Curlew, 23 Oystercatchers, 7 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 20+ Canada Geese, 48 Shelduck (including 2 groups of 16 and 2 ducklings), 4 Coot and a Little Grebe were seen from the sea wall at Severn Beach.
7th July
A cloudy start then warm and sunny with a North West breeze. An adult Mediterranean Gull, 5+ Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 25 Redshank, 11 Lapwing, 3 Curlew, 11 Oystercatchers, 5 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egret, 4 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, a pair of Shelduck with 20+ ducklings, 100+ Black-headed Gulls and a Kestrel were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
6th July
A mixture of cloud and sunshine with occasional rain showers. At least 8 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Lapwing, 13 Redshank, single Curlew and Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 38+ Shelduck (a pair with a crèche of at least 36 ducklings), single Kestrel and Grey Wagtail were seen in the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area. Two Curlew, a few Oystercatchers, a Little Egret and 22 Shelduck were seen from the Severn Beach shore.
5th July
A breezy and mainly cloudy day. Combined reports from the Severn Beach shore included 10 Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 4 Shelduck, single Hobby and Kestrel. At least 7 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans and 6 Shelduck were reported from the nearly “dry” Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.
Little Ringed Plovers, Pilning Wetland 5.7.25
4th July
A dry and sunny day with a gusty cooling South West wind. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area involved 9+ Little Ringed Plover, 12 Lapwing, 6 Redshank, a Grey Heron, 3 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans and 220 Black-headed Gulls. Two Curlew, 4 Little Egrets, 15 Shelduck and a Little Grebe were reported from the Severn Beach shore.
3rd July
A warm and sunny day with a West breeze. A Black-tailed Godwit, 12+ Little Ringed Plover, 10 Redshank, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Canada Geese, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Shelduck, 250 Black-headed Gulls and a Grey Wagtail were seen in the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area. Another 7 Little Egrets, a few Curlew, Oystercatchers and 100+ Black-headed Gulls were seen on a low tide visit to Severn Beach this morning.
2nd July
A cloudy start turning sunny late morning in a cooler North West breeze. A Marsh Harrier and Kestrel were reported from the Severn Beach salt marsh. At least 3 Kestrels (2 juveniles), 5 Stock Dove, single Sparrowhawk and Grey Heron were seen at Aust Wetland.
1st July
A very warm 24°C day in a West breeze. The only reports received from Pilning Wetland included the usual Little Ringed Plovers and Lapwing. A Lapwing, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Kestrel, 14 Stock Doves and 2 Swifts were reported from Aust Wetland.
