2010 SIGHTINGS

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March is a slightly better month than February with a total of 164 species recorded during this month. As each day passes the expectation of an early spring migrant increases, Wheatears usually being seen by mid month along with Chiffchaffs, Sand Martins, possibly Little Ringed Plovers. Rarities have included Avocets, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Hen Harrier and Cetti’s Warbler (2003), Bearded Tit (2004), Great Grey Shrike (2004), Red Kite (2005), Mandarin (2006) and Siberian Chiffchaff (2007).

March 9th
Another quiet day. Just 20 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 21 Redshank and a single Dunlin were reported from New Passage. Nearby 12 Snipe and a Little Owl were found on Northwick Warth. Things were no better at Chittening Warth with only 29 Shelduck, 34 Oystercatchers, single Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were seen at Chittening Warth.

March 8th
The cold spell continues. The only reports from wind swept New Passage involved 2 Canada Geese, 10 Shelduck, 14 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 26 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 5 Oystercatchers and 3 Turnstones. The usual 3 Little Grebes, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Duck remained on the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach. Two Ravens were seen at Aust Warth.

March 7th
The frost returned (-4°C) this morning with a cold east wind and sunshine. A Scandinavian Rock Pipit and at least one Water Pipit were seen in the salt marsh at Severn Beach where the usual 43 Shelduck, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank and a Turnstone were also present. Nearby a Jack Snipe and a Grey Plover were reported from Chittening Warth. A brief visit to New Passage produced just 38 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 2 Canada Geese and 15 Redshank. The square pool at Avonmouth Sewage works was reported to be nearly deserted with just 12 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Ducks of note.

March 6th
A frost free morning and another settled day. A flock of at least 140 Knot at Northwick Warth were new arrivals where a Green Sandpiper, 12 Snipe, 50 Dunlin, 20 Curlew, 30 Redshank, 2 Canada Geese, 60 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon and 40 Teal were also seen. Another 40 Shelduck and 4 Ringed Plover were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby 4 Mute Swans, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Duck remained at the Orchard Pools.

March 5th
An icy -4°C start to dry and sunny day. Two Brent Geese were reported early morning flying north over Severn Beach where 3 Little Grebes, a Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck and a Sparrowhawk were seen at the Orchard Pools. A dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 62 Shelduck, 48 Wigeon, 85 Teal, a Pochard, 260 Dunlin, 47 Redshank, 25 Curlew, 10 Turnstones, a Green Sandpiper and 110 Black-headed Gulls were reported from the New Passage area. A Short-eared Owl, 2 Ravens and 4 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth.

                                                           
                                                                                   Stonechat, Aust Warth 5.3.10

March 4th
A cool and dry day with an east wind. At least 58 Shelduck, 28 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 190 Dunlin and 10 Redshank were seen from New Passage Another 130 Wigeon, 160 Teal, a Snipe, 4 Stonechats and 11 Skylarks were reported from Aust Warth.

March 3rd
Reports from the New Passage area involved 48 Shelduck, 160 Wigeon, 170 Teal, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, a Grey Plover, 13 Oystercatchers, 330 Dunlin, 8 Curlew, 15 Redshank, 20 Turnstones, 80 Black-headed Gulls and 8 Skylarks. Another 4 Mute Swans, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Duck were seen on the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach. Another 44 Redshank and 4 Tufted Duck were seen at Chittening Warth.

March 2nd
Another -2°C dawn followed by bright sunshine and a 14.5 metre high tide. The star bird was a Common Crane seen flying high up river past Aust Warth at 09.30. Other reports from here included 2 Short-eared Owls washed out of the flooded salt marsh, 6 Greylag Geese, 75 Curlew, 60 Redshank, 300 Dunlin, 200 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 2 Peregrines, a Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk and a feeding frenzy of Black-headed Gulls and Crows making the most of the Voles being forced out of cover by the spring tide. Reports from New Pill, south of Severn Beach, involved 650 Dunlin, 82 Redshank, 77 Curlew, 140 Turnstones, 8 Oystercatchers, 6 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 11 Teal, 155 Black-headed Gulls and a fly over Yellowhammer.

                      
                                                                      Black-headed Gull and Vole, Aust Warth 2.3.10  © Allan Chard

                      
                                                                             Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 2.3.10  © Allan Chard


                                                                 Short-eared Owl and spring tide, Aust Warth 2.3.10  © Allan Chard

March 1st
A frosty (-2°C) start to the month followed by a sunny and settled day. Reports from the New Passage area involved a Little Egret, 3 Golden Plover, 45 Redshank, 160 Dunlin, 10 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 2 Canada Geese, 180 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 10 Shelduck and 240 Black-headed Gulls. Morning high tide sightings at Aust Warth included 4 Knot, 350 Dunlin, 235 Wigeon, 50 Teal and 27 Common Gulls.

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