September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 183 species seen at least once in this month, is the third highest in the year. It is the time when most of the summer visitors will depart and a good selection of early winter visitors will arrive towards the end of the month. The weather can be very changeable, rain and gale force winds are likely, but calm warm days will also occur. Any West or South West gales will produce the usual seabirds but the more exotic have occurred; Sooty Shearwater (1974), Balearic Shearwater (1988), Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull. Other rarities that have appeared in September include; Red-crested Pochard (2 in 1996), Honey Buzzard (1996), Dotterel (1974), Kentish Plover (2006), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998, 2006 and 2008), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1989, 2003), Terek Sandpiper (1986),Semipalmated Sandpiper (2009), Red-rumped Swallow (1977), Wryneck (2003) and Rose-coloured Starling (2004). Local rarities have included Osprey, Nightjar (2006), Hawfinch (1998), Willow Tit (1992), Nightingale (1999) and Ring Ouzel.
September 2nd
The fine settled weather continued. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Wryneck on the target mound at 09.20 this morning, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, at least 70 Redshank, 45 Turnstones, single Common Sandpiper and Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Dunlin, 3 Canada Geese, 120 Teal, 25 Wigeon, at least 20 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipits, a Wheatear, a Sparrowhawk, at least 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and a Kingfisher. A Greenshank, a Little Egret, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Turnstones, a Redshank and 15 Oystercatchers were seen at Severn Beach.
September 1st
Another fine sunny day with a north east breeze. An adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 70 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, 5 Ringed Plover, 140 Teal, 25 Wigeon, a Tree Pipit, 23 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, single Kingfisher, Mistle Thrush, Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were seen in the New Passage area. Four Little Egrets and just 21 Ringed Plover and 8 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach. Another 2 Little Egrets, 2 Common Sandpipers, 50 Redshank, 7 Dunlin and 2 Whinchats were seen at Aust Warth. Two Tufted Duck, 11 Teal, 20 Mallard, 13 Gadwall, a Lapwing and a Water Vole were reported from the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
