February is generally another quiet month with only a total of 149 species seen in past Februarys. Gales in this month have produced Storm and Leach’s Petrel, Pomarine Skua and all four records of Puffin. Other rarities seen include Spoonbill (2004), Ring-billed Gull (1987), Great Grey Shrike (1999,2000,2004), Shorelark (2004) and Cirl Bunting (1943).
February 28th
An unsettled end to the month with westerly gales and heavy rain. Few birds were seen from New Passage other than a Black-tailed Godwit, 47 Oystercatchers, 60 Dunlin and 62 Shelduck. At least 60 Kittiwakes, 150 Turnstones, 50 Dunlin and a Peregrine were seen from Severn Beach.
Kittiwakes, Severn Beach 28.2.7
February 27th
A brief visit to New Passage produced just 50 Dunlin, 15 Redshank, 28 Oystercatchers, 65 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler and 120 Common Gulls. A late afternoon sea watch from Severn Beach produced a flock of 50 Kittiwakes.
February 26th
Little was reported today in a cold NW wind. Just 150 Dunlin, 24 Oystercatchers, 20 Turnstone, 100 Curlew and 6 Shoveler were seen from New Passage. A visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced another 50 Oystercatchers, 80 Curlew, 60 Shelduck, 2 Great Bkack-backed Gulls and a Stonechat. A Lesser Redpoll and a female Blackcap were seen nearby at the Orchard Pools. Eleven Ringed Plover, 400 Dunlin, and 45 Curlew were seen at Chittening Warth.
February 25th
Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were seen with many Black-headed Gulls and 70 Common Gulls in a flooded field at Southworthy Farm (behind New Passage). Sightings from the sea wall at New Passage included just 200 Dunlin, 100 Curlew, 7 Shoveler with 80 Shelduck and hundreds of Wigeon and Teal. The only reports from Severn Beach were of 80 Turnstones and 20 Oystercatchers. Two Stonechats remained on Aust Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
February 24th
Reports from New Passage involved the male Merlin, 1000 Dunlin, 100 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers and 12 Shoveler with the usual numbers of Wigeon, Teal and Shelduck. A visit to the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth produced 2 Jack Snipe, 6 Snipe, 25 Fieldfares and 34 Redwing. There were just 50 Dunlin and 160 Turnstones at Severn Beach. Two Stonechats, single Raven and Peregrine were seen at Aust Warth.
February 23rd
Sightings from New Passage included a Black-tailed Godwit, 2100 Dunlin, 35 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 70 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, a drake Pintail and 50 Common Gulls. Another 65 Shelduck were reported from Severn Beach. Two Stonechats and a male Merlin were seen again on Aust Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
February 22nd
A day with limited coverage due to heavy rain showers. Sightings from New Passage included 4000 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 35 Redshank, 50 Oystercatchers, 90 Curlew, 20 Turnstones, 400 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 70 Shelduck and 10 Shoveler. A visit to Severn Beach produced just 50 Shelduck, 30 Turnstones, 2 Stonechats and a female Blackcap.
February 21st
The usual single Black-tailed Godwit, 3500 Dunlin, 50 Oystercatchers, 10 Grey Plover, 100 Curlew, 48 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, 90 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler and the flock of Wigeon and Teal were seen from New Passage. The male Merlin caught a Skylark at Aust Warth where 2 Ravens were hunting voles again over the high tide and 2 Stonechats were still present.
February 20th
Sightings from Northwick Warth included a male Merlin, 3500 Dunlin, 250 Lapwing, 100 Turnstone, 45 Oystercatchers, 47 Redshank, 9 Grey Plover, single Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit, 500 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 90 Shelduck and 10 Shoveler. A Raven and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth and a Little Owl was calling again here.
February 19th
Sightings from Northwick Warth included a Little Egret, 15 Grey Plover, 35 Redshank, 3000 Dunlin, 250 Lapwings, 50 Oystercatchers, 100 Curlew, 500 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 90 Shelduck, 9 Shoveler and a drake Pintail. Another 56 Shelduck were seen from Severn Beach. Reports from Aust Warth included 2 Ravens feasting on Voles as they were forced out of the salt marsh by the high spring tide, 3 Buzzards, 2 Stonechats, 30 Pied Wagtails and the Little Owl was calling from a hedge. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
February 18th
More of the same today with 2000 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 250 Lapwings, 34 Golden Plover, 120 Curlew, single Black-tailed Godwit and Knot, 500 Wigeon 100 Teal, 95 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 2 Siskins and the first Yellowhammer of the year being reported from New Passage. Another 1900 Dunlin, 90 Redshank and 32 Gadwall were seen at the southern end of Chittening Warth. Another 8 Gadwall and a Jay were seen at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
February 17th
Sightings from New Passage included a Knot, 1000 Dunlin, 300 Lapwing, 40 Redshank, 100 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 70 Shelduck and 6 Shoveler. A pair of Stock Doves were investigating a nest site at the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth. A late afternoon visit to Aust Warth produced 4 Stonechats, 2 Ravens and a Little Owl. The Short-eared Owl was reported here earlier in the day.
February 16th
A quieter day with just a Black-tailed Godwit, 43 Redshank, 1500 Dunlin, 22 Oystercatchers, 300 Lapwing, 92 Shelduck and 8 Shoveler reported from New Passage. Four Stonechats were seen on Aust Warth.
February 15th
Sightings from New Passage included 4 Grey Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 200 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 22 Oystercatchers, 93 Shelduck, 5 Shoveler and the bird of the day, a female Red-breasted Merganser that flew South. Two Ravens and 2 Stonechats were seen again at Aust Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck, a summer plumaged Mediterranean Gull and a Chiffchaff were seen at the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
February 14th
Much of the same today with a Little Egret, just 60 Dunlin, 450 Lapwings, a Black-tailed Godwit, 90 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler and a Great Black-backed Gull from New Passage. Elsewhere there were 2 Stonechats and a Raven at Aust Warth and 2 Little Grebes with 10 Gadwall on the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach.
February 13th
Sightings from New Passage included the male Merlin, a Little Egret, 450 Lapwing, 29 Oystercatchers, 21 Redshank, 22 Turnstones, 68 Dunlin, a Black-tailed Godwit, 75 Shelduck and a Great Black-backed Gull. The only reports from Severn Beach were of 5 Ringed Plover, 12 Turnstones and 54 Shelduck. A Chiffchaff was found at the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth. The Short-eared Owl was seen again at Aust Warth along with 2 Ravens and 2 Stonechats.
February 12th
A quiet day with little to report. The male Merlin was seen again at Aust Warth. Sightings from New Passage included 78 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, fewer Wigeon and Teal, 100 Curlew and 12 Oystercatchers. Sixteen Gadwall were seen on the river from Severn Beach. The drake Ring-necked Duck was seen again on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Short-eared Owl. Aust Warth 11.2.7
February 10th
The thaw arrived today with some rain. A visit to Northwick Warth produced the male Merlin, 40 Golden Plover, 400 Lapwings, 160 Curlew, 3 Snipe, 30 Redshank, 7 Shoveler, 50 Shelduck, 300 Wigeon and 100 Teal. The Short-eared Owl was reported late afternoon from Aust Warth where 2 Ravens and 2 Stonechats were also seen. A drake Pochard was present on the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach.
February 9th
Another day with snow showers. A brief visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced just 400 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plovers, 40 Redshank and 70 Shelduck. There were plenty of birds feeding in gardens including a female Blackcap. Sightings from New Passage in poor visibility included 300 Wigeon, 100 Teal and another 100 Dunlin.
The male Merlin, 160 Turnstone, 600 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 18 Curlew, 24 Gadwall and 30 Teal were reported from Chittening Warth this afternoon.
Robin, Severn Beach 9.2.7
February 8th
A cold day with some snow. The male Merlin, 200 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin, 70 Curlew, 4 Shoveler, hundreds of Wigeon and Teal, at least 50 Redwings and a few Fieldfares were seen at Northwick Warth. A visit to Severn Beach produced 150 Dunlin, 80 Turnstones, 30 Redshank and 4 Ringed Plovers. A Peregrine and 2 Stonechats were seen again at Aust Warth.
February 7th
An even colder start to the day with the temperature dropping to -5°C. The sightings remained much the same with the male Merlin, 500 Dunlin, 400 Lapwing, 20 Redshank, many Wigeon and Teal, single Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit and Snipe being seen from Northwick Warth. The Short-eared Owl, 2 Ravens and 4 Stonechats were seen on Aust Warth. Sightings from Severn Beach included 2 Peregrines over the shore, 18 Gadwall and 6 Shoveler at the Orchard Pools. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
February 6th
Another cold night and frosty morning (-3°C). Sightings from Northwick Warth included 2 Little Egrets, a Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Redshank, 500 Dunlin, 450 Lapwing, 9 Shoveler with the usual Wigeon and Teal flock. There were 100 Turnstones, 150 Dunlin and 12 Ringed Plover on the shore at Severn Beach. The Short-eared Owl was hunting again on Aust Warth from mid afternoon and a male Merlin, 2 Ravens, 4 Stonechats and 50 Redwings were also seen here. Another 60 Redwings were found around the Sea Bank pools at Chittening Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck was seen again on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
February 5th
Another cold night and frosty morning. A visit to Severn Beach produced 110 Turnstones, 300 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover. The usual 450 Lapwing, 1000 Dunlin, single Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Redshank, 300 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 10 Shoveler and 2 Pintail were seen from New Passage. A search of the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth produced a Jack Snipe, 2 Snipe, at least one Water Rail, a Little Owl and a Chiffchaff. The Short-eared Owl was watched hunting over Aust Warth late afternoon and 4 Stonechats remained here.
February 4th
Another cold night with a full moon. A visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced a Little Egret, 80 Turnstones, 50 Curlew, 10 Ringed Plovers, 40 Redshank, 80 Shelduck, 35 Pintail, 9 Gadwall, 4 Rock Pipits, 3 Stonechats and the first Siskin of the year. A Tawny Owl has been reported calling again recently in the village. Sightings from Chittening Warth included 2500 Dunlin, 110 Curlew, 2 Ravens and 2 Stonechats. There were another 3000 Dunlin, 480 Lapwings, a Black-tailed Godwit, 350 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 50 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler and 7 Pintail off New Passage. A Jack Snipe was flushed and 2 Water Rails were heard at the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth. A Peregrine and another 5 Stonechats were seen on Aust Warth while the Short-eared Owl performed for 60 observers this afternoon.
Pintail, New Passage 4.2.7
February 3rd
A frosty night and a foggy start to the day. Sightings from New Passage included a Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Golden Plover, 400 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 70 Curlew, 400 Dunlin, 240 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 15 Pintail and a Peregrine. Another 24 Pintail were present off Chittening Warth where 2 Stonechats and a Chiffchaff were also seen. A visit to the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach produced 18 Gadwall, 2 drake Pochard, a calling Water Rail and another Chiffchaff. A Peregrine and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth and a flock of 150 Golden Plover flew South over here this afternoon.
February 2nd
Sightings from New Passage included an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Kingfisher and a male Blackcap. The male Merlin, 2000 Dunlin, 400 Lapwing, 70 Oystercatchers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Water Rails, 2 Snipe, 6 Shoveler and a Grey Wagtail were reported from Northwick Warth. The Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats remained on Aust Warth.
February 1st
A mild start to the month with much of the same reported. Sightings from New Passage included the male Merlin,
single Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover and Knot, 1500 Dunlin, 450 Lapwing, 27 Redshank and 110 Common Gulls. The Aust Warth Short-eared Owl was “mugged” of prey again today by a Kestrel. A Peregrine and 2 Stonechats were also seen here.
