Paul Bowerman

Strong West or South West winds in March always produce Kittiwakes off Severn Beach and today was no exception. At least 60 were lingering before and after high tide.

The Hooded Merganser reappeared this morning on Pilning Wetland after 2 weeks away. It is still very wary & flighty. Please park sensibly with care and allow access for the refuse lorries tomorrow. One option is to park at Severn Beach and take the pleasant walk North along the Severn Way footpath.

Another dismal grey day. A Great Crested Grebe found by @andy-1963.bsky.social on the estuary near my house at Severn Beach was my first here for 2 years. There seem to be plenty of newly arrived singing Chiffchaff in the area and 2 Little Ringed Plover were still on Pilning Wetland.

Despite being a much cooler day with North East wind I found my first 2 Sand Martins of the year feeding over Pilning Wetland. Also present were 2 Little Ringed Plover, 200 Knot and at least 5 singing Chiffchaff in the area.

A late afternoon and 3rd visit of the day to Pilning Wetland produced another early Spring migrant; a Little Ringed Plover on the 1st sentry pool plus the 2nd Cattle Egret of the year. Must be a chance of Sand Martins in the next few days......

Three Wheatears were welcome Spring arrivals on Northwick Warth this morning. Luckily this nice male stayed close to the footpath.

lapwings and Black-tailed Godwit

A few signs of Spring today with displaying Lapwing and a summer plumage Black-tailed Godwit on Pilning Wetland where 2 Jack Snipe were with 13 Snipe. A flock of 11 Kittiwakes were lingering off Severn Beach on the afternoon high tide.

My best attempts at photographing the Hooded Merganser on Pilning Wetland. @severnsidebirds.bsky.social @andy-1963.bsky.social @bristolbirding.bsky.social #southglosbirds

Buzzard I think

Nobody was expecting this today. A short video of the Hooded Merganser on Pilning Wetland this afternoon. Hopefully it will be there tomorrow in better weather and light.

A visit to Severn Beach on this morning's high tide produced 4 Brent Geese, at least 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls and a Scandinavian Rock Pipit (for 3rd day). Meanwhile a Little Stint, Jack Snipe and a Water Pipit were found on Northwick Warth.

An amazing day and another Great find by @andy-1963.bsky.social with this flighty and apparently unringed Hooded Merganser on Pilning Wetland and a brief visit onto the estuary as well.

Adult kittiwake at New Passage

The first decent Westerly wind of the year failed to produce any seabirds at Severn Beach this morning but an adult Kittiwake further up river at New Passage is the first for the year

Yes still present between Holes mouth and Chittening Warth.

Dunlin have only been present here on the Severnside patch in low numbers this winter. Some days I haven't seen any so it was a nice surprise to see thousands murmurating off Severn Beach/Chittening Warth on the Spring tide. The video shows part of the flock.

Northern lights over the Prince of Wales Bridge at Severn Beach. Pic by Jack Bowerman

An image of the Northern lights through clouds at Severn Beach yesterday evening. Pic taken by one of my sons.

And just received late news of a Short-eared Owl on Northwick Warth towards the wetland at dusk.

A decent day weather wise but the birds remain much the same with Penduline Tits at Aust Wetland, 3 remaining White-fronted Geese still on Northwick Warth, 2 Water Pipits reported at Pilning Wetland & 600 Lapwings coming to roost late afternoon. A rainbow at Severn Beach at low tide this morning.

Definitely our first wintering bird. We have a strange mix of birds here at the same time: Cattle Egret, WF Geese, Bewick's, Whinchat, Common Sand, Chiffs and Blackcaps but not many any winter thrushes.

Whinchat near Cake Pill at Northwick Warth

Common Sandpiper, Cake Pill, Northwick Warth

Jack Snipe

Despite missing 2 early morning Bewick's Swans, a flyover drake Red-breasted Merganser and a Firecrest, it was still an excellent #patchbirding day with wintering Whinchat, Common Sandpiper & 9 Jack Snipe including one found with a thermal imager within stepping distance. All comer year list now 86+

Today they were very close to the footpath 100 metres South of the wetland building. Closest parking at New Passage if there is a space.

The New Year patch birding got off to a flying start this morning and I managed to see my 3 target species. The White-fronted Geese had increased to 16, the 3 Penduline Tits were very showy and the wintering Cattle Egret was with it's friends.

Thanks and a Happy New Year to you as well.

Sunset from Severn Beach looking towards Portishead and Battery Point.

The final sunset of the year from Severn Beach ends a phenomenal year of Patch birding. The final total of reported species equals the record count of 190, with 5 additions to the species list. Many thanks to the finders and a Happy New year.🤞for the Penduline Tits to start 2026 off nicely.

I had some great views of 3 1st W penduline tits at Aust Wetland yesterday morning flying around in a little posse, calling and feeding on both Phragmites and Typha seed heads. Then off to the Levels ... @bristolbirding.bsky.social @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

The wonderful 8 White-fronted Geese remained on Northwick Warth for their 5th day. These and the Penduline Tits will be popular Patch Year ticks if they hang on for another 2 days.

Penduline Tit sightings locations today.

The Penduline Tits seem to be mobile today. One report of 4 birds yesterday. Today they were seen at Aust Wetland, Cake Pill pool at Northwick Warth and one in the reed bed at Pilning Wetland. Red dots on photo show locations.

Excellent. Hopefully some more to arrive. I fancy some Whoopers or Bewick's might appear soon here or at Goldcliff 🤞

Almost certainly the same birds 55 minutes later

Actually only 7 in the photographs.