After a rather nervy 24 hours, it was a huge relief when @severnsidebirds.bsky.social's Bonaparte's Gull plonked itself in front of us this morning at New Passage. Much anticipated patch first! Also drake Common Scoter, redhead Goosander, Green Sandpiper and 2 Yellow Wag @oscardewhurst.bsky.social

Well I wasn't expecting this on my front lawn/driveway tonight. A juvenile Puffin. Number 171 for my house list. Will be released at Weston super Mare at midnight.

Given puffins fledge at night to avoid predators, and given the extreme tides, we released this one down the channel at high tide in the hope it will be encouraged back towards Lundy.

The 2 gorgeous adult Curlew Sandpiper still present on Pilning Wetland this evening, plus Whimbrel, 165 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpiper, 9 Common Gull and an impressive pre roost gathering of 500+ hirundines #ukbirding

7 singing Quail this morning at Marshfield. Wonderful place with Hobby, Spotted Flycatchers, presumed returning f-type Redstart plus stacks of farmland birds I don't see enough such as Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Yellow Wag @reuben-veal.bsky.social @jackwylson.bsky.social @hull24matt.bsky.social

Was quite the shock when 2 Great Shearwater appeared in my scope this morning at Severn Beach. Briefly came in towards Chittening then lingered distantly left of Denny Island. Presumably one of the duo currently being tracked down the estuary past Sand Point, Anchor Head and now Burnham #ukbirding

Paul Bowerman@severnsidebirds.bsky.social · 2mo ago

An incredible couple of days here at Severn Beach with Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skuas, Kittiwake,Fulmar on yesterday's evening tide and then today @matthall95.bsky.social found our first record of 2 Great Shearwaters that lingered. At least 2 Storm Petrel, Arctic Skua and Med Gull as well this morning.

Seabirds galore at Severn Beach! 250+ Manx Shearwater, Great Northern Diver, Bonxie, Arctic Skua, Fulmar, 2 Storm Petrel, 2 Common Scoter and 4 Kittiwake this morning. Dark phase Arctic Skua, 2 Guillemot, 5 Common Tern and 2 Kitts last night @andy-1963.bsky.social @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

Surprisingly good estuary watch at Severn Beach with @severnsidebirds.bsky.social, with prolonged views of Storm Petrel, Spoonbill crossing NW to Wales, 5 Guillemot, Gannet, 9 Sanderling and 3 Whimbrel. Med Gull, Siskin and 2 late Tree Pipit also at New Passage

The excellent run of patch birds continued this morning with these 2 dinky Temminck's Stint picked up by @oscardewhurst.bsky.social that spent just over an hour on Pilning Wetland before flying strongly NE. An adult Spoonbill made an even briefer appearance #ukbirding

Point-blank views of Nightjar less than a mile from home - not what I expected this evening on the mean streets of Easton, Bristol! Enormous thank you to the homeowner for news and access #ukbirding

Rather splendid pair of Black-winged Stilt still at Pilning Wetland this morning with @andy-1963.bsky.social @oscardewhurst.bsky.social @aravindramesh19.bsky.social

Patch record flock of 12 Cattle Egret briefly joined the cattle on Northwick Warth in a rain shower before heading NE. Not quite the fabled May 1st patch mega I was hoping for, but v smart in their summer finery! Highlights at Severn Beach first thing were single Common Tern and Hobby #ukbirding

Double #vismig sessions at Severn Beach today. @severnsidebirds.bsky.social @matthall95.bsky.social @oscardewhurst.bsky.social 54 Yellow Wagtail* 3 Whinchat 100 Bar-tailed Godwit* 38 Swift* 6 Arctic Tern 260 Swallow 44 Sand Martin 10 Sanderling 21 Whimbrel* Etc. www.trektellen.org/count/view/5...

It has been a wonderful spring for all 5 of the 'regular' terns at Severn Beach - but in particular Black Tern. These 10 dip feeding amongst a flock of 80 Little Gull and 30 Commic Tern on Friday were a particular highlight, as were a mega flock of 65 on Saturday evening that went high NE #ukbirding

Another good #vismig at Severn Beach yesterday. A bit quiet generally but some nice flocks of terns in the morning inc. 63 Arctic (16, 47)*, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Hobby, 2 Gannet and Brent Goose @severnsidebirds.bsky.social @matthall95.bsky.social @oscardewhurst.bsky.social @andy-1963.bsky.social

Best time of year on the Severn! Vismig highlights at Severn Beach: 10 Black Tern, 1 Little Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 79 Common Tern, 30 Commics, 192 (!) Little Gull, 7 Grey Plover, 70 Whimbrel, 61 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Greenshank, 22 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 3 Redpoll and 3 Siskin #ukbirding

An epic #vismig day on Severnside w/ @matthall95.bsky.social @aravindramesh19.bsky.social @severnsidebirds.bsky.social 8 Little Tern 24 Common Tern 74 Little Gull* Arctic Skua Hobby* Blue-headed Wag* (prob) 36 Yellow Wag 92 Sand Mart 605 Swallow* 159 House Mart www.trektellen.org/count/view/5...

Patch mega Red-legged Partridge ✅, 11 Sandwich Tern, 3 Grey Plover, LRP, Ringed Plover, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, 2 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, 20+ Blackcap, 92 Sand Martin and 28 Swallow the highlights at Severn Beach this morning with @oscardewhurst.bsky.social #ukbirding

Seemingly neverending stream of Kittiwake at Severn Beach this afternoon. This initial group was joined by a number of additional flocks giving a conservative estimate of 1200+ total. Wonderful to watch one large group tower up above the bridge and go NE, overland. Nice dark Arctic Skua also seen

Severnside's joint earliest record of Osprey seen from Severn Beach today with @oscardewhurst.bsky.social @matthall95.bsky.social & @aravindramesh19.bsky.social. Kettled up to find a thermal and then zoomed out over the estuary towards Wales. Patch magic. Boc pic: Matt Hall. #avonbirding #ukbirding

A beautiful morning of #vismig at Severn Beach yesterday. RB Merganser, 11 Gannet*, Avocet, House Martin, 19 Sand Martin* and 463 Meadow Pipit* the highlights with Jack Snipe, Ruff, 7 LRP and 90 Curlew* at Pilning Wetland later www.trektellen.org/count/view/5... @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

Really nice vismig at Severn Beach with highlights drake Red-breasted Merganser becoming my 3rd patch sawbill of the year (just need Smew to complete the set!), Avocet, 11 Gannet appearing out the murk, 19 Sand Martin and 447 Mipit. Plus first House Martin of the year, Jack Snipe and Ruff at Pilning

Spring is here and birds are moving! Sunny morning with easterly wind on Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 2 gorgeous dip feeding Little Gull, male Wheatear, 14 Sand Martin NE, 5 LRP, Jack Snipe and 60 Knot @oscardewhurst.bsky.social @andy-1963.bsky.social #ukbirding

The Hooded Merganser that turned up on Pilning Wetland on Monday was not on anyone's radar - @andy-1963.bsky.social caused a panicked scramble from Severnside patchers to get to it before the light faded. Did the right thing for its credibility by summarily disappearing after a day of feeding!

A much appreciated sunny (non-birding 😉) week in Lanzarote produced some excellent birds in beautiful surrounds. I spent two early mornings watching this incredible Houbara - although I unfortunately never managed to capture the bonkers fluffed up running aspect of his display! (1/3)

Was thinking of knocking it on the head for the day, when I decided to take one more look at Pilning Wetland. Glad I did, as this Hooded Merganser had just arrived ahead of a bank of low cloud and drizzle. Needless to say, a patch lifer! Pic: @matthall95.bsky.social #ukbirding

Beautiful crisp morning and stacks of birds at New Passage with @j-dunning.net - 16 White-fronted Goose still, 2 Pintail, 4 Golden Plover, 5 Knot, 400 Blackwit, 3000 Dunlin, 11 Ringed Plover, male Marsh Harrier and Redpoll. Brambling behind Aust Services. Dodgy phone scoped video of the dawn scene

Full day out on the Severnside patch produced a bonkers array of species: 2 Bewick's Swan first thing then flew NE, 16 White-fronted Goose, 4 Pochard, Cattle Egret, Barwit and 2 Blackwit at New Passage/Pilning Wetland. The 3 Penduline Tit continue to draw a crowd, plus Barn Owl at Aust Wetland.

The 8 White-fronted Geese on Northwick Warth were totally fearless this morning, happily bathing and drinking from the puddle closest to the seawall. Wonderful to see them so close. Fingers crossed they draw in some Beans over the New Year.... #ukbirding

Very pleased the goose influx made it this far west with 8 White-fronted Goose (1 juv) on Northwick Warth this morning. Cattle Egret, Red Kite and 2 Pintail at Pilning Wetland. 1 Penduline Tit at Aust Wetland with the other 2 at Cake Pill in a mixed tit flock in scrub. Pretty amazing! #ukbirding