A slight increase in returning waders today with at least 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Common Sandpiper, 80 Redshank, 200 Ringed Plover, 30+ Dunlin, a few Turnstone plus a splash of colour at New Passage with 5+ Yellow Wagtail, 3+ Wheatear and a showy Kingfisher.

With scenes reminiscent of the 2013 Desert Wheatear twitch at Severn Beach a large crowd gathered for the Solar eclipse just as a cloud appeared for the wrong few minutes.

A Wood Sandpiper was found on a rapidly shrinking puddle on Pilning Wetland this morning. It was in an area with no general access. Hopefully it will relocate to the much larger first pool that is easily viewed from the sea wall.

Some wonderful Kingfisher pictures on the other channel by Mark Smith at Severn Beach today.

Another interesting morning produced a surprise 1st August record of Black Redstart at New Passage. Also seen there were adult and juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, a Hobby and showy Sand Martins. Common Redstart earlier at Severn Beach.

Looking towards the footpath and The Glen alongside Chestle Pill at New Passage before the sea defences were raised and the glass panels installed. Those were the days @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

Some more footage of the Boney's from before high tide, nicely illustrating the structural differences from the surrounding Black-headed Gulls

Goosanders are rare visitors here on the Severnside Patch so it was a surprise to find the first July record, a redhead swimming in Chestle Pill at New Passage and then a few minutes later another 6 flew over heading North East. The Bonaparte's Gull showed very well early morning before high tide.

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

Some Youtube video of the Bonaparte's Gull off New Passage 28/7/26 youtu.be/vmCnPNbQOJU

Bonaparte's Gull @ New Passage 28 7 26

YouTube video by Paul Bowerman

youtu.be

Fortunately the 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull was relocated on the evening high tide at New Passage and appeared to roost with the Black-headed Gull flock so fingers crossed for the morning. A Mediterranean Gull & Sandwich Tern were also seen. Please park sensibly & allow room for the Bin collection.

Another great morning. 100's of Black-headed Gulls appearing as the tide dropped. I saw a "smaller" gull fly by away from me with a BHG. It dropped for a few minutes and I fired off some pics. I had my suspicions and others are happy it is a 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull. First for the patch

A Little Stint found on Pilning Wetland this morning by a visiting birder was the first one I have seen this year. A few snaps in the the bright glare and heat shimmer.

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.

At long last and after several years of bird strikes/kills, the glass panels at New Passage are going to altered. A shame the experts who designed the glass wall didn't sort this at the time it was built. A picture of a dead Sparrowhawk from last year attached.

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.

I photographed this Curlew at New Passage this afternoon & have since searched on line but gave up as too many projects. Does anyone out there have info that might help? Left Tibia Blue ring, Left Tarsus Orange ring over White ring. Right Tibia Black ring over Yellow ring, Right Tarsus Metal ring.

Another day and another good bird on Pilning Wetland. This Wood Sandpiper was a great find by @reuben-veal.bsky.social and was still showing well on the 1st sentry pool late morning. A Whinchat was also an early returning migrant.

The 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers are still present on Pilning Wetland this morning with a group of Dunlin.

Two adult Curlew Sandpipers were a great and unusual July find by @andy-1963.bsky.social this morning on Pilning Wetland. I managed to take a few very distant record pictures through the heat shimmer, in with a few Dunlin.

Highlights from Pilning Wetland today included 2 hawking Mediterranean Gulls, 7+ Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 3 glorious Black-tailed Godwit and best of all the 2 new Lapwing chicks and now 3 new Redshank chicks. With Easterly winds from Friday hopefully some new migrants will appear.

A decent selection on the patch today; an adult Mediterranean Gull with 100's of Black-headed Gulls, a Black-tailed Godwit,at least one small Lapwing chick (1st of the year), 3 Swift on Pilning Wetland and the busy parent Kestrels at Severn Beach giving fantastic views.

A short Youtube video of the amazing Western Reef Heron in Pembrokeshire this morning. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXFR...

Western Reef Heron @ Sandyhaven, Pembrokeshire 27 6 26

YouTube video by Paul Bowerman

youtube.com

Second attempt lucky after not seeing this Western Reef Heron in North Wales 2 weeks ago. A lovely experience in South West Wales early this morning.

4 Little Ringed Plover chicks hatched since yesterday on Pilning Wetland & 3 juveniles from an earlier nest were feeding with parents. Also an influx of returning Black-headed Gulls (120), Curlew (80 at Severn Beach) along with an adult Mediterranean Gull and Black-tailed Godwit at Pilning Wetland.

It hit 36° C but felt even hotter in the heat shimmer. It was nice to see at least 27 Shelduck ducklings including a pair of adults with a creche of 19 ducklings of at least 2 different broods (on body size) at Severn Beach. The home grown Redshank chicks at Pilning Wetland are nearly full size.

I braved the 32° C this afternoon and had my first visit to the rapidly drying out Pilning Wetland for 4 days. New birds included 3 Green Sandpiper and a Wigeon plus up to 11 Little Ringed Plover and 3 healthy looking Redshank chicks still present.

The long overdue M49 Severn Beach junction has hit another hurdle. Seems we will have to put up with HGVs destroying our community for much longer. Perhaps the construction of the Mega sheds should cease until it is resolved. So incompetent, you couldn't make it up

Claire Young MP 🔶@claireyoungmp.bsky.social · 2mo ago

It’s unbelievable that National Highways has only now revealed that the M49 ‘ghost junction’ has faults that will delay its opening - 6 years after it was built. Why weren’t we told earlier? nationalhighways.co.uk/press/m49-ju...

It was nice to see some of the Patch breeders today. The local Kestrels are finding it easy this year and catch a Short-tailed Vole on every drop, a parent Redshank protested to some passing magpies to warn it's 3 chicks, one of 3 broods of local Shelduck wandered down to River Severn shore.

A rare day off the Patch today in pursuit of the Western Reef Heron in North Wales. My 1st opportunity was a day too late with no sign between 8.30 & 17.00. Still plenty of birds in great company, Caernarfon Castle and hills meeting the sea. Thanks to @bri-thompson.bsky.social for the driving.