Birding down south!

1/04/13

A planned day out to Severn beach was launched in the hope of seeing some migrants, the Twites and the SEO's. Ermm.

Well we scored a few of the first ones, but failed to see the 2nd and 3rd ones!! Arghhh

On the drive down, i was lucky enough to pick up a stunning RED KITE hunting low over the motorway 1/2 mile north of junction 10 on the M5. Always a stunning bird to see!

We first dropped into Aust warth, where we failed to see the Twites or any Owls.

Then Severn Beach, hoping to see some waders or seabirds out on the edges of the estury. I quickly located 32 TURNSTONE being pushed up the stoney 'beach', and we had great views of the birds, including 2 Dunlin, before they were flushed by the tide and flew to the Northwick warth area, where we caught up with them later. We had 4 WHEATEAR around the New passage to the south end of Severn Beach area, but other than that it was very quiet.

Moving to the Northwick warth area, we caught up with some roosting waders, 50c Turnstone, 100c Dunlin, 10c Redshank and 50c Curlew. Also, good numbers of both Wigeon, Teal and Shelduck.

Moving back to Aust, we again didnt see any Twites, nor any Owls, however we did have a male Wheatear out on the Saltmarsh.

We decided to leave, but i dropped into Upton Warren Moors Pool on the way back. A single Avocet was showing, as was a Water Rail. 20c Lesser Redpoll was showing well in the trackside bushes, but the highlight goes to this stunning Snipe!

MB