Report on Outing to Severnside September 14th 2026
Eleven members met at Old Passage on a very moist mizzerly morning. It was humid and warm with very little breeze. Collared doves, sparrows and blue tit were spotted as we parked. We walked down to the river front and met up with people who had arrived earlier. They had sightings of pied wagtails and goldfinches. We spotted a kestrel at the top of a pine tree silhouetted against the drab grey sky. Then as if he wanted us to get a closer look he flew down to land near by on a post giving us an excellent view of his plumage.
The tide was already high but numerous birds could be seen. Canada geese grazing on the grass, a flock of black headed gulls, redshank at the water’s edge. Two grey herons were very visible as were the little egret, curlew, oystercatchers and mallards. The birds were seen in the distance very clearly thanks to Peter’s scope. This gave excellent closer looks at the redshank and a turnstone. Through the scope shelduck, black tailed godwits and lapwing were seen. The occasional swallow flew by reminding us that they would soon be on their way to warmer places.
Going onto the path leading round to Pilning / Northwick wetlands we had really good views of three yellow wagtails bobbing about in the grass and watched as they flew over to the little peninsular, still very visible due to their bright colour. They joined the sandpiper which was on the on the mud nearby. A magpie flew out of the trees behind us. There were also woodpigeons and collared doves on another tree and a crow. Some of the group walked on but those of us who loitered were lucky enough to see a kingfisher who flew to a post and posed for us. A mallard was seen that was a lighter golden brown in colour.
When we arrived at the bridge over the river we saw a large flock of starlings flying over our heads. Several small birds including a robin were heard twittering in the bushes but not seen. Arriving at the first lake there was a solitary mute swan and several teal at the edge. Pied wagtails were in the rough muddy grass bank.
Then the group split. Some went walking further along the path and going onto the third lake. The rest of us turned back to the original meeting point. The tide had gone out but not by very much. Groups of birds flew along the river and from further along the shore. A large group of goldfinches ( a charm) flew by as did a curlew and several redshank. We were joined by two members who had walked to the second lake. They added coot, moorhen, gadwall and little grebe to the list. It started to rain and so we walked down to the old ferry point. Alerted to bird sounds we looked at the rocks and mud and saw dunlin and a couple of ringed plovers. Something spooked the dunlins into flight to a little way down the shore so we walked down to get a closer look. The ringed plovers were easily distinguished and we noted the different plumage of the dunlin, some being in their winter mode.
On the way back to the cars we heard a robin and had a final flypast by the kestrel. We met up with the rest of the group who reported closer views of the lapwing, redshank and wheatear. Jackdaws were on the wires as we drove away.
A splendid morning for us with special thanks to Peter for sharing his scope!
Birds seen:
| Sparrow | Shelduck | Sandpiper | Little grebe |
| Collared dove | Curlew | Yellow wagtail | Ringed Plover |
| Blue tit | Black headed gull | Kingfisher | Dunlin |
| Kestrel (2) | Lapwing | Crow | Wheatear |
| Grey Heron | Turnstone | Starlings | Jackdaw |
| Canada Geese | Wood pigeon | Mute swan | Feral pigeon |
| Mallard | Little Egret | Teal | |
| Oyster catcher | Goldfinch | Coot | |
| Swallow | Pied wagtail | Moorhen | Robin ( heard) |
| Black tailed godwit | Magpie | Gadwall | 36 Species |
Eve Beeley
Thanks to Stuart and Alan for the photos
