Tuesday 20 December – Severn Beach

The weather was good, the tide was rising and we all (26) enjoyed the walk down river along the path at the front of Severn Beach. There were plenty of waders to look at, with enough telescopes to allow all who wanted to have good close views of Wigeon, Knot, Dunlin, and Redshank. We walked back towards the M4 Bridge and watched with awe the Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstone lifting clear of the rising tide and settling back onto the rocks – like fluttering silvered leaves in the low sunlight. A few Pied Wagtails flitted beneath our feet as we walked towards New Passage. Thrushes offered themselves for inspection on distant hedgerows and resolved into Redwing, Fieldfare and Song Thrush. A lone Buzzard guarded a gate entrance from atop the hinge side post and he didn’t stir a feather when the thrush flock took flight. The tide was full as we all grouped around the Pill mouth where Shoveler, Redshank, Teal, and Wigeon had been thrown up on the river bank edges by the encroaching water. Away in the distance on Northwick Warth, and at full scope magnification, we could see Canada Goose, Shelduck, Curlew and Lesser Black-backed Gull waiting for the tide to turn. A quick sally to the Pilning Wetlands by some of the cast showed the often reported flock of Black-tailed Godwit, Knot and Dunlin – all put to flight by a Peregrine and then a Marsh Harrier. Lapwing within the flock gave the best display as their broad wings turned and flashed in the light. A final flick of white from a departing Little Egret, one of blue from a Kingfisher and we turned for the cars and home. Our last bird of the day was a Greenfinch and a final tally of 52 for the day. Thanks to Duncan for stepping in pro tem and Peter for leading. Nick Hawkridge