Sunday 02 September – Pilning Wetlands Leader: Lois Pryce

Nine people including two new members met at New Passage on a warm still day with a rising tide and two late
arrivals who had been trying to find the Rose-coloured Starling at Severn Beach. From the shore birds could be
seen stretching into the distance, included Turnstones, Curlews, Teal, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, Dunlins
and a Greenshank. The pools included Black-tailed Godwits with a few Knot amongst them, Gadwalls, Shovelers,
Snipe, Lapwings nestled in a hummocky field, the odd-looking ‘Branta’ (Barnacle and Brent Goose) hybrid with a
speckled Barnacle-type face, and Grey Herons. Swallows, House Martins and the occasional Sand Martin were
flying above. The salt marsh included Little Egret, Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Pied Wagtails, a Skylark, a Wheatear,
and large groups of Canada Geese; with Kestrels and Buzzard above. Hedgerows and fields included flocks of
Goldfinch, Chiffchaffs, a possible Lesser Whitethroat, and a Green Woodpecker flying onto a telegraph pole. Late
sightings as the group split up included a Kingfisher on the Pill, a smart Yellow Wagtail on a pool’s edge, a Stock Dove, a Willow Warbler, Ringed Plovers, and a raft of Shovelers at sea. Total 52 species. (Thanks to Lois for
leading the walk.) Lois Pryce