Tuesday 22 December- Severn Beach and Pilning Wetlands Leader: Lois Pryce

Five members walked from Severn Beach to New Passage and Pilning Wetlands and back, taking in the inland Pill. We saw about 300 Wigeon along the shore; Canada Geese, Shelduck, Curlew, Little Egret, Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits on the salt marsh; Shovelers, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, 12 Dunlin, Redshank and Grey Heron on the pools, with a large flock of about 400 Lapwing flying above, put up by at least some of four raptors: a Buzzard, Kestrel and Peregrine, and a Merlin putting on a breathtaking horizontal chase and catch of a passerine; plus a Blackcap in the hedgerows and a Kingfisher on the Pill. Total species count 40. (Thanks Lois for leading) Lois Pryce