A decent selection on the patch today; an adult Mediterranean Gull with 100's of Black-headed Gulls, a Black-tailed Godwit,at least one small Lapwing chick (1st of the year), 3 Swift on Pilning Wetland and the busy parent Kestrels at Severn Beach giving fantastic views.

A short Youtube video of the amazing Western Reef Heron in Pembrokeshire this morning. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXFR...

Second attempt lucky after not seeing this Western Reef Heron in North Wales 2 weeks ago. A lovely experience in South West Wales early this morning.

4 Little Ringed Plover chicks hatched since yesterday on Pilning Wetland & 3 juveniles from an earlier nest were feeding with parents. Also an influx of returning Black-headed Gulls (120), Curlew (80 at Severn Beach) along with an adult Mediterranean Gull and Black-tailed Godwit at Pilning Wetland.

It hit 36° C but felt even hotter in the heat shimmer. It was nice to see at least 27 Shelduck ducklings including a pair of adults with a creche of 19 ducklings of at least 2 different broods (on body size) at Severn Beach. The home grown Redshank chicks at Pilning Wetland are nearly full size.

I braved the 32° C this afternoon and had my first visit to the rapidly drying out Pilning Wetland for 4 days. New birds included 3 Green Sandpiper and a Wigeon plus up to 11 Little Ringed Plover and 3 healthy looking Redshank chicks still present.

The long overdue M49 Severn Beach junction has hit another hurdle. Seems we will have to put up with HGVs destroying our community for much longer. Perhaps the construction of the Mega sheds should cease until it is resolved. So incompetent, you couldn't make it up

It was nice to see some of the Patch breeders today. The local Kestrels are finding it easy this year and catch a Short-tailed Vole on every drop, a parent Redshank protested to some passing magpies to warn it's 3 chicks, one of 3 broods of local Shelduck wandered down to River Severn shore.

A rare day off the Patch today in pursuit of the Western Reef Heron in North Wales. My 1st opportunity was a day too late with no sign between 8.30 & 17.00. Still plenty of birds in great company, Caernarfon Castle and hills meeting the sea. Thanks to @bri-thompson.bsky.social for the driving.

A couple of snaps of one of the many Storm Petrels at Severn Beach today and some record shots of the first June record here of Leach's Petrel (measured distance of 600+ metres away using Google maps)

This is the Storm Petrel that flew over heads.

The crazy day continues at Severn Beach at the moment; Leach's Petrel, 4 Storm Petrels, 4 Arctic Skua, 3 Manx Shearwater,Kits, Med Gull. Common Tern so far...

An incredible couple of days here at Severn Beach with Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skuas, Kittiwake,Fulmar on yesterday's evening tide and then today @matthall95.bsky.social found our first record of 2 Great Shearwaters that lingered. At least 2 Storm Petrel, Arctic Skua and Med Gull as well this morning.

Despite having seen rarities such as Hooded Merganser, 2 Black-winged Stilts and 2 Temminck's Stints on Pilning Wetland this year, this morning's glimpse of at least 3 Redshank chicks was brilliant. The first successful attempt here.

Wet & windy weather in June at Severn Beach are perfect conditions to see Manx Shearwater. At least 250 swarmed off the sea defences this morning. Other highlights were 2 Storm Petrels, bonus Great Skua and our 1st June record of Great Northern Diver. @matthall95.bsky.social @andy-1963.bsky.social

Seabirds galore at Severn Beach! 250+ Manx Shearwater, Great Northern Diver, Bonxie, Arctic Skua, Fulmar, 2 Storm Petrel, 2 Common Scoter and 4 Kittiwake this morning. Dark phase Arctic Skua, 2 Guillemot, 5 Common Tern and 2 Kitts last night @andy-1963.bsky.social @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

A windy evening high tide at Severn Beach produced a dark morph Arctic Skua, 2 Guillemot, 4 Kittiwake, 5 Common Tern. Still windy now approaching midnight so hopefully a few other species on the morning tide.

another rare flyover at Pilning Wetland 3 days ago was this Biplane that I think is a Royal Air Force Gypsy Moth.

Spotted Redshank is just about an annual visitor to Pilning Wetland. Usually seen in the Autumn so a nice breeding plumage individual found by @oscardewhurst.bsky.social this morning forced me out into the heat. A few distant (100+ metre) snaps in the heat haze attached.

Today's additions of Turtle Dove and Spotted Flycatchers puts the Severnside Patch year list on 165 species by mid May. Hopefully the addition of Garganey and a Curlew Sandpiper will increase the chances of a new record 190 species by the end of the year. Not bad for a narrow 10 Km strip of estuary.

The warm weather has finally produced a few new migrants this morning. The best of which was a brief Turtle Dove at New Passage before flying off East. At least 6 Spotted Flycatchers at various locations, 3 Cattle Egrets dropped onto the salt marsh at New Passage.

Surprisingly good estuary watch at Severn Beach with @severnsidebirds.bsky.social, with prolonged views of Storm Petrel, Spoonbill crossing NW to Wales, 5 Guillemot, Gannet, 9 Sanderling and 3 Whimbrel. Med Gull, Siskin and 2 late Tree Pipit also at New Passage

I received a call this afternoon about a family of Mute Swans walking along the busy HGV 50 mph coast road from Aust. Some brilliant & brave local residents and a Royal Mail lorry driver got them to safety. Between us they were transported in my car for release a mile away at Pilning Wetland.

IMPORTANT request. Will visiting birders please refrain from entering the gravelled turning circle area by the building at Pilning Wetland. There are ground nesting birds in the area that are likely to be disturbed or nest trampled. The Stints do show well from the footpath if patient. Thanks.

The 2 Temminck's Stints were still feeding on Pilning Wetland at 6.30 pm. showing well in decent light for a change on the 1st pool (Butts Pool) past the building.

The two Temminck's Stints have reappeared on Pilning Wetland. Currently on the first pool after the building(Butts Pool).

The excellent run of patch birds continued this morning with these 2 dinky Temminck's Stint picked up by @oscardewhurst.bsky.social that spent just over an hour on Pilning Wetland before flying strongly NE. An adult Spoonbill made an even briefer appearance #ukbirding

Pics of the Temminck's duo and classic Severnside view of the arse end of a departing Spoonbill @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

An exciting early morning at Pilning Wetland with 2 Temminck's Stints and then a Spoonbill dropping down briefly before all departing NE and up the Severn. Now 161 species seen on the Patch so far this year, definitely an exciting month to be out. A few back lit record shots.

A glorious synchronised pair of Black-winged Stilts at Pilning Wetland this evening 😍 Thanks @andy-1963.bsky.social #ukbirding #Nikon #Wildlifephotography @severnsidebirds.bsky.social @bristolbirding.bsky.social

A few more snaps of the elegant Black-winged Stilts in better light on Pilning Wetland early this afternoon.

Another early morning find by @andy-1963.bsky.social at Piling Wetland. Our 3rd patch record of Black-winged Stilts. Park carefully and sensibly. Do not block the road as it is bin day. View from seawall or public footpaths only.

An early morning dog walk at Severn Beach produced 4 Grey Plover, a few Dunlin, Whimbrels and a single Curlew. A newly arrived Sanderling was seen later on Pilning Wetland wader pool with a few more Dunlin.

The first day of May has historically been a good day on Severnside. Today hasn't yet produced anything rare for me but seeing my first Cuckoo of the year at Severn Beach was good enough for me. A record flock of 12 Cattle Egret dropped onto Northwick Warth found by @matthall95.bsky.social

Double #vismig sessions at Severn Beach today. @severnsidebirds.bsky.social @matthall95.bsky.social @oscardewhurst.bsky.social 54 Yellow Wagtail* 3 Whinchat 100 Bar-tailed Godwit* 38 Swift* 6 Arctic Tern 260 Swallow 44 Sand Martin 10 Sanderling 21 Whimbrel* Etc. www.trektellen.org/count/view/5...

The Wood Sandpiper from 2 days ago has reappeared on Piling Wetland this morning. A great bird even in distant heat shimmer.

I've been enjoying watching a hunting male kestrel at Severn Beach the last few days, when the #vismig is quiet. In one of the photos it seems to have a Field Vole, in another a Field Mouse @severnsidebirds.bsky.social @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirding #birds #nikon #naturephotography

A glorious evening of #vismig at Severn Beach with @severnsidebirds.bsky.social @danwebb.bsky.social @williamlambourne.bsky.social Black Tern (can you spot it?)* 318 Arctic Tern* 4 Little Gull 74 Whimbrel* 3 bar-tailed Godwit 6 Mediterranean Gull #ukbirding @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Severn Beach produced a Dark-bellied Brent Goose early morning and a Pale bellied bird flew North there this evening when 100's of Terns, a few Little Gulls, an Arctic Skua, flocks of Whimbrel, a few Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Med Gulls etc. were seen. I papped Arctic Terns flying East beneath the Moon.

The Severn Beach migration watch up to 6pm totalled 60 (10+50) Black Tern, single Little Tern & Arctic Tern, 79 Common Tern, 30 "Commic" Tern, 192 Little Gulls, 7 Grey Plover, 70 Whimbrel, 61 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Greenshank & 26 Yellow Wagtail. I saw some of them and a very obliging local Kestrel.

Another day, another #vismig at Severn Beach until 10am. Longer stayers were well rewarded nearer high tide @severnsidebirds.bsky.social www.trektellen.org/count/view/5... My highlights included: 2 Grey Plover 57 Whimbrel* 3 Greenshank* 61 Bar-tailed Godwit* Little Tern Arctic Tern 37 Little Gull*

At least 3 Grey Plover were seen at Severn Beach this morning but not yet in full breeding plumage.

A decent number of Bar-tailed Godwits and Whimbrel were still moving up the estuary at Severn Beach this morning. Some roosting before being pushed off by the rising tide.

A male Whinchat was still present on the Severn Beach salt marsh this morning for it's 2nd day.

Another nice 2 hr vismig watch at Severn Beach this morn. Most birds NE. Highlights were: 2 Red Kite* (SW) Sandwich Tern 14 Swift Grey Wagtail* 6 Yellow Wagtail* 39 Whimbrel 29 Bar-tailed Godwit Whinchat again 109 Goldfinch* 6 Siskin www.trektellen.org/count/view/5... @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

Some more flocks of Bar-tailed Godwits totalling about 200 birds plus a few Whimbrel, single Grey Plover, Sanderling, Swift, Grasshopper Warbler and Redstart were also present this morning. Most of the Godwits and Whimbrel departed on their journey to the North.

Following on from this morning's migrant flock of Bar-tailed Godwits at Severn Beach, I hoped for some more on the evening high tide. Within 5 minutes of stepping onto the sea wall at least 100 flew over and headed inland and North East. At dusk another group of 18 were seen on the shoreline.

A few more signs of migration this morning with flock of 29 Bar-tailed Godwits off Severn Beach a few Whimbrel on Northwick Warth where the highlight was the sight 4 Cranes heading up river before gaining height and heading East.

Brilliant flight shot of the Wheatear Matt.

A few new migrants today but less variety and numbers than hoped for. Two male Wheatears on the salt marsh at Severn Beach and 3 Yellow Wagtails at New Passage provided a dash of colour.