Paul Bowerman
@severnsidebirds.bsky.social
Severn Beach Patch visitor since first visit in 1973. Retired NHS Chief Biomedical Scientist. BTO WeBS counter since 1984, Occasional Ringer, Vismigger & Twitcher (BOU 508). Alotmenteer. See http://www.severnsidebirds.co.uk/index.html
An eventful afternoon when a Penduline Tit was reported as being seen in the reedbed at Aust Warth. After a bit of detective work I realized the bird was actually seen on the pool next to Cake Pill at nearby Northwick Warth. Crappy pic but a full blown patch tick/1st record.
November 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
An eventful afternoon when a Penduline Tit was reported as being seen in the reedbed at Aust Warth. After a bit of detective work I realized the bird was actually seen on the pool next to Cake Pill at nearby Northwick Warth. Crappy pic but a full blown patch tick/1st record.
Finally got to see 2 Black Redstarts and a bonus late Common Redstart (1st November record) on the Severn Beach sea defences today.
November 5, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Finally got to see 2 Black Redstarts and a bonus late Common Redstart (1st November record) on the Severn Beach sea defences today.
my persistence of walking up and down the sea defences at Severn Beach finally produced my 1st Black Redstart of the year today. A female type on the rocks below the high concrete wave return. The light was awful this afternoon so hopefully it will stay a while for a sunny day.
November 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
my persistence of walking up and down the sea defences at Severn Beach finally produced my 1st Black Redstart of the year today. A female type on the rocks below the high concrete wave return. The light was awful this afternoon so hopefully it will stay a while for a sunny day.
I had a bit of a shock while walking my dog at Severn Beach at 4.25 pm today. I only intended a short walk from home so I didn't take a proper camera. Here is some mobile phone footage of a Leach's Petrel that appeared for over 10 minutes on the edge of the salt marsh in calmish weather.
November 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
I had a bit of a shock while walking my dog at Severn Beach at 4.25 pm today. I only intended a short walk from home so I didn't take a proper camera. Here is some mobile phone footage of a Leach's Petrel that appeared for over 10 minutes on the edge of the salt marsh in calmish weather.
Having done my best to find something decent on the patch I gave up at 10am and made the short journey North to Slimbridge WWT. The dainty Temminck's Stint showed on arrival at the Rushy Pen and moved a little bit closer as the light improved. @glosterbirder.bsky.social @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Having done my best to find something decent on the patch I gave up at 10am and made the short journey North to Slimbridge WWT. The dainty Temminck's Stint showed on arrival at the Rushy Pen and moved a little bit closer as the light improved. @glosterbirder.bsky.social @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social
With 7 Black Redstarts present just North of the Severnside patch at Oldbury Power Station, it is frustrating that we have yet to find one here this year. The late Common Redstart was still present on the Severn Beach salt marsh today for it's 9th day.
October 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
With 7 Black Redstarts present just North of the Severnside patch at Oldbury Power Station, it is frustrating that we have yet to find one here this year. The late Common Redstart was still present on the Severn Beach salt marsh today for it's 9th day.
The beach loving Redstart was still on the salt marsh at Severn Beach today. A great pic by Mark Smith.
October 16, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The beach loving Redstart was still on the salt marsh at Severn Beach today. A great pic by Mark Smith.
I was excited to see a "red tailed" chat flying away from me on the shore at Severn Beach. I relocated the bird later on driftwood on the beach and behaving like a Black Redstart. The pictures show a Common Redstart that decided the beach was better habitat than the coastal scrub 100 metres away.
October 14, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I was excited to see a "red tailed" chat flying away from me on the shore at Severn Beach. I relocated the bird later on driftwood on the beach and behaving like a Black Redstart. The pictures show a Common Redstart that decided the beach was better habitat than the coastal scrub 100 metres away.
Some more images of the showy American/Buff-bellied Pipit on St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly yesterday. It was wonderful to see and compare it with Meadow Pipits. Only the 2nd one I have seen in the UK and wonder how many slip through without being found ?
October 12, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Some more images of the showy American/Buff-bellied Pipit on St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly yesterday. It was wonderful to see and compare it with Meadow Pipits. Only the 2nd one I have seen in the UK and wonder how many slip through without being found ?
One of the highlights of a week in East Yorkshire was seeing flocks of Whooper Swans migrating South along the North Sea coast. This group off Easington beach were enhanced by the setting sun behind us. @wwtworldwide.bsky.social
October 12, 2025 at 4:08 PM
One of the highlights of a week in East Yorkshire was seeing flocks of Whooper Swans migrating South along the North Sea coast. This group off Easington beach were enhanced by the setting sun behind us. @wwtworldwide.bsky.social
A change of scenery today with a Scilly day trip to St. Agnes with @nigelwarren.bsky.social Great views of Mourning Dove, American Pipit and Spotted Sandpiper plus a very showy Hoopoe.
October 11, 2025 at 3:26 PM
A change of scenery today with a Scilly day trip to St. Agnes with @nigelwarren.bsky.social Great views of Mourning Dove, American Pipit and Spotted Sandpiper plus a very showy Hoopoe.
It would have been rude not to see the Weetabix with legs on the way South today.A cracking Baird's Sandpiper at Rutland Water just now.
October 10, 2025 at 12:21 PM
It would have been rude not to see the Weetabix with legs on the way South today.A cracking Baird's Sandpiper at Rutland Water just now.
Having had a quiet 5 days birding in the Spurn area, news broke of a White- Throated Needletail further North. We dashed to Hornsea Mere hoping to find it there when it was then reported further North at Bempton cliffs. 35 minutes late and Bingo. What a cracking bird. A borrowed pic attached.
October 8, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Having had a quiet 5 days birding in the Spurn area, news broke of a White- Throated Needletail further North. We dashed to Hornsea Mere hoping to find it there when it was then reported further North at Bempton cliffs. 35 minutes late and Bingo. What a cracking bird. A borrowed pic attached.
With flocks of Glossy Ibis all around the Severnside Patch it was inevitable that another would drop in. This was the 2nd individual this month and the 4th record of the year so far.
September 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
With flocks of Glossy Ibis all around the Severnside Patch it was inevitable that another would drop in. This was the 2nd individual this month and the 4th record of the year so far.
and a picture...
September 19, 2025 at 12:51 PM
and a picture...
A male Common Redstart has been hanging around in the same clump of coastal scrub at Severn Beach since first found on September 8th . Presumably it has delayed it's departure south due to the prolonged spell of wet and windy weather. The short video has the distinctive "hooweet" contact call.
September 19, 2025 at 12:48 PM
A male Common Redstart has been hanging around in the same clump of coastal scrub at Severn Beach since first found on September 8th . Presumably it has delayed it's departure south due to the prolonged spell of wet and windy weather. The short video has the distinctive "hooweet" contact call.
The juvenile Sabine's Gull lingered off of the Shaft beach at Severn Beach this afternoon. Here is a half speed slow motion video.
September 15, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The juvenile Sabine's Gull lingered off of the Shaft beach at Severn Beach this afternoon. Here is a half speed slow motion video.
A short half speed video of today's Sooty Shearwater. Hand held Nikon P1000 in a gusty wind, through railings.
September 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
A short half speed video of today's Sooty Shearwater. Hand held Nikon P1000 in a gusty wind, through railings.
After all the seabird excitement at Severn Beach I had almost forgotten there were at least 13 Curlew Sandpipers and a Sanderling with Dunlin flock at New Passage this morning,
September 15, 2025 at 5:27 PM
After all the seabird excitement at Severn Beach I had almost forgotten there were at least 13 Curlew Sandpipers and a Sanderling with Dunlin flock at New Passage this morning,
A few snaps of the Sabine's Gull, one of the Grey Phalaropes and a very distant Storm Petrel from the Severn Beach shore.
September 15, 2025 at 4:46 PM
A few snaps of the Sabine's Gull, one of the Grey Phalaropes and a very distant Storm Petrel from the Severn Beach shore.
An exceptional day river watching at Severn Beach. Highlight was the 1st Sooty Shearwater record for 51 years. I even managed to see it from upstairs for my 169th species seen from home. Other sightings included Sabine's Gull, 3 Grey Phalarope, 3 Leach's Petrels, 4 storm Petrel, Arctic Skua etc
September 15, 2025 at 4:41 PM
An exceptional day river watching at Severn Beach. Highlight was the 1st Sooty Shearwater record for 51 years. I even managed to see it from upstairs for my 169th species seen from home. Other sightings included Sabine's Gull, 3 Grey Phalarope, 3 Leach's Petrels, 4 storm Petrel, Arctic Skua etc
Some snaps of the Stints at New Passage this morning.
September 10, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Some snaps of the Stints at New Passage this morning.
Another excellent showing of at least 30 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers at New Passage/Northwick Warth this morning. Also present were 4 Little Stints, 2 Knot, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Avocets, single Whimbrel, Green Sandpiper and plenty of Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Curlew and Oycs.
September 10, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Another excellent showing of at least 30 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers at New Passage/Northwick Warth this morning. Also present were 4 Little Stints, 2 Knot, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Avocets, single Whimbrel, Green Sandpiper and plenty of Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Curlew and Oycs.
Most of the waders were displaced from Severn Beach by the spring high tide but 60 Curlew remained with 12 Little Egrets and 4 Grey Herons on the flooded salt marsh. A few wheatears, an obliging Whinchat and the Ring-necked Parakeet (seen earlier at New Passage) were also seen.
September 9, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Most of the waders were displaced from Severn Beach by the spring high tide but 60 Curlew remained with 12 Little Egrets and 4 Grey Herons on the flooded salt marsh. A few wheatears, an obliging Whinchat and the Ring-necked Parakeet (seen earlier at New Passage) were also seen.