And then my son's pointed out I could use AI to colour it. So 2 minutes later here it is....amazing

I have this black and white image of a water colour of a mail coach on New Passage beach by Samuel Jackson c.1834. Aust Cliff, Chestle Pill and a fishing boat. Have always wondered what birds would have been there.

Goosanders are rare visitors here on the Severnside Patch so it was a surprise to find the first July record, a redhead swimming in Chestle Pill at New Passage and then a few minutes later another 6 flew over heading North East. The Bonaparte's Gull showed very well early morning before high tide.

Fortunately the 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull was relocated on the evening high tide at New Passage and appeared to roost with the Black-headed Gull flock so fingers crossed for the morning. A Mediterranean Gull & Sandwich Tern were also seen. Please park sensibly & allow room for the Bin collection.

Another great morning. 100's of Black-headed Gulls appearing as the tide dropped. I saw a "smaller" gull fly by away from me with a BHG. It dropped for a few minutes and I fired off some pics. I had my suspicions and others are happy it is a 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull. First for the patch

A Little Stint found on Pilning Wetland this morning by a visiting birder was the first one I have seen this year. A few snaps in the the bright glare and heat shimmer.

At long last and after several years of bird strikes/kills, the glass panels at New Passage are going to altered. A shame the experts who designed the glass wall didn't sort this at the time it was built. A picture of a dead Sparrowhawk from last year attached.

Well I wasn't expecting this on my front lawn/driveway tonight. A juvenile Puffin. Number 171 for my house list. Will be released at Weston super Mare at midnight.

I photographed this Curlew at New Passage this afternoon & have since searched on line but gave up as too many projects. Does anyone out there have info that might help? Left Tibia Blue ring, Left Tarsus Orange ring over White ring. Right Tibia Black ring over Yellow ring, Right Tarsus Metal ring.

Another day and another good bird on Pilning Wetland. This Wood Sandpiper was a great find by @reuben-veal.bsky.social and was still showing well on the 1st sentry pool late morning. A Whinchat was also an early returning migrant.

The 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers are still present on Pilning Wetland this morning with a group of Dunlin.

Two adult Curlew Sandpipers were a great and unusual July find by @andy-1963.bsky.social this morning on Pilning Wetland. I managed to take a few very distant record pictures through the heat shimmer, in with a few Dunlin.

Highlights from Pilning Wetland today included 2 hawking Mediterranean Gulls, 7+ Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 3 glorious Black-tailed Godwit and best of all the 2 new Lapwing chicks and now 3 new Redshank chicks. With Easterly winds from Friday hopefully some new migrants will appear.

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.

Hi, yes there is a public foot path with the salt marsh and estuary on one side and some wet the freshwater pools and scrapes on the other. Some of the scrapes have dried out in the hot weather.

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.

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)

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

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.

I think it's a juvenile Pied Wagtail. Grey Wagtail usually show some yellow on the rump/uppertail and undertail/lower belly. Too hot outside for me today.

On the move

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.