Round and about the Severn

25 April - An early visit to Goldcliff just over the Bridge (toll-free now......) and very successful - the male Red-necked Phalarope was still spinning away on the lagoons, and the Spoonbill as loafing around on the bank. The rising tide beyond the sea wall was productive with a group of Whimbrels present, flighty and calling as well as feeding on the sea edge, and a migrant flock of Bar-tailed Godwits was also present, including 2 birds in rich chestnut summer plumage. Slimbridge on the way home was not especially productive, but good numbers of Blackwits here too are now in summer plumage - and 4 Med Gulls were present including 2 full adults that were displaying. Is this the year that they will finally breed here ?? Back at CWP, a check on the field by Pit 83 produced 2 Whimbrel feeding! This used to be a traditional site for them, but I’ve not seen any here since 2016, so a welcome sight indeed.