Details of some birds you might expect to see throughout the year and some rarities which have turned up in the past can be found within the habitats page of this site.


The birds recorded below include records of sightings and also of birds which have been caught and recorded as part of the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) Ringing Programme.

18th December: A pale phase Pomarine Skua was resting and lingering in the Parrett estuary this morning.

17th December: A Snow Bunting originally seen on the Brue estuary was relocated on Burnham beach. The Brue also held 2 Spotted Redshank and an adult Mediterranean Gull

15th December: Strong onshore winds produced single Bonxie and Arctic Skua off Burnham seafront together with 65 Kittiwake.

11th December: A very late Swallow was at Berrow. A Black Redstart was in Brean cove whist both the Bewicks Swan and Bean Goose were still present

10th December: Singles of Bean Goose and Bewicks Swan were in fields at Brean whilst 2 Short Eared Owl were at Berrow.

4th December: 3 Pale Bellied Brent Goose were off Berrow this morning.

2nd December: At least 250 Snipe were flushed from the salt marsh on the Brue estuary. 2 Jack Snipe were also flushed. A Water Pipit was watched briefly before fling over the river.

November:

28th November: Reports over the past week have included a Short Eared Owl around the Brean / Axe area on two dates, a Black Redstart in Brean cove on 25th and 70 Kittiwake past Berrow in blustery conditions on the 25th.

20th November: A very late Swallow was on wires at Brean while the Down held 80+ Blackbird and c50 Robin.

19th November: The Burnham Wheatear remains and there is also one present at Brean. 2 Spotted Redshank were on the Brue and 2 Chiffchaff were in the adjacent Apex park. Singles of Stock Dove and Crossbill were noted at Brean.

17th November: The Wheatear was still at Burnham while 10 Pale Bellied Brent Goose were offshore. 54 Snipe were flushed from the Brue estuary where a Spotted Redshank was present.

16th November: Another very late Wheatear, this time on Burnham seafront.

12th November: Just a few birds on the Brue estuary that included 5 Shoveler, 1 Spotted Redshank and a few Brambling and Siskin over.

10th November: A juvenile Whooper Swan was on the sea off Burnham this morning.

9th November: 2 Crossbill flew over Burnham.

8th November: The 2 Snow Bunting were still on the Axe estuary where there was also a Wheatear. At Brean there were 23 Golden Plover together with 460 Lapwing.

6th November: 2 very confiding Snow Bunting were on the Axe estuary.

2nd November: A single Wheatear was on Brean Down.

1st November. 2 Dark Bellied Brent Goose were on the Parrett estuary

October:

31st October: 300 Redshank and 1,000 Dunlin were in the Brue estuary whilst 20 Grey Plover were on the Parrett estuary.

30th October: A Spoonbill flying north past Berrow was presumably the recent bird from the Parrett estuary. Some visible migration also noted at Berrow with 1,000 Chaffinch, 350 Starling, 5 Siskin and a Brambling. A ringtail Hen Harrier flew out to sea off Brean Down.

29th October: A male Tufted Duck flew past Berrow.

25th October: Single Grey Plover and Golden Plover were at Berrow where there was also 150 Sanderling. 2 Short Eared Owl were seen flying high over the Parrett estuary.

22nd October: We have received a report of a Great White Egret on the Brue estuary and if confirmed, will be a first for the patch. Also reported there was a Hen Harrier. Following a few days of cold northerly based winds and no birds today brought a return of some good visible migration. Chaffinch dominated with over 2,000. Amongst the less common migrants on the move were 2 Stock Dove, 3 Crossbill and a  Mistle Thrush. The first Cettis Warbler since last Decembers freezing spell was in the reed bed at Berrow. 2 Merlin, single Black Redstart and Ring Ouzel were on Brean Down.

17th October: Up to 5 Curlew Sandpiper were on the Brue estuary where the Little Stint remained. Single Ruff also noted.

16th October: A Little Stint was on the Brue estuary where there was also single Sandwich Tern and 2 Spotted Redshank.

15th October: Much quieter today with overhead passage much reduced. 8 Raven south at Berrow were noteworthy whilst half a dozen or so Crossbill passed over Brean Down.

14th October: The first real winter thrush movement of the autumn had sightings at various localities totalling 1,500 Redwing and 400 Fieldfare. Other visible migrants included 1 Crossbill, 1 Tree Sparrow, 3 Mistle Thrush, 30 Song Thrush, 80 Skylark, 1000+ Starling, 15 Swallow, 1100 Chaffinch, 10 Redpoll, 50 Siskin and 2 Brambling.  There are now 3 Ruff and 2 Green Sandpiper on the Brue estuary.

13th October: Waders on the Brue estuary included single Ruff and Green Sandpiper amongst 850 Redshank,  3 Spotted Redshank, 207 Turnstone and 2 Curlew Sandpiper.

12th October: A report of a Tawny Pipit briefly near the mouth of the Brue estuary.

11th October: The Spoonbill was still on the Parrett estuary where there were also around 50 Avocet.

10th October: A Spoonbill was viewable distantly off Burnham seafront feeding in the Parrett estuary. Also seen from the seafront this morning were 4 Common Scoter, 1 Fulmar and an Arctic Tern, whilst 3 Curlew Sandpiper and 800 Redshank remain in the Brue estuary area. 

9th October: The Brue estuary held 5 Spotted Redshank, 5 Curlew Sandpiper, 800 Redshank, 26 Turnstone and a Knot whilst a Merlin was also present.

8th October: No news today

7th October: A Black Tern was at the mouth of the Brue estuary.

6th October: 3 juvenile Common Tern were off Burnham seafront.

4th October:  There was a report of 2 colour ringed Chough on Brean Down today.

3rd October: 2 Grey Plover and 163 Sanderling were on Berrow beach whilst overhead passage included 1 Crossbill, 340 Chaffinch, 40 Alba Wagtail, 30 Greenfinch and 20 Siskin

2nd October: Another 60 Siskin and 114 Chaffinch south at Berrow. The recent good weather has resulted in 3 new moths for the patch. They are Old World Webworm, Brindled Green and Dusky Lemon Sallow.

Old World Webworm. Burnham.



Brindled Green, Burnham



Dusky Lemon Sallow, Burnham.

1st October: More of the same at Berrow with 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 80 Chaffinch, 70 Starling, 33 Greenfinch and 67 Siskin.

September 2011:

30th September: Overhead movement at Berrow included 140 Chaffinch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 90 Starling, 69 Greenfinch, 90 Swallow and 6 Skylark. A Merlin was also seen whilst the beach held 135 Dunlin and 80 Sanderling.

29th September: Over 150 Siskin flew south early morning at Burnham together with 50 Meadow Pipit, 250 Chaffinch, 100 Goldfinch, 10 Redpoll, 45 Alba Wagtail, 5 Grey Wagtail, 100 Swallow and 50 House Martin. Oddities on the move included single Great Spotted Woodpecker and Mistle Thrush.

28th September: Another new moth for the patch overnight at Burnham was Brindled Green.

27th September: Plenty of southerly visible migration at Berrow today with Meadow Pipit c.300 and Linnet c.150 dominating. Also on the move were 70 Greenfinch, 30 Swallow, 12 Skylark, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Redpoll, 2 Siskin and a good scattering of Alba Wagtail and common finches. Waders at Berrow included 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 800 Dunlin, 200 Sanderling and 150 Ringed Plover.

26th September: A Little Stint was seen from Burnham seafront thismorning

25th September: A new moth for the patch overnight with the capture of an Autumnal Rustic at Brean Down. A Convolvulus Hawk-moth also captured their.

23rd September: A juvenile Sabine's Gull was on Burnham beach late morning. Berrow held a Short Eared Owl, whilst overhead a small passage of common birds included 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker moving south. A Common Tern was on Apex lakes.

21st September: Very quiet. The only bird of note was a Wigeon at Apex lakes.

20th September: Just the Arctic Tern at Morland pool today.

19th September: No news today

18th September: 2 Black Tern had joined the Common Tern and Arctic Tern at Morland pool. Strong north westerlies produced 2 Leach's Petrel and 30+ Manx Shearwater off Burnham seafront. 1 Curlew Sandpiper remained on Berrow beach.

17th September: Single Arctic Tern and Common Tern were at Morland estate pool, Highbridge and a Black Tern was in the Parrett estuary.

16th September: Meadow Pipit dominated proceedings at Brean Down with around 500 present. Also there were 15 Chiffchaff, 4 Tree Pipit. 3 Goldcrest. 2 Wheatear and singles of Whitethroat and Grasshopper Warbler. 3 Spotted Redshank were on the Brue estuary together with a single Curlew Sandpiper.

15th September: One Sabines' Gull remained off Burnham, The Brue estuary held 5 Spotted Redshank and a Curlew Sandpiper. Migration was more in evidence around Brean with the highlight being a Ring Ouzel at the village. On the down reports included 12 Siskin, 200 Meadow Pipit, 20 Wheatear, singles of Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Tree Pipit, 7 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler.

14th September: With the strong winds having died away it was more a case of some leftovers with single Sabine's Gull, Leach's Petrel and Storm Petrel off Burnham. The Grey Phalarope remained on Berrow golf course reservoir whilst the Purple Sandpiper was still on the beach there as were 4 Curlew Sandpiper. Waders at the Brue estuary included 2 Ruff and 3 Spotted Redshank

13th September: The westerly winds picked up again this afternoon and produced another nice flurry of seabirds. During calmer morning weather an extremely confiding Grey Phalarope was on Berrow Golf course reservoir and a Sabine's Gull was on Berrow Beach. Later in the day up to 4 Sabine's Gull were noted together with 3+ Leach's Petrel, 2 or 3 Grey Phalarope, 2 Bonxie, 1 Arctic Skua, 10 Manx Shearwater, 3 Fulmar and 10 Kittiwake. In the evening 3 Harbour Porpoise were off Brean Down

12th September: With another good blow the sea finally yielded some goodies with totals of 6 Sabine's Gull, 3 Leach's Petrel, 8 Manx Shearwater, 4 Gannet, 2 Fulmar, 5 Bonxie, a Shag, single Guillemot and Razorbill, 25 Kittiwake, 5 Sandwich Tern and 6 Commic Tern. Waders at Berrow included the Purple Sandpiper, 4 Curlew Sandpiper and a Ruff. 2 Ruff flew over Burnham.,

11th September: The Purple Sandpiper was still at Berrow where there were also 1 Whimbrel, c350 Sanderling, 100 Ringed Plover and 2 Little Stint. Small numbers of Meadow Pipit were heading south together with single Yellow Wagtail and Grey Wagtail. 5 Spotted Redshank were on the Brue estuary along with a single Curlew Sandpiper. The evening high tide at Berrow produced the days highlight with a Grey Phalarope on the beach together with a Curlew Sandpiper and a Common Tern.

10th September: Good numbers of waders at the Brue estuary that included 900 Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 120 Curlew, 194 Turnstone, 3 Knot and singles of Black Tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. Excellent numbers of Swallow were moving south throughout the area with well over a 1,000 this morning . A sprinkling of House Martin and Sand Martin were moving with them. There was a Purple Sandpiper on the evening tide at Berrow.

9th September: The Arctic Tern was still viewable from Red road over the Golf course pond.

8th September: An Arctic Tern was on Brean golf course pools whilst 6 Wheatear were at Berrow.

7th September: Westerly winds again dominated but little improvement in seabirds with single Bonxie, 20 Manx Shearwater, 8 Gannet and 2 Fulmar.

6th September: A few more seabirds off Burnham but still only 30 Manx Shearwater and 5 Gannet.

5th September: Potentially promising onshore winds failed to produce anything more than singles of Manx Shearwater and Kittiwake.

4th September: An excellent count of 43 Wheatear on Brean Down where there was also a single Spotted Flycatcher. Hirundines were prominent with 150 House Martin and 80 Swallow.

3rd September: Very quiet on Brean again with singles of Redstart, Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit.

2nd September: A sprinkling of migrants on Brean Down included a heard only Crossbill, 15 Meadow Pipit, 3 Tree Pipit, 5 Wheatear and singles of Yellow Wagtail and Sedge Warbler.

1st September:  Waders at Berrow included 350 Sanderling, 17 Ringed Plover, 35 Dunlin and a Turnstone. 40 Common Gull were also on the beach.

August 2011:

30th August: The first Curlew Sandpiper of the autumn was on Berrow beach. Sanderling numbers were up to c.330 but otherwise just the usual small numbers of common passage waders.

28th August: A few bits and pieces either at Burnham or Berrow included 2 Gannet, 1 Sandwich Tern, 800 Redshank, 145 Turnstone, 200+ Knot, 200 Sanderling, 200 Ringed Plover, singles of  Ruff, Whimbrel and Bar Tailed Godwit, 3 Yellow Wagtail and a Wheatear.

27th August: The past week or so has seen little other than the expected trickle of common waders moving through. However, this evening brought the first autumn highlight with a Sooty Shearwater on the sea off Burnham in the evening. Off Berrow earlier there were 8 Manx Shearwater, whilst the beach held 120 Knot, 110 Sanderling, 2 Bar Tailed Godwit and a Black Tailed Godwit.

15th August: The Brue estuary held 3 Spotted Redshank whilst a Yellow Wagtail flew over. A Tree Pipit was over Burnham.

14th August: Similar to yesterday at Berrow with 230 Sanderling, 200 Ringed Plover and 30 Dunlin. Also there were 6 Mediterranean Gull including 5 adults.

13th August: At Berrow there were 200 Ringed Plover and 200 Sanderling. While on the Brue Estuary there was 900 Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 197 Turnstone, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 12 Little Egrets, and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

11th August: A very quick look from Burnham Seafront today produced 3 Arctic Skua chasing the local gulls.

7th August: There was a Yellow-legged Gull at Berrow today. On the Brue Estuary there was 800 Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 180 Turnstone and a Green Sandpiper.

4th August: At Berrow there was an adult and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull.

July 2011:

19th -31st July: Highlights for the end of July were few and far between. The biggest surprise was a Bittern at Berrow on the 24th. Also at Berrow there have been up to 4 Mediterranean Gulls. On the Brue Estuary wader numbers have increased to 800 Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, up to 5 Common Sandpiper, 80 Turnstone and a Greenshank. A Crossbill flew south at Apex on the 27th, a Green Sandpiper flew north on the 30th and a Tree Pipit south on the 31st at Burnham. Moths have provided the bigger interest with calm and warm nights producing big catches of moths. New to the patch were Double Kidney and Epinotia solandriana, and our second record of Scarce Silver Lines were the highlights.

Double Kidney, Burnham, 31st July 2011.



Scarce Silver Lines, Burnham, 30th July 2011.



Epinotia solandriana, Burnham, 31st July 2011.

 

18th July: Strong winds produced 200 Manx Shearwater and 2 Gannet at Berrow. While on the beach here there were 92 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, and 2 Mediterranean Gull.

13th July: Again the only news is on the moth front front with a Small Yellow Wave which is the first patch record  since 1983 and a Dark Umber which is the first since 1990.

Small Yellow Wave, Burnham, 13th July 2011.

10th July: The only interest today was a Ni moth trapped at Berrow.

3rd July: The number of Redshank on the Brue has reached 310, and they have been joined by a summer plumaged Spotted Redshank and 17 Turnstone.

2nd July: A pair Long-eared Owls have raised two youngster this year. Surprisingly the only migrant moth trapped was a Small Marbled at Burnham.

Small Marbled, Burnham, 2nd July 2011.

30th June: A few returning waders are now on the Brue Estuary where today there was a Knot and a Dunlin amongst the 100 Redshank. Also there was an adult Mediterranean Gull here.

24th June: No bird news at all. The hot weather has brought out  the rather attractive beetle Anomala dubia or Dune Chaffer.

Anomala dubia or Dune Chaffer, Burnham, 24th June 2011.

20th June: Another new moth for the patch overnight. A Satin Wave at Berrow.

Satin Wave. Berrow. 20th June 2011.

18th June: 60 Manx Shearwater passed Burnham seafront this morning whilst 42 returning? Redshank were on the Brue estuary.

17th June: Another unsettled day produced 39 Manx Shearwater and 3 Common Scoter off Berrow.

7th - 14th June: A Rannoch Looper at Burnham on 13th was a first for the patch. Otherwise, pretty dire with just a Hobby over Brean on 12th and a Cuckoo that is in temporary residence at Berrow.

6th June: A Red Kite flew south at Berrow this morning. A new moth, Opsibotys fuscalis was trapped overnight.

Opsibotys fuscalis, 6th June 2011.

5th June: James Packer found a Bonaparte's Gull on the beach at Berrow this morning.

Bonaparte's Gull, Burnham, 5th June 2011.

A hot sunny day today. A flurry of raptor activity over the Brue Estuary between 0720 and 0745 this morning resulted in a Red Kite north east, closely followed by a Honey Buzzard heading north. A new moth for our patch was discovered, at least 10 Adela croesella were flying around the bushes at Berrow today.



Adela croesella, Berrow, 4th June 2011. © A. Slade

29th May: There are currently plenty of Bombus hypnorum around at the moment.

Bombus hypnorum.

26th May: A few interesting seabirds included single Storm Petrel and Pomarine Skua together with 2 Gannet and a Bonxie.

24th May: A Little Tern was at Berrow. 104 Manx Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua and 1 Arctic Tern were off Burnham in the evening.

22nd May: Strong westerlies meant it was a seabird day with one observer being handsomely rewarded with two Long Tailed Skua flying over Berrow beach with one passing within 25ft of him. 2 Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skua and a Bonxie made up the full suite. Around 100 Manx Shearwater were also noted together with around 50 Kittiwake, 10 Gannet and a few Fulmar.

10th - 20th May: Its been a very quiet period with the only reports being from Berrow with 1 Gannet, 280 Sanderling, 100 Ringed Plover, 12 Whimbrel and 100 Dunlin.

9th May: A Whinchat was at Berrow.

8th May: A bit more news today. A drake Garganey was on the River Axe near Brean sluice. Berrow produced 1 Gannet, 5 Kittiwake, 30 Arctic Tern, 160 Sanderling, 70 Dunlin and 17 Ringed Plover

7th May: 2 Little Tern were off Berrow today

6th May: No bird news today. A Pinion-spotted Pug was trapped overnight at Berrow. Second patch record.

5th May: Terns continue to move through albeit in smaller numbers with 210 Arctic Tern and 3 Black Tern. 1 Little Gull also passed Berrow.

4th May: Some more Terns were off Burnham seafront this morning with 320 Arctic Tern and 2 Black Tern. The evening produced around 100 Arctic Tern and a single Arctic Skua.

3rd May: The Tern fest continued unabated early morning with around 1,500 Arctic Tern, 50 Black Tern and a Little Tern, However, around 8am things tailed off extremely quickly with only a few birds recorded up to 9am. An evening look confirmed the theory with no birds sighted. Also noted early morning was 1 Arctic Skua and a Hobby in off the sea. A Red Kite flew north over Burnham late afternoon. Bar Tailed Godwit numbers are slowly reducing with around 200 still present. Amongst them were 20 Whimbrel, 5 Knot, 2 Sanderling and 70 Dunlin. 2 Cuckoo were at Berrow this evening.

2nd May: Early morning off Berrow produced 2 Arctic Skua, 34 Black Tern, 530 Commic Tern (mostly Arctics) and 10 Little Gull. Around 400 Bar Tailed Godwit still present along with 20 Whimbrel, 23 Knot, 1 Grey Plover and 20 Dunlin. Swallow continue to move north in excellent numbers with a sprinkling of Swift, House Martin and a few late Sand Martin. This evening the bay was full of terns with well over 1,500 Arctic Tern, 120 Black Tern and 2 Little Tern. Also seen were 4 Little Gull and a Bonxie, 10 Wheatear and 8 Yellow Wagtail were at Brean.

1st May: Early morning at Burnham and Berrow produced a Marsh Harrier north, 36 Arctic Tern, c800 Bar Tailed Godwit, 68 Whimbrel, 175 Dunlin and 38 Ringed Plover along with a constant passage of over 800 Swallow with smaller numbers of House Martin and Swift. A Wheatear came in off the sea and a Yellow Wagtail passed over. In the evening a flock of 13 Pomarine Skua flew north east upriver whilst a surprise was a group of 61 Black Tailed Godwit just off the seafront.

30th April: Over 500 Bar Tailed Godwit were on Berrow beach this morning together with 30 Whimbrel, 2 Knot, a Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover and 50 Dunlin. 2 Swift and a Tree Pipit flew north A Cuckoo has been present at berrow for a few days. Evening high tide at the Parrett estuary produced a Little Tern and 62 Whimbrel. 9 Swift were over Apex.

29th April: A Corncrake was flushed on Brean Down this morning. Burnham and Berrow combined produced an Arctic Skua, 23 Commic Tern, 325 Bar Tailed Godwit, 50 Whimbrel, 160 Oystercatcher, 6 Sanderling 17 Ringed Plover and 120 Dunlin.

24th - 28th April: Its been really quiet the past few days with nothing worthy of mention

23rd April: Still misty but with the breeze having a more westerly bias much quieter today with just 1 Arctic Skua, 6 Gannet and 5 Commic Tern. 

22nd April: Misty conditions in the bay helped produce a Pomarine Skua together with a cracking passage of 1600 Commic Tern and 4 Black Tern. A singing Wood Warbler was an excellent find on Burnham seafront. Berrow beach held 20 Whimbrel and 50 Dunlin while overhead there were 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit and a Siskin. A Marsh Harrier flew over Burnham in the afternoon.

Pomarine Skua (Distant in the mist) and Marsh Harrier. Burnham 22nd April 2011. ©A.Slade

22nd March: The last couple of days have seen early migrants continue to trickle in with a couple of Wheatear on Brean, 20 Sand Martin and 5 Chiffchaff at Apex. Slightly more interesting records have included 4 Shoveler and 2 Tufted Duck at Apex, 1 Spotted Redshank on the Brue and a Yellowhammer on Brean.

19th March: Very quiet today with just a single Wheatear at Brean and a few Chiffchaff spread along the coastline. Overhead passage was restricted to 1 Redpoll and a few Meadow Pipit.

18th March: 10 Chiffchaff were at Apex lakes where a single Sand Martin also passed through. Also there were 2 Redwing and 3 Tufted Duck. A Spotted Redshank was on the Brue estuary.

17th March: Just small numbers of the commoner waders at Berrow over the past few days with maximum counts of 87 Oystercatcher, 24 Curlew, a few hundred Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plover. 3 Red Kite together flew north east over Steart yesterday heading towards our airspace but were lost to view in the mist just south of Burnham.

12th March: Returning summer migrants were represented by 2 Wheatear and 4 Sand Martin at Brean Down and 4 Chiffchaff at Brean and 4 at Berrow. Stonechat were also well represented at Brean and Berrow with 12 and 3 respectively. Also recorded at Brean were 2 Golden Plover, 25 Alba Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail and 5 Siskin.

11th March: 20 Fieldfare were present in the Red road area.

9th March: Just the slightest hint of passage at Brean Down with 8 Meadow Pipit, 6 Alba Wagtail and 5 Stock Dove over.

5th March: A Firecrest was at Apex today together with 1 Chiffchaff and 15 Siskin. There was an adult Mediterranean Gull present there yesterday.

February 2011:

28th February: A 30 minute watch from Burnham seafront produced 3 adult Mediterranean Gull heading into the Parrett estuary roost.

26th February: A Snow Bunting that spent the day around the fort on Brean Down was an excellent find. The adjacent Axe estuary held 2 Black Tailed Godwit, 5 Grey Plover a Knot and 15 Ringed Plover. Teal still number around 800.

24th February: A Firecrest was on Brean Down with a small group of Long Tailed Tit and Goldcrest. The nearby Mute Swan flock stood at 66 whilst at Brean Sluice there were 8 Tufted Duck and 9 Gadwall.

23rd February: One or Two Merlin have been seen regularly at Berrow lately. A flock of c.50 Mute Swan at Brean held a (presumed feral) Greylag Goose. 70+ Avocet remain on the Parrett estuary.

17th February: The Brue estuary area produced 3 Jack Snipe, 40 Snipe and a Merlin.

10th February: A nice surprise today in the form of an early Red Admiral on the wing at Berrow.

9th February: 1 Spotted Redshank remains on the Brue estuary where there were also 100 Redshank. At Berrow there were 500 Knot and 2 Golden Plover

January 2011:

29th January: It maybe nearly two weeks since the last update, but that really just reflects how poor the birding is here at the moment. The few snippets have included a good count of c.2000 Wigeon off Berrow, 1,000+ Teal around the Brean/Axe area, 1 or 2 Bar Tailed Godwit at Berrow and a Black Redstart at Warren Farm, Brean.

16th January: Its been really dire this past week with literally nothing to report. 700 Teal were on the Axe estuary this morning

9th January: A Short Eared Owl was in flight at Berrow where there were 64 Sanderling on the beach. Around Brean sluice there were 2 redhead Goosander, 11 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Duck. Nearby the Axe estuary held 3 Black Tailed Godwit.

8th January: Reports from the southern end of the patch included an unringed Barnacle Goose that flew in from the estuary and landed on Apex. The Brue held 2 Spotted Redshank, 200 Redshank, 25 Turnstone and a Knot whilst the 2 drake Pochard remain on Apex. A Merlin was noted at Berrow and 1950 Teal were off Brean.

7th January: 50 Knot were at Berrow, where there was an unconfirmed report of the Waxwing still being present

4th January: No sign of any Waxwing today, or anything else for that matter, so here's a nice little group shot of yesterdays birds.

3rd January: We finally received our share of the Waxwing invasion with a group of 12 at Berrow. Little else noted today except 4 Sanderling on Berrow beach and a Mistle Thrush in Burnham.

2nd January: A male Goshawk that flew low north over Berrow LNR was completely unexpected. Since the milder weather spread in there has been a complete dearth of smaller birds around the area and with high tides arriving during the hours of darkness birding is hard going at the moment.