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Thursday, 1 March 2012

Slapton yesterday (29 February)

At Torcross was the hybrid drake Red-crested Pochard x Tufted.

An adult Med Gull came in to bathe.

At about 5pm a Bewick's Swan flew in from the north over Slapton Bridge with a Mute. Shortly after they settled near the bridge. The bill colour was slightly duller than an adult and the neck grey, so an immature and perhaps the bird that's been at Aveton Gifford recently? There were several Cetti's singing near the bridge and a Chiffchaff put in abrief appearance.


On the sea there was a single Great Northern Diver, at least 10 Great Crested Grebes, including a pair displaying (more were on the Ley) and a Grey Seal.

Earlier there were also 10 Great Crested Grebes on the sea off Beesands, plus small numbers of Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted and Pochard on the Ley. A Cetti's sang occasionally and there was much Toad activity and croaking along the seaward side.