Slapton

Walked the line and back early morning, disappointing lack of migrants save for a few Chiff-Chaffs, had hoped for coastal fog which could have dropped-in something good overnight in the SE breeze. The two summer plumaged Black-Necked Grebes still there looking resplendent saved the day!

Little Haldon

At least 6 Crossbills and several Siskins this afternoon.   [Simon Thurgood]

Thurlestone Marsh

First seen a.m. with attached photo taken at 1500 hrs - Little Ringed Plover. Also seen two sand martins and two wheatear

[Terry Lakeman]

Baggy Point - yesterday 23/3

Had a lovely walk from Croyde to Baggy Point and back this afternoon. Had one singing Willow warbler, two Wheatears, five or six Chiffchaffs and five or six pairs of Stonechat. Also a Holly blue.

[Peter Liddle]

Wembury again

This post should, by rights, have a nice Iceland Gull photo but it was not to be. Keeping me marginally entertained while waiting for nothing were several Oil Beetles (Meloe proscarabeus) and some Common Lizards. Also the first 2 Sandwich Terns of the year. A few more nice Oil Beetle shots on my blog.

Challacombe

First Wheatear of the season a smart looking male, plus 2 chiffchaff singing away. Oodles of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll (2 ringed) and even more over at Soussans plus another CHiffchaff.

Soar and Averton Gifford

After failing to find the Little Bunting but enjoying a slice of what Mike Passman has reported from South Huish, I headed for Soar. Quiet overall, but a Willow Warbler showed in the willows at East Soar, plus 3 Chiffchaffs. The 1st-w Bewick's Swan still present with a single Greenshank at Averton Gifford (South end of tidal road).

A few butterflys around including a Comma at South Milton Ley.

Little on the Plym Estaury - Curlew down to just five.

Exmouth

Orcombe Point - 4+ chiffchaff, 13+ meadow pipit (photo), 15+ linnet, 1 white wagtail and my first swallow of the year.
West Lodge - 1625 - yellow-browed warbler showed well and called a lot. Also 1+ chiffchaff.
Mudbank - 21 turnstone, 62 red-breasted merganser and 19 dark-bellied brent goose.
Yesterday - migrants included 1 fieldfare, 1 siskin and 1 redpoll sp on Orcombe and there was a second summer mediterranean gull in with 160 black-headed gulls off Mudbank.
22/3 - 2 pale-bellied brent goose off Mudbank.

Thurlestone Bay

First a message for Jake Wood - please ring me on 01548 560076 and I can provide you with details - just rec'd a call from Bob B he and Alan Doidge have seen the Little Bunting feeding at 17.30, also seen by visiting birders at 11.-1200 this am .

Brisk E /SE winds in spring bring birds into the Bay - today was the best seawatching day of the year.
Bay watched 07.20 -13.00 40 Gannet , 3 Fulmar, 23 Lesser Black backed Gull ( all flew up the valley as did 18 Black Headed Gull and a nice ad Med Gull.
8 Sandwich Tern flew east before 9.00 with another 8 in the bay at 17.30. Duck on the move were - 24 Shoveler (inc a flock of 17 ) 5 Gadwall and 17 Common Scoter.
A Little Ringed Plover flew into South Huish marsh at 09.15 ( still there at 17.30 ) 4 Whimbrel and 7 Bar tailed Godwit were much earlier than in recent years. On the rocks were 2 Ringed Plover and 4 Sanderling

Only 3 Swallow and 1 Sand Martin moved through ,. A Wheatear in the field by the cafe.

With E/SE wind forcast for next 5 days could be interesting

Little Bunting Directions

I will be going to Thurlestone tomorrow and I wondered if anyone could tell me where to look for the little bunting.
Thanks

Southdown Farm - Soar Mill Cove

Went on a kids Wildlife Watch walk this morning guided by Colin and Vanessa from Soar Mill Seeds. Beautiful scenary and weather. A good 20 or so Chiffchaffs around, plenty of Cirl Buntings and an early Swallow.

Wembury Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull at Wembury this morning (mentioned below by Richard) seen 07:00 - 07:20 in tilled field at Wembury Point. [Andy Trout]

R.Taw - Anchorwood Bank and Penhill Mrash.

Forgot to add that there were quite a number of Brimstone butterflies about as well.

R.Taw - Anchorwood Bank and Penhill Marsh

07:00 - 10:00

13 Bar-tailed Godwits; c125 Shelduck; 3 Dunlin  and 2 early Whimbrel.  Chiff Chaffs singing everywhere now.

Bowling green marsh

Watched from the hide 07:05 till 10:05

1 green sandpiper, 90+ bar tailed godwit, 140+ black tailed godwit,1 snipe,150+ redshank,1 greenshank, 2 knot,Dunlin, 2 common gull(adult and 1w/1s)and a 1w/1s med gull, 2m pintail, 6 gadwall,8+ tufted duck, 3 little egrets, 1 cetti's,5+ chiffchaff

Wembury

Plenty of Chiffs again along with one Common Gull and a steady stream of Gannets. Unfortunately missed the Iceland Gull that was seen first thing.......

Parke 23rd March

Half a dozen Chiffchaffs singing in Parke yesterday morning, but even better signs of spring with a couple of Speckled Wood butterflies on the wing, as well as the expected Red Admirals & Brimstones.

Skern

3 pale bellied brent geese,2 adult+juv,fs med gull,skern at 5pm

Wrafton

3 Sand Martins this evening. Forgot to mention the Kingfisher and Dipper I saw this morning.

Upottery Airfield, Smeatharpe

Great Grey Shrike showing well in the glorious sunshine early evening (4.30 to 5.15 at least). Golden plover up to 91.