Orcombe Point (07:15 - 11:00)

Quail flushed from stubble field at top of Gore Lane at 07:22.

Also 3+ Goldfinch, 10+ Chaffinch, 6+ Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 5+ Coal Tit, GS Woodpecker, 27+ alba Wagtails, 1+ Siskin, Spotted Flycatcher, Reed Bunting, 13+ Swallow, 2+ House Martin, 2 Jay, 15+ Chiffchaff, 5 Grey Wagtail and c3/400 Meadow Pipit.

[from Matt Knott]

Buckfastleigh

This very striking juvenile Common Buzzard appeared today. The underside is extremely pale on this individual - especially in flight. It could quite easily be called something else! The Devon county recorders have had these pale juvs sent in as Gyrs, Ospreys, Honey-buzzards etc! Notice the pale iris showing its a juv, which darkens as they get older. Cracking bird though not a rarity!

Berry Hd

(Chiffchaff & Goldcrest)

Overhead 4 Siskins, 600+ House Martins, 400+ Swallows, 6 Alba Wagtails, Small numbers of Meadow Pipits all moving N.

Around Headland; 2 White Wagtails, 1 Garden Warbler, 16 Blackcaps, 24 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrest, 5 Stonechat (first on site since spring) & 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Kingsbridge Estuary

Geese Quarries-Charleton Marsh, 12:30-15:00, low tide.

2 Great Crested Grebe, Peregrine, Water Rail, Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 2 Knot, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Wagtail and Wheatear. Swallows going east at c 100 per hour. Nice to see a handful of scattered Goldcrests after last autumns no show. One 'helice' Clouded Yellow seen at Charleton Marsh.

Otter Estuary
3 Glossy Ibis still present this morning in field immediately N of White Bridge. Small numbers of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Swallow near Otter Head. Glossy Ibis roosted again this evening.

Seaton Marshes

The Wryneck was on the path to the hide at Seaton Marshes this morning.

Plymouth Sound

24/9/10 - 2 Razorbill, 4 Med Gull (3 Ad, 1 2W), 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern.

Slapton Ley 25 Sep

A Great Reed Warbler was ringed and released in the higher ley this morning, also Bittern there this morning.

Best looked for from the bridge - please keep to public rights of way and do not walk around or down any of the ringing rides.

Thanks to Nik Ward for the information and Barrie Whitehall for the photos.

Sharkham Point

Heavy passage of Swallows north west over Brixham all day which lasted until 1730hrs contained a few Sand Martin with House Martin also. When I did manage to get out (complete with baby in sling) a very blown out Sharkham Point only managed 5 Wheatear in the one of the fields and a large mixed flock of 20+ long-tailed Tits mixed in with a couple of Coal tits, Willow Wablers, Chiffchaffs and 3 Goldcrest. Approximately 25 Meadow pipits over with a few Siskin.

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth

Late afternoon at Mudbank Lane produced:

2 ad Mediterranean Gulls (Non-breeding plumage), 3 Greenshank, 21 Grey Plover, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1000+ Wigeon, 8 Teal and several Pintail and Bar-tailed Godwits.

Devils Point, Plymouth

A quick look after work this p.m. turned up at least eight Med Gulls; five adults, one second winter and a first winter.
There were probably as many as ten adults but the birds were too distant to be sure.

Orcombe stubble

The stubble fields here were alive with Meadow Pipits this morning, probably 250, but apart from 2 Wheatears and a juvenile Redstart there was little else.
Adult winter Med Gull on Exmouth beach, and at least one Little Stint still on BGM.

Thursday 23rd - Wryneck Starehole Valley - East Soar

Wryneck showing mid-day at East Soar.

Glossy Ibis still at Aveton Gifford.

(Keith Bowcock)

Wryneck - Seaton Marshes

This Wryneck has been showing sporadically from the hide at Seaton Marshes this afternoon...

Thurlestone Bay etc

First big vis mig movement this morning accross Thurlestone bay - totals o8.45-12.15

Swallow 445

House Martin 1200

Sand Martin 8

Goldfinch 165

Siskin 12

Meadow Pipit 170

Wheatear 6

Alba Wagtail 90

Grey Wagtail 5

Whinchat 1

Skylark 6

All flying west

Thurlestone Marsh - 50+ Teal, 2 Black T Godwit

South Huish Marsh - 2 Spotted Redshank then flew West

In the bay 2 Sandwich Tern

[from Mike Passman]

'Leg of Mutton', Yelverton - Tues 21st Sept

2 Firecrests in hawthorns by A386, with flock of finches and tits. Very early for Dartmoor.

[from Rob Harrison]

Axe Estuary

Marsh Harrier over Colyford Marsh this morning, also colour-ringed Osprey still fishing the Estuary (normally does this three times a day).

Bowling Green Marsh

At Bowling Green Marsh this evening from 1850hrs 'til dusk, amongst the high-tide wader roost:

juv Little Stint, juv Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 14 Greenshank, 13 Avocet. Other numbers difficult to ascertain due to a Peregrine in the area, which kept putting the waders to flight! Also, a Roe Deer browsing on leaves below the railway line.

At lunchtime I had my first 12 Dark-bellied Brent Geese of the autumn at Mudbank Lane, Exmouth. Also there 3 Greenshank, but low tide meant everything else was distant.

Bad Bird Ticks

Following on from Gavin's post in early September, I have just received two photos from a friend who lives in a very rural part of Dartmoor.

The Coal Tit was found dead in her garden with one large tick and the House Sparrow died soon after the photo was taken and was found to have four large ticks.

Is this a new phenomena or just with modern digital zoom cameras we are able to see more?

Exe Estuary, Starcross

An adult Black-necked Grebe was close to the resident Slavonian Grebe at high water this morning. Also 5 Brent Geese, 2 Knot and over 160 Redshank were in the Bight and a first winter Razorbill in the main channel.

The Exe, Turf Hotel

The Spotted Sandpiper was still showing well at the Turf Hotel this morning feeding around the wrecked boats. The road to the canal side car park is still closed so walk south along the footpath from the RSPB car park.

Beer Head (06:55 - 10:40)

A decent westerly movement this morning, with most of the following involved: 631 Meadow Pipits, 1 Tree Pipit, 22 Yellow Wags, 6 Grey Wags, 32 alba Wags, 12 Skylarks, 5 Chaffinches, 2 Wheatears, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffs and a Bullfinch. Also quite a few hirundines moving through, but not counted.

Start Point 7.30-10am

Small movement of Meadow Pipits 90 in 2hrs plus 500+ Swallows, 75 House Martins, 4 Sand Martins, lots of Finches (mostly Linnets and Goldfinches) 2 Siskin, 10 Skylark, 4 Tree Pipits, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Alba Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails & 1 Ringed Plover.

Around the headland, 3 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat.

Isley Marsh, Taw/Torridge Est

08:15

3 Spoonbills on the marsh this morning.
All roosting on the saltmarsh over by the embankment by Home Farm Marsh.

21 Sept - East Soar - Wryneck

Wryneck in upper end of willows but elusive.
Also Green Woodpecker, 12 Chiffchaff, Wheatear and Cirl Bunting.
(Roger White)

River Taw – Pottington

13:30 – 14:30 Mud flats opposite Bradiford Reserve.
Two Curlew Sandpiper still present by the upturned Wheelbarrow, accompanied by two Knot, a Dunlin and a single Redshank. Close by were 6 Bar-tailed Godwit and a few Curlew all working the mud flats. In the Reserve there was a distant Kingfisher. Poor light but record shots attached.
BTW - aligning photos in this blog is driving me bonkers LOL

The Exe, Turf.

The Spotted Sandpiper showing extremely well again today, around the wrecked boats at the Turf Hotel.

At low tide, Bowling Green Marsh still held the first winter Spotted Redshank and a Garganey, but the Little Stint must be tidal...

and a bit of colour to brighten the day !

R.Taw.

08:30 - 09:30.
R.Taw off Pottington Ind Est.

Little Egret 9
Black-tailed Godwit 2
Bar-tailed Godwit 8
Curlew Sandpiper 2
Wheatear 7

Black hole Marsh

Monday evenings totals were 30 Dunlin 11 Ringed Plover,3 Greenshank,3 Greensands,9 White wags and a Barn owl.
At Coly common 10 Bar tailed godwits,2 Black tailed Godwits and a Greenshank

Exminster Marshes

A Honey Buzzard over Exminster Marshes this morning, being mobbed by corvids.

[from Dave Stone]

Bowling Green Marsh

At Bowling Green Marsh from 1900hrs 'til dusk this evening, amongst the massed ranks of waders:
juv Little Stint, at least one juv Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Avocet, juv Ringed Plover, good numbers of Greenshank and several Whimbrel.

Exe Estuary, Turf

The first winter Spotted Sandpiper was close to the wooden viewing platform at the Turf Hotel at high tide (5.30 pm), also one kingfisher.

Spotted Sandpiper

The juvenile Spotted Sand still present this evening on the high tide by the Turf Hotel and feeding at very close range(c10 yards) favouring the small bay by the wooden platform. For info, the road to the fisherman's car park is closed, so the only parking is in the RSPB car park by the railway line and then its a c20 minute walk to Turf along the footpath along the inner edge of the marsh.

Skern and R.Taw (Pottington)

08:00 20/09/10. Skern.
Juvenile Buff breasted Sandpiper still on saltmarsh by old tip car park.
Lapland Bunting still in car park area.
No sign of Grey Phalaropes up until 09:00
Northern Wheatear c12.
Meadow Pipit c30-40
Linnet. Flocks of c50 feeding on foreshore and saltmarsh.

11:30 R.Taw off Pottington Ind Est.
3 Curlew Sandpiper in area of old wheelbarrow on mudflat by Bradiford Water.
4 Knot.
12 Dunlin.
7 Bar-tailed Godwits.
2 Black-tailed Godwits.

Axe Estuary

Osprey still present on Axe Estuary this morning, seen fishing at 10:20. Also 15 Black-tailed and 9 Bar-tailed Godwits.

Black Hole Marsh first thing produced 30 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank and 2 Yellow Wagtail.

Very little 'vis mig' today, and few grounded migrants about, best being a Redstart at Lower Bruckland Ponds.

Turf Exe Est Sunday 19th Sept

Juv Spotted Sandpiper at the Turf Locks Exe Est Sunday 19th pm. Also several Common Sandpipers in same area.

Thanks to John Waldon for pictures and info.

Seaton Area

Seawatch (15:20 - 17:45)
2 Sooty Shearwaters W @ 16:25, 13 Common Scoter (including 10 on the sea), 1 very distant skua sp. (Arctic/Long-tailed), 1 Bonxie, 3 Razorbills, 1 Kittiwake, 15 Dunlin, 1 juv Arctic Tern, a few Gannets. Most of that lot W.

Black Hole Marsh (evening)
10 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plovers, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers.
Also 15 Black-tailed and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit on the river, and the Osprey over.

Plymouth/Wembury

Plymouth - 8 Med Gulls (3 Ad, 3 2W, 2 juv) MountBatten. One with green colour ring left tarsus but ring not read.

Wembury - Wheatear, 10 Chiffchaff. Good passage of Meadow Pipit over the village and several Skylark

Kingsbridge Estuary:
2 Curlew Sand in channel off Pumping Station with Redshank late morning (as per Eric W. sat 18/9)
RB Shrike showing well Charleton Marsh.

Slapton Ley:
late afternoon
juv. Little Gull on the sea with 18 Kittewake then Sth.

Prawle Point

Seawatch; 07.00 - 10.30; 7 Balearic Shearwaters, 12 Great Skuas, 8 Common Scoter, 425 Gannets, Med Gull (1st winter).

Prawle area 18/09/10

10 Kestrels, Med Gull (1st w), Swift, 21 Skylark, 2000+ Swallow, 150+ House Martin, 6 Sand Martin, 3 Grey Wagtail, 50+ Pied Wagtail, 6 White Wagtail, 11 Yellow Wagtail, 18 Wheatear, Whinchat, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Siskin, 36 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 48 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest.

The Skern, Northam Burrows.

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper still present this morning, but never close, but the Lapland Bunting showed well. No sign of the Grey Phalarope until late morning, when it was picked out at some distance before coming slowly forwards until just a few yards away, and even selected a small puddle to have a nap in ! Also a dozen Wheatears and a few White Wagtails.

Another Lap around Exmouth...

A Lapland Bunting first seen over the estuary shoreline between Mudbank Lane and West Lodge at 09:40. It flew around calling and was joined by 2 similarly sized birds (possibly also Laps?) before presumably landing in fields east of the cycle track.

[from Matt Knott]

Beesands Ley

September WeBS count.

10 Mute Swan, 59 Canada Geese, 4 Mallard, 46 Gadwall, 4 Pochard, 13 Tufted Duck, 5 Great Crested Grebe ( adults and 3 young ), 101 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 2 Cormorants. Also a handful of Sand Martins and a singing Cetti's Warbler.

Start Point

90%+ cloud cover ( though vis excellent at sea level, Portland Bill clearly visible), fresh southwest wind.

06:30-09:00 (Lighthouse/Start Farm)
Very quiet, little shelter from wind, next to no overhead movement.
Sand Martin, 50 Swallows, Grey Wagtail, 10 Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Grey Wagtail, 8 Chiffchaff, 60 Linnet, 60 Goldfinch, Reed Bunting.