Another lazy seawatch from 7.50 to 9.30 in NE breeze produced my first Manxies
(41) all east. Also a Sandwich Tern, 1st year Med Gull and summer plumaged Black
Throated Diver east. Also my first Willow Warbler at Prawle flew in off the sea
and landed in front of me at the point. Only 6 Wheatears -3 at the point and 3
at Langerstone. 2 fem Black Redstarts along the beach. From the Point to
Horsely Cove a reasonable number of phylloscs-singing Chiffs and 6/7 non singing
Willows.No sign of the Water Pipits at Horsley Cove .
[Tony Marchese]
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Otterton Mill
Early morning at Otterton Mill produced a good 20 sand martins.
Two dipper and a grey wagtail at the weir on the river Otter and my first willow warbler heard at the same place.
Two dipper and a grey wagtail at the weir on the river Otter and my first willow warbler heard at the same place.
Sharkham Point
A quick walk around The Devon hirundine no fly zone before tea produced singles of Wheatear and Willow Warbler
South Milton Ley
Only person at the feeding station from 12.30 to 13.45 when two other guys turned up, but no sign of the Little Bunting amongst up to 10 Reed Buntings by 14.40 (silent Willow Warbler went through).
Returned at 15.55 to find one of the other birders still present and watching the Little which had appeared on the seed at 15.45! At 16.00 it flitted off again by which time I had grabbed a couple of digiscope shots. Phew! Nice to see its finder and ringer Bob Burridge who arrived with seed at 16.10. Bob confirmed from these shots that this is the first of the two birds ringed here recently.
Thurlestone Bay
Thanks for the update on Hirundines guys- still none for me today. The quietest day of the month.
LITTLE BUNTING showed but very elusive
LITTLE BUNTING showed but very elusive
Seaton area
Female Redstart on Seaton Marshes in field leading to hide at 10-00 not seen half an hour later
Good numbers of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap on Beer Head and Undercliffs.
4 Swallows over Colyford Common at 15-00
Good numbers of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap on Beer Head and Undercliffs.
4 Swallows over Colyford Common at 15-00
Challacombe
Very windy at first light calming down by 10. Crossbill 2 males, Lesser Redpoll and Siskin a Tree pipit was unexpected.
Berry Head
Brief views of a male Common Redstart (my earliest Devon record) in scrub behind South Fort this morning, also 3-4 Willow Warblers singing on headland.
Exminster Marshes
50+ Swallows around and about the marsh this morning, also 30+ Sand martins
and a House martin, and a ringtail Hen Harrier behind the Lions rest
Industrial estate at 9.08. Also 2 Brent geese.
[Kevin Bainbridge]
[Kevin Bainbridge]
Friday, 30 March 2012
Slapton Ley
Six members of DBWPS Plymouth branch report a female Kentish Plover on the beach between the bridge and the tank this morning. Also 3 Garganey (1 m, 2 f). [Jack Aldous]
Colyton
Red Kite quite low over Colyton this morning at 10.00am, before gaining height & heading west over Oxhill Woods.
Braunton
The adult Whooper Swan was on Braunton Marsh this morning - all on it's own west of the round linhay.
This evening (please note Mike P!) there were LOTS of Sand Martins around Wrafton Pond/Sherpa Marsh - perhaps 100's! including one House Martin - probably first time I've seen one in March! On Wrafton pond 2 female Pochard and a drake Shoveler. One drake Gadwall in amongst the Canada Geese on Sherpa main pool.
And that Mallard with 16 young the other day - two days later it was shepherding 18!
This evening (please note Mike P!) there were LOTS of Sand Martins around Wrafton Pond/Sherpa Marsh - perhaps 100's! including one House Martin - probably first time I've seen one in March! On Wrafton pond 2 female Pochard and a drake Shoveler. One drake Gadwall in amongst the Canada Geese on Sherpa main pool.
And that Mallard with 16 young the other day - two days later it was shepherding 18!
Exmouth
Orcombe Point and the High Land today between 11.00 and 13.00 produced:
A single, lonely, sad looking brent goose at Orcombe Point.
A sparrowhawk giving great views.
A pair of wheatear, male and female.
A skylark singing in a nearby field.
For something completely different, peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies at Orcombe Point and then at the back of a field behind the High Land, speckled wood and comma.
A single, lonely, sad looking brent goose at Orcombe Point.
A sparrowhawk giving great views.
A pair of wheatear, male and female.
A skylark singing in a nearby field.
For something completely different, peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies at Orcombe Point and then at the back of a field behind the High Land, speckled wood and comma.
Thurlestone Bay
An early TREE PIPT flew over the Cafe at 9.15 . 5 SANDWICH TERN in the Bay along with singles of GUILLEMOT and RAZORBILL, 4 SHELDUCK.
Waders were 2 RINGED PLOVER and a single CURLEW.
Thurlestone Marsh - TEAL increased to 20 ( last wigeon departed overnight ).
In my garden a male BLACKCAP and a nice female BLACK REDSTART.
Anyone else wondering where the Hirundines are - none for the last 2 days here.
Waders were 2 RINGED PLOVER and a single CURLEW.
Thurlestone Marsh - TEAL increased to 20 ( last wigeon departed overnight ).
In my garden a male BLACKCAP and a nice female BLACK REDSTART.
Anyone else wondering where the Hirundines are - none for the last 2 days here.
Matford marsh & exminster marsh
Matford marsh 10:50 till 11:35
1 Little ringed plover and 3 green sandpipers
Exminster marsh 12:10 till 13:00
1 little ringed plover between fishermans car park and the s-bends on main pool on left hand side.
1 Little ringed plover and 3 green sandpipers
Exminster marsh 12:10 till 13:00
1 little ringed plover between fishermans car park and the s-bends on main pool on left hand side.
Sharkham Point
Still skillfully managing to avoid any hirundines at Sharkham but at least 4 Willow Warblers singing were the first ones this year and this female Black Redstart
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