Bird Sightings

An early morning cycle to Turf Hotel for rising tide. At least 2 Ospreys around the top of the Exe between Lympstone and Topsham Rec. On the estuary were 250+ Dunlin, 35+ Ringed Plover, 150+ Cutlew, 7 Barwit, a Whimbrel and a Knot. No count made of Redshank or Blackwits. Also 13 Lapwing flying over.

150+ hirundines roosting and feeding around boats and nearby fields south of Turf. At least 45+ Sand Martin, the rest Swallows. Most moved off by 7.00, with 100+ more Sand Martins passing through over next hour. One Cattle Egret in nearest field to Turf and a further 4 flew south later at Viewing Platform. Maybe have been the 4 that flew north nearer M5 earlier.

On the lagoon were 25+ Teal and 3 Shoveler. A Jay flew across too. Otherwise a few Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps calling and three Cetti’s.

Later in the morning a Swift over Alphington and at lunchtime a Hobby over Matford Marsh.

Osprey over the river at 11:45 this morning, just north of Fleet Mill. Sighted from Cardiff Castle river boat.

Rain and strong winds. However, there were other things distracting us: a huge rally of mini cars (perhaps 200!) lined the skern on both sides of the road, and first one an later 4 windsurfers out on the water zapping past the birds! However buoyed by the sight of several hundred Oystercatchers, we set to scanning a bit more closely. A lone Greenshank skirted the main flock, and a Curlew or 2 were out there too, but closer investigation revealed up to 12 Knot (some still slightly pink) and a few Redshank, and Dunlin with single colourful Curlew Sandpiper and a Turnstone. In amongst the gulls was a lone juvenile Sandwich Tern. As the tide brought the birds closer, a Common Sandpiper also moved in. 2 Whimbrel and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, and finally a swirl of Terns arrived. Mostly Common and Sandwich,  but closer investigation revealed one Arctic and star prize one Roseate Tern amongst them.

Two Ospreys this evening.

A good view of 6 white stork in stubble field at bottom of pennies hill malbrough. Flew off towards south Huish at 14:00

Thirteen wader spp. were seen this morning, including 1 Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Barwits, 2/3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Knot, 5/6 Ringed Plovers and 8 Ruff. Also present were the regular 4 Spoonbills and 4 Wigeon, my first of the Autumn here.

A look on this morning’s high tide, in the heavy rain, produced: 4 Sand Martins (SE), juv Knot, a good count of 13 Greenshanks, 2+ Common Sandpipers, ad-w Mediterranean Gull, at least 1 ad Sandwich Tern & a Grey Wagtail.

Best this morning were: 5 Whinchats (3 yesterday) & 2 Sandwich Terns (same yesterday). Also, 8 Stonechats, 2 Whitethroats, Grey Wagtail, 3 Common Sandpipers & 3 Greenshanks.

In addition, yesterday: juv Knot, 11 Greenshanks, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler & 4 Roe Deer.

Wonderful collection of Waders & Terns at Northam burrows at high tide yesterday evening, 27.Aug.

37 juv and adult Common Tern, 3 Sandwich Tern, 3 Ruff, 7 Turnstones, 13 Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Oystercatchers, 2 Knot, Little Egret, Kestrel.

A cycle from Powderham Church with children this lunchtime. Not too much to report, though one of the earlier reported Osprey’s was sat on a post looking east from Turf.

Yesterday afternoon over Alphington were numerous Swallows and House Martins feeding, accompanied by 4 Swift.

Three Whinchat, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, Ringed Plover, Tree Pipit, 6 Wheatear and Gadwall the highlights this morning.

Late for yesterday, Wednesday 26th.

Lower Tamar Lake.

1 Willow Tit, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Grey Heron, 11 Great Crested Grebe, c22 Mallard, 3 Moorhen, 3 Coot, 1 Wren.

Fairly low activity this evening.  A common buzzard, a few long-tailed tits calling from the trees, a flock of 20+ goldfinches sat together on a tree for 5 minutes, 12 barn swallows, a dunnock calling from a bush, 10+ linnets,  a blue tit, a great tit and a coal tit both sat in a tree for 10 minutes before disappearing.

4 Tree Pipit today and Clouded Yellows up to 175, 47 Small Copper & 3 Hornet Robber Fly.

Osprey, 3 Sandwich Terns, Whimbrel & Spotted Flycatcher today, as well as, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, juv Green Woodpecker, 5 Stonechats, 2 Whitethroats & a Humming-bird Hawk-moth.

Tree Pipit seen and heard yesterday evening on the top loop path by the Pilgrim’s Rest campsite.