Wrafton area
Garganey still present on the scrape this morning with about 20 Black-tailed Godwits, and a few Teal. Good numbers of Sand Martins flying low over the surface of Wrafton Pond. 2 singing Willow Warblers with a host of feeding Chiffchaffs. Goldcrest, several Chiffchaffs and 2 more singing Willow Warblers in the reserve. Best was singing Blackcap. Walked around Sherpa Marsh this evening and once again saw many Sand Martins but only 2 Swallows. Female Sparrowhawk caused a major alarm, but none taken. Garganey still present.
North side of Taw Estuary
Late aft/early eve:- In the tidal channel between the Tarka trail & Bassett’s Ridge were 3 Goosanders (1m + 2f). Also 10 Black -tailed Godwits & half a dozen Redshank. No Pintail present.
South of the shelter 7 Bar-tailed Godwits. At Ashford Strand a female Red breasted Merganser.
Below Totnes Weir, on the Dart
Enjoyed our first hirundines this year, 5 Sand Martins catching insects in the rain.
Dartmouth golf club
Yesterday, in warm sunshine, my first singing blackcap of the year amid the chorus of chiffchaffs.
+1 Photo
Goosander and Water Rail at Seaton Wetlands
Seen on 27th March 2023
River Torridge, Northam
3 Chiffchaffs calling from the trees near Hyde Barton, Two Greenshank on the mud by the floating crane along with Redshank, Oystercatcher and 6 Teal. No sign of the Kingfisher that was present yesterday.
+1 Photo
Evening atRiver Plym
A quick evening walk along the river Plym. Male and Female Goosander, Female Mandarin and a couple of Dippers (one ringed).
Slapton ley
Great White Egret 3, male Ring- necked Duck 1 , Water Rail, Kingfishers 2, Chiffchaffs 50+ , Blackcap 2 , Firecrest 1.
Baggy.
Hoopoe around after we saw Mr Jutsum but didn’t see it later in the day. 1 Common Lizard, 1 Wheatear and a pair of Goldcrests round the pond.
Plym Estuary & Saltram
On a lovely sunny morning: 3 Red-breasted Mergansers (2 drakes), 4 Goosanders (1 drake), Red-crested Pochard (female), Wigeon, 30+ Turnstones, 22 Snipe, 6 Greenshanks, just 2 Dunlins, Kingfisher (male), Green Woodpecker & a Bullfinch (male).
Finally, some signs of Spring, with 2 Moorhen chicks in the nest and a Brimstone.
West Charleton marsh
Lone Whimbel and Greenshank with 3 Redshank feeding along the shoreline at West Charleton marsh.
South Molton, Mon 27th March
Brimstone butterfly, 13.40
Baggy
The Hoopoe was still present this morning & spent most of the time foraging in the grass.
Lee Moor
Around the Big Pond area 2 male Wheatears – one taking exception to a male Stonechat. Looking down from on high into the flooded quarry 5 distant ducks diving – presume Tufted from black and white colouration of 3 .
The Skern
Sunday Morning. Tide still still very high with no mud exposed. Large flock of Oystercatchers on the salt marsh with 4 Ringed Plover. 3 Turnstones by the Appledore Bridge and a Snipe flew up as I walked along the embankment. The extremely high tides during the week had overtopped the banked up pebbles near the 9th Green but 2 Wheatears flitting about the stones. 3 more Wheatears with Stonechats, fiches and skylarks on the grassed tip and rushes. Greysand Mere had 20 Shelduck
Pork Hill/Cox Tor, West Dartmoor
14.05
A Red Kite flew west between the B3357 at Pork Hill and Cox Tor.
Lone housemartin
Single housemartin Plymouth Hoe late afternoon
first day of the hols at Seaton Wetlands.
CLOSE BY THE DISCOVERY HUT A CETTIS SHOWING WELL, A FIRST FOR ME. SEVERAL REED BUNTINGS,MOSTLY MALES AND ONE WHEATEAR. ON BLACK HOLE MARSH NOTHING OF NOTE BUT THE OYSTER CTCHERS VERY VOCAL IN THEIR MATING AND PAIRING. AT THE WETLANDS HUT NOTHING OF NOTE EXCEPT SEVERAL TEAL AND GODWIT IN BREEDING PLUMAGE. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
Ilfracombe
Rock Pipit
Sighting Sunday 26th 10:30
Feeding on crumbs dropped by fishermen around the Damien Hurst statue area at the entrance to the harbour.
Soar
13 migrant Buzzards moving generally eastwards in a north-westerly breeze mid-morning over Southdown Farm. 23 Chiffchaffs in Soar Mill Valley.
