Bird Sightings

On and over the Fire Beacon this morning were 4+ Spotted Flycatchers, 6+ Willow Warblers and a flyover Tree Pipit, all migrants I think, plus the expected heathland residents. In the woods along East Hill were Crossbill, Siskin, Treecreeper and Marsh Tit (3/4 territories).

Osprey.

At noon a mixed flock of about 500 Swallows, House and Sand Martins at the White Bridge perched on electric wires, catching insects and drinking from river. Also two Clouded Yellow butterflies.

Lots of swallows and a few martins over the field today busy feeding and the heading off south over Codden Hill. Ravens calling overhead and a buzzard circling above. Many more swallows as I got back to Landkey.

Monday 6th September Alston nr Axminster 14.00

Pair ravens in calving paddock.  20+ house martins quite vocal

Whinchat at base of down this morning.

Among the commoner species over the high tide this morning were one each of Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel and Egyptian Goose, 5/6 Barwits, 15 Greenshanks and 25+ Knots, plus 5 Pintail and 4 Wigeon, both my first of the Autumn.

Back in Exeter, a Treecreeper was singing in the grounds of the crematorium.

On a walk from Labrador Bay RSPB car park to Maidencombe this morning, we briefly saw a Common Redstart, before it disappeared into the hedgerow. Other birds seen included Green Woodpecker, Stock Dove and a pair of Kestrels.

Powderham Marsh 

Despite a hot and very breezy afternoon, a few pleasant finds. 24 Black-tailed Godwit and one Common Sandpiper (briefly) on the flooded areas. Cattle feeding in fields to left of viewing platform, were accompanied by 40+ Pied Wagtail and 10+ Yellow Wagtail. Most of latter were juveniles with some adults present also. Counts difficult due to mobility of birds and grass length.

Some signs of migration today including an Osprey drifting west at 10.15, 5+ Whinchats & a Wheatear. Also, Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Kingfisher, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Greenshanks, 2 Dunlins, Common Sandpiper & 19 Little Egrets.

Mid morning visit to the canal view point to overlook the now wet scrape. Still about 80 Canada geese that seem to be a permanent feature. However the high tide roost held lots of birds including curlew, whimbrel (6+), black-tailed godwit, bar-tailed godwit, ruff (6), dunlin (43) and curlew sandpiper (1). The waterfowl included one little grebe, mallard (8), shoveller (4) and a few teal. No sign of the two hobby that were over the lagoon yesterday afternoon.

In the canal side trees a few chiffchaff and a few long-tailed tits.

A variety of waders on the beach again today at high tide with counts of 13 Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 83 Turnstones, 2 Sanderling, 25 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Redshanks. Also noted were 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 7 Wheatears.

Tim Jones has reported a Wryneck just North of Rockham Bay this morning.