Bird Sightings

Two Chiffchaffs still around the garden this afternoon at 3pm. One singing for a duration of 5 to 10 minutes. I first spotted what could be this same pair of birds in mid January.

My first Willow Warbler was singing in Belle Isle Park this morning, one of the high points of every year.

1 Spotted Redshank , 3 Greenshanks , 2 Glossy Ibises , 5 Little Egrets , 6 Chiffchaffs , 50 Black-tailed Godwits , 50+ Sand Martins , 2 Swallows , 1 Blackcap & 3 Cetti’s Warblers .

Whilst travelling home yesterday at 17:30,  large swift flew across the carriageway at marsh mills from plym estuary to plympton direction. Probable alpine swift.

A pair of goosanders

5pm 28/3/23

On the river Ashburn.

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.

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.

Enjoyed our first hirundines this year, 5 Sand Martins catching insects in the rain.

Yesterday, in warm sunshine, my first singing blackcap of the year amid the chorus of chiffchaffs.

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.

Great White Egret 3, male Ring- necked Duck 1 , Water Rail, Kingfishers 2, Chiffchaffs 50+ , Blackcap 2 , Firecrest 1.

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.

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.

Lone Whimbel and Greenshank with 3 Redshank feeding along the shoreline at West Charleton marsh.

Brimstone butterfly, 13.40