Please take extra care when visiting Dawlish Warren. We have been informed that due to the recent bad weather there has been significant erosion from Groyne 10 eastwards. This means that access along the site, to and from Warren Point (and the bird hide) will be via the beach only, with a risk of being cut off for a period either side of high water! Signs have been put up to alert people to the hazards, but people need to be aware that access routes that they have become used to may not be available and they need to exercise extreme caution,  with the possibility of being cut off by the tide, and people are strongly urged not to try climbing the sand cliffs. Further information is available on the Teignbridge District Council website.

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Late report for Saturday 19 October. c60 Golden Plover near Haytor, Dartmoor at 11.30am

22 Fieldfares, 4 Ring Ouzels 6 Redwings.

A morning trip on Dartmoor above South Brent gave a bird of prey bonanza, initially a juvenile Sparrowhawk being mobbed by a crow, followed by two juvenile Peregrines playing tag with another crow, a Buzzard in the distance followed by a Goshawk flying down the valley with two crows trailing behind it.

Meadow Pipit and Gold Crests in good numbers, six sightings of Ring Ouzel, one single female followed by five together flying into a Rowan tree to feed, two Mistle Thrush and a couple of Raven.

South Efford Marsh at Aveton Gifford not a great deal to see, five Greenshank, two Redshank, eight plus Little Egret, Heron, a couple of Curlew, Canada geese providing a spectacle as they were arriving in flocks throughout the visit and on leaving just over 200 birds present including a large domestic goose that flew in with them. Brief view of a Kingfisher on leaving and a female Kestrel overhead.

Up to 15 mobile Ring Ouzels early this morning N end,

Great white egret at turf Saturday afternoon 

This afternoon:

8 Little egret, 20 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 1 Great crested grebe, 1 Common sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Firecrest.

09.30-12.30 - Shipley Bridge 

3 Ring Ouzels seen separately beyond the first bridge perched in trees or bushes. A group also seen briefly in flight passing over. Four species of raptors, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Blackbirds, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Ravens and numerous Robins. 

14.00-15.00 - Emsworthy Mire 

At least 10 mobile Ring Ouzels showing well in bushes beyond the northern boundary of the reserve. Mainly juvs but also some females and a smart male. Kestrel, GSW, Ravens and several Mistle Thrushes present too. 

Highlights this morning, 3 Cirl Buntings and 2 Goldcrest. Large numbers of Finches and Blackbirds around the pines, as well as a female Blackcap and a Chiffchaff.

As well showing very well by wooden country side post in line with green shipping marker buoy northam burrows

A lovely sunny morning at Dawlish Warren produced flocks of Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Linnet. A lone Blackcap, plenty of Stonechat, a well camouflaged Cirl Bunting and I believe a Cetti's Warbler 50m from gate to dunes. Rusty brown but sadly a poor photgraph . Ed’s - this looks like a Wren.

Cirl Bunting

Chetti's Warbler

Whilst watching a mistle thrush, 12 ring ouzels gathered around stayed together for several minutes, approx 11am today.

2 still showing well now at North end of northam burrows

Just visiting from Sussex, so this is probably well-known, but there was a Glossy Ibis at Fremington Pill yesterday afternoon.

Pretty much as Dave’s tweet, but for the record....

15 Pomarine Skuas (all juvs), 57 Arctic Skuas (various ages), 10 Pom/Arctic Skuas, 13 Bonxies, Grey Phalarope, 6 Balearic & 1 Manx Shearwaters, Arctic & 4 “Commic” Terns, drake Common Scoter, Curlew, 250+ Kittiwakes (mainly adults), ringtail Hen Harrier (south over the sea), 3 Siskins “in off” & at least 6 Harbour Porpoises showing well throughout the day.

Among the many Redshank lining the Pill, 1 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank and surprisingly a male Ruff

2 Snow Buntings this morning at the north end of the golf course on the sea defences. Also of interest 50 Brent Geese of which 2 Pale-bellied, 8 Wigeon, a late Arctic Tern, c350 Golden Plover and a Raven.

Lapland Bunting. One seen late afternoon Oct.16th and 17th in same spot on coast path around the estuary...opposite green navigation buoy in river and close to coast path sign. Park at Skern. 

Snow Buntings. Oct.17th...Two adults and two juveniles feeding between  8th green and makeshift sea wall. No camera!

They took their time in showing up this morning, and only one in any way ventured close to us, but eventually the first of eleven Ring Ouzels seen today up at Shipley showed up.

Until they arrived entertained by numerous Blackbirds and a small number of Mistle Thrush.

Three Raven over, M&F Kestrels, slow but steady movement of Chaffinch down the valley and a very active flock of 15 plus Long Tailed Tits.

Nine Ring Ouzel seen in the area  of the first bridge on the road from Shipley bridge to the Avon dam, mostly singles, three in flight at one point circled and went over Black Torr.

Raven and Kestrel, no sign of the numerous smaller species seen earlier in the week.

late afternoon: c250 Golden Plover (one flock) overhead, heading SSW.

Seawatch today 8am till 12 in SSW 4-5 with little rain tho forecast. 

Skuas : 1 Immature Pom, 2 Arctic ( pale and dark phase) and 1 Bonxie.

4 Balearic Shearwaters; 6 Puffins; 1 Merlin ( chasing the 100+Meadow Pipits flying west) . 12 Common Scoter west, 1 East. 2 Med Gulls adult winter plumage.2 Sandwich Terns.2 Great Northern Divers ( Adult summer plumages and a 1st year).

constant stream of 898 Kittiwakes; 1295 Gannets and 533 Auks all west. And a breaching cetacean.

Yesterday Pat saw and photographed a Wryneck behind the car park. And today he saw a Yellow- Browed Warbler on private farmland and a Whinchat. So, still passer ones out there to find.

We have had frequent sightings of Reeve’s Pheasants over the past couple of weeks and including today, around the Langdon Court area and north of the village. Presumably these are all released birds.  

This morning at the lake.

8 Willow Tit, 3 Marsh Tit, 17 Coal Tit, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Nuthatch, 1f Tufted Duck, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Wren, 12 Blue Tit, 2 Grey Wagtail.

Despite the wind, in a few sheltered spots were 2 Firecrests ( caught and ringed ) 13 Goldcrests ( 7  caught and ringed ) At the beach 2 Woodlarks   low overhead moving west into the wind.

10 members of DB (East Devon Branch) attended the morning fieldtrip before the weather deteriorated at 11.30.  Target birds present including: Ring Ouzel (3), Mistle Thrush (c20), Redwing (c50), Golden Plover (20), Raven(1), Kestrel (1), Willow Warbler (1), Meadow Pipit(s), Skylark (heard over), and did someone say Fieldfare?  Most birds seen at a distance feeding on Rowan trees or passing south up the valley.

A report of a Hoopoe at Staddon Green, Plymstock this morning on a site called Nextdoor Lipson & Lara, apparently was seen yesterday on or near this road. Details at scanty.

Cirl Bunting and Rock Pipit

15 Ring Ouzel,  very skittish and mobile, seen after the bridge.

15 Ring Ouzel , very skittish and mobile, seen further on from the bridge.

Ring Ouzel

This afternoon there was a large movement of Thrushes on Emsworthy Mire, I counted 8 Ring Ouzels and there could have been more judging by the amount of calling,approximately 100 Redwing and about 20 Mistle Thrush.
The flock was very mobile and moving along the valley, curiously accompanied by a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Male Bullfinch!

Five raptor species included a Merlin while another highlight was a late Whitethroat. Noticeable influx of 43 Robin (41 at East Soar yesterday). Also: 250 Skylark, 7 Alba Wagtail, 14 Stonechat, 24 Blackbird, 8 Chiffchaff, 100 Carrion Crow, 47 Goldfinch, Reed Bunting & 4 singing male Cirl Bunting.

At Moorwell Pond this morning, a Firecrest. 6 Goldcrests. 4 Chiffchaffs ,2 Blackcaps and 8 Robins ( a high count for this species here. A male Blackcap ringed at this site on the 7th. Sept.2018 was recovered ( caught by a ringer ) near Seville in southern Spain on the 12th. Oct.2018. More British ringed Blackcaps are recovered in Spain than any other location abroad ,closely followed by France and then Morocco.

This morning: 1 Merlin in protracted chase after a Skylark over the stubble fields by the airfield; 8 or 9 Ring Ouzels in Stair Hole and the Yellow-browed Warbler still in the willows (early pm) but elusive.

Walked Shipley Bridge - Avon Dam 11.15 -13.15 today, but only got as far as just past the 1st bridge. Numerous Ring Ouzel moving down valley and feeding on rowan trees to right of bridge. I sat up amongst the trees and at one time saw 24 Ouzel flying over to the pine trees by the ruined hotel, with more left feeding on the rowan. Constant movement and I would estimate there were at least 30+ Ouzel present. Mostly female/juvenile birds and have yet to check my record photos for any sign of ringing. Most I have seen in the area during the past 6 years!

Late post for yesterday thanks to internet failure: Yellow-browed Warbler (found by PA), 2 Ring Ouzel, Ringed Plover, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (migrants), 19 Swallow, 10 Alba Wagtail, Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 2m Bullfinch and first Reed Bunting of the autumn.

Two redhead Goosanders were new in on Blaxton. Also: Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpipers, 6 Greenshanks, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Grey Wagtails, a pair of Stonechats, Great Spotted Woodpecker & Sparrowhawk. 

Just outside the patch, a Yellow-browed Warbler in Tothill Park (in sycamores near the tunnel under the railway).

2 male and 2 female Ring Ouzels this morning at around 10.30. At least 1 Redwing with around 20 Mistle Thrushes.

Nice comparison to have both Green and Common Sandpiper feeding together on the Caen Estuary this afternoon. Green Sandpiper not so common as the Common on this stretch so nice to see.  

      
Green Sandpiper                             Green Sandpiper Tail                       Common Sandpiper Tail

A Yellow-browed Warbler first thing in East Soar willows, 3 Ring Ouzels & a Firecrest in Starehole. Also in the area: Redpoll (presumed Lesser) over, 8 Siskins, Wheatear, White Wagtail, 15 Goldcrests, 9 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 8 Song Thrushes, Water Rail, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 12 Swallows & a Jay.

Pictures of Ring ouzel at Starehole valley, East Soar yesterday

  A lovely count of 9 Ring Ouzel , at East Soar in Starehole Bottom valley,at around 2pm today, even in all that rain.

In addition to Rob's sightings there was another Scaup, first calender year female just off the Duckery in Torcross. A female Teal was sat with Mallards in the duckery, it had a ring on it so maybe from a collection. Also 2 Wigeons in Ireland Bay, 10 Teals Strete Gate, 5 Little Grebes Stokeley Bay,one Redwing heard, flock of c50 each of Goldfinch and Greenfinch along the line, Kingfisher below the bridge and offshore 6 Common Scoter and a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver off the Monument. 160 Starlings came into roost in the Higher Ley.

In Belle Isle Park the lone Ring-necked Parakeet chattered into its fifth week of residence, and a Treecreeper was singing, unusually from the Scots Pines.

At the rapidly-enlarging Matford ponds were two Little Grebes and nearly four hundred ducks, well up on last week, but alas of only four species.

In the estuary were several Red-breasted Mergansers and Great Crested Grebes, newly-arrived, and the Golden Plover flock was up to ninety. No Avocet, but twelve other wader spp. seen.

The surprises of the day were a bedraggled Wheatear on the embankment near Turf, and a flock of sixty Swallows near Powderham Church, basically heading South but also attempting to feed in the lee of the trees.

Of the seventy+ spp. encountered, probably twenty+ had acquired some Kelly genes and were singing in the rain.

A good afternoon round the ley turned up male Scaup, Black-necked Grebe, 100+ Kittiwake offshore, 28 Swallow, 6 Firecrest, 2 Blackcap, Grey Wagtail & 2 Marsh Tit.

Non-avian: 6+ Migrant Hawker.

at 1130 am. at the northern end between golf course and sea wall among rain-pools.  Tame: approached within 20 feet.  Busy feeding.

A YELLOW BROWED WARBLER ringed this  morning. Also on site 2 Firecrests ( ringed) 20+ Chiffchaffs (11 ringed ) 18 Goldcrests ( 7 ringed),a Willow warbler ( ringed ) and 5 Blackcaps (3 ringed).

    
Y. B. Warbler.                                        1st..Yr. m. Firecrest.

Low cloud giving murky dull conditions with poor visibility ~ An abundance of Goldcrest along with good numbers of Chiffchaff, several mixed tit flocks Long Tailed and  Blue Tit well represented with a few Great Tit. Numerous Magpie, Three Stonechat just below the dam, Heron, Buzzard, three Kestrel sightings, six Mistle Thrush and a single Ring Ouzel in flight, Jay,  good numbers of both Robin and Blackbird, a few Wren and a small number of Chaffinch.

Late post for Sunday: Female Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Firecrest, 7 Swallow, Green Woodpecker - migrant, 2 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff & 6 Goldcrest.

Some overhead migration this morning included: 4 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 32 Swallows, 1 Sand Martin, 6 Skylark, 2 Siskin, 11 'alba' Wagtails, 8 Meadow Pipits.

There had been a moderate fall of migrants too: 17 Goldcrest, 23 Chiffchaff, 11 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat.  

Female Goldeneye diving most of the afternoon. Also Pochard (2), Gadwall and Sparrowhawk. 

Black-necked Grebe and Scaup on the Lower Ley about 600 metres north of the Tank Car Park.

Yellow-browed Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher on Orcombe Point today.

Headed out at 13:00 from the car park. 5 Swallows overhead as well as 2 Skylark and some Pied Wagtails. By the sewage outflow pipe on Langdon Beach, 20+Rock/Meadow Pipit. On the rocks, 10+ Oystercatcher and 3 Little Egret. On our return through the pines at the bottom of the hill, 5 Goldcrest, 5+Linnet. The highlight of the walk though was our first male Firecrest in striking plumage. It was low in the sycamores just to the side of the path that tracks up behind the pines at the bottom of the hill. 

Two Spoonbills roosting on Isley at high tide.   Glossy Ibis showing well on Fremington Pill but no sign of Spot Red.  3 Greenshank feeding with 50+Redshank.