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Excellent birding on this evening's exceptionally high tide. Adult Osprey still present and hunting unsuccessfully for 45 minutes plus over a wide area from Heanton to Appledore (record shot below). Returned to its favourite perch at the mouth of the Caen, but got disturbed a couple of times by powerboats. Eventually caught a fair-sized fish at Horsey just before sunset and returned to its perch to eat. Also 200 Curlews, 10 Whimbrels, 21 Greenshank, 6 Common Sands, 2 Yellow Wags, 3 Wheatears, 4 Spoonbills, 36 Little Egrets and a Goosander.

Viewed over the evening high-tide from the hide 3-Spotted Redshank, 14-Knot amongst the usual high number of waders. From Goosemoor 3-Green Sandpiper, 4-Common Sandpiper, 2-Ringed Plover, 2-Knot, 5-Ruff, 40-Greenshank and 2-Egyptian Geese.

A late morning arrival after the rain and a really productive day on the patch......

Pied Flycatcher (4), Spotted Flycatcher (5), Redstart (2), Tree Pipit, Grasshopper Warbler (2), Dartford Warbler, Chiffchaff (13), Willow Warbler (7), Swallow (c600 east), House Martin (c100), Sand Martin (3), Kestrel (2), Whinchat, Wheatear (7), Whitethroat (12), Garden Warbler (2), Blackcap (3), Ruff (2), Ringed Plover (4), Dunlin, and Whimbrel (2).

3 Common Scoter ( off point ), Ringed Plover,steady passage north of Swallows and House Martins, Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, Redstart, 5 Wheatear and 2 Whinchat.

Spotted Crake found by Phil Abbot early this morning. Showed well after midday.

Spotted Crake

Spotted Crake

Orcombe Point - Wryneck on narrow muddy part of coast path about 500 yds west of Sandy Bay Caravan Park around 6pm. Showing well on and off. If approaching from Orcombe Point it's probably half a mile east of the point, not far past the cliff-top wooden bench. Best wear wellies! Also 3 Tree Pipit, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 10+ Yellow Wagtail, c20+ Chiffchaff and 1 Whinchat. Photos on 'gobirdingexmouth'.

watched from 08:15 till 12:45

Another good morning on the marsh with the highlight a Spotted crake which showed briefly on the far side from the hide as it was flushed by a water rail chasing it at 11:20.

the supporting cast was a juv Little ringed plover , 15+ yellow wagtail, 3 spotted redshanks, 5+ ruff, 15+ knot, 10+ dunlin, 1 avocet, 700+ black tailed godwits, good numbers of curlew, whimbrel , redshanks,  teal and mallards , 20+ wigeon, 2 pintail, 2 tufted duck.

from the viewing platform 1 kingfisher

from the goatwalk, 6+ sandwich terns 

Juvenile Little Stint at Flow Point this morning. Nearby a Green Sandpiper on Newton Abbot Racecourse and a Garden Warbler at Bundle Head, Shaldon.

Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart around pines near car park. Toward marsh 15+ whitethroat, 6 Blackcap 5 Willow Warbler, 13 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler. Along Beach 1 Wheatear, 4 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper, the waders moved on when a couple of dog walkers arrived.

Photos:     Spotted Flycatcher                                                 Sanderling & Dunlin

Further to Keith's post a quick look at the viewing platform after the hide showed 2-Sandwich Terns on white buoy. From Goosemoor 3-Green Sandpiper, 1-Common Sandpiper and 24-Greenshank.

From yesterday Saturday 29-8-2015 at Dawlish Warren showed another good night for Terns over the evening high-tide been really awesome over the last few days. Checkout their site record counts for past few days.!!

Some video footage taken in front the hide and along the beach on way out on the failing light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHoRZ9hxMdI

Oystercatcher 29-8-2015 Dawlish Warren

Knot 29-8-2015 Dawlish Warren

Whimbrel 29-8-2015 Dawlish Warren

Osprey on the metal post late aft / early evening.

Digiscoped this bird from the coastal footpath by the fisherman's huts. At this range no risk of disturbance.

second visit for the evening high tide 18:00 till 20:00

Had only been in the hide 10mins when heard wood sandpiper calling , 2 juv's dropped in and another 2 flew over headed towards exminster marsh.

a busy evening with 726+ curlew, 750+ black tailed godwits, 6+ ruff, 3 spotted redshanks, 350+ redshanks, 20+ whimbrel, 200+ teal, 2 pintail, 17+ wigeon, 4 bar tailed godwits, 10+ greenshanks, 10+ knot, 40+ dunlin.

 4 Wheaters, 3 Sandwich Terns, 4 Little Egrets, 2 adult + 2nd year Med Gulls seen from Mountbatten Pier.  Turnstones are returning in increasing numbers. 

One of the Wheatears seen from Mountbatten Pier

Yesterday afternoon a friend who keeps sheep on my fields at South Brent came over and said that he had just flushed a Little owl into the hedge from a fence post. No sooner had he left than the bird appeared on a post in the field by the house.

Last evening just as it got dark I saw the bird again on a road side lamp post.

Another two sightings today, initially in this mornings rain, the bird was sheltering out of the rain on a sheltered gate post and a little later I spotted it sat on a branch in an Oak tree and managed to take a few images of it.

Only other thing of interest today was a pair of Ravens that spent some time in an elaborate dance around the sky remaining in a tight formation throughout.

Afternoon visit. A large raptor mobbed by crows looked good for Honey Buzzard - right  shape and flight profile but a bit too distant to get plumage detail. 1 Juv Yellow-legged Gull at Torcross, hundreds of hirundines over the Ley, 3 Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail. Very few warblers around.

watched from 08:15 till 11:30

A good morning with the highlight a juv Little stint which popped in briefley before flying towards the estuary , still at least 8+ ruff, 3 spotted redshanks, at least 20+ yellow wagtails mostly juv's and the first autumn pintail(2) and wigeon with 17( 15 new + the 2 which have been here all summer), 12+ knot, 700+ black tailed godwits, 3+ bar tailed godwits, 20+ whimbrel, 400+ curlew, 300+ redshank, 1 buzzard, 1 peregrine.

constant movement of sand Martin , house martin and swallow with easily 1000+ birds moving south 

a quick look at the viewing platform produced 20+ sandwich tern and at least 14+ yellow wagtail over 

Fairly quite around the headland so concentrated on seawatching 0700-0830: 2 Pomarine Skuas, 5 Arctic Skua, 2 Bonxie, 16 Balearic Shearwater, 11 Manx, 35 'commic' Tern. Highlight of the morning was 1 Pilot Whale S at 0730, 1 Bottle-nosed Dolphin S at 0750 and 8+ Harbour Porpoise.

lesser whitethroat in hedge behind cricket ground.Also juv willow warbler.m blackcap,3robins.Ant feeding frenzy again over crow braunton burrows ,many thousands of gulls.Lots of meds amongst them.16:-17:45.At the skern juv ruff,6 knot[64 y.day],27 dunlin,18:00-18:30.

second visit forthe evening high tide 16:45 till 18:45

my second highest count of curlew with 800+ , the imm/ fem garganey showed again, the 3 spotted redshanks came in with 350+ redshanks, 8+ ruff , 710+ black tailed godwits, 8+ bar tailed godwits, 12 knot, 12+ greenshanks, 15+ lapwing, 30+ whimbrel, 1 dunlin.

A visit tonight produced 4 Whinchats, 35 Curlews, 130 Redshanks. 3 Greenshanks, 2+ Common Sandpipers, Ringed Plover, 13 Little Egrets and 8 Grey Herons.

An unseasonal surprise this evening in the form of a winter plumage Black-necked Grebe diving close in to shore off Preston Beach, Paignton at 7pm.

0620-0900

200+ Manx Shearwaters,  50+ Balearic Shearwaters,  2 Great Skuas.  

2pm -5pm The Osprey was showing well over Isley and even had the courtesy of flying into my scope field of view close in, while looking at a Heron! All the other usuals,Whimbrel,Curlew, Oystercatchers, Egrets but very few small waders on Isley at low tide? Bursdon was almost completely devoid of birdlife with barely a tweet to be heard. 2 wrens and a crow with gulls overhead.

A couple more photos from last night.

Balearic shearwater

Juvenile kittiwake

Lumpy conditions at sea off Berry Head brought 2 sooty shearwaters, 6+ balearic shearwaters at least 2 of which came to chum behind the boat, and around 100 manx shearwaters. Also 1 distant skua sp., the usual gannets, fulmars, kittiwakes and commoner gulls. 2 porpoises and a dolphin sp.? were off the end of Berry Head. A detour to Seven Quarries and Churston Cove on the way back in produced 3 grey herons at the roost, and a grey seal.

Balearic shearwater

Sooty shearwater

Watched from 07:45 till 11:00

10 juv ruff this morning continued the good showing this autumn , 3 spotted redshanks( 2 adult, 1 juv), 1 garganey ( imm/ gem) , 706+ black tailed godwits, 12 knot, c400 curlew, 27+ whimbrel, 2 bar tailed godwits, 32+ greenshanks, c300 redshanks, 250+ teal, 130+ mallards, 2 tufted duck, 2 wigeon, 15+ shoveler, 1 peregrine, 1 buzzard, 2 sparrowhawk, 3 yellow wagtail over the viewing platform.

Viewed 1600-2000hrs over the incoming high-tide on a bright and sunny evening with large numbers of mostly Common/Sandwich Terns with a few Black/Little Terns seeking out the last bit of sandbar off Mudbank before it disapppears. From the seafront a massive amount of mostly Common Terns with a few Sandwich/Artic/Black and Little Terns contiuously streaming all evening heading west offshore over Warren point into the estuary with others drifting down the coast with Lee & Co. watching from John's Watch on the Warren (good luck on the counting guys) !!.  Also seen Ringed Plover and Sanderling on the beach side with Gannets fishing further down the bay. Also a few Balearic Shearwater and Artic Skua further out. In between the Red Arrows did a few diamond formation fly passes around the bay and over Exmouth.

Link to some digiscoped video footage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=441zNk1Wf5s

Common & Sandwich Terns

Common & Sandwich Terns

A morning walk (yesterday 28th)  from Shipley car park above South Brent to the Avon Dam no sign of the reported Ring Ouzels but a total of 27 species identified.

In the area of pine just past the first gate high numbers of Tits and Goldcrest, the Long Tailed Tits were beyond counting with good numbers of Blue Tit and Coal Tit Along with Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.

On the river a single Dipper and a couple of Grey Wagtails.

In the area around the bridge before the Dam and below the quarry the ground was alive with Stonechats and good numbers of Whinchat, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Wheatear, good numbers of Goldfinch that were feeding on seeding thistle heads including large numbers of juvenile birds.

Kestrel and Buzzard.

At times steady passage of Swallows over head or feeding low over the ground.

Watched from 16:00 till 19:00

Lots of disturbance this evening made counts very hard with peregrine , buzzard and the Red arrows making the waders very restless 

Just 3 juv Ruff this evening (2f,1m), 3 spotted redshank(2 adult, 1 juv) brief views of 1 garganey( imm/ fem), 12+ knot, 25+ whimbrel, 10+ bar tailed godwit, c600 black tailed godwits, c700 curlew, c300 redshank, 5+ greenshank, 30+ dunlin, 20+ lapwing, 10+ little egrets, 1 little grebe, 2 tufted duck, 15+ shoveler. Still good numbers of teal and mallards.

goosemoor only had 25+ greenshank as water levels very high.

Also tracked the Osprey at 7.30pm flying up from Isley Marsh toward the sea and then turning over the Torridge/Instow and flying up the river. My first one!

A pre-planned trip to Soar re-focused on East Soar Willows early on, with a few others, but no sign of yesterday's Bonelli's Warbler sp. 

Generally little evidence of migration (no Wheatears) but across the area: Pied Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail (6+), Whitethroat (4), Chiffchaff (3+), White Wagtail (3), Green Woodpecker (juv), Peregrine, Grey Wagtail (2 or 3) and Whimbrel (heard).

Later, at South Efford Marsh: Green Sandpiper (3), Common Sandpiper (3), Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail (4), Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Peregrine and Greenshank (heard).

Osprey sighted today at SS485337 nr Blackstone Rock, Chivenor area being harrassed by gulls.

reported by Jane Holmes

One Swift & Green Sandpiper early this morning. 

watched from 15:30 till 17:30

18+ juv ruff was my highest count for this end of the estuary with 5+ on Bowling green marsh and 13+ on Goosemoore with 4+ male and 14+ females great to see such good numbers of juv's 

other totals were Bowling Green Marsh 721+ curlew, 509+ black tailed godwits, 19+ whimbrel, 12+ knot, 20+ dunlin, 5 greenshanks, 200+ redshanks, 1 juv spotted redshank, 12+ lapwing, 150+ teal, 9 little egrets, 3 tufted duck.

on goosemoor , 27+ greenshanks, 2 adult spotted redshanks, 80+ black tailed godwits, 40+ redshanks, 1 common sandpiper, 1 green sandpiper, 1 kingfisher , 2 raven . 

Bonelli's Warbler found this morning c10.00am by Barry Rankine in the willows just down from Soar Farm.

Wednesday 26 August 

20+ greenshank

An hour & a half walk this afternoon gave 2 Whinchat & at least 8 Wheatear.

14:05 Rear of RGB 1 Bar-tailed Godwit.

14:15 Forshore btwn Ashford Sewage Works & Bradiford Water:- 11 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 juvenile Dunlin.

14:40 Ashford Strand:- 2 Bar-tailed Godwit.

14:55 Ashford Sewage Works ditch:- 1 Green Sandpiper.

15:00 Bradiford Water foreshore:- 1 Ruff; 1 Reeve & 1 adult Med Gull.

15:05 Rear of RGB:- 25 Black-tailed Godwit & 2 Bar-tailed Godwit.

post for 26th Aug, on holiday in area and walked from Northam Burows to Fremlington ((using Ferry). At least 5 wheatear on golf course. ringed plover, 6 little Egret and approx 50 Curlew in Skern area.

Common Gull (7) at Instow CC, a roost of 200+ Oystercatcher on Taw near Yelland with 12+ Little Egret, 50+ Curlew and approx 20 Black Tailed Godwit at Isley saltings. 1 juv med gull seen in amongst 200+ by gull on Taw at Salthouse Duck pond. Near Fremlington Pill a roost of 80+ redshank with a solitary Greenshank.

late post for yesterday as busy last night 

watched from 16:10 till 18:30 from the hide

7 juv ruff ( 1m, 6f) , 3 spotted redshank(2 adult, 1 juv), 1 dunlin, 2 bar tailed godwits, 22+ whimbrel, 200+ redshank, 500+ black tailed godwits, 200+ teal big increase over last few days , 1 tufted duck, 4+ greenshanks, 200+ curlew, 1 peregrine which managed to catch a lone swift first time seen them take a swift, 3 buzzards, 6+ lapwing.

A later look around the area by Gary Clayden produced at least 11+ juv ruff ( thanks for the txt Gary )

8 - 10 am 1 Pom Skua, 2 Bonxies, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 200+ Manx Shearwater, 100+ Balearic Shearwater, 2 Storm Petrel

1 ad male Merlin Pig's Nose valley.

An hour watching the sea this evening produced 6 Balearic Shearwaters and a constant stream of terns heading west; mostly "Commic" Terns including at least one large flock of 150+ plus other large flocks, so 250+ would be a conservative total count.
This morning DC and PB had Storm Petrel, 2 Black Tern and a few Balearic Shearwater.

Two Sandwich Tern seen patrolling and calling at the shoreline at Barn Pool. Small flock of Black Headed Gulls wading also. Tern flew towards Torpoint.

Stoke Gabriel is always one of the better spots for Osprey on the Dart (a tricky estuary to watch) sure enough at 19.30ish after a heavy downpour one circled up from down river and drifted west toward Bow Creek it was probably originally sat in the usual large pines on north side of Dart opposite the Dittisham peninsula.

Went back for camera - very kind of it to wait.

Andy

Walked to the marsh this afternoon with Andy Lansdell. Good numbers (100+) of Mediterranean Gulls on the grassy area by the Caen.

3 Little Egrets in the area. A Greenshank by the Marsh pond and further around we put up a juvenile Little Stint, which did a couple of quick, close circuits and landed right in front of us! Did either of us have a camera? Further around nearer Chivenor, a Cormorant and a Green Sandpiper. At least a dozen Swallows over the reed-bed.

On the foreshore at rear of RGB;-  1 Ruff; 4 Reeve; 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit.

Ashford Sewage Works ditch;_ 1 Green Sandpiper.

Mid-river sandbar:- Tight flock of 180 Curlew.

Penhill Marsh:- 13 Grey Heron and 100 to 200 Canada Geese.

Yesterday (25th @ 12:25) :- 3 Med Gulls (As) on foreshore btwn Ashford Sewage Works and Bradiford Water; 14 Little Egrets in close flock; 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.

Lunchtime visit until about 2.30.

From the hide 2 Spotted Redshanks and 2 Ruff.

Then from the platform, 2 more Ruff 1 Common Sandpiper and a Kingfisher. The highlight though was 3 Black Terns that dropped in briefly on the mud but then flew off in the direction of Goosemoor but then gained height and disappeared out of sight.

Seawatch 0630-0930hrs: 1 juv or 1st sum Long-tailed Skua, 13 Arctic Skuas, 10 Bonxie, 8 Black Tern, 239 Common Tern, 4 Arctic Tern, 55 Sandwich Tern, 130 'commic' Tern, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 400+ Kittiwake, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 208 Balearic Shearwaters, 147 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Storm Petrel, 3 Common Scoter. Around quarry 3 Grey Wagtails, 1 Wheatear, 11 Whitethroat, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff & 4 Blackcap.

Seawatching 6:30 - 9:00.

10 Balearic Shearwaters, 11 Manx Shearwaters, 20 distant shearwater sp., 4 Great Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 skua sp., 1 Black Tern, 4 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 15 'commic' tern, 25 distant tern sp., 150+ Sandwich Tern, 140+ Gannet, 41 Fulmar, 62+ Kittiwake and 13 Common Scoter.

Also 1 Harbour Porpoise. No sign of the Bonaparte's Gull.

watched from 15:15 till 17:15

from the hide 550+ black tailed godwits, 4 juv ruff all females , 2 adult spotted redshank, 2 greenshank 200+ redshanks , 10+ knot, 80+ teal, 2 tufted duck 

on goosemoor 3 more juv ruff( 2f, 1m), 1 juv spotted redshank, 20+ greenshank, 40+ redshank, 1 common sandpiper, kingfisher , 2 raven.

Very strong gusts of wind this aft.

Now 3 Ruff (1 male & 2 female).

Only managed to digiscope the 2 females, the male flew off before I was able to press the shutter.

Seawatching today at Berry Hd produced: 102 Balearic Shearwaters, 220 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 14 Storm Petrel, 10 Black Tern, 4 Arctic Tern, 41 Common Tern, 62 'commic' Tern, 49 Sandwich Tern, 5 Bonxie, 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Phalarope Sp, 5 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Swift, several wader species and 6-8 Harbour Porpoise.

Lunchtime visit - not much to report from the hide. Big numbers of Black-tailed Godwit and plenty of Canada Geese.

From Goosemoor, 4 Ruff and 1 Common Sandpiper.

Pied Flycatcher feeding on insects in garden, top of Goodrington Road for most of the day. Very active, nice garden tick.

A look over the evening gull flock on the beach produced 5 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Ringed Plover, 20+ Sandwich Tern but best of all a flock of 9 Little Tern that fed briefly in the bay before heading for Goodrington where they kept returning before heading off toward Preston at around 2015hrs.

juv osprey watched from in front of cricket ground at 13:30 for 20 mins attempting to catch before losing site as it made its way up taw.Also there juv peregrine,6 common gull,10 meds.

A Wryneck found after the rain this afternoon by Vic Tucker.

Wryneck [record shot]

Hopped on the bike to have a quick look at the R.Caen.

1 Black Tern flying out towards the mouth of R.Caen then turning east towards Barnstaple.Then cycled along the TarkaTrail towards Barnstaple hoping it would re- appear.

Stopped at Pottington to scope the mud for waders.

1 Ruff & 1 Reeve searching for food side by side with themale catching a marine worm. 1 Black tailed & 1 Bar tailed Godwit.

Highlight of a wet morning was 3 Wood Sandpiper on the marsh. Also: 3 Green Sandpiper, 13 Common Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Teal, 200 House Martin, 2 Kingfisher, male Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear & Whinchat.

Late posting for Sunday 23rd 7 p.m. No sign of the redstart but the 3 Whinchat by the control tower and 7 Wheatears.

This will be my last posting for the above site as i am moving away. I hope my findings over the past 5 years will inspire a few others to find local patches away from the coastal hotspots. Star birds have been Stone Curlew, GG Shrike, Bewicks Swan, Snow Bunting and various waders (Ruff, Whimbrel, Grey Plover etc) as well as good numbers of Golden Plover, Lapwing, Wheatear and Whinchat. I send good wishes to my friends Mike Hudson, Mike Reynolds and Richard Whiteside. 

However i am not disappearing as i am moving down to South Hams so i expect to still post in the future.

Pic from today.

Spotfly and Whinchat

Nice sunny walk, a Barn Owl hunting in the sunshine, male Peregrine hunting and very active over the airfield, Kestrel, Buzzards, Wheatear, Measdow Pipits, Common Sand, Med Gulls, 3 Comic Terns roosting off of Isley Marsh, Herons, Egrets, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Wagtails, all the more common waders and regulars. 

Spotted Flycatcher and at least 4 Whinchat, hawking from barbed wire under the power lines/between the two cattle water-feeders at west end of marsh. Also several Stonechat, Swallow, Whitethroat. 

(Viewing just from the gate from Tarka Trail as I had the dog.)

An incredible day - following texts from Matt K of 3, then 12 then 13 Black Terns off Exmouth- joined Brian H at Mudbank Lane at lunchtime and immediately saw a large distant flock of Terns on the last remaining sand bar which included c10 Black Terns including 2-3 adults. Later they showed slightly better from the Imperial Ground but per Martin W had largely dispersed by 2pm as the tide dropped. Also 1 Knot.

Further texts from Phil A of an astonishing 13 then quickly 27 Wood Sandpipers at Blackhole Marsh, Seaton. Arrived at 2pm and after several counts increased the tally to a confirmed 29! Also present the Little Stint, 6-8 Ruff, Green Sand, 3 Common Sands, Greenshank and Ringed Plovers/Dunlins. As we were leaving Phil returned and in no time at all, confirmed 33 Wood Sands!! 

To put this into context the previous maximum flock of Wood Sands in Devon appears to be 10 and the max yearly total 'only' 38.

Adult Bonaparte's Gull present on groynes and pipe in front of the Yacht Club north of the pier from 12:05. A juvenile Osprey flew slowly north at 13:25 being seen at the mouth of the Exe Estuary 15 minutes later. At sea there were 3 Common Tern, 5 Common Scoter and c.20 Whimbrel.

For more info. and photos see the Teign Birds blog

Wryneck midway between bridge and dam Saturday afternoon. 

Also 3 Ring Ouzelss below the dam and Whinchats many Blackcaps and Willow Warblers.Large nos.of juv. Robins all along track. (South Brent Group report)

Maer Rocks - the normally wader-free rocks produced a wood sandpiper, 2 common sandpiper, 1 whimbrel, 5 turnstone, 4 ringed plover and 1 sanderling - such is the magic of rain at this time of year! Offshore at least 6 black tern and 7 common scoter.

The estuary, from the Sailing Club, produced 6+ black tern, quite possibly the same as earlier off Maer Rocks, c60+ common tern, c100+ sandwich tern, c100+ ringed plover and 25+ sanderling. Some photos on the blog later. Also a single black-tailed godwit on Warren View Playing Fields at the back of our house.

Edit - Another look off Mudbank at about 11am produced 13 black tern (with another 6 being watched by Kev and Lee in the Bight at the Warren) along with 7 greenshank, c120+ redshank, 3 grey plover, c150+ ringed plover, 1 common sandpiper, 2 knot, c50+ bar-tailed godwit, 5 wigeon and 4 teal.

1500 - 1710

At low tide: 62 Canada Geese, 6 Little Egret, 10 Grey Heron, c250 Herring gull, 2 Lesser BB gulls, 1 Common Sandpiper, 9 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Curlew, 2 Kingfisher, and 1 Little Grebe still in summer plumage. Swallows and House Martins around Saltram house.

60 med gulls,30ads,4ss,2fs,24juv.3 swifts12:00-13:45.Hobby heading s at 12:15.

Some photos from last night's boat trip. Manx shearwaters present in smaller numbers than before, but among them at least 3 balearic shearwaters. Also 3 bonxies, 30+ common terns, a few guillemots and the usual gannets, fulmars and commoner gulls. Several porpoises were off Berry Head, and a bottle nosed dolphin in Brixham Harbour on our return.

Balearic shearwater

Common tern

Bonxie

Shipley Bridge to Avon Dam.morning 22/08/2015.

Wryneck midway between,3 Ring Ouzels below the dam,also 3 Whinchats many Blackcaps and Willow Warblers.Large nos.of juv. Robins all along track.

Early morning stroll with the family. 3 sandwich terns and first juv turnstone of the autumn on the rocks.

watched from 09:00 till 12:30

from the hide 1 juv Ruff, 1 adult spotted redshank and another calling from the river clyst, 1 dunlin, 7+ whimbrel, 300+ redshanks, 510+ black tailed godwit, 1 bar tailed godwit, 1 avocet, 1 green sandpiper, 1 common sandpiper, 17+ knot, 5+ greenshanks, 13+ lapwing, 8+ little egrets, 1 whitethroat, 2 blackcap.

a quick look in goosemoor produced 3 juv ruff , 1 juv spotted redshank, 20+ greenshank, 90+ black tailed godwits, 2 whimbrel, 12+ redshank, , 2 common sandpiper.

from the viewing platform 19+ knot, 25+ whimbrel, 1 dunlin, 320+ curlew.

from the goatwalk 8+ sandwich terns ( included 2 juv's)

A superb male Redstart this morning about 0.5 mile past the stock car stadium, 3 Whinchat near the control tower, 12 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Long tailed tits, 70 Swallows and a Green Woodpecker. All in all better than enduring England's dismal batting at the Oval yesterday....

Another good trip out into Lyme Bay with Nigel Smallbones. Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake & various species of gull close in to the boat. A few small flocks of Common Terns with Manx & Balearic Shearwater doing fly bys along with the Red Arrows. Best of all distant but good views of 3-4 Great Skuas. Trip rounded of with a few porpoises and the Bottle nosed dolphin in Brixham harbour

Gannet off the back of the boat

Great Skua

Common Tern

Lunchtime visit to the hide until about 2.30. Most surprising was 1 Avocet in amongst good numbers of the usual waders. Also 5 Knot, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Oystercatcher. 1 Tufted Duck and 3+ Gadwall.

Shorter Seawatch today from 6.55 till 9.55 but in a better, kinder SSW wind force 4+ produced :

84 Balearic Shearwaters ; 1925 Manxies ; with highlights being a 1st year Little Gull at 7.37am ( with 1st yr and adult Kittiwakes close by for comparison ) and a 'Blue' Fulmar at 8.10am all west. Also a Bonxie passed at 8.45am. Also a pod of at least 25 Common Dolphins surfacing and breaching from 7.25 till 8am.Back to the car park and en route a Tree Pipit.

Then to South Huish where the Wood Sandpiper still present at 11am on LHS plus 3 Black Tailed Godwits, 3 Dunlin and a Snipe.

Seawatch 6.15-10.30, rather cloudy and drizzly with South South-West winds. 4 Balearic Shearwaters, 172 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua, 19 Common Scoters, 3 Mediterranean Gulls all juvs, 18 Sandwich Terns, 135+ kittiwakes, 100+ Gannets and also 8 Harbour Porpoises. 

A 45min morning walk along the river bank in the drizzle but well worth it. Male Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Female Peregrine, Kingfisher, 5x Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Little Egrets, Med gulls, Dunlin, Grey Wags, Pied Wags, 200+ Canada Geese,plus all the usual regulars.

Pied Flycatcher (female) in quarry 2.30, with numerous Stonechats. Seawatching from nearby 2.45-4.30: numerous Manx Shearwaters, Gannets, one adult Razorbill with young, Storm Petrel following in wake of fishing boat.

Murky conditions but good for waders highlighted by 2 Wood Sandpiper on the marsh and across the area 34 Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, Snipe and 14 Common Sandpiper. Also: 360 Herring Gull, Kestrel pair & 31 Pied Wagtail.

38 med gulls,14 ads,1ss,2fs,21juv,peregrine,100 ringed plover,3 sanderling,100 dunlin,11:50.Swift over bowden green bideford 12:50.

Interesting record of  1-2 nightjar feeding and calling in gardens in the centre of Kingsteignton just before midnight last night. - probably local birds dispersing

Walked down to Sherpa Marsh this afternoon: Common Sandpiper and Greenshank in the Caen, along with Little Egret. Common Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit around the Marsh. Only saw one Swallow. Lots of Canada Geese.

Of interest a Beautiful Damselfly in the reserve yesterday, and another by the bridge entry to the field.

It was misty with thick drizzle, and the tide right out mid-afternoon, but not a dog in sight! At that time of day it is unusual for anything to be around Greysands Pool because of disturbance,  but today there was a Juv Little Ringed Plover and 2 juv Little Stint.

Lunchtime visit to the hide until about 2.30.

Fairly quiet over a low tide. The highlight being a brief vist from a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull. There were also 3 Ruff and 1 Common Sandpiper along with 2 Tufted Ducks.

See here for a write-up of yesterday's survey results from Lundy waters. No Balearics – we just don't seem to get them up here on the north coast until later in the autumn – but huge numbers of Manx. Also Pied Flycatcher and a few other bits and pieces on land as we yomped to/from seawatching vantage points during our all-too-brief time ashore.

Particpated in MARINELife/RSPB Balearic Survey yesterday with Tim Worfolk from 6.30am till close of play at 8pm.Conditions far from ideal ie glorious sunshine, blue skies etc and wind strength ranging from calm force 1 to 4+ towards the end and from WNW to WSW. Just before the seawatch at the point I saw my first Sedge Warbler and Goldcrest of the autumn (wonder what other passerines were around yesterday !) Also 50+ hirundines over the point (Swallows, Sand and House Martins)

Seawatching totals : 32 Balearic Shearwaters ( between 6.30 and 12.35); 1755 Manxies west and c 500 east ; 1 Bonxie west; 188 Gannets w,30 e ; 42 Kittiwakes w; 21 Fulmars w; 7 Sandwich terns w,1 e; 5 Commic Terns w; 5 Common Scoter w (all males); 11 waders e (either Curlew or Whimbrel); 2 smaller waders w (likely Knot) ; and 4 + Harbour Porpoises and 3 small cetaceans (likely Common Dolphins) 

As part of the joint RSPB Marinelife dedicated Balearic Shearwater count in the South West today a dedicated watch from Budleigh 06.30 - 13.00hrs produced 21 Balearic Shearwaters, 600+ Manx Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua and 10 Common Scoter. All the shearwater activity was between 06.45 and 08.15hrs with all birds heading East except 5 of the Balearics which went West. Also two groups of Bottlenose Dolphins making 12+ minimum. Thanks in particular to Pebbles B&B for keeping us supplied with Coffee, Bacon Sandwiches and Cake! It will be interesting to see the other counts from across the region's other watchpoints. 

34 med gulls,8 ads,1ss,3fs22 juvs,500+ bhg's,1 barwit,4 whimbrel,20:00.

An afternoon walk from Shipley car park above South Brent towards the Avon Dam was seemingly going to be a hard days birding with nothing of any note being seen.

But once past the first bridge and as far as the old pump house the cover was alive with birds, a female Kestrel came right over the top of us and showed well for some time, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff in good numbers and a larger warbler species that eventually showed itself long enough to be identified as a Sedge Warbler.

Good numbers of Blackcap, all female other than the one male identified. We gave up counting Stonechats well over twenty in a fairly small area, Whinchat (the first time that I could tick one off the list) A Hobby showed really well reasonably high and feeding on the wing, Buzzard, Great, Blue & Coal Tit, Linnet and Meadow Pipit being some of the 20 species identified.

Apologies for late post of this difficult to photograph bird whose agility made it challenging to follow.

WW Black Tern

Shearwaters seen on the pelagic trip from Brixham with Nigel.  Calm conditions enabled close views of Balearics and Manx sitting on the water. 

Balearic Shearwaters with Manx

Balearic Shearwater

Good morning at Seaton with good views of at least 4 Wood Sandpiper plus supporting cast of Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and several Ruff. Kingfisher put in an appearance. Black tailed Godwit in good numbers and various plumage. 

Better fare today; a Lesser Whitethroat was new for the site, 3 Whinchat, 3 Whitethroat, 6 Wheatear and the Little Owl again. 

Yellow Wagtail Flew SW over valley calling midday today.

First Spotted Flycatcher of the autumn plus first  Yellow Wagtails, 2 by the farm with 10 Pieds. Also 150 Swallow, 10 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 12 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 42 Goldfinch & 28 Linnet

76 med gulls in one flock off rocks,71 ads,1fs,4 juvs.On crow pt area another 26,7ads,1ss,6fs,12 juvs.Count made at 08:45.5000+ mainly medium sized gulls comprising mainly bhg's in frenzy over fish.

Popped by to see the RSPB seawatch, 8 Balearic Shearwaters off Budleigh beach this morning at 7.45am. 

Pretty much as you were with 5 Wheatears and the Little Owl (max count of Wheatear so far this autumn is just 9). A Ringed Plover heard calling over the airfield was the only other bird of interest.

Adult Spotted Sandpiper present this morning. This bird was on private land that I have permission to survey during WeBS and at present the landowner is requesting that the location is not disclosed (sorry!). However there is a reasonable chance it will show at Passage House this evening on the rising tide as this is where most Common Sandpipers congregate at high tide.

Update (20:00): No sign so far this evening, but for anyone wishing to look for it tomorrow, the landowner at Flow Point is now willing to permit access. Parking is available at Michaels Field playing fields in Bishopsteignton (SX904733); from here, walk c300m east along the Newton Road then c250m south down Flow Lane, under the railway to view from SX909728. Please do not leave the track/path, and under no circumstances attempt to drive down Flow Lane or enter the saltmarsh at Flow Point.

large numbers of gulls again feeding on flying ants..So many they seemed indiffferent to any bait fish.Mainly black headed but managed to pick out 44 meds in small sweep of immediate estuary.34 ads,1ss,1fs,8juvs.Many thousands beyond scope range&constant mvement so no doubt many more.18:20 y.day evening

a second visit for the evening high tide watched from the hide 18:00 till 20:40

Exceptional numbers of curlew with 1034+ being my highest count for the marsh , 628+ black tailed godwits, 16+ bar tailed godwits, 11 knot, 6 dunlin , 325+ redshanks , 2 spotted  redshanks( adult , juv), 21 greenshank, 1 water rail, 11 lapwing, 53+ whimbrel, 2 tufted duck, 28+ teal, 2 wigeon.

First autumn morning with a bit of a fall on the head: 1 Redstart, 12 Willow Warblers, 5 Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 4 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and a high flying flock of 17 House Sparrows! At sea most birds a long way off-shore in clear conditions but 7 juv Mediterranean Gulls, 6+ Balearic Shearwaters, three rafts of about 400+ Manx Shearwaters, 1 Turnstone, and 8 Harbour Porpoise.

During a not very productive ringing session this morning, I trapped and ringed another Green Sandpiper! None in six years and now two in a week. Weird. Only other bird of note was an even later Swift briefly overhead.

started at bowling green marsh from the hide 08:15 till 11:15

2 wood sandpipers flew over calling seemed to come from goosemoor and headed of towards exminster marsh, 2 spotted redshanks( 1 adult, 1 juv) , 35+ greenshanks, 250+ redshank, 560+ black tailed godwits, 15+ bar tailed godwits, 4 knot, 40+ whimbrel, 420+ curlew, 1 wheatear, 11+ little egrets, 2 common sandpiper, 12+ lapwing.

Then moved to the viewing platform and had another 4 common sandpiper

then from the goatwalk managed to watch the White Winged Black Tern Flying around exminster marsh.

Very calm morning for boat trip from Brixham into Lyme Bay. We had a good trip with over a 1,000 Shearwater in large groups. Within the groups 8+ Balearic,1 Sooty. 8 Kittiwake, 3 Common Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, Gannets and many Herring Gull. Small groups of Harbour Porpoise in all numbering 9. much food out in Lyme Bay for the birds.  

Manx and one Balearic Shearwater (middle back) off Mansands

The White-winged Tern still showing well this morning between the viewing platform and Turf.  It periodically did a circuit of the canal frindges every half hour or so and possibly included the estuary in its route.  It passed within feet several times but not easy to photograph.  Beautiful little bird. (Incidentally, a group of walkers seemed intent on getting to Turf along the estuary side of the canal... didn't know it was passable!).

Patch tick this morning - Lesser Whitethroat moving through the scrub. First Whinchat of the autumn, on the airfield. Also: 200 Swallow, 30 House Martin, 20 Meadow Pipit, Wheatear, 7 Whitethroat & 16 Willow Warbler.

Wood sand (1), ruff (1), greenshank (1), dunlin (7), black-tailed godwit (1), snipe (1), small pied wag roost (25).

Several good views of the Tern flying up and down the Canal today, last seen feeding over the Lagoon

Around the Cadover Bridge area today, two Kestrels (male & female) reasonable numbers of Stonechats, one pair feeding a BTO rung youngster, a small number of Wheatears, Swallows and at least three Sand Martins, Meadow Pipits the expected Corvids and a few flying Herring Gulls.

watched from 07:45 till 13:30

started at the hide at bowling green marsh , 1 adult curlew sandpiper, 3 spotted redshanks ( 2 adults, 1 juv), 1 juv ruff, 3 knot, 1 grey plover, 16+ bar tailed godwits, 560+ black tailed godwits, 460+ curlew, 40+ whimbrel, 2 common sandpiper, 1 green sandpiper, 250+ redshank, 20+ greenshanks, 12+ lapwing, 1 gadwall , 2 wigeon , 3 tufted duck, 1 sparrowhawk, 1 buzzard, 2 oystercatchers

from the viewing platform another curlew sandpiper towards exton plus the the 1 seen from the hide, and another knot, 1 sandwich tern

from the goatwalk brief views of the White Winged Black Tern flying up and down the canal on exminster marsh , 50+ dunlin and 2 sandwich terns . 

I took a few quick pictures as the juvenile passed quickly along the canal at the viewpoint this morning. It was feeding over surface pondweed, especially when canoes passed by - presumably taking advantage of the insects they disturbed. (Notable amongst the latter were Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselflies). 

10 little terns again feeding in the estuary,2 ad meds07:45.Instow rocks held 10 med gulls,6 ads,4 juvs 08:00.

watched from 17:15 till 20:15

was just watching a Green sandpiper from the hide at bowling green marsh when a txt from James Diamond of a Juvenile White winged black tern on Exminster marsh came through so made way to the Goat walk and after a short while managed to get the bird as it flew up and down the canal a Devon tick for me thanks James.

back round to the hide and  the first Curlew sandpiper of the year a nice adult popped in, 4 knot, 2 spotted redshank( adult and juv), 16+ bar tailed godwits, 550+ black tailed godwits, 300+ redshanks, 15 lapwing, 1 common sandpiper 7+ grey plover , 40+ whimbrel, 450+ curlew, 4 snipe, 8 little egrets, 60+ teal, 1 gadwall, 3 tufted duck, 1 buzzard, 2 grey heron, 1 possible wood sandpiper flyover call only 

a really good evenings birding 

17 little terns feeding in and near greysands pt + 1 common tern.Little ringed plover alighted briefly before moving to tip pool possibly with another as both took off at least one calling.Both species seen from 19:30-20:00.Also 10 knot 5 whimbrel grey plover(bp),50 curlew,70 oystercatchers,5 med gulls 3ads,2 juvs

16.30 > 19.00

218 Mediterranean Gulls including 31 Juv's on R.Caen.

142 Black headed Gulls + 7 juv,s.

On the beach seaward, two Ring Plovers were seen and photographed, they were among 5 to 6 Pid wagtails

Ring Plover - Mount Batten - 14-08-15

Not the only person around Mountbatten today it seems.

Clear signs of early migration with good numbers of swallows as well as an unusual small flighty flock of 6 common sandpipers on Ireland Bay shoreline. 1 adult Med Gull present as well

A dry and pleasent walk this evening. Great views of 15+ Little Terns feeding on the Taw on the in coming tide. Also 20+ Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank and one Wheatear. Plus 100+ noisy Canada Geese  flying around the estuary. 

A very photogenic Juvenile Buzzard at Ford Park Cemetery this morning but little else apart form the usual Crows and Magpies.

A couple of Mallard and a Robin along with a small mix of B-H Gulls & Herring Gulls at Hooe Lake.

At Mount Batten Beach about half a dozen Pied Wagtail and a pair of Ringed Plover.

Late afternoon walk down to the Marsh was quite productive, especially if you like Canada Geese. Didn't get an accurate count but 250+ moving off towards the Great field in small groups until the farmer put the remainder up while he was changing a battery for his fence. Around the pond were 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers and a Wood Sandpiper, which flew off with one of the Green towards Braunton Marsh. Also a single Ruff. Several Teal on the pond with a couple of Little Grebes. Over on the Pill, a Common Sandpiper, and at least a 3-figure count of Mediterranean Gulls. I hope Rob will post later with an accurate count - he was on the west side of the river with a telescope.

 3 spl Black Terns, Med Gulls and Sandwich Terns. [Vic Tucker]

Mudbank - still one Black Tern off Mudbank all morning with at least 15 Common Tern and several Sandwich Tern. Much greater number of waders around too with 8 Grey Plover, 16 Bar-tailed Godwit and 5 Greenshank fresh in. Many other wader sp too far off to ID in horrible wet conditions. Lee Collins reports 7 Little Tern, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and 89 Common Tern at the Warren so plenty of stuff is on the move.

watched from the hide 17:00 till 19:10

2 spotted redshank ( 1 adult and 1 juv), 350+ redshanks, 23+ greenshanks, 585+ black tailed godwits( inclused 6+ juv) , 14+ bar tailed godwits(included 3 juv's), 160+ dunlin( included 20+ juv's) 25+ ringed plover, 1 knot, 487+ curlew, 35+ whimbrel , 12+ lapwing, 9+ little egrets, good numbers of reed warblers and 4+ sedge warblers, 2 wigeon, 3 tufted duck, 30+ teal.

while waiting for bus at topsham quay a group of 47+ sandwich terns flew up the river before heading back towards the goatwalk 

First Whinchat of the autumn this evening along with 5 Wheatear, the Little owl and, for the site, a scarce bird in the shape of a Reed Bunting

Mudbank - Wood Sandpiper - 1 from 1600 - 1633 when it flew off East. Also 4 Black Tern off there along with several Sandwich Tern, c10+ Common Tern, 134 Mallard, 2 Teal, 8 Mediterranean Gull, 9 Redshank, 24+ Ringed Plover, 18+ Dunlin, 25+ Whimbrel, 11Turnstone, 30+ Sanderling, 1 Knot and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Two photographs submitted of a Knot and Little Stint taken at Braunton Burrows on 25 Sept 2010 did not have photographer's initials added to the file name - we would like to use the phtographs  - can any one help??

The camera used was a Canon EOS 7D with a 700mm lens later edited in photoshop CS6.

 14 Little Terns feeding over fish in estuary with 21 med gulls on skern, 17 ads,1 ss,1fs,2 juvs,5 blackwits 07:00

5000+gulls over northam burrows this evening gorging on the ants.42 med gulls found of those that landed.25 adults,4ss,4fs,9 juvs,3 blackwits,4 whimbrel 9 redshank,17:40-18:45.Looking up the taw many thousands gulls participating.

5 Wheater, 7 Ringed Plover, 4 Sanderling (one in full summer plumage) seen between 10.00 - 11.00 on the shingle beach between the middle car park and Torcross. Nil seen on the return walk 14.00-15.00 due to people walking the tide line and dogs on the beach.  At least two 2nd year Med Gulls in the gull flock.  Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows feeding in mixed flock of approx 100 birds over the Lower Ley. 

While ringing in the reserve yesterday, I trapped and ringed a Green Sandpiper. The first Swallows of the year were ringed and a late Swift flew over too.

ENE winds produced a reasonable morning with single Hobby, 40 House Martin, 95 Swallow, single Redstart & Wheatear, 11 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and 20 Willow Warbler.

Butterflies inc.3 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, also 3m Emperor Dargonfles & Common Blue Damselfly.

Behind cricket ground 5 meds 2 adult,fs,2 juvs,crow pt area 7 kestrels 2 buzzards,17 swifts over main road north of instow 14:30-16:00

An increase to 6 Wheatears this evening, 3 Whitethroat and a White Wagtail amongst the 30 or so Pieds. 70 Swallows, 10 House Martin and the Little Owl showing in its usual place.

6 birders braved the horrendous weather to attend this meeting at West Charleton marsh.  A grey heron and 2 little egrets were soon visible inspite of the heavy rain as we made our way to the splendid hide, accompanied by the sound of several cirl bunting calling.  Once out of wet coats we surveyed both marsh and sea.  The tide rose quite quickly and we soon spotted a whimbrel as well as curlew and a variety of gulls.  One redshank was feeding on the mud.

Excellent views of a willow warbler and cirl bunting were had over the marsh and a green sandpiper was spotted on the scrape.  A visiter from Leeds was lucky to see the flash of a kingfisher.  When we had retraced our steps to the sewage works a grey wagtail and 3 chiffchaff were seen by all and most saw a great spotted woodpecker that had been heard.Overall 40 different species of bird had been seen-not bad in view of the weather  

A good early afternoon visit to the Stokenham end of Slapton Ley on, around the scrub ground good numbers of Linnet, a Whitethroat was showing well but periodically. Female Kestrel and calling young Buzzards.

Over the sea the only interest was a Sandwich Tern working just off the shoreline, a gathering of some 70 plus Gulls gave two observed ringed birds a Herring Gull and a juvenile Great Black Backed Gull. The Herring Gulls ring number being 2FP2 on a white ring.

Two Ringed Plover were a pleasant surprise sat on a raised sand bar.

The Ley itself had a good gathering of birds, over 70 Mute Swan, 23 plus Great Crested Grebe including three juveniles (a clutch of 1 and 2) good numbers of Tufted, Pochard and Mallard Duck, huge numbers of Coot, two Black Swan

Back home at South Brent around the garden feeders, Jay, Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, the late evenings long into the night are giving almost constant calling from Tawny owls with at times five individuals calling.

Saw a flock of 30 Mistle Thrushes over Escot this afternoon, moving from tree to tree. Another sign of impending Autumn?

Seawatching (in very mist conditions) 0615-0915hrs: 47 Balearic Shearwaters, 904 Manx shearwaters, 1 Pomarine Skua (0715hrs), 3 Bonxie, 17 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 3 Sandwich Tern,138 Kittiwake (23 juvs), 6 juv Mediterranean Gulls, 2 juv Yellow-legged Gulls .Also off-shore 2 pods of Common Dolphin numbering about 22 and 4 Harbour Porpoise.

Photos:     Bonxie                                                          Common Dolphins                                                 

Spent an hour in the hide at West Charleton on the high tide at midday. Couple of Peregrines overhead and in the bay single Greenshank, Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper. 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls amongst the small number of Black-headed Gulls. Grey Wagtail seen in the sewage works.

Two Kingfishers, a pair of Common Sandpipers, 5 Med gulls (4 juv)

Several Curlew and Little Egrets along the channel on an incoming tide.

Nice views of kingfishers

Common Sandpiper

Nice collection of sandpipers (wood, green and common) feeding among 150-160 black-headed gulls, with grey heron and little egret in attendance. More common sp's along the river with 7 redshank and at least 4 reed warblers still present.

Saturday - went out on a dolphin watching trip, but unfortunately not a single dolphin to be seen. 35- 40 Manx shearwaters, 2 poss balearics, gannet. Fulmar, kittiwake & guillemot. A small flock of Common Terns sat on the water was unusual to see. Luckily around 18-20 Harbour Porpoises made up for the dolphins.

Manx Shearwater

Common Terns

Kittiwake

watched from 12:25 till 16:00

1 spotted redshank, 250+ redshanks, 420+ black tailed godwits, 17 whimbrel, 5+ bar tailed godwits, 6 oystercatchers, 12+ greenshanks, 8+ little egret, 1 tufted duck, 1 juv yellow legged gull, 1 adult Mediterranean gull among 700+ black headed gulls.

from the viewing platform another 30+ whimbrel, the 1st summer little gull now moulting into 2nd winter put in a brief appearance away from topsham rec , and another adult Mediterranean gull. 

About midday near Lee Moor - Cadover Bridge area, there is a pond named Big Pond on the edge of the China clay pits, this is where I saw a Wheatear (F) and a Juvenile as well, also around the area were Meadow Pipits and on the pond about 6 Goosaders

This juvenile Cuckoo spent at least two hours around this particular Oak on Powderham Marshes yesterday. From Jean Millen

Cuckoo favoured tree (c) J Millen

Cuckoo (c) J Millen

Cuckoo (c) J Millen

Some pictures from last night. Additional to Mike's list were one or two kittiwakes, and a few gannets, fulmars and auks, the latter mostly guillemot but including at least 1 razorbill.

Manx shearwater

Balearic shearwater - a dark individual

Common dolphin

After two years of searching the local woods finally found a Pied Flycatcher, feeding on ants in my back garden this morning ! Migration seems to have started.

Last nights boat trip from Brixham with Nigel Smallbones was great with an almost mirror like Lyme bay hundreds of Manx shearwaters were feeding and rafting anongst them 7-8 Balearic shearwaters 3 of which came in to feed on the chum thrown off the back of the boat. Many more Manx were seen together with at least 1 juv Yellow-legged 1 juv Mediterranean Gull, 3 'commic' terns 2 sat on sea. The highlight of the evening was a pod of about 40 Common Dolphin bow riding our boat 6 miles due E of Berry Hd with another pod of 10+ noted during our return. 3-4 harbour porpoise and a grey seal were also noted

Yesterday afternoon there was a Pied Flycatcher in the trees literally above the visitor centre (a rare 'autumn' passage occurrence here), plus a family of Spotted Flycatchers.

The first real sign of passerine migration this 'autumn', with 7 Willow Warblers (mainly juveniles), 6 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats and a Chiffchaff in the scrub. Whimbrel & Common Sandpiper on the rocks. And a Wheatear.

Juvenile Great Black Backed Gull yellow ring 9AA7 on Budleigh beach. Also, 6 Sandwich Terns feeding just off the beach this evening.

One 2nd cal year Little gull at Topsham rec early evening.

4 Wheatears still this evening and the Little Owl showing well.

Single juv Yellow-legged and Mediterranean Gulls on this evenings lowish tide gull gathering.

Lunchtime visit to the hide until about 1.50.

Good numbers of the expected waders along with 1 Spotted Redshank and 1 Green Sandpiper. Also 1 Sandwich Tern on the marker post before flying off towards the estuary.

Didn't get the chance to post yesterday but there was a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull present for a few minutes before it flew towards the estuary.

A continuous combined seawatch total from several observers yesterday from 0630-2000hrs:

118 Balearic Shearwaters, 3,500+ Manx shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, 13 Bonxie, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (juvs), 13 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Arctic Tern, 4 Common Tern, 17 Sandwich Tern, 3 'Commic' Terns, 20 Common Scoter, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Grey Plover and several Harbour Porpoises under the numerous Gannets just off-shore. 

At last found the seawatching bit at Berry Head. Watched with others 10 - 12 ish. Thanks everyone for being so informative. I personally saw 7 or 8 Balearics, 5 or 6 Bonxies, an Arctic Skua and a juv. Yellow Legged Gull which was great! 

Juvenile Ruff at Passage House on the rising tide this morning.

Strong winds and a high tide meant crashing surf on the main beach at Wembury and amongst the flock of black headed gulls feeding amongst the waves were 4 juvenile and 1 adult Mediterranean gulls - 1 juvenile had a green plastic leg ring but I couldn't get any detail on it as it flew amongst the waves and rested on the sea. A leucistic black headed gull was also most unusual looking.

More gulls on the beach near the sewage pipe at Wembury Point and another adult Mediterranean gull and what I think was a juvenile yellow legged gull? Or a juvenile lesser black backed gull?

2 whimbrel were roosting on the rocks with 2 little egrets, a curlew and oystercatchers.

Offshore and there were lots of gannets swirling around, mostly adults but a few sub-adults and dark juveniles too. Manx shearwaters were banking up out of the wave troughs and I counted between 20-30 per minute heading west between 10:30-11:30. 2 great skuas were the highlight with a bird with well marked white wing flashes harrasing a less well marked bird as they headed west.

A few fulmar, shags and a juvenile kittiwake were also seen.

3 juvenile Mediterranean gulls - noticeably smaller bird on the left

Yellow legged gull?

Yellow legged gull? Eds: looks more like juv Herring Gull

First signs of autumn this morning with 4 Wheatears, a Meadow Pipit and a good build up of Pied Wagtails (c.30) with many juveniles. However the biggest surprise was a brief sighting of Lesser Redpoll, a patch tick.

Evening Gull watch on beach produced 2 juv Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 juv Mediterranean Gulls

Photo: juv Yellow-legged Gull                     Photo: same bird on left with Herring Gull juv right 

10 members of DB (East Devon Branch) found plenty of birds including many young of Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Hammer and Wheatear in the area to the south and east of Haytor rock.  The quarry produced several Chiffchaff with Whitethroat and Blackcap present. Outside the quarry a female Sparrow Hawk settled on a rock before dissappearing into a rock crevice where a small bird was the target.  After we moved on for lunch at Blackslade valley the copse produced Treecreeper, Nuthatch and tits while the rough area around the stream found several Redstart, a pair of Bullfinch,  Whitethroat, yet more Stonechat and groups of Linnet. 

06.15 to 08.30: 1,230 Manx Shearwaters, 12 Common Scoter, 5 Black-headed Gulls and a fly-over breeding-plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit.

10 Black tailed Godwits searching for food in the mud at mid - tide late yesterday aft / early evening.

Seawatch 0545-0845hrs: 62 Balearic Shearwaters, 1244 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Great Skuas, 3 Med Gulls (juvs), 22 Whimbrel, 24 Common Scoter, 2 Grey Heron, 26 Sandwich Terns, 1 Ringed Plover. Walking back up quarry hill a juv Hen Harrier flew past attempting to land on cliffs before being driven on by local Crows, after a quick search on the top of the head John Lusher and myself unfortunately flushed the bird from grass beside the coastguard station.

Juvenile Hen Harrier Berry Hd 

Sea Watch from 06.30-09.15; 368 Manx Shearwater, 9 small wader sp. and 2 Pom Skua (08.03) south. 3 Juv Med Gull and 14 Common Scoter on the sea and 58 Sandwich Tern mainly south but a few lingering towards Shoalstone, 5 Guillemot and 2 Razorbills.  Also 3-5 Porpoise and a Grey Seal.

Later, around 14.30, a Balearic Shearwater following a small fishing boat not far offshore. This bird was interacting happily with the large gulls following the boat and was observed diving, from sitting on the surface, for upto 30 seconds at a time. I also noted a Balearic following a small fishing boat from Berry Head on the 22nd July. 

After 4 or 5 visits finally got the Nightjars last night. It was one of those where I did the full walk around hearing lots of churring and getting eaten by insects, sat on a log dejected with no sightings, then three or four nightjar buzzed around about 10ft over my head and landed in the tree next to me for about 10 mins! Maybe the trick is to just stop moving?

At 9am a dolphin watching trip out of Paignton aboard the Liberty Lass into Lyme Bay we sighted 60+ Manx Shearwater, some sitting on the water others flying south, within the group(20) on the water, 2 Balearic Shearwater , on the horizon looking East a very big group again flying south, estimated numbers 100+. but to far away to get a good count. Gannets diving, Fulmar and Sandwich Tern. We also had 12 Harbour Porpoise and 2 Bottlenose Dolphins. Not a bad trip!!!!!

More pictures of common species. A change to lumpier chum (compared to 2013) has brought better photographic opportunities for gannets which are now coming in and diving close behind the boat.

Gannet slamming on the brakes....

....and diving

Fulmar

A very pleasant trip in good conditions. A highlight was feeding flocks of manx shearwaters with a few balearics among them, sat on the water and constantly flying up to do shallow plunge dives; exactly what they were doing only became clear from looking at the photos.

Common tern

Manx shearwater

Balearic and Manx shearwaters

RSPB and MARINElife are trialling a joint synchronised land/sea survey for Balearic shearwaters (and also bottle nosed dolphins) from Portland to Lundy on 18^th August. We are testing this as a way to help arrive at a population estimate for Balearics using the seas around the SW peninsula.   The combined survey will cover up to 4km out to sea and the observations from the multiple land based watch locations will help to validate those  from the boat based crew. 

Although we realise there are so many variables that could affect the survey (timing/weather conditions/location/no birds etc) we have agreed on this date  and hope to build on the great information already collected by previous researchers and survey projects over the last few years and keep the momentum going to help safeguard this critically endangered seabird.

Many of you have been involved in past projects such as JNCC seabird surveys and Seawatch South West and have your regular seawatching sites, so we would really appreciate your help and experience at key sites if you are available on the day.  If the coordinated approach really works and gives us valuable data we would look at repeating the land-based operation again, perhaps even in September/October  this year and then as an ongoing initiative. 

If you are an experienced seawatcher and would like to be part of the land-based survey on the 18^th, please contact SWseabird-surveys@rspb.org.uk and we will send you more information.

If you are ESAS trained and could help with the boat-based surveys please get in touch with Rachel at MARINElife rachel.davies@marine-life.org.uk

Just seen my first Spoonbill! A single bird completely unexpected.

Yesterday evenings trip out of Brixham into Lyme Bay produced many Manx Shearwater, difficult to count as appeared to be circling down to Start Bay and then back up towards Torbay, 4 Balearic Shearwater, Herring Gull, Kittiwake, Common Tern, Gannet, Fulmar, Great Black-backed Gull and 1 young gull which needs further ID. Good trip in good weather conditions. Still places left on some of the trips, if interested email wildbones@btinternet.com 

Heard a Green Sandpiper calling as it went over my house at 22:40 last night.