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This morning at BGM: Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank ,Dunlin, Blackwit, Spotted Redshank, Little Egrets, Herons, Moorhen, Coots, Mallards, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Tufted Ducks, Little Grebe, Kingfisher, Sand Martins, House Martins, Swallows, Buzzard, Stock Doves, Shoveller, Canada Geese, Mute Swans, Ravens, Great tits, Blue tits, Chaffinches. At Exminster Marshes: Great White Egret, Snowgoose, Gadwall.

Spotted Redshank

Great White Egret

Berry Head's seawatching totals 07:00-17:30 (several observers through the day): 2 juvenile Sabine's Gulls (09:55 &10:30), Sooty Shearwater, 645 Balearic Shearwaters (new site record), 5 Manx Shearwaters, large Shearwater (most likely Great but distant), European Storm-petrel, 23 Arctic Skuas, 4 Bonxies, 2500+ Kittiwakes, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Common Terns, 15 Common Scoter, 7 Fulmar, 100+ House Martins (in 3 groups), 5+ Swallows. Also 10+ Common Dolphin and 4 Harbour Porpoise.

Good crop of sightings there Steve! A Kingfisher started coming up the river as I arrived on the bridge this morning, saw me and did a u-turn! In a very windy reserve, Another Kingfisher, Cetti's calling, GSW, 3 Moorhens (perhaps the Otter has gone!) Sparrowhawk over, and the first Bullfinch for several weeks - a juvenile.

Late afternoon visit between 5pm and 6pm to the Wrafton area produced the following notables, 1 Snipe, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Mallard, 1 Shoveler (Male), 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk (Female), 2 Teal, 21 Lapwing, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 5 Swallow & 95 Black-tailed Godwits.

Further to the recent post from Alan Livsey, good numbers of Mediterranean Gull at Wembury Point in excess of 50 birds of varying age, three ringed birds noted two with DARVIC type rings both adults White 3LKT and Yellow 2L14.

10 plus Oyster Catcher, Rock Pipit, Stonechat, numerous low flying Swallows all headed east up the coast and a single Curlew.

At Heybrook Bay a Kestel being mobbed by a crow.

Mediterranean Gull

Mediterranean Gull

Sadly back to low numbers of birds ringed in today's session. Most probably due to too much wind, but I'm often surprised how sheltered much of the reserve is. So of the 13 birds ringed: 3 Blue Tits, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinches, 1 smart male Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaffs - all late in the day, a juvenile female Great Spotted Woodpecker, and an adult Jay - presumably the bird that has been around for a while now. As usual with this species, very noisy, and very aggressive. Only the third I have ringed here  - last in 2012!

Close up view of the the lovely turquoise-blue coverts.

Visit at lunch time coincided with the high tide . However it was a neap tide and extensive areas of mud remained exposed in the estuary. There were c60 curlew roosting on the mud north of Turf. At Turf a kingfisher was in the entrance to the lock. On the marshes 2 marsh harriers repeatedly disturbed the ducks and a small group of waders that included ruff, ringed plover (2), dunlin and black-tailed godwit (5). A few swallows flew through, a single wheatear was on the fields and two jays in Station Road.

A small walk down some smaller lanes leading out of the village, the abundance of pheasants is something, between all the fields, easily over 500 pheasants, there was one completely white one too. Spoke to a local, they said the shoot begins on friday, and the white pheasant is a penalty bird, whoever shoots it has to pay a fine. 

Also on the stroll,  ravens, rooks, jackdaw, goldfinch, goldcrest, robin, nuthatch, blue and great tit, dunnock mallard and teal

At 1115 an immature Osprey flew down estuary and was lost from view near Bere Ferrers.  Also in area 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Grebes, at least 10 Ravens, and a large number of House Martins feeding high over the woods at Lopwell and further up the Tavy valley

Further to Chris's report. Linnets 12, Wheatears 6, Stonechats 7, Meadow Pipits 20, Skylarks 6, Ravens 7, Buzzard 1, Little Egret overfly.

Wheatear

Meadow Pipit

Not many migrants about but still Golden Plover, 3 Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker - migrant, 65 Swallow, House Martin, 6 White Wagtail, 210 Meadow Pipit, 46 Robin, Whinchat, 4 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, Jay at farm - migrant, 10 Greenfinch, 80 Goldfinch & 70 Linnet.

Non-avian: 9 Roe Deer, Comma, 32 Red Admiral & 4 Wall Brown.

Merlin (f/immature) chasing Meadow Pipits. Six Snipe flushed and two Wheatear around.

Watched for two hours over the high tide this morning. Most notable was the number of Pintail, 225-250. Plenty of Teal, a few Shoveler and a Tufted, but hardly any Wigeon.

Probably 1200-1500 waders in total, with 4/5 Snipe and one each of Whimbrel, Ruff and Barwit amongst the commoner spp. The Pectoral Sandpiper did not show itself.

A new observation for me was, through binoculars, a Redshank apparently stabbing at the neck and throat of a roosting Blackwit. Through the 'scope, however, I could see that it was actually "combing" the feathers. The Godwit gave a threat display once in 3/4 minutes, but otherwise stayed calm. Don't know if Redshanks normally preen their mates, and a Godwit neck could be a super-stimulus to a hormonally-unbalanced bird, or if it was a doomed, louse-ridden Godwit and the Redshank was feeding.

Berryhead 7.30-17.00

Shearwater Sooty 1, Balearic 386, Manx 16, Arctic Skua 22, Bonxie 3, Red-throated Diver, Med Gull 6, Fulmar 1 ,Swallow 3, Harbour Porpoise 4

43 Greenshank at Goosemoor this morning plus another three at Bowling Green Marsh

On a wet wander - 10+ Mediterranean Gulls (6+ ad, 2 2nd-w & 2 1st-w, my highest total ever here), 1+ Common Sandpiper, 2 Black- & a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlins, 3 Shags & a Weasel.

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A White-tailed Eagle reported (and photographed) in the Lynton area yesterday evening.

Quite busy this morning: A Little Egret near the scrape ended up for a while perched on a low tree next to the reserve. In the river a very fast Kingfisher and a more sedentary Dipper. At least 8 Blackbirds scattered around the reserve with a Chiffchaff or 2, 2 Kingfishers, 2 GSW, Blackcap, at least one Cetti's Warbler, a Magpie and a Black-headed Gull seeing off a male Sparrowhawk, a possible Reed Warbler. A few Long-tailed Tits and the numbers of Blue and Great Tits increasing now that they have found the feeders.

On 11th September I saw a Jay, and commented that I get just a few sightings each year. Well it's been here off and on since then, and today there may have been three present.

Later this afternoon I called in at Bradiford Reserve. Tide was out so only a few Teal and Moorhens. Out on the river several each of both Godwits.

A seawatch (07.00-09.30) rapidly became too fine, but produced: 24 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Skuas, 7 Common Scoters, c200 Kittiwakes, 2 Mediterranean Gulls (ad + 1st-w) & 3 Harbour Porpoises. Also 15+ Swallows heading into the bay and 2 Firecrests around the woods.

At Dartington Hall, 6 Little Grebes including 2 young still being fed, 8 Mandarin Ducks, Great Spotted Woodpecker & Grey Wagtail.  

19 mute swans in Brixham harbour near King Billy statue.

A distant Gannet at Fremington Quay this morning , photos are max crop.

Out of Brixham on Kelly’s Hero’ Charters.  Among the highlights today was a second year Med Gull on the pontoon with an adult just off the Breakwater.  28 Balearic Shearwaters flying S, 1000+ Kittiwakes being harassed by at least 4 Arctic Skua (1 light phase remainder mostly juveniles), distant Great Skua harassing Herring Gulls, Peregrine and 3 Harbour Porpoise. Back on dry land, House Martins and Swallows over the harbour.  

This morning: 12 Meadow Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, 2 Skylark, 3 Cirl Bunting, 1 Blackcap, 2 Kestrels being harassed by Crows. Round the corner from Wembury Point roosting on the rocks were a 40+ mix of 1st / 2nd / Adult winter Mediterranean Gulls.

Rock Pipit

Kestrel

At Torcross end 15.25 a 1st Winter Bonapartes Gull , in front of hide and on beach , found by Phil Bentley and myself

Only a Little Egret of note on the scrape. In the reserve a calling Cetti's Warbler being very vocal, a Buzzard and a Kingfisher, but no repeat of yesterday's group - 6 or 7 of Blackbirds mobbing something which I couldn't find. A walk down the East bank of the Caen showed only 2 Curlews and 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Gulls again with the Black-headeds. Raven over, but best bird was a Wheatear. I still think the new scrape could produce the goods!

Little change this morning - single Black- & Bar-tailed Godwits & 11 Greenshanks still around with a Common Sandpiper & a good count of 180 Redshanks with a lone Dunlin. Also, 3 Mediterranean Gulls (1st-w + 2 ads), Shag, 6 Stonechats & a Roe Deer.

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Just discovered an exhausted sparrowhawk in our living room on the windowsill. We live in a terraced house in Ashburton and it must have flown in the back door. No idea how long it had been there. Luckily the next door neigbour had a pair of gauntlet gloves and managed to capture and release it apparently unharmed.

Up to 11.30

A juv Eider showed well ranging between Thatcher Rock and the Lead Stone, before disappearing behind the latter. 

Late afternoon 

6 Balearic Shearwaters around and then south past the Point. Also, Arctic Skua, Common Sandpiper, 29 Swallows out to sea and over the Orestone. 6 Common Dolphins. 

2-3 Arctic Skuas Kittiwakes from time to time, 1 Great Skua, 3 Balearic Shearwaters, 23 Common Scoter, 2 Sandwich Terns 7-8 Harbour Porpoise. Around the headland 1 Firecrest plus a couple of Goldcrest, 3 Blackcaps 7 Chiffchaffs. 

Adult Little gull , present during the morning.

A few bits 'n' pieces on a murky morning, including: Teal, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Greenshanks, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Dunlins, 4 Turnstones, Mediterranean Gull (adult), Shag, Green Woodpecker & 2 Roe Deer.

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Bowling Green Marsh this morning. Bit early for high tide and ducks moved off estuary by 2 shooters. 220+ Pintail, 150+ Wigeon, 110+ Teal, 15 Shoveler, 5 Little Grebe, 17 Lapwing best of it. 27 Greenshank on Goosemoor. 

Afternoon visit yesterday showed large numbers of wigeon and teal, canada geese and shoveler . Pair of little grebe feeding in front of hide with larger medium sized grebe near railway line along with a male Gadwall. Several lapwing.

Water Rail far side of the lake

Above Harford Moor Gate near Ivybridge.

Buzzard 6, Meadow Pipits in good numbers certainly well over 50, Stonechat 4, Skylark 6, Heron, Raven 4, Snipe, Kestrel 3, Jay 2, Linnet 2 and the odd Swallow passing over.

Buzzard

Buzzard

On this morning's high tide - Bar- & 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper & 2 Kingfishers. Also, Whinchat, 6+ Stonechats, Grey Wagtail & 3 Shags. 

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Not a good day for scrub migrants but better on open ground with 230 Meadow Pipit, 60 Skylark, 6 Wheatear, White Wagtail, Sparrowhawk, Golden Plover, Great Spotted Woodpecker - migrant, Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, influx of 30 Robin and 3 Jay moving up west through Starehole Valley. All topped off by passing Spitfire!

Non-avian: 5 Wall Brown - 3rd generation.

Honey buzzard over Plymstock chased by crow and common buzzard towards Saltram at 1.45 pm.

4 Cattle Egrets in the Southcott valley , Bideford east.     20+ Mediterranean Gulls in the gull flock at Ethelwynne Brown close , Bideford east.

Change of venue! 2 Greenshank, 100 or so Dunlin and about the same of Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Curlew Sandpiper (poss 2), 1 Little Egret. Lots of Teal.

And strangely no waders came into the Wrafton scrape this evening.

8 Cetti's Warblers between tank car park and Stokeley hide along the Ley side, all calling well, back in action after moulting

Nothing much about a part from a Bar-tailed Godwit and 94 Med Gulls, the majority being 1st winter birds.

Moulting juvenile Starlings in transition to adult plumage.

Specially chartered afternoon cruise on Kellys Hero produced: 2 Balearic Shearwaters, 3 Arctic Skuas, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 1000+ Kittiwake, just 23 Gannets, 5 Razorbills, over 100 Common Dolphins in many pods, 11 Harbour Porpoise 9 Grey Seals sadly including one with part of a lobster pot stuck around it's neck.

Good numbers of Black Tails yesterday evening. 160 ish. Plus Cattle Egret,Greenshank, Teal and Mallard.

Black Tail Godwits arriving on Wrafton Scrape

Saw this little beauty yesterday while walking on the east side of the Caen around the middle of the day....a Common Sandpiper 

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

On and over the marsh around high tide this morning were 2 Spoonbills, 4 Ruff, 3 Little Stints, 3 Snipe, a Curlew Sandpiper, and a Peregrine eating something on a pylon, and on the canal bank were at least 4 squealing Water Rails. Also noticeable was the recommencement of Cetti's song; I assume that their moult is over and that they hold Winter territories. 

The Great White Egret on the main pool in Powderham Park this afternoon , seems to be spending its days here then flying into Exminster Marshes to roost.

Good numbers of Black Tails yesterday evening. 160 ish. Plus Cattle Egret,Greenshank, Teal and Mallard.

Black Tail Godwits arriving on Wrafton Scrape

There were still 2 spoonbills (adult and juv) on the marsh this morning, (a further 5 were reported from Dawlish Warren). Also seen were 3 ruff, one cattle egret (12 on Monday) and two marsh harriers. Duck numbers increasing including 6+ gadwall. Few small birds; a few chiffchaff and one sedge warbler (juv).

5 Greenshanks , 200 ish Dunlin & 1 Curlew Sandpiper

Wembury Point 08:10

43 Med Gulls at the high tide roost. 21 adult winter plumage, 17 moulting into 1st winter. A larger than normal passage of Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Double figures for both species. 90+ Canada Geese in the stubble field east of the point.

Maybe 10,000+ Swallows in the valley last night - amazing spectacle!