The excellent hides provided great vantage points over the lagoons and River Axe for the eight birders who joined Plymouth Branch’s visit to Blackhole Marsh, Seaton on Friday 12 September.
Water levels in the lagoon were high, a preventative measure which has protected breeding birds from predators. This meant that muddy shore line was at a premium and explained the smaller number and variety of waders seen on this occasion. Leg length was a key factor in determining where species were located. There were about ten pale coloured juvenile Ringed Plover balancing on wooden jetties, with others dotted on a spit, mixed in with a smaller number of Dunlin. Two very active Common Sandpiper were investigating the greenery for invertebrates. Over sixty Black-tailed Godwit were happy to be partially submerged, whereas most of the elegant Greenshank and several Redshank preferred to keep their undercarriage dry. The undoubted star of the day was the Ruff viewed at close range, enabling all of its key features to be clearly seen. This was a bonus for group members who were less familiar with this species.
At least two Buzzard were giving the local population of Corvids a run for their money. Unfortunately for us, the hoped for Osprey didn’t materialise, with the only birds actively catching fish being two Kingfishers. Unusually one was perched on a bridge at ground level, over a small stream. Whilst trying to fish and stun its prey it was interrupted by not one, but three birds trying to get across the bridge! Firstly, a Moorhen, then a Jackdaw and finally a Rook. Thankfully the Kingfisher persisted and we had extended views of this special bird.
Masses of Sand Martin and a number of Swallow buzzed across the water surface incessantly. It was a joy to watch their antics before they leave our skies and depart for warmer climes. The shrubs and small trees concealed a number of Chiffchaff and at least two or three Cetti’s Warbler, with Blackberries and Sloes proving irresistible to Blackbird and House Sparrow.
50 species seen or heard (H)
Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Pheasant, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Ruff, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker (H), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti’s Warbler (H), Chiffchaff (H), Wren (H), Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch
Report by M Johnson
Black-tailed Godwits
Greenshank
Ruff
Kingfisher
