Friday 30 November 2018

Friday 30th November

The Cetti's Warbler was calling by the Main Pond with four Chiffchaff in the bushes, 1200 Dunlin and 30 Sanderling in the Bight and six Great-crested Grebe offshore.

Thursday 29 November 2018

Thursday 29th November

Due to the significant erosion by storms at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council (TDC) is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point is possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide.  Access to the bird hide is only via Warren Point. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.  Contact TDC for questions about access.

A windy and occasionally wet day but the conditions didn't produce much offshore with 10 Kittiwake and three Fulmar the highlights passing offshore with five Eider on the sea. Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 206 Brent Geese, 204 Wigeon, 129 Grey Plover, 102 Great Black-backed Gull, 75 Shelduck, 71 Bar-tailed Godwit, 35 Knot, six Red-breasted Merganser, a Goldeneye and the Slavonian Grebe.

 Oystercatcher: One of the recently radio tagged individuals - Alan Keatley

Monday 26 November 2018

Monday 26th November

Due to the significant erosion by storms at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council (TDC) is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point is possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide.  Access to the bird hide is only via Warren Point. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.  Contact TDC for questions about access.

Counts from the estuary included 900+ Oystercatcher, 700+ Wigeon, 229 Curlew, 135 Brent Geese, 122 Grey Plover, 101 Redshank, 94 Bar-tailed Godwit, 92 Knot and a Goldeneye.

Saturday 24 November 2018

Saturday 24th November

Due to the significant erosion by storms at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council (TDC) is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point is possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide.  Access to the bird hide is only via Warren Point. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.  Contact TDC for questions about access.

A grey, overcast and frequently wet day saw the two Firecrest remain in the Entrance Bushes with at least seven Chiffchaff and a Coal Tit. More unexpected were two Woodcock by the Main Pond, usually only a cold weather visitor to the Recording Area.

In the estuary counts included 1340 Dunlin, 290 Dark and two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 139 Grey Plover, 104 Bar and four Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Knot, 67 Turnstone, 29 Sanderling and singles of Kittiwake, Guillemot, Greenshank and Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere four Eider were offshore, four Shoveler were on the Main Pond and the Cetti's Warbler was near the Dune Pond.

Pale-bellied Brent Geese - Alan Keatley

Friday 23 November 2018

Friday 23rd November

Due to the significant erosion by storms at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council (TDC) is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point is possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide.  Access to the bird hide is only via Warren Point. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.  Contact TDC for questions about access.

The first two Firecrest of the autumn were around the Entrance Bushes early morning with five Shoveler on the Main Pond and an Eider offshore. In the estuary a Pintail with the wildfowl, 78 Bar and four Black-tailed Godwit, 70+ Grey Plover, 30 Sanderling, 25+ Knot and the Slavonian Grebe off Cockwood .

Thursday 22 November 2018

Thursday 22nd November

A cold, overcast day with strong easterlies meant the bushes were blown out but 10 Long-tailed Tit, five Chiffchaff and a couple of Goldcrest were noted. The a low high tide limited wader counts in the estuary but there were 326 Wigeon, 220 Teal, 122 Brent Geese, two Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere five Shoveler were on the Main Pond and four Stonechat and four Cirl Bunting were on site.

Tuesday 20 November 2018

Tuesday 20th November

The long-staying and elusive Cetti's Warbler appeared briefly by the Dune Pond. It gave away its presence by vocally mobbing a Stoat as it moved through the bramble scrub.

Monday 19 November 2018

Monday 19th November

Due to the significant erosion by storms at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council (TDC) is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point is possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide.  Access to the bird hide is only via Warren Point. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.  Contact TDC for questions about access.

Vis mig early morning saw 670 Redwing, 146 Fieldfare, 27 Linnet, 25 Chaffinch, 18 Greenfinch, 15 Siskin, 10 Goldfinch, three Mistle Thrush and a Brambling, all heading NE.

Sunday 18 November 2018

Sunday 18th November

Due to the significant erosion by storms at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council (TDC) is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point is possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide.  Access to the bird hide is only via Warren Point. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.  Contact TDC for questions about access.

Early morning again saw some movement NE overhead with 802 Redwing, 148 Chaffinch, 115 Fieldfare, 97 Goldfinch, 38 Lesser-Black-backed Gull south, 22 Greenfinch, 22 Linnet, 14 Siskin, 13 Reed Bunting, three Brambling, a possible Hawfinch and a late Swallow.

Counts from the estuary included 1303 Wigeon, 472 Teal, 204 Brent Geese, 100 Redshank, 38 Curlew, 33 Turnstone, 31 Shelduck, 15 Bar and six Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Greenshank, three Lapwing and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere four Shoveler were on the Main Pond and three Eider and a Great Northern Diver were offshore.


Saturday 17 November 2018

Saturday 17th November

Due to the significant erosion by storms at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council (TDC) is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point is possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide.  Access to the bird hide is only via Warren Point. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.  Contact TDC for questions about access.

Overcast conditions saw a few more thrushes overhead than recent days with 269 Redwing and 12 Fieldfare, although a very unseasonal Common Swift (at 08:55) was far more unexpected, particularly as it was seen well enough at low level to discount Pallid Swift as it passed through Greenland Lake area. This is the first November record at Dawlish Warren, one on 22/11/2002 was considered to be a Pallid Swift but was not accepted by BBRC. In the bushes also signs of an arrival with nine Bullfinch, at least eight Chiffchaff and seven Goldcrest.

Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary with 562 Wigeon, 285 Teal, 190 Brent Geese and a Pintail; three Shoveler were on the Main Pond and the three Eider were offshore.

Friday 16 November 2018

Friday 16th November

A brief visit during a gloomy morning noted the usual three Eider and a Great Crested Grebe offshore. A light passage of 19 Redwing, six Chaffinch and a Siskin flew northeast.  In the bushes, four Chiffchaff, three Bullfinch and two Goldcrest were typical counts.

Thursday 15 November 2018

Thursday 15th November

Due to the significant erosion by storms at Dawlish Warren NNR, Teignbridge District Council (TDC) is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point is possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide.  Access to the bird hide is only via Warren Point. The only public access, up and back down, to these areas is therefore along the beach at lower states of tide.  Contact TDC for questions about access.

Vis mig unlike other sites was limited to 55 Redwing and a single Chaffinch overhead, with six Goldcrest and five Chiffchaff in the bushes. Counts from the estuary included 630 Dunlin, 410 Wigeon, 350 Teal, 170 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 27 Ringed Plover, 10 Turnstone and the Slavonian Grebe.

Monday 12 November 2018

Monday 12th November

Due to the significant erosion by storms at Dawlish Warren NNR, Teignbridge District Council (TDC) is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point is possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide.  Access to the bird hide is via Warren Point. The only public access, up and back down, to these areas is therefore along the beach at lower states of tide.  Contact TDC for questions about access.

No birding today but a cannon-netting session lead to 53 Oystercatcher being trapped and ringed this morning. Four birds were re-traps, three from the Feb 2018 catch and a ringed bird from March 2004.  Of this catch, 10 Oystercatcher were fitted with GPS devices (along with the usual colour-rings plus an extra uncoded small blue ring above the metal on the left leg).  These GPS devices will record locations once per hour, research that will provide valuable insight into feeding locations around the Exe Estuary and further afield.
Please continue to submit your sightings to Exeoystercatchers@gmail.com For more information on the Exe Oystercatcher project visit http://www.dawlishwarren.co.uk/oystercatchers.html.

Sunday 11 November 2018

Sunday 11th November

Sadly, the weather of the last few days has resulted in significant erosion of Dawlish Warren. Teignbridge District Council are advising extreme caution when visiting this area. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe to use. Access along the site, to and from the bird hide & Warren Point is along the beach only, with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of high water.

The Slavonian Grebe, two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, two Goldeneye and two Greenshank were in the estuary with three Eider offshore. Elsewhere 42 Pied Wagtail roosted in the Golf Course Pond and 160 Wood Pigeon were overhead.

Saturday 10 November 2018

Saturday 10th November

Sadly, the weather of the last few days has resulted in significant erosion of Dawlish Warren. Teignbridge District Council are advising extreme caution when visiting this area. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe to use. Access along the site, to and from the bird hide & Warren Point is along the beach only, with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of high water.

Counts from the estuary included 1150 Dunlin, 1150 Oystercatcher, 500+ Wigeon, 409 Dark and two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 55 Grey Plover, 41 Shelduck, 41 Snipe, 35 Bar-tailed Godwit, eight Great-crested Grebe, five Knot, four Goldeneye, four Greenshank, three Mediterranean Gull, two drake Tufted Duck and single Little and Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere 18 Long-tailed Tit and six Chiffchaff moved around the bushes and c12 Cirl Bunting were on site.

 The reason the Dune Path is closed after Groyne 10. At least five metres of dune has been lost since last year's beach recharge.

Warren Point. Severe erosion has also occurred in the Desert with much of this area being lost.
Change is a constant feature of the Warren, in the mid 1990's this area was part of the main Exe channel. The sand level was approx. two metres lower back then but has also been approx. two metres higher than today in recent years.

Friday 9 November 2018

Friday 9th November

Sadly, the weather of the last few days has resulted in significant erosion of Dawlish Warren. Teignbridge District Council are advising extreme caution when visiting this area. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe to use. Access along the site, to and from the bird hide & Warren Point is along the beach only, with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of high water.

Counts from the estuary included 1449 Dunlin, 900 Oystercatcher, 297 Dark and three Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 57 Grey Plover, 31 Shelduck, 24 Turnstone, seven Sanderling, two Greenshank, two Goldeneye, a Knot and a Great Northern Diver. Despite strong southerlies few birds were offshore with a two hour watch early afternoon producing just a single Gannet; the three Eider were off Warren Point.

Pale (& Dark)-bellied Brent Geese - Dave Jewell

Thursday 8 November 2018

Thursday 8th November

A Purple Sandpiper in front of the hide was the highlight, a scarce bird here and even rarer inside the estuary. Also from the hide 264 Dark-bellied and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 140 Great Black-backed and the adult Yellow-legged Gull, nine Sanderling, the first four Goldeneye of the winter and the Slavonian Grebe.

Purple Sandpiper - Lee Collins

Wednesday 7 November 2018

Wednesday 7th November

The overnight storm saw two Pomarine and a Great Skua south offshore first thing with 50 Gannet and 40 Kittiwake but passage soon halted. Counts from the estuary included an adult Yellow-legged Gull with 100+ Great Black-backed Gull, an increase to 25 Shelduck, a male Shoveler with the Wigeon and the Slavonian Grebe again with four Red-breasted Merganser.

Elsewhere an Eider was off Langstone Rock, eight Chiffchaff, six Redwing, two Goldcrest and a Blackcap were in the bushes with single Mistle Thrush and Redpoll overhead.

Monday 5 November 2018

Monday 5th November

The first Black Redstart of the year was around the Boathouse Inn and seawall early morning.

Sunday 4 November 2018

Sunday 4th November

Seawatching from first light saw three Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver head south along with 335 Gannet, 56 Kittiwake and 36 auk sp.

Saturday 3 November 2018

Saturday 3rd November

Counts from the estuary included 1065 Dunlin, 264 Dark-bellied and two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 175 Great Black-backed Gull, 41 Grey Plover, 35 Turnstone, seven Sanderling, four Knot, two Greenshank, two adult Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe with four Red-breasted Merganser.

Elsewhere 115+ Gannet were offshore with 65 Kittiwake, 20+ Guillemot, 13 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver and three Chiffchaff were in the bushes.

Friday 2 November 2018

Friday 2nd November

A Black-throated Diver was off Langstone Rock with a Red-throated Diver and three Eider. Elsewhere a Velvet Scoter south of the recording area off Dawlish.