Friday 22nd March

Due to the significant erosion at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council 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 and the bird hide is only possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.

Spring migration was in evidence but there were few summer migrants to be found. The highlight was a good candidate for wild Barnacle Goose that arrived offshore in a flock of 15 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with six more Pale-bellies drooping in soon after. They later moved into the estuary where wintering species continue to dwindle, counts included 35 Dark and the two long-staying Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Teal, three Greenshank and three Eider.

 Barnacle & Pale-bellied Brent Geese - Alan Keatley

 

Elsewhere a Wheatear was around the Bight and four Chiffchaff were in the bushes whilst five Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver were offshore.

 
Wildlife News: A male Hairy-footed Flower Bee was nectaring on planted Rosemary near the seawall. Although a common early spring species this was apparently the first site record and the 225th hymenopteran species for the recording area.