Tuesday 30th April

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.

A welcome, if small, increase in migrants with the first Garden Warbler of the year, at least 10 Whitethroat on site and 47 Swallow and a House Martin through. Elsewhere at least 55 Whimbrel were on site and a Red-throated Diver remains offshore with just seven Sandwich Tern.

Wildlife News: Several Fork-jawed Nomad Bee Nomada ruficornis were seen with their host Orange-tailed Mining Bee Andrena haemorrhoa, a new species for the Recording Area. Also new the sawfly Marcophya duodecimpunctata.

Fork-jawed Nomad Bee Nomada ruficornis - Alan Keatley

 

 Orange-tailed Mining Bee Andrena haemorrhoa - Alan Keatley

 Marcophya duodecimpunctata, a sawfly - Alan Keatley

 Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee Bombus vestalis - Alan Keatley

Monday 29th April

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.

Three Dark-bellied Brent Geese and the Slavonian Grebe were off Cockwood but no other news was received.

Sunday 28th April

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.

Seawatching saw two Arctic and three Common Tern south along with an Arctic Skua, eight Manx Shearwater, eight Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver. A further six Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver were also present on the sea. Elsewhere a minimum 162 Whimbrel passed through during the day with two Bar-tailed Godwit, two Dunlin and the Brent Goose in the estuary.

Wildlife News: A Grey Seal was off the seawall.

Saturday 27th April

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.

A fly through Hobby over the Bight was the pick of the few migrants, also on site 52 Whimbrel, 12 Dunlin and two Bar-tailed Godwit. Offshore two Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver flew south.

Whimbrel - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: The improved weather did see an increase in insect activity with Orange-tip, Small Copper and a Red Admiral on the wing along with a variety of hoverflies and solitary bees. In Greenland Lake the Green-winged Orchid has finally emerged, alongside the first Southern Marsh Orchid of the year.

Green-winged Orchid - Alan Keatley 

Orange-Tip - Alan Keatley

Friday 26th April

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.

A Sedge Warbler at the Main Pond and a single Wheatear were the only evidence of ongoing passerine migration with three Great Northern Diver and an Arctic Skua passing offshore. Elsewhere 15 Whimbrel, five Bar-tailed Godwit and the Brent Goose were in the estuary and the first Mallard brood was out on the Main Pond.

Little Egret - Alan Keatley

Aglaostigma fulvipes, a sawfly - Alan Keatley

Thursday 25th April

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.

Seawatching during the morning saw the following totals head south 37 Kittiwake, 34 Gannet, 27 Manx Shearwater, 14 Fulmar, five Great Northern Diver, plus one high north up the estuary, and a single Skua east, probably Pomarine. Also offshore a female Eider and 30+ Sandwich and a Common Tern.

Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary with 77 Whimbrel, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Shelduck, a Dunlin and the Brent Goose.

Wednesday 24th April

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.

A wet start to the day again saw an migrant arrival of quality rather than quantity. A Fieldfare in Dead Dolphin Wood was the most unexpected, the latest ever record following one on 9th April 2000; other arrivals included a Grasshopper Warbler in Greenland Lake and a Lesser Whitethroat in the Entrance Bushes, both firsts for the year, and on Warren Point the first Whinchat and single Whitethroat and Willow Warbler.

Fieldfare - Lee Collins

Elsewhere an Osprey was in the estuary, with wader counts including 87 Dunlin, 31 Bar-tailed Godwit, 15 Whimbrel, nine Grey Plover, three Sanderling and two Ringed Plover. Offshore there were at least three Great Northern Diver and 18 Sandwich Tern.

Tuesday 23rd April

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.

An evening visit saw five Great Northern Diver offshore with 21 Whimbrel, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Redshank and a Dark-bellied Brent Geese in the Bight.

Monday 22nd April

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.

A Great White Egret flew east at 6.40am mobbed by gulls as it passed the seawall, the 16th site record for this increasing species. Also offshore 11 Pale-bellied and three Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 32 Common Scoter, 12 Sandwich Tern, three Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver.

Elsewhere there were no obvious passerine migrants with counts from the estuary including 214 Oystercatcher, 34 Whimbrel, seven Turnstone, seven Grey Plover, just three Bar-tailed Godwit, in contrast to numbers further east, two Knot, two Dunlin and a Greenshank.

Wildlife News: A Grey Seal was in the Bight.

Sunday 21st April

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.

The highlight was a Little Ringed Plover flew low north over John's Watch mid morning before joining three new arrivals at the top end of the estuary at Exminster. A Common Sandpiper at Langstone Rock and the Seawall was another new arrival. Counts from the estuary included 232 Oystercatcher, 41 Dunlin, 29 Whimbrel, 16 Curlew, six Grey and a Ringed Plover, two Bar-tailed Godwit and the two Brent Geese.

Elsewhere a Meadow Pipit was displaying on Warren Point for the first time since 2006, a pair of Whitethroat were already nest-building after arriving on Friday, 11 Sandwich Tern and a Red-throated Diver were offshore and a Lesser Redpoll was overhead with six Siskin, six Chaffinch, a Yellow Wagtail, 10 Swallow, two House and a Sand Martin.

Reed Warbler - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: The nationally scarce spider Alopecosa cuneata was discovered on the undamaged section of the Dune Ridge. A more expected addition to the Recording Area arachnid list was the Spring Harvestman Platybunus triangularis found in the Buffer Zone. Along the strandline several Barrel Jellyfish, two Masked Crab and a Sting Winkle.

 

Saturday 20th April

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.

Continuing hot and sunny conditions were not ideal for dropping in migrants but three Whitethroat, three Reed, three Willow and a Sedge Warbler were on site with two Yellow Wagtail, 21 Swallow, three Sand Martin and a Collared Dove through along with 49 Wood Pigeon, continuing the slight passage of recent days.

Willow Warbler - Alan Keatley

Elsewhere four Mediterranean Gull, two adults and two first summer came in off the sea and headed north up the estuary, 11 Sandwich Tern, two Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver were offshore, counts from the estuary included 27 Dunlin, 22 Whimbrel, three Sanderling, the two Brent Geese and single Greenshank, Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey and Ringed Plover. Four Cattle Egret avoided the Recording Area just to the north flying towards Cockwood Marsh mid morning.

Wildlife News: Two Brimstone butterfly were on site, possibly the first multiple occurrence, the first Green-veined White of the year were also on the wing and no Sand Crocus was seen in flower in a quick search.

Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee Bombus vestalis - Alan Keatley

Friday 19th April

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.

The warmest day of the year brought an arrival of migrants despite the clear conditions. The first three Sedge Warbler of the year were on Warren Point, with at least one Reed Warbler at the Main Pond, a Wheatear in Greenland Lake and eight Willow Warbler on site. Overhead five Yellow Wagtail, 39 Swallow, six Chaffinch, four House and three Sand Martin, two Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll.

Elsewhere 10 Grey Plover, 10 Dunlin, four Whimbrel, four Knot, three Bar-tailed Godwit, the two Dark-bellied Brent Geese, two Ringed Plover and a Sanderling were in the estuary and six Red-throated and five Great Northern Diver were offshore.

Wildlife News: Despite the ideal conditions only a handful of Sand Crocus were in flower so the season is nearly over for another year, but Upright Chickweed and Shepherd's Cress are now out in increasing numbers. At least six Orange-tip were on the wing, a welcome increase on recent years, with Small Copper and Holly Blue out on Warren Point.

Thursday 18th April

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.

The first three Whitethroat of the year were on site with the Black Redstart still present along the Dune Ridge. Other migrants included a Reed Warbler at the Main Pond, 12 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap and a Wheatear. Elsewhere single Great Northern and Red-throated Diver were offshore  

 
Wildlife News: The first Holly Blue and two Small Copper of the year were on the wing along with Comma, Orange-tip, Peacock and Speckled Wood.

 Small Copper - Alan Keatley

 Parent Bug - Alan Keatley

Common Groundhopper - Alan Keatley

Wednesday 17th April

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.

Foggy conditions through most of the day dropped in some migrants with a male Pied Flycatcher in Alders behind the Main Pond the highlight closely followed by an equally stunning male Black Redstart by the Golf Course Pond. Also on site at least 13 Willow Warbler whilst the first Tree Pipit of the year was overhead. Elsewhere 219 Oystercatcher, five Whimbrel, four Sandwich Tern and a Bar-tailed Godwit were in the estuary.

Wildlife News: Two Green-winged Orchid were found in flower at a new location. The plant in Greenland Lake seems to have been lost and there has been no recent sign at the two other previous locations.

Tuesday 16th April

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.

The first Reed Warbler of the year was on Warren Point with at least six Willow Warbler and two Wheatear also on site. Other arrivals included at least 77 Whimbrel through during the day, along with 18 Swallow, a House Martin, nine Sandwich and a Little Tern. Elsewhere a Red-throated Diver was offshore and the Slavonian Grebe was in front of the hide with 11 Dunlin and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese in the estuary.

Monday 15th April

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.

Seawatching before 9am saw two Great Skua, a Great Northern Diver and three Kittiwake east, with 41 Manx Shearwater, eight Dunlin, four Swallow and a Bar-tailed Godwit east in the evening. Combined totals included 90 Gannet (11/79), 34 Sandwich Tern (1/33), 11 Whimbrel (3/8) and nine Fulmar (7/2).

Sunday 14th April

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.

The first Merlin of the year, a small male, was close offshore early afternoon heading towards Exmouth before doubling back past John's Watch seemingly in pursuit of unseen prey; this was closely followed by the first 2019 Hobby heading east over the Bight.

 

Also offshore seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese, single Red-throated and Great Northern Diver and an Arctic, 10 Sandwich and a Common Tern. Elsewhere the low high tide limited wader counts with just 96 Curlew, 32 Oystercatcher, 13 Turnstone and a Sanderling.

 

Wildlife News: The first St Mark's Fly of the year was by the First Pond; an early emergence the species is named after St Mark's day on 25th April.

Saturday 13th April

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.

A day of quality over quantity with a single Puffin east one of only four auks noted and two Arctic Tern present with just six Sandwich Tern; also offshore a single Great Northern Diver, Elsewhere six Blackcap and five Willow Warbler were on site, single Swallow and House Martin flew through and 12 Turnstone and a Sanderling were on the new shingle beach.

 Sanderling - Alan Keatley

Turnstone - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: The continuing cold easterly and cloudy conditions limited insect activity but the first Hogweed Picture-winged Fly Euleia heraclei was on the wing.

Euleia heraclei  - Alan Keatley

Friday 12th April

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.

An early morning visit on a cold easterly was very quiet with three Willow Warbler, two Sand Martin and two Swallow the only migrants. Elsewhere just eight Sandwich Tern were offshore.

Thursday 11th April

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.

A clear night and a cold start but the day eventually warmed up. There were few migrants with just three Willow Warbler and a single Wheatear on site and single Sand Martin, Swallow and Buzzard. Elsewhere 90 Curlew, seven Bar-tailed Godwit, two Whimbrel, two Dark-bellied Brent Geese and a Greenshank in the estuary and 16 Sandwich Tern were offshore.

Wheatear - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: The sunny conditions in the afternoon saw several Orange-tip and Speckled Wood on the wing with Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis, five species of mining bee and at least 10 hoverfly species including the first Long Hoverfly Sphaerophoria scripta and Gossamer Hoverfly Baccha elongate of the year.

Wednesday 10th April

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.

A Little Ringed Plover was present briefly over high tide before heading up river, also in the estuary 140 Oystercatcher, 20 Turnstone, 14 Grey and a Ringed Plover, three Dunlin and a Knot. Elsewhere a Great Northern Diver and 18 Sandwich Tern were offshore with two Wheatear on site and three Sand Martin and a Swallow overhead.

Tuesday 9th April

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.

An early Arctic Tern was off John's Watch mid morning with 27 Sandwich and a Common Tern, also offshore two Shoveler and a Red-throated Diver. Elsewhere at least a dozen Willow Warbler were actively feeding around the Main Pond late evening and 12 Grey Plover, two Dark-bellied Brent Geese, two Dunlin, a Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary.

Tuesday 8th April

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.

The highlight remained just outside the Recording Area with nine Cattle Egret circling Cockwood seen from the hide before heading inland. Offshore a flock of c38 Pale-bellied Brent Geese came in from the south early evening and eventually headed north up the estuary with 18 Sandwich Tern, nine Manx Shearwater, two Eider and a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver also off the seawall. Elsewhere 11 Grey Plover were present over high tide and at least four Willow Warbler arrived in the overnight fog.

Sunday 7th April

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.

Counts from the estuary included 86 Curlew, 24 Turnstone, 10 Grey Plover, seven Bar-tailed Godwit, a Sanderling and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Seawatching was also quiet but three Manx Shearwater were only the year's second record with 10 Sandwich Tern and two Mediterranean Gull (first and second summer) also offshore. Elsewhere migrants were limited to seven Swallow, six Blackcap and two Willow Warbler.

Wildlife News: The Sand Crocus was open during suring sunny periods early afternoon with insects on the wing including Comma and two Orange-tip, three Dark-edged Beefly and a couple of new hoverflies for the year Fluffy Dronefly Eristalis intricarius and Cheilosia illustrata a bumblebee mimic. 

 Cheilosia illustrata - Lee Collins

Melangyna lasiophthalma - Lee Collins

Saturday 6th April

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.

The first Little Tern of the year was distantly offshore during the morning, the joint earliest record, matched only in 2014. Also new for the year were two Common Tern with two Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver, 15 Common Scoter, 14+ Fulmar, 12 Sandwich Tern and a second-summer Mediterranean Gull.

Osprey - Lee Collins

The Osprey was again on site early morning flushing all the aders over high tide; counts included 209 Oystercatcher, 80 Curlew, 29 Turnstone, including the Norwegian bird still, 13 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Grey Plover, four Whimbrel, the three Eider, two Dunlin, two Greenshank, a Knot and the Slavonian Grebe.

Teal - Lee Collins

 

Elsewhere a small fall of migrants included 10 Willow Warbler and at least three Wheatear with 10 Swallow, four House and two Sand Martin, three Meadow Pipit, three Jackdaw and a Rook overhead.

Wildlife News: The Sand Crocus remains in flower with an Orange-tip and several Peacock and Speckled Wood also out in sunny periods.

Friday 5th April

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.

An evening visit in wet and windy conditions saw 205 Oystercatcher in the estuary along with 20 Turnstone, 14 Redshank, five Ringed Plover, three Sandwich Tern, two Greenshank and a Sanderling. Earlier an Osprey was again in the estuary and at least three Wheatear were on site.

Osprey - Lee Collins. The loose primary feather shows this is the same bird as yesterday

Thursday 4th April

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.

The wet and windy weather saw 82 Ringed Plover, 27 Redshank, 14 Dunlin, 14 Bar-tailed Godwit, four Greenshank, three Sanderling and three Grey Plover over the high tide with an Osprey, three Eider and the Slavonian Grebe also in the estuary. 

Elsewhere two Wheatear were on site with 60 Gannet, 30 Kittiwake, 21 Sandwich Tern, two Red-throated Diver and a Fulmar offshore.

Wednesday 3rd April

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.

There were big increases to 53 Ringed Plover and 35 Sandwich Tern with other counts from the estuary including 145 Curlew, 25 Turnstone, 20 Redshank, eight Bar-tailed Godwit, three Sanderling and a Dunlin. Elsewhere three Wheatear and two Willow Warbler were on site with nine Sand Martin and three Raven overhead. 

Red-rumped Swallow - David Land.  Taken yesterday, as expected there was no sign today.

Wildlife News: The mix of sunshine and showers reduce insect activity but several Cheilosia pagana, an early Spring hoverfly were on the wing, the first site record.

Cheilosia pagana - Alan Keatley

Tuesday 2nd April

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.

The highlight was the fourth Red-rumped Swallow for the Warren, the first since May 2012. Unlike the previous fly through records this bird lingered and fed around the Main Pond for nearly six hours before moving on ahead of a heavy squall around 3pm. Other migrants included a male Redstart in Dead Dolphin Wood, seven Sand and the first two House Martin of the year, at least four Willow Warbler, three Swallow and a Wheatear.

 Red-rumped Swallow - Lee Collins

Red-rumped Swallow - Simon Thurgood

An Osprey caught a fish in the estuary early afternoon, with it or a second, over the Bight early evening; both headed north upriver. Wader counts included 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, five Grey Plover and a Whimbrel on the morning tide with 29 Ringed Plover, 29 Redshank, 10 Dunlin and two Sanderling in the evening. Other records included the Slavonian Grebe off Cockwood, 12 Sandwich Tern and a female Eider were offshore and the Cetti's Warbler was at the Main Pond.

Kestrel - James Learmouth

 Red-rumped Swallow - Lee Collins