Friday 14th February

A wet and windy day ahead off the storm still managed to deliver a few signs of Spring with Cirl Bunting singing away and continuing drop in waders and wildfowl. Counts from the estuary included 900 Dunlin, 195 Grey Plover, 153 Knot, 60 Brent Geese, 37 Shelduck, 30 Teal, 28 Sanderling, 17 Ringed Plover, three Greenshank and two Mediterranean Gull.

 Dunlin - Lee Collins. Ringed at Dawlish Warren in November 2019

Grey Plover - Lee Collins. Ringed on Exminster Marshes last month

Both these birds were ringed by the Devon & Cornwall Wader Ringing Group

Ringing News: In addition to the local birds above, this adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was also recorded. It was ringed as a pullus on Alderney in July 2009.

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Alan Keatley