Sunday 28th June

Expectations were low in a cool brisk west-southwesterly and with a neap tide in late-June, so when patience soon waned after only c.20 Gannet, two Common Scoter and a Fulmar offshore, there was some speculation that an Aylesbury Duck on the Main Pond was going to be 'bird-of-the-day'. However, as regular birders here know, Dawlish Warren can never be written off when it rains. A single Teal, which  bizarrely alighted briefly on the diminutive Dune Pond, was only the four record ever here in June, all since 2010.

Flushed away from roosting on Cockle Sands by kite-surfers, the Railway Saltmarsh and estuary corner provided safe refuge for 210 Curlew, 21 Redshank, most of today's seven Mediterranean Gull, six Whimbrel, four Bar-tailed Godwit, four Little Egret and a Grey Heron.  Only about 130 Oystercatcher arrived in The Bight. Also noted were 13 Great Black-backed Gull and nine Sandwich Tern. 

With two second broods of Stonechat present plus others, their were at least a dozen on site. In sharp contrast, tits had largely abandoned the site today with only singles of Blue Tit and Great Tit seen.

Wildlife news: admirers have taken to social media to express their sense of wonder at the profusion of Marsh Helleborine.  With these and many other scarce plants species in the 'dune slacks', great care is needed when searching through this sensitive habitat, which is nearly unique in south Devon. 

Marsh Helleborine - Ivan Lakin