Saturday 27th April 2013

The highlight was another harrier, today though it was the site's fifth record of Montagu's Harrier, the first since April 1979. The bird, a second calendar year female, was first seen from Exmouth and flew in off the sea over the seawall, before circling Langstone and heading off inland. Once again however there was little in the way of backup migrants although 11 Whitethroat, three Wheatear, two Sedge and a Willow Warbler were present but just nine Swallow, two Sand Martin and a late Siskin passed through. Waders counts included 330 Oystercatcher, 66+ Whimbrel, 56 Dunlin, 26 Ringed Plover, 19 Turnstone, three Sanderling and three Bar-tailed Godwit. Elsewhere the Pintail was on the Main Pond and completed another high tide fly around, and offshore at least seven Great Northern Diver were present along with 18 Sandwich and a Little Tern.