Sunday 30th June 2013

Offshore there were 21 Sandwich Tern, 103 Common Scoter and five Manx Shearwater. Elsewhere a White Wagtail was in the Bight, the Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood and two Greylag Geese flew north up the estuary having earlier flown along the River Teign near Newton Abbot.

Wildlife News: The first Southern Hawker of the year was around the Main Pond with several Hairy Dragonfly still on the wing. Elsewhere Marsh Helleborine are just starting to flower in Greenland Lake, a track has been driven through the main patch, so they are easy to find.

Friday 28th June 2013

The Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood with 11 Ringed Plover, eight Sandwich Tern, five Dunlin and four Sanderling in the estuary. Elsewhere a Hobby flew through midmorning and offshore 28 Manx Shearwater late evening with c400 Common Scoter in Dawlish Bay.

Wildlife News: The Common Seal was on Bull Hill and a Grey Seal was off Langstone Rock. This latter individual was off Dawlish several days ago.

Thursday 27th June 2013

Seven Ringed Plover and two Dunlin were in the Bight with an adult Mediterranean Gull on the Railway Saltmarsh.

Wednesday 26th June 2013

On the evening tide, a Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and 229 Curlew with the Slavonian Grebe off Cockwood. At sea, the 11 Sandwich Tern were not, sadly, accompanied by the Gull-billed Tern that made a brief appearance at Bowling Green Marsh last night.  A large raft of Common Scoter were far offshore.

Tuesday 25th June 2013

High tide count this morning 310 Oystercatcher, 250+ Curlew on the Railway Saltmarsh and a Ringed Plover.

Saturday 22nd June 2013

On a breezy dull evening, 10 Sanderling were on the beach, and 95 Curlew and a Whimbrel on Finger Point, including a colour-ringed individual, until a kayaker flushed them all away.  Some 60 or so Manx Shearwater, 15 Sandwich Tern, one Fulmar and small numbers of Gannet, Kittiwake and Common Scoter were at sea.  A Kestrel, a Swallow and a Swift overhead.

Friday 21st June 2013

A male Cirl Bunting aound Greenland Lake and the Main Pond was the first since January and the only surprise of the day. In the estuary Curlew, presumably failed breeders, continue to increase with 119 birds on the Saltmarsh, also present over high tide c330 Oystercatcher, five Dunlin, a Ringed Plover and a Knot. Elsewhere a pair of Shelduck were off Warren Point with four small young and 16 Sandwich Tern were also offshore.

Thursday 20th June 2013

A check of the evening tide offered just one Redshank, one Whimbrel, 99 Curlew and 141 Oystercatcher.  The resident Slavonian Grebe was again in the estuary.  Offshore, in the mist, was a raft of 19 Common Scoter, with three Sandwich Tern and seven Gannet. Again a Mistle Thrush flew over the gold course.  A pair of Shelduck on the Main Pond was unexpected there. 

Wednesday 19th June 2013

The first Tawny Owl of the year was calling overnight.

Wildlife news: Two Painted Lady were on the wing.

Monday 17th June 2013

No news for today so a diptera image from last week.

Band-eyed Brown Horsefly Tabanus bromius at 2cm in length it will give you a decent bite! ©  Lee Collins

 

 

 

 

Sunday 16th June 2013

Two Storm Petrel were off the seawall mid morning with 42+ Manx Shearwater and two Great-crested Grebe also offshore. In the estuary counts over high tide included 291 Oystercatcher, 38 Sanderling, 34+ Curlew, 17 Turnstone, 11 Dunlin, five Shelduck, two Ringed Plover and a Whimbrel. Elsewhere a Mistle Thrush on the golf course was unexpected.

Saturday 15th June 2013

Another couple of Storm Petrel were off John's Watch this morning with c40 Manx Shearwater, 26 Common Scoter and five Fulmar. Elsewhere over high tide there were c45 Sanderling, three Dunlin and a Whimbrel in the estuary.

Wildlife news: The first Painted Lady of the year was in Greenland Lake with the first Meadow Brown by the Tractor Compound. A headless Harbour Porpoise calf was washed upon the beach, the injuries suggest it was another 'bycatch' victim.

Friday 14th June 2013

Single pale phase Pomarine and Arctic Skua headed south offshore during the morning along with c60 Manx Shearwater. Elsewhere 53 Sanderling were on the beach at high tide and the Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood. Another look at the sea in the evening gave a further 153 Manx Shearwater, 44 Kittiwake and a Storm Petrel south in an hour and a half before the rain arrived.

Thursday 13th June 2013

A Storm Petrel was off John's Watch mid morning with 11 Manx Shearwater and eight Common Scoter heading south. Over the high tide 63 Sanderling, including a colour ringed bird, were on the beach with two Dunlin. Elsewhere two Black-tailed Godwit were in the estuary and the Cuckoo remains on site.

Sanderling 13/06/13 © Dave Jewell

Wednesday 12th June 2013

A pale phase Arctic Skua and a Common Scoter flew north offshore early afternoon, whilst a group of c40 Swift moved west mid afternoon. Elsewhere 82 Sanderling, a Dunlin and a Ringed Plover were on the beach.

Tuesday 11th June 2013

Over high tide there were 271 Oystercatcher in the estuary with a smart adult Mediterranean Gull. Elsewhere an Arctic Skua and a first summer Mediterranean Gull were offshore with 50+ Kittiwake and 10 Sandwich Tern, 71 Sanderling were on the beach and the Cuckoo was in Greenland Lake.

Wildlife news: Two Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.

Sunday 9th June 2013

A few Manx Shearwater offshore early morning, four Swallow along the ridge and 25 Sanderling in the Bight were the only signs of movement. Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary and the Cuckoo continues to folornly sing for a mate.

Wildlife News: A male Black-tailed Skimmer was on Warren Point and first sandwasps Ammophila sabulosa of the year were hunting in the Dunes.

Saturday 8th June 2013

Despite the midsummer feel there was still a hint of migration with a singing Reed Warbler on Warren Neck and 30+ Swift, 25+ Swallow and eight House Martin east along the Dune Ridge. Elsewhere a Barnacle Goose flew through with seven Canada Geese, 25 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Sanderling, seven Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were in the estuary and a vocal Cuckoo was again on site.

Wildlife News: The long awaited first Hairy Dragonfly of the year was at the Main Pond, at least two Red Admiral were on site and the Common Seal was on Bull Hill.

Thursday 6th June 2013

Four Mediterranean Gull flew north over the Visitor Centre this afternoon, but with no other news from the Warren since the Slavonian Grebe on Monday, the summer doldrums have clearly set in early.

Sunday 2nd June 2013

A fly through Hobby and two Mistle Thrush in Dead Dolphin Wood were the day's highlights with a second Honey Buzzard in a week evading observers this side of the estuary. Other sightings included a Red-throated Diver, 38 Common Scoter and two Great-crested Grebe offshore, with 14 Dunlin, eight Whimbrel and three Grey Plover over high tide.

Wildlife News: A Grey Squirrel headed east along the Dune Ridge mid morning, a less than annual, and usually autumnal, migrant to the Warren.

Saturday 1st June 2013

Sunny and warm out of the stiff NNW breeze.  Overhead 18 Swift, 41 Swallow and 11 House Martin with randomness thrown in by a pair of Bar-headed Goose and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser, in off and flew N.  A fs Mediterranean Gull flew N and a ss Yellow-legged Gull flew NE to Exmouth.

The lunchtime neap tide only produced 40 Sanderling, 17 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover.  The bushes were v quiet with 2+ Spotted Flycatcher the only interest, but with a 1000+ (!!) at Portland Bill, the site was a little short-changed.

17 Sandwich Tern in small groups in off were the only interest at sea.

Wildlife News: An Emperor Dragonfly zooming NE up the sheltered side of the spit was the first of the year.