Saturday 30th November

The Bonaparte's Gull made a reappearance offshore feeding with small group of Black-headed Gull before heading into the estuary. Also offshore six Red-throated Diver, 140+ Common Scoter, 100+ Kittiwake and a Pintail. Elsewhere a Yellowhammer along the Dune Ridge was a migrant but otherwise there was little change with six Chiffchaff and a Redpoll on site, three Shoveler on the Main Pond and a Greenshank in the estuary.

Friday 29th November

The Long-tailed Duck had returned to the estuary showing well from the hide this afternoon, also in the estuary 305+ Teal, 42 Common Gull, 35 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull, a Pintail and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere 150 Common Scoter, 16 Great-crested and a Slavonian Grebe were offshore.

Thursday 28th November

There was plenty of action off the seawall with a Long-tailed Duck, 182 Common and two Velvet Scoter, 16+ Red-throated Diver and 12 Great-crested Grebe offshore but there was no sign of the Bonaparte's Gull. Elsewhere a Tawny Owl was in the Entrance Bushes, the White-fronted Goose was still with the Brent Geese flock and three Shoveler, a Pintail and a Slavonian Grebe were in Shutterton Creek. Counts were not possible due to disturbance over the high tide with a kayaker continually flushing the roosting waders and wildfowl.

Monday 25th November

The Bonaparte's Gull was seen from the hide this morning along with c1200 Oystercatcher, 1000+ Dunlin, c250 Brent Geese, 35 Grey Plover, 24 Shelduck, 23 Knot, 13 Turnstone and three Red-breasted Merganser. Elsewhere 30 Gannet, seven Common Scoter and three Great-crested Grebe were offshore and a Bullfinch was by the First Pond.

Sunday 24th November

As the autumn draws to an end so to does migration with little change on the Warren. The Bonaparte's Gull remained along the beach, the Black Brant and White-fronted Goose were with the Dark-bellied Brent and two Red-throated Diver were offshore.

 Black Brant

 White-fronted Goose both © Simon Thurgood

Saturday 23rd November

A Siberian Chiffchaff was a new arrival in the Entrance Bushes with five Chiffchaff and 54 Greenfinch on site. Elsewhere Dunlin, Grey Plover and Knot numbers had almost doubled to 1600, 124 and 52 respectively and a Pale-bellied Brent was in the Bight, but otherwise it was as you were with the Bonaparte's Gull mobile around site, the White-fronted Goose and Slavonian Grebe in the estuary and the Velvet Scoter and five Red-throated Diver.

Thursday 21st November

The Bonaparte's Gull was again off the beach with the Velvet Scoter, 102 Gannet, three Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver also offshore. Counts from the estuary included 209 Brent Geese, 182 Curlew, 64 Grey Plover, 32 Knot, eight Sanderling and the first Goldeneye of winter.

Wednesday 20th November

The Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood but no other news was received.

Tuesday 19th November

The White-fronted Goose was again with Brent Geese in the Bight this morning with 50 Shelduck, 31 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Knot and a Shoveler also in the estuary. Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull was off the beach with 56 Kittiwake also offshore.

Wildlife News: The Nationally notable B spider Marpissa nivoyi was recently recorded on Warren Point. Although a sand dune specialist this is the first Warren record.

© Andrew Cunningham

Monday 18th November

The immature White-fronted Goose that had been on Orcombe Point since mid October has moved to the estuary and found the Brent Geese. It made a welcome appearance at the Warren today close in front of the hide at high tide before moving to feed on the Golf Course fairways with around 25 Brent. This was thought to be the first of the year but it turns out two were seen but not reported last week, presumably two new birds? Any details gratefully received.

Counts from the estuary included 64 Grey Plover, 40 Shelduck, 27 Ringed Plover, 22 Turnstone, 12 Knot, eight Sanderling and six Lapwing, whilst overhead there were six Siskin, two Fieldfare, a Mistle Thrush and a Redwing. Elsewhere on site the Bonaparte's Gull remained along the beach early morning at least with a Velvet Scoter again distantly offshore with five Red-throated Diver.

White-fronted Goose with Brent © Ivan Lakin

Sunday 17th November

The Bonaparte's Gull was off Warren Point early afternoon, feeding close in on the estuary side. Counts from the estuary included 1750+ Oystercatcher, 1003 Dunlin, 585 Wigeon, 296 Brent Geese, 268 Teal, 184 Curlew, 154 Redshank, 41 Shelduck, 27 Grey Plover, 24 Bar and three Black-tailed Godwit, eight Knot, five Lapwing, a Pintail and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere a Velvet Scoter was offshore with five Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, a Cirl Bunting was in Greenland Lake and 13 Redwing and a Fieldfare were overhead.

Wildlife News: A Grey Seal was in the estuary.

Saturday 16th November

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was again off the beach during the morning at least with 22 Great-crested Grebe, four Great Northern and three Red-throated Diver offshore. Records from the estuary included c950 Dunlin, a big increase; 800+ Wigeon, 369 Brent Geese, 154+ Teal, 28 Bar and three Black-tailed Godwit, nine Lapwing, six Knot, four Greenshank, three Pintail and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere a Firecrest was on Langstone Rock, a pair of Cirl Bunting were on Warren Point and overhead there were 85 Wood Pigeon, 63 Redwing, 46 Chaffinch, the highest count this autumn; 12 Siskin, three Redpoll, a Brambling and a Stock Dove that evaded a Peregrine attack by dropping into Sycamores on Warren Point.

Friday 15th November

The Bonaparte's Gull was again off the beach early morning with eight Great-crested and two Slavonian Grebe off the seawall. Elsewhere 309 Brent Geese, six Lapwing and the resident Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary and overhead there were 320 Wood Pigeon, 22 Siskin, five Redpoll and a Grey Wagtail.

Wildlife News:  A Grey Seal was offshore.

Thursday 14th November

A quick look from Cockwood Steps early morning showed the Slavonian Grebe and 12 Red-breasted Merganser in the estuary with just 27 Shelduck, six Brent Geese and a Black-tailed Godwit on the heavily disturbed mudflats.

Wednesday 13th November

Clear skies and still conditions meant the first frost of the autumn and the hope of more visible migration. Pigeons began moving before 8am and in the next 90 minutes 3565 Wood Pigeon and at least 46 Stock Dove headed high west, also overhead single Lapland Bunting and a Yellowhammer, both of which circled Greenland Lake before continuing west. There was however little else moving with just 20+ Skylark, 15+ Chaffinch, two Lapwing, two Redpoll, a Siskin and a Fieldfare noted. Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull was along the beach, the female Long-tailed Duck with 379 Dunlin, 43 Grey Plover, two Pintail and a Greenshank were in the estuary, single Great Northern and Red-throated Diver were offshore, at least one Cirl Bunting was near the Main Pond and eight Chiffchaff were on site including an annoyingly silent tristis-type.

Tuesday 12th November

There was some light overhead movement early morning with c400 Wood Pigeon, 36 Stock Dove, 20+ Skylark and Chaffinch, five Redpoll, four Siskin, four Greenshank, two Fieldfare, two Grey Wagtail and a Golden Plover. Elsewhere a silent eastern Chiffchaff was in the Entrance Bushes, the Black Brant was in the estuary with 369 Dark-bellied Brent and the Bonaparte's Gull was off the beach mid afternoon, having been back at Teignmouth early morning.

Monday 11th November

Despite the lack of wind seawatching proved rewarding with the highlight an unexpected year tick, a female-type Red-crested Pochard that flew south on its own just before 10am. This was only the site's fourth record and the first since 1999. Also heading south during the morning 260+ Common Scoter, three Great Northern and Red-throated Diver, two Balearic Shearwater, single Pomarine and Great Skua, an immature Long-tailed Duck with some Scoter and a first winter Little Gull; 16 more Little Gull passed later in the day. Away from the seawall the Black Brant and female Long-tailed Duck were in the Bight with 110 Dunlin, 33 Grey Plover, seven Sanderling and the Slavonian Grebe also in the estuary. Elsewhere 'only' 110 Redwing and 23 Fieldfare flew over, a pair of Cirl Bunting were mobile around Greenland Lake and five Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were in the Entrance Bushes.

Sunday 10th November

The Bonaparte's Gull was again present ranging along the beach through the morning, calling and showing very well at times. The main interest though was overhead with the ideal conditions producing 5950 Wood Pigeon and 59 Stock Dove heading W before 10.30, also moving through 87 Rook, 49 Skylark, 46 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 35+ Linnet, 30+ Goldfinch, five Jackdaw, five Siskin, three Redpoll, a Bullfinch, a Fieldfare and a late Swallow. Elsewhere the first Scaup of the year, an immature, was offshore with two Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver, a female Long-tailed Duck was also a new arrival in the estuary where the Black Brant and Slavonian Grebe remain, four Cirl Bunting were on site and a Kingfisher was again at the Main Pond.

Cirl Bunting © Martin Overy

Saturday 9th November

The highlight was an adult Bonaparte's Gull seen flying south along the seawall at 8.30am. Presumably the bird that has been at Teignmouth since mid September and the same bird as present on the Exe in May. It had returned to Teignmouth by 9am but was reported again at the Warren just after midday. Counts from the estuary included 125 Curlew, 103 Dunlin, 45 Grey and 29 Ringed Plover, 22 Shelduck, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, six Sanderling, two Pintail, single Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, a Snipe and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere two Great Northern Diver and a Great Skua were offshore, two Cirl Bunting were around Greenland Lake, a Kingfisher was on the Main Pond, six Chiffchaff were on site and overhead there were 25+ Goldfinch, three Redpoll and a Siskin.

Wildlife News: At least six Common Darter were still on the wing as were four species of butterfly; three Red Admiral and single Painted Lady, Comma and Small Copper.

Thursday 7th November

Despite quieter conditions weatherwise the hoped for vismig never really got started, totals included 45 Meadow Pipit, 42 Goldfinch, 30 Linnet, 12 Skylark, six Rook, six Chaffinch, two Redpoll and a Jackdaw with no noticeable Wood Pigeon movement. Elsewhere four Cirl Bunting were around Greenland Lake and the Black Brant was in the Bight with 177 Dark-bellied and three Pale-bellied Brent Geese.

Wednesday 6th November

A return to a semblance of late autumn normality on site although the three Cirl Bunting made a reappearance in Greenland Lake whilst the Cetti's Warbler called briefly from the Entrance Bushes. A two hour seawatch from first light produced 301 Kittiwake, 230 Gannet, three Great Northern Diver, two Balearic Shearwater and a Great Skua all heading south.  Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 200+ Dunlin, 197 Curlew, 51 Common Gull, 34 Shelduck, 29 Grey Plover, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, four Mediterranean Gull, a Knot and the Slavonian Grebe.

Tuesday 5th November

A three hour vigil on the seawall was at times slow but quality easily won out over quantity with two unexpected firsts for the year. The first came just after 9am when the site's third White-rumped Sandpiper, the first since 1998, flew past close inshore with three Dunlin. They had presumably flown from somewhere further down the spit but unfortunately kept going south. Two hours later the site's fourth Great White Egret, the first since 2002, flew east distantly offshore, it eventually started circling and gaining height out from Straight Point, before being lost to view.  Also during the morning 54 Common Scoter, 35+ Lesser Black-backed Gull, seven Great Northern Diver, four Pintail, a Shoveler, a pale phase Pomarine Skua and a Balearic Shearwater flew south and whilst all this was going on a Slavonian Grebe was on the sea and two first winter Black Redstart were showing intermittently on the seawall. Elsewhere the Black Brant was in the Bight, a Merlin flew west, a tight flock of 73 Redwing flew high east and in blown out conditions a Jay was in the Entrance Bushes.  

Wildlife News: A Migrant Hawker and three Common Darter were still on the wing.

Monday 4th November

The seventh Warren Cetti's Warbler, the first since Oct 2009, was behind the Crocus Compound late morning, but with the exception of a pair of Cirl Bunting and a late Wheatear the site was otherwise quiet. There was more going on overhead with 169 Jackdaw east and heading west 1006 Wood Pigeon and 10 Stock Dove. Elsewhere the Black Brant, four Pintail and a Shoveler were in the Bight whilst south of the recording area a Velvet Scoter remains off Dawlish.

Wildlife News: A Clouded Yellow was also in the Crocus Compund late morning.

Sunday 3rd November

Two brief firsts for the year today were amongst the highlights. Late morning a heavy squall came through the Warren and lead to a brief window of passage offshore, in just 10 minutes 110+ Kittiwake, 85+ Gannet, two Great Skua and a Leach's Petrel headed south. The front that came through late afternoon failed to be productive with just a single Great Northern Diver offshore. The other new bird for the year was a flyover Snow Bunting mid afternoon; also overhead today two Mistle Thrush, the first Fieldfare of the autumn and single Redwing and Siskin. Elsewhere the Merlin and Short-eared Owl both remained on Warren Point.

Counts from the estuary today included 2650 Oystercatcher, 841 Wigeon, 478 Brent Geese, 297 Dunlin, 73 Teal, 31 Grey Plover, 17 Shelduck, 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 11 Mediterranean Gull, three Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe.

Wildlife News: At least two Common Darter were still around Dead Dolphin Wood.

Saturday 2nd November

Counts from the estuary on the morning tide included 1166 Wigeon, 329 Brent Geese, 306 Curlew, 150+ Redshank, 106+ Great Black-backed Gull, 74 Teal, 62 Common Gull, just 30+ Dunlin, 11 Mediterranean Gull, three Greenshank, a Shoveler, the Slavonian Grebe and the Black Brant. Elsewhere a Short-eared Owl was on Warren Point, a Merlin flew through Greenland Lake and 100+ Redwing flew east ahead of the rain. A short seawatch after the rain produced half a dozen Gannet and Kittiwake and a late Storm Petrel, only the second November record for the Warren.

Ringing News

The Great Black-backed Gull JA700 (ringed as a chick on the island of Odd in southern Norway in July 2008) is presumably back for another winter.

View Great Black-back Gull in a larger map

Friday 1st November

A damp start but the overnight rain hadn't dropped any migrants, indeed most had left with only three Chiffchaff remaining on site. It was a similar story overhead with only single figures of Chaffinch, Linnet and Meadow Pipit, but a late Swallow and a Merlin also flew through. Elsewhere the Black Brant was in the estuary with 14 Black-tailed Godwit and seven Mediterranean Gull and the three Cirl Bunting remained around Greenland Lake.