Saturday 31st December

The Bonaparte's Gull was offshore later afternoon feeding with a small group of Black-headed Gull, earlier 22 Red-throated Diver and 59 Great-crested Grebe were also offshore. Elsewhere in the estuary counts included 135 Bar-tailed Godwit, 106 Knot and 17 Ringed Plover, three Shoveler were on the Main Pond and four Chiffchaff were around the Entrance Bushes.

Wildlife News: Three Harbour Porpoise were offshore for several hours this morning, with perhaps the same individuals being seen off Teignmouth this afternoon.  

Friday 30th December

An early start saw a female Pintail in front of the hide with most of the regular species also in the estuary, but no counts were possible as the fog rolled in soon after first light and stayed put all day.

Thursday 29th December

A first winter Caspian Gull roosting on Bull Hill was an unexpected highlight, only the third Warren record but all in the last three years. Also on Bull Hill the adult Bonaparte's and an adult Mediterranean Gull. Elsewhere just six Red-throated Diver were offshore, the two Slavonian Grebe were off Cockwood, the tristis Chiffchaff was in the Entrance Bushes and five Shoveler and a pair of Gadwall were on the Main Pond.

Tuesday 27th December

Numbers of divers continue to rise offshore with a minimum of 45 Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver off the seawall with 15+ Great-crested Grebe also present. In the estuary the Bonaparte's Gull could be seen distantly towards Exmouth and a pair of Peregrine were hunting the roosting waders.

Monday 26th December

The only news came from the seawall where 30 Red-throated Diver and 21 Great-crested Grebe were offshore.

Sunday 25th December

A quick look offshore showed an adult Mediterranean Gull, 31 Great-crested Grebe, 11 Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. A look from Cockwood Steps revealed 30+ Shag and six Red-breasted Merganser in the estuary but no sign of any Slavonian Grebe.

Saturday 24th December

Calm conditions offshore saw counts of 34 Great-crested Grebe, 11 Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver but seaduck numbers have dropped with just 32 Common Scoter present. Elsewhere five Chiffchaff and a Lesser Redpoll were on site and counts from the estuary included 140+ Wigeon, 86 Knot, 46 Turnstone, 42 Shelduck, 32 Sanderling, five Greenshank, five Lapwing and two Slavonian Grebe.

Friday 23rd December

The two Slavonian Grebe were off Cockwood mid afternoon but no other news was received.

Thursday 22nd December

The fem/imm Black Redstart was still at Langstone Rock, with four Chiffchaff and four Goldcrest on site. Elsewhere the two Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary and offshore there were five Red-throated Diver and 24 Great-crested Grebe.

Wednesday 21st December

The two Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary but no other news was received.

Tuesday 20th December

Some counts from the hide included 100+ Grey and 29 Ringed Plover, whilst the family group of Carrion Crow continue to disturb and flush the roosting waders.

 Grey Plover - Simon Thurgood

Ringed Plover - Simon Thurgood

Monday 19th December

With the fog lifting and flat calm conditions offshore two Velvet Scoter were visible from John's Watch with eight Eider (five female and three fw male), 41 Great-crested Grebe and 13 Red-throated Diver also present. In the estuary counts included 195 Grey Plover, 141 Knot, c130 Bar-tailed Godwit, 31 Sanderling, 17 Ringed Plover and two Shoveler.

Ringing News: Details have come back on the Pale-bellied Brent Goose seen last Friday; it was ringed in Iceland at Álftanes on 16 May 2014 and is a well travelled and well tracked individual.

Pale-bellied Brent - Lee Collins

 

It was at Strangford Lough, Co Down, Northern Ireland in Sep-Nov 2014, before being seen on the Fleet in Dorset in Nov-Dec 2014, returning north to Iceland by Apr 2015 via Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire in Jan 2015 & Dundalk Bay, Co Louth, Eire in Feb 2015.
 
It bred in Iceland in the summer of 2015 raising a single juvenile and repeated the same migration being at Strangford Lough in Sep-Oct 2015, The Fleet in Dec 2015 and Milford Haven in Dec 2015 before being recorded back in Iceland in May 2016.

This autumn it did it all over again and was at Strangford Lough on 23 Oct, on the Fleet on 26 Nov, at the Warren on 16 Dec and then in Pembrokeshire the next day!

The increasingly early return north is interesting and matches what is happening with Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Dungeness where birds have started moving back east the last four Decembers.

Sunday 18th December

Fog failed to lift all day so no counts were possible in the estuary and the continued presence of offshore had to be assumed. In the bushes the Siberian Chiffchaff was still around the First Pond, a Jay was in Dead Dolphin Wood and singing Little Grebe and drumming Great-spotted Woodpecker hinted at Spring.

Saturday 17th December

Three Velvet Scoter flew into the bay mid afternoon, also offshore just 28 Common Scoter, a good count of 25 Red-throated Diver, a drake Gadwall and a Great Northern Diver. Counts from the estuary included 165 Grey Plover, 138 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 127 Bar-tailed Godwit, 120 Knot, 22 Ringed Plover, 22 Sanderling, 14 Greenshank and the two Slavonian Grebe.

Elsewhere a Siberian Chiffchaff was in the Entrance Bushes, a fem/imm Black Redstart was on Langstone Rock, the Dartford Warbler was on Warren Point, an adult Mediterranean Gull flew south and two Snipe and a Shoveler were on the Main Pond.

Black Redstart - Dave Jewell

Wildlife News: A pod of 20 Common Dolphin were off the seawall early morning, only the third site record.

Friday 16th December

Six Pale-bellied Brent Geese in the estuary were new arrivals, one of them was ringed so we should soon know where they arrived from. Also in the estuary counts of 2300 Dunlin, 235 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 195 Grey Plover, 148 Redshank, 117 Bar-tailed Godwit, 66 Shelduck, 57 Knot and the two Slavonian Grebe. The roosting Dunlin were continually harassed and scattered by several Carrion Crow, one was eventually chased down in flight and was killed in front of the hide. Elsewhere a Dartford Warbler was on Warren Point, two Shoveler were on the Main Pond and single Red-throated and Great Northern Diver were offshore.

Pale-bellied Brent Geese - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: A Peacock along the Dune Ridge was not unexpected given the unseasonal weather.

Wednesday 14th December

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

Monday 12th December

No news from today but the Shoveler were probably still on the Main Pond and no doubt several Blackbird were still around the apple tree along the back path.

Blackbird - Simon Thurgood

Shoveler - Lee Collins

Sunday 11th December

The two Velvet Scoter were again offshore with 66 Common Scoter, 27 Great-crested Grebe and 18 Red-throated Diver. Elsewhere counts from the estuary included the first Jack Snipe of the winter, 1400 Dunlin, 1168 Oystercatcher, 388 Brent Geese, 101 Grey and three Golden Plover, 34 Turnstone, five Greenshank, two Lapwing and the two Slavonian Grebe.

 Lapwing - Lee Collins

Redshank - Simon Thurgood

Saturday 10th December

Counts from the estuary included 395 Brent Geese, 150 Grey Plover, 81 Knot, 21 Sanderling, four Greenshank, the two Slavonian Grebe, a Goldeneye, a Lapwing and a female Eider. Elsewhere five Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver were offshore with just 35 Common Scoter, a Dartford Warbler was reported and five Chiffchaff remained in the Entrance Bushes.

Thursday 8th December

A Water Pipit on Woodhenge was a new arrival on an otherwise fairly typical winter day. Also from the hide there were counts of 1100 Dunlin, 156 Brent Geese, 21 Ringed Plover, 16 Sanderling and just six Knot. Elsewhere the two Velvet Scoter were still offshore with 90 Common Scoter, two Red-throated Diver and two Eider, two Shoveler were on the Main Pond and a Cirl Bunting in full song on the golf course was ignoring the season. 

Water Pipit - Alan Keatley

Wednesday 7th December

The Siberian Chiffchaff was still in the Entrance Bushes, but there was no news on the Yellow-browed Warbler. Counts from the estuary included 1000+ Dunlin, 73 Grey and 18 Ringed Plover, 15 Bar-tailed Godwit and eight Red-breasted Merganser. Elsewhere a Red-throated Diver and a flock of 10 Eider were off John's Watch, presumably the birds recently off Teignmouth, and two Shoveler and two drake Teal were on the Main Pond.

Tuesday 6th December

The Yellow-browed Warbler remains on site favouring the Back Meadow and Main Pond area today, with the Siberian Chiffchaff still in the Entrance Bushes. The flat conditions offshore allowed for counts of  23 Great-crested Grebe, 12 Red-throated Diver and the two Velvet Scoter.

Monday 5th December

The Yellow-browed Warbler was still vocal around the Entrance Bushes this morning with two Velvet Scoter and a Great Northern Diver remaining offshore. A Black-necked Grebe off the saltmarsh was a new arrival with 147 Grey Plover, 106 Knot, eight Greenshank and the two Slavonian Grebe also in the estuary.

Sunday 4th December

The fifth Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn was a surprise arrival, although a new bird was also found in Exmouth today. It was vocal and mobile around the Entrance Bushes where there were also four Chiffchaff and the Siberian Chiffchaff. Elsewhere the two Velvet Scoter were still offshore with five Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver whilst wader counts from the estuary increased slightly with 1600 Dunlin, 157 Grey Plover, 144 Bar-tailed Godwit, 81 Knot and six Greenshank with the two Slavonian Grebe also still present.

Saturday 3rd December

Offshore there were five Velvet Scoter, three mobile and two within the raft of 90 Common Scoter, with 580+ Guillemot, six Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver flying south. elsewhere a tristis Chiffchaff was in the Entrance Bushes, a Fieldfare remains along the Back Path, three Shoveler were on the Main Pond, the Bonaparte's Gull was off Warren Point and counts from the estuary included 307 Wigeon, 198 Brent Geese, 195 Teal, 115 Grey Plover, 88 Knot, 60+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 23 Ringed Plover, two Slavonian Grebe and a Pintail.

Friday 2nd December

Two Velvet Scoter were off John's Watch, presumed to be the same birds that were present briefly last weekend.

Thursday 1st December

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

Wednesday 30th November

The Bonaparte's Gull was off Warren Point in the afternoon but no other news was received.

Tuesday 29th November

As part of an estuary wide low tide count the following figures were recorded from the Beach & Bight: 161 Oystercatcher, 118 Brent Geese, 47 Wigeon, 12 Dunlin, eight Turnstone, six Curlew, five Redshank, two Knot, two Grey Plover and a Greenshank. Elsewhere two Water Rail and a Snipe were on the Main Pond.

Sunday 27th November

The duck theme continued with three Pochard and a Tufted Duck in with the Common Scoter raft, with five Shoveler, eight Red-throated and four Great Northern Diver also offshore. Elsewhere two Slavonian Grebe and a Greenshank were in the estuary, two Raven were overhead and eight Chiffchaff, two Redwing and a Fieldfare were on site.

Saturday 26th November

The first Scaup of the year, an immature female, was in the estuary during the morning before heading off site; other duck news was at sea with two Pochard amongst the 180 strong Common Scoter flock, two Velvet Scoter off the seawall before heading south, an Eider, six Gadwall and nine Pintail. Also offshore five Red-throated and four Great Northern Diver.

Counts from the estuary included three Lapwing, only the second record of the year, 1061 Oystercatcher, 1050 Dunlin, 133 Curlew, 60 Turnstone, 60 Redshank, 18 Bar-tailed Godwit, two Slavonian Grebe and single Greenshank, Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit. Elsewhere a Dartford Warbler was on Warren Point, five Chiffchaff and three Cirl Bunting were on site and a Fieldfare flew over.

Scaup - Alan Keatley

  Eider - Alan Keatley

Friday 25th November

Offshore a drake Pochard with the Common Scoter flock was unexpected with five Red-throated Diver also present. Elsewhere three Shoveler were on the Main Pond and counts from the estuary included 327 Dark-bellied and three Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 98 Grey Plover, 82 Shelduck, 59 Knot, 23 Sanderling, 12 Pintail, a Shoveler and, off Cockwood, a Slavonian Grebe.

Thursday 24th November

A late Swallow over the Entrance Bushes was the highlight although the Bonaparte's Gull again but in an appearance feeding in the Bight late morning. Elsewhere 140 Common Scoter, two Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver were offshore and counts from the estuary included 282 Wigeon, 190 Brent Geese, 81 Shelduck and 42 Teal. The duck numbers are much reduced since the marshes at the north end of the estuary flooded.

This Common Scoter was an unusual visitor to finger Point - Alan Keatley

Wednesday 23rd November

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

Sunday 20th November

The overnight storm blew through before first light but the calm conditions resulted in little to no movement but at least nine Great Northern Diver were recorded offshore during the day with two Red-throated Diver and the immature male Long-tailed Duck still with 140 Common Scoter.

Counts from the estuary included 1253 Oystercatcher, 1200+ Dunlin, 326 Brent Geese, 135 Grey Plover, 77 Redshank, 59 Shelduck and just 38 Curlew, the rest presumably taking advantage of the saturated fields elsewhere around the Exe. Also from the hide the juvenile Spoonbill roosted on Finger Point, a Kingfisher was in Shutterton Creek and two Slavonian Grebe, 12 Red-breasted Merganser and a Goldeneye were off Cockwood.

Saturday 19th November

A Barn Owl found roosting in Dead Dolphin Wood was an unexpected highlight, only the 5th site record and the first since Nov-Dec 2003. A more expected first for the year was an immature Long-tailed Duck found offshore in with 165 Common Scoter, also offshore an Eider, six Great-crested Grebe, two Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver.

A third Great Northern Diver was in front of the hide with other records from the estuary including a juvenile Spoonbill on Finger Point, two Slavonian Grebe off Cockwood and counts of c1800 Dunlin, 837 Wigeon, 277 Teal, 133 Grey Plover, 34 Turnstone, 24 Ringed Plover, six Knot and a Greenshank. Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull was feeding off the seawall late afternoon, seven Chiffchaff were on site and three Shoveler were on the Main Pond.

 Barn Owl - Lee Collins

Spoonbill - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: A young Grey Seal was in the estuary.

Thursday 17th November

Winter birding has descended on the Warren with few new arrivals. Counts from the estuary including 1210 Wigeon, 164 Brent Geese, 130 Teal, 85 Redshank, 44 Grey Plover, 34 Turnstone, 25 Bar and two Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Sanderling and a Greenshank. Elsewhere six Chiffchaff were in the bushes and 75 Common Scoter, two Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver were offshore.

Wildlife News: The Girdled Knight Tricholoma cingulatum was a recent discovery on sallows by the Main Pond. This is a new species for the recording area and there is only one Devon record on the NBN, a good example of how much there is still to discover on site.

Girdled Knight Tricholoma cingulatum - Alan Keatley

Wednesday 16th November

The Bonaparte's Gull was reported in the Bight early afternoon but no other news was received.

Tuesday 15th November

The Bonaparte's Gull was reported on the beach at some stage during the day but no more information was received.

Monday 14th November

A Tawny Owl was calling from the Golf course early evening but no other news was received.

Sunday 13th November

An adult Spoonbill in the estuary early morning and three redhead Goosander, one south early morning and two off John's Watch early afternoon, were the highlights; along with the Bonaparte's Gull along the beach and Yellow-browed Warbler in the Entrance Bushes both still present but elusive.

Counts from the estuary included the Avocet, 1350 Oystercatcher, 1128 Wigeon, 725 Dunlin, 366 Teal, 276 Brent Geese, 118 Redshank, 47 Grey Plover and three Greenshank. Vismig during the morning saw 230 Chaffinch, 17 Skylark, nine Redpoll, four Redwing, two Brambling and a Siskin. Elsewhere a Slavonian Grebe and 166 Common Scoter were offshore and the pair of Shoveler were on the Main Pond.

Saturday 12th November

The Bonaparte's Gull was briefly in the Bight on the rising tide this afternoon, another brief visitor was the second Avocet of the year on Bull Hill. Also in the estuary 825 Dunlin, 62 Brent Geese, 67 Turnstone, 62 Grey and a Golden Plover, 19 Sanderling, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, three Mediterranean Gull, three Greenshank, two Kingfisher and a Goldeneye.

Overhead 303 Redwing flew through with 161 Chaffinch, three Mistle Thrush, two Redpoll and a Siskin. Elsewhere a Pomarine Skua flew south early morning, three Great Northern and three Red-throated Diver, 135 Common Scoter and an Eider were also offshore and eight Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were on site.

Thursday 10th November

The arrival of rain prevented any vismig but flocks of 25 Redwing and 120 Wood Pigeon did pass through early on with the Yellow-browed Warbler still around the Entrance Bushes and 11+ Chiffchaff also on site. Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull was along the beach, counts from the estuary included 860 Wigeon, 310 Teal, 264 Brent Geese, nine Red-breasted Merganser and six Shelduck and offshore there were 155 Common Scoter, two Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver, an Eider and 30+ Kittiwake feeding with 40+ Gannet.

Shoveler - Alan Keatley

Wednesday 9th November

The Bonaparte's Gull was reported on the groynes today but no other news has been received since the weekend.

Sunday 6th November

Vismig this morning was slow going but a steady stream of 3-400 sized flocks saw the Wood Pigeon count eventually rise to 11360. The smaller flocks made it easier to multitask counting and picking out Stock Dove with an autumn high of 49 noted heading west. Also overhead 97 Chaffinch, five Redpoll, four Rook, four Jackdaw and two Golden Plover.

Counts from the estuary included 1195 Oystercatcher, 1095 Dunlin, 148 Brent Geese; only two juveniles, 77 Grey Plover, 32 Turnstone, 16 Shelduck and five Red-breasted Merganser. Elsewhere one Eider remained offshore, the Bonaparte's Gull flew along the beach midmorning, a pair of Shoveler were on the Main Pond and the Yellow-browed Warbler was in the Entrance Bushes with at least eight Chiffchaff also on site.

Wildlife News: A couple of Common Darter and Red Admiral were still on the wing in sheltered sunny spots.

Saturday 5th November

The fourth Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn was around the Entrance Bushes but most other new arrivals just passed through including at least five Coal Tit and a Fieldfare that paused briefly in the Cuckoo's Nest. Overhead the usual mix of species but in lower than expected numbers with 2585 Wood Pigeon, 76 Chaffinch, 17 Skylark, 11 Siskin, five Stock Dove, four Mistle Thrush and single Brambling, Redpoll and Shoveler.

Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull was on the 1st groyne late morning before heading to Warren Point, 1210 Dunlin were in the estuary with 21 Bar and eight Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Greenshank, seven Sanderling and four Red-breasted Merganser; and 125+ Common Scoter and two Eider were offshore.

Friday 4th November

The Bonaparte's Gull was feeding off the seawall early morning, with a redhead Goosander and a Great Skua heading south and the Red-necked Grebe, 121 Common Scoter, two Eider, a Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver also offshore. Later on as the tide dropped the Bonaparte's Gull was in the estuary off Warren Point, also in the estuary 1025 Dunlin, 232 Brent Geese, 66 Grey Plover, 10 Greenshank and a Goldeneye. Elsewhere two Mistle Thrush flew over and seven Chiffchaff were on site.

Thursday 3rd November

The first Red-necked Grebe of the year was off the seawall mid afternoon before drifting south, also offshore 156 Common Scoter, five Pintail, a Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver. Overhead pigeons were again on the move with 14875 Wood Pigeon and 19 Stock Dove counted heading west with a couple of small groups of Dunlin in with them. Heading in the other direction there were 148 Chaffinch, 12 Skylark and single Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Redpoll and Brambling.

Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull was off Warren Point, with the first returning Goldeneye, 27 Ringed Plover, 19 Bar and two Black-tailed Godwit, two Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe also in the estuary.

Wednesday 2nd November

Migration continues late in the autumn at the Warren and two new species for the year were recorded today; a juvenile Spoonbill that flew in off this afternoon before being feeding off Cockwood, and a flock of seven Pochard offshore with 103 Common Scoter and Wigeon. Vismig was also in evidence with the first sizable Wood Pigeon movement, 4910 headed west along with 24 Stock Dove. Also overhead 233 Chaffinch, six Redpoll, three Siskin, two Mistle Thrush and a Redwing.

Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull flew over the Dune Ridge into the estuary early afternoon, a Dartford Warbler was in Greenland Lake, two Eider were offshore and counts from the estuary included 792 Wigeon, 555 Teal, 152 Redshank, 102 Brent Geese and 53 Knot.

Tuesday 1st November

The Bonaparte's Gull was around Langstone Rock early morning with 90 Common Scoter, 10 Great-crested Grebe and two Eider also offshore. Once the fog lifted some vismig was in evidence with a late Swallow, a Fieldfare, two Mistle Thrush, 152 Chaffinch, eight Siskin and two Redpoll. Elsewhere a Dartford Warbler was in Greenland Lake and counts from the estuary included 695 Dunlin, 74 Grey Plover, 61 Knot, 33 Turnstone and six Greenshank.

Monday 31st October

Counts from the estuary included 753 Wigeon, 415 Teal, 73 Brent Geese, 60 Knot, two Greenshank, a Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere 36 Chaffinch and 11 Jackdaw passed overhead, 10 Chiffchaff were on site and 54 Common Scoter were offshore.

Wildlife News: With the summer weather and temperatures it was no surprise to see a few late insects on the wing with a couple of migrant Rush Veneer and five Red Admiral along with Peacock, Small Copper and a couple of Common Darter. Elsewhere a Grey Seal was on Bull Hill.

Peacock - Alan Keatley

Sunday 30th October

A quieter day on site with a Dartford Warbler on the Golf Course and a brief presumed Northern Wheatear at first light the pick of the sightings. Elsewhere c120 Common Scoter and two Eider were offshore with 1530 Herring Gull feeding on the sandbars at low tide and counts from the estuary including c800 Dunlin, 71 Grey and 20 Ringed Plover, 46 Knot, six Red-breasted Merganser and three Mediterranean Gull.

Saturday 29th October

The Bonaparte's Gull made one of it's increasingly erratic appearances, sat on the 2nd groyne early morning before heading out in to the bay, also offshore three Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver, 76 Common Scoter and the two Eider. Records from the estuary included a Purple Sandpiper on Finger Point, a Curlew Sandpiper with 415 Dunlin, the latest record since 2000; 328 Brent Geese, 70 Grey Plover and the Slavonian Grebe.

Overhead it was relatively quiet until 11am when an hour of passage saw the first Brambling if the year head NE with 278 Chaffinch and four Siskin. Elsewhere two Dartford Warbler were in Greenland Lake, a Snipe was on Warren Point and eight Stonechat, five Chiffchaff and two Blackcap were on site.

Thursday 27th October

A smart male Black Redstart was on the seawall early morning, the second this week, but the highlight was a grey goose sp that flew low north at day break, probably a young White-fronted Goose. Elsewhere 70 Goldfinch were on site, four Chiffchaff, three Blackcap and a Coal Tit were in the bushes and  61 Common Scoter were offshore.

Wednesday 26th October

The two Eider were still offshore and large numbers of Goldfinch were on the move but no other news was received.

Tuesday 25th October

The first Black Redstart of the autumn was briefly on the seawall this morning with an Eider offshore occasionally appearing out of the murk. The misty conditions remained for much of the day and limited overhead movement and scans of the estuary but two Short-eared Owl were found on Warren Point and six Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and a Siskin were in the Entrance Bushes.

Monday 24th October

Heavy rain most of the day hampered birding opportunities but a couple of wet hours in the field did reveal four Pintail and the lone Eider offshore with 88 Dunlin, 85+ Great Black-backed Gull, 53 Grey and six Ringed Plover, two Mediterranean Gull and two Red-breasted Merganser in the estuary.

Sunday 23rd October

A Merlin heading across the bay towards Orcombe Point mid morning was the highlight as the strong easterly wind removed any chance of vismig with just 17 Goldfinch and four Chaffinch overhead. Counts from the estuary included 1827 Wigeon, 392 Curlew, 363 Teal, 96 Brent Geese, 45 Dunlin, 21 Common Gull, a noticeable increase, 16 Shelduck, two Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere the Eider was off the seawall, a Buzzard was in the Entrance bushes with just three Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.

Saturday 22nd October

Counts from the estuary included 1420 Wigeon, 332 Curlew, 145+ Redshank, 97 Grey Plover, 58 Dunlin, 49 Knot, 33 Turnstone, three Mediterranean Gull, two Greenshank and two Snipe. Elsewhere the Eider and a Red-throated Diver were offshore, vismig included 118 Wood Pigeon, 22 Chaffinch, a Siskin, a Mistle Thrush and a late House Martin with four Chiffchaff, two Blackcap and a Coal Tit in the bushes.

Friday 21st October

Counts from the estuary included 1514 Oystercatcher, 114 Dunlin, 91 Grey Plover, three Mediterranean Gull, two Snipe and two Greenshank. Elsewhere two Red-throated Diver were offshore with a Pintail amongst 45 Common Scoter and vismig was limited to 13 Chaffinch, a Siskin and a Swallow.

Turnstone & Sanderling - Greg Bradbury

Thursday 20th October

Counts from the estuary included 1070 Wigeon, 563 Teal, 254 Curlew, 195 Redshank, 86 Grey Plover, 70 Knot, 50 Dunlin, 15 Bar and seven Black-tailed Godwit, three Mediterranean Gull and a Red-breasted Merganser. Elsewhere an Eider and 56 Common Scoter were offshore and 'vis-mig' overhead included 67 Skylark, 53 Starling, 18 Chaffinch, three Siskin, three Swallow and a Redpoll.

Wildlife News: a gull perched on the promenade struggling with a Garfish was an unusual site.  A few Red Admiral continued to fly SW.

Wednesday 19th October

The recording area's second Little Bunting flew over calling early morning but otherwise vismig was quieter with 106 Goldfinch, 38 alba Wagtail, 22 Meadow Pipit, 20 Jackdaw, nine Chaffinch, seven Rook, three Swallow and single Bullfinch, Siskin, Redpoll and Stock Dove.  Other migrants included an increase to nine Chiffchaff with eight Reed Bunting and a lone Wheatear also on site. Elsewhere an Eider was offshore, 24 Shelduck were in the Bight, a Kingfisher was on the Main Pond and two Snipe were on the beach and offshore sandbars, flying around with a Sanderling.

Tuesday 18th October

The first Goosander of the year flew south off the seawall early morning along with a single Merlin, 40 Gannet and a dozen mixed Guillemot and Razorbill, also offshore a Black-necked Grebe, a Red-throated Diver in full summer plumage and 43 Common Scoter with 1815 Herring Gull at low tide. Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary with 67 Knot, 61 Grey Plover, 12 Sanderling, three adult Mediterranean Gull and a Sandwich Tern. New migrants were limited to a single Wheatear in Greenland Lake with 130+ Goldfinch, six Swallow and three Redpoll overhead.

Long-tailed Tit - Alan Keatley

Monday 17th October

A new site record of 3745 Wigeon were in Shutterton Creek with 492 Teal, 140 Brent Geese, three Red-breasted Merganser and a Pintail. Also in the estuary  240 Curlew, 222 Redshank, 41 Grey Plover, three Mediterranean Gull and a Greenshank. A Hawfinch heard overhead was the pick of this morning's vismig with 85+ Goldfinch, 60 Linnet, 28 alba wagtail, 20 Jackdaw, 16 Skylark, 15 Meadow Pipit, two Redpoll, a Siskin, a Swallow and a Redwing also passing through. Elsewhere 90 Pied Wagtail were in a pre-roost gathering on the golf course and 90 Linnet were in the Bight.

Sunday 16th October

Counts from the estuary included 95 Grey Plover, 62 Dunlin, 37 Turnstone, 12 Sanderling, five Red-breasted Merganser and the Slavonian Grebe. Also in the river a presumed Baltic Gull was on Bull Hill, with five other Lesser and 124 Great Black-backed Gull (two of which were Norwegian ringed). Elsewhere a Merlin flew along the Dune Ridge, two Eider, a Great Northern Diver and an Arctic Skua flew south offshore and a single Siskin was overhead.

Baltic Gull - Lee Collins

Saturday 15th October

A Curlew Sandpiper was in the Bight with 58 Dunlin and 16 Ringed Plover, with three Greenshank, three Black-tailed Godwit, two Pintail and a Common Tern in the estuary. Elsewhere two Coal Tit were in the Entrance Bushes and six Rook, six Jackdaw and a Buzzard were overhead.

Wildlife News: A late Meadow Brown was still on the wing with Migrant Hawker and Common Darter also still flying.

Thursday 13th October

Grounded migrants included 12 Chiffchaff, four Blackcap and a Greenland Wheatear, with 325 Goldfinch, 58 Siskin, 35 Meadow Pipit, 25 Swallow and four Redpoll overhead. Elsewhere wader counts from the estuary include 1294 Oystercatcher, 165 Redshank, 124 Dunlin, 82 Knot, 62 Grey Plover, four Greenshank and a Sanderling. Wildfowl number remain high with 1722 Wigeon, 693 Teal and 205 Brent Geese.

Wednesday 12th October

The first Merlin and third Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn were the highlights; the latter moved along the Dune Ridge calling as it went. Elsewhere migrants included eight Chiffchaff and five Blackcap around the scrub with 56 Goldfinch, 25 Swallow, 24 Meadow Pipit, 17 Siskin, seven Chaffinch and three Redpoll overhead. Counts from the estuary included 1970 Wigeon, 770 Teal, 207 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 168 Redshank, 80 Knot, 32 Bar-tailed Godwit, two Sandwich Tern and single Osprey, Pale-bellied Brent, Greenshank and Dunlin.

Sunday 9th October

Counts from the estuary included 1720 Wigeon, 359 Teal, 892 Oystercatcher, 428 Curlew, 50 Knot, 23 Shelduck, 22 Bar and two Black-tailed Godwit, 19 Ringed Plover and just 16 Brent Geese and five Dunlin. Also present the first three Red-breasted Merganser of the winter, seven Pintail and a juvenile Osprey which caught a fish and flew off upriver. Elsewhere two Eider offshore were the first since 2014, vismig saw a Red Kite head north, 48 Lesser Black-backed Gull head south along with 128 Goldfinch, 36 Skylark, 35 Meadow Pipit, 15 Swallow, 12 House Martin, nine Rook, two Grey Wagtail and the first five Siskin of the autumn. Grounded migrants included 20 Chiffchaff, five Goldcrest, four Blackcap, four Wheatear and three Coal Tit.

Saturday 8th October

A calmer day saw visible passage pick up and a turn-over of passerines pausing on site before heading on, with counts of 90+ Linnet, 54 Meadow Pipit, 58+ Goldfinch, c.30 Pied Wagtail, 30 Chaffinch, 20 Skylark, 17 House Martin, 12 Rook, eight Song Thrush (highest count since Jan), three Jackdaw, two Grey Wagtail, two Lesser Redpoll (first of the autumn) and single Raven, Swallow and a Bullfinch.  The clear highlight was a Turtle Dove that flew NE low of the tree-tops at 09:10. the first on site since Apr 2014 and for one regular observer, his first in 11 years! 

On the estuary, during the neap tide, 1489 Oystercatcher, 269 Redshank, 243 Curlew, 60 Knot, 29 Dunlin, 27 Ringed Plover, 23 Cormorant including a sinensis; 21 Shelduck, 16 Turnstone, 14 Bar-tailed Godwit, seven Sandwich Tern, six Sanderling, five Black-tailed Godwit, three Kingfisher, two Mediterranean Gull, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe.  In the estuary corner, 909 Teal was the highest congregation since Dec 2010.  The three jet-skiers who disturbed these and all other waterbirds there were later intercepted and politely made aware of their error.  More natural disturbance was caused by an Osprey that drifted down channel late morning then headed back up the estuary. 

Little at sea, 51 Common Scoter and two Grey Plover in off.  The bushes held 17 Chiffchaff, 11 Blackcap,  three Goldcrest, one or two each of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Wheatear, Cirl Bunting and a Whitethroat, the latest date since 2010.

Wildlife News: Red Admiral and numerous Small Copper still on the wing.  Sand Lizards were also seen out.

Friday 7th October

Counts from the estuary included 348 Dunlin, 69 Grey and 41 Ringed Plover, 51 Knot, 42 Bar and two Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Turnstone and two Greenshank. Elsewhere a Wheatear was on the beach and 13 Swallow flew through.

Thursday 6th October

A Yellow-browed Warbler briefly by the First Pond was almost to be expected considering the national influx but unfortunately it didn't linger. Other migrants were limited to eight Chiffchaff, two Blackcap and a Goldcrest. In the estuary an Osprey flew over towards Exmouth with counts of 410 Dunlin, 58 Grey and 45 Ringed Plover, 12 Shelduck and six Pintail. Elsewhere 60 Common Scoter and two skua sp were offshore, four Raven were overhead and a Jay remains in Dead Dolphin Wood.

Tuesday 4th October

The highlight was a Snow Bunting that flew along the Dune Ridge mid morning, before being relocated in the Bight an hour later. Also in the Bight two Curlew Sandpiper, 409 Dunlin, 91 Brent Geese, 73 Grey and 47 Ringed Plover and 14 Sanderling. Overhead there were 70 House and two Sand Martin.

Monday 3rd October

A clear, still start was soon interrupted by a fresh onshore breeze that persisted all day and evaporated passage overhead to reduce counts to 52 Swallow, 35 Meadow Pipit, 18 Pied Wagtail, five Grey Wagtail and three Jackdaw.   

Selected counts during the spring tide in The Bight were 324 Dunlin, 67 Grey Plover, 60 Ringed Plover, eight Sanderling, three Knot and a Curlew Sandpiper.  Also in the estuary or at sea, six Pintail, four Sandwich Tern, three Shelduck a Mediterranean Gull and an Arctic Tern. 

Blown out, among the bushes were found only a few Chiffchaff, also seven Greenfinch, three Blackcap, two Goldcrest, two Song Thrush and a Jay. 

Sunday 2nd October

A chilly start developed into a gloriously sunny and near cloudless day. Over the high tides, selected counts and estimates were 1400+ Wigeon, 4-figure count of Oystercatcher, 510 Dunlin, 3-figure counts Teal and Curlew, 259 Redshank, 80 Grey Plover, 80 Black-headed Gull, 45 Ringed Plover, 44 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 30+ Knot, 23 Turnstone, 16+ Bar-tailed Godwit, eight Sanderling, three juv Curlew Sandpiper, three Sandwich Tern, two Mediterranean Gull and a Greenshank.  Small waders were decidedly skittish with the presence of two Sparrowhawk and Peregrine, the latter departed with prey. 

The Bight still held 92 Linnet and a Rook landed on the wader island at dusk.  The raft of 37 Common Scoter was the only notable sighting at sea. 

High hopes for overhead passage were too high for our sea-level observations with only 25+ Meadow Pipit,12 Swallow, two Siskin, two Stock Dove and a House Martin through.  An all day total of 51 Lesser Black-backed Gull south was the highlight. 

From their roost in the Italian Alders of the car park departed 78 House Sparrow.  Elsewhere in bushes and dunes, 20+ Goldfinch, 12 Skylark, 12 Chiffchaff, eight Stonechat, four Wheatear, four Greenfinch, three Reed Bunting, two each of Jay, Goldcrest and Blackcap, a Coal Tit and a late Garden Warbler. 

Wildlife News: thanks to two curious and responsible dog-walkers, the position of a large moth in the dunes was marked, enabling it to be re-found and identified as a Convolvulus Hawk-moth (photo on Twitter post). 

Saturday 1st October

Totals from the morning and evening high tides were c.1910 Wigeon, the Oystercatcher roost, 374 Dunlin, 237 Curlew, 226 Redshank, 217 Teal, 173 Black-headed Gull with 19 Common Gull and two adult Mediterranean Gull; also 135 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 90 Ringed Plover, 43 Grey Plover, 36 Knot, 14 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Turnstone, seven Pintail, five Common Tern, single figures of Sanderling, a juv Curlew Sandpiper and single late Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper. A large, though reduced flock of Linnet remained in The Bight.

At sea, a raft of 28 Common Scoter, 25+ Gannet, 6 Sandwich Tern and five auk flew south. The summer-plumaged Red-throated Diver was again offshore and a Storm Petrel was glimpsed foraging far out.

Present for its seventh day, the Wryneck showed well in a small Sycamore along Warren Neck.

Wryneck (Alan Keatley)

The bushes and dunes also held, c.70 Goldfinch, 18 Chiffchaff, 13 Blackcap, three Goldcrest, two Wheatear, four Greenfinch and a Jay with the odd habit of calling like a Buzzard.

Chiffchaff (Alan Keatley)

Lighter passage overhead, with 135 Meadow Pipit, six Pied Wagtail, four Swallow, two Sand Martin and single Grey Wagtail and Chaffinch. A Kingfisher was heard on the golf course pond.

Wildlife News: a Painted Lady. Work began to remove remains of the beached Fin Whale, located just south of Langstone Rock.

Painted Lady (Alan Keatley)