Saturday 26th January

Due to the significant erosion at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point and the bird hide is only possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.

The Black-necked Grebe remains off John's Watch with the Velvet Scoter and 42 Great-crested Grebe also on the sea. Early morning 48 Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver flew south with 70+ Kittiwake, 30+ Gannet and six Fulmar flew south.

Counts from the estuary included 1550 Dunlin, 180 Grey Plover, 85 Knot, 47 Bar-tailed Godwit, 32 Wigeon, seven Greenshank, just six Brent Geese, three Eider, three Mediterranean Gull, a hybrid Black-headed/Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere nine Shoveler, at least seven Cirl Bunting and two Coal Tit were on site.

Cirl Bunting - Alan Keatley
 



Cirl Bunting - Lee Collins

Wildlife News: At least one Harbour Porpoise was offshore.