Sunday 28th August

A good day on site with 80 species recorded even though it was quiet in the bushes and offshore. In the estuary the Spotted Redshank and one Curlew Sandpiper were still present with a juvenile Little Gull in the Bight and an Osprey making an appearance. 

Dawlish Warren over this mornings high tide - juv Curlew Sand in the bight till c8am when appeared to fly high south- a bonus Fw little Gull near finger Point c815am then flew upriver, 4 Common Terns, 7 Sanderling, 3 Med Gulls, Swift, 3 Wheatears, 150 Swallows early am pic.twitter.com/Hd2kGVN9jK

— Mark Bailey (@markrabailey) August 28, 2022

Counts included 910 Black-headed and 11 Mediterranean Gull, 845 Oystercatcher, 359 Curlew, 296 Redshank, 169 Ringed Plover, 133 Dunlin, 37 Sandwich and 13 Common Tern, 19 Sanderling, 11 Bar and 11 Black-tailed Godwit, nine Wigeon, nine Shelduck, five Teal, five Turnstone, five Greenshank, three Whimbrel, three Kingfisher, two Knot and a Common Sandpiper. 

Also in the estuary the strange sight of an adult Gannet, occasionally diving, before being lost to view north of Powderham. It was later seen circling high over Lympstone before heading high NE inland. 

A pulse of hirundines early morning saw a late Swift head east with 150 Swallow, 25 House and seven Sand Martin, also seven Yellow and three Grey Wagtail. Grounded migrants were limited to five Wheatear and single Reed, Sedge and Willow Warbler with an increase to 85 Goldfinch.

Wildlife News: A Grey Seal was in the estuary and Rush Veneer remain underfoot.