An early start before rain set in mid-morning, saw few obvious migrants, with the usual warblers in situ, the only exceptions a reeling Grasshopper Warbler on Warren Point, a Sedge Warbler by the Main Pond and seven Wheatear across the site. The low morning high tide didn't bring in any extra waders with most preferring the beach instead of the estuary, including 52 Whimbrel, 14 Dunlin, four Sanderling and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Offshore a lingering pale phase Arctic Skua, 12 Sandwich Tern and two Great Crested Grebe.
A very different story after the rain with an obvious fall of migrants highlighted by a site record count of 31 Whitethroat, along with the year's first Garden Warbler, nine Blackcap, five Willow Warbler, a second Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler singing in the Buffer Zone.
Despite the low state of tide this arrival was mirrored in the estuary, with 280 Dunlin, 26 Ringed Plover and three Turnstone on the wet mudflats, and the first two Little Tern of the year in Shutterton Creek. The lone Dark-bellied Brent Goose was also present with elsewhere, five Jackdaw foraging in the Buffer Zone, an indication eggs have now hatched in the mainland population.
Wildlife News: Flying insects were virtually non-existent in the grey overcast conditions, however conditions didn't prevent the discovery of a new sawfly for the Recording Area, Halidamia affinis, a bedstraw feeding species. On Warren Point last year's Green-winged Orchid has again appeared.
The Dawlish Warren Green Winged Orchid, Anacamptis morio, has reappeared this year 🙂 @WarrenBirding @ukorchids pic.twitter.com/YBeMuqbZKt
No comments:
Post a Comment