Friday 26th April

Spring wader passage continues with varying numbers and species moving through on a daily basis, today's counts included 76 Whimbrel, 40 Ringed Plover, 36 Dunlin, 24 Bar-tailed Godwit, nine Sanderling and seven Common Sandpiper.

Whimbrel - Alan Keatley

Sandwich Tern are also varying in numbers daily at the moment, at least 62 were in the Recording Area with another 28 and two Common Tern further up the estuary. Also present 10 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, five Eider and a Red-breasted Merganser.

Elsewhere a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver and a raft of 27 Common Scoter were offshore, with single Wheatear and Willow Warbler on site and House Martin overhead.

Other Wildlife: Spring appears to be on hold for flying insects with activity restricted to sheltered spots. On nettles were the spring sawflies - Aglaostigma fulvipes, Aglaostigma aucupariae and the Common Nettle Bug Liocoris tripustulatus.

Aglaostigma aucupariae - Alan Keatley

Liocoris tripustulatus - Alan Keatley

Thursday 25th April

The first Yellow Wagtail of the year passed overhead along with a couple of Rook, whilst grounded migrants included two Common Sandpiper, a new Reed Warbler and singles of Wheatear and Willow Warbler.

Year list addition:

143. Yellow Wagtail

Wednesday 24th April

A reeling Grasshopper Warbler in the Entrance Bushes early morning was the highlight along with 15 Whimbrel and a female Wheatear in Greenland Lake, at least eight Cirl Bunting on site and three Sand Martin overhead. 

One or 8 Cirl Buntings on site so far @WarrenBirding pic.twitter.com/Bjq1fdZYqO

— James Marshall (@JamesMa34702179) April 24, 2024

Tuesday 23rd April

Migrant warblers were in full voice with two Reed and a Willow Warbler at the Main Pond, with five Whitethroat and several Blackcap and Chiffchaff spread throughout the reserve. Also at the Main Pond a posse of thirteen young Mallard ducklings staying close to mum as she was hassled by a couple of males. A typically silent male Bullfinch was deep in the Entrance Bushes. 

Mallard - Alan Keatley

Bullfinch - Dean Hall

Many of the waders from the last couple of days have moved on but a dozen Whimbrel were passing through and a mixed flock of 29 Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin and a Sanderling were in The Bight. Other records from the estuary included 18 Dark and seven Pale-bellied Brent Goose, eight Sandwich Tern and a lone Eider.

Other Wildlife: Despite the seemingly ideal conditions no butterflies were recorded today, a Xylota segnis sheltering in the bushes, was one of just one of a few hoverflies as well. 

Xylota segnis - Alan Keatley

Species that were on the wing included a few Green Longhorn Adela reaumurella moths and a queen Median Wasp Dolichovespula media.

Median Wasp - Alan Keatley

Green Longhorn - Alan Keatley

Monday 22nd April

Waders continue to move through with maximum counts across the two high tides including 64 Dunlin, 56 Bar-tailed Godwit, 55 Ringed Plover, 36 Whimbrel, 10 Knot, seven Sanderling, two Redshank and a Greenshank. Also in the estuary 24 Sandwich Tern, 13 Dark and the family of seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese, seven Eider, two Red-breasted Merganser and a 2cy Mediterranean Gull.

Elsewhere a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver was offshore with three Reed Warbler and a Wheatear on site. 

Sunday 21st April

The first Lesser Whitethroat of the year, a vocal ♂ ranging along Back Path, was aside from five Wheatear, the only obvious grounded migrant. It was a bit busier overhead with three Red Kite the highlight, along with 18 Swallow, 15 Goldfinch, seven Rook, six House and three Sand Martin and two Grey Heron.

Whitethroat - Dave Jewell

Offsite a further three Red Kite drifted N along Cofton Ridge, with nine Swift.

Counts from the estuary included 44 Whimbrel, 44 Dunlin, 36 Ringed and a Grey Plover, 33 Bar-tailed Godwit, 21 Pale and 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, eight Knot, seven Sanderling, the seven Eider, four Teal, two Redshank, a Greenshank and a ♂ Red-breasted Merganser.

Elsewhere 19 Sandwich Tern and a Red-throated Diver were offshore, with two Red-throated Diver heading high S out of estuary. 

Year List addition:

142. Lesser Whitethroat

Other Wildlife: A fourth Green-winged Orchid was found in flower, a plant that last flowered in 2020. The Early-purple Orchid continues to unfurl.

Early-purple Orchid - Kevin Rylands

Saturday 20th April

An adult Spoonbill was on Bull Hill early morning before flying up estuary on the dropping tide, with other arrivals in the estuary including 94 Dunlin, 69 Ringed Plover, 32 Whimbrel, 23+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 23 Black-headed and 14 Common Gull, 17 Sanderling and a Moorhen circling The Bight!

17 Sanderling on the beach at Dawlish Warren, they are always a joy to watch. We also saw our first Common Whitethroat for the year too.@DevonBirds @WarrenBirding pic.twitter.com/mmIYwWGaz3

— Rob Murphy (@rob_murphy66) April 20, 2024

Also in the estuary 23 Sandwich Tern, 15 Pale and 11 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, seven Eider, five Redshank and four Grey Plover. Offsite 60+ Pale-bellied were flushed off Cockle Sands joining other flocks further north. 

The first Reed Warbler of the year was at the Main Pond with other migrants including four Wheatear, three Whitethroat and two Willow Warbler with three Rook, two Siskin, a Jackdaw and a Sand Martin overhead.

Wheatear - Dave Jewell

An hour 15 min seawatch early morning saw 42 Gannet head SW with four Fulmar, four Red-throated and four Great Northern Diver.

Year list addition:

141. Reed Warbler

Other Wildlife: The first Green-veined White of the year was on the wing with at least three Orange-tip and two Peacock. A third Green-winged Orchid is now in flower, again one seen last year.

A new one for the list, Andrena barbilabris, Sandpit Mining Bee, along the sandy paths around #DawlishWarren Never easy to photograph bees when you have a birding lens on. @Buzz_dont_tweet @solitarybeesUK pic.twitter.com/QUiRVWdRVK

— Steph Murphy (@StephMurphy66) April 20, 2024

Friday 19th May

The first notable wader movement of spring with 54 Ringed Plover, 50 Whimbrel and 47 Dunlin, the latter all in summer plumage, in The Bight. Also in the estuary, 12 Dark and nine Pale-bellied Brent Geese, eight Sanderling, four Eider (two ♀ and two imm ♂) on Pole Sands and singles of Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper and a Redshank.

Other migrants included at least nine Wheatear, two new Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler and overhead, two Meadow Pipit and two Rook. The pair of Tufted Duck remain on the Main Pond.

Wheatear - Alan Keatley

Tufted Duck - Alan Keatley

Elsewhere four Great Northern Diver, three Great Crested Grebe and 17 Sandwich Tern foraged offshore, with totals SW from an hour seawatch early morning including c50 Gannet, 16 Common Scoter, 12 Kittiwake, two Fulmar and two Red-throated Diver.

Other Wildlife: Four Orange-tip and a Speckled Wood were on the wing along with several species of hoverfly including Platycheirus scutatus and Gossamer Hoverfly Baccha elongata both new for the year.

Gossamer Hoverfly - Alan Keatley

Orange-tip - Alan Keatley

Great Green Bush-cricket nymph - Alan Keatley

Thursday 18th April

With the notable exception of a pair of Tufted Duck on the Main Pond, the site was virtually clear of migrants, with the two Whitethroat still holding territory and four Swallow around the Main Pond also likely to be local birds. Elsewhere 12 Sandwich Tern moved between the estuary and offshore.

Other Wildlife: The clear sunny weather that limited migrant arrivals was however good for insects, and for drying out the site. The first Small Copper of the year was one of four butterfly species on the wing, also at least eight Orange-tip, three Peacock and a Comma. The long awaited first Dark-edged Beefly of the year also made an appearance and a Water Vole was at the Main Pond.

Small Copper - Alan Keatley

Dark-edged Beefly - Alan Keatley

Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus - Kevin Rylands

Green-winged Orchid - Kevin Rylands

Wednesday 17th April

An early morning visit saw a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver and two Sandwich Tern offshore, single Siskin and Swallow overhead and two Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff and five Blackcap on site.

Tuesday 16th April

Yesterday's Whitethroat was in full song near the Dune Pond, with a second arrival in the Entrance Bushes. The only other migrants was a high flying flock of 16 Woodpigeon heading W.

Whitethroat - Alan Keatley

Over the low high tide The Bight was empty of waders but 12 Dark and seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese and eight Sandwich Tern were present. 

Other Wildlife: A range of insects in the spring sunshine, the majority however sheltering from the chilly northerly wind. Several beetle species were trapped near the geotubes, the pick being the nationally rare Horned Rove Beetle Bledius frisius (previously B. spectabilis) with the colourful leaf beetle Gastrophysa polygoni and the water scavenger beetle Sphaeridium bipustulatum also adrift on the beach.

Horned Rove Beetle Bledius frisius (a horned male) - Alan Keatley

Gastrophysa polygoni - Alan Keatley

Sphaeridium bipustulatum - Alan Keatley

First emergences for the year included the hoverflies, Smudge-veined Clubtail Neoascia podagrica, Striped-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum and Batman Hoverfly Myathropa florea, and around the Entrance Bushes, a Flavous Nomad Bee Nomada flava.

Monday 15th April

A two hour seawatch early morning recorded 58 Gannet, eight Kittiwake, seven Fulmar, three Whimbrel and three Red-throated Diver heading SW with three Manx Shearwater E. During a squall line a foraging flock of 50 Sandwich Tern gathered by the seawall with single Little and Common Tern also present.

Elsewhere the first Whitethroat of the year was sub-singing near the Dune Pond, a Willow Warbler was in Dead Dolphin Wood, three Great Northern Diver were on the sea and in the estuary, 10 Dark and the family party of seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese, three Eider and a Dunlin.

Year List addition

140. Whitethroat

Sunday 14th April

Few seabirds moving offshore early morning but a ♀ Garganey flying E with six Common Scoter just after 7am was a welcome surprise, also from the seawall at least five Great Northern and five Red-throated Diver on the sea with 18 Sandwich and a Little Tern feeding off the estuary mouth. 

A moulting ♂ Ruff that joined the mixed wader roost on Finger Point over high tide was the second new species for the year. Also in the estuary counts of 207 Oystercatcher, 16 Bar-tailed Godwit, 15 Whimbrel, 10 Dark and seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese, seven Eider, six Grey & three Ringed Plover, five Redshank, and threes of Dunlin, Knot and Sanderling 

Elsewhere at least 16 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler were on site, with migrants overhead including four Swallow, four Rook and singles of Jackdaw, Sparrowhawk and Siskin.

Wheatear - Martin Overy

Year list additions:

138. Garganey
139. Ruff

Other Wildlife: Single Orange-tip and Peacock were on the wing and the first Early Purple Orchid for the Recording Area was discovered in flower. The ninth orchid species recorded on site, a few days after one species disappeared, the Pyramidal Orchid colony on Warren Point was lost to the sea.

Early Purple Orchid - David Flack

Saturday 13th April

Counts from the estuary included 45 Sandwich and a Common Tern, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Pale and 14 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, six Eider, six Whimbrel, five Grey Plover, two Redshank, a Sanderling and a Dunlin.

Elsewhere a one hour 45min seawatch saw 17 Common Scoter, six Red-throated Diver and a Little Egret head SW with a Great Northern Diver offshore; and grounded migrants included six Wheatear and a Willow Warbler with 14 Chiffchaff and seven Blackcap a mix of new arrivals and birds holding territory.

Other Wildlife: A good selection of insects on the wing prompted by the warmest day of the year, including the first Holly Blue of the year, at least ten Orange-tip and four Peacock.

Red Mason Bee - Alan Keatley

Bees included Short-fringed Mining Bee Andrena dorsata, Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis and Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee Bombus vestalis, with Marsh Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus hybridus, a few Spring Epistrophe E. eligans, several displaying and mating Celery Fly Euleia heraclei, the ichneumon wasp Ichneumon stramentor and the sawfly Aglaostigma aucupariae all making their first appearances of the year.

Marsh Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus hybridus - Alan Keatley

Celery Fly Euleia heraclei - Alan Keatley

A new species for the Recording Area, Harpactea hombergi, a largely nocturnal woodlouse hunting spider, was found near the station.

Harpactea hombergi - Alan Keatley

Friday 12th April

A smart ♂ Ring Ouzel on Warren Point was the highlight, only the fifth spring record for the Warren. Other migrants included eight Wheatear and four Willow Warbler with three Rook overhead and a Kestrel offshore.

Ring Ouzel - both Lee Collins

In the estuary a day of Brent passage, with large mobile flocks of Pale-bellied present, eventually 139 settled in the Bight along with 15 Dark-bellied birds. Other counts included 42 Sandwich Tern,  21 Bar-tailed Godwit, seven Knot, six Grey and two Ringed Plover, five Sanderling, four Whimbrel, a Dunlin and a Redshank.

Elsewhere a two hour 15 min seawatch saw 23 Red-throated Diver, c50 Kittiwake and 20 Common Scoter head SW with two Little Tern and two Great Northern Diver offshore.

Year list addition:

137. Ring Ouzel

Other Wildlife: The first Orange-tip of the year was on the wing along with single Peacock and Speckled Wood.

Thursday 11th April

Early morning single Arctic and Common Tern were offshore with 26 Sandwich Tern, three Red-throated and Great Northern Diver.

Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 210 Oystercatcher, 21 Bar-tailed Godwit, seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese, seven Eider, six Grey Plover, four Knot, two Dunlin and two Sanderling.

Wednesday 10th April

The only news came from an hour seawatch early morning with counts including 24 Kittiwake, 22 Sandwich, two Common and a Little Tern, 21 Gannet, two Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver.

Tuesday 9th April

Storm force winds and high spring tides over recent days have caused considerable damage to the Dune Ridge along the length of the spit, with Warren Point particularly badly hit, with tens of metres of fixed dune habitat lost to the sea. A continuing failure of the Beach Management Scheme with gabion baskets last seen over 50 years ago now fully exposed. 

Erosion - both Alan Keatley

Early morning seawatching saw another early Storm Petrel, an Arctic Tern and a Red-throated Diver south with two Little Tern and three Great Northern Diver offshore. 

Few birds were recorded at low tide although 25 Sandwich Tern were roosting on an offshore sandbar and a Great Northern Diver was in the estuary off Cockwood. There was also an unconfirmed report of a Black-throated Diver offshore.

Great Northern Diver just outside Cockwood harbour this morning. pic.twitter.com/3531jA6Zv0

— ClueDodo (@jimsumm96477112) April 9, 2024

Late afternoon there were c40 Sandwich, five Little and an Arctic Tern feeding offshore.

Other Wildlife: Sand Crocus took advantage of the sunny weather to emerge in numbers across the site, along with several early St. Mark's Fly Bibio marci (St Mark's Day is 25th April). 

First of this seasons Sand Crocus at Dawlish Warren. @WarrenBirding @SEDwildlife @Britnatureguide @wildlife_devon @Exeter_Hour #devon #sandcrocus #Flowers #FlowersPhoto #dawlish pic.twitter.com/CPYgN9FBn7

— Tim Ridgeway (@TimTim292) April 9, 2024

St Mark's Fly - Alan Keatley

Also, active for the first time this year, Parsley Blacklet Cheilosia pagana and Rhombic Leatherbug Syromastus rhombeus.

Parsley Blacklet Cheilosia pagana - Alan Keatley

Rhombic Leatherbug Syromastus rhombeus - Alan Keatley

Monday 8th April

The first two Arctic Tern of the year flew SW past the seawall early morning along with 68 Gannet, 29 Red-throated Diver, 20 Common Scoter, 18 Common Gull, eight Whimbrel, three Little Egret and an Arctic Skua. 

Three Great Northern Diver and at least 43 Sandwich and two Little Tern were offshore, the terns later roosting on Finger Point, where they were joined briefly by a 3cy Little Gull that arrived from upriver. 

Other counts from the estuary included 204 Oystercatcher, 25 Turnstone, 17 Redshank, seven Pale and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese, seven Knot, the seven Eider (three imm ♂ & four ♀), seven Grey and two Ringed Plover, six Bar-tailed Godwit, four Whimbrel, two sinensis Cormorant and a Red-breasted Merganser.

Elsewhere two Stock Dove were in the Railway Saltmarsh and four Swallow flew through.

Year list addition:

136. Arctic Tern

Sunday 7th April

Seawatching for two hours 15 mins early morning saw the following head SW, 216 Kittiwake, 152 Gannet, 46 Guillemot, 35 Fulmar, seven Manx Shearwater, six Whimbrel, three Great Northern and three Red-throated Diver and a pale phase Pomarine Skua, although also identified as an Arctic. 

Also offshore during the day the first two Little Tern of the year, two Great Northern Diver, a 2cy Mediterranean Gull and a Peregrine unsuccessfully hunting terns. 

Counts from the estuary over the high tides included 240 Oystercatcher, 43 Sandwich Tern, 32 Bar-tailed Godwit, 31 Redshank, 21 Turnstone, 21 Dark and 12 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 12 Knot, eight Grey Plover, seven Eider, five Red-breasted Merganser, five Great Crested Grebe, four Whimbrel and single Dunlin and Greenshank. Just outside the Recording Area, the Spotted Redshank again roosted in Cockwood Harbour.

Elsewhere five Swallow flew through and two Wheatear were on site, one of which was of the Greenland race - leucorhoa.

Year list additions:

134. Pomarine Skua
135. Little Tern
        Greenland Wheatear 

Other Wildlife: An adult Slow-worm, the first since 2021, was found on the estuary bank. Unfortunately it had clearly been recently attacked but escaped by dropping its tail. 

Slow-worm - Lee Collins

Saturday 6th April

Plenty of activity offshore during the day with counts from a three hour seawatch first thing including a Great Skua, 20 Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, a Black-throated Diver (considered a RtD by one observer) and a diver sp SW along with 101 Gannet, 40+ Kittiwake and five Fulmar.

Late afternoon a flock of five Scaup, four male (one considered to be a hybrid, perhaps with Lesser Scaup by some observers) and a female, were close inshore with two Great Northern Diver, two Arctic Skua were harrying gulls, c.30 Brent Geese sp flew into estuary from around Orcombe Point and heading SW, a female Velvet Scoter, 40 Gannet and a Manx Shearwater.

Counts from the estuary included c.60 Sandwich Tern, 26 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Dark and seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Redshank, 15 Turnstone, 12 Knot, seven Eider, seven Red-breasted Merganser, six Great Crested Grebe, four Grey and a Ringed Plover, four Teal, four Whimbrel, two Greenshank and two winter plumaged Dunlin.

Elsewhere migrants included the Warren's earliest ever Grasshopper Warbler flushed on the Golf Course, the previous earliest date was 11th April 2004, with two Wheatear and a Willow Warbler on site, 16 Swallow, five Sand and three House Martin flew west and two Common Sandpiper were on the end of Warren Point.

Year list additions:

130. Common Sandpiper
131. Velvet Scoter
132. Arctic Skua
133. Grasshopper Warbler

Other Wildlife: Tough going in the strong southerly wind, even in the bright periods insects were keeping low, with just a few literally clinging on in the more sheltered areas. These included the first 10-spot Ladybird for the year in the Buffer Zone, a Common Carder Bee, a few Lesser Variable Bibio B. lanigerus, a lone Speckled Wood and a buffeted Red Admiral.

Bibio lanigerus - Alan Keatley

10-spot Ladybird - Alan Keatley

Friday 5th April

A one hour 15min seawatch early morning saw 74 Sandwich Tern, c60 Guillemot, 35 Gannet, eight Fulmar, four Red-throated Diver, three Kittiwake and two Common Scoter head SW, with a Great Northern Diver offshore and two Manx Shearwater S early evening.

A Guillemot found exhausted on beach by Groyne 2 was killed by spaniel early morning. Local dog-walkers had intervened to initially protect the Guillemot, grabbing the dog and returning it to the owner. He however refused to put his dog on a lead and it ran off again, evading onlookers and killing the Guillemot. The owner was unconcerned, explaining he was training the spaniel as a gun dog! The relevant authorities have been informed and hopefully will take appropriate action.

The afternoon tide again saw a decent gathering of at least 124 Sandwich Tern, most either feeding in the estuary or roosting around The Bight. Amongst the waders a few new migrants with counts including, 181 Oystercatcher, 55 Curlew, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit, 16 Knot, nine Redshank, six Ringed and five Grey Plover, four Whimbrel, four Greenshank, two summer plumaged Dunlin and a Sanderling.

Also in the estuary, 22 Dark and seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese, seven Eider and pairs of Teal and Red-breasted Merganser.

Elsewhere the first two House Martin of the year flew W across the estuary with seven Swallow and two Sand Martin. Grounded migrants included six Wheatear, four Willow Warbler and three Blackcap.

Year list addition:

129. House Martin

Ringing News: Three of the Sandwich Tern in The Bight were new colour-ringed birds, from The Netherlands, Ireland and Spain. The latter is only the second Spanish recovery for the Warren and the 10th for the UK. 

Thursday 4th April

The first Merlin of the year, a female, flew S during an early seawatch, along with an early Storm Petrel, 34 Gannet, 19 Sandwich Tern, eight Kittiwake, four Canada Geese and a Fulmar.

Another first for the year flew through early afternoon with an Osprey north up the estuary. Later at least 82 Sandwich Tern were in the estuary over a wet afternoon tide with a single Whimbrel again present. Other counts included 21 Dark and seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 15 Turnstone, 11 Redshank, nine Curlew, six Eider, four Grey and a Ringed Plover, two Sanderling and two Greenshank.

Year list additions:

127. Merlin
128. Osprey

Wednesday 3rd April

A one hour 15min seawatch early morning saw 96 Gannet, 25 Sandwich Tern, 14 Kittiwake, two Fulmar, single Red-throated and Great Northern Diver and a Kestrel head S. The first five Common Tern of the year were offshore from Exmouth early morning.

A low high tide saw The Bight devoid of small waders, although 10 Sandwich Tern were present, with 20 Dark and the seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese. 

Pale-bellied Brent Geese - Alan Keatley

Elsewhere three Eider and a couple of Great Northern Diver were close offshore.

Great Northern Diver - Alan Keatley

Year list addition:

126. Common Tern

Other Wildlife: A bright sunny afternoon encouraged insects to appear with a male Sandpit Mining Bee Andrena barbilabris  and a pair of dagger flies, Empis femorata attached to flowering Dandelion, with a Hairy-eyed Syrphus S. torvus on Alexanders.

Sandpit Mining Bee - Alan Keatley

Basking on fresh Nettle leaves were a very early Nettle-tap, Devon's earliest ever being 2nd April 2014, and a Red Poplar Leaf Beetle Chrysomela populi.

Nettle-tap - Alan Keatley

Red Poplar Leaf Beetle - Alan Keatley