Monday 30th September

Early morning a few of yesterday's terns were seen leaving the estuary with a distant flock of 16 'commic' Tern south along with three Arctic and a Black Tern and single Pomarine and Arctic Skua. 

There was no news on the dowitcher with counts from the estuary including 411 Wigeon, 62 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 20 Shelduck, 12 Cattle Egret, four Great Crested Grebe and a Pintail. Around The Bight, the six Eider were on Finger Point with waders numbers limited to 32 Ringed Plover, 31 Dunlin and two Bar-tailed Godwit amongst the Oystercatcher.

Elsewhere a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Dead Dolphin Wood, the first September record for the Warren, the earliest previous record was on 3rd October 1988. The only other migrants reported were six Chiffchaff and a Wheatear with 15 House Martin overhead.

Year list addition:

175: Yellow-browed Warbler

Sunday 29th September

Two hours seawatching from 7.30am saw good numbers of Kittiwake heading south along with at least nine Arctic Skua, some lingering and eight skua sp, two of which were probably Pomarine, a Balearic Shearwater, four Arctic and a Common Tern.

A short afternoon watch showed little moving offshore as the rain arrived, but the conditions had driven many birds into the estuary. Counts were challenging with a constant movement of birds through The Bight, especially as conditions improved, over 50 Common and Sandwich Tern headed out to sea with an adult and six juvenile Arctic Tern, a flock of four and a single Arctic Skua and juvenile Black Tern and Little Gull.

Black Tern - Lee Collins

Little & Black-headed Gull - Lee Collins

Arctic Skua and Curlew - Lee Collins

With the exception of Oystercatcher, roosting waders were well dispersed with 56 Turnstone the only counts.  A minimum 92 Great Black-backed Gull were present, a good recent count of although with constant movement, actual numbers were likely higher. In one count of 83 birds, 19 were juveniles indicating a successful breeding season. 

Ringing News: Over 80 of the DCWRG ringed Oystercatcher were recorded today, an incredible return. These included several birds over 25 years, several new returns for the winter and enabled a couple of mystery birds to be resolved.

Unfortunately an increasing numbers of the individual colour-rings are becoming too worn to read in the field meaning they can no longer be unrecorded. The metal ring of one such bird was read today confirming the durability of the Oystercatcher previously known as 8Y, last recorded in 2020.

Away from Oystercatcher, recoveries included a 1cy Great Black-backed Gull from north France along with regular birds from Looe Island, Cornwall and Portland Harbour, Dorset; a Scandinavian ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Sandwich Tern from Cemlyn, north Wales.

Saturday 28th September

The Long-billed Dowitcher was seen briefly in an area with no general access, in flight with a small flock of Redshank on the dropping evening tide. Also in the saltmarsh, 348 Curlew, six Knot, four Lapwing and single Snipe, Whimbrel and Cattle Egret.

Also in the estuary, 22 Sandwich Tern were on Bull Hill and 80 Ringed Plover, 74 Dunlin, 49 Dark and three Pale-bellied Brent Geese were in The Bight.

Elsewhere five Eider, three males and two females, were off Warren Point, 15 Sanderling were along the beach, 460 Black-headed Gull were feeding offshore and 16 Chiffchaff, two Blackcap and a Wheatear were on site.

Other Wildlife: Good numbers of hoverflies with ten species recorded. Amongst the many Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax were several Batman Myathropa florea, Large Tiger Helophilus trivittatus and Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus.

Batman Hoverfly Myathropa florea - Alan Keatley

Other insects noted were a Red-legged Shieldbug, Field Digger Wasp Mellinus arvensis, White-zoned Furrow Bee Lasioglossum leucozomium and a Chalk Snailkiller Dichetophora obliterata.

Red-legged Shieldbug - Alan Keatley

White-zoned Furrow Bee Lasioglossum leucozomium - Alan Keatley

Chalk Snailkiller Dichetophora obliterata - Alan Keatley

Butterflies on the wing included good numbers of Speckled Wood, with several Red Admiral, Small and a few Large White on the move. Michaelmas Daisy attached Common Blue, Meadow Brown and Small Copper. 

Basking in the autumn sunshine were a few Common Darter and Migrant Hawker with numerous Ivy Bee busy around flowering Ivy.

Common Darter - Kevin Rylands

Dasineura trifolii a clover gall midge New for the Recording Area - Kevin Rylands

A Grey Squirrel was in Dead Dolphin Wood.

Friday 27th September

A juvenile Arctic Tern, a Great Northern Diver and two Mediterranean Gull were offshore with eight Chiffchaff and four Blackcap around the Entrance Bushes. 

With no news on the Long-billed Dowitcher there are no plans for access this weekend.

Other Wildlife: Toothed Fireweed Senecio minimus was discovered by the Boathouse, a new plant for the Recording Area and Devon. A native of western Australia and New Zealand, it is well established on the Isles of Scilly but with only five other UK records.

Toothed Fireweed - Kevin Rylands

The recent rain has brought out a range of fungi, with Blackening Waxcap in Greenland Lake and Velvet Shank and Tawny Grisette in the Entrance Bushes.

Velvet Shank Flammulina velutipes - Kevin Rylands

Tawny Grisette Amanita fulva - Kevin Rylands

Thursday 26th September

The Long-billed Dowitcher remains in the estuary corner with Redshank, only visible from an area with no general access. Wildfowl continue to increase with 636 Teal and 270 Wigeon, with wader numbers largely similar to yesterday including 32 Turnstone, 17 Greenshank, seven Bar and two Black-tailed Godwit, six Knot, two Whimbrel and the Spotted Redshank.

Also present a flock of 15 Cattle Egret, which dropped into the Railway Saltmarsh around 2pm and then moved to fields at Eastdon, 17 Sandwich Tern, six Mediterranean Gull and two Kingfisher, both later at the Main Pond. 

Seawatching for 40 minutes before 8am saw 39 Balearic Shearwater head south with a close juvenile Arctic Tern and a distant flock of c25 'commic' Tern. An hour's watch in the evening saw another 51 Balearic Shearwater head south with two skua sp, single Pomarine and Arctic Skua and a Great Northern Diver offshore.

Other records included a Buzzard low over the estuary flushing waders, three Jackdaw were foraging on the mudflats, 13 Chiffchaff, two Blackcap and two Wheatear were on site and a Grey Wagtail was overhead.

Wednesday 25th September

The Long-billed Dowitcher remained in the estuary corner, eventually showing to a small group on the dropping after long, wet wait. Only visible from an area with no general access. 

Long-billed Dowitcher - Lee Collins

Also in the estuary a long-staying (20 minutes) Green Sandpiper, 321 Wigeon, 310 Teal, 124 Ringed Plover, 67 Turnstone, a significant increase, 66 Dunlin, 18 Sandwich Tern, 14 Greenshank, six Knot, five Shelduck, two Kingfisher, two Mediterranean Gull, two Whimbrel and single Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe and Spotted Redshank. A probable Garganey was in the estuary during the heaviest spell of rain but could not be relocated.

Elsewhere the site's first Ortolan Bunting flew over calling before the rain, six Balearic Shearwater, two skua sp, an Arctic Skua and a Red-throated Diver were offshore, 20 Swallow and a Sand Martin were also overhead and a flock of 10 Wheatear were around the Bight.

Year list addition:

174: Ortolan Bunting

Other Wildlife: Despite the conditions new insects for the year are still being found, an Ivy Wasp-grabber Leopoldius signatus was stalking Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris in the willows by the Main Pond and a Dark Swordgrass, a migrant moth, was almost underfoot at the dowitcher twitch. 

Ivy Wasp-grabber Leopoldius signatus - Alan Keatley

Twin-spot Centurion Sargus bipunctatus - Alan Keatley

More suiting the conditions, three ground beetle Oxypselaphus obscurus were under the same log in the Education Area.

Oxypselaphus obscurus - Alan Keatley

Tuesday 24th September

The Long-billed Dowitcher remains in the estuary corner with 312 Redshank, only visible from an area with no general access. Viewing tomorrow - meet at the golf course clubhouse at 13.00, donations to Devon Wildlife Trust welcomed.

Also in the estuary three Cattle Egret in the Railway Saltmarsh early morning, 352 Teal, 156 Wigeon, 110 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 19 Knot, 18 Greenshank, 17 Sanderling, five Bar-tailed Godwit, four Whimbrel, three Mediterranean Gull, three Sandwich Tern, a Pintail and the Spotted Redshank. 

Elsewhere a Great Northern Diver was offshore, two Rook were overhead, a Grey Wagtail was at the Main Pond and 15 Chiffchaff, two Blackcap and a Wheatear were onsite. 

Other Wildlife: A new moth for the Recording Area, White-legged Case-bearer Coleophora albitarsella, was discovered near the seawall, with the larval case and feeding signs noted on the leaves of Ground-Ivy.

White-legged Case-bearer Coleophora albitarsella - Kevin Rylands

A Grey Squirrel by the station continues the upward trend in sightings.

Monday 23rd September

The Long-billed Dowitcher and a Spotted Redshank were in the saltmarsh corner (no access) with Redshank, with 110 Ringed Plover, 59 Dunlin, 23 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sanderling and a Common Sandpiper also in the estuary.

An early morning seawatch in calm conditions saw a surprising 155 Balearic Shearwater head west in just 50 minutes along with two Pomarine Skua, three Sandwich and a Common Tern, with three Great Northern Diver on the sea.

Ringing News: The influx of Ringed Plover included a colour-ringed immature from Norway. 

Other Wildlife: An expected reduction in insect numbers as autumn progresses. However, a Red-banded Sand Wasp Ammophila sabulosa was still active with a Pied Plumehorn Volucella pellucens amongst the small numbers of hoverflies. Day flying moths were represented by a migrant Diamond-back and a Yellow Shell.

Red-banded Sand Wasp Ammophila sabulosa - Alan Keatley

Pied Plumehorn Volucella pellucens - Alan Keatley

Diamond-back Moth - Alan Keatley

A new fly for the Recording Area was discovered, the widespread muscid Helina impuncta, with two other additions to the annual audit, the ground beetle Pterostichus niger, typically found under a rotting log and on foliage the barkfly - Ectopsocus petersi.

Helina impuncta - Alan Keatley

Ectopsocus petersi - Alan Keatley

Sunday 22nd September

The first Wood Sandpiper of the year, a late record, was with Redshank in the estuary along with the Long-billed Dowitcher, 400+ Teal, 390+ Wigeon, 19 Ringed Plover, 11 Knot and two immature Spoonbill.

Elsewhere four Cattle Egret flew east offshore early morning, a Kingfisher and a Water Rail were at the Main Pond with eight Chiffchaff, four Blackcap, a Wheatear and a Whitethroat on site.

Year list addition:

173. Wood Sandpiper

Other Wildlife: An unexpected Wall Brown was on the Golf Course.

Saturday 21st September

The Long-billed Dowitcher was in the estuary corner with Redshank for just over an hour on the dropping tide. Only visible from an area with no general access. Viewing tomorrow - meet at the golf course clubhouse at 13.15, donations to Devon Wildlife Trust welcomed.

Also in the estuary 85 Dunlin, 20 Ringed and five Grey Plover, 14 Sanderling, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit and three Knot.

Elsewhere a mobile Coal Tit was the only other news received. 

Ringing News: Regular monitoring of the Oystercatcher roost has shown that at least 135 of the c300 birds colour ringed by the DCWRG since 2018 have been recorded this month, already returned for the winter. A large number of the plastic rings have not coped with the rigours of being on an Oystercatcher leg and are unfortunately unreadable, but the accompanying BTO ring may be read with patience and proximity.

Individuals recorded today included a bird first ringed as an adult at the Warren in 1989, back for at least its 36th winter. This bird is know to breed in Holland. One of several non Exe-ringed birds present include a metal ringed Welsh bird last recorded in 2018 but no doubt present each winter. 

Silver Y - Kevin Rylands A few popping up in random places

Friday 20th September

The Long-billed Dowitcher was in the estuary corner with Redshank for just over an hour on the dropping morning tide. Only visible, often distantly, from an area with no general access, viewing tomorrow - meet at the golf course clubhouse at 12.30, donations to Devon Wildlife trust welcomed.

Also in the estuary over high tide, an Osprey, an immature Spoonbill and the six Eider roosting on Finger Point, 27 Dark-bellied Brent Geese arriving in small flocks, three Shoveler briefly in The Bight, two Kingfisher also there and 168 Teal and seven Mediterranean Gull in Shutterton Creek.

Wader counts on the dropping tide included 337 Redshank, 79 Ringed Plover, 49 Dunlin, 23 Knot, 22 Sanderling, 16 Bar and a Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Greenshank, four Whimbrel and a Spotted Redshank.

Elsewhere a Balearic Shearwater and 42 Common Scoter were offshore, a juvenile Hobby hawked dragonflies over the site and 53 Swallow, 15 Meadow Pipit and four Grey Wagtail were overhead.

Other Wildlife: A Shores of South Devon walkover survey of Langstone Rock on the extreme low tide helped reveal a hidden side to the Recording Area. Highlights included Snakelocks Anemone, Common Piddock, Sand Goby and Five-bearded Rockling.

Five-bearded Rockling - Kevin Rylands

In The Bight, a dead Grey Squirrel was a surprise find on the strandline. 

Away from the shore, several adult Fig-leaf Skeletoniser are on the wing.

Fig-leaf Skeletoniser - Kevin Rylands

Ivy Bee - Kevin Rylands

Thursday 19th September

The Long-billed Dowitcher was again in the estuary corner with Redshank around the high tides. Present for around an hour on the dropping morning and rising evening tide. Later tides mean evening sightings now unlikely. Only visible from an area with no general access, next viewing will be arranged, if the bird is still present, at the weekend.

Also in the estuary a Spoonbill and an Osprey with counts including 261 Redshank, 222 Curlew, 170 Wigeon, 117 Teal, 12 Greenshank, five Knot, four Sandwich Tern, three Bar-tailed Godwit and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

Elsewhere 12 Swallow and single Sand Martin, Grey and Yellow Wagtail were overhead.

Other Wildlife: Several Red Admiral joined the increasing numbers of Ivy Bee on the wing with the range of other species recorded.

Red Admiral - Kevin Rylands

Tachypeza nubila - Alan Keatley

Ant Damselbug Himacerus mirmicoides - Alan Keatley

Pear Slug Sawfly Caliroa cerasi - Alan Keatley

Poplar Bent-wing Phyllocnistis unipunctella leafmine - Kevin Rylands

Wednesday 18th September

The Long-billed Dowitcher was again in the estuary corner with Redshank around the high tides. Visible for around an hour on the dropping morning and rising evening tide. Only visible from an area with no general access, next viewing will be arranged, if the bird is still present, at the weekend.

Also in the estuary the first Cattle Egret of the year in the saltmarsh with 14 Little Egret, two adult Spoonbill, new birds, on Finger Point on the morning tide, one leaving north with a flock of four immatures that flew upriver, a site record count.

Cattle Egret - Lee Collins

Other records included 290 Redshank, 130+ Teal, 80+ Wigeon, 45 Dunlin, 31 Ringed Plover, 30 Knot, 21 Bar and a Black-tailed Godwit, 23 Sanderling, 14 Greenshank, 14 Pintail, six Eider, four Whimbrel, four Mediterranean Gull at least three Kingfisher, three Sandwich and two Common Tern, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, an Osprey and a 1cy Little Gull flew out to sea mid morning.

Kingfisher - Lee Collins

Elsewhere a Sooty Shearwater flew east early morning, with a Hobby, five Sand Martin and a Yellow Wagtail were overhead.

Year list addition:

172. Cattle Egret

Tuesday 17th September

The Long-billed Dowitcher was again in the estuary corner with Redshank around the high tides. Visible for around an hour before heading upriver on the dropping morning and roosting unseen on the rising evening tide. Only visible from an area with no general access, viewing will be arranged if possible and there is positive news tomorrow.

Also in the estuary two immature Spoonbill were on Finger Point during the morning high tide before flying flew E over Exmouth just after 8.30 with an Osprey over Warren Point towards Cockle Sands shortly after.

Increasing wildfowl counts in the estuary included 189 Teal, 128 Wigeon, nine Dark and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, the six Eider, four Shoveler, a Pintail and a Little Grebe.

Wader counts included 314 Redshank, 89 Dunlin, 79 Ringed Plover, 16 Greenshank, 14 Bar-tailed Godwit, 14 Knot, six Whimbrel, two Turnstone and two Spotted Redshank, with 15 Sandwich and two Common Tern, six Mediterranean Gull and a Kingfisher also present

Elsewhere an adult Hobby, 15 Meadow Pipit, three Grey and a Yellow Wagtail were overhead with a Whitethroat on site, 48 Sanderling on the beach and offshore, two Balearic Shearwater, three Pintail and an Arctic Skua.

Sanderling - the Greenland ringed juvenile present for a third day - Lee Collins

Other Wildlife: Insects along the beach and dunes included the darkling beetle Phaleria cadaverina, the solitary wasp Trypoxylon attenuatum, and on Sea Rocket, the flea beetle Phyllotreta nigripes and the tiny bug Orius niger, a predator of thrips often released for biological pest control.

Phaleria cadaverina - Alan Keatley

Trypoxylon attenuatum - Alan Keatley

Phyllotreta nigripes - Alan Keatley

Orius niger - Alan Keatley

Monday 16th September

After visits to Mudbank, Exmouth and Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham the Long-billed Dowitcher was back in the estuary corner with Redshank on the rising evening tide. It presumably roosted unseen in the Railway Saltmarsh. Only visible from an area with no general access, viewing will be arranged if possible and there is positive news tomorrow. 

High tide counts from the estuary included 353 Redshank, 222 Curlew, 153 Dunlin, 117 Teal, 114 Ringed Plover, 55 Sandwich and five Common Tern, 16 Greenshank, 14 Mediterranean Gull, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, six Eider, four Whimbrel, three Turnstone, two Knot, a Spotted Redshank and a Sanderling, with a further 51 on the beach. 

Offshore, a Balearic Shearwater flew east early evening, with the Black-throated Diver also making a reappearance. Foraging birds included 61 Gannet, 42 Common Scoter, at least three Arctic Skua and three Great Northern Diver.

Overhead the overdue first Tree Pipit of the year,  37 Linnet, 15 Meadow Pipit, 13 House Martin, five Grey and two Yellow Wagtail, three Rook, a Jackdaw and a Grey Heron.

Elsewhere at least two Kingfisher were mobile around site, 148 Linnet were 0n Warren Point, 91 Goldfinch were around Greenland Lake and other migrants included 11 Chiffchaff, two Sedge Warbler and single Wheatear and Whitethroat.

Year list addition:

171. Tree Pipit

Ringing News: A juvenile Sanderbling ringed in Greenland was on the beach for its second day, further details awaited.

Other Wildlife: A Convolvulus Hawkmoth was a an excellent daytime find, part of a nationwide influx.

Convolvulus Hawkmoth - Mike Symes

Ten Common Dolphin and a Harbour Porpoise were feeding offshore beneath the Gannet throughout the day. Two Comma were the pick of the butterflies and the first Parasol Mushroom are emerging.

Alder Leaf Beetle - Mike Symes. After being seemingly absent for several years prior to 2023, this species is having another very good year.