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