Thursday 22nd May

Continuing signs of migration in the estuary at least with counts of 43 Sanderling, 29 Ringed Plover, 17 Dunlin and a Whimbrel on the dropping tide. The two Egyptian Geese that flew north over the seawall and into the estuary were presumably more local in origin along with the three Rook and Buzzard overhead.

Elsewhere at least 50 Manx Shearwater were feeding offshore with five Common Scoter, three Common and two Mediterranean Gull, all 2cy, and a breeding plumaged Great Northern Diver.

Other Wildlife: The nationally scarce weevil Pselactus spadix was recorded again around the shore of The Bight, the Warren is the only known extant site for this species in Devon. The larvae are only found on sea-water soaked wood, the same piece of driftwood was also hosting the first two Wharf Borer Nacerdes melanura of the year.

 Pselactus spadix - Alan Keatley

Wharf Borer Nacerdes melanura - Kevin Rylands

Away from the beach other beetles included the longhorn beetle Grammoptera ruficornis, the soldier beetle Cantharis rustica and the Iris Weevil Mononychus punctumalbum.

Iris Weevil Mononychus punctumalbum - Alan Keatley

Cantharis rustica - Alan Keatley

The first Meadow Brown of the year were on the wing with at least four seen in the flower meadows along with a couple of migrant Painted Lady and a Grey Seal was offshore.

Flower Crab Spider - Dean Hall

Tipula oleracea - Dean Hall