Thursday 29th October

Counts from the estuary included 1,320 Wigeon, 480 Teal, 238 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 217 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Knot, 11 Greenshank, three Mediterranean Gull and a Kingfisher.

Elsewhere a near adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the beach, two Great Northern Diver and a female Eider were off Warren Point, 45 Skylark flew over, just two Chiffchaff in the bushes and the Dartford Warbler on the Golf Course.

Yellow-legged Gull - Alan Keatley

Other Wildlife: The tiny rove beetle Phytosus balticus was found under seaweed along the beach, Dawlish Warren is the only site in South Devon for the species. The much commoner leaf beetle Chrysolina banksii was noted near Langstone Rock. 

Phytosus balticus - Alan Keatley

Chrysolina banksii - Alan Keatley

A drop in temperature meant there were fewer insects on the wing with single Common Darter, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral, plus a couple of Common Globetail Sphaerophoria scripta and Marmalade Hoverfly. 

Common Globetail Sphaerophoria scripta - Alan Keatley