Friday 5th April 2013

The first Redstart of the year was part of a small arrival of migrants including eight Chiffchaff and two Wheatear. Elsewhere 55 Brent Geese, 12 Redshank and a Greenshank were in the estuary with three Tufted Duck and 20 Sandwich Tern offshore.

Thursday 4th April 2013

The first Swallow of the year flew through, whilst a Greenshank remains in the estuary with 80+ Brent Geese and a Great-crested Grebe. Elsewhere 14 Sandwich Tern and four Common Scoter were offshore.

Wednesday 3rd April 2013

A smart full summer plumaged Scandinavian (littoralis) Rock Pipit was feeding on the flooded area around the Entrance Bushes late afternoon. Elsewhere 140+ Brent Geese and a dozen Sandwich Tern were in the estuary, but there was no news either way on the Hoopoe.

Tuesday 2nd April 2013

The Hoopoe remains on Warren Point but was again very elusive. Other grounded migrants were limited to seven Chiffchaff, six Wheatear and a Blackcap, but the second Osprey of the year headed north midmorning. Elsewhere 238 Brent Geese, 13 Redshank, 13 Teal, five Wigeon and a Greenshank were in the estuary. 

 

Chiffchaff 02/04/13 © Simon Thurgood

 

Sandwich Tern 02/04/13 © Simon Thurgood

Wildlife News - The Common Seal was again on Bull Hill and the Sand Crocus remains conspicuous by its absence.

Monday 1st April 2013

An unexpected arrival considering the continuing cold and blasting easterly wind was the site's 16th record of Hoopoe, the earliest ever and the first since 2004. It was on Warren Point but unfortunately proved very flighty and elusive. Other migrants included the first Black Redstart of the year around the shore of the Bight, 13+ Wheatear and eight Chiffchaff, with 75+ Meadow Pipit overhead. Elsewhere the first Yellow-legged Gull of the year headed NE with 143 Lesser Black-backed and 80+ Great Back-backed Gull, a Red-throated Diver and 12 Sandwich Tern were offshore and counts from the estuary included 205 Dunlin, 170 Brent Geese, 130 Curlew, 74 Grey Plover, 47 Knot, 27 Sanderling, 18 Teal and five Wigeon.

Hoopoe 01/04/13 © Dave Stone

Wildlife News - A Small Tortoiseshell on the wing was the long awaited first butterfly of the year.

Sunday 31st March 2013

Some species are managing to migrate despite the weather with at least 91 Lesser Black-backed Gull heading NE during the morning. Counts from the estuary also suggested some northerly movement with counts from the estuary including 160 Dunlin, 77 Grey Plover, 37 Knot, 18 Sanderling and six Sandwich Tern. Other migrants were again in short supply with just six Chiffchaff and a Wheatear.

Saturday 30th March 2013

With no change in the weather there is little change in the birds with little apparent movement to or from the Exe. Counts from the estuary included 199 Curlew, 117 Brent Geese, 99 Grey Plover,  c30 Sandwich Tern, 21 Sanderling and 11 Bar-tailed Godwit. Elsewhere three Snipe were in Greenland Lake, a Red-throated Diver was offshore and migrants were limited to eight Chiffchaff and two Wheatear.

Friday 29th March 2013

Counts from the estuary included 480 Oystercatcher, 196 Curlew, 126 Brent Geese, 80+ Dunlin, 74 Grey Plover, 35+ Knot, 24 Ringed Plover, 14 Sandwich Tern, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, three Wigeon and two Teal. Elsewhere migrants were limited to six Chiffchaff and two Wheatear.

Thursday 28th March 2013

A Black-necked Grebe was offshore but otherwise there were just two Great-crested Grebe and two Common Scoter on the sea. A trickle of migrants included 25+ Meadow Pipit, 12 Goldfinch and a Chaffinch overhead with only seven Chiffchaff and three Wheatear grounded. Elsewhere 134 Brent Geese, 46 Bar-tailed Godwit, nine Teal, four Sandwich Tern and two Wigeon were in the estuary and the first Greylag Goose of the year was briefly on the Main Pond before flying north, the first record for the pond.

Wildlife News - The first Lizard sp of the year was tempted out by the weak sunshine, but failed to warm up quickly enough and ended up as food for the resident Kestrel. Still no sign of any Sand Crocus or butterflies yet.

Wednesday 27th March 2013

Two Wheatear were on Warren Point but no other news was received.