Saturday 15th June 2013

Another couple of Storm Petrel were off John's Watch this morning with c40 Manx Shearwater, 26 Common Scoter and five Fulmar. Elsewhere over high tide there were c45 Sanderling, three Dunlin and a Whimbrel in the estuary.

Wildlife news: The first Painted Lady of the year was in Greenland Lake with the first Meadow Brown by the Tractor Compound. A headless Harbour Porpoise calf was washed upon the beach, the injuries suggest it was another 'bycatch' victim.

Friday 14th June 2013

Single pale phase Pomarine and Arctic Skua headed south offshore during the morning along with c60 Manx Shearwater. Elsewhere 53 Sanderling were on the beach at high tide and the Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood. Another look at the sea in the evening gave a further 153 Manx Shearwater, 44 Kittiwake and a Storm Petrel south in an hour and a half before the rain arrived.

Thursday 13th June 2013

A Storm Petrel was off John's Watch mid morning with 11 Manx Shearwater and eight Common Scoter heading south. Over the high tide 63 Sanderling, including a colour ringed bird, were on the beach with two Dunlin. Elsewhere two Black-tailed Godwit were in the estuary and the Cuckoo remains on site.

Sanderling 13/06/13 © Dave Jewell

Wednesday 12th June 2013

A pale phase Arctic Skua and a Common Scoter flew north offshore early afternoon, whilst a group of c40 Swift moved west mid afternoon. Elsewhere 82 Sanderling, a Dunlin and a Ringed Plover were on the beach.

Tuesday 11th June 2013

Over high tide there were 271 Oystercatcher in the estuary with a smart adult Mediterranean Gull. Elsewhere an Arctic Skua and a first summer Mediterranean Gull were offshore with 50+ Kittiwake and 10 Sandwich Tern, 71 Sanderling were on the beach and the Cuckoo was in Greenland Lake.

Wildlife news: Two Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.

Sunday 9th June 2013

A few Manx Shearwater offshore early morning, four Swallow along the ridge and 25 Sanderling in the Bight were the only signs of movement. Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary and the Cuckoo continues to folornly sing for a mate.

Wildlife News: A male Black-tailed Skimmer was on Warren Point and first sandwasps Ammophila sabulosa of the year were hunting in the Dunes.

Saturday 8th June 2013

Despite the midsummer feel there was still a hint of migration with a singing Reed Warbler on Warren Neck and 30+ Swift, 25+ Swallow and eight House Martin east along the Dune Ridge. Elsewhere a Barnacle Goose flew through with seven Canada Geese, 25 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Sanderling, seven Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were in the estuary and a vocal Cuckoo was again on site.

Wildlife News: The long awaited first Hairy Dragonfly of the year was at the Main Pond, at least two Red Admiral were on site and the Common Seal was on Bull Hill.

Thursday 6th June 2013

Four Mediterranean Gull flew north over the Visitor Centre this afternoon, but with no other news from the Warren since the Slavonian Grebe on Monday, the summer doldrums have clearly set in early.

Sunday 2nd June 2013

A fly through Hobby and two Mistle Thrush in Dead Dolphin Wood were the day's highlights with a second Honey Buzzard in a week evading observers this side of the estuary. Other sightings included a Red-throated Diver, 38 Common Scoter and two Great-crested Grebe offshore, with 14 Dunlin, eight Whimbrel and three Grey Plover over high tide.

Wildlife News: A Grey Squirrel headed east along the Dune Ridge mid morning, a less than annual, and usually autumnal, migrant to the Warren.

Saturday 1st June 2013

Sunny and warm out of the stiff NNW breeze.  Overhead 18 Swift, 41 Swallow and 11 House Martin with randomness thrown in by a pair of Bar-headed Goose and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser, in off and flew N.  A fs Mediterranean Gull flew N and a ss Yellow-legged Gull flew NE to Exmouth.

The lunchtime neap tide only produced 40 Sanderling, 17 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover.  The bushes were v quiet with 2+ Spotted Flycatcher the only interest, but with a 1000+ (!!) at Portland Bill, the site was a little short-changed.

17 Sandwich Tern in small groups in off were the only interest at sea.

Wildlife News: An Emperor Dragonfly zooming NE up the sheltered side of the spit was the first of the year.