Tuesday 6th February

The resident Slavonian Grebe, still the only one this winter, remains off Cockwood with a Great Northern Diver and two Greenshank also there. Elsewhere a Firecrest was reported in the car park but no other news was received.

Monday 5th February

The Cetti's Warbler made a reappearance today even showing well on occasion as it fed in brambles around Dead Dolphin Wood. Elsewhere two Firecrest were in the car park, at least four are wintering locally.

Ringing News: News has just been received of a Dunlin seen here on 24 February 2015. It had been ringed on the island of Nidingen in west Sweden on 20 August 2013. This recovery was only possible due to an infield read of its metal ring!

Sunday 4th February

The main focus today was an Oystercatcher ringing session so there was little time for birding. More details on the days activities and the Oystercatchers themselves will be available on the website later this week. Other species noted included an Eider and a Great Northern Diver off John's Watch with a single Siskin and the year's first Raven overhead.

 Oystercatcher - adult (red eye) - Lee Collins

Oystercatcher -  immature (dull eye) - Lee Collins

Saturday 3rd February

A quiet day but the regular Long-tailed Duck, Eider and Great Northern Diver remain off John's Watch.

Friday 2nd February

The Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood but no other news was received.

Stonechat - Dave Jewell

 

Ringing News: This Stonechat, first seen in on 11th January, is now paired with a female so will hopefully remain to breed. It was ringed as a pullus (one of a brood of four) at Mansands, nr Brixham on 20 May 2017.

 



Thursday 1st February

Early morning the super moon was illuminating the pre dawn wader roost in the Bight, but the cold and brisk north-westerly wind meant there were choppy conditions both in the estuary and offshore. The Long-tailed Duck, two Great Northern Diver and an Eider were off John's Watch. Elsewhere two Little Grebe and a pair of Shoveler were on the Main Pond.

 Shoveler (& Little Grebe) - Alan Keatley

Long-tailed Duck - Alan Keatley

Tuesday 30th January

A flock of 42 Golden Plover in the Bight was unexpected, large flocks are rarely seen on site. Elsewhere the Long-tailed Duck, two Great Northern Diver and an Eider were off John's Watch.

Sunday 28th January

A Ruff in the Bight was unseasonal, the first winter record since 2002, other waders over high tide included the Avocet, 2210 Dunlin, 113 Grey Plover, 99 Knot, 70 Turnstone, 36 Sanderling, five Greenshank and five Bar-tailed Godwit. Also in the estuary the Slavonian Grebe, 50 Shelduck, 136 Brent Geese, 89 Common and four adult Mediterranean Gull, a Great Northern Diver and a Kingfisher.

Elsewhere the Long-tailed Duck remained off John's Watch with 104 Great-crested Grebe, two Eider, eight Red-throated and four Great Northern Diver also offshore, c90 Linnet were around the hide and the first two Rook of the year were overhead.

Wildlife News: The first Peacock of the year was along the Dune Ridge and the warm weather also brought out several queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee.

Saturday 27th January

The Avocet remained in Shutterton Creek with other records from the estuary including 165 Brent Geese, 92 Wigeon, 90 Curlew, 45 Teal, three Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere the Long-tailed Duck, 101 Great-crested Grebe, seven Common Scoter and six Great Northern Diver were offshore and a Firecrest was in bushes behind the hide.

Friday 26th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was in the estuary again mid afternoon, foraging between Warren Point and Shelly Beach, Exmouth. Also visible from Cockwood Steps, the Slavonian Grebe, 45 Shelduck, 30+ Turnstone, 19+ Sanderling, two Greenshank and a Mediterranean Gull.