Friday 10th May 2013

An adult BONAPARTE'S GULL roosted offshore with c170 Black-headed Gull. This is a returning bird from last autumn and perhaps even 2011, which has been at Topsham since the 2^nd May. Also offshore a Great Northern Diver, 11 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, five Common Tern, a Manx Shearwater and a Red-breasted Merganser. Elsewhere 45 Dunlin, 35 Whimbrel, four Sanderling and a Ringed Plover were present over the morning high tide.

Thursday 9th May 2013

Two Great Northern Diver and 40 Common Scoter were offshore with 44 Manx Shearwater and two Pale-bellied Brent Geese south in the evening. Elsewhere 15 Common and 10 Sandwich Tern were in the estuary with a first summer Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe, with 47 Whimbrel, 39 Dunlin, eight Sanderling and a Redshank present over the high tide. Late news of the first Spotted Flycatcher of the year.

Wednesday 8th May 2013

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

Tuesday 7th May 2013

Six Roseate Tern were offshore mid evening, the highest spring count since 2007. At least one Roseate had been present all day with eight Common and a Little Tern. Also offshore 100+ Shag and 45 Common Scoter. In the estuary the summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe was again off Cockwood, a first summer Little Gull was behind the golf course early morning, 31 Pale-bellied and five Dark-bellied Brent Geese were present and wader counts included 179 Dunlin, 61+ Whimbrel, 20 Sanderling, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit and four Ringed Plover. Elsewhere the Pintail was on the Main Pond and a Wheatear was in Greenland Lake.

Wildlife News - The Common Seal was again on Bull Hill.

 

Monday 6th May 2013

Fog bound all day, although two Roseate, five Common and a Little Tern were offshore and appeared closer in every now and then. Also offshore two Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver with 107 Common Scoter and 86 Shag, the latter two flocks were continually flushed by a combination of paddleboarders, jet skis and powerboats.  Elsewhere 30 Dunlin, 17 Whimbrel, five Ringed and a Grey Plover were in the Bight and the Pintail was on the Main Pond.

Mallard 06/05/13 © Colin Scott. A duckling from the third brood this year.

Sunday 5th May 2013

The Roseate Tern remains offshore with three Common, two Little and 28+ Sandwich Tern, also offshore a first summer Mediterranean Gull, three Great Northern and three Red-throated Diver. Waders on site included a summer plumaged Curlew Sandpiper in the Bight with 18 Dunlin and 13 Ringed Plover, 59 Sanderling on the beach and 40+ Whimbrel in the estuary.  Elsewhere 42+ Wheatear were on site, the Pintail was on the Main Pond and the summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe was in Shutterton Creek.

Wildlife News - The Grey Seal was off Langstone Rock. Good numbers of Warren Crocus continue to flower in Greenland Lake and behind the Visitor Centre. Elsewhere at least six of the introduced Sand Lizard were along the Dune Ridge and the first Red Admiral of the year was on the wing.

 

Saturday 4th May 2013

A Roseate Tern remained offshore but was very distant, also offshore two Little Tern, 77 Common Scoter, 27 Manx Shearwater, nine Great Northern and four Red-throated Diver, five Great and an Arctic Skua. Elsewhere 90+ Swallow, four Swift, six House and three Sand Martin flew through with 35 Whimbrel, 30 Dunlin, six Sanderling, and six Ringed Plover in the estuary.

Wildlife News - A Grey Seal was offshore and good numbers of Green-viened White were on the wing

Friday 3rd May 2013

The first Roseate Tern of the year was offshore from midday with a single Common Tern, 179 Pale-bellied Brent Geese also dropped in offshore. Elsewhere six Jay flew NE, with 24 Dunlin and six Ringed Plover in the estuary.

Wildlife News - At least six Bottle-nosed Dolphin, including a calf, showed well offshore in the evening The first St Mark's Flies of the year were finally on the wing - eight days late.

 

Thursday 2nd May 2013

Overhead 12 Jay moved NE in just 30 minutes early morning, the largest count here since October 1983, also on the move 13 Rook. The only other news was the Pintail on the Main Pond. Late news of a Hobby through during the morning

Wednesday 1st May 2013

The first Garden Warbler of the year was by the Main Pond early morning with a pair of Gadwall and the Pintail on the pond. Elsewhere 70+ Whimbrel were on site, a female Redstart was on the Golf Course, a Lesser Redpoll was with Linnet in Greenland Lake, two Jay were along the Dune Ridge and a summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit was in the estuary.

Wildlife News - The Common Seal was on Bull Hill and a young rescue Fox was released in the Car Park late evening