Friday 11th October 2013

Highlight and main interest of the day was a flock of three Whooper Swan that flew in off the sea at 09:05, over the spit and landed with Mute Swan in the estuary, where they remained until 10:45, before flying north up the estuary.  The 12th site record, the last sighting being in Jan 2008.

Counts in the estuary produced 223 Teal, 144 Wigeon, 190 Canada Geese, 302 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 74 Dunlin, a Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Bar-tailed Godwit, 207 Black-headed Gull and 2 ad w Mediterranean Gull.

In a fresh northerly, a few Razorbill and Gannet, and 8 Common Scoter were all that there seen at sea, and the bushes and dunes were largely blown out, with no more than awareness that the odd Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Reed Bunting were hidden there.  Only singles of pipits and wagtails passed overhead.

Thursday 10th October 2013

Highlight of the day was a flyover Lapland Bunting, only the 11th site record. Other visible movement overhead was again hampered by the lack of cloud but totals included 116 Meadow Pipit, 62 Pied and a Grey Wagtail, 10 Skylark, eight Goldfinch, six Swallow, six Chaffinch, four Reed Bunting and a Redpoll. Grounded migrants included a late Whinchat, 15 Chiffchaff, five Stonechat, and four Wheatear. Elsewhere a Red-throated Diver was offshore, with 11 Shelduck and a Pintail in the estuary.

Wildlife News: A Clouded Yellow was on Warren Point with a third generation Wall Brown along the Dune Ridge.

Wednesday 9th October 2013

A Cirl Bunting around Greenland Lake before heading off high east was the highlight with other species on the move limited to 38 Meadow Pipit, c30 Pied Wagtail, 15 Linnet, nine Goldfinch, four Chaffinch, three Reed Bunting and a Swallow. Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary with 269 Redshank, 23 Turnstone, 17 Grey Plover, just six Dunlin and no Brent Geese over the morning high tide.

Tuesday 8th October 2013

Counts from the estuary included 598 Curlew, 245 Redshank, 134 Teal, just 40 Brent Geese, 17 Bar-tailed and a Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Grey Plover, seven Sanderling and a Kingfisher. Elsewhere a Jay flew through the Entrance Bushes, 30 Common Scoter were offshore, 16 Chiffchaff, eight Blackcap and three Wheatear were on site whilst 90 Meadow Pipit, c40 Pied and seven Grey Wagtail, 12 Chaffinch and six Reed Bunting were overhead.

Monday 7th October 2013

After two days hoping for low cloud, fog hampered vismig proceedings this morning with just 50+ Meadow Pipit, 26 alba Wagtail, six Goldfinch, two Siskin and a Chaffinch over in two hours from first light. The same conditions did however drop in the second Yellow-browed Warbler of the week which was elusive but vocal around the Entrance Bushes, other migrants included at least eight Chiffchaff and a couple of Blackcap. Elsewhere a Curlew Sandpiper was in the Bight with five adult Mediterraean Gull, a Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe in the estuary.

Sunday 6th October 2013

Another day of overhead passage, but again the lack of cloud cover meant many birds must have gone through undetected. Most birds were heading west with counts of 354 Meadow Pipit, 233 alba Wagtail (all those low enough to identify were Pied), c75 Linnet, 68 Skylark, 65 Goldfinch, 25 Swallow, 11 Jackdaw, six Rook and four Grey Wagtail. Also overhead a Great Northern Diver, four Mistle Thrush, three Siskin and a Tree Pipit. Elsewhere the Black Brant remained in the estuary with the Slavonian Grebe whilst a Little Stint was a new arrival and four Balearic Shearwater and a Red-throated Diver were offshore.

Black Brant © Lee Collins

 

Wildlife News: Despite there being no sightings of Clouded Yellow, nine species of butterfly were still recorded today: Comma, Large & Small White, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper and Speckled Wood.

Saturday 5th October 2013

A Yellow-browed Warbler that turned up in Dead Dolphin Wood eventually located to Warren Point were it showed well on occasion. Despite only being the eighth site record, and especially with the numbers elsewhere, this is becoming an expected autumn arrival. Another rarity highlight was the return of the Black Brant after a week's absence. It was found with 323 Brent Geese on Bull Hill mid afternoon, the flock having flown in from the east bank of the estuary, it remained on site with c100 Brent over the evening high tide. Also in the estuary 2600+ Wigeon, 238 Teal and 17 Pintail roosted in Shuterton Creek with three adult Mediterraean Gull, two Ruff and the Slavonian Grebe also present. Elsewhere other grounded migrants included 16 Chiffchaff, eight Stonechat, seven Blackcap, three Wheatear and a Spotted Flycatcher, whilst overhead a steady light passage included 250+ Meadow Pipit, 65+ Skylark, 20+ Swallow, 10 Rook, six Grey Wagtail, six Chaffinch, two Redpoll and two Jackdaw. Much of this was moving high across a broad front, with much more no doubt even higher out of view. This was highlighted when 70+ Meadow Pipit came through in just 15 minutes during a period of low cloud early afternoon.

Spotted Flycatcher © Lee Collins

 

Wildlife News: Migrant lepidoptera included at least three Clouded Yellow, two Painted Lady, a Vestal, good numbers of Red Admiral and smaller numbers of Rush Veneer, Large White and Silver Y. A Ruddy Darter along the Back Path was another immigrant.

Friday 4th October 2013

A Hobby headed south mid morning but only a handful of hirundines were also on the move with single Yellow and Grey Wagtail overhead. Elsewhere 1700+ Wigeon and 68 Dark-bellied Brent Geese were in the estuary.

Thursday 3rd October 2013

Wildfowl counts from the estuary included c2600 Wigeon, 243 Brent Geese, 150+ Teal and 18+ Pintail, the numbers again boosted due to disturbance at Mudbank Lane, Exmouth. Wader numbers included 420 Curlew, 360+ Dunlin, 200+ Redshank, 180+ Great Black-backed Gull, 86 Sandwich Tern, 80+ Ringed Plover, 13 Grey Plover, 12 Knot, five Greenshank and a Curlew Sandpiper.

Wednesday 2nd October 2013

Grounded migrants included single Spotted Flycatcher and Whinchat with 10 Chiffchaff, four Wheatear, three Blackcap and a Sedge Warbler, whilst Linnet numbers have increased to 80. Overhead 35 Meadow Pipit, 15 Swallow and nine Skylark passed through with eight Pintail in the estuary.