Monday 31st March

Despite the contining south easterlies and an overnight arrival of Saharan dust spring migrants remain virtually absent. A single Wheatear and a couple of Sand Martin where the only species that had any Saharan links but an increase to 15 Sandwich Tern, a drake Tufted Duck on the Main Pond and single figures of Rook, Meadow Pipit and Chaffinch overhead showed some other species were also on the move. Elsewhere the Glaucous Gull was again on Warren Point before spending the day at Exmouth, the Pale-bellied Brent Goose was in the estuary and the two Velvet Scoter were offshore with six Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver.

Tufted Duck © Lee Collins

Sunday 30th March

The immature Glaucous Gull was again on Warren Point early morning before spending the rest of the day around Exmouth dock. Migrants were limited to a single grounded Wheatear and overhead a single Sand Martin, nine Goldfinch, nine Jackdaw, seven Meadow Pipit, two Chaffinch, two Rook and a Collared Dove heading NE. Offshore the Red-necked Grebe was still present, with 10 Sandwich Tern, nine Red-throated Diver and 29 Red-breasted Merganser. Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 525 Oystercatcher, 141 Curlew, 104 Dark-bellied and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 12 Bar and a Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Sanderling, 11 Dunlin, six Knot, three Grey Plover and a Greenshank.

Wildlife News: Sand Crocus is now in flower with the largest numbers in Greenland Lake, rather than the transplanted site behind the visitor centre. Elsewhere a Fox was seen on Warren Point.

Sand Crocus © Lee Collins

Saturday 29th March

An excellent early spring day with a Spoonbill the first of several quality birds. An immature was in the Saltmarsh until 8.15am before flying across the estuary and landing off Mudbank Lane, Exmouth. Another record shared with Exmouth was the continued presence of the second winter Glaucous Gull, it roosted on the beach at Warren Point before being flushed and spending most of the day at Exmouth quay. Whilst watching this bird the site's second Kumlien's Gull flew past and out to sea, also a second winter this was later picked up sat on offshore sand bars. Also offshore the two Long-tailed Duck, two Eider, two Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, 51 Common Scoter and two Red-necked Grebe, the usual first winter and a new adult. Elsewhere eight Chiffchaff and three Wheatear were on site, two Siskin flew over and counts from the estuary included 69 Dark-bellied and a Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 133 Curlew, 14 Sanderling, nine Bar and a Black-tailed Godwit, five Knot, four Sandwich Tern, two Dunlin, three Grey and a Ringed Plover.

Sunday 23rd March

The Glaucous Gull was again present being seen around the estuary mouth, also offshore two Red-throated Diver, a Red-necked Grebe, two Long-tailed Duck and two Velvet Scoter. In the estuary a single Pale-bellied Brent amongst 34 Dark-bellied Brent Geese with other counts including 171 Curlew, 12 Sanderling, nine Turnstone, six Knot, six Dunlin, five Bar-tailed Godwit, three Ringed and three Grey Plover. Other records included the Red-legged Partridge again and two Sandwich Tern.

Saturday 22nd March

The three Pale-bellied Brent were again present in the Bight with 90 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, also in the estuary two Sandwich Tern, 220+ Curlew, 14 Sanderling, three Ringed Plover, two Black and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Offshore the Red-necked Grebe was still present along with the two Long-tailed Duck, a Velvet Scoter and two Red-throated Diver.

Friday 21st March

The interest was once again largely offshore with the two Velvet Scoter, two Eider, two Long-tailed Duck and Red-necked Grebe again present after a lack of recent sightings with eight Red-throated Diver heading south. Elsewhere nine Raven were overhead, single Wheatear and White Wagtail were on site and counts from the estuary included 160 Brent Geese, 84 Dunlin, 17 Turnstone, four Knot and a Greenshank.

Thursday 20th March

The first day of spring was heralded by three Wheatear and a Sandwich Tern but the highlight was a first winter Glaucous Gull on Finger Point and around the Bight, also in the Bight the first three Pale-bellied Brent Geese of the year rsting up having flown in from the east past Orcombe Point. Counts from the estuary included 265 Curlew, 56 Common Gull, 29 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 27 Dunlin, 17 Sanderling, eight Black and a Bar-tailed Godwit, six Knot and three Ringed Plover. Elsewhere two Red-throated Diver were offshore.

 Glaucous Gull © Lee Collins

Pale-bellied Brent Geese © Lee Collins

Wednesday 19th March

The first Manx Shearwater of the year flew south offshore, a slightly earlier arrival than usual, also heading south this evening four Sandwich Tern whilst on the sea there were 24 Great-crested and a Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere 187 Brent Geese, six Teal and two Wigeon remain in the estuary.

Late news of an Iceland Gull suppressed some when last week, the first of the year.

Tuesday 18th March

Counts from the estuary included 724 Oystercatcher, 249 Curlew, 220+ Brent Geese, 110+ Redshank, 80+ Dunlin, 51 Bar-tailed Godwit, 17 Sanderling, five Turnstone, four Grey Plover, three Teal and two Knot. Elsewhere numbers offshore also dropped with just nine Common Scoter and five Great-crested Grebe whilst the Siberian Chiffchaff made a reappearance in the Entrance Bushes.

Monday 17th March

Two Black-necked Grebe in summer plumage were new arrivals offshore where the two Long-tailed Duck, two female Eider and Slavonian Grebe remain with five Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver also present. In the estuary the resident Slavonian Grebe, 100 Brent Geese, 20 Knot, 13 Bar-tailed Godwit and a single Grey Plover, four Teal and a Wigeon. Elsewhere a Wheatear was in Wryneck Plain with three Chiffchaff singing from the bushes and a lone Siskin overhead.