Friday 31st May

At sea, 130 Common Scoter was by far the largest count of the year so far; c20 Kittiwake (from the Straight Point colony), 11 Canada Goose flew east very distantly, three Great Northern Diver (one flew high up the estuary), a Red-throated Diver, single-figures of Gannet, Shag and Fulmar.

On the ponds, a second brood of tiny Little Grebe chicks were being monitored by a Grey Heron, as were the three remaining Mallard ducklings, though the five Canada Goose goslings seem safe enough in the company of their ever vigilant parent birds.

The high tide supported 61 Sanderling, 30 Dunlin, only 22 Oystercatcher, 12 Ringed Plover, 11 Great Black-backed Gull and six Sandwich Tern, one with a lime-green coded colour ring (could be Dutch).  Also three Black-headed Gull and a first-summer Mediterranean Gull flew in off to the estuary.  Six Swallow passed overhead.

 Cirl Bunting - Simon Thurgood

Wildlife News: The first Large Skipper of the year were on the wing.

Large Skipper - Simon Thurgood

Thursday 30th May

On the evening neap high tide, 55 Ringed Plover, 54+ Sanderling, 51 Dunlin, just 13 Oystercatcher, four Great Black-backed Gull, two Little Egret and a Lesser Black-backed Gull.  The sea was very quiet with some of the ten Sandwich Tern present on site out there as the only birds of note. 

Recently fledged or nidifugous young on site today included a family of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Stonechat and Little Grebe.  Quiet overhead too with just four Swallow and two Swift.

Wildlife News: the hot sunshine brought out the invertebrates with Broad-bodied Chaser, five species of bumblebee and six butterfly species including a Red Admiral and a few Brown Argus.

Wednesday 29th May

At sea early morning, 36 Manx Shearwater, 23+ Kittiwake commuting to the Straight Point colony; eight Great Northern Diver of which three twice flew high into the estuary only to double-back out to sea; seven Common Scoter, the immature Red-throated Diver again, five Gannet, four auk sp., three Sandwich Tern, single Fulmar, Common Gull and an Arctic Tern flew south.

In the estuary, 76 Dunlin, 66 Ringed Plover, 28 Sanderling, just 23 Oystercatcher, eight Great Black-backed Gull, five Cormorant, of four Mute Swan, two Shelduck and a Little Egret.

On the Main Pond, two independent first brood Little Grebe and three tiny chicks calling from the emergent Mare's-tail were from another brood; a pair of Canada Goose shepherded their five goslings, three female Mallard shared maternal instincts leading three ducklings through the reeds. A Grey Heron watched on with interest. A day-or-so-old Moorhen chick calling loudly from its perch on a part submerged log was relatively safe in advertising its location on the enclosed Entrance Pond. Reed Warbler have been heard singing from four ponds on site recently.

Reed Warbler singing on Dune Pond - Lee Collins

Two Swift and two House Martin passed overhead. Four Jackdaw continued their regular commutes from fixed dune grassland areas with food to nests on the mainland. Two mobile Stonechat fledglings from the 'boardwalks pair' ventured to the Buffer Zone. The bushes supported the usual two to a few territories of Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat.

Sunday 26th May

Due to the significant erosion at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point and the bird hide is only possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.

Counts from the estuary included 175 Dunlin, 121 Sanderling, 34 Ringed Plover, four Turnstone, three Whimbrel and three Grey Plover.

Wildlife News: A Grey Seal was close inshore feasting on a large Plaice.

Saturday 25th May

Due to the significant erosion at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point and the bird hide is only possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.

A pair of Tufted Duck offshore before heading up the estuary were unseasonal, also offshore four Common Scoter and two Sandwich Tern. Counts from the estuary included 279 Dunlin, a large increase but yesterday's colour-ringed bird was still present, 89 Sanderling, 20 Ringed and four Grey Plover. Elsewhere a male Wheatear was on Warren Point and a late Sand Martin flew through.

Goldfinch - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: Two Broad-bodied Chaser were the first of the year, as were single Sharp-tailed Bee Coelioxys conoidea and Large Pied Hoverfly Volucella pellucens. Butterflies on the wing included at least three Brown Argus, quite a few Common Blue and Small Copper and single Orange-tip, Small and Green-veined White.

Broad-bodied Chaser - Alan Keatley

 

 

Friday 24th May

Due to the significant erosion at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point and the bird hide is only possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.

An increase in waders saw counts from the estuary included 149 Dunlin,77 Ringed Plover, 76 Sanderling and four Grey Plover. Elsewhere 18 Swift and six House Martin flew through.

 Ringed Plover - Lee Collins

Dunlin - Lee Collins This bird was probably ringed at Ynyslas, Wales, details to follow

Thursday 23rd May

Due to the significant erosion at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point and the bird hide is only possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.

Counts from the estuary included 85 Sanderling, 76 Dunlin, 41 Ringed and five Grey Plover and a Whimbrel. Elsewhere a Spotted Flycatcher by the Crocus Compound, two Wheatear were on Warren Point and six Sandwich Tern offshore were the first for several days.

Wildlife News: Single Red Admiral and Brown Argus were on the wing along with at least five bumblebee species. Also flying Cinnabar, Yellow Belle and the first Common Tubic Alabonia geoffrella and Bumblebee Hoverfly Volucella bombylans of the year.

 Common Tubic - Alan Keatley

 Bumblebee Hoverfly - Alan Keatley

Marram Weevil Philopedon plagiatum - Alan Keatley

Wednesday 22nd May

Due to the significant erosion at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point and the bird hide is only possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.

Counts from the hide included 110 Oystercatcher, 70 Dunlin, 65 Sanderling, 36 Ringed Plover, 19 Bar-tailed Godwit, seven Turnstone, seven Whimbrel, three Grey Plover, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose and the Slavonian Grebe.

Away from the estuary migration was limited to a Yellow Wagtail heading NE early morning presumably a late spring migrant, whilst the single Mistle Thrush heading the same way was presumably the first autumn migrant. Elsewhere a Red-throated Diver and seven Common Scoter were offshore and fledged Stonechat were near the Visitor Centre.
 

Tuesday 21st May

Due to the significant erosion at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point and the bird hide is only possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.

Counts over the high tide included 213 Oystercatcher, 50 Sanderling, 40 Dunlin, 31 Ringed Plover, nine Turnstone, five Bar and a Black-tailed Godwit.

Monday 20th May

Due to the significant erosion at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point and the bird hide is only possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.

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