Thursday 31st December

Crisp clear conditions, with increasing signs of winter as the smaller ponds remained frozen over all day. Other than the lingering Redwing there was no real sign of any cold weather movement, but the site record of 14 Cirl Bunting may well be weather related. 

Counts from the estuary included a winter high 436 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 301 Teal, 161 Knot, 163 Grey and 37 Ringed Plover, 138 Bar and two Black-tailed Godwit, 106 Shelduck, 34 Wigeon and six Greenshank. The bushes still held a Firecrest, two Coal Tit and four Chiffchaff, whilst the Siskin flock had increased to 12. 

Offshore seven Red-throated Diver but no sign of the Black-necked Grebe today, Great-crested Grebe however had increased to 66 birds. 

Wildlife News: A Harbour Porpoise was offshore.

Wildlife Review 2020: Bugs & Beetles

Bugs

A distinct group of insects encompassing species as diverse as water boatmen, aphids and froghoppers. A total of 62 species, including 21 new for the Recording Area, were seen this year.

Capsodes sulcatus, a plant bug - Alan Keatley

The new species found this year came from several different families, some such as the Potato Leafhopper Eupteryx aurata and Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys resedae are widespread, but others were more scarce, often restricted to certain foodplants. These included Meadowsweet Leafhopper Macrosteles septemnotatus, Sand Sedge Planthopper Kelisia sabulicola, the plant bug Orthotylus moncreaffi and the beet bug Parapiesma quadratuma, both of which feed on Sea Purslane. 

The ant mimic Pithanus maerkelii was also a new species as were the lace bug Physatocheila dumetarum and Delicate Apple Capsid bug Malacocris chlorizans.

Cicadella viridis, a leafhopper - Alan Keatley

A cross selection of commoner bugs recorded included Green Gorse, Birch and Sloe Shieldbug, the leafhopper Cicadella viridis, Nettle Ground Bug Heterogaster urticae, the 'Radio Mic' bug Heterotoma planicornis and Common Froghopper Philaenus spumarius; the 'Cuckoo spit' producing bug. Dock Bug Coreus marginatus had a good year but their large size and relatively slow movements meant they were much enjoyed by the long staying one-eyed Melodious Warbler. 

Heterotoma planicornis, a plant bug - Alan Keatley

Other species recorded included Common Dogwood-grass Aphid Anoecia corni, new to site, Giant Willow Aphid Tuberolachnus salignus, Italian Alder Aphid Crypturaphis grassi and the psyllids Trioza alacris and centranthi, on Bay and Red Valerian respectively.

Common Dogwood-grass Aphid - Alan Keatley

Beetles

This year a further nine new beetles were added to the list, a challenge as the Recording Group are not permitted to take specimens for identification. This brings the overall beetle species total to 245, so plenty more to be found.  

Scarce 7-spotted Ladybird - Steve Fuller

Although there were just a few new species there were some exceptional finds, in particular two new ladybirds recorded; Adonis Ladybird Hippodamia variegata and Scarce 7-spotted Ladybird Coccinella magnifica. These nationally scarce species were both found on 6 July on the sea wall amongst an influx of 7-spot and 11-spot Ladybird.

Adonis Ladybird - Steve Fuller

Another exciting find was one of Britain’s largest beetles, the Variable Longhorn Stenocorus meridianus on 11 June , by contrast one of the smallest, Sphaeroderma testaceum, a flea beetle, was found on 10 November, both new for site.

Variable Longhorn - Alan Keatley

The other new beetles were Aphodius prodromus, a dung beetle, on 1 March, Heather Beetle Lochmaea sutralis on 1 May, Rose Chafer Cetonia aurana on 22 July, Lesser Stag Beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus on 26 August and Rough Strawberry Root Weevil Otiorhynchus rugosostriatus on 13 September.

Aphodius prodromus - Alan Keatley

Wednesday 30th December

The Black-necked Grebe reappeared off the seawall amongst 60 Great-crested Grebe, with six Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver offshore. In the estuary 296 Teal, 275 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 132 Knot, 106 Shelduck, 84 Bar-tailed Godwit, 67 Redshank, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, just eight Wigeon and the Slavonian Grebe.

Elsewhere a Mistle Thrush flew inland, a Redwing and 11 Siskin were also new, three Chiffchaff remained in the bushes and two Coal Tit were around the feeders.

Wildlife Review 2020: Dragonflies & Damselflies

The season started in May with the emergence of Blue-tailed and Azure Damselfly. A Broad-bodied Chaser on 18 May continued the recent run of records for a species that used to breed on all the ponds in the past. 

Amongst the regular breeders; Emperor Dragonfly frequented the ponds and meadows from 25 May to 6 September; the first Southern Hawker appeared on 24 June and they were seen sporadically until 26 September. First seen on 11 July, Migrant Hawker were numerous, frequently seen around the ponds occasionally pairing up and ovipositing, the last sighting was on 7 November. 

Migrant Hawker - Alan Keatley

Never common on site there were three of sightings of Golden-winged Dragonfly this year, all in July. The outstanding sighting of the year was the first record of Lesser Emperor when a female was seen near the Main Pond on 3 August, the 26th species for the Recording Area.

Always the last species to emerge Common Darter were late with the first on the wing on 13 August, and they were seen in much lower numbers this year. A few pairs were still being recorded in early November and there was an exceptionally late sighting on 4 December.

Common Darter - Alan Keatley

Dawlish Warren Dragonflies & Damselflies

Tuesday 29th December

Similar fayre to recent days with 48 Great Crested Grebe now offshore plus another three in the estuary; five Red-throated Diver, single-figures of Gannet, Kittiwake and Razorbill, and the imm Great Northern Diver stationed, as usual, close offshore from Warren Point.   

Low tide during daylight hours and the usual selection of waterbirds were out on the mudflats and in the channels, including three-figures of Shelduck, Teal and a few Wigeon.  Out on the exposed sandflats offshore and along the beach, only a single Lesser Black-backed Gull was noted among diminished numbers of late of c.305 Herring Gull.

As usual, small numbers of mixed tits, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Bullfinch and single Redwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Chaffinch in the trees, with at least a dozen mobile Siskin that sometimes mixed with up to 44 Goldfinch and 19 Greenfinch. 

Monday 28th December

More-or-less full coverage dawn to dusk today in demanding conditions with a bitterly cold and strong north-northwesterly with rain at the start.  High tides were during hours of darkness, so despite the effort there was little to report.

Offshore, 48 Great Crested Grebe (plus 3 in the estuary); four auk spp. and the Great Northern Diver.  Four Mallard, including the domestic thing, two Shoveler and a Little Grebe were on Main Pond and the flooded area by the Visitor Centre (VC).  Single-figures of tits, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Bullfinch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were in the woods and 14 Siskin commuted with some Goldfinch between Entrance Bushes and the mainland, as they have been doing for some time now. About 50 Goldfinch and c.30 Greenfinch moved around the site.  Selected other sightings today were eight Cirl Bunting, a Peregrine and a Kestrel. 

Small gulls descended onto the estuary corner waters to roost at dusk and counts were 204 Black-headed Gull and 68 Common Gull. At least 300 Dark-bellied Brent Goose commuted between flooded and unplayable parts of the golf course and Eastdon Fields.   

Wildlife Review 2020: Spiders and Harvestmen

Spiders

A total of 46 species were recorded this year including no fewer than 14 new species for the Warren. 

A survey failed to find Euophrys herbigrada, a small jumping spider that occurs at only six other UK sites and was last recorded here in 1995. However it did reveal 10 new species to the Warren and nine not recorded for over 25 years. One of the new records was Royal Theridion Kochiura aulica, a Nationally Scarce B species associated with Gorse.

Other news species recorded during the year included the Green Crab Spider Didea dorsata and the impressive Green-fanged Tube Spider Segestria florentina.

Nursery-web Spider - Alan Keatley

Commoner spiders included an early Nursery-web Spider Pisaura mirabilis on 1 February and the first Zebra Jumping Spider Salticus scenicus on 2 March. Other spiders in evidence from mid-May included the wolf spiders Pardosa  monticola, nigripes and pullata, the Bleeding Heart Spider Nigma puella and the crab spider Xysticus kochi. 

Zebra Jumping Spider - Alan Keatley

Later in the year Copper Sunjumper Heliophanus cupreus and large numbers of the Garden Orbweaver Araneus diadematus were found.

Unfortunately after a 20 year presence there were no reports of Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi this year, a spider that had become a late summer feature on site. The loss of areas of longer vegetation overwinter has impacted heavily on this species and many other invertebrates. 

Another potentially lost spider is the Dune Jumper Marpissa nivoyi, a nationally scarce A species at its only south Devon site, the rapidly increased erosion has removed the majority of its known habitat. Both species are priorities for monitoring next year. 

Harvestmen

Six species were recorded including Dicranopalpus ramosus, Leiobunum rotundum, Phalangium opilio and the introduced species Opilio canestrinii, only the fifth Devon record.

Leiobunum rotundum - Alan Keatley

Wildlife Review 2020: Mammals

Usually little change in sightings year on year, but 2020 through up a couple of unexpected sightings. The most surprising being the confirmed presence of Hedgehog on site with a report from the Buffer Zone and regular sightings from the Golf Course; the first confirmed sightings since the 1990s. 

Stoat - Alan Keatley

Stoat were seen on a couple of occasions, with one enticed into the open by making a squeaking noise. No sightings or positive evidence of Weasel, Otter or fortunately Mink were found this year. At least two successful Fox dens were on site, but sightings were confined mainly to dawn and dusk although their tracks are always in evident along the beach and remaining Dune Ridge. Overnight on 18 Apr a Badger left tracks along the Dune Ridge at Warren Point, the first record for several years.

The presence of small mammals was more obvious this year, possibly taking advantage of quieter periods during Covid restrictions. Several Wood Mouse were seen in the open in Greenland Lake with the occasional Common Shrew noted running across paths. Not unusually, a dead Water Shrew, found near the Main Pond and a dead Pygmy Shrew in Skipper Meadow were the only evidence of their presence on site. 

Brown Rat were only occasionally seen around the car park and Amusements, but 'Ratty' the Water Vole is now well established with frequent sightings or signs of their presence noted and one was even predated by a Kestrel. Early mornings from the Main Pond viewing platform presents the best opportunity of seeing them.

Perhaps due to the drier Spring, fewer fresh molehills were found at Mole's only location onsite, by Funder Park, indicating a probable reduction in numbers.

Rabbit - Alan Keatley

Rabbit numbers, and therefore the required grazing pressure, continue to suffer, with the ever present myxomatosis, several seen infected by this disease. This in itself may not significantly affect the numbers, the presence of two strains of viral haemorrhage disease (VHD) has a far greater affect in reducing the overall population. The only bat species confirmed this year was, not unexpectedly, Common Pipistrelle.

Away from the land a pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphin on 15 July and at least 11 on 25 December, were rare occurrences in recent years, with Common Dolphin noted on 15 August. Harbour Porpoise were noted infrequently at both ends of the year.

Grey Seal - Alan Keatley

Grey Seal remains a common sight in the estuary or offshore, with one or two present almost throughout, often hauled out on a barge or sandbank. In contrast there were only two sightings of Common Seal, in Apr and Dec, the first records since the resident individual was last recorded in 2018.

Sunday 27th December

 'Storm Belle' made the headlines today with widespread flooding in Britain and damaging winds of up to 106 mph (recorded at The Needles, Isles of Wight). Parts of southwest England were on Met Office 'amber alert' status last night.  This was a really deep depression at 956 mb which on average only occurs every few years in Britain. At Exmouth, winds reached 67 mph, heavy rain fell throughout the early hours and had cleared through by about 08:30.  The rest of the day was quite pleasant.  Damage on site was negligible with only small branches down and a little more floodwater.  A dead Kittiwake on the golf course was the only possible victim found.  

Offshore was predictably uneventful since Dawlish Warren tends not to do well in westerlies.  During the first 1¼ of light pasage moved south, 108 auk spp. (with a Guillemot bias); 94 Gannet, nine Kittiwake, five Common Scoter, five Red-throated Diver, three Great Northern Diver and three more diver spp., and 30 Great Crested Grebe bobbed about on the choppy waters.

Main Pond and surrounding flooded areas had four Water Rail, four Mallard (including the domestic drake thing) and three Shoveler.  At dusk, c.360 Starling roosted. 

The sun came out and in the woods foraged the usual single-figures of tits, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff with brief views of a 'grey chiffchaff' probably the Siberian Chiffchaff; two each of Song Thrush, Siskin, Bullfinch and a Redwing.  Commuting between the depleted bird-feeders and Greenland Lake were flocks of 58 Goldfinch and 32 Greenfinch  

During the early evening high tide, 4-figures of Dunlin, high 3-figures of Oystercatcher and 425 Dark-bellied Brent Goose descended on site, a big count for December here. Of these 24 were juveniles (5.6%). Interestingly, all 10 juv of 347 birds (2.9%) that were in The Bight were around the flock and waterline margins, and a disproportionately large 14 juv of 78 birds (17.9%) were on the adjacent flooded 7th fairway grazing.  Sub-flocks that contain significantly different proportions of juveniles can persist over-winter and this is influenced by social status.  Aware that this evening's observation was just a snapshot, the greater proportion of juveniles on the grassland habitat and generally around the edges of those sub-flocks reflects findings of studies on this species, e.g. Lambeck (1989) and Lambeck (1990).  This emphasises the importance of taking multiple counts of sub-groups in different habitats to calculate an accurate breeding productivity percentage. 

Other counts were c.230 Black-headed Gull, 153 Grey Plover, 133 Bar-tailed Godwit, 122 Shelduck, 113 Knot, 48 Turnstone, 35 Ringed Plover, 33 Redshank, 14 Shag (estuary), nine Great Black-backed Gull, eight Red-breasted Merganser, two Mute Swan, two more Great Crested Grebe, ♀ Goldeneye, the Slavonian Grebe, adult Mediterranean Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, and the female Scaup continued its stay accompanying wildfowl tight to the saltmarsh edge.

Wildlife Review 2020: Reptiles, Amphibians & Fish

Reptiles

Common and Sand Lizard numbers were difficult to gauge this year as the Spring emergence from hibernation was largely missed, and sightings thereafter were few. The possible presence of the introduced Sand Lizard prevented essential repairs to the 'coastal defences' in December. 

After the removal and burning of the only known site hibernaculum, there were unfortunately no Slow-worm records this year. 

Amphibians

Toad - Alan Keatley

Some lethargic and dead Common Toad were again found in flooded areas during early winter, the cause remains unknown. Few toadlets were seen this year but numbers were still higher than recently. 

A single Common Frog was in Greenland Lake on 22 Jul. This species has a chequered history on site with past records possibly relating to deliberate releases instead of a natural occurrence, this was the first record for several years. No newt records were received this year.

Fish

The big surprise, in more ways than one, was a Bluefin Tuna entering the estuary on 16 September. This was a first for the Recording Area, with increased sightings in Lyme Bay it will probably not the last, but the next is more likely offshore. 

Fisherman report another poor year offshore, especially for Bass, blaming the changes on the 2018 works. Beachcombing revealed eggcases of Thornback Ray and Lesser-spotted Dogfish.