Backwater Birding - Seaton, Devon

[Gavin Haig]

Have been thinking about doing this for a while (lots of inspiration in some of these patch/blog threads), so here we go...............

I've lived in Seaton for 3 years now and, while it's not Dawlish or Prawle, it's very not bad - loads of potential and underwatched (yummy). Last year I had a not-too-serious go at a local yearlist - within 5 or 6 miles of home (home is in the pink blob on the attached maps) and got 186. Doubt if I'll do it this year, but it made me wonder whether a patch report might make interesting reading 'cos there were certainly some exciting highlights, and I'm hoping there'll be some more......

Just to get the ball rolling and bring things up-to-date:

Jan 2 - local bird race - two teams of three - same 5 or 6 mile radius. Previous record was 94, which we hammered with 105 (the other team got 100). Sunshine and a calm, glassy sea contributed to the big totals....Hawfinch was our top bird - being found that day by a kind local who let us into his back garden to see it.

Jan 4 - 23 the Hawfinch became two - both present still very recently - feeding happily on Field Maple. Phil, who's been birding here since the 80's, says they're the first he's seen locally - anyone else saying the same after the strong passage last autumn? We have some elusive Water Pipits at Colyford Common - the odd visit has produced between 0 and 9. A nice feature this winter is a resident flock of 100-odd Common Scoter off Seaton and Axmouth. A Velvet joined them last Saturday, and an Eider or two have kept them company also. Amazing what a magnet a flock of duck is - a pair of Gadwall flew past today further out (I think the first I've seen over the sea), a minute later they were circling back and dropping on the sea near the Scoters - just couldn't resist it! They soon moved on......but hopefully a Surf Scoter might be similarly tempted.....now that would be nice. Finally today, a trawl through the gulls on the Axe Estuary surprisingly produced not a single Med........

Almost forgot - a local mammal tick for me on Jan 2 was a rather distant porpoise off Branscombe. If there had been the slightest chop on the sea I would never have seen it.

Will maybe have a list tot-up in the near future.

Future posts will mostly be shorter!

Cheers..............Gav

[Andrew]

Cool. I shall follow this thread keenly. I can vouch for the Water Pipits being elusive little blighters. I managed the Topsham bird though.

Best of luck and hope you beat last year's figure.

Hope to see you again this year on my travels.

[Gavin Haig]

Had a text from Steve at lunchtime: "cracking views of Firecrest at Jubilee Gardens" (that's in Beer). Could just imagine it in the glorious sunshine - Firecrests are so-o-o smart - but couldn't follow it up today........another time though, definitely.

Managed to check out the Seaton Hole gull roost late afternoon - at least 4, probably 5 adult Meds. I reckon we get quite a turnover of Meds locally - I'm sure they're not just the same birds.....one day must really make an effort to document each individual as accurately as poss. (sounds studious, but will it actually happen???!!)

2 Golden Plover on the estuary were new for the year (for me, anyway) - get loads of Lapwings, but few goldies. I think that's 3 new species since the bird race, so the total so far this year is 108.

[Andrew]

I am getting worried about a Devon Firecrest this year so I hope the Jubilee bird is a stayer.

[Darrell Clegg]

I am getting worried about a Devon Firecrest this year so I hope the Jubilee bird is a stayer.

I'd be getting worried too Andrew - only 340 days to go! ;)

Darrell

I had a cracker at Hannafore on Sunday - but that's Cornwall!

[Gavin Haig]

Had time for a brief look at the gulls on the Axe late pm - 3 ad Meds, none colour-ringed........then scooted down to the sea off Axmouth harbour. Still c.100 Common Scoter, but a little further out today, plus really dull and gloomy, so couldn't pick out anything else amongst them......

Andrew - if you don't see a Devon Firecrest some time in the remaining 11+ months of 2006 I'll eat my greens all next year. Fear not - I won't have to do it.

Local young bird-whizz Steve Waite has just got a digi-cam which he can glue to his scope, and has given me the ok to include his pics in this thread if I want to - and I do............so here is one of the local Hawfinches. Enjoy.

[Andrew]

Don't buy too many greens Gavin. I am having a really bad run of late. I go out with four or five target birds of a day and only come home with one! ;)

[Gavin Haig]

Thought I'd have look for Firecrest this afternoon. Glad I did - superb close views at the Beer end of the coast path between Beer and Seaton, just E of Jubilee Gardens. As always, a real jewel of a bird.....

Offshore were 24 Common Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe and a very distant wheeling flock of hazy dots trailing a fishing boat of some kind, including 15+ Gannets.

Finished up arriving a bit late at the Seaton gull roost, but still managed 2 adult Meds

A pleasant couple of hours - smiles all round.......are you tempted, Andrew???!!

[Gavin Haig]

Had less than an hour first thing this morning, so thought I'd use it looking for Dipper at Branscombe......should have stayed in bed. The only dipper was me. Apart from a Chiff and 2 Goldcrest, the only other stuff on offer were deep-frozen bits of anatomy. Boy, have I got soft since living in the SW.

Had text from Andrew later in the day to say he'd seen Firecrest at Beer - nice one...

If any other BFers are ever in this neck of the woods (like that's going to happen often!) please feel free to put what you see on this thread........or if you're coming this way on hols or whatever, to PM me for local gen.......

[Andrew]

It was nippy today and I was in my normal clothes and all!

As you know, Firecrest at Beer. Med Gull at Coronation Corner. Ruff and Chiffchaff at Seaton Marshes.

Nothing doing at Seaton Hole or in the Scoter flock at the Axmouth end despite good viewing conditions.

[Gavin Haig]

Had about hour and a half late afternoon, so checked Scoter flock off Axmouth Harbour - nothing - then Lower Bruckland Ponds (sometimes get the odd decent duck here) - nothing - then the gulls on the Axe estuary - nothing again!! Now, when I say "nothing".........

Many years ago, when I was a young and far less cynical beast, and had just got seriously into birding, I was striding eagerly round Wraysbury GPs in W London when I spotted this older, experienced looking chap with bins. I marched innocently over..... "Anything about?" I chirped (having recently learned the phrase). He looked at me and stopped dead. "Anything about?" he repeated. "ANYTHING ABOUT??!!" (I realised I'd touched a nerve) "Why yes!" he yelled "there's a Song Thrush over there, and a Reed Bunting over there........." and so he ranted on, obviously pushed close to apoplexy by this young upstart with his puerile question...........

So, when I say "nothing", don't take offence at my seemingly casual dismissal of commoner birds - I love my birding even when there's 'nothing' about!

Steve and I had a go at a co-ordinated Med Gull count this afternoon. He checked the Seaton Hole roost and had 7 adults at 16.30. I checked the estuary and had none. Short straw again......mind you, just as I was about to leave, down the river floated a drake Pochard - actually a pretty scarce bird locally, so, something positive for the notebook!

[Gavin Haig]

It seems likely that the local record Med Gull count is 9. In the gull roost off Seaton this evening were at least 8 - all adults, in varying stages of plumage from full winter to 80% breeding. Can't be long before we get our first double figure count.

Steve had 29 Golden Plover NE of Seaton towards Musbury - moved this way by the chill, maybe? 5 Great Crested Grebes with the gulls this evening was the most I've seen so far this winter.

[Larry Wheatland]

[QUOTE=Gavin Haig]

Many years ago, when I was a young and far less cynical beast, and had just got seriously into birding, I was striding eagerly round Wraysbury GPs in W London when I spotted this older, experienced looking chap with bins. I marched innocently over..... "Anything about?" I chirped (having recently learned the phrase). He looked at me and stopped dead. "Anything about?" he repeated. "ANYTHING ABOUT??!!" (I realised I'd touched a nerve) "Why yes!" he yelled "there's a Song Thrush over there, and a Reed Bunting over there........." and so he ranted on, obviously pushed close to apoplexy by this young upstart with his puerile question...........

So, when I say "nothing", don't take offence at my seemingly casual dismissal of commoner birds - I love my birding even when there's 'nothing' about!

That guy all those years ago really did some damage !

I can only dream of such a hot local patch. Gutted I didn't get a jammy flyover on my bike ride through my local patch of Easton in Bristol today on my way to work. I was hoping to hit 30 by the end of January but only made it to 29.

[Ranger James]

Well done for starting this Gavin, best estuary in East Devon, and Seaton Marshes the best reserve, even if I am a little biased!!
Jim

[Gavin Haig]

That guy all those years ago really did some damage !
He'd like to have done! Do you remember him, Laz?? How could you forget? I suspect he did me some good really - a fine lesson in how not to treat people.


I can only dream of such a hot local patch. Gutted I didn't get a jammy flyover on my bike ride through my local patch of Easton in Bristol today on my way to work. I was hoping to hit 30 by the end of January but only made it to 29.
My heart bleeds!!!.......Mr. Big-world-list!! Jammy flyovers are, after all, one of your specialities.....but it's a bit early for Bee-eaters just now.

[Gavin Haig]

Well done for starting this Gavin, best estuary in East Devon, and Seaton Marshes the best reserve, even if I am a little biased!!
Jim
Hello Jim. Thanks. Yes.....very nice estuary.

Had to work all day today - best bird was a Marsh Tit in a customer's garden.

[Ranger James]

Just got in from a morning ringing on the Marshes. Fantastic! I am covered in wigeon sh1t and my gortex boots have been inundated with cold puddle water since 7.10am! Well worth the early start though, as we had one wigeon with a Moscow ring! More on that, and a breakdown of numbers tomorrow - I'm off for an afternoon meeting reeking of duck poo!
Only thing of note other than the ducks and waders this morning was a possible redpoll at the gate. I thought I saw one dashing over head between the elms and Fraser reckons he heard it.
Oderously,
James

[Gavin Haig]

More on that, and a breakdown of numbers tomorrow
Sounds superb - look forward to reading this.......

A bit naughty today - more birding than there should have been, really......

Started at Branscombe - not much on the sea, so had another look for Dipper. Success this time - jammed into one feeding in the stream right next to the beach car park. Managed not to flush it too. Always good value, Dippers......Also 5 Chiffs at the sewage works.

On to Beer, where a young male Velvet Scoter popped up amongst a good gathering of 45 Commons (looked like the bird that was off Axmouth a little while back). A Red-throated Diver here also.

Next stop Seaton Hole - just in time to see a Slavonian Grebe swim by. Only the second I've seen locally - Dawlish gets double figure gatherings, but here one is a twitch! Adding to the cold-weather flavour, 3 Pintail flew W, then back E again, one a smart drake.

Quick look off Axmouth harbour - c.75 Common Scoter and an imm. male Eider.Several Razorbills around - totalled at least 50 spread between the various venues today.

Just N of Boshill Cross were 45 Golden Plover with a few Lapwing (opp. Axmouth FC) - the most I've seen locally.

Later in the day went to Colyford Common....14 Water Pipits, 25 Rock Pipits and 175+ Carrion Crows - all record counts here (for me, that is). Also a Chiff and a couple of Stonechats. Incidentally, if anyone has a go for the Water Pipits here, 9 times out of 10 if it's West of the tramline it's going to be a Rockit (on the wires etc.), but if it's creeping about in the tussocky grass behind the scrape (East of the tramline) then it will probably be a Water Pipit - requisites are: a scope, patience and, ideally, a calm day. Having said all that, 2 of today's Water Pipits were on the wires with Rockits.........

Seaton Marshes produced 21 Shoveler, a pair of Gadwall (scarce), and the third year tick of the day, a Bar-tailed Godwit - again, a scarce winter bird here.........I think that makes the year-list 112.

Finally, a check of the gull roost produced only 4 Meds - too scattered, too dull - so retired a little early. The Slav was distantly visible, close to the Scoter flock off Beer.

Well chuffed.

[Ranger James]

What a day - nice work! I'm surprised the Marshes had anything on them after the ringing in the morning, I'll let Fraser know there were two gadwall down there, I know he has a soft spot for them.
Ringing yesterday totalled 201 birds. 139 wigeon, including one previously rung in Russia. 16 black tailed gotwit, 28 mallard, 9 shelduck and 9 teal.
We didn't expect to get that many blackwits, otherwise the chap from the WWT would have brought coloured rings!
Still, a marvellous morning!
James

[Gavin Haig]

Ringing yesterday totalled 201 birds. 139 wigeon, including one previously rung in Russia. 16 black tailed gotwit, 28 mallard, 9 shelduck and 9 teal.
We didn't expect to get that many blackwits, otherwise the chap from the WWT would have brought coloured rings!
Still, a marvellous morning!
James
Brilliant stuff!! Thanks for putting that on here.

Sneaked a swift look at the W end of Seaton Marshes before work - Barwit still there, and a fem. Pochard in the NW corner was a surprise.

Had a coffee break by Kilmington sewage works (mmm, n-i-i-i-ce) so I could have a quick scan. Pair of Stonechats and 4 Chiffs, one of which was a pale, non-olive job, I guess an abietinus - it wasn't as pale as a tristis we had at Colyton WTW last winter. Would like to have spent longer with it really.............

After work, a look at the sea off Beer produced 37 Common Scoter and our wandering imm. male Eider. No sign of yesterday's Slav or Velvet.

[Gavin Haig]

Very cold today, which was motivation enough to pack in work early.... Following up a suggestion Steve Waite made I spent some time stomping around a quiet corner of the estuary this afternoon - success....2 Jack Snipe, one of which showed well on the deck briefly. Also 10+ Rock Pipits, a Water Rail, 12 Snipe, and a forlorn looking Chiff, that obviously hadn't read the 'habitat' bit in the field guide.

Elsewhere on the estuary - 2 adult Meds, 2 Barwits and 2 Pintail (a smart drake on the river and a female flying S).

Off Axmouth harbour were 55 Common Scoter and a Velvet - looked like the same, slightly elusive imm. male that popped up at Beer 2 days ago. Also, a Great Northern Diver surfaced for a little while, submerged and vanished for ever - how do they do that?

Finally, Seaton Hole gull roost produced 5 adult Meds.

The Jack Snipe take the year list to 113.

Wonder if this cold snap will encourage any oddities to drop by......Smew or Scaup would be nice.

[Gavin Haig]

Only had a little free time this afternoon, so thought I'd take my scope and have a proper look at the presumed abietinus Chiff (if it was still there) at Kilmington sewage works.....it was still there, with 7 standard collybita birds, and another abietinus-type. Brain damage! I suppose making the effort to take a careful description on these occasions is all part of the never-ending learning curve in birding, but why can't I just find something bright and obvious, like a Waxwing or Great Grey Shrike?

Elsewhere, 44 Golden Plover near Boshill Cross, and 2 Barwits and a smart adult Med on the estuary, along with 100+ Common Gulls which steadfastly refused to yield a Ring-billed........

Meant to do this a few days ago, but thought it might be good to have a little summary at the end of each month, with a few of Steve Waite's pics, if poss.....don't have time right now, but watch this space......

[Gavin Haig]

Meant to do this a few days ago, but thought it might be good to have a little summary at the end of each month, with a few of Steve Waite's pics, if poss.....don't have time right now, but watch this space......
A good start to the year, with a record-busting 105 on our Jan 2 bird-race. Our best bird that day, Hawfinch, was probably the best bird of the month, with 2 being present. Other Jan highlights were Slavonian Grebe, 3 diver sp., up to 14 Water Pipits and a Firecrest. Ducks featured well - a flock of up to c.150 Common Scoter was enhanced by a Velvet Scoter and 2 Eider; plus a Mandarin, 2 or more Pochard, the odd Gadwall and a few Pintail added variety, but the only scarce wader was a Ruff. Med Gulls were regular, with up to at least 8 roosting, and generally a few on the estuary.

Talking of Med Gulls.....Steve photographed a colour-ringed bird earlier in the month, which turned out to have been ringed in Poland last spring, then was recorded on the Torridge estuary (N Devon) last summer.....pic attached (the one with the red ring)

A few other Jan pics attached, courtesy of Steve Waite......forgive the inclusion of Pochard - they are scarce here, honest!

[Gavin Haig]

I was beaten to the biggy today.......Having mentioned to Steve that I'd be out after lunch to count Water Pipits at Colyford Common he only went and phoned while I still had half a mug of tea left - "11 Whitefronts at Colyford Common". No manners at all.........

Looked superb in the afternoon sun and, apart from abietinus Chiff, our first Devon A-list rarity of the year - 11 European Whitefronts (8 adults, 3 1st winters)....pics attached (cheers Steve). A minor Devon twitch ensued, I think! Oh, and there were 5 Water Pipits.

Elsewhere: off Branscombe were 2 Black-throated and at least 8 Red-throated Divers, plus a few just too distant to ID. Also 100+ auks, mostly Razorbills.

Beer produced a fem. Eider and 35 Common Scoter.

Golden Plover have increased to 79 at Boshill Cross, and the Velvet Scoter was off Axmouth again, along with a Great Northern Diver.

[Steve-w8]

Hi Gav,

A few more White-front Pics for you. Sorry for disturbing your lunch!!!!!!

Keep up the blog, its ace

Steve

[Gavin Haig]

Sorry for disturbing your lunch!!!!!!
Forgiven.

All these fine pics got me to reminiscing.....years ago (like, 2 decades!) I too photographed many of the good birds I saw, but it was just a phase......for me, birding and photography wouldn't mix, so eventually the camera was left at home. The other day, though, I dug out a load of my old pics and came up with an idea........

Just to add a bit of variety I thought I'd occasionaly feature an old photo in this thread (permissable digression??) under the above title. Some of you middling-to-old timers may like to have a go at answering the Qs What, Where and When? No intention of alienating you younger BFers....it's just that these are just about all going to be mid-80s-ish....

They won't all be rarities, and some will be very ropey, quality-wise, but here's a classy one to get things going.........

A clue - don't think I've ever seen a photo of this one by anyone else. That's not a boast - I'd be the last to boast about my usually iffy photographic prowess - it's just that it wasn't particularly obliging, if I remember.....

[Gavin Haig]

The Whitefronts drew in 4 more overnight, so now 15 White-fronted Geese, and they've moved a couple of fields N of the A3052......still present at dusk.

Off the seafront was an Eider and 4 Red-throated Divers; 65 Golden Plover with the Lapwings at Colyford and just 1 ad. Med on the estuary.

Forgot to mention - 2 Peregrines on the deck at Colyford Common late afternoon, eyeing up the Wigeon.......

[Gavin Haig]

The 15 Whitefronts look pretty settled - in the same field near Colyford all day. The Velvet Scoter still off Axmouth with 50 Commons. Talking of which, our Scoters seem to be dribbling away - from a peak of 150 or so there are now probably no more than 75 in Seaton Bay.

3 Red-throated Divers were off Axmouth first thing, and a cracking not-too-far-out-for-a-change Black-throated off Branscombe at lunch time.

Colyford Common produced 12 rather distant Water Pipits and 3 Stonechats, a mass of Wigeon and 7 Golden Plover in the air.

Finally, the Axe estuary coughed up a few waders - 38 Dunlin (the most this winter for me) and, scarcity-wise, the Ruff and 2 Barwits. Also 2 adult Med Gulls.

So, nothing new exactly - just a selection of what's already around - but great winter birding. It'll do for me..............

[Gavin Haig]

Tried a brief sea-watch this morning - 20 min produced 2 Red-throated Divers and 7 Gannets west, plus 25 Common Scoter on the sea off Seaton Hole/Beer. The 15 Whitefronts were still present (though I couldn't find them late afternoon).

A field next to Colyton 'Waste Water Treatment Works' (flash name for the sewage works) has recently been manured. Last winter it was manured in mid-December and became a bit of a Water Pipit haunt (peaking at around 20). It's beginning to look quite attractive now (to birds, anyway) and rumour has it that a male Merlin paid a visit today - hope it hangs around. We'll see what develops there............. Still, there were 10+ Chiffs at the sewage works this afternoon, including yet another abietinus-type - can't seem to shake them off......

On the estuary, late pm, were 1 Barwit, 20 Blackwits and 28 Dunlin. No Med Gulls though. Still, I thought, they'll all be at the roost......wrong! Couldn't find any there either. Where are they??

Steve told me the Black-throated Diver showed well off Branscombe this morning, and I heard a Slavonian Grebe was off Seaton Hole again earlier today.

If someone doesn't get the 'What, Where and When?' mystery bird pretty soon, or at least have a guess (see a couple of posts up) it'll have to become my avatar (haven't had one of those yet)

[devon.birder]

Phil Sydenham and I saw the male Merlin this morning in the field the opposite side of the road to the manured field by the side of the sewage works. It was seen eating a small bird whilst perched on one of the fence posts. My second Merlin for the year and the second one this week.
We eventually picked out the Velvet Scoter off the harbour but the flock was quite a way out and the sea was choppy. We thought we would have to wait until the flock flew but the Velvet then flapped its wings and the id was clinched.
From the hide at Seaton Marshes we saw a Common Sandpiper, a Ruff and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits. Ended the day with 2 Green Sandpipers, at least 400 Bramblings and 4 Common Cranes but that was a bit further west!!!.
Sorry we did not bump in to you this morning. Roger

[Gavin Haig]

at least 400 Bramblings............
Wow! Sounds like all the Bramblings in the SW have been sucked into this flock!

Thanks for the Merlin confirmation - I'm a tiny bit gripped, as it took me until the autumn to see one last year. I hope it's a wintering bird.

Glad you got the Velvet - not always easy..........

[devon.birder]

Wow! Sounds like all the Bramblings in the SW have been sucked into this flock!

Thanks for the Merlin confirmation - I'm a tiny bit gripped, as it took me until the autumn to see one last year. I hope it's a wintering bird.

Glad you got the Velvet - not always easy..........

Funny thing was Gavin I didn't see any Bramblings actually in the sunflower field but all the trees around seemed to be dripping with Bramblings. One Birder estimated nearer 500. The trees at the bottom of the sunflower field held hundreds and when you turned around to look at the trees along the hedge of the field behind you they were also dripping with Bramblings. The biggest flock I have ever seen in Devon. Roger

[daveyboy]

Hello all,
I appreciate I am straying from the thread a little but......Do any of you have any recommendations for a birding location in Teignbridge?I live in Teignmouth, but cant really travel to far most weekends.I regularly go to Dawlish Warren and along the Exe.I tried Dartmoor(Warren house inn,and several other likely spots etc) last weekend but things are a little slow up there,not much about at all.So......what locations do you suggest??Any help would be much appreciated!!Cheers,
Dave
www.devonenvironment.co.uk

[Gavin Haig]

......Do any of you have any recommendations for a birding location in Teignbridge?........
Greetings daveyboy - I'll chip in straight away with a "sorry mate, no I don't". Thought I'd better do that, than be silent and seem churlish. My non-local birding knowledge (Devon-wise, anyway) is quite close to nil.....don't know what it'll take to drag me away from the Seaton locale.....more than wild horses I suspect.

Sorry I can't be of help........but I'll bet some others can.........

[Andrew]

Nice one, hope to come down for those Geese sometime in the next few days. Gonna try for the cranes today.

Wonder if I have met you, Steve, as you would be an armchair BF200 tick! ;)

[Gavin Haig]

Nice one, hope to come down for those Geese sometime in the next few days..........
Don't rush! Although I was working all day (a couple of fly-over Ravens was the highlight) Steve mentioned that he couldn't find the Whitefronts late pm. So, maybe pastures new........

A small influx of 'out-of-the-area' birders was noticeable during the last few days. Be nice to tempt them back by turning up something new.......

[Andrew]

May be down your way tomorrow anyway for the Velvet.

Got the cranes this evening.

[Ranger James]

May be down your way tomorrow anyway for the Velvet.

Got the cranes this evening.

I am very envious - I was there as late as I could allow and had to rush off meet guests, cranes arrived 5 minutes later. I fumed. I am banning all house guests from here on.

What's more infuriating is that I can't get out there this evening either, so its going to have to be an early saturday morning for me (which will not please the Mrs) if they are seen roosting tonight.

Cheers
James

[Andrew]

Sadly could not get down there today. Now hoping they stick there until Monday.

[Ranger James]

Fingers crossed, that should give me a chance to catch up with them too!
James

[Gavin Haig]

The Whitefronts are back - opposite Colyford sewage works first thing, late afternoon at Colyford Common. Only 14 though - one of the 1w birds is missing (5 now).

As I walked down the track at Colyford this afternoon all the Wigeon suddenly appeared in the air....quite a sight. Counting in 50s, then 100s, reckoned at least 800, but probably 1000+. So what put them up, I wondered? Bang! Bang! Ahhh.......sporting gentlemen. Arriving at the viewing platform I was surprised to see the Whitefronts on the deck still, though looking rather alert. Eventually they cracked and took off S (the shooters were N) Keep going, I thought........but no, they wheeled round and, in a straight line, flew straight over the guns. A volley of shots followed, a bit of bobbing and weaving from the geese, but they carried on unscathed.
Maybe that's why there are 14 now? What is the point? Emptying the marsh of every bird and then mooching about hoping some idiot, short-sighted bird flies over so you can litter the countryside with bits of lead.........

Despite the geese and a Wigeon or two coming within range I never saw them actually hit anything.........what a waste of time........

The sooner this land is a reserve, the better............

Elsewhere, 2 adult Meds and a Barwit on the estuary early morning, and the Velvet Scoter still off Axmouth with 48 Commons this evening. It was distant (well to the E) and not easy, despite quite calm conditions. It does sit up and flap, by the way, so don't despair if you try for it, but are struggling to pick it out on size and head shape alone.........

[Andrew]

Hope there are enough geese left by Monday!

[Gavin Haig]

Had very little time today, but whilst running an errand stumbled accross a flock of 200 Golden Plover just NW of the Three Horseshoes on the A3052, which was rather excellent.........

Otherwise, only had time to see that the Whitefronts are now down to 11, and there was a nice adult Med Gull on the estuary late afternoon. No urgent texts, so presumably fairly quiet today...........

[Gavin Haig]

Several degrees milder today, but birding not hotting up - suspect we may be entering the February doldrums. We'll see........

11 Whitefronts still on offer (3x1w birds amongst them) but, in a rather swift tour late afternoon, not much else. 14 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver off Beer; an adult Med plus 2 Bar-tailed and 22 Black-tailed Godwits on the estuary; 25 Shoveler and a drake Gadwall at Seaton Marshes.

[Andrew]

Definitely down your way tomorrow.

Will let you know if we find any Spec Eiders off Axmouth! ;)

[Gavin Haig]

....Will let you know if we find any Spec Eiders off Axmouth! ;)
Tried checking the Axmouth Scoters from a different spot this afternoon - the clifftop E of the golf course. This worked a treat in the choppy conditions. 79 Commons, the imm. male Velvet and, although no Spectacled Eider today, a female of the common or garden variety.

On the estuary, last thing, were 23 Black-tailed and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits. Reported earlier on the river: 3 Jack Snipe, the Ruff and 3 Med Gulls. Plus the 11 Whitefronts still opposite Coyford sewage works.

Struggling to add to the year list at the moment........

[Andrew]

Your patch served us well today.

Good to meet you again. See you soon when you have found the Spec or the Pine Bunting!

[calcarius]

Thanks for your help in guiding me to the Velvet Gavin! You'll have to show me the short cut to the cliff view point next time to avoid a potential heart attack by scrambling up that steep golf couse! :eek!:

[Gavin Haig]

After a wet and windy night managed a half hour seawatch, hoping for a fly-past year tick (R-b Merg for example)....nothing wrong with hope. 48 Kittiwakes W was pretty good, and I suspect the previous half hour would have produced alot more (plus Merg, L-t Duck, Little Auk etc............) Also a few Gannets and auks, but nowt else.

The 11 Whitefronts still at Colyford, back and forth between the marsh and the sewage farm field. Little other inspiration though...........

Actually, not quite true - a Skylark in song over the marsh. Nice reminder that a new birding chapter will be opened soon.

[Gavin Haig]

Work was rained off mid-afternoon, so checked out the Axmouth Scoter flock. Still 1 imm. male Velvet, and a female Eider, so no change there, but encouraging number of Commons again - 135. There were also 15 at Beer, plus a Red-throated Diver. A nice surprise was a string of 6 Pintail (2 drakes) flying W at Beer at 17:00. There was also a Med Gull on the estuary, and 2 at the Seaton Hole roost, all adults.

Highlight of the afternoon, though, was a mammal - a bull Grey Seal close in off Axe Cliff, devouring a pretty big fish. Couldn't ID the meal - large (prob 5lbs plus), pale, looked a bit pinkish, thick-wristed tail, which was unforked (like a Bass?) - any ideas anyone? Not too hot on dead, partially consumed sea fish I'm afraid.

Had a quick look for the Whitefronts at their 2 favourite haunts at Colyford - no sign. At Colyford Common I was dismayed to see construction has begun on the long-threatened (oops, I mean long-promised) hide. I really am not a fan of hide birding. There was a nice little open viewing platform where the hide will now be - much more pleasant......in my opinion, anyway. Ah well, one man's meat etc.........

[Andrew]

White-fronts found again this morning Gavin.

There is a good feeling standing on the viewing platform in a slight chilly breeze and scanning all the way round without the restriction of having to move to check through window panes that other people are already using. I can see your point.

[devon.birder]

You were right about the best spot to view the Scoters, the Velvet was seen from the path past the golf course this afternoon. A single Lesser Black-backed Gull on the estuary was the first in Devon this year for me as well, possibly a migrant.
We drove up the steep hill to the golf course car park, saw the clamping sign and then drove down again!!!. Roger

[Gavin Haig]

White-fronts found again this morning Gavin.

There is a good feeling standing on the viewing platform in a slight chilly breeze and scanning all the way round without the restriction of having to move to check through window panes that other people are already using. I can see your point.
I had a quick look for them early, but didn't see them - I guess they have a 'quiet' spot somewhere......

Hides......hmmm.....I can see their need if birds are close and would be spooked, eg. scrapes of the Minsmere/Cley variety, but otherwise? Well, they're just shelters in bad weather. Actually, as I'm getting older perhaps that's not so bad!

Roger - if you go again, try parking up the back of Axmouth (grid ref 266903). It will save you the punishing hill!! It's a favourite dog walkers' spot though, so watch out for land mines.

Heard of nothing new today, but had texts to say the 2 Hawfinches are still in Colyton, and there was a GN Diver off Seaton Hole.

[devon.birder]

Roger - if you go again, try parking up the back of Axmouth (grid ref 266903). It will save you the punishing hill!! It's a favourite dog walkers' spot though, so watch out for land mines.

Thanks for that Gavin. I gathered that you knew a short cut to avoid that hill but I was not driving today so did not have my OS map and it was getting a bit late anyway.
Weather forecast was a bit out today, it was a frosty and dry morning when we left Tiverton but the rain started as we went up Haldon Hill enroute to Yarner Wood and did not stop until mid afternoon. Roger

[Gavin Haig]

Bit more water around the valley today, but little change on the bird front....

The Velvet Scoter still with Commons (130) off Axe Cliff. An adult Med Gull was with Black-headeds in a partially flooded field at Boshill Cross (Steve had 3 Meds today). 2 Barwits and 7 ad LBB Gulls were on the estuary late pm.

Had a look at the part-built hide at Colyford Common just before dusk. Solid construction - very nice it'll be, I reckon - but, for me, utterly superfluous........

Standing on the viewing platform on a late summer's evening, with the dregs of the sun warming the back of your legs, soaking up the peaceful ambience of the marsh, hoping an Osprey would kindly glide past........ I cannot see that sitting in a wooden box, peering through a slot, is going to be an improvement on that experience. But then, I know some will disagree - so I guess they can have their hide, and I will have my quiet moan.

[Andrew]

All they needed was the solid base they have put down. ;)

[devon.birder]

All they needed was the solid base they have put down. ;)

In 20 or so years time you young lads may be glad to rest your weary legs after that long walk from the car!!!. Incidently Gavin, do you walk to Colyford or drive?. I just wondered if you did drive where you parked your car, I had a row with a guy who drove a Morgan sportscar last year about parking. Roger

[devon.birder]

I have just had a thought, I hope that it wasn't you with the Morgan sportscar Gavin. Roger

[Andrew]

Roger, I park very close to the stone wall or hedge on the opposite side of the road to the entrance gate. Never had a complaint (touch wood). I once parked further up a bit next to a wooden gate and a woman who rides ponies had a go at me so I avoid that bit.

[Gavin Haig]

In 20 or so years time you young lads may be glad to rest your weary legs after that long walk from the car!!!. Incidently Gavin, do you walk to Colyford or drive?. I just wondered if you did drive where you parked your car, I had a row with a guy who drove a Morgan sportscar last year about parking. Roger
I park pretty much where Andrew described, which will be ok unless there's a bit of a twitch. Then it'll have to be up in the village.......


...you young lads...
Like it! (assuming I am included?)

It certainly wasn't me you had a row with - I only use the Morgan for driving the grandchildren to school........ ;)

[devon.birder]

I park pretty much where Andrew described, which will be ok unless there's a bit of a twitch. Then it'll have to be up in the village.......



Like it! (assuming I am included?)

It certainly wasn't me you had a row with - I only use the Morgan for driving the grandchildren to school........ ;)

I didn't think it was you Gavin as whilst this guy lived in Seaton he had a very strong Birmingham accent.
I always park the same side as the entrance if possible because when I first went there to see a Pectoral Sandpiper about six years ago the man who lives in the house the same side of the road that you park came out and told me that I shouldn't park either side of the road because it was too dangerous. He seemed to have a real bee in his bonnet, I believe he still lives there but perhaps he has now realised he was fighting a losing battle. Roger

[Andrew]

I'd like to see that man when Gavin finds a Semi P!!! ;)

[devon.birder]

I'd like to see that man when Gavin finds a Semi P!!! ;)

If something rare turns up then there will be a problem. I have seen a couple of Pectoral Sandpipers, a Hoopoe and a Cattle Egret at Colyford which whilst good birds, they are not likely to attract crowds of visiting Birders. I seem to recall that we were originally told to park by the shop although as usual Birders were reluctant to walk the extra 200 yards or so and started to park by the gate to the reserve. That seems to be OK if only two or three cars are involved. Roger

[Gavin Haig]

A little Gadwall influx today. Had a quick whizz round late afternoon, which produced a pair at Lower Bruckland ponds, and possibly the same pair at Seaton Marshes. 4 (3 drakes) were seen together at Seaton Marshes earlier. Not exciting, exactly, but new, and new stuff keeps you looking...........

[Andrew]

Local patches are great for making some commoner species very exciting.

I mean a Little Egret would be a collossal lifer for my patch!

[Gavin Haig]

A bit more new stuff today! Managed a quick look at the Scoter flock off Axe Cliff late afternoon and found 5 Eider with them (2 imm. males, 3 females). Along with the Velvet and 125+ Commons, quite a nice gathering. Perhaps something else will join the party.......

A couple of adult Med Gulls were on the estuary, while Steve had 7 Red-throated Divers off Branscombe early am. Very chilly NE today, encouraging lots of nice winter scarcities this way, I'm sure....

[Ranger James]

Had a look at the part-built hide at Colyford Common just before dusk. Solid construction - very nice it'll be, I reckon - but, for me, utterly superfluous........



Just for you Gavin there's going to be a totally new viewing platform further north at CC overlooking the scrape across the tramline. So in even the most severe weather you will be able to tough it out! ;)

Contractors made a mess of the access track though! Who would believe they only drove a tractor along there - looks more like a batallion of light infantry.

Could I ask all of you to keep an eye out for dogs on Colyford Common? I have seen a few large paw prints on the reserve and would like to catch up with the owner and gently point out the no dogs policy.

Saw you at Corination Corner the other day I presume Gavin while I was in the Marshes bird hide, still not caught up with you!

Cheers
James

[Andrew]

Nasty weather here and more coming our way from the east.

Who'll wager a new bird turns up? Bean Geese anyone?

[Gavin Haig]

Nasty weather here and more coming our way from the east.
Too right! Rained/snowed/sleeted off work this afternoon - very wintry. Hadn't heard of anyone checking Weston recently, so trudged up the long track to have a look. Hairy old clifftop with the wind in your back! A Black-throated Diver made the walk worthwhile, plus 9 Common Scoters, but no surprises. Standing on a 300ft cliff in a biting NE and snow sure makes spring passage seem a long way off, but it's only 3 weeks to mid-March.

Steve texted that the Velvet Scoter and 5 Eider are still off Axmouth.

[Andrew]

This afternoon, I had my mind on Weston Cliff providing a Long-tailed Duck soon.

[Gavin Haig]

An Axe valley biggie today. Steve (aka Mr. Jammy) phoned this morning to say a Greylag was flying S over the Co-op, ie., out to sea. Where was I? Couple of miles N.....oh well.....

Working until late afternoon, but managed a quick scoot round last thing - drew a blank with gulls on the estuary, 6 LBBs being the highlight. A Pochard at Lower Bruckland Ponds and 4 Gadwall (presumably from tuesday's 'influx') at Seaton Marshes.

[Gavin Haig]

The chill continues (strong, cold NE today) - presumably why Golden Plover have reappeared, with 73 near Boshill Cross with Lapwing this afternoon. Couldn't find anything else new though.....

Velvet Scoter and 5 Eider still off Axe Cliff, but Scoter slowly dribbling away again - c.110 here and just 8 off Beer. Am I the only one who isn't too crazy about February? There's the buzz of seeing new birds for the year in Jan, and the excitement of spring passage starting up again in March, and in between there's.....February. Always feels a bit flat..........is it just me?

I am happy to be proved wrong when it starts raining Smew tomorrow.

[Gavin Haig]

Bit of excitement late afternoon - a Rough-legged Buzzard at Seaton Marshes claimed by an experienced observer. Despite a few eyes searching last thing, no further sightings as yet..........think I'll be having a look first thing in the morning though. If gen, this is a Devon mega, I think.

To be honest I wondered whether to mention this, but, after all, this isn't a bird information service (oops - hope that isn't a copyrighted trademark;)), it's a local patch report, and all kinds of stuff happens on a local patch, from the 'it was one, but got away' or the 'it probably was one, but wasn't clinched'.....to total string. I do hope this doesn't fall into any of those categories, but becomes an 'it is one, and stays for a fortnight'!.......watch this space.

Didn't get out today, but Steve did, and will hopefully be posting later......

[Steve Waite]

And here it is.......

Before i started work (at half 11, that's what i call a start time!) I took advantage of the flat calm conditions at sea. My first port of call (also with Dipper in mind, but no luck) was Branscombe. 2 Black-throated and 10 Red-throated Divers were viewable, but distant, as they all seemed to be hanging around off Weston, as were 10 Common Scoter. Straight out (but VERY far out) was an almost constant westward passage of Auks, in one five minute block I counted 210! Flocks of up to 70 birds. Also a few Kits and Gannets blogging.

Enroute to the next stop had to take a slight detour to fill up with fuel (my car,not my belly), a brief scan of the neighbouring pig field produced an adult Med Gull, always nice to see.

Then to Axe-cliff, despite Gav's several visits here this was only my first, I just strain my eyes looking from Seaton Seafront, but it is so much better, worth the extra effort! But nothing new, the Velvet and the 5 Eider (really bad record shot attached!), among 105 Common Scoter (8 off Beer aswell), Auks were still going through at a similar rate to earlier, it was now 09:30, I first noticed them at half 7, that's A LOT of Auks!!!....

Just before i came back for Breaki a quick look along the river produced another adult Med Gull.

After work and just before dinner was when the real excitement started. I do love twitching 'potential' patch MEGAS (we will see tomorrow if it is what its thought to be)!! And Gav, I beat Phil there, he must be getting slower in his old age!!! :-O

[Andrew]

Seems one was travelling roughly in a direction towards your area today so sounds like a good call to me.

First report was of one flying south west over Didcot Parkway early this morning then the second was an adult reported late afternoon in Hampshire (details not clear). May have hugged the coast to your patch?

Hope you pin it down. :t:

[Steve Waite]

Just a quick half hour look about this afternoon, the only highlight being 22 Goldies with Lapwing besides the A3052 at Colyford, i'm sure over the next few days the numbers will multiply, with snow and cold northerlies set for us..... (yummy!!!!!).

Barwit (just the one) was the only notable bird on the river.

I have the whole of tomorrow morning out birding....... (even more yummy!!!!)

(Oh and no sign of any white-tailed Buzzards!) :-C

[Gavin Haig]

The year list went up a notch today when a lady Blackcap visited the garden briefly. It's taken a long time to see one this year! Bit of irony here, I think....the first new bird for the year since Whitefront on Feb 5th - that's 3 weeks of no ticks, and it's not like I haven't been trying - comes along when I'm not birding! So at the end of Feb I'm exactly where I was last year, on 115.

Shame the Rough-legged Buzzard has come to nowt so far..........


....with snow and cold northerlies set for us...... (yummy!!!!!)
There speaks a man who works indoors! Roll on a bit of warmth, I say!

[Steve Waite]

Snow and a lot of water around in valley first thing this morning. I started with a look from the farm gate just north of Axmouth, this provides a excellent view point for looking over the flood plain (including Colyford Common). Highlights from here included an adult Med Gull among the feeding Gulls, a pair of Gadwall and a female Peregrine causing havoc. Nice, but no grey geese or rare diving Ducks!!!! When the river has flooded the whole valley it looks so fantastic, it becomes a different place. Ducks and Gulls are everywhere, and most the Waders (especially Snipe) seem confused because there is nowhere to land....it's all water!!! It's brilliant.

I then went for a look around the upper reaches of the valley (well our part of the valley), Musbury, Whitford and Kilmington, but saw very little indeed, the Swan flock still contains only Mutes...and still no Great Bustard! So I headed back south, only to find the water levels had already dropped considerably.

A scan through the Lapwings near Boshill Cross produced some Golden Plover, and as predicted the number of birds had increased, dramaticaly!!! A good count of 91 (22 yesterday). Then the suprise of the day...

I was not prepared for this!!!! Looking south from the bridge over the Axe on the A3052 at about 10:00 (Gav will know better if he reads what time he received my text!), i noticed a plop in the middle of the river, 'oh, what's that that's just dived' (images of a fine drake Smew were entering my head)..... But then..... 'A tail?' Then up popped the head of a Otter. An Otter and a half!!!! It was a biggen, a head like a seal....seriously! I watched it for about four minutes right in the middle of the river (which is narrow at this point). It was tumbling around, disappearing under the water for up to 20 seconds. I lost it when the tide drifted it around the corner and out of sight. This is the first time i've seen one on the Axe, and i know very few who have. What a thrill. Isn't birding great, gets us to see things like that.

Anyway, after a quick look over Seaton Marshes, seeing nothing but 4 Gadwall (probably including the pair i had already seen today) it was time for breaki and then work, but that wasn't it for the day.

A look out to sea from Axmouth Harbour late afternoon rewarded me with Eider number 6, the five were still with the Scoter flock, but the new girl in town was playing it solo. Well for now, i'm sure she will join the five soon enough. Then a quick look at the Gulls on the river could turn up nothing better than an adult Med Gull, maybe the same bird as earlier (hard to tell as all the adults we have here seem to be in similar moult at the moment).

So a very pleasent birding day, no real winter goodie though. It's cold outside tonight so who knows what tomorrow will bring (just a Goldeneye would be fine!)...... But maybe it will be a drake Smew that pops up!!!! |8.|

[Ranger James]

Steve - you truly are the world's streakiest individual! Yes, I sign up to the point of view that you have to be out there to stand any chance of seeing stuff, but you take the biscuit!
I'm going to start insisting on following you around in future and hope something rubs off.
Jealously,
James

[Andrew]

Nice one Steve.

Best I have had is seeing Otter latrines on the Otter estuary.

[Steve Waite]

Only a quick halfhour out before work this morning (started at 8 today :C ). A lot less water around, and no real highlights, a flock of just over 60 Golden Plover flew around over the A3052 while i was there, but that was about it.

I managed a look on the river mid afternoon at the Gulls, but yet again, only an adult Med Gull being the highlight...... But now.....What about tomorrow, this afternoon it was fairly warm and there was a nice southerly breeze blowing....Wheatear anyone??? Black-eared of course!!!!

[Andrew]

You must be hard as nails Steve, I was shivering today! ;)

[daveyboy]

Hiya all,
looking at this series of reports I can honestly say I am quite envious of you all.I live a mile away from the Teign and maybe 7 miles from the Exe.The Exe is especially good,although at the moment your area seems to be producing the better variation of species.I saw 4 Snipe,along with other assorted waders and wildfowl, today in my lunch break while working in cockwood(near Starcross). Always a bonus to see them,fantastic birds in my opinion.
Ranger James recently showed an interest in submitting some material for my website,I think it would be great if you all got together and jointly submitted a review of the bird watching in your area(including some photos and places to bird watch etc).Time permitting I am hoping to do the same for the Exe and Teign areas,but I am on my own so it will take a while!Devon is a special county for wildlife,and I dont think that this fact is promoted enough.......so your help would be appreciated.Let me know what you all think,cheers
Dave.

[Steve Waite]

Well I was going to wait for Gav to update, but he hasn't. So today....a bit of a good day.....

At 07:40 this morning I was laying half asleep in my bed, at 07:52, thanks to a text from Gav ( :t: cheers mate) I was looking at a Red-necked Grebe off Branscombe. Almost exactly a year after the first one of three turned up here last spring. I watched it for a short while, then turned my scope around to look further west, and wow, a Slav Grebe. Two patch megas, both Grebes, from one place. Amazing!!!! This was the second Slav Grebe of the year on our patch, third in two years, but only one recorded at all before that, ever! (as far as I know). But is it me or is the Red-necked the magic one, just that bit rarer than the others, and so unique in structure and build? Yeah, you can go to Dawlish to see Slavs, Torbay to see Black-neckeds, but tell me a regular south coast wintering site for Red-necked? - there aren't many. Their unpredictability is fascinating! 2 Red-throated Divers were on the sea off here, and another flew west. Hopefully Gav will update later, he spent more time here and did some counting.

So for me, next stop was a look off the opposite end of our patch, Axe cliff and the Scoter flock, now down to 89, but the Velvet Scoters still with them and back to 5 Eider (lone female seems to have already moved on).

Then a look on the river, and the water levels were again quite high, flooding most the valley, so I stood at the farm gate watching for half an hour. Just saw the usual bits and bobs, with 4 adult Med Gulls being the best among the flocks of feeding Gulls. After this I went straight up to the pig fields alongside the A3052, just west of the first Seaton turn-off to see if I could add to the Med Gull tally, just one more, another adult. So that's 5, the most we've had for a while, they may well be starting to peak again.

Only other highlight today.....Golden Plovers! 41 by Boshill Cross.

So tomorrow's another day...

[Gavin Haig]

At 07:40 this morning........
Yep - actually got up early for a change. Didn't have much time, but thought Branscombe might be worth a look in the light Northerly. Sure enough, sea was fairly flat, just a bit of ripple, and almost the first bird was a good 'un, a Red-necked Grebe, straight out (pretty scarce in Devon) then Steve arrives and finds a Slav to go with it....very nice. Steady trickle of stuff going E - in 30min 55 Gannets, 100 auks, 2 Red-throated Divers and 2 Kittiwakes moved through.......

Local year list on 116 now.

[Andrew]

I need Red-necked for the year list so I hope this one sticks about for a few days yet. Nice find.

[Gavin Haig]

I need Red-necked for the year list so I hope this one sticks about for a few days yet. Nice find.
Well, it's brought a friend.......first thing this morning there were 2 Red-necked Grebes and 13 Red-throated Divers on the calm sea off Branscombe. Almost everything was off to the W. The grebes were reasonably close at 07:15, but had drifted well out (but still visible) by 08:15, when I left and Ian McLean arrived. Plenty of auks, mostly well out, and all the identifiable ones were Razorbills. Also quite a few Gannets loafing around - must be a fair bit of grub out there. This time last year saw the beginning of the appearance of a good selection of stuff off Branscombe, with up to 3 Red-necked Grebes, as well as 10+ Black-throated and 30+ Great Northern Divers, plus 2 summer-plumaged Black Guillemots. I'd like to think we're in for some more of the same. We'll see.................

[Andrew]

Nice one Gavin.

Soonest I can pop down is Monday at the best. I have had a feeling one would turn up as there were one or two new birds in Cornwall and Dorset recently. Hope I stumble across a Surf Scoter, a Long-tailed Duck or that Spec Eider! ;)

[Gavin Haig]

Oh dear - lots of distant divers from Branscombe first thing this morning, but no grebes of any kind. Sea was a wee bit choppy, but think we'd have seen one if it was there.........

Late afternoon update....
Phil gripped us off this morning with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near Southleigh - will try first thing in the morning, I think.

3 adult Meds on the estuary late pm - all looking very smart in near breeding plum. Also a Barwit still hanging about, and 17 Dunlin. Off the seafront last thing were 19 Common Scoter (plus the distant mob off Axe Cliff), 6 Great Crested Grebes and a Red-throated Diver (Steve had 3 here this morning)

[Gavin Haig]

No sign of any grebes off Branscombe again this morning, but 21 Red-throated Divers (some rather distant), plus 2 Black-throated Divers seen later

[Andrew]

Shame really but a blessing in disguise as I am travel weary and am glad to be doing MY patch tomorrow. Hope I find a goody.

[Steve Waite]

My broadband has been up the shoot recently, but we're back online now.

On Sunday the best i saw was 74 Golden Plover at Boshill.....and that was about it (still dipping Dipper!!) Spent this morning with Gav, and the afternoon at work :-C

Who had the BT Divers Gav?

[Steve Waite]

Well, what a pants day! Working till two and then rain rain rain..... And mist.....

But, i braved it, the river produced the Bar-wit, 25 Dunlin and the best among the Gulls were 26 Lesser Black-Backed. I went for a stomp in the saltmarsh north of Coronation Corner, 1 Jack Snipe and only 2 Common Snipe being my reward.

Role on spring i say....

[Steve Waite]

Another quick update! I've just found out there are now 3 Hawfinch in Colyton, at the same site they've been all winter. I'm sure they will be off soon though!

[Steve Waite]

STOP PRESS

Snow Bunting on beach just west of Axmouth Harbour.

More info and pictures later.

[Larry Wheatland]

STOP PRESS

Snow Bunting on beach just west of Axmouth Harbour.

More info and pictures later.

Quick Gav... RUN !

[Gavin Haig]

Quick Gav... RUN !
Hi Laz - you've got me thinking - when did I last run for a bird? I think September 1st last year, for GW Egret at Colyford Common. Shouts of "It's flying!" didn't help! Other than that, well, a bit of 'hurrying' here and there, but no actual running for years.....got to maintain some dignity with the half century looming on the not-too-distant horizon.

For this one I was on the spot. Steve had found a Yellow-legged Gull on the estuary early morning, but all the gulls got up and headed out towards the river mouth just before I got there, so we trudged out from the seafront to see if it was there, and bumped into the Snow Bunting en route. A first for the patch, we believe, and well scarce in S Devon anyway. Now, if I'd got to the YL Gull before it flew, we wouldn't have walked out along the beach................

Funny old game.

[Jos Stratford]

Great little thread this one, spend some years living south Devon (even if I did call Axmouth as Dorset in a recent thread!), so nice to see this great little part of the county in action.

[Andrew]

Thanks to Gav, I now have Snow Bunting on my Devon list. Could not find the YLGull though.

Had some not so nice fish and chips. Serves us right for trying a different chippy.

[Steve Waite]

A fantastic day today with two super Devon finds, within half an hour!

On way back from taking my girlfriend to college I had a look through the Gulls on the river and came across a larger darker mantled Herring-type Gull, obviously a 3rd year, but I needed my scope (YL Gull, Scandi Herring, Caspain all possible at this stage). The problem was my scope was at home, so I rushed back, got my scope and returned. Amazingly it was still there, and it had nice yellow legs! A 3rd-year Yellow-legged Gull. I also comfirmed all the other features, but as I was reaching for my phone to call Gav, up it went and south down the river with c15 other Gulls. Unfortunately for Gav he arrived half a minute too late, but we went round to the seafront and walked out to the harbour mouth to see if it had come down. Halfway along my eyes caught sight of a dumpy passerine scurrying away from us over the shingle....SNOW BUNTING! I yelled just before it dropped down over a ridge on the beach. We poked our heads over the ridge (I'm sure at this point Gav didn't believe what I had said, but I suppose I didn't really believe what my eyes had seen either!), and there it was.....glorious! This what at 08:30 this morning, I've been back to see it this afternoon, and to take some pics (some attached).

Apart from these two stunners I've seen little else today, again an increase in Lesser Black-backed Gull numbers, with 38 on the river this morning. I have also found out the Colyton Hawfinches have increased to four birds, where are they coming from?

Well today shows you never do know what tomorrow will bring..... So now, what about tomorrow......

[Gavin Haig]

Great little thread this one, spend some years living south Devon (even if I did call Axmouth as Dorset in a recent thread!), so nice to see this great little part of the county in action.
Glad you like it, Jos. It's certainly a neglected part of the county, but stacked with potential (now being realised, I think).....

Late afternoon managed to get out again - the Common Scoter flock off Axe Cliff numbers c.100, with the Velvet Scoter still among them, and now 6 Eider. 30 LBB Gulls on the estuary at 17:00 is my highest count this year - I'll bet most, if not all, were different to Steve's morning count - obviously on the move....

[Steve Waite]

Well today was a bit of a disappointment after yesterdays excitement. I was out birding from half two. Firstly I couldn't find the Snow Bunting despite a good shingle stomp, but it was seen earlier on in the morning (the observers getting very wet indeed!!!). I spent the rest of the day looking around different sections of the river, including near Whitford and Kilmington, the upper stretches, but saw very little, infact nothing at all of note.

A look at the Gulls on the estuary, at about half 4, produced another high count of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 49, and I know Gav had a few more fly down the river after this, so the total will be over 50. Also 1 Med Gull. I then went straight to Seaton Hole and there were 3 more adult Med Gulls here.

That's the lot.... But I see there is an LRP in Norfolk today.....Spring is so near.....

[Steve Waite]

Only a few hours out this morning. I started with the first visit to Beer Head of the season....what a waste of time. Not a hint of spring with nothing of note seen at all.

A look on the river produced quite a good amount of Gulls, the best count being of Common Gulls, with 189. I wouldn't at all be suprised if within a few days a Ring-billed is found, Commons are obviously on the move in force. Also 1 adult Med Gull, pics attached. But that's about it.

Role on the weekend!

[Gavin Haig]

A quick look at the estuary late this afternoon revealed good numbers of gulls, with at least 30 Lesser Black-backed. 3 Med Gulls comprised 2 adults and a 2nd year (my first of that age for 2 months). They were hiding amongst lots of BHGs - really feels like there's some meaningful gull passage going on right now. Potential.....!

Finally, enjoyed cracking views of the confiding Snow Bunting on the beach in front of the yacht club before heading home for tea - excellent.

[devon.birder]

A quick look at the estuary late this afternoon revealed good numbers of gulls, with at least 30 Lesser Black-backed. 3 Med Gulls comprised 2 adults and a 2nd year (my first of that age for 2 months). They were hiding amongst lots of BHGs - really feels like there's some meaningful gull passage going on right now. Potential.....!

Finally, enjoyed cracking views of the confiding Snow Bunting on the beach in front of the yacht club before heading home for tea - excellent.

What chance the Snow Bunting still being there after all those runners race along the beach at Seaton on Sunday?. Roger

[django]

Spent a whole day at Seaton last year while on holiday took a ride on the electric tram that runs across the marsh, was like a wild bird safari , as far as I can gather they run proper birding outings,the trams are a real good vantage point would reccomend it to anyone.

[Gavin Haig]

Early this morning paid my first, very optimistic, visit to Beer Head this year - lovely views and, of course, no migrants! From the cliff tops could pick out 12+ Red-throated Divers off Branscombe and Weston, plus 13 Common Scoter in Seaton Bay, but otherwise quiet.

During the afternoon popped in at Branscombe (2 RTD and a few auks - this morning's divers had presumably drifted out), Seaton Hole (2 more RTD) and the Axe estuary (very few gulls, nothing of note), then had a look at the Scoter flock off Axe Cliff - 97 Commons, plus the Velvet and 6 Eider still. Rather nice hearing several Yellowhammers in song here too.

Today's highlight, though, was 4 Lesser Redpolls which flew over near Beer Quarry, one of them perching in a treetop for a while - uncommon locally, and a year tick, taking me up to 118 for the year, I think.

The Snow Bunting was apparently seen this morning, but gone or hiding this afternoon. Loads of disturbance on its favourite bit of beach though, so not surprised it vacated.

Rather a novelty seeing a few unfamiliar birders around today.......

[Gavin Haig]

Steve found a Barnacle Goose this afternoon in exactly the same spot that a Tundra Bean chose last winter, ie., associating with Canada Geese at Lower Bruckland Ponds. My usual reaction to extralimital Barnacles is "plastic!", but this bird is undoubtedly wild, and here's why:

1. I felt the need to rush and see it straight away
2. I saw it
3. It will look good on my local year list

Of course, those reasons alone would normally satisfy any records committee, but in case they needed further convincing:

4. Unringed
5. As wary as the Canadas (same as the Bean last winter)
6. Immaculate plumage
7. Probably quite a few moving right now
8. Appeared after a night of bitter cold South Easterlies and rain
9. Had a noticeable Dutch accent.

What better credentials could it possibly have??? Local list up to 119 now.

Hopefully Steve will post some cracking photos later.....

Almost forgot - Phil had a skua sp. (probably Arctic) whilst seawatching early this morning, and the Snow Bunting was apparently seen again today.

[devon.birder]

[QUOTE=Gavin Haig]Steve found a Barnacle Goose this afternoon in exactly the same spot that a Tundra Bean chose last winter, ie., associating with Canada Geese at Lower Bruckland Ponds. My usual reaction to extralimital Barnacles is "plastic!", but this bird is undoubtedly wild, and here's why:

1. I felt the need to rush and see it straight away
2. I saw it
3. It will look good on my local year list

The same reasons that most people year ticked last years Red Crested Pochard on the Tiverton canal, Andrew and I did. Roger

[Steve Waite]

What an awful day weather wise. Rain this morning with a strong and FREEZING south-east wind.

I started the day with a seawatch off Beer from 07:00 - 07:40. Cr*p!!!! 10 Gannets, 1 Razorbill, 1 Shelduck (east) with a small number of Black-headed and Common Gulls going east. A quick look up the river produced next to nothing, best being 24 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

So after taking the old folks to Tesco's, and having lunch, I braved the outside again.... And I’m glad I did!!!!!

The river was again poor, nothing of note, a look over the floodplain and Colyford Common again produced very little. And then to Lower Bruckland Ponds, where I was greeted by this little fella (pics attached, found it at 14:25). This is where our Canada flock spends most it's time (although there was only two there today), and after last winter's Bean Goose, I actually feel like we have potential with this flock.....and today showed it! I have also attached a picture of the main pond at Lower Bruckland, to give people who haven't seen this site a bit of a feel for it. For us this is our reservoir, most winters it normally holds either a Pochard or Tufti, aswell as the odd dabbler amongst the Mallard flock, I've seen Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveler, Mandarin, Wigeon, Teal and 2 Pochard here so far this year, so it certainly pulls down the birdies (probably helped due to the fact its a stones throw from the river).

So anyway, the Barnacle Goose. As Gav has said there are many reasons for it to be a wild bird. I've just checked on a few international birding sites and it seems Barni's are on the move. My guess is it's from the population that winter in Holland/Germany, it possible left off last night but got caught up in the strong and biting south-easterlies, and then found itself flying over south Devon all on it’s own, it heard some Canada Geese calling (and they can be VERY noisy at night) and so went down to join them, on Lower Bruckland Ponds!!!! That’s one theory. Or of course the other theory is Mrs. Smith left the Goose cage open!! But I am defiantly putting my money on option number one (or something like that).

So another super bird for our patch, I guess it’s a pretty good Devon bird too.

After the Goose I went back to seeing very little else, a drake Gadwall on Seaton Marshes being the best.

Role on tomorrow…. Will spring ever get to us?

[Gavin Haig]

A biting SSE wind this morning encouraged me to try seawatching from Beer, which has a pretty effective shelter. An hour, from 06:50, produced 10 Common Scoter W, 4 Red-throated Divers W and another E, plus a real highlight - 2 Velvet Scoter W at 07:27. Last year I did lots of early morning seawatching and saw Velvets just once, also 2 birds. Moments after they disappeared my phone bleeped. '2 Velvets W' said the text, from Steve at Seaton Hole. Wonder who else picked them up along the coast - if anyone else was daft enough to be out........

Before I went home for brekkie just thought I'd check out the Snow Bunting, and there it was, in almost exactly the same spot that we first found it last week. A bowl of porridge after a few nice birds on a cold morning - excellent!!

[Steve Waite]

I started the day (another windy one at that!) with a seawatch off Seaton Hole from 07:25 – 08:00. Within no more than a minute of my arrival I was pleasantly surprised when two Velvet Scoters flew west. As well as these two I saw what I assumed to be our wintering Velvet fly from a small group of Scoters in the bay to the main flock off Axmouth. A good way to start the day! After the Velvets went by the remainder of the seawatch was PANTS! 9 Auk sp. (looked like Razorbills to me), 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Gannet was the total. After the seawatch I had a look up the river, no new birds but the Barnacle Goose was grazing with 8 Canada Geese beside the Axmouth to Boshill road.

Time for work but I was out again by 15:00. A look at Lower Bruckland Ponds showed the Barnacle Goose has returned to here, as have the Canada Geese. A check along the Gulls on river revealed nothing special, except for a colour ringed adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. I will tell more later... Read on...

I had a look at the Snow Bunting (and got crippling views) before returning back to the river where I found a year tick for the Axe. On the shingle in front of Coronation Corner, at first one, but then 4, Ringed Plover (photo attached, purely to grip Gav and co.). This is a good Axe bird; we normally get a few in the Autumn, but rarely more than 1 or 2 at a time. It’s encouraging to see spring wader passage in action…. I wonder what will be next….

So the Lesser Black-backed Gull, red ring on its left leg with the white letters NXL. I sent an email, and impressively within twenty minutes I had this reply.

“Red NXL

15/07/00 Orfordness, Suffolk - ringed as pullus
28/10/00 Matosinhos, Portugal (41.11N 08.42W) - also 29/10/00
17/05/03 Orfordness”

And now….

13/03/06 Axmouth, Devon

I always find these so interesting, I bet at some stage in its life this Lesser Black-backed – before my sighting today - has been stood side by side to say, a Slender-billed Gull on a beach in Portugal. And today it was on the Axe. Isn’t that just amazing?!

I wonder if tomorrow will bring some more waders…. A Kentish would be nice!

[Andrew]

I shall predict a Sand Martin for tomorrow. A few in the south west counties today.

[Steve Waite]

Well still no Sand Martin Andrew!!!!

A quick look around before work this morning produced very little, but the Barnacle Goose was again in the river valley (later moving back to Lower Bruckland Ponds).

I spent a few hours out after work, and witnessed another bit of wader migration - in action. A flock of half a dozen Godwits flew high in off and zoomed straight up the river, not stopping. I was driving when I picked them up, so gave chase, but they out did me (at 50mph, that's impressive!). When I did stop I couldn't pick them up in Bino's. Probably Bar-wits. I always feel so annoyed when something gets away, even a common bird which could only be one of two species!!!!

Anyway, halfway through my look about I received a text from Gav, 'Black Redstart at the Yacht Club'. I was there within ten minutes, but it took me an hour to see the bird, and I had the briefest views imaginable, on the ground under a boat, and in flight. The most elusive Black Red I've ever come across. It would just vanish among the boats, I think it goes inside them!! Anyway, amazingly that's the first Black Red we've had this year (most winters we get one or two throughout, but not this year). A welcome year tick.

I finished up at Seaton Marshes (in the rain!), 2 drake Gadwall , and the Ruff (which I haven't seen for a while) and the Common Sandpiper from the hide.

[Andrew]

Okay, Garganey at the Borrow Pit tomorrow! ;)

[Steve Waite]

Okay, Garganey at the Borrow Pit tomorrow! ;)


YES PLEASE!!!!!

[Gavin Haig]

Had an early morning march over to Axe Cliff to check out the Scoter flock - only 66 Commons, 5 Eider and no Velvet, but I could see a handful of distant Scoter out in the bay, so maybe they're just scattered around, rather than gone.

This afternoon had 2 year ticks as a result of phone calls from a friend who is just learning the ropes - a mighty elusive Black Redstart, which Steve has mentioned already (be nice to think that it may be a migrant.....but I suspect not) and, later, 2 Ringed Plover on the estuary. So, that's an A+ in the 'Promptly Inform Your Pals About Good Birds' module....Looked high and low for the Snow Bunting - in vain.

Local year list up to 121 now.

[Ranger James]

First four sand martins reported at Exminster marshes today, watch out Colyford Common chaps! I need to get out of this ruddy office.
Jim

[Phil Abbott]

Good evening gentlemen, thought id join in on your thread hope you dont mind, went looking for the Black redstart today no sign,but i had a fly by ring plover from the hide this evening,not much else on the marsh tonight,2 Gadwall,20 shoveler, no spring migrants there yet,i make that 129 different spieces recorded this year(121 for me).At least 4 night herons in cornwall today you never know,may be 1 for us ,keep looking steve.

[Gavin Haig]

Greetings Phil.....I couldn't find the Black Redstart this morning either (or the Snow Bunting), but did flush a Ringed Plover on the beach. Off Seaton seafront were c.15 Common Scoter, 4 Eider (presumably from Axe Cliff), 2 Red-throated Divers and c.10 Razorbills.

First thing, though, tried Beer Head for early Wheatear. A few birds on the move - 22 Meadow Pipits, 3 Rock Pipits, 5 Skylark and 11 Redwing......but no Wheatears. This afternoon I get a text from 'Jammy' Waite....'Wheatear - Beer Head'.....amazing. What's even more amazing is that I couldn't resist going for it. I didn't see it. Still, I think Steve will post some nice pics later so I know what it looked like. I cannot believe I twitched a Wheatear.

Really must relax......

[Steve Waite]

My Go!!!!

A morning look about on the river produced just the Barnacle Goose and a Ringed Plover (a different bird to any of the four I had the other day,this bird was in virtual winter plumage).

At half three I went to Beer Head and was rewarded with a fine male Wheatear, alongside two Stonechat. A day after my first one last year at the same location, and it looks like we've beaten Sidmouth to the first one again... ;)

After that another look about the estuary produced little, the Common Sandpiper and a Chiffchaff (migrant?) at Seaton Marshes.

[Gavin Haig]

Working all day, but managed 40min seawatch at Branscombe first thing. Needn't have bothered - 6 Gannets, 1 RTD and 1 Common Scoter passed through. Apart from a few Razorbills on the sea, that was it. Felt very wintry still, with a cold NE - and no respite in sight just yet........

Yesterday evening there was a cracking drake Pintail on Seaton Marshes, and a Black-tailed Godwit in breeding colours on the estuary.

[Phil Abbott]

Afternoon Gav, steve and others,had the afternoon off today,had the Barnacle goose at Bruckland,Black throated Diver off the yacht club,the very flighty Black redstart amongst the boats(2nd attempt)also there were 3 ringed plovers colyford common,im off to branscombe early A.M any body fancy it,give us a bell.(122/129 so far).

[Andrew]

Still yearning for a Wheatear so I have looked your pic (Steve's) for the sixth time in the last two days!!

[Steve Waite]

Still yearning for a Wheatear so I have looked at your pic (Steve's) for the sixth time in the last two days!!

Wheatears are just great aren't they!!!!! Even a cr*p picture like that and they still look fab!

Anyway today, had a fair bit of time out and about but best I could come up with was drake Pintail on Seaton Marshes - a fine one at that! A drake Pochard on the river (maybe the male from last month?), the Barnacle Goose (at first in the valley then on Lower Bruckland) with 22 Canada Geese and a mouth-watering summer plumaged Red-throated Diver off the seafront with 2 Kittiwake and 6 Gannet blogging further out.

Gav 's away for the weekend - come on Phil, let's make him regret it....

[Steve Waite]

Starting the morning seawatching with Phil off Branscombe, 5 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe (flew in from the west, seperatly), 3 Common Scoter (2 west 1 east) and few Auks and Gannets was the sum total. A brief look up the river produced only the Barnacle Goose.

After a few hours at work - an early afternoon nap was required on my sofa, but I was woken by a text from Phil '3 lrp - Colyford'. Within ten minutes I was watching three stunning Little Ringed Plovers, great to see again! Got a few record shots (one just to show all three birds together), light was very bad.

A good look around after this produced very little else, but the L.R.P's were still present at 18:00. A look at the Gulls on the estuary produced quite good quantity, but very little quality - well none at all!

Role on Sunday....

[Andrew]

Got these birds too after aborting a bus journey to Bowling Green for their bird that had left. Luckily Ian.B offered me a lift and we happened to be at Beer Head when Gav told us of these birds.

Other birds were the Barnacle Goose at the ponds and four Common Scoter off Beer Head.

I can now add you (Steve) to my BF200 list! :t:

[Phil Abbott]

Not much to add to what steves put,but 1 possibly 2 drake pintail around today,ruff and thats about it, just one thing i cant believe that L.r,p is my first spring migrant, incredable.well steve Branscombe again in the morning same time. (123out of 130 spieces recorded on our patch)

[Gavin Haig]

Wheatears are just great aren't they!!!!! Even a cr*p picture like that and they still look fab!
Have to disagree with your assessment of the picture quality, Steve. Personally, I usually prefer a pic that shows the bird as a smallish image within a background of the habbo surrounding it. Your pic of the Wheatear is just the job - really shows how it must have appeared in the field.......

This gives me an opportunity to attach an (admittedly extreme) example of what I mean and, as I'm out of action this weekend, allows me to have a little fun with you younger Devon listers while you're busy seeing LRP's and stuff......

With grateful thanks to my old birding buddy, Brendan Ryan

[Andrew]

Looks like your 'equaliser' has been rubbed out Gav!

Night Heron has just been found in Seaton Marshes car park. I hope Steve will be along with pics later.

[Steve Waite]

Looks like your 'equaliser' has been rubbed out Gav!

Night Heron has just been found in Seaton Marshes car park. I hope Steve will be along with pics later.

Here you are, i'll let the pics do the talking.

Auto focus was a nightmare with all the overhanging vegetation, I wish that bramble wasn't there on that side on pici!!! Oh well. Bird was apparantly seen yesterday by the tram shed by a tram driver. Also a non-birder had seen four grey Geese briefly this morning at Seaton Marshes before they flew off. Nowhere to be seen now, a total grip off!!!! Good chance they were Beanies I guess!!

[Andrew]

Nice pics Steve.

Bill is much 'cleaner' than the Plymouth bird so deffo a different individual.

[Gavin Haig]

.......as I'm out of action this weekend, allows me to have a little fun with you younger Devon listers while you're busy seeing LRP's and stuff......
I'll be a bit careful before I play that little game again!!!!!

Well....what a day! Up at the crack of dawn I managed to see the 3 LRPs at Colyford before heading off to Bristol for the day, all pleased with myself at having got the plovers in the bag. Around 9, get a call from Steve announcing the year's first real biggie. Expect you can imagine how I felt. Touch and go whether I'd be able to get home before dark. Texts through the day went something like:

'Just flown off towards Seaton'
'Been relocated'
'Hasn't been seen for an hour'
Me (ages later): 'Any sign?'
'No'
'Got it again'

I definitely aged today..............

Arrived at the marshes 18:30, where Phil and Steve were very kindly waiting for me. In smart clothes, with no optics, squidged accross the marsh for cracking views of a gorgeous adult Night Heron feeding contentedly in a ditch in the dying light of a beautiful evening.

Ace find, Phil. Super pics again, Steve.....and thanks lads.

My first Night Heron for 23 years, I think (Wraysbury GP 1983) - don't quite know how I've managed to miss them for so long. Very welcome indeed.

As I said at the beginning - what a day!

[Phil Abbott]

Well what a day,i knew id get night heron in devon if i waited long enough,and to find it on my local patch was even better, thats purple ,squacco, and now night ive found at seaton marshes,and joint found G,W,egret at colyford i saw last years cattle egret,so now just little bittern to go,not bad for a square mile. ,nice picture gav i remember it well.nice to see the torquay boys up here again,and to pull the portland die hards here was great.

[Steve Waite]

Well after yesterday's mega, time to resume to 'normal-birding'!

First talking point occured in my work break, from 11:10 - 11:20 I sat in my car on the seafront eating my sausage rolls, and in this ten minutes I counted 51 Meadow Pipits in off the sea, all low down (probably due to the strong north easterly wind). I just wish I had more time to sit and count, numbers would have been very interesting....and who knows what elso might have been amongst them? But time to go back to work, although I was back out again by 3.

After a lap of the river, and a look at Lower Bruckland, showing no more than 8 Dunlin at the former, and the Barnacle Goose at the latter, I went to see if the L.R.P's were still present beside the A3052. I set my scope up and began to scan.... one...two...three.......four........FIVE!!!!! Wow now 5 Little Ringed Plovers, all around one scrape, what a sight!!! Three was the most I'd seen together in spring before.....but now five!!!!

My final port of call for the day was Colyford Common, a pair of Peregrines were sat out on the marsh, and at last the first hirundines of the year put in an appearance, in the form of 2 Sand Martins that flew high up the valley at 18:05.

[Gavin Haig]

Made the mistake of venturing on to Beer Head first thing - blasting, cold NE and no birds. Recovered somewhat by confirming the 3 LRPs were still present (as Steve mentioned, by the afternoon they had become 5 - excellent). With them were a few Pipits, mostly Meadow, but including at least 3 Water Pipits - sadly, not in breeding plumage. First I've seen for ages, though - migrants, maybe?

A Barwit was still on the estuary, and late morning coffee break found me enjoying a smart 1st year male Wheatear at Seaton Marshes - about time.

The Night Heron was at Seaton Marshes again in the evening, in exactly the same spot as yesterday evening, and looking very sluggish, which doesn't bode well. At least it is still alive at the moment........

Drake Pintail still on the marshes too.

[Gavin Haig]

The Night Heron was at Seaton Marshes again in the evening, in exactly the same spot as yesterday evening, and looking very sluggish, which doesn't bode well. At least it is still alive at the moment........
Went out very early this morning to see how the Night Heron was doing. I was more than half expecting a corpse, so was surprised to find no sign at all. Hopefully no sign is actually a good sign.

There was a Little Ringed Plover at Seaton Marshes when I arrived, though it had gone when I left. Also here was a drake Gadwall, plus a Barwit, a Common Sandpiper and the female Ruff on the estuary.

A 10 minute look at the sea from Seaton Hole produced 12 Gannets, 2 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Divers flying E.

Finally, perhaps boosted by the bird from Seaton Marshes first thing, the LRP tally S of the A3052 at Colyford is now up to SIX!

[Jos Stratford]

Wow, what a fab bird. Deeply envious ...specially given that it's still snowing here and not had a single spring bird yet (not even a Starling or Skylark!).

[Steve Waite]

Finally, perhaps boosted by the bird from Seaton Marshes first thing, the LRP tally S of the A3052 at Colyford is now up to SIX!

I took a look at the LRPs in my lunch break at 11:30, and saw NINE!!!!! Where are they coming from? and why are they all coming to here??? Its a phenomenon!!! At one point eight of the birds flew up and circled around me in a tight flock for over a minute, before landing again - an amazing site, and sound! Haven't seen much else though, the Barnacle Goose at Lower Bruckland and the Barwit on the river!

[Steve Waite]

Just as I was dropping my girlfriend home at 17:05 I received a phonecall from a friend who (in an amazingly calm voice) said "Have you got this White Stork flying over town?" Lucikly my girlfriend lives in town, so WHERE IS IT??? I drove to the top of the road and started scanning with bins (always pays to keep them in the car!) After a minute or so I picked it up circling with some gulls, and unlike the one last year, this was getting lower and lower.... It was obviously aiming for Seaton Marshes, so there I went and there it went!!! It landed beside the northern most scrape alongside two Mute Swan. Got these pics but it was getting dark, down to 1/2 second exposure (its also helpful to always keep scope and camera in car too!). Note the dark stain on it's front.

So, what's next....

[Phil Abbott]

just thought id pop down to seaton marshes to look for the night heron
as soon as i got there i noticed all the gulls were up making a hell of a din and heading off over the town towards Beer,usually when they do this there something about i was thinking osprey,i scanned the mass of gulls , in the distance there was something huge, i first thought crane but as it came over the town towards me i could see it was a white stork, i managed to get fraser rush on to the bird and then panic set in ,ive come out without my phone. as luck would have it a friend of mine (non birder) was coming down the path looking for me,he kindly went home and got my phone.in the mean time steve and gav had been alerted by James macarthy who also picked the bird up coming over the town, WHATS NEXT LADS ( thats 133 species recorded locally this year)

[Gavin Haig]

.........WHATS NEXT LADS?????........
Just what I was thinking. After a mainly dull February, with much grind for little return, March has finally gone bananas! After getting the frantic call I was out like a shot. Initially fairly high, I was amazed at how collossal a White Stork appears - the anxious Herring Gulls looked like gnats! Then, for it to circle down onto Seaton Marshes........brill. Steve's done another grand job with the pics.

Now, this may seem strange.......
My British list, as a result of a good deal of twitching some years ago, is a fraction over 400, but, for the life of me, I do not know if I've ever seen a White Stork. I can remember going for one and dipping, but cannot actually remember seeing one. If I did, it was in a 'doldrum' period when I didn't bother taking notes (not even mental ones!). I suspect it may have been one of those birds I thought I'd just bump into one day (like Little Auk, Larry, if you read this!!). If so, it's taken a while. So, that is, I think, my second lifer from the patch (after Hume's Warbler last November) - very pleasing.

There's a nice little postscript to this evening's excitement.....
Last year, on April 2, Steve had a White Stork circle over his house, drifting slowly W. I was several miles away and could do nothing about it. Phil didn't see it either. So Steve's Seaton Blocker is no more, and I know he is very pleased for us ;)

And spring hasn't even really begun yet.........................

[Larry Wheatland]

Why go to Barra or North Ronaldsay when you can book a week or so off and head for Seaton ?..... Wow you guys are having such an exciting time of it lately...this is brilliant.

[Steve Waite]

There's a nice little postscript to this evening's excitement.....
Last year, on April 2, Steve had a White Stork circle over his house, drifting slowly W. I was several miles away and could do nothing about it. Phil didn't see it either. So Steve's Seaton Blocker is no more, and I know he is very pleased for us ;)

Yeah......right!!!!! :D

A morning visit to Beer Head was a waste of time - 2 Stonechat being the only thing of note. After that I had a good look at the White Stork, and took a nice video clip of it, but then had to retire to my bed for the rest of the day with a sick bug :-C

Hopefully i'll be out tommorrow afternoon.

[Ranger James]

Yeah......right!!!!! :D

A morning visit to Beer Head was a waste of time - 2 Stonechat being the only thing of note. After that I had a good look at the White Stork, and took a nice video clip of it, but then had to retire to my bed for the rest of the day with a sick bug :-C

Hopefully i'll be out tommorrow afternoon.

I'd be surprised if Ebola could keep you in bed if somethign interesting turned up on the doorstep!

See you about soon
James

[Andrew]

Sadly it flew off before I could get there.

I keep going back to Seaton so I might as well look for a second home there!!!!

Gav, I was only kidding when I said you lot need to stop finding good birds. Hope they keep flowing in. :t:

Barnacle Goose at Lower Bruckland, Fulmars at Beer Head (late year tick), 4 LRPs on Colyford Common seen from the east road and a self found female Black Redstart just out of your patch at Budleigh Salterton.

[Gavin Haig]

Went out very early this morning to see how the Night Heron was doing. I was more than half expecting a corpse, so was surprised to find no sign at all. Hopefully no sign is actually a good sign.
Very pleased to hear the Night Heron was seen again today, showing well near the car park at Seaton Marshes - far from being a corpse, it seems.........

Phil and I spent a pre-breakfast hour or so following the White Stork around as it developed itchy feet and sampled a selection of local fields. Not hard to follow by car as it flew around! Eventually pinned it down to a field near the Colyford tram crossing where a few birders later caught up with it, I think. Phil had 7 LRPs in the adjacent field first thing, but they were gone by the time I looked. Little else to report - Barwit on the estuary and drake Pintail still on Seaton Marshes.

Common migrants still at a premium - 1 Wheatear is my current tally - Rare migrants is another story!

[Phil Abbott]

yes i was double dipping the Belted kingfisher last year when steve phoned me to say there was a white stork flying over my house,less than a year later we pulled it back.but unfortunatly i still need B.K. The ups and downs of birding. so lads lets have some predictions whats our next good bird going to be.im going for hoopoe or iceland gull.

[Phil Abbott]

didnt see much today all i had was white stork ,night heron,and 7 L.r.p s!is the bubble going to burst,(i hope not)or are the goodies going to keep rolling in. your turn next Gav your due for a biggy

[Kite]

I visited the Night Heron on Wednesday and very much enjoyed its' company. Cheers

[Andrew]

I visited the Night Heron on Wednesday and very much enjoyed its' company. Cheers
That's a BF200 tick I missed there! ;)

[Kite]

That's a BF200 tick I missed there! ;)

Bad luck! I was there most of the day, with a diagnostic large white lens.

[Gavin Haig]

Bad luck! I was there most of the day, with a diagnostic large white lens.
Look forward to seeing the products of said lens......

Miserable, overcast, cold, windy day. Had to work in it too - no fun. Swift lunch-break walk at Seaton Marshes produced only the resident Ruff and drake Pintail. After work had a look at the Axe Cliff scoter flock - only 58 Commons left, plus the usual 6 Eider.

The biggest surprise was waiting on the estuary. A double figure LBB Gull count is always notable, so 162 was jaw-dropping. Almost all adults, and the vast majority of these was very dark-mantled, only a teeny bit paler than GBB Gull. There were some obvious British graellsii, but all the rest really looked like Scandinavian intermedius. Now, in Devon intermedius is an A-list rarity, full description etc...not often you get well over a hundred birds at the same time all requiring a full description. Hmmm.....not too realistic, methinks.

Also amongst the rather inflated gull flock was an absolutely pristine adult Med and 2 adult BHGs with gorgeous rosy pink flush over throat, breast and hind-neck. Can only assume that the appearance of all these gulls (there has been a lack recently) is down to the dismal weather.

Finally, Steve phoned tonight to let me know that a Spoonbill was seen at Seaton Marshes this afternoon! Amazing. Will it be there tomorrow??

[Kite]

Look forward to seeing the products of said lens......

Hi Gavin,

Here they are! http://www.kitday-uk.com/night_heron.html

Spoonbill at Seaton as well... Looks a good reserve.

Cheers

K

[Andrew]

Stunning pics Kit! :t:

I am away all weekend and I just know a Purple Heron is gonna turn up!!!

[Gavin Haig]

Up early this morning to search for the Spoonbill.......finally caught up with it on the estuary, N of Coronation Corner, then watched it fly to Seaton Marshes. Close views there, then it was back on the river again. A smart adult - excellent. So that's 3 long-legged rarities in 6 days - feeling a wee bit spoiled.

Seawatching for 20 min produced 1 Common Scoter W - surprisingly nothing else at all - until I had a walk out past the Yacht Club and had 2 Brents fly W. Another year tick, which puts my local list at 127 now.

[Steve Waite]

Before work I had a look at the Spoonbill on Seaton Marshes, but it wasn't till later when I got these photos, a nice adult bird.

I had a good look around the estuary early afternoon, 5 Sandwich Terns were a great suprise, if they were flying over the sea they would have been more expected, but I have seen Sandwich Terns on the river on less than a handful of occasions. So these were a right bonus. Also the Barnacle Goose is still at Lower Bruckland.

Working now till 10, I hope no one finds anything!! Phil, Gav, stay inside!

[Phil Abbott]

Nice spoonbill today,with Gavs Brent geese and steves sandwich terns thats 136 species recorded on our patch this year ive only seen 126,gavs 128 and lucky steves on 131.

[Steve Waite]

Spent no more than an hour out today, where I was at Seaton Marshes. 4 Wheatear, the drake Pintail and the Ruff were the highlights in the damp (but mild!) conditions. I couldn't see any Spoonbill.

Off note (I've told Gav and co) about our White Stork, it was the same bird that was present in Essex at RSPB Rainham Marshes on Sunday evening, then it was with us by Tuesday and is now it's in Somerset.

Hopefully tomorrow will bring more migrants

[Phil Abbott]

had a couple of hours out this morning before the rain, went to beer head had my first wheatear but no other migrants,just 3 red throated divers at branscombe.Did a few hours decorating,then i went out in the rain to kilmington to see if there was anything with the large flock of mute swans that winter there,over 50 mutes today ,also 3 sand martins my first for the year( 128 species out of 136 recorded)

[Phil Abbott]

Ive been sent some photos of the Ashford white stork unfortunatly it bears a striking resemblance to ours.The ashford white stork was last seen on march the 6 after being in the area for 5 years im not quite sure where it origanly came from but its allways been reported as escape,Go to kent ornithology website to see what you think.ive done a bit of digging i cant find anything to say that the ashford bird was ever confirmed as an escape. so unknown origin it will have to be.A bit like the Black winged stilt in Norfolk that stayed for seven years.

[Steve Waite]

Looked at the Kent website and at pictures of the bird and yeah, that mark does look rather similar. I'll have that off your lists lads, I want my blocker back!!! :t:

Wish it would stop raining!

[Gavin Haig]

I'll have that off your lists lads, I want my blocker back!!! :t:
Absolutely no chance whatsoever!!!! It's on......with indelible ink!

Despite it being a mega-dreary day my tally of common migrants went up 1,100%! 3 Wheatears and the first 8 Swallows of the year passing through at Seaton Marshes were all very welcome sights this afternoon. Also present were the Ruff, Common Sandpiper and drake Pintail, plus 18 Shoveler and 15 Black-tailed Godwits. A nice distraction was a male Sparrowhawk preening on a post just a few feet in front of the hide - excellent. Tried a little seawatching, but visibilty mainly almost nil.

Along with one of Steve's Sandwich Terns on the estuary last Friday, the Swallows take my year list on to 129. Didn't get there till 4th April last year.

[Phil Abbott]

Ive also seen 129 species this year out of 137 thats been recorded i only managed 5 swallows though ,had a little seawatch this afternoon in between the rain and the fog only managed 20 common scoter east and 1 gannet by the way steve that stork last year could have been the same bird as this year!

[Steve Waite]

by the way steve that stork last year could have been the same bird as this year!

The one last year had a white neck!! 3:-)

I saw three of the Swallows on Seaton Marshes, also 3 Wheatear and a Stonechat. Not much else on the other stretches of the river. Gav, I would say 8 Swallows was a good count for March.

Maybe try some seawatching in the morning

[Phil Abbott]

After looking at the rough sea all day today from work i couldnt resist a bit of sea watching so i set up at seaton hole about 5pm i soon picked up a couple of sandwich terns and then 4 manxies flew west i text Gav and steve ,i dont no what the final count was, over 150 also gav found 2 red necked grebes,which i eventually got brief views of so three year ticks today(131out of 139)

[Steve Waite]

Despite (or should I say because of) the wind, what a brilliant spring day.

First birding action was a seawatch with Gav off Beer from 07:00-08:00 (at which point I had to depart for work). I saw (all east unless stated): 1 Red-throated Diver (landed), 20+ Gannets (mostly west - Gav counted these), 3 Common Scoter, 58 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Kittiwake, 15 Sandwich Tern and 1 Guillemot (west).... It wasn't too bad at all.

After work (15:00) I went to Seaton Marshes and it really felt like spring (well, not weather wise). There was a Willow Warbler (first one of the year, Gav had it earlier) just inside the reserve entrance, with two Chiffs singing on the other side of the sewage works. The Spoonbill was again present on the scrape and Wheatears were flying about everywhere, the highest count I made was 11 (mostly females), but there may have been a few more. I walked to the northern most scrape (the 'Stork Scrape') and came across a small gang of hirundines. At first just Sand Martins, 10 of them, but I soon picked out a Swallow and then a House Martin - first one of the year.

Back home for a bite to eat and then off seawatching....and this was PROPER seawatching! 17:15 - 19:25 from Seaton Seafront. The highlight was the gigantic count of 319 Manx Shearwaters (all west), passage of these picked up as the night went on, they really got going at about 18:10. There was actually little else, all I had were 3 Red-throated Diver (sat on sea), 13 Gannet, 4 Kittiwake, c8 (blogging) Sandwich Terns, 28 Common Scoter (23 east, 5 west) and 64 Black-headed Gulls (east).

Working at 8 in the morning, so it will only be a short morning seawatch - unfortunatly!

[Gavin Haig]

Amazing what 3 different pairs of eyes see on a day with a lot of bird movement. Minutes after Steve had 11+ Wheatears at Seaton Marshes I could find only 2 - they'd obviously just moved through.....

Lunch time found me at Seaton Marshes enjoying our superb adult Spoonbill again - or was it a new one? If not, where did it go over the weekend? Later in the afternoon a Willow Warbler there was possibly my first ever in March, plus at least 8 Chiffs - all slowly filtering through, I think. Also 17 Sand Martins, a House Martin and a Swallow.

Seawatching from Seaton Hole 17:15 to 19:15 was interesting (note very different nos. to Steve!). All heading W were 10 Gannets, 22 Sandwich Terns, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Kittiwakes, 1 RTD and, astonishingly, 165 Manx Shearwaters (largest group was 65). On the sea were 1 Razorbill, 1 RTD and 2 distant and elusive Red-necked Grebes, which initially were bobbing about together, but then split up and began diving alot. Phil needed them for the year, so we spent ages trying to pin them down - many Manxies slipped through the net at this point........

Willow Warbler, Sand Martin, House Martin and Manxie were all year ticks, so local list up to 133.

[Steve Waite]

Forgot to mention, I counted 67 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the river mid afternoon, also the Barwit still present.

[Gavin Haig]

Teach me to lie in - 10 min before I got there Steve gripped me off with a drake Red-breasted Merganser going W from the sea-front this morning. Half an hour from 07:30 produced 5 Manxies, 4 Gannets, 3 Common Scoter and 3 Sandwich Terns W, plus 1 RTD E. On the way home found the Spoonbill sampling a bit of floodwater up at Colyford Common - heard it moved back to Seaton Marshes later.

Have just received 3 superb large prints of our Night Heron from Kit Day - stunning! Well worth the fairly modest outlay. I'm sure this shameless plug will earn me a nice fat discount next time...........

[Steve Waite]

Started the morning at 7 looking over the partial flooded river valley. The only real highlight was the Spoonbill sat one legged on a tussock of grass surrounded by water - looked rather comical! I then went for a seawatch from Seaton Seafront, 07:15 - 07:50. By far the highlight came zooming past within a minute of my arrival, a fine drake Red-breasted Merganser, west, first one of the year. Other birds (all west) include 9 Gannet, 6 Manx Shearwater, 2 Razorbills and a few Sandwich Terns (somew blogging and some moving west).

After work took a look along the river, 37 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and the Spoonbill again, this time perched within a flock of bigs Gulls from Coronation Corner. A look at Lower Bruckland Ponds drew a blank (NOTE: No sign of the Barnacle Goose for a few days - actually since the warmer southerly winds, and Canada Geese numbers haven't dropped at all, counted 22 yesterday, so it hasn't disappeared with a flock of them.... Looks like it might have been a 'proper' one then!)

I finished my birding day at Seaton Marshes, a few singing Chiffchaffs and 2 Wheatear the only notable sightings.

[James McCarthy]

Hi all,
Just seeing if I have managed to join this forum properly...it might be backwater birding but you sure get great views - saw the Spoonbill wonderfully this am plus 2 Swallows & 2 more this pm over Riverdale.
James

[Gavin Haig]

Hi James - look forward to reading your posts..............

Axe Valley Mega this morning! After starting with a quick look at a birdless Beer Head, seawatching from Seaton Hole produced 14 Kittiwakes, 3 Gannets and a very distant Shelduck W, 3 Common Scoter E, plus a Sandwich Tern fishing. Followed this up with a stop at the seafront, where 2 Sandwich Terns were fishing, and, a highlight, 7 very close Brents flew W at 08:15.......Then got a call from Steve - 3 Egyptian Geese!! And there they were, just S of the A3052 at Colyford, in what is becoming a popular field for good birds locally.

A very unexpected year tick - 134 now.

Evening Update: Parked up at the 'Farm Gate' viewpoint on the Axmouth road at lunchtime. A burst of song from a Cetti's down towards the river was nice, but best of all was a Weasel that scuttled past the van just a few feet away like a fat cigar on legs. See these things so rarely......

Finally, late evening saw me at Colyford Common as the spring tide came up - great to watch the valley slowly flooding, easing the ducks out of their little nooks into virtually open water - no surprises, but the drake Pintail was here. A pipit seen poorly in the gathering gloom was probably a littoralis Rock, but had to let it go................

[Steve Waite]

So today, an Axe biggy!

I started the mornig with a look over the flood from various vantage points, nothing of note just the drake Pintail.

I then went to Seaton Marshes, I had barely been walking for a minute when my naked eye caught sight of three large birds flying west over the town, I put my bins up expecting to see Cormorants but....WHAT ON EARTH ARE THESE?!?! All I could see on them was a huge white patch on the leading edge of their wings. They were distant, my brain was puzzled..... They began flying north west and just as I was starting to think Geese, they disappeared behind the church. I ran, then drove up the road to a better vantage point, but where had they gone? I thought I had lost them, but I had a last ditch attempt by checking up the river and over the flood again, just in case they had banked round and been enticed down by the sight of our lovely water-filled flood plain....and they had been. 3 Egyptian Geese (poor photos attached). Our 6th Goose sp. of the year (probably 7th if we had seen the small flock of grey geese that slipped through the net on the morning of the Night Heron).

After work I was out again, checking the river, Seaton Marshes and Seaton Hole. I saw a few Sand Martins; 1 at Lower Bruckland, 3 at Seaton Marshes and a flock of 16 crossing the A3052 at Colyford. Apart from them the odd Chiffchaff , a few blogging Sandwich Terns off the seafront and a very noisey Red-legged Partridge just north of Axmouth, but no Egyptian Geese.

Sounds like seawatching tomorrow, excellent....

[Gavin Haig]

You may have noticed some refernces to Beer Head, mostly connected with sentiments like 'waste of time', 'birdless' etc....so far this spring we've had 2 Wheatears between us there, I think. So why bother??

In late autumn 2004 I went up there a few times and had a Firecrest and a Ring Ouzel, and just thought it looked good - nice coastal migrant habbo - open grazing land, hedges, clumps of scrub, undercliff etc., ie. my favourite word: potential. Spring 2005 found me determined to give it a fair trial. After a few unrewarding visits, and with common migrants appearing down in the Axe Valley, got a little discouraged and thought "Ah well - I'll check it out in the autumn". This I did, starting early August. The attached document summarises the action.......

The combination of grounded migrants and viz mig was pretty impressive, and by mid September, probably, a couple of other local birders were checking it out quite regularly too - even saw the odd unfamiliar face - a sure sign it was doing OK.

So here we are in spring 2006, and the dilemma is here again - is the pull of the river valley going to stop us checking out Beer Head if we have a steady run of seeing very little there? Would be interested to hear any other BFer's experiences re. the worth of plugging away in spring at somewhere that's been productive in autumn........By the way - Portland it ain't!

[Andrew]

I have been to Beer Head twice so far this spring. I found nothing really but can see the potential as you say. I love the isolated clumps of trees can picture a yank thrush foraging inside them, or even a sibe warbler feeding deep inside.

I would keep looking for the Alpine Swift this spring! ;)

[Andrew]

What percentage of the scarce migrants were on the deck?

I ask as viz mig is obviously no good to me other than as a sheer spectacle to admire.

[Steve Waite]

Nice write-up. So today, another morning seawatching, 06:50 - 08:05. It was rather unproductive!!! (all west unless stated) 12 Gannet (2 east), 3 Common Scoter (1 east, also 9 sat on sea), 2 Shelduck, 9 Kittiwake, few Sandwich Terns (east/blogging) 24 Auk sp. and 8 Razorbill. After this a quick check over the VERY flooded river valley produced pretty much nothing of note, just a burst of song from a Cetti's Warbler.

After work I had another seawatch, 17:05 - 17:35, now this one was poor, 4 Sandwich Terns east, 2 Common Scoter west and quite suprisingly, 7 Shoveler sat on the sea (4 drakes), I'd like to think they were having a rest after just flying across the English Channel....but I guess they may have just been flushed from Seaton Marshes! Another look along the now not-so flooded river valley was again unproductive. Definatly no Egyptian Geese today.

I see Exminster now have a pair of Garganey....ours must be just round the corner...I hope...

[Gavin Haig]

What percentage of the scarce migrants were on the deck?

I ask as viz mig is obviously no good to me other than as a sheer spectacle to admire.
On the deck were: Dotterel, vast majority of Yellow Wags, all the White Wags, chats, Ouzels, warblers and flycatchers and a smattering of the other stuff - but not the Richard's Pipit, sadly.......

The Woodpig passage is a definite must-see.........amazing!!

[Gavin Haig]

35 min seawatch from the seafront this morning produced 12 Gannets, 2 Kittiwakes, a Sandwich Tern, Razorbill and RTD all W, plus 6 Common Scoter E.

A bit more exciting was the reappearance of our gang of 3 Egyptian Geese near Boshill Cross. They even had a little fly round as if to say "we might be cat C, but look at this wing pattern - value, huh??!"

Are there any others available in Devon right now?

[Andrew]

Thank and thanks Gavin. For the reply and refinding the Egyptian Geese!

I am pretty sure these may be the only ones in Devon. I have only ever seen one and that was on the canal a few years ago. Very wild! ;)

Gonna look up Boshill Cross on the map now.

Not quite fit yet but the appetite is back.

[devon.birder]

Thank and thanks Gavin. For the reply and refinding the Egyptian Geese!

I am pretty sure these may be the only ones in Devon. I have only ever seen one and that was on the canal a few years ago. Very wild! ;)

Gonna look up Boshill Cross on the map now.

Not quite fit yet but the appetite is back.

Isn't there an albino Egyptian Goose knocking around Devon somewhere?. Roger

[Steve Waite]

Isn't there an albino Egyptian Goose knocking around Devon somewhere?. Roger

That might be the one we had visit us for two springs in a row, maybe 2001 and 2002, or something like that. An Egyptian Goose with a white head!! Quite a weird looking thing.....well they are anyway aren't they...

Haven't finsihed birding today so I will update later, but as things stand it won't be an exciting one!!!

[Phil Abbott]

I managed to catch up with the Egyptian Geese today also i had an hour sea watching between 4 and 5 this afternoon ,2 manxies west,also 1 Gannet/B],[B]2 red throats, Thats 141 species recorded on our patch this year 132 for me.

[Phil Abbott]

hey steve 3 good ducks at Exminster now, American wigeon, Garganey,and ruddy duck,any one of those would do.

[Andrew]

I remembered I had seen three Egyptian Geese at Stoke Gabriel Mill Pond near Dartmouth. So I checked my records and that was in 2003. Apparently according to the Devon Bird Reports, these geese are frequent here and along the Dart estuary.

[Steve Waite]

So what did I see today....

Started the day at Beer Head, I ignored the windy part so stomped around the sheltered east section, fairly quite, but three singing male Blackcaps were nice to see/hear. Only other interest was three Meadow Pipits in off.

I looked over the flooded valley on four seperate occasions today, and saw nothing special on any of them - just the three Egyptian Geese. Infact the only other birds I saw of note at all today were 2 Swallows at Kilmington hawking along the Railway bank.

[Gavin Haig]

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!

Just finishing off me salmon fillet and salad when the mobile goes off. Tsk! Who's this then? Pause the video. It's Steve - sounding slightly panicky - "James has just had an Alpine Swift over the football ground!" What??!! Out of the door like a shot - even Sandra comes for this one - James is phoning as we go - it headed for the town. Drive slowly through town........LOOK! LOOK! There it is!! Pull in to car park, jump out, and...hang on a sec...there's TWO!! Phone the others......Phil gets one from the clocktower......Steve's not seen one yet...........then eventually Phil tracks them down - they're circling Fosseway Court, a block of flats down by the seafront......off we go - and there they are. Rela-a-a-a-x.

Absolutely amazing. Swooping low over the heads of oblivious Co-op shoppers and a handful of raving birders were two very stunning Alpine Swifts.

After a while they seemed to vanish, even though one, particularly, seemed to be trying to roost on the flats. We waited. Nothing. Eventually, chilled through in the biting wind (no coats grabbed in the hasty exit) Sandra and I left. But Steve phoned a little later to say that at least one had roosted on the flats. Excellent. Hope to see it again before breakfast tomorrow.

When I started this patch report I said something like "There were some exciting moments last year, and hopefully there would be some more" Erm....what can I say? Phil mentioned that it would be nice if we got a Night Heron in this influx.....we got one - he found it! Andrew mentioned that we should look out for Alpine Swift.....we got TWO! Would someone like to suggest some more stonking goodies please??!!

And so - to the mundane, average, patch-type stuff.....
The 3 Egyptian Geese are still up near Boshill Cross, and seawatching this morning and this evening produced a combined total of 15 Gannets, 10 Common Scoter, 24 Kittiwakes, 8 Sandwich Terns, 16 Manxies, 1 RTD and 12 Razorbills. A big highlight for me this morning was a gang of 7 Pale-bellied Brents W at 07:15, really close. My first Pale-bellieds here, but totally eclipsed by this evening's mayhem..............

[Andrew]

Hope they show in the morning. Thankfully a friend came to my rescue with an offer of an earlier lift.

Now go and find that Purple Heron! ;)

[James McCarthy]

That sums it up for me...mental! I still havent had a chance to apologise ot my elderly neighbor who I was helping dump his grass cuttings in the skip when I saw the swift first....I think I muttered 'Ive got to go now' and legged it to the house to get my bins....better knock on his door in the morning.
Hope to see you lot again soon!
James

[Phil Abbott]

I spent approx 5 hours in the field today looking for migrants, seawatching twice, all the view points along the river twice, apart from 1 willow warbler nothing new, then while at home steve phones to say James has just had an Alpine swift over seaton Football club,30 seconds later im there,no sign, last seen heading for the town.gav and i head for the town within minutes we have not 1 but 2 alpine swifts giving crippling views and trying to roost ,after about 20 minutes one went missing probably roosted the second then roosted behind a vent on fosseway flats. see you all 2morrow

[Steve Waite]

Another quiet day, well for me anyway.... I went to work this morning feeling incredibly gripped.

Anyway after work I spent all my birding time along the river and at Seaton Marshes. The highlights were the three Egyptian Geese still, a good count of 27 Little Egret (all south of A3052) and 4 Sand Martin over Lower Bruckland Ponds.

It was good (and surprising) to see a Hummingbird Hawkmoth briefly in my front garden, the warm sunshine must have been too tempting for it.

It was at this point that everything changed

I had written this much when my mobile rang at 19:23 and I heard the words “Alpine Swift” and “football ground”. After some mad driving and several phone calls I was watching TWO Alpine Swifts flying low around a block of flats behind Rainbow (a shop in town). I can honestly say it’s the best birding sight I’ve seen in this area ever. Genuinely unbelievable. After several minutes of simply amazing views of the birds virtually flying around out heads, and seeing a few attempts from them to land on the side of the flats, they disappeared. After about five to ten minutes one returned and did indeed roost on the side of the flats. I was there until 20:00.

It’s now 22:30, and I still can’t believe what I’ve seen!!!!!! Surreal is the word!!!

[Phil Abbott]

Well what can you say, i spent nearly 3 hours this morning waiting for the Alpine swift to leave the roost,which it did closely followed by a second,both birds quickly disappeared a bit of an anti climax really after the previous evenings performance.Later on steve and i had a drive round checking out the local hotspots looking for migrants or hoping to catch up with the Swifts,Bruckland ponds was our last stop,as i walked over the bridge and into the field i looked up ,not 1 not 2 but THREE Alpine swifts hawking over the pond where they stayed for most of the day.And then once again this evening all 3 birds flying around fosseway flats trying to roost .Brilliant(WHATS NEXT)

[Andrew]

(WHATS NEXT)
I told you, Purple Heron on Wednesday! ;)

[Gavin Haig]

After having to leave this morning before they got out of bed, spent a swiftless day due to other commitments. Ridiculously, started to feel a bit gripped when I heard there were three!!

This evening, however, absolutely crippling views! Over the main car park, initially, then over the Co-op car park and round the Fosseway Court flats. After several attempts 2 of them managed to go to roost here, but the other one gave up trying and mooched off to try elsewhere.........

Still finding it hard to grasp that I've been watching 3 Alpine Swifts over the town where I live - over the very Co-op that fills my occasional Rioja prescription.

Think some good pics may have been had today - if any BFers took some, please post one or two here. Didn't hear of lots else being seen - certainly the 3 Egyptian Geese and quite a few hirundines, but again, if you saw anything on our patch today, please post........cheers.

Nice to see you again Andrew, and all the other friendly faces - hope you had a good day. Long may it continue.......you lot having to come here I mean! ;)

[Steve Waite]

As Phil has said, absolutly superb views of the THREE Alpine Swifts both at Lower Bruckland, but especially in town. They even started to call - an almost wader-like noise. Sensational. Two birds went to roost on the same flats as last night but the other disappeared elsewhere.

Spent many hours out today, alot more hirundines about. Several small flocks along the river, I would say I've seen c80 - 100 Sand Martin and c50 Swallow. Other summer migrants were two Wheatears at Seaton Marshes, singing Willow Warblers and Axmouth and at Lower Bruckland and plenty of singing Chiffchaffs. Whilst waiting for the Swifts to come out of roost this morning a few birds were moving west; 11 Wood Pigeon, 1 Rook and 2 Chaffinches as well as at least 2 Peregrines going backwards and forwards.

The only other birds of note were the 3 Egyptian Geese, performing well today for visiting birders.

The two pics attached; Jeremy McClements got the flight shot and the pic of it against the wall is mine, taken this evening.

[Ian.B]

Thanks to all the Seaton boys,
my first ever alpine Swift.
Standing in a cold and windy shop doorway was worth the long wait in the end although views were only brief, we should have hung around for a little longer, instead of dashing off to Plymouth for the Black Winged Stilt.

Ian

[James McCarthy]

Just to add to various posts...male Blackcap singing by the sewage plant, plenty of Sandy Terns offshore and try as I could, a female kestrel coming in off the sea at about 4, flying into seaton Hole....started with Hobby, the Cuckoo but had to settle for a Kestrel :-)
Can't believe also how many times in a day I see Peregrine & Sparrowhawk here - you guys should go live in Kent for a couple of weeks (or years).
James

[Phil Abbott]

It was nice to fit a few faces to names Andrew and Ian B ,we hope to see you up here next week for something else. Also dont those torquay boys travel well, thats 5 times up here this year and its only april.

[Andrew]

On my way back to Seaton later to see the swifts again and try and nail those Egyptian Geese for once and all.

A few other target birds along the way too such as Darties at Aylesbeare.

[Steve Waite]

A good morning for vis mig. Started the day with Gavin on Beer Head till 08:00, grounded migrants here included 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps. Then to Seaton Marshes where there were 3+ Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap. I finished my birding morning stood on the seafront counting birds flying west.

These were the totals from counting from three different locations (Beer Head, Seaton Marshes and Seafront), all west unless stated: 3 Grey Heron (2 in/off, 1 east at sea), 5 Shelduck (in/off), 226 Wood Pigeon, 2 Stock Dove, 37 Rook, 4 Jackdaw, 2 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipits, 1 White Wagtail (flew low over seafront, looked like a male, my first of the year), 2 Pied Wagtail, 18 Linnet, 1 Greenfinch and 1 Chaffinch. Really enjoyable stuff. Also 1 Common Scoter flew west at sea with c20 sat around.

Oh and the Alpine Swifts are still around.

I predict a decent large raptor by the end of the day, either a Kite or an Osprey. But will it slip through undetected.... We will see....

[Steve Waite]

a female kestrel coming in off the sea at about 4, flying into seaton Hole....started with Hobby, then Cuckoo but had to settle for a Kestrel :-)
How about Lesser Kes? :-O

[Larry Wheatland]

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!

Just finishing off me salmon fillet and salad when the mobile goes off. Tsk! Who's this then? Pause the video. It's Steve - sounding slightly panicky - "James has just had an Alpine Swift over the football ground!" What??!! Out of the door like a shot - even Sandra comes for this one - James is phoning as we go - it headed for the town. Drive slowly through town........LOOK! LOOK! There it is!! Pull in to car park, jump out, and...hang on a sec...there's TWO!! Phone the others......Phil gets one from the clocktower......Steve's not seen one yet...........then eventually Phil tracks them down - they're circling Fosseway Court, a block of flats down by the seafront......off we go - and there they are. Rela-a-a-a-x.

Absolutely amazing. Swooping low over the heads of oblivious Co-op shoppers and a handful of raving birders were two very stunning Alpine Swifts.

After a while they seemed to vanish, even though one, particularly, seemed to be trying to roost on the flats. We waited. Nothing. Eventually, chilled through in the biting wind (no coats grabbed in the hasty exit) Sandra and I left. But Steve phoned a little later to say that at least one had roosted on the flats. Excellent. Hope to see it again before breakfast tomorrow.

When I started this patch report I said something like "There were some exciting moments last year, and hopefully there would be some more" Erm....what can I say? Phil mentioned that it would be nice if we got a Night Heron in this influx.....we got one - he found it! Andrew mentioned that we should look out for Alpine Swift.....we got TWO! Would someone like to suggest some more stonking goodies please??!!

And so - to the mundane, average, patch-type stuff.....
The 3 Egyptian Geese are still up near Boshill Cross, and seawatching this morning and this evening produced a combined total of 15 Gannets, 10 Common Scoter, 24 Kittiwakes, 8 Sandwich Terns, 16 Manxies, 1 RTD and 12 Razorbills. A big highlight for me this morning was a gang of 7 Pale-bellied Brents W at 07:15, really close. My first Pale-bellieds here, but totally eclipsed by this evening's mayhem..............


Now this is just getting silly

[Ranger James]

A few other target birds along the way too such as Darties at Aylesbeare.

Forget Aylesbere Andrew - get yourself up to Fire Beacon Hill for darties, you can actually see them up there!

Hoping the swifts will stick for a little longer - I'm stuck in the west of the district today!

James

[James McCarthy]

Having seen the swifts from the car while driving the kids to a doctor's appoint ment in Axeminster (!) & being a bit shy of crowds I veered away from staying at the Co-op this evening to have Seaton Marshes all to myself for 30 mins...nothing remarkable there but lovely singing swallows (15+) and plenty of Chiffs & a couple of Willow Warblers flycatching... nothing new in but its only a matter of days now before the flood starts - I'm away from Thursday for 2 weeks so I guess it will start Thurs lunchtime :-)
James

[Gavin Haig]

I predict a decent large raptor by the end of the day, either a Kite or an Osprey. But will it slip through undetected.......
2 Red Kites and an Osprey........................slipped through undetected, unfortunately.

The 3 Alpine Swifts showed brilliantly (best yet) this morning at Lower Bruckland Ponds - treetop height and glorious sunshine - magic! They came in to roost in the town again this evening, 2 getting behind their favourite duct very quickly. The third one kept trying, and after several 'oohs' and 'aahs' at its near misses, a cheer went up from the appreciative crowd when it finally wedged itself in. All over by about 19:35.........

Other stuff this evening comprised 1 Wheatear, 1 Willow Warbler and 80 Shelduck at Colyford Common, and a House Martin over the estuary. Lastly a Water Rail 'singing' at dusk, from the 'Farm Gate' viewpoint.

Andrew texted that the 3 Egyptian Geese were still present too.

[Andrew]

Went to Lower Bruckland right away and found at least two of the three Alpine Swifts. Classic views, really low and fast. All the features easily seen as opposed to yesterday morning's panic induced viewing.

Found the three Egyptian Geese just north of the large bridge on the A3052 (I think that's the number).

A look at Seaton Marshes found at least two Willow Warblers feeding with one more at the Borrow Pit but sadly no Garganey. A local said he had a sum plum Med Gull on the deep water scrape but I saw none, shame.

Now guys, have a rest so I can visit a different part of Devon. ;)

[Gavin Haig]

Now guys, have a rest so I can visit a different part of Devon. ;)
Sorry Andrew - might as well just move here!


Thanks to all the Seaton boys, my first ever Alpine Swift
You're very welcome, Ian. Quite a few have ticked Alpine Swift in the last couple of days, I think, and it's been great to see so many satisfied 'customers' heading off after cracking views. Some classy pics appearing on Surfbirds now, for which I, in turn, say 'Thanks' as they find their way into my 'Local Birds' folder. When the crowd cheered as the birds went to roost tonight it kind of summed up the whole event..........

[Gavin Haig]

Steve and I thought it might be clever to check the sea off Branscombe first thing - nothing! The estuary? Sleeping Sandwich Tern the highlight. Not much anywhere it seemed.......

Later in the morning Steve's dad phoned to say that plenty of Chiffs and Willows were moving through Seaton Marshes. Decided to take extended lunch break up Beer Head. Good decision - 11 Chiffs, 10 Willow Warblers, 5 Wheatears, 2 Blackcaps, 11 Rock Pipits, plus 23 Meadow Pipits over. Best by far, though, was a cracking male Redstart - a real dazzler. Managed not to flush it, so spent ten minutes or so soaking it up. Brilliant. Year list up to 136 now.

Popped in briefly to Branscombe to look for a Firecrest Ian McLean saw earlier. No joy, but several more Chiffs and Willows.

Finally, the Axe Cliff Scoter flock is down to 18. Nothing else of note here.

[larusargentatus]

Sorry Andrew - might as well just move here!



You're very welcome, Ian. Quite a few have ticked Alpine Swift in the last couple of days, I think, and it's been great to see so many satisfied 'customers' heading off after cracking views. Some classy pics appearing on Surfbirds now, for which I, in turn, say 'Thanks' as they find their way into my 'Local Birds' folder. When the crowd cheered as the birds went to roost tonight it kind of summed up the whole event..........

Hi Gav,
Much as I'd like to pay you a visit and tick off alpine swift, logistics at the moment ensure that you won't have to look at my ugly face until you find something REALLY rare, though at your present rate, that might be in the next 2-3 days!
Not much in the way of london news to keep you awake, but I'd better let you know that when there is, you'll know about it!!!!
Later........
Paul

[Andrew]

Who got the Beer Osprey then? My betting's on Phil! 15-1

[Gavin Haig]

Who got the Beer Osprey then? My betting's on Phil! 15-1
It was that MEGA-jammy Steve!!!! Went up to look for the Redstart....blah....blah....hopefully he'll post the gory details later

The only consolation was that as I frantically scanned the sky from town in the last few minutes available before going out this evening, I managed to put 3 Alpine Swifts on the day-list as they headed off to bed.

[Steve Waite]

Wow what an evening!!!

Before work I went around with Gav (Branscombe, river, Seaton Marshes) - waste of time, highlight being a Sandwich Tern on the river from Coronation Corner.

Went to work at half 8, by which time the Alpine Swifts had still not woken up yet, but from the back yard of Co-op, minutes after I had started (about 08:33) I noticed one of the Swifts flying about overhead - it's just so weird seeing these birds as part of my everyday life!!!

In my hour lunch break I looked along the river, and briefly at both marshes - but very little (3 Egyptian Geese still), and I was feeling highly gripped by Gavin's Redstart.

When the clock ticked 5:30 I jumped into my car and straight up to Beer Head. What a smart move. The first patch of bushes I arrived at, Redstart! I caught sight of it as it flicked over away from me, so amazingly it was still here (if it was the same one), but the worst view ever, I wanted better! I stomped around the immediate area gagging to see it properly but I was stopped in my tracks when I could hear the local Gulls making a bit of a fuss. I looked up, and with my naked eye I could see a large dark bird in the middle of the screaming flock of Gulls, I put my bins to my eyes…..a raptor, with white head (it turned a bit)…OSPREY! At first it was low (below me - at clifftop height) but it circled up and up, went west a bit, then back east, but kept gaining height (my guess is that it had just flown in low over the sea, hit dry land and wanted to gain height, makes sense). I got a super 5 minutes show from this bird as it circled over the headland with a few Gulls. So which way did it go?.....Don’t ask me! As the Osprey was circling and as I was making phone calls, I caught sight of a movement along a nearby hedgerow, the Redstart, and indeed a stonking male! I spent too long indulging on the beauty of him, so when I looked up in the skies again, the Osprey was no more.

Well apart from these two stunners, there was a lot less around from what Gav saw earlier, just two each of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Wheatear.

I hear all three Swifts roosted again tonight, when will it become four?

[Jos Stratford]

Great thread, just keeps getting better down there. Ha ha ha, how far is Hastings? ;)

[JWN Andrewes]

Hi chaps!

Been enjoying this thread muchly since it started, but never realised how soon I'd be tempted down to pay the area a visit! Looks like my first distance twitch of the year will be down your way tomorrow morning. (So long as the Swifts go to roost tonight, that is!) I see Steve mentioned they'd not surfaced till around half eight this morning - is that the norm, or has it varied much? Looking forward to checking out the delights of the Seaton environs! Maybe even see one of you out and about!

Keep up the good work.

James

[Andrew]

They seem to be late risers cos the sun does not hit their roosting spot first thing so it takes a while to warm up. Do you think that too guys?

[James McCarthy]

Sorry Gavin but may not be able to contribute much to Beer Head's observations this year....scored pretty low on my baby index - 1 out of 10 for strollers & 1 out of 10 for walking (Michael kept on rolling down the hill poor bloke)...however do agree its a magic place....just have to wait till he is 2+.
Bit bright this am (9-10) - 3 Blackcaps, 1 Willow warbler & 1 Chiff...wonderful views of the Peregrines & the only surprise....a Redwing. Possibly heard a snatch of Whitethoat song but only the once.
See you all in 2 weeks
James

ps. also for Gavin, regarding your comment of March 23rd..."a double figure LBB Gull count is always notable, so 162 was jaw-dropping. Almost all adults, and the vast majority of these was very dark-mantled, only a teeny bit paler than GBB Gull. There were some obvious British graellsii, but all the rest really looked like Scandinavian intermedius. Now, in Devon intermedius is an A-list rarity, full description etc...not often you get well over a hundred birds at the same time all requiring a full description. Hmmm.....not too realistic, methinks."

I saw this in the Thanet (Kent) blog the other day...

Monday 3rd April 2006 Pegwell Bay
" and I was interested to note that the majority of Lesser Black-backed Gulls present were of the race "intermedius". there wasn't a count beside this but there are usuually pretty good numbers there.

[Gavin Haig]

Ha ha ha, how far is Hastings? ;)
Good one!! 3:-) Far enough that we seem to have got away with it!! ;)

Fairly quiet day.........40min up Beer Head from dawn produced just 2 Blackcaps, a Stonechat and 2 Siskin over. Lunchtime at Seaton Marshes - 1 very handsome White Wag plus a very few Swallows and Sand Martins going straight through. The 3 Alpine Swifts were safely tucked in at Fosseway Court flats by about 19:15.....come on down, James!

What am I talking about - 'Fairly quiet day'?? 3 Alpine swifts is quiet??


Hi chaps!

Been enjoying this thread muchly since it started, but never realised how soon I'd be tempted down to pay the area a visit! Looks like my first distance twitch of the year will be down your way tomorrow morning. (So long as the Swifts go to roost tonight, that is!) I see Steve mentioned they'd not surfaced till around half eight this morning - is that the norm, or has it varied much? Looking forward to checking out the delights of the Seaton environs! Maybe even see one of you out and about!

Keep up the good work.

James
Cheers James......Sunday morning they didn't come out till 08:55, so if you're here before 8 you should be safe to see them come out - if it was me I'd bring a flask, get here early and make sure! Then get yourself up to Lower Bruckland Ponds, where they will hopefully give some cracking views low down, before they drift upwards and southwards.

I probably won't be around much tomorrow but can be ID'd from following field marks - 6'3", startlingly good looking, Zeiss 10x40 BGA bins with thin red strap. Steve can be clinched from the several pairs of eyes in the back of his head, and Phil is easy - breaks into broad grin whenever he spots one of the Torquay boys on our patch!

Have a great day.

[Steve Waite]

Well my day envolved too much work and nowhere near enough birding. Had 40 minutes down Seaton Marshes late morning where there was a cracking male White Wagtail amongst the Pieds, 2 Willows, 2 Chiffs, several Sand Martins and Swallows and the wintering Common Sandpiper. Also managed a bit of time out mid afternoon, highlights being the three Alpine Swifts and a House Martin with a few Sand Marts and Swallows over Boshill Cross and 4 Blackcap (2 of each sex) in Axmouth. Oh nearly forgot, saw my first Brimestone of the year today.

Hopefully tomorrow will be more productive....

[Ranger James]

I'm headed out to Seaton now, so get the red kite ready for a crippling view from Seaton heights Steve. I need cheering up - I have meetings untill 10 tonight and its been the best weather of the year so far. hurumph. can't complain as I spent all day yesterday birding and saw bearded tit at Radipole. Nice.
Jim

[Gavin Haig]

The dreaded 'work' today.......though I did manage to see 1, maybe 2 Alpine Swifts this morning as they arrived at Lower Bruckland Ponds. Sadly not the low-flying trick-show they put on earlier in the week, and not all 3 together either.......around 30 Sand Martins and 1 or 2 Swallows there also. Steve let me know they all went to roost again tonight.......good.

So, 3 messages for 3 James'......

James McC - thanks for note re intermedius LBB - bet they're more regular in Devon than their 'A' list rarity status suggests - well, maybe East Devon?

James, aka 'Ranger James' - hope you got the Swifts OK. I know the feeling when work is keeping you from the birds (honest!).

James, aka 'JWN Andrewes' - good to meet you this morning (another one for my diminutive BF200 list) - hope you had a great day. And all the best for your forthcoming 'Great Adventure'!!!! ;)

The grapevine has it that the swifts enjoyed the company of LGRE this evening.............if you read this, Lee, sorry I missed you - it's been a while.

Finally, I see the Plymouth (presumably?) Black-winged Stilt has got to Thurlestone, which, of course, is a step in the right direction. The way things are going it will not only eventually get to Seaton, but will bring a friend!

[Steve Waite]

Well I managed two trips out to Beer Head today, early morning pure birding, and late afternoon, showing my girlfriend all the 'cute lambs!'!!! Little on both visits, 2 Willow Warblers (morning but not afternoon), 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Blackcap the best.

When I went to work at 9 the Swifts were still tucked up, but had superb views this evening just before they went up to roost, while eating cod and chips too.... 3:-)

A few laps of the river and Seaton Marshes were rather blank, just the odd Swallow and Sand Martin.

[JWN Andrewes]

Cheers Gavin, good to meet you too. We popped down to the bridge after Lower Bruckland Ponds and saw those Egyptian Geese I've been reading all about. Good looking patch, I have to say. Great Adventure approaching at a rate of knots - eight weeks on Saturday! Followed by a fortnight in Kenya which is not (and I quote) "a bloody birding holiday". We'll see. (After all, I mean Kenya - what else is there to do!!)

Thanks againto to you and all your co-patchers for finding the birds and then keeping the gen coming.

James

[Steve Waite]

Beer Head again this morning with Gav. Well worth the effort!!! Between 07:00 - 08:30 we logged 2 Wheatear, a cracking male Redstart (my Dad had a second one later), 6 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest and at least 20 Willow Warblers (hard to count accuratly!), including one acredula-type, we had it side by side with a 'standard' Will, jaw droppingly different, whole bird just a pale washed out grey, the brightest part of it being it's legs!

After this a look on Seaton Marshes produced just 6+ each of Willows and Chiffs, little else.

While driving to Sidmouth I had a call from Gav about an Axe rarity. So a few hours later I took a look at it on the river, a Turnstone with 3 Ringed Plover. To most people it's just a Turnstone, but to us....IT'S A TURNSTONE!!!!! I'm sure Gav with explain the rarity value of it later.

Off to work now till ten, so that's my birding for today done, but role on the weekend.

[Jos Stratford]

BTo most people it's just a Turnstone, but to us....IT'S A TURNSTONE!!!!! I'm sure Gav with explain the rarity value of it later.
.


With you there Steve - get little flocks of Red-necked Phalaropes most springs and sometimes autumn, get quite a few Marsh Sandpipers, even Broad-billed Sandpipers outnumber them ...a Turnstone is a good bird on my patch too (mind you I am 300 km from the coast). Think I saw just one last year. Wouldn't mind your Alpine Swifts though ...reckon you've had them long enough now, send 'em over, ta.

[Gavin Haig]

...IT'S A TURNSTONE!!!!! I'm sure Gav with explain the rarity value of it later.
My 2005 year list has a blank space next to Turnstone. In my 3+ years here I've seen more Alpine Swifts than Turnstones, so definitely an Axe rarity! Thanks to a text from Ian McLean, no blank space this year.

Beer Head this morning was well worth the effort, as Steve mentioned, and a late lunch break there added 15 Rock Pipits, plus a few Swallows straight through. Later in the afternoon a quick look at Colyford Common produced another male Redstart - excellent - plus the news that the new boardwalk and viewpoint should be open by the end of next week, hopefully.

Butterfly list gained a couple - Painted Lady today at Beer head and Comma yesterday at Seaton Marshes.

[Phil Abbott]

Another weeks gone by ,now the weekends here hopefully get some birding in.caught up with the Turnstone i think thats my second one here ever,as the others said, a real axe rare,nice one Ian thanks for the call.collectivly theres been 3 new species this week ,osprey,redstart,turnstone.That brings the total up to 145

[Andrew]

Anyone know of the late report of the Osprey today?

Saw the Swifts for the third time this morning. Much better views as they left the roost compared to last time. They woke up late at 915am though. Still got a thrill out of them, cracking birds.

Could not find the Egyptian Geese for my mate though.

[Steve Waite]

Think it was two years ago when I had a flock of 6 Turnstone on the river, a bumper Turnstone autumn, but except for that...just todays bird.

Had a quick twenty minutes between shifts, the 3 Swifts were zooming around low over town at 18:30, and at Seaton Marshes, a single White Wagtail, and among the good numbers of Swallows and Sand Martins, one House Martin.

[Paul Hackett]

Think it was two years ago when I had a flock of 6 Turnstone on the river, a bumper Turnstone autumn, but except for that...just todays bird.

Had a quick twenty minutes between shifts, the 3 Swifts were zooming around low over town at 18:30, and at Seaton Marshes, a single White Wagtail, and among the good numbers of Swallows and Sand Martins, one House Martin.

Steve

Did anybody see the birds go to roost tonight?

i was planning to do a video diary for Birdforum tomorrow morning?

Rgds

Paul

[Gavin Haig]

Ever played this game? As you walk up to some familiar spot on your patch you say to your mate (or yourself) "I can just imagine a [insert fantasy bird] right here....." As I wandered about Beer Head this afternoon, aware there was a Subalpine Warbler at Christchurch, I could clearly see exactly where the Subalp would be found. Just along the coast, almost close enough to scope, lies Portland. They've had a few Subalps - I've seen one there - so, not too outrageous then? The thing is, 'cos we've had such an awesome spring you get the feeling that one or two of these little fantasies will actually come true. I mean, really! The confidence boost that comes from having a very greedy birder's share of pukka rares turn up on your patch is incredible.........and it makes you look harder.

Climbs onto soap box.......What do you think - could it be that living in the pager/instant info age means that loads of potentially terrific little local patches just lie neglected? Don't get me wrong - I know I'm spoiled, living on the S coast, but (for example) between Portland and the Exe, how much of this coast gets a severe looking at? Not much, I'll bet. There must be stacks of great little migrant traps just waiting to be found. The buzz of patch birding is second to none.........guess I'm mostly preaching to the converted here, but if not - try it. Nothing beats finding a rare on your own patch, and....'if you work it, they will come'....guaranteed! Right - off me soap box now - sorry about that.

Portland......hmmm.....many's the time I've gazed wistfully across at it from Beer Head, thinking how they've got this and that, and we've got zip. Mr. Cade chuckling smugly as he fills in the bulging log.......215 Wrynecks, 86 Barred Warblers...... But today we've got 3 Alpine Swifts and they've got (nearly) zip - we've even got more Redstarts!!! 3:-)

OK - going by my previous excursions into fun-poking, that's a surefire way to ensure Portland gets a fall of Black-eared Wheatears and we get a total clearout and nothing else new this year......

Talking of 'new this year' - already seen 8 species I didn't see last year - amazing.

Finally......Dan - hope you came, saw and listed!

Edit: Andrew - the Osprey was apparently seen by one of the tram drivers - no other observers that I know of..........

Paul - just seen your post - can't answer for sure, but if they were over the town at 18:30 they probably roosted.

[Ranger James]

A little muggy this morning, typing from the hairdressers - wonders of modern thinternet.

Had a great afternoon yesterday on Beer Head, nice fulmar playing on the updrafts, and nearly got my head knocked off by a peregrine flying low over the crest of the hill before dropping off the edge of the cliff. Hedges were full of blackcaps, but sadly I didn't catch up with a redstart.

I have a funny feeling I'm not getting the best from this spot, so Gav, could you provide some advice on which routes you take over beer head? Do you skirt the cliff edge path, or do you meander further back from the edge? When's the best time of day for the head?

Nice to catch up with the swifts before going to my final meeting of the day on thursday, they are pulling a great mixed crowd of birders and shoppers, what a fantastic bird for non-binocular wearers!

Black winged stilt on colyford common yet? Can't be long!
See you all about chaps.
James

[dan pointon]

[QUOTE=Gavin Haig]
Finally......Dan - hope you came, saw and listed!
[QUOTE]

Nope didn't manage it due to a technical failure (car screwed up) from the person I was getting a lift with :eek!:

Ah well, there'll be more....just hold on to the ones you've got I might get another chance yet!

Keep the thread going lads, really good read! :hippy:

Cheers

[Phil Abbott]

Went to beer head this morning very quiet,2 willow warblers.willow warblers :seaton marshes 1 ,coly ford common 10+ also jammed into a tree pipit at colyford calling then landed in the same area as last year,Gav later refound yesterdays Redstart which i saw(at last).Stacks of Hirrundines around the upper Axe at kilmington this evening, still no House martin for me yet.At lunch took steve to a different area at beer which looks good,nothing today but after about 5 mins of us getting there a Badger came charging down the track straight for us then veered off and disappeared,i looked at steve who was in the early stages of panic and he tried to convince me it was a rogue male which had been kicked out of a sett and was a bit grumpy. which is probably true,but maneater i dont think so.

[Gavin Haig]

A bitty day - pretty much a blank at Beer Head first thing; a quick look off the seafront at 07:55 produced 1 RTD and 1 GC Grebe on the sea and 8 Gannets E; one Ringed Plover on the estuary.

Mid-afternoon the Redstart showed well at Colyford Common, though it was a bit flighty, then off to Lower Bruckland Ponds for a good dose of Alpine Swift - all 3 together again (also visible looking N from A3052). Next, went and checked out a tasty little valley that runs E out of Axmouth - although it didn't produce much this afternoon, I'm sure it will.....watch this space.

Finally, a half hour seawatch this evening was just about saved from total direness by 2 Manxies E. At !8:30 I casually ambled along to get some chips and watch the swifts come in to roost, only to find they already had! Getting up later and going to bed earlier - it's the sea air, you know..........

Beer Head - James, you'll get the most out of it by wandering everywhere! The cliffs, undercliff (viewed from the top!), hedges, fields, scrub and trees can all produce, from the car park right over to the top slopes of Branscombe. How much I do depends on how much time I've got (not alot, usually) and how much is jumping out of the bushes! On a really good day you could easily spend 3 hours and still feel like you've missed stuff. On a bad day, 30 min is too much! One of these days I'll get round to doing a proper map of it, with a little site guide or something.........we'll see......
Almost forgot - time of day - early morning seems best (especially in autumn, right from first light) though it seems likely that in spring birds may take a little while to filter up onto the top. That said, on Tuesday Steve goes up 17:00 and gets Osprey, and the Redstart waits for him too - but we don't all have a jammy streak running form head to toe!

Dan - grim! They seem to like it here, though - polish up your blagging technique.....

Steve - take no notice of Phil's mickey-taking. I know exactly how you felt. When that Weasel scuttled past the van the other day, just feet away, with its teeth bared, I was so glad the door was shut tight....... 3:-)

[Steve Waite]

Hahaha....Re: the badger comments.....You can't deny it Phil, you were on the edge of panicing too....death by badger wouldn't be a nice way to go....

This is my update for yesterday..........

And that was it, very few birds at all!!! 3:-)

Beer Head first thing only produced 3 Willow Warblers and 47 Wood Pigeons west.

The three Egyptian Geese were still viewable from the A3052. Butterflies were the highlight of the day, with three new ones for the year for me, a Red Admiral, a Comma and a Green-veined White, all at Colyford Common, takes me up to 7.

Todays post will be up later, so far it's been a good day

[Steve Waite]

So now for today.

Started the morning with a lie in for a change - and then Beer Head, 08:35 - 10:00. Very enjoyable. Vis mig produced only a Shelduck, 16 Wood Pigeon and a Pied Wagtail , all west, but grounded birds included a cracking male Redstart (the 5th of the year for us, not bad seeing that we only had 6 all last year!), 9 Willow Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs and 6 Blackcaps.

For the remainder of the day I concentrated on the river and both marshes. A Dunlin (the first for a while, a nice summer plumaged bird) was on the river and Seaton Marshes had good numbers of Willow Warblers, with lesser numbers of Chiffchaffs. Apart from this the 3 Egyptian Geese still and the Alpine Swifts were hawking over Lower Bruckland when I called in to see them. Swallows and Sand Martins are pretty much everywhere now.

[Gavin Haig]

Tied up with other commitments most of the day, but managed to be in town by 18:20 to see the Alpine Swifts. Again, I'd missed it - all 3 were in bed already! Apparently the first one was tucked in by about 17:30......what a bunch of wimps......they'll be wanting Ovaltine next.

From there I went up Beer Head for an hour, and had it completely to myself. The evening sun picked out a rainbow hanging from a cloud over the bay. Portland was crystal clear in the distance. What a beautiful place to be on a spring evening, I thought.........2 Willow Warblers and a Swallow agreed with me. I was so blown away by the view that I didn't even care that there were hardly any birds.........I will if it happens too often, though!!

These swifts seem pretty setlled in their routine, so will hopefully stay a while longer - tomorrow will be their 10th day. My first Alpine Swift (Wraysbury GP in 1983) stayed at least 17 days!! Coincidentally, that bird was preceded by a Night Heron too. The Staines/Wraysbury area in W.London was my chosen patch back then, and worked with youthful enthusiasm. I'd very much like to think the coincidental sequence of rarities will continue, 'cos later that spring we had a male Kentish Plover, female Red-necked Phalarope and Collared Pratincole at Staines Res!!!!!! Too much to hope for??

[Ranger James]

Thanks for the tips Gav - I shall keep checking out beer head and see what turns up for me.
Cheers
james

[Gavin Haig]

Thanks for the tips Gav - I shall keep checking out beer head and see what turns up for me.
Cheers
james
I'm sure something will turn up for you, James. Which reminds me - if anything does, do you have a contact number? If not, let me know and I'll PM you my mobile. After all, 'Quality Birds are made for sharing'!!

Very, very little birding today - a quick look at the river early this morning produced 3 Ringed Plover. The rest of the day was spent working at home. Around 16:40, text from Steve - 'Spoonbill!!' Nipped rapidly down to Seaton Marshes just in time to see it heading away W, pretty high. Glad I've already seen one (maybe 2) this year, 'cos views weren't very.....erm.....tickable!!

A swiftless day for me - how will I cope?

[Steve Waite]

Started the day at Beer Head, the chilly north easterly wind ensured migrants were at a low. A male Redstart was the highlight, but probably a lingering bird from a previous day, although a male Stonechat was the first I’ve seen here for a while. 1 Meadow Pipit and 3 Linnets braved the headwind and came in off the sea. Westerly passage (over here and over town up till 08:30) included 8 Stock Dove (one flock of 7) and 6 Wood Pigeon.

After work I was out and about this afternoon. Stomping around north of Coronation Corner was fairly unproductive, except for a superb show as one of the Alpine Swifts became the focus of a Peregrines attention. The Peregrine was chasing it for about three minutes, up and down. But the Swift was saved when another Peregrine came loafing past, attracting the attention of the Swifts attacker. A great show and a lucky escape! On the river were three Ringed Plover, encouraging to see wader more passage underway.

After a look at Colyford and over the river valley (the three Egyptian Geese still present, got these pics earlier in the day) I went to Seaton Marshes. Soon after my arrival, at 16:40, in flew a Spoonbill, it appeared in front of me, circling, and getting lower with each lap, I was sure it was soon to land, but no, it started gaining height again, rapidly too. After five minutes of it circling the marshes, at varying heights, it headed, a bit like a bullet, west. I’m sure it will be on the Exe by the morning. It looked to be an adult bird (yellow throat, dark bill with yellow tip, no black on wing tip), but it did show a distinct grey wash on the upper wing coverts. Don’t know if that means anything? Anyway, a nice bit of excitement, and a pleasing find.

[Steve Waite]

The Peregrine was chasing it for about three minutes, up and down. But the Swift was saved when another Peregrine came loafing past, attracting the attention of the Swifts attacker. A great show and a lucky escape!

I've just found out only two Swifts were observed roosting tonight..... Oh dear..... Fingers crossed!!!! :eek!:

[Andrew]

Only need two for the first breeding record! ;)

[Steve Waite]

Only need two for the first breeding record! ;) True, but good news, there is still three, though I haven't seen them today.

My birding today didn't start till late afternoon, I started with a seawatch from Seaton Seafront, 16:40 - 18:45. Two highlights, the best being a superb flock of 14 pale-bellied Brent Geese that flew close west at 17:38, an awesome site. The second highlight was a Bonxie that flew west at 17:56. Other birds (west, unless stated) were: 87 Manx Shearwaters, 55 Gannet plus 12 east, 42 Kittiwake, 5 Auk sp., 1 Common Scoter plus a flock of 20 west and 2 Sandwich Terns east. All in all a brilliant seawatch. By quater to 7 the wind had dropped, as had all passage, so I headed for the river.

South of the A3052, the L.R.P Gav found this morning was still present, the tenth one I've seen this spring, all on the same scrape too!

A look at both marshes produced good numbers of hirrundines, but only two House Martins. At Colyford Common, two gorgeous summer plumaged Water Pipits were a highlight, feeding infront of the main scrape, pink breasts, blue heads and all...absolutle beauties!

[tom mckinney]

Hi Steve,

Do you know if they roosted in Seaton tonight?

Tom

[Steve Waite]

Do you know if they roosted in Seaton tonight?
Not sure mate, don't know anyone who was there looking either. I will post as soon as I can whether they are there in the morning or not.


I’m sure it will be on the Exe by the morning
I posted this last night about the Spoonbill, guess what I've just found out has been seen at Exminster Marshes this afternoon.... Some birds are just too predictable...

[Gavin Haig]

Bit of a seawatch day today - almost an hour from 06:35 produced 1 RTD W, plus 4 other divers I couldn't clinch, 2W and 2E - at least one was probably a Black-throated - bit frustrating. 23 Gannets W and 5E, along with 2 Kittiwakes and 2 Common Scoter W. Just about had time to scan the distant scrape S of the A3052 at Colyford and was pleasantly surprised to find a Little Ringed Plover and a White Wag - nice.

Had a quick look at Lower Bruckland Ponds in the afternoon rain - no birders, no swifts, but 1 House Martin among 20+ hirundines.

Before this, I'd taken a look at the sea from the rather nicely substantial shelter at Beer. In 35 mins from 14:45, 19 Manxies and 7 Gannets had flown W, so thought it might well be worth another go later.....

In position 16:30 (Steve texted a few minutes later - 'I'm seawatching' - he was at Seaton). A slow trickle of birds, but enough to keep the expectation there.......Packed in at 18:00 - 43 Gannets W, 2E; 65 Manxies W; 1 Common Scoter E (plus 21 on the sea in front of me). Undoubted highlights, though, were a flock of 14 Pale-bellied Brents W and, just as I was about to pack up, a Bonxie too. Skuas are not exactly ten-a-penny off here, so every single one is much appreciated. I am really looking forward to seeing my first Poms from this bit of coast......

I'll have to wangle this seawatching arrangement again - Steve and Phil at Seaton, me at Beer. Stuff is mostly heading W, so I can daydream and enjoy the scenery until Steve phones with the goody. Even then, I've probably got time to stroll up the High Street and enjoy a cream tea before the birds appear in front of me.......Steve's on the phone going 'Woo-Hoo!!!! Brents!!!' (I've had them 3 times to his nil this year), so I'm looking....and looking....and waiting....and looking....and after what seems an AGE, they fly past.

I love seawatching, but it is very addictive. Years ago I would read in a Bird Report 'Arctic Skua - 36 seen during a 9 hour seawatch....blah...blah' and think '9 HOURS!!! How do they do that??' Now I know - scary. Thankfully I never have 9 hours, but if I did.........

Bonxie, and the recent Turnsone, put me on 138 for the year, I think.

[johnkneem]

Hi all,
Many thanks for all the helpful postings on this forum regarding the Alpine Swifts - I thought I'd better register with birdforum to give this update. In the absence of any postings this morning I chanced my arm with a quick visit from sunny Bournemouth and was rewarded with short sightings of two birds as they left the roost, one at 0851, the second at 0900. Both were "it would have been easier to miss them" type views as they sped off to the north, so hopefully the third bird is also about and you'll have them back tonight.

Again, many thanks,

John Murray

[Gavin Haig]

......In the absence of any postings this morning I chanced my arm with a quick visit from sunny Bournemouth and was rewarded with short sightings of two birds as they left the roost, one at 0851, the second at 0900.......
Good decision! And thanks for taking the trouble to join and post :t: Hopefully Tom and Dan chanced it and scored too??

Very little birding today, just an early morning scoot round......gave the sea 5 mins - absolutely nothing moved. Pleased to see what looked like 2 Alpine Swifts in the roost (and so it proved) - apparently all 3 were over Lower Bruckland Ponds later - they really do like it here (unfortunately no idea whether they roosted again tonight). On to Seaton Marshes - no big, white, obvious stuff (that was at Exminster!!), so up to Colyford Common. The 3 Egyptian Geese were briefly present, but flew N up the river. Ambled up to the new viewing platform - not bad at all. I foresee some pleasant summer evenings and lots of walking straight past the hide! Certainly adds an interestingly different perspective. 2 rather vocal Cetti's along the tramline, 2 mobile Water Pipits (which looked like they still had some moulting to do - not quite full BP) and a White Wag. Excellent. Lastly, LRP still just S of the A3052 in the....what shall we call it?......LRP field ;)

[tom mckinney]

Not sure mate, don't know anyone who was there looking either. I will post as soon as I can whether they are there in the morning or not.

No worries, we got them anyway! Had a great day, scoring great views of all 3 Alpine Swifts at the fish ponds, then the 1w Glaucous on the beach at Budleigh Salterton, Dartford Warbler at Aylesbeare and finally the Spoonbill on the Exe. Not a bad day really.