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Backwater Birding - Seaton, Devon (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Gavin Haig
- Start date
James McCarthy
Well-known member
The Marsh Harrier was indeed a beautiful bird....really dark with minimal pale around the forehead/ chin area, glad others managed to catch up with it. Must confess that when I first saw it (naked eye) it was heading into the wind, all crooked wings etc. and my mind was 'yehey, Black Kite at last' but...musn't complain & I'm not 
For those who dont know the Le Clipon website, this gives you an idea of what is heading into the channel right now on the continental side;
Long-tailed Skua 1 Red-necked Grebe 2 Great Skua 13 Little Stint 2 Little Gull 1 Manx Shearwater 9 Sabine's Gull 2 Balearic Shearwater 6 Bar-tailed Godwit 305 shearwater spec. 1 Sandwich Tern 707 Common Tern 2374 Little Tern 46 Pomarine Skua 7
Black Tern 16 Arctic Skua 10
Sorry its not in order, thats how it pasted out...imagine that no of Terns, wow.
Only other birds I had of note (slightly out of patch) were ca 300 hirundines (70-30 Swallow/ Sand Martin) & a few swift over Charmouth beach from 4-7pm heading east.
For those who dont know the Le Clipon website, this gives you an idea of what is heading into the channel right now on the continental side;
Long-tailed Skua 1 Red-necked Grebe 2 Great Skua 13 Little Stint 2 Little Gull 1 Manx Shearwater 9 Sabine's Gull 2 Balearic Shearwater 6 Bar-tailed Godwit 305 shearwater spec. 1 Sandwich Tern 707 Common Tern 2374 Little Tern 46 Pomarine Skua 7
Black Tern 16 Arctic Skua 10
Sorry its not in order, thats how it pasted out...imagine that no of Terns, wow.
Only other birds I had of note (slightly out of patch) were ca 300 hirundines (70-30 Swallow/ Sand Martin) & a few swift over Charmouth beach from 4-7pm heading east.
Gavin Haig
Well-known member
For a moment there I thought that was 2374 Little Terns!!! Then I reread it.
........Better say I'm only joking or we'll have parochial Dorset zealots clobbering our thread with 'one-star' ratings (own up - who DID that?!). Seriously - if we weren't being county-conscious, then Lyme Regis would comfortably fall into our patch, complete with its easy Dippers (eh, Steve?? ) AND Purple Sands!!
Not only out of patch, but in DORSET!! (washes mouth out!)James McCarthy said:
........Better say I'm only joking or we'll have parochial Dorset zealots clobbering our thread with 'one-star' ratings (own up - who DID that?!). Seriously - if we weren't being county-conscious, then Lyme Regis would comfortably fall into our patch, complete with its easy Dippers (eh, Steve?? ) AND Purple Sands!!
Gavin Haig
Well-known member
That's OK. Let them enjoy their Purple Sands - probably the Sidmouth birding highlight of the year!Andrew said:Purple Sands?
Bet the Sidmouth Boys (If there are any) rub that in your nose, don't they?
Talking of sandpipers, Steve and James were off to Colyford Common early this morning to do some ringing. Thought I'd have a lie-in. Rudely awakened at 07:15: "Wood Sand at Colyford!". There goes the lie-in. A quick look at the river first - 9 Dunlin, a Whimbrel and 2 Water Rails. Then I get a text - 'Just caught a Green Sand'. Feeling a photo-opportunity coming on I nipped home to fetch my shiny new camera, then toddled down the marsh.....
The Wood Sandpiper had flown just before I arrived, but kindly flew back in, calling merrily, a few minutes later. Very nice juv - smart year tick. Unfortunately it disappeared again before I left at about 09:00.
Birds in the hand always look absolutely stunning to me - every one is just an awe inspiring piece of construction. Even the poor, pathetic little juv Blue Tit - it was so young that it looked like James had been nest robbing! Enjoyed the in-the-hand piccy taking hugely - WELL impressed with the results. See what you think......
Adult Green Sandpiper, juv Kingfisher, juv Sedge Warbler, and a shot of Fraser admiring a product of his 'Large Wet Patch'
Edit - just made photos a bit smaller (were too big for page). I'll get the hang of it eventually.....
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Ranger James
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Gavin Haig said:
Hurumph. :storm:
Phil Abbott
Well-known member
Managed to relocate the wood sand tonight on the river also 9 common sands,3 green sands,Greenshank,Snipe,2 ring plover,1 dunlin,4 water rails,also 30+ sedge warblers,and 2 wet feet,
Steve Waite
What you looking at?
Bit of a jam day for me today!!!
Ringing this morning at Colyford Common was when it all happened. First surprise was an Otter, it must have heard me coming round the corner, I caught the back end of it as it bounded up a net ride in front of me, but it soon slipped off through a gap in the reeds down into the river. Second highlight was the Wood Sand. Walking along the edge of the flooded area every now and then meant all the Green Sands had long gone (they are very easily flushed), so my brain was somewhat baffled when my eyes homed in to a Sandpiper crouched down in the middle of the grass! An absolutely cracking juv, always so elegant and exciting to see. The third was when I peered up the stream to look at one of our mist nets to see a Green Sand nestled nicely in the second panel!!!! It even sparked a minor twitch (though the Wood Sand prob had something to do with this as well!). Also seen this morning, a Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, a helice Clouded Yellow (as well as a normal one) and singles of Four-spotted and Broad-bodied Chaser.
I didn't get out again till this evening, I spent two hours on the river, a juv Yellow-legged Gull was at Coronation Corner (along with a possible 1st-summer) and the two Ringed Plover were still on the river with 7 Dunlin.
Ringing this morning at Colyford Common was when it all happened. First surprise was an Otter, it must have heard me coming round the corner, I caught the back end of it as it bounded up a net ride in front of me, but it soon slipped off through a gap in the reeds down into the river. Second highlight was the Wood Sand. Walking along the edge of the flooded area every now and then meant all the Green Sands had long gone (they are very easily flushed), so my brain was somewhat baffled when my eyes homed in to a Sandpiper crouched down in the middle of the grass! An absolutely cracking juv, always so elegant and exciting to see. The third was when I peered up the stream to look at one of our mist nets to see a Green Sand nestled nicely in the second panel!!!! It even sparked a minor twitch (though the Wood Sand prob had something to do with this as well!). Also seen this morning, a Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, a helice Clouded Yellow (as well as a normal one) and singles of Four-spotted and Broad-bodied Chaser.
I didn't get out again till this evening, I spent two hours on the river, a juv Yellow-legged Gull was at Coronation Corner (along with a possible 1st-summer) and the two Ringed Plover were still on the river with 7 Dunlin.
How about this Reed Warbler Gav? We caught three of them like this! And check out the underwing on the Sandpiper, doesn't mention that in Collins!Gavin Haig said:
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Gavin Haig
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Poor little thing - should be ashamed of yourselves.....!Steve Waite said:
Obviously a bit of wader stuff happening today - lunchtime there were 12 Dunlin, 44 Redshank and 6 Common Sands on the river.
Managed a late afternoon walk over Beer Head. Basically very quiet, though a Lesser Whitethroat was nice, plus singles of Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiff. Highlight was a helice Clouded Yellow (my first) which appeared to be laying eggs, plus two 'standard' ones.
Gavin Haig
Well-known member
Beer Head was fairly uneventful this morning - 11 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, and singles of Chiff, Whitethroat and Wheatear. Some variety was provided by an audible, but invisible Greenshank, a smart male Sparrowhawk and 12 Common Scoter heading W. The sea was virtually flat - looked hopefully, but in vain, for dolphins, Basking Sharks etc........
On the estuary were 4 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sands, and a little influx of 10+ LBB Gulls, including 3 almost black individuals, presumably intermedius. What looked like a juv YL Gull was asleep on the mud, but as it was lying down with its head tucked in for the 10 minutes I waited, only three or four features were on display, so had to leave it as a probable. 27 Canada Geese were a jolly exciting bonus.
The Wood Sandpiper was at Colyford on and off all day, apparently, but this evening just 2 Green Sands there. Scrape should flood Wednesday or Thursday - wonder what it'll produce this autumn?
Laughing Gull was a big highlight today............for birders at Dawlish and Cockwood! Then it flew off the wrong way this evening. What's the matter with the thing??? Lots of gulls like the Axe. Don't they talk to each other?
On the estuary were 4 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sands, and a little influx of 10+ LBB Gulls, including 3 almost black individuals, presumably intermedius. What looked like a juv YL Gull was asleep on the mud, but as it was lying down with its head tucked in for the 10 minutes I waited, only three or four features were on display, so had to leave it as a probable. 27 Canada Geese were a jolly exciting bonus.
The Wood Sandpiper was at Colyford on and off all day, apparently, but this evening just 2 Green Sands there. Scrape should flood Wednesday or Thursday - wonder what it'll produce this autumn?
Laughing Gull was a big highlight today............for birders at Dawlish and Cockwood! Then it flew off the wrong way this evening. What's the matter with the thing??? Lots of gulls like the Axe. Don't they talk to each other?
Gavin Haig
Well-known member
An hour's seawatch first thing this morning wasn't bad - 41 Common Scoter, 15 Sandwich Terns, 1 'commic' and a very distant Balearic Shearwater flew W, but the biggest surprise was a Wood Sandpiper that flew in off the sea, straight over my head, straight over the town......then straight over Phil's head further up the estuary, and away up the valley. It presumably did have a plan..........!
A juv Greenshank on the estuary was new, also at least 8 Dunlin, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Common Sands and 1 or 2 Green Sands.
No sign of the promised Laughing Gull, Andrew! I am now heading for a beach barbecue. I shall be taking my phone!
A juv Greenshank on the estuary was new, also at least 8 Dunlin, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Common Sands and 1 or 2 Green Sands.
No sign of the promised Laughing Gull, Andrew! I am now heading for a beach barbecue. I shall be taking my phone!
Steve Waite
What you looking at?
No fear lads, the Laughing Gull is on its way! That Gull flock that was feeding at Cockwood (Exe) last night, apart from the Laugher and Black-heads, what else was in the flock? An adult Med Gull, and what was on the river this morning (bearing a small metal ring on its right leg)...an adult Med Gull! Obviously the very same individual which had the company of its American cousin last night... It's on its way!!!! :t:
I spent all my birding time on the river today, as well as trips to both marshes. Other highlights include: a cracking juv Yellow-legged Gull (I would never have thought I would use the word 'cracking' to describe a juv large Gull sp.! But 'classic' juv YLG are cracking!!!) 1 Greenshank, 12 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Green Sands, 8 Common Sands, 4 Lapwing, 2 Water Rails, 2 Hobbies and 27 Canada Geese. Non-bird highlights include umpteen Clouded Yellows and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth.
Roll on another day....counting down the days till the scrape gets flooded.....
EDIT: Just had a lovely evening walk along the beach with Kym, at least two Whimbrel and a Common Sand called from the stars above.
I spent all my birding time on the river today, as well as trips to both marshes. Other highlights include: a cracking juv Yellow-legged Gull (I would never have thought I would use the word 'cracking' to describe a juv large Gull sp.! But 'classic' juv YLG are cracking!!!) 1 Greenshank, 12 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Green Sands, 8 Common Sands, 4 Lapwing, 2 Water Rails, 2 Hobbies and 27 Canada Geese. Non-bird highlights include umpteen Clouded Yellows and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth.
Roll on another day....counting down the days till the scrape gets flooded.....
EDIT: Just had a lovely evening walk along the beach with Kym, at least two Whimbrel and a Common Sand called from the stars above.
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Ranger James
Well-known member
Steve Waite said:
You old softie you...
Gavin Haig
Well-known member
Phil sent me a text at lunchtime: "Melodious at Portland and Durlston. Beer Head must be worth a look". Busy afternoon though - meant I didn't crack till, ooh.....2 o'clock or so! Quick walk, I said to myself, very quick.....
Absolutely NOTHING - this walk was going to be even shorter than I thought. Just going down the eastern slope when I glimpsed a movement across the slope. Bins up, a brief and distant view of a phyllosc, looked VERY white underneath. A great fan of Bill Oddie's 'How to Brighten up a Dull Day' technique, I began to toy with frivolous Bonelli's fantasies. A search up and down the hedgerow produced nowt, so I sat on the grass at the top of the slope and waited. About 15 min later it popped out - stonking big yellow super, dark eyestripe, neat lemony bib, otherwise pure white underparts....the penny finally dropped - Wood Warbler! Not only a year tick, but a very unexpected Patch tick. Despite a good deal of effort on my part, and later Steve's, didn't see it again. Other than this, just 3 Willow Warblers and a couple of calling Blackcaps.
A nice way to get to 176 for the year.
Absolutely NOTHING - this walk was going to be even shorter than I thought. Just going down the eastern slope when I glimpsed a movement across the slope. Bins up, a brief and distant view of a phyllosc, looked VERY white underneath. A great fan of Bill Oddie's 'How to Brighten up a Dull Day' technique, I began to toy with frivolous Bonelli's fantasies. A search up and down the hedgerow produced nowt, so I sat on the grass at the top of the slope and waited. About 15 min later it popped out - stonking big yellow super, dark eyestripe, neat lemony bib, otherwise pure white underparts....the penny finally dropped - Wood Warbler! Not only a year tick, but a very unexpected Patch tick. Despite a good deal of effort on my part, and later Steve's, didn't see it again. Other than this, just 3 Willow Warblers and a couple of calling Blackcaps.
A nice way to get to 176 for the year.
James McCarthy
Well-known member
Walk around Colyford tonight brought in 6 Common & 2+ Green Sands, 4 Snipe & 4 Lapwing. 20 Mipits, 20 Sand Martin and 2 prob juv Yellow Wags (they were yellow wags we just didnt bother to walk miles across a field to confirm them) & 27 Canada Geese only other thing to mention...no Hobbies tonight having seen several these last few days.
Steve Waite
What you looking at?
Great big fat DIP at Beer Head, only saw one Willow Warbler and absolutly no other migrants at all. 5 Peregrines playing about over head did cheer me up, and the non-birds were being kind to me too, with 5 Clouded Yellow, 3 Migrant Hawkers and stacks of Oak Eggars.
What really cheered me up though was ringing in-patch Barn Owl chicks this evening, two of them. Unbelievable!!! Cute or what!???
What really cheered me up though was ringing in-patch Barn Owl chicks this evening, two of them. Unbelievable!!! Cute or what!???
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Gavin Haig
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Thanks, Andrew. Can count on one hand the autumn migrant Wood Warblers I've seen......so I was pleasantly surprised to see it again this morning! Had a lovely walk over Beer Head with Steve and Ian M - quite productive. Apart from the Wood Warbler, which we managed to scope while it was preening, there were also 16 Wheatears, 22 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, and one each of Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Stonechat. Heard, but not seen, were a Ringed Plover and a Turnstone (very scarce locally) heading W. Those are my counts - Steve and Ian can add to that lot, no doubt.Andrew said:
Sunshine, cracking views, good birds.............I like living here.
Have to say, those Barn Owl chicks look like some malevolent little alien things from a sci-fi movie. Sorry - not cute. Far from cute.
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