V
SAT 29 DEC 2012
Yet another stormy night with heavy showers
At 09.00 on T'stone Marsh- 100 TEAL, 25 WIGEON ( + 15 Over ), 19 GADWALL, 16 SHOVELER, 1 LITTLE GREBE, the BRENT GOOSE, 35 SNIPE, . On the feeders 7 REED BUNTING, 1 male BLACKCAP ( ringed on rt leg )
This afternoon a quick visit over to South Huish marsh- 50 WIGEON, 40 TEAL. Offshore- 60 WIGEON ( on sea ), 90 TEAL , 10 GANNET, 15 KITTIWAKE, 15 AUKS. A flock of 20 RINGED PLOVER / TURNSTONE flew through .
With friends arriving Sunday for New Year celebrations this may be the last post of the year . It is also the first anniversary of setting up the blog - In the first month we achieved 300 hits , this month will be in excess of 3000. Hope you have found it useful and informative, thankyou for taking the time to log in.
HAPPY BIRDING in 2013
FRI 28 DEC 2012
On T'stone maesh this am - 85 TEAL, 35 WIGEON, 22 GADWALL ( another patch record ) 14 SHOVELER, 6 STOCK DOVE, PEREGRINE, 35 LAPWING (over ).
AJL reported at South Huish marsh - 88 WIGEON , 2 PINTAIL
THURS 27 DEC 2012
After another stormy night with aF 8/9 NW wind and squally showers, at 09.00 T'stone Marsh had - 20 GADWALL, 40 TEAL, 6 SHOVELER.
Managed to make a quick visit to South Huish marsh at 14.45 to find - 175+ TEAL, 135+ WIGEON, 6 SHOVELER and the BRENT GOOSE
Unlikely now to pick up those 2 elusive species for the year list , looks as though we are going to end up with 198 for the second year running
MON 24 DEC 2012
At lest it has stopped raining now . Might have found a new water spring in my neighbours garden which is causing all the water flooding problems .
Again my report is limited to T'stone Marsh- This am - 50 + TEAL, 30 WIGEON, 8 SHOVELER, 20 GADWALL ( a patch record for me ) 3 LITTLE EGRET. A few SNIPE flying over the Marsh
Late yesterday a female BLACK REDSTART in the Close.
As my GRANDAUGHTER is getting Rudloph's carrot ready ( she has insisted on choosing from 7 ) this is the time to wish everyone who takes the trouble to read the blog a very Happy Xmas- just think only 7 days until the New Year and we can start all those patch, county and year lists - YES !!
SUN 23 DEC 2012
Major problems with water levels in my garden so unable to leave the hoyse.
On T'stone marsh - 40 WIGEON, 60 TEAL, 12 GADWALL, 10 SHOVELER, 1 female PINTAIL, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 WATER PIPIT, 12 REDWING over
Updates over the festive period will be restricted as we have 8 family members with us ( & 2 dogs )
SAT 22 DEC 2012
After some really bad weather in recent days it just got worse !!. For the first time ever ducks are swimming past my lounge window, the marsh is completely flooded.
On the marsh - 45 TEAL, 14 SHOVELER, 12 GADWALL, 1 WATER PIPIT
FRI 21 DEC 2012
A calm day before the next few days of rain and wind.
This morning the STARLING dispersal was all of 50 birds - they have cbviously moved roosting site , have Slapton got them ? Apologies to Peter Reay and the South Brent team who came over specifically to witness the roost.I was on domestic duties when you rang .!
This morning on South Huish Marsh - 45 TEAL, 45 WIGEON, 5 SHOVELER. An influx of SONG THRUSH - 13 in the hedges around the marsh ( AJL also had 2 on his way )Offshore a female EIDER flew east followed shortly after by a RED T DIVER .
On T'stone Marsh 2 SHELDUCK
THURS 20 DEC 2012
Anotherv washout day- both marshes now in full flood a further reduction in Duck , hopefully once the rain stops they will return to feed.
On T'stone Marsh - 40 TEAL, 7 SHOVELER, 10 WIGEON, 4 GADWALL, 45 SNIPE, 2 WATER RAIL
On South Huish Marsh - 3 SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL, 20 WIGEON, 40 TEAL.
An hour seawatching from the car produced 3 GREAT N DIVER-west, 1 RED T DIVER - east , 50+ GANNET.
Bob B stillhas 25+ CHIFFCHAFF
Had an enjoyable lunch with Doug & Debbie Stannard today - they now live near Taunton. Spent 3 hours going over our years exploits and looking forward to trips out together in 2013.
WED 19 DEC 2012
A complete washout of a day - looking at the anticipated rainfall up to Sunday will see another 3 ins, with water pouring off the fields the marshes will be flooded , may bring some new arrivals
Today only birds worth mentioning were 2 SHELDUCK on T'stone Marsh and a male BLACKCAP in my garden .
TUES 18 DEC 2012
Sunshine , no wind and a flat sea = no change in birds , well almost .
Some reduction in numbers of WIGEON and TEAL.
On the beaches/ rocks - 11 RINGED PLOVER, 3 SANDERLING, 2 TURNSTONE.
On the roof of the flats by the sea a female BLACK REDSTART
Bob B and the team ringed another 8 CHIFFCHAFf ( inc another tristis ) also 2 WATER RAIL - there are at least 12 on site
Still waiting for those 2 elusive species to take the 2012 total to 200- time rapidly running out .
MON 17 DEC 2012
Brisk WNW wind , after early showers a sunny morning.
Big reduction in the STARLING dispersal - did not seem more than 50.000, also - 55 TEAL, 14 SHOVELER, 11 GADWALL, 30+ WIGEON, 50+ SNIPE. A female BLACK REDSTART on my roof at 09.00
Only new arrival on South H Marsh - a male PINTAIL
On the rocks 4 TURNSTONE
Managed 1.45 hrs sea watch from the flats - some big seas ,passage of AUKS 145 + flying east ( too far out for positive ID )100 GANNET, 55 KITTIWAKE, 1 FULMAR 2 COMMON SCOTER and at 10.55 a RED T DIVER came into the bay high up - continued straight up the valley
SUN 16 DEC 2012
Away in the Midlands Fri and Sat- Only report rec'd was from AJL who had a JACK SNIPE on S H Marsh yesterday.
At 07.45 the STARLING dispersal was c 100.000, on the marsh - 50 TEAL, 14 SHOVELER, 11 GADWALL, 27 WIGEON , the BRENT GOOSE as well.
On the beach / rocks - 12 TURNSTONE, 4 RINGED PLOVER, 3 SANDERLING, 44 OYSTERCATCHER
Offshore 20 + GANNET and the first FULMAR for some weeks.
On South Huish Marsh - 130+ TEAL, 60 WIGEON, 1 SHOVELER, 15 SNIPE , 30 LAPWING
THURS 13 DEC 2012
On South Huish Marsh this am - 140 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 23 WIGEON, 1 BRENT GOOSE, 115 SNIPE, 9 LAPWING.
On the rocks /beaches 4 RINGED PLOVER.
Thurlestone Marsh held- 40 TEAL, 10 SHOVELER, 7 GADWALL, 11 WIGEON, 1 LITTLE GREBE.
STARLING roost built up from 15.45 - not much flying around feeding in the stubble field - at least 175.000 went into the reeds .Included 1 which was part Albino
In a local garden early am 3 TAWNY OWL.
AT S M Ley Bob B had 20+ CHIFFCHAFF ( 1 tristis type ) which were feeding mainly on the filter beds
WED 12 DEC 2012
STARLING dispersal at 07.45 was in 2 stages - my est of the 1st was 125k+ and then 5 mins later another 50k+ departed . Was late getting back tonight so could not est any roost .
On South Huish marsh the TEAL wereup to 175( with 40+ on T'stone Msh tis makes a patch total of 215+ - a new years max ) A WATER PIPIT was on the near shore ,
Offshore a GREAT N DIVER flew east.
Had a walk around South Milton Ley with Bob B - 25 CHIFFCHAFF ( inc 1 looking and calling like a SIBERIAN ) GREY WAGTAIL , we managed to flush 1 WOODCOCK
TUES 11 DEC 2012
After another cold and frosty night the weather did result in some new arrivals-
On T'stone Marsh- 60 TEAL, 8 SHOVELER, 18 WIGEON, 13 GADWALL, 1 WATER RAIL, 1 LAPWING, 60+ SNIPE. A flock of 20 GOLDFINCHis the largest of the winter.
Over at South Huis Marsh the water level has dropped significantly but still contained - 135 TEAL, 10 WIGEON ,1 BRENT GOOSE, 1 LAPWING, 1 DUNLIN, 90+ SNIPE.
Offshore 1 WIGEON with a f PINTAIL flew west.
On the rocks a RINGED PLOVER.
Combined totals for GADWALL, TEAL and SNIPE are the highest of the year to date
MON 10 DEC 2012
Still a Waxwing free zone !
Big departure of WIGEON overnight only 15 today .
A GREAT NORTHERN DIVER was the only highlight of the day.
Bob B had a feeding frenzy of over 30 CHIFFCHAFF by the sewage works .
Tonight the STARLING roost is starting to build up again over 100,00 flying in from 16.00
SUN 9 DEC 2012
A cloudy morning with a brisk NW 5/6 wind . All activity around South Huish Marsh .
Earlier on T'stone Marsh - 40 TEAL, 7 SHOVELER, 1m WIGEON, 30 + SNIPE.
10.15 - 12.45 around South Huish Marsh - 120 WIGEON, 135 TEAL, 1 BRENT GOOSE, 45 LAPWING, 50+ SNIPE, 2 DUNLIN, 1ad MED GULL .
There were 5 BUZZARDS on site 2 of which were having a real fight , one bird had the other on the ground andseemed to have its talons in the other one and continually pecking at its head. It was just like a cock fight . Both Graham Daw and I had never seen this behavior before -has anyone else ?.
Bob B had the usual CHIFFCHAFF, 2 SISKIN, 20 STOCK DOVE and 30 FIELDFARE.
STARLING roost on T'stone Marsh this afternoon was around 40,000 with a SPARROWHAWK in attendance
SAT 8 DEC 2012
What little time I had was spent looking for my bogey bird " Tree Creeper " suffice to say it still is !
Around the Hotel grounds 3 COAL TIT, 1 f BULLFINCH, 3 SONG THRUSH, 10 BLACKBIRD, 5 GOLDCREST
T'stone Marsh - 40 TEAL, 3 SHOVELER , 8 SNIPE. The STARLING are back - 45,000+ roosted in T'stone Marsh.
Bob B had 30 + CHIFFCHAFF ( inc 1 Tristis type )and 2 SISKIN . A CHIICHAFF control was ringed by Alan Searle at Hallsands on 6/11
On roof of my house at 14.00 a 1st w male BLACK REDSTART
FRI 7 DEC 2012
After a stormy and wet night the day turned out sunny with a F5/6 NNW wind .
On T'stone Marsh - 55 TEAL, 8 SHOVELER, 35 SNIPE.
Offshore anhours seawatch only produced 75 GANNET and 7 AUKS , on the rocks 2 TURNSTONE.
ON South Huish Marsh - 95 TEAL, 110 WIGEON, 4 SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL, 1 BRENT GOOSE, 1 WATER PIPIT.
At 15.50 at Upton Cross - 35 GOLDEN PLOVER
THURS 6 DEC 2012
A raw morning with no wind which changed completely at 13.00 when the rain and wind arrived.
Looks as though most of the duck on T'stone Marsh had moved over to South Huish Marsh as only 14 TEAL, 2 GADWALL with 3 SNIPE this morning .
On South Huish Marsh - 105 WIGEON, 110+ TEAL, 2 PINTAIL, 7 SHOVELER, 1 m GADWALL, 25 SNIPE, 1 BRENT GOOSE.1 LAPWING plus 5 flew over 1 TURNSTONE on the beach whist 3 COMMON SCOTER few east.
In the courtyard of the flats a 1st w male BLACK REDSTART
WED 5 DEC 2012
With little change on the Marshes and only a feeding frenzy of 250+ GANNET in the Bay time for a change of scene- a walk throgh the West Buckland valley. Took just over 2 hrs and produced -
6 FIELDFARE, 2 REDWING, 4 SONG THRUSH, 25 BLACKBIRD, 18 CHAFFINCH,
1BULLFINCH 12 ROBIN, 1 JAY, 2 WREN, 1 GREAT SP WOODPECKER, 5 GOLDCREST, 10 BLUE TIT, 2 GREAT TIT , 2 GOLDFINCH., 6 PIED WAGTAIL, 3 DUNNOCK, 2 RAVEN, and a surprise of a LITTLE EGRET feeding in a small stream .
Final part of the walk was round the perimeter of Thurlestone Hotel grounds, 1 BULLFINCH, 3 COAL TIT, 8 GREENFINCH , 8 BLACHBIRD , 1 GREAT Sp WOODPECKER and a nice NUTHATCH - these are not easy to find on the patch- first time I have seen one at this site.
Hopefully with cold weather up country and prospect of NE winds this w/end we may see some new arrivals
Late news just rec'd from Bob B- At S M Ley- GREEN WOODPECKER, 10 SONG THRUSH, 25+ CHIFFCHAFF ( 4 new ones ringed ). At Dusk the STARLING roost est at 75,000
ON the flats at the car park a F BLACK REDSTART
TUES 4 DEC 2012
Had to give up seawatching this am - got soaked .
On South Huish Marsh GOLDENEYE still showing well. TEAL over 100 and WIGEON 95 . A m GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER , LAPWING and about 20 SNIPE
On T'stone Marsh only change was an increase to at least 55 SNIPE
MON 3 DEC 2012
A strong WNW wind with rain arriving at 13.00
T'stone marsh - SHOVELER increased to 14 , 40 TEAL, 15 SNIPE.. 6 REED BUNTING on my feeders
South Huish Marsh - same as Sunday with the only addition a LITTLE GREBE,.
A 2hr seawatch from the flats only produced - 110 GANNET, 8 KITTIWAKE 6 AUKs
3 COMMON SCOTER flew east .
This afternoon STARLING reached 7,500 before moving off to roost at S M Ley
SUN 2 DEC 2012
Thankfully the rain held off until 13.00 which enabled Graham Daw and myself to have good look round
On South Huish marsh, which with the high water level is really proving very good , long may it stay like this - 1f GOLDENEYE, 90+ WIGEON, 2f PINTAIL 3 GADWALL,
60 TEAL, BRENT GOOSE and 14 BLACK TAILED GODWIT. 3 LAPWING on the ground whilst 12 flew South. 30 + SNIPE
Offshore - 1 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, 25 GANNET, 1 RAZORBILL
On the rocks 9 TURNSTONE
T'stone Marsh - 12 SHOVELER, 10 WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 35 SNIPE
Bob B at S M Ley - 30+ CHIFFCHAFF ( another 3 ringed ) MISTLE THRUSH and 2 SISKIN
Tele call from Harry Huggins to confirm 3 BLACKCAP in his garden
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