TUES 29 APR

Late news for Mon evening - Alan D had a flyover SHORT EARED OWL (153 ) at 17.20 at South Huish marsh .Took the months species total to a new record of 134.

After a cloudy and overcast morning only a light shower and light variable winds. Offshore poor viz .

At 08.00 a SWIFT over T'stone Marsh , also a WHITETHROAT , earlier at 05.30 a TAWNY OWL calling ( pellet on the balcony )

Offshore - 2 BLACK H GULL, 4 COMMON GULL, 2 GUILLEMOT, 5 SHELDUCK ( on sea ),1 SANDWICH TERN, 2 DUNLIN, 20 WHIMBREL,2 BAR TAILED GODWIT.

On South Huish Marsh - 1 m TEAL, 2 SEDGE WARBLER, 1 WHITETHROAT.

Good Passage of Hirundines - 100 + SWALLOW, 8 HOUSE MARTIN, 4 SAND MARTIN

This is the last  post until 11 May- we are off to Cypruss on Wed . Will try and update from there depends on wifi access.

Any sightings can be sent to me - e-mail - mikepassman@modbury.me.uk

MON 28 APR

Another very quiet day - rain held off until 12.45 even afterwards no heavy showers.

Offshore - 4 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 5 COMMON GULL, 2 COMMON SCOTER -east, 1 GUILLEMOT ( on sea ). 5 WHIMBREL

Around South Huish Marsh - 17 SHELDUCK, 3 WHITETHROAT. Several broods of Mallard ducklings and a MOORHEN with 1 young .

SUN 27 APR

A completely different day today - NNW wind  F3 with heavy showers - Only 2 GANNET through the Bay. A walk up South Milton Ley could only produce the resident Warblers .

However the good news is we now have a patch record toal for a month with 133 species - rec'd details from Helen & Roger of birds ringed at Soth Milton Ley on Mon 21 APR these included a REDSTART ( 152 ) a rare spring record .

Have added some addn'l records for yesterday from Alan & Eric - worth looking at

SAT 26 APR

Fowl weather.F6/7 S wind , heavy showers pm, rough seas = best seawatching day of the year! Even I started early - first watch 07.00-0945 , second 13.30-16.30  all from ' Bobs ' car park. Joined by Terry G at o8.30 and Eric W from 13.30. All passage East .

Days totals - GREAT N DIVER 3 , AUKs  50 , GANNET  625 , KITTIWAKE 15,

FULMAR 47,  MANX SHEARWATER 200, BALEARIC SHEARWATER 2  ( 151 ), COMMIC TERN 155 ( including one flock of 150 birds ) ARCTIC TERN 22 , SANDWICH TERN 18 ,

GREAT SKUA  7, ARCTIC SKUA  5, WHIMBREL 43, BAR TAILED GODWIT 1.

At 10.30 a SWIFT ( 150 ) flew over T'stone Marsh.

With 2 additions the monthly total now 132  matching the previous record - now where is that Garganey / Hobby ?

Alan D & Eric W cotinued the seawatch until 17.30 add to the above day totals -GANNET -100, FULMAR- 35 ,MANX S'WATER - 110, GREAT SKUA 5 and 2 COMMON SCOTER on the sea .

The toal of 82 FULMAR could be a patch record , also impressive a total of 17 SKUAs

FRI 25 APR

Whilst most of the country suffered storms ( even as close as Avon Dam ) we had a glorious day , unfortunately until 17 40 that meant few good birds

This morning on the beaches were 6 WHIMBREL ( + 5 over the Bay ) a sp BAR TAILED GODWIT, 2 SANDERLING, 1SANDWICH TERN in the Bay.

Around the patch were 6 WHEATEAR, 4 STONECHAT 5 BLACKCAP, 2 WHITETHROAT and SEDGE & REED WARBLER.

A short visit to West Buckland valley came up with-  MISTLE THRUSH,

3 WHITETHROAT, 4 BLACKCAP, GOLDCREST,  COAL TIT , 4 CHIFFCHAFF

A return visit from 17.15 - 18.15 from the car park produced the record of the day a POMARINE SKUA( 149 ) east at 17.40. 5 WHIMBREL on the rocks .

 The anticipated SE winds for SAT/ SUN now seem to be S ( F6 + ) only on SAT

An interesting last few days of the month - the record species total for a month is 132 ( APR 2013 ), as of tonight we are at 130- surely a new record can be achieved - watch this space !

THURS 24 APR

Another morning that started off overcast and gradually improved to give a sunny day.Very light SSE wind , flat calm sea .

Seawatching from the cafe produced - 23 WHIMBREL, 2 MANX SHEARWATER,

15 GANNET, 1 lp ARCTIC SKUA  ( east at 09.20 )  a few AUKs , 3 SANDWICH TERN,

3 COMMON GULL,  7 COMMON SCOTER and the 1cy GLAUCOUS GULL.

A GROPPA (148 ) heard reeling near the small pond next to the copse. A f YELLOW WAGTAIL flew over.

I left at `12.40  Perry rang late afternoon to report - another 51 WHIMBREL ( 74 day total ), 75 MANX SHEARWATER and 8 COMMON SCOTER. A SANDERLING  on the beach

WED 23 APR

Again the weather forecasters were wrong - having expected rain until 12.00 it cleared through by 08.30, with a F5 S wind ( until 11.00 ) produced one of the best sea passages of the year and 4 year ticks.

2hr sea watch from the car park produced -53 GANNET, 48 SANDWICH TERN, 

12 COMMON TERN (144 ) 2 ARCTIC TERN ( 145 )  3 LITTLE TERN , 4 ARCTIC SKUA

( 3 lp, 1 dp ) 1 BONXIE (146 ) 7 KITTIWAKE, 4 FULMAR , 1 PUFFIN, 5 GUILLEMOT,

16 AUKs,

On South Huish Marsh 4 DUNLIN, 1 RINGED PLOVER, 1m TEAL, 3 WHEATEAR,

5 WHIMBREL

Joined by Eric W at 10.30 - this afternoon he had a WHINCHAT ( 147 )

TUES 22 APR

The anticipated rain did not arrive until after 3pm. What started out overcast with average viz turned into a sunny calm morning resulting in the largest passage of SWALLOW in Spring for a few years - in 2hrs from 09.30 over 2000 birds , they were moving north on a very wide front so this is very much an underestimate of what must have flown through. Only 10 HOUSE MARTIN and 6 SAND MARTIN logged.

Offshore - 3 SANDWICH TERN, 12 AUKs, 15 COMMON SCOTER, 2 RAZORBILL (on sea ), 3 FULMAR, 4 KITTIWAKE, 3 GANNET, 8 COMMON GULL  17 WHIMBREL.

Of interest was at least 2 pods of Dolphin  totalling at least 30 ( possibly up to 40 )

On South Huish Marsh- a GREENSHANK landed briefly at 12.00 before flying off east, 1 RINGED PLOVER, 1m TEAL, REED WARBLER

On T'stone Marsh at 08.00 4 TEAL and a m BLACKCAP. Both REED & SEDGE WARBLER singing

Have a number of photos to download  just need more time

Eric W had a male GARGANEY on the north marsh briefly at Aveton Gifford

MON 21 APR

An overcast morning with aF3/4 SE wind . A sea watch from Warren Pt from 09.00-10.30 produced - 20 WHIMBREL, 36 GANNET, 8 MANX SHEARWATER, 8 FULMAR, 20 AUKs -east  1 BAR T GODWIT, 1 GREY PLOVER, 19 COMMON SCOTER, 1 COMMIC TERN ( east ) , 1 SANDWICH TERN, 1 KITTIWAKE,  3 WHEATEAR, 3 WHITETHROAT, ,and a singing male LESSER WHITETHROAT ( 143 )

ON South Huish Marsh - 4 DUNLIN, 1 RINGED PLOVER, 2 WHIMBREL, 17 SHELDUCK, 3 YELLOW WAGTAIL ( 1m ), 1 BLUE HEADED WAGTAIL, 4 WHITE WAGTAIL.

T'stone Marsh - 2 TEAL, 2 DUNLIN, GREEN WOODPECKER

 Report from Eric W of 4 GREENSHANK on the top marsh

SUN 20 APR

A cloudy early morning which then just got worse with heavy rain. A f5 NE wind gradually decreasedto F2/3 . Poor viz

Turned out to be a wader fest day on South Huish marshwith - REDSHANK (140 ) flying over , a GREENSHANK ( 141 ) flew off by 10.00, a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER( 142) 4 COMMON SANDPIPER, 3 DUNLIN, 2 RINGED PLOVER, 16 SHELDUCK, 10 COMMON GULL ( largest total this year )

Over the Bay - 5 SANDWICH TERN, 5 WHIMBREL, 2 BAR TAILED GODWIT, 3 MUTE SWAN ( on sea )

Returned for an hour at 17.00 - DUNLIN now 17 , COMMON SANDPIPER 5 , LRP and RP still. 1m 2f YELLOW WAGTAIL and the BLUE HEADED WAGTAIL . 2 WHITE WAGTAIL

Single  WHIMBREL and BAR TAILED GODWIT over the Bay

Looking good for Monday with SE winds and some cloud cover

SAT 19 APR

After a cloudy early morning ( and a light shower ) the sun eventually broke through. A cold E wind F3 increasing to F5, good viz .

Waders on the beach/rocks - 8 WHIMBREL, 3 BAR TAILED GODWIT, 1 GREY PLOVER ( sp ), 1 DUNLIN, 1 SANDERLING . Nick T found a COMMON SANPIPER (138 ) on the rocks Offshore 6 GANNET and a BLACK T DIVER ( 09.40 )

Around the coast path / South H Marsh - 4 WHEATEAR, 3 WHITETHROAT 12 SHELDUCK , .

Over an hour at 10.30 hirundine passage of 30 HOUSE MARTIN and 28 SWALLOW

At 16.45 watched a Tern over the Bay - in the scope a LITTLE TERN (139 )

 I could spend hours looking at Waders, having missed the Grey Plover earlier in the week great to watch a summer plumage bird land on the rocks at 12.10 in the company of 2 Bar T Godwits - now thats what you call migration , hopefully more to follow over the next 10 days.

Bob B has just phoned to report - BLUE H WAGTAIL- showing well this afternoon,

6 WHIMBREL and a BLACK TAILED GODWIT on South H Marsh

FRI 18 APR

A glorious sunny day with an E/NE breeze.

Dave Scott ringing at South Milton Ley caught 5 BLACKCAP, 1 SEDGE W , 1 REED W , 1 CHIFFCHAFF and a WHITETHROAT, also heard a CUCKOO (137 )

On South Huish Marsh  a BLIE HEADED WAGTAIL, 5 WHEATEAR, 3 WHITEHROAT ,

1 REED WARBLER, 3 GADWALL, 1 HOUSE MARTIN , 5 SAND MARTIN and 20+ SWALLOW

Only birds picked up offshore we3 AUKS and a GREAT N DIVER - all flew east

Still 4 TEAL on T'stone marsh

Photos from Alan Doidge at South Huish Marsh

THURS 17 APR

On South H Marsh waders first thing were- 5 DUNLIN, 1 RUFF, 1 GREY PLOVER. 5 GADWALL flew in with 2 still there a years high of 7 ,.1 m TEAL still.

Offshore singles of SANDWICH TERN and WHIMBREL.

A walk round South Milton Ley produced - 6 SEDGE WARBLER, 2 REED WARBLER,3 BLACKCAP, 1 WILLOW WARBLER and am REED BUNTING

Another visit to South H Marsh at 17.00-18.00 produced - 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL (136 ), 3 DUNLIN, 2 CURLEW, 4 WHIMBREL, 10 SAND MARTIN, 30 SWALLOW, 1 HOUSE MARTIN. . The 1s GLAUCOUS GULL in the recently ploughed field.

WED 16 APR

Another day of sunshine, the ENE wind started at f4/5  and then reduced during the morning.

Bird of the day again over Nick T's garden , he and Vic T watched a SPONNBILL (133 ) fly up the vally at 09.30.

I did a sea watch from 08.15  to 12.30  from the cafe which produced - 15 GANNET, 34 FULMAR, 9 SANDWICH TERN, 30 WHIMBREL., 2 SHOVELER east, 1 RED T DIVER east, 2 DUNLIN, 25 SWALLOW, 2 SAND MARTIN, 1 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 WHITETHROAT, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 CHIFFCHAFF.

On South H Marsh - the RUFF still present, 2 SHOVELER and 2 GADWALL ( first since Jan )

Vic T took over from me so a further update to follow .

Eric W at South Efford Marsh - after a blank morning at 13.00 he had 14 BAR TAILED GODWIT and 2 RUFF fly over.

A  visit to Salcombe this afternoon ( with family ) found 15 SANDWICH TERN off Whitestrand

Late evening reports- Over T'stone Marsh at 18.30 -4 WHIMBREL and a BAR T GODWIT

On South Huish Marsh Alan D reports 6 SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL, RUFF, 1 GREY PLOVER ( 134 )and a 1s BLUE HEADED WAGTAIL - (135 ) -photo below

TUES 15 APR

Af 5/6 SE wind once again provided wader and skua migration . A sunny day with great viz

Early morning in my garden 2 BLACKCAP and a f YELLOWHAMMER .

First Bay visit 09.25- 12.15- 14 SANDWICH TERN, 7 FULMAR,  a dp ARCTIC SKUA (130 ) flew east at 10.10 followed 10 mins later by another 2 ( one of them a nice light phase )  2 MANX SHEARWATER, 1 WHIMBREL, 2 CURLEW , 3 GANNET all east . Seen flying in off the sea were 2 JAY ( AJL ) and 6 CARRION CROW., 15 SWALLOW , 5 SAND MARTIN, 1 HOUSE MARTIN .

On South Huish Marsh - a RUFF ( 131 ) and 3 DUNLIN ( sp ), REED WARBLER singing,

3 WHEATEAR ( 2nd largest total this spring)

 Second visit 17.00- 18.00  RUFF & DUNLIN still on the marsh , the 1cy GLAUCOUS GULL flew in at 18.00. 3 WHITE WAGTAIL, 10 SWALLOW and a HOUSE MARTIN.

3 small flocks of Waders came in off the sea and went straight up the valley, totals were  27 BAR TAILED GODWIT ( 132 ) and 11 WHIMBREL

Can't wait for Wed as SE winds again

MON 14 APR

Another clear and sunny day with a light SSE wind later variable. V good viz and a flat calm sea .

Saw Watching from the car park with Graham & Martin Daw  produced the first male VELVET SCOTER ( 129 ) for a few years - flying west with a m COMMON SCOTER, also 2 BRENT GOOSE. Only a single SANDWICH TERN  east, 3 GANNET , 1 DUNLIN.

At South Huish Marsh no sign of the PEC SANDPIPER, a REED WARBLER, REED BUNTING and 36 SWALLOW over.

At 14.15 5 WHIMBREL flew over the golf course .

SUN 13 APR

A clear sunny day with a cooling NW light wind .

At South Huish Marsh the PECTORAL SANDPIPER showed well for the 4th day almost becoming the longest stayer. A MALLARD with 13 day old ducklings and a m TEAL . REED WARBLER singing .

Offshore 4 SANDWICH TERN, with single CURLEW and DUNLIN flying over. 40 SWALLOW flew through. 2cy GLAUCOUS GULL in the field by the footbridge . Looking at this bird on the ground very white with a pink bill ( & black tip )

At South Milton Ley Bob b had 6 WILLOW WARBLER and the first WHITETHROAT ( 128 ).

In an hour this afternoon 50 SWALLOW through T'stone Marsh and 10 TEAL on the water.

2 more photos from Alan Doidge of the PEC SAND

SAT 12 APR

The PECTORAL SANDPIPER showed very well from 08.25, still feeding around the island. Best viewing points are at the far end of the Nat Trust car park or from the high ground nearest the cafe .

1 s GLAUCOUS GULL reported on the rocks, 2 SANDWICH TERN offshore , a WHEATEAR in the field . 60+ SWALLOW flew through

AJL reports 4+ BLACKCAP around the Hotel grounds. 4 SNIPE on T'stone marsh

Whilst driving to Salcombe Alan D had a flyover RED KITE near Malborough- although not on the patch it must have been quite close.

FRi 11 APR

A mixture of sunny periods and 60% cloud cover , light variable winds and a flat sea .

08.00 on T'stone marsh first morning of chorus with WILLOW WARBLER , CHIFFCHAFF, BLACKCAP, REED WARBLER and the first SEDGE WARBLER (126 ). 6 TEAL and a SHELDUCK also 2 SWALLOW over .

Over at South Huish Marsh no sign of the Pec Sand . Small passage over included 25 SWALLOW , 1 HOUSE MARTIN, 2 TREE PIPIT ( 127 )  2 WHITE WAGTAIL

Offshore 2 SANDWICH TERN, also a DUNLIN flew through.

At 12.00 the 1w GLAUCOUS GULL flew over- last seen on 1 April.

2ad & 2juv RAVEN in flight

Late update - the PEC SAND reported by 2 visitors as showing early evening, also a WATER PIPIT

THURS 10 APR

Lunchtime update - First spring record for the site - a PECTORAL SANDPIPER  ( 125 ) on South Huish Marsh this morning showing well. More details and photos to be posted later. This is only the 6th or 7th spring record for Devon. Still showing at 15.30 , however when I went down again at 16,00 could not be found .

The morning had started out good with the 2nd record this year of a WOODLARK - flying over 'Bob's ' car park at 09.00. A GREAT N DIVER flew west at 09.05 and a m COMMON SCOTER on the sea .

SWALLOW passage picked up after 11.00 total c50 . also 15 SAND MARTIN. On the Marsh Vic T had 5 WHIMBREL through, Bob B had 1 on the rocks . amongst a flock of 20 ALBA WAGTAIL were 2 WHITE ( both males ). A REED WARBLER singing this morning, a YELLOW L GULL this pm

AJL had at South Milton Ley - 3 BLACKCAP, 10 + CHIFFCHAFF , 4 WILLOW WARBLER, and a GREY WAGTAIL

Waiting for photos of the Pec Sand

WED 9 APRIL

The best weather morning of the year and the quietest for birds. Great viz flat sea and no wind.

Highlights restricted to - 3 COMMON SCOTER on the sea and a CURLEW over.

3 TURNSTONE on the rocks .

Behind the houses near Bob's car park a calling NUTHATCH ( 124 )

Nick's garden held 2 JAY and a male BLACKCAP

Short visit to West Buckland  provided 2 m BLACKCAP, COAL TIT and 2 CHIFFCHAFF.

Will update later if any late interest at T'stone Marsh

TUES 8 APRIL

A bright clear day with a cold WNW wind up to F5/6, good viz but very few birds.

On the rocks at 08.50 the first WHIMBREL (122 ) of the year. Offshore 53 GANNET,

7 MANX SHEARWATER , 2 AUKS, 5 FULMAR, 3 COMMON GULL, 1 2s MED GULL . 7 SWALLOW flew north

 Nick T had 4 RINGED PLOVER and a WHEATEAR on the beach

A short visit to South Milton Ley at 16.50 produced the first REED WARBLER (123 ) singing by the board walk , also a CETTI'S, 1m BLACKCAP, 8 CHIFFCHAFF

5 SWALLOW and a WATER RAIL

Incoming High pressure from France might push some migrants to make the effort to cross the Channel.

Late evening update - 19.30 - T'stone marsh - 40 ALBA WAGTAIL roost, 20 SWALLOW , 2 SAND MARTIN, 12 TEAL and a REED WARBLER singing

MON 7 APRIL

Another dire morning poor viz which got worse when the heavy showers went through  .Wind SSW F 6.

Offshore 10 SANDWICH TERN and a KITTIWAKE flew east

On South Huish marsh - The 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE seem to have taken up residence, 8 SHELDUCK. Heavy showers brought hirundines in 80+ SWALLOW and 20 SAND MARTIN

A short visit at 16.30 only produced a few more SWALLOW and a flock of 25 BLACK HEADED GULL resting on the sea.

Late update - 18.00  T'stone Marsh and my garden - 10 SWALLOW, 4 SAND MARTIN, 16 TEAL, 1 SNIPE, 3 WILLOW WARBLER and 2 CHIFFCHAFF

At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 50+ Swallow, 1 House Martin and a pair of Pintail

( his first for the site )

SUN 6 APRIL

A really miserable Spring day , very poor viz , constant drizzle and some heavy showers, wind SSW F 6 +.

On T'stone Marsh -  20 SWALLOW ( at last ), 6 SAND MARTIN,  2 SNIPE, 4 TEAL,

3 LITTLE EGRET , both CHIFFCHAFF and WILLOW WARBLER singing.45 + LESSER B B GULL on the water .

On South H Marsh 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE still.

Offshore nothing until a short brief break in the rain at 12.30 then in the next 45 mins 21 SANDWICH TERN , 3 FULMAR , 1 GANNET and an ad LITTLE GULL all flew east.

As the weather improves this week hopefully so will the migrant tally .

TUES 1 APR - SAT 5 APR

1 APR - Before heading off to Bedford managed to spend from 08.00 - 10.00 on the patch - Another record for TUFTED DUCK with a male on South H Marsh. Offshore 15 GANNET , 3 FULMAR and 5 SANDWICH TERN all flew east. AJL had the GLAUCOUS GULL again

At South M Ley- 15 CHIFFCHAFF and a WILLOW WARBLER 

Little of note reported whilst I was away apart from   a scattering of SWALLOW, SAND MARTIN and a BLACKCAP

Nick Treturned on Thurs afternoon and found the bird of the month so far with a GREAT WHITE EGRET ( 121 ) trying to land on his garden pond- that is the same one that had a BITTERN 2 years ago- cracking couple of garden ticks for him . This is the 3rd record for the patch ( all in the last 2 years )

 On Sat walking round the coast he had 3 each of TURNSTONE and RINGED PLOVER on the beach .

Whilst staying  in Ampthill ( near Bedford ) managed to have a short visit to Fen Drayton Lakes in Cambridgeshire, never having been before thanks to some of the local guys for pointing me to the hot spots - target bird showed very well - male BAIKAL TEAL ( a lifer for me ), 1m SMEW ( never seen this specie in April brfore ) and a male GARGANEY . , still plenty of WIGEON , GOLDENEYE , POCHARD SHOVELER and GADWALL. on the lakes

SUN 23 FEB