SUN 31 AUG

Summer weather returns with unbroken sunshine all day, calm until 10.30 then an increasing gentle NW breeze.

 An interesting early garden/ marsh watch came up trumps with only the second record of LESSER WHITETHROAT this year, also 1 GARDEN WARBLER, 10 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 m BLACKCAP,1 REED WBLR,  1 GREY WAG, 1 WATER RAIL, 5 SNIPE, 22 TEAL,

In 40mins from 09.35 302 MANX and 8 BALEARIC SHEARWATER flew east, only 12 GANNET in an hour. On the rocks a TURNSTONE.

By the footbridge - 1 REDSHANK, 1 DUNLIN, in an adjacent field 2 juv MED GULL.

Around South Huish Marsh - 3 DUNLIN, 1 RINGED PLOVER ( over ) ,

4 YELLOW WAG, 3 WHEATEAR. 3 STONECHAT.  In the copse -

3 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WBLR, 1 SEDGE WBLR.

At South Milton Ley a GREEN WOODY ( 1st patch record this month )and SEDGE WARBLER

Alan Pomroy was ringing at South Milton Ley and caught 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 WILLOW WBLR, 2 SEDGE WBLR, 3 BLACKCAP. On site a SPOT FLY and a TREE  PIPIT

Late evening Dave Scott went down to ring the YELLOW WAGTAIL roost - he caught 6 and est at least 30 birds flew in .

SAT 30 AUG

A walk around the Golf Course this morning and an hours watch from my garden at 16.30 produced atotal of 46 species - highlights - 1 KINGFISHER ( first on T'stone Marsh for 3 or 4 years ), 1 GREEN S'PIPER, 8 SAND MARTIN , plenty of HOUSE MARTIN and SWALLOW, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 2 WILLOW WBLR, 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 BLACKCAP, 1 WATER RAIL

Leslie G. repotrs at the footbridge - 1 REDSHANK, 3 DUNLIN 2 WHITETHROAT.

Looks likely we will have a spell of settled warm weather from Tuesday

with E winds , could be interesting

Also advance notice of the first Thurlestone Bay Bird Race  to take place from 06.30 on Sat 6 September , more details to follow next week

FRI 29 AUG

Another cloudy morning with a strong F5/6 WSW wind .

AJL and myself spent an hour seawatching from the car park with meagre results of -25 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 2 KITTIWAKE , 10 CORMORANT ( inc a goup of 5 ) all east.

Waders on the beach / by the footbridge - 9 DUNLIN, 7 RINGED PLOVER, 1 LITTLE R PLOVER, 1 COMMON S'PIPER. 1 REDSHANK

In the fields / copse around South Huish Marsh were- 1 SPOTTED FLY,

2 WHEATEAR, 1 TREE PIPIT, 3 STONECHAT, 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 WILLOW WBLR, SPARROWHAWK, 8 YELLOW WAG., 25 LINNET.

Went over to Dartmouth to watch the Red Arrows and at 18.00 over the river watched a HOBBY chase a SWIFT .

THURS 28 AUG

A cloudy morning with a few showers up to 10.30. Spent until 11.25 on Warren Pt joined by AJL, at last we got some Terns .

Mornings totals - 40 GANNET, 10 FULMAR, 70 MANX S'WATER,

2 1sts COMMON GULL , 2 KITTIWAKE, 3 SANDWICH TERN, 14 COMMON TERN, 1 ARCTIC TERN and at 11.10 a BLACK TERN (167 ) all east.

Waders on the beach, 2 BAR T GODWIT, 3 DUNLIN, 2 SANDERLING.

On the golf course 4 WHEATEAR.

Early afternoon at Huxton Cross 4 WHEATEAR.

This evening on T'stone Marsh - 15 TEAL, 2 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 5 SAND MARTIN, earlier 140 + MALLARD, 6 WILLOW WBLR, 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 BLACKCAP

Early morning report from South Huish Marsh - 11 TEAL, 3 WHEATEAR, 20 YELLOW WAG , 3 TREEPIPIT ( over ), In the Bay - 1 WHIMBREL, 2 COMMON TERN

WED 27 AUG

The SE wind F4/5 arrived on time, unfotunately most of the morning was a steady flow of showers with consequent poor viz. Whilst the offshore passage was a disappointment, the wader passage was reminiscent of early May with flocks coming in off the sea and flying straight up the valley. A total of 10 species of Wader is probably an August day record .

Seawatch started at 07.25 from the car park and in 2 hrs only produced 11 MANX S'WATER, 75 GANNET, 10 FULMAR., 21 COMMON SCOTER ( east ) 4 TEAL ( east ).

Having picked up the first few flocks of waders moved over to South Huish Marsh. On the Marsh were 21 RINGED PLOVER, 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 9 DUNLIN.

On the beach were -  1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 5 SANDERLING, 5 TURNSTONE, 1 REDSHANK . At 10.35 2 BAR TAILED GODWIT landed on the rocks . also 14 OYSTERCATCHER.

Flocks of Waders flying over were -  132 RINGED PLOVER ( largest flocks 40, 32,  ) , 20 DUNLIN, 1 GREENSHANK.

Late afternoon Nick & Bob had 16 RINGED PLOVER , 4 DUNLIN and

4 COMMON TERN close inshore

Around the Marsh were 15 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 6 WHEATEAR and a WHINCHAT, 2 SAND MARTIN, 1 TEAL, 1 SPARROWHAWK

17.00 on T'stone Marsh- 16 TEAL, 90 MALLARD and 9 CANADA GOOSE

Day total for RINGED PLOVER at 165 is the largest for a few years.

TUES  26 AUG

A morning of mostly cloud and rain with light winds

Joined by Graham Daw today. Because of the rain and poor viz started off at South Huish Marsh- waders showing well - 1 WOOD SANDPIPER

( departed SE at 09.40 )  1 L R PLOVER, 2 BLACK TAILED GODWIT and a SNIPE  In the field were 5 WHEATEAR, 5 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 3 MEADOW PIPIT. Amongst the hirundines were 2 SAND MARTIN .Nick T had a flock of 16 YELLOW WAGS early evening

In the copse were 3 WILLOW WBLR, 3 CHIFFCHAFFand a WHITETHROAT.

KESTREL, SPARROWHAWK , BUZZARD and a PEREGRINE flew over

Looked over the fields at Huxton Cross where Graham picked up a small chat type bird on a post, through the scope confirmed it was our first returning WHINCHAT , also 4 WHEATEAR and 100 + SWALLOW, 20 LINNET

Graham did a 1hour seawatch from the car park which produced -

158 MANX S'WATER ( east ) , 22 GANNET and 3 RAZORBILL on the sea ( first Auks for at least 2 weeks ) Vic T added another 30 after Graham left.

At 17.30 a SWIFT flew over my garden , this is my latest patch record .

Eric had a great morning at South Efford Marsh with the highlight a juv MONTAGUE'S HARRIER  flying down the valley  late morning. Waders were - 22 RINGED PLOVER, 7 DUNLIN, 4 REDSHANK, 1 GREENSHANK, 4 GREEN SANDPIPER, 6 COMMON S'PIPER, 26 CURLEW and a WHIMBREL

Nice one Eric !

MON 25 AUG

A typical Bitish Bank Holiday - driving rain and very poor viz this morning wind no more than a SSW F3/4 increased by 13.00 to F6 and then SW.

A contrasting day of 2 halves .

Seawatch from the car park from 07.50 for 3 hours - very little passage after 9,30 due to very poor viz - totals were -

52 GANNET, 61 MANX S'WATER, 2 BALEARIC S'WATER, 3 FULMAR,

1 COMMON TERN, 3 SANDWICH TERN , 2 MED GULL ( 2s & juv ). In less than 2hrs over 250 HERRING GULL and 60 GREAT B B GULL flew west ( almost 90% were juv's ) 2 SANDERLING on the beach.

Another seawatch from the cafe 15.30 -16.45 rough sea only problem was the glare of the sun ! SW wind F5 .62 GANNET, 295 MANX S'WATER, 1 BALEARIC S'WATER, 5 FULMAR, 1 juv KITTIWAKE, 1 ARCTIC SKUA

( 15.57 )

Whilst I was enjoying the seawatch Bob & Nick were looking at waders on South Huish Marsh ( now with plenty of water )- 26 RINGED PLOVER,

12 DUNLIN, 4 SANDERLING ( not often on the marsh ) 2 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 1 REDSHANK, 1 juv L.R .PLOVER, 1 WOOD SANDPIPER.

They had 5 YELLOW WAGTAIL whilst later I had a flock of 14 in with the sheep.

SUN 24 AUG

An overcast morning with calm conditions and a flat sea. Nice to be joined by Bob B  today

Although well offshore a total of 190 MANX SHEARWATER moving west. , 0nly 25 GANNET and a single COMMON SCOTER.

On the seaweed by the footbridge the juv LITTLE RINGED PLOVER showed well, still there at 12.30., also  1 REED WBLR, 1 WHITETHROAT, 30 GOLDFINCH and 4 WHEATEAR flew over..

Flying over the beach - 5 DUNLIN and 5 RINGED PLOVER .

On South Huish Marsh 4 DUNLIN, 3 TEAL, 1 WHITE WAGTAIL,

1 WHEATEAR 2 flocks of YELLOW WAGTAIL flew over , a total of 25 birds.

In the copse- a SONG THRUSH ( first patch record this month )

2 WHITETHROAT, 1 WILLOW WBLR

Stopped off at Huxton Cross where in a recently harvested potato field were 5 WHEATEAR  with 50 + SWALLOW over

Good counts of YELLOW WAGTAIL and WHEATEAR today.

SAT  23 AUG

Limited time available today, but still a very rewarding one. Started a Garden watch at 06.50 till 08.20 , a total of 41 species apatch record and a year tick !

Highlights - at 06.55 20 LITTLE EGRET rose from the marsh , 5 remained on site  others flew off in 3 groups( patch record ), year tick was a flyover calling REDPOLL ( 166 ).11 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 WHITETHROAT, 8 BLACKCAP, 5 WILLOW WBLR, 2 WATER RAIL, 2 SPARROWHAWK, PEREGRINE,

3 BUZZARD, 3 SNIPE, 1 DUNLIN, 80 SWALLOW, 45 HOUSE MARTIN,

10 SAND MARTIN, 4 STOCK DOVE. 4 RAVEN

A quick visit to the ringing team at 08.30 , in time to see them ring a juv REDSTART and one of two GROPPA's ,Totals reported-  9 CHIFFCHAFF

36 WILLOW WBLR, 11 SEDGE WBLR, 14 REED WBLR, 7 WHITETHROAT, 5 BLACKCAP, .

Eric is back on site at South Efford Marsh where today he reports -

28 RINGED PLOVER, 11 DUNLIN, 20 CURLEW, 6 COMMON SANDPIPER,

2 REDSHANK, 1 GREENSHANK, 2 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 1 REDSTART and a HOBBY

Late news from Alan D at South Huish Marsh - a juv LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 3 RINGED PLOVER, 2 DUNLIN

FRI 22 AUG

Although sunny an increasing W wind- up to F4 by 11.00 with an odd shower gave it a definite autumnal feeling. Rather like the weather the birds just haven't got going yet. Hopefully the windy and wet conditions from Sunday pm  might produce some improvement .

Offshore - 70 GANNET, 4 FULMAR, 3 MANX S'WATER, 35 BLACK H GULL.

South Huish Marsh / copse produced -6 DUNLIN, 1 WHEATEAR, 1 STOCK DOVE, 50+ SWALLOW, 10 HOUSE MARTIN, 3 WILLOW WBLR,

2 CHIFFCHAFF. 4 STONECHAT

In the bushes near the footbridge at 12.15 - 2 WHITETHROAT and 2 TREE PIPIT ( first of the autumn )

THURS 21 AUG

The ringing team were at South Milton Ley yesterday , they caught and ringed - 42 WILLOW WBLR, 11 CHIFFCHAFF, 11 REED WBLR, 10 SEDGE WBLR, 2 GROPPA, 3 GARDEN WBLR, 11 WHITETHROAT, 3 BLACKCAP, 1 CETTIS WBLR and 3 SPOTTED FLY.

This morning started sunny and calm which by lunchtime turned into cloud and a F 4/5 WSW wind .

First SANDWICH TERN of the month in the Bay, also a 2s MED GULL with 85 GANNET and 5 FULMAR offshore.Over South Huish Marsh, or ,around the copse were - 2 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 2 WHEATEAR, 3 WILLOW WBLR,

3 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WHITETHROAT and a SPOTTED FLY.

Today was a notable day in the history of the patch - it is the first time in August that we have not recorded a Wader  ( other than OYSTERCATCHER.)

Compared with previous years the numbers of waders are considerably down. Are they late arriving or have we had a lot more visitors and cosequent disturbance ?

WED 20 AUG

Before detailing todays records 2 important pieces of information

Kingsbridge Estuary ( Ria really ) is a very underated site , difficult to view those areas where the birds ,particularly waders and winter duck/geese congregate . One of the best sites is the hide at West Charleton Marsh . . You may find it difficult to believe but the Kingsbridge / Salcombe Water ski-ing Ass are trying to get approval for a special exemption on speed limits so that they can disrupt the whole of the Widegate area, the normal speed limit of 6 knots would be increased to 20 knots. .

If you enjoy birdwatching this cannot be an acceptable proposal, Perry Sanders has posted an item on DEVON BIRD NEWS site on Mon 18/8, there is a direct link to a petition to reject this proposal, PLEASE sign this petition and avoid destroying one of the best sites in the estuary.

Having got that off my chest the next item is a big thankyou to Peter Stafford who lives in the 'White House' at the back of South Huish Marsh . On Mon. he gave me a bag of annual repots for DEVON BIRDS covering the years 1989- 1998 together with a local bird report of rarity standard - 1991 Soar Bird Report which covers the BOBOLINK found by Alan Doidge, this was the first mainland record for Britain. Thanks very much Peter they are a welcome addition to my growing library of bird books- mostly obtained from 2nd hand  and charity shops

Todays sightings - T'stone Marsh / Garden - 4 SNIPE, 1 WATER RAIL, 10 CHIFFCHAFF , 1 BLACKCAP, 2 WILLOW WBLR, 5 SAND MARTIN,

3 WHITETHROAT, 15 HOUSE MARTIN,  1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 LITTLE GREBE,  in total 35 species recorded

On South Huish Marsh / Beach - 1 RINGED PLOVER, 7 DUNLIN, 2 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 2 WHEATEAR, 2 STONECHAT, 1 CURLEW, 1 GREEN S'PIPER , 4 TEAL, 1 WHITE WAGTAIL ( first autumn record )2 MIPIT, 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 WILLOW WBLR , 1 WHITETHROAT. 1 JUV YELLOW L GULL

TUES 19 AUG

An interesting morning with AJL - Started at the car park with an hours seawatch, 10 COMMON SCOTER ( on sea ), picked up a large feeding party of GANNET around 70 birds , quickly became clear that a party of MANX SHEARWATER also on the sea, when disturbed the flock was at least 150 +, 10 FULMAR.

By the footbridge at least 2 REED WBLR and 2 SEDGE WBLR.

On South Huish Marsh- first CURLEW SANDPIPER of the year ( 165 ),

1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 5 TEAL, 1 WHEATEAR. Another visit at 17.30  found

2 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 13 DUNLIN, 1 WATER RAIL.

In the copse 2 WILLOW WBLR, 1 CHIFFCHAFF and a SPOTTED FLY on the fence

MON 18 AUG

A fine sunny morning with just one brief shower, NNW wind F 6 abating late morning .

Joined by Graham Daw for our usual Mon seawatch and walk round the marsh .

85 GANNET, 32 MANX SHEARWATER, 6 FULMAR, 1 KITTIWAKE , 2 BONXIE., 13 DUNLIN, 2 BLAC TAILED GODWIT, 1 REDSHANK,4 TEAL. Warblers etc around the copse - 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 REED WBLR., 1 WHITTHROAT, 4 STONECHAT

A 30 mins garden watch at 07.50 produced 25 species- 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 WHITETHROAT, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, ,1 BLACKCAP, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 35 HOUSE MARTIN

AJL reports 2 WHITETHROAT and a GARDEN WARBLER near the footbridge

SUN 17 AUG

A verycloudy morning with light showers, The F5/6 W wind made it feel more like early October. Offshore a few GANNET and MANX S'WATER with  a CURLEW over.

On South Huish Marsh - 16 DUNLIN, 1 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 1 WHEATEAR, 100+ MALLARD , PEREGRINE over.

On South Milton Ley - 3juv GREY WAGTAIL, 2 WHITETHROAT, 1 SPOTTED FLY

With the high spring tides over the raft of seaweed around the footbridge could produce some waders, worth keeping a close watch here

SAT 16 AUG

Update from the ringing team who visited both Fri & Sat-

FRI - 23 WILLOW WBLR, 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 19 SEDGE WBLR, 14 REED WBLR, 7 WHITETHROAT, 5 BLACKCAP, 1 GARDEN WBLR, 1 GROPPA, 1 GOLDCREST.

On SAT morning - 24 WILLOW WBLR, 9 WHITETHROAT, 8 SEDGE WBLR, 7 REED WBLR, 3 GARDEN WBLR, 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 CETTIS WBLR.

This morning a 1hr garden watch produced-15 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 WILLOW WBLR, 4 WHITETHROAT  ,2 BLACKCAP, 1 REED WBLR, 1 GARDEN WBLR, 2 GREAT SPOTTED WOODY, 1 BULLFINCH, 1 SPARROWHAWK,  1 SNIPE, 1 DUNLIN- atotal of 35 species recorded

AJL repots from South Huish Marsh- 1 WOOD SANDPIPER, 1 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 1 juv YELLOW LEGGED GULL, 3 WHEATEAR. From the same site Alan D at 17.30 had 18 DUNLIN, 1 juv YELLOW WAGTAIL, 40 + PIED WAGTAIL ( many juv )

FRI 15 AUG

The early sunshine and calm conditions soon changed to cloud and a few spots of rain. Wind WNW F2/3

In 15 mins around 08.15 a noticeable movement of warblers through the garden - 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 6 WILLOW WBLR.

Seawatch for 1.5 hrs from 09.15 off Warren Pt,  50 GANNET, 95 MANX SHEARWATER ( inc 1 flock of 75 which is the largest for some time ),

3 BALEARIC SHEARWATER, 3 FULMAR, 15 COMMON SCOTER ,. On the beach/rocks 24 OYSTERCATCHER, 4 RINGED PLOVER. 4 WHITETHROAT on the coast path

On South Huish Marsh - 10 DUNLIN, 5 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SNIPE, 1 TEAL.

Whislst watching the cricket this afternoon did another garden watch - in 1.5 hrs 28 species recorded, inc. 1 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER ( 4th in a week ),10 CHIFFCHAFF, 6 WILLOW WBLR, 2 BLACKCAP, 1 WHITETHROAT, 1 WATER RAIL, , 52 CANADA GOOSE

THURS 14 AUG

News from the ringing team who had a wet morning yesterday - totals ringed -SEDGE W -38, REED W - 3 , WILLOW W -9, ,CHIFFCHAFF -5, WHITETHROAT - 2

A 45 min garden watch from 06.55 produced 24 species - cool and a brisk WNW wind , highlights - 5 WILLOW WBLR, 6 CHIFFCHAFF,

2 WHITETHROAT, 2 RINGED PLOVER over. With more water on the back marsh this aft were 75 MALLARD, 3 TEAL.

A 2hour seawatch from the car park this morning- 142 GANNET, 81 MANX S'WATER, 7 FULMAR, 11 COMMON SCOTER.

Waders on South Huish Marsh 4 RINGED PLOVER, 3 DUNLIN, a MOORHEN with 2 very young chicks . 2 SWIFT flew over

WED 13 AUG

A fine sunny calm early morning, showers for around an hour at 09.30, followed by a brisk F5 W wind

A half hour garden watch at 08.00 made me wish I had started earlier -26 species the highlights of which were - 2 SPOTTED FLY, 7 CHIFFCHAFF,

3 WILLOW WARBLER, 2 BLACKCAP, 2 WHITETHROAT, 1 GREAT SPOTTED WOODY.

No seawatch this morning , met up with Vic T to carry out a survey of maintenance work req'd at South Huish Marsh.. a GREENSHANK flew through at 10.00, also 5 DUNLIN, 1 RINGED PLOVER, 2 SNIPE, , 2 WHEATEAR , 2 SWIFT and a SPARROWHAWK.

On the beach  6 SANDERLING and 2 RINGED PLOVER

Late pm another 5 CHIFFCHAFF through the garden and 5 LITTLE EGRET on the marsh

TUES 12 AUG

After what seems like weeks of warm sunny weather difficult to come to accept a 'normal summer ' day - sunny but a brisk W wind making it feel cold. Even the birds don't like it as this was one of the quietest Aug days I can remember, only wader logged were 15 OYSTERCATCHER. South Huish marsh had 120 MALLARD and 2 TEAL.

Offshore- 35 MANX S' WATER, 30 GANNET , 2 FULMAR and 4 COMMON SCOTER on the sea.

At Huxton Cross 2 SWIFT

At least Eric has been recording some waders at South Efford Marsh - over the last 2 days- 8 COMMON SANDPIPER, 2 GREEN SANDPIPER,

4 RINGED PLOVER,1 DUNLIN, 2 WHIMBREL, 2 BLACK T GODWIT 

1 BAR T GODWIT, plus resident CURLEW flock and a GREENSHANK

MON 11 AUG

Strong W f7 wind, rough seas with a clear horizon, showers arrived at 12.00

Seawatch from 9.00-10.30 with Graham Daw & AJL  found all the birds well out in the Bay- 120 GANNET, 5  FULMAR, a total of 70 MANX SHEARWATER was probably well down on the numbers moving through as they were difficult to pick up in the troughs . 2 groups of small waders

( 12 & 3 ) flew east, again too far out to id.

At the footgridge a SPARROWHAWK sat on a post before flying over South Milton Ley.

On South Huish Marsh only 1 SNIPE and a WILLOW WARBLER.

AJL had a WHEATEAR on the golf course and the LITTLE GREBE on the Marsh .At 16.15 during a heavy shower a GREENSHANK flew into the back marsh .

High tides and strong winds seems to have blocked the culvert, by 12.30 there was water on the back marsh which continues to rise this afternoon and the road is partially flooded

SUN 10 AUG

Family visiting this w/end for birthday celebration so activities limited . On the basis they like to sleep in arranged an early meeting this morning with Bertha , arrived in the car park at 06.50 to be greeted with driving rain , very poor viz and only a F6 SSW wind. Most activity in the first hour , quite good 2nd hour , when the clear skies arrived and the wind backed W but increasing to F8 passage stopped . Not as good as expected but well worth the effort.

Interesting to note that almost all our passage was east whereas Berry Head , Orcombe Pt and Budleigh Salterton was west - are these different birds coming through the Channel in a cicular movement ?

06.50=-08.00 - Gannet 190, Manx S'water 95 , Balearic S'water 2, Fulmar 5, Common Scoter  22-e & 12 on sea , 1 BONXIE east @ 07.25

O8.00- 09.00-GANNET 160, MANX S'WATER 3, FULMAR 3, MED GULL 1, BLACK H GULL 5 .

09.00-10.00- GANNET 35, MANX S'WATER 8, FULMAR 5, 1 STORM PETREL east @ 09.10

FRI 8 AUG

Morning still sunny and flat calm , more cloudy this afternoon.Although very quiet the unexpected still turns up and makes you realise what patch working is all about

Offshore -a few GANNET, 3 COMMON SCOTER, 5 MANX SHEARWATER.

On the rocks 3 RINGED PLOVER.

The footbridge came up trumps with 5 REED WARBLER, 1 SEDGE WARBLER, and a year tick - a KINGFISHER ( 164 ).

Around South Huish Marsh 7 STONECHAT  and the larest flock for  a few years of HOUSE SPARROW - 175

a 1 hour garden watch this afternoon-16.00 produced 27 species inc

2 GREEN SANDPIPER, HOBBY, SPOTTED FLY, WHITETHROAT, BLACKCAP

THURS 7 AUG

Late news for MON 4 AUG - ringing team caught 105 Warblers  whic included their first GROPPA , other totals were WILLOW W - 33, SEDGE W 34 , REED W 24, WHITETHROAT8 , CETTIS W 4 , and a GARDEN W.

Today was another sunny calm morning, 15 mins in my garden at 08.00 - 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 WILLOW W, 2 WHITETHROAT 1 BLACKCAP and  ararity here a GROPPA moving alon the ditch. This afternoon at 17.15 a GREEN SANDPIPER flew in ( same time as yesterday ) and a flyover GREY WAGTAIL

 On the rocks a WHIMBREL. By the footbridge-4 SEDGE W , 5 REED W,

1 WHITHROAT ..

On South Huish Marsh a few Hirundines - 85 SWALLOW, 30 HOUSE MARTIN , 1 SAND MARTIN. 1 WHEATEAR and still the 2 BLACK TAILED GODWIT .Also a SNIPE

Ringing team at South Milton Ley did not get their expected total of warblers- only 21 WILLOW W, 9 CHIFFCHAFF, 33 SEDGE W, 9 REED W,

3 WHITETHROAT

Late news from Eric at South Efford Marsh -6 GREEN SANDPIPER,

3 DUNLIN, 1 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, WHIMBREL, CURLEW, 7 COMMON SANDPIPER, SPOTTED FLY

My XW weather station is forecasting gale force SW /W winds on Sunday morning with gusts up to force 10 looks like an early start.

WED 6 AUG

Another fine sunny day with a brisk W wind - Only record offshore was a feeding frenzy of 250+ GANNET,.

By the footbridge - REED & SEDGE WBLR, WHITETHROAT , CHIFFCHAFF and a GREY WAGTAIL

On the rocks 3 REDSHANK- this is a site record for me ( in 10  years ) to think they are very common only 3 miles away on the Kingsbridge Est, this makes 5 birds recorded in the last 3 days .

On South Huish Marsh 2 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 1 TEAL, 90 MALLARD, then at 10.40 a wader flew in down the valley a fine juv LITTLE RINGED PLOVER ( only the 2nd patch record this year )

Flying over Huxton Cross a flock of 22 SWIFT

Late afternoon whilst doing a garden watch a GREEN SANDPIPER flew in , the best of 27 species recorded in just over an hour

TUES 5 AUG

Heavy o/night rain and a good F4 S wind increased expectations, unfortunately the large Shearwaters did not have the Bay on their horizon .

Joined By Alan D between us we could only come up with- 50 GANNET, 7 FULMAR, 4 MANX SHEARWATER, 9 COMMON SCOTER and a juv COMMON GULL.

On South Huish marsh - 2 BLACK TAILED GODWIT , 1 REDSHANK and a DUNLIN. 4 WHITETHROAT, YELLOW WAGTAIL reported yesterday evening . At Huxton Cross -2 SWIFT.

The ringing team yesterday had a good morning with - 33 WILLOW WBLR, 34 SEDGE, 24 REED WBLR, 4 CETTIS WBLR, 1 GARDEN WBLR, and 8 WHITETHROAT

MON 4 AUG

Problems with the web site yesterday, several paras did not post .

Eric at South Efford Marsh had 7 GREEN and 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, whist on Sat Alan D had 40 MED GULL on the Kinsbridge Est

Another day of sunshine and light winds- On T'stone Marsh LITTLE GREBE and a TEAL, with a GREY WAGTAIL over. At 14.00 Graham D had a GROPPA, whist at 15.30 I had a REDSHANK flyover calling

An hours sea watch off the car park produced 10 MANX SHEARWATER, 20 GANNET, 7 COMMON SCOTER on the sea.

By the footbridge a CHIFFCHAFF and 2 REED WARBLER

On South Huish Marsh  Nick T had the first juv WHEATEAR, also a TEAL and on the back marsh a BLACK TAILED GODWIT. An ad YELLOW LEGGED GULL feeding on the marsh gave great views. In the copse/ gardens CHIFFCHAFF, WHITETHROAT, WILLOW WARBLER.

Nick T also scored on Sunday with 3 SPOTTED FLY in his garden and a juv PIED FLYCATCHER ( 163 ) in South Milton village

SUN 3 AUG

Did another 1 hour survey from my garden at 07.00 , 33 species recorded main highlights were - WATER RAIL, SPARROWHAWK, 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 BLACKCAP, 2 REED WARBLER. Very few hirundines

SAT 2 AUG

After a night of very heavy rain, the morning had plenty of sunny spells with an increasing SSW/W wind.

On the beaches were 25 SANDERLING, 1 TURNSTONE, 2 DUNLIN,

2 WHIMBREL and a RINGED PLOVER.

38 COMMON SCOTER and a MED GULL flew east.

By the footbridge ( reed beds flattend ) REED and SEDGE WARBLER ,

1 GREY WAGTAIL

On South Huish Marsh - 5 DUNLIN.   LITTLE GREBE still on T'stone Marsh.

At Huxton Cross 3 SWIFT .

Late Fri evening a HOBBY flew over T'stone Marsh

FRI 1 AUG

Woke up to a complete change in the weather - heavy rain which persisted for most of the day, at least the marshes will have been topped up .

Even though it was raining carried out another 1hr survey from my garden at 06.45- today 32 species recorded. Highlights -5 HERON,

4 CORMORANT over, PEREGRINE, REED , SEDGE, WILLOW WARBLERS, BLACKCAP , CHIFFCHAFF.

Another hours watch from 16.30 produced 4 juv STONECHAT,

4 WILLOW, 1 SEDGE WARBLER, 3 CHIFFCHAFF and a GREAT SPOTTED WOODY.

Went over to South Huish Marsh at 14.20- still heavy rain, 11 RINGED PLOVER, 2 DUNLIN, 2 SNIPE , 3 TEAL.

Offshore 19 MANX and 1 BALEARIC SHEARWATER flew east, 3 FULMAR

( first sightings of these species for 3 weeks )

LITTLE GREBE still on T'stone Marsh

Heavy rain forecast for tonight , hopefully this might bring some more waders in