FRI 31 JAN

What a dire end to the month of January. Heavy rain with gale force S/SSW wind.

Went over to South Huish marsh just to see if any more white winged Gulls came in for a wash and preen - after an hour - no, however they say fortune favours the brave - a JACK SNIPE ( 97 ) seen in flight twice.

THURS 30 JAN

Late news for Wed- AJL had a CURLEW ( 96 ) over T'stone Marsh in the afternoon .

 A cold morning with a light ENE wind , 100% cloud so visability below average.

Highlight of the morning was a 1st W ICELAND GULL on South Huish Marsh from 10.40 - 10.55- this looked a different bird to last weeks , both AJL and I spent some time looking carefully at the bird as it did not look a typical ICELAND final clincher was the bill - almost 100% black .

Also on the Marsh 5 WIGEON, 60 TEAL, 4 SHOVELER, 3 LAPWING, 2 SNIPE.

Offshore - 100 WIGEON ( which late morning flew onto the Marsh ) 2 RED T DIVER

( 1-E and 1 on sea ) ,1 GREAT N DIVER - E.

A  quick visit to West Buckland  produced 30 GOLDFINCH and a REDWING ( first on the patch since early Jan )

It is a long time since 4 White Winged Gulls recorded on the patch in a week.

WED 29 JAN

A fine sunny morning with light winds and a flat sea. Offshore only 1 RED T DIVER, 10 KITTIWAKE and 6 GUILLEMOT.

No change in the duck on South Huish marsh , a LAPWING was new in and 3 SNIPE counted .2 SONG THRUSH in the copse were noteworthy.

A walk round South Milton Ley produced 8 CHIFFCHAFF, 2CETTIS WARBLER, 1 SNIPE nad small numbers of CHAFFINCH, GREENFINCH, GOLDFINCH., GOLDCREST, BLUE TIT , GREAT TIT, SONG THRUSH and a JAY.

On T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 2 LITTLE EGRET, 2 SHOVELER. 5 REED BUNTING on the feeders.

Doesn't look like the weather is going to improve after Thursday -lots of rain and gale force winds  for the following week.

TUES 28 JAN

After another night of gale force winds  and heavy showers  daylight did not bring any improvement until around 10.30. Seas very rough.

Offshore a 2hr seawatch only produced 16 GANNET, 15 KITTIWAKE, 5 FULMAR .

On South H Marsh - 90 WIGEON, 70 TEAL ( no full count undertaken ).

In West Buckland Valley at least some evidence of small birds - 6 BLUE TIT, 2 GREAT TIT, 1 COAL TIT, 2 BULLFINCH, 2 MISTLE THRUSH 10 GOLDFINCH, 1 CHAFFINCH, 5 ROBIN.

At 16.00 a surprise to find 2 CIRL BUNTING  ( 95 )  in my garden

Eric W reports at South Efford Marsh - GLOSSY IBIS still , 19 CURLEW, 22 SHELDUCK, 3 WATER PIPIT

MON 27 JAN

Another morning of heavy showers, gale 8 W winds , . Because of the weather Graham Daw and I spent the first hour looking out over the Bay from the car park - a passage of Gulls moving west , at 09.45 we watched a biscuit coloured GLAUCOUS GULL- 1 W - only 15 yards off . After the adult on Friday  a real surprise to have a second patch bird . Only other sightings were 3 KITTIWAKE and 2 GANNET.

Because of the wind a lot of Duck appeared to have left South H Marsh for the Kingsbridge Est - totals were , 95 WIGEON, 25 TEAL, 5 SHOVELER. , also a few SNIPE.

Amongst a small flock of BLACK H GULL was an adult COMMON GULL. and an ad YELLOW- LEGGED GULL amongst the HERRING GULLS

On T'stone Marsh - 10 TEAL, 1 LITTLE GREBE and a GREY WAGTAIL

SUN 26 JAN

Away visiting friends from 11.00 - Managed just over 30 mins from the car park in really fowl weather , gale foce winds , heavy rain and poor visability . manged to see 25 GANNET and 2 RED T DIVERS

Eric w reported the GLOSSY IBIS still on South Efford Marsh

SAT 25 JAN

Early start with a TAWNY OWL outside my garden at 06.00. Laye aft. a shooting party in the opposite fields put the Duck - having thought there were no more than 10 TEAL at least 45 took to the air - no SNIPE though .

Went down to South H Marsh - no sign of yesterdays Gulls, 105 WIGEON, 65 TEAL, 4 SHOVELER, 14 SNIPE, 4 LAPWING.

Around the cafe fields 30 GREENFINCH and 50 GOLDFINCH.

Robert Rogers ( farmer ) confirmed a sighting of BARN OWL ( 94 ) late Thurs evening by the unoccupied bungalow

PHOTOS 24 JAN 2014

FRI 24 JAN

Gull fest morning at South Huish Marsh  from 10.00 - An adult GLAUCOUS ( 92 ) and a 1st W ICELAND ( 93 ) ( sat together on the Marsh ) also amongst the HERRING GULLs and adult YELLOW LEGGED GULL . More info to be posted later, also some great photos taken by Alan

The GLAUCOUS was the first since April 2011, whilst an ICELAND was last seen in Dec

2013. To get both species not only on the same date but actually in the scope together was one of those remarkable days we rarely get.Another patch record 10 GULL species in a week. Any cance a LITTLE GULL could turn up on Sat/ Sun ?

On South Huish Marsh were 115 WIGEON, 125 TEAL, 3 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK, 2 MUTE SWAN and 30 SNIPE

late news from Eric at South Efford marsh - GLOSSY IBIS still, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER 27 SHELDUCK, 18 LITTLE EGRET, 2 WATER PIPIT

THURS 23 JAN

Nothing to report from the patch today - apart from 5 MUTE SWAN on T'stone Marsh at 08.30.

Went over to the Erme Est to carry out a WeBS count as Mike T who took over from me a couple of years ago is on holiday in Australia .

Trust me to pick a morning when the footpaths were closed as they were shooting ( didnt hear any loud bangs ) . Managed to record 110 WIGEON, 5 TEAL, 60 MALLARD, 14 OYSTERCATCHER, ,10 CURLEW, 4 REDSHANK, 1 HERON, 8 LITTLE EGRET, 2 LITTLE GREBE.

Numbers of small birds well down on what I used to record , however I did find singles of NUTHATCH & TREE CREEPER also 2 MISTLE THRUSH .

Just a reminder if you are thinking of visiting this Estuary - a permit from the Flete Est is required

WED 22 JAN

A complete change today, with a F3/4 NW wind and some sunny intervals., absolutely nothing offshore until a flock of 90 WIGEON flew in and landed on the sea.

On South H Marsh - 110 WIGEON, 90 TEAL, 4 SHOVELER, 1 LAPWING. a PEREGRINE flew through

7 TURNSTONE on the rocks .

At South Milton Ley 6 CHIFFCHAFF and a SIB CHIFFCHAFF ( 91 ), 2 BULLFINCH, 1 GREY WAGTAIL..

West Buckland valley only produced 2 GOLDCREST, 10 GOLDFINCH, 1 COAL TIT, 1m BULLFINCH.

On T'stone Mrash - 4 LITTLE EGRET, 2 LAPWING , a few TEAL. 7 REED BUNTING on my feeders.

Report from Eric W -South Efford Marsh / Tidal Road- GLOSSY IBIS still, 3 GREENSHANK, 4 REDSHANK, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER , 2 WATER PIPIT

 He also asked me to point out that on SAT the Devon Wildlife Trust are having a public open day on the Marsh  which will be very busy with guided walks all day - likely to result in  a lot of disturbace

TUES 21 JAN

A cloudy morning with a strengthening S wind -up to F6 by 12.00.  Showers from 12.00 with reduced visability. What started out an ordinary morning turned into a spectacular one from 10.30.

All the action offshore. By 10.30 I had logged 30+ KITTIWAKE moving east, in the next 2 hours I logged a further 1200 ( only 5 were 1st w )- by far a record count for the patch  and one of the highest South Devon Coast counts in the last 10 years ( for Jan ). Also part of the movement were - 190 GANNET, 140 GREAT B B GULL, 

3 FULMER, 31 AUKS, 5 GREAT N DIVER and 3 RED T DIVER, 275 WIGEON flew east 

( flocks of140,20,60 & 55 )

Waders on the rocks - 8 TURNSTONE, 4 RINGED PLOVER, and a SANDERLING ( 90 )

On South H Marsh only 40 WIGEON, 25 TEAL, 3 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK,  and the TUFTED DUCK.

On T'stone Marsh - 20 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 4 LITTLE EGRET,

MON 20 JAN

Another fine sunny morning with light winds and a flat sea , the Auks/ Diver sightings continue 

Joined by Graham Daw and AJL - offshore at least 75 Auks on the sea, probable split 60% RAZORBILL/  40% GUILLEMOT. Easiest way to pick them up was to look for the KITTIWAKES who would land to feed on any leftovers. , at least 30 K'Wake.

3 RED THROATED DIVER ( 2 on the sea and 1 flew west ). Only 6 GANNET. A MUTE SWAN on the sea and a family party of 5 flew east. 3 TURNSTONE on the rocks .

Graham had a large flock of 180+ WIGEON fly into the Bay and land on the sea just after 13.00 This has been occuring a few times over the last 2 weeks - possibly birds out of the Erme Est if thee is a   Duck shoot.

On South H Marsh - 100 TEAL, 70 WIGEON, 5 SHOVELER  and a colour ringed ROCK PIPIT ( yellow on right leg and blue flag on left - could be one that Dave Scott ringed last year )

On T'stone Marsh - 10 TEAL, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 3 LAPWING, 1 WATER RAIL, 1 GREAT Sp WOODPECKER and 4 REED BUNTING on the feeders

SUN 19 JAN

A fine winters day - light winds, sun, and a relatively flat sea . Best offshore morning of the year so far .

Report received from Karen Livett of  a GREEN WOODPECKER ( 87 ) on Thursday .

Noticeable passage of AUKS with quite a large number landing on the sea  .Up to 10.30 375 logged flying east. Of those which could be id'd 60 % were RAZORBILL.

 2 flocks of GREAT NORTHERN DIVER flew west - 7 at 10.30 and 6 at 10.40 At 13 this is a patch day record. Later a BLACK THROATED DIVER (88 ) watched on the sea.

.7 COMMON SCOTER (89 ) flew west.  Only 2 GANNET logged , however there were

7 KITTIWAKE.

 Waders on the rocks 27 OYSTERCATCHER, 10 TURNSTONE, also a LITTLE EGRET

 Duck numbers increased on South H Marsh to 122 WIGEON, 96 TEAL, 8 SHOVELER,

2 SHELDUCK and the TUFTED DUCK,  4 SNIPE and an ad MED GULL ( AJL )

Ringing team at South Milton Ley commented how few birds were around- they ringed a SNIPE, 1 SKYLARK , 3 CHIFFCHAFF were  already ringed.

Very little on T'stone Marsh

SAT 18 JAN

A big reduction in duck on South Huish Marsh- only 15 WIGEON and 55 TEAL this morning .Long stayers of SHELDUCK and TUFTED DUCK also 7 SHOVELER still present.

On T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 3 LAPWING and briefly 6 LITTLE EGRET.

News from Eric W the GLOSSY IBIS still on South Efford Mrah and a WATER PIPIT

FRI 17 JAN

Another morning of squally heavy showers, nothing offshore. Reduction in TEAL on both marshes , total this morning only  60. On South H Marsh WIGEON increased to 70, SHELDUCK increased to 5 and SHOVELER to 11 .

 A reminder from  Nick T, a working party arranged for 11am on Monday to remove the last of the logs , any help and assistance would be welcome .

 Went over to Aveton Gifford this morning and had close views of the GLOSSY IBIS feeding just inside the gated entry to South Efford Marsh , this is an unringed bird . Also managed to pick up a GREEN SANDPIPER and 3 COMMON SANDPIPER

THURS 16 JAN

A morning with some very heavy showers which included some hail , gusts up to F8 in amongst the showers.

Offshore 30 GANNET, 16 KITTIWAKE , 1 COMMON GULL ( all east ). At 11.15 the first flock of 100 WIGEON flew into the Bay and landed on the sea, followed 15mins later by another 60. In between a small flock of 15 SHOVELER also landed on the sea . 2 TURNSTONE were on the rocks.

On South Huish Marsh -  80 TEAL, 45 WIGEON, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 TUFTED DUCK,

25 LAPWING, 5 SNIPE.

T'stone Marsh seems to be losing Duck as the water level continues to fall - only 21 TEAL,, 2 LAPWING , the 2 MUTE SWAN back this morning and again flew off at 16.45.

News received of a GLOSSY IBIS on South Efford  Marsh from Tim whilst working on the hide on 14th, it was also seen again today, along with 22 LITTLE EGRET,

17 SHELDUCK and 3 WATER PIPIT

WED 15 JAN

A cloudy morning with some showers and a strong SW wind.

Offshore was limited to only 5 GANNET.

Something spooked the duck on South Huish Marsh- did not see a raptor but at least it made counting everything that much easier - 130 WIGEON, 85 TEAL, 7 SHOVELER,

2 SHELDUCK  and singles of GADWALL & TUFTED DUCK. 30 LAPWING and 25 SNIPE

The Finch flock behind the Cafe has built up to 30 GREENFINCH and 20 GOLDFINCH

On T'stone Marsh only duck recorded were 55 TEAL and 50 MALLARD. The 2 MUTE SWAN were seen flying away at 16.00 last night

TUES 14 JAN

Little wind , sunny and a relatively calm sea ( after the last few weeks ). Walked round the Bay with Graham Daw & AJL.

The calm weather must have resulted in a dispersal of Divers - 2 groups of GREAT NORTHERN ( 84 ), 4 & 4 flew west ( 09.45 and 12.30 ) and 1 east , also a RED THROATED on the sea. At 09.30 an EIDER ( 85 ) picked up flying east ( appeared to land on the sea but could not be relocated ). No GANNET this morning but 4 GUILLEMOT. 1 TURNSTONE on the rocks.

On South Huish Marsh - 105 WIGEON , 60 TEAL, 7 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 f TUFTED DUCK. 15 SNIPE, 30 LAPWING.

In the copse a GOLDCREST.

Near Huxton Cross Bob B had a flock of 100 CHAFFINCH and a YELLOWHAMMER ( 86 )

This afternoon a drive down the tidal road at Aveton Gifford  produced - 3 COMMON SANDPIPER, 2 GREENSHANK, 2 REDSHANK and a LITTLE GREBE

MON 13 JAN

Back on the patch this morning - had to use the car as a hide to keep dry with some very heavy showers from 10.00.

A flock of 130 WIGEON spent all morning on the sea, whist looking through them the first FULMAR (81 ) of the year flew through. Also in the Bay 15 GANNET, 5 KITTIWAKE , 4 AUKS, 1ad MED GULL, a DUNLIN ( 82 ) and a steady passage of BLACK HEADED GULL heading east - at least  150.

On South Huish Marsh - 80 TEAL, 35 WIGEON, 7 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK  and 35 LAPWING.

Whilst at Huxton Cross looking for the LAPWING flock a nice flypast of 25 GOLDEN PLOVER ( 83 )

Little on T'stone Marsh - 35 TEAL, 1m GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 LAPWING

SUN 12 JAN

Back full time on the patch today- still fairly quiet until around 12.00

On T'stone Marsh - 60 TEAL, 2 MUTE SWAN, 1 LAPWING

On South Huish Marsh - 130 TEAL, 80 WIGEON, 1f TUFTED DUCK, 7 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK , 35 LAPWING.

At 12.00 waders flew onto the rocks - 7 TURNSTONE & 8 RINGED PLOVER. Then at 12.30 the first Diver of the year -a RED THROTED ( 80 ) flew west

SAT 11 JAN

Late post of today's reports- My patch activities limited to looking over the Marsh at 8.15 - 55 TEAL, 2 MUTE SWAN , 3 REED BUNTING and a COAL TIT .

AJL reported on South H Marsh- 150 TEAL, 80 WIGEON, 6 SHOVELER,  2 GADWALL, 10 SNIPE

Report of 4 dead GUILLEMOT on the beach ( not oiled )

Best news for the patch came from June Huggins who had a f BLACK REDSTART ( 79 ) in her garden.

Driving from South Brent up to Didworthy a ringtail HEN HARRIER over the car .

Before visiting Trago Mills ( they do some very good railway books at about 25% of retail price , managed to add 2 more to my library) a visit to Stover Country Park - this is just a fantastic site to get really close to some woodland birds even with so many people around - I managed - 1 MARSH TIT, 5 NUTHATCH, 2 CROSSBILL, 1 SISKIN, 1 BULLFINCH, 1 GREAT Sp WOODPECKER as well as lots of BLUE< COAL & GREAT TITS. Then on the lake close views of 1m 1f GOOSANDER , 2 GREAT C GREBE, 1 LITTLE GREBE

Bob B reports at South M Ley 4 CHIFFCHAFF ( 1 trisits type )

FRI 10 JAN

With the settled weather continuing decided to have a day off the patch and visited Dawlish Warren, Starcross, Bowling Green Marsh

On Starcross golf course - Black Brant and 3 pale bellied Brents amongst over 200 Brent Goose .

At Starcross overlooking the Est- 1 Slav Grebe, 20 Red B Merganser , Knot , Bar T Godwit . On the outskirts of the village a flooded field held at least 10 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, as well as Redshank, Dunlin and Curlew.

At Dawlish Warren ( thanks to Lee ) 6 Velvet Scoter, 22 Common Scoter, Red T Diver , Black T Diver and Great C Grebe offshore.

At Bowling Green marsh - Long tailed Duck, no waders at high tide , went to the viewing platform to find 50 Grey Plover, 60 Avocet, 1 Black T Godwit ( where were the rest ? ) Dunlin and Redshank . Large flock of Brent Goose in the field , couln't find anything else with them.

Vic T reports 6 Great N Diver off Mountbatten today

Thankfully the water level has started to fall at T'stone Marsh, only concern now is whether it will completly drain away . Diggers working again today to clear the blockage .

Late news - just spoke to Nick T who confirmed 5 RINGED PLOVER ( 78 ) on Yarmer Beach this morning 

THURS 9 JAN

Most of the morning spent cleaning up South Milton Ley by the footbridge lots of plastic and other rubbish - the many wooden poles are to be moved on Sat . Many thanks to Nick for organising the working party and to Vic T, Graham and Martin Daw, and 3 South Milton villages for their assistance.

On South H Marsh - 110 WIGEON ( 60 flew over ) , 80 TEAL, 5 SHOVELER ,Amongst 250 + BLACK H GULL were 2 ad MED GULL.

On the rocks 2 TURNSTONE .( 77 )

T'stone Marsh water level continues to rise- Golf Club car park out of use, should start to drop after 2 diggers managed to clear a new oulet . 30 TEAL, 3 WIGEON, 1 m GADWALL, 45 LAPWING, 2 SNIPE. A f REED BUNTING  (76 ) back on my feeders .

 AFD  & EW  found juv GLAUCOUS GULL as well as an ICELAND GULL in Brixham harbour  this aft. No sign of the WHITE BILLED DIVER

WED 8 JAN

At last a morning without gale force winds., still no improvement in the range of species recorded.

On T'stone marsh - 70 TEAL, 4 WIGEON, 4 LITTLE EGRET, 9 OYSTERCATCHER and a SNIPE

On South H Marsh - 100 + WIGEON, 90 TEAL, 4 SHOVELER, 27 OYSTERCATCHER.

32 LAPWING ( flew over ) . 1 GREY WAGTAIL

Nothing at all offshore .

The LAPWING flock at Huxton Cross  now only 35.

Both Bob and I had  COAL TIT ( 75 ) at separate locations

TUES 7 JAN

Heavy showers accompanied by thunder early , still gale force sw wind until late morning.

On T'stone Marsh at 08.00 - 75 TEAL., 3 WIGEON , 2 f SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK,

1 LAPWING,

Offshore - 2 db BRENT GOOSE ( flew around the Bay, seen by Bob to land on T'stone Marsh )  8 KITTIWAKE, 8 GANNET, 250+ BLACK H GULL, 1 ad MED GULL,

2 AUKS ,

1 PEREGRINE

On South H Marsh - 80 WIGEON, 100 TEAL, 7 SHOVELER, 38 OYSTERCATCHER,

1 1st W YELLOW L GULL ( amongst about 100 HERRING GULL )

A short visit to South Milton Ley  produced - 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 BULLFINCH, 1 WATER RAIL.

Nick T over the weekend had 4 SHELDUCK, 3 CETTIS WARBLER, 2 WATER RAIL.. TAWNY OWL calling in his garden

Patch  year list now 74  which I have added to the 2014 year list page.

At South Efford Marsh  Eric W reports - 45 MUTE SWAN, 17 SHELDUCK, 70 WIGEON, 30 TEAL, 5 SHOVELER, 10 GOLDCREST, 5 CHIFFCHAFF

MON 6 JAN

If you have not visited the area around T'stone rock recently then you are in for some surprises. There is probably enough timber in South Milton Ley and Leasefoot beach to build several hides. Most of the sandunes have been washed away - about 30 feet back . Compared to parts of Cornwall and North Devon we have ( so far )  got away lightly

Another fantastic day for watching the waves ( from a safe distance ) with gale force 8 gusting 9 SW winds and some heavy squally showers.

In the bay only 4 GANNET, 7 KITTIWAKE and an ad COMMON GULL. 5 AUKS flew east

On South H Marsh - 40 sheltering OYSTERCATCHER, 17 SHOVELER, 120+ TEAL, 100 MALLARD and 80 WIGEON.

T'stone Marsh is more flooded than last year - whilst writing the DEC monthly report I got interrupted counting - 70 TEAL, 1f WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 30 MALLARD and 2 LAPWING.

Patch year list grown to 65- will start putting details  on later this week

Message from Vic Tucker - inner Mountbatten - 2 GREAT N DIVER , playing amongst the surf a 1w LITTLE GULL

SUN 5 JAN

Didn't take long for the expected rain to arrive -as I was in a meeting until 12.30 only time for a brief look over T'stone marsh where the TEAL had increased to 50 and 3 SHOVELER were new arrivals .

With all this poor weather the patch year list is only moving along slowly- hopefully more settled conditions will arrive later this week , there is plenty of water on the marshes all we need are the birds

SAT 4 JAN

Late posting , spent all day off the patch. With light winds and the prospect of little rain made the trip to Brixham to obtain some great views of the WHITE BILLED DIVER ( a life tick for me ), RED NECKED GREBE, BLACK GUILLEMOT plus more divers than I have seen in a day. Female LONG TAILED DUCK flew across the Bay.

Went over to Broadsands where more Divers , 60+ GREAT CRESTED GREBE and some CIRL BUNTING

Finished the day off with a visit to Slapton where 3 BLACK NECKED GREBE,  3 SCAUP, 10 POCHARD, 2m 6 f GOLDENEYE as well as large numbers of TUFTED DUCK, COOT and GADWALL. Offshore 1 RED T DIVER and 25 COMMON SCOTER

Before leaving on T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 1m GADWALL, 2 MUTE SWAN ( over ) . Whislt driving down the lane - 2 MISTLE THRUSH, 2 REDWING , 30 LINNET

FRI 3 JAN

What can only be described as a really horrendous day, impossible to stand up with a scope , could only find 10 GANNET, 4 KITTIWAKE and a GUILLEMOT .

Could not count the duck on South Huish Marsh .

All the roads around Aveton Gifford flooded ,even at low tide.

Managed to have a quick look over the Kinsbridge Est, from the pumping station -

600 + DUNLIN, 25 CURLEW, 18 RED B MERGANSER, 100 SHELDUCK , 800 WIGEON, 50 TEAL, 2 PINTAIL, 12 BRENT GOOSE, 3 COMMON GULL .

At Huxton Cross Lapwing flock est at 150, 3 SKYLARK.

Everything blown away on T'stone Marsh .

 Further damage to the sand dunes and shore at South M Sands / Thurlestone Sands,

 Gale force 9 winds from 12.00 Sun until 18.00 Mon - what next ?

THURS 2 JAN

Sunshine with a brisk W wind . Some damage at South Milton / T'stone Sands as a result of this mornings high tide , looks as though at least a metre of sand has been washed away, lots of the posts protecting the dunes also washed away- even higher morning tides until Tues 

Still nothing offshore - must all have moved off to Torbay !. Only 1 bird on the sea - a GUILLEMOT ( didn't look too healthy.)

On South H Marsh -145+ TEAL, 80 WIGEON, 4 SHOVELER, 1m GADWALL,

1 f TUFTED DUCK ( nice to get that on the patch year list ).

T'stone Marsh - 100 LAPWING, 25 TEAL, 1 LITTLE GREBE ( AJL )

Bob B at South M Ley - 3 CHIFFCHAFF, GOLDCREST.

At Huxton Cross at 12.00 - 155 LAPWING, 50 STARLING , 35 PIED WAGTAIL. 2 STOCK DOVE

Short visit to West Buckland / Valley - flushed a WOODCOCK from a ditch, 4 GOLDCREST, 8  LONG T TIT, 10 GOLDFINCH, 2 BLACKBIRD, 6 BLUE TIT , 4 GREAT TIT, 1 GREAT Sp WOODPECKER

Nick T had 2 JAY in his garden.

Mentioned some of the commoner species as they are not too easy to find at the moment , very few small birds in my garden .

Force 10 S/SW winds tonight & Friday , also looks like continuing into next week

WED 1 JAN

Today has got to be the worst ever first day of a new  year - driving rain and severe gale force winds- and very few birds .

When rain relented and I could see through the windows , T'stone Marsh held 30 TEAL, 1 LAPWING, 35 SNIPE, 1 GREY WAGTAIL .

A short visit to South H Marsh this afternoon came up with , m GADWALL, f SHOVELER , TEAL, WIGEON , 1 LITTLE EGRET.

Offsore 4 GANNET and a KITTIWAKE

 Patch year list a miserly 35.

Hopefully the weather improves tommorrow