Thurlestone Bay is a bird rich area of the South Hams (part of Devon). Although not having an estuary the patch has several sites which produce a wide diversity of species.

Any comments you wish to make can be entered in the guestbook.

Those of you who are keen eyed will have noticed we have a new header- Glossy Ibis on South Huish Marsh in September .If you look closely you can see a fly through raptor ! Photo from Alan Doidge

Have also had a training course in transferring photos - first two are Purple Sandpiper and Little Gull, hopefully this will add more interest to the site

Have also added 3 more direct links to other sites that I follow

 The SEPTEMBER monthly review has been posted  and also transferred the SEPTEMBER sightings to the archive 2014 section. Details of ringing teams activities included in the text , there was one controls / recovery to report- A SEDGE WARBLER controlled in France- details in the monthly report section

2014

THURS 6 NOV

WED 5 NOV

With clear skies forecast expectations for a good viz mig day were high - and they arrived.

My viz mig watch was from 07.15 -09.00 on my balcony and 09.45 - 12.00 from Bob's car park.

Garden watch produced 44 species . a male PINTAIL flying up the valley at 07.30 was the first of the autumn. A Cormorant flew in the opposite direction .

Main activity were WOOD PIGEON - 17650 -SE and 2170- NW. largest flocks were 2500 (x2 ), 1500 ( x2 )and 1000. Those flying SE were often above 1000ft and closely packed together , whereas those NW were rarely above 200ft and were often strung out. Whilst my toals were good  they were overshadowed by 55,000 at Dawlish Warren, 202,000 at Gwent and 23,500 at Painswick ( Gloucs ) Because of the height birds were flying I only managed to pick out 7 STOCK DOVE .

Another surprise was the movement of Corvids , we have a significant roost site in Thurlestone for ROOK and Jacdaw , this morning flocks were flying NW and did not stop to join the resident birds - totals were - ROOK 550 NW, JACKDAW 120 + NW. Also 8 RAVEN

Thrushes were - BLACKBIRD 12, SONG THRUSH 1 , MISTLE THRUSH 2 , REDWING 20 all NW and 190 STARLING.

Finches - GOLDFINCH -67, CHAFFINCH- 28, GREENFINCH 26, REED BUNTING 5 , PIED WAGTAIL 11, GREY WAGTAIL 1 , MIPIT 31,

SKYLARK 34, LINNET 20, and a GREAT SP WOODY

Anyone interested in the WOOD PIGEON movements should go to the

trektellen web site for repots submitted throught W Europe

TUES 4 NOV

At first light a clear morning with no wind - later NW F4/5 and some showers . Good viz .

Garden Watch from 07.20-08.40 produced 39 species . Only 150 WOOD PIGEON , although at 12.00 2 flocks totalling 350 flew NW.Other highlights - 1 MERLIN, 1 SHELDUCK, 10 BLACKBIRD, 11 REDWING, 4 SONG THRUSH, 4 STONECHAT, 2 REED BUNTING,21 SKYLARK, 4 SISKIN, 1 JAY, 6 RAVEN, 2 CHIFFCHAFF.

Offshore only 20 GANNET, a GREAT N DIVER drifted into the Bay and then flew east. 14 AUKs flew east .

At South M Ley Bob had 4 BULLFINCH and 1 CHIFFCHAFF

Waders on the rocks -  6 TURNSTONE, 5 RINGED PLOVER

MON 3 NOV

A cloudy morning with heavy showers followed by a spell of sunshine . A brisk W wind F5.

Offshore only GANNET - 36 logged. This pm Bob had 2 MED GULL feeding off the rocks . Waders this am - 6 TURNSTONE, 4 RINGED PLOVER, the KINGFISHER put in feeding display at 11.00.

A few TEAL on South Huish Marsh with 3 LAPWING in the field.

2 SWALLOW flew over

Tonight the STARLING roost only 200 .

Bob had another good morning at Start Pt - 2 SHORT EARED OWL, 1 POM SKUA, 4000 WOOD PIGEON, 300 CHAFFINCH, 200 GOLDFINCH, 40 GREENFINCH, 3 SISKIN, 2 BULLFINCH, 2 REED BUNTING, 1 BLACK REDSTART.

At Hallsands 2 BLACK REDSTART and a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER.

Clear skies in the morning which might bring some good viz mig .

SUN 2 NOV

Heavy o/night rain and a cloudy start this morning ,. Wind WSW 5/6.

A 45 min garden watch from 08.15 confirmed little viz mig today, 125 STARLING moved north. 2 CHIFFCHAFF moved through

Offshore from 10.00-11.30- 55 GANNET, , 1 GUILLEMOT , 1 RAZORBILL,

and 11 AUKs, 8 KITTIWAKE.

Waders on the rocks  -6 RINGED PLOVER, & 7  TURNSTONE,

1 SANDERLING, 17 OYSTERCATCHER, also a KINGFISHER ( fishing  in the rock pools )

At South Milton Ley Bob ringed a GOLDCREST and had a  control.

A CHIFFCHAFF also ringed. A YELLOWHAMMER over.

This afternoon Nick T ( & Bob ) had a SWALLOW and a BLACKCAP  in his garden , a juv BLACK REDSTART on my roof

SAT 1 NOV

A Clear morning that looked promising, a brisk SW F 5+ wind soon stopped any good viz mig  .

I was on my balcony from 07.15 for an hour  with Bob B around the Huxton Cross area .

Highlight of the morning found by Bob A YELLOW BROWED WARBLER

( 180 ) at 08.00 with a party of LONG TAILED TIT and GOLDCREST near Piers Cottage. Aso YELLOWHAMMER and STOCK DOVE , 1 flock of 300 WOOD PIGEON and 25 REDWING

I only had 1 flock of WOOD PIGEON at 07.45 -800 birds ,. no comparison with Perry's total of 21000+ at Start Point.My other totals were -

30 GOLDFINCH, 7 CHAFFINCH, 2 GREENFINCH, 1 REDPOLL,

170 STARLING

( missed the roost departure ) 3 JAY , 6 MIPIT, 2 SONG THRUSH,

3 REDWING

Around the Marsh - 1 LITTLE GREBE, 10 TEAL, 1 CETTIS WARBLER,

1 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 BLACK T GODWIT.

At South M Ley - Bob reported 2 REED BUNTING, 1 BULLFINCH, 1 CHIFFCHAFF and a GREAT Sp WOODY.

Offshore - 60+ GANNET, 5 BRENT GOOSE - east , 3 KITTIWAKE and

2 AUKS. On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER, 1 DUNLIN, 1 TURNSTONE.

On South H Marsh- 16 TEAL, 1juv BLACK REDSTART ( on roof of the last house along the lane ). Alan D had 2 ad MED GULL this pm.

Finally Eric reports the GOLDEN PLOVER flock at Elston Farm now 120 birds.

A total of 68 species recorded today

FRI 31 OCT

A very nice sunny and warm day with a F4/5 S wind . Great viz mig morning. Garden Watch from 07.15- 08.45 - 40 species recorded

Viz Mig - 3540 WOOD PIGEON, 29 STOCK DOVE, 91 GOLDFINCH,

83 CHAFFINCH, 43 GREENFINCH, 2 SONG THRUSH, 20 REDWING,

1315 STARLING ( from roost ), 3 JAY, 21 SKYLARK, 1 GREY WAG,

12 PIED WAG, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 GREEN WOODY, 1 PEREGINE.

Also present- 3 LITTLE EGRET, 26 TEAL, 1 CETTIS WBLR, 1 SNIPE, 1 BLACK T GODWIT, 1 KINGFISHER

Largest flocks of WOOD PIGEON 500 & 400. Many of the flocks having difficulty coping with the brisk S / SE wind

At 15,15 a juv BLACK REDSTART on my house roof. Big increase in STARLING to roost - 4750 +and 21 PIED WAG to roost

Offshore this am - 77 GANNET, 8 KITTIWAKE, 2 COMMON SCOTER, 4 RAZORBILL & 3 AUKs .

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER, 2 TURNSTONE

On South Huish Marsh - 1 2w COMMON GULL, 1 DUNLIN( over )  10 TEAL

Late am viz mig - 26 SKYLARK, 150 WOOD PIGEON, 15 MIPIT

THURS 30 OCT

Another drab morning , 100% cloud cover and poor viz although it did improve late morning . Light SSE breeze,.

Garden watch for 1hour from 07.40 produced 36 species , including surprisingly some viz mig - 25 GOLDFINCH, 2 GREENFINCH,

5 CHAFFINCH, 4 BLACK T GODWIT, 1 RAVEN, 1 SNIPE,

1 SPARROWHAWK, 11 MIPIT, 30 WOOD PIGEON, 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 4 JAY

On the Marsh 2 LITTLE GREBE, 7 TEAL, 2 WATER RAIL

On South Huish Marsh - 9 TEAL, 2ad 1 2w MED GULL, 4 LESSER B B GULL

Offshore 2 pb BRENT GOOSE ( 179 ) flew in and straight up the valley, 20 GANNET -E , other viz mig - 20 SKYLARK, 19 GREENFINCH, 14 GOLDFINCH, 1 SONG THRUSH

In Buckland Valley a KESTREL and 4 JAY

This evening the STARLING roost was 1200 +

The PB BRENTS are the first since  Oct 2012

News from Bob & Eric who were at Start Pt from 07.00 until lunchtime - again poor viz - Around the lighthouse - 120 REDWING, 4 BLACKCAP, 2 RING OUZEL, 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 BLACK REDSTAR + 1 at the Farm.  

2 MERLIN.  At N Hallsands Eric had a WRYNECK

WED 29 OCT

After heavy o/night rain expectations high that some migrants may have been grounded. By 07.30 the fog rolled in and didn't clear until late afternoon. I could not see the Marsh from my house.

Late pm before the light went - 2 BLACK T GODWIT, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 4 TEAL, 1 JAY, 3 LONG T TIT , 1 GOLDCREST.

At 16.30 the first large flock of STARLING at least 1000 birds , hopefully the murmuration displays in Nov will be worth waiting for .

TUES 28 OCT

A cloudy morning with little breeze before 09.00. Started out with a Garden watch from 07.40 - 09.00.34 species recorded Viz Mig highlights -

2165 WOOD PIGEON - largest flock 750 , all flying South East, 6 STOCK DOVE, 35 SKYLARK, 35 GOLDFINCH, 24 CHAFFINCH, 5 GREENFINCH, 10 SISKIN, 75 REDWING ( one flock , north )  2 SPARROWHAWK,

1 BULLFINCH, 13 BLACKBIRD , 5 PIED WAG.

Very little offshore - only 2 GANNET, however at 10.30 a female RED BREASTED MERGANSER ( 178 ) flew around the Bay twice before continuing east - first of the year.

On / over South Huish Marsh - 1 SHELDUCK, 1 DUNLIN, 2 SNIPE,

7 BLACKBIRD, 1 SONG THRUSH, 3 STONECHAT, 1 ad MED GULL ( AJL ) late afternoon Bob had 2 ad & a 1st W., 25 SKYLARK, 150 WOOD PIGEON, 17 GOLDFINCH and 55 MIPIT.

At Start Point 07.30-09.30 Bob reports - 3 ARCTIC and 1 juv POMARINE SKUA, 6 COMMON SCOTER, 1500 WOOD PIGEON ( flying north ), 300 GOLDFINCH, 40 GREENFINCH, 6 REED BUNTING, 3 SWALLOW, 1 SISKIN, 10 SKYLARK., 7 STOCK DOVE

At Hallsands Alan S ringed 3 FIRECREST

MON 27 OCT

Visit to Start Pt this morning. Clear horizon with a S 4/5 wind, observers - Bob B Eric W Perry S and myself. Bob started at 07.30 , Eric & I at 0815 and Perry at 08.30. Has got to be one of my best seawatching days for a while .

GANNET 850 + and KITTIWAKE 1000+ provided a continuous passage up to 11.00. Around 75% of the KITTIWAKES were juv's . They  became large feeding flocks which attracted the SKUA'S. 20 POMARINE ( 2ad )

12 ARCTIC ( 2lp ) ,5 BONXIE and 2juv LONG TAILED. At one stage we had 5 Skuas together with all four species in the scope at the same time. Many of them were less than 50 yards offshore.

Flocks of AUKS flying through totalled 350, at least 35 landed on the sea which were RAZORBILL. 3 BALEARIC SHEARWATER and a very close SOOTY SHEARWATER, 1ad MED GULL, 1 db BRENT GOOSE,  1 SWALLOW, PEREGRINE over and the morning finished off with a BLACK REDSTART in the Lighthose enclosure.

On the way back at Elston Farm ( nr Churstow roundabout )40 GOLDEN PLOVER.

Managed to spend the last hour of daylight overlooking T'stone Marsh- 2 BLACK T GODWIT, 11 TEAL,3 JAY , 1 CETTIS WBLR, 110 PIED WAG ( to roost ) and a JACK SNIPE flew in . Bob had earlier flushed 10 SNIPE.

At least 5 WATER RAIL calling at South Milton Ley and 3 at T'stone Marsh

SUN 26 OCT

Another cloudy morning , virtually no viz mig.

Over or on T'stone Marsh- 1 REDWING, 1 CETTIS WBLR, 3 SNIPE, 15 TEAL, 3 JAY, 6 SISKIN.

Offshore 50 + GANNET ( feeding ) 1 1stw MED GULL.

On South Huish Marsh - 6 SNIPE, 10 TEAL, 4 STONECHAT , 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 300+ CANADA GOOSE and the first BLACK REDSTART  ( juv ) of the autumn

, picked out by Chris Bond on the roof of the last house along the lane

Bob B ringed 2 REED BUNTING this evening, earlier he had ventured to Start Point where in just over an hour he had 6 POMARINE . 3 ARCTIC , 1 juv LONG TAILED and 1 GREAT SKUAS. Also a GREAT N DIVER and lots of AUKS and KITTIWAKE

SAT 25 OCT

A cloudy morning with eventually some viz mig . Out on the balcony for 07.40 apart for a breakfast break went through to 10.50 .

The water level has dropped, however the WHOOPER family roosted on the one pool i cannot see, heard them calling before they took off up the valley at 07.50. Again have not seen them arrive this evening - with the clocks going back they could be leaving at 06.50 on Sunday !

A total of 45 species recorded- on the marsh - 40 TEAL, 5 LITTLE EGRET, 3 BLACK T GODWIT, 1 SNIPE. 1 CETTIS WARBLER, .

Viz mig highlights- 1250 WOOD PIGEON , 19 PIED WAGTAIL, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 3 JAY, 40 MIPIT, 1 RAVEN, 100 GOLDFINCH, 67 CHAFFINCH,

3 GREENFINCH, 30 SKYLARK, 3 REED BUNTING, 2 GOLDCREST,

2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 SONG THRUSH. A large feeding party of GANNET offshore - even with my limited views I logged a 100.

Bob B AJL & Vic T covered South Milton Ley / South Huish marsh- 15 REDWING, 6 MISTLE THRUSH, 3 SISKIN, 2 GOLDCREST, 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 4 BULLFINCH, 6 REED BUNTING, 1 SONG THRUSH ( ringed )

FRI 24 OCT

100% cloud cover, slight patchy drizzle and a ligh SW wind . Spent most of the morning watching from my balcony - The family party of WHOOPER SWAN departed up the valley at 07.45, as at 18.00 they have not returned.

42 Species recorded , highlights were - 30 TEAL, 1 SHOVELER,

1 WIGEON, 1 LITTLE GREBE , 1 KINGFISHER, 2 STONECHAT,

14 SKYLARK, SONG THRUSH, 5 JAY, 4 LITTLE EGRET, 1m CETTIS WARBLER, 3 BLACK T GODWIT

THURS 23 OCT

Cloud cover 100% this am , thankfully the drizzle kept off until after 13.00

The family party of WHOOPER SWAN roosted o/night and flew off at 07.45

They have just returned at 17.30

This morning on T'stone Marsh - 15 TEAL, 2 BLACK T GODWIT, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 3 SWALLOW over.

A 2hr seawatch produced - 26 GANNET, 5 AUKs, 11 COMMON SCOTER and what is likely to be the last  MANX SHEARWATER of the year. On the rocks 3 RINGED PLOVER, 3 LITTLE EGRET with 2 PEREGRINE causing chaos with several flybys

WED 22 OCT

Lots of interest today, first particularly good vis mig morning.

Started with a 1hr Garden Watch - 44 species recorded ,  and I managed to miss the best bird at 07.30 , John King had a GREAT WHITE EGRET on the front marsh with 4 LITTLE EGRET . This is the second record this year.

My highlights were - 2ad 3juv WHOOPER SWAN ( flew off at 08.05 ), at

08.40 2 SWANs flew around the marsh twice , 1 was a MUTE the other an ad WHOOPER ( this now makes 9 in the last 8 days ), at 0845 a m TUFTED DUCK flew over ( first since May ).  14 TEAL, 1 SHOVELER,

1 CHIFFCHAFF , 2 GOLDCREST, 2 BLACK T GODWIT,

Viz mig - 11 CHAFFINCH, 35 GOLDFINCH, 20 LINNET, 3 GREENFINCH, 3 JAY, 120 WOOD PIGEON ( 2 flocks of 60 )  10 STOCK DOVE,  3 GREY WAGTAIL,

15 PIED WAGTAIL, 2 REDWING ( first of the autumn ), 40 MIPIT.

This afternoon - 10 SWALLOW, BLACK T GODWIT now 6, The family party of WHOOPERS flew back in to roost at 17.05

BOb B had started  a viz mig watch at 08.45 from the car park , I joined him at 09.30 ,up to 11.00 we recorded -

175 WOOD PIGEON, 250 GOLDFINCH, 92 CHAFFINCH, 25 GREENFINCH, 12 SISKIN, 250 LINNET, 235 SKYLARK, 11 REED BUNTING, 165 MIPIT,

 82 PIED WAGTAIL  ,1 LAPWING, 5 SONG THRUSH , 5 REDWING,

1 SPARROWHAWK. Everything apart from WOOD PIGEON (SE ) flying north.

At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 37 TEAL, 30 CURLEW, 4 GREENSHANK , 2 WATER PIPIT

TUES 21 OCT

Another early morning start to see if the remnants of Gonzalo had pushed anything into the Bay - a 1.5 hr seawatch did produce  a SOOTY SHEARWATER (177)  flying east at 08.45, otherwise only 20 GANNET,

50+ BLACK H GULL and 4 AUKs .

The CRANE had not returned to South H Marsh where there were 4 TEAL, 6 SNIPE and 2 SWALLOW.

On T'stone Marsh at 07.30 were the family pary of 5 WHOOPER SWAN

( when I returned at 09.30 they had departed, hopefully to the fields by the Alston Caravan park ), also 40 MALLARD , 20 TEAL, 1 juv SHOVELER

( first of the autumn )  2 BLACK T GODWIT, 2 SWALLOW and a LITTLE GREBE

Wiil be out on Wed to see if any resting birds

Some further info about the 2 patch ticks this week -

Common Crane - this is the 3rd known record, although the previous 2 may not have been submitted for inclusion in the annual Devon Bird reports.

WHOOPER SWAN- Over the last 10 years there have been 2 previous records , a single juv  and last year 5 juv's . The total of 8 birds last week is a patch record .

MON 20 OCT

Late yesterday news came through that Rob Shute from Kingsteignton found a COMMON CRANE ( 176 ) on South Huish marsh . If anything was going to get me out for an early start it was the prospect of a second life patch tick in 2 days . Bang on daylight at 07.30 there standing in the front of the marsh was the sub ad bird . Gave very, very good views to all those who came to see it. Still present at 11.30, however not seen in the afternoon , close inspection revealed the bird did not show any metal rings or coloured flags . .Also around the Marsh were - 10 TEAL,  50 + PIED WAGTAIL, 30 SKYLARK, 1 1st w MED GULL and 1 WHEATEAR.

The 5 WHOOPER SWAN were back on Thurlestone Marsh from mid morning  until around 12.30. They appear to fly between the filds by Alston Caravan Park and the Marsh .

SUN 19 OCT

Having only arrived home at 04.30 a late start this morning opened the curtains to find 2 surprises - plenty of water on the back marsh , the scrape is back and the other a patch life tick- 2ad 3juv WHOOPER SWAN present on the back marsh from 09.30 until 10.30 . This family  had been reported on the Kingsbridre Est on Friday & Sat. With the 3 ads Bob saw on Tues 14 Oct this is a record number for the patch.

Also on the marsh - 40 TEAL, 2 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 3 SNIPE, 4 JAY, 1 CHIFFCHAFF.

Bob reported 1 WHEATEAR, 5 SWALLOW at South H Marsh

CYPRUS visit 11- 18 OCT

Compared with previous visits at this time of the year somewhat disappointing, only recorded 58 species , surprisingly very low numbers of Pipits and Larks

Will post a more detailed rport later this week

SUN 12 OCT - SAT 18 OCT

Report  from Alan Pomroy who was ringing Sun am --8 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 BLACKCAP, 1 GOLDCREST. Viz mig during the morning- 50  SKYLARK,

25 MEADOW PIPIT, 1 REDPOLL, 1 SISKIN, 3 SONG THRUSH, 24 WIGEON . His bird of the day was a RING OUZEL ( 174 ) feeding with BLACKBIDS in hawthorn bushes,. This is only the second record in the last 10 years

Same morning Bob B reported 3 RINGED PLOVER, 1 DUNLIN, 1 GOLDEN PLOVER, 15 COMMON SCOTER, 1 BRENT GOOSE, 2 WHEATEAR, 50 SWALLOW, ,50 CHAFFINCH, 3 SONG THRUSH and 300+ PIED WAGs flying NW

Tues 14 OCT

Bob had 3 ad WHOOPER SWAN ( 175 )flying over South H Marsh at 09.00 ( later seen over the Avon Est by Eric W and Rod Bone)

Also - 3 MISTLE THRUSH , 1 SHELDUCK, 4 SWALLOW, 1 WHEATEAR,

1 LITTLE GREBE and a YELLOWHAMMER.

Fri 17 OCT- 1 WHEATEAR, 1 MERLIN, 1 CETTIS WARBLER, 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 12 SKYLARK

Sat 18 OCT

2 WHEATEAR and 6 LITTLE EGRET

Whist not on the patch Bob had a BLACK REDSTART in Kingsbridge

SAT 11 OCT

Before leaving for Cyprus managed a 2hr Garden Watch that produced 45 species, the highest morning total to date . Highlights -24 TEAL, 6 WIGEON, KINGFISHER, 2 REED BUNTING, 3 CHIFFCHAFF, GREY WAG, 8 PIED WAG, 2 RAVEN , GREAT Sp WOODY, 10 SWALLOW, 1 SAND MARTIN, 1 SONG THRUSH, 9 JAY ( one group of 6 )12 SPARROWHAWK

FRI 10 OCT

A sunny morning with a SW f3/4 wind .

Started off with a 45min GARDEN WATCH from 07.40, a total of 32 species recorded , highlights- 8 LITTLE EGRET, 5 TEAL, 1 BLACK T GODWIT, 2 ad MUTE SWAN flew east, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, , 2 GREAT Sp WOODY, , 1 JAY.

A 2.5 hr seawatch from 09.00 - 43 GANNET, 8 DUNLIN, 1 RINGED PLOVER, 20 SKYLARK, 1 WHEATEAR, 4 MUTE SWAN ( 2 ad 2 juv ) on the sea.

At Huxton Cross - 80 SKYLARK, 20 MIPIT, 35 LINNET, 3 SWALLOW .

In Buckland Valley - 3 JAY, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 GREAT Sp WOODY, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 COAL TIT

After a call from Nick T , Eric and I went up to East Soar at 15.30, we found 2 RING OUZEL and a F MERLIN. ( up to 11 RING Ouzel were seen this morning ).

Next update will be on Sun 19 Oct - off to Cyprus .

THURS 9 OCT

After a really stormy night got to the car park at 07.45 for an hours seawatch - Force 8/9 SW wind , very rough seas. Not possible to put the scope up .Everything must have been blown out - only 3 GANNET, 1 ad LITTLE GULL, 1 ad MED GULL, 150 BLACK H GULL with 30 OYSTERCATCHER on the beach .

Managed to get down again for an hour from 16.00- this time 5 GANNET. Bob picked up a flock of 18 db BRENT GOOSE trying to fight their way east and 4 ARCTIC TERN close inshore

A late call from Eric to update me on his patch sightings - Wed a 1st w Little Gull and this afternoon - 6 Common Gull, 1 2w Med Gull, 2 Swallow and 250 + Black H Gull

WED 8 OCT

Apologies for the late posting- have had major problems with rain getting into the roof space of our dining room . The whole of the ceiling is going to have to be replaced , been tied up with Surveyors and Builders.

Even later news from Mon - Bob B had 3 db BRENT GOOSE and 2 HOUSE MARTIN

This morning was one of sunny periods and showers with a strong wind and some rough seas. Bay watched from the car park from 08.15 - 10.30

620 GANNET, 1 BALEARIC SHEARWATER ( Bob ) 2 COMMON TERN,

2 COMMON SCOTER, 8 KITTIWAKE, 5 AUKs  1 DUNLIN all flew east

On South Huish Marsh- 45 TEAL, 4 WIGEON, 1 WHEATEAR, 1 PEREGRINE, 60 + SWALLOW.

On the rocks 2 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING. On the beach 3 SANDERLING.

Over the car park Bob had 4 SWALLOW and a late SAND MARTIN.

15 TEAL on T'stone Marsh.

TUES 7 OCT

Early morning some sunny periods then some heavy showers with a thunderstorm offshore . At around 11.00 picked up what  looked like a 'water funnel' out on the horizon - identical to the photo on Portlands web site.

Brisk WSW f6 wind with some rough seas.

Highlight of the day 3 LITTLE GULL ( 2ad , 1 juv ) feeding in the Bay at 09.00- soon moved on . Offshore 40+ GANNET and a noticeable increase in SHAGs at least 20 on the rocks . 3 RAZORBILL flew east. During the storm a flock of 10 BRENT GOOSE  db  flew into the bay and landed on the sea.

Viz mig was at least 50 ALBA WAGs mostly moving north, 3 GREY WAG 50 + MIPIT, 35 GOLDFINCH , 14 SWALLOW and 11 SKYLARK.

On South H Marsh - 45 TEAL and a RINGED PLOVER flew over

call from AJL - A MARSH HARRIER flew north over our houses at 18.30

MON 6 OCT

Overnight storms duly arrived , by 08.30 the wind had dropped to a SW2 and later the sun shone , still some rough seas.

Graham & Martin Daw started a seawatch at 09.00 from the car park, i joined them at 09.45- the expectations were only realised for GANNET  with 600+ passing east by 10.30. Also 1 BALEARIC SHEARWATER, 3 RAZORBILL, 1 KITTIWAKE, 1 1st w MED GULL, 6 SWALLOW.

By the footbridge - 2 DUNLIN, 1 SANDERLING, 1 WHEATEAR.

On South Huish Marsh 22 TEAL

ON T'stone Marsh 1 LITTLE GREBE, 4 BLACK T GODWIT ( seen to fly S at 17.30 ), 4 TEAL

SUN 5 OCT

Garden Watch from 07.45 for 1hr 15 mins with clear skies and calm conditions produced 41 species, highlights -

10 MISTLE THRUSH ( groups of 6, 3 & 1 all South - a patch record total )

34 SKYLARK, 3 STONECHAT, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 f BLACKCAP, 2 REED BUNTING, 1 JAY, 6 PIED & 1 GREY WAG., 75 MIPIT, 1 SWALLOW, a few Finches and 3 BLACK T GODWIT .

In the Bay a few GANNET, 20 + SWALLOW, 3 RINGED PLOVER, 1 1st w MED GULL.

By the footbridge 4 DUNLIN, 1 GREY WAG, 2 WHEATEAR in the top car park .55 + SKYLARK over

On South H Marsh - 1 BLACK T GODWIT, 1 WHEATEAR, 12 TEAL,

1 WIGEON, 2 CHIFFCHAFF.

At South M Ley Bob had- 10 STONECHAT, 2 CETTIS WBLR., 7 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 GOLDCREST and a SONG THRUSH.

Some good looking winds over the next few days could produce some interesting birds - watch this space !

FRI 3 OCT

An overcast morning with a F2/3 S wind .

A late start at 09.30 . Noticeable number of GANNET in the Bay, by 12.30 180+ logged. From 10.15 - 12.15 a passage of BALEARIC SHEARWATER totalling 28  all east - a patch record count. Largest flock was 7 . Also passing thru - dp ARCTIC SKUA ( 10.50 ) , 4 db BRENT GOOSE, 1 GUILLEMOT . a f WIGEON , 

7 COMMON SCOTER all  east.

Waders recorded- 4 DUNLIN, 2 RINGED PLOVER, 2 SNIPE. 10 TEAL on the Marsh.

A m CIRL BUNTING in a village garden .

So far this year have logged less than 10 Balearic's, for us to see 28 in 2 hrs in a light S wind is remarkable .

THURS 2 OCT

An overcast morning turned into one of the warmest Oct days I can remember with long sunny spells and very light breeze

Over T'stone Marsh 3 JAY, 50 + BLACK H GULL, 1 GREAT Sp WOODY.

By the footbridge- 4 DUNLIN, 1 GREY WAG , 3 WHEATEAR, 1 KESTREL, 1 GREAT Sp WOODY.

Offshore only 3 GANNET, 2 TEAL, 1m WIGEON, 7 COMMON SCOTER.

Around South H Marsh - a f MERLIN  ( first of the autumn ), 12 SNIPE, 9 TEAL, 60 + MIPIT, 2 WHEATEAR, 2 CHIFFCHAFF,50 HOUSE MARTIN, 15 SWALLOW.

At South M LEY Bob B recorded- 12 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 SEDGE WARBLER, 2 BULLFINCH, 2 GOLDCREST, BLACKCAP. He also found an albino BLACKCAP  with apink bill. Bob also reported a KINFISHER at S M Ley

Went over to the high fields at Huxton Cross ,  in an hour from12.20 i recorded - 275 SKYLARK, 110 MIPIT, 30 LINNET, 8 GOLDFINCH, 5 BUZZARD , 1 SPARROWHAWK and 240 SWALLOW

WED 1 OCT

The month started off overcast with some heavy showers around 04.30, however virtually no viz mig in evidence .

An hour GARDEN WATCH from 07.40 produced 31 species only highlights were 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 GREY WAG, 1 REED WARBLER and 3 LONG T TIT.

First bird picked up offshore at 09.15 was  a RED T DIVER  which flew out of Hope Cove and contiued west. ( an early record for the patch ) Around 40 GANNET noted .

By the footbridge 5 DUNLIN, with LINNET, SKYLARK and MIPIT in the fields ..

On the rocks 3 RINGED PLOVER.

On South Huish Marsh only 14 TEAL and no waders .

Raptors seen - BUZZARD, KESTREL and PEREGRINE.

Bob had a GOLDCREST at S M Ley

At HUXTON CROSS 1 JAY, 60 SKYLARK, 29 LINNET and 4 SWALLOW ( only hirudine today )

In Buckland Valley - 1 JAY, 20 LONG T TIT , 3 CHIFFCHAFF and a GREAT Sp WOODY.

ON T'stone Marsh - 1 SNIPE , 2 TEAL and 1 ( yes 1 ) MALLARD.

A Disappointing start to the month with only 55 species recorded