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THURLESTONE BAY BIRDS

JUNE 2014

A month of very little rain (heavy showers 26^th-29^th) very warm spell from mid-month and only significant winds were SE on 6^th and 9^th and SSW on 10^th barely reaching Force 6.

Monthly total of species recorded was 93 c/f 98 – 2013 (joint lowest with Feb 2014 over the last 4 years) .  Three main reasons for this, I was away from the patch for a total of 15 days.   Nick was in Thailand until 20^th and there was no ringing undertaken at all.

Only two new species for the year – STORM PETREL and HOBBY brings the 2014 total to 160 (c/f 164 – 2013)

Mention must be made of the changes taking place at Thurlestone Marsh – as the work carried out by the Golf Club in clearing the culvert and  drainage work by the Farmer the water levels have dropped considerably.   The back marsh is no more and from my balcony I cannot see any of the 3 remaining pools.   Will certainly have an impact on my migrating wader and autumnal duck records.   Whether the status quo will return in winter remains to be seen.

Significant sightings for the month.:

MUTE SWAN – Still 3 cygnets on Thurlestone Marsh – hopefully the low water levels won’t impact on their development.

CANADA GOOSE – Last of the local birds left for their moulting site were 6 on 1^st.  None of the goslings reached fledging status.

DUCKS

TEAL – for the first time in many years a male summered on South Huish Marsh

AJL recorded 3 M 1 F on 16^th, 2 M from 18^th.  Female flew into Thurlestone Marsh on 28^th.

MALLARD – A number of the ducklings have reached fully fledged status, although estimated at less than 5% of eggs hatched.    Still day old ducklings on 29^th.   Max on Thurlestone marsh 60 on 22^nd (compares with up to 200+ last year) GREAT BLACK BACKED

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COMMON SCOTER – recorded on 8 days with high numbers of 25 on 1^st, 24 on 6^th, 28 on 23^rd and a max of 60 on 25^th.

DIVERS – A GREAT NORTHERN DIVER in full breeding plumage very close inshore in Leasfoot Bay on 6^th and unusually 2 RED THROATED DIVERS in summer plumage on 10^th.

SEA BIRDS AND GULLS

FULMAR – Max 10 on 6^th, MANX SHEARWATER – Only recorded on 5 days with a maxima of 55 on 25^th and 72 on 30^th.   BALEARIC SHEARWATER – A single record of 1 flying east on 27^th.   STORM PETREL – Only record of 1 flying east on the day of strongest winds – 10^th.    GANNET – Days with strongest winds produced 220 on 6^th and 300 on 10^th.

KITTIWAKE – 90 on 10^th and 55 on 23^rd were notable totals.

BLACK HEADED GULL – first returning bird on 18^th and only a max of 5 on 30^th.

GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL – 38 moving east on 6^th.

MISC:  Single record of COOT on 15^th and SPOONBILL – 1 flew into Thurlestone Marsh around 08.30 on 16^th (Both AJL)

LITTLE EGRET – Max 4 on both marshes.   MOORHEN – 2 pairs bred on South Huish Marsh, one juv predated..

TERNS AND SKUAS

SANDWICH TERN – recorded on 3 days max 5 on 2^nd, 2 on 27^th first returning birds.

COMMON TERN -  a single flock of 8^th flew east on 9^th.

ARCTIC SKUA – recorded on 3 days – 2 on 2^nd and singles on 6^th and 10^th.

GREAT SKUA – One flew east on 2^nd.

RAPTORS – Highlight was the 2^nd record of RED KITE which AFD saw over South Milton village on 14^th.   SPARROWHAWK only recorded on 24^th, 29^th and 30^th.  

First HOBBY of the year over South Huish marsh on 30^th.

WADERS – Sparse fare this month.   OYSTERCATCHER – max 15 on 25^th.

DUNLIN – only 2 records, single on 1^st and 3 on 3^rd.   WHIMBREL – 3 on the beach on 3^rd were the last recorded.   CURLEW – 1 on rocks on 25^th.   REDSHANK – 1 on the rocks on 25^th.

HIRUNDINES – SAND MARTIN – 10 on 18^th and 22^nd max 50 on 23^rd.

SWALLOW – First large roost at Thurlestone Marsh was 50 on 19^th with 500+ on 30^th the max.   HOUSE MARTIN – Breeding birds around Thurlestone and South Huish marsh.

SWIFT – max 6 on 5^th.   Recorded entering possible nesting sites in Thurlestone and South Huish marsh (flats).

WARBLERS – With no ringing returns the recorded numbers much lower.

Good breeding returns for, CHIFFCHAFF, BLACKCAP, WHITETHROAT, SEDGE and REED WARBLERS.

TITS – Lots of young birds through the gardens and copse areas of BLUE, GREAT and LONG TAILED.   At least 3 pairs of COAL TIT have bred.

THRUSHES

BLACKBIRDS have had a good breeding year with lots of young noticed.   More records of SONG THRUSH than usual and MISTLE THRUSH in West Buckland.

CHAT, FLYCATCHERS and FINCHES – 2 sites where SPOTTED FLYCATCHER recorded.

STONECHAT – At least 5 pairs have bred with good success.

BULLFINCH – recorded at South Milton Ley and Village, YELLOWHAMMER recorded in the hedgerows, REED BUNTING – bred on both marshes.   CIRL BUNTING – recorded on the patch.

PIED WAGTAIL – Good breeding success – max roost at Thurlestone Marsh 20+ on 19^TH.

STARLING – Another good breeding year –roost of 200+ on 3^rd and 350 on 22^nd.

No ringing report, controls or recoveries this month.