THURLESTONE BAY BIRDS

SEPTEMBER 2014

 

A really wonderful month for the sun worshipers, warm, only one really heavy period of rain (and that was an overnight thunderstorm on 18^th) and many days of light winds and calm conditions.

 

Only 6 new species for the year but 2 of them were patch ticks for me – PURPLE HERON (first ever for the site) and ORTOLAN BUNTING also, KNOT, LITTLE STINT, WRYNECK, SISKIN taking the years total to 173 (c/f 185 - 2013 and 188 – 20120.  However the number of species recorded at 132 is the joint second highest total. (c/f 125 – 2013, 122 – 2012).

The record is 135 achieved in April 2014.

 

During the month I undertook 17 Garden Watch surveys  usually  45 mins to 1 hour from my balcony which overlooks the back of Thurlestone Marsh and a Copse which has bushes and trees up to a height of 20 feet.   Most mornings total species recorded was around 30, with the highest on the 27^th when a total of 45 observed.

 

On the 6^th we undertook the first of what hopefully will become an annual event.  

Bird Race Day

The intention is to record the number of species which are seen on the patch from 6.00 – 18.00 .  9 Observers plus ringers Alan Pomroy and Dave Scott took part.   A respectable total of 81 species recorded.   There were 5 other reserves all based in the Midlands who have participated in this event for a number of years.    We came joint 3^rd the winners achieving 90 species.

A detailed report of the species recorded is on the web site for the 6^th.

 

Significant sightings for the month:

SWANS AND GEESE

CANADA GOOSE –  Present most days with up to 200 birds.

BRENT GOOSE – First returning passage birds were 4 flying east on 22^nd (Bob B) and 5 east on 24^th.

MUTE SWAN – A single record of one flying down the valley at 07.00 on 9^th

 

DUCKS

TEAL – Numbers on South Huish Marsh built up to a max of 70 on 14^th.  Present in small numbers on Thurlestone Marsh.

MALLARD – Large numbers roosting on Thurlestone Marsh which flew out at first light to feed in the recently harvested stubble fields max 255 on 9^th.

WIGEON – First returning bird on 5^th, with singles on 4 other dates and 2 on 17^th.

GADWALL – A male on South Huish Marsh on 18^th (Bob B).

PINTAIL – A male on South Huish marsh on 17^th (Bob B)

COMMON SCOTER – Only recorded on 3 days – 4 east on 8^th, 2 on 29^th and a flock of 35 on the sea on 22^nd.

 

DIVERS

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER – Bob had the first (and only) record for the month with 2 flying into Hope Cover on 14^th.   Not many past September records.

 

SHEARWATERS, GANNET, EGRETS, HERONS, GULLS TERNS AND SKUAS

A very poor month for these maritime species – there were several days when none of them were recorded, very unusual for September.

MANX SHEARWATER –Only two records, 1 on 3^rd and 3 on 6^th.

BALEARIC SHEARWATER – Again only two records, singles on 2^nd and 30^th.

FULMAR – Last record was a single on 17th

GANNET – The max was 55 in a feeding party on 24th

LITTLE EGRETS – Normally up to 6 will be present on the patch.  Evidence of some birds roosting on Thurlestone Marsh with 16 on 25^th and 12 on 29^th.

HERON –Again an increase in numbers with a max of 8 on both marshes and the rocks.

PURPLE HERON – The star bird of the year – so far.   At 06.30 on10th Paul Boulden picked up a Juv at the back of South Huish Marsh – a patch first.   Good views (and photo) obtained by Alan D, MBP and Eric W. before the bird flew into the reed/scrub at the far end of the Marsh despite its reluctance to come out into full view the best times were around 11.00 and 17.00.  It was seen to fly into South Milton Ley on several occasions and was last seen at 11.30 flying into the back of Thurlestone Marsh by Bob B on 18^th.

Many Devon Birders managed to see the bird over the 8 days (not seen on 17^th) it was present, although some had to make several visits.

KITTIWAKE – Only 2 records with a max of 2 on 24^th.

BLACK HEADED GULL – Numbers very low, only 1 count above 50 when 85 on 29^th.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL – Only recorded on 5 days with singles on 4 and a max of 3 on 27^th (There were over 40 on Kingsbridge Estuary.

SANDWICH TERN – Only recorded on 3 days – single 18^th and 2 on 21^st and 22^nd.

COMMON TERN – Singles on 6^th and 11^th.

ARCTIC TERN – a juv on 1^st only record.

ARCTIC SKUA  - No records for any SKUAS until the afternoon of 29^th when Graham Daw had a dark phase flying east.. Coincided with a passage of 45 GANNET in less than 20 mins at 13.15.

 

RAILS AND COOT

WATER RAIL – heard calling at all 3 main sites – could be up to 6 birds on the patch.

COOT – Up to 3 birds present before all departing by 28^th.

 

RAPTORS

HOBBY – Singles on 4 days.

PEREGRINE – Only recorded at the end of the month.

KESTREL – Only one regular bird recorded.

SPARROWHAWK – At least 3 recorded on the patch.

BUZZARD – Light phase birds very evident.

MARSH HARRIER – A juv picked up flying across South Huish marsh on 5^th.

 

SHORT-EARED OWL  – On morning of 28^th a bird picked up coming in off the sea, made land around Hope Cove.    Second patch record this year.

 

WADERS – A total of 22 species recorded, the best autumn for  a number of species for some years.

OYSTERCATCHER – Numbers built up from 5^th.   Always difficult to work out whether some are passage migrants.   Two distinct groups one on South Milton rocks the other on Yarmer Beach flocks max was 52 on 18^th.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER – Single (juv) on South Huish marsh on 4^th – 6^th.

RINGED PLOVER – Present throughout the month   Again this year Yarmer Beach was their favoured site.  Over 40 recorded on 4 days – 70 – 11^th, 56 – 12^th, 55 – 17^th and 42 – 26^th.

LAPWING – A single bird flew up the valley at  08.00 on 29^th (this was the first patch record since January!)

KNOT – More records than expected – 6 flew in off the sea amongst a mixed wader flock on 3^rd which flew straight up the valley.   Singles on 9^th and 11^th with a max of 8 on 15^th.

SANDERLING – Record on 9 days with main passage 12^th – 18^th reasonable daily totals were 10 – 12^th, 32 – 17^th, 11 – 18^th, 8 – 26^th.

LITTLE STINT – Best Autumn passage for many years with birds present from 4^th – 1 Juv to 29^th.   Singles on 4 days, 3 on 15^th max of 4 on 16^th/17^th and 19^th – 23^rd, reducing to 2 on 24^th and then a single until 29^th.   Very good views obtained particularly when feeding on rotting seaweed under the footbridge.

CURLEW SANDPIPER – recorded on 3 days, 2 – 10^th, 1 – 11^th and 2 – 12^th.

RUFF – Singles recorded on 5 days with 3 on 17^th.

DUNLIN – Present throughout the month with totals above 40 on 43 – 11^th, 70 – 12^th, 50 – 18^th.

SNIPE – Present on both marshes throughout when flushed by a raptor is when you realise more present than you thought. – 20 – 20^th, 12 – 22^nd.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT – recorded on 9 days – a single on Thurlestone Marsh on5th of those, max were 6 – 18^th,and 3 on 29^th.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT – 4 amongst the mixed flock in off the sea on 3^rd and a single briefly on the beach early on 27^th.

WHIMBREL – recorded on 4 days – 2 on 1^st with singles on 4^th, 5^th and 8^th.

CURLEW – A single on 4^th the only record.

COMMON SANDPIPER – AJL had a single on 14^th.

GREEN SANDPIPER – Singles on 1^st, 2^nd and 8^th.

GREENSHANK – Singles on 5^th and 7^th.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER – A bird picked up in flight and calling over South Huish marsh on 14^th by Alan D, Eric W and Bob B.

REDSHANK – 2 amongst the mixed flock on 3^rd and a single on 15^th.

WOOD SANDPIPER – Another species with more records than usual.   Singles on 2^nd 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th and 11^th with 2 on 6^th, 8^th and 9^th.

TURNSTONE – Only recorded on 5 days 1 – 2^nd, 4 – 11^th and 8^th and 2 on 25^th/26^th.

 

WOODPECKERS, JAYS and KINGFISHER

KINGFISHER – Recorded on 8 days with 2 on 4 days – best post breeding dispersal for years.

WRYNECK – A single bird on the coast path around the Golf course on 11^th (recorded by a visiting birder).

GREEN WOODPECKER – A remarkable 4 on 2^nd with singles on 3 further days.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER – Singles recorded on several days.

MAGPIE – Roosts at Thurlestone Marsh of 18 on 17^th and 14 on 25^th.

JAY – Evidence of post breeding dispersal with records on 5 days 2 – 9^th and 19^th and 6 – 25^th.

 

LARKS AND HIRUNDINES

SKYLARKS – Evidence of viz mig on 25^th when 80 recorded and 27^th with 53 all flying south.

SWALLOW – Some early morning viz mig Nos 550 on 3^rd, 700 on 4^th, 800 on22nd.   Highest roosts were 4500 on 7^th and 3,500 on 15^th.

HOUSE MARTIN – Viz mig nos up to 250 on 4 days.  Over South Huish Marsh, 500+ - 20^th, 2000+ - 22^nd and 1000+ on 23^rd.

SAND MARTIN – Viz mig early morning – 35 -3^rd, 70 – 4^th, 50 – 9^th last were singles on 27^th and 30^th.

SWIFT – 3 Sept records – singles on 3^rd, 6^th and 16^th.

WARBLERS – Best records from the early morning Garden Watch.

CHIFFCHAFF – from 15 -  2^nd to 27  - 6^th, 27 again on 19^th and 11 on 27^th.

WILLOW WARBLER – 6 – 2^nd, 3 – 4^th and a max of 11 – 5^th.

BLACKCAP – 3 – 2^nd, 2 – 19^th, 5 – 22^nd.   ~Several daily records of singles

GARDEN WARBLER – single on 2^nd.

WHITE THROAT – 3 – 6^th, singles on 19^th and 22^nd.

GROPPA – a bird ringed on 6^th and one by the footbridge on 25^th.

SEDGE WARBLER – South Milton Ley 6 ringed on 6th and 4 on 19^th.

REED WARBLER – 8 – 6^th and 4 – 23^rd at South Milton Ley.

 

 

THRUSHES

SONG THRUSH – Have been very scarce this summer – only 1 record of 2 in Buckland Valley on 6^th.

MISTLE THRUSH – 2 in Buckland Valley on 6^th.

NUTHATCH – In Buckland Valley on 6^th (only second patch record of the year)

STOCK DOVE – 10 in fields at Thurlestone Marsh on 17^th.

 

CREST, FLYCATCHERS AND CHATS

GOLDCREST – 2 on 22^nd and singles on 27^th and 29^th (no evidence of breeding this year)

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER – Recorded on 5 days – 2 – 5^th and 7^th, 1 – 8^th and 15^th and 2 – 22^nd.

REDSTART – a Garden Watch tick – 2 Juv on 2^nd

WHINCHAT – Good numbers recorded on 8 days – 1 – 3^rd, 7 – 4^th and 6^th, 2 – 7^th, 3 – 8^th, 5 – 9^th, 2 – 15^th and 1 -  20^th.

STONECHAT – Evidence of passage birds with a max of 14 – 4^th

WHEATEAR – Recorded on 10 days max were 14 – 7^th, 18 – 8^th, 16 – 11^th.

 

WAGTAILS PIPITS AND BUNTINGS

WHITE WAGTAIL – Max 4 – 22^nd.   Good numbers of PIED with plenty of Juvs.

YELLOW WAGTAIL – Another good passage, on 1^st – 25 on South Huish Marsh and at 17.30, 40 flew through Thurlestone Marsh .  Also 10 – 3^rd, 11 – 4^th, 13 – 5^th, 19 – 8^th with the last 5 on 22^nd.

GREY WAGTAIL – Seen regularly with a max of 4 on 5^th and 30^th.

TREE PIPIT – 2 – 2^nd and 1 – 4^th were the only records

MEADOW PIPIT – Viz mig built up from 8 – 15^th, to over 100 – 30^th.

ROCK PIPIT – Max were 16 – 26^th.  Breed on Warren Point.

 

FINCHES, LINNETS AND BUNTINGS

GOLDFINCH – Larges flocks were 50 – 8^th and 65 – 30^th.

SISKIN – 1 – 4^th and 4 – 27^th (both on Garden Watch surveys)

REDPOLL – 2 – 30^th.

BULLFINCH – Only record a single on 2^nd

LINNETS – Evidence of passage with 100 on 5^th, 150+ on 8^th and 250 – 29^th.

YELLOWHAMMER – singles on 2^nd and 6^th.

CIRL BUNTING – A pair by South Huish Marsh on 10^th.

REED BUNTING – Very few records.

ORTOLAN BUNTING -  At 11.55 on 18^th whilst Bob B and MBP were counting the waders on Yarmer Beach.   A Bunting flew east 10 foot above and 30 foot away from us – identity clinched from the diagnostic call.   First patch record for some years (at least 3 singles in the past) and a patch tick for me.

 

RINGING -  With Roger and Helen away for 2 months only visits were by Alan Pomroy and Dave Scott.

 

RECOVERY – Interestingly another French control.

SEDGE WARBLER – D433103 ringed on 10^th August 2013 at Thurlestone Marsh by Bob B.

CONTROLLED – on 21^st August 2013 at RESERVE PIERRE CONSTANT, LOIRE – ATLANTIQUE IN FRANCE – Covered 347 Km in 11 days.

 

Hopefully October will see a return to a more normal weather pattern with gale force winds and some driving rain!