SAT 28 FEB

Unable to get out today - man flu.

Report from Alan Pomroy who was ringing at South Milton Ley this morning before the wind got up- Ringed 2 GOLDCREST and CHIFFCHAFF, also seen a WOODCOCK, PEREGRINE ( over ) 10 CHIFfCHAFF inc 1 SIBERIAN race.

.

FRI  27 FEB

 

A fine sunny early morning with a slight frost.Looks as though the month is going to finish on a quiet note, another quiet day at the office.

With a great start weather wise did a garden watch from 07.50 - 08.30, no viz mig and only 26 species recorded- highlights -

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 8 REED BUNTING, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 1 COOT,

14 SNIPE ., 5 TEAL, 1 CORMORANT

On South Huish Marsh the 2 EURASION WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still feeding at the back of the Marsh, only 5 TEAL, 20 WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 m GADWALL

Offshore only 1 GANNET, 4 RAZORBILL ( on sea ), 5 AUKS flew east, 16 KITTIWAKE, 3 FULMAR. 1m COMMON SCOTER

 On the rocks - 4 RINGED PLOVER , 3 TURNSTONE

THURS 26 FEB

 

A short visit this afternoon to South Huish Marsh confirmed the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE were still present ,again feeding at the back of the Marsh. Duck numbers same as yesterday. WATER RAIL showing well again

WED 25 FEB

 

A drab morning with low cloud ,poor viz and some light rain

The 2 EUROPEAN WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still on view ,spending time feeding at the back of the Marsh along with the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Also - 30 TEAL, 20 WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK , 2 LAPWING. Visitors reported a WATER RAIL. Around 50 MIPITs inthe field

 

Short visit to Buckland Valley produced 1 GREAT Sp WOODY, 2 COAL TIT , 3 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 GOLDCREST

On T'stone marsh - 25 TEAL, 6 REED BUNTING, 1 JAY, 1 SPARROWHAWK

and tonight a roost of 25 PIED WAGTAIL

TUES 24 FEB

 

After the last few days nice to have a sunny morning , however the wind was WNW increasing up to F 7/8 with rough seas.

Very little change from yesterday - at South H Marsh the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still feeding, no sign of the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Only 10 TEAL, a KINGFISHER on the small pond near the White House and 10 LAPWING.

The MISTLE THRUSH near the copse, 4 STONECHAT ( 2 pairs )

Offshore only 5 GANNET

 On T'stone Marsh only 15 TEAL

MON 23 FEB

 

After a stormy night the morning was one of sunny priods and heavy showwers with a white covering of hailstones at 13.00

On T'stone Marsh only 3 SHELDUCK and 10 TEAL.

Offshore was poor , only 3 GANNET, 8 AUKs , 2 FULMAR and  2 KITTIWAKE in just over an hour

Fotunately South Huish Marsh came up trumps - amongst the feeding CANADA GEESE was the RUDDY SHELDUCK and 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE ( albifrons ) ( 110 ), still feeding in the field by the cafe at 12.30 .

Also on the Marsh - 30 TEAL, 32 WIGEON, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER,

40 LESSER B B GULL( amongst a flock of 200 Gulls ), only 1 SNIPE and a MISTLE THRUSH

 

This is my first record for 'albifrons ' in 12 years of covering the patch, the previous records for the specie were GREENLAND W F GOOSE in November 2012,.

Alan D took some photos which I will post soon

White Fronted Goose ( rear view ) South Huish Marsh 23 Feb 2015
2 W . F GOOSE 23 FEB 2015
W F GOOSE 23 FEB all photos by Alan Doidge

SUN 22 FEB

Having driven to Solihull and back on Sat when the sun was shining ( snowed as well ) , all ready for a morning on the patch when the rain started and then just got heavier, even the ducks took refuge .

My poor totals for the day were - South Huish Marsh -2 SHELDUCK,

15 WIGEON, 20 TEAL, 24 MALLARD

On T'stone Marsh - 15 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , 25 SNIPE , 2 LITTLE EGRET.

The new motto is -'It can only get better '

 

Still no sign of Bob getting out and with Arthur still rcovering from his man flu ,limited coverage at the moment

FRI 20 FEB

 

After a night of showers the morning started clear and gradually got sunnier, light NW wind with a flat sea.

On T'stone Marsh at 08.30 - 15 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 10 MALLARD,

20 SNIPE , 5 REED BUNTING, 2 BULLFINCH.

Offshore - 40 WIGEON ( on sea )100 + BLACK H GULL ( inc 2 with full 'black' heads )  2 FULMAR

On South Huish Marsh- 3 MUTE SWAN , 45 TEAL, 20 MALLARD,

10 SHELDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 WIGEON,  4 SNIPE, 2 WATER RAIL, ,

20 SKYLARK, 20 + PIED WAGTAIL, 3 STONECHAT, 1 CHIFFCHAFF.

On the rocks - 8 TURNSTONE, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

 

THURS  19 FEB

 One of those days for contemplation, heavy rain all morning, very poor viz with a F6/7 SSW wind. Only managed to pick up 10 GANNET offshore in 30 mins so returned home On T'stone Marsh everything hiding in the reed beds

WED 18 FEB

 

Late post as I was away fro 17.00. There were more birds seen from my garden in 30 mins at 08.15 than the rest of the day - 30 TEAL, , SNIPE, 2 CIRL BUNTING , 14 REED BUNTING  ( together ) 10 GREENFINCh. At 08.45 3 MUTE SWAN flew in ( resident pair have moved on ), WATER RAIL, 2 LAPWING.

South Huish Marsh held almost the same birds as Tues. Nothing at all offshore

TUES 17 FEB

After a frosty start a nice sunny winters day which probably was the cause of a poor day on the patch -

No sign of the SPOONBILL roosting .

On T'stone Marsh - 30 TEAL, 28 SNIPE, 2 SHELDUCK, 2 LAPWING,

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 2 SONG THRUSH, 6 REED BUNTING

Nothing at all offshore , whilst on South Huish marsh - 6 GADWALL,

20 WIGEON, 12 TEAL, 2 SNIPE, WATER RAIL again showing well,

1 CHIFFCHAFF.

Around Buckland Valley -  7 MISTLE THRUSH ( all in the same field )

3 SONG THRUSH, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 1 GOLDCREST

 

Eric at last managed to get round South Efford Marsh to report - 80 + WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 26 CURLEW, 2 REDSHANK, 2 GREENSHANK, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER and 2 WATER PIPIT

 

MON 16 FEB

 

The bird of the day was on T'stone Marsh briefly this morning found by June Huggins and seen by Arthur and Anne ( my Wife ) SPOONBILL

( 109 ) That will teach me not to have my mobile switched off . Also 30 TEAL and a m CIRL BUNTING

 

In the Bay this morning - 1f PINTAIL ( 108 ) on the sea then flew west, 5 FULMAR, 23 GANNET, 4 RAZORBILL, 1 GREAT N DIVER ( flew east at 10.35 ) 100 + BLACK H GULL on the sea.

By the footbridge a KINGFISHER.

On South Huish marsh  - 22 WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 11 SHELDUCK, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER, 18 MALLARD, 8 SNIPE , a WATER RAIL showed very well. 1 SPARROWHAWK

SAT 14 FEB

 

Only time for a garden watch this morning, 90mins from 08.45 a very respectable 42 species recorded, highlights -

1m BLACK REDSTART, 1m CIRL BUNTING, 1 CETTIS WARBLER ( calling )25 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 25 SNIPE , 1 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 LAPWING,

6 REED BUNTING, 20 SKYLARK, WATER RAIL 2 RAVEN , 1 MIPIT,

1 LINNET . Walking down Mallards Lane added 1 GREAT Sp WOODY,

1 GOLDCREST

FRI 13 FEB

 

After a night of heavy rain and F6/7 SSW winds cleared up by 10.00 to get out onto the patch - very little in the way of change from yesterday !

On T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , 5 SNIPE . 5 REED BUNTING on the feeders

 

At South Huish marsh -5 SHELDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER,

25 TEAL. 60 LAPWING. Over 100 HERRING GULL and 20 LESSER B B GULL surprisingly no BLACK H GULL, but there was 1 1st w YELLOW LEGGED GULL ( 107 )

Today both pairs of MUTE SWAN  had left the marches - as they have been very territorial this was not expected. Could it be the lower water levels ?

 

Offshore rough seas15 GANNET, 15 KITTIWAKE, 1 FULMAR - east. On the sea 30 RAZORBILL.

 

Eric reports from Aveton Gifford 1m 1f BLACK REDSTART.

THURS 12 FEB

 

Althogh 100% cloud viz much better today, light E breeze fairly flat sea .

On T'stone marsh this morning - 18 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 LITTLE GREBE 4 SNIPE, 6 REED BUNTING, 2 SONG THRUSH .

Around South Huish Marsh -6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER, 40 TEAL,

1 LAPWING, 30 MIPIT.

A 2hr seawatch produced - 45 + RAZORBILL, 2 WIGEON, 1 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 2 BLACK THROATED DIVER ( together )- all on the sea , 1 RED T DIVER- west, 26 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 8 KITTIWAKE, PEREGRINE.

On the rocks - 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

It will be interesting to seebrings any new arrivals into the Bay  if the o/night heavy rain and S winds

WED 11 FEB

 

Another 100 % cloud day. An hours seawatch from the car park was on a par with watching paint dry ! - 7 WIGEON and 20 RAZORBILL ( on sea ) 3 GANNET 1e 2 w and that was it

On T'stone marsh this morning 5 LITTLE EGRET, 2 LITTLE GREBE,

25 TEAL, 20 SNIPE, around the garden 6 REED BUNTING and a m CIRL BUNTING

TUES 10 FEB

 

What a change in the weather 100% low cloud and very poor viz offshore.

On South Huish Marsh at 09.30 -6 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 40 TEAL,

1m SHOVELER, 110 LAPWING, 2 KESTREL, 3 MUTE SWAN

Only spent 30 mins looking over the Bay - 90 RAZORBILL, 17 WIGEON - 10  GANNET, 4 KITTIWAKE - all sat on the sea . 3 MUTE SWAN flew in and landed

 

On the rocks 6 TURNSTONE, 6 RINGED PLOVER , 1 SANDERLING and a KINGFISHER

At Upton Cross - 20 MIPIT, 30 CHAFFINCH, 2 YELLOWHAMMER .

6 GOLDEN PLOVER flew over .

Buckland Valley could only produce - 3 MISTLE THRUSH, 4 GOLDCREST, 1 JAY, 1 GREAT Sp WOODY.

 

At T'stone marsh the culvert repairs must be finished as the water level dropped overnight- 30 TEAL and 4 LITTLE EGRET

 

Surprisingly could not find a SNIPE on either Marsh this morning

MON 9 FEB

 

What a superb day to be out and about the patch - sunny and clear sky, no wind , flat calm sea . Both marshes frozen early morning. Joined by Graham today

On T'stone Marsh - 55 SNIPE, 1 JACK SNIPE ( 08.15 )- (106 ) 35 TEAL,

3 MUTE SWAN - the resident pair made sure the newcommer did not stay long .15 MALLARD , 2 COOT

 A seawatch for 1.5 hrs from the car park - 130+ AUKS -around 75% were RAZORBILL, all on the sea in flocks of upto 30, 10 KITTIWAKE,

1 FULMAR. 2 GANNET.3 SHELDUCK ( on sea ) and 3 BLACK T DIVER together on the sea.

On the rocks  6 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE and the SANDERLING

 On South Huish Marsh - 6 GADWALL, 6 SHELDUCK, 30 TEAL, 17 WIGEON, 4 MALLARD, 70 + SNIPE and 90 + LAPWING , 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 6 LONG T TIT. Dave Pakes reported a WATER RAIL

At South Milton Ley Vic reports - 20 + CHIFFCHAFF, 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF , 1 GOLDCREST

SUN 8 FEB

A cold morning , sunshine all day with very little wind and a flat calm sea

First thing on T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 25 SNIPE, 1m CIRL BUNTING,

5 REED BUNTING, 2 WATER RAIL, 2 SONG THRUSH.

In the Bay a nice GREAT N DIVER close in, 80 + AUKS on the sea ( mostly RAZORBILL ) 1 CURLEW, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE ,

1 SANDERLING, 16 KITTIWAKE, only 5 GANNET.

On South Huish Marsh 20 LAPWING , plus another 60 in the field, 20 WIGEON, 25 TEAL, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 15 SNIPE

SAT 7 FEB

 

Brief garden watch from 08.15 produced 25 species inc - GREAT Sp WOODY, 1 f BLACK REDSTART, 3 REED BUNTING

Late afternoon  Alan D reported from South Huish Marsh 30 GOLDEN PLOVER, 80 LAPWING, 2 GADWALL

FRI 6 FEB

 

A bitterly cold day with an increasing E wind although sunny.

The weather seems to have cleared almost every thing off South Huish Marsh - today 2 MUTE SWAN, 10 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK .In the liquid manure field 35 LAPWING

A 2hr seawatch from the flats produced - 40 GANNET, 300+ Auks -east , almost all of those that could be id'd were RAZORBILL, 14 KITTIWAKE

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and the SANDERLING, also

1 TURNSTONE

More activity on T'stone Marsh - LITTLE GREBE , 60 TEAL, 11 MALLARD, 20 SNIPE, in my garden - 1m CIRL BUNTING, 4 REED BUNTING

THURS  5 FEB

 

Marshes still frozen over this morning , lots of birds have departed, even the 2 MUTE SWAN gave up on icebreaking and moved on to the sea.

Only 3 WIGEON left on the sea. On the rocks 5 RINGED PLOVER and the SANDERLING. In the fields a flock of 36 LAPWING.

At Upton Cross first signs of some cold weather movement with a flock of 70 + LAPWING and 100 + GOLDEN PLOVER ( 105 )

In Buckland Valley - 4 MISTLE THRUSH

This afternoon 40 TEAL feeding on T'stone Marsh along with 10 SNIPE. At 17.00 200 STARLING in to roost

WED 4 FEB

 

Another sunny day with a cold NE wind, flat sea.

Early on T'stone Marsh - 2 SHELDUCK, 3 REED BUNTING on my feeders.

Spent an hour sewatching from the car park - 1m 3f GADWALL ( 104 )  on the sea briefly before flying west. 1m WIGEON and 2 TEAL - west, 4 WIGEON on the sea, 30 + RAZORBILL and 1 GUILLEMOT - on the sea, 3 KITTIWAKE, 10 GANNET

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and 1 SANDERLING .

On an icy South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK,

1f GADWALL, 23 LAPWING, 25 SNIPE  , a GOLDCREST in a garden

TUES 3 FEB

A sunny morning with a bitterly cold NE wind , flat sea again also marshes frozen over . Joined by Arthur today

On South Huish marsh - 50 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 1 SHELDUCK, only 10 SNIPE

Offshore 25 WIGEON, 10 GANNET and at 11.30 a GREAT CRESTED GREBE  ( 103 ) with full summer ear tufts .On the rocks /beach were 2 RINGED PLOVER and a SANDERLING

 

Moved inland to look for any new Thrush arrivals - Upton Cross only 2 REDWING, CHAFFINCH flock 60-70. In Buckland Valley a few REDWING , 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 4 GOLDCREST and a COAL TIT

 

Culvert from T'stone Marsh has been cleared -water  level dropped very quickly- will be interesting to see how far it drops  in this cold dry spell.

MON 2 FEB

 

Met Robert ( farmer ) who confirmed he had 2 WOODCOCK ( 102 ) at the back of South Huish Marsh last week

Although cold there was no wind and late morning some wintry sunshine, sea flat calm .Both marshes iced over this morning .

Joined by Graham Daw this morning - An hours seawatching from the car park produced - 3 GANNET, 58 WIGEON ( on sea )12 COMMON SCOTER -west, 1 GREAT N DIVER flew east at 09.25 ,1 SHELDUCK west. at least 55 RAZORBILL on the sea , further 10 flew east. Late morning another 30+ COMMON SCOTER flew west, 1 RED T DIVER landed on the sea, KITTIWAKE and COMMON GULL.

On the rocks a KINGFISHER .

On South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL, 3 SHELDUCK, 2 SHOVELER,

3 LAPWING, 25 SNIPE and 15 MOORHEN.

On T'stone Marsh today - 30 TEAL, 20 SNIPE, 2 COOT, 2 WATER RAIL, KESTREL, JAY and a LAPWING

 

SUN 1 FEB

 

Started off the new month with a 30 min Garden Watch - 28 species, highlights - 1m BLACK REDSTART, LINNET, REED BUNTING, 1m BULLFINCH.

Offshore 3 GANNET, 40 AUKS flew east and 20 on the sea ( mostly RAZORBILL ), 2 COMMON SCOTER - east

On South Huish Marsh- 55 WIGEON, 45 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, SHELDUCK. 10 SNIPE, 9 LAPWING, 2 RAVEN, 2 PEREGRINE

Nice to see Bob out this morning - he reported from South Milton Ley -

40 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 SIB CHIFFCHAFF, GREY WAGTAIL, CETTIS WARBLER, GOLDCREST.

Interesting flocks of Finches and Thrushes around Upton Cross -

150+ CHAFFINCH, 1m YELLOWHAMMER, 35 REDWING,

2 MISTLE THRUSH, 20 + FIELDFARE ( 101- first of the year.)

Total species recorded today - 64 a good start for Feb

2014

Another SIB. CHIFFCHAFF at South Milton Ley-AFD

SAT 28 FEB

Unable to get out today - man flu.

Report from Alan Pomroy who was ringing at South Milton Ley this morning before the wind got up- Ringed 2 GOLDCREST and CHIFFCHAFF, also seen a WOODCOCK, PEREGRINE ( over ) 10 CHIFfCHAFF inc 1 SIBERIAN race.

.

FRI  27 FEB

 

A fine sunny early morning with a slight frost.Looks as though the month is going to finish on a quiet note, another quiet day at the office.

With a great start weather wise did a garden watch from 07.50 - 08.30, no viz mig and only 26 species recorded- highlights -

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 8 REED BUNTING, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 1 COOT,

14 SNIPE ., 5 TEAL, 1 CORMORANT

On South Huish Marsh the 2 EURASION WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still feeding at the back of the Marsh, only 5 TEAL, 20 WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 m GADWALL

Offshore only 1 GANNET, 4 RAZORBILL ( on sea ), 5 AUKS flew east, 16 KITTIWAKE, 3 FULMAR. 1m COMMON SCOTER

 On the rocks - 4 RINGED PLOVER , 3 TURNSTONE

THURS 26 FEB

 

A short visit this afternoon to South Huish Marsh confirmed the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE were still present ,again feeding at the back of the Marsh. Duck numbers same as yesterday. WATER RAIL showing well again

WED 25 FEB

 

A drab morning with low cloud ,poor viz and some light rain

The 2 EUROPEAN WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still on view ,spending time feeding at the back of the Marsh along with the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Also - 30 TEAL, 20 WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK , 2 LAPWING. Visitors reported a WATER RAIL. Around 50 MIPITs inthe field

 

Short visit to Buckland Valley produced 1 GREAT Sp WOODY, 2 COAL TIT , 3 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 GOLDCREST

On T'stone marsh - 25 TEAL, 6 REED BUNTING, 1 JAY, 1 SPARROWHAWK

and tonight a roost of 25 PIED WAGTAIL

TUES 24 FEB

 

After the last few days nice to have a sunny morning , however the wind was WNW increasing up to F 7/8 with rough seas.

Very little change from yesterday - at South H Marsh the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still feeding, no sign of the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Only 10 TEAL, a KINGFISHER on the small pond near the White House and 10 LAPWING.

The MISTLE THRUSH near the copse, 4 STONECHAT ( 2 pairs )

Offshore only 5 GANNET

 On T'stone Marsh only 15 TEAL

MON 23 FEB

 

After a stormy night the morning was one of sunny priods and heavy showwers with a white covering of hailstones at 13.00

On T'stone Marsh only 3 SHELDUCK and 10 TEAL.

Offshore was poor , only 3 GANNET, 8 AUKs , 2 FULMAR and  2 KITTIWAKE in just over an hour

Fotunately South Huish Marsh came up trumps - amongst the feeding CANADA GEESE was the RUDDY SHELDUCK and 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE ( albifrons ) ( 110 ), still feeding in the field by the cafe at 12.30 .

Also on the Marsh - 30 TEAL, 32 WIGEON, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER,

40 LESSER B B GULL( amongst a flock of 200 Gulls ), only 1 SNIPE and a MISTLE THRUSH

 

This is my first record for 'albifrons ' in 12 years of covering the patch, the previous records for the specie were GREENLAND W F GOOSE in November 2012,.

Alan D took some photos which I will post soon

White Fronted Goose ( rear view ) South Huish Marsh 23 Feb 2015
2 W . F GOOSE 23 FEB 2015
W F GOOSE 23 FEB all photos by Alan Doidge

SUN 22 FEB

Having driven to Solihull and back on Sat when the sun was shining ( snowed as well ) , all ready for a morning on the patch when the rain started and then just got heavier, even the ducks took refuge .

My poor totals for the day were - South Huish Marsh -2 SHELDUCK,

15 WIGEON, 20 TEAL, 24 MALLARD

On T'stone Marsh - 15 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , 25 SNIPE , 2 LITTLE EGRET.

The new motto is -'It can only get better '

 

Still no sign of Bob getting out and with Arthur still rcovering from his man flu ,limited coverage at the moment

FRI 20 FEB

 

After a night of showers the morning started clear and gradually got sunnier, light NW wind with a flat sea.

On T'stone Marsh at 08.30 - 15 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 10 MALLARD,

20 SNIPE , 5 REED BUNTING, 2 BULLFINCH.

Offshore - 40 WIGEON ( on sea )100 + BLACK H GULL ( inc 2 with full 'black' heads )  2 FULMAR

On South Huish Marsh- 3 MUTE SWAN , 45 TEAL, 20 MALLARD,

10 SHELDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 WIGEON,  4 SNIPE, 2 WATER RAIL, ,

20 SKYLARK, 20 + PIED WAGTAIL, 3 STONECHAT, 1 CHIFFCHAFF.

On the rocks - 8 TURNSTONE, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

 

THURS  19 FEB

 One of those days for contemplation, heavy rain all morning, very poor viz with a F6/7 SSW wind. Only managed to pick up 10 GANNET offshore in 30 mins so returned home On T'stone Marsh everything hiding in the reed beds

WED 18 FEB

 

Late post as I was away fro 17.00. There were more birds seen from my garden in 30 mins at 08.15 than the rest of the day - 30 TEAL, , SNIPE, 2 CIRL BUNTING , 14 REED BUNTING  ( together ) 10 GREENFINCh. At 08.45 3 MUTE SWAN flew in ( resident pair have moved on ), WATER RAIL, 2 LAPWING.

South Huish Marsh held almost the same birds as Tues. Nothing at all offshore

TUES 17 FEB

After a frosty start a nice sunny winters day which probably was the cause of a poor day on the patch -

No sign of the SPOONBILL roosting .

On T'stone Marsh - 30 TEAL, 28 SNIPE, 2 SHELDUCK, 2 LAPWING,

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 2 SONG THRUSH, 6 REED BUNTING

Nothing at all offshore , whilst on South Huish marsh - 6 GADWALL,

20 WIGEON, 12 TEAL, 2 SNIPE, WATER RAIL again showing well,

1 CHIFFCHAFF.

Around Buckland Valley -  7 MISTLE THRUSH ( all in the same field )

3 SONG THRUSH, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 1 GOLDCREST

 

Eric at last managed to get round South Efford Marsh to report - 80 + WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 26 CURLEW, 2 REDSHANK, 2 GREENSHANK, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER and 2 WATER PIPIT

 

MON 16 FEB

 

The bird of the day was on T'stone Marsh briefly this morning found by June Huggins and seen by Arthur and Anne ( my Wife ) SPOONBILL

( 109 ) That will teach me not to have my mobile switched off . Also 30 TEAL and a m CIRL BUNTING

 

In the Bay this morning - 1f PINTAIL ( 108 ) on the sea then flew west, 5 FULMAR, 23 GANNET, 4 RAZORBILL, 1 GREAT N DIVER ( flew east at 10.35 ) 100 + BLACK H GULL on the sea.

By the footbridge a KINGFISHER.

On South Huish marsh  - 22 WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 11 SHELDUCK, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER, 18 MALLARD, 8 SNIPE , a WATER RAIL showed very well. 1 SPARROWHAWK

SAT 14 FEB

 

Only time for a garden watch this morning, 90mins from 08.45 a very respectable 42 species recorded, highlights -

1m BLACK REDSTART, 1m CIRL BUNTING, 1 CETTIS WARBLER ( calling )25 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 25 SNIPE , 1 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 LAPWING,

6 REED BUNTING, 20 SKYLARK, WATER RAIL 2 RAVEN , 1 MIPIT,

1 LINNET . Walking down Mallards Lane added 1 GREAT Sp WOODY,

1 GOLDCREST

FRI 13 FEB

 

After a night of heavy rain and F6/7 SSW winds cleared up by 10.00 to get out onto the patch - very little in the way of change from yesterday !

On T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , 5 SNIPE . 5 REED BUNTING on the feeders

 

At South Huish marsh -5 SHELDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER,

25 TEAL. 60 LAPWING. Over 100 HERRING GULL and 20 LESSER B B GULL surprisingly no BLACK H GULL, but there was 1 1st w YELLOW LEGGED GULL ( 107 )

Today both pairs of MUTE SWAN  had left the marches - as they have been very territorial this was not expected. Could it be the lower water levels ?

 

Offshore rough seas15 GANNET, 15 KITTIWAKE, 1 FULMAR - east. On the sea 30 RAZORBILL.

 

Eric reports from Aveton Gifford 1m 1f BLACK REDSTART.

THURS 12 FEB

 

Althogh 100% cloud viz much better today, light E breeze fairly flat sea .

On T'stone marsh this morning - 18 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 LITTLE GREBE 4 SNIPE, 6 REED BUNTING, 2 SONG THRUSH .

Around South Huish Marsh -6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER, 40 TEAL,

1 LAPWING, 30 MIPIT.

A 2hr seawatch produced - 45 + RAZORBILL, 2 WIGEON, 1 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 2 BLACK THROATED DIVER ( together )- all on the sea , 1 RED T DIVER- west, 26 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 8 KITTIWAKE, PEREGRINE.

On the rocks - 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

It will be interesting to seebrings any new arrivals into the Bay  if the o/night heavy rain and S winds

WED 11 FEB

 

Another 100 % cloud day. An hours seawatch from the car park was on a par with watching paint dry ! - 7 WIGEON and 20 RAZORBILL ( on sea ) 3 GANNET 1e 2 w and that was it

On T'stone marsh this morning 5 LITTLE EGRET, 2 LITTLE GREBE,

25 TEAL, 20 SNIPE, around the garden 6 REED BUNTING and a m CIRL BUNTING

TUES 10 FEB

 

What a change in the weather 100% low cloud and very poor viz offshore.

On South Huish Marsh at 09.30 -6 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 40 TEAL,

1m SHOVELER, 110 LAPWING, 2 KESTREL, 3 MUTE SWAN

Only spent 30 mins looking over the Bay - 90 RAZORBILL, 17 WIGEON - 10  GANNET, 4 KITTIWAKE - all sat on the sea . 3 MUTE SWAN flew in and landed

 

On the rocks 6 TURNSTONE, 6 RINGED PLOVER , 1 SANDERLING and a KINGFISHER

At Upton Cross - 20 MIPIT, 30 CHAFFINCH, 2 YELLOWHAMMER .

6 GOLDEN PLOVER flew over .

Buckland Valley could only produce - 3 MISTLE THRUSH, 4 GOLDCREST, 1 JAY, 1 GREAT Sp WOODY.

 

At T'stone marsh the culvert repairs must be finished as the water level dropped overnight- 30 TEAL and 4 LITTLE EGRET

 

Surprisingly could not find a SNIPE on either Marsh this morning

MON 9 FEB

 

What a superb day to be out and about the patch - sunny and clear sky, no wind , flat calm sea . Both marshes frozen early morning. Joined by Graham today

On T'stone Marsh - 55 SNIPE, 1 JACK SNIPE ( 08.15 )- (106 ) 35 TEAL,

3 MUTE SWAN - the resident pair made sure the newcommer did not stay long .15 MALLARD , 2 COOT

 A seawatch for 1.5 hrs from the car park - 130+ AUKS -around 75% were RAZORBILL, all on the sea in flocks of upto 30, 10 KITTIWAKE,

1 FULMAR. 2 GANNET.3 SHELDUCK ( on sea ) and 3 BLACK T DIVER together on the sea.

On the rocks  6 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE and the SANDERLING

 On South Huish Marsh - 6 GADWALL, 6 SHELDUCK, 30 TEAL, 17 WIGEON, 4 MALLARD, 70 + SNIPE and 90 + LAPWING , 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 6 LONG T TIT. Dave Pakes reported a WATER RAIL

At South Milton Ley Vic reports - 20 + CHIFFCHAFF, 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF , 1 GOLDCREST

SUN 8 FEB

A cold morning , sunshine all day with very little wind and a flat calm sea

First thing on T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 25 SNIPE, 1m CIRL BUNTING,

5 REED BUNTING, 2 WATER RAIL, 2 SONG THRUSH.

In the Bay a nice GREAT N DIVER close in, 80 + AUKS on the sea ( mostly RAZORBILL ) 1 CURLEW, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE ,

1 SANDERLING, 16 KITTIWAKE, only 5 GANNET.

On South Huish Marsh 20 LAPWING , plus another 60 in the field, 20 WIGEON, 25 TEAL, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 15 SNIPE

SAT 7 FEB

 

Brief garden watch from 08.15 produced 25 species inc - GREAT Sp WOODY, 1 f BLACK REDSTART, 3 REED BUNTING

Late afternoon  Alan D reported from South Huish Marsh 30 GOLDEN PLOVER, 80 LAPWING, 2 GADWALL

FRI 6 FEB

 

A bitterly cold day with an increasing E wind although sunny.

The weather seems to have cleared almost every thing off South Huish Marsh - today 2 MUTE SWAN, 10 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK .In the liquid manure field 35 LAPWING

A 2hr seawatch from the flats produced - 40 GANNET, 300+ Auks -east , almost all of those that could be id'd were RAZORBILL, 14 KITTIWAKE

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and the SANDERLING, also

1 TURNSTONE

More activity on T'stone Marsh - LITTLE GREBE , 60 TEAL, 11 MALLARD, 20 SNIPE, in my garden - 1m CIRL BUNTING, 4 REED BUNTING

THURS  5 FEB

 

Marshes still frozen over this morning , lots of birds have departed, even the 2 MUTE SWAN gave up on icebreaking and moved on to the sea.

Only 3 WIGEON left on the sea. On the rocks 5 RINGED PLOVER and the SANDERLING. In the fields a flock of 36 LAPWING.

At Upton Cross first signs of some cold weather movement with a flock of 70 + LAPWING and 100 + GOLDEN PLOVER ( 105 )

In Buckland Valley - 4 MISTLE THRUSH

This afternoon 40 TEAL feeding on T'stone Marsh along with 10 SNIPE. At 17.00 200 STARLING in to roost

WED 4 FEB

 

Another sunny day with a cold NE wind, flat sea.

Early on T'stone Marsh - 2 SHELDUCK, 3 REED BUNTING on my feeders.

Spent an hour sewatching from the car park - 1m 3f GADWALL ( 104 )  on the sea briefly before flying west. 1m WIGEON and 2 TEAL - west, 4 WIGEON on the sea, 30 + RAZORBILL and 1 GUILLEMOT - on the sea, 3 KITTIWAKE, 10 GANNET

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and 1 SANDERLING .

On an icy South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK,

1f GADWALL, 23 LAPWING, 25 SNIPE  , a GOLDCREST in a garden

TUES 3 FEB

A sunny morning with a bitterly cold NE wind , flat sea again also marshes frozen over . Joined by Arthur today

On South Huish marsh - 50 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 1 SHELDUCK, only 10 SNIPE

Offshore 25 WIGEON, 10 GANNET and at 11.30 a GREAT CRESTED GREBE  ( 103 ) with full summer ear tufts .On the rocks /beach were 2 RINGED PLOVER and a SANDERLING

 

Moved inland to look for any new Thrush arrivals - Upton Cross only 2 REDWING, CHAFFINCH flock 60-70. In Buckland Valley a few REDWING , 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 4 GOLDCREST and a COAL TIT

 

Culvert from T'stone Marsh has been cleared -water  level dropped very quickly- will be interesting to see how far it drops  in this cold dry spell.

MON 2 FEB

 

Met Robert ( farmer ) who confirmed he had 2 WOODCOCK ( 102 ) at the back of South Huish Marsh last week

Although cold there was no wind and late morning some wintry sunshine, sea flat calm .Both marshes iced over this morning .

Joined by Graham Daw this morning - An hours seawatching from the car park produced - 3 GANNET, 58 WIGEON ( on sea )12 COMMON SCOTER -west, 1 GREAT N DIVER flew east at 09.25 ,1 SHELDUCK west. at least 55 RAZORBILL on the sea , further 10 flew east. Late morning another 30+ COMMON SCOTER flew west, 1 RED T DIVER landed on the sea, KITTIWAKE and COMMON GULL.

On the rocks a KINGFISHER .

On South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL, 3 SHELDUCK, 2 SHOVELER,

3 LAPWING, 25 SNIPE and 15 MOORHEN.

On T'stone Marsh today - 30 TEAL, 20 SNIPE, 2 COOT, 2 WATER RAIL, KESTREL, JAY and a LAPWING

 

SUN 1 FEB

 

Started off the new month with a 30 min Garden Watch - 28 species, highlights - 1m BLACK REDSTART, LINNET, REED BUNTING, 1m BULLFINCH.

Offshore 3 GANNET, 40 AUKS flew east and 20 on the sea ( mostly RAZORBILL ), 2 COMMON SCOTER - east

On South Huish Marsh- 55 WIGEON, 45 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, SHELDUCK. 10 SNIPE, 9 LAPWING, 2 RAVEN, 2 PEREGRINE

Nice to see Bob out this morning - he reported from South Milton Ley -

40 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 SIB CHIFFCHAFF, GREY WAGTAIL, CETTIS WARBLER, GOLDCREST.

Interesting flocks of Finches and Thrushes around Upton Cross -

150+ CHAFFINCH, 1m YELLOWHAMMER, 35 REDWING,

2 MISTLE THRUSH, 20 + FIELDFARE ( 101- first of the year.)

Total species recorded today - 64 a good start for Feb

2014

Another SIB. CHIFFCHAFF at South Milton Ley-AFD

SAT 28 FEB

Unable to get out today - man flu.

Report from Alan Pomroy who was ringing at South Milton Ley this morning before the wind got up- Ringed 2 GOLDCREST and CHIFFCHAFF, also seen a WOODCOCK, PEREGRINE ( over ) 10 CHIFfCHAFF inc 1 SIBERIAN race.

.

FRI  27 FEB

 

A fine sunny early morning with a slight frost.Looks as though the month is going to finish on a quiet note, another quiet day at the office.

With a great start weather wise did a garden watch from 07.50 - 08.30, no viz mig and only 26 species recorded- highlights -

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 8 REED BUNTING, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 1 COOT,

14 SNIPE ., 5 TEAL, 1 CORMORANT

On South Huish Marsh the 2 EURASION WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still feeding at the back of the Marsh, only 5 TEAL, 20 WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 m GADWALL

Offshore only 1 GANNET, 4 RAZORBILL ( on sea ), 5 AUKS flew east, 16 KITTIWAKE, 3 FULMAR. 1m COMMON SCOTER

 On the rocks - 4 RINGED PLOVER , 3 TURNSTONE

THURS 26 FEB

 

A short visit this afternoon to South Huish Marsh confirmed the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE were still present ,again feeding at the back of the Marsh. Duck numbers same as yesterday. WATER RAIL showing well again

WED 25 FEB

 

A drab morning with low cloud ,poor viz and some light rain

The 2 EUROPEAN WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still on view ,spending time feeding at the back of the Marsh along with the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Also - 30 TEAL, 20 WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK , 2 LAPWING. Visitors reported a WATER RAIL. Around 50 MIPITs inthe field

 

Short visit to Buckland Valley produced 1 GREAT Sp WOODY, 2 COAL TIT , 3 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 GOLDCREST

On T'stone marsh - 25 TEAL, 6 REED BUNTING, 1 JAY, 1 SPARROWHAWK

and tonight a roost of 25 PIED WAGTAIL

TUES 24 FEB

 

After the last few days nice to have a sunny morning , however the wind was WNW increasing up to F 7/8 with rough seas.

Very little change from yesterday - at South H Marsh the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still feeding, no sign of the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Only 10 TEAL, a KINGFISHER on the small pond near the White House and 10 LAPWING.

The MISTLE THRUSH near the copse, 4 STONECHAT ( 2 pairs )

Offshore only 5 GANNET

 On T'stone Marsh only 15 TEAL

MON 23 FEB

 

After a stormy night the morning was one of sunny priods and heavy showwers with a white covering of hailstones at 13.00

On T'stone Marsh only 3 SHELDUCK and 10 TEAL.

Offshore was poor , only 3 GANNET, 8 AUKs , 2 FULMAR and  2 KITTIWAKE in just over an hour

Fotunately South Huish Marsh came up trumps - amongst the feeding CANADA GEESE was the RUDDY SHELDUCK and 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE ( albifrons ) ( 110 ), still feeding in the field by the cafe at 12.30 .

Also on the Marsh - 30 TEAL, 32 WIGEON, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER,

40 LESSER B B GULL( amongst a flock of 200 Gulls ), only 1 SNIPE and a MISTLE THRUSH

 

This is my first record for 'albifrons ' in 12 years of covering the patch, the previous records for the specie were GREENLAND W F GOOSE in November 2012,.

Alan D took some photos which I will post soon

White Fronted Goose ( rear view ) South Huish Marsh 23 Feb 2015
2 W . F GOOSE 23 FEB 2015
W F GOOSE 23 FEB all photos by Alan Doidge

SUN 22 FEB

Having driven to Solihull and back on Sat when the sun was shining ( snowed as well ) , all ready for a morning on the patch when the rain started and then just got heavier, even the ducks took refuge .

My poor totals for the day were - South Huish Marsh -2 SHELDUCK,

15 WIGEON, 20 TEAL, 24 MALLARD

On T'stone Marsh - 15 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , 25 SNIPE , 2 LITTLE EGRET.

The new motto is -'It can only get better '

 

Still no sign of Bob getting out and with Arthur still rcovering from his man flu ,limited coverage at the moment

FRI 20 FEB

 

After a night of showers the morning started clear and gradually got sunnier, light NW wind with a flat sea.

On T'stone Marsh at 08.30 - 15 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 10 MALLARD,

20 SNIPE , 5 REED BUNTING, 2 BULLFINCH.

Offshore - 40 WIGEON ( on sea )100 + BLACK H GULL ( inc 2 with full 'black' heads )  2 FULMAR

On South Huish Marsh- 3 MUTE SWAN , 45 TEAL, 20 MALLARD,

10 SHELDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 WIGEON,  4 SNIPE, 2 WATER RAIL, ,

20 SKYLARK, 20 + PIED WAGTAIL, 3 STONECHAT, 1 CHIFFCHAFF.

On the rocks - 8 TURNSTONE, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

 

THURS  19 FEB

 One of those days for contemplation, heavy rain all morning, very poor viz with a F6/7 SSW wind. Only managed to pick up 10 GANNET offshore in 30 mins so returned home On T'stone Marsh everything hiding in the reed beds

WED 18 FEB

 

Late post as I was away fro 17.00. There were more birds seen from my garden in 30 mins at 08.15 than the rest of the day - 30 TEAL, , SNIPE, 2 CIRL BUNTING , 14 REED BUNTING  ( together ) 10 GREENFINCh. At 08.45 3 MUTE SWAN flew in ( resident pair have moved on ), WATER RAIL, 2 LAPWING.

South Huish Marsh held almost the same birds as Tues. Nothing at all offshore

TUES 17 FEB

After a frosty start a nice sunny winters day which probably was the cause of a poor day on the patch -

No sign of the SPOONBILL roosting .

On T'stone Marsh - 30 TEAL, 28 SNIPE, 2 SHELDUCK, 2 LAPWING,

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 2 SONG THRUSH, 6 REED BUNTING

Nothing at all offshore , whilst on South Huish marsh - 6 GADWALL,

20 WIGEON, 12 TEAL, 2 SNIPE, WATER RAIL again showing well,

1 CHIFFCHAFF.

Around Buckland Valley -  7 MISTLE THRUSH ( all in the same field )

3 SONG THRUSH, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 1 GOLDCREST

 

Eric at last managed to get round South Efford Marsh to report - 80 + WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 26 CURLEW, 2 REDSHANK, 2 GREENSHANK, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER and 2 WATER PIPIT

 

MON 16 FEB

 

The bird of the day was on T'stone Marsh briefly this morning found by June Huggins and seen by Arthur and Anne ( my Wife ) SPOONBILL

( 109 ) That will teach me not to have my mobile switched off . Also 30 TEAL and a m CIRL BUNTING

 

In the Bay this morning - 1f PINTAIL ( 108 ) on the sea then flew west, 5 FULMAR, 23 GANNET, 4 RAZORBILL, 1 GREAT N DIVER ( flew east at 10.35 ) 100 + BLACK H GULL on the sea.

By the footbridge a KINGFISHER.

On South Huish marsh  - 22 WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 11 SHELDUCK, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER, 18 MALLARD, 8 SNIPE , a WATER RAIL showed very well. 1 SPARROWHAWK

SAT 14 FEB

 

Only time for a garden watch this morning, 90mins from 08.45 a very respectable 42 species recorded, highlights -

1m BLACK REDSTART, 1m CIRL BUNTING, 1 CETTIS WARBLER ( calling )25 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 25 SNIPE , 1 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 LAPWING,

6 REED BUNTING, 20 SKYLARK, WATER RAIL 2 RAVEN , 1 MIPIT,

1 LINNET . Walking down Mallards Lane added 1 GREAT Sp WOODY,

1 GOLDCREST

FRI 13 FEB

 

After a night of heavy rain and F6/7 SSW winds cleared up by 10.00 to get out onto the patch - very little in the way of change from yesterday !

On T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , 5 SNIPE . 5 REED BUNTING on the feeders

 

At South Huish marsh -5 SHELDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER,

25 TEAL. 60 LAPWING. Over 100 HERRING GULL and 20 LESSER B B GULL surprisingly no BLACK H GULL, but there was 1 1st w YELLOW LEGGED GULL ( 107 )

Today both pairs of MUTE SWAN  had left the marches - as they have been very territorial this was not expected. Could it be the lower water levels ?

 

Offshore rough seas15 GANNET, 15 KITTIWAKE, 1 FULMAR - east. On the sea 30 RAZORBILL.

 

Eric reports from Aveton Gifford 1m 1f BLACK REDSTART.

THURS 12 FEB

 

Althogh 100% cloud viz much better today, light E breeze fairly flat sea .

On T'stone marsh this morning - 18 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 LITTLE GREBE 4 SNIPE, 6 REED BUNTING, 2 SONG THRUSH .

Around South Huish Marsh -6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER, 40 TEAL,

1 LAPWING, 30 MIPIT.

A 2hr seawatch produced - 45 + RAZORBILL, 2 WIGEON, 1 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 2 BLACK THROATED DIVER ( together )- all on the sea , 1 RED T DIVER- west, 26 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 8 KITTIWAKE, PEREGRINE.

On the rocks - 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

It will be interesting to seebrings any new arrivals into the Bay  if the o/night heavy rain and S winds

WED 11 FEB

 

Another 100 % cloud day. An hours seawatch from the car park was on a par with watching paint dry ! - 7 WIGEON and 20 RAZORBILL ( on sea ) 3 GANNET 1e 2 w and that was it

On T'stone marsh this morning 5 LITTLE EGRET, 2 LITTLE GREBE,

25 TEAL, 20 SNIPE, around the garden 6 REED BUNTING and a m CIRL BUNTING

TUES 10 FEB

 

What a change in the weather 100% low cloud and very poor viz offshore.

On South Huish Marsh at 09.30 -6 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 40 TEAL,

1m SHOVELER, 110 LAPWING, 2 KESTREL, 3 MUTE SWAN

Only spent 30 mins looking over the Bay - 90 RAZORBILL, 17 WIGEON - 10  GANNET, 4 KITTIWAKE - all sat on the sea . 3 MUTE SWAN flew in and landed

 

On the rocks 6 TURNSTONE, 6 RINGED PLOVER , 1 SANDERLING and a KINGFISHER

At Upton Cross - 20 MIPIT, 30 CHAFFINCH, 2 YELLOWHAMMER .

6 GOLDEN PLOVER flew over .

Buckland Valley could only produce - 3 MISTLE THRUSH, 4 GOLDCREST, 1 JAY, 1 GREAT Sp WOODY.

 

At T'stone marsh the culvert repairs must be finished as the water level dropped overnight- 30 TEAL and 4 LITTLE EGRET

 

Surprisingly could not find a SNIPE on either Marsh this morning

MON 9 FEB

 

What a superb day to be out and about the patch - sunny and clear sky, no wind , flat calm sea . Both marshes frozen early morning. Joined by Graham today

On T'stone Marsh - 55 SNIPE, 1 JACK SNIPE ( 08.15 )- (106 ) 35 TEAL,

3 MUTE SWAN - the resident pair made sure the newcommer did not stay long .15 MALLARD , 2 COOT

 A seawatch for 1.5 hrs from the car park - 130+ AUKS -around 75% were RAZORBILL, all on the sea in flocks of upto 30, 10 KITTIWAKE,

1 FULMAR. 2 GANNET.3 SHELDUCK ( on sea ) and 3 BLACK T DIVER together on the sea.

On the rocks  6 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE and the SANDERLING

 On South Huish Marsh - 6 GADWALL, 6 SHELDUCK, 30 TEAL, 17 WIGEON, 4 MALLARD, 70 + SNIPE and 90 + LAPWING , 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 6 LONG T TIT. Dave Pakes reported a WATER RAIL

At South Milton Ley Vic reports - 20 + CHIFFCHAFF, 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF , 1 GOLDCREST

SUN 8 FEB

A cold morning , sunshine all day with very little wind and a flat calm sea

First thing on T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 25 SNIPE, 1m CIRL BUNTING,

5 REED BUNTING, 2 WATER RAIL, 2 SONG THRUSH.

In the Bay a nice GREAT N DIVER close in, 80 + AUKS on the sea ( mostly RAZORBILL ) 1 CURLEW, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE ,

1 SANDERLING, 16 KITTIWAKE, only 5 GANNET.

On South Huish Marsh 20 LAPWING , plus another 60 in the field, 20 WIGEON, 25 TEAL, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 15 SNIPE

SAT 7 FEB

 

Brief garden watch from 08.15 produced 25 species inc - GREAT Sp WOODY, 1 f BLACK REDSTART, 3 REED BUNTING

Late afternoon  Alan D reported from South Huish Marsh 30 GOLDEN PLOVER, 80 LAPWING, 2 GADWALL

FRI 6 FEB

 

A bitterly cold day with an increasing E wind although sunny.

The weather seems to have cleared almost every thing off South Huish Marsh - today 2 MUTE SWAN, 10 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK .In the liquid manure field 35 LAPWING

A 2hr seawatch from the flats produced - 40 GANNET, 300+ Auks -east , almost all of those that could be id'd were RAZORBILL, 14 KITTIWAKE

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and the SANDERLING, also

1 TURNSTONE

More activity on T'stone Marsh - LITTLE GREBE , 60 TEAL, 11 MALLARD, 20 SNIPE, in my garden - 1m CIRL BUNTING, 4 REED BUNTING

THURS  5 FEB

 

Marshes still frozen over this morning , lots of birds have departed, even the 2 MUTE SWAN gave up on icebreaking and moved on to the sea.

Only 3 WIGEON left on the sea. On the rocks 5 RINGED PLOVER and the SANDERLING. In the fields a flock of 36 LAPWING.

At Upton Cross first signs of some cold weather movement with a flock of 70 + LAPWING and 100 + GOLDEN PLOVER ( 105 )

In Buckland Valley - 4 MISTLE THRUSH

This afternoon 40 TEAL feeding on T'stone Marsh along with 10 SNIPE. At 17.00 200 STARLING in to roost

WED 4 FEB

 

Another sunny day with a cold NE wind, flat sea.

Early on T'stone Marsh - 2 SHELDUCK, 3 REED BUNTING on my feeders.

Spent an hour sewatching from the car park - 1m 3f GADWALL ( 104 )  on the sea briefly before flying west. 1m WIGEON and 2 TEAL - west, 4 WIGEON on the sea, 30 + RAZORBILL and 1 GUILLEMOT - on the sea, 3 KITTIWAKE, 10 GANNET

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and 1 SANDERLING .

On an icy South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK,

1f GADWALL, 23 LAPWING, 25 SNIPE  , a GOLDCREST in a garden

TUES 3 FEB

A sunny morning with a bitterly cold NE wind , flat sea again also marshes frozen over . Joined by Arthur today

On South Huish marsh - 50 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 1 SHELDUCK, only 10 SNIPE

Offshore 25 WIGEON, 10 GANNET and at 11.30 a GREAT CRESTED GREBE  ( 103 ) with full summer ear tufts .On the rocks /beach were 2 RINGED PLOVER and a SANDERLING

 

Moved inland to look for any new Thrush arrivals - Upton Cross only 2 REDWING, CHAFFINCH flock 60-70. In Buckland Valley a few REDWING , 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 4 GOLDCREST and a COAL TIT

 

Culvert from T'stone Marsh has been cleared -water  level dropped very quickly- will be interesting to see how far it drops  in this cold dry spell.

MON 2 FEB

 

Met Robert ( farmer ) who confirmed he had 2 WOODCOCK ( 102 ) at the back of South Huish Marsh last week

Although cold there was no wind and late morning some wintry sunshine, sea flat calm .Both marshes iced over this morning .

Joined by Graham Daw this morning - An hours seawatching from the car park produced - 3 GANNET, 58 WIGEON ( on sea )12 COMMON SCOTER -west, 1 GREAT N DIVER flew east at 09.25 ,1 SHELDUCK west. at least 55 RAZORBILL on the sea , further 10 flew east. Late morning another 30+ COMMON SCOTER flew west, 1 RED T DIVER landed on the sea, KITTIWAKE and COMMON GULL.

On the rocks a KINGFISHER .

On South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL, 3 SHELDUCK, 2 SHOVELER,

3 LAPWING, 25 SNIPE and 15 MOORHEN.

On T'stone Marsh today - 30 TEAL, 20 SNIPE, 2 COOT, 2 WATER RAIL, KESTREL, JAY and a LAPWING

 

SUN 1 FEB

 

Started off the new month with a 30 min Garden Watch - 28 species, highlights - 1m BLACK REDSTART, LINNET, REED BUNTING, 1m BULLFINCH.

Offshore 3 GANNET, 40 AUKS flew east and 20 on the sea ( mostly RAZORBILL ), 2 COMMON SCOTER - east

On South Huish Marsh- 55 WIGEON, 45 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, SHELDUCK. 10 SNIPE, 9 LAPWING, 2 RAVEN, 2 PEREGRINE

Nice to see Bob out this morning - he reported from South Milton Ley -

40 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 SIB CHIFFCHAFF, GREY WAGTAIL, CETTIS WARBLER, GOLDCREST.

Interesting flocks of Finches and Thrushes around Upton Cross -

150+ CHAFFINCH, 1m YELLOWHAMMER, 35 REDWING,

2 MISTLE THRUSH, 20 + FIELDFARE ( 101- first of the year.)

Total species recorded today - 64 a good start for Feb

2014

Another SIB. CHIFFCHAFF at South Milton Ley-AFD

SAT 28 FEB

Unable to get out today - man flu.

Report from Alan Pomroy who was ringing at South Milton Ley this morning before the wind got up- Ringed 2 GOLDCREST and CHIFFCHAFF, also seen a WOODCOCK, PEREGRINE ( over ) 10 CHIFfCHAFF inc 1 SIBERIAN race.

.

FRI  27 FEB

 

A fine sunny early morning with a slight frost.Looks as though the month is going to finish on a quiet note, another quiet day at the office.

With a great start weather wise did a garden watch from 07.50 - 08.30, no viz mig and only 26 species recorded- highlights -

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 8 REED BUNTING, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 1 COOT,

14 SNIPE ., 5 TEAL, 1 CORMORANT

On South Huish Marsh the 2 EURASION WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still feeding at the back of the Marsh, only 5 TEAL, 20 WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 m GADWALL

Offshore only 1 GANNET, 4 RAZORBILL ( on sea ), 5 AUKS flew east, 16 KITTIWAKE, 3 FULMAR. 1m COMMON SCOTER

 On the rocks - 4 RINGED PLOVER , 3 TURNSTONE

THURS 26 FEB

 

A short visit this afternoon to South Huish Marsh confirmed the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE were still present ,again feeding at the back of the Marsh. Duck numbers same as yesterday. WATER RAIL showing well again

WED 25 FEB

 

A drab morning with low cloud ,poor viz and some light rain

The 2 EUROPEAN WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still on view ,spending time feeding at the back of the Marsh along with the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Also - 30 TEAL, 20 WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK , 2 LAPWING. Visitors reported a WATER RAIL. Around 50 MIPITs inthe field

 

Short visit to Buckland Valley produced 1 GREAT Sp WOODY, 2 COAL TIT , 3 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 GOLDCREST

On T'stone marsh - 25 TEAL, 6 REED BUNTING, 1 JAY, 1 SPARROWHAWK

and tonight a roost of 25 PIED WAGTAIL

TUES 24 FEB

 

After the last few days nice to have a sunny morning , however the wind was WNW increasing up to F 7/8 with rough seas.

Very little change from yesterday - at South H Marsh the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still feeding, no sign of the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Only 10 TEAL, a KINGFISHER on the small pond near the White House and 10 LAPWING.

The MISTLE THRUSH near the copse, 4 STONECHAT ( 2 pairs )

Offshore only 5 GANNET

 On T'stone Marsh only 15 TEAL

MON 23 FEB

 

After a stormy night the morning was one of sunny priods and heavy showwers with a white covering of hailstones at 13.00

On T'stone Marsh only 3 SHELDUCK and 10 TEAL.

Offshore was poor , only 3 GANNET, 8 AUKs , 2 FULMAR and  2 KITTIWAKE in just over an hour

Fotunately South Huish Marsh came up trumps - amongst the feeding CANADA GEESE was the RUDDY SHELDUCK and 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE ( albifrons ) ( 110 ), still feeding in the field by the cafe at 12.30 .

Also on the Marsh - 30 TEAL, 32 WIGEON, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER,

40 LESSER B B GULL( amongst a flock of 200 Gulls ), only 1 SNIPE and a MISTLE THRUSH

 

This is my first record for 'albifrons ' in 12 years of covering the patch, the previous records for the specie were GREENLAND W F GOOSE in November 2012,.

Alan D took some photos which I will post soon

White Fronted Goose ( rear view ) South Huish Marsh 23 Feb 2015
2 W . F GOOSE 23 FEB 2015
W F GOOSE 23 FEB all photos by Alan Doidge

SUN 22 FEB

Having driven to Solihull and back on Sat when the sun was shining ( snowed as well ) , all ready for a morning on the patch when the rain started and then just got heavier, even the ducks took refuge .

My poor totals for the day were - South Huish Marsh -2 SHELDUCK,

15 WIGEON, 20 TEAL, 24 MALLARD

On T'stone Marsh - 15 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , 25 SNIPE , 2 LITTLE EGRET.

The new motto is -'It can only get better '

 

Still no sign of Bob getting out and with Arthur still rcovering from his man flu ,limited coverage at the moment

FRI 20 FEB

 

After a night of showers the morning started clear and gradually got sunnier, light NW wind with a flat sea.

On T'stone Marsh at 08.30 - 15 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 10 MALLARD,

20 SNIPE , 5 REED BUNTING, 2 BULLFINCH.

Offshore - 40 WIGEON ( on sea )100 + BLACK H GULL ( inc 2 with full 'black' heads )  2 FULMAR

On South Huish Marsh- 3 MUTE SWAN , 45 TEAL, 20 MALLARD,

10 SHELDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 WIGEON,  4 SNIPE, 2 WATER RAIL, ,

20 SKYLARK, 20 + PIED WAGTAIL, 3 STONECHAT, 1 CHIFFCHAFF.

On the rocks - 8 TURNSTONE, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

 

THURS  19 FEB

 One of those days for contemplation, heavy rain all morning, very poor viz with a F6/7 SSW wind. Only managed to pick up 10 GANNET offshore in 30 mins so returned home On T'stone Marsh everything hiding in the reed beds

WED 18 FEB

 

Late post as I was away fro 17.00. There were more birds seen from my garden in 30 mins at 08.15 than the rest of the day - 30 TEAL, , SNIPE, 2 CIRL BUNTING , 14 REED BUNTING  ( together ) 10 GREENFINCh. At 08.45 3 MUTE SWAN flew in ( resident pair have moved on ), WATER RAIL, 2 LAPWING.

South Huish Marsh held almost the same birds as Tues. Nothing at all offshore

TUES 17 FEB

After a frosty start a nice sunny winters day which probably was the cause of a poor day on the patch -

No sign of the SPOONBILL roosting .

On T'stone Marsh - 30 TEAL, 28 SNIPE, 2 SHELDUCK, 2 LAPWING,

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 2 SONG THRUSH, 6 REED BUNTING

Nothing at all offshore , whilst on South Huish marsh - 6 GADWALL,

20 WIGEON, 12 TEAL, 2 SNIPE, WATER RAIL again showing well,

1 CHIFFCHAFF.

Around Buckland Valley -  7 MISTLE THRUSH ( all in the same field )

3 SONG THRUSH, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 1 GOLDCREST

 

Eric at last managed to get round South Efford Marsh to report - 80 + WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 26 CURLEW, 2 REDSHANK, 2 GREENSHANK, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER and 2 WATER PIPIT

 

MON 16 FEB

 

The bird of the day was on T'stone Marsh briefly this morning found by June Huggins and seen by Arthur and Anne ( my Wife ) SPOONBILL

( 109 ) That will teach me not to have my mobile switched off . Also 30 TEAL and a m CIRL BUNTING

 

In the Bay this morning - 1f PINTAIL ( 108 ) on the sea then flew west, 5 FULMAR, 23 GANNET, 4 RAZORBILL, 1 GREAT N DIVER ( flew east at 10.35 ) 100 + BLACK H GULL on the sea.

By the footbridge a KINGFISHER.

On South Huish marsh  - 22 WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 11 SHELDUCK, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER, 18 MALLARD, 8 SNIPE , a WATER RAIL showed very well. 1 SPARROWHAWK

SAT 14 FEB

 

Only time for a garden watch this morning, 90mins from 08.45 a very respectable 42 species recorded, highlights -

1m BLACK REDSTART, 1m CIRL BUNTING, 1 CETTIS WARBLER ( calling )25 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 25 SNIPE , 1 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 LAPWING,

6 REED BUNTING, 20 SKYLARK, WATER RAIL 2 RAVEN , 1 MIPIT,

1 LINNET . Walking down Mallards Lane added 1 GREAT Sp WOODY,

1 GOLDCREST

FRI 13 FEB

 

After a night of heavy rain and F6/7 SSW winds cleared up by 10.00 to get out onto the patch - very little in the way of change from yesterday !

On T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , 5 SNIPE . 5 REED BUNTING on the feeders

 

At South Huish marsh -5 SHELDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER,

25 TEAL. 60 LAPWING. Over 100 HERRING GULL and 20 LESSER B B GULL surprisingly no BLACK H GULL, but there was 1 1st w YELLOW LEGGED GULL ( 107 )

Today both pairs of MUTE SWAN  had left the marches - as they have been very territorial this was not expected. Could it be the lower water levels ?

 

Offshore rough seas15 GANNET, 15 KITTIWAKE, 1 FULMAR - east. On the sea 30 RAZORBILL.

 

Eric reports from Aveton Gifford 1m 1f BLACK REDSTART.

THURS 12 FEB

 

Althogh 100% cloud viz much better today, light E breeze fairly flat sea .

On T'stone marsh this morning - 18 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 LITTLE GREBE 4 SNIPE, 6 REED BUNTING, 2 SONG THRUSH .

Around South Huish Marsh -6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER, 40 TEAL,

1 LAPWING, 30 MIPIT.

A 2hr seawatch produced - 45 + RAZORBILL, 2 WIGEON, 1 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 2 BLACK THROATED DIVER ( together )- all on the sea , 1 RED T DIVER- west, 26 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 8 KITTIWAKE, PEREGRINE.

On the rocks - 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

It will be interesting to seebrings any new arrivals into the Bay  if the o/night heavy rain and S winds

WED 11 FEB

 

Another 100 % cloud day. An hours seawatch from the car park was on a par with watching paint dry ! - 7 WIGEON and 20 RAZORBILL ( on sea ) 3 GANNET 1e 2 w and that was it

On T'stone marsh this morning 5 LITTLE EGRET, 2 LITTLE GREBE,

25 TEAL, 20 SNIPE, around the garden 6 REED BUNTING and a m CIRL BUNTING

TUES 10 FEB

 

What a change in the weather 100% low cloud and very poor viz offshore.

On South Huish Marsh at 09.30 -6 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 40 TEAL,

1m SHOVELER, 110 LAPWING, 2 KESTREL, 3 MUTE SWAN

Only spent 30 mins looking over the Bay - 90 RAZORBILL, 17 WIGEON - 10  GANNET, 4 KITTIWAKE - all sat on the sea . 3 MUTE SWAN flew in and landed

 

On the rocks 6 TURNSTONE, 6 RINGED PLOVER , 1 SANDERLING and a KINGFISHER

At Upton Cross - 20 MIPIT, 30 CHAFFINCH, 2 YELLOWHAMMER .

6 GOLDEN PLOVER flew over .

Buckland Valley could only produce - 3 MISTLE THRUSH, 4 GOLDCREST, 1 JAY, 1 GREAT Sp WOODY.

 

At T'stone marsh the culvert repairs must be finished as the water level dropped overnight- 30 TEAL and 4 LITTLE EGRET

 

Surprisingly could not find a SNIPE on either Marsh this morning

MON 9 FEB

 

What a superb day to be out and about the patch - sunny and clear sky, no wind , flat calm sea . Both marshes frozen early morning. Joined by Graham today

On T'stone Marsh - 55 SNIPE, 1 JACK SNIPE ( 08.15 )- (106 ) 35 TEAL,

3 MUTE SWAN - the resident pair made sure the newcommer did not stay long .15 MALLARD , 2 COOT

 A seawatch for 1.5 hrs from the car park - 130+ AUKS -around 75% were RAZORBILL, all on the sea in flocks of upto 30, 10 KITTIWAKE,

1 FULMAR. 2 GANNET.3 SHELDUCK ( on sea ) and 3 BLACK T DIVER together on the sea.

On the rocks  6 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE and the SANDERLING

 On South Huish Marsh - 6 GADWALL, 6 SHELDUCK, 30 TEAL, 17 WIGEON, 4 MALLARD, 70 + SNIPE and 90 + LAPWING , 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 6 LONG T TIT. Dave Pakes reported a WATER RAIL

At South Milton Ley Vic reports - 20 + CHIFFCHAFF, 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF , 1 GOLDCREST

SUN 8 FEB

A cold morning , sunshine all day with very little wind and a flat calm sea

First thing on T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 25 SNIPE, 1m CIRL BUNTING,

5 REED BUNTING, 2 WATER RAIL, 2 SONG THRUSH.

In the Bay a nice GREAT N DIVER close in, 80 + AUKS on the sea ( mostly RAZORBILL ) 1 CURLEW, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE ,

1 SANDERLING, 16 KITTIWAKE, only 5 GANNET.

On South Huish Marsh 20 LAPWING , plus another 60 in the field, 20 WIGEON, 25 TEAL, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 15 SNIPE

SAT 7 FEB

 

Brief garden watch from 08.15 produced 25 species inc - GREAT Sp WOODY, 1 f BLACK REDSTART, 3 REED BUNTING

Late afternoon  Alan D reported from South Huish Marsh 30 GOLDEN PLOVER, 80 LAPWING, 2 GADWALL

FRI 6 FEB

 

A bitterly cold day with an increasing E wind although sunny.

The weather seems to have cleared almost every thing off South Huish Marsh - today 2 MUTE SWAN, 10 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK .In the liquid manure field 35 LAPWING

A 2hr seawatch from the flats produced - 40 GANNET, 300+ Auks -east , almost all of those that could be id'd were RAZORBILL, 14 KITTIWAKE

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and the SANDERLING, also

1 TURNSTONE

More activity on T'stone Marsh - LITTLE GREBE , 60 TEAL, 11 MALLARD, 20 SNIPE, in my garden - 1m CIRL BUNTING, 4 REED BUNTING

THURS  5 FEB

 

Marshes still frozen over this morning , lots of birds have departed, even the 2 MUTE SWAN gave up on icebreaking and moved on to the sea.

Only 3 WIGEON left on the sea. On the rocks 5 RINGED PLOVER and the SANDERLING. In the fields a flock of 36 LAPWING.

At Upton Cross first signs of some cold weather movement with a flock of 70 + LAPWING and 100 + GOLDEN PLOVER ( 105 )

In Buckland Valley - 4 MISTLE THRUSH

This afternoon 40 TEAL feeding on T'stone Marsh along with 10 SNIPE. At 17.00 200 STARLING in to roost

WED 4 FEB

 

Another sunny day with a cold NE wind, flat sea.

Early on T'stone Marsh - 2 SHELDUCK, 3 REED BUNTING on my feeders.

Spent an hour sewatching from the car park - 1m 3f GADWALL ( 104 )  on the sea briefly before flying west. 1m WIGEON and 2 TEAL - west, 4 WIGEON on the sea, 30 + RAZORBILL and 1 GUILLEMOT - on the sea, 3 KITTIWAKE, 10 GANNET

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and 1 SANDERLING .

On an icy South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK,

1f GADWALL, 23 LAPWING, 25 SNIPE  , a GOLDCREST in a garden

TUES 3 FEB

A sunny morning with a bitterly cold NE wind , flat sea again also marshes frozen over . Joined by Arthur today

On South Huish marsh - 50 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 1 SHELDUCK, only 10 SNIPE

Offshore 25 WIGEON, 10 GANNET and at 11.30 a GREAT CRESTED GREBE  ( 103 ) with full summer ear tufts .On the rocks /beach were 2 RINGED PLOVER and a SANDERLING

 

Moved inland to look for any new Thrush arrivals - Upton Cross only 2 REDWING, CHAFFINCH flock 60-70. In Buckland Valley a few REDWING , 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 4 GOLDCREST and a COAL TIT

 

Culvert from T'stone Marsh has been cleared -water  level dropped very quickly- will be interesting to see how far it drops  in this cold dry spell.

MON 2 FEB

 

Met Robert ( farmer ) who confirmed he had 2 WOODCOCK ( 102 ) at the back of South Huish Marsh last week

Although cold there was no wind and late morning some wintry sunshine, sea flat calm .Both marshes iced over this morning .

Joined by Graham Daw this morning - An hours seawatching from the car park produced - 3 GANNET, 58 WIGEON ( on sea )12 COMMON SCOTER -west, 1 GREAT N DIVER flew east at 09.25 ,1 SHELDUCK west. at least 55 RAZORBILL on the sea , further 10 flew east. Late morning another 30+ COMMON SCOTER flew west, 1 RED T DIVER landed on the sea, KITTIWAKE and COMMON GULL.

On the rocks a KINGFISHER .

On South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL, 3 SHELDUCK, 2 SHOVELER,

3 LAPWING, 25 SNIPE and 15 MOORHEN.

On T'stone Marsh today - 30 TEAL, 20 SNIPE, 2 COOT, 2 WATER RAIL, KESTREL, JAY and a LAPWING

 

SUN 1 FEB

 

Started off the new month with a 30 min Garden Watch - 28 species, highlights - 1m BLACK REDSTART, LINNET, REED BUNTING, 1m BULLFINCH.

Offshore 3 GANNET, 40 AUKS flew east and 20 on the sea ( mostly RAZORBILL ), 2 COMMON SCOTER - east

On South Huish Marsh- 55 WIGEON, 45 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, SHELDUCK. 10 SNIPE, 9 LAPWING, 2 RAVEN, 2 PEREGRINE

Nice to see Bob out this morning - he reported from South Milton Ley -

40 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 SIB CHIFFCHAFF, GREY WAGTAIL, CETTIS WARBLER, GOLDCREST.

Interesting flocks of Finches and Thrushes around Upton Cross -

150+ CHAFFINCH, 1m YELLOWHAMMER, 35 REDWING,

2 MISTLE THRUSH, 20 + FIELDFARE ( 101- first of the year.)

Total species recorded today - 64 a good start for Feb

2014

Another SIB. CHIFFCHAFF at South Milton Ley-AFD

SAT 28 FEB

Unable to get out today - man flu.

Report from Alan Pomroy who was ringing at South Milton Ley this morning before the wind got up- Ringed 2 GOLDCREST and CHIFFCHAFF, also seen a WOODCOCK, PEREGRINE ( over ) 10 CHIFfCHAFF inc 1 SIBERIAN race.

.

FRI  27 FEB

 

A fine sunny early morning with a slight frost.Looks as though the month is going to finish on a quiet note, another quiet day at the office.

With a great start weather wise did a garden watch from 07.50 - 08.30, no viz mig and only 26 species recorded- highlights -

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 8 REED BUNTING, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 1 COOT,

14 SNIPE ., 5 TEAL, 1 CORMORANT

On South Huish Marsh the 2 EURASION WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still feeding at the back of the Marsh, only 5 TEAL, 20 WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 m GADWALL

Offshore only 1 GANNET, 4 RAZORBILL ( on sea ), 5 AUKS flew east, 16 KITTIWAKE, 3 FULMAR. 1m COMMON SCOTER

 On the rocks - 4 RINGED PLOVER , 3 TURNSTONE

THURS 26 FEB

 

A short visit this afternoon to South Huish Marsh confirmed the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE were still present ,again feeding at the back of the Marsh. Duck numbers same as yesterday. WATER RAIL showing well again

WED 25 FEB

 

A drab morning with low cloud ,poor viz and some light rain

The 2 EUROPEAN WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still on view ,spending time feeding at the back of the Marsh along with the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Also - 30 TEAL, 20 WIGEON, 2 SHOVELER, 2 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK , 2 LAPWING. Visitors reported a WATER RAIL. Around 50 MIPITs inthe field

 

Short visit to Buckland Valley produced 1 GREAT Sp WOODY, 2 COAL TIT , 3 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 GOLDCREST

On T'stone marsh - 25 TEAL, 6 REED BUNTING, 1 JAY, 1 SPARROWHAWK

and tonight a roost of 25 PIED WAGTAIL

TUES 24 FEB

 

After the last few days nice to have a sunny morning , however the wind was WNW increasing up to F 7/8 with rough seas.

Very little change from yesterday - at South H Marsh the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still feeding, no sign of the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Only 10 TEAL, a KINGFISHER on the small pond near the White House and 10 LAPWING.

The MISTLE THRUSH near the copse, 4 STONECHAT ( 2 pairs )

Offshore only 5 GANNET

 On T'stone Marsh only 15 TEAL

MON 23 FEB

 

After a stormy night the morning was one of sunny priods and heavy showwers with a white covering of hailstones at 13.00

On T'stone Marsh only 3 SHELDUCK and 10 TEAL.

Offshore was poor , only 3 GANNET, 8 AUKs , 2 FULMAR and  2 KITTIWAKE in just over an hour

Fotunately South Huish Marsh came up trumps - amongst the feeding CANADA GEESE was the RUDDY SHELDUCK and 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE ( albifrons ) ( 110 ), still feeding in the field by the cafe at 12.30 .

Also on the Marsh - 30 TEAL, 32 WIGEON, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER,

40 LESSER B B GULL( amongst a flock of 200 Gulls ), only 1 SNIPE and a MISTLE THRUSH

 

This is my first record for 'albifrons ' in 12 years of covering the patch, the previous records for the specie were GREENLAND W F GOOSE in November 2012,.

Alan D took some photos which I will post soon

White Fronted Goose ( rear view ) South Huish Marsh 23 Feb 2015
2 W . F GOOSE 23 FEB 2015
W F GOOSE 23 FEB all photos by Alan Doidge

SUN 22 FEB

Having driven to Solihull and back on Sat when the sun was shining ( snowed as well ) , all ready for a morning on the patch when the rain started and then just got heavier, even the ducks took refuge .

My poor totals for the day were - South Huish Marsh -2 SHELDUCK,

15 WIGEON, 20 TEAL, 24 MALLARD

On T'stone Marsh - 15 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , 25 SNIPE , 2 LITTLE EGRET.

The new motto is -'It can only get better '

 

Still no sign of Bob getting out and with Arthur still rcovering from his man flu ,limited coverage at the moment

FRI 20 FEB

 

After a night of showers the morning started clear and gradually got sunnier, light NW wind with a flat sea.

On T'stone Marsh at 08.30 - 15 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 10 MALLARD,

20 SNIPE , 5 REED BUNTING, 2 BULLFINCH.

Offshore - 40 WIGEON ( on sea )100 + BLACK H GULL ( inc 2 with full 'black' heads )  2 FULMAR

On South Huish Marsh- 3 MUTE SWAN , 45 TEAL, 20 MALLARD,

10 SHELDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 WIGEON,  4 SNIPE, 2 WATER RAIL, ,

20 SKYLARK, 20 + PIED WAGTAIL, 3 STONECHAT, 1 CHIFFCHAFF.

On the rocks - 8 TURNSTONE, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

 

THURS  19 FEB

 One of those days for contemplation, heavy rain all morning, very poor viz with a F6/7 SSW wind. Only managed to pick up 10 GANNET offshore in 30 mins so returned home On T'stone Marsh everything hiding in the reed beds

WED 18 FEB

 

Late post as I was away fro 17.00. There were more birds seen from my garden in 30 mins at 08.15 than the rest of the day - 30 TEAL, , SNIPE, 2 CIRL BUNTING , 14 REED BUNTING  ( together ) 10 GREENFINCh. At 08.45 3 MUTE SWAN flew in ( resident pair have moved on ), WATER RAIL, 2 LAPWING.

South Huish Marsh held almost the same birds as Tues. Nothing at all offshore

TUES 17 FEB

After a frosty start a nice sunny winters day which probably was the cause of a poor day on the patch -

No sign of the SPOONBILL roosting .

On T'stone Marsh - 30 TEAL, 28 SNIPE, 2 SHELDUCK, 2 LAPWING,

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 2 SONG THRUSH, 6 REED BUNTING

Nothing at all offshore , whilst on South Huish marsh - 6 GADWALL,

20 WIGEON, 12 TEAL, 2 SNIPE, WATER RAIL again showing well,

1 CHIFFCHAFF.

Around Buckland Valley -  7 MISTLE THRUSH ( all in the same field )

3 SONG THRUSH, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 1 GOLDCREST

 

Eric at last managed to get round South Efford Marsh to report - 80 + WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 26 CURLEW, 2 REDSHANK, 2 GREENSHANK, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER and 2 WATER PIPIT

 

MON 16 FEB

 

The bird of the day was on T'stone Marsh briefly this morning found by June Huggins and seen by Arthur and Anne ( my Wife ) SPOONBILL

( 109 ) That will teach me not to have my mobile switched off . Also 30 TEAL and a m CIRL BUNTING

 

In the Bay this morning - 1f PINTAIL ( 108 ) on the sea then flew west, 5 FULMAR, 23 GANNET, 4 RAZORBILL, 1 GREAT N DIVER ( flew east at 10.35 ) 100 + BLACK H GULL on the sea.

By the footbridge a KINGFISHER.

On South Huish marsh  - 22 WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 11 SHELDUCK, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER, 18 MALLARD, 8 SNIPE , a WATER RAIL showed very well. 1 SPARROWHAWK

SAT 14 FEB

 

Only time for a garden watch this morning, 90mins from 08.45 a very respectable 42 species recorded, highlights -

1m BLACK REDSTART, 1m CIRL BUNTING, 1 CETTIS WARBLER ( calling )25 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 25 SNIPE , 1 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 LAPWING,

6 REED BUNTING, 20 SKYLARK, WATER RAIL 2 RAVEN , 1 MIPIT,

1 LINNET . Walking down Mallards Lane added 1 GREAT Sp WOODY,

1 GOLDCREST

FRI 13 FEB

 

After a night of heavy rain and F6/7 SSW winds cleared up by 10.00 to get out onto the patch - very little in the way of change from yesterday !

On T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , 5 SNIPE . 5 REED BUNTING on the feeders

 

At South Huish marsh -5 SHELDUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER,

25 TEAL. 60 LAPWING. Over 100 HERRING GULL and 20 LESSER B B GULL surprisingly no BLACK H GULL, but there was 1 1st w YELLOW LEGGED GULL ( 107 )

Today both pairs of MUTE SWAN  had left the marches - as they have been very territorial this was not expected. Could it be the lower water levels ?

 

Offshore rough seas15 GANNET, 15 KITTIWAKE, 1 FULMAR - east. On the sea 30 RAZORBILL.

 

Eric reports from Aveton Gifford 1m 1f BLACK REDSTART.

THURS 12 FEB

 

Althogh 100% cloud viz much better today, light E breeze fairly flat sea .

On T'stone marsh this morning - 18 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 1 LITTLE GREBE 4 SNIPE, 6 REED BUNTING, 2 SONG THRUSH .

Around South Huish Marsh -6 GADWALL, 2 SHOVELER, 40 TEAL,

1 LAPWING, 30 MIPIT.

A 2hr seawatch produced - 45 + RAZORBILL, 2 WIGEON, 1 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 2 BLACK THROATED DIVER ( together )- all on the sea , 1 RED T DIVER- west, 26 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 8 KITTIWAKE, PEREGRINE.

On the rocks - 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

It will be interesting to seebrings any new arrivals into the Bay  if the o/night heavy rain and S winds

WED 11 FEB

 

Another 100 % cloud day. An hours seawatch from the car park was on a par with watching paint dry ! - 7 WIGEON and 20 RAZORBILL ( on sea ) 3 GANNET 1e 2 w and that was it

On T'stone marsh this morning 5 LITTLE EGRET, 2 LITTLE GREBE,

25 TEAL, 20 SNIPE, around the garden 6 REED BUNTING and a m CIRL BUNTING

TUES 10 FEB

 

What a change in the weather 100% low cloud and very poor viz offshore.

On South Huish Marsh at 09.30 -6 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 40 TEAL,

1m SHOVELER, 110 LAPWING, 2 KESTREL, 3 MUTE SWAN

Only spent 30 mins looking over the Bay - 90 RAZORBILL, 17 WIGEON - 10  GANNET, 4 KITTIWAKE - all sat on the sea . 3 MUTE SWAN flew in and landed

 

On the rocks 6 TURNSTONE, 6 RINGED PLOVER , 1 SANDERLING and a KINGFISHER

At Upton Cross - 20 MIPIT, 30 CHAFFINCH, 2 YELLOWHAMMER .

6 GOLDEN PLOVER flew over .

Buckland Valley could only produce - 3 MISTLE THRUSH, 4 GOLDCREST, 1 JAY, 1 GREAT Sp WOODY.

 

At T'stone marsh the culvert repairs must be finished as the water level dropped overnight- 30 TEAL and 4 LITTLE EGRET

 

Surprisingly could not find a SNIPE on either Marsh this morning

MON 9 FEB

 

What a superb day to be out and about the patch - sunny and clear sky, no wind , flat calm sea . Both marshes frozen early morning. Joined by Graham today

On T'stone Marsh - 55 SNIPE, 1 JACK SNIPE ( 08.15 )- (106 ) 35 TEAL,

3 MUTE SWAN - the resident pair made sure the newcommer did not stay long .15 MALLARD , 2 COOT

 A seawatch for 1.5 hrs from the car park - 130+ AUKS -around 75% were RAZORBILL, all on the sea in flocks of upto 30, 10 KITTIWAKE,

1 FULMAR. 2 GANNET.3 SHELDUCK ( on sea ) and 3 BLACK T DIVER together on the sea.

On the rocks  6 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE and the SANDERLING

 On South Huish Marsh - 6 GADWALL, 6 SHELDUCK, 30 TEAL, 17 WIGEON, 4 MALLARD, 70 + SNIPE and 90 + LAPWING , 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 6 LONG T TIT. Dave Pakes reported a WATER RAIL

At South Milton Ley Vic reports - 20 + CHIFFCHAFF, 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF , 1 GOLDCREST

SUN 8 FEB

A cold morning , sunshine all day with very little wind and a flat calm sea

First thing on T'stone Marsh - 25 TEAL, 25 SNIPE, 1m CIRL BUNTING,

5 REED BUNTING, 2 WATER RAIL, 2 SONG THRUSH.

In the Bay a nice GREAT N DIVER close in, 80 + AUKS on the sea ( mostly RAZORBILL ) 1 CURLEW, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE ,

1 SANDERLING, 16 KITTIWAKE, only 5 GANNET.

On South Huish Marsh 20 LAPWING , plus another 60 in the field, 20 WIGEON, 25 TEAL, 6 GADWALL, 2 SHELDUCK, 15 SNIPE

SAT 7 FEB

 

Brief garden watch from 08.15 produced 25 species inc - GREAT Sp WOODY, 1 f BLACK REDSTART, 3 REED BUNTING

Late afternoon  Alan D reported from South Huish Marsh 30 GOLDEN PLOVER, 80 LAPWING, 2 GADWALL

FRI 6 FEB

 

A bitterly cold day with an increasing E wind although sunny.

The weather seems to have cleared almost every thing off South Huish Marsh - today 2 MUTE SWAN, 10 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK .In the liquid manure field 35 LAPWING

A 2hr seawatch from the flats produced - 40 GANNET, 300+ Auks -east , almost all of those that could be id'd were RAZORBILL, 14 KITTIWAKE

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and the SANDERLING, also

1 TURNSTONE

More activity on T'stone Marsh - LITTLE GREBE , 60 TEAL, 11 MALLARD, 20 SNIPE, in my garden - 1m CIRL BUNTING, 4 REED BUNTING

THURS  5 FEB

 

Marshes still frozen over this morning , lots of birds have departed, even the 2 MUTE SWAN gave up on icebreaking and moved on to the sea.

Only 3 WIGEON left on the sea. On the rocks 5 RINGED PLOVER and the SANDERLING. In the fields a flock of 36 LAPWING.

At Upton Cross first signs of some cold weather movement with a flock of 70 + LAPWING and 100 + GOLDEN PLOVER ( 105 )

In Buckland Valley - 4 MISTLE THRUSH

This afternoon 40 TEAL feeding on T'stone Marsh along with 10 SNIPE. At 17.00 200 STARLING in to roost

WED 4 FEB

 

Another sunny day with a cold NE wind, flat sea.

Early on T'stone Marsh - 2 SHELDUCK, 3 REED BUNTING on my feeders.

Spent an hour sewatching from the car park - 1m 3f GADWALL ( 104 )  on the sea briefly before flying west. 1m WIGEON and 2 TEAL - west, 4 WIGEON on the sea, 30 + RAZORBILL and 1 GUILLEMOT - on the sea, 3 KITTIWAKE, 10 GANNET

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER and 1 SANDERLING .

On an icy South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK,

1f GADWALL, 23 LAPWING, 25 SNIPE  , a GOLDCREST in a garden

TUES 3 FEB

A sunny morning with a bitterly cold NE wind , flat sea again also marshes frozen over . Joined by Arthur today

On South Huish marsh - 50 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 1 SHELDUCK, only 10 SNIPE

Offshore 25 WIGEON, 10 GANNET and at 11.30 a GREAT CRESTED GREBE  ( 103 ) with full summer ear tufts .On the rocks /beach were 2 RINGED PLOVER and a SANDERLING

 

Moved inland to look for any new Thrush arrivals - Upton Cross only 2 REDWING, CHAFFINCH flock 60-70. In Buckland Valley a few REDWING , 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 2 GREEN WOODPECKER, 4 GOLDCREST and a COAL TIT

 

Culvert from T'stone Marsh has been cleared -water  level dropped very quickly- will be interesting to see how far it drops  in this cold dry spell.

MON 2 FEB

 

Met Robert ( farmer ) who confirmed he had 2 WOODCOCK ( 102 ) at the back of South Huish Marsh last week

Although cold there was no wind and late morning some wintry sunshine, sea flat calm .Both marshes iced over this morning .

Joined by Graham Daw this morning - An hours seawatching from the car park produced - 3 GANNET, 58 WIGEON ( on sea )12 COMMON SCOTER -west, 1 GREAT N DIVER flew east at 09.25 ,1 SHELDUCK west. at least 55 RAZORBILL on the sea , further 10 flew east. Late morning another 30+ COMMON SCOTER flew west, 1 RED T DIVER landed on the sea, KITTIWAKE and COMMON GULL.

On the rocks a KINGFISHER .

On South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL, 3 SHELDUCK, 2 SHOVELER,

3 LAPWING, 25 SNIPE and 15 MOORHEN.

On T'stone Marsh today - 30 TEAL, 20 SNIPE, 2 COOT, 2 WATER RAIL, KESTREL, JAY and a LAPWING

 

SUN 1 FEB

 

Started off the new month with a 30 min Garden Watch - 28 species, highlights - 1m BLACK REDSTART, LINNET, REED BUNTING, 1m BULLFINCH.

Offshore 3 GANNET, 40 AUKS flew east and 20 on the sea ( mostly RAZORBILL ), 2 COMMON SCOTER - east

On South Huish Marsh- 55 WIGEON, 45 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, SHELDUCK. 10 SNIPE, 9 LAPWING, 2 RAVEN, 2 PEREGRINE

Nice to see Bob out this morning - he reported from South Milton Ley -

40 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 SIB CHIFFCHAFF, GREY WAGTAIL, CETTIS WARBLER, GOLDCREST.

Interesting flocks of Finches and Thrushes around Upton Cross -

150+ CHAFFINCH, 1m YELLOWHAMMER, 35 REDWING,

2 MISTLE THRUSH, 20 + FIELDFARE ( 101- first of the year.)

Total species recorded today - 64 a good start for Feb

2014

Another SIB. CHIFFCHAFF at South Milton Ley-AFD