FRI 31 JULY

Another month comes to an end - a reasonable flurry of Birds in the last few days contiued - A nice Sunny day , hardly any breeze with a flat calm sea

Looking out from the car park at 09.00  there was a feeding frenzy across most of the Bay-over 1600 HERRING GULL  ( very few other Gulls ) and at least 900 MANX SHEAWATER feeding sat on the sea , only 50 GANNET involved . Our normal count for HERRING GULL would be around 50, itis the largest number since the severe winter storms Jan / Feb 2013. Also one of the largest SHEARWATER flocks together in the Bay.

Late morning picked up a BALEARIC SHEARWATER flying east .A juv YELLOW L GULL still on the rocks .

On South Huish Marsh 9 DUNLIN, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER and a RUFF.Next surprise was finding 6 juv SHOVELER ( a first patch record for July ), WIGEON still present

This am Bob ringed 5 WILLOW WARBLER and a BLACKCAP at SOUTH MILTON LEY also there 6 BULLFINCH

This afternoon amongst the Gulls in a field at T'stone Marsh - 3 LAPWING a very unexpected July record

At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 2 DUNLIN, 2 REDSHANK, 4 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 RINGED PLOVER

THURS 30 JULY

Fine sunny morning produced some new birds- On South Huish Marsh-

 A surprise was finding the male WIGEON again - last seen on the 16 JUNE- wonder where he has been hiding ? Passage of SWALLOW with at least 75 flying through, 3 STONECHAT.

On the beach a juv YELLOW L GULL and a WHIMBREL .

By the footbridge a GREEN SANDPIPER and 4 REED WARBLER.

Bob reports - HOBBY, 5 SWIFT and a GREY WAGTAIL, he also ringed

4 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 BLACKCAP and a SEDGE WARBLER .

At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 WHIMBREL, 1 BLACK T GODWIT

Late evening visit by Bob to South H Marsh - a WOOD SANDPIPER and a BLACK TAILED GODWIT

 

 

 

WED 29 JULY

 

Still cloudy this morning with a brisk NW wind.

More activity offshore with 85 + GANNET, 210 MANX SHEARWATER,

5 KITTIWAKE , 2 FULMAR, a dp ARCTIC SKUA ( landed on sea at 11.30 )

3 COMMON SCOTER. On the beach - 6 SANDERLING, 2 MED GULL ( 1ad, 1 juv ),

At Huxton Cross 50 SWIFT ( Bob ), who ringed 2 WILLOW WARBLER,

3 BLACKCAP ( a British control )1 WHITETHROAT .

GROPPA still at South Milton Ley.

TUES 28 JULY

Another very untypical summers day - cloud ,bits of drizzle and feeling cold in a F5 WNW wind.

Only bird of note at South Huish Marsh - a SAND MARTIN.

Offshore 30 GANNET and 20 MANX SHEARWATER.

On the beach - 30 BLACK H GULL ( inc 3 juv ) and a juv MED GULL

 

Bob is back- ringed in South Miton Village - 4 BLACKCAP and a CHIFFCHAFF. Also had a GROPPA at South M Ley

MON 27 JULY

What has happend to sunner- today 100% cloud , light showers a strong F6/7 W wind .

The poor weather summed up the birds - Only 1 DUNLIN on South H Marsh , nothing on the beach/rocks , offshore totals of 45 GANNET,

40 MANX SHEARWATER and a lone FULMAR.

SUN 26 JULY

The expected heavy rain duly arrived with very poor offshore visability which curtailed any seawatching- Looks as though Berry Head had a good morning .

On South Huish Marsh - 9 DUNLIN, On the beach/ rocks - 5 RINGED PLOVER, 4 DUNLIN, 4 SANDERLING 2juv MED GULL and our first juv COMMON GULL

SAT 25 JULY

An overcast morning with a F3 NW wind - Sunny afternoon

Through the garden this morning a juv WILLOW WARBLER, SEDGE WARBLER, overhead 3 SWIFT. 8 CANADA GOOSE flew in at 09.00 ( first this month - so they must be on the way back ! ) Amongst the Gulls in the field a nice ad YELLOW LEGGED GULL.

At South H Marsh Arthur had 2 DUNLIN, whilst in the copse 2 WILLOW WARBLER and a juv REDSTART (168 - first of the year )

On Leasefoot beach and around Warren Pt- 15 SANDERLING, 2 DUNLIN, 3 WHIMBREL, 1 juv MED GULL, 4 WHITETHROAT and 3 STONECHAT .

Some interesting weather forecast for Mon morning - heavy rain from early on and a F7 S wind- Seawatching looks potentially good

 

Late news was a GREEN SANDPIPER calling over T'stone Marsh and a report from Alan Pomroy who held a ringing session at South Milton Ley - he ringed 54 new birds as well as 10 retraps - main interest was -

CHIFFCHAFF- 13, WILLOW WARBLER- 3 , BLACKCAP- 5., WHITETHROAT- 1, REED WARBLER - 17, SEDGE WARBLER-2. Also on site GREEN & GREAT WOODY and a SPOTTED FLYCATCHER

FRI 24 JULY

 

The expected heavy rain arrived with some local flooding by the Golf Club, one benefit the front pool of T'stone marsh now holds water again .

A slight easing of the rain did produce some movement between 09.30 - 11.00 - On South Huish Marsh-6 DUNLIN and an Oystercatcher. On the beach13 DUNLIN, 20 SANDERLING, 9 WHIMBREL ( over ), 1 juv MED GULL, 12 GANNET and 6 COMMON SCOTER ( flew east )

Late evening report fron Alan - on South H Marsh- 14 DUNLIN, 3 GREEN SANDPIPER , 1 COMMON SANDPIPER

THURS 23 JULY

 

A cloudy morning with no breeze, started with an hour garden watch , only 26 species ,however as there is no longer any water on the 'marsh 'lower numbers must be expected. Another consequence of the draining of the marsh is the SWALLOW roost - last night less than 20 -last year over 5000!

main interest this morning were - SEDGE WARBLER, juv BLACKCAP, 12 GOLDFINCH. Movement of Hiundine - 60 SWALLOW, 45 HOUSE MARTIN and 52 SWIFT

Offshore very quit - 17 GANNET, 6 MANX SHEARWATER, on the beach the first juv MED GULL - 2 , fly through RIONGED PLOVER, 2 WHIMBREL on the rocks .

Only wader on South Huish Marsh was a flyover WHIMBREL, 20 + GOLDFINCH, 3 SEDGE WARBLER, 4 LITTLE EGRET.

Quick visit to South Milton Ley produced ad & juv WILLOW WARBLER, 2 GREAT Sp WOODY, BULLFINCH, CETTIS WARBLER, GOLDCREST

 

Heavy rain arriving o/night through until after 13.00 with E winds from 04.00

 

WED 22 JULY

A suuny start , quickly clouded over with a light shower wind WNW increased 4/5 by 10.00

At 08.00 2 juv BLACKCAP, 1 juv CHIFFCHAFF through my garden .30 BLACK H GULL in opposite field.

First seawatch from Warren Pt- 08.30- 11.30 produced -

26 GANNET, 20 MANX SHEARWATER, 1 FULMAR, 3 KITTIWAKE,

23 CORMORANT and 5 SHAG. On the rocks 5 WHIMBREL also 1 east with a CURLEW . High tide roost of OYSTERCATCHER totalled 31 ( largest for some weeks . )

TUES 21 JULY

 

A fine sunny morning with a F 3/4 SW wind , good offshore viz .

Joined by Graham & Arthur  today- Seawatch from 09.00- 10.00 produced -

70 MANX SHEARWATER -E, 25 GANNET -W, 2 FULMAR, later at 12.30 a BALEARIC SHEARWATER flew east also a KITTIWAKE .

On South Huish Marsh - 1 juv LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 4 DUNLIN and a GREY WAGTAIL over

From South Efford Marsh - Eric reported the waders today were -

singles of GREENSHANK, REDSHANK, GREEN SANDPIPER , 8 DUNLIN,

2 WHIMBREL, 18 CURLEW.

Looking towards the w/end Friday is forecast to be E/ENE wind and heavy rain - should drop some waders in

MON 20 JULY

Low cloud and heavy rain with a F3/4 Sw wind . Managed to get down to  South Huish Marsh for 30 mins at 11.50. On arrival a flock of at least 35 DUNLIN flew through , 3 on the Marsh  along with a COMMON SANDPIPER. On the beach 4 SANDERLING and 2 more DUNLIN

Late afternoon visit to South Efford Marsh by Eric confirmed waders on the move with sightings of-

3 WHIMBREL, 18 CURLEW, 16 DUNLIN, 2 BLACK T GODWIT,

3 GREENSHANK , 2 REDSHANK , 2 COMMON SANDPIPER

FRI 10 JULY - SUN 19 JULY

Reports rec'd today from - Arthur, Alan D , Nick T whilst Graham and myself were birding the La Brenne .

Fri 10 July - T . Marsh 1 BARN OWL

Mon 13 July - CORY'S SHEARWATER ( 167 ) - on sea with small raft of GANNET and a juv YELLOW L GULL ( first this season ) AJL

Tues 14/7- 3 RAZORBILL

Thurs 16 JULY - start of some wader passage -1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER - SM Ley, On S H Marsh - 6 BLACK T GODWIT , 10 DUNLIN

Fri 17 July - S H Marsh - 10 DUNLIN, 3 BLACK T GODWIT, 4 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER ( inc 2 juv's ), KINGFISHER.

In the Bay -2ad YELLOW L GULL, 1 SANDWICH TERN

Sat 18 July- S . H Marsh - 2 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, BLACK T GODWIT,

Sun 19 JULY - S H Marsh - 7 DUNLIN, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER.

In the Bay 19 MANX SHEARWATER ( in  30 mins ), 2 FULMER

THURS 9 JULY

These quiet summer days pass by with regular comments on how quiet itis , well this morning just proved the exception to the rule and confirmed that local patch watching you should just never give up,.

Arthur and I met in the car park where small numbers of GANNET offshore, 10+ MANX SHEARWATER, 2 SWIFT and a juv MED GULL ( first this year ),. Walked over to South Huish Marsh only interest was 4 SAND MARTIN. Walked around the Marsh to the farm gate after the last house , looking in the bushes in the corner and there was one of the birds of the year- a male RED BACKED SHRIKE ( 166 ). Watched it for 25 mins showing very well,.

This is only the second patch record in the last 10 years . A most unexpected early July record

On T'stone Marsh - 30 BLACK H GULL ( still 1 juv ), 4 SWIFT.

Last update until 20 July. Off for a glass of wine to celebrate

 

 

.

WED 8 JULY

Back on the patch today after a w/end in Ampthill at their music festival and grandaughters 10th birthday ,.

A cloudy morning with light showers and a F5/6 WNW wind . Nothing on South Huish marsh  ,on T'stone Marsh  26 BLACK H GULL ( inc 1 juv ).

Sea watch from the car park over 2 hours produced -

 

80 GANNET, 92 MANX SHEARWATER, 10 BLACK H GULL, 1 2s MED GULL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRI 3 JULY

Seawatch from the car park 07.45- 09.00 was quite productive -16 GANNET, 82 MANX SHEARWATER ( largest flock 20 , all west ) " SANDWICH and 1 COMMON TERN flew west at 08.00, later 2 SANDWICH TERN came in fro west and flew throgh. 7 BLACK H  GULL ( inc 2 juv's ), 4 FULMAR, 4 SWIFT

The Terns were the first record since 10 June.

THURS 2 JULY

Heavy morning rain and poor viz resluted in a vist to South Huish marsh producing nothing . Went back down late afternoon -only bird of note was a 2nd s MED GULL

One benefit of the heavy rain - the front pool at T'stone Marsh is now full of water, at least for the time being 

Next update Wed

WED 1 JULY

 

A promising start to the second half of 2015, with 165 species already logged the quest is on again to see if the magical 200 can be achieved.

No new year ticks today , however a total of 59 species recorded .

Weather turned totally different to that expected , lots of cloud and showers a couple of which were heavy with thunder . poor viz offshore , little wind

 

A 45 min garden watch from 07.25 produced 30 species , highlights - first returning WHIMBREL, both GREAT SPOTTED & GREEN WOODY,

2 juv SEDGE WARBLER ,2 REED BUNTING , 11 SWIFT

Offshore - 40 GANNET, 2 AUK , 18 BLACK H GULL  ( inc our first Juv )

South Huish Marsh - HOBBY, 2juv BLACKCAP, KESTREL, WHITETHROAT, 1 juv STONECHAT.

South Milton Ley - CETTIS WARBLER, COAL TIT, REED WARBLER, YELLOWHAMMER, BULLFINCH.

Huxton Cross - 3 STOCK DOVE, 1 SONG THRUSH

Photos below of the BEE-EATERS at Aymer Cove 30 MAY  taken by Alan Doidge

BIRD RACE DAY  SAT 25 APR REPORT

 

After what seems several weeks of fine sunny days the weather started to break down on Friday, however forecasts for Saturday were for sunny periods up to 13.00 and a few light showers thereafter - which turned out to be completely incorrect.

Starting at 06.15 from my house with a 45 minute Garden Watch in cloudy conditions by 08.30 the sea fog rolled in with visibility at times down to less than 250 yards - great seawatching weather.   Heavy showers from 13.00 to 16.00 meant everyone getting wet, a brief clear spell until 17.30 when the mist and rain returned.

 

A total of 11 observers took part with most staying until late afternoon.

Paul Bouldon did the early morning 06.15 visit to South Huish Marsh with the rest of the observers starting around 07.30.

By 8.30 the total had reached 65 and by 12.00 - 74.

Whilst we achieved by late evening a respectable total of 89 it was a case of what might have been with normal seawatching conditions.

Last September the total was 81 so at least we achieved a higher count.

 

Some of the highlights

A male WIGEON was a good late spring record.    A mail PINTAIL flying up the valley at 19.45 was the first for some weeks and the last specie at  no. 89.  Our resident RUDDY SHELDUCK made the list.

A single GREAT NORTHERN DIVER in the Bay late afternoon.

Small flocks of MANX SHEARWATER flying east from 16.15 - 17.30 totalled 42.

RAPTORS included, BUZZARD, SPARROWHAWK, MERLIN, KESTREL and PEREGRINE.

WADERS comprised - OYSTERCATCHER, RINGED PLOVER, DUNLIN, SNIPE (1 late record), BAR TAILED GODWIT, WHIMBREL, COMMON SANDPIPER. 2 dark phase ARCTIC SKUA late afternoon.   The surprise of the day was a site day record of 25 GREAT SKUA including a single flock on the sea of 15.   All of them picked up close inshore due to the fog.

Only TERN recorded was SANDWICH and then only 9 in total.

Walking through the Buckland Valley a CUCKOO was a great patch record, also GREEN and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, JAY, MISTLE THRUSH, STARLING, COAL TIT and GOLDCREST.

Only the second record this year of SWIFT and in the lanes a male YELLOWHAMMER.

WARBLERS recorded were - CETTIS, GRASSHOPPER, CHIFFCHAFF, WILLOW, WHITETHROAT, BLACKCAP, SEDGE and REED.

A single YELLOW WAGTAIL, 2 WHEATEAR, 1 BULLFINCH plus some REED BUNTING.

 

At least anothe 5 species would have been on everyones certainty list and guess what first bird on South Huish Marsh Sunday morning was a LAPWING.

 

Many thanks to everyone who took part, despite the weather a very enjoyable days birding - at least no one left to go to see the HUDSONIAN GODWIT in Somerset.

 

At the time of posting this report I have not received any information on how many species the other sites taking part achieved, BELVIDE RES, GRIMLEY GRAVEL PITS, MIDDLETON LAKES RSPB, SANDWELL VALLEY RSPB, UPTON WARREN - all inland reserves in the Midlands.

ROCK PIPIT - Littoralis South Huish Marsh 28 March2015
KUMLIENS GULL near South Milton Alan Doidge
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

2014

Another SIB. CHIFFCHAFF at South Milton Ley-AFD

Record shot of the GLOSSY IBIS taken at 16.00 Sat 27 Dec- Alan Doidge

Some cracking photos from Alan Doidge of the SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF  and colour ringed ROCK PIPIT

RUDDY SHELDUCK - T'stone Marsh 17 Nov 2014
WHOOPER SWAN family- T'stone Marsh on 19 OCT 2014
Crane at South Huish Marsh 20 Oct 2014- Alan Doidge
Turtle Dove taken at East Soar ponds by Alan Doidge, the photo of the year
3 RUFF at South Huish Marsh 17/9/14 taken by Dave Pakes

TUES 16 SEPT

Some Recent photos from Alan Doidge

LITTLE STINTS - South Huish Marsh
LITTLE STINTS -South Huish Marsh
WHINCHAT-South Huish Marsh
Juv Purple Heron - S H Marsh 08.30 10 Sept 2014- Alan Doidge
Whinchat S H Marsh 6 Sept 2014
Little Stint juv - S H Marsh- 6 Sept 2014
Wood Sandpiper- S H Marsh 6 Sept 2014

Photos from Alan Doidge at South Huish Marsh

 
 

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