THURLESTONE BAY BIRDS
FEBRUARY 2015
A real mixed bag of weather, started off with a spell of cold days, marshes frozen over on mornings of 4th and 8th, followed by easterly winds up to 7th then a spell of calm conditions with flat seas. Heavy rain from 19th through to 24th with westerly, gales on 19th and 24th. Quite a sunny month and thankfully no major floods.
An above average February with the species total reaching 98 (c/f 2014 – 93, 2013 – 97) and the year’s total now 110 (c/f 2014 – 104, 2013 – 113) 9 new species added to the year list the highlights being a brief visit by a SPOONBILL on 16th and 2 EURASIANS WHITE FRONTED GOOSE on 23rd.
Significant sightings for the month:-
SWANS and GEESE
MUTE SWAN – Pairs in residence on both marshes ensuring that any new arrivals are not made welcome. Max were 6 on 9th.
CANADA GOOSE – Max during the month around 60 at South Huish marsh.
EURASION WHITE FRONTED GOOSE – 2 adults found amongst the feeding Canada’s on the 23rd at South Huish Marsh, still present on the 28th. My first patch record for this sub specie. Only previous record in the last 10 years were 4 Greenland birds in November 2012.
DUCKS
SHELDUCK – Months max were 10 on 20th.
RUDDY SHELDUCK – the bird last seen on 19th January returned to South Huish Marsh on 23rd and 25th.
WIGEON – Very low numbers this winter – a max of 58 on 2nd absent from Thurlestone Marsh.
TEAL – Again low numbers, max 80 on 2nd.
GADWALL – first for the year were 5 on 4th (4 of which were on the sea). From 8th until late month a party of 6 on South Huish marsh.
PINTAIL – first for the year a female on the sea on 16th.
MALLARD – Numbers dropped rapidly no more than 20 on both marshes by the months end.
SHOVELER – Again very low numbers a pair on South Huish marsh most of the month.
COMMON SCOTER – Only 3 records 2 on 1st, 1 on 27th and a max of 40 on 2nd.
DIVERS, GREBES, COOT and MOORHEN AND RAILS
Another poor month for DIVERS only recorded on 8 days.
RED THROATED – singles on 1st and 2nd.
BLACK THROATED – 3 on 9th and 2 on 12th.
GREAT NORTHERN – singles on 2nd, 8th and 16th.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE – first for the year on 3rd and another single on 12th.
LITTLE GREBE – Up to 2 on Thurlestone Marsh throughout the month.
COOT – 2 on Thurlestone Marsh most of the month.
MOORHEN – Up to 20 on both marshes.
WATER RAIL – Up to 8 on both marshes and South Milton Ley.
GANNET, EGRETS, FULMAR AND SPOONBILL
GANNET – Only large parties recorded were feeding flocks no more than 60. Surprisingly some days when not recorded.
FULMAR – Recorded on several days but no more than 2 or 3.
LITTLE EGRET – Birds resident throughout, some early morning passing birds from the rost on Avon Estuary.
HERON – Up to 5 or 6 birds around the marshes/rocks.
SPOONBILL – An adult bird for 30 minutes on Thurlestone Marsh from 10.30 on 16th – picked up by our sharp eyed birder June Huggins from her lounge only AJL and my wife Anne were witness to the record.
Continues our record of having at least one bird in each of the last 3 years.
WADERS
OYSTERCATCHER – max of 18 on 23rd.
LAPWING – A big increase following the cold start to the month with 70+ at Huxton Cross on 5th (with GOLDEN PLOVER) and a month max of 110 on South Huish Marsh on 10th.
GOLDEN PLOVER – first of the year were a flock of 100+ at Huxton Cross on 5th, 30 on South Huish marsh on 8th and 6 on 10th were the only other records.
RINGED PLOVER – Max on the rocks were 6 on 8th and 20th
SANDERLING – 1 Regularly with the RINGED PLOVER on the rocks.
JACK SNIPE – first for the year 1on the back of Thurlestone Marsh on 9th.
SNIPE – Seen regularly on both marshes with a max of 110 on 9th.
WOODCOCK – 1 flushed by Alan Pomroy at South Milton Ley on 28th.
CURLEW – Singles recorded on 8th and 20th.
TURNSTONE – Max on the rocks 8 on 20th.
RAPTORS – Sightings of all the regular species
BUZZARD, PEREGRINE, KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK.
Only TAWNY OWL recorded this month.
GULLS
KITTIWAKE – Low numbers recorded, a max of 16 on 27th
BLACKHEADED GULL – Max 100+ on 20th.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL – An adult on South Huish marsh on 4th.
LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL – 40 on South Huish Marsh on 23rd was a good patch count.
YELLOW LEGGED GULL – first for the year a 1st w on 13th.
AUKS – a spell of flat calm seas allowed many flocks to be picked up feeding out at sea – with over 300 RAZORBILL and 30 GUILLEMOT on 9th.
KINGFISHER – One is obviously over wintering on the patch seen regularly either on the Marshes or at low tide on the rock pools.
WOODPECKERS and JAY
GREEN WOODPECKER – 2 in Buckland Valley on 3rd.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER – singles recorded at least at 3 sites.
JAY – Records from South Milton village, Thurlestone and West Buckland Valley
WARBLERS
CETTIS WARBLER – Records from both South Milton Ley and Thurlestone Marsh.
CHIFFCHAFF – Numbers by the sewage works at South Milton Ley peaked at 40+ on 1st,
Still 10 at the month end.
SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF – Up to 2 at South Milton Ley throughout the month.
THRUSHES
BLACKBIRD – A noticeable increase mid month with up to 20 on the patch
SONG THRUSH – Again increase noted mid month with 6 recorded.
FIELDFARE – first for the year were a flock of 30 in a stubble field near Huxton Cross.
REDWING – Only significant flock was 35 on 1st.
MISTLE THRUSH – Recorded a 2 sites with a max of 7 in West Buckland on 17th.
BLACK REDSTART – An adult made and a female recorded in Thurlestone Village gardens throughout the month.
STONECHAT – At least 3 pairs over wintering.
WAGTAILS AND FINCHES AND PIPITS AND GOLDCREST
GREY WAGTAIL – recorded from 2 sites.
PIED WAGTAIL – Max were 25+ on 25th at South Huish Marsh.
MEADOW PIPIT – Max were 50+ on 25th at South Huish Marsh.
ROCK PIPIT – At least 15 around the rocks.
CHAFFINCH – Only large flock recorded was 150+ in the stubble field on1st.
GREENFI NCH – Max 15 at South Huish Marsh on 18th
BULLFINCH – Several records from Thurlestone Village Gardens – up to 3.
GOLDCREST – Recorded in small numbers at South Milton Ley and West Buckland.
BUNTINGS AND STARLING
REED BUNTING – A max of 13 on 18th coming to feeders.
CIRL BUNTING – A male on several dates in a Village Garden.
YELLOWHAMMER – A male recorded at 2 sites.
STARLING – Small flocks of up to 50 in several farm fields, roost of 200+ birds at Thurlestone Marsh on 5th.
March is the start of the spring weather season and anticipation of the first Spring migrants is building up.
Will it be SANDMARTIN, SANDWICH TERN or WHEATEAR?
All will be revealed in the March report.
Mike Passman
Thurlestone Bay Birds.
THURLESTONE BAY BIRDS
FEBRUARY 2015
A real mixed bag of weather, started off with a spell of cold days, marshes frozen over on mornings of 4th and 8th, followed by easterly winds up to 7th then a spell of calm conditions with flat seas. Heavy rain from 19th through to 24th with westerly, gales on 19th and 24th. Quite a sunny month and thankfully no major floods.
An above average February with the species total reaching 98 (c/f 2014 – 93, 2013 – 97) and the year’s total now 110 (c/f 2014 – 104, 2013 – 113) 9 new species added to the year list the highlights being a brief visit by a SPOONBILL on 16th and 2 EURASIANS WHITE FRONTED GOOSE on 23rd.
Significant sightings for the month:-
SWANS and GEESE
MUTE SWAN – Pairs in residence on both marshes ensuring that any new arrivals are not made welcome. Max were 6 on 9th.
CANADA GOOSE – Max during the month around 60 at South Huish marsh.
EURASION WHITE FRONTED GOOSE – 2 adults found amongst the feeding Canada’s on the 23rd at South Huish Marsh, still present on the 28th. My first patch record for this sub specie. Only previous record in the last 10 years were 4 Greenland birds in November 2012.
DUCKS
SHELDUCK – Months max were 10 on 20th.
RUDDY SHELDUCK – the bird last seen on 19th January returned to South Huish Marsh on 23rd and 25th.
WIGEON – Very low numbers this winter – a max of 58 on 2nd absent from Thurlestone Marsh.
TEAL – Again low numbers, max 80 on 2nd.
GADWALL – first for the year were 5 on 4th (4 of which were on the sea). From 8th until late month a party of 6 on South Huish marsh.
PINTAIL – first for the year a female on the sea on 16th.
MALLARD – Numbers dropped rapidly no more than 20 on both marshes by the months end.
SHOVELER – Again very low numbers a pair on South Huish marsh most of the month.
COMMON SCOTER – Only 3 records 2 on 1st, 1 on 27th and a max of 40 on 2nd.
DIVERS, GREBES, COOT and MOORHEN AND RAILS
Another poor month for DIVERS only recorded on 8 days.
RED THROATED – singles on 1st and 2nd.
BLACK THROATED – 3 on 9th and 2 on 12th.
GREAT NORTHERN – singles on 2nd, 8th and 16th.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE – first for the year on 3rd and another single on 12th.
LITTLE GREBE – Up to 2 on Thurlestone Marsh throughout the month.
COOT – 2 on Thurlestone Marsh most of the month.
MOORHEN – Up to 20 on both marshes.
WATER RAIL – Up to 8 on both marshes and South Milton Ley.
GANNET, EGRETS, FULMAR AND SPOONBILL
GANNET – Only large parties recorded were feeding flocks no more than 60. Surprisingly some days when not recorded.
FULMAR – Recorded on several days but no more than 2 or 3.
LITTLE EGRET – Birds resident throughout, some early morning passing birds from the rost on Avon Estuary.
HERON – Up to 5 or 6 birds around the marshes/rocks.
SPOONBILL – An adult bird for 30 minutes on Thurlestone Marsh from 10.30 on 16th – picked up by our sharp eyed birder June Huggins from her lounge only AJL and my wife Anne were witness to the record.
Continues our record of having at least one bird in each of the last 3 years.
WADERS
OYSTERCATCHER – max of 18 on 23rd.
LAPWING – A big increase following the cold start to the month with 70+ at Huxton Cross on 5th (with GOLDEN PLOVER) and a month max of 110 on South Huish Marsh on 10th.
GOLDEN PLOVER – first of the year were a flock of 100+ at Huxton Cross on 5th, 30 on South Huish marsh on 8th and 6 on 10th were the only other records.
RINGED PLOVER – Max on the rocks were 6 on 8th and 20th
SANDERLING – 1 Regularly with the RINGED PLOVER on the rocks.
JACK SNIPE – first for the year 1on the back of Thurlestone Marsh on 9th.
SNIPE – Seen regularly on both marshes with a max of 110 on 9th.
WOODCOCK – 1 flushed by Alan Pomroy at South Milton Ley on 28th.
CURLEW – Singles recorded on 8th and 20th.
TURNSTONE – Max on the rocks 8 on 20th.
RAPTORS – Sightings of all the regular species
BUZZARD, PEREGRINE, KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK.
Only TAWNY OWL recorded this month.
GULLS
KITTIWAKE – Low numbers recorded, a max of 16 on 27th
BLACKHEADED GULL – Max 100+ on 20th.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL – An adult on South Huish marsh on 4th.
LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL – 40 on South Huish Marsh on 23rd was a good patch count.
YELLOW LEGGED GULL – first for the year a 1st w on 13th.
AUKS – a spell of flat calm seas allowed many flocks to be picked up feeding out at sea – with over 300 RAZORBILL and 30 GUILLEMOT on 9th.
KINGFISHER – One is obviously over wintering on the patch seen regularly either on the Marshes or at low tide on the rock pools.
WOODPECKERS and JAY
GREEN WOODPECKER – 2 in Buckland Valley on 3rd.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER – singles recorded at least at 3 sites.
JAY – Records from South Milton village, Thurlestone and West Buckland Valley
WARBLERS
CETTIS WARBLER – Records from both South Milton Ley and Thurlestone Marsh.
CHIFFCHAFF – Numbers by the sewage works at South Milton Ley peaked at 40+ on 1st,
Still 10 at the month end.
SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF – Up to 2 at South Milton Ley throughout the month.
THRUSHES
BLACKBIRD – A noticeable increase mid month with up to 20 on the patch
SONG THRUSH – Again increase noted mid month with 6 recorded.
FIELDFARE – first for the year were a flock of 30 in a stubble field near Huxton Cross.
REDWING – Only significant flock was 35 on 1st.
MISTLE THRUSH – Recorded a 2 sites with a max of 7 in West Buckland on 17th.
BLACK REDSTART – An adult made and a female recorded in Thurlestone Village gardens throughout the month.
STONECHAT – At least 3 pairs over wintering.
WAGTAILS AND FINCHES AND PIPITS AND GOLDCREST
GREY WAGTAIL – recorded from 2 sites.
PIED WAGTAIL – Max were 25+ on 25th at South Huish Marsh.
MEADOW PIPIT – Max were 50+ on 25th at South Huish Marsh.
ROCK PIPIT – At least 15 around the rocks.
CHAFFINCH – Only large flock recorded was 150+ in the stubble field on1st.
GREENFI NCH – Max 15 at South Huish Marsh on 18th
BULLFINCH – Several records from Thurlestone Village Gardens – up to 3.
GOLDCREST – Recorded in small numbers at South Milton Ley and West Buckland.
BUNTINGS AND STARLING
REED BUNTING – A max of 13 on 18th coming to feeders.
CIRL BUNTING – A male on several dates in a Village Garden.
YELLOWHAMMER – A male recorded at 2 sites.
STARLING – Small flocks of up to 50 in several farm fields, roost of 200+ birds at Thurlestone Marsh on 5th.
March is the start of the spring weather season and anticipation of the first Spring migrants is building up.
Will it be SANDMARTIN, SANDWICH TERN or WHEATEAR?
All will be revealed in the March report.
Mike Passman
Thurlestone Bay Birds.
THURLESTONE BAY BIRDS
FEBRUARY 2015
A real mixed bag of weather, started off with a spell of cold days, marshes frozen over on mornings of 4th and 8th, followed by easterly winds up to 7th then a spell of calm conditions with flat seas. Heavy rain from 19th through to 24th with westerly, gales on 19th and 24th. Quite a sunny month and thankfully no major floods.
An above average February with the species total reaching 98 (c/f 2014 – 93, 2013 – 97) and the year’s total now 110 (c/f 2014 – 104, 2013 – 113) 9 new species added to the year list the highlights being a brief visit by a SPOONBILL on 16th and 2 EURASIANS WHITE FRONTED GOOSE on 23rd.
Significant sightings for the month:-
SWANS and GEESE
MUTE SWAN – Pairs in residence on both marshes ensuring that any new arrivals are not made welcome. Max were 6 on 9th.
CANADA GOOSE – Max during the month around 60 at South Huish marsh.
EURASION WHITE FRONTED GOOSE – 2 adults found amongst the feeding Canada’s on the 23rd at South Huish Marsh, still present on the 28th. My first patch record for this sub specie. Only previous record in the last 10 years were 4 Greenland birds in November 2012.
DUCKS
SHELDUCK – Months max were 10 on 20th.
RUDDY SHELDUCK – the bird last seen on 19th January returned to South Huish Marsh on 23rd and 25th.
WIGEON – Very low numbers this winter – a max of 58 on 2nd absent from Thurlestone Marsh.
TEAL – Again low numbers, max 80 on 2nd.
GADWALL – first for the year were 5 on 4th (4 of which were on the sea). From 8th until late month a party of 6 on South Huish marsh.
PINTAIL – first for the year a female on the sea on 16th.
MALLARD – Numbers dropped rapidly no more than 20 on both marshes by the months end.
SHOVELER – Again very low numbers a pair on South Huish marsh most of the month.
COMMON SCOTER – Only 3 records 2 on 1st, 1 on 27th and a max of 40 on 2nd.
DIVERS, GREBES, COOT and MOORHEN AND RAILS
Another poor month for DIVERS only recorded on 8 days.
RED THROATED – singles on 1st and 2nd.
BLACK THROATED – 3 on 9th and 2 on 12th.
GREAT NORTHERN – singles on 2nd, 8th and 16th.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE – first for the year on 3rd and another single on 12th.
LITTLE GREBE – Up to 2 on Thurlestone Marsh throughout the month.
COOT – 2 on Thurlestone Marsh most of the month.
MOORHEN – Up to 20 on both marshes.
WATER RAIL – Up to 8 on both marshes and South Milton Ley.
GANNET, EGRETS, FULMAR AND SPOONBILL
GANNET – Only large parties recorded were feeding flocks no more than 60. Surprisingly some days when not recorded.
FULMAR – Recorded on several days but no more than 2 or 3.
LITTLE EGRET – Birds resident throughout, some early morning passing birds from the rost on Avon Estuary.
HERON – Up to 5 or 6 birds around the marshes/rocks.
SPOONBILL – An adult bird for 30 minutes on Thurlestone Marsh from 10.30 on 16th – picked up by our sharp eyed birder June Huggins from her lounge only AJL and my wife Anne were witness to the record.
Continues our record of having at least one bird in each of the last 3 years.
WADERS
OYSTERCATCHER – max of 18 on 23rd.
LAPWING – A big increase following the cold start to the month with 70+ at Huxton Cross on 5th (with GOLDEN PLOVER) and a month max of 110 on South Huish Marsh on 10th.
GOLDEN PLOVER – first of the year were a flock of 100+ at Huxton Cross on 5th, 30 on South Huish marsh on 8th and 6 on 10th were the only other records.
RINGED PLOVER – Max on the rocks were 6 on 8th and 20th
SANDERLING – 1 Regularly with the RINGED PLOVER on the rocks.
JACK SNIPE – first for the year 1on the back of Thurlestone Marsh on 9th.
SNIPE – Seen regularly on both marshes with a max of 110 on 9th.
WOODCOCK – 1 flushed by Alan Pomroy at South Milton Ley on 28th.
CURLEW – Singles recorded on 8th and 20th.
TURNSTONE – Max on the rocks 8 on 20th.
RAPTORS – Sightings of all the regular species
BUZZARD, PEREGRINE, KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK.
Only TAWNY OWL recorded this month.
GULLS
KITTIWAKE – Low numbers recorded, a max of 16 on 27th
BLACKHEADED GULL – Max 100+ on 20th.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL – An adult on South Huish marsh on 4th.
LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL – 40 on South Huish Marsh on 23rd was a good patch count.
YELLOW LEGGED GULL – first for the year a 1st w on 13th.
AUKS – a spell of flat calm seas allowed many flocks to be picked up feeding out at sea – with over 300 RAZORBILL and 30 GUILLEMOT on 9th.
KINGFISHER – One is obviously over wintering on the patch seen regularly either on the Marshes or at low tide on the rock pools.
WOODPECKERS and JAY
GREEN WOODPECKER – 2 in Buckland Valley on 3rd.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER – singles recorded at least at 3 sites.
JAY – Records from South Milton village, Thurlestone and West Buckland Valley
WARBLERS
CETTIS WARBLER – Records from both South Milton Ley and Thurlestone Marsh.
CHIFFCHAFF – Numbers by the sewage works at South Milton Ley peaked at 40+ on 1st,
Still 10 at the month end.
SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF – Up to 2 at South Milton Ley throughout the month.
THRUSHES
BLACKBIRD – A noticeable increase mid month with up to 20 on the patch
SONG THRUSH – Again increase noted mid month with 6 recorded.
FIELDFARE – first for the year were a flock of 30 in a stubble field near Huxton Cross.
REDWING – Only significant flock was 35 on 1st.
MISTLE THRUSH – Recorded a 2 sites with a max of 7 in West Buckland on 17th.
BLACK REDSTART – An adult made and a female recorded in Thurlestone Village gardens throughout the month.
STONECHAT – At least 3 pairs over wintering.
WAGTAILS AND FINCHES AND PIPITS AND GOLDCREST
GREY WAGTAIL – recorded from 2 sites.
PIED WAGTAIL – Max were 25+ on 25th at South Huish Marsh.
MEADOW PIPIT – Max were 50+ on 25th at South Huish Marsh.
ROCK PIPIT – At least 15 around the rocks.
CHAFFINCH – Only large flock recorded was 150+ in the stubble field on1st.
GREENFI NCH – Max 15 at South Huish Marsh on 18th
BULLFINCH – Several records from Thurlestone Village Gardens – up to 3.
GOLDCREST – Recorded in small numbers at South Milton Ley and West Buckland.
BUNTINGS AND STARLING
REED BUNTING – A max of 13 on 18th coming to feeders.
CIRL BUNTING – A male on several dates in a Village Garden.
YELLOWHAMMER – A male recorded at 2 sites.
STARLING – Small flocks of up to 50 in several farm fields, roost of 200+ birds at Thurlestone Marsh on 5th.
March is the start of the spring weather season and anticipation of the first Spring migrants is building up.
Will it be SANDMARTIN, SANDWICH TERN or WHEATEAR?
All will be revealed in the March report.
Mike Passman
Thurlestone Bay Birds.
THURLESTONE BAY BIRDS
FEBRUARY 2015
A real mixed bag of weather, started off with a spell of cold days, marshes frozen over on mornings of 4th and 8th, followed by easterly winds up to 7th then a spell of calm conditions with flat seas. Heavy rain from 19th through to 24th with westerly, gales on 19th and 24th. Quite a sunny month and thankfully no major floods.
An above average February with the species total reaching 98 (c/f 2014 – 93, 2013 – 97) and the year’s total now 110 (c/f 2014 – 104, 2013 – 113) 9 new species added to the year list the highlights being a brief visit by a SPOONBILL on 16th and 2 EURASIANS WHITE FRONTED GOOSE on 23rd.
Significant sightings for the month:-
SWANS and GEESE
MUTE SWAN – Pairs in residence on both marshes ensuring that any new arrivals are not made welcome. Max were 6 on 9th.
CANADA GOOSE – Max during the month around 60 at South Huish marsh.
EURASION WHITE FRONTED GOOSE – 2 adults found amongst the feeding Canada’s on the 23rd at South Huish Marsh, still present on the 28th. My first patch record for this sub specie. Only previous record in the last 10 years were 4 Greenland birds in November 2012.
DUCKS
SHELDUCK – Months max were 10 on 20th.
RUDDY SHELDUCK – the bird last seen on 19th January returned to South Huish Marsh on 23rd and 25th.
WIGEON – Very low numbers this winter – a max of 58 on 2nd absent from Thurlestone Marsh.
TEAL – Again low numbers, max 80 on 2nd.
GADWALL – first for the year were 5 on 4th (4 of which were on the sea). From 8th until late month a party of 6 on South Huish marsh.
PINTAIL – first for the year a female on the sea on 16th.
MALLARD – Numbers dropped rapidly no more than 20 on both marshes by the months end.
SHOVELER – Again very low numbers a pair on South Huish marsh most of the month.
COMMON SCOTER – Only 3 records 2 on 1st, 1 on 27th and a max of 40 on 2nd.
DIVERS, GREBES, COOT and MOORHEN AND RAILS
Another poor month for DIVERS only recorded on 8 days.
RED THROATED – singles on 1st and 2nd.
BLACK THROATED – 3 on 9th and 2 on 12th.
GREAT NORTHERN – singles on 2nd, 8th and 16th.
GREAT CRESTED GREBE – first for the year on 3rd and another single on 12th.
LITTLE GREBE – Up to 2 on Thurlestone Marsh throughout the month.
COOT – 2 on Thurlestone Marsh most of the month.
MOORHEN – Up to 20 on both marshes.
WATER RAIL – Up to 8 on both marshes and South Milton Ley.
GANNET, EGRETS, FULMAR AND SPOONBILL
GANNET – Only large parties recorded were feeding flocks no more than 60. Surprisingly some days when not recorded.
FULMAR – Recorded on several days but no more than 2 or 3.
LITTLE EGRET – Birds resident throughout, some early morning passing birds from the rost on Avon Estuary.
HERON – Up to 5 or 6 birds around the marshes/rocks.
SPOONBILL – An adult bird for 30 minutes on Thurlestone Marsh from 10.30 on 16th – picked up by our sharp eyed birder June Huggins from her lounge only AJL and my wife Anne were witness to the record.
Continues our record of having at least one bird in each of the last 3 years.
WADERS
OYSTERCATCHER – max of 18 on 23rd.
LAPWING – A big increase following the cold start to the month with 70+ at Huxton Cross on 5th (with GOLDEN PLOVER) and a month max of 110 on South Huish Marsh on 10th.
GOLDEN PLOVER – first of the year were a flock of 100+ at Huxton Cross on 5th, 30 on South Huish marsh on 8th and 6 on 10th were the only other records.
RINGED PLOVER – Max on the rocks were 6 on 8th and 20th
SANDERLING – 1 Regularly with the RINGED PLOVER on the rocks.
JACK SNIPE – first for the year 1on the back of Thurlestone Marsh on 9th.
SNIPE – Seen regularly on both marshes with a max of 110 on 9th.
WOODCOCK – 1 flushed by Alan Pomroy at South Milton Ley on 28th.
CURLEW – Singles recorded on 8th and 20th.
TURNSTONE – Max on the rocks 8 on 20th.
RAPTORS – Sightings of all the regular species
BUZZARD, PEREGRINE, KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK.
Only TAWNY OWL recorded this month.
GULLS
KITTIWAKE – Low numbers recorded, a max of 16 on 27th
BLACKHEADED GULL – Max 100+ on 20th.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL – An adult on South Huish marsh on 4th.
LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL – 40 on South Huish Marsh on 23rd was a good patch count.
YELLOW LEGGED GULL – first for the year a 1st w on 13th.
AUKS – a spell of flat calm seas allowed many flocks to be picked up feeding out at sea – with over 300 RAZORBILL and 30 GUILLEMOT on 9th.
KINGFISHER – One is obviously over wintering on the patch seen regularly either on the Marshes or at low tide on the rock pools.
WOODPECKERS and JAY
GREEN WOODPECKER – 2 in Buckland Valley on 3rd.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER – singles recorded at least at 3 sites.
JAY – Records from South Milton village, Thurlestone and West Buckland Valley
WARBLERS
CETTIS WARBLER – Records from both South Milton Ley and Thurlestone Marsh.
CHIFFCHAFF – Numbers by the sewage works at South Milton Ley peaked at 40+ on 1st,
Still 10 at the month end.
SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF – Up to 2 at South Milton Ley throughout the month.
THRUSHES
BLACKBIRD – A noticeable increase mid month with up to 20 on the patch
SONG THRUSH – Again increase noted mid month with 6 recorded.
FIELDFARE – first for the year were a flock of 30 in a stubble field near Huxton Cross.
REDWING – Only significant flock was 35 on 1st.
MISTLE THRUSH – Recorded a 2 sites with a max of 7 in West Buckland on 17th.
BLACK REDSTART – An adult made and a female recorded in Thurlestone Village gardens throughout the month.
STONECHAT – At least 3 pairs over wintering.
WAGTAILS AND FINCHES AND PIPITS AND GOLDCREST
GREY WAGTAIL – recorded from 2 sites.
PIED WAGTAIL – Max were 25+ on 25th at South Huish Marsh.
MEADOW PIPIT – Max were 50+ on 25th at South Huish Marsh.
ROCK PIPIT – At least 15 around the rocks.
CHAFFINCH – Only large flock recorded was 150+ in the stubble field on1st.
GREENFI NCH – Max 15 at South Huish Marsh on 18th
BULLFINCH – Several records from Thurlestone Village Gardens – up to 3.
GOLDCREST – Recorded in small numbers at South Milton Ley and West Buckland.
BUNTINGS AND STARLING
REED BUNTING – A max of 13 on 18th coming to feeders.
CIRL BUNTING – A male on several dates in a Village Garden.
YELLOWHAMMER – A male recorded at 2 sites.
STARLING – Small flocks of up to 50 in several farm fields, roost of 200+ birds at Thurlestone Marsh on 5th.
March is the start of the spring weather season and anticipation of the first Spring migrants is building up.
Will it be SANDMARTIN, SANDWICH TERN or WHEATEAR?
All will be revealed in the March report.
Mike Passman
Thurlestone Bay Birds.
Print