SUN 31 JAN

The last day of the month with the fowl weather continuing , rain cleared by 10.15 but still some drizzle , WNW wind F 5/6 with rough seas.

Totals at South Huish Marsh - 48 WIGEON, 55 TEAL, 4 SHELDUCK,

4 LAPWING, 3 SNIPE, 25 OYSTERCATCHER. In the field by the copse

30 + MIPIT, 6 ROCK PIPIT, 4 WATER PIPIT.Amongst the Gulls 

40 LESSER B B's and over 20 GREAT B B's

Offshore 8 GANNET, 10 KITTIWAKE, 2 FULMAR., 1 GUILLEMOT

On the rocks 2 TURNSTONE.

SAT 30 JAN

Only report today came from Eric who managed to visit South Efford Marsh - 120+ WIGEON, 60 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 4 SHELDUCK,

3 GREENSHANK, 2 REDSHANK, 28 CURLEW . 2 WATER PIPIT on the north marsh with 1 on South Efford

FRI 29 JAN

A cloudy morming with a W gale 8/9 resulting in some very rough seas.

Very little change from yesterday  on South Huish marsh -

52 WIGEON, 60 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, the RUDDY SHELDUCK, 2 LAPWING, 3 SNIPE,  24 OYSTERCATCHER, amongst the GULLS sheltering were

70+ LESSER B B GULL, 35 GREAT B B GULL and a 2w MED GULL .

2 WATER PIPIT in the field near the copse,.

Before the rain arrived at 11.00 a short seawatch only produced -

4 GANNET, 2 KITTIWAKE, 1 FULMAR .

On the rocks 8 TURNSTONE

THURS 28 JAN

A nice winters day , sunshine early with a F4 /5 W wind .

Managed the first Garden Watch this morning 45 mins from 07.55, managed a total of 28 species inc 26 MALLARD, TEAL, LITTLE EGRET, HERON, 3 SHELDUCK, 25 GOLDFINCH, 1 SONG THRUSH.

Joined by Arthur this morning - on South Huish Marsh - 60 TEAL,

42 WIGEON, 4  SHELDUCK, 2 LITTLE GREBE , RUDDY SHELDUCK,

29 OYSTERCATCHER, 25 LESSER B B GULL, - early afternoon Alan had an ad YELLOW LEG GULL,

On the rocks 6 RINGED PLOVER, 2 TURNSTONE.

OFFSHORE - 1 GANNET and 1 FULMAR both east .

After the excitement of the seawatching decided to visit West Buckland Valley  enroute 2 MISTLE THRUSH, at Grove corner 2 COAL TIT, 15 SISKIN, 1 GOLDCREST, GREAT SP WOODY and a PEREGRINE over.

WED 27 JAN

After 17 hours of continuous rain it eventually stopped aroud 14.00.

South Huish Marsh is in full flood resulting in little feeding areas for dabbling ducks , this afternoon 47 WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK , the RUDDY SHELDUCK, 1 LITTLE GREBE , 4 LAPWING, 20 OYSTERCATCHER.

On the rocks , KINGFISHER, 12 TURNSTONE, 3 OYSTERCATCHER

( another 14 reported on the golf course.)

offshore only 20 GANNET

TUES 26 JAN

A cloudy morning with heavy rain setting in from 10.00. Very rough seas

with a F8 gusting 9 SW wind.

Lots of birds had left South Huish Marsh for presumably shelter in Kingsbridge Est.Only 40 TEAL, 50 WIGEON still, 4 SHELDUCK,

3 SHOVELER, 4 LAPWING , 11 OYSTERCATCHER, 30 LESSER B B GULL and 20+ GREAT B B GULL sheltering . RUDDY SHELDUCK still in with the CANADAS - yesterday it spent part of the morning on the pool at the bottom of Nicks garden in South Milton  ( another great garden tick )

On the rocks 15 OYSTERCATCHER, and the KINGFISHER. Offshore only 15 GANNET .

Unlikely to be any improvement in the weather until late Wed afternoon . Should be plenty of water on both marshes.

MON 25 JAN

A cloudy morning with an increasing SW wind up to F5/6.

A reduction in birds on South Huish marsh - 82 TEAL, 1m WIGEON,

3 SHOVELER, 3 SHELDUCK, 14 LAPWING.

On the rocks 6 RINGED PLOVER, 8 OYSTERCATCHER ( 20 on the Marsh ).  On the sea a flock of 50 WIGEON , these flew back onto the Marsh at 11,15.

Offshore - 7 GANNET, 16 KITTIWAKE, 1 FULMAR and 6 COMMON SCOTER ( 109 )(  5 flew west , later 1m flew east )

Walked around the top end of South Miton Ley ( very muddy )found -

1 MERLIN ( 110 ) flew over the top field , 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF,

10 CHIFCHAFF, 2 GOLDCREST, 10 LONG T TIT ,1 WATER RAIL  and 3 BULLFINCH.

This afternoon on Thurlestone Marsh - 6 HERON, 2 SHELDUCK,

1 BULLFINCH, 1 m SPARROWHAWK

With a patch year total of 110 this a record Jan count since detailed monthly records started in 2010, and still 6 days to go

SUN 24 JAN

A cloudy morning , joined by Graham today .

Offshore - 6 GANNET, 3 KITTIWAKE , 1 FULMAR, on the sea 65 WIGEON ( flew from the marsh )

On South Huish Marsh - 1 SHELDUCK, the RUDDY SHELDUCK, 110 TEAL, 3 SHOVELER, 2 LITTLE GREBE , 5 SNIPE, 32 LAPWING, amongst the 150 BLACK H GULL 3 nice ad MED GULLS

At 18.00 a TAWNY OWL around the garden

SAT 23 JAN

only item of interest today was news of a M BLACKCAP  ( 108 ) in a garden along Mallards Lane.

Another visit to an offsite patch , this time Slapton Ley . Good views of the 3 BLACK NECKED GREBE, 3m 2f GOLDENEYE, 2m 2f POCHARD ,

60 + GADWALL also plenty of TUFTED DUCK a few GREAT CRESTED GREBE , 5 LITTLE GREBE and 2 CETTIS WARBLER.

Arthur walked around South Milton Ley - 25 REDWING, 5 CHIFFCHAFF,

1 SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF and 3 SISKIN over

FRI 22 JAN

After a very wet night rain stopped around 10.00 with blue skies from 11.00. A WSW wind F 5/6

More water on both marshes - T'stone marsh at 09.00 had 20 TEAL, and 25 MALLARD

At South Huish marsh - more flood water resulted in less ducks -

50 WIGEON, 80 TEAL, 1 SHELDUCK, the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Amongst the Gulls were 2 ad MED GULL and an ad COMMON GULL

Offshore an hours watch produced 4 GANNET, 1 FULMAR., 7 KITTIWAKE, 2 TEAL ( on sea ) and 3 Divers- singles of GREAT NORTHERN at 11.00, BLACK THROATED (106 ) at 11.05 and a RED THROATED  (107 )at 11.25 

THURS 21 JAN

Back to overcast conditions with some light showers today, wind SSE 4/5.

South Huish Marsh - 90 TEAL, 72 WIGEON, 1 SHELDUCK , 2 SHOVELER, 35 LAPWING, only 20 SNIPE. Ad MED GULL again

This afternoon Nick found a BRENT GOOSE  (105 ) in with the CANADA flock.

On the rocks still 7 RINGED PLOVER plus 11 TURNSTONE

Offshore 23 GANNET- , 2 FULMAR , 7 KITTIWAKE 2 AUKS - all E.

Off patch visits again this afternoon -

New Mill ( Loddiswell ) -1 DIPPER

Buckfastleigh - 14m & 4 f  MANDARIN, 2 GOOSANDER.

Stover C P - 20 COAL TIT, 1 MARSH TIT , 1 KINGFISHER, 6 SISKIN,

1 NUTHATCH, 1 JAY, 8 TUFTED DUCK, 1 LITTLE GREBE , pr of GOOSANDER . No Pochard on the water these are proving difficult to track down this year

WED 20 JAN

After the coldest night of the winter a lovely cold and sunny day with again a light E breeze. The cold weather brought an increase in birds to South Huish Marsh -115 TEAL, 70 WIGEON, 1 SHELDUCK, 1 imm m SHOVELER, the RUDDY SHELDUCK, 2 LITTLE GREBE., amongst the Gulls a nice ad MED GULL.

On the rocks 7 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE and a KINGFISHER. Only bird offshore was a FULMAR ( 103 ) which flew east

Along the lane to South Milton Nick had a small flock of thrushes with10 REDWING and a FIELDFARE ( 104 )

Although out of the area i visited Blanksmill Bridge to look at the high tide roost - 15m + 17f PINTAIL , 8 GREY PLOVER, c 1000 DUNLIN , plenty of WIGEON, SHELDUCK and CURLEW and a FIELDFARE

TUES 19 JAN

What a change in the weather, a nice crisp clear but cold morning with a light E breeze. A good days birding with 6 patch year ticks -

Having spent last week looking at YELLOW L GULLs wasn't a great surprise to find a 1st w ( 97 ) on South Huish Marsh amongst the large gull flock. Also this morning - 60 WIGEON, 80 TEAL, 1 SHELDUCK,

2 MUTE SWAN, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 33 LAPWING, 15 SNIPE .,

24 OYSTERCATCHER, in the copse a CHIFFCHAFF.

On the rocks on an incoming tide - 7 RINGED PLOVER, 7 TURNSTONE ,

6 OYSTERCATCHER and the KINGFISHER

Offshore 3 GANNET, 3 WIGEON ( on the sea ), 1 GUILLEMOT.,

1 RAZORBILL ( Leasfoot) a GREAT N DIVER  spent the morning just beyond the Rock .

On the feeders in Nick's garden a NUTHATCH ( 98 )

West Buckland Valley produced - 2 GREAT SP WOODY, 1 GREEN WOODY (99 ), 1 JAY, 4 REDWING , 2 GOLDCREST, 1 TREE CREEPER and

3 SISKIN ( 100 )

On his way back home Arthur had an imm F MARSH HARRIER ( 101) over T'stone Marsh which flushed 5 SNIPE , later there were

17 TEAL, 25 MALLARD and 2 REED BUNTING

At 16.00 Nick phoned to say he had a LITTLE GULL ( 102 ) on South Huish Marsh, by the time I arrived all the Gulls had gone to roost on the sea, however the visit was worthwhile in that I spent 40 mins watching a group of 4 Wildfowlers on David   Dark's land walk down to the egdge of the marsh - one of them actually crossed the ditch onto the reserve . Spoke with David who indicated that no permission had been granted for any shooting on his land and would check with his Grandson .Need to keep a close watch on this as all the Duck and Waders took flight.

With a  total of 102 species this year  , now have 11 months and 11 days to get the next 92 !

MON 18 JAN

Back after a week in glorious sunshine to a night of heavy rain which continued somewhat lighter for most of the morning . A F5/6 SE wind .

On the back scrape at T'stone Marsh - 35 MALLARD, 14 TEAL, 1 LITTLE EGRET .

On South Huish Marsh - 65 WIGEON, 75 TEAL, 1 SHELDUCK, ,10 LAPWING, 5 SNIPE, 1 BAR T GODWIT, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 3 LITTLE EGRET

around 20 MIPIT and 1WATER PIPIT.

OYSTERCATCHERS - 28 0n the Marsh and 2 on the rocks

Offshore only 5 GANNET

SUN 10 - SUN 17 JAN

Report from Arthur of sightings for last week -

Bothe the RUDDY SHELDUCK and GLOSSY IBIS seen , TUFTED DUCK -M

up to 5 SHELDUCK ( on both marshes )WIGEON max 60, TEAL 90, KINGFISHER, LAPWING -6 .OYSTERCATCHER 38 0n S H Marsh and a further 12 on the rocks on 15th, SNIPE 30 on 17th .

2w MED GULL and COMMON GULL seen.

FIRECREST along Mallards Lane on 11th .

3 new year patch  ticks - 2 PURPLE SANDPIPER on 15th (94 ), a BLACK TAILED GODWIT flew through on 15th ( 95 ) and a scarce winter record of a BAR TAILED GODWIT feeding with the OYSTERCATCHERS on S H Marsh on 16th & 17th (96 )

SAT 9 JAN

No repots rec'd today . Next update will be on 18 JAN

FRI 8 JAN

Yet another morning of Showers with a F4/5 WSW wind .

Quite a few visitors this morning to see the GLOSSY IBIS and RUDDY SHELDUCK both of which showed well. Also on the marsh 54 WIGEON, 80+ TEAL, 1 TUFTED DUCK, 3 LAPWING, 1 WATER PIPIT . Rob Mc reported a KINGFISHER

An hours seawatch from 10.20 produced the bird of the day A close flyby GREY PHALAROPE (93)- picked up approx 30yds out flying east over the rocks , my first Jan record for the patch . Also 40 + KITTIWAKE -east,

20 + GANNET , a close in GUILLEMOT and a raft of 100+ AUKS offshore -too far out to id in the swell .

A quick visit along the tidal road at Aveton Gifford produced - 4 COMMON SANDPIPER, 4 REDSHANK, 1 GREENSHANK , a large flock of WIGEON/ TEAL flew off South Efford Marsh

THURS 7 JAN

A day of heavy showers with bright intervals, a F8 WNW wind and very rough seas .

The scrape on T'stone marsh held this morning 32 MALLARD, 12 TEAL, 1 LITTLE EGRET

Offshore20+ GANNET, 10 KITTIWAKE, 1 RAZORBILL -east and a GREAT N DIVER ( 88) flew east at 10.55

On South Huish marsh  Numbers of TEAL AND WIGEON unchanged, TUFTED DUCK and RUDDY SHELDUCK still, 1 SHELDUCK, 1 SNIPE, 1 WATER PIPIT, 2 LAPWING. The GLOSSY IBIS showed well all morning

In West Buckland village a f BLACK REDSTART ( 89 ), in the small woodland at Grove Corner - GOLDCREST, CHIFFCHAFF, and in the same area as last month a TREE CREEPER (90 )

Near Elston farm Eric had a flock of 200+ GOLDEN PLOVER ( 91 ), yesterday Alan reported a flock of 6-800 east of South Huish Marsh at 14.30 . He also had a BARN OWL (92 ) near South Milton village .

Patch year list now 92

WED 6 Jan

A fine sunny morning with a F4 NW wind clear horizon .

Another great days birding on the patch with Graham and Arthur ,main highlights being provided by Arthur who at 10.00 had a LITTLE AUK  on the sea 30 yards off Leasefoot beach and a GREAT SKUA flying high over. First Little Auk for a few years .It was a Devon tick for him . Otherwise offshore 40 + GANNET ( inc a feeding flock of 20 ) 1 KITTIWAKE,.On the rocks 6 RINGED PLOVER, 3 TURNSTONE.

On T'stone Marsh - 30 MALLARD, 20 TEAL, 1f SHOVELER, 1 REED BUNTING, 2 STOCK DOVE, 1 MISTLE THRUSH

On South Huish Marsh the GLOSSY IBIS onview all day , 70 + TEAL, , 50+ WIGEON, 1 m TUFTED DUCK, the RUDDY SHELDUCK,

1 LITTLE GREBE, 1 SNIPE, 1 WATER PIPIT, 1 2w MED GULL

Alan has recorded both DUNLIN and a flock of 50 REDWING in recent days ( both year ticks ) Nick has Jay around his garden

Bob / Alan this morning ringed 5 new CHIFFY, 2 SIB CHIFFY still on site , also 20 SKYLARK 1 FIRECREST and 3 WATER RAIL

The patch year list now 87

TUES 5 JAN

After heavy o/night rain the morning cleared with even some sunny periods and a shower later. W wind F 4/5 .

On T'stone Marsh the scrape just outside my garden is filling up nicely, this morning there were 5 SHOVELER, 20 + TEAL, 25 MALLARD and then at 09.00 a GLOSSY IBIS flew in feeding upto 30 feet away. From the head pattern this looked a different bird to that on South Huish Marsh in Nov/Dec.

On South Huish Marsh 70 + TEAL, 56 WIGEON, 5 SHOVELER,

1m TUFTED DUCK, the RUDDY SHELDUCK, 2 SNIPE,

24 OYSTERCATCHER, 3 MUTE SWAN , at 10.30 a GLOSSY IBIS flew in , it was still feeding on the main pool this afternonn ( almost certainly the bird from T'stone Marsh earlier) also a flock of 20 GREENFINCH and a CHIFFCHAFF .

On the rocks - 4 OYSTERCATCHER, 6 TURNSTONE. Offshore 15 GANNET, 1 KITTIWAKE, 1 RAZORBILL, 3 AUKS. 2 1st w COMMON GULL, 40 + GBBGull were following a lone trawler

In Buckland Valley were 2 KESTREL, 2 SONG THRUSH, GOLDCREST, PEREGRINE, SPARROWHAWK, COAL TIT , GREY WAGTAIL.

Bob was ringing at South Milton Ley this morning - 4 CHIFFCHAFF and a FIRECREST ringed, on site 10 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 SIBERIAN CHIFFY and a report of 2 GREY PARTRIDGE in fields near to the sewage works ( must be local released birds )

Patch year list now up to 79

MON 4 JAN

Another day of very heavy showers witha F8 W wind and very rough seas, water levels on both marshes continue to rise.

On T'stone Marsh this morning 35 MALLARD , 16 TEAL, 2 MUTE SWAN flewin at 09.00, 1 GREY WAGTAIL. At 16.30 4 CURLEW flew over west .

Quick visit this afternoon to South Huish Marsh - 42 WIGEON, 60+ TEAL, 30 MALLARD and a male TUFTED DUCK. Also on the marsh feeding 26 OYSTERCATCHER .

Offshore only a RAZORBILL

Arthur reported - at South Milton Ley - KINGFISHER, 1 WATER PIPIT,SNIPE,  57 WIGEON.

On Sun Alan had a 2ndw MED GULL on the marsh

SUN 3 JAN

With our family celebrations drawing to a close today i finally managed to get round the patch for an hour this afternoon .

Bob has been very activer resulting in a year total today reaching56 species pretty much without any seawatching

Highlights so far -

South Huish Marsh - Recent heavy rain has resulted in a large increase in the water level and consequently the numbers of Duck - 40 WIGEON,

60 TEAL, 5 SHOVELER, 2 SHELDUCK, The RUDDY SHELDUCK still with the CANCDA GOOSE flock, 1 GREYLAG GOOSE, 1 MUTE SWAN.

12 LAPWING, 22 OYSTERCATCHER

South Milton Ley - 12 CHIFFCHAFF , 2 SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF, 2 STOCK DOVE .

Near Huxton Cross- over 3000 WOOD PIGEON in a stubble field , in the lane a m BULLFINCH, TAWNY OWL .

Thurlestone Marsh - The scape outside my garden has flooded resulting Duck feeding - 30 + MALLARD 35 TEAL , The RUDDY SHELDUCK ( 2 Jan )

Around the BUCKLAND / BANTHAM area aroud 2000 REDLEGGED PARTRIDGE have been released ( I must find one as it is a patch 'tick' for me)

Slightly outside the patch news from Eric that a dead LEACH'S PETRL has been found along the  tidal road - a first for that patch .

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Some stunning photos of  SQUACCO HERON by Alan Doidge