TUES 31 MAY Another fine sunny morning with a F4/5 N wind .Very little to report! Offshore 1 GANNET and an OYSTERCATCHER ( flew east ) By the footbridge - 2 REED WARBLER, a MALLARD with 10 day old ducklings . At South Huish marsh - another MALLARD with 5 ducklings, 3 SEDGE WARBLER, 1 BLACKCAP. The first fledged juv PIED WAGTAIL Some hirundine movement - at least 35 HOUSE MARTIN flying north , along with 5 SWALLOW and 10 SWIFT SUN 29 MAY Very pleasant morning , sunny and light N wind. Wanted to try a find out the impact the work being done at Thurlestone Marsh . Before the farmer started clearing the edges spent an hour from 07.00- Managed 32 species , however only faint song of 2 SEDGE WARBLER and no sign of any REED WARBLER. A pair of RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE, 2 m BLACKCAP, 2 CHIFFY, 1 STONECHAT, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1m REED BUNTING best of the rest Met up with Graham for our usual seawatch for an hour from 09.00- 10 GANNET, 3 FULMAR, 1 GUILLEMOT , a flock of 20 COMMIC TERN flew west . Surprise was a 1st S BLACK THROATED DIVER on the sea.   On South Huish Marsh only 6 SHELDUCK, 2 LITTLE EGRET, 3 SEDGE and 1 REED WARBLER, 25 LINNET and amongst the hirundines a SAND MARTIN SAT 28 May A relaxing walk around the Golf Course produced - 5 WHITETHROAT , 6 STONECHAT, 6 LINNET, 3 SKYLARK, 3 ROCK PIPIT THURS 26 MAY A sunny morning with an E f3 wind The only new arrivals on South Huish marsh were 2 DUNLIN . Spent the remainder of the morning covering 2 areas of Buckland Valley - 22 species recorded, of interest - 2 JAY, 2 SPOTTED FLY ( in different sectors of the valley, at least 2 potential breeding sites ), 1 GOLDCREST, 1 TREE CREEPER, 5 m BLACKCAP, 1 WHITETHROAT, 1 LITTLE EGRET ( sat in a tree ) 5  CHIFFCHAFF. WED 25 MAY Probably the quietest morning on the coast/ marsh this year . Brisk 4/5 ENE wind , overcast until late morning . offshore - 7 GANNET, 3 MANX SHEARWATER, 3 SANDWICH TERN Over the Marsh - 7 SWIFT , 20 HOUSE MARTIN and a few SWALLOW A 1hour breeding survey at the top end of Buckland Valley was much more productive 26 species logged , main highlights were - 2 SPOTTED FLY, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 3m BLACKCAP, 1 WHITETHROAT, 1 JAY, 2 GREAT SP WOODY, STOCK DOVE, at a private site a CIRL BUNTING Just received news from Alan Pomroy about a Tristis CHIFFY he ringed on 4 APRIL.Results of DNA analysis by Aberdeen University confirms that its mother was a definite Tristis. TUES 24 MAY A very cloudy morning with a cool E wind increasing up to F 6 . A 2 hour seawatch ( last hour joined by Bob ) produced - 30 GANNET, 30 MANX SHEARWATER, 4 SANDWICH TERN. In the lanes a m BULLFINCH. On South Huish marsh - over 40 HOUSE MARTIN feeding ( moved on by 12.00) 8 SWIFT, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1m BLACKCAP, 1 SONG THRUSH.   MON 23 MAY Joined by Graham this morning . A 1 hour seawatch only produced - 14 GANNET, 2 FULMAR and 2 WHIMBREL At South Huish Marsh - no sign of the POM SKUA, 10 SWIFT, 3 LITTLE EGRET A visit to Buckland Valley was more productive - 2 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER, 1 WHITETHROAT, 2m BLACKCAP, 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 COAL TIT, Robin feeding recently fledged juv's SUN 23 MAY Having arrived home at 04.00 made a late start this morning . On South Huish marsh the ad POM SKUA still present , although seen in flight by visitors the bird stayed on the mud bank at the front pool .Doesn't look too healthy . A male YELLOW WAGTAIL and 2 WHITETHROAT  also seen POM SKUA at SOUTH HUISH MARSH 18 MAY 2016 - taken by Alan DoidgeCyprus 15 - 22 May Anne and I managed to get a late booking back to one of our favourite islands of Cyprus . Managed to hire a car for 3 days  and visited a few of the main sites . Saw a total of 70 species inc 3 ticks - GULL BILLED TERN SPOTTED REDSHANK and OYSTERCATCHER. Will write up a full report during the week SAT 14 MAY - SAT 21 MAY Whilst I was in Cyprus the following reports  worthy of note- Mon 16 May GREAT WHITE EGRET ( 167 ) found by AJL and Graham Daw on South Huish Marsh . WED 18  an adult POMARINE SKUA found by Terry Goddard on South Huish marsh- still present on 22 May . First record of one on the ground here FRI 13 May A nice spring morning with a brisk NE f5 wind On the beaches - 24 SANDERLING, 6 DUNLIN, 7 WHIMBREL. Offshore 2 SANDWICH TERN, 5 GANNET and a KITTIWAKE On South Huish Marsh a nice male GARGANEY - our 3rd record this year, very welcome as I missed the other 2, the pair of WIGEON still. 6 BUZZARD over the fields . On Thurlestone Marsh - 4 RED L PARTRIDGE , 2 SWIFT. A visit to West Buckland Valley - 3 CHIFFCHAFF, , 3 BLACKCAP, 3 LONG T TIT, 2 GOLDCREST, 2 TREE CREEPER ( at separate sites )and 1 STARLING ( first patch record this month ! ) Finally a KINGFISHER reported on the patch at a private site yeaterday. Next update Sun 21 May - off to the sun . THURS 12 MAY A morning that started with poor viz and just got worse .Around 11.00 you could not see THE rock from the cafe.Surprisingly the best count for small waders this year On the beach - 20 SANDERLING, 2 WHIMBREL, 1 SANDWICH TERN. On South Huish Marsh the pair of WIGEON, 5 SWIFT , 35 + HOUSE MARTIN, 50+ SWALLOW, 1 f YELLOW WAGTAIL . 3 flocks of DUNLIN totalled 21 , then 2 larger flocks came in with at least 80 birds , also 16 RINGED PLOVER. In Thurlestone  a HOBBY WED 11 MAY An overcast morning , calm conditions , offshore viz poor. Once again the forecast rain missed us . On the beaches - 35 SANDERLING, 7 DUNLIN, 9 WHIMBREL, 4 TURNSTONE, 2 RINGED PLOVER heard . On South Huish  Mrash the Grey Plover had moved on . 4 DUNLIN, the pair of WIGEON, 2 WHIMBREL A visit to Buckland valley very worthwhile - a SPOTTED FLYCATCHER, 1 BLACKCAP, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 GREY WAGTAIL , 1 TREE CREEPER , both the latter 2 species are possibly breeding .In the lanes 2 WHITETHROAT and a male YELLOWHAMMER. Met an RSPB guy doing tetrad surveys - he had a photo of a GROPPA just taken on the Golf Course. Ringing at South Milton ley Alan had - 12 REED WARBLER, 6 SEDGE WARBLER., 2 BLACKCAP, 9 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 REED BUNTING. TUES 10 MAY A very muggy, cloudy morning with no wind and only very light rain. The forecast heavy rain did not arrive. Offshore viz not good . At 08.00 a nice surprise just outside my garden a SPOTTED FLYCATCHER ( 166 ), late afternoon a m BLACKCAP, 2 SEDGE WARBLER, 2 STOCK DOVE and 4 WHIMBREL over. On the sea 3 COMMON SCOTER, 2 RAZORBILL, 4 GANNET, 10 MANX SHEARWATER, 4 FULMAR. At 09.45 watched a LITTLE TERN feeding close inshore, several times it went and sat on a yellow bouy- the second patch record thi s year., still there when I left at 12.00 On the beaches / rocks - 10 SANDERLING, 3 WHIMBREL On South Huish Marsh - 3 GREY PLOVER still, 1 DUNLIN, 1 WHIMBREL 4 SEDGE WARBLER. A pair of WIGEON were a surprise - last year we had a male oversummer same bird returning- last sighting was 2 April. MON 9 MAY Given the conditions of an E wind f4/5 and showers  expected more than was achieved . Was on Warren Pt for 08.15 in 90 mins saw - 57 GANNET, 3 RAZORBILL, 2 GUILLEMOT and 7 AUKS, 23 COMMON SCOTER flew W, 6 MANX SHEARWATER. On the beaches / rocks - 28 WHIMBREL, 7 BAR T GODWIT, 2 SANDERLING , 7 TURNSTONE, and the first REDSHANK (165) of the year On South Huish marsh - 3 GREY PLOVER still, 1 DUNLIN, 3 WHIMBREL This afternoon 5 WHIMBREL and 5 SWIFT over my house Last night the SWALLOW roost was 200+ SUN 8 MAY Graham & Martin did a short seawatch of 1 hour and produced - 10 GANNET, 13 WHIMBREL, , 9 FULMAR, 4 MANX SHEARWATER, 15 COMMON SCOTER. On South Huish marsh - 2m 1f GREY PLOVER, 3 DUNLIN, 1 RINGED PLOVER, 2 BAR T GODWIT, 4 WHIMBREL, 1 f WHEATEAR, 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL, SWIFT , 1 SPARROWHAWK At 16.45 a RUFF (164) few up the valley. Swift over and a new garden tick - 2 RED L PARTRIDGE. At Thurlestone Marsh the farmer has filled in the front pool, which had dried out, with soil, hope he  leaves the rear pool alone . SAT 7 MAY Late start today, managed to catch up with Vic and Andy Smith at the Marsh- 2 GREY PLOVER, 6 DUNLIN, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER and 23 WHIMBREL . 4 YELLOW WAGTAIL and a SWIFT At South Milton Ley Vic had a F WHINCHAT Jay in Nick's garden FRI 6 MAY Overcast / cloudy morning with only a light E breeze. Decided to seawatch from Warren Point hoping to pick up any flocks of Terns which could be moving up channel. Almost no sea passage at all - first ( and almost last ) were 6 SANDWICH TERN at 08.15, 5 MANX SHEARWATER a few mins later. Only 14 GANNET in 2 hrs . On the beaches were - 27 WHIMBREL, 2 BAR TAILED GODWIT, 2 SANDERLING and 2 TURNSTONE. 2 HERON flying west out at sea were only GREY HERON . On South Huish Marsh - 2 GREY PLOVER , 8 DUNLIN and a COMMON SANDPIPER. Around the copse a LESSER WHITETHROAT and a BLACKCAP. A short visit to Buckland valley found 2 SPARROWHAWK and the years first  HOBBY (163 ) THURS 5 MAY After a cool start a pleasant sunny day with a light E breeze. Bay watched from 07.30- 15.00 by Doug and myself from the car park with Perry outside the cafe. Most of the sea passage over by 10.00 Offshore - 103 GANNET, 88 MANX SHEARWATER, 9 SANDWICH TERN, 2 DUNLIN, 1 SANDERLING, 10 + FULMAR , 22 AUKS of those which could be identified 1 PUFFIN ( 162 ) few east at 08.05 , 6 RAZORBILL, 1 m COMMON SCOTER + 6 seen by Perry, 1 COMMON GULL, 1 s/p BAR T GODWIT on the rocks , 1 SWIFT, steady movement of SWALLOW 100+, 50+ HOUSE MARTIN, 2 SAND MARTIN . Along the coast path 5 WHITETHROAT. On South Huish marsh - 3 GREY PLOVER, 30 DUNLIN, 2 RINGED PLOVER, 1 w/p BAR T GODWIT, 3 WHIMBREL,1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 WHITE WAGTAIL, 1 BLACKCAP, 1 REED BUNTING WED 4 MAY Before detailing todays sightings a few items from before - Around 20 APRIL a resident of Buckland Valley reports a CUCKOO calling. Monday 2 May - Alan had a BLACK T GODWIT drop into South H Marsh ( only 2nd record this year) and Roger the farmer had a BARN OWL near Horswell House woods A nice sunny day today with a light SE wind produced some interesting records - 5 SWIFT over Thurlestone at 8am also a SPARROWHAWK . Seawatching - days total for GANNET was 95, FULMAR 4, 6 AUKS , 1 KITTIWAKE, 4 MANX SHEARWATER, 7 COMMIC TERN flew east. At South Huish marsh - 11 WHIMBREL, 1 WHEATEAR, 6 SHELDUCK . After a call from Perry went back at 16.00 to find 2 summer plumage GREY PLOVER, 2 BAR TAILED GODWIT  and a male BLUE HEADED WAGTAIL, 1 DUNLIN. A visit to Buckland Valley late morning quite productive - Watched a pair of GREEN WOODPECKER mating !, 2 GREAT Sp WOODY, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 BULLFINCH, 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 GOLDCREST and GARDEN WARBLER (161 ) Late news received of a s/p  GREAT N DIVER flying east across the Bay TUES 3 MAY A sunny day with clear skies , still a cool WNW wind F 3 . Made a thorough search with Nick for the PURPLE HERON- no sightings at all, conclusion is they have moved on. However we did find at least 10 SEDGE WARBLER holding territory , 1 COAL TIT, 1m YELLOW WAGTAIL, 4 WHITETHROAT, 7 WHIMBREL. After a call from Vic went down to the copse at 18.00 to look at a very nice female PIED FLYCATCHER ( 160 ) my first spring patch record. Whist driving there a GREEN WOODPECKER flew over the car . At South Milton Ley Alan ringed 13 new and had  11 retraps - highlights -  1 REED BUNTING, 4 CHIFFY, 5 SEDGE 3 REED WARBLER. 2 very interesting controls  a French SEDGE WARBLER and a UK REED WARBLER . Also on site 20 SWIFT, 1 GROPPA and 2 BULLFINCH   MON 2 MAY A cloudy morning with offshore mist restricting distant visability. A Strong W wind starting at F6 increasing to F8 gusts . rain set in at 13.00 Spent the morning from 09.15 - 12.45 seawatching from the car park producing the first good SKUA passage so far . The first bird was a lone BALEARIC SHEARWATER which flew E at 09.16 after flying round the Bay 3 times . Only 7 MANX SHEARWATER today all flying west . 50 GANNET, 2 FULMAR . First SKUAS to pass were 3 BONXIES at 10.08, with 2 more at 10.50 . Also 2 reported at 12.00 from Hope Cove .3 ARCTIC SKUA were quickly followed by 5 POMARINE SKUA - 2 with spoons ( 159 ) 12 SANDWICH TERN and 1 COMMON TERN flew east. 4 COMMON SCOTER landed on the sea whilst on the beach were 7 SANDERLING and 7 WHIMBREL Visited South Huish marsh at 16.30 - 3 TEAL, 4 WHIMBREL, 1f WHEATEAR, 30+ SWALLOW and 2 SAND MARTIN   SUN 1 MAY After a sunny start the cloud built up with light showers by 12.00, afternoon 100% cloud and mist A garden watch produced 32 species including - 4 BLACKCAP, SEDGE and REED WARBLER, CHIFFY, 2 SWIFT, COMMON GULL. Offshore - 3 FULMAR., 35 GANNET, 40 MANX SHEARWATER _w , 1 BALEARIC SHEARWATER flew east at11.20 ( 158 ), 1 SANDWICH TERN, 20 WHIMBREL on the rocks On South Huish marsh - 2 TEAL, 12 SHELDUCK, REED and SEDGE WARBLER, 1 RINGED PLOVER , 1 REED BUNTING.A Steady passage of SAND MARTIN, HOUSE MARTIN and SWALLOW.18 WHIMBREL. Went down again at 16.15 , the poor weather only provided 2 DUNLIN, 3 SWIFT, around 100 Hirundines , a SPARROWHAWK reported Total species record today - 64