SUN 30 APRIL - A superb end to the month with 4 patch year ticks inc a lifer for me . At 08.00 a CATTLE EGRET on Thurlestone Marsh - still present at 16.20 . The weather this morning - 100% cloud , heavy rain with poor offshore viz - Seawatching from Bobs car park from 08.15 - 11 .15 -only produced 220 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 1 MANX SHEARWATER, 1 SANDWICH TERN, 3 WHIMBREL .  At Hope Cove James had a good morning from 11.15- with 2 ARCTIC SKUA -east, 8 SANDWICH TERN with 1 LITTLE TERN ( 174 )and a SWIFT Returned to the car park at 13.15 , once the rain cleared birds started moving through , joined by Perry at 14.20 , leaving at 16.15  was 3 hours of very enjoyable watching - totals logged -140 GANNET, 9 SANDWICH TERN , 7 EIDER  ( 171 )( 5f , 2 imm m ) flew east at 14.10, 3 ARCTIC SKUA - east all dark phase , 2 BONXIE ( 172 ), 91 MANX SHEARWATER, 25 COMMON SCOTER, 4 FULMAR. At 15.20 picked up a raptor flying in off the sea , came close inshore - an ad female MONTAGU'S HARRIER ( 173 )- a patch life tick . At South efford Marsh this afternoon Eric reports - a pair of Garganey, 2 BAR T GODWIT, 4 WHIMBREL, 2 GREENSHANK, 8 DUNLIN, 2 RINGED PLOVER, 4 SEDGE WARBLER   SAT 29 APRIL First late news from Fri evening- Graham Collyer had a CUCKOO (169 ) calling in the valley outside his house in South Milton. This morning a sunny day with an increasing SE wind to F4/5 by 12.00. Some offshore passage but not as good as expectations . A number of birders this morning - totals logged - On South Huish Marsh could only locate 2 CATTLE EGRET, 6 TEAL. Offshore - 172 GANNET ( some flocks of 10 & 12 ) , 11 FULMAR, 6 KITTIWAKE ( one group ), 1 COMMON SCOTER, 20 RAZORBILL, 7 AUKS , 3 MANX SHEARWATER, 3 ARCTIC TERN ( 170 ), 1 COMMIC TERN , 59 WHIMBREL, 17 BAR T GODWIT, 1 PEREGRINE Hirundines logged - 40 SWALLOW, 6 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 SAND MARTIN Still hopeful of Sundays weather pattern for offshore passage . FRI 28 APRIL A day away from the patch with a visit to woodland sites . First - Yarner Wood - 2m 1f REDSTART ( great views just inside the top Trendlebeare entrance - some photographers have been putting food out ), 2 TREE PIPIT, 8 + PIED FLYCATCHER, 1 WOOD WARBLER ( heard ), GARDEN WARBLER , 2 SISKIN, 1 TREE CREEPER, CHIFFY , WILLOW WARBLER At Challacombe Farm - 1m REDSTART, 4 REDPOLL, 2 GREY WAGTAIL( no sign of any Whinchat or Cuckoo ) At Bellever -2 CROSSBILL Near South Brent a LITTLE OWL ( road casualty ) At 17.00 a HOBBY ( 168 ) flew over my garden . Hopefully the SE winds and some rain might produce some interesting sea watching this w/end ! THURS 27 APRIL A sunny morning after a dawn frost , light breeze upto 12.00 On Thurlestone Marsh at 08.30 a CATTLE EGRET, 1f WHEATEAR, 2 LONG T TIT, at 12.30 6 WHIMBREL feeding in the field . On Warren Pt rocks and beaches - 20 WHIMBREL, 4 BAR T GODWIT, 2 RINGED PLOVER, 1 WHEATEAR, 2 WHITETHROAT. Offshore - 6 GANNET, 6 FULMAR , 2 SANDWICH TERN By the footbridge - 2 SEDGE WARBLER, 1 REED WARBLER, On South Huish Marsh - 5 CATTLE EGRET, 8 TEAL, 11 WHIMBREL, 1 SEDGE WARBLER WED 26 APRIL Although sunny felt cold in a brisk NNE wind . A Garden watch from 07.15 produced 31 species - BLACKCAP, CHIFFY , SEDGE WARBLER, BULLFINCH A vey quiet morning offshore only 3 GANNET and 2 SANDWICH TERN . Around South Huish Marsh - still 6 CATTLE EGRET, 8 TEAL, 16 SWALLOW, 1 HOUSE MARTIN., 3 WHEATEAR . On the rocks / beaches - 14 BAR T GODWIT, 19 WHIMBREL, 1 SANDERLING, DUNLIN and RINGED PLOVER ( heard in flight ) TUES 25 APRIL A few days of cooler weather, as I write the N wind has increased to 6 , gusting 7 , light showers of hail/ snow with thunder . My early morning watch from my balcony has really paid trumps this year with yet another garden tick at 07.45 a WOOD WARBLER ( 167 ). Speaking to Bob he thinks this is only the 3rd or 4th patch record .Also today - 2 JAY, 3 SHELDUCK, CHIFFY, BLACKCAP, 1 WHEATEAR, 2 RED L PARTRIDGE Along the rocks / beaches to Warren Pt - 10 WHIMBREL, 2 BAR T GODWIT, 2 COMMON SANDPIPER,5 DUNLIN, 4 WHITETHROAT, 4 STONECHAT ( carrying food ) Very poor offshore -only 20 GANNET, 2 SHELDUCK and 2 COMMON SCOTER ( on sea ), 2 FULMAR and 1 SANDWICH TERN. On South Huish Marsh - still 6 CATTLE EGRET, 15 TEAL, 1 WHIMBREL, 1f WHEATEAR, SEDGE , REED WARBLER, CHIFFY and BLACKCAP Low nubers of Hirundines - 20 SWALLOW, 10 HOUSE MARTIN , 2 SAND MARTIN At South Efford marsh Eric reports 2 GREENSHANK At 17.00 last night a report of 4 SANDERLING on the beach At South Milton Ley yesterday Alan ringed - 7 SEDGE, 4 REED WARBLER, 1 REED BUNTING, 2 BLACKCAP , 1 GREAT SP WOODY and a BULLFINCH ( of interest this is the 10th ringed since early March- a site record ) MON 24 APRIL A bright morning with sunny periods and some high cloud, a light breeze backing NW 3/4 . Joined by Graham and Bob An hours Garden Watch from 07.05 produced 30 species with 1 WHEATEAR, 2 JAY, 4 SHELDUCK, BLACKCAP, SEDGE WARBLER and CHIFFY Around South Huish marsh - 6 CATTLE EGRET, 12 WHEATEAR,  5 TEAL ,1 DUNLIN, 2 WHIMBREL , 4 WHITETHROAT Around the Bay - 1 SANDWICH TERN, 2 GANNET, 4 WHIMBREL, 6 WHEATEAR, 1 REED WARBLER, 1 REDSHANK Hirundines logged - 11 SWALLOW, 7 HOUSE MARTIN , 6 SAND MARTIN At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 4 WHIMBREL, 2 GREENSHANK, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 DUNLIN, 1m WHINCHAT . On Tues 17 April Rod Bone had a RED KITE ( 166 ) over north marsh  Late morning Eric had a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER by the TESCO car park at Kinsbridge SUN 23 APRIL A sunny morning with a E wind F2/3. Initially started promising and then petered out . One of the best Garden watches this year 1hr 15min from 07.15 produced 40 species- 8 WHEATEAR in the field opposite , 1 GREY PLOVER and 3 BAR T GODWIT flew up the valley at 07,30, 2 flocks of WHIMBREL total 21 folowed at 08.25 , 1 GREEN WOODY, 4 SWALLOW, 2 RED L PARTRIDGE, WHITETHROAT, CHIFFY, WILLOW and GARDEN WARBLER.   Around South Huish Marsh - 6 CATTLE EGRET, 26 TEAL, 1 TREE PIPIT, 2 WHITETHROAT, 7 WHEATEAR, 1 BLACKCAP, SEDGE and REED WARBLER, 13 WHIMBREL ( over ). Hirundines logged - 85 SWALLOW, 26 SAND MARTIN, 14 HOUSE MARTIN At Aveton Gifford Eric had 3 SWIFT(164 ) over Visiting birders reported a WHINCHAT ( 165 ) at the bottom of South Milton Ley .   SAT 22 APR A cloudy morning with a light E breeze , another day with a flat calm sea . The CATTLE EGRET saga continues - at 18.35  last night 5 flew in line over my garden towards Aveton Gifford . This morning could only find 4 at South Huish Marsh . Highlight of this mornings Garden watch was a CURLEW which flew up the valley at 08.10 Offshore a total of 6 COMMON SCOTER, 1 FULMAR and 1 GANNET On South Huish Marsh a YELLOW WAGTAIL ( heard only in flight ), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1f WHEATEAR, 20 TEAL, REED and SEDGE WARBLER singing . Hirundines  logged - 10 SWALLOW, 8 HOUSE MARTIN , 1 SAND MARTIN FRI 21 APRIL A calm sunny morning with poor offshore viz, one of the quietest April days for years . Having waited 9 years to add CATTLE EGRET to my garden list it was quite a surprise at 07.00 to find 7 feeding at the far end of Thurlestone marsh , they had departed by 08.30 but dont know in which diection .A 50 min Garden Watch produced 30 species inc 4 WHIMBREL, 1 GROPPA ( reeling ) SWALLOW, WILLOW WARBLER, , CHIFFY , 1 SPARROWHAWK. On the rocks 2 WHIMBREL, 4 TURNSTONE, 1 GREY PLOVER . On South Huish Marsh - 5 CATTLE EGRET,16 TEAL, 1 SNIPE, 1 WHITETHROAT  On Leasfoot Beach - 5 WHIMBREL, 2 WHEATEAR At 17.00 Nick had a YELLOW WAGTAIL ( 163) and still 5 CATTLE EGRET on South Huish Marsh. Dilemma of the day - 5 or 12 CATTLE EGRET ?   THURS 20 APRIL A fine early morning with a slight frost, cloud cover later . Flat calm sea with hardly any breeze Started with  a 1hour Garden Watch which produced 34 species and yet another garden tick - at 07.25 scoped 2 ARCTIC SKUA ( 162 ) flying east across the Bay ( 1 dark & 1 light phase ) first Skuas of the year. Also 4 species of raptor, BLACKCAP, CHIFFY, SEDGE WARBLER, STOCK DOVE and 2 RED L PARTRIDGE . Offshore a flock of Waders flew in at 11.15 - 22 WHIMBREL, .  3 GREY PLOVER and 2 BAR T GODWIT  . The WHIMBREL after flying around the Bay finally flew off east, the others went straight up the valley . On the rocks , 5 TURNSTONE, 1 WHIMBREL, 1 GREY PLOVER On South Huish Marsh only 5 CATTLE EGRET, 18 TEAL ( the GARGANEY and SHOVELER have moved on ), 6 WHEATEAR, 1 DUNLIN, CHIFFY , WILLOW WARBLER, SEDGE and REED WARBLER. A WHITETHROAT on the path near the toilet block . Hirundines logged - 12 SWALLOW, 4 HOUSE MARTIN News from AlanPomroy ringing at South Milton Ley - 2 REED WARBLER, 2 SEDGE WARBLER, 4 BLACKCAP, 1 WHITETHROAT, 2 SONG THRUSH, 2 BULLFINCH . A GROPPA heard . ICELAND GULL on the Marsh early afternoon  WED 19 APRIL late evening update - at 18.40 a CATTLE EGRET in the field opposite my house - a garden tick  A sunny morning with a light E breeze. Seawatching from Warren Pt only produced in 2 hrs - 35 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 3 COMMON SCOTER, ,a GREAT N DIVER ( spl) flew west at 0905, 6 SANDWICH TERN - east , picked up 2 LITTLE EGRET about 2 miles offshore flying into the Bay . Waders on the rocks - 1 RINGED PLOVER, 1 TURNSTONE, .Along the coast path 26 LINNET and 2 WHITETHROAT . On South Huish Marsh - another site record with 8 CATTLE EGRET, the m GARGANEY was joined by a pair which flew in off the sea at 11.05 ( that makes 9 different birds recorded this spring ) the ICELAND GULL flew in at 12.10 with a large flock of HERRING GULL.4 LITTLE EGRET, 1m SHOVELER, 25 TEAL, 1 CURLEW , 1 COMMON SANDPIPER . 2 WHIMBREL on the rocks . In the sheep field 4 WHEATEAR with another 3 late afternoon Hirundines logged -28 SWALLOW, 9 HOUSE MARTIN , 2 SAND MARTIN TUES 18 APRIL A sunny morning with only high light cloud , a ENE F 4 wind Highlight of the day was a morning passage of WHEATEAR atotal of 30 logged with several pristine GREENLAND WHEATEAR (161 ) On South Huish Marsh - both the M GARGANEY and ICELAND GULL ( flew in at 11.45 )on show, the CATTLE EGRET increased to 6 ( a new site record )also 1 DUNLIN, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1m SHOVELER, singing BLACKCAP, SEDGE WARBLER , 2 WHITE WAGTAIL Offshore 25 GANNET, 3 FULMAR, 8 RAZORBILL, 2 SANDWICH TERN and at 08.45 a sub ad LITTLE GULL flew west across the Bay . On the rocks 4 WHIMBREL , 2 BAR TAILED GODWIT. Hirundines logged - 21 SWALLOW, 9 HOUSE MARTIN, 5 SAND MARTIN Went down to the Bay for an hour at 15.30 only 3 GANNET, on the rocks 7 WHIMBREL and a BAR T GODWIT. News of a reeling GROPPA in Hope Cove yesterday MON 17 APRIL An overcast morning with variable levels of cloud , wind F2/3 NNW Spent the first 90min from 08.00 on WARREN PT - A WHITETHROAT ( 158 ), 6 WHEATEAR, . Waders on the beach - 7 RINGED PLOVER, 5 DUNLIN, 2 TURNSTONE , 4 WHIMBREL flew in off , Offshore -50 GANNET, 2 GREAT N DIVER ( 1-E , 1- W ), 2 BLACK T DIVER - east together, 1 BRENT GOOSE - Pale Bellied - East,(159 ) 1 SANDWICH TERN, 5 COMMON SCOTER ( on sea ), 3 FULMAR . On South Huish Marsh - ICELAND GULL reported early am , 1 M GARGANEY, 1 m SHOVELER, 15 TEAL, 4 CATTLE EGRET, 1m WHEATEAR, 1m BLACKCAP , 1 GARDEN WARBLER ( 160 ) Near Golf Club another WHITETHROAT Only Hirudines today were 20 SWALLOW Report rec'd of 2pairs of GREY PARTRIDGE in field along the access road to South Milton Ley At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 4 BLACKCAP, 3 GREENSHANK, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER   SUN 16 APRIL A sunny morning with some high cloud and an increasing to F4 WNW wind . Joined by Chris and Bob A 45min Garden Watch from 07.30 produced 30 species - migrants included a WILLOW WARBLER, 2m BLACKCAP, 2 CHIFFY and 2 SWALLOW Offshore only 11 GANNET, a GREAT N DIVER flew west at 09.05 . On South Huish Marsh The CATTLE EGRETS have now increased to 5 ( a site record ), the ICELAND GULL, m GARGANEY and m SHOVELER still showing well. The GARGANEY is now the longest staying record for the site . TEAL still 30 , Amongst the Gulls 2 ad BLACK H GULL, also 8 COOT, a m WHEATEAR, m CETTIS WARBLER. 8 WHIMBREL landed briefly before flying off to the east  Hirundines logged - 90 SWALLOW, 5 HOUSE MARTIN, 3 SAND MARTIN    SAT 15 APRIL. An early start to try and beat the dog walkers and runners . A cloudy morning feeling cold in a NW F3 wind On the beaches first thing - 10 TURNSTONE, 10 RINGED PLOVER, 5 DUNLIN ( first sighting this month ), 1 GREY PLOVER , 1 COMMON SANDPIPER ( on rocks ) and a SANDERLING ( first this year - 157 ). A 2 hr seawatch from 07.30 - 4 MANX SHEARWATER ( 08.15 ) 4 FULMAR, 1 SANDWICH TERN,  55 GANNET, 2 RAZORBILL, . Along the coast path to Warren Pt - at least 6 pairs of LINNET, 2 PAIRS of STONECHAT ( 1m carrying food ) In my garden Anne photographed 2 RED L PARTRIDGE - sat on the garden bench ! On South Huish Marsh  reports rec'd - ICELAND GULL, 2 CATTLE EGRET and the m GARGANEY still On South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 4 HOUSE MARTIN, 20 + SWALLOW, 25 + CHIFFY. 1 WHIMBREL, 1 GREENSHANK, 1 REDSHANK, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 MISTLE THRUSH , NUTHATCH calling FRI 14 APRIL A morning that started with sunny periods then clouded over , only a light wnw breeze . Started with a Garden watch at 07.30 -30 species in total - best count for some time and at 08.00 a garden tick - a reeling GROPPA ( 156 ) also a SEDGE WARBLER, , 1 BLACKCAP, CHIFFY, REED BUNTING , 2 SKYLARK, SWALLW, 1 SANDWICH TERN. In the Bay - a flock of 19 WHIMBREL, 11 GANNET, 3 SANDWICH TERN, 1 FULMAR, 10 COMMON SCOTER, 1 TURNSTONE , An ICELAND GULL flew  east at 09.30 hugging the coast kept going into Hope Cove . On South Huish Marsh - A GREENSHANK was a rare Spring visitor , 1 RINGED PLOVER, , 25 TEAL, 1m GARGANEY, , 2 CATTLE EGRET, 2 SNIPE, 2 WHEATEAR, 2 HOUSE MARTIN , 1 SAND MARTIN , 5 SWALLOW, 1 SEDGE WARBLER, 1 REED WARBLER , 1 m BLACKCAP, 1 WILLOW WARBLER THURS 13 APRIL A 45 min Garden Watch produced 25 species inc - 2 JAY, 2 BULLFINCH, 5 LINNET, 1 m REED BUNTING, 2m BLACKCAP On the rocks - 6 TURNSTONE, 1f WHEATEAR On South Huish Marsh - 2 CATTLE EGRET ( the new bird in v nice summer plumage )1m GARGANEY, 1m SHOVELER, 25 TEAL, 4 SHELDUCK, the ICELAND GULL, 1 1w MED GULL , 1m BLACKCAP, A walk round South Milton Ley produced - 2 WILLOW WARBLER, 5 CHIFFY, 3 m BLACKCAP, 2 SEDGE WARBLER and 7 JAY . Unusual to find a total of 7 JAY on the patch this morning   WED 12 APRIL Only news received was from Eric - on South Efford Marsh - 4 WHIMBREL, 3 GREENSHANK, 1 REDSHANK , 1 SWALLOW  TUES 11 APRIL At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 4 WHIMBREL ( flew up the valley ) and on the marsh a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER. James k had 10 WHIMBREL fly up the valley at 18.00, also 3 SANDWICH TERN -east  MON 10APRIL Away in Bedford visiting family , information rec'd- SUNDAY 9 APRIL on the beach -5 WHIMBREL, offshore -5 SANDWICH TERN, 5 COMMON SCOTER, 1 G N DIVER, 3 MANX SHEARWATER, ON South Huish Marsh - 1m GAGANEY, 1 CATTLE EGRET,1 BLACK T GODWIT James K had 12 SANDWICH TERNfying east in 3 groups   MON 10 APRIL GLAUCOUS GULL, ICELAND GULL 1M GARGANEY, AT SOUTH HUISH MARSH  AT Aveton Gifford - 2 WHIMBREL  SAT 8 APRIL First late news for Friday from Chris Buckland on Warren Pt he had a PURPLE SANDPIPER and 2 GREY PLOVER A very nice sunny morning with a cool SE F 3 wind , .An early start at South Huish Marsh at 07.10- An EGYPTION GOOSE was a new arrival,  a male GARGANEY feeding at the back of the marsh , Amongst the GULLS were the ICELAND GULL, 10 BLACK HEADED, 3 COMMON GULL, 1 1w MED GULL. The CATTLE EGRET still showing well.At 13.00 a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER flew in , only stayed 30mins. 2 WHIMBREL ( 152 ) also flew in and a m WHEATEAR. Offshore upto 09.45 - 2 RED T DIVER flew E at 08.18 , 2 MANX SHEARWATER ( 153 ) flew East, 3 SANDWICH TERN, 44 AUKS -east ( mostly RAZORBILL )  12 GANNET, 10 COMMON SCOTER - East, , 2 FULMAR,. 2 SHOVELER, 6 SHELDUCK, 4 WIGEON on the sea . A good passage of Hirundines - days total - 155 SWALLOW, 50 SAND MARTIN , 2 HOUSE MARTIN. By the footbridge a TREE PIPIT ( 154 ) flew N and a REED WARBLER singing. On the rocks - 4 WHIMBREL, 3 TURNSTONE, 1 GREY PLOVER Alan Pomroy ringed a SEDGE WARBLER ( 155 ) at South Milton Ley where there was also a RED L PARTRIDGE Although the Se winds were light they still produced som decent arrivals .     FRI 7 APRIL. Apologies for no recent updates , phone and broadband failed on Wed lunchtime - thats 48 hours with not being able to get on the birding web sites . Another interesting morning on the patch started with 2 singing REED WARBLER ( 149 ) on Thurlestone Marsh at 07.50 Offshore a feeding flock of 250 + GANNET , quite a few Dolphin off shore , late morning Chris and Vic picked up a VELVET SCOTER (150 ) on the sea , also a COMMON TERN in the Bay On South Huish Marsh - 1 CATTLE EGRET, 2cy ICELAND GULL, 1 BLACK T GODWIT , 1 1w MED GULL, , 10 SWALLOW and a HOUSE MARTIN over. Eric reports 4 REDSHANK and 4 GREENSHANK on South Efford Marsh . Eric reported AJL had a REDSTART ( 150 )  by the T'stone Marsh toilet block THURS 6 APRIL Another  sunny and mild day with a light NE breeze Offshore a SANDWICH TERN , 6 COMMON SCOTER, 2 GUILLEMOT . A male GARGANEY flew across the Bay towards Hope Cove, returned and then flew over the Marsh and staight up the valley. On the Marsh this morning - 1 CATTLE EGRET, 1 BLACK T GODWIT ( sp )1 CETTIS WARBLER, 2cy ICELAND GULL, 4 SWALLOW Another visit at 15.00 when both the ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULL were in the sheep field , CATTLE EGRET still, 1 m WHEATEAR . A visiting birder Graeme from Hove reported a 3cy CASPIAN GULL - dont get many of them on the patch. Offshore 2 TEAL ( on sea )., 1 BLACK T DIVER and a GREAT N DIVER flew east at 15.55. 16 SWALLOw over WED 5 April A sunny morning with only a  light breeze. Highlight of the day was a SPOONBILL (147)  which flew onto South Huish Marsh at 10.00 . It was an adult and was unringed . Stayed until 16.36 when Steve Hopper watched it climb high and leave towards Torbay . First record for 2 years .The CATTLE EGRET still showing well. TUES 4 APRIL A cloudy overcast morning with a few brief sunny intervals . A light N breeze increased during the morning to F3/4 Started with a 45 min Garden watch from 07.35 - 24 species recorded , undoubted highlight was at 08.00 when a F MARSH HARRIER flew down the marsh leaving to the NW, could be the same F bird recorded twice in March , no records throughout South Devon so where is it going ? Also had a SAND MARTIN, 2 BULLFINCH, m REED BUNTING and 4 TEAL A brief seawatch produced a feeding flock of 60+ GANNET - 3 Dolphin also, 1 GREAT N DIVER flew east at 08.55 . On the sea 3 SHELDUCK , late morning 3 COMMON SCOTER on the sea , joined later by  another 11 . On South Huish Marsh only the GLAUCOUS GULL showing this morning - from 10.05- 10.20 , returned at around 11.00 still present when i left at 12.00.Also on the  Marsh a CATTLE EGRET ( also few off to join the herd of cattle in a nearby field ) , 6 LITTLE EGRET, duck numbers same as yesterday, 1 CURLEW , 3 SWALLOW and a SAND MARTIN over. Only 1 WATER PIPIT today. 18.00 update - the ICELAND GULL in the field behind the Cafe . A 1w GREAT B B GULL had a ring - LCU 6 , will try and find out more info At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 3 GREENSHANK, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 3 SWALLOW, 1 SPARROWHAWK . At the W/end Rod had a HOUSE MARTIN Yesterday Alan ringed - 3 CHIFFY, 1m BLACKCAP, i BULLFINCH with 2 SWALLOW over, also flushed a MOORHENfirst at this site since Dec 2013 MON 3 APRIL An overcast morning clearing to provide sunny periods by 11.00, F3 SSW wind . Joined by Graham and Bob. 08.45 from the carp ark - 6 GANNET, 10 SHELDUCK, 13 GUILLEMOT, 1 RAZORBILL . At 09.33 a PUFFIN ( 146 ) flew east with a GUILLEMOT - nice size comparison . On South Huish Marsh - 1 2s ICELAND GULL, 1 1w/2s GLAUCOUS GULL- apart from  45min around 11.30 was present all day - reported by Dave P , Alan D and Pete A this pm .1m SHOVELER, 2 WIGEON, 2 CURLEW ( flew in 12.15 )  3 SWALLOW, 1 COMMON GULL 3 WATER PIPIT ( afternoon ). Along the tidal Rd at Aveton Gifford 4 REDSHANK and 2 COMMON SANDPIPER reported by John Interesting to see the White Winged Gulls have kept returning .   SUN 2 APRIL A lovely sunny day with only a light NW breeze . You need to start out early to sometimes sight the best birds ,which Paul Bouldon does regularly - at 07.00 he watched a GREAT WHITE EGRET(145 ) fly over South Huish Marsh and continue up the valley - later at 11.00 reported by Lesley on West Charleton Marsh . Also on the Marsh this morning - 1m GARGANEY, a pair of WIGEON, 1 m SHOVELER, 25 TEAL, . The 2s ICELAND GULL showed well all morning ., 1 WATER PIPIT, 2 WHITE WAGTAIL , 5 LITTLE EGRET, 1 SWALLOW over. On the rocks 14 TURNSTONE An article on Birdwatching for beginers in the Sunday Telegraph listed the top 20 sites to visit in the UK - they had Thurlestone Bay as no .15 . Someone must be reading this blog SAT 1 APRIL Fantastic start to the month .Morning of sunny periods with showers later. At 13.00 whilst topping up my feeders picked up a large SWIFT over the marsh near the Golf Club , white belly and size confirmed it as an ALPINE SWIFT  ( 144 )-a life UK tick for me . Only 2hrs later did i find the post from Rob Macklin that he saw one around 10.30 at Bolt Head ( about 8 miles from here ) Also this morning - 1 RED T DIVER flew east at 09.15, 2 COMMON SCOTER on the sea., also 1 1w MED GULL On South Huish Marsh - At 10.30 a 2w ICELAND GULL, a F RUFF ( 143 ), 1m SHOVELER, 1m WIGEON, 2 WATER PIPIT. At 14.30 Alan Eric and Roger had a 2s GLAUCOUS GULL and a m GARGANEY at 17.00 GARGANEY still showing , 2 SWALLOW over. At South Milton Ley 2 singing WILLOW WARBLER , CHIFFY , GOLDCREST , 2 SNIPE At HUXTON CROSS 2 RED L PARTRIDGE , 1 YELLOWHAMMER CYPRUS Visit 22 - 29 MAR A superb weeks birding with Graham Daw ( and our wives Anne & Daphne ) we managed a record species list of 125 which for me included 6 life ticks . Will post a full report over the weekend . My ticks were - MASKED SHRIKE , RUPPELLS WARBLER, ROCK THRUSH, REDSTART ( Eastern Sub Specie ), PIED KINGFISHER and BAILLONS CRAKE