MON 27 NOV 

After a stormy and wet night the weather did not improve until 10.30 , a F7 Wnw wind gave very rough seas .

on South Huish Marsh - 30 WIGEON , 30 TEAL , 32 MALLARD ,

1F GADWALL , 2 MUTE SWAN , 2 LITTLE GREBE , 8 BLACK T GODWIT , 

10 SNIPE AND 1 LAPWING .

OFFSHORE IN A BRIEF WATCH 20 GANNET 

ERIC HAD A RINGTAIL HARRIER FLY OVER HIS GARDEN THIS MORNING 

SUN 26 NOV 

An overcast cold morning with a light N breeze .

On South Huish Marsh - 8 BLACK T GODWIT , 5 SNIPE , 1 LAPWING , 30 TEAL , 23 WIGEON , 5 LITTLE EGRET , 2 MUTE SWAN , 1AD MED GULL , 2 CHIFFY , 7 LONG T TIT

Have been given permission by  a local farmer to walk round his stubble fields - on future postings they will be referred to as 

Bantham Lane stubble - first visit at 11.45 produced -

8 SONG THRUSH , 3 BLACKBIRD , 1 MISTLE THRUSH , REDWING , FIELDFARE , 6 RED L PARTRIDGE , 20+SKYLARK , 3 STONECHAT ,

5 STOCK DOVE , 3 YELLOWHAMMER , 1 REDPOLL ( over -West ) ,

5 CHAFFINCH , 1 SISKIN , 1 FIRECREST , 1 SNIPE 

Don't know whether the stubble will be left until the Spring , good views over the surrounding valley - interesting new site on the patch 

In Eric's garden this morning a FIRECREST & a pair of BLACKCAP 

THURS 22 & FRI 23 NOV 

On South Huish Marsh 20 WIGEON , 25 TEAL , 1F GADWALL, 6 BLACK T GODWIT , 12 SNIPE 1LAPWING , 4 LITTLE EGRET .

ON THE ROCKS - 9 TURNSTONE , 1 DUNLIN , 

A GREAT N DIVER flew east at 10.25 today 

At South Efford Marsh Eric reports the juv SPOONBILL , 1 CATTLE EGRET , 80 TEAL , 12 WIGEON . 

AT Huxton Cross this morning a flock of 70+FIELDFARE , 5 REDWING , 20 SKYLARK, 4 CHAFFINCH ,  local farmer reported a WOODCOCK flushed yesterday .

Hopefully this cold northerly wind might bring some passage 

WED 22 NOV 

A cloudy start with some sunny periods later , gale F8 SW wind with very rough seas . Joined by Terry this morning .

On South Huish Marsh - 25TEAL, 5 WIGEON , 1F GADWALL , 12 SNIPE , 1 LAPWING , 5 BLACK T GODWIT , 1 CATTLE EGRET - NICE TO HAVE ONE BACK ON THE MARSH - 150+ STARLING 

 Because of the rough seas very little offshore, 

on the rocks - 27 TURNSTONE ( highest total for some time ), 7 RINGED PLOVER .

At South Efford Marsh Dave P reports - the Juv SPOONBILL again , 

1 CATTLE EGRET , 10 LITTLE EGRET , 65 TEAL , 10 WIGEON , 

3 REDSHANK , 1 GREENSHANK , 1 BLACK T GODWIT , 1 KINGFISHER 

RECORD SHOTS OF SANDERLING on the rocks 21 NOV 2017 

TUES 21 NOV 

 A morning of low cloud with a brisk F5/6 SW wind .

A walk round South Huish Marsh at 09.25 produced - 30 TEAL , 3 WIGEON , 15 MALLARD , 1F GADWALL, 2 LITTLE GREBE , 25 SNIPE ,

6 BLACK T GODWIT , 1 LAPWING 

Sea watch from 10.20 - 11.45 - First bird to fly through the Bay a 

year tick F RED BREASTED MERGANSER ( 202 ) , only a single record last year and that was on 28th Nov .also - 30 GANNET , 11 KITTIWAKE , 12 AUKS .

On the rocks - 12 TURNSTONE , 7 RINGED PLOVER , 2 SANDERLING 

( first record since Sept ) 

Eric had a good morning at South Efford Marsh with a patch tick - 

the juv SPOONBILL feeding on the estuary, also a CATTLE EGRET , 

3 COMMON GULL , waders the same as previous report .

MON 20 NOV 

A big change in the weather- 100% cloud and an increasing F6/7 Wsw wind 

Joined by Graham this morning -Offshore - 105+GANNET ,

21 KITTIWAKE , 4 COMMON SCOTER -W , 33 AUKDS -E , 

On the rocks - 4 TURNSTONE , 5 RINGED PLOVER .

On South Huish Marsh - 5 BLACK T GODWIT , 19 SNIPE , 1 LAPWING , 22 TEAL, 19 MALLARD ( highest for weeks ) 3 WIGEON , 1F GADWALL, 2 LITTLE GREBE 

SUN 19 NOV .

A morning with variable cloud , calm conditions .

Nothing offshore , on South Huish Marsh - 15 SNIPE , 6 BLACK T GODWIT , 1 LAPWING , 

20 TEAL , 3 WIGEON , 2 LITTLE GREBE .IN THE COPSE / GARDENS -

BULLFINCH , FIRECREST , LONG T TIT , SONG THRUSH , GREAT SP WOODY 

At South Efford Marsh Eric had a much better morning -

6 REDSHANK , 7 GREENSHANK , 10 DUNLIN , 2 COMMON SANDPIPER , 60+ LAPWING , 1 WATER PIPIT , 12 WIGEON .

Looks like the dry and calm conditions likely to change from Wed with F8+ winds and some heavy rain 

SAT 18 NOV 

A cold frosty morning with a light breeze , some high cloud .

A 45 min Garden Watch produced 31 species, only new specie for the week was a F BULLFINCH 

A short visit to South Milton Ley - 20+ BLACKBIRD , 2 SONG THRUSH , 6 REDWING , 2 WATER RAIL, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 1F SPARROWHAWK , 1 FIRECREST , 3 GOLDCREST , 6 CHIFFY , 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFY , yesterday Alan D had 3 FIRECREST & a SIBERIAN CHIFFY 

Record shots of a HERON ( on the rocks ) , Pair of WIGEON on South Huish Marsh 17 NOV 2017

FRI 17 NOV 

A cold sunny morning with a light NE breeze . A Garden Watch for an hour from 07.45 only produced 27 species, numbers well down on previous days .

On South Huish Marsh - 15 SNIPE, 1 LAPWING , 6 BLACK T GODWIT ,30 TEAL, 2 WIGEON , 2 LITTLE GREBE .

Offshore 10 GANNET , 5 GUILLEMOT &1RAZORBILL(All on sea ) 

Along the tidal road early morning a juv SPOONBILL ( flew off over 

north marsh , could not be relocated . This is the 3rd report of a juv in the last 11days , must be hiding somewhere on the Kingsbridge Est. ) Also on the Marsh a CATTLE EGRET , 12 LITTLE EGRET , 2 LAPWING , 1 WATER PIPIT , 19 LONG T TIT , 4 CHIFFY & 2 FIRECREST ( all in one flock ) 

THURS 16 NOV 

Started off 100% cloud which started to clear by 09.00 

late news for Wed from James K - a PURPLE SANDPIPER on the rocks in Hope Cove , also of interest from Bolt Tail watching Blue Fin Tuna leaping out of the sea at the same time as a feeding frenzy of GANNET in the Bay 

decided this morning to do an extended Garden Watch - 07.40- 08.40 and 08.55 -10.30 - picked the wrong morning numbers well down and still only33 species - highlights - 

12 BLACKBIRD , 32 CHAFFINCH, 12 GOLDFINCH ,21 SKYLARK , 

7 LONG T TIT , 3 GOLDCREST, 1 MISTLE THRUSH , 8 PIED WAGTAIL, 5 CHIFFY , 2 RAVEN . 740 CANADA GEESE FLEW SE . I ONLY HAVE A SMALL VIEW OF THE BAY , STILL PICKED UP52 GANNET .

Had a brief visit with Eric to the tidal road at Aveton Gifford - 

2 GREEN SHANK , 2 REDSHANK , 2 COMMON SANDPIPER , 1 LITTLE GREBE , 1 GREY WAGTAIL . IN A GARDEN - 1 FIREGREST, 3 GOLDCREST , 9 LONG T TIT , 4 NUTHATCH , 3 SONG THRUSH , 8 REDWING ,1F SPARROWHAWK 

WED 15 NOV 

A cloudy morning , milder and only a light breeze . Highlight today was another good watch from my garden -07.45- 09.00 - 33 species inc -

16CHAFFINCH, 14 GOLDFINCH, 3 GREENFINCH , 2 REED BUNTING , 2M 1F CIRL BUNTING ,3 CHIFFY , 1M2F BLACKCAP , 2 GOLDCREST , 2 FIRECREST , 2 RED L PARTRIDGE , 1 JAY , 1 GREAT SP WOODY , 1 WATER RAIL, 22 BLACKBIRD , 6 SONGTHRUSH, 14 STARLING 

On South Huish Marsh -5 BLACK T GODWIT , 2 DUNLIN , 1 LAPWING ,12 SNIPE , 20 TEAL , 1F GADWALL , 1 L GREBE , 1 WATER PIPIT.

1M BULLFINCH , 2 SONG THRUSH , 4 STONECHAT 

ON THE ROCKS - 11 TURNSTONE , 7 RINGED PLOVER .

OFFSHORE - A FEW GANNET , 22 KITTIWAKE 

TUES 14 NOV 

A cloudy morning with a F5/6 SwWind .joined by Graham today .

offshore 245 GANNET ( inc 2 feeding frenzy flocks ) , 4 COMMON SCOTER -E, 12 WIGEON , 16 KITTIWAKE -E , 6 AUKS -E .At 11.40 picked up an ad SABINE'S GULL flying east just beyond Thurlestone Rock ( 2nd patch record this year ) 

on the rocks - 10 TURNSTONE , 9 RINGED PLOVER 

On South Huish Marsh a new record count of CANADA GOOSE - 900+

( inc 3 White & 1 hybrid ) 30 TEAL , 5 BLACK T GODWIT , 15 SNIPE , 1 LAPWING , 1 KINGFISHER , 1GREY WAGTAIL , amongst 150 + 

BLACK H GULL 1 1st W MED GULL . 1 L GREBE . 

In the gardens a FIRECREST . 

MON 13 NOV 

A clear , cold calm morning looked good for some viz mig , watched from 07.30-08.45 only 30 species - highlights -

900 WOOD PIGEON , 27 CHAFFINCH , 10 GOLDFINCH , 18 BLACKBIRD , 8 SONG THRUSH , 4 CHIFFY , 2 CIRL BUNTING , 1 WATER RAIL , 1 STONECHAT, 1 SPARROWHAWK , 1 GREAT SP WOODY .

Went with Alan And Eric to East Budleigh to look at the Italian Sparrow , after 90 mins it showed up on the feeders , interesting bird . On the way back stopped off at Great Haldon where we had HAWFINCH flocks of 2 ,9, 5. ( the last 5 could have been part of the9 seen earlier ) 

Alan Ringed 36 new birds at South Milton Ley this morning inc-

6 GOLDCREST, 2 FIRECREST, 2 CETTIS WARBLER , 1 REDWING , 12 CHIFFY ( 1 was a tristis - first this winter ). Also on site - 1 BRAMBLING , 2 SISKIN , 4 WATER RAIL 

SUN 12 NOV 

 A cold but sunny morning with a F5 NNW wind 

Offshore 70+ GANNET , 6 GUILLEMOT , 4 KITTIWAKE , 8 COMMON SCOTER -E .On the rocks just 1 TURNSTONE .

ON South Huish Marsh - 6 BLACK T GODWIT , 15 SNIPE , 20 TEAL , amongst the 100+ BLACK H GULL a 1w MED GULL . A count of the CANADA GEESE close to 600 .

in the copse 3 FIELDFARE 

At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 11 GREENSHANK , 6 REDSHANK , 6 DUNLIN , 22 CURLEW , 4 COMMON SANDPIPER , 1 BLACK T GODWIT , 2 KINGFISHER , 1 WATER PIPIT and a FIRECREST

Lower down the estuary there is flock of 120 WIGEON 

SAT 11 NOV 

A cloudy morning with some light rain , only report today birds in my garden between 08.10- 08.40 -

2 FIRECREST , 2 CIRL BUNTING , 14 REDWING - NW , SINGLE GREEN & GREAT SP WOODY, 2 CHIFFY , 9 GOLDFINCH , 1 LITTLE EGRET -S 

SNIPE & LAPWING at SOUTH HUISH MARSH 10 NOV 2017

FRI 10 NOV 

Rain/ showers until 07.30 , cloudy thereafter , only a light breeze.

Viz mig watch from my garden 07.40- 08.45 35 species , very much a Thrush morning - 33 BLACKBIRD , 1 SONG THRUSH , 60 FIELDFARE - NW , 43 REDWING - NW , ALSO - 1 JAY, 5 CIRL BUNTING ( 2 + 3 flew SE ) 2 CHIFFY , 1 SNIPE 

Afternoon visit to South Huish Marsh - 6 BLACK T GODWIT , 12 SNIPE , 1 LAPWING , 30 TEAL , 2 LITTLE GREBE 

THURS 9 NOV 

A morning off the patch with Eric in search of HAWFINCH At Great Haldon. After a fruitless 4mile walk around the Butterfly trail we were rescued by Bill McDonald and Roy and driven back to the car park . Managed to find the area where they had been seen - at least 20 in flight , with 3 settling in a tree to provide some brief but good views . Other sightings were- SPARROWHAWK , GREAT SP WOODY , NUTHATCH , SISKIN , REDPOLL.

STOPPED AT Buckfastleigh on the way back - F GOOSANDER , KINGFISHER AND GREY WAGTAIL by the river .

Patch news restricted to Dave Pake's report from South Efford Marsh - the usual species with 1WATER PIPIT , 100+ Teal , 2 WIGEON 

WED 8 NOV 

A cloudless early morning with a frost , no breeze .

viz mig watch from my garden. 07.35-08.40 produced 37 species - at 07.40 a JACK SNIPE flew past only 30 feet away and at head height before landing in the marsh - first site record for a few years , 1050 WOOD PIGEON - SE , 3 BULLFINCH, 10 CHAFFINCH. 20 GREENFINCH , 1 M CIRL BUNTING , 2 REED BUNTING , 3 CHIFFY , 1 GOLDCREST , 1F BLACKCAP 2 GREAT SP &1 GREEN WOODY , A FLOCK OF 50 +FIELDFARE flew into the hotel grounds 

On South Huish Marsh a juv SPOONBILL ( still there this pm despite being moved regularly by the CANADA GOOSE FLOCK), 5 SNIPE ,

4 BLACK T GODWIT , 22 TEAL , 2 LITTLE GREBE , . 5 CATTLE EGRET IN WITH the CATTLE , later flew onto the Marsh .

On the rocks - 6 RINGED PLOVER , 4 TURNSTONE 

Nick reported at South Milton Ley , a flock of REDWING also a PEREGRINE over .

At South Efford Marsh Eric reports the only change were now 2 BLACK T GODWIT 

CATTLE EGRET & SPOONBILL - SOUTH HUISH MARSH 8 NOV 2017

TUES 7 NOV 

Almost a complete wash out - very heavy rain set in by 09.30 .

offshore 30 GANNET battling E in a F6/7 SSW .150+ BLACK HEADED GULL IN THE BAY , also 135 on the Marsh ( could have included some from the Bay ) 4 BLACK T GODWIT, in with the cattle 5 Cattle Egret 

MON 6 NOV 

A crisp clear morning , first frost , no breeze ,. Expected a good WOOD PIGEON COUNT only I big flock of 1400 and 3 of 100 . A total of 33 species recorded in an hour from o7.30-inc  4 RAVEN , 20 CHAFFINCH , 2 REED BUNTING , 3F BULLFINCH , 15 REDWING ,1M CIRLBUNTING , WATER RAIL , SPARROWHAWK , 2 CHIFFY .At 13.30 a F/IMM BLACK REDSTART

At South Huish Marsh - 15 TEAL, 2 WIGEON , 2 LITTLE GREBE , 2 BLACK T GODWIT , 4 SNIPE , 1 WATER PIPIT , 1 GREY WAGTAIL , 

2 FIRECREST , GOLDCREST, 2 CHIFFY , 2M BULLFINCH .

AMONGST the Frisian cattle - 6 CATTLE EGRET- NICE TO SEE AN INCREASE AGAIN 

Amongst the 550 CANADA GEESE are 3 White farmyard type als a hybrid that is going to easily confuse into thinking it is a WHITE FRONTED GOOSE it is a hybrid - photo follows 

on the rocks 6 RINGED PLOVER , 3 TURNSTONE AND A F/IMM BLACK REDSTART

SUN 5 NOV 

No viz mig this morning due to heavy showers at 07.15- 08.10 

Offshore - 26 GANNET -W , 10 KITTIWAKE -W , 1M COMMON SCOTER -E , 20 AUKS -E .

0n South Huish Marsh - 1 BLACK T GODWIT , 15 SNIPE , 20 TEAL, 

2 WIGEON , 2 LITTLE GREBE , in the Olive Trees - 5 GOLDCREST , 

3 FIRECREST , 17 LONG T TIT . 1 CHIFFY 

ON the rocks a F/Juv BLACK REDSTART .

THANKS TO Steph and James K for info on the Firecrest and Black Redstart .

Late news from Saturday - Alan had a SPOONBILL over Lincombe Boat Yard at 15.00 heading west , reported later on South Huish Marsh , no sign of it this morning .

At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - same waders as previous days , the m BLACK REDSTART , 1 FIRECREST , 1 YELLOW B WARBLER ( heard ) , 2 KINGFISHER and the WATER PIPIT 

SAT 4 NOV 

A quiet day on the patch - a walk round South Milton Ley with Nick , Alan , Eric and Roger - deciding where to put the proposedfeeding station near to the screen .Species picked up - 15 REDWING, 

25+ BLACKBIRD, 2 SONG THRUSH , 15  LONG T TIT , BULLFINCH, 2 GOLDCREST AND A SPARROWHAWK .

THis afternoon over my garden - KESTREL , SPARROWHAWK , GREEN WOODY 

FRI 3 NOV 

Another clear morning with no breeze , only 40% high cloud . Quietest viz mig morning this week . Watched from 07.30-08.40 

30 species recorded . Highlights -

WOOD PIGEON -4,200- SOME CONFUSION AS FLOCKS CIRCLED OVER 

SOAR - 300 RETURNED NE 

1F BLACK REDSTART , 1 STONECHAT ,1 SKYLARK , 21 CHAFFINCH , 

11 GREENFINCH , 12 GOLDFINCH , 7 BLACKBIRD , 6 SONG THRUSH 

( flew E together - probably having roosted in the Hotel grounds )

at 09.40 at Huxton Cross - 40 LINNET , 35 CHAFFINCH , 1M BRAMBLING ( first this winter , always a scarce bird on the patch )

2M YELLOWHAMMER . Returned at 11.30 when 100+ CHAFFINCH AND 2 FIELDFARE . A local farmer confirmed a BARN OWL RESIDENT ON HIS LAND 

Met up with Eric & Lesley to view the tidal road and garden - not as productive as yesterday - 3 GREENSHANK , 2 COMMON SANDPIPER, 4 MISTLE THRUSH , 2 SONG THRUSH , 6 REDWING , 5 BLACKBIRD , 2 NUTHATCH , 3 GOLDCREST , 1 GREY WAGTAIL 

AT 13.45 Eric had a M BLACK REDSTART IN HIS GARDEN 

THURS 2 NOV 

Early morning started with clear skies , although colder than previous days , no breeze . Viz mig from my garden 07.20- 08.45 

32 species recorded.

WOOD PIGEON TOTALLED 5,100 - ALMOST ALL THROUGH BY 08.00 , 

11 GOLDFINCH, 30 CHAFFINCH, 6 SKYLARK , 1 SONG THRUSH ., 

18 BLACKBIRD , 1 RAVEN , 3 JAY . AT 08.35 2 BLACK REDSTART ( m and f ) were on the roof 

Quick visit to look over the Bay found 3 WIGEON -E 7 SKLARK -N and 190 BLACK H GULL ON THE ROCKS 

En route to Aveton Gifford stopped at Huxton Cross - 2m YELLOWHAMMER , 30 SKYLARK , 11 CHAFFINCH , a MERLIN FLEW S,

AT 17.00 6 FIELDFARE GOING TO ROOST .

Met Mike Pope at North Marsh where there were 3 GREEN SANPIPER  

Along the tidal road -3 GREENSHANK , 2 REDSHANK, 2 COMMON SANDPIPER , CURLEW. Having parked at the far end of the road had what can only be described as a THRUSH bonanza- feeding on a tree with plenty of berries - 8 MISTLE THRUSH , 7 SONG THRUSH, 7 BLACKBIRD , 4 REDWING , ALSO 5 NUTHATCH , 1 COAL TIT , 1 GREAT SP WOODY AND A GREY WAGTAIL ( over ) 

A nice change from looking at 100's of Canada's !

Alan ringed49 birds at South Milton Ley - 2 FIRECREST, 7 GOLDCREST, 19 CHIFFY ( inc 2 retransmit ,1 UK control ) 1 f CETTIS WARBLER ( retrap ) , 2 BULLFINCH , 1 REED BUNTING , 1 GREAT SP WOODY .Also on site 5 WATER RAIL, 20 BLACKBIRD , 15 REDWING .

6 SISKIN ( flew over )