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THURLESTONE BAY BIRDS

JUNE 2018

One of the warmest and driest months on record particularly in the last 10 days winds almost continually from east.   Some poor visibility on 17th and 19th offshore due to low cloud and sea mist.

Only 1 new species added to the year list - CUCKOO taking the total to 176 (c/f 2017 -185, 2016 - 167).

A total of 107 species recorded during the month (c/f 2017- 113, 2016-96).

Main highlights

GEESE, DUCKS and DIVER

GREYLAG GOOSE - An unusual record with a very smart bird on the rocks on 21st.

SHELDUCK - At South Efford Marsh an adult looking after 9 ducklings on 3rd.

TEAL - Early returning birds at South Huish Marsh were a pair on 4th/5th, 4 on 8th and 2 on 15th.

COMMON SCOTER - Only Recorded on 3 days with a max of 12 on 4th.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER -  1 on the sea off Hope Cove on 4th.

SHEARWATERS and GANNET

MANX SHEARWATER - Max on 2nd when 157 flew E.

BALEARIC SHEARWATER -1  flew E on 14th.

GANNET - Max of 65 on 14th included 17 Juv’s.

SPOONBILL - The bird which has over wintered Spent all the month onSouth Efford Marsh.

RAPTORS

RED KITE - At 16.00 on 6th a flock of 9 flew over Aveton Gifford (a patch record total).

WADERS - A total of 9 species recorded.

OYSTERCATCHER - Max of 27 on 23rd.

LAPWING - One flew off the sea on 6th.

SANDERLING - Max of 12 on 1st.

DUNLIN - Max of 3 on 5th.

BLACK TAILED GODWIT - 3 on South Efford Marsh on 30th.

WHIMBREL - Max of 4 on 1st.

CURLEW - First returning birds at South Efford Marsh 3 on 26th.

COMMON SANDPIPER - 1 on tidal road on 22nd.

GREEN SANDPIPER - An early passage migrant, 1 flew over towards North Marsh on 25th.

GULLS, TERNS and AUKS

MEDITERRANEAN GULL - Singles on 14th and 30th.

SANDWICH TERN - Singles on 4th and 13th.

PUFFIN - 1 Flew E on 14th.

CUCKOO -1 at South Milton Ley on 6th and 1 flew over South Huish Marsh on 18th.

SWIFT - A total of 29 flew NW on 21st.

WARBLERS 

CHIFFCHAFF - Plenty of birds in a variety of sites around the patch.

WILLOW WARBLER - A Juv Along the tidal road on 1st.

BLACKCAP - birds throughout the patch with a total of 5 Ringed.

GARDEN WARBLER - A pair by the Sewage Works throughout the month.

WHITETHROAT - Several pairs along the coast path, 2 ringed on 2nd.

SEDGE WARBLER - Reported from 4 sites, a total of 13 Ringed At South Milton Ley..

REED WARBLER - Reported from 3 sites - A total of 30 Ringed at South Milton Ley inc a juv on 6th.

MISCELLANEOUS 

TREE CREEPER - 1 ringed at South Milton Ley on 29th.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER - Recorded from a total of 4 sites although all singles.

STONECHAT - 3 pairs along the coast path all with young.

GREY WAGTAIL - A pair along the tidal road.

YELLOWHAMMER - Birds Along the hedgerows around the lanes, 1 ringed at South Milton Ley on 22nd.

REED BUNTING - Recorded in small numbers at South Milton Ley.

With the hot weather continuing into the first week of July very little evidence of any returning migration.

Mike Passman

thurlestonebaybirds.co.uk