THURLESTONE BAY BIRDS MARCH 2019 An early start for Spring Migrants - stormy weather on 3rd (storm Freya) and gales from 10th - 15th, surprisingly settled and warm from 26th. 11 new species for the year including SAND MARTIN, HOUSE MARTIN, SWALLOW, WHEATEAR, WILLOW WARBLER, PURPLE SANDPIPER, RUFF, LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, GREAT CRESTED GREBE and SANDWICH TERN - took the years total to 139 (c/f 2018 -141, 2017 - 142). 114 species recorded during the month (c/f 2018 - 125, 2017 - 128). Highlights - GEESE and DUCKS BARNACLE GOOSE - 2 on South Huish Marsh until 7th. SHELDUCK - At South Efford Marsh max of 14 on 13th. WIGEON - On 7th 50 on the sea and 32 on South Huish Marsh, at South Efford Marsh max of 85 on 11th. TEAL - Max on South Huish Marsh 50 on 5th/6th and at South Efford Marsh 30 on 6th. COMMON SCOTER - Max of 10 on 31st. GOOSANDER  - Near Hatch Bridge 1 m and 7 f on 12th. DIVERS, FULMAR, GANNET and GREBE RED THROATED DIVER - Singles on 3rd, 5th, 13th and 3 on 29th. BLACK THROATED DIVER - 1 on sea on 6th. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER - Singles on 2nd, 5th and 30th. FULMAR - Max of 10 on 13th. GANNET - Max of 210 on 6th. GREAT CRESTED GREBE - 1 In the Bay on 29th.. EGRETS and WADERS CATTLE EGRET - 2 flew up the Valley at Aveton Gifford on 9th. OYSTERCATCHER - Max of 15 on 1st. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER - 1 on South Huish Marsh on 30th with 2 on 31st. RINGED PLOVER - Max of 4 on the rocks on 1st. PURPLE SANDPIPER - 2 on the rocks on 6th. DUNLIN - Surprisingly Only 1 Record a single on 30th. RUFF - 4 flew into South Huish Marsh evening of 29th, still there on 30th but only 1 on 31st. SNIPE - Last of the month 1 on 30th. BLACK TAILED GODWIT - the flock of 38 at South Efford Marsh moved across to South Huish Marsh on 23rd when 42 logged late evening. CURLEW - Max at South Efford Marsh of 22 on 1st, 4 flew into South Huish Marsh to roost on 2nd. COMMON SANDPIPER - 1 on River Avon on 1st. GREEN SANDPIPER -  Singles on North Marsh on 1st and 6th. GREENSHANK - Max at South Efford Marsh 5 on 4th and 17th. REDSHANK - Max at South Efford Marsh 6 on 11th. TURNSTONE - Max on the rocks 9 0n 5th. GULLS and TERNS MEDITERRANEAN GULL - Max of 3 on 3rd. LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL - 170 sheltering on South Huish Marsh on 3rd (highest count here for some years). YELLOW LEGGED GULL - 1 on South Huish Marsh on 3rd. SANDWICH TERN - First of the year in the Bay on 31st. HIRUNDINES and WARBLERS SAND MARTIN - 5 at South Efford Marsh on 1st is the earliest record  I am aware of - next was 1 on 12th and a max at South Huish Marsh of 33 on 31st. SWALLOW - first was at South Huish Marsh on 13th with a max of 5 on 31st. HOUSE MARTIN - first on South Huish Marsh on 23rd with 3 on 31st. CETTIS WARBLER - 3 at South Milton Ley on 27th. CHIFFY - Max of 9 Ringed At South Milton Ley on 27th. SIBERIAN CHIFFY - 1 ringed at South Milton Ley on 30th. WILLOW WARBLER - 1 ringed at South Milton Ley on 27th. BLACKCAP - Max of 3 in Gardens At Aveton Gifford on 7th. MISCELLANEOUS REDWING - last Report was 10 over South Milton Ley on 4th. WHEATEAR - 3 on South Huish Marsh on 23rd with a max of 4 there on 31st. WHITE WAGTAIL - An early migrant on South Huish Marsh on 10th. WATER PIPIT - A max of 4 on South Huish Marsh on 31st starting to show signs of nice summer plumage. April always produces the largest monthly species count of the year with arrival of summer migrants and spring passage of DUCKS, WADERS, SKUAS and TERNS. thurlestonebaybirdsco.uk