JANUARY 2022.
SOUTH MILTON LEY - 16 JAN
The annual Reed cutting will take place on Sun 16 Jan from 09.30
Weather conditions look favourable. The area to be cut is around 300 metres in from the coast path just beyond the ringing hut .
car parking available in the camping field ( free ) or either "Bob's Car park £5 or National Trust free for members .
Wellingtons are essential, raking tools needed, any old newspapers for lighting the bonfires welcome
If further info required contac Nick Townsend -07989 717383, or by email - gillnickt@yahoo.co.uk
MON 17 JAN
After a frosty start a lovely sunny winters day .
Seawatch 09.00-10.00
50 GANNET -NW plus a feeding flock off Bigbury Bay of at least 100,
35 RAZORMOT-NW, 1 M COMMON SCOTER- SE
On beach/rocks - 14 OYSTERCATCHER, 10 TURNSTONE, 25 PIED WAGTAIL
On South Huish Marsh- another reduction in birds - only 25 WIGEON
40 TEAL , 1 SHELDUCK, 1 LITTLE EGRET, 1 HERON , 8 SNIPE
At Hatch Bridge - no sign of any PINK F GOOSE , 2 SISKIN (103)
6 LONG T TIT, 1 COAL TIT , 3 GOLDCREST, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 2 JAY, mixed flock of 25+ FIELDFARE/ REDWING, 3 MISTLE THRUSH.
At Aveton Gifford- 1 REED BUNTING , BULLFINCH
Information from another farmer of a pair of BARN OWL occupying a nest box
SUN 16 JAN
Cloudy morning with light showers, wind WNW F4
Limited tine this morning- 45 min Seawatch produced-
205 GANNET -SE , 1175 RAZORMOT-SE, 50 KITTIWAKE-SE ,
4 COMMON SCOTER-SE
South Huish Marsh- 60 WIGEON , 40 TEAL, 250 BLACK HEADED GULL, 1 AD MED GULL, 1 2W COMMON GULL, 10 SNIPE ,
1 PEREGRINE over ( 101 )
Report received of at least 2 BARN OWL ( 102 ) on the patch
Hatch Bridge - 4 PINK FOOTED GOOSE still present
SAT 15 JAN
A cloudy morning improved remarkably when at 10.15 I watched the 4 PINK FOOTED GOOSE in a field near Hatch Bridge ( same field the GLOSSY IBIS were in upto 2 JAN )-quite a few years since I last saw these on the patch.
3Photos added
Next stop Gara Bridge- still no sign of DIPPERS ( Richie had 1 late afternoon) , 3 MARSH TIT, 4 LONG TAILED TIT, 2 NUTHATCH
FRI 14 JAN
Another very sunny morning with a NNE F3 breeze.
offshore 09.00-10.15
230 GANNET, 140 KITTIWAKE, 815 RAZORMOT-SE , 1 RED T DIVER
on sea .
Water levels dropping on the Marsh , big reduction in Duck to -
42 WIGEON , 45 TEAL, 1 BARNACLE GOOSE , FERAL PIGEON ( 99 )
In the top field off the lane to the sewage works - 3 REED BUNTING
( 100 )
At Aveton Gifford Eric reports - GOLDCREST, 3 CHIFFY, 5 FIELDFARE
1 BLACKCAP, GREY WAGTAIL , TAWNY OWL .
THURS 13 JAN
Nice sunny morning , calm conditions.
09.00-10.15- Offshore
195 GANNET ( feeding flock of 150 ), 550 RAZORMOT-se in 1 hour ,
70 WIGEON on sea at 09.55
On rocks - 10 OYSTERCATCHER, 4 RINGED PLOVER
On South Huish Marsh
10 WIGEON , 80 TEAL, 12 SNIPE, 8 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 BARNACLE GOOSE , 3 HERON , 2 LITTLE EGRET, 1 SONG THRUSH
No sign of the WHITE FRONTED GOOSE
Report from yesterday of 4 PINK FOOTED GOOSE at Hatch Bridge.
WED 12 JAN
Sunny, calm day - decided to go over to Exminster Marshes and Exe Est - lots of birds to see
Exminster Marshes- plenty of LAPWING , 50 SHOVELER , 30 PINTAIL, WIGEON , TEAL , TUFTED DUCK , SHELDUCK, 1 M GADWALL .2 F MARSH HARRIER .many CURLEW.
EXE Estuary from the Powderham bridge - 2 visits before &after high tide ( latter was best ) - 1200 GOLDEN PLOVER , 100'S AVOCET
1000'S DUNLIN , many REDSHANK , 20 GREY PLOVER , 3 RINGED PLOVER, 2 KNOT, 100 + PINTAIL , 5 RED BREASTED MERGANSER,
20 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 2 EGYPTIAN GOOSE, MANY BRENT GOOSE
On a pool near to Starcoss - 62 CATTLE EGRET , 1 GREENSHANK
Offshore at Dawlish Warren - 32 GREAT CRESTED GREBE ,
2 RED T DIVER, 1 GREAT N DIVER
Alan had his first ringing session at South Milton Ley - 65 new birds inc - 41 CHIIFY ( 2 uk controls ) 3 SIBERIAN CHIFFY, 6 GOLDCREST, 3 BULLFINCH. On site 2 CETTIS WARBLER ( 98 )
TUES 11 JAN
Fog rolling in throughout the morning , calm conditions.
Managed an hour seawatching from -9.15-
2 GANNET, 10 RAZORBILL -on sea, 2 GUILLEMOT-on sea ,
12 RAZORMOT-SE, 1 BLACK T DIVER ( on sea then SE @ 09.50 )(95)
On rocks 10 OYSTERCATCHER, 5 RINGED PLOVER, 6 TURNSTONE.
On South Huish Marsh - 105 WIGEON, 80 TEAL, 1 M PINTAIL, 1 COOT, 15 SNIPE, 19 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 BARNACLE GOOSE,
5 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE ( RUSSIAN ) 3 HERON , 2 LITTLE EGRET,
1 SPRAWK
South Milton Ley - 25 CHIFFY, 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFY (96 ),
1 GREAT SPOTTED WOODY, 2 BULLFINCH, 1 GOLDCREST ,
6 CIRL BUNTING( 97 )
MON 10 JAN
Milder weather resulted in a lot of low cloud and mist with drizzle
too bad for any seawatching.
On South Huish Marsh-
5 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE ( still feeding in field) with CANADA flock
85 WIGEON, 70 TEAL, 1 M PINTAIL , 1 AD MED GULL, 40+ SNIPE
24 TURNSTONE, 32 OYSTERCATCHER, 6 RINGED PLOVER, 2 CHIFFY
1 SONG THRUSH
With no seawatching drove over to Gara Bridge - on the feeders
1 MARSH TIT , 2 NUTHATCH, 1 M SISKIN , 1 GREAT SP WOODY
SUN 9 JAN
Much better weather this morning- bright periods with a W F5 wind .
Offshore - -9.30-10.30
14 GANNET, 5 KITTIWAKE, 70 RAZORMOT, At 10.00 a GREAT NORTHERN DIVER - NW ( 90 )
On rocks - 8 OYSTERCATCHER, 8 TURNSTONE, 4 RINGED PLOVER,
1 GREY PLOVER ( 91 )
On South Huish marsh-
170 CANADA GOOSE, 5 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE, 1 BARNACLE GOOSE, 50 TEAL, 60 WIGEON, 1 M PINTAIL, 1 COOT, 2 LITTLE EGRET, 1 HERON, 5 SNIPE, 6 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 1 WATER PIPIT, 14 STOCK DOVE (92 ), 1 SPRAWK
ROD BONE reports from South Efford / North Marsh-
2 GREEN SANDPIPER ( 93 ) , 4 GREENSHANK, 13 REDSHANK, 4 LITTLE GREBE ( 94 )
New photos added
FRI 7 JAN
Not a morning for birdwatching- cloudy heavy rain from 10.15
gale force W wind
An hour seawatching from 09.10 only produced - 8 GANNET ,
2 KITTIWAKE, 1 RAZORMOT. A feeding flock of 120 BLACK H GULL also contained 3 MED GULL - ad, 2W , 1w
On the beach 4 OYSTERCATCHER, 4 TURNSTONE
On South Huish Marsh-
5 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 28 OYSTERCATCHER, 30 SNIPE , 1 COOT
100 WIGEON, 50 TEAL, 175 CANADA GOOSE , 5 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE, 7 GREYLAG GOOSE .
AT 10.30 a MERLIN ( 88) causing havoc
At Aveton Gifford - 1 KINFISHER ( 89 )
Thurlestone garden - 1 M BULLFINCH, GREEN WOODY
Photos added
THURS 6 JAN
Cloudy early , heavy rain from 11.00, wind W F5-7
08.45 South Huish Marsh-
5 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE, 7 GREYLAG GOOSE, 1 BARNACLE GOOSE
Small CANADA GOOSE, 75 WIGEON , 30 TEAL , 1 M PINTAIL
22 OYSTERCATCHER, 4 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 5 RINGED PLOVER
Offshore - large feeding flock of birds comprising-
150 KITTIWAKE, 75 BLACK H GULL, 60 HERRING GULL, 95 GANNET
10 RAZORBILL, 5 GUILLEMOT.
11 COMMON SCOTER -SE (86 ) , 1 RED T DIVER -SE ( 87 )
On the beach - 4 TURNSTONE
On Yarmer Beach - 11 OYSTERCATCHER, 14 TURNSTONE,
4 RINGED PLOVER.
WED 5 JAN
Asunny but cold day - Had a day out in nearby Cornwall picked up some good year ticks .
Off Marine Drive Torpoint - 1 SLAVONIAN GREBE , 1 RED - NECKED GREBE, 12 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 3 LITTLE GREBE , plenty of waders inc - 1000+ DUNLIN, 75 TURNSTONE, 55 AVOCET .
Nice to meet up with Stuart Green
Next stop Hannafore - Looe- 6 GREAT N DIVER , 1 RED T DIVER,
2 SLAVONIAN GREBE, 2 COMMON SCOTER -W, 3M 1F EIDER ,
on the rocks 1 BAR TAILED GOWIT , 2 AD MED GULL
On the way back went along the estuary road between Millbrook and Cromwell- 4 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 6 BRENT GOOSE - PB
10 BRENT GOOSE - DB
Only disappointment couldn't locate any SPOONBILL tried 3 of their favourite locations
Reports of records on the patch - at South Huish Marsh-
5 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE , 7 GREYLAG GOOSE , 1 BARNACLE GOOSE , 1M 2F PINTAIL, 4 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 15 SNIPE , WIGEON & TEAL
in my garden at 08.00 a KESTREL.
A remarkable start to the year with 6 species of GOOSE that is
unprecedented in all the years I have been recording on the patch .
A small flock of BRENTS would be very welcome
TUES 4 JAN
Sunny morning with a cold NW F4/5 wind - at last good offshore visability .
09.10- South Huish Marsh
4 ad 1 1w WHITE FRONTED GOOSE - on the small pool, this is th 5th specie of Goose recorded on the patch so far this year - unprecedented. Also 1 BARNACLE GOOSE, 100 + TEAL, 50 WIGEON,
1 M PINTAIL, 15 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 RINGED PLOVER,
OFFSHORE -
66 GANNET -NW , 2 FULMAR, 45 KITTIWAKE, 30 RAZORMOT,
On the beach / rocks - 15 TURNSTONE, 1 RINGED PLOVER
HUXTON CROSS - 20 SKYLARK, 1 MISTLE THRUSH.
Thurlestone Garden - 1 GREEN WOODY, 1 TAWNY OWL.
MON 3 JAN
Another cloudy morning , heavy rain PM, Sw f 5 wind .
09.15 Bay
10 GANNET, , on beach/rocks - 19 TURNSTONE, 1 RINGED PLOVER,
3 OYSTERCATCHER.
On Yarmer Beach - 10 OYSTERCATCHER, 7 TURNSTONE, 4 RINGED PLOVER, 1 PUFFIN ( died )
On South Huish Marsh- 3 SHELDUCK, 60 WIGEON, 75 TEAL, 1 COOT
12 OYSTERCATCHER, 10 SNIPE., 1 BARNACLE GOOSE , 1 SMALL CANADA GOOSE , 1 AD MED GULL, 1 WATER PIPIT, 1 SONG THRUSH
2 HERON , 2 LITTLE EGRET.
Tidal Road & Aveton Gifford-
CURLEW, 5 REDSHANK, 3 GREENSHANK, 3 BLACK TAILED GODWIT,
1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 GREEN WOODY, 1 GREAT SP WOODY,
1 TAWNY OWL, 1 F BLACKCAP, 2 SONG THRUSH , 2 CHIFFY
Huxton Cross - flock of 50 LINNET
Thurlestone Gdn - 1 GREEN WOODY
GARA BRIDGE- although outside the patch it is one of the few places to see MARSH TIT , unfortunately not today - but did record
1M 1F GOOSANDER, 2 GREAT SP WOODY, 3 COAL TIT .
Patch species list - 78
New photos added
SUN 2 JAN
A cloudy morning, heavy showers, wind SW F5 .
09.30- South Huish Marsh-
75 TEAL, 55 WIGEON, 1 COOT, 1 1W COMMON GULL , 1 AD MED GULL, 1 BARNACLE GOOSE, 1 CACKLING GOOSE, 2 HERON , 3 LITTLE EGRET, 8 OYSTERCATCHER, 1RAVEN , 2 STONECHAT
Late afternoon - 1 M PINTAIL
HATCH Bridge - 6 GLOSSY IBIS , 1 M PINTAIL, 4 PINK FOOTED GOOSE( flew off 09.45)
Aveton GGifford- 1 f BLACKCAP.
SATURDAY 1 JAN
Hatch Bridge - 6 GLOSSY IBIS- Showed weir, mixed flock of 60
FIELDFARE & REDWING.
Huxton Cross - 15 SKYLARK, 200 STARLING,
T'Stone Gdn - SPRAWK, JAY, GREENFINCH, GOLDFINCH., CHAFFINCH, LONG T TIT, WATER RAIL
Aveton Gifford-NUTHATCH, BULLFINCH ., JAY
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