SUN 26 JUNE 

Late start due to last nights Glastonbury !

Seawatch from 09.25- 11.10 

GANNET -16NE, 15SE ( inc first juvenile) FULMAR 2-NW, 

3 MANX SHEARWATER, 1 KITTIWAKE-SE, 70 HERRING GULL , 

3 BLACK H GULL, 1 L B B GULL, 3 GB B GULL 1 L EGRET, 1 HERON -N, 2 RAZORMOT. At 10.25 picked up a GREAT SKUA flying SE- showing white wing flashers ( 162 )- this is not only a year tick it is the first June record I can remember.

THURS 23 JUNE 

Through my garden this morning a GREEN WOODY .

At South Milton Ley Alan ringed 64 new birds inc-

20 CHIFFY, 9 BLACKCAP, 4 REED WARBLER, 1 SEDGE WARBLER, 

1 CETTIS WARBLER, 1 LINNET 

Wed 22 june 

Report of a Red Kite over South Milton Ley today 

TUES 21 JUNE 

This afternoon in my garden , 2 CHIFFY, 2M BLACKCAP and a GREEN WOODY 

MON 20 JUNE 

A morning of sunny periods with a strong NE F6/7 wind 

Seawatch from 08.55- 11.25 

23 GANNET-NW, 5 FULMAR, 126 MANX SHEARWATER-NW, 

1 SANDWICH TERN-SE, 7 RAZORMOT-NW, 27 CORMORANT, 2 SHAG, 

90 HERRING GULL, 1 BLACK HEADED GULL, 3 GREAT B B GULL, 

1 SHELDUCK, 1 DUNLIN-NW, 4 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 SWIFT-N, 

1M STONECHAT, 3 LINNET

Late afternoon a juv TAWNY OWL flew out of a lime tree chased by 2 MAGPIE 

SUN 19 JUNE 

No moths trapped overnight due to the weather conditions, managed to visit South Huish Marsh this morning- rained all morning!

Surprised to find a pair of TUFTED DUCK - they were diving , confirming the Marsh is still blocked. , also - 1SHELDUCK, 16 MALLARD + 1JUV . 1 MUTE SWAN, 18 CANADA GOOSE + 5 Goslings , 

1 COOT, 2 MOORHEN , 1HERON, 22 HERRING GULL , 10 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 SWALLOW, 6 SWIFT, 2 STONECHAT + 3 juv, 5 PIED WAGTAIL

Photo added 

SAT 18 JUNE 

John reports a RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE near Horswell House this morning 

FRI 17 JUNE 

Report from John of a GREY PARTRIDGE in field by Primrose Cottage 

this morning . He also has 2 juv GREAT SP WOODY visiting his feeders 

WED 15 JUNE 

Ringing at South Milton Ley Alan had 60 new birds , of these 48 were juveniles - nice confirmation of a good breeding season . 
15 CHIFFY, 8 ROBIN, 6 BLACKBIRD, 1 SEDGE WARBLER, 1 REED WARBLER, 1 BULLFINCH, 10 BLACKCAP .

After a w/end away celebrating a family birthday, watched at least 30 RED KITE , not very many SWIFT around Wallingford .

'Very busy with moths at the moment - getting to bed around 00.30 

then at least 2.5 hours a morning recording and identifying them .

Recent birds around my garden - CHIFFY, BLACKCAP, GREENFINCH, CIRL BUNTING, BUZZARD, KESTREL, SPRAWK 
 

WED 8 JUNE 

Managed to find time for a morning visit to South Huish Marsh -

with the milder nights the Moths have increased significantly I had 3 consecutive nights with over 100 to process , can take up to 3 hours 

On South Huish Marsh no change from last week - 22 MALLARD - JUST 1 Duckling surviving , 2 SHELDUCK - still with 8 rapidly growing ducklings , 2 MUTE SWAN, 8 CANADA GOOSE with 12 goslings - looks like 3 family parties , 3 MOORHEN , 2 COOT, 1 LITTLE EGRET, 10 LINNET, 1 STOCK DOVE, 3 RAVEN , 1 M STONECHAT , 1 SONG THRUSH, 1 HERRING GULL 

On the beach - 5 ROCK PIPIT, 2 AD 5 JUV PIED WAGTAIL 

Offshore - 1 GANNET, 1 AUL -SE 

THURS 2 JUNE 

A morning of sunny periods with a light ENE breeze .

Spent 2 hours walking around South Milton Ley - highlight of the

morning was A HOBBY (161) flying  over the East end of the Marsh .

All species logged- 2 BUZZARD, 1 SPRAWK, 1 JESTREL, 8 WREN, 

7 BLACKCAP (1 juv ), 4 SWALLOW, 2 SWIFT, 1 F REED BUNTING 

11 CHIFFY, 2 CETTIS WARBLER, 4 ROBIN, 6 BLACKBIRD, 1 SKYLARK 

5 GREAT TIT, 6 MAGPIE, 3 REED WARBLER, 3 SEDGE WARBLER, 

3 CHAFFINCH, 2 STOCK DOVE , PHEASANT, ROOK C CROW & 

JACKDAW.

WED 1 JUNE 

 Nice sunny & calm morning but only 42 species recorded- highlights , Walk from Golf Club to South Huish Marsh -

7 SWIFT, 12 SWALLOW, 9 HOUSE MARTIN , 2 WHITETHROAT, 

SEDGE WARBLER, REED WARBLER, 4 STONECHAT, 2 SHELDUCK ( still have 8 ducklings ) 9 MALLARD, 1 LITTLE EGRET, COOT , MOORHEN , 2 MUTE SWAN KESTREL, 

Offshore - 2 FULMAR, 24 CORMORANT, on the rocks 15 OYSTERCATCHER 

Around my garden - CHIFFY, BLACKCAP, GREENFINCH , CHAFFINCH 

MON 31 MAY 

After a period of rain this morning there were 10 SWIFT flying N over the fields near Thurlestone, also a F YELLOWHAMMER along the lanes .

RINGING INFORMATION FOR MAY 

Alan carried out 3 ringing sessions on 5th 14th & 28th -

New birds - Blackbird -4.  Retraps - 9

Blackcap- 3 &6

Blue Tit -0 & 4

Great Tit- 1 &1

Cettis Warbler- 0 & 3 

Chiffy- 4 &5

Dunnock - 6 &4

Goldfinch 3 &0

Great Sp Woody -1 & 0

Jay -1 &0

Long Tailed Tit -7 &1

Reed Warbler -2 & 5

Robin -6 &5

Sedge Warbler- 2 &3

Wren 5 &5

Total of 96 birds

Eric reports a family party of 2 ad + 3 young TREE CREEPER IN 

Aveton Gifford 

MON 30 MAY 

Fine sunny morning after a cool night , little breeze .

Spent the morning walking the Buckland Valley , managed 32 species - very noticeable reduction in Hirundines , Tit species and 

BLACKCAP .

10 ROBIN, 4 SONG THRUSH, 13 BLACKBIRD, 7 WREN , 7 CHAFFINCH, 

3 SWALLOW, 5 HOUSE MARTIN , 3 SWIFT , 11 CHIFFY, 1 COAL TIT, 2 GREAT TIT, 5 BLUE TIT, 3 DUNNOCK, 2 LONG TAILED TIT, 

4 GREEN WOODY, 2 GREAT SP WOODY, 1 F BULLFINCH , 

4 GOLDFINCH ,4 BUZZARD, 1 KESTREL, 1 SPRAWK, 6 MAGPIE, 

1 JAY, 4 HOUSE SPARROW, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 2 WHITETHROAT, 

3 BLACKCAP, 

Present but not counted - PHEASANT, HERRING GULL , CORVIDS, 

WOOD PIGEON

Not many butterflies- Red Admiral, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, 

Large & Small White 

Only day flying moth recorded was a Mother Shipton (NFY)

THURS 26 MAY 

After a few hectic days managed to get out on the patch this morning- really wasn't worth the effort .

Seawatch for 45 min from 08.45 with a F4/5 W wind and cloudy only produced - 20 CORMORANT, 25 HERRING GULL, 1 AUK-SE and a KESTREL .

On the rocks - 8 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 LITTLE EGRET.

At South Huish Marsh - 18 HOUSE MARTIN , 2 SWALLOW, 4 SWIFT , 

2 MUTE SWAN , 10 MALLARD ( only 2 duckling ) , 2 SHELDUCK 

( 7 duckling) , 10 CANADA GOOSE ( 9 gosling ), 1 COOT, 5 MOORHEN , 1 HERON .

MON 23 MAY 

Garden records only this morning- 1 GREEN WOODY, 1 WHITETHROAT, 2 BLACKCAP, SEDGE WARBLER, CHIFFY 

SUN 22 MAY 

Lovely sunny warm morning - walked over to South Huish Marsh , 

flooded again with the outflow pipe blocked.

Family parties were the main interest-

CANADA GOOSE - 4AD + 10 goslings , 2SHELDUCK + 8 ducklings 

12 MALLARD + 6 ducklings .also 2 MUTE SWAN, 1 LITTLE EGRET, 

1 HERON, 1 COOT, 6 MOORHEN, 

6 LINNET, 1 JUV ROBIN, 2 M STONECHAT 2 SWALLOW, 10 HOUSE MARTIN , 2 WHITETHROAT 

Over my garden a SPRAWK , another garden at South Milton a M BULLFINCH 

Yesterday at 10.50 Eric had 2 RED KITE. drifting over Aveton Gifford 

THURS 19 MAY 

Sunny morning , went over to Hatch Bridge looking for SPOTTED FLYCATCHER- unfortunately failed to locate at at previous breeding sites .

Did manage to see- 8 SAND MARTIN, 6 SWALLOW, 2 CHIFFY, 2 M BLACKCAP, 3 CHAFFINCH, 3 BUZZARD, 1 TREE CREEPER ( only aware of 2 sites on the patch for them ) 

Thurlestone Lanes - 2 SWIFT 

WED 18 MAY 

Thick mist from 08.00 , partially cleared by -9.00 light breezes 

Seatwatch from car park 09.15 for an hour - offshore viz poor 

GANNET - 23 SE, 4 NW, 1 FULMAR-SE, 3 KITTIWAKE, 2 BLACK HEADED GULL, 1 2W MED GULL ( on sea ), 1 AUK ( on sea ) 

At 09.25 picked up a dp ARCTIC SKUA flying SE close inshore - Skuas have been very scarce this spring 

1 SWALLOW -S , 1 BUZZARD -N 

On rocks at high tide 15 OYSTERCATCHER 

MON 16 MAY 

Cloudy morning with showers , wind S F4/5

On South Huish Marsh - 2 MUTE SWAN, 2 HERON, 20 MALLARD, 3 SHELDUCK ( 8 ducklings ) 6 MOORHEN, 2 COOT, 16 CANADA GOOSE , 2 SWIFT, 14 HOUSE MARTIN 4 SWALLOW, 2 SEDGE WARBLER, 

1 CHIIFY 

Early evening a PEREGRINE reported 

Rocks - 7 OYSTERCATCHER 

Offshore - 11 GANNET, 2 SANDWICH TERN 

SUN 15 MAY 

Started with bright periods then showers , wind ESE F4/5 

Seawatch from car park 08.30-11.00

GANNET - 23 NW, 16SE, 2 FULMAR, 1 MANX SHEARWATER-NW, 

GREAT B B GULL -7, LESSER B B GULL-2, KITTIWAKE- 2, 

OYSTERCATCHER-10, WHIMBREL -4, 2 LITTLE EGRET, 1 HERON , 

6 SWALLOW-N , 1 HOUSE MARTIN -N 

At -9.35 picked up a RED KITE flying N over the car park 

Report from Yarmer Beach of 5 SANDERLING.

At 21.15 a reeling GROPPA on Thurlestone Marsh

SAT 14 MAY 

A report this morning of an EGYPTIAN GOOSE on S H Marsh this morning ., also 4 SWIFT by the Thurlestone Hotel 

Also on the Marsh 8 DUNLIN, 1 WHIMBREL.

Report from South Milton village of a CUCKOO calling - early morning , SPRAWK in a village garden 

FRI 13 MAY 

A sunny morning with a brisk F5 SW wind 

Seawatch from Warren Pt 09.00- 11.00 - very quiet until 10.25 

No GANNET logged !, 9 KITTIWAKE, 2 RAZORMOT, 1 SHELDUCK , At 10.28 picked up a SPOONBILL flying NW close inshore - went across Bigbury Bay ( 160 ) . On rocks 3 OYSTERCATCHER.

On coast path - 2 WHITETHROAT, 2 ad & 3 juv STONECHAT, 

4 SWALLOW 

THURS 12 MAY 

Sunny early cloudy from 09.30, wind SW F3 

Seawatch from 08.30- 10 .00 =yet another disappointing morning 

6 GANNET, 1 FULMAR, 16 KITTIWAKE, 10 BLACK HEADED GULL, 3 RAZORMOT, 7 SWALLOW 

Report from Yarmer Beach - 2 OYSTERCATCHER, 20 SANDERLING 

WED 11 MAY 

Cloudy with showers , heavy rain from 10.00, poor offshore visability, wind SSW F7/8 

Seawatch from car park , 08.30- 10.00

Only birds logged - GANNET -4 NW, 6 SE , 6 CORMORANT, 1 GUILLEMOT- on sea, 14 MANX SHEARWATER-SE 

Drove over to South Huish Marsh -nothing to report, surprisingly no Hirundines.

Along the lanes a M YELLOWHAMMER (158 )

TUES 10 MAY 

Started cloudy with light rain , cleared to sunny periods, wind 

SW F3/4 

08.30-11.00 Seawatch from car park - Yet another disappointing morning -

GANNET - 26 N, 18 S, 5 FULMAR, 5 RAZORMOT-SE, 3 SHELDUCK, 

1 WHIMBREL, 2 SWALLOW-N , 1 WHITETHROAT.

Steady NW passage of HERRING GULL - 210 logged in flocks of up to 30 birds 

MON 9 MAY 

High cloud this morning, no breeze resulted in almost no birds -all the SKUAS were reported fro Sussex & Kent 

08.25-10.15 

'BAY - 3 GANNET & a GUILLEMOT on the sea , sums it up .

On the rocks - 5 OYSTERCATCHER 

'On the Marsh - 2 SHELDUCK, 3 SEDGE WARBLER, 2 RAVEN , 4 HOUSE MARTIN , 4 SWALLOW, 1 SAND MARTIN .

DIRE TOTALS FOR THIS TIME OF THE YEAR!

Late news from Alan Doidge of a TURTLE DOVE (158 ) HE photographed near Upton Cross this evening - this is the first record for at least 5 years - what a record - photo added 

SUN 8 MAY 

Started cloudy with mist and drizzle- brighter later, ESE F3 wind 

Seawatch from car park 08.50-11.20.

Another disappointing morning highlighted by 2 GREAT N DIVER 

both NW 1-09.25, 1- 09.37 and a SWIFT -N at 11.00, other entries in the log -35 GANNET, 4 FULMAR, 4 BLACK H GULL, 5 SWALLOW 

On rocks - 3 OYSTERCATCHER 

Report from South Huish Marsh - 8 WHIMBREL, 1 WHEATEAR

FRI 6 MAY 

A morning of bright periods with a cool F3 W breeze.

Warren Pt/ Yarmer beach 08.20- 10.40

4 GANNET -NW, 1 FULMAR, 5 GREAT B B GULL, a steady passage of HERRING GULL totalled 365 ( flocks of 40, 35 ,35, 75, 40, 40 ), NW 

21 BLACK HEADED GULL- NW 29 Cormorant, 4 TURNSTONE, 

3 SANDERLING, 4 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 DUNLIN, 5 SWALLOW, 

1 WHITETHROAT, 2 WHEATEAR, 1AD 3 JUV STONECHAT .

At Aveton Gifford Eric had a CUCKOO calling in an Ivy bush behind his garden .

'On South Huish Marsh Nick found a GREAT WHITE EGRET (157 ) at 10.00 , it was still present this afternoon at 16.40, also 3 WHIMBREL, 1 M WHEATEAR, 2 SAND MARTIN 

Record shot of the Egret on photos page 

THURS 5 MAY 

A sunny morning with a light W breeze- only downside very few birds - when you log a single flock of25 HERRING GULL flying NW 

gives you some idea of how dire seawatching has become 

08.30-09.15 - 3 GANNET - NW, 2 SHELDUCK-on sea , 2 RAZORMOT, 

6 SWALLOW, 1 WHITETHROAT.

09.30-10.30 Warren Pt/ Yarmer Beach 

3 GANNET, 5 OYSTERCATCHER, 6 WHIMBREL, 1 BAR TAILED GODWIT, 6 TURNSTONE, 3 SANDERLING (156) briefly , 5 STONECHAT, 2 WHITETHROAT, 1 MIPIT, 2 SKYLARK, 

South Milton Ley - last night a BARN OWL , today Alan ringed 10 new birds -3 BLACKCAP, 2 CHIFFY, 1 SEDGE WARBLER, 1 JAY, 

1 GREAT SP WOODY , retaps - BLACKCAPS, CHIFFY, REED & SEDGE WARBLER, 2 CETTIS WARBLER 

WED 4 MAY 

Almost constant mist/fog offshore so poor visability.

08.15-09.30 South Huish Marsh - 9 BAR TAILED GODWIT, 

11 WHIMBREL, 1 DUNLIN, 6 SHELDUCK, 2 WHEATEAR, 1 WHITETHROAT, 2 SEDGE WARBLER, 10 SWALLOW, 8 HOUSE MARTIN.

On rocks / beaches - - 1 COMMON SANDPIPER , 8 TURNSTONE, 

1 BAR TAILED GODWIT 

In my garden - GREAT SP WOODY, 1 M CIRL BUNTING, 1 F REED BUNTING.

Due to the fog decided to go to Slapton where I had great views of the NIGHT HERON for around 30 mins , then over to Beesands where again good views of the HOODED CROW 

At a sunny  South  Efford Marsh Eric had a reeling GROPPA ( 155 ) ,

KINGFISHER, 6 WHIMBREL, 3 BAR TAILED GODWIT, 16 SHELDUCK, 250 BLACK HEADED GULL, 1 KITTIWAKE ( a site tick for him ) 

Photos added 

TUES 3 MAY 

South Huish Marsh -07.30- 10.00 

21 WHIMBREL, 16 BAR TAILED GODWIT, 3 DUNLIN, 4 SHELDUCK, 

3 WHEATEAR, 3 SEDGE WARBLER, 1 CHIFFY, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 

1 BLACKCAP , 3 STONECHAT, 1 STARLING, 18 SWALLOW, 4 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 SAND MARTIN , 1 HERON, 1 LITTLE EGRET 

On the rocks - 1m BLACK REDSTART, 1 OYSTERCATCHER , 

Report from South Milton Ley 

1 WHITETHROAT, SEDGE WARBLER, 1 F REED BUNTING 

MON 2 MAY 

Reports received- 

South Huish Marsh - 15 DUNLIN, 1 RINGED PLOVER, 3 WHEATEAR , 

WHIMBREL, BAR TAILED GODWIT 

On the rocks a M BLACK REDSTART 

SUN 1 MAY 

Whist I am walking along the Thames at Wallingford looking at Kingfisher, Common Tern , WHITETHROAT and Blackcap receive a call to say there is an OSPREY ( 154 ) flying west over Hope Cove . 
First spring records for a few years .At least 15 RED KITE along with 2 GREY PARTRIDGE at Wallingford 

News from South Huish Marsh - afternoon - 1 M BLACK REDSTART, 

Evening - 6 BAR TAILED GODWIT, 12 WHIMBREL, 6 DUNLIN, 1 SWIFT , mixed flocks of SWALLOW, HOUSE MARTIN, SAND MARTIN , 

1 SWIFT 

At Hatch Bridge /Aveton Gifford- 1 GOOSANDER, 1 GREENSHANK 
 

FRI 29 APRIL 

A sunny morning with calm conditions- again very little sea passage 

Seawatch 08.20-09.40-

21 GANNET, 2 FULNAR, 4 KITTIWAKE, 2 SHELDUCK, 11 RAZORMOT, 

5 OYSTERCATCHER, 8 WHIMBREL, 3 BAR TAILED GODWIT, 

1 WHITETHROAT, 6 SWALLOW -N 

At South Huish Marsh 

3 WHEATEAR, 1 M WHINCHAT, 2 SEDGE WARBLER, 1 WHITETHROAT, 4 SHELDUCK, 2 TEAL, 1 SPRAWK .

Between 10.20-11.40 a steady passage of Hirundines-

15 SAND MARTIN , 5 HOUSE MARTIN , 200+ SWALLOW 

Late afternoon yesterday - 1 WHEATEAR, 1M WHIBCHAT, 2 WHIMBREL.

Eric reports from Aveton Gifford- 1 GARDEN WARBLER, 1 WHITETHROAT, small passage of SWALLOW 

Away for a family celebration this w/end - next report on TUES .

THURS 28 APRIL 

NE F5 winds continue, a cloudy cold morning - offshore passage is definitely missing the south west - another poor morning .

55 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 5 MANX SHEARWATER, 1 COMMON SCOTER -NW, 7 RAZORMOT-SE , 5 WHIMBREL , 3 OYSTERCATCHER, 

at 09.35 4 GREY PLOVER flew SE across the Bay, 1 WHITETHROAT, 

2 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 SWALLOW-N. At 08.25 picked up a SWIFT flying in off the sea- there were also 2 at Aveton Gifford this morning .

At South Huish Marsh ( from the car )- 4 SHELDUCK, 2 TEAL, 

2 HERON , 3 STOCK DOVE, 1 F WHEATEAR, 15 HOUSE MARTIN , 

35 SWALLOW -N

WED 27 APRIL 

Sunny periods generally clouding over - wind F5 ENE 

08.30-09.40 Seawatch - again disappointing.

15 GANNET, 7 FULNAR, 7 MANX SHEARWATER, 8 COMMON SCOTER 

15 RAZORMOT, 4 KITTIWAKE, 3 BLACK H GULL .

Waders - 3 WHIMBREL, 2 OYSTERCATCHER, 2 RINGED PLOVER 

1 WHITETHROAT, 2 WHEATEAR -N 

A visiting birder reported a SWIFT ( 152 ) over the footbridge at 

08.20 

At South Huish Narsh - more Hirundines 

35 SWALLOW -N , 10 HOUSE MARTIN, 2 SAND MARTIN, 2 TEAL, 

3 SHELDUCK, 3 SEDGE WARBLER, 2 CHIFFY, 5 WHIMBREL .

Singing at the top of a tree at the copse - a GARDEN WARBLER (153.

TUES 26 APRIL 

Another lovely sunny morning feeling cold in the F 4/5 E wind 

Seawatch 08.20-09.40 

40 GANNET, 11 FULMAR , 20 MANX SHEARWATER, At 08.28 

picked up 3 SCOTER flying SE - 2 were Velvet ( 151 ) the other a M 

COMMON , 1 GREAT N DIVER drifting S across the Bay , 4 SANDWICH TERN -SE , 85 RAZORMOT-SE, 3 WHIMBREL, 1 OYSTERCATCHER, 4 RAVEN ( 2 juv's ), 9 BLACK H GULL ( in off ) , 

1 WHITETHROAT.

On South Huish Marsh - 5 SWALLOW , 3 HOUSE MARTIN , 1 HERON , 2 LITTLE  EGRET, 1 SHELDUCK,  7 TEAL, 2 WHIMBREL 

Warren Point - 11.00-12.00 

20 WHIMBREL,  4 BAR T GODWIT, 4 ARCTIC TERN -SE , 2 SHELDUCK, 2 SWALLOW, 1 WHITETHROAT 

16.20 - South Huish Marsh - Richie reports a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER., 1 DUNLIN (sp ) , 2 BAR TAILED GODWIT 

MON 25 APR 

Sunny morning with a F4/5 ENE wind - Seawatch 08.20-09.30

40 GANNET, 7 FULMAR, 15 MANX SHEARWATER, 8 COMMON SCOTER, 2 SHELDUCK, 28 RAZORMOT, 2 PUFFIN - SE ( 08.37 & 09.05 ) 1 SANDWICH TERN, 1 WHITETHROAT 

-9.45-10.45 - South Huish Marsh 

9 TEAL, 4 SHELDUCK, 4 SKYLARK, 1 PEREGRINE, 2 LITTLE EGRET, 

1 HERON , 1 CHIFFY, 4 HOUSE MARTIN, 2 SWALLOW, 1M 2F WHEATEAR, 2 SEDGE WARBLER 

NO sign of any WAGTAILS other than PIED this morning 

A report from a local resident of 2 GREY PARTRIDGE ( 150 ) in a field behind his house near South Milton Ley 

SUN 24 APRIL 

Action all centered on South Huish Marsh this morning - there have been some comments on what's app groups regarding the BLUE HEADED WAGTAIL - having spent some time looking at photos I took yesterday I now agree that it is more likely a CHANNEL WAGTAIL which is an interbreed between YELLOW & BLUE HEADED

more commonly seen in France 

The YELLOW WAGTAIL still present along with 4 WHITE WAGTAIL, 

A F WHINCHAT, 2 SEDGE WARBLER, 1 WHITETHROAT, 2 WHEATEAR, 

1 SPRAWK. , 3 HOUSE MARTIN , 1 SWALLOW 

The outflow pipe has been unblocked again , hopefully there will be some muddy fringes around the marsh which will attract passage waders 

SAT 23 APRIL 

Richie started Seawatch at 06,30, I joined him at 08.15 -another poor morning ,cloudy with a F5. NE Wind 

8 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 2 SANDWICH TERN, 1 KITTIWAKE, 4 COMMON SCOTER -SE, 1 BUZZARD, 1 SWALLOW, 23 WHIMBREL 

On the rocks - 5 WHINBREL, 2 OYSTERCATCHER, 2 TURNSTONE 

South Huish Marsh - 09.15-10.15 

2M 2F WHEATEAR, 2M YELLOW WAGTAIL (147 ), 1 M BLUE HEADED WAGTAIL (148) , 3 WHITE WAGTAIL , 5 HOUSE MARTIN, 2 SWALLOW , 1 WHITETHROAT, 2 SHELDUCK 

Cropped photos of the WAGTAILS added on photos page 

Afternoon visit -1M 1F WHINCHAT (149 ) , YELLOW & BLUE HEADED WAGTAIL still, 9 BAR TAILED GODWIT, 1 WHIMBREL, 8 + WHEATEAR, 6 TEAL , 2 SWALLOW 

FRI 22 APRIL 

Another morning that started well but just fizzled out from 10.30. 
Started sunny, clouded over from 10.00, ENE wind F5/6 

Seawatch 08.25-11.40 -

30 GANNET, 10 MANX SHEARWATER, 4 FULMAR, 2 WIGEON -NW, 2 SHELDUCK, 65 COMMON SCOTER ( 25 NW, 40 SE ), 2 RAZORMOT, 

2 SANDWICH TERN, 1 WHEATEAR ( Warren Point, 1 WHITETHROAT 

( 146 ) , 2 OYSTERCATCHER, 20 WHIMBREL, 2 SWALLOW, 1 SKYLARK-N , 2 STONECHAT 
 

THURS 21 APRIL 

Started cloudy sunny later , ENE F2 increasing to F4/5 BY 11.00 

Despite the favorable conditions the result of a 3hour Seawatch from 08.30 were disappointing-

40 GANNET -SE, 11 MANX SHEARWATER- SE, 4 FULMAR, 

4 COMMON SCOTER -SE, 1 SHELDUCK, 5 WHIBREL, 1 SKYLARK-N , 

8 SWALLOW-N .

4 Raptors picked up coming in off the sea and flying straight up the valley , they were just 2 BUZZARD & 2 KESTREL 

Stronger winds on Friday 

Early evening S H Marsh report from Richie - 2 HOUSE MARTIN , 4 SWALLOW 

WED 20 APRIL 

A fine sunny day - light breezes.

Report from Eric at Sourth Efford Marsh - 4 WHIMBREL, 

3 GREENSHANK , 1 SWALLOW, 2 WIGEON, 4 TEAL, CIRL BUNTING 

Recent visits to Hatch Bridge produced - DIPPER, EGYPTIAN GOOSE, 

12 SAND MARTIN , 5 SWALLOW, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 2 BLACKCAP, 

2 CHIFFY, 1 GREAT SP WOODPECKER 

On Mon 18/4 a local resident heard a CUCKOO (145 ) in Buckland Valley 

Easterly winds for a few days hopefully will produce some interesting seawatching 

TUES 19 APRIL 

A very quiet morning offshore- 08.25-09.30

11 GANNET-SE, 29 MANX SHEARWATER, 1 FULMAR, 2 COMMON SCOTER-SE, 1 GREAT N DIVER -SE @09.30, 2 WHIMBREL.

After the holiday w/end went over to South Huish Marsh - 

3 SHELDUCK, 1 M 2 F TEAL, 2 COOT, 1 LITTLE EGRET, 1 HERON , 

2 MUTE SWAN, 1M BLACKCAP, 2 CHIFFY , 3 SEDGE WARBLER, 

2 REED WARBLER ( 144) , 2 LESSER B B GULL.

A short period of rain at 10.30 resulted in over 50   SWALLOW 

fly through - the first significant total of the month 

MON 18 APRIL 

A sunny morning until 11.00 when light rain started 

Seawatch from 08.25- 11.10- another relatively quiet morning .

43 GANNET, 142 MANX SHEARWATER-SE ( only 11 after 09.15 ) 8 FULMAR, 1 KITTIWAKE-SE, 4 BLACK H GULL , 3 RAZORMOT-NW , 

5 COMMON SCOTER - ON SEA, 1 GREAT N DIVER - SE @ 09.12 , 

8 CANADA GOOSE -NW from marsh , 2 SWALLOW-N , 2 TREE PIPIT 

N ( 143 ) 

On rocks / beach - 7 OYSTERCATCHER, 20 TURNSTONE.

SUN 17 APRIL

Bright periods this morning- hazy offshore , light SSE breeze .

Seawatch - 08.30-11.45 

A shoal of sprats found 200+ HERRING GULL and 60 BLACK HEADED GULL feeding well - 2 more flocks of B H GULL 14 & 17 flew in and went straight up The Valley .

Steady passage of GANNET - 140 ( largest flock 10 ), 48 MANX SHEARWATER-SE, 6 FULMAR . 2 PB BRENT GOOSE (141 ) flew into the bay then continued SE , 2 Canada Goose -nw , 12 COMMON SCOTER - 8NW, 4 SE, 3 SANDWICH TERN-SE, 1 ARCTIC TERN -SE 

@10.30 (142) 2 WHIMBREL , 6 BAR TAILED GODWIT-SE @11.25 ( some showing signs of summer plumage ), 3 KITTIWAKE-SE

4 SWALLOW-N 

On the rocks 6 OYSTERCATCHER 

FRI 15 APRIL 

Spell of overcast but calm settled weather continues- any Offsore passage migrants missing the Bay 

Seawatch this morning 08.30- 10.45 - very poor 

20 GANNET ( sat on sea ), 4 NW , 24 MANX SHEARWATER-SE, 

2 COMMON SCOTER-SE , 1 SHELDUCK, 1 M TUFTED DUCK -NW (140)

3 FULMAR, 21 RAZORMOT- on sea 

THURS 14 APRIL 

An overcast misty morning , no wind.

Short Seawatch 08.30-09.15- 17 GANNET, 4 MANX SHEARWATER, 3 GUILLEMOT - on sea, 5 RAZORMOT-0n sea, 1 SHELDUCK, 

On the rocks 7 OYSTERCATCHER 

On South Huish Marsh - 2 SAWLLOW, 10 TEAL, 3 SHELDUCK, 1 COOT, 2 CHIFFY, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 M BLACKCAP., 

1 SEDGE WARBLER (139 ) - singing by the copse gate , 1 SONG THRUSH , 2 STOCK DOVE, 1 RAVEN .

Short visit to South Milton Ley - 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 3 CHIFFY, 

1 M BLACKCAP, 2 CETTIS WARBLER, 2 JAY, LONG T TIT 

WED 15 APRIL 

Another o/cast morning with a very light breeze -

Seawatch from carpark -8.30-10.20 

7 SANDWICH TERN ( 4 on rocks ) , 9 MANX SHEARWATER-SE, 

1 FULMAR, 1 KITTIWAKE, 8 GREAT B B GULL, 5 GANNET -SE,

1 ARCTIC SKUA -LP , SE @09.28, 1 GREATN DIVER -NW@09.25, 2 RED T DIVER -NW @ 09.15, 1 HERON -SE, 20 RAZORMOT-ON SEA, 

On Rocks/Beach - 3 OYSTERCATCHER, 12 TURNSTONE, 1 RINGED PLOVER , 

At South Milton Ley Alan ringed 11 new birds - 8 BLACKCAP, 3 CHIFFY - not any sign of migration 

At South Milton Ley - 14 TEAL, 3 SHELDUCK, 2 MUTE SWAN, 

1 LITTLE EGRET, 2 SWALLOW -flew through ( I managed to miss them !)

TUES 14 APRIL 

An overcast morning with a light SSE breeze- not as much activity as yesterday.

Seawatch from carpark 08.25-10.15 

23 BLACK H GULL ( flocks of14 & 9) 3 ad MED GULL with them , 

35 GANNET -SE, 7 FULMAR-SE, 8 MANX SHEARWATER-SE, 

1 KITTIWAKE, 18 COMMON SCOTER-SE , flocks of3, 4 , 11- in with the 3 were a pair of LONG TAILED DUCK @09.35, in with the 11 a F PINTAIL . 21 RAZORMOT-SE, 

Almost a continuous SE passage of SANDWICH TERN - total of 65 logged - largest flocks were 13 & 10. Only 1 COMMON TERN logged

At South Huish Marsh my first Hirundine a single HOUSE MARTIN (138), 23 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 2 COOT, 1 MALLARD with 9 ducklings 

3 LITTLE EGRET, 1 CHIFFY, 1 WILLOW WARBLER

At Aveton Gifford a KINGFISHER .

Seen from a bus near the Chilly farm yesterday Eric had 3 RED KITE , although outside the patch an interesting sighting 

MON 11 APRIL 

After testing negative last 2 days , still feeling rough , with SE winds forecast, it was time to resume my patch birdwatching- a very good morning sat in the boot of the carin Bobs carpark - -8.25- 12.00

Big passage of Duck and my first SKUAS & WHIMBREL

67 GANNET -SE, 2 MANX SHEARWATER, 2 FULMAR, 

4 BLACK T DIVER ( landed on sea @ 08.42 then se ), 1 RED T DIVER ( on sea @11.46), 22 SANDWICH TERN, 4 ARCTIC SKUA ( dp @09.25, 10.15 , 1lp, 1dp attacking a sTERN @ 11.40 ) 

DUCKS - 267 COMMON SCOTER -SE ( largest flock 55), in a flock of 25 @ 11.45 was a F LONG TAILED DUCK (136).

9 PINTAIL (2, 4, 3 ), 10 GADWALL (8 on sea , 2 ), 10 SHOVELER (2 4 4 )2 GARGANEY - pair on sea 09.15 ), 1 SHELDUCK, 

23 WHIMBREL (135 ) - flocks of 8, 6, 5, 3 1 ) landed on rocks

Atn09.00 this morning john had 2 WHEATEAR BY THE 12TH GREEN 

Late afternoon visit- 16.25- 17.15 -14 MANX SHEARWATER-SE

4 GANNET, 1 COMMON TERN (137)-se , 3 SANDWICH TERN -NW

Quick visit to South Milton Ley - no Hirundines!, 2 m WILLOW WARBLER, 6 CHIFFY, 2M BLACKCAP, 1 CETTIS WARBLER, 

1 SONG THRUSH 

TUES 5 APRIL -

Richie reports from South Huish Marsh/Rocks-

2 TURNSTONE, 4 OYSTERCATCHER, 4 SNIPE 

From my garden a m BLACKCAP & 2 CHIFFY - 

Where are the Hirundines?

Because of very poor wi-fi in Cyprus I was unable to post some of my photos , today I have posted them on the bird photos page ,

worth a look 

MON 4 APRIL 

I am going to be isolating until at least the w/end , however James at Hope was seawatching this morning- at 09.08 a dp ARCTIC SKUA 

(133), also 1 RED T DIVER , 1 GREAT N DIVER AND 18 COMMON SCOTER- alles . 1 MANX SHEARWATER-NW .

ON Sat 2 April he had 109 MANX SHEARWATER-SE between 19.00- 19.30

At Aveton Gifford SWALLOWS reported over the bridge this morning 

LOCAL PATCH NEWS - SAT 2/4 DAVE P reported 4 EGYPTIAN GOOSE 

( 132) with the CANADA flock near the Venn Wear - N  MARSH , also a GREEN SANDPIPER and a REED BUNTING 

Sun 3 APRIL - NICK T reports the pair of GARGANEY back on the South Milton Pool 

SAT 2 APRIL 

Last day before returning the hire car at 17.30 

mainly spent around the Mandria area - first big fall of WAGTAILS 

By the football field over 50 inc-30 BLACK HEADED, 10 WHITE , 

3 BLUE HEADED (137), 2 GREY HEADED ( 138 ) , 1 SUPERCILARIUS

( 139 ) 

In the bowl area -12 N WHEATEAR, 6 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, 

3 TAWNY PIPIT, 10 SHORT TOED LARK , 1 HOOPOE 

In the fields - 12 RUFF, 1 GOLDEN PLOVER (140) & on the fence a M BLACK EARED WHEATEAR (141) 

A final total of 141 species in 9days is the best of our many visits to this fantastic birding island - to wake this morning to receive the news a big fall of migrants today was not what I wanted to hear as both Anne & I have tested positive for Covid on our return 

My local patch activities are going to be curtailed until next weekend at the earliest- having spent the last 2 years being very careful and limiting contacts at our hotel t0 the restaurant areas 

it just shows what can be caught 

FRI 1 APRIL 

Last full day before returning home - very hot, Spent from 10.15- 14.15 at PAPHOS Headland . Firs birds we saw on arrival were a flock of 10 B C NIGHT HERON(132) trying to roost in some tall trees .

5 HOOPOE, 2 TAWNY PIPIT, 14 CRETZSCHMARS BUNTING, 

4 ORTOLAN BUNTING, 4 SHORT TOED LARK, 2 CHIFFY, 1 RUPPELLS WARBLER, 5 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 COMMON WHITETHROAT (133)1 TREE-PIPIT, 3 BLACKCAP, 1 GREY HERON , 1 CATTLE EGRET, 

1 M SUB ALPINE WARBLER 134 ), 1 MASKED SHRIKE (135)

14 N WHEATEAR, 6 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, 1 CYPRUS WHEATEAR 

30 YELLOW WAGTAIL 

Late afternoon a SQUACCO HERON ( 136 ) watched trying to find a roosting tree 

THURS 31 MARCH 

Not as productive as recent days , still some good bird 

Kensington Cliffs- 1 GRIFFON VULTURE in flight at 09.30 (128)

Akrotiro Salt Lake - Many FLAMINGO, 20 BLACK WINGED STILT, 

40 SLENDER BILLED GULL, 3 MED GULL, 2 MARSH SANDPIPER, 

20 SHOVELER, 2 PINTAIL .

Bishops Pool - 2 FERRUGINOUS DUCK.

Akrotiri Chapel- 1 SHORT TOED EAGLE ( 129)- distant in flight views

2 m ORTOLAN BUNTING, 3 N WHEATEAR, 10 CHIFFY, 1 F REDSTART

Akrotiri Marsh - 

1 WOOD SANDPIPER (130 ), 4 SNIPE, 120 TEAL, 5 GARGANEY, 

5 SHOVELER, 3 GREAT WHITE EGRET, 4 PURPLE HERON, 10 GLOSSY IBIS, 3 SPOONBILL, 2 SPOTTED REDSHANK, 6 SPUR WINGED PLOVER, 2 BLACK WINGED STILT, 4 CATTLE EGRET, 20 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 3 BLACK WAGTAIL,1 WATER RAIL, 1 HOOPOE

Rabbit Shed Pools- -1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 8 RUFF, 6 SPUR WINGED PLOVER, 1 BLACK WINGED STILT, 1 SHORT TOED LARK, 1 LITTLE 

RINGED PLOVER, 2 N WHEATEAR 

Over the motorway driving back a BONNELLIS EAGLE ( 131 )

WED 30 MARCH 

FIRST really warm day - 4.5 hours walking round Papho Headland/ Lighthouse area produced some good birds .

First bird we saw was a GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO (122 ), 1 F REDSTART, 10 + BLACKCAP, 2 SARDINIAN WARBLER, 2 RUPPELLS WARBLER, 2 CHIFFY, 8 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 NIGHTINGALE (123), 1 SONG THRUSH, 2 F BLUE ROCK THRUSH, 23 N WHEATEAR, 

6 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, 10 RED THROATED PIPIT, 1 RICHARDS 

PIPIT(124 ), 2 STONECHAT, 10 HOOPOE, 1 QUAIL, 1 WRYNECK (125), 4 ORTOLAN BUNTING ( 126 ) , 7 CRETZMARS BUNTING (127)

30 BLACK HEADED WAGTAIL, Best of all 2 M CITRINE WAGTAIL (128 ), 1 WHITE WAGTAIL 

At 14.45 a line of 95 CORMORANT flew N past the Hotel 

Hopefully Will. E adding to the trip lst with another visit to Akrotiri 

TUES 29 MARCH - CYPRUS 

Migration still very slow today a visit to Mandria which did provide some new birds , although I missed out on a Dotterel !

10 SERIN, 1 TAWNY PIPIT ( 118 ) 1 CYPRUS WHEATEAR ( 119 ) 

3m 3f N WHEATEAR, 3 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, 14 SHORT TOED LARK ( 120 ), 2 RED THROATED PIPIT, 15 MIPIT, 3 BLACK HEADED WAGTAIL, 16 RUFF, 1 LITTLE STINT, 1 SNIPE, 3 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 1 BLUETHROAT - white spot ( 121), 1 MARSH HARRIER.

Aya Varvara- 1 GREAT WHITE EGRET

Paphos Sewage Works - 18 SPUR WINGED PLOVER, 6 RUFF 

TUES 29MARCH 

First recent reports for South Huish Marsh 

28 MARCH -SWALLOW , 3 SAND MARTIN .4 MED GULL , 3 M SHOVELER 

29 MARCH - 5 WHEATEAR, PAIR OF GARGANEY, 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER 

MON 28 MARCH 

Round trip of 245miles to the Larnaca/Oriklini area- well worth the effort- due to very poor wi-fi highlights were-

SHOVELER - Over 500 in total, 11 PINTAIL, 450 TEAL, 30 GARGANEY 

Waders - 400 RUFF (1flock ) 1 LITTLE STINT, 2 TEMMINCKS STINT , 2 L.RINGED PLOVER 1 BLACK TAILED GODWIT,1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 MARSH SANDPIPER, 41 BLACK WINGED STILT.2 SNIPE 

DUCKS - 2 FERRUGINOUS DUCK, 1 M RED CRESTED POCHARD

2 GREAT CRESTED GREBE , 10 LITTLE GREBE

GULLS - 54 MED GULL ( one flock -Cyprus record total ), 1 LITTLE GULL, 4 BALTIC GULL , 2 HEUGLINS GULL, many ARMENIAN, YELLOW LEGGED , SOME CASPIAN 
3 SANDWICH TERN, 

WARBLERS - 6 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 ORPHEAN, 5 BLACKCAP, 1 WILLOW, 1 SEDGE 

Best of the day - 7RUDDY SHELDUCK, 1 EURASIAN BITTERN 

Trip list now 117 

SUN 27 MARCH

Unbroken sunshine and warm , coastal walk this morning sun bed afternoon .

1M BLACK FRANCOLIN, 5 CHIFFY, 1 SHAG , 1 COMMON SANDPIPER.

Trip list 99.

Off to the Larnaca area on Monday 

SAT 26 MARCH 

Morning visit to Paphos Headland - not as many migrants as expected .

2M 7 F BLACK REDSTART, 6 STARLING, 10 CORN BUNTING, 10 LINNET, 2M 1 F STONECHAT, 3 M BLACKCAP, 5 CHIFFY, 2M 1F SARDINIAN WARBLER, 1 M BLACKBIRD, 1 SONG THRUSH, 

2 TREE PIPIT, 1 RUPPELLS WARBLER, 1 M BLUE ROCK THRUSH, 

2 QUAIL, 1 M N WHEATEAR, 1 ROBIN, 1 F WHINCHAT .

Afternoon visit to Anarita Park - surprisingly a M FINCH'S WHEATEAR still around , most years they depart by mid March , 

1M N. WHEATEAR, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 LITTLE OWL, 25 CORN BUNTING ( inc 1 flock of 18 ), 50 GOLDFINCH, 2 LONG LEGGED BUZZARD .

Trip list-96

FRI 25 MARCH 

Report of 3 SAND MARTIN this afternoon at South Huish Marsh 

CYPRUS visit day2 - another superb day out 

Zakaki Marsh -1 m MARSH HARRIER, 1 COMMON BUZZARD, REED WARBLER , many CETTIS WARBLER 

Ladies Mile and pool - 75 BLACK HEADED GULL, 26 SLENDER BILLED GULL, 2 CASPIAN GULL, 20 YELLOW L GULL, 80 FLAMINGO, 

28 BLACK WINGED STILT , 1 KENTISH PLOVER, 2 DUNLIN, 

Akrotiri Salt Lake - 200 FLAMINGO, 50 BLACK WINGED STILT, 

5 M SHOVELER, 2 M BLACKCAP 

Agios Georios Chapel - 1 F COMMON REDSTART, 1M RUFOUS TAILED ROCK THRUSH - bird of the trip so far - only my second ever , 

Akrotiri Marsh - in size around 10 times South Huish Marsh plenty of water this winter great 2.5 hours of watching, 

4 SPOONBILL, 2 GREAT WHITE EGRET, 10 LITTLE EGRET, 7 CATTLE EGRET, 16 GLOSSY IBIS , 1 LITTLE GREBE , 10 MALLARD , 60 TEAL, 2 GARGANEY, 12 SPUR WINGED PLOVER, 40 RUFF, 5 BLACK WINGED STILT , 1 GREENSHANK, 1 REDSHANK, 1 SPOTTED REDSHANK, 2 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 4 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER

7 SNIPE , 2 GREEN SANDPIPER, 3 RED THROATED PIPIT, 1 HOOPOE, 7 GULL BILLED TERN feeding close , 6 STARLING 

Final stop at Kensington Cliffs - unfortunately no GRIFFON VULTURE 

however - 2 ALPINE SWIFT, 20 COMMON SWIFT, 3 LITTLE SWIFT , 2 JACKDAW 

Trip list now 86 

Lots of photos to down load will try and post them on SAT 

THURS 24 MARCH

Weather for Cyprus cold - showers today -visited some of the local main sites - managed 50 species - highlights 

Hotel balcony - 1 M BLACK REDSTART

Mandria- 20 SERIN, 1M 3 F NORTHERN WHEATEAR, 1 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, 7 BALTIC GULL-N , 1 SPUR WINGED PLOVER, 

1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 5 BLACK HEADED WAGTAIL, YELLOW WAGTAIL, 2 LAUGHING DOVE, 4 MIPIT.

'ASPRO Dam - 6 SWIFT, 2 ALPINE SWIFT, 1 PURPLE HERON, 1 RED RUMPED SWALLOW, 110. YELLOW L GULL.

Agia Varvara- 1 LITTLE EGRET, 1 LONG LEGGED BUZZARD , 

2 WATER PIPIT, 2 BLACKCAP, 2 ZITTING CISTICOLA, 4 LINNET, 1 GREY HERON , 

Paphos Sewage Works - 20 SPUR WINGED PLOVER,1 M BLACK FRANCOLIN, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 50 CHAFFINCH, 5 CHIFFY 

Mandria -16.00- 4 NORTHERN WHEATEAR, 1 SARDINIAN WARBLER, 100 SPANISH SPARROW, 1 BLACKBIRD , 2 CHUKER.

WED 23 MARCH 

Reports received- 

South Milton village pond - 1 pair GARGANEY 

South Milton Ley - small pool 1 pair of GARGANEY.

Alan ringed 3 CHIFFY, 1 CIRL BUNTING, 1 SPRAWK, 1 COAL TIT 

also retrapped 3 SIBERIAN CHIFFY .

South Huish Marsh- 1 SANDWICH TERN 

TUES 22 MARCH 

Sunny morning with a brisk F4/5 SE wind 

Seawatch from car park 08.20-09.45, flats 11.30- 12.00 

65 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 5 MANX SHEARWATER- SE 09.00, 

50 RAZORMOT, 5 TEAL - on sea , 9 PINTAIL -SE 

Rocks - 11 OYSTERCATCHER, 2 LITTLE EGRET 

A report of a m BLACK REDSTART (128) 

GULLS - flocks feeding in the Bay - 250 BLACK HEADED, 220 HERRING, 6 KITTIWAKE, 1 COMMON , 5AD 1 2W 1 1W MED, 

4 GREAT B B , 1 LESSER B B 

On South Huish Marsh- 1 F GARGANEY, 19 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 

1M 2F SHOVELER, 2 SNIPE, 1 WATER PIPIT - looks fantastic in summer plumage, 2 LITTLE EGRET 

Late afternoon a flock of 12 REDSHANK on the Marsh - a very good count for here 

GULLS - 70 BLACK HEADED, 4 AD MED, 10 HERRING, 1 LESSER B B 

Eric reports on South Efford Marsh - 40 TEAL, 8 SHELDUCK, 

1 WATER PIPIT 

Last patch post for a while we are off to Cyprus in the morning.

MON 21 MARCH 

Lighter wind today SE F4 overcast early then sunny periods .

The influx of GARGANEY continued today - 1 pair on the sea @09.00

later flew NW @09.20, 4 flew in from west @09.42, 2m 1 f flew SE @

11.20 . There was also a pair on South Huis Marsh at 11.00 ( still present at 17.00 ) - that makes a total for the patch so far of 44. 
Seawatch from car park 08.25- 10.00 and from the flats from 11.15-12.00 - 80 GANNET, 2 FULMAR , 2 RED THROATED DIVER- on sea @08.40 also 1 flew SE @ 09.35 ( these are my first DIVERS this month ). 1 BLACK THROATED DIVER- on sea @11.40 .

6 COMMON SCOTER- SE, 4 RAZORMOT-SE, 11 RAZORBILL- on sea, 

GULLS - 80 BLACK HEADED, 1 AD MED -SE, 20 HERRING, 5 GREAT B B , 1 LESSER B B 

9 OYSTERCATCHER- on rocks with 2 LITTLE EGRET.

On South Huish Marsh-

37 TEAL, 4 SHELDUCK, 1M 2 F SHOVELER, 1 SNIPE , 3 COOT, 

1 WHITE WAGTAIL, 1 WATER PIPIT

Added  some new photos

Report from Richie of a RED L PARTRIDGE on the lane from the marsh , GARGANEY & SHOVELER still on the Marsh at 17.30

SUN 20 MARCH 

Sunny morning with an F5/6 SSE wind - not as good as yesterday

First an update on yesterday after receding photos from Richie of a flock of 8 duck - these show at least 2 pairs of SCAUP (127 ) and a male WIGEON - SCAUP is a rare visitor here only 3 records in last 25 years 

Seawatch from car park 08.15- 12.00 - joined by Richie, Rob & Steph and Roger 

25 GANNET, 1 FULMAR, 4 KITTIWAKE, 1 AD MED GULL, 5 GUILLEMOT- on sea, 9 RAZORMOT-SE, 

DUCKS - Flock of 8 PINTAIL ( 4 pairs ) flew into the bay at 09.00, 

landed briefly , tried to get round Bolt Tail twice , finally flew up Hope Valley .5 TEAL - on sea, 16 COMMON SCOTER ( 3 flocks of 

4, 5, 7) 

Waders - 1 DUNLIN, 1 CURLEW , 9 OYSTERCATCHER.

On South Huish Marsh -27 TEAL, 4 LITTLE EGRET, 1 KINGFISHER, 

2 CURLEW, 1 WATER PIPIT 

SAT 19 MARCH 

E winds overnight increasing to gale force8/9 during the morning 

resulted in one of the best days on the patch for awhile , with 5 patch year ticks and significant numbers of duck and waders .

Seawatch from 08.30 - 13.15 , started in the car park then moved to the shelter of the flats , joined by Nick & Richie .

55 GANNET , 8 FULMAR, 12 RAZORBILL - on sea, 23 RAZORMOT-SE, 

GULLS - 26 BLACK HEADED, 10 HERRING, 2 GREAT B B .

First sign of any duck we're 6 TEAL - NW @09.00, thereafter my log was -

09.40 - 14 GARGANEY (122 ) flew in from west, landed on sea 

10.15 - 2 flocks of TEAL flew in from west and landed on sea - 13 

only 3 males .

10.20 1 GREAT CRESTED GREBE  on th sea 

11.20 - 8 GARGANEY ( 4 males ) landed on sea 

11.45 a flock of 20 TEAL / GARGANEY flew SE - I managed to pick out 4 m GARGANEY ( could have been som females )

11.45 - Flock of 35 SHOVELER -123 ( 11 males ) flew in from west , landed on sea , by 13.00 this flock had increased to 42.

11.45 4 GADWALL (124) 2m 2F joined the SHOVELER flock 

WADERS -  5 OYSTERCATCHER-on rocks , 2 SNIPE - on rocks 

12.20 12 BAR TAILED GODWIT (125 ) flew in off the sea straight up The Valley . From photos taken by Richie found three were 2 GREY PLOVER with them 

RINGED PLOVER - 9. & DULIN 4 flew onto the rocks at 13.00 

On South Huish Marsh- 2 M GARGANEY at 12.00, 26 TEAL, 3 LITTLE EGRET, GULLS - 60 BLACK HEADED, 3 MED (2 2W, 1 1w )

40 HERRING

Meanwhile ERIC reported from South Efford-2m 1 f GARGANEY , 

40 TEAL, 14 SHELDUCK, 2 WATER PIPIT , 2 SAND MARTIN (126)

From 09.00 4 GAGANEY ( 2 pairs ) were on a small pond in South Milton Village - still present at 15.00

The total of GARGANEY AT 35 is the second largest day total for the patch - still in first place is the 65 on 1 April 2005 - that passage did not start until around 12.00 in light SE winds 

Winds are due to drop this evening but will still be E in the morning 

could be another interesting day 

FRI 18 MARCH 

A sunny morning with a E wind increasing F3-5 

Seawatch from car park 08.40- 09.50 

27 GANNET , 7 FULMAR, 40 MANX SHEARWATER- 25 NW @ 09.10

15 NW @ 09.40 , 12 RAZORMOT-NW, 6 RAZORBILL- on sea, 

3 COMMON SCOTER-NW, 

GULLS - 6 KITTIWAKE, 110 HERRING, 33 BLACK HEADED, 9 GREAT B B 

Rocks - 5 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 LITTLE EGRET 

On South Huish Marsh - 24 TEAL, 1 MUTE SWAN, 2 COOT, 2 LITTLE EGRET, 2 WATER PIPIT, 1 WHITE ,  WAGTAIL(121 ) 

GULLS - 35 BLACK HEADED, 6 HERRING

THURS 17 MARCH 

Sunny morning after a frost, wind SW3

Seawatch 08.30-0915 _-38GANNET-SE, 1 FULMAR, 6 RAZORBILL-on sea, 7 RAZORMOT- SE 

GULLS - 65 HERRING, 36 BLACK HEADED, 2 KITTIWAKE, 2 MED - 1 AD , 1 1W- SE 

1 STONECHAT 

On South Huish Marsh - 10 TEAL, 1 F WIGEON, 4 LITTLE EGRET, 

1 HERON , 2 COOT, 1 SNIPE, 1 KESTREL, 1 WATER PIPIT.

GULLS - 40 BLACK HEADED, 20 HERRING, 5 MED - 2AD, 2 SW, 1 1W.

South Efford Marsh - Eric reports- 2 GREENSHANK, REDSHANK, 

2 WATER PIPIT, 1 LITTLE GREBE 

WED 16 MAR 

Despite several weather forecasts the morning was wet- spent 3 hours in the car watching South Huish Marsh - no change to recent days .

28 TEAL, 5 WIGEON , 2 COOT, 3 LITTLE EGRET, 4 SNIPE , 

4 OYSTERCATCHER.

GULLS -75 BLACK HEADED, 11MED ( 6 ad, 3 2W, 2 1w ) 

31 HERRING, 2 1W GREAT B B 

Along the lanes 2 MISTLE THRUSH 

TUES 15 MAR 

Spell of settled weather continues , wind this morning just F2 SSE 

Brief Seawatch only produced 1 RAZORMOT-SE , 1 RAZORBILL-on sea .

On South Huish Marsh- 24 TEAL, 5 WIGEON ( 2 m, 3 f ) , 3 LITTLE EGRET, 2 COOT, 3 LINNET, 2 CHIFFY 

GULLS - 105 BLACK HEADED ( 42 1W ), 7 MED ( 3 ad, 1 2W, 3 1w )

5 HERRING.

Late afternoon report from Richie - 120 BLACK HEADED GULL, large flock of HERRING GULL, 6 MED GULL.

South Milton Ley- walking down to the sewage works a flock of 50+

CHAFFINCH , feeding in stubble field ( largest flock on the patch this year ), 25 CHIFFY, 2 WATER RAIL, GREENFINCH, BULLFINCH .

MON 14 MAR 

Sunny periods only a light breeze with a flat calm sea- very poor birding today .

Highlight were a pair of BULLFINCH in the garden at 08.00 

An hours Seawatch from 08.30- just 8 GANNET -SE, 3 RAZORMOT-NW, GULLS - 30 BLACK HEADED - on rocks also 3-NW, 120 HERRING 

- included 40 on sea others SE 

On South Huish Marsh- 20 TEAL, 1 M WIGEON ( other 16 departed overnight ), 3 SNIPE, 3 LITTLE EGRET, 2 HEON , 3 WATER PIPIT, 3 STONECHAT 

GULLS - 35 BLACK HEADED, 6 MED ( 4 ad, 1 2W, 1 1w ) 8 HERRING.

SUN 13 MARCH 

Sunny periods and showers this morning- Seawatch from car park 08.45- 09.45 -

14GANNET, 22 KITTIWAKE, 50 BLACK HEADED GULL, , 16 HERRING GULL, 6 GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL, 6 MED GULL -SE ( 4 ad , 2 1w )

5 RAZORMOT-SE 

On the rocks - 5 OYSTERCATCHER, 2 RINGED PLOVER 

On South Huish Marsh - 17 WIGEON , 25 TEAL , 2 LITTLE EGRET, 1 COOT, 9 MOORHEN, 7 WATER PIPIT.

GULLS - 95 BLACK HEADED, 13 MED - 2 1W, 3 2W, 8AD , 

36  HERRING, 2 LESSER B B , 1AD COMMON .

SAT 12 MARCH

A sunny morning with a light SW breeze 

Short visit to South Huish Marsh - -8.30- 10.15 

17 WIGEON , 17 TEAL, 3 LITTLE EGRET, 6 WATER PIPIT 

GULLS - 70 BLACK HEADED, 10 MED ( 8 ad, 2 1W )

On the rocks - 1 KINGFISHER, 40 BLACK HEADED GULL, 7 MED GULL 

(6 ad, 1 1w ), 2 OYSTERCATCHER.

FRI 11 MARCH 

Cloudy morning with heavy rain until 10.30 , showers thereafter.

Spent from 08.30-12.00 watching South Huish Marsh - joined by Richie from 08.45, this is the first time I have spent all morning just watching the marsh - highlight today were GULLS , they kept arriving in flocks about every 45 mins ranging from 25 upto 70 .

A day record for MED GULLS 

BLACK HEADED -total 215- 6 flocks logged ranging from 20 to 70 

HERRING -11, GREAT B B -2 , LESSER B B -33- inc 1 flock of 30 

MED GULL - 66 logged - 2 1W, 5 2W 59 AD - 9 separate counts with a max 16 & 28 

Also 55 TEAL, 16 WIGEON, 1 DUNLIN, 3 SNIPE, 3 LITTLE EGRET, 

9 WATER PIPIT 

new photos added 

THURS 1O MARCH 

Cloudy morning with light showers- sunny from 10.30 , wind SSW F4 .Seawatch from car park 08.30-09.30 - very poor just 10 GANNET 

On the sea a flock of 90 BLACK HEADED GULL with 8 MED GULL ( 6 ad, 2 2w ) 

on the rocks and beaches - 15 OYSTERCATCHER, 10 TURNSTONE, 

2 RINGED PLOVER .

On South Huish Marsh - 56 TEAL, 17 WIGEON , 2 SHELDUCK , 

2 LITTLE EGRET, 1 HERON , JUST 3 WATER PIPIT, 1 DUNLIN, 2 SNIPE, 10 MIPIT, 

GULLS - 12 BLACK HEADED , 1 AD MED , 2 HERRING.

WED 9 MARCH 

Started sunny but clouded over by 09.30, wind SSE F6/7

Seawatch from car park 08.25-10.15 - joined by Stuart L from 09.15 

56 GANNET -SE, 60 KITTIWAKE-SE, 3 FULMAR, 1 SANDWICH TERN -SE @ 09.35 (120 ), 1 BRENT GOOSE -SE, 4 COMMON SCOTER -SE ,

37 RAZORMOT-SE, 1 PEREGRINE-NW 

GULLS -70 BLACK HEADED ( on sea)+ 5 SE, 2 AD MED GULL - on sea , 50 HERRING , 7 GREAT B B 

On rocks - 9 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 TURNSTONE.

On South Huish Marsh- Big reduction in Teal from yesterday afternoon- only 26, 17 WIGEON, 4 LITTLE EGRET, 1 HERON , 1 DUNLIN, 

GULLS - 60 + BLACK HEADED ( assume most of the flock on the sea earlier ), 1 ad MED , 1 LESSER B B .

Big surprise were a total of 12 WATER PIPIT - feeding in the middle of the marsh ( only 1 yesterday afternoon)

TUES 8 MARCH 

Light cloud this morning with a SSE F6 WIND . Seawatch from car park 08.25-10.20 

195 GANNET , 15 KITTIWAKE, 1 AD MED GULL, 6 FULMAR - all SE , 

At 08.50 picked up 4 MANX SHEARWTER -SE ( 118 ) , another at 09.12 - all SE - this is my earliest spring record 

6 COMMON SCOTER-SE ( 4, 2 ) , 10 TEAL -SE ( sat on sea resting for a while ), 2 RAZORMOT-SE, 2 RAZORBILL - on sea 

GULLS - 6 GREAT B B , 3 BLACK HEADED, 25 HERRING 

On Beach/rocks - 16 OYSTERCATCHER, 6 TURNSTONE, 2 RINGED PLOVER.

Afternoon visit to South Huish Marsh- 55 TEAL, 17 WIGEON , 1 SHELDUCK, 2 COOT, 2 LITTLE EGRET, 1 HERON, 1 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 1 SNIPE, 1 DUNLIN, 1 CHIFFY, 1 WATER PIPIT, 

GULLS - 45 BLACK HEADED, 1 AD 1 2W MED GULL, 5 HERRING, 

11 LESSER B B 

Report from Aveton Gifford of a DIPPER  on the river ( 119 )

MON 7 MARCH 

First morning back on the patch, interesting plus a patch year tick 

Cloudy with a brusk F7 S wind - Seawatch 08.40- 10.00- car park 

170 GANNET -SE, 2 M COMMON SCOTER-SE, 2 SHELDUCK-SE, 

2 FULMAR, 3 KITTIWAKE-SE, 7 RAZORMOT-SE, 12 LINNET-S

On sea 25 BLACK HEADED GULL, 4 GREAT BLACK BACKED GULL, 

30 + HERRING GULL 

On beach/rocks - 9 OYSTERCATCHER, 6 TURNSTONE, 2 RINGED PLOVER 

Village Garden - Pair of CIRL BUNTING visiting feeders regularly 

South Huish Marsh- 17 WIGEON, 16 TEAL, 4 LITTLE EGRET, 1 COOT, 1 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 1 CURLEW, 1 M STONECHAT, 1 RAVEN 

GULLS - 25 HERRING, 3 BLACK HEADED, 1 LESSER B B 

Along the tidal road - 4 GREENSHANK, 8 REDSHANK, 1 KNOT (117 )

CURLEW , 1AD COMMON GULL, 2 SHELDUCK , 2 TEAL

Photo added on photo page 

SUN 6 MARCH 

Afternoon report from South Huish Marsh -

1 ad MED GULL, 6 DUNLIN, WIGEON , TEAL, 1 WATER PIPIT 

SAT 5MAR 

Sat at the airport for our fight home - nothing to add for Cyprus report , however Alan was ringing 30 birds at South Milton Ley 

inc-2 BLACKCAP, 17 CHIIFY, 1 FIRECREST(116 ),  3 GOLDCREST . Also on site 1M CETTIS WARBLER, 2 WATER RAIL , 1 BULLFINCH 

FRI 4 MARCH 

A cool and cloudy day , spent almost 4 hours at the Mosaics site at Paphos Headland ,.

2 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 CHIFFY, 5 SARDINIAN WARBLER, 

3 ZITTING CISTICOLA, 26 GOLDFINCH, 8 GREENFINCH, 1 SERIN , 

3 LINNET, 1 CHAFFINCH, 1 ROBIN, 12 STONECHAT, 15 BLACK REDSTART, 1 SKYLARK, 4 CRESTED LARK, 2 MEADOW PIPIT, 

2 RED TTHROATED PIPIT,  3 CORN BUNTING, 7 GREAT TIT, 

2 KESTREL, 5 SWALLOW, many HOODED CROW , 1 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, .At 14.50 a flock of 60+ CORMORANT flew NW .

Meanwhile back at HOPE COVE a RED KITE reported by James 

THURS 3 MARCH

Heavy rain and gale force winds restricted any birding until the afternoon when we drove over to Mandria, few birds around , the flock of SPANISH SPARROW increased to 150, 30 SKLARK, a few LINNET & GREENFINCH , 10 WHITE WAGTAIL .

At PAPHOS SEWAGE WORKS the only bird we saw was a SPARROWHAWK.

WED 2 MAR 

Showers early, first stop AGIA Varvara- SONG THRUSH, 10 HOUSE MARTIN , 1 BLACK REDSTART

Aspr Dam - 4 WOODLARK, 2 CORN BUNTING, 1 STONECHAT , 4 ALPINE SWIFT

NATA - 1 BONELLI'S EAGLE, 10 SWALLOW, 3 LINNET, 2 CORN BUNTING, 1 BLACK FRANCOLIN, 2 STONECHAT 

AT   MANDRIA -1 BLACK REDSTART,  1 ROBIN, BLACK FRANCOLIN, 

100 SKYLARK,  100SPANISH SPARROW, RED THROATED PIPIT , 

3 MIPIT, 2 LAUGHING DOVE, 2 SPUR WINGED PLOVER 

Finally Paphos Sewage Works - 8 SPUR WINGED PLOVER, 

1 BLACK WINGED STILT 

Photos from our Akrotiri visit - 1 March 

TUES 1 MAR 

Having problems with internet connection!

The WHITE CROWNED WHEATEAR continues to show well to an increasing number of birders .

Spent today in the Akrotiri area - very enjoyable day .

Started at Lake Makria ( Zakaki Marsh ) only LITTLE GREBE, MOORHEN CETTIS WARBLER , 1 F MARSH HARRIER , SWALLOWS MOVING NW 

Looking over the sea picked up a single flock of 8 GREY HERON &

6 GREAT WHITE EGRET flying overhead followed by a flock of over 1000 BLACK HEADED GULLS -those that landed and could be scanned about 250 included 3 SLENDER BILLED GULL, 6 AD MED GULL, 1 BALTIC GULL , A FEW YELLOW LEGGED GULL, 

Ladies Mile water levels high only 2 waders - GREEN SANDPIPER , KENTISH PLOVER , several STONECHAT , BLACK REDSTART,

40 FLAMINGO

Spent a good hour scanning Akrotiri Marsh-1 BUZZARD, 3 F MARSH HARRIER, 20 CATTLE EGRET, 10 LITTLE EGRET, 4 GREAT WHITE EGRET, 4 GREEN SANDPIPER, 2 WOOD SANDPIPER, 1 SNIPE, 1 GREENSHANK,

2 GLOSSY IBIS, 6 SPUR WINGED PLOVER, MALLARD, 60 TEAL, Overhead 100's of SWALLOW, 1 SAND MARTIN , 60 +SWIFT

On the way back called in at Kensington Cliffs- 1 LONG LEGGED BUZZARD and 6 (possibly 8) GRIFFON VULTURES- 2 pairs on nesting ledges !

At Secret Valley pools - 13 COOT , 1 CORMORANT, CHUKER, 

SARDINIAN WARBLER 

FEBRUARY 2022

MON 28 FEB 

The WHITE CROWNED WHEATEAR still showing well from 07.00-16.45 to an increasing number of admirers .

Also along the coastal rocks a M BLUE ROCK THRUSH, several BLACK REDTART , LAUGHING DOVE, 1 GREY HERON , SWALLOWS flying north .

At Macro Dam - 2 GREY HERON , CORMORANT, 12 SERIN , CETTIS WARBLER, 3 KESTREL, JACKDAW, CHUKER.

At Larks corner Mandria, large flock of birds comprising- 

100 SPANISH SPARROW, 60 LINNET, 40 GREENFINCH , many CRESTED LARK, CHAFFINCH, 6 RED THROATED PIPIT, 30 WHITE WAGTAIL, WOODLARKS, 8 LESSER SHORT TOED LARK- TURKMENISTAN sub species ( according to local birders recently split from Mediterranean)

In bushes near the village M BLACKCAP, SWALLOWS flying over .

At Paphos Sewage Works - 15 SPUR WINGED PLOVER, 1 BLACKBIRD

FABULOUS CYPRUS!

Sun 27 FEB 

No car until Monday so just walking near the hotel - at 15.30 found an unusual WHEATEAR on the rocks just outside our hotel - just been confirmed as the 12th record for Cyprus of a White-crowned Wheatear- obviously a lifer for me .

Only 20 species today best were SWALLOW, BLACK REDSTART and a few of the local species - it can't get better than this 

FRI 25 FEB 

A sunny morning with a light breeze SW . Still,little moving offshore- 10 GANNET, 4 KITTIWAKE, 50 RAZORMOT-on sea also7 SE 

2 LINNET-N 

On rocks / beaches - 11 OYSTERCATCHER, 20 TURNSTONE

On South Huish Marsh- 19 TEAL, 24 WIGEON, 1 SHELDUCK, 

1 MUTE SWAN, 2 SNIPE, 1 OYSTERCATCHER, 4 LITTLE EGRET, 

1 HERON , 2 CORMORANT, 2 RAVEN , 4 STONECHAT.

Poor count of GULLS - only 20 BLACK HEADED  and 3 HERRING .

Last local patch post until 6 March- off  to Cyprus  in the morning, 

THURS 24 FEB 

Started sunny wind NW F6/7 - a severe squall at 10.00 wind gusting F9 heavy hail shower 

On South Huish Marsh- 32 WIGEON , 30 TEAL, 1 MUTE SWAN, 

7 MOORHEN, 1 CORMORANT, 1 HERON , 3 LITTLE EGRET, 16 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 KESTREL, 1 SPRAWK .

GULLS - 40 BLACK HEADED , 60 HERRING, 20 LESSER B B , 

5 GREAT B B

WED 23 FEB 

 A calmer day only a SW F3 wind , overcast , sunny later .

Offshore - 30 min Seawatch - 5 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 4 KITTIWAKE, 

5 RAZORMOT-SE 

On the rocks - 12 OYSTERCATCHER, 6 TURNSTONE.

On South Huish Marsh- big reduction in Teal only 30 today, 

56 WIGEON, 12 CABADA GOOSE, 1 MUTE SWAN, 3 LITTLE EGRET, 2 HERON , 6 OYSTERCATCHER, 6 SNIPE,1 COOT, 5 MOORHEN.

SOME LIGHT PASSERINE  movement - SE -4 LINNET, 8 MIPIT , 

2 SKYLARK, 5 BLACKBIRD , 2 SONG THRUSH, 1 CHIFFY .

Along the lanes a JAY & a KESTREL

A lot less GULLS today - 65 BLACK HEADED, 6 HERRING, 

1 GREAT B B 

TUES 22 FEB 

Wind still F7/8WSW , Cloudy with light rain from 10.30 

Nothing off shore . On South Huish Marsh-

90 TEAL, 63 WIGEON, 22 OYSTERCATCHER, 2 CORMORANT, 

2 LITTLE EGRET, 5 MOORHEN, 1 COOT, 1 MUTE SWAN, 2 CANADA GOOSE .

GULLS - 55 BLACK HEADED, 60 HERRING, 3 LESSER B B , 2 GREAT B B 

Copse - 7 BLACKBIRD,  2 SONG THRUSH, 3 CHAFFINCH, , 

1 GREENFINCH 

VILLAGE - 1 JAY

SUN 20 FEB 

Now storm Franklyn arrives . Some damage to properties on the coast , wind this morning WSW 8/9 , CLOUDY WITH LIGHT SHOWERS - no Seawatch due to the conditions.

On South Huish Marsh- still flooded , 42 WIGEON , 27 TEAL, 30 MALLARD, 1 MUTE SWAN, 1 CORMORANT, 1 LITTLE EGRET, 

30 CANADA GOOSE, 12 OYSTERCATCHER 

GULLS - 75 BLACK HEADED, 16 GREAT B B , 10 LESSER B B , 

115 HERRING 

SAT 19 FEB 

After storm Eunice yesterday , heavy rain this morning . Spent the morning clearing up the storm damage . Hopefully back,out in the morning 

THURS 17 FEB 

Sunny periods turning cloudy with light showers later, wind WSW F7 .
Offshore nothing in 30 mins. On the rocks -11 OYSTERCATCHER, 

8 TURNSTONE, 3 LITTLE EGRET.

On the Beach - 40 BLACK HEADED GULL, 3 GREAT B B GULL 

South Huish marsh- 45 WIGEON, 40 TEAL, 1 M PINTAIL, 2 LITTLE EGRET, 1 HERON , 1 CORMORANT, 2 OYSTERCATCHER, 7 SNIPE , 30 STOCK DOVE .

GULLS - 35 HERRING, 60 BLACK HEADED , ,10 LESSER B B ,

1 GREAT B B , 2 AD MED GULL ( 1 almost in summer plumage )

Have added new photos - check the page 
 

WED 16 FEB 

Another cloudy morning with light showers , SW F7 wind - poor offshore visibility.

In the gloom only managed to pick up 4 GANNET . On the rocks -

18 TURNSTONE, 7 OYSTERCATCHER 

On South Huish Marsh- 70 TEAL, 60 WIGEON , 5 SNIPE, 8 OYSTERCATCHER, 2 CORMORANT, 1 MUTE SWAN 

GULLS - 120 HERRING, 30 LESSER B B . 5 GREAT B B.  5 COMMON , 

30 BLACK HEADED.

Regular followers of the blog will have realised I am spending time looking through the GULLS both on the marsh and in the Bay, each year they have produced some very good records , hopefully this will continue. So far this year 8 different species recorded.

TUES 15 FEB 

A spell of windy and wet weather started this morning - poor visability, SW F7 .

Seawatch from the flats 09.05- 10.00

Highlight were 2 F EIDER (115 ) flying SE , only 7 GANNET and 2 RAZORMOT.

On rocks - 15 OYSTERCATCHER, 2 RINGED PLOVER, 

GULLS - feeding flock of 100 BLACK HEADED , 3 GREAT B B 

On beach a washed up corpse of a Harbour Porpoise 

On South Huish Marsh- 71 WIGEON ( 40 male, 31 female) , 

35 TEAL, 1 LITTLE EGRET, 1 MUTE SWAN 

GULLS - 40 BLACK HEADED, 20 LESSER B B , 15 HERRING 

MON 14 FEB 

Nice to be back on the patch today, sunny periods light showers,wind WNW F3 .

After a JCB cleared the Marsh outlet pipe on Friday it was blocked again after the w/end storms 

Offshore - very poor - 70 GANNET, 4 SHAG, 6 CORMORANT 

On the rocks- 10 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 TURNSTONE, 2 RINGED PLOVER.

On South Huish Marsh - 45 TEAL, 51 WIGEON, 1 M PINTAIL, 

10 SNIPE , 1 WATER PIPIT, 3 SONG THRUSH.

GULLS - 50 BLACK HEADED, 30 HERRING, 5 LESSER B B, 4 GREAT B B.

Short visit to South Milton Ley - 20+ CHIFFY, 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFY, 

1 M CIRL BUNTING, 1 GREAT SP WOODY.

Late last week 2 separate reports of a RED KITE over North Marsh .

FRI 11 FEB 

After a frosty start a sunny calm morning. 
Seawatch from 09.00-10. 00 - very quiet - No GANNET !

85 WIGEON- on sea, 3 COMMON SCOTER -SE, 18 RAZORBILL - ON SEA , 1 GUILLEMOT- ON SEA ( another found dead ) 18 CORMORANT 

5 SHAG 

Gulls - 5 KITTIWAKE, 3 BLACK HEADED, 50 HERRING , 2 GREAT B B .

On rocks - 8 OYSTERCATCHER, 5 TURNSTONE, 5 RRINGED PLOVER, 

1 LITTLE EGRET.

On South Huish Marsh- 60 TEAL, 2 SHELDUCK, 5 WIGEON , 1 COOT, 16 SNIPE, 2 LITTLE EGRET, 8 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 JAY 

GULLS - 60 BLACK HEADED, 5 HERRING.

South Milton Ley- Alan ringed 7 new birds - 5 CHIFFY , 1 MAGPIE 

( first he has ringed since 2013 ). Also on site - 3 CETTIS WARBLER, 

3 WATER RAIL, 2 FIELDFARE, 5 REDWING, 25 SKYLARK, 

1 GREEN WOODY, 1 GREAT SP WOODY . 

At Aveton Gifford Eric reports - NUTHATCH, BLACKCAP, GREAT SP WOODY.

Bird of the year ( so far ) reported watched between 15.00- 1530

at a local site - DARTFORD WARBLER ( 113 )
 

THURS 10 FEB 

Started cloudy with light showers , wind NW F3 .

Disappointing Seawatch 09.15-10.10 -

25 GANNET-NW, 5 KITTIWAKE-NW, 1 GREAT N DIVER - NW @ 09.25, 14 RAZORBILL- ON SEA, amongst 20 BLACK H GULL on sea was an adult MED GULL .

On rocks - 6 OYSTERCATCHER, 10 TURNSTONE, 5 RINGED PLOVER 

On South Huish Marsh - 55 TEAL, 85 WIGEON, 1 COOT, 6 SNIPE, 

19 OYSTERCATCHER, 9 GOLDFINCH, 3 LITTLE EGRET

GULLS - 50 HERRING, 1 LESSER B B , 125 BLACK HEADED, 1 2W 

MED GULL 

WED 9 FEB 

Started sunny before cloud moved in around 10.30, wind SW F3

Seawatch  -9.00-10.30 

19 GANNET-NW, 10 RAZORMOT-SE, 40 RAZORBILL-on sea, 

2 RED THROATED DIVER- NW @ -9.32.

Lots of GULLS feeding across the Bay- 500+ HERRING, 250 BLACK 

HEADED, 10 KITTIWAKE, 6 GREAT B B , 1 AD MED GULL 

On the rocks - 17 OYSTERCATCHER, 15 TURNSTONE, 5 RINGED PLOVER.

On South Huish Marsh- 87 WIGEON , 100 TEAL, 10 OYSTERCATCHER 

2 SNIPE, 4 LITTLE EGRET, 1 SPRAWK, 1 WATER PIPIT.

GULLS - 135 BLACK HEADED, 40 HERRING, 2 LESSER B B , 1 AD MED GULL .

TUES 8 FEB 

Another cloudy morning with a F3 INC 5 WSW wind.

Seawatch 08.50- 10.20 

165 GANNET , 17 KITTIWAKE, 3 FULMAR, 35 RAZORMOT-SE, 

20 RAZORBILL-on sea , 21 CORMORANT, 5 SHAG 

On the rocks - 10 OYSTERCATCHER, 10 TURNSTONE 

On South Huish Marsh-

83 TEAL, 90 WIGEON , 1 M PINTAIL, 4 LITTLE EGRET, 2 SNIPE, 7 STOCK DOVE 

GULLS - 60 HERRING, 14 LESSER B B , 6 GREAT B B , 110 BLACK  HEADED

MON 7 FEB

An overcast morning with a light W breeze.

Seawatch/ South Huish marsh-

9 GANNET -NW, 25 KITTIWAKE-NW, 1 COMMON SCOTER-NW , 

2 RED THROATED DIVER & 1 GREAT N DIVER- NW @10.25 followed 2 mins later by another GREAT N DIVER. 

2 GUILLEMOT-on sea , 90 WIGEON-on sea ( flew onto the marsh @ 10.35 

On Beach/ rocks - 12 TURNSTONE, 7 OYSTERCATCHER, 1 RINGED PLOVER 

On South Huish marsh- 

61 TEAL, 22 SNIPE, 17 OYSTERCATCHER, 3 SKYLARK, 1 SPRAWK, 3 LITTLE EGRET 

GULLS - 125 BLACK H, 35 HERRING, 4 LESSER B B , 1 GREAT B B , 

1 AD COMMON 

SUN 6 FEB 

No Seawatch this morning due to the WNW F 9 + and cloudy conditions.

On South Huish Marsh - flooded again ( outlet pipe must be blocked ) 

WIGEON & TEAL ( not counted ) , 3 MUTE SWAN, 1 SNIPE, 1 WATER PIPIT, 2 SONG THRUSH,.

GULLS - 150 + HERRING , 15 LESSER B B , 6 GREAT B B , , 

40  BLACK  HEADED.

On the  rocks - 24 OYSTERCATCHER, 11 TURNSTONE 

SAT 5 FEB 

Overcast morning with a F6 WSW wind 

Seawatch 09.00- 10.30 

125 GANNET, 12 KITTIWAKE, 3 FULMAR, 17 RAZORMOT, 

2 RED THROATED DIVER- SE @09.35 

On beaches - 22 OYSTERCATCHER, 11 TURNSTONE, 5 RINGED PLOVER.

My Garden - 1 JAY, 2 GREENFINCH 

South Milton Garden 5 GREENFINCH.

At Aveton Gifford - 1 REED BUNTING, SPRAWK , GREAT SP WOODY 

GOLDFINCH.

FRI 4 FEB 

Although a sunny morning a brisk F5 NW wind .

Seawatch -8.50-10.00 -

590 GANNET ( mostly SE ) 35 KITTIWAKE, 15 RAZORMOT, 

1 RED T DIVER - on sea @ -9.30 .

On rocks - 18 OYSTERCATCHER, 17 TURNSTONE, 1 RAVEN (over ) 

On South Huish Marsh-

42 TEAL, 80 WIGEON , 1 M PINTAIL , 13 OYSTERCATCHER, 4 SNIPE

1 HERON , 2 LITTLE EGRET.

GULLS - 150 HERRING, 50 BLACK HEADED, 8 LESSER B B 

5 GREAT B B 

THURS 3 FEB 

Another morning of bright periods, light showers and a WSW F 3 breeze .

Offshore- 08.45- 10.30 

65 GANNET, 38 KITTIWAKE, 1 RAZORBILL-on sea, 3 COMMON SCOTER- NW 

On the rocks-25 OYSTERCATCHER, 5 RINGED PLOVER, 22 TURNSTONE.

On South Huish Marsh - 60 WIGEON , 30 TEAL, 1 SHELDUCK, 

1BARNACLE GOOSE, 9 SNIPE. ,1 HERON, 2 LITTLE EGRET.

GULL flocks - 65 BLACK HEADED , 50 HERRING, 14 LESSER B B 

8 GREAT B B , 1 AD MED .

2 RAVEN 

At South Milton Ley- 30 + CHIFFY, 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFY, GOLDCREST, GREAT SP WOODY, CETTIS WARBLER, GREY WAGTAIL 

At Aveton Gifford Eric reports - 5 REDWING, NUTHATCH, 

LITTLE GREBE , KINGFISHER 

WED 2 FEB 

An hour seawatching from 09.05- 100GANNET- SE, 5 KITTIWAKE, 

1 FULMAR -SE, 3 RAZORMOT-SE, 1 RED THROATED DIVER-SE @ 09.43.

On Yarmer Beach- OYSTERCATCHER, 5 RINGED PLOVER 

Drive by sightings - Aveton Gifford- KESTREL 

Brixton - opposite Roger's Garage 12 + CATTLE EGRET.

16.45 - Rat Island - Torpoint - 1 SPOONBILL 

TUES 1 FEB 

Back to cloudy conditions with light drizzle, wind F5/6 NW 

Short 30 min Seawatch only produced 24 GANNET .

On the rocks OYSTERCATCHER & TURNSTONE.

At South Milton Ley- 30+ CHIFFY, 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFY, GREY WAGTAIL, MISTLE THRUSH, SONG THRUSH , CETTIS WARBLER, 

LONG T TIT, 1 RAVEN , 10 REDWING.

On South Huish Marsh- 80 WIGEON, 30 TEAL, 1M PINTAIL, 

3 MUTE SWAN, 8 SNIPE , 50+ STOCK DOVE .

Short visit along the tidal road at Aveton Gifford - REDSHANK, GREENSHANK, CURLEW, LITTLE EGRET, GREY WAGTAIL, COAL TIT .

JANUARY 2022.

MON 31 JAN 

Overcast with bright periods , WNW F5/6 wind .

Disappointing end to January- Seawatch 09.00-09.45 -

60 GANNET -NW, 245 RAZORMOT-SE, 3 FULMAR .

On South Huish Marsh- 75 WIGEON, 23 TEAL, 1 M PINTAIL, 9 SNIPE 

1 BARNACLE GOOSE, 1 JAY, 2 WATER PIPIT.

Despite over an hours drive around all the well known sites the only flock of winter Finches Buntings & Larks were 80 SKYLARK at Huxton Cross 

SUN 30 JAN

Sunny morning with a hard frost, calm conditions.

A 30min Seawatch from 09.30 only produced 1 GUILLEMOT-on sea, 5 KITTIWAKE.

Short visit to South Milton Ley- 30+ CHIFFY, 2 SIBERIAN CHIFFY, 

1 GOLDCREST, 1 GREY WAGTAIL .

On the river at Buckfastleigh a DIPPER

SAT 29 JAN 

Cloudy morning with light drizzle, brisk wind -

Slapton - 09.30 - offshore , 2GREAT N DIVER, 1 RED T DIVER, 

5 RAZORBILL, 1 GUILLEMOT.

Ley - 50 + GADWALL, 9 GOLDENEYE ( males displaying) 1 F POCHARD .Many TUFTED DUCK, WIGEON , GREAT C GREBE .

Kingsbridge Estuary- from Bowcombe - 

10 RED BREASTED MERGANSER ( 5 pairs ) 80 BRENT GOOSE -DB, 

2 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, many WIGEON & SHELDUCK .

FRI 28 JAN 

After a hard frost asunny calm morning, unfortunately very few birds .

Seawatch from carpark 08.50- 10.00 only recorded -

12 GANNET-SE, 2 KITTIWAKE, 4 RAZORBILL- on sea, 19 RAZORMOT.

On rocks - 11 OYSTERCATCHER, 2 TURNSTONE.

Decided on a visit to Haldon Forest - on and around the feeders -

2 BRAMBLING , 10 + SISKIN, 1 GREAT SP WOODY, 1 SONG THRUSH, 1 NUTHATCH, many COAL TIT & CHAFFINCH.

Parked by the pylons near the Butterfly trail, eventually picked brief in flight views of 3 HAWFINCH 

On the way home stopped at Stover Country Park - not a regular visitor to this site but cannot remember recording 8 specie of Duck before - 29 TUFTED DUCK, 2M 2F POCHARD, 6 WIGEON, 4M 1F GADWALL, 8 SHOVELER, 20 MANDARIN, many MALLARD , 1 F TEAL 

New photos added.

THURS 27 JAN 

CLOUDY MORNING with a W F4 wind, at 10.00 the poor weather moved in with light rain , offshore visibility very poor thereafter.

Seawatch from car park 08.45- 10.00  produced -

200 GANNET -NW, 3 RAZORMOT-SE, 2 BLACK THROATED DIVER - SE @ 09.00. at 09.30 picked up an adult ICELAND GULL ( 112 ) flying across the Bay on its own reasonably close inshore .

On the rocks /. Beach - 18 OYSTERCATCHER, 2 RINGED PLOVER, 8 TURNSTONE.

In my garden mid morning a GREEN WOODY .

Went over to Gara Bridge and found 2 DIPPER underneath the old railway bridge .

WED 26 JAN 

Another cloudy cold and calm morning.Seawatch from Bob's car park 09.05- 10.30 

Only 1 GANNET today- on sea, 2 KITTIWAKE- on sea, 11 RAZORBILL

-on sea . From -9.25 a flock of DIVERS increased from 1 to 8@ 10.00

6 BLACK THROATED DIVER, 2 RED THROATED DIVER . Unfortunately 3 Paddle Boarders came across the bay from Bigbury and spooked them , couldn't relocate them !

2 DB BRENT GOOSE flew SE @ 11.55

On the beach/rocks - 18 OYSTERCATCHER, 5 RINGED PLOVER., 

29 TURNSTONE , 1 KINGFISHER.

On South Huish Marsh - 43 TEAL, 38 WIGEON , 1 M PINTAIL 

3 MUTE SWAN, 3 LITTLE EGRET, 2 HERON , 5 SNIPE, 1 BARNACLE GOOSE , the small CANADA GOOSE is back spends all its time with the  BARNACLE GOOSE . 

A large flock of 150 BLACK H GULL also included 7 ad MED GULL , 

10 COMMON GULL ( 6 ad ), one the MED GULL had a white Darrick ring on right leg - could only see letters YJ .

Eric had some interesting birds in his garden - a WATER RAIL , 

30 LONG TAILED TIT, 6 + GOLDCREST 

New photos added.

TUES 25 JAN 

Although another cloudy morning with little breeze what a difference compared with yesterday .

Seawatch from Bob's car park -9.00- 10.20

115 + GANNET -SE, 20 KITTIWAKE-SE, 85 BLACK HEADED GULL-SE 
( in small flocks of upto 20 ), 1 MUTE SWAN - on sea , 7 COMMON 

SCOTER-SE , 25 RAZORBILL- ON SEA . 1 GREAT CRESTED GREBE ( 109)- on sea drifting west , 3 DB BRENT GOOSE (110)- flew in from west- circled twice then flew back west, 1 BLACK T DIVER - flew in from west and landed off Hope 2 with 4 RED T DIVER - 1 SE (09.12) + 2 on sea, at 09.32 4 drifted in from west 

On beach/rocks 18 OYSTERCATCHER, 5 RINGED PLOVER .

A short walk round Aveton Gifford produced - 2 NUTHATCH, 

1 TREE CREEPER (111), 2 SONG THRUSH, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 

2 LONG T TIT 
 

MON 24 JAN 

Another cloudy morning with a light E breeze .

Quietest morning of the year - Seawatch from Warren Pt 09.00-10.30

150 GANNET, 2 WIGEON - on sea, 72 RAZORMOT-NW, 10 RAZORBILL - on sea , 3 SONG THRUSH - coast path 

Spent an hour at Hatch Bridge - 1M 1F GOOSANDER ( 107 ) , talking to a local farmer he confirmed up to 4 RED L PARTRIDGE in a nearby field ( 108 ) .

SUN 23 JAN 

A cloudy morning with a light E breeze .Great start to the day with 2 large feeding flocks of GANNET - off Warren Pt at least 700, off Bolt Tail ( at the same time 09.00 ) 400 .

The food offshore also responsible for over 110 RAZORBILL on the sea ( flocks of 30 + ) Another 50 RAZORMOT -SE .

On the sea 1 GREAT N DIVER , 15 CORMORANT, 8 SHAG 

On the rocks / beach - 1 KINGFISHER, 21 OYSTERCATCHER, 

23 TURNSTONE, 5 RINGED PLOVER.

On South Huish Marsh - 38 WIGEON, 30 TEAL, 1 M PINTAIL, 3 MUTE SWAN , 60 CANADA GOOSE, 1 BARNACLE GOOSE, 7 OYSTERCATCHER, 28 SNIPE , 2 JACK SNIPE ( 106 ) . Amongst the GULLS - 1 2W COMMON & 1 ad MED .2 LITTLE EGRET, 2 HERON .

In field at back of the Marsh - 60 STOCK DOVE.

At Aveton Gifford- 1 WATER RAIL ( in village stream )

FRI 21 JAN 

Hard frost , marsh frozen over -sunny morning calm conditions.

Seawatch from 08.50- 10.20 

25 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 2 COMMON SCOTER-NW, 19 RAZORMOT- on sea , 1 RAZORBILL- on sea, 1 RED T DIVER - on sea.

On South Huish Marsh- 38 WIGEON, 20 TEAL, 1 M PINTAIL, 14 SNIPE , 3 LITTLE EGRET, 1 HERON , 80 CANADA GOOSE, 

1 BARNACLE GOOSE.

West Buckland Valley, - 3 BULLFINCH, 1 KESTREL, 1 JAY, 1 GREAT SP WOODY, 2 REDWING 

New photos added.

THURS 20 JAN 

A morning of sunny calm conditions , only time for a Seawatch from Bob's carpark - 08.40-10.30 

290 GANNET -NW apart from a feeding flock of 70. 4 KITTIWAKE NW, 1 ad MED GULL, 1 FULMAR -SE, 5 COMMON SCOTER ( 2 SE, 3 NW ), 160 RAZORMOT-NW, 40 on sea , 10 RAZORBILL -on sea . 

1 CURLEW-NW 

On rocks -23 OYSTERCATCHER, 6 TURNSTONE 

Field near South Milton Ley- 2 SISKIN 

WED 19 JAN 

Cloudy morning with a period of heavy rain and poor visibility, clearing by 10.15 . Wind WNW 3 increasing 5 

With shelter available spent seawatching from 09.00- 11.25 

480 GANNET -NW, 22 KITTIWAKE-NW, 3 FULMAR-SE, 

1 AD MED GULL -SE , 6 COMMON SCOTER- NW , 70 RAZORMOT-NW 

On beach/rocks - 25 OYSTERCATCHER, 23 TURNSTONE, 3 LITTLE EGRET, 2 RAVEN 

On South Huish Marsh - 15 SNIPE, 38 WIGEON, 52 TEAL, 1 M PINTAIL 

TUES 18 JAN 

A cloudy morning with a light ENE breeze - interesting offshore passage - Seawatch from 09.00- 10.45 

150 GANNET -SE , 250 KITTIWAKE-SE ( passage from -9.20) 

2 adMED GULL SE , 72 RAZORMOT-SE , 4 RAZORBILL - on sea .

3 COMMON SCOTER-SE . At 10.10 picked up a RED NECKED GREBE on the sea which a few minutes later flew SE (104 ) . This is only my 2/3rd record over the last 20 + years . Because of the disturbance 

from Kite Surfers and Paddle Borders Grebes in the Bay are a rare sighting .

On the beach/ rocks - 16 OYSTERCATCHER, 15 TURNSTONE, 4 RINGED PLOVER, 1 DUNLIN ( 105 ) , 2 LITTLE EGRET.

ON South Huish Marsh- 28 WIGEON , 45 TEAL , 22 SNIPE 

Went over to Southdown Farm ( Soar )  found a mixed flock of 75 + 

YELLOWHAMMER, CIRL BUNTING, CHAFFINCH.

A GREEN WOODY comes into our garden on a regular basis at around 12.40 for an ant feed 

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