Fri 31 AUG 2012
All the action around the marshes - T'stone early am - 2 WIGEON, 8 TEAL, 1 SNIPE, WATER RAIL, 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 1 SWIFT.
On South Huish - 16 TEAL, 8 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 1 RUFF (over )1 DUNLIN, 150 + SWALLOW and HOUSE MARTIN, 1 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER, 3 WILLOW WBLR,
2 WHITETHROAT. 30 + GOLDFINCH. 13 WHEATEAR
Waders on the beaches - 5 RINGED PLOVER, 10 DUNLIN 2 SANDERLING, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 1 REDSHANK (over )
Ringing team - 1 GROPPA, 6 SEDGE, 7 REED, 3 BLACKCAP, 4 WILLOW, 1 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WHITETHROAT.
On the high ground at Uptons Cross- largeflock of SWALLOW and HOUSE MARTION included 2 SWIFT also 2 WHEATEAR .
Late news for Thurs - Alan D had 2 Ruff on S H Marh . SWALLOW roost was 6000+ nad the first autumn MERLIN flew thru
THURS 30 AUG 2012
Back to Sunny weather with a brisk NNW wind- V good viz .
A morning spent part seawatching off Warren Pt and then a walk around the Bay.
Offshore 200 GANNET moved through in 90 mins along with 6 FULMAR and 2 SANDWICH TERN.
Only 1 SANDERLING on the beach with 29 OYSTERCATCHER on the rocks .
In the Bay 2 SANDWICH TERN and a jv ARCTIC TERN were feeding.12 RINGED PLOVER and 5 TURNSTONE flew up the valley.
South Huish Marsh produced the waders of the day with a RUFF ( 181 ) first of the year, 8 BLACK TAILED GODWIT , 7 DUNLIN and a GREEN SANDPIPER . A YELLOW WAGTAIL flew over with a small flock of ALBA'S., 15 TEAL on the marsh.
3 GREY WAGTAIL over, whilst Bob B had a CROSSBILL over the car park at 13.30.
Still not seen one on the patch !
WED 29 AUG 2012
A wet, wet and very wet morning - at 07.00 a HOBBY over the Marsh.
At 08.00 waders on the beach ( probably waiting for Noah's Ark ! ) were 13 SANDERLING and 5 RINGED PLOVER . Conditions got so bad could not find a Gannet so drove over to Beesands -wet seawatch 09.15 -11.30.
A juv LONG TAILED SKUA flew west at 09.30- in the poor conditions got some fairly good flight views, only other Skua was l/p ARCTIC again west at 10.30. did not see any Shearwater or Terns . Other records - 90 Gannet, 17 Fulmar, 13 Kittiwake, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Turnstone and a Wheatear
TUES 28 AUG 2012
Best wader day of the return passage- big influx around 13.30.
This morning in my garden - 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WHITETHROAT, 2 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER and 17 LONG TAILED TIT.
On South Huish marsh WOOD SANDPIPER still and a GREEN SANDPIPER, in the Bay 2 MED GULL - ad & 1st s, in a field amongst a flock of Gulls were 45 ad LESSER B B GULL ( agood count for this time of the year).
At 13.30 25 + DUNLIN flew over T'stone Marsh then Bob B rang to say he had a large flock of DUNLIN and at least 25 RINGED PLOVER. The Dunlin count came to 86 they spent most of the afternoon by the outflow from South Milton Ley at times only feet away from holidaymakers.
Other waders on the beaches -17 SANDERLING, 2 RINGED PLOVER, 2 TURNSTONE, 1 DUNLIN, 32 OYSTERCATCHER.
1 WHEATEAR on the coast path
MON 27 AUG 2012
Avery wet morning and even wetter afternoon.
With a F5 SSW wind and poor viz seawatching of Warren Pt below expectations 2 hrs from 08.20 produced 70 GANNET, 2 FULMAR, 25 GREAT B B GULL ( one flock ) 1 POM SKUA ( 08.40)all going east. Amongst a flock of 30 ALBA WAGTAIL feeding on the Golf Course was a juv YELLOW WAGTAIL -first for Aug. 2 TREE PIPIT over
Waders on the beaches- 31 OYSTERCATCHER, 28 SANDERLING, 2 TURNSTONE.
Went over to Beesands at 12.00 and was joined shortly afterwards by Perry S. A lot more passage here moving towards Start Pt, watched through to 15.15 when wet clothes resulted in an early finish - totals were
105 Gannet, 38 Fulmar, 16 Manx S'water, 1 Balearic S'water, 6 Common Tern, 16 Sandwich Tern, 15 Arctic Tern ( inc 1 flock of 14 ), 8 Arctic Skua, 1 Turnstone, 2 Great C Grebe . 3 Sand Martin over the Ley
SUN 26 AUG 2012
Relatively quiet w/end- too many people on the beach = less waders .
This morning 4 TREE PIPIT over T'stone Marsh with 15 TEAL on the water.
The WOOD SANDPIPER still on S Huish Marsh. with a KNOTT over. On the beach
10 DUNLIN and a RINGED PLOVER
Bob B ringed 10 REED, 5 SEDGE and a WILLOW WARBLER
Winds for Mon looking good.
At 19.45 rec'd a call from John King to say he had a WRYNECK (180 ) in his garden
FRI 24 AUG 2012
Seawatching this morning from the car park impossible with driving rain and very poor viz - even the GANNET were difficult to pick up. In the Bay an ad MED GULL and 4 SANDWICH TERN. Waders on the beaches were - 22 SANDERLING, 22 RINGED PLOVER, 13 DUNLIN.
This afternoon 8 SANDWICH TERN and a GUILLEMOT in the Bay a WHIMBREL over .
Nick T had 3 BLACK TAILED GODWIT on South Huish Marsh with a WHEATEAR and 6 TEAL.
At 07.30 a WIGEON on the back T'stone Marsh
THURS 23 AUG 2012
At this time of the year visits to Soar need to start - first of the autumn migration period this morning - from Bollberry Down to Soar Mill Cove ,most of the activity down by the willows.Almost the first bird I found was a LESSER WHITETHROAT, Others were - 8CHIFFCHAFF, 8 WILLOW WARBLER, 7 BLACKCAP, 4 WHITETHROAT also 40 LINNET. , 30 GOLDFINCH, 1 BULLFINCH, 10 GREENFINCH, 2 SPARROWHAWK, 1 GREAT S WOODPECKER.
The WOOD SANDPIPER still on South Huish marsh.
On T'stone Marsh this eve - 21 TEAL, 225 MALLARD a SPARROWHAWK and a JAY
BOB B ringed 26 SEDGE, 1 REED 3 WILLOW and 3 CHIFFCHAFF with 1 TREE PIPIT over
Last night the SWALLOW roost was 4500+ with an attendant HOBBY
WED 22 AUG 2012
On T'stone Marsh this am - 2 WIGEON, 15 TEAL ( no sign of the Black Wits at 07.00)
On the beaches 37 SANDERLING, 1 CURLEW and 1 WHIMBREL came in off the sea .
Offshore feeding parties of GANNET and 3 MANX SHEARWATER.
Bob B ringed 5 SEDGE and a REED WBLR also 1 TREE PIPIT over
Late afternoon 2 visiting birders reported a WOOD SANDPIPER at the far end of SOUTH HUISH Marsh - still there when I went over at 16.45
TUES 21 AUG 2012
Out early ( for me ) to try and see the waders before the beaches got busy- 27 OYSTERCATCHER, 23 SANDERLING, 6 TURNSTONE, 3 RINGED PLOVER, 2 DUNLIN. 1 SANDWICH TERN in the Bay. A WHEATEAR and a WHITETHROAT on the coast path also 2 TREE PIPIT over.
SH Marsh - 12 TEAL.
A walk around S M Ley only produced a REED WARBLER, A GARDEN WARBLER and 2 CHIFFCHAFF. Earlier Bob B & Dave S had ringed 19 SEDGE, 5 REED wblr, 3 WILLOW and 3 CHIFFCHAFF and heard a WATER RAIl, also had 6 TREE PIPIT OVER.
On T'stone Marsh at 07.15 2 WIGEON were new arrivals. THis aft 1 Dunlin over , a GREENSHANK landed for 6 mins, 6 TEAL
At 20.15 went out to look at the SWALLOW roost and picked up 4 BLACK TAILED GODWIT flying into the marsh - first this month
Mon 20 AUG 2012
Late news of 2 SWIFT over South Milton village ,.
Nick t had 13 SANDERLING , 3 TURNSTONE and a DUNLIN on the beach.
Bob B ringed 6 REED and 3 SEDGE WARBLER.
At 20.30 the SWALLOW roost was the best so far at least 4000 birds
SUN 19 AUG 2012
A quick look from my garden before the rain stopped -3 LITTLE EGRET, 1 WHIMBREL , RINGED PLOVER, DUNLIN , 5 TEAL
In the Bay Bob B & Graham D had 200+ MANX S'WATER 2 BONXIES , 3 SANDWICH TERN , 11 TURNSTONE
Vic T found a PIED FLYCATCHER ( 179 ) on South Milton Ley
SAT 18 AUG 2012
Friends visiting this w/end so limited recording,.
Thankfully Vic T and Bob B on the patch - producing a 2ndyr HOBBY over S H Marsh and an OSPREY (178 ) over South Milton.
At 18.30 a GREENSHANK few over T'stone Marsh
FRI 17 AUG 2012
Another morning of driving rain, very poor viz and a F6SSW wind. A very wet seawatch from Warren Pt from 08.30-11.30
Waders on the beach- 3 RINGED PLOVER 2 WHIMBREL, 1 TURNSTONE with a SWIFT over.
Offshore - 290 GANNET, 10 COMMON TERN, 4 SANDWICH TERN, 7 MANX S'WATER
1 BALEARIC S'WATER, 3 KITTIWAKE, 2 BONXIE, 1juv COMMON GULL
THURS 16 AUG 2012
Compared with WED a rather quit day .
Waders on the beach this am - 10 RINGED PLOVER, 5 SANDERLING, 1 DUNLIN.
Offshore - 8 MANX S'WATER, 75 GANNET, 5 SANDWICH TERN, 4 COMMON TERN, 6 FULMAR, 1 KITTIWAKE, 2 RAZORBILL
WED 15 AUG 2012
Seawatch from the car park from 08.30-14.00. Driving rain and poor viz up to 11.00, gradually cleared to blue sky and sunshine . Wind S/SSE 6 increasing to 8. All passage east - most activity after the rain cleared. Totals -
730 GANNET, 23 COMMON TERN, 6 SANDWICH TERN, 1 BLACK TERN ( 177 ) flew east at 13.15 , 26 FULMAR, 3 BALEARIC and 2 MANX SHEARWATER 2 COMMON SCOTER, 4 KITTIWAKE , 1 LITTLE GULL, 1 BONXIE, 1 RAZORBILL. 24 SWIFT (inc one flock of 15 )1 GREY WAGTAIL .
Waders flying over- 10 RINGED PLOVER, 3 TURNSTONE, 1 CURLEW.
Interesting to see how the other seawatchers fared - BOB B went to Slapton where he had 7 Bonxie, 4 Arctic Skua , 140 Common Tern 6 Sandwich Tern and a juv Little Gull
Evening visit 18.30-20.30 with Peter Reay and the South Brent birders - very very windy.
Offshore- 250+ GANNET , 3 FULMAR, 3 MANX S'WATER.
Waders on the beach - 16 RINGED PLOVER, 2 SANDERLING, 1 DUNLIN, 1 TURNSTONE.
ON T'STONE Marsh- 110 BLACK HEADED GULL and 1 ad MED GULL
TUES 14 AUG 2012
From Warren Pt this morning - 120 GANNET, 2 COMMON TERN, 1 SANDWICH TERN,
1 MED GULL, 1 ad BONXIE flew east.
a juv KINGFISHER (176 ) on Thurlestone marsh was a first for the year.
Bob B ringed 20 SEDGE and 1 REED WARBLER also had 3 SWIFT over.
MON 13 AUG 2012
A dismal morning with heavy rain , restricted viz and a F4/5 SSE wind- rain ceased at 11.00 and so did the offshore passage.
90 GANNET, 3 FULMAR, 1 juv KITTIWAKE, 2 MED GULL ( 1 juv , 1 2nd S )
11 SANDWICH TERN, 6 COMMON TERN ( flew into the Bay at 10.30 and landed on the rocks )
2 TURNSTONE with 17 OYSTERCATCHER on the rocks . At 09.30 a flock of 11 KNOT flew into the Bay ( from NW ) and flew up the valley. This is a patch record total for me .
A GUILLEMOT on the sea .
At S H Marsh 6 TEAL and 4 WHEATEAR
SUN 12 AUG 2012
On Tstone Marsh- 1 SNIPE, 5 TEAL, 1juv YELLOW L GULL, Both GREEN & GREAT Woodpecker, 2 WILLOW WBLR, 1 JUV BLACKCAP.
Offshore - 4 COMMON TERN, 1 BALEARIC S'water, 1 juv KITTIWAKE , 3 MED GULL ( 1juv, 1 st S & an ad )
Flyover waders - 1 REDSHANK, 1 GREENSHANK, 2 DUNLIN, also 5 WHEATEAR and a HOBBY.
Full ringing team today , totals - 40 SEDGE, 18 REED, 1 GROPPA, 38 WILLOW, 6 CHIICHAFF, 2 WHITETHROAT
SAT 11 AUG 2012
Whilst ringing on Thurlestone Marsh - Bob B et al had a flyover CROSSBILL (175 )- pity it did not fly nearer to my garden as it would have been a patch tick !
At the same time I was watching 3 SNIPE ( first returning birds ) as well as a SWIFT, 5 SAND MARTIN, 1 SEDGE WBLR, 2juv BLACKCAP. 6 TEAL on the marsh.
Waders on the beach were- 2 BAR TAILED GODWIT (first of the autumn )
3 WHIMBREL, 2 SANDERLING.
Offshore- 3 TEAL ( with 6 MALLARD ) 31 MANX S'water, 1 SANDWICH TERN,
On the coast 3juv WHEATEAR.
THis aft a walk round the back of the Glof Course saw another 4 WHEATEAR.
Final ringing totals - 14 SEDGE and 4 REED Wblr
FRI 10 AUG 2012
A check of the Marsh at 07.15 turned up 2 surprises - a female WIGEON & 2 juv SHOVELER ( both earlier than in recent years) also 3 TEAL
At 08.45 Bob B sat watching an AQUATIC WARBLER ( 174 ) he could not entice it into the net - a nice arrival with the E winds. Also ringed 13 SEDGE, 3 REED and a WHITETHROAT .
A LESSER WHITETHROAT seen on the patch.
Waders in the Bay - 3 WHIMBREL, 5 SANDERLING, 1 GREENSHANK.
Coastal movement produced 7 COMMON SCOTER, 37 MANX S'water., 6 FULMAR , on the land a GREY WAGTAIL and 2 juv WHEATEAR
9 AUG 2012
Arrived back after a vist to Rutland Water where I managed to see 2OSPREY ( 1 ad 1juv ) and also caught up with TREE SPARROW .
At 17.30 on the Marsh 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 3 SWIFT over.
SWALLOW roost largest so far -at 21.00 2500+
TUES 7 AUG 2012
Just an early visit to look at the waders before going away for a couple of days
9 RINGED PLOVER, 4 SANDERLING, 1 DUNLIN 6 WHIMBREL
The male COMMON SCOTER still in the Bay
Bob B ringed 7 SEDGE (1ad )& 2 REED
MON 6 AUG 2012
Wind moved round toa brisk W 4 , plenty of sunshine and very good viz. Passage much less than yesterday.
Seawatch from Warren Pt 09.15 -12.30-. 200 GANNET, 12 MANX SHEARWATER, 2 BALEARIC SHEARWATER, 6 FULMAR, 5 Common Scoter west, 1 SANDWICH TERN
A BONXIE east at 10.15.
It was the Gull movement day - 60 GREAT BB GULL moving west, 1 juv COMMON GULL WEST, 1 JUV LITTLE GULL moved west along the cliff edge at 09.15 only 10 yards off
Waders on the beaches - 6 WHIMBREL, 15 RINGED PLOVER, 6 DUNLIN, 4 SANDERLING.
A male COMMON SCOTER very close inshore only 10 yds off- looked to have a damaged left wing.
At South Huish Marsh 3 juv WHEATEAR. By the water treatment works at Thurlestone Marsh 2 ad + 4juv SPOTTED FLYCATCHER.
Bob B had his best morning of the month - 8 SEDGE WARBLER ( 6 juv ) 1 WILLOW WBLR
SUN 5 AUG 2012
Some heavy showers this morning , good viz with some passage evident
A walk round the Bay 10.30-13.30 saw over 400 MANX SHEARWATER moving east, with well over 300 GANNET. 5 COMMON SCOTER 12 SANDWICH TERN, 1 COMMON TERN , 1 ARCTIC TERN , 1 ad MED GULL , 2 WHIMBREL, 5 SANDERLING, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER.
South Milton Ley 5 SWIFT, 1 WATER RAIL 2 SEDGE WARBLER.
Bob B reported another 200+ MANX this afternoon
Late news from Alan D of a ROSEATE TERN through the Bay at 19.30- (173) That makes 4 species of Tern in a day
SAT 4 AUG 2012
On Thurlestone Marsh at 07.00 were a TEAL and 3 GREEN SANDPIPER.
Seawatching from Beacon Pt from 08.30-10.30
250 GANNET, 6 SANDWICH TERN .4 FULMAR, 9 COMMON SCOTER, 1first summer POMARINE SKUA.
Waders in the bay were 5 SANDERLING, 1 CURLEW.
The best was a flock of over 500 MANX SHEARWATER which spent the time feeding about 300 yards offshore . Bob B and I managed to find at least 12 BALEARIC amongst them .
Other unusual events - BOB B did not catch a single bird between 06.30- 08.30
but he did have a lone SAND MARTIN over
FRI 3 AUG 2012
Another day with heavy showers in the morning - I could only manage an hour of seawatching which produced
115 GANNET, 32 MANX SHEARWATER ,12 RAZORMOT , 4 FULMAR.
Waders were 4 WHIMBREL, 1 DUNLIN, 35 OYSTERCATCHER.
A juv WHEATEAR on the golf course.
SWALLOW roost at 21.00 reached 250 plus a HOBBY tring to cause mayhem
THURS 2 AUG 2012
Some very heavy squalls this morning otherwise good viz and a 4/5 SW wind.
One of the best seawatches of the Autumn passage - main activity took place between 09.30-11.00, which was just after the first heavy squall
First were 2 SOOTY SHEARWATER at 09.35 ,with another at 09.56 all east. These were followed at 09.58 with an ad SABINES GULL ( 172 ) only 125 yds offshore again east
Also on passage - 265 GANNET, 47 MANX SHEARWATER , 1 BALEARIC SHEARWATER,13 FULMAR, 6 KITTIWAKE, 2 SANDWICH TERN , 1 dp ARCTIC SKUA
(11.05 )
At South Milton Ley - 1 GROPPA, 3 SEDGE.
THe SPOTTED FLYCATCHER is stll around
WED 1 AUG 2012
A brisk SW wind produced a few passage birds - Seawatchung from Beacon Pt this morning 10.00-12.00
87 GANNET, , 81 MANX SHEARWATER, 2 FULMAR, 2 COMMON TERN -east, 9 COMMON SCOTER, 1 juv MED GULL