TUES 31 MAR

A fitting end to a poor month .Sunshine and a F8/9 WNW wind with very rough seas meant you could not put a scope up .

The only new arrival on South Huish Marsh was a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER. todays count of SHELDUCK was 7 and TEAL 26.

Offshore-

40 + GANNET, 4 FULMAR, 17 AUKS and a small flock of 15 BLACK H GULL.

This is the first year I can remember when the list of Spring migrants that have NOT been recorded is greater than those that have - looking forward to recording my first - SANDWICH TERN, SWALLOW, HOUSE MARTIN, BLACK T GODWIT, REDSHANK, TUFTED DUCK, MARSH HARRIER, RUFF, MANX SHEARWATER, COMMON TERN.

Does This mean APRIL will be a record month ?

MON 30 MAR

Asunny early morning gave way to cloud and eventually rain,. A brisk ( and cold ) NW wind.

Today was SHELDUCK morning - 2 on T'stone Marsh , flock of 11 flew west, on South Huish Marsh a total of 24 with a further 4 flying east offshore , whilst this totals 41 , some of the earlier birds could have flown back . Cannot recollect a  greater spring total .

Otherwise very much as before - offshore a flock of 9 CORMORANT flew west , 2 GANNET and a COMMON SCOTER east

Toatal of TEAL on both marshes  were 33 .

Can the 31 MARCH produce additions to what has been a poor month ?

SUN 29 MAR

If this 'summertime' bring back winter. Heavy rain until mid afternoon , poor viz offshore .

Went over to South Huish Marsh this am - no trace of the Kumlien's Gull, there were 50 LESSER B B GULL and 10 GREAT B B GULL on the marsh. Still 2 GREYLAG GOOSE , 4 SHELDUCK and 20 TEAL.

Not a sign of any migrants- again

SAT 28 MAR

A very wet and miserable morning with a strong WSW wind.

Went over to South Huish marsh where there were no new arrivals .

A couple of stints watching from  my garden produced 29 species , the only hint of a migrant were 2 singing CHIFFCHAFF.

Late news from Alan D- A new bird for the patch ! At 18.30 in poor light he took some photos of a KUMLIENS GULL ( 121) in a field outside his home Now thats what you call a Garden tick !

Photo to be posted Sunday

FRI  27 MAR

The dearth of any Spring migrants just goes on - a 1hour sea watch this morning before the rain set in only produced 2 GANNET and a few GULLS.

On South Huish Marsh almost the same as yesterday ap art from a WATER PIPIT.

Cannot see a big influx this w/end with gale force winds and a lot of rain

THURS 26 MAR

A 45 min Garden Watch at 08.15 produced 31 species inc 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 REED BUNTING, 14 TEAL, 4 SHELDUCK

An afternoon visit to South Huish Marsh only came up with - 17 SHELDUCK, 1 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 25 TEAL, only 2 GREYLAG GOOSE.

Earlier Atrhur at South Milton Ley had 10 CHIFFCHAFF and a SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF.

Whilst not on the patch , driving to South Brent at 19.15 had a Barn Owl fly over the road just past Califonia Cross.

Nick reported 4 TURNSTONE , 3 RINGED PLOVER on Yarmer Beach

WED 25 MAR

Late post as I attended the Devon Birds AGM last night . Very good talk on Urban Peregrines.

Earlier another day of sunny periods with that cool NW F 4 wind still blowing .

At least 6 CHIFFCHAFF around the patch ( did not visit South Milton Ley ), birds calling ,most likely new arrivals.

In Horswell Wood a pair of GREAT Sp WOODY .

On South Huish marsh - the regulars still there , 2 WATER PIPIT,

1 WHEATEAR and 2 CURLEW flew in and up the valley

Offshore the GREAT NORTHERN DIVER again .

Quick visit to Buckland Valley only produced a STOCK DOVE and a pair of MISTLE THRUSH

Yet again no Sand martin, Swallow  or Sandwich Tern , looks likely to be a late spring passage year

TUES 24 MAR

A fine sunny day with a few hail showers this morning and a F3/4 NW wind. Another very quiet day for migrants - none 

On South Huish Marsh - 17 SHELDUCK, the RUDDY SHELDUCK still,

3 GREYLAG GOOSE, 30 TEAL. 2 visitors reported a MERLIN flying over the Marsh

In the Bay a GREAT NORTHERN DIVER on the sea at 11.25.. 2 GANNET and a FULMAR flew east

MON 23 MAR

A day off the patch -for her birthday treat took Anne to Steps Bridge, amongst a range of woodland species we saw 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and heard another drumming. This was a Devon tick for me - must get out more often !

SUN 22 MAR

A fine sunny day still a cool ENE  F3 wind . There were a total of 11 birders on the patch this morning, unfortunately the birds did not match their expectations.

Offshore produced 6 GANNET and 9 COMMON SCOTER flyibg east.

On South Huish Marsh 3 GREYLAG GOOSE ( 119 ) were new in , otherwise it was the old faithfuls - RUDDY SHELDUCK, 11 SHELDUCK, 35 TEAL, A PEREGRINE, 1 SONG THRUSH and a WATER PIPIT. Overhead 2 SAND MARTIN

FRI 20 MAR

Almost no view of the eclipse this morning - too much cloud cover, later turned into a fine sunny day with little wind

A Garden Watch early morning and late pm produced 35 species - highlights . 20 TEAL, CETTIS WARBLER, 3 REED BUNTING, 1 LITTLE GREBE, , GREAT Sp WOODY, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, ,WATER RAIL, ,

2 SHELDUCK, 1m SHOVELER, 1f BLACK REDSTART, 2m CIRL BUNTING

On South Huish Marsh - a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, 50 TEAL, 1 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 2 WATER PIPIT, 2 WHEATEAR, 2 CHIFFCHAFF

Poor viz offshore- only picked up 4 RAZORBILL.

Driving home a YELLOWHAMMER in the lanes

CYPRUS VISIT

Will post a more detailed report over the next few days ,. Managed a total of 70 species  including 3 additions to my Cyprus list - cracking male Black Eared Wheatear, Female  Sub Alpine Warbler and  a Sandwich Tern. Also dipped on 2 lifers - Ruppell's Warbler and Dead Sea Sparrow

THURS 19 MAR

Back on the patch this morning , cloudy am , poor viz offshore and a cold F3 E wind.

On South Huish Marsh- 9 WHEATEAR, 35 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 4 SHELDUCK, 2 SNIPE , 3 REED BUNTING , at the back of the Marsh

4 WATER PIPIT with 2 showing pink breasts .The RUDDY SHELDUCK still.

Offshore 4 RAZORBILL, 30 + GANNET and a RED THROATED DIVER

WED 13 MAR - WED 18 MAR.

Only away for a week but seemed to have missed out on a number of good patch records.Brief details of reports from Graham Daw , Arthur, Alan D , Nick T and Mike Langman :-

Wed 11 Mar - Report from the ringing team at South Milton - 1 FIRECREST ( 114 ) , 18 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 m CIRL BUNTING

Thurs 12 Mar- 7 SAND MARTIN, 2 WHEATEAR ( 115 )5 SAND MARTIN over Arthur's home

Sun 15 MAR - a rare visit to the patch my Mike Langmanwho found an ad ICELAND GULL ( 116 ) amongst a flock of HERRING GULL on South Huish Marsh

Tues 17 Mar - Graham who would normally come over on a Mon changed his day and was rewarded with a male GARGANEY ( 117 )on South Huish Marsh along with 25+ WHEATEAR, 40 SAND MARTIN, 1 CURLEW , 4 WATER PIPIT, 5 WHITE WAGTAIL In the Bay a GREAT CRESTED GREBE and 2 COMMON SCOTER. 8 TURNSTONE on the rocks .Alan had a 1stw MED GULL in the field

Nick T had through his garden - 3 REDWING and 5 BULLFINCH.

Reported on Paul Bouldon's site is a LITTLE RINGED PLOVER ( 118 )

TUES 10 MAR

A fine spring morning with  a light E wind and clear horizon.

More observers than birds this am - Lesley, Nick, Arthur Graham and myself

Offshore - 2 BLACK H GULL ( only the 2nd record this month )1 GANNET and 2 FULMAR

South Huish marsh could only produce - 15 SHELDUCK ( could be a site record )1 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 40 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 3 SNIPE .

Around 10.45 we became aware of small groups of up to 3 BUZZARD, flying in from Bolt Tail, picking up the themals gaining heigh and flying east up the valley. Further groups contained up to 8 birds , by the time Graham left at 14.00 the total was 33, all these were ' dark'  birds, our 3 local birds were present - these have very pale breasts, with a total of 36 cetainly a site record , Where did these birds originate from ? Searched diligently for any other specie of raptor only KESTREL and SPARROWHAWK seen, these were local birds.

Around my garden today - 1 m BULLFINCH, 1m CIRL BUNTING, 3 REED BUNTING, 1 JAY

Arthur had a BLACK REDSTART and CHIICHAFF around his house and along Mallards Lane

This is the last post for a week - off to Cyprus !

MON 9 MAR

Back to 100% cloud with viz reducing during the morning, a F4 SSW wind and occasional drizzle .

More activity offshore than in recent days - 16 GANNET ( all east ), 2 FULMAR, 3 RAZORBILL, 1 GUILLEMOT ( on sea ), 1 KITTIWAKE  ,

a GREAT CRESTED GREBE flew east

On the rocks - 5 TURNSTONE, 3 RINGED PLOVER, 1 PURPLE SANDPIPER and 2 DUNLIN ( 113 ) first of the year.

On South Huish marsh - 36 TEAL, 7 SHELDUCK, 2 SHOVELER, 1 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 35 + PIED WAGTAIL, 25 MIPIT

SUN 8 MAR

A contrasting day of weather - this morning low cloud constant drizzle, very poor viz- then late afternoon blue sky , sunshine and very mild ,.

On South Huish Marsh - 48 TEAL, 8 SHELDUCK, 2 SHOVELER, 1 WATER RAIL. No sign of the W F Goose , however the RUDDY SHELDUCK was feeding in the field .

Spent a couple of hours this afternoon on the balcony and rewarded at

17.55 with the first SAND MARTIN ( 112 ) i need to check but I think this my earliest date.Also 20 TEAL, 1 KINGFISHER, 1m BLACK REDSTART, 2 CETTIS WARBLER, CIRL BUNTING, SPARROWHAWK.

Once again SAND MARTIN takes the accolade for the first Spring Migrant

FRI 6 MAR

The fine spring like weather continues , today a F3 Sw wind.

A 30 min Garden Watch from 07.50 produced 26 species inc -

2 WATER RAIL, 2 LONG T TIT , 17 TEAL, 4 SHELDUCK

On the sea this morning - 23 WIGEON, 6 TEAL, 1 GUILLEMOT, offshore

6 GANNET, 6 KITTIWAKE .

 On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER , 1 GREY WAGTAIL. at least 25 PIED WAGTAIL either in the field or on the beach.

The 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still on South Huish Marsh with

7 SHELDUCK , 2 SHOVELER and only 10 TEAL.

A quick visit to Buckland Valeey produced -  GREEN WOODY , GREAT Sp WOODY, 1 JAY, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 SONG THRUSH, 1 GOLDCREST & 2 COAL TIT

Interesting roost this evening of over 100 PIED WAGTAIL, 2 CETTIS WARBLER and a CIRL BUNTING on T'stone Marsh

THURS 5 MAR

Felt like the first day of spring today ,flat calm sea  and good viz

On South Huish marsh - the 2 WHITE FRONTED GOOSE still, 35 TEAL, 2 SHOVELER, 1m GADWALL, 6 SHELDUCK, WATER RAIL 25 + MIPIT, 2 SONG THRUSH, 1 CHIFFCHAFF. Surprisingly the first BLACK HEADED GULLs this month 14 flew through , PEREGRINE over.

Offshore only 3 FULMAR and 5 AUKs on the sea

On T'stone Marsh - 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 CETTIS WARBLER, CIRL BUNTING and 20 TEAL

WED 4 MAR

Another bright sunny morning , the F 4/5 NW wind made it feel cold .

On the rocks off Warren Point  a PURPLE SANDPIPER and 6 RAVEN over west.

On South Huish Marsh the 2 EURASIAN WHITE FRONTED GOOSE were back feeding at the far right of the Marsh.,also 27 TEAL, 3 SHELDUCK,

2 SHOVELER and 5 WIGEON , 2 SNIPE and our first 'spring migrant ' a WHITE WAGTAIL ( 111 )

An hours seawatch produced - 25 AUKs flying east, 2 RAZORBILL ( on sea ) 22 GANNET, 10 KITTIWAKE and on the sea at 11.05 a

BLACK THROATED DIVER.

The teal on T'stone Marsh were 20

Arthur went along the tidal road at Aveton Gifford and reports -

3 COMMON SANDPIPER, 3 GREENSHANK, 4 REDSHANK

TUES 3 MAR

Another day of sunny periods with a few heavy showers and a f6 WNW .

The W F GEESE were not seen this morning , only around 12 CANADA's  left. On South Huish Marsh now only 14 WIGEON, 33 TEAL, GADWALL,SHOVELER as yesterday and 3 SHELDUCK. 4 MUTE SWAN briefly.

Offshore only 2 GANNET and 3 m COMMON SCOTER.

Around Buckland Valley - 3 LINNET, 3 GOLDCREST.

T'stone Marsh held 30 TEAL, 4 MUTE SWAN and a  CIRL BUNTING

Arthur had the best bird of the day a BLACK REDSTART on the roof of his home

 Advance notices have been posted that the footbridge will be closed for up to 3 weeks from Mon 16 March .The detour is a long one unless wearing wellies when you should be able to cross the ley outlet on the beach

MON 2 MAR

A fine sunny morning with only an isolated shower, however a F 6/7 WNW wind made it feel cold . Joined by Graham , Martin , Arthur and Terry today.

On T'stone Marsh 20 TEAL, 1 m CIRL BUNTING, at 18.00 the PIED WAGTAIL roost was 30 +

On South Huish Marsh although the 2  WHITE FRONTED GOOSE were missing at 10.15 they flew in from one the surrounding fields, were still there when we left at 12.30. Also 2 SHELDUCK, 2 SHOVELER, 1m GADWALL, 18 WIGEON,  25 TEAL. A nice WATER PIPIT found by Graham gave good views..The Gull flock contained over 75 LESSER B B GULL ( a possible patch record ) 10 G B B GULL and 25 HERRING . A 1stw L B B GULL was ringed , too far to read the number, ring was yellow and black

Offshore around 30 GANNET, 10 KITTIWAKE, 1 FULMAR whist on the rocks 2 TURNSTONE

News from Eric - 2 WATER PIPIT at South Efford Marsh

SUN 1 MAR

Once this month arrives all minds concentrate on when the first spring migrants will arrive . Stll cold in the brisk WNW wind so likely to be at least another 7 days 

Managed to get out briefly this morning - on South Huish Marsh the

2 EURASIAN WHITE FRONTED GOOSE and the RUDDY SHELDUCK still, also SHELDUCK GADWALL, TEAL , WIGEON.

At South Milton Ley 10 + CHIFFCHAFF and 1 SIBERIAN

On T'stone Marsh 27 species inc 38 TEAL, 2 SNIPE, COOT, SPARROWHAWK, and a F CIRL BUNTING. At 18.00 the PIED WAGTAIL roost was at least 50 birds