MON 30 NOV
Another stormy and overcast day- Wind WSW F9 with some very rough seas .Seawatching only produced 47 GANNET, 8 KITTIWAKE, 2 AUKS and a GREAT N DIVER - west at 09.55. On the rocks 17 OYSTERCATCHER and 4 TURNSTONE
South H Marsh completely blown out . 27 TEAL a few MALLARD ,
1 LITTLE GREBE and the RUDDY SHELDUCK..
SUN 29 NOV
After a very stormy night met up with Graham to see what the storms had brought in - answer - very little . W wind gusting storm F 10 made it difficult to find any shetered spot.managed 1.5 hours seawatch from the flats only 18 GANNET, 1 KITTIWAKE and a fly by GREAT N DIVER . .
On South Huish Marsh - 1f WIGEON, 25 TEAL , the RUDDY SHELDUCK. Sheltering were 25 LBB GULL and 15 GBB GULL Could not find anything unusual amongst the HERRING and BLACH H GULLS around 200 in total
FRI 27 NOV
Another cloudy morning with regular periods of rain .
A 2 hr seawatch before the heavy rain - 65 GANNET -west,
41 KITTIWAKE - east, 22 AUKS - east, At 10 40 a close in BALEARIC SHEARWATER flew east, at 10 .55 a MANX SHEARWATER also flew east
Only a few TEAL and the RUDDY SHELDUCK on South Huish Marsh
THURS 26 NOV
A cloudy morning with some light drizzle , light W wind.A 45 min Garden Watch at 08.00 produced 26 species ,only 2 SNIPEand 2 REDWING of interest. 2 flocks of WOOD PIGEON totalling 600 all flying north .
With a flat calm sea 4 Divers found reasonably close inshore - at 9.30
2 GREAT NORTHERN, 1 RED THROATED , then at 11.00 a BLACK THROATED ( cant remember having all 3 Divers in the Bay in Nov . ).
On South Huish marsh - the RUDDY SHELDUCK, 30 TEAL, 3 SHOVELER, flying over - 10 SKYLARK, 2 GREY WAGTAIL, 1 REDPOLL. .Terry Goddard arrived after I left and found the birds of the Day - 2 HOUSE MARTIN
( a very late record . )
Alan and Bob took the opportunity of a calm morning to do some ringing at the sewage works - the SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF now has shiny ring on !., also 2 juv F CIRL BUNTING ( a M on site as well ) , 3 SISKIN and a MISTLE THRUSH over .
My visit to Buckland Valley produced - 3 MISTLE THRUSH, , 2 SISKIN, 3 STONECHAT, 1 COAL TIT and 10 LONG T TIT.
Looks like around a week of gales and some rain so could bring some new arrivals.
WED 25 NOV
A morning of showers and bright periods, brisk F5 NNW wind.
At .07.45 Arthur had 25 FIELDFARE fly over his garden . Also a report of a BLACKCAP in a local garden .
On South Huish Marsh - the RUDDY SHELDUCK still, 3 WIGEON,
3 SHOVELER, 22 TEAL , 1 LITTLE GREBE .3 COMMON GULL and a 1st w MED GULL in with around 150 BLACK H GULL
Seawatch from the flats produced - 18 GANNET, 8 KITTIWAKE,
2 LITTLE GULL ( flew east at 10.30 ) 1ad MED GULL , 3 RAZORBILL and a RED THROATED DIVER close inshore ( until the kite surfers arrived )
TUES 24 NOV
A cloudy morning after a stormy night . Incresing WNW wind up to F5/6
At T'stone Marsh avisit by the Farmer and his tractor flushed 4 TEAL,
21 SNIPE and a JACK SNIPE .
On South Huish Marsh- 27 TEAL, 20 MALLARD, 2 LITTLE GREBE,
RUDDY SHELDUCK, 8 SNIPE, 11 LAPWING, amongst a large flock of BLACK H GULL a COMMON GULL , 1 SPARROWHAWK.
Offshore - 20 GANNET, 25 KITTIWAKE, 15 COMMON SCOTER -W,
12 AUK's flew E at least 2 were RAZORBILL.
The Glossy Ibis reported at S H Marsh around 07.30 , not seen thereafter
MON 23 NOV
Superb conditions just after dawn - clear skies, calm and cold but did not produce the expected viz mig - a Garden Watch from 07.45-09.00 produced 32 species . WOOD PIGEON passage was 7,400 S/SE, a further 500 at 09.30. Bob had 3000 feeding in stubble fields at Huxton Cross at 08.30 , as most of mine had flown through by then these would be additional .Also 1m CIRL BUNTING, 60 REDWING -n , 1 FIELDFARE,
1 SONG THRUSH, 12 LAPWING, 1 PEREGRINE, 1 JAY, 26 CHAFFINCH,
10 GOLDFINCH
Offshore - 1 RED T DIVER flew east at 09.45 , 2 GUILLEMOT , 1f WIGEON -west, 3 TEAL on the sea.
On South Huish Marsh - the return of the RUDDY SHELDUCK- last seen in April.( wonder where that has been for the last 7 months ?). Also -
2 SHOVELER , 1m TUFTED DUCK, 25 TEAL, 2 LITTLE GREBE , 2 WATER PIPIT , 1 SNIPE
On the rocks - 2 SNIPE 4 RINGED PLOVER, 1 TURNSTONE,
1 KINGFISHER
At South Milton Ley - Bob ringed - 5 CHIFFCHAFF and a male REDPOLL
( first for over 20 years ), 1 SISKIN ( over )
In South Milton Village a NUTHATCH
Late news for Sunday - at South Huish Marsh a BARN OWL at 18.30
SUN 22 NOV
At first light around 70% cloud cover so not so many WOOD PIGEON as yesterday . A Garden Watch from 08.05- 08.50 produced 25 species - main highlight again the WOOD PIGEON passage - total of 12,500 logged flying S/SE with a further1400 flying NW, Largest flock 2,000.
1 FIELDFARE, 9 REDWING, 15 LAPWING - NW, 1 WATER RAIL.
Met up with Graham and Arthur for a walk over to South Huish Marsh - The GLOSSY IBIS still showing ( in the back field ), 1 WATER PIPIT,
20 TEAL, 2 LITTLE GREBE, Amongst the CANADA'S a suspect GREYLAG.
1 CHIFFCHAFF , 1 LAPWING plus a further 29 NW, 2 KINGFISHER,
3 SNIPE.
On the rocks - 1 SNIPE , 5 RINGED PLOVER, 6 TURNSTONE,. Arthur had a BRENT GOOSE - PB (186 ) on the sea , also offshore - 1 WIGEON ,
3 SHELDUCK. 2 DUNLIN flew through
Bob had a REDPOLL fly over.
Alan Pomroy ringed at South Milton Lay - 17 CHIFFCHAFF, 6 GOLDCREST, 1 FIELDFARE, 7 BLACKBIRD and 2 GREENFINCH.
The weather forecast for Monday gives only 3% cloud cover for the first few hours, the rest of the week 100% cloud cover, last opportunity for some WOOD PIGEON movement likely to be Monday.
SAT 21 NOV
The first morning with clear sunny skies, a brisk N wind and cold - some interesting records today
The WOOD PIGEON passage has been reported further east, this morning was the first big movement here . A Garden watch from 08.00- 09.15 and 10.15 - 11.00 produced 32 species.
WOOD PIGEON flocks moving S /SE total recorded 45, 000, largest flocks 6,500 and 5000. Some birds must have turned back further along the coast as I logged 1500+ flying North. Only 1 small flock of 15 STOCK DOVE .
Other totals were - 32 CHAFFINCH, 34 GOLDFINCH, 6 GREENFINCH,
4 MISTLE THRUSH, ,45 FIELDFARE ( one flock of 35 ) , 43 REDWING,
1 SONG THRUSH , 1 JAY - all North . A new Garden tick - a GREY PLOVER flew up the valley at 09.10.
Spent an hour at South Huish Marsh from 11.30 1 LITTLE GREBE,
1 BLACK T GODWIT, 1 LAPWING, 2 SNIPE, 210 CANADA GOOSE. At 12.00 a SWALLOW flew west over the Marsh, at 12.10 1 flew east , at 12.30 2 flew through together. A total of 750 WOOD PIGEON flew N .
Only other observer who has reported WOOD PIGEON passage is Vic Tucker who this morning at Jennycliffe ( South Plymouth overlooking the Sound )recorded a total of 9,000, 350 STOCK DOVE, 400 FIELDFARE and 200 REDWING
Cloud cover of 35% forecast for 09.00 on Sunday so could be worth another viz mig watch
FRI 20 NOV
An update for Thurs 19 Nov - On South Huish Marsh Alan Doidge reports the GLOSSY IBIS still present, also 1 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 10 TEAL . On the beach a WATER PIPIT.
Confined to the house today , from my garden - 40 REDWING,
5 FIELDFARE , 17 SKYLARK, 3 JAY, 2 BULLFINCH, SPARROWHAWK, KESTREL, REED BUNTING
The GLOSSY IBIS has been seen at South Huish Marsh
WED 18 NOV
Started with a short Garden Watch at 08.00 some breaks in the cloud although a F7/8 SW wind . 3 flocks of WOOD PIGEON flew over at 08.00 totalling 1750 ( around the same time as yesterday ) . Only other bird of note a BLACK REDSTART.
A 2hr seawatch from the relative shelter of the flats produced -
2db BRENT GOOSE ( first of the autumn ) eventually settling on the sea - still present at 11.45 . 30 GANNET, 3 KITTIWAKE, 7 AUKS, 1 COMMON SCOTER , at 09.55 a BALEARIC SHEARWATER flew west, 1 PEREGRINE over .On the rocks 22 OYSTERCATCHER and 3 TURNSTONE.
On South Huish Marsh - 20 TEAL, 2 MUTE SWAN , 1 LITTLE GREBE ,
5 LITTLE EGRET. Whilst looking through the 60 + BLACK HEADED GULL flock at 11.55 a GLOSSY IBIS flew in, settled in front of the reeds on the back pool. Could only be seen from the houses along 'shrike ' lane . This is the second patch record this year following one in early January .
Unfortunately no sign of any Petrel's- so far
TUES 17 Nov
A Garden watch for 35mins from 08.05 produced 27 species including a BRAMBLING, 12 CHAFFINCH, 2 RAVEN ,5 STOCK DOVE .
Arthur was up earlier than me and had 2 flocks of WOOD PIGEON totalling 1500, a BLACK REDSTART and 2 MISTLE THRUSH in his garden.
Abrief seawatch before the rain started only came up with 20 GANNET, a further visit this afternoon was fruitless .
MON 16 NOV
Early morning produced some clearer skies than in recent days , unfortunately I did not get onto a viz mig garden watch until 08.25, in the next 35 mins 25 species recorded with - 50 CHAFFINCH,
1 BRAMBLING, 10 MIPIT, 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 JAY all moving NW.
On the Marsh 14 TEAL, 7 MALLARD . Arthur also had a KINGFISHER on the marsh and in his garden a BLACK REDSTART and a CHIFFCHAFF
A 2hr seawatch from the flats only produced - 21 GANNET, 16 GREAT B B GULL, 4 KITTIWAKE, 2 MED GULL, 17 SKYLARK - W , 11 WIGEON, . On the rocks 1 KINGFISHER, 5 RINGED PLOVER, 1 TURNSTONE,
14 OYSTERCATCHER,
On South Huish Marsh - 12 TEAL, 27 MALLARD, 1 BLACK T GODWIT,
3 STONECHAT. 1 CHIFFCHAFF
Another stormy day forecast for Tues.
SUN 15 NOV
After yesterdays complete washout met up with Graham for a seawatch and walk around the Marsh.
First at 08.15 on T'stone Marsh - 30 TEAL, 1 SNIPE.
At South Huish marsh - 40 TEAL, 2 MUTE SWAN .
A 2hr seawatch from the flats , very poor offshore viz , a F7/8 WSW wind and very rough seas- 125 BLACK H GULL in the Bay, 70 GREAT B B GULL mostly flying west, 25 LESSER B B GULL - flying east, 30 KITTIWAKE - west and 35 GANNET - west. On the rocks - 11 OYSTERCATCHER,
8 TURNSTONE and a KINGFISHER
FRI 13 NOV
After a stormy night anf heavy rain the front cleared through by 09.00 to provide a sunny morning with some heavy showers , a F8/9 W wind and very rough seas
A flock of 10 REDWING over my garden at 09.00 .
On South Huish Marsh- only 10 TEAL, 4 MALLARD and 2 MUTE SWAN
A 2hr seawatch from the flats was not as productive as expected-
Only 18 GANNET, 3 COMMON SCOTER , 1 GREAT N DIVER ( east at 09.50 ), 1 FULMAR ( east at 10.20 )
Some even stronger winds over the next 5 days - should blow something into the Bay - hopefully
WED 11 NOV
Although the morning was 100% cloud the offshore viz was much improved , WF6 wind and rough seas . Looks as though we are going to have some disturbance in the Bay over the winter- in the last few weeks Kite Surfers have increased from 1 occasionaly to 9 today . Cant see the Divers , Grebes and Auks coping with these
A BLACK REDSTART in the courtyard at 08.50, .On South Huish Marsh only 20 TEAL, 12 MALLARD 1 JACK SNIPE ( first of the autumn )
75 CANADA GOOSE
Spent an enjoyable 2 hrs from 09.45 seawatching from the flats -
85 GANNET, 7 KITTIWAKE, 21AUKS, 2 TUFTED DUCK flew east at 11.10
( only 3rd record this year ) 20 WIGEON flew east and 28 were on the sea , .
The rocks were best of all - 1 GREY PLOVER ( landed briefly at 10.00 )
7 RINGED PLOVER, 4 TURNSTONE, 2 DUNLIN and 2 SANDERLING
TUES 10 NOV
Another day of 100% cloud . poor offshore viz and an F6 WSW wind . Could do with some crystal clear mornings so that the WOOD PIGEON passage can get going .
On Tstone marsh 25 TEAL, 3 LITTLE EGRET .1 BLACK REDSTART in my garden and at 16.10 around 3,500 STARLING to roost with a SPARROWHAWK attending
Duck on South Huish Marsh well down only 20 TEAL, 10 MALLARD,
3 SHOVELER and a LITTLE GREBE . SPARROWHAWK flew over., 6 RAVEN over .
A 1 hour seawatch was highlighted by a RED THROATED DIVER flying west at 10.08 ( first of the autumn ), 30 each of GANNET , GREAT B B GULL and 1 LESSER B B GULL.
With so little offshore went inland for the rest of the morning- Around Huxton Cross - 35 SKYLARK . In Buckland Valley- 2 JAY, 25 GOLDFINCH , 5 SISKIN, GOLDCREST, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 1 BULLFINCH, GREAT SP WOODY.
Nr ELSTON FARM- a flock moving north of 18 FIELDFARE.
Went over to South Efford Marsh this afternoon and had great views of
3 CATTLE EGRET , also 1 COMMON SANDPIPER and a KINGFISHER.
Eric heard a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER this morning amongst a
LONG T TIT flock .
MON 9 NOV
No reports of anything unusual over the w/end
A 45 min Garden watch from 07.45 produced 34 species the main highlight was a WOODCOCK flying into one of the ditches- only the 2nd Garden record in 8 years.,also a BLACK REDSTART .
On South Huish marsh - 50 TEAL, 35 MALLARD, 3 SHOVELER.
A 2hr seawatch from the flats from 09.50 - 40 GANNET, 7 AUK,
5 KITTIWAKE, 1 SANDWICH TERN ( flew west ),1 COMMON SCOTER.
On the rocks 9 OYSTERCATCHER and a 2w MED GULL
Arthur had a BLACK REDSTART on the carpark flats .
Call from Eric to report at 13.20 2 CATTLE EGRET on South Efford Marsh, arrived at 14.00 to the sound of gunshot (Baron Bantham with one of his organised shoots) and no sign of the Egrets . On site - GREENSHANK, CURLEW, TEAL, WIGEON, SHELDUCK, KINGFISHER
FRI 6 NOV
Heavy rain ., 100% low cloud and very poor viz offshore.
On T'stone marsh 25 TEAL.
Offshore 90 GANNET, 40 GREAT B BGULL,
On South Huish marsh 150 + TEAL, 20 MALLARD, 4 SHOVELER, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 1 BLACK T GODWIT, 2 SNIPE. ! GOLDCREST, 1 SPARROWHAWK.
25 LESSER B B GULL in with large numbers of HERRING GULL IN nearby fields .On the rocks 15 OYSTERCATCHER.
Family visiting this w/end so next post likely to be Mon 9/11.
THURS 5 NOV
A very typical Bonfire Day - WET and windy. Could not spend another day off the patch - A 40 min seawatch from the carpark only came up with - 55 GANNET ( flying east), 25 GREAT B B GULL , 6 AUKS and a PEREGRINE.
Quick look at South Huish Marsh - 50 + TEAL, 4 SHOVELER, 1 SNIPE and 50+ MIPIT
Surprisingly with Diggers on site at T'stone marsh were 50 + TEAL.
At 15.50 STARLING started to flock , within 10 mins there were over 2,500 most of which went to roost in South Milton Ley
WED 4 NOV
A morning of heavy rain that lasted until after 13.00, consequently a day for catching up on paperwork.
Arthur had 2 F/ 1stw BLACK REDSTART in his garden whilst i had a 1stw M in mine , also JAY and SPARROWHAWK noted .
TUES 3 NOV
An overcast morning with steady rain from 11.00, although only light E winds
An uninspiring Garden watch from 07.35 highlighted by 8 SNIPE and
5 RAVEN ( flying N ). This afternoon a WATER PIPIT on T'stone Marsh with at least 3 TAWNY OWL calling at dusk .Arthur had a PEREGRINE over his garden for the 2nd day
A brief seawatch off the old carpark produced another year tick - a M
RED BREASTED MERGANSER ( 185 ) ( flew west at 10.00 ).A MISTLE THRUSH came in off the sea , 2 BLACK REDSTART on the roof of the flats .Arthur had an ad MED GULL by the golf club .
On South Huish Marsh - 80 + TEAL, 3 BLACK T GODWIT,
2m 2f SHOVELER, 2 SNIPE, in the copse 1 CHIFFCHAFF and
8 GOLDCREST
On the rocks 9 TURNSTONE and a 2nd w MED GULL
Over at South Efford Marsh Eric reports the Waders unchanged from the last report, also 3 WATER PIPIT, 45 MIPIT and 30+ PIED WAGTAIL
MON 2 NOV
Joined by Arthur this morning - On South Huish marsh - 40 TEAL,
2 BLACK T GODWIT, 1m 2f SHOVELER, 7 LITTLE EGRET, . At 10.40 a m POCHARD (184 ) flew over joined by another then flew South - only 1 prvious record in the last 3 years, .2 MUTE SWAN, 1 DUNLIN.
A seawatch from the flats produced 20 GANNET, 10 AUKS, 4 KITTIWAKE . On the rocks 9 RINGED PLOVER, 9 TURNSTONE , 2 PURPLE SANDPIPER and 2 KINGFISHER
SUN 1 NOV
A fantastic autumn day once the early cloud cleared - warm in the sun with only a light breeze.
Started the new month off with an hours Garden Watch from 08.00 , produced 36 species - 1 BLACK T GODWIT, 2 SNIPE, 15 GOLDFINCH, 45 CHAFFINCH, 15 SISKIN, 8 SKYLARK, 2 JAY, 1 REED BUNTING, 1 CETTIS WARBLER, 15 MIPIT.
Rest of the news provided by BOB, CHRIS, RICHARD and myslef -
Around South Huish Marsh - 2 GREYLAG GOOSE in the flock of over 200 CANADA's , 1 SHELDUCK, 40 TEAL, 3 SHOVELER, 1 WIGEON, 3 BLACK T GODWIT, , 1 FIRECREST, 1m CIRL BUNTING, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, LONG T TIT, GOLDCREST, .
On the rocks - 7 RINGED PLOVER, 1 TURNSTONE. In the Bay 1 MED GULL
Bob had 2 BLACK REDSTART by his old carpark and 2 SONG THRUSH in the LEY.Also in the area 8 FIELDFARE, REDWING, 2 GREAT Sp WOODY, 1 SPARROWHAWK, 5 STOCK DOVE
Nick had several COAL TIT in his garden
A total of 68 species recorded today .
Over at South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 1 YELLOW B WARBLER ( in trees in the lane ) 6 GOLDCREST, 5 GREENSHANK. 3 REDSHANK,
25 CURLEW , 1 LAPWING, 70 + TEAL, 4 STONECHAT
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