FRI 30 AUG 2013

With calm sunny conditions reports rec'd were - 2 WATER RAIL, 2 DUNLIN, 1 RINGED PLOVER, 1 BLACK TAILED GODWIT, 3 WHEATEAR, 2 TREE PIPIT, 40 MIPIT, 2 YELLOW WAG, 2 WHITE WAG. 2 COMMON SCOTER, MANX S'WATER, GADWALL, 2 WHINCHAT

Reports rec'd - 1 GREENSHANK (over )  20 WHIMBREL , 2 TREE PIPIT, 3 YELLOW WAG , 2 WHITE WAG , 1 WHEATEAR.

First late news from yesterday- South Milton Ley - 3 WATER RAIL, 1 LITTLE GREBE

( Bob B )

At 19.30 2 DUNLIN and a CURLEW SANDPIPER ( 177 )  flew into T'stone Marsh - not pre

sent at 07.30 this morning

Offshore this am a good feeding flock of over 100 GANNET, 4 MANX S'WATER flew west.

On South Huish Marsh 7 DUNLIN ( on length of bill 5 were Alpina ) 2 SNIPE and 11 TEAL. This afternoon Tony M from Plymouth reported a CURLEW SANDPIPER

BOB B this am - 1 GROPPA, 3 SEDGE , 4 TREE PIPIT and 4 YELLOW WAGTAIL.

Next update will be on Tues 3/9

THURS 29 AUG 2013

More eyes pick up more birds- having spent an hour ovrlooking South Huish Marsh with 10 DUNLIN , 2 birders from Okehapton making their first visit to the site found 2 WOOD SANDPIPER at 11.30 - present until12.30 but not seen again . Another DUNLIN flew through . Also on the Marsh 1 SNIPE and 5 YELLOW WAGTAIL.

In the gardens 2 PIED FLY for the 3rd day .

In the Bay an ad MED GULL .

Still no birds ringed by Bob B - he is getting withdrawal symptons

WED 28 AUG 2013

Another fine suuny day with a light NNE breeze. Last night no SWALLOW roost and surprisingly Bob B had his first Aug early morning ringing session with no birds seen or caught .

A few more waders around this morning - On the beach / South Huish marsh -

14 RINGED PLOVER, 14 DUNLIN, 1 SANDERLING. 6 BLACK TAILED GODWIT flew in off the sea and straight up the valley.

3 YELLOW WAG ,  2 WHEATEAR and a WHITETHROAT around the marsh. Bob had 2 BALEARIC S'WATER following a small crabbing boat close inshore.

In the gardens at the edge of the Marsh still 2 PIED FLY with 2 WILLOW WARBLER

Tues 27 AUG 2013

What a week for the patch - another 2 year ticks , making 5 for the week and it is only Tuesday !

A humid morning, no wind and restricted viz out to sea . 15 MANX and 2 BALEARIC SHEARWATER flew east. A 2nd s MED GULL on the sea , 5 SANDWICH TERN. At 13.10 a COMMON TERN flew east along with a BLACK TERN (176 ), 1 CURLEW. At 13.30 a group of 8 large GEESE flew east , Graham Daw was the only one of us to pick them up in a scope ( mine was in the car boot ) he  maintains they were GREYLAG.

On South Huish Marsh - 8 DUNLIN2 WHEATEAR, 2 WHITETHROAT and a surprise in a KINGFISHER ( 175 )- later seen on the rocks - they have become very scarce here last year only 1 sighting.

In the garden of the middle house overlooking the marsh were 2 PIED FLY, a WHITETHROAT, 2 WILLOW WARBLER.

Early morning Bob B had 6 REED and 3 SEDGE WARBLER,  4 TREE PIPIT, 12 YELLOW WAGTAIL

Another surprise -on T'stone Marsh at 14.00 werte 2 WIGEON - first returning birds also 1 SNIPE

MON 26 AUG 2013

An early start ( for me ) this morning - 07.20 3 GREEN WOODY just outside my garden  ( an ad + 2juv ). At 17.00 a GREENSHANK flew over

On South Huish Marsh - 15 DUNLIN, 1 LITTLE STINT, 2 CURLEW ( over ) 1 SNIPE

5 MIPIT, 4 WHEATEAR, 6 YELLOW WAGTAIL .

The copse came up trumps again with  patch year tick a juv PIED FLYCATCHER ( 174 )

A COMMON SANDPIPER on the beach

Bob B at South Milton  Ley had - 1 WHINCHAT, 1 WHEATEAR, 4 YELLOW WAGTAIL,

1 TREE PIPIT . 7 SEDGE WBLR ( ringed )

Short walk around East Soar produced at 13.00 5 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 4 WHEATEAR,

2 PIED FLY.

SUN 25 AUG 2013

Apologies for the late update - computer problems .

Another great Sunday for the Bay with 2 patch year ticks .Offshore a few MANX and 1 BALEARIC SHEARWATER, 1 MED GULL.

On South Huish Marsh - 9 DUNLIN, 1 LITTLE STINT  ( 173 ), 1 REDSHANK,

1 GREENSHANK , 1 SNIPE, 11 TEAL, 2 WHEATEAR, 1 WHITETHROAT, 1 juv WHINCHAT

( AFD had 2 in the evening ). In the copse a juv REDSTART ( 172 ) and a SPOTEED FLY .

Waders on the beach - 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 SANDERLING.

On T'stone Marsh 4 GREENSHANK flew in at 13.30 and left around 17.00, 10 TEAL.

Early morning at South Milton Ley -3 REDSTART, 3 TREE PIPIT, WHEATEAR, REED and SEDGE WARBLER - still awaiting full ringing totals .

Evening SWALLOW roost 4,000 + attracted botha HOBBY and a SPARROWHAWK .

Ringing team info - 16 REED, 11 SEDGE, 11 CHIFFCHAFF, 10 WILLOW, 7 WHITETHROAT, 6 SAND MARTIN, 4 TREE PIPIT 2 YELLOW WAG, 2 REDSTART, 1 BLACKCAP & a number of SWALLOW

SAT 24 AUG 2013

Compared with recent days a brisk NW wind meant the feeling was more autumn than summer .

This afternoon - T'stone Marsh - 1 SNIPE, 2 WHEATEAR, 1 CURLEW ( over ) 1 juv LITTLE GREBE, 2 WHITE WAGTAIL and at 18.00 12 YELLOW WAGTAIL

On South Huish Marsh 17.00 - 11 TEAL, 4 DUNLIN, 1 SPARROWHAWK

FRI 23 AUG 2013

The expected break in the weather did not arrive until after lunch.

Waders on the beaches this morning - 1 REDSHANK, 11 RINGED PLOVER,

5 SANDERLING, 10  DUNLIN.

Offshore 15 MANX S'WATER, 6 COMMON SCOTER.

In the copse - 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WBLR and 40 GOLDFINCH

Around South Huish Marsh - 2 WHEATEAR, 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL, 75+ HOUSE MARTIN

On T'stone Marsh - 4 YELLOW WAGTAIL 2 GREEN SANDPIPER.

Ringing team this am - 20 SEDGE and 14 REED W'BLR,  WATER RAIL and 3 TREE PIPIT

at South Milton Ley

THURS 22 AUG 2013

Another superb summers day with a brisk E wind.

At South Milton Ley this morning Bob B had 7 WILLOW and 3 SEDGE WARBLER, 2 TREE PIPIT over.

At South Huish marsh - 2 WHEATEAR and 2 YELLOW WAGTAIL .  Waders over only 1 DUNLIN .

In the bay a female SHOVELER ( first of the autumn )  .

T'stone Marsh - 1 DUNLIN, 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL

WED 21 AUG 2013

Another balmy summers day with little change in the birds seen

At 07.30 - T'stone Marsh - 1 SNIPE ., 1 DUNLIN, 4 TEAL, 1 juv SPARROWHAWK , 1juv BLACKCAP.

 On South Huish marsh - 100+ HOUSE MARTIN, 50+ SWALLOW , 2 SAND MARTIN.,

2 SNIPE, 2 SPARROWHAWK, 4 TEAL. 1 YELLOW WAGTAIL

 Offshore 54 MANX S'WATER, 6 COMMON SCOTER, 5 AUKS .

Waders on the rocks / beach - 2 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 WHIMBREL, 37 OYSTERCATCHER

TUES 20 AUG 2013

A really superb summers day - cloudless skies , no wind and a flat calm sea  and yet still some surprises !

Late update for last night - 2 GREY WAGTAIL and the highest SWALLOW roost so far - 7,000+  at 20.45 

This morning at South Milton Ley - 1 TREE PIPIT, 3 SEDGE Warbler, 2 SPOTTED FLY, sinlges of WATER RAIL, SNIPE and GREEN SANDPIPER .

Waders on the beach/ rocks 2 REDSHANK ( scarce bird here )  3 SANDERLING, 

11 RINGED PLOVER, 2 COMMON SANDPIPER. Over South Huish Marsh 6 YELLOW WAGTAIL.

At 11.00 I was scanning the rocks when i saw groups of MANX S'WATER flying east . In the next hour I logged 710 which is  the years max. Because they were well out and with no wind difficult to positively ID BALEARICS - I made it 4 but was probably much higher. Also a DP ARCTIC SKUA flew east at 11.30. 11 COMMON SCOTER east.

 Best bird for me was Spotted Fly - such a graceful bird I could watch them for hours - this was a patch year tick as I was away on holiday when they arrived in early May

MON 19 AUG 2013

Back to normal this morning - no sign of the Sabine's Gull .

Over T'stone marsh at 08.00 a SWIFT , in my garden a WILLOW WARBLER

Offshore - 100+ GANNET ( feeding flock ) , 5 MANX S'WATER, 4 SANDWICH TERN, 2 COMMON SCOTER.

Waders on the beach/rocks - 1 REDSHANK, 1 WHIMBREL, 1 TURNSTONE , 1 RINGED PLOVER., 3 DUNLIN.

In the bushes were 3 WILLOW WARBLER and 3 WHITETHROAT..

SUN 18 AUG 2013

The number of scarce birds on the patch for August went up another notch this morning with SABINE'S GULL ( 171 )

With a clear horizon , sunny sky , flat calm sea my expectations were not high - a GREEN SANDPIPER on T'stone marsh was a good start as well as a GREEN WOODPECKER over my garden . I arrived in the car park at 09.15 and did my usual scan of the Gulls to try and pick out any Meds . To my surprise sat on the sea only 20 yards out was an adult SABINE'S GULL.  I have seen 3 in the Bay over the last 10 years but never an adult and usually in flight battling strong winds . The Gull gave brief flight views when it became disturbed. . When it was close inshore the pale yellow tip to the bill could be seen .

Managed to put the news out resulting in about 20 birders as well as a lot of locals on to it . It was still on view ( although now further out in the Bay ) when I left at 13.00.

There is a cracking photo on the Devon Birds site taken by Alan Doidge , have added 2 of Alan's photos to the blog

Also in the Bay - 2 MED GULL and a SANDWICH TERN

Still 12 more days in August - what will arrive next - Aquatic Warbler ?

SAT 17 AUG 2013

Unable to get down to the Bay this afternoon , however this morning produced very little for the time of the year.

15 MANX S'WATER west, 3 MED GULL on the rocks and 2 WHIMBREL  overhead.

On T'stone Marsh 5 TEAL and a SNIPE.

Next week sees high pressure system building with light E winds later- could be good for migrants.

THURS 15 AUG 2013

After a wet and very low cloud start the morning slowly improved - unfortunately the birds didn't.

07.45 T'stone Marsh -4 TEAL, 1 DUNLIN

Only GANNET in the Bay . On the beach 2 WHIMBREL. On South Huish marsh - a jv WHEATEAR, 3 MEADOW PIPIT, 2jv REED BUNTING

Late afternoon Bob B had 2 SWIFT and trapped a partial albino REED WARBLER

WED 14 AUG 2013

Heavy rain and very poor viz.

At 07.45 on T'stone Marsh - 3 SNIPE, 3 TEAL and 2 SWIFT over.

Brief visit to the Bay produced 10 MANX S'water, 38 GANNET , 1 FULMAR. Only waders a flock of 35 RINGED PLOVER which came in off the sea and flew straight up the valley.

TUES 13 AUG 2013

With quite a few eyes  and many hours of watching,  today there was no sign of the Citrine Wagtail , at least one of the juv Pieds looked a possible suspect

Ringing session this morning produced - 11 WILLOW WBLR, 10 SEDGE , 3 WHITETHROATS, 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 REED WBLR and a GROPPA.

Waders on the beaches / rocks / overflying were - 15 SANDERLING, 10 RINGED PLOVER, 8 DUNLIN, 1 GREEN S'PIPER,

This morning in 1 hour ( not continuous seawatch ) 105 MANX S'WATER - east.

This evening on SH Marsh 1 f YELLOW WAGTAIL . In the Bay 1 ad MED GULL, 2 SANDWICH TERN.

MON 12 AUG 2013

07.30 -T'stone Marsh -1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 2 TEAL

09.00 Bay 1 GREENSHANK, 45 MANX S'WATER, 40 GANNET, 1 MED GULL

South Huish Marsh - 4 DUNLIN, 2 SNIPE ( first returning birds ), 1 RINGED PLOVER.

1 SPARROW HAWK. c 100 HOUSE SPARROW ( largest flock for some years )

South Milton Ley - Bob B + ringing team .- 62 SEDGE Wblr ( 1 French control )

7 REED WBLR, 7 WILLOW WBLR, 3 WHITETHROAT, 2 BLACKCAP, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 GARDEN WBLR

|late update - Sun 18.30 1 WHINCHAT on South Huish marsh ( AFD ).

Tonight -1 SWIFT and a juv YELLOW WAGTAIL. ( Bob B )

This afternoon Peter Goodfellow from Plymouth is certain he had a juv CITRINE WAGTAIL on South Huish Marsh - description being submitted to DBS rarities committee- if confirmed this will be a first for the patch

SUN 11 AUG 2013

Bob B and a full ringing team at South Milton Ley - birds ringed - 54 SEDGE ( 1 French control ), 7 REED W, 1 BLACKCAP, 3 WILLOW W, 1 CETTIS W, 1 SPOTTED FLY ( + 2on site )

Near Huxton Cross a BARN OWL.

Over T'stone Marsh -1 SWIFT

SAT 10 AUGUST 2013

Late update on the w/end activities thanks to Bob B . Full ringing team at South Milton Ley coicided with a big fall of Warblers - Late Fri night at the roost they ringed 125 SWALLOW and 5 SAND MARTIN . On Sat the ringing tatals were - 83 SEDGE, 15 REED, 11 WILLOW, 10 CHIFFCHAFF, 4 BLACKCAP, 1 GARDEN WARBLER.  Also on site -

3 GREY WAGTAIL, 2 WATER RAIL.

On South Huish Marsh - 2 WATER RAIL, 1 WHEATEAR and 4 DUNLIN.

Sundays totals to be posted later

THURS 8 AUG 2013

Restricted activity until next wed as Grandaughters and  families visitng.

 Ringing teams confirm 18 REED , 17 SEDGE , 5 WILLOW WARBLER, 3 CHIFFCHAFF trapped and ringed

Bob B reported on South Huish Marsh - 1 WOOD SANDPIPER and 3 DUNLIN

WED 7 AUG 2013

We will have to keep  redefining 'the bird of the year 'at 08.00 Bob B rang to say he had trapped his first ever MARSH WARBLER ( 169 ) at South Milton Ley .  Sped down there to see the bird and take some id particulars . A juv looking very smart. Only the second site record ,the previous one a singing bird many years ago .After 40 years of ringing at this site you can imagine he is going to 'dine out' on this one for some years to come . Cogratulations Bob. have looked back at Birds of Devon - last County sighting was May 1997 on Lundy. This is only the 28th County record . How lucky we are to have a Devon Birds owned site that just keeps producing rare birds.

My 2 GREEN and 1 COMMON SANDPIPER on T'stone Marsh at 07.30 pale into insignificance, at 16.00 there were 4 GREEN, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER and 2 DUNLIN,

6 TEAL and 25+ SWIFT over.

At 11.00 on South Huish Marsh - a WOOD SANDPIPER (170 ) 5 GREEN SANDPIPER, 1juv WHEATEAR, 1 GREY WAGTAIL.

Fantastic couple of days 2 patch year ticks and a life tick and still only 7 August- Whats next ?

4 Photo's of the MARSH WARBLER, the ID was confirmed using the G Walinder matrix for 1st year birds in the ringers Bible - Svenson which gave a final figure of 7 - only 2 out of 969 birds did not fall within this matrix . Another clincher was the lack of tongue spots ( lost much later in Reed )

Next photo is of a juv REED from this morning for comparison .

TUES 6 AUG 2013

A lovely sunny day, little wind and a flat calm sea . Never underestimate this Bay whatever the conditions !

First noticeable early morning movement of Warblers through my garden and the adjacent copse - 1 GARDEN, 2 WILLOW Warbler and 3 CHIFFCHAFF.

Met up with Graham Daw at 09..00 short seawatch from the car park. At 09.15 GD picked up   a large Shearwater sat on the sea around 700 yds off. The bird stayed around until 09.45 when it flew off east . A CORY'S SHEARWATER ( 168 ) - this is the first time I have been lucky enough to see one sat on the sea , normally they are a distant flyby through a scope . First record for the patch since 2011.

Also - 21 MANX and 1 BALEARIC S'water ( AJL ), 10 COMMON SCOTER, 2 MED GULL (AJL)

Waders - 2 SANDERLING , 8 RINGED PLOVER, 5 COMMON SANDPIPER ( seen by visiting birders by the footbridge )

In the Copse  more evidence of Warblers - 3 WILLOW, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, 1 BLACKCAP and 1 SEDGE.

At South Milton Ley  Bob B ringed 7 SEDGE and 7 WILLOW, at least another 12 WILLOW seen and a NUTHATCH

On South Huish Marsh a juv YELLOW WAGTAIL

At 16.45 a CURLEW flew over T'stone Marsh

MON 5 AUG 2013

Having read the reports from observers at Berry Head, Start Point and Prawle Pt brings home how close we are to the main headlands but not on the  birds South/ South West flight path, at the end of the day we are just a Bay that does very well in Spring when birds are moving up the Channel. This morning is a classic example - overnight strong S winds , heavy rain . Horizon cleared by 10.00, totals up to 12.45 - 85 GANNET, 8 MANX S'WATER, 2 MED GULL, 2 COMMON TERN , 10 RINGED PLOVER . 20 SWIFT  another flock of 15+ over T'stone Marsh at 13.00.

Having started this info web-site on 1st Jan 2012 totally surprised to find 19 months later the number of hits has just gone over 50,000. Thankyou all for taking the time to look at the site , please keep looking

18.45- GREENSHANK briefly on T'stone Marsh

21.00- SWALLOW roost 1100 +

SUN 4 AUG 2013

A day of classic weather and wind conditions (S 5/6 then sw 6/7 ) squally showers but apart from Gannet little other passage .

08.15 -11.30 seawatch from Warren Pt - 700 GANNET, 19 MANX SHEARWATER, 4 BALEARIC SHEAWATER, 1 FULMAR 2 COMMON SCOTER.

On the beach/ rocks 10 RINGED PLOVER, 2ad MED GULL .

Return visit to the car park at 16.30- 17.30 - 125 GANNET, 3 MANX & 1 BALEARIC S'WATER.

Wids look to be very light from Tuesday , can only hope for an improvement tomorrow

SAT 3 AUG 2013

An even quieter day than yesterday - Only 135 GANNET offshore  , 2 MED GULL on the rocks and 3 DUNLIN on the beach / marsh .

Will be interesting to see whether the S wind and expected rain late morning will produce anything on passage

FRI 2 AUG 2013

Back to normal fare this morning- 07.15 a COMMON SANDPIPER on T'stone Marsh

A 2.5 hr seawatch this morning only produced a FULMAR,  KITTIWAKE and 25 GANNET  .On the rocks  3 ad MED GULL with a SANDERLING on the beach

 Don't normally comment on butterflies - this morning Bob had the first Clouded Yellow of the year, on the path at South Milton Ley

THURS 1 AUG 2013

After an overcast start this morning  the sun came out , light S wind. As usual there is always a surprise on the first day of a new month. Probably our rarest bird of the year so far- 2 ad ROSEATE TERN ( only 3rd record in last 9 years  and first where more than a single bird seen ) First picked up flying across the Bay at 08.35, thankfully it was low tide and they landed on the rock giving very good views. Still in the Bay when I left at 11.45.  Both birds had metal rings on both legs  which according to  Bob B is unusual. Are they Uk birds or part of the breeding flock around the Roscoff area.?

Other highlights were - 50 + GANNET, 17 MANX SHEARWATER, 1 BALEARIC SHEARWATER, 2ad 2 2nd s MED GULL , 6 COMMON SCOTER,1 SANDWICH TERN

Waders on the beach / rocks - 4 TURNSTONE, singles of RINGED PLOVER, DUNLIN, SANDERLING

At 16.30 amongst a flock of Gulls on T'stone Marsh were 3ad & 2 2s MED GULLS.

Day list produced 69 species.

21.00 update - Went out to look at the SWALLOW roost and found a SPOONBILL flying over the Marsh , did not land but flew off towards the Avon Est .

29 MAY - 9 JUNE 2013- visit to La Brenne

This year Anne & I were joined by Graham & Daphne Daw for our visit to this superb part of France. Will post a full trip repot later this week - We managed 129 species the highlights being - LITTLE BITTERN, BITTERN , BEE EATER , BLACK STORK , great range of Raptors and Herons , 5 species of Tern , 50 BLACK NECKED GREBE on one lake ( with many day old chicks )

This year Anne & I were joined by Graham & Daphne Daw for our visit to this superb part of France. Will post a full trip repot later this week - We managed 129 species the highlights being - LITTLE BITTERN, BITTERN , BEE EATER , BLACK STORK , great range of Raptors and Herons , 5 species of Tern , 50 BLACK NECKED GREBE on one lake ( with many day old chicks )