The following list of 25 species was compiled by members of the Recording Group who had nothing better to do one evening than try and agree which bird species were most likely to be the next ‘firsts’ for the site. After much discussion this list was compiled, however we are not naïve enough to expect this bear any resemblance to what will actually happen in the real world (cf 26=!).

Since this list was first published in 2000 there have been 37 new species for the Recording Area. The site list is now on 305.

From the list numbers 3-4, 7, 9-12, 14-18, 20-22 and 24 have now been recorded. Red Kite is now a scarce annual migrant and there have been seven records of Rose-coloured Starling.

 Of the other 21 new species, four had been on or close to this list but were lost in the final decision making (honest).
These were Lesser Yellowlegs, Lesser Grey Shrike, Caspian Tern and Penduline Tit.

 The other 17 species were:

Great Shearwater, perhaps not to surprising since the recent increase in records from Torbay.

Radde’s Warbler, despite the increase in national records this was somewhat of a surprise being the first twitchable Devon record. Dawlish Warren has now recorded both Dusky and Radde’s Warblers but still no Pallas’s – possibly a unique state of affairs in the UK.

Elegant Tern, a true bolt from the blue, three different individuals of this species entertained and infuriated observers during the summer of 2002.

Mandarin, another omission, a bird with the Wigeon in November 2004 with six subsequent records.

Willow Tit, a rapidly declining species especially in south Devon and usually sedentary. The arrival of one in March 2005 was a definite surprise, as was a presumed second record in April 2005 and a third in April 2016.

Laughing Gull, having missed out during the record influx in autumn and winter 2005, the Warren eventually caught up with a single bird in August 2006.

Long-billed Murrelet, even more surprising than the Elegant Tern, this first for Britain turned up in November 2006.

Cattle Egret, following the record invasion in winter 2007/8 - two finally turned up on site in late Jan 2008, then over 100 subsequent records 2018- 2021 .

Red-footed Falcon, one part of a widespread UK invasion in early June 2008.

Common Redpoll, one, probably two, Mealies dropped in during excellent 'vis mig' in November 2008.

American Golden Plover, one in the Bight briefly and then in the Saltmarsh for a week in October 2010.

Waxwing, the combination of cold weather movement and an influx of this species saw one flyby in December 2010 with three subsequent records.

Short-toed Eagle, another unexpected extreme rarity, the second for Britain flew east in Oct 2011.

Glossy Ibis, part of a record winter influx in Feb 2012, with two further records.

Black Stork, one over in May 2014.

Citrine Wagtail; a first winter briefly in the Bight in Aug 2018.

Long-billed Dowitcher, one visited briefly in October 2019 but otherwise remained at the top end of the estuary.

Ring-necked Duck, a brief first winter in the estuary in Sep 2022.

 

Back   |   Home