The following list of 25
species has been compiled by keen Dawlish Warren listers, who had nothing
better to do one evening than try and agree which species were most likely to be
the next ‘firsts’ for the site. After many arguments 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=!).
However, If anyone has any better ideas please
let us know.
|
1. Red-breasted
Flycatcher |
10. Corn Bunting |
19. Little Bittern |
|
2. Pallas’s Warbler |
11. Rose-coloured
Starling |
20. Black Kite |
|
3. Red Kite |
12. Purple Heron |
21. Red-throated Pipit |
|
4. Golden Oriole |
13. Bee-eater |
22. Great Reed Warbler |
|
5. Ortolan Bunting |
14. Crane |
23. Desert Wheatear |
|
6. Marsh Warbler |
15. Great Grey Shrike |
24. Semi-palmated
Sandpiper |
|
7. Bluethroat |
16. Pink-footed Goose |
25. Forster’s Tern |
|
8. Night Heron |
17. Subalpine Warbler |
26= Auduoin’s Gull (!) |
|
9. Cory’s Shearwater |
18. Red-rumped Swallow |
26= Willet (!) |
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This list was first published in 2000, since then there have been 32 new species for the recording area. Numbers 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22 and 24 have been recorded. There are now six records of Rose-coloured Starling and Red Kite is now considered a scarce annual migrant.
Of the other 18, 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 14 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, although not yet officially accepted, it is widely believed to
have been this species which entertained and infuriated observers during the
summer of 2002.
Mandarin, another omission, a
bird with the Wigeon in November 2004.
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 the second record in April 2005!
Laughing Gull, having missed out on this species 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 on from the record invasion in winter 2007/8 - two finally turned up on site in late January 2008.
Red-footed Falcon, one part of a widespread UK invasion in early June 2008.
Common Redpoll, one, probably two, Mealies were recorded 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.
Short-toed Eagle, almost on a par with the murrelet in terms of shock, the 2nd British record overhead in Oct 2011.
Glossy Ibis, part of a record winter influx in Feb 2012.