January 2008

Thursday 31st:

A Balearic Shearwater south was the only news received for today.

Wednesday 30th:

Almost a repeat of yesterday with the Jack Snipe again in the saltmarsh and the Surf and three Velvet Scoter offshore along with three Slavonian Grebe, six Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. 

Tuesday 29th:

The first Jack Snipe of the year was in the saltmarsh along with the Spotted Redshank, an adult Mediterranean Gull and the wintering Whimbrel. The tristis Chiffchaff was again by the First Pond. Elsewhere the Surf Scoter and three Velvet Scoter were offshore with at least one Slavonian Grebe, six Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. 

Monday 28th:

In the estuary the first Golden Plover of the year made a brief appearance, also there the Spotted Redshank, three Shoveler, three Goldeneye, a Greenshank, the Pale-bellied Brent and a Great Northern Diver. The over wintering Surf Scoter and at least four Velvet Scoter remain offshore along with five Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, two Eider, 31 Great-crested and a Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere the tristis Chiffchaff was by the First Pond and three Raven were overhead. 

Sunday 27th:

After yesterday's false alarm, today's highlight was incredibly, the reserve's ninth record of Whooper Swan. An adult flew south over the Dune Ridge and landed on the sea remaining offshore for several hours drifting slowly south. Also offshore the over wintering Surf Scoter, at least five Velvet Scoter, six Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, five Slavonian Grebe and two Eider.  A Treecreeper by the First Pond was a good record, this is a barely annual visitor, also here six Chiffchaff, including the tristis, six Bullfinch and a Siskin. Elsewhere 19 Lapwing, three Black-tailed Godwit, two Greenshank and the Whimbrel were in the estuary, six Rook, two Raven and a Collared Dove were overhead and a Dartford Warbler was along the Dune Ridge.

Treecreeper 27/01/08 © Lee Collins                             Whooper Swan 27/01/08 - the definition of a 'record shot'!

Saturday 26th:

The immature female Surf Scoter remains offshore feeding with two Velvet Scoter. Also offshore 15+ Great-crested and five Slavonian Grebe, three immature Mute Swan (not Whooper as reported), 11 Common Scoter, a female Eider, five Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. Unconfirmed reports include single Red-Necked Grebe and Black-throated Diver - the 'usual suspects'! In the estuary a Spotted Redshank was in the saltmarsh with two Greenshank, three Black-tailed Godwit and 16 Lapwing, the Pale Bellied Brent was again in the Bight. Other counts included 1300 Dunlin, 191 Grey Plover, 170+ Brent Geese and 135 Canada Geese. Gulls numbers around the estuary and sandbar at low tide included two adult Mediterranean, 875 Herring, 302 Black-headed and 73 Common Gull. Elsewhere the highlight was the first Jackdaw of the year over north, with single Raven, Buzzard and Collared Dove also over today. The tristis Chiffchaff was again by the First Pond with four other Chiffchaff and at least one Siskin. A Fulmar on the cliffs at Langstone Rock was the first ever such record.

Stonechat 26/01/08                                              Grey Plover 26/01/08 both © Simon Thurgood

Friday 25th:

The adult Glaucous Gull made an all too brief appearance offshore early morning, also feeding offshore a single Balearic Shearwater and over 150 Razorbill, with a second Balearic Shearwater and 1000+ Razorbill south during the day, the latter a new site record. Also still offshore the Surf Scoter, three Velvet Scoter, 15 Great-crested and five Slavonian Grebe, 14 Common Scoter, four Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver. In the estuary there were 369 Wigeon, 150 Redshank, 60 Common Gull, 25 Teal, eight Little Egret and four Grey Heron. Elsewhere a Buzzard over the reserve was the first of the year, seven Canada Geese were on the Main Pond and 10 Turnstone were at Langstone Rock.

Thursday 24th:

An adult Glaucous Gull attracted to a gull feeding frenzy offshore mid afternoon was a seasonal bonus, also offshore the Surf Scoter, three Slavonian Grebe, 10 Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere several Bullfinch were around the Entrance Bushes, were the only other sightings reported.

Bullfinch 24/01/08 © Simon Thurgood

Wednesday 23rd:

The Surf Scoter remains offshore with four Slavonian Grebe, a Common Scoter and a Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere the Pale-bellied Brent Goose and the Whimbrel remain in the estuary.

Tuesday 22nd:

No news was received for today.

Monday 21st:

The Surf Scoter remains offshore with two Slavonian Grebe. In the estuary the Great Northern Diver was near the wreck with a Slavonian Grebe, also in the estuary five adult Mediterranean Gull and an Avocet. Elsewhere a Raven was on the beach. Seven Goldeneye were off the northern end of Bull Hill, just outside the recording area.

Sunday 20th:

The Surf Scoter remains offshore feeding actively between groynes 11&12, also offshore three Velvet and three Common Scoter, two Slavonian and nine Great-crested Grebe. The Great Northern Diver was in the estuary with two Great-crested, two Little and a Slavonian Grebe, 30+ Red-breasted Merganser and a Goldeneye. Counts today included 450 Wigeon, 95 Brent Geese, 79 Shelduck, 34 Teal and eight Mute Swan. In Shutterton Creek there were 65 Redshank, 48 Curlew, six Snipe, five Grey Heron, five Little Egret, two Greenshank, two Water Rail, a Black-tailed Godwit, the Whimbrel and an Avocet. At least five Mediterranean Gull were on site today, four adults and a second winter, with 150+ Common Gull and 600+ Herring Gull. Elsewhere a Raven overhead was the first of the year, 30 Siskin flew west with three Goldfinch and a Chaffinch, a Peregrine was on Bull Hill, 24 Linnet, seven Meadow Pipit and seven Skylark were around the Bight.  The tristis Chiffchaff was again in the First Pond area with a pair of Sparrowhawk, 16 Long-tailed Tit, three Goldcrest and at least three Bullfinch. Two Canada Geese were on the Main Pond.

Saturday 19th:

The immature female Surf Scoter was still offshore, with five seafaring Wigeon.  Also offshore three immature Velvet Scoter, three Great-crested and two Slavonian Grebe, three Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver and off Langstone Rock 10 Common Scoter. In the estuary three adult Mediterranean Gull and a Greenshank in Shutterton Creek five Turnstone were on Finger Point with the Pale-bellied Brent, 50+ Linnet and 30+ Ringed Plover in the Bight. Elsewhere four Rook were overhead, there was an oiled Guillemot on the beach, a Little Grebe on the Main Pond, at least one Bullfinch in the trees behind the visitor centre, and a female Kestrel flew down the back path.

Guillemot 19/01/08 © Lee Collins

Friday 18th:

The Surf Scoter remains off groyne 11 also offshore eight Great-crested and a Slavonian Grebe, four Common Scoter, two Razorbill, a Guillemot, two Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver. Three adult Mediterranean Gull were in the estuary with 212 Brent Geese, 59 Ringed Plover, 46 Shelduck and the Pale-bellied Brent in front of the hide.

Thursday 17th:

No news was received for today.

Wednesday 16th:

The wintering Surf Scoter remains offshore along with a Velvet Scoter and two Great Northern Diver. Four adult Velvet Scoter flew south past and landed off Dawlish.

Tuesday 15th:

The Surf Scoter was still offshore, also Velvet Scoter, five Common Scoter, three Great Northern Diver, three Red-Throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe. A few Fulmar and a Balearic Shearwater flew south. The estuary produced Pale-bellied Brent among 400 Dark bellied, two Slavonian Grebe, three Goldeneye, 400+ Wigeon, seven Little Egret and a Whimbrel.

Monday 14th:

The Surf Scoter was still offshore, today. Also at sea, a Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver, one Slavonian Grebe and 11 Common Scoter, with a small number of auks. Elsewhere on site a Water Rail was on the First Pond and the Pale-bellied Brent Goose was in the Bight.
 

Sunday 13th:

Strong southerly winds produced the day's highlight, an adult winter Black Guillemot, the sixth Warren record. It flew in from the east before landing on the sea off the seawall where it remained for at least an hour, although could be difficult to see in very choppy conditions. Seawatching before 10.30 also produced five Balearic Shearwater, the first January records, 300+ auk sp, 120 Kittiwake, 80 Gannet, 54 Fulmar, 47 Common Scoter, two Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver south. Of the auks close enough to identify at least 60% were Guillemot, over 80 were seen today, a site record. Also offshore at least two Velvet Scoter, a Slavonian Grebe and two Great Northern Diver were on the sea. Elsewhere the Pale-bellied Brent was in the Bight, 430 Wigeon, 225 Bar-tailed Godwit, three Goldeneye, a Greenshank, a Great Northern Diver and a Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary.

Saturday 12th:

The sunny weather brought out at least two Dartford Warbler for the first time this year, one was on Warren Point, with another on the Dune Ridge and later in Greenland Lake. What may have been a third bird was seen behind the Visitor centre. Another first for the year were three Siskin in alders by the First Pond. Offshore the Surf Scoter was still off groyne 11, with single Velvet Scoter and Eider also present along with four Common Scoter, a Great Northern Diver, 16 Great-crested and three Slavonian Grebe. The Pale-bellied Brent was in the Bight along with 90 Dark-bellied Brent, 88 Shelduck, 66 Knot and 53 Ringed Plover, also in the estuary a second Great Northern Diver and a pair of Goldeneye. Elsewhere two Peregrine harassed the high tide roost, a Great-spotted Woodpecker in the Entrance Bushes, two Rook flew west and on the Main Pond 48 Mallard and three Little Grebe.

Dartford Warbler 12/01/08 © Simon Thurgood

Friday 11th:

At least eight Red-throated and five Great Northern Diver were present early morning, either on the sea or heading south. Also offshore 40 Common Scoter, three Slavonian Grebe and the immature Surf Scoter. The Pale-bellied Brent was again in the Bight with and adult Mediterranean Gull and a Whimbrel also in the estuary.

Thursday 10th:

The Surf Scoter remains offshore with three Slavonian Grebe. Seawatching also produced 100s of auk sp south along with c60 Gannet, 35 Kittiwake, six Fulmar, two Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver.

Wednesday 9th:

The Surf Scoter remains offshore along with just one Common and a distant Velvet Scoter. Also offshore two Slavonian Grebe and a Red-throated Diver. Elsewhere a Great Northern Diver and a Guillemot were in the estuary with 22 Lapwing and the Pale-bellied Brent Goose. A female Peregrine sat on Bull Hill was the first of the year.

Tuesday 8th:

The Surf Scoter remains in winter residence but was difficult to see in choppy conditions. Also offshore Red-throated and Great Northern Diver, several Razorbill, three Great-crested and two Slavonian Grebe on the sea with six Fulmar and numerous Gannet, Kittiwake and auks passing by. Elsewhere two Rock Pipit were on the sea wall, two drake Shoveler,  two Little Grebe were on the Main Pond a Chiffchaff at the First Pond and a mixed flock of 20 -30 Skylark and Linnet feeding on the high tide line by Finger Point.

Monday 7th:

The immature female Surf Scoter remains offshore today along with at least one Slavonian Grebe.

Sunday 6th:

The immature female Surf Scoter remains offshore along with five Slavonian Grebe and a Red-throated Diver. Elsewhere the tristis Chiffchaff remains by the First Pond, the Pale-bellied Brent Goose was in the Bight, a Little Grebe was on the Main Pond and a Kestrel was over the car park.

Saturday 5th:

Seawatching early morning produced a first winter Little Gull and a Black-throated Diver south along a few Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. Also offshore the Surf Scoter, an Eider, two Great Northern and at least 10, possibly 15+ Red-throated Diver, six Great-crested Grebe and an adult Mediterranean Gull. Elsewhere an Avocet and a fourth Great Northern Diver were in the estuary, the tristis Chiffchaff and a male Bullfinch were behind the Visitor Centre and a Snipe was on the Main Pond.

Snipe 05/01/08 © Lee Collins                                                                       Surf Scoter 05/01/08 © Lee Collins

Friday 4th:

The Surf Scoter was still favouring the shelter of the estuary mouth, along with a drake Eider, also offshore four Slavonian Grebe and five Velvet Scoter. Five Red-throated Diver and three adult Mediterranean Gull flew south close inshore mid afternoon. The tristis Chiffchaff was again in the Entrance Bushes along with three other Chiffchaff, two Bullfinch and a Great-spotted Woodpecker. Elsewhere 69 Shelduck were in the estuary, four Snipe were in the Saltmarsh and two Little Grebe and a Water Rail were on the Main Pond. The highlight of the day though were two grey geese that flew in off the sea at 11.40 am and headed north up the estuary.

Sanderling 04/01/08 © Simon Thurgood
 

Thursday 3rd:

In calmer conditions the Surf Scoter was again seen, favouring the shelter of the estuary mouth, also offshore five Slavonian Grebe and a Great Northern Diver.

Wednesday 2nd:

A stormy start to the day again produced two Pomarine Skua offshore, both lingering, with c20 Gannet, c20 Kittiwake and two Fulmar south.  On the sea there was no sign of the Surf Scoter in difficult conditions, but two Slavonian Grebe were seen along with five Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere a Kestrel put in an appearance and three Bullfinch were in the bushes.

Tuesday 1st:

A record start the year for the second year in a row.  The highlights included two Pomarine Skua offshore, one of which flew high north inland, a Goosander in the estuary and a Yellowhammer over NW. The immature female Surf Scoter stayed offshore into the New Year along with at least five Velvet Scoter, 10+ Red-throated Diver, 26 Great-crested and three Slavonian Grebe, two Eider and an adult Mediterranean Gull south past Langstone Rock. In addition to the skuas there were also 60+ Gannet, c40 Razorbill, 30+ Kittiwake and at least five Guillemot. In the estuary the Pale-bellied Brent was still present, along with a pair of Goldeneye, 61 Ringed Plover, 22 Lapwing, 18 Snipe, 13 Black-tailed Godwit and single Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Mediterranean Gull and Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere a Collared Dove flew east, two Rook flew west, a Great-spotted Woodpecker was in the Entrance Bushes with five Chiffchaff including a tristis, a Kingfisher was on the Main Pond with a second bird in the estuary.

Pale-bellied Brent Goose (first winter) 01/01/08 © Lee Collins                                Goosander 01/01/08 © Lee Collins 

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