Dawlish Warren: Latest Bird Sightings

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The female Surf Scoter was off Langstone Rock all day with 55 Common Scoter, 36 Great-crested Grebe and 17 Red-throated Diver also offshore. The Long-tailed Duck was reported again in the estuary where there were also two Great Northern Diver, 150+ Curlew, four Black-tailed Godwit, three Little Grebe, two Goldeneye, a Greenshank and a Whimbrel. Elsewhere the Black Redstart was by the Main Pond, at least 12 Song Thrush and three Redwing were onsite, three Raven and a Collared Dove flew overhead and two Gadwall and the Chiloe Wigeon were on the Main Pond.

The female Surf and 20 Common Scoter were offshore with four Red-throated Diver and three Slavonian Grebe. The Surf Scoter was off the Dune Ridge early morning before drifting towards Langstone Rock by late afternoon. The Long-tailed Duck was again in Shutterton Creek at high tide, with two Slavonian Grebe, two Great Northern Diver, 250+ Curlew and an Avocet also in the estuary. Elsewhere the Black Redstart, three Redwing and a Grey Wagtail were around the Entrance Bushes, a Peregrine flew over with a Water Rail, two Buzzard were overhead, a Kestrel and both Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker were on site and three Gadwall were on the Main Pond.

The Black Redstart was again present around the Entrance Bushes with three Redwing. In the estuary there were 235 Brent Geese, 151 Curlew, 52 Wigeon, 48 Shelduck, two Goldeneye, a Greenshank and a Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere c20 Common Scoter and two Great Northern Diver were offshore.

The Surf Scoter remains offshore, with the Black Redstart still present around the Entrance Bushes, also a Green Woodpecker there. In the estuary a single Avocet was off Cockwood with 15 Black-tailed Godwit, two Slavonian Grebe, a Great Northern Diver and a Greenshank.

The Surf Scoter was still offshore but no other news was received for today.

The Black Redstart was again favouring the flooded area on the seaward side of the Entrance Bushes, also on site single Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker, two Redwing and the first Chiffchaff since the cold weather. Elsewhere the Surf Scoter remains offshore, with the Long-tailed Duck, four Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel in the estuary and on the Main Pond, single Shoveler, Gadwall and the Chiloe Wigeon.

A familiar look to today's sightings with the female Surf Scoter, 18 Great-crested Grebe, a Velvet and 16 Common Scoter and 10 Red-throated Diver offshore, the Long-tailed Duck again in the estuary with two Slavonian Grebe and two Great Northern Diver and the Black Redstart and a Firecrest again around the Entrance Bushes. Other records included two firsts for the year, a Grey Wagtail over the Car park and two Coal Tit in the Entrance Bushes. Elsewhere 1350 Dunlin, 65 Ringed Plover, 34 Wigeon, 16 Sanderling and three Black-tailed Godwit were in the estuary and three Gadwall and the Chiloe Wigeon were on the Main Pond.

The female Surf Scoter was still offshore with 10 Red-throated Diver, 18+ Great-crested and a Slavonian Grebe. Two Slavonian Grebe were also in the estuary with three Great Northern Diver and single Little and Great-crested Grebe. Counts over high tide included 1600+ Dunlin, c1000 Oystercatcher, 333 Brent Geese, 221 Grey Plover, 116 Knot, 34 Ringed Plover, 21 Wigeon, 16 Sanderling, the highest count this winter, 11 Teal and a Jack Snipe. Elsewhere an immature Black Redstart was around the seaward side of the Entrance bushes, with presumably the same one at Langstone Rock later in the day, four Siskin, two Lesser Redpoll and single Redwing, Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush were on site, a pair of Green Woodpecker were in the Back Meadow and on the Main Pond there were two pairs of Little Grebe, four Gadwall, a female Shoveler and the first Coot since the thaw.

The female Surf Scoter was still offshore with 12+ Great-crested Grebe and five Red-throated Diver. Elsewhere three Slavonian Grebe and two Great Northern Diver were in the estuary, three Gadwall and the Chiloe Wigeon were on the Main Pond and a Green Woodpecker and 30 Goldfinch were on site.

The Surf Scoter was offshore with eight Red-throated Diver south and an adult Mediterranean Gull off Langstone Rock. Elsewhere a Lesser Redpoll, 10 Siskin, two Redwing and a Green Woodpecker were in the Entrance Bushes, three Great Northern Diver were in the estuary and three Gadwall and the Chiloe Wigeon was on the Main Pond.

The female Surf, two Velvet Scoter and a Slavonian Grebe were still offshore, with 1825 Dunlin, three Great Northern Diver and two Goldeneye in the estuary.

Early morning 14 Red-throated Diver flew south offshore in just five minutes. Other records included the Surf Scoter and a Great Northern Diver offshore and a Goldeneye in the estuary.

The Black Redstart was again at Pirates Cove early morning, with the regular long stayers all present, Surf Scoter offshore, two Slavonian Grebe and the Long-tailed Duck in the estuary. Also in the estuary three Goldeneye, two Little Grebe, two Little Egret, two Great Northern Diver and a Greenshank. Elsewhere three Little Grebe, two Gadwall and a Shoveler were on the Main Pond and single Goldcrest and Great-spotted Woodpecker were on site.

The first Black Redstart of the year was briefly around Pirates Cove mid morning before heading towards Mount Pleasant. Other news was almost a repeat of Saturday with the Surf, three Velvet and 20 Common Scoter offshore with 22 Red-throated Diver and a Slavonian Grebe. A large wreck of starfish and shellfish attracted 1700 Herring Gull to feed on the beach, but they were constantly harassed by large numbers of dogs and walkers. In the estuary the Long-tailed Duck was again in Shutterton Creek, with two Great Northern Diver, two Slavonian Grebe, 207 Dark and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 93 Shelduck, two Goldeneye and an adult Mediterranean Gull, with a preroost gathering of 344 Carrion Crow on the mudflats and Bull Hill. On the Main Pond there were 130 Mallard, a Gadwall, a female Shoveler, the Chiloe Wigeon and a Kingfisher. Elsewhere at least one Firecrest was present, a Woodcock flew over the Golf Course, two Buzzard and a Raven were overhead, and five Redwing, a Blackcap, a Mistle Thrush, a Great-spotted Woodpecker and five Water Rail were on site.

Following the overnight wind and rain 32 Red-throated Diver flew south before 9.30am, but little else was moving with just singles of Kittiwake and Fulmar. Also offshore the Surf Scoter remains at the eastern of the Warren with three Velvet Scoter. A Firecrest in the Entrance Bushes was the first of the year, but was only seen early morning, also on site two Collared Dove, both Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker, c10 Redwing and two Water Rail. On the Main Pond there were a pair of Gadwall and a female Shoveler with the Mallard and a Kingfisher was the first of the year. In the estuary the Long-tailed Duck was in Shutterton Creek, before moving back towards Exmouth late morning, also present a Great Northern Diver, the Slavonian Grebe, c80 Shelduck, 65 Wigeon, five Teal, a Goldeneye, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and an adult Mediterranean Gull, with a Merlin around the saltmarsh early evening.

The Surf Scoter remains offshore with just one Velvet and 17 Common Scoter, also offshore a Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere a Woodcock was again in Dead Dolphin Wood with 40 Redwing and at least seven Bullfinch on site, 61 Mallard, a Little Grebe and the Chiloe Wigeon were on the Main Pond and a pre roost gathering of 300 corvid on the Railway Saltmarsh included at least 100 Jackdaw. Just off site the Spoonbill was relocated on the Golf Course at Starcross.

A Woodcock was flushed from Dead Dolphin wood but there was no other news received for today.

A Spoonbill flew north over the reserve at 16.30 heading upriver. Presumably the same bird was seen at Exminster Marshes shortly after. With the ice on the Main Pond thawing the Mallard roost has restarted with c50 heading in from Dawlish Water with a pair of Gadwall.

Following the thaw at least seven Redwing were feeding on site with a Fieldfare on Langstone Rock. In the estuary 201 Wigeon were feeding in the Bight - an exceptional occurrence, 202 Knot were present over the high tide with 87 Brent Geese, 83 Shelduck, a pair of Goldeneye and two Great Northern Diver also present. Elsewhere the strong winds produced the first Fulmar of the year offshore but little else.

The Surf and three Velvet Scoter remain offshore with one Slavonian Grebe.

Very few birds passing overhead but wildfowl were still on the move, the highlight being a pair of Smew in the estuary, the ninth site record and the first since 1992. The drake was the first male here since c1830! Other species included a site record count of at least 29 Gadwall, seven drake Pochard, five Shoveler, five Goldeneye, three Tufted Duck, two Pintail and c100 Brent Geese moving into the estuary during the day. Counts from the estuary included 333 Canada Geese, 175 Carrion Crow, 106 Shelduck, 28 Black-tailed Godwit, two Bar-headed Geese and single Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Greenshank and adult Mediterranean Gull. A Black-throated Diver was offshore with 25+ Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, 45 Great-crested Grebe and the Surf and three Velvet Scoter. Elsewhere a Woodcock was flushed from the Golf Course, at least 155 Skylark were roosting in the Saltmarsh, 40 Fieldfare, 21 Siskin, 15 Redwing, 12 Lapwing, two Raven, a Mistle Thrush and a Golden Plover flew over and six Long-tailed Tit and at least four Water Rail were on site.

Cold weather refugees continue to arrive, although smaller numbers of birds are now passing overhead. A Common Sandpiper over Warren Point, the first January record for the reserve, was the biggest surprise, with a Woodcock along the beach almost expected in the conditions. It was however the first on site since Dec 2006 and only the third since October 1997. Movement overhead included 733 Lapwing, 130 Fieldfare, 70 Redwing, three Jackdaw, two Raven, a Buzzard and a Snipe. Displaced wildfowl included 13 Tufted Duck, 13 Gadwall, four Pochard, three Shoveler and a single Coot - the later a very rare site on the estuary. Elsewhere 1500 Dunlin, 182 Knot, 30+ Black-tailed Godwit, seven Sanderling, five Greenshank, 160 Dark-bellied and two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, two Golden Plover, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Great Northern Diver were in the estuary, two Peregrine, 10+ Snipe and a Mistle Thrush on site and the Surf, three Velvet and 25 Common Scoter were offshore with five Red-throated Diver, 25 Great-crested and a Slavonian Grebe.

The only records received for today include a drake Pochard in Shutterton Creek, exactly a year since the last record on site, with a drake Pintail and the Slavonian Grebe also in the estuary.

The cold weather movement continued today across a broad front, but the clear skies meant most birds were too high to see with the naked eye, so many more than yesterday would have been missed. Counts of birds moving west included 2125 Fieldfare, 1510 Redwing, 1369 Lapwing and 1170 Skylark, with 33 Song Thrush, 30+ Meadow Pipit, 15 Pintail (south), 14 Snipe, 28 Golden Plover, 10 Curlew, five Mistle Thrush, three Lesser Redpoll, two Blackbird, two Rook, two Siskin, two Reed Bunting and a Redshank also overhead. Fewer birds than yesterday landed on site but at least 40 Meadow Pipit and 15 Snipe were also grounded. In Shutterton Creek variety in the Wigeon and Teal included eight Gadwall, six Shoveler, three Tufted Duck, three Pintail and two Mallard. Also in the estuary 35+ Black-tailed Godwit, three Greenshank, a Jack Snipe, an adult Mediterranean Gull, the Slavonian Grebe and a Water Rail on the railway embankment. Elsewhere the Surf, four Velvet and seven Common Scoter were offshore with a Slavonian Grebe, a Great Northern and five Red-throated Diver, at least two Water Rail were at the Main Pond, eight Bullfinch, six Long-tailed Tit and two Goldcrest were on site and 271 Linnet roosted in the bushes near the Back Meadow.

The continuing cold weather and overnight snow triggered one of the largest cold weather movements recorded at the Warren, with waves of birds moving west between the snow flurries, some dropping like rain into the bushes before regrouping and continuing westwards. Minimum counts through the day included two site records; 3317 Lapwing and 1930 Skylark. Of interest during a cold weather movement in Jan 1982 ice was noted on the tails of several of the skylarks, today several were seen with no tails at all! Other species caught up in the spectacle included 2779 Redwing, 1051 Fieldfare, 314 Meadow Pipit, 107 Golden Plover, 65 Starling, 60+ Snipe, 21 Song Thrush and 14 Black-tailed Godwit. Three Yellowhammer were notable both for the site and because they flew east! Four Pintail south was disappointingly the only wildfowl movement. Elsewhere 10 Common Scoter, two Red-throated Diver and a Slavonian Grebe were offshore, a Buzzard headed north and the wintering Whimbrel, an adult Mediterranean Gull, two Greenshank, 460 Teal, 200+ Wigeon, 199 Dark-bellied and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose were in the estuary.

The Surf Scoter remains offshore with 25 Common and at least three Velvet Scoter, 28 Great-crested Grebe, six Red-throated Diver and and a Slavonian Grebe. The resident Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary with two Little Grebe and a Great Northern Diver. Wildfowl included 300+ Teal, 150+ Wigeon and 103 Shelduck with a pair of Shoveler, a female Pintail, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Chiloe Wigeon. Waders included 400+ Curlew, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, two Greenshank and two Avocet. Elsewhere two Fieldfare flew over, at least five Redwing were around Dead Dolphin Wood, a Peregrine over Shutterton Creek and four Stonechat and a Great-spotted Woodpecker were on site.

The Surf Scoter remained offshore with three Velvet Scoter. Elsewhere a Jack Snipe was in the saltmarsh, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose was in the Bight and the Long-tailed Duck was in the estuary with four Great Northern Diver and three Slavonian Grebe.

No sign of the Bittern today, with the pond completely frozen. The Surf Scoter remained offshore and was joined by five Velvet Scoter and 25 Great-crested Grebe, with 60+ auks south. Elsewhere two Jack Snipe were in the saltmarsh, two Great Northern Diver, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and an adult Mediterranean Gull were in the estuary, five Redwing were in the bushes and a Blackcap was by the Dune Pond - a very rare winter record for the reserve.

A Bittern was reported on the Main Pond, by a visiting non birder and then eventually showed mid afternoon, although it remained largely hidden in the reeds. Only the sixth site record and the first since 1999. The other surprise was a male Cirl Bunting along the Wryneck Path - the last hurrah for the now removed bushes in this area. In the estuary there were 255 Curlew, 126 Redshank, 100 Brent Geese, 68 Red-breasted Merganser, three Black-tailed Godwit, two Greenshank, two Bar-headed Geese, two Great Northern Diver, a Slavonian Grebe and a female Shoveler. Elsewhere the Surf Scoter was offshore with four Red-throated Diver and two Gadwall, three Siskin and two Rook were overhead and 35 Wood Pigeon, five Redwing and a Great-spotted Woodpecker were in Dead Dolphin Wood.

The female Surf and 12 Common Scoter were offshore with seven Eider and a Red-throated Diver. In the estuary the Slavonian Grebe, Avocet and two Great Northern Diver were off Cockwood with counts of 164 Knot, 141 Bar-tailed Godwit, 117 Grey Plover, 63 Shelduck, 24 Lapwing, 19 Snipe, three Goldeneye and two Greenshank. Elsewhere a Peregrine was overhead with two Rook, a Siskin was behind the Visitor Centre, at least five Chiffchaff and seven Bullfinch were on site and 67 Mallard left the Main Pond at first light.

January 2010