Dawlish Warren: Latest Bird Sightings

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As autumn progresses activity is slowly increasing on the reserve especially in the estuary, were there were over 100 roosting Sandwich Tern, including seven juveniles, a Common Tern and an adult Mediterranean Gull. The large flock of Curlew roosting on the Railway Saltmarsh were flushed by a canoeist, however many ended up nearer the hide where nine Whimbrel and four Bar-tailed Godwit could be picked out. Also in the estuary the first returning Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere a flock of 19 House Sparrow were in the Buffer Zone, both broods of Little Grebe were on the Main Pond and a Kingfisher was at the First Pond.

The continuing summer weather means more of the same birds that you would expect at the end of June. Waders over the high tide included 340 Curlew and 140 Oystercatcher roosting on the Railway Saltmarsh, with five Ringed Plover and two Dunlin in the Bight. Also in the Bight, on the rising tide, were 52 Sandwich Tern, including four juveniles, a single Common Tern, 23 Great Black-backed Gull and 15 Black-headed Gull with the first juvenile of the autumn. There were also six Little Egret on site - three feeding in the bight and another three roosting on the saltmarsh. The Slavonian Grebe was still present over the weekend and was seen to have a metal ring on it's left leg.

The first juvenile Sandwich Tern of the autumn was in the estuary with 55+ adults also around reserve. Other counts limited to c240 Curlew, single Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel. The two young Little Grebe are still showing well Main Pond.

Two adult Mediterranean Gull and a Common Sandpiper were in the estuary with an early returning Kingfisher, only the fourth June record, and the two photogenic young Little Grebe on the Main Pond.

The summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe was still off Cockwood in the evening, having been at Turf earlier in the day. Also on site 45+ Sandwich Tern with 25+ Common Scoter and a Great-crested Grebe offshore. The young Little Grebe continue to show well on the nursery platform built by the adults on the Main Pond.

The Slavonian Grebe was still in the estuary, with three Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper. Elsewhere a Sand Martin flew through and two shearwater, possibly Balearic were offshore.

Four Mediterranean Gull were on site, an adult and a first summer on the beach and an adult and a second summer offshore. Also offshore 20+ Sandwich Tern, 51 Common Scoter and a Red-breasted Merganser. Elsewhere 310 Curlew, 11 Shelduck, five Redshank, two Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit and the Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary.

The Slavonian Grebe was again in the estuary off Cockwood. A brood of recently fledged Swallow were along the Golf course fence. Other fledged young in the last couple of days have included Reed Bunting, Whitethroat, Carrion Crow and Magpie.

Offshore there were 120+ Common Scoter along with two Red-breasted Merganser, a Great-crested Grebe and 20+ Sandwich Tern. Wader counts over high tide included 178 Curlew, four Redshank, two Dunlin and single Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwit.

A single Little Tern was offshore this evening with at least 25 Sandwich and a Common Tern, also offshore 110+ Kittiwake and four Common Scoter. The Slavonian Grebe was again in the estuary along with 11 Shelduck and over the high tide c120 Curlew, eight Redshank, six Dunlin and a Ringed Plover.

Offshore this evening there were at least 20 Sandwich and six Common Tern. Wader counts over the high tide included 10 Sanderling, six Dunlin and three Ringed Plover. Two fem type Red-breasted Merganser in the Bight, suggests they may have attempted to breed again on the Exe. Elsewhere a second brood of Little Grebe have hatched on the Main Pond and there were many Swift moving through overhead.

The Slavonian Grebe was again off Cockwood, also in the estuary a first summer Common Gull and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Elsewhere 24 Sandwich Tern and five Common Scoter were offshore and a Sand Martin, presumably an early autumn migrant, flew west.

Three first summer Mediterranean Gull were feeding offshore this afternoon with 50 Kittiwake, 30 Sandwich and a commic Tern. Also offshore at least 18 Manx Shearwater and 10 Common Scoter. Elsewhere six Dunlin were on the beach and 12 Turnstone were in the estuary.

The Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary off Cockwood but no other news was received.

A memory card was lost today between the car park and the Visitor Centre, if found please hand to the wardens or contact the website, many thanks.

A typically quiet midsummer day with 28 Sanderling and a Dunlin on the beach, the Greylag Goose in the estuary, 120+ Shag and 33 Sandwich Tern offshore. A family group of Bullfinch was a welcome sight in the Entrance Bushes, the species failed to bred on the reserve last year.

The Slavonian Grebe was again in the estuary off Cockwood, with 30 Sanderling and three Ringed Plover in the Bight and the Greylag Goose on Finger Point.

The only news received was of the Slavonian Grebe in the estuary off Cockwood.

Counts from the estuary today included 170 Oystercatcher, 52 Curlew, 25 Sandwich Tern, five Little Egret, two Whimbrel and single Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit and Greylag Goose.

Offshore there were 65 Sandwich and five commic Tern with 30 Common Scoter heading south and two Whimbrel arriving from the south.

Waders on the beach over the evening high tide were limited to 38 Sanderling, 10 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and a Whimbrel. Offshore 19 Manx Shearwater flew south, with c150 Black-headed Gull, 27 Sandwich and three Common Tern, a first summer Mediterranean Gull and a Razorbill feeding with local Shag, Kittiwake and Herring Gull. A pair of Common Scoter were on the sea.

Counts over the morning high tide included 59 Dunlin, 38 Sanderling, four Ringed Plover and a Whimbrel. Elsewhere 23 Sandwich Tern and 12 Mute Swan were in the estuary and a fledged Little Grebe was on the Main Pond.

At low tide there were 33 Dunlin, a Sanderling and a Redshank, a rare June record, feeding around Shutterton Creek. Elsewhere just eight Sandwich Tern and approx 20 Gannet feeding offshore, with two Swallow passing through. An attempt to check the evening tide was thwarted by flooding in the entrance tunnel.

A late flush of waders saw 79 Sanderling and at least 52 Dunlin over high tide along with 54 Curlew, 11 Ringed and three Grey Plover, two Bar-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel. The Greylag Goose was also in the estuary, appearing in the Bight on the dropping tide. The first summer Little Gull reappeared offshore with 25 Sandwich Tern, similar numbers of Kittiwake, seven Common Scoter and a Great-crested Grebe. Elsewhere a singing Willow Warbler in the Entrance Bushes was another late migrant.

The Greylag Goose was still in the estuary, roosting with Cormorant before flying up river. Also in the estuary 10 Sandwich Tern, four Dunlin, four Ringed and Grey Plover. The Green Woodpecker was in Greenland Lake.

The Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood, the only other news was of a Greylag Goose on the north end of Bull Hill this evening.

June 2009