November 2006

Click here for 2006 Year List

 

 

 

 

 

Report sightings

 

 

 

Thursday 30th:

 

In strong southerly wind, seawatching this morning between 8 - 10am produced, six Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver, a first winter Mediterranean Gull, 30 Common Scoter, eight Red-breasted Merganser and two Eider plus a probable Long-tailed Skua. The First Pond area afforded some shelter where eight Long-tailed Tit, two Chiffchaff and a Treecreeper present.

 

 

Wednesday 29th:

 

A single flock of 270 Wood Pigeon flew west this morning with many birds circling over the spit and some even dropping in to land in Dead Dolphin Wood, also overhead there was a Raven, two Rook, a single Mistle Thrush with two Redwing and a Song Thrush. A Great Northern Diver was in the estuary with 194 Brent Geese, two Greenshank and two Little Grebe. Elsewhere a pair of Cirl Bunting were around Greenland Lake, the male singing on occasion, two Great-crested Grebe were offshore, and the Treecreeper was by the First Pond, with at least nine Goldcrest, five Chiffchaff and a Water Rail.

 

 

Tuesday 28th:

 

No news was received for today.

 

 

Monday 27th:

 

Despite the overnight winds there was very little offshore with just 20 Kittiwake passing through and the three Eider on the sea. Over high tide 190 Brent Geese, including two colour ringed birds, were in the Bight, 132 Grey Plover and 80 Bar-tailed Godwit, including a summer plumaged individual, were on Finger Point, 55+ Ringed Plover were feeding on the beach. Elsewhere three adult Mediterranean Gull were in Shutterton Creek, 11 Turnstone, three Knot and small numbers of Dunlin were in front of the hide, 51 Redshank and four Greenshank were on the Railway Saltmarsh and 11 Red-breasted Merganser were feeding in the estuary.

 

 

Sunday 26th:

 

A quiet day, although there were at least seven Chiffchaff on site with a flock of 18 Long-tailed Tit and four Goldcrest also present around the bushes. Elsewhere a Whimbrel remains in the saltmarsh a female Sparrowhawk flew along the Dune Ridge and three Eider and two Great-crested Grebe were offshore.

 

 

Saturday 25th:

 

The expected strong winds failed to materialise and there were few birds on the sea with the exception of c100 Shag, three Eider and single Great-crested Grebe, Great Northern and Red-throated Diver. Roosting waders on the beach at high tide included 1485 Dunlin, 1182 Oystercatcher, 158 Grey Plover, 117 Bar-tailed Godwit, 62 Turnstone and 49 Ringed Plover. In the estuary there were 459 Wigeon, 184 Brent Geese, 167 Redshank, c60 Teal, 40+ Shag, 45 Curlew and a Greenshank, also in Shutterton Creek there was a Great Northern Diver, two Great-crested and a Little Grebe. Elsewhere there were at least three Chiffchaff on site, a Kingfisher in the Saltmarsh and an influx of pipits with 40+ Meadow Pipit around the reserve and 22 Rock Pipit, mostly on the beach, the second highest site count.

 

 

Friday 24th:

 

Seawatching produced totals of 561 Kittiwake, 116 Gannet and 86 auk sp south along with two Great Skua, 12 Common Scoter, five Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver.

 

 

Thursday 23rd:

 

The second Little Auk of the year flew south along with a Red-throated Diver, also offshore three Great Northern Diver and two Razorbill on the sea. Over high tide 700+ Dunlin were roosting on the beach with 106 Grey Plover, 68 Curlew, 50 Ringed Plover, 14 Turnstone and six Sanderling. In the estuary 141 Brent Geese and 12 Shelduck were in the Bight with  325 Wigeon, 78 Redshank, nine Mute Swan, nine Red-breasted Merganser, six Little Egret, three Canada Geese and two Mallard in the Railway Saltmarsh area.

 

 

Wednesday 22nd:

 

A Great Northern Diver offshore was the only news received for today.

 

 

Tuesday 21st:

 

A redhead Goosander in Shutterton Creek over high tide was the first record of the year, also there were 500+ Wigeon and 300+ Teal with a Little Grebe and in the saltmarsh six Little Egret, at least three Water Rail, a Kingfisher and a Greenshank. Two Fieldfare flew over early morning with two Rook and a light passage of Chaffinch and Linnet. Wader numbers around the Bight included 1200+ Dunlin, 70+ Bar-tailed Godwit and 27 Turnstone with 170 Brent Geese and nine Shelduck also there. Elsewhere at least four Chiffchaff were on site and a Great Northern Diver was offshore.

 

 

Monday 20th:

 

A very quiet day with four Common Scoter and three Eider offshore and 12 Skylark overhead the only reports received.

 

 

Sunday 19th:

 

Offshore 20+ Common Scoter flew south with three Red-throated Diver, a Great-crested Grebe and a Razorbill on the sea. Four Little Egret and c30 Black-tailed Godwit were in the estuary. Elsewhere the Treecreeper remains with the tit flock along with at least four Chiffchaff, a Kingfisher was on the Main Pond with three Little Grebe, a Snipe and a Water Rail and 12 Skylark were on the beach at Warren Point.  A Short-eared Owl was also reported.

 

Kingfisher 18/11/06 © John Lee

 

 

Saturday 18th:

 

Offshore there were again very few birds with no auks and just four Red-throated Diver, six Eider and three Common Scoter. Elsewhere 1200+ Wood Pigeon flew over early morning with 10+ Skylark, a Great-spotted Woodpecker was near the First Pond, a Kingfisher at the Main Pond and at least five Chiffchaff were onsite.

 

 

Friday 17th:

 

Five Eider were offshore with three Common Scoter and 10 Kittiwake. A female Common Scoter and a Guillemot were in the estuary with 20+ Red-breasted Merganser. The Treecreeper and tristis Chiffchaff were still by the First Pond.

 

 

Thursday 16th:

 

In the estuary there were 1000+ Dunlin, 500+ Wigeon, 350 Teal, 200+ Brent Geese, 13 Turnstone, 10 Sanderling, two Knot and an adult Mediterranean Gull with 90 Redshank, 10 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank in the Railway Saltmarsh.  Elsewhere five Great-crested Grebe, three Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver were offshore.

 

 

Wednesday 15th:

 

No news was received for today and off Dawlish there was no sign of the Murrelet, but a Little Auk, eight Sooty Shearwater and 1000+ Kittiwake flew south there.

 

 

Tuesday 14th:

 

160 Brent Geese were in the Bight with a Pale-bellied Brent. 136 Great Black-backed Gull were on Finger Point with 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Great Skua was in the mouth of the Estuary.  Several Gannet were diving and feeding south of Langstone Rock, with two Eider on the sea. At least one Chiffchaff was heard calling by the pond area.  Elsewhere on site, a first winter male Peregrine was seen chasing a Meadow Pipit round the picnic tables by the car park.  A Red-throated Diver was offshore and the LONG-BILLED MURRELET was again off Coryton Cove, Dawlish for most of the day.

 


Long-billed Murrelet Dawlish Town 11/11/06 ©
Nic Hallam

Long-billed Murrelet Dawlish Town 11/11/06 © Stuart Elsom

 

 

Monday 13th:

 

It was very quiet around the recording area today with just 50+ Brent Geese in the Bight and elsewhere four Chiffchaff, a Great-crested Grebe and a Kestrel, but the LONG-BILLED MURRELET was again off Coryton Cove, Dawlish for most of the day. More images of this bird can be found on Surfbirds.

 

Eider (female) 11/11/06 © Phil Stidwell

Eider (male) 12/11/06 © Lee Collins

Red-throated Diver 12/11/06 © Lee Collins

Little Egret 11/11/06 Phil Stidwell

 

 

Sunday 12th:

 

The LONG-BILLED MURRELET was back in the recording area this morning, present close in off Langstone Rock and the sea wall, before swimming out to sea and flying back south towards Dawlish. Also off Langstone a fine drake Long-tailed Duck was the first record for the year and four Velvet Scoter south were the first of the winter. Today's WeBS count managed to include the murrelet, and also offshore 15 Gannet, 12 Great-crested Grebe, six Red-breasted Merganser with 28 in the estuary, five Eider, three Red-throated Diver, two Razorbill, a Common Scoter, with 11 more flying south and an adult Mediterranean Gull.  At the high tide roost there were 970 Oystercatcher, 587 Dunlin, 121 Grey Plover, 72 Ringed Plover, 43 Turnstone, six Sanderling, two Knot and a Greenshank. In the Bight there were 140 Brent Geese and five Shelduck. Elsewhere at least five Chiffchaff remain on site and three Little Grebe were on the Main Pond.

 

A typical Sunday at the Warren! 12/11/06 © Iain Lambert 

 

 

Saturday 11th:

 

The LONG-BILLED MURRELET was refound today just south of the site at Boat Cove, Dawlish consequently not much time was spent on the reserve - although the bird could be seen distantly from Langstone Rock!! It appears it has been present there for several days.

 

"You'll never auk alone" 11/11/06 © Nic Hallam

 

© Ivan Lakin

 

 

On site the only news received was of 11 Great-crested Grebe, five Eider, three Red-throated Diver and three Guillemot offshore with four Chiffchaff around the bushes and a Peregrine at Langstone Rock.

 

 

Friday 10th:

 

A Great Northern Diver was offshore with six Eider, three Great-crested Grebe, a Red-throated Diver, a Guillemot and a Razorbill. Elsewhere a Peregrine was chasing waders on the beach and the Treecreeper was by the First Pond with four Chiffchaff including one tristis..

 

 

Thursday 9th:

 

Over the high tide 1050 Dunlin, 78 Grey Plover, 42 Ringed Plover, 20 Turnstone, five Sanderling and three Knot roosted on the beach with 209 Redshank, 141 Curlew, 90 Bar-tailed and 25 Black-tailed Godwit on the Railway Saltmarsh with 11 Little Egret, seven Snipe, six Grey Heron and three Greenshank.  Also in the estuary there were 541 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 110 Brent Geese, 25 Red-breasted Merganser and three Shelduck. Elsewhere a Red-throated Diver was offshore with six Eider,  24 Wood Pigeon and four Skylark were overhead with a 'grey' Chiffchaff and 11 Goldcrest around the First Pond.

 

 

Wednesday 8th:

 

The only news received was of two late Arctic Skua chasing Kittiwake offshore.

 

 

Tuesday 7th:

 

A Little Auk was seen close in off Langstone Rock this afternoon, however the bird was photographed and subsequently re-identified from these photos as a Murrelet species probably Long-billed, the first UK record! Also offshore five Red-throated Diver, 10 Wigeon, four Eider and a Razorbill.  The Beach Roost held 115 Grey Plover,  45 Ringed Plover and 19 Turnstone. Elsewhere eight Reed Bunting were on site with six on Warren Point, also there 60+ finches, the Treecreeper remains by the First Pond with three Chiffchaff.

 


Long-billed Murrelet (identified in the field as Little Auk) 7/11/06 © Dave Stone

 

 

Monday 6th:

 

No news was received for today.

 

 

Sunday 5th:

 

A Fieldfare was present early morning opposite the Visitor Centre, an evenly mixed flock of 70 Redwing and Fieldfare flew over with a flock of 80 Wood Pigeon. Offshore there were 73 Red-breasted Merganser, seven Great-crested Grebe, three Red-throated Diver and two Eider. The Treecreeper was seen again with the tit flock near the First Pond, where the Tawny Owl was seen roosting, also in the bushes there were at least eight Goldcrest along with three Chiffchaff, two Blackcap and two Bullfinch. Elsewhere 10+ Meadow Pipit, five Skylark, three Reed Bunting and a mixed flock of 80 Greenfinch and Linnet were on Warren Point with 264 Brent Geese and a Whimbrel in the estuary and two Water Rail in the Saltmarsh.

 


Red-throated Diver  


Red-throated Diver 


Tawny Owl (all Phil Stidwell))

 

                                                                                                                    

Saturday 4th:

 

The highlight was an expected first for the year, a Little Auk, the setting though was less expected, as it flew from the saltmarsh up Shutterton Creek and into the estuary. Also in the estuary were 500+ Dunlin and c300 Teal, both flocks building up following the cold weather, with 162 Brent Geese, c60 Grey Plover, 25 Ringed Plover, 15 Lapwing, 12 Greenshank and a Whimbrel. Overhead there were 1355 Wood Pigeon with two Rook, a Buzzard and a Redpoll. Elsewhere on site a Tufted Duck flew over the Visitor Centre and was later on the sea with Mallard, two Cirl Bunting and a Great-spotted Woodpecker were in Greenland Lake, three Red-throated Diver, 40 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Common Scoter and four Great-crested Grebe were offshore, a Snipe was on the Main Pond and seven Chiffchaff were present.

 

 

Friday 3rd:

 

Pigeons were again on the move with 1430+ going west before 9am, as in previous days they were very high and mostly going over further up the estuary so it was impossible to pick out any other species. It is assumed the small group of eight Stock Dove and a single Wood Pigeon low over the Golf Course did not reflect the actual species ratio! Also overhead there were 21 Chaffinch, 17 Jackdaw, four Siskin, a Rook and a Sparrowhawk. A single Red-throated Diver was off the seawall and also offshore there were three Eider, two Great-crested Grebe and three Pintail flew in off. Elsewhere 18 Shelduck, eight Black-tailed Godwit and two Greenshank were in the estuary, a female Cirl Bunting was along the Dune Ridge, a Merlin flew south, a Kingfisher flew along the Dune Ridge, a mixed flock of 100+ Linnet and Greenfinch was on Warren Point and the Entrance Bushes held four Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.

 

 

Thursday 2nd:

Overhead there were 8650+ Wood Pigeon, a new site record count, but again they were too high and far away to pick out any of the Stock Dove that were surely with them. Other movement was limited with just six Jackdaw, five Chaffinch, and three Meadow Pipit. Offshore the first Slavonian Grebe of the winter was reported along with an Eider. Elsewhere five Goldeneye and four Gadwall were presumably in the estuary and a Merlin was also reported.

 

Wednesday 1st:

 

Overhead movement, today, included 6035 pigeon spp including 200+ Stock Dove, most of the flocks were too high or too far away to sort through, also overhead 50 Rook, 20 Jackdaw,  25 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipit, seven Chaffinch, five Lapwing, three Siskin, two Sparrowhawk, one Redpoll and three Shelduck.  Elsewhere on site were single Cirl Bunting, two Chiffchaff, including an abientus type by the First Pond, small numbers of Reed Bunting, two Sandwich Tern offshore and 1600+ Starling which flew west from their roost at the Golf Course pond.

 

 

 

Back | October 2006 | Home