Dawlish Warren: November 2011

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The drake American Wigeon was in Shutterton Creek with the Slavonian Grebe, also with the Wigeon, a drake Pochard. Elsewhere a male Cirl Bunting was briefly on the Dune ridge, and a Whimbrel was in front of the hide amongst increasing numbers of winter residents.

Shelduck, Brent Goose, Grey Plover, Sanderling and Dunlin 30/11/2011 © Colin Scott

The drake American Wigeon was in Shutterton Creek and a Black Redstart was near the visitor centre this afternoon but no other news was received.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon was in Shutterton Creek with the resident Slavonian Grebe and on the Railway Saltmarsh, 10 Lapwing. Elsewhere a Red-throated Diver was offshore.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon is still in Shutterton Creek, best viewed distantly at high tide from the Warren, also in the estuary the resident Slavonian Grebe and two Peregrine. Elsewhere a Dartford Warbler was behind the hide, a Chiffchaff was in the Entrance Bushes and offshore there were three Red-throated Diver, 10 Great-crested and a Slavonian Grebe.

A Black Redstart was on the seawall with a Slavonian Grebe offshore and 30 Siskin in the Entrance Bushes.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek, with 1163 Wigeon, best viewed distantly at high tide from the Warren. Also in the estuary the resident Slavonian Grebe, two Peregrine, four Avocet, 1202 Oystercatcher, 261 Teal, 115 Redshank, 33 Grey Plover, 24 Shelduck, 15 Knot, 12 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, nine Lapwing, seven Sanderling, five Snipe, three Greenshank, two Shoveler and an adult Mediterranean Gull. Offshore there were single Red-necked Grebe and Black-throated Diver with three Great Northern Diver.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek, best viewed distantly at high tide from the Warren. Also in the estuary the resident Slavonian Grebe, 2000+ Dunlin, 369 Brent Geese, 36 Ringed Plover, 20+ Turnstone and 16 Shelduck. A sample of 265 Brent Geese revealed only 15 juveniles. Elsewhere there were two Water Pipit in the Bight, a late Wheatear in front of the hide, the joint latest ever on site, single Mistle Thrush and Redpoll flew over and a Slavonian Grebe and Red-throated Diver were offshore.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek, best viewed distantly at high tide from the Warren. Also in the estuary the resident Slavonian Grebe, two Lapwing and a Whimbrel. Elsewhere the first Water Pipit since November 2009 was in the Bight, with seven Reed Bunting and 30 Linnet and the first returning Slavonian Grebe was offshore.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek, best viewed at high tide from the Warren. Also in the estuary 1100+ Dunlin, 180 Brent Geese, 13 Shelduck and an Avocet in front of the hide. Elsewhere a Red-throated Diver was offshore, three Water Rail were on the Main Pond, 10 Skylark, six Meadow Pipit and three Stonechat were on Warren Point, 18 Goldfinch, seven Siskin, three Redwing, two Goldcrest and a Fieldfare were in the bushes with overhead passage limited to three Chaffinch and a Snipe.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek but no other news was received.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek, also in the estuary two redhead Goosander, the Slavonian and two Little Grebe, 360 Brent, 170 Canada and a Bar-headed Goose, 19 Shelduck, four Pintail and an adult Mediterranean Gull. Wader counts included 2200 Dunlin, 103 Grey Plover, 25 Turnstone,15 Knot and five Sanderling. Elsewhere single Chiffchaff and Goldcrest were on site with single Black-throated and Great Northern Diver, Great and Arctic Skua and 14 Common Scoter offshore.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek along with the Slavonian Grebe and 14 Red-breasted Merganser. Wader counts included 1800+ Dunlin, 80+ Grey Plover, 28 Ringed Plover and eight Turnstone.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek along with 840+ Wigeon, 200 Brent Geese, the Slavonian Grebe and a Common Scoter. Waders included 1440+ Dunlin, 70 Grey and 34 Ringed Plover. Elsewhere a Pomarine Skua flew south and a Snipe was in Greenland Lake.

A late Wheatear was reported on Warren Point but no other news was received.

In the estuary the drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek along with the Slavonian Grebe, female Scaup and an adult Mediterranean Gull. Elsewhere a Black-throated Diver flew east, a Short-eared Owl headed east mid-afternoon, a Black Redstart was around the Cuckoo's Nest, two Chiffchaff were on site and passage overhead was much reduced in the strengthening wind with just a handful of Chaffinch, 15 Siskin, six Redwing, five Rook and a Fieldfare.

An excellent day on the Warren, with a selection of highlights, the first Richard's Pipit since 2000 was briefly in Greenland Lake before flying off SW, a Yellow-browed Warbler was between the Car Park and Cuckoo's Nest (the only warbler recorded today) and a Snow Bunting was briefly on Warren Point before flying off NE. Overhead at least three Crossbill flew NE, the first of the year, also passing 147 Chaffinch, 68 Jackdaw, at least three Brambling, 14 Siskin, eight Redpoll, seven Redwing and two Mistle Thrush, whilst heading W, mostly before 10.30 am, a site record 35,860 Wood Pigeon and a minimum of 293 Stock Dove with 50+ Lesser Black-backed Gull going S. In the estuary the drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek along with 386 Brent Geese, a pair of Shoveler, two Pintail, three Mediterranean Gull (2ad & sw), a Whimbrel and an Avocet. Elsewhere three Scaup, two Gadwall and a Red-throated Diver were offshore, a juvenile Osprey put in several appearances, a male Cirl Bunting was in the Buffer Zone and a Black Redstart was on the seawall.

The drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek and the female Scaup put in a reappearance. Vis Mig took off in clear conditions with 15000+ Wood Pigeon over along with a steady passage of Chaffinch, a few Redpoll and Siskin. Mixed in with them were the first Lapland and Snow Bunting of the year and a single Jack Snipe.

The drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek. Elsewhere a Sandwich Tern was on Finger Point but no other news was received.

The drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek with large numbers of Wigeon and the Slavonian Grebe. Offshore there was evidence of some movement but mostly very distant, a Balearic Shearwater did fly south with single Great Northern and Red-throated Diver.

The drake American Wigeon remains in Shutterton Creek with large numbers of Wigeon. Elsewhere two Swallow flew through, a Sandwich Tern was on Finger Point but the hoped for vis mig failed to start with c800 Wood Pigeon over the only notable count. A colour-ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull present today was first ringed in the nest on Flatholm in the Bristol Channel in June 2002 was no doubt heading south if following previous sightings, some of which are below.