October 2004
Sunday 31st:
Today’s highlight was a group of 4 Purple Sandpiper,
flying around at midday before heading south.
Also on site, two Pintail, an Osprey, Great Northern Diver offshore all morning with seven Great-crested
Grebe. A Black Tern
flew north at midday, the latest site record, whilst a Long-tailed Duck
was reported. In the afternoon a Little
Auk was off Langstone, the first of the year. Overhead, there were 15+ Redwing, 12+ Song Thrush and
a Fieldfare, 70+ Chaffinch, two Redpoll, many Pipits
& very few Skylark (10+). A
Turtle Dove flushed with Wood Pigeon from Dead Dolphin Wood, was
another latest site record.
Saturday 30th:
A Firecrest
was located by the Buffer Zone this morning and the Lesser Whitethroat
(with a damaged wing) remains behind the Visitor Centre, the latest site
record. Goldcrest remain
numerous with at least 15 on site, along with 13 Chaffinch. Four Chiffchaff
were busy feeding around Greenland Lake, where single Mistle Thrush and Redwing
put in an appearance. 13 Wren, a rarely counted species, were also
making themselves heard all over the site. Other records included Great
Northern Diver and five Little Gull remaining offshore, 280 Brent
Goose on the Bight with 99 Bar-tailed Godwit on Finger
Point.
Friday 29th:
At least 40 Little
Gull were on site with birds recorded offshore, in the Estuary and over the
Car Park, up to 30 birds were feeding around Langstone Rock early morning. Single Arctic Skua, Arctic Tern
and adult Mediterranean Gull were seen flying south along with a flock
of 26 Pintail, mirroring yesterday’s passage. In the Estuary there were another two Pintail, 16 Shelduck
and the first Goldeneye of the autumn.
A Black Tern flew south down river, the latest record for the
recording area. The bushes were again blown out but three Chiffchaff,
two Blackcap and a Treecreeper were found with at least 10 Goldcrest.
A Merlin flew east over the Car Park early afternoon.
Thursday 28th:
The storm force
winds overnight had caused considerable damage to the dunes and parts of Warren
Point but they failed to produce the expected seabirds. A Pomarine Skua,
13 Little Gull, mostly distant, but two were just off the seawall all
day, four Gannet, five Razorbill and a Great Northern Diver
all flew south between 7.30 – 9.30am. The most unexpected sighting was a flock
of 44 Pintail which flew over the spit and south out to sea, this is the
highest site count since 1980, these birds later passed Berry Head. In the Estuary there were good numbers of
waders and wildfowl sheltering from the south-easterly wind, over 1000 Wigeon
were present with another five Pintail and 400+ Brent Goose. Also
in the river were at least another 14 Little Gull, adult Mediterranean
Gull, three Greenshank, 85 Bar-tailed Godwit and c40 Knot.
Wednesday 27th:
The strong winds
produced four Arctic Skua offshore, where the Great Northern Diver
was still present. The Osprey was again seen in the Estuary.
Tuesday 26th:
Visible migration
over the site included the first Woodlark of the year, with at least one
in with a large movement of 300+ Skylark, also over six Siskin
and two Redpoll. In Greenland Lake the Dartford Warbler was again
seen along with a Lesser Whitethroat. In the Estuary single Sandwich
and Common Tern were still present.
Monday 25th:
A Firecrest
and Treecreeper were by the First Pond with the mixed tit flock this
morning, also a male Cirl Bunting was in Greenland Lake. An Osprey was present over the
evening high tide, the first record for several days.
Sunday 24th:
An Arctic Skua,
four Little Gull, four Red-throated and a Great
Northern Diver flew past in the morning, along with five Sandwich
and one Common Tern, with the Red-necked Grebe still
offshore. Visible migration overhead
included c70 Skylark, as well as one or two Siskin and Redpoll. At
high tide there were 453 Brent Goose in the Bight and a first winter Mediterranean
Gull was in Shutterton Creek. A Black
Redstart was reported by the hide late afternoon, a Dartford Warbler
was still in Greenland Lake.
Saturday 23rd:
Heavy rain and
southwesterly gales meant little could be seen in the bushes. Seawatching produced a few birds with 2 Red-throated
Diver, 5 Little Gull and a Great Skua. A Red-necked Grebe was still offshore
but the day’s highlights were single Whimbrel and a Hobby both of
which flew south during the seawatch.
The latter is the latest record for the recording area.
Friday 22nd:
The strong southwesterly wind increased
overnight and during the day. Seawatching before 9 a.m. produced two Velvet
Scoter, a late Manx Shearwater, a Red-necked Grebe, one Common
Tern, 14 Little Gull and 250+ Gannet all heading south. Further seawatching between 11 a.m. and
12.30 p.m. produced another 100+ Gannet, 6+ Little Gull, a Red-throated
Diver, a Balearic Shearwater, the first Storm Petrel of the
year and a Long-tailed Skua, which was later seen off Dawlish. The stormy weather led to large numbers of
gulls sheltering in the Estuary, there were c550 Great Black-backed and
25 Lesser Black-backed Gull in the Bight on the rising tide, along with
single Arctic and Sandwich Tern. The bushes were very blown-out, but a Firecrest was found
at the eastern end of Greenland Lake behind the Main Pond.
Thursday 21st:
A much quieter day with strong southwesterly
wind and showers. Seawatching produced a late Balearic Shearwater, nine Sandwich
Tern, three Pintail high south, two Red-throated Diver, a
steady passage of Gannet and at least 20 Little Gull. Of these at
least 11 flew into the Estuary and other passed south distantly, but some birds
remained on show for most of the morning, making the true figure difficult to
assess, two Arctic Tern were also in the Estuary. In common with recent
days, there were still good numbers of Blackbird and Robin on
site, but apart from one Swallow and the Lesser Whitethroat,
there was little else of note. One flock of c70 Skylark flew west
offshore but very few other migrants were seen.
Wednesday 20th:
A Snow Bunting flying NE over Warren
Point and a heard only Green Sandpiper were the highlights on an
otherwise quieter day. Other migrants included three Redwing, four Swallow
and two Grey Wagtail, but little else was noted in the misty conditions.
The Whinchat was seen again on Warren Point, but apart from the Lesser
Whitethroat and 15 Goldcrest there was little of note in the
bushes. Kingfisher and Water
Rail were at the Main Pond, the latter was the first of the autumn. Two Red-throated
Diver, the Red-necked Grebe and six Little Gull (5ad,1fw) were
offshore. In the estuary the wildfowl were disturbed mid count by a sailing
dingy, but 500+ Teal and 1000+ Wigeon were thought to be present,
later on 425 Canada Goose were in the saltmarsh, possibly a record count
for the reserve. Also a single Lapwing and a very good site count of 19 Greenshank.
Tuesday 19th:
An adult drake Long-tailed Duck was
offshore today along with the Red-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe
and at least 10 Little Gull, which flew south in several small groups.
Overhead there were two Mistle Thrush, which landed in Sycamores briefly
before continuing west, seven Snipe, three Siskin and 110+ Skylark,
most of which passed through in large groups. In the bushes there was an
increase in Goldcrest, but little else could be found, although there
were two Treecreeper again and the Lesser Whitethroat and Dartford
Warbler remained. On Warren Point at high tide there were two Peregrine,
112 Carrion Crow and three Jackdaw, the latter species
very rarely lands here, seven Rook were the only corvids overhead. The Osprey
was still in the Estuary, along with four Sandwich and single Common
and Arctic Tern.
Monday 18th:
The undoubted highlight was six White-fronted
Goose that flew north over the reserve early morning, having flown over
Berry Head half an hour earlier. Another first for the year was a Tawny Owl
found by the First Pond. Overhead Pied/White Wagtail are still on the
move, along with 100+ Skylark and other species including three Redpoll
and single Siskin, Mistle Thrush and Cirl Bunting. Corvids
were again noticeable with 91 Jackdaw and 46 Rook over during the
day. The Red-throated Diver and Red-necked Grebe remain offshore,
with 104 Common Scoter. Other birds of note today included one Little
Gull, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, an Osprey and the Lesser
Whitethroat and Whinchat were still present.
Sunday 17th:
Two Fieldfare over early morning were the
first of the autumn, and a Lesser Whitethroat, the latest area record, was
found between the Visitor centre and Main Pond, but there was little else new
to be found, with today a virtual repeat of previous days. Visible migration
included small numbers of Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Reed
Bunting. Five Swallow and three House Martin also passed
through during the day. On the reserve the two Dartford Warbler and Whinchat
remained. The Osprey showed well around the site and was joined by a
second individual, which flew in off the sea mid afternoon. In the Estuary the Common
Tern was still present with 22 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Black-tailed
Godwit and four Greenshank. The Red-necked Grebe was again
offshore with four Great-crested Grebe, 50+ Common Scoter
and one Red-throated Diver, a different individual to Friday’s summer
plumaged bird.
Saturday 16th:
The Osprey was again present and showing
well on the Estuary. Also on the
Estuary, the juvenile Common Tern and four Little Gull (3 ad, 1
fw) flew north over the Spit and upriver.
There was light overhead migration, with c100 Pied/White Wagtail,
45 Skylark, 10 Reed Bunting and following the last 2 days, 33
Rook northeast. Other migrants
included a Whinchat on Warren Point, two Dartford Warbler in
Greenland Lake but only three Chiffchaff and two Blackcap. A Collared Dove in the Main Wood was
a good site record, but not as good as the female Cirl Bunting by the
Dune Pond, the first for the year. A Red-necked
Grebe was off Langstone Rock in the evening.
Friday 15th:
The Osprey showed well from the Bight again today creating havoc
amongst the 600+ Dunlin and
440 Brent Geese
present. The juvenile Common
Tern is still on site along
with two Sandwich Tern,
a last reminder of warmer summer days.
At least one Dartford Warbler continues to show between the Main Pond and the
Dune Ridge. Corvids were again well
represented with 41 Jackdaw heading west over the site along with 20 Rook on the Bight and 33 Carrion Crow on Finger Point.
A summer plumaged Red-throated Diver was offshore.
Two Snow Bunting
were reported calling as they flew over near the Main Pond, other reports, of
up to 13 birds, this week have referred to misidentified Linnet.
Thursday 14th:
Two Dartford Warbler were present
in the brambles around Greenland Lake and at least 10 Chiffchaff and six
Blackcap were on site, but apart from the Great Spotted Woodpecker little
else could be found in the bushes. Overhead there were small numbers of Meadow
Pipit, Pied/White Wagtail and Chaffinch with 30 Skylark
and at least eight Reed Bunting, but most migrants were too high to pick
out. The exception was corvids with 18 Rook east during the morning and
two large groups of Jackdaw, totalling 60+ birds high to the northwest.
15 Red-breasted Merganser were in the estuary with at least one Greenshank
and 11 Black-tailed Godwit, but these and the other waders and wildfowl
were frequently disturbed by the Osprey which was again present.
Wednesday 13th:
An Osprey was present today, also on site the Dartford Warbler and
a late Common Tern.
Tuesday 12th:
Early morning at least 100 Meadow Pipit
and Goldfinch flew over with smaller numbers of Skylark and the
first sizeable numbers of Swallow and House Martin for several
days. Eight Redwing and an adult
Mediterranean Gull were also present.
Monday 11th:
A Whinchat was present at Warren
Point today along with a Merlin.
The easterly wind had abated so the bushes were more productive with 14 Chiffchaff,
12 Long-tailed Tit, a single Treecreeper, 18 Goldcrest and
the Firecrest was present by the Main Pond. Robin were much in evidence on site today, also four Redwing
in the Buffer Zone, the first of the autumn.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was again present, showing by the
First Pond. A Dartford Warbler
was around Greenland Lake and a single Siskin flew over.
Sunday 10th:
Seawatching again was productive, with single Pomarine
and Arctic Skua offshore along with 200 Common Scoter, Arctic
Tern, Mediterranean Gull and a drake Scaup, which probably
flew upriver. Another Arctic Skua
flew downriver and out to sea late afternoon. Small groups of Brent Goose
and Wigeon were again moving, at least five Pintail were also
recorded. By late afternoon, at least
230 Brent Goose were present in the Estuary, this included several
family parties, suggesting a successful breeding season. Waders included single Ruff on the
beach and two Greenshank on the Estuary. The Firecrest was still present by the First Pond, with
two Treecreeper, but other migrants were again hard to find in the
strong easterly wind.
Saturday 9th:
Seawatching before 9am produced a good count of
seven Great Skua along with 2 adult winter Mediterranean Gull and
250+ Gannet, although most of these were distant. Also moving offshore
groups of Wigeon and Brent Goose, with these were nine Pintail,
three Shoveler and two Red-breasted Merganser. Small groups of Dunlin
and Knot were also seen, six Snipe flew high west, whilst a group
of seven Golden Plover was the pick of the waders. A high count of 620+ Great
Black-backed Gull was notable. A Firecrest was present with the tit
flock by the First Pond and six Blackcap was an increase on recent days,
but other passerines were hard to find in the strong easterly wind. The first Short-eared
Owl of the year flew along the Golf Course at 11am before heading high
north up the river.
Friday 8th:
A juvenile Garganey, in front of the hide
and then with the large Wigeon flock was a surprise, being only the
second October record. Also in the estuary six Greenshank, five Lapwing,
350 Dunlin, a Red-breasted Merganser and five Pintail. A Dartford
Warbler was present along the Dune Ridge, but other migrants were
restricted to a handful of Chiffchaff. Overhead there were 30+ Skylark
and 12 Swallow along with a few Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting,
Chaffinch and Pied Wagtail. Two Buzzard flew high east mid
afternoon. Offshore there were 60+ Common Scoter, but there was very
little movement although 30+ auks, mainly Razorbill were noted later in
the afternoon.
Thursday 7th:
The highlight today was a late Turtle Dove
which spent 30 minutes sat on a fence post near the path to the Bight, a Whinchat
was also along the Dune Ridge. Overhead
there was a light passage of Meadow Pipit and Skylark, 10 Rook
also flew over and six Siskin, the first of the autumn. Other migrants
included a Blackcap with a few Chiffchaff and Goldcrest. Three Greenshank were on the
Estuary.
Wednesday 6th:
An adult Mediterranean Gull was the only
reported sighting.
Tuesday 5th:
A single Little Stint was present on the
Bight today with 70 Ringed Plover. The highlight though was
the overhead passage of Meadow Pipit, 230 headed WSW in just over an
hour along with 24 Skylark. Common Gull were again in good
numbers with 112 on the Railway Saltmarsh.
Monday 4th:
Seawatching early morning produced four Arctic
Skua, a Black and 79 Sandwich Tern, c200 Gannet, two Eider,
and two Red-throated Diver, all moving south before 9am. The only
migrant passerine of note was a single Whinchat on Warren Point.
Sunday 3rd:
On the estuary there was a count of 1078 Wigeon
in Shutterton Creek, also there were five Mediterranean and 98 Common
Gull. Two Great Skua were offshore.
Saturday 2nd:
The juvenile Arctic Tern remains onsite,
offshore a Manx Shearwater was a late record. Three Tufted Duck,
flying in off the sea was an unusual record, also of note three Lapwing
flew over.
Friday 1st:
An good autumn day with plenty of visible
migration and grounded migrants. During the morning 300+ Meadow Pipit,
100+ “alba” Wagtail, 15 Skylark and three Yellow Wagtail
were recorded overhead. Offshore there were single Balearic Shearwater
and Arctic Skua, with four Common and the Arctic Tern, an
adult Mediterranean Gull was also seen. The highlight though was
a Dartford Warbler, the first of the autumn.