December 2009

Red-breasted Goose, Topsham, © Colin Scott

Yelland - Cattle Egret still in horse field at Lower Yelland Farm.

Exmouth - Long-tailed Duck still off Shelly Beach, also 4 Great Northern Divers and a Greenshank.

Newton Abbot - Black Redstart at west end of the old hospital.

Brixham - 4 Great Northern Divers in the harbour at 11.00.

Sidmouth - Purple Sandpiper on the beach at dusk.

Exminster Marshes - Red-breasted Goose again with Brent Geese in fields near Tuf Hotel, and a Bittern flew over Exeter Canal (Pelican sp. reported near M5).

Yelland - Cattle Egret still in horse field by Lower Yelland Farm.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still at SS.489.355.

Lower Tamar Lake - 33 Goosanders (9 drakes) and a Willow Tit this afternoon (Thanks L. Harman)

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still present today.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose again north of Fishers Mill Bridge with Brent Geese at 14.15.

Yelland - Cattle Egret still at Lower Yelland Farm today.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still at SS.489.355.

Exminster Marshes - Red-breasted Goose still with Brent Geese in fields near the Turf Hotel, and Slavonian Grebe still off Starcross with a drake Goldeneye (Thanks R. Williams)

Fernworthy Reservoir - 56 Crossbills and 22 Bramblings this morning (Thanks A. Powell)

Broadsands - Balearic Shearwater close past Churston Point at 14.00 then flew into the bay, also Black-necked Grebe present (Thanks C. Proctor)

Brixham - Black Redstart at Grenville House Outdoor Education Centre.

Kingsbridge Estuary - Great Northern Diver.

Sidmouth - Female/first-winter male Black Redstart at Sidmouth Croquet Lawn near the seafront.

Appledore - 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese today.

Exminster Marshes - Red-breasted Goose showing well with Brent Geese in fields by canal towpath this afternoon.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still today.

Yelland - 5 Cattle Egrets in fields by Lower Yelland Farm though mobile.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still present late morning.

Preston - 3 Great Northern Divers off Preston Sands (Thanks T. Leaman)

Plymouth - Black Redstart still along The Hoe, also Mediterranean Gull and Great Northern Diver.

Rough Tor - Male Merlin near Cowsic Head today.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose still with Brent Geese in fields north of Fishers Mill Bridge at 09.30.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore (Thanks C. Proctor).

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff still at Broadsands Marsh, also Black-throated Diver and 8 Black-necked Grebes offshore.

Yelland - Cattle Egret still in horse field at Lower Yelland Farm SS.492.323.

Preston - 3 Black-necked Grebes off the seafront.

Slapton Ley - Black-necked Grebe still present along with a Long-tailed Duck.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary off Cockwood today.

Starcross - Female/first-winter male Black Redstart on house roof opposite the railway station at 13.30.

Isley Marsh - 5 Spoonbills still on the reserve early afternoon.

Ilfracombe - Male Black Redstart at the top of Langleigh Lane at 15.15.

Wishing all my readers a very Merry Christmas!

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose still in field by Fishers Mill Bridge at 12.25 with Brent Geese.

Yelland - Cattle Egret in horse field at Lower Yelland Farm with 2 Little Egrets today.

Isley Marsh - No sign of any Spoonbills this morning, but Spotted Redshank still present.

Plymouth - Firecrest still in Saltram Park.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose again in fields behind Fishers Mill Bridge with Brent Geese.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still north of Taw Estuary at Velator Wetlands late morning.

South Milton Ley - 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs reported with 10 Common Chiffchaffs.

Axmouth - Bewick's Swan and Whooper Swan still in field east of Axe Estuary viewed from B3175.

Isley Marsh - 5 Spoonbills still on the reserve at SS.490.328.

Wembury - 2 Black Redstarts and 3 Mediterranean Gulls on the beach at 11.00.

Dawlish Warren - Whimbrel today.

Didworthy - Black Redstart present

Seaton - First-winter Caspian Gull on the Axe Estuary opposite tram sheds 15.30 - 16.05 the flew out to sea (Thanks G. Haig)

  Caspian Gull, Seaton, © Gavin Haig

Axmouth - Bewicks Swan and Whooper Swan still with Mute Swans in field viewable from B3172 east of Axe Estuary at 14.00.

Dawlish warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore.

Exe Estuary - Long-tailed Duck off Starcross today.

Exmouth - Great Northern Diver and a Greenshank off Shelly Beach at 15.35.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills and a Spotted Redshank still at SS.490.328 today.

Powderham - Red-breasted Goose still with Brent Geese on west side of Exe Estuary in fields north of Powderham Church at 16.30.

Axmouth - Bewick's Swan and Whooper Swan still with Mute Swans in field viewable from B3172 east of Axe Estuary at 14.00.

Beesands - Juvenile Glaucous Gull briefly on Beesands Ley then seen following a trawler off North Hallsands.

South Milton Ley - Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works.

Wembury - 2+ Black Redstarts and 2 Mediterranean Gulls along the beach by the National Trust car park this afternoon (Thanks R. Billington)

Broadsands - 2 Black-necked Grebes offshore with 2 Great Northern Divers.

Thurlestone - 3 Purple Sandpipers in the bay and a Black Redstart still at Thurlestone Marsh.

Plymouth - Spotted Redshank still in Ernesettle Creek, and a Black Redstart still along The Hoe.

Axmouth - Bewick's Swan and Whooper Swan still with Mute Swans in field viewable from B3172 east of Axe Estuary this morning.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter and a Great Northern Diver still offshore.

Exmouth - Black Redstart still at Shelly Beach. 

Yelland - Unconfimed report of Cattle Egret at Home Farm today. Black Redstart at old power station site at 08.40. 

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still present at 08.50 along with a Spotted Redshank.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose still with Brent Geese in fields behind Fisher's Mill Bridge today, also seen by Turf Hotel south of Exminster Marshes.

Colyford Common - Bewick's Swan on Bridge Marsh at 16.15, and Whooper Swan still on opposite site of Axe Estuary.

  Bewick's Swan, Colyford Common, © Gavin Haig

Slapton Ley - 2 drake Red-crested Pochards in Ireland Bay today, also Black-necked Grebe and female Marsh Harrier present (Thanks A. Doidge)

  Black-necked Grebe, Slapton Ley, © Alan Doidge

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore with a Great Northern Diver.

Plymouth - Firecrest still in Saltram Park in trees by cafe, also 2 Common Sandpipers and a Mediterranean Gull on the Plym Estuary.

Newton Abbot - Immature Black Redstart present today.

Dawlish - Black Redstart on house roof late afternoon.

Ilfracombe - Black Redstart on garden wall near stream in Greenclose Road mid morning.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary between the recreation ground and the M5 bridge this morning.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore, also Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe and a Spotted Redshank present.

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff still at Broadsands Marsh, also 2 Black-necked Grebes and a Great Northern Diver offshore.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still north of Taw Estuary at Velator Wetlands.

Plymouth - Black Redstart still along The Hoe, Firecrest still in Saltram Park in trees by pond and 2 Firecrests at Peverell.

Seaton - 4 Mediterranean Gulls on the Axe Estuary at 13.15.

Ilfracombe - 4 Purple Sandpipers below Capstone Parade.

Northam - Spotted Redshank on River Torridge viewed from end of Limers Lane at low tide mid afternoon.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose still with Brent Geese in fields by Fisher's Mill Bridge at 14.45.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary between the recreation ground and the M5 bridge.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still north of Taw Estuary at Velator Wetlands.

Exmouth - Long-tailed Duck still off Shelly Beach.

Cockwood - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary.

Seaton - 5 Mediterranean Gulls on the Axe Estuary this afternoon.

Plymouth - Black Redstart still at West Hoe, and a Spotted Redshank in Ernesettle Creek. 

Slapton Ley - Female Scaup still on the ley today.

Braunton - Male Black Redstart in a garden late morning.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose still with 1000 Brent Geese in fields by Fisher's Mill Bridge at 14.30.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary between the recreation ground and the M5 bridge today.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still on Wrafton Pond at 11.35.

Bursdon Moor - Ringtail Hen Harrier and a Merlin in the roost late afternoon.

Exmouth - Long-tailed Duck still off Shelly Beach with a Great Northern Diver at 13.35.

Slapton Ley - Female Scaup still present.

Thurlestone - 5 Great Northern Divers in the bay and a Black Redstart at Thurlestone Marsh.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary between the recreation ground and the M5 bridge at 11.00.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore at midday along with 5 Eider.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still north of Taw Estuary at Velator Wetlands.

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff still at Broadsands Marsh with 2 Common Chiffchaffs. 5 Great Northern Divers offshore.

Preston - 6 Back-necked Grebes offshore.

Exmouth - Long-tailed Duck off Shelly Beach at 13.30, also Great Northern Diver and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose.

Slapton - Female Scaup and a Marsh Harrier this morning.

Newton Abbot - Firecrest at Town Quay this morning.

Seaton - Black-necked Grebe still off Seaton Hole.

Beer - Black Redstart on cliffs above Beer beach.

Colyford Common - 2 Water Pipits still this morning.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary between the recreation ground and M5 bridge with a Common Sandpiper and a Mediterranean Gull.

 Spotted Sandpiper, Topsham, © Andrew Cunningham

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore with a Great Northern Diver.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still north of Taw Estuary at Velator Wetlands.

Slapton - Female Long-tailed Duck on the Lower Ley and a Great Northern Diver also present.

Broadsands - Firecrest present.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still in the estuary off the recreation ground at 11.45.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose still with Brent Geese in fields north of Fisher's Mill Bridge.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore, also Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still on Wrafton Pond this morning.

Isley Marsh - Grey Phalarope again, also 6 Spoonbills still (Thanks D. Golson)

Wistlandpound Reservoir - 34 Common Crossbills in larches above the lower car park at 08.15 (Thanks M. Clements)

Seaton - Black-necked Grebe offshore this afternoon.

Exmouth - Black Redstart still at Shelly Beach.

Shaldon - Black Redstart on roof of London Inn at 09.55.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose still with Brent Goose flock in fields behind Fisher's Mill Bridge.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary north of the recreation ground.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore and a Great Northern Diver flew into the estuary.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still on Wrafton Pond at 09.30.

Wistlandpound Reservoir - 30 Common Crossbills in larches above lower car park at the dam end of the reservoir.

Paignton - Black Redstart.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary north of the recreation ground this morning.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore with a Great Northern Diver.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still on Wrafton Pond at 11.00 (Thanks N. Bastin)

Beesands - 2 female Scaup still on Beesands Ley.

Budleigh Salterton - Whimbrel on the Otter Estuary.

Wistlandpound Reservoir - 20 Common Crossbills in alders opposite coin machine at lower car park at 09.00. 

Seaton - Firecrest in Jubilee Gardens and a Black Redstart on the beach.

Plymouth - Purple Sandpiper at Tinside Lido and a Black Redstart still at West Hoe.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still at SS.490.328.

Ilfracombe - Purple Sandpiper on rocks below Capstone Parade at 11.50, and 20 Harbour Porpoise in harbour mouth on the rising tide.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose still with Brent Geese in field behind Fisher's Mill Bridge.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary north of the recreaton ground under the M5 bridge at 11.00.

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff still at Broadsands Marsh, also 5 Black-necked Grebes and 5 Great Northern Divers offshore.

South Milton Ley - 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs trapped and ringed at the sewage works.

Exe Estuary - Long-tailed Duck in the estuary off Cockwood.

Bowling Green Marsh - Spotted Redshank from the Clyst viewing platform.

Thurlestone - 4 Purple Sandpipers in Thurlestone Bay.

Croyde - Black Redstart present (Thanks K. Heaven)

Exmouth - Black Redstart by the Exe Sailing Club dinghies early afternoon, and a Great Northern Diver off the seawall.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still at SS.490.328.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose still with Brent Goose flock in field behind Fisher's Mill Bridge.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary off the recreation ground at SX.957.887.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore, also 5 Eider, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver.

Paignton - 6 Black-necked Grebes and a Red-throated Diver in Tor Bay today (Thanks T. Forster)

Broadsands - 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs present with 6 Common Chiffchaffs.

Kingswear - 5 Firecrests near Higher Ferry this morning.

Buckfastleigh - Firecrest today.

Slapton - Female Long-tailed Duck in Ireland Bay.

Thurlestone - Black-throated Diver in Thurlestone Bay and a Black Redstart by the marsh.

Isley Marsh - Cattle Egret in fields by Lower Yelland Farm viewed from Tarka Trail, and 6 Spoonbills still on the reserve.

Clyst Estuary - Red-breasted Goose again with 500 Brent Geese on the Clyst Estuary by Darts Farm.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still off the recreation ground on the Exe Estuary today.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore, also Long-tailed Duck, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a Slavonian Grebe.

Clennon Valley - Possible Siberian Chiffchaff present with 4 Common Chiffchaffs.

Torquay - Balearic Shearwater following a trawler off the seafront.

Sidmouth - 4 Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart near Jacob's Ladder at 15.30.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still on the reserve roosting at SS.490.328 late morning.

Northam Burrowes - 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a Great Northern Diver present.

Plymouth - Black Redstart and 2 Mediterranean Gulls at West Hoe.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary off the recreation ground today.

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff still this morning with 5 Common Chiffchaffs. 7 Black-necked Grebes and 25 Great Northern Divers in Tor Bay.

Colyford Common - 3 Water Pipits and 2 Green Sandipers this morning.

Exmouth - Spotted Redshank at Mudbank Lane close to railway line.

Northam Burrowes - 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with Dark-bellied Brent Goose flock at 08.25.

Erme Estuary - Great White Egret flew towards Flete Bridges at 15.15 (Thanks A. Doidge)

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still showing well off the recreation ground at SX.957.887.

Berry Head - 2 Great Skuas, Pomarine Skua, Balearic Shearwater and a Great Northern Diver past this morning.

Beer - 2 Ring Ouzels still on Beer Head showing well by second cattle grid on the main track at 13.30 (Thanks L. Harman)

Budleigh Salterton - Balearic Shearwater flew west this morning.

Exmouth - Mediterranean Gull at Mudbank Lane early afternoon.

Exminster Marshes - Red-breasted Goose with 500 Brent Geese late afternoon.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still showing well north of recreation ground at SX.957.887 mid morning.

Babbacombe - Little Auk showing well by the bay wall then flew off, also Balearic Shearwater following trawler and 3 Great Northern Divers (Thanks E. Drewitt)

Hope's Nose - 28 Great Northern Divers and a Balearic Shearwater this morning.

Tor Bay - 6 Black-necked Grebes and 3 Red-throated Divers between Preston and Brixham seafronts.

Brixham - 10 Purple Sandpipers on Brixham breakwater.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore this morning as well as an adult Little Gull.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still on Wrafton Pond at 11.30.

Plymouth - 2 Ring Ouzels feeding in field west of St. Budeux Church.

Ilfracombe - 5 Puple Sandpipers on rocks below Capstone Parade at low tide mid-afternoon.

Barnstaple - Black Redstart on shoreline west of Civic Centre car park.

Berry Head - Chough on slopes near quarry at 09.00 then flew towards Berry Head Hotel. (Thanks S. Loram)

Bowling Green Marsh - No sign of Red-breasted Goose today, but female Scaup and a Spotted Redshank present.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still showing well on the estuary off the recreation ground this morning.

Teignmouth - 2 Little Auks offshore this morning though distant.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore this morning, also Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe and 4 Great Northern Divers.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills today, also Spotted Redshank and Common Scoter. Female Goldeneye by New Bridge. (Thanks N. Bastin and M. Shakespeare)

Colyford Common - Water Pipit present.

Bowling Green Marsh - Red-breasted Goose still with Brent Geese in field by path to viewing platform at 13.20. Please approach with caution.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still off Topsham recreation ground today, also female Scaup in the estuary (Thanks I. Seward)

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter again offshore at 10.35, and a Little Auk also present briefly then flew south.

Plymouth - Black Guillemot in Plymouth Sound near open air pool at 08.30 but no further sign in afternoon.

Bowling Green Marsh - Red-breasted Goose with Brent Goose flock in field by path to viewing platform. Please approach with caution.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still with a Common Sandpiper on the estuary off the recreation ground.

Plymouth - Garden Warbler in a garden at Badgers Wood, Tamerton Foliot SX.462.602.

Beer - Black Redstart today.

Berry Head - Little Auk showing well close in off the headland from 14.10 until dusk, also 11 Great Northern Divers, 6 Great Skuas, 4 Red-throated Divers, Little Gull and a Balearic Shearwater past.

  Little Auk, Berry Head, © Dave Stone

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still showing well on the estuary off the recreation ground with a Common Sandpiper.

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff still today, also 6 Great Northern Divers and a Black-necked Grebe offshore.

Dawlish Warren - Long-tailed Duck in the estuary near Cockwood wreck viewed from Exmouth side.

Beer - Velvet Scoter flew in and landed on the sea at 09.15.

Exmouth - Black Redstart on Shelly Beach by the Exe Sailing Club boats at 13.35.

Thurlestone - Black Redstart at Thurlestone Marsh, and a Great Northern Diver in the bay.

Topsham - Juvenile Spotted Sandpiper still showing well on the estuary off the recreation ground.

Thurlestone - Leach's Petrel in Thurlestone Bay late morning only, also Black Redstart and 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese.

Kingsbridge Estuary - 6 Mediterranean Gulls on the estuary today (Thanks A. Doidge)

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff today, also 4 Great Northern Divers offshore.

Torquay - 6 Great Northern Divers and 2 Black-necked Grebes off Preston.

Goodrington - 4 Black-necked Grebes offshore today.

Appledore - 2 Water Pipits and 2 Black Redstarts by Appledore Shipyard viewed from the coastal path at 11.00.

Isley Marsh - 2+ Spoonbills present.