Around the county

January 2010

Tuesday 5th

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

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore, also 2+ Velvet Scoters, 2 Slavonian Grebes and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose present.

Exmouth - 4 Goldeneye, Great Northern Diver and a Greenshank off Shelley Beach at 14.00.

Powderham - No sign of Cattle Egret today.

Broadsands - Firecrest still at Broadsands Marsh and a Black-necked Grebe offshore.

Brixham - Female/immature Black Redstart along Lytes Road north of the harbour today (Thanks B. Donnellan)

Preston - Great Northern Diver off Preston seafront at 09.00 (Thanks T. Leaman)

Axmouth - Bewick's Swan and Whooper Swan still in fields viewable from B3172.

Budleigh Salterton - Siberian Chiffchaff off South Farm Road for 3rd day; From layby west of river, go through kissing gate then view pool on left. Whimbrel still on the Otter Estuary.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still on the reserve today.

Fremington - Spotted Redshank still at mouth of Fremington Pill viewed from footbridge.

Monday 4th

Topsham - First-winter Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary between the recreation ground and the M5 bridge early afternoon.

Bowling Green Marsh - Red-breasted Goose still showing well in field by the viewing platform at 13.30.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore with 3 Velvet Scoters, and female Long-tailed Duck still in the estuary.

Powderham - Cattle Egret still in sheep field by the circular house viewed from road at 11.00.

Exmouth - Slavonian Grebe off Shelley Beach at 14.20, also 6 Goldeneye, 2 Great Northern Divers and a Greenshank.

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff still at Broadsands Marsh with 2 Firecrests, and 4 Cirl Buntings still behind the second car park.

Brixham - 4 Purple Sandpipers in the harbour, also Black-necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still at Velator Wetlands at 13.30.

Weare Gifford - 3 Whooper Swans opposite church viewed from Tarka Trail early afternoon, and a Common Sandpiper at Landcross.

Fremington - Spotted Redshank still with Greenshank at Fremington Pill at 11.00.

Westward Ho! - Purple Sandpiper on rocks near the pool at 10.30.

Sidmouth - Male Black Redstart around Sidmouth Hospital late afternoon.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills and a Merlin present late afternoon.

Sunday 3rd

Topsham - First-winter Spotted Sandpiper still between the recreation ground and the M5 bridge at 16.00.

Bowling Green Marsh - Red-breasted Goose showing well with Brent Geese in field by the viewing platform (Thanks A. Lesley)

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore with 4 Velvet Scoters and 2 Great Northern Divers.

Powderham - Cattle Egret still in sheep field by the circular house.

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

Prawle Point - 29 Black-throated Divers reported flew east by 13.00, also 4 Red-throated Divers, Great Northern Diver, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a Mediterranean Gull. 2 Black Redstarts and a Firecrest also present.

Slapton - Marsh Harrier present this morning (Thanks H. Macey)

Exmouth - 2 Great Northern Divers and a Greenshank off Shelley Beach at 14.30.

Okehampton - Bittern by Moor Brook east of Okehampton Camp at 10.45 (Thanks K. Bragg)

Axmouth - Bewick's Swan and Whooper Swan still in fields viewed from B3172.

Broadsands - 2 Firecrests showing well in trees in the car park at 11.45.

Berry Head - Black Redstart by the lighthouse at 14.00 (Thanks M. Cox)

Wembury - 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Black Redstarts and a Purple Sandpiper this morning.

Weare Gifford - 2 Whooper Swans still near the church at 10.30.

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

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still on the reserve at c.SS.490.328 today.

Plymouth - Firecrest still in Saltram Park with tit flock early afternoon.

Baggy Point - Black Redstart at SS.426.401 mid-morning.

Saturday 2nd

Exminster Marshes - Red-breasted Goose still at Turf with Brent Geese today though mobile.

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

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still off Warren Point, and a Bittern in the reedbed on the main pond mid afternoon though elusive.

Powderham - Cattle Egret still in sheep field next to circular house at 15.30.

Exmouth - Long-tailed Duck still off Mudbank Lane, also 2 Great Northern Divers offshore.

Slapton - Long-tailed Duck on the ley off the old pillbox.

Axmouth - Whooper Swan and Bewick's Swan still with Mute Swans viewed from Axmouth Road though mobile.

Weare Gifford - 2 Whooper Swans in meadows near manor house at 13.00 (Thanks N. Bastin)

Wistlandpound Reservoir - 22 Crossbills in trees adjacent to car park.

Fremington Pill - Spotted Redshank still at the mouth of Fremington Pill today.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still on the reserve.

Braunton - Water Pipit still at Velator Quay late morning.

Friday 1st

Topsham - Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary between the recreation ground and the M5 bridge with a Common Sandpiper (Thanks C. Proctor)

Exminster Marshes - Red-breasted Goose still with 278 Brent Geese, and Slavonian Grebe still off Starcross with 2 Great Northern Divers (Thanks M. Youdale)

Powderham - Cattle Egret in fields near circular house late morning.

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter still offshore towards Exmouth with 7 Common Scoters (M. Youdale)

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff still at Broadsands Marsh at 12.30. 

Bowling Green Marsh - Female/immature Scaup on the marsh.

Exmouth - Mediterranean Gull off Mudbank Lane, and a Great Northern Diver off Shelly Beach mid afternoon.

Slapton Ley - Black-necked Grebe and Slavonian Grebe on the ley (Thanks A. Doidge)

Beesands Ley - Female Scaup still.

Thurlestone - Black Redstart at the marsh.

Axmouth - Bewick's Swan and Whooper Swan still opposite Stedcombe House.

Baggy Point - Black-throated Diver and a Velvet Scoter off Downe End today with Common Scoter.

Plymouth - Firecrest briefly at Laira this morning.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still present at 10.00, also Merlin but no sign of Cattle Egret at Yelland.

Fremington Quay - Spotted Redshank beneath Tarka Trail footbridge at 14.00.

Braunton - Water Pipit in Velator Harbour late afternoon.