Around the county

November 2009
 
Grey Phalarope, Northam Burrowes, © Roy Churchill

Leach's Petrel request

Anyone finding a dead Leach's Petrel is requested to kindly contact Tony Bicknell of the University of Plymouth, who is collecting specimens for analysis. Tony can be contacted by email at anthony.bicknell@plymouth.ac.uk, or by telephone on 01752 584699. Thank you. 

Monday 30th

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

Broadsands - 3 Great Northern Divers, Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Black-necked Grebe and a Velvet Scoter off Elberry Cove (Thanks J. Wills)

Exmouth - 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese off Shelly Beach at 13.10.

Sunday 29th

Topsham - Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary at north end of the recreation ground at 14.50.

Hope Cove - 5 Leach's Petrels past between 11.00 and 12.30, 2 then killed by male Peregrine. (Thanks A. Doidge)

Thurlestone - 4 Leach's Petrels in Thurlestone Bay this morning (Thanks P. Sanders)

Prawle Point - 4 Leach's Petrels flew east by 10.40, also Balearic Shearwater, Great Northern Diver and a Storm Petrel past.

Seaton - 4 Leach's Petrels past today.

Exe Estuary - Leach's Petrel lingering in the estuary mouth off Dawlish Warren, also Great Northern Diver and 2 Slavonian Grebes (Thanks D. Smallshire)

Hope's Nose - 3 Grey Phalaropes on the sea off the headland, also 28 Great Northern Divers, Balearic Shearwater and a Sooty Shearwater past.

  Grey Phalaropes, Hope's Nose, © Brian Heasman

Northam Burrowes - Grey Phalarope still showing well on flood pool just past bridge near entrance SS.452.305.

Beer - Black Redstart on the beach (Thanks K. Hale)

Wistlandpound Reservoir - 5 Crossbills in conifers below the dam at 08.45, and a Firecrest also in the area.

Bowling Green Marsh - 100+ Avocets today (Thanks A. Lesley)

Saturday 28th

Topsham - Spotted Sandpiper still showing well on the estuary off the recreation ground early afternoon, also 3 Common Sandpipers.

Northam Burrowes - Grey Phalarope still on the flood pool just after the bridge at 13.00.

Prawle Point - 4 Great Northern Divers, Black-throated Diver, Manx Shearwater and a Balearic Shearwater past by 11.00. 3 Black Redstarts on the headland.

Dawlish Warren - Long-tailed Duck in the estuary, also Slavonian Grebe and 3 Great Northern Divers.

  Long-tailed Duck, Dawlish Warren, © Lee Collins

Wistlandpound Reservoir - 22 Crossbills today (Thanks N. Cottle)

Goodrington - 3 Black-necked Grebes offshore.

Thurlestone - Purple Sandpiper in Thurlestone Bay.

Saltram - 2 Firecrests still in trees by the duck pond at Saltram House this morning.

Isley Marsh - Black Redstart by the old power station jetty, and a Spotted Redshank at the reserve entrance at 14.00.

Friday 27th

Topsham - Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary with 4 Common Sandpipers on island beneath M5 bridge at 10.20.

Northam Burrowes - Grey Phalarope still on the flood pool left of Appledore Bridge at 12.45

Beer - Male Ring Ouzel still on Beer Head.

Dawlish Warren - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary.

Saltram - 4 Firecrests today.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still present.

Saunton Down - 20 Common Scoters offshore mid afternoon.

Thursday 26th

Topsham - Spotted Sandpiper still showing well on the estuary off the recreation ground early afternoon, also 6 Common Sandpipers.

Black Hill Quarry - Red-breasted Goose of unknown origin still on Black Hill Quarry Pool at East Budleigh Common late afternoon. Please view only from Frying Pans.

Broadsands - 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs reported, also 5 Great Northern Divers and 2 Black-necked Grebes offshore.

Beer - Black Redstart on Beer Beach this morning.

Northam Burrowes - Grey Phalarope still on first flood pool on left after Appledore toll kiosk at 16.55.

Wednesday 25th

Topsham - Spotted Sandpiper still on the estuary between the M5 bridge and the recreation ground at 16.15 and showing well with 2 Common Sandpipers.

Hope Cove - Little Auk past at 13.40 and a Leach's Petrel at 14.00. (Thanks A. Doidge)

Thurlestone Bay - Leach's Petrel past at 10.30 and adult Sabine's Gull flew west at 11.15.

Dawlish Warren - 2 Leach's Petrels past this afternoon, also 6+ Great Northern Divers.

Prawle Point - Leach's Petrel west at 15.00, also 2 Storm Petrels lingering and a Black Redstart on the headland.

Plymouth - Leach's Petrel off West Hoe this afternoon, also 2 Firecrests still at Peverell and a Firecrest still in Saltram Park by duck pond.

Northam Burrowes - Grey Phalarope still on pool on left beyond bridge at 10.00.

Broadsands - Black-necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver offshore.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still at SS.490.328, also Spotted Redshank.

Tuesday 24th

Topsham - Spotted Sandpiper on the estuary off the Recreation Ground for its 21st day.

Bowling Green Marsh - Drake American Wigeon viewable from hide at 13.50 (Thanks P. Holyday)

Prawle Point - Leach's Petrel flew west at 13.17, also Great Northern Diver.

Orcombe Point - Leach's Petrel lingering offshore then flew east at 13.10, also 2 Great Northern Divers and 3 Common Scoters.

East Budleigh Common - Red-breasted Goose of unknown origin still on Black Hill Quarry Pool at 11.00. Please view only from the Frying Pans and keep away from the quarry edge.

Beesands Ley - 2 female Scaup still on the ley this morning (Thanks J. Bennett)

Dawlish Warren - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary.

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff at Broadsands Marsh, also 8 Great Northern Divers and 2 Black-necked Grebes offshore.

Northam Burrowes - Grey Phalarope on the first floodwater on the left after Appledore Bridge 10.15 to 14.00 at least, also 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese this morning. (Thanks N. Cottle)

Monday 23rd

Beer - Ring Ouzel showing well this morning on Beer Head in hedge by second cattle grid.

Seaton - Adult Little Gull still off the seafront (Thanks G. Haig). Adult Yellow-legged Gull on the estuary late afternoon (Thanks S. Waite).

  Yellow-legged Gull, Seaton, © Steve Waite

Dawlish Warren - Great Northern Diver offshore and a Little Gull flew south past Langstone Rock.

Sunday 22nd

East Budleigh Common - Red-breasted Goose of unknown origin favouring south east side of Black Hill Quarry pool, between Woodbury and East Budleigh Commons. Park opposite Wrights Lane and walk north to view. First seen October 28th.

Exe Estuary - Grey Phalarope off Turf at 14.00 only.

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still on the Higher Ley north of Slapton Bridge today, and a Great Northern Diver flew south (Thanks A. Doidge)


  Great White Egret, Slapton Ley, © Andrew Cunningham

Kingsbridge Estuary - 2 Great Northern Divers and an adult Mediterranean Gull on the estuary (A. Doidge)

Paignton - Black-necked Grebe off the pier.

Hope's Nose - 12 Great Northern Divers and a pale morph Pomarine Skua past this morning.

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still on Wrafton Pond SS.488.355 early afternoon.

Beer - 1+ Ring Ouzel still on Beer Head today.

  Ring Ouzel, Beer, © Gavin Haig

Seaton - 2 Little Gulls still offshore.

Dawlish Warren - Black Redstart along the seawall.

Northam Burrowes - 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese present at 07.45.

Saturday 21st

Berry Head - Little Auk past today, also 5 Great Northern Divers, 2 Balearic Shearwaters, Sooty Shearwater, Great Skua and an Eider.

Isley Marsh - 2 Cattle Egrets in fields opposite Isley Marsh viewed from the Tarka Trail at 10.00.

Prawle Point - 7 Balearic Shearwaters and 2 Great Northern Divers past.

Dawlish Warren - 2 Water Pipits from the hide, also Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe and 5 Great Northern Divers still.

  Water Pipit, Dawlish Warren, © Lee Collins

Axmouth - 2 Whooper Swans still north of Axmouth and 500 yards south of the A3052 at 08.10.

Beer - 2 Ring Ouzels on Beer Head this afternoon but no sign of the Snow Bunting.

Wrafton - Red-crested Pochard still on Wrafton Pond today.

Westward Ho! - 4 Purple Sandpipers on rocks east of Nassau Court early morning.

Bideford - Adult Mediterranean Gull in Southcott Valley at 10.30.

Northam Burrowes - 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at the Skern.

Friday 20th

Slapton - Great White Egret still on the Higher Ley north of Slapton Bridge.

Wrafton - Red-crested Pochard still on Wrafton Pond at SS.488.355 mid afternoon.

Beer - Snow Bunting still on Beer Head along the main track.

  Snow Bunting, Beer, © Gavin Haig

Colyford Common - Jack Snipe this morning.

Plymouth - 2 Firecrests still at Peverell today.

Ilfracombe - 6 Purple Sandpipers on rocks below Capstone Parade at 16.20.

Thursday 19th

Berry Head - Little Auk flew south at 09.20, also 5 Great Skuas, 4 Arctic Skuas, 2 Balearic Shearwaters, Pomarine Skua and an Eider past today.

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still in the Higher Ley reedbed viewed from Slapton Bridge this morning.

Wrafton - First winter drake Red-crested Pochard still at SS.488.355 at 10.00.

Beer - Snow Bunting still on Beer Head this morning and a Balearic Shearwater past.

Dawlish Warren - 14 Great Northern Divers, Balearic Shearwater and a Little Gull offshore.

Plymouth - Black Redstart still at West Hoe.

Westward Ho! - 3 Purple Sandpipers at Nassau Court at 09.30.

Wednesday 18th

Beer - Snow Bunting showing well on the main track between the cattle grids this morning but no further sign in afternoon.

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still in the Higher Ley reedbed viewed from Slapton Bridge this morning.

Broadsands - Black-throated Diver and Black-necked Grebe off Elberry Cove mid afternoon (Thanks J. Wills)

Seaton - 2 Little Gulls off the Axe Yacht Club this afternoon.

Dawlish Warren - 2 Black Redstarts on the seawall at 13.30, also Great Northern Diver and 5 Eider offshore, and Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary with 36 Red-breasted Mergansers.

Start Point - Balearic Shearwater past at 10.15.

Plymouth - Black Redstart at Millbay Dock.

Frogmore - Black Redstart present.

Tuesday 17th

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still on the Higher Ley north of Slapton Bridge today, also Black Redstart.

Beesands Ley - 2 Scaup this morning.

Plymouth - Adult and 2nd-winter Mediterranean Gulls at Millbay Dock today.

Monday 16th

Thurlestone - Adult Sabine's Gull in Thurlestone Bay at 10.35.

Slapton - Great White Egret still on the Higher Ley viewed from Slapton Bridge.

Churston - Red Kite near Alston Cross at 16.00, then flew towards Luscombe House (Thanks S. Loram)

Erme Estuary - Whooper Swan present.

Dartmouth - Black Redstart at Dartmouth Castle today.

Plymouth - Firecrest still at Peverell.

Salcombe - 11 Mediterranean Gulls on the estuary at North Sands Beach.

Northam Burrowes - Mediterranean Gull in the roost at 16.00.

Fremington - Spotted Redshank at Fremington Pill early afternoon.

Sunday 15th

Fernworthy - Great Grey Shrike showing well on third steep clearfell patch on south side of reservoir early afternoon SX.664.832.

  Great Grey Shrike, Fernworthy, © Steve Young

Wembury - Grey Phalarope offshore (different bird to yesterday), also Portuguese Man of War on the beach. (Thanks R. Billington)

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still on the Higher Ley viewed from Slapton Bridge.

Axmouth - 2 Whooper Swans still with Mute Swans north of the village and west of the B3172 at SY.260.919.

  Whooper Swans, Axmouth, © Karen Woolley

Seaton Hole - 2 Mediterranean Gulls offshore this afternoon.

Dawlish Warren - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary, also 2 Black Redstarts and a Swallow present.

Topsham - Mediterranean Gull flew upriver at 16.30.

Ilfracombe - 4 Purple Sandpipers below Capstone Parade at Windy Corner mid-morning.

Isley Marsh - Spoonbill still at SS.490.328 early morning.

Saturday 14th

Dawlish - Little Auk flew south late morning. Long-tailed Duck, Black-necked Grebe and Slavonian Grebe in the estuary.

Thurlestone - 2 Leach's Petrels, Sabine's Gull, Storm Petrel and Great Northern Diver in Thurlestone Bay.

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still in the Higher Ley reedbed along with a Bittern, viewed from Slapton Bridge.

Wembury - Grey Phalarope on Wembury Beach this afternoon along with a Mediterranean Gull (Thanks R. Billington)

Kingsbridge Estuary - 2 Little Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 18 Greenshank in Lincombe Bay (Thanks A. Doidge)

Northam Burrowes - 6 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 5 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Great Northern Divers present late afternoon, also dead Little Auk.

Friday 13th

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still in the Higher Ley reedbed viewed from Slapton Bridge.

Wrafton - Red-crested Pochard still on Wrafton Pond at 08.40.

Seaton - 2 Spoonbills on the Axe Estuary at 14.40 then flew west (Thanks S. Waite)

  Spoonbills, Seaton, © Steve Waite

Exe Estuary - 2 Spoonbills off Mudbank Lane at 13.00, and the Slavonian Grebe still off Cockwood.

Plymouth - 2 Black Redstarts around The Royal Citadel.

Thurlestone - Black Redstart on Thurlestone Marsh, and a Red-throated Diver offshore.

Exminster Marshes - Water Pipit and Spotted Redshank present.

Dawlish - Great Northern Diver offshore, and Black Redstart at Coryton Cove.

Thursday 12th

Wrafton - First-winter drake Red-crested Pochard still on Wrafton Pond at SS.488.355.

Berry Head - 3 Great Northern Divers and 2 Pomarine Skuas past.

Brixham - 4+ Purple Sandpipers along Brixham breakwater (Thanks J. Marshall)

Bowling Green Marsh - Spoonbill and 2 Swallows from the viewing platform.

Wednesday 11th

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still in the Higher Ley reedbed at dusk viewed from Slapton Bridge.

Berry Head - 2 Little Gulls and a Great Northern Diver past, and 4 Firecrests on the headland.

Start Point - Great Northern Diver offshore.

Exmouth - 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese this morning.

Tuesday 10th

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still in Higher Ley reedbed viewed from Slapton Bridge.

Wrafton Pond - Red-crested Pochard still on the pond from the viewing platform at 10.00.

Axmouth - 2 Whooper Swans still with Mute Swans viewed from the road just north of Axmouth at 13.30.

Torquay - 3 Black-necked Grebes off Preston seafront.

Broadsands - 2 Great Northern Divers and a Black-necked Grebe offshore.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still off Cockwood.

Bowling Green Marsh - Spotted Redshank present.

Pottington - Spoonbill today.

Monday 9th

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still in Higher Ley reedbed at 16.00 though elusive. View from Slapton Bridge.

Wrafton Pond - Red-crested Pochard at SS.488.355 today.

Berry Head - 3 Firecrests (Thanks J. Marshall)

Broadsands - 3 Great Northern Divers (J. Marshall)

Stoodleigh - 1+ Firecrest between Bolham and Cove by Stoodleigh turning near iron bridge.

Dawlish Warren - Sandwich Tern offshore and a Black Redstart on the seawall.

Hartland Point - 4 Black Redstarts near the radar station at 10.00 (Thanks N. Bastin)

Exmouth - Black Redstart on rooftops at Regatta Court, and 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese off Shelly Beach at 13.15.

Plymouth - Black Redstart still at West Hoe today.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still at SS.490.328 this morning.

Sunday 8th

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret still in Higher Ley reedbed early afternoon and showing well on and off.

Fernworthy - Great Grey Shrike flew south east towards clearfell at SX.653.833 early afternoon.

Axmouth - 2 Whooper Swans with Mute Swans viewed from road just north of Axmouth.

Dawlish Warren - 10 Great Northern Divers offshore. 

Hope's Nose - 2 Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart present this afternoon.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still at SS.490.328 at 08.30.

Saturday 7th

Slapton Ley - Great White Egret in reeds on the Higher Ley though elusive.

Paignton - 2 Firecrests at Clennon Valley.

Dawlish Warren - Firecrest still, also 4 Great Northern Divers and Slavonian Grebe.

Plymouth - Black Redstart still at St. Simon's Church off Salisbury Road in Mount Gould today. Black Redstart in Ford Park Cemetry.

Didworthy - 3 Black Redstarts in Didworthy Park this morning.

South Brent - Black Redstart in Heather Park this afternoon.

Sutton Harbour - Black Redstart today.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still on the Taw Estuary SS.490.328.

Ilfracombe - 2 Purple Sandpipers on rocks at Cheyne Beach, and 2 Black Redstarts in Jubilee Gardens.

Friday 6th

Dawlish Warren - 6 Great Northern Divers, Firecrest and Slavonian Grebe today.

Broadsands - 2 Black-necked Grebes and a Great Northern Diver off Elbury Cove mid morning (Thanks J. Wills)

Start Point - 2 Black Redstarts today.

Didworthy - 2 Black Redstarts present.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still early morning at SS.490.328.

Bideford - Adult Mediterranean Gull at Bideford Quay.

Thursday 5th

Bampton - Female Common Redstart reported in bushes near bridge over the stream by the car park.

Kingsbridge - 2 Black Redstarts present.

Exmouth - Black Redstart at Exe Sailing Club at 09.00.

Morebath - Black Redstart today.

Ilfracombe - 11 Purple Sandpipers on rocks at high tide below seawall at Capstone end of Cheyne Beach at 08.30.

Wednesday 4th

Berry Head - 6 Firecrests today (Thanks J. Marshall)

Budleigh Salterton - 2+ Black Redstarts present.

Broadsands - 2 Great Northern Divers offshore.

Slapton - Firecrest.

Exe Estuary - Adult Slavonian Grebe still off Cockwood.

Beer - 4 Black Redstarts in the village today.

Seaton - Male Black Redstart on Durley Road.

Tuesday 3rd

Budleigh Salterton - Male Black Redstart today.

Plymouth - 2 Firecrests at Peverell.

Kingsbridge Estuary - 2 Spotted Redshanks in Batson Creek.

Seaton - 4 Black Redstarts on roofs around the yacht club along Trevelyan Road.

Monday 2nd

Hartland Point - 3 Black Redstarts on the headland at 11.45 this morning (Thanks N. Bastin)

South Brent - 4 Black Redstarts in Didworthy Park.

Sunday 1st

Dawlish Warren - Long-tailed Duck briefly off Langstone Rock, also 4 Great Northern Divers and 2 Black-throated Divers flew south.

Prawle Point - Balearic Shearwater past at 08.15, also Mediterranean Gull and Wheatear.

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

Start Point - 2 Black Redstarts near the lighthouse.

Frogmore - Black Redstart around houses at top of Frogmore Creek mid afternoon.

Hallsands - 3 Black Redstarts at North Hallsands.

Northam Burrowes - 44 Pintail and 2 Mediterranean Gulls at The Skern at 17.00.

Westward Ho! - Black Redstart and 3 Mediterranean Gulls present today.