October 2009

Black-throated Thrush, Dartmoor, © Dave Stone

Start Point - Yellow-browed Warbler in the farm garden today (no general access). Also 10 Brambling, Black Redstart and Merlin on the headland.

Prawle Point - 19 Black Redstarts around East Prawle village today. Also Firecrest, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Swallows, House Martin and a Wheatear.

Plymouth - Reed Warbler (reported as possible Blyth's Reed) along Armada Way opposite Alliance and Leicester building late morning. 2 Black Redstarts at West Ho.

Bolt Head - 2 Firecrests in willows at East Soar Farm.

South Milton - Mediterranean Gull at South Milton Sands.

Ilfracombe - 8 Purple Sandpipers on rocks below Capstone Parade at 12.20, and a Black Redstart along Runnacleave Road.

Dartmoor - Again no sign of first-winter Black-throated Thrush at Scorriton deer park, but Ring Ouzel and Brambling.

Berry Head - 5 Black Redstarts and 3 Firecrests today (Thanks J. Marshall)

Man Sands - Woodcock feeding on the track leading to the beach, and a Black Redstart by the coastguard cottages.

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

Appledore - 185 Brent Geese and 67 Wigeon on the estuary at low tide. (Thanks N. Bastin) 

Brixham - Black Redstart below Furzeham Green on Overgang Road this afternoon (Thanks T. Leaman)

Beer - 3 Black Redstarts around the village today.

Plymouth - Firecrest at West Ho this afternoon, and a Black Redstart at Mount Gold.

Gittisham - Firecrest in conifers next to brook in centre of the village.

Dawlish Warren - Firecrest in Dead Dolphin Wood today. 

Dartmoor - No sign today of first-winter Black-throated Thrush at Scorriton deer park.

Dawlish Warren - Ring Ouzel along the path by the golf course.

Wembury - 2 Black Redstarts on the beach.

Thurlestone - 2 Black Redstarts this morning.

Start Point - Black Redstart.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still at SS.490.328 mid afternoon along with 14 Greenshank.

Dartmoor - First-winter Black-throated Thrush still at Scorriton deer park in trees along River Mardle at 15.51, also Firecrest, 2 Ring Ouzel and 3 Brambling.

Salcombe - 5 Black Redstarts along roofs on Main Road (Thanks A. Doidge)

East Soar - 6 Black Redstarts and a Woodcock today. (A. Doidge)

Start Point - 13 Bramblings and 3 Firecrests on the headland this morning.

Exmouth - Long-tailed Duck off Mudbank Lane with 11 Pale-bellied Brent Geese.

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

Dawlish Warren - Crossbill over.

Torquay - 2 Black Redstarts present.

Kingsbridge - Brambling in Tor Quarry.

Beer - 2 Black Redstarts on Beer Head this morning.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills and a Great Northern Diver on the Taw Estuary early afternoon.

Hartland Point - Ringtail Hen Harrier flew south at 10.00.

Dartmoor - First-winter Black-throated Thrush at Scorriton deer park in trees along the River Mardle then flushed by Sparrowhawk and no further sign (but 3 Ring Ouzels present).

Dawlish Warren - Sooty Shearwater and a Puffin past today, and Slavonian Grebe still present.

Wembury - Black Redstart at Wembury Point.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still at SS.490.328 .

Plymouth - Firecrest still in Saltram Park.

Start Point - Firecrest.

Bolt Head - Firecrest at East Soar today.

Dawlish Warren - Firecrest present, also Slavonian Grebe still.

Berry Head - Black Redstart.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still on the Taw Estuary at 14.30 along with 4 Greenshank.

Hoopoe photographed on private land today.

Lundy - Olive-backed Pipit still on the island as well as a Yellow-browed Warbler.

Start Point - 3 Firecrests and a Black Redstart today.

East Prawle - 3 Black Redstarts and a Firecrest present.

Bolt Head - Ring Ouzel at East Soar.

Plymouth - 2 Firecrests in Saltram Park near the shop.

Ilfracombe - Purple Sandpiper below Capstone Parade at 11.35.

Lundy - Olive-backed Pipit still in St. John's Valley this morning.

East Prawle - Yellow-browed Warbler in willows near the sewage works from 12.45 to 13.30 only.

Isley Marsh - 7 Spoonbills present at mid-day.

Exmouth - Red-throated Pipit at Orcombe Point in crop field at top of Gore Lane this afternoon SY.025.798. Please do not enter the field.

Lundy - Olive-backed Pipit in St. John's Valley late afternoon, and a Richard's Pipit over at 15.30.

Start Point - 6 Ring Ouzels, 5 Firecrests, Black Redstart and a Hen Harrier today.

Soar Mill Cove - 3+ Ring Ouzels and a Black Redstart present.

Broadsands - Great Northern Diver off Elbury Cove (Thanks J. Wills)

Hallsands - 4 Black Redstarts at North Hallsands.

Slapton - Great Northern Diver.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary viewed from Dawlish Warren.

Dawlish Warren - Firecrest in Dead Dolphin Wood.

Plymouth - Firecrest near the cafe in Saltram Park.

Bowling Green Marsh - Curlew Sandpiper still present.

Hallsands - 5 Black Redstarts today.

Lundy - 8 Whooper Swans on the island for their 5th day.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary viewed from Dawlish Warren.

Isley Marsh - 3 Spoonbills still on the Taw Estuary at SS.490.328.

Thurlestone - Long-tailed Skua and a Great Northern Diver flew past Thurlestone Bay. Black Redstart also present.

Beesands Ley - Female Scaup still present.

Bowling Green Marsh - Curlew Sandpiper today.

Budleigh Salterton - Presumed FEA'S PETREL flew west close inshore at 09.06.

Berry Head - 17 Great Skuas, 7 Little Gulls, 4 Arcic Skuas, 3 Red-throated Divers, 3 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, Great Northern Diver, Puffin, Harbour Porpoise and Grey Seal past today. Black Redstart in the quarry. (Thanks M. Darlaston )

Seaton - Long-tailed Skua flew along beach and then inland over the town this morning. 4 Brent Geese, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Great Skuas, Red-throated Diver, Common Tern and a skua sp. past. Yellow-legged Gull on the Axe Estuary. (Thanks G. Haig)

Dawlish Warren - 3 Little Gulls, Balearic Shearwater, Arctic Skua and a Mediterranean Gull today.

Soar Mill Cove - 6 Ring Ouzels today.

Beesands Ley - Female Scaup, Tufted Duck x Red-crested Pochard hybrid and 2 Mediterranean Gulls present.

Dawlish Warren - 3 Little Gulls and a Balearic Shearwater offshore.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary viewed from Dawlish Warren.

Old Mill Bay - Yellow-browed Warbler with tit flock at midday. Also 2+ Ring Ouzels, and a harrier sp. over at 16.10. SX.908.500 (Thanks M. Twiggs)

Start Point - Yellow-browed Warbler in trees at Start Farm at 08.20 (Thanks P. Sanders)

Berry Head - Ring Ouzel near the cafe, also 1000+ Redwings through (Thanks J. Marshall)

Clennon Valley - Firecrest present (J. Marshall)

Dawlish Warren - 2 Pink-footed Geese flew west at 08.30, and a Great Northern Diver offshore.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary viewed from Dawlish Warren.

Isley Marsh - 3 Spoonbills still on the Taw Estuary at SS.490.328 this morning.

Fremington - Spotted Redshank still at Fremington Pill late afternoon.

Start Point - 5 Ring Ouzels and a Firecrest this morning.

Prawle Point - 2 Black Redstarts, Short-eared Owl and a Hen Harrier today.

Bolberry - 6 Ring Ouzels (Thanks A. Doidge)

Bolt Head - 2 Ring Ouzels (A. Doidge)

Beer - 28 Crossbills flew east along with a Brambling.

Start Point - 11 Ring Ouzels and 2 Firecrests present.

Bolt Head - 3 Ring Ouzels at East Soar.

Berry Head - 3 Ring Ouzels and a Firecrest on the headland.

Froward Point (Kingswear) - Black Redstart (per J. Harris)

Yelland - Hoopoe reported again.

Prawle Point - 2 Firecrests and 6 Chiffchaffs in Pigs Nose Valley (Thanks M. Langman)

Wembury - 25 Crossbills over south (Thanks R. Billington)

Bolt Head - Black Redstart at East Soar Farm.

Dawlish Warren - Firecrest by the main pond.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary.

Wistlandpound Reservoir - 15 Crossbills present at 15.30.

Kingsbridge Estuary - 6+ Mediterranean Gulls and an adult Yellow-legged Gull on the estuary at 18.30 (Thanks A. Doidge).

Paignton - Red-throated Diver off Goodrington today.

Preston - 2 Black-necked Grebes offshore.

Saltram - Firecrest at Saltram House in trees by shop near duck pond.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still off Cockwood.

Plym Estuary - Mediterranean Gull on the estuary this afternoon.

Isley Marsh - 3 Spoonbills still on the Taw Estuary at SS.490.328 this morning.

Fremington - 2 Spotted Redshanks and a Curlew Sandpiper still at Fremington Pill at 10.00.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary, viewed from Dawlish Warren.

Wembury - Merlin and Wheatear today (Thanks R. Billington)

Slapton Ley - Female Scaup in Ireland Bay today, and an Osprey over.

Prawle Point - 19 Balearic Sheawaters past between 10.15 and 12.45.

Fremington - 3 Spotted Redshanks with 209 Redshanks and a Curlew Sandpiper at Fremington Pill (Thanks N. Cottle)

Isley Marsh - 2 Spoonbills still on the reserve.

Landcross - 10 Mandarins on the River Torridge near the lime kiln at Iron Bridge this morning. 

Mulacott Cross - Mediterranean Gull flew east early afternoon.

Bigbury - Yellow-browed Warbler in rowans at the bottom of Folly Hill.

Dawlish Warren - 2 Arctic Terns today.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still in the estuary.

Plym Estuary - Osprey flew east at 17.35.

Isley Marsh - 3 Spoonbills still on the River Taw.

Fremington - Spotted Redshank and Curlew Sandpiper still at Fremington Pill at 08.00 with 2 Greenshank.

Berry Head - 2 Balearic Shearwaters and 2 Great Skuas past, and a Merlin in the quarry. (Thanks J. Marshall)

Start Point - 2 Arctic Skuas and a Balearic Shearwater past. Merlin and Firecrest on the headland.

Kingsbridge Estuary - 6 Mediterranean Gulls on the estuary today.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still off Cockwood as well as a Mediterranean Gull.

Stover CP - Osprey again over the lake this afternoon.

Isley Marsh - 3 Spoonbills still on the RSPB reserve.

Fremington Quay - Curlew Sandpiper still present today.

South Milton Ley - Firecrest by the sewage works.

Start Point - Ringtail Hen Harrier in the Start Point/Lannacombe area.

Isley Marsh - 3 Spoonbills still at SS.490.328 mid morning.

Berry Head - Adult Long-tailed Skua past, also 450 Gannets, 130 Kittiwakes, 81 Great Skuas, 27 Arctic Skuas, 17 Common Scoters, 9 Balearic Shearwaters, 5 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Common Terns, 4 Pomarine Skuas, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Arctic Terns, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Puffins and 3 Harbour Porpoises between 07.30 and 18.00 (Thanks M. Darlaston)

Thurlestone - Probable juvenile Long-tailed Skua flew past Thurlestone Bay today.

Exe Estuary - Slavonian Grebe still off Starcross.

Northam Burrowes - Female Scaup present at high tide.

Start Point - Probable Yellow-browed Warbler in tamarisks by the lighthouse at 14.30 (heard only).

Fremington - Spotted Redshank still on the Taw Estuary at Fremington Pill with a Curlew Sandpiper.

Exmouth - 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with 106 Dark-bellied Brents off Imperial Recreation Ground late morning, also 28 Pintail (Thanks R. Ormerod)

Bowling Green Marsh - Second-winter Mediterranean Gull from the viewing platform.

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

Stover CP - Osprey again over the lake and 4 Redwings through (per J. Harris).

River Caen - 18 Greenshank and a second-winter Mediterranean Gull at Horsey Island today (Thanks N. Cottle)

Fremington - Spotted Redshank still at Fremington Pill early evening.

Fremington - 2 Spotted Redshanks and a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Fremington Pill mid-afternoon.

Yelland - Second-winter Yellow-legged Gull off Home Farm Marsh on the Taw Estuary.

Seaton - Near-adult Yellow-legged Gull on the Axe Estuary this afternoon.

Start Point - Black Redstart, Yellow Wagtail and 2 Whinchats today.

Stover CP - Osprey again over the lake mid afternoon.

Fremington - Spotted Redshank still at Fremington Pill today along with a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and 3 Mediterranean Gulls.

Isley Marsh - 3 Spoonbills still on the marsh with 13 Brent Geese and a Mediterranean Gull.

Coleton Fishacre - 2 Firecrests near the viewpoint at 10.30.