Friday 31 January 2014

Friday 31st January

The continued presence of the Bonaparte's Gull was the only news received today.

Thursday 30 January 2014

Thursday 30th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was reported offshore again with the Red-necked Grebe, a Long-tailed Duck, at least two Velvet Scoter, six Red-throated and three Great Northern Diver.

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Wednesday 29th January

The Red-necked Grebe was offshore with the two Long-tailed Duck, the two female Eider, two Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere an adult Yellow-legged Gull, the first of the year, and the Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary and a Water Pipit was on the Golf Course.

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Tuesday 28th January

The Bonaparte's Gull made a reappearance in the estuary for at least 30 minutes late morning, also from the hide the Slavonian Grebe and two Greenshank. The Black-necked Grebe and two Long-tailed Duck were off John's Watch, the Red-necked Grebe was off Groyne 6 and five Velvet Scoter, two Great Northern and at least 25 Red-throated Diver were also offshore.

Monday 27 January 2014

Monday 27th January

The first confirmed Water Pipit of the year, there are several presumed littoralis Rock Pipit also present, was on the Golf Course to the west of the hide mid morning, also there the Black Brant. Offshore the Red and Black-necked Grebe were still present along with at least four Velvet Scoter, two Long-tailed Duck, five Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary and three Bullfinch and a Green Woodpecker were in the Entrance Bushes.

Sunday 26 January 2014

Sunday 26th January

The heavy rain and strong winds overnight changed things offshore with counts of only five Red-throated Diver and two Great-crested Grebe. The male Long-tailed Duck, the Red-necked Grebe and the six Velvet Scoter were however still present. Elsewhere an adult Glaucous Gull flew in off the sea before heading off towards Mudbank Lane, the Black Brant was on the Golf Course with 255 Brent Geese and counts from the estuary included 200+ Grey Plover, 74 Knot, 32 Ringed Plover, 31 Sanderling, three Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe.

Saturday 25 January 2014

Saturday 25th January

Another day with plenty of activity offshore including six Velvet Scoter, Red-necked, Black-necked and 40+ Great-crested Grebe, two Eider, two Long-tailed Duck, two Great Northern and c40 Red-throated Diver but again no sign of the Bonaparte's Gull. In the estuary the resident Slavonian Grebe made it another five grebe day, also there the Black Brant with c400 Brent Geese, 150+ Common and two Mediterranean Gull, 32 Ringed Plover and four Greenshank. Elsewhere two Cirl Bunting were mobile around site, a Mistle Thrush briefly pitched into Greenland Lake and eight Raven, the first of the year, flew over.

Long-tailed Duck © Lee Collins

Friday 24 January 2014

Friday 24th January

A flat calm sea combined with overcast skies provided ideal conditions for viewing offshore. The first Black-necked Grebe of the year and a new male Long-tailed Duck joined the Red-necked Grebe and six Velvet Scoter already present. Also offshore a minimum count of 48 Red-throated Diver, a record non-passage site count, 31+ Great-crested Grebe, just seven Common Scoter, two Eider and two Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere the resident Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary where counts included 211 Grey Plover, 67 Knot, 52 Wigeon, 39 Teal, 31 Ringed Plover and 24 Turnstone.

 Great Northern Diver © Lee Collins

Red-necked Grebe © Lee Collins

Thursday 23 January 2014

Thursday 23rd January

The Bonaparte's Gull was off the seawall early afternoon before heading along the beach towards Exmouth, also offshore 16+ Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, two Velvet Scoter and a Long-tailed Duck. Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 189 Grey Plover, 50 Knot, 32 Ringed Plover and 25+ Sanderling.

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Wednesday 22nd January

The Bonaparte's Gull was offshore again today with single Black-throated and Great Northern Diver also present. Elsewhere c400 Brent Geese were in the estuary with 140 Grey Plover, c50 Wigeon, 29 Ringed Plover, 15 Cormorant including a sinensis, a Goldeneye and the Slavonian Grebe.

Wildlife News: The Grey Seal was off Warren Point.

Tuesday 21 January 2014

Tuesday 21st January

A look off the seawall showed at least five Great-crested Grebe, four Red-throated Diver, four Common Scoter and a Guillemot but no sign of the Bonaparte's Gull or Velvet Scoter.

Monday 20 January 2014

Monday 20th January

The Bonaparte's Gull remained along the beach off groynes 9 & 10 most of the morning, with two Long-tailed Duck, a Red-necked Grebe, two Eider and a Shoveler on the sea off John's Watch. Also on the sea the six Velvet Scoter were off the seawall with two Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver. Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 247 Curlew, 196 Redshank, 40 Shelduck and a Goldeneye with two Chiffchaff, two Water Rail and a Snipe by the Main Pond.


Bonaparte's Gull © Lee Collins

Sunday 19 January 2014

Sunday 19th January

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was again off the seawall this morning, with six Velvet Scoter and two Red-throated Diver. Also offshore, the Long-tailed Duck which was close in off Groyne 8. In the estuary there were two Goldeneye and the Slavonian Grebe with 50 Knot, 43 Bar and 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 32 Ringed Plover and two Mediterranean Gull also present.


 Long-tailed Duck © Lee Collins

Saturday 18 January 2014

Saturday 18th January

There was no sign of the Black Brant, Bonaparte's or Glaucous Gull however they were hardly missed as the Warren continued to offer some great winter birding despite the rain. A Balearic Shearwater south was the pick offshore although two Little Gull, 150+ Kittiwake, 15 Red-throated Diver and 80+ auk sp also headed south whilst at least four Velvet Scoter were occasionally on show in choppy conditions. Elsewhere a wrecked Great Skua sheltered on the golf course for much of the day and a Red-necked Grebe was in the estuary. Counts from the estuary included 588 Brent Geese to roost, 255 Black-tailed Godwit, both of these high counts are due to birds being displaced by flooding up estuary; 194 Grey Plover, 163 Bar-tailed Godwit, 70+ Curlew, 50+ Knot, two Greenshank, a Goldeneye, and an adult Mediterranean Gull.

Great Skua ©  Lee Collins
 
Wildlife News: A Grey Seal was in the estuary.

Friday 17 January 2014

Friday 17th January

The Glaucous Gull reappeared on Bull Hill this afternoon with 41 Common and a Mediterranean Gull. Also in the estuary today the Black Brant with 260+ Dark-bellied Brent, a Long-tailed Duck, the Slavonian Grebe, five Greenshank and the first Kingfisher of the year. Elsewhere six Velvet Scoter were offshore with four Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver.

Glaucous Gull

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Wednesday 15th January

The Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary, close in off the steps at Cockwood, in a brief look this afternoon but no other news was received.

Tuesday 14 January 2014

Tuesday 14th January

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was feeding in the estuary during the morning along with the Slavonian Grebe and a Goldeneye. Elsewhere at least one Velvet Scoter and a Red-throated Diver were off Langstone Rock and a Siberian Chiffchaff was with two Chiffchaff in Dead Dolphin Wood.

Monday 13 January 2014

Monday 13th January

The continuing presence of the Bonaparte's Gull along the beach, the Slavonian Grebe in the estuary and six Velvet Scoter off Langstone Rock was the only news received.

Sunday 12 January 2014

Sunday 12th January

The Black Brant was again on site with 189 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, also in the estuary 128 Wigeon, 55 Shelduck, 53 Teal, 53 Knot, 28 Ringed Plover, two Pintail, two Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull was along the beach and two Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver flew south.

Saturday 11 January 2014

Saturday 11th January

In flat calm conditions most of the interest was offshore feeding in the bay. The highlight, although very distant, was a Red-necked Grebe, although two Shoveler offshore were another first for the year. Also present six Velvet Scoter, two Eider, six Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull was still present with two Cirl Bunting again showing up in Greenland Lake.

 
Grey Wagtail © Simon Thurgood

Friday 10 January 2014

Friday 10th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was in the estuary feeding off Warren Point on the rising tide this morning. Also in the estuary just 260 Dunlin, 113 Grey Plover, 127 Wigeon, 59 Teal, 53 Knot, 43 Common Gull, 32 Ringed Plover, a Mediterranean Gull, a Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe with a probable Glaucous Gull on Bull Hill at last light. Elsewhere six Velvet and 50 Common Scoter, 32 Great-crested Grebe, two Eider, 13 Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver were offshore.

Thursday 9 January 2014

Thursday 9th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was again feeding off Langstone Rock but wasn't seen after 10am, also there five Velvet Scoter with at least three Red-throated (including a couple with obvious thigh patches) and two Great Northern Diver also off the seawall. Outside the recording area a Black Guillemot was south of Langstone and the Black Brant and two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were on Oak Meadow at Starcross.

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Wednesday 8th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was again around Langstone Rock but the only other news was of the Long-tailed Duck again present, this time on the sea close in off Groyne 10.

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Tuesday 7th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was again off Langstone Rock during the morning with six Red-throated Diver south in a short ten minute seawatch.

Monday 6 January 2014

Monday 6th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was reported along the beach again this afternoon with the Slavonian Grebe and 20 Red-breasted Merganser in the estuary.

Sunday 5 January 2014

Sunday 5th January

Seawatching saw 18 Red-throated and six Great Northern Diver head south with five more distant diver sp, also flying around offshore a drake Tufted Duck and more unexpected a Sandwich Tern, only the second January record. The Bonaparte's Gull and at least five Velvet Scoter were still off Langtone Rock. Elsewhere a second Sandwich Tern was in the estuary with three Great Northern Diver, 52 Wigeon, 19 Ringed Plover, 11 Teal and a Goldeneye.

Sandwich Tern

Saturday 4 January 2014

Saturday 4th January

A Great Skua in the Bight early morning was the only new arrival but the seven Velvet Scoter and at least five Great Northern Diver remained off the seawall, whilst the Bonaparte's Gull was again seen along the beach. Also offshore a second winter Little Gull, 70 Common Scoter, seven Pintail, just five Great-crested Grebe and a Red-throated Diver. Elsewhere 84 Bar-tailed Godwit were in the estuary, a good count these days and two Mistle Thrush were by Pirate's Cove.

Friday 3 January 2014

Friday 3rd January

Seawatching early morning saw c200 Kittiwake, 95 Gannet, 12 Fulmar and seven Red-throated Diver head south with at least seven Velvet Scoter, three Great Northen Diver and an adult Little Gull offshore. Elsewhere the Black Brant was in the Bight over high tide, around 1100 Herring Gull were feeding around site and 80 Shelduck, 25 Sanderling, two Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary.

Thursday 2 January 2014

Thursday 2nd January

The weather accommodated a full days birding and the majority of expected species were recorded on site. The Bonaparte's Gull was seen both in the estuary and off Langstone Rock, with at least six Velvet Scoter also off the rock. Also offshore 169 Shag, 13 Common Scoter, a Long-tailed Duck, seven Red-throated and four Great Northern Diver. In the estuary counts included 173 Grey Plover, 76 Wigeon, 54 Knot, 49 Shelduck, 26 Ringed Plover, a Greenshank, an adult Mediterranean Gull, the Slavonian Grebe and just one Teal. Elsewhere a Greylag Goose flew along the spit, 225+ Herring and 53 Great Black-backed Gull were feeding on the beach, 133 Linnet were around the Bight, a Siberian Chiffchaff was by the First Pond and two Cirl Bunting were in Greenland Lake.

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Wednesday 1st January

A wet and miserable start to the new year with the only news 220+ Brent Geese and a pair of Stonechat on the deserted Golf Course, everything else was keeping its head down with only 31 species recorded during the afternoon.