Reports, Newsletters & Images
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DAWLISH WARREN
23rd September 2009 (by Ian Waite) Best views of waders were on the beach with a mix of Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, Grey Plover, Dunlin and a Little Stint. More small waders, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and ..... (click here to view complete article) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 116
15th September 2009 There's been plenty of bird movement during this period, September does often prove to be one of the best months in the year for migration action. Everything is on the move; passerines, waders, gulls, sea birds, ducks, etc... (click here to view complete article .pdf) |
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WATCHING
FOR MIGRANTS 7th September 2009 (by Ian Waite) Early afternoon we went to Beer Head only to find it covered in mist. A Redstart appeared as the weather brightened and then when the sun came out so did a collection of birds feeding on flies and berries. (click here to view complete article) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 115
31st August 2009 In the previous newsletter I mentioned that August can be an exciting month for birding, and this period proved it with three superb rarities seen on patch. (click here to view complete article .pdf) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 113
31st July 2009 Blackhole Marsh has proved the place to be, if you are a wading bird anyway! A juvenile Little Ringed Plover has been the highlight here, it was present from 18th ‘til at least the 21st. The latter date was a brilliant day for waders, with a Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plovers and 20 Dunlin here. (click here to view complete article .pdf) |
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CASTLE NEROCHE
13th July 2009 (by Ian Waite) One sunlit ride held several fresh looking Silver-Washed Fritillaries giving excellent close views, whilst above in the treetops were Purple Hairstreak. Small and Large Skippers and Marbled White were amongst other species seen. (click here to view complete article) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 112
15th July 2009 Waders are always the first signs of autumn passage, as non-breeding adults and some females (who have left the males to deal with the young!) head back south. The first Wood Sandpiper of the autumn was on Colyford Marsh on 30th June, the same day that Common Sandpiper numbers peaked at 15. (click here to view complete article .pdf) |
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AYLESBEARE
28th June 2009 (by Ian Waite) Butterflies were enjoying the sunshine and good numbers of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in fine condition took some beating although Green Hairstreaks were lovely. Numerous Small Heaths, Ringlets, ....... (click here to view complete article) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 111
30th June 2009 The first returning waders have been noted, with up to four Green Sandpipers, four Common Sandpipers, five Lapwing and two Whimbrel being seen over the past week, mostly on Colyford Marsh. (click here to view complete article .pdf) |
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NIGTHJARS
29th May & 10th June 2009 (by Ian Waite) The second visit was blessed with a fine calm evening and as well as close views, including three birds flying around us and one perched on the branch of a tree, the sounds ...... (click here to view complete article) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 110
15th June 2009 A Little Stint was discovered on Blackhole Marsh mid morning, but due to its long winged appearance it was re-identified as a probable Baird's Sandpiper..............and the correct identification of Little Stint was made again! (click here to view complete article .pdf) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 109
31st May 2009 Since June 2006 there has been a Devon Water Vole Recovery Project working on the River Axe, led by EDDC’s Countryside Team in Partnership with the Axe Vale and District Conservation Society. This led to a release of Water Voles at ....... (click here to view complete article .pdf) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 108
16th May 2009 The highlight was a Wood Sandpiper on Colyford Marsh on 13th, a scarce bird in spring. Also on 13th a Grey Plover on the estuary was too brief, but singles of Turnstone and Sanderling on the beach were more cooperative. (click here to view complete article .pdf) |
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DARTMOOR 7th May 2009 (by Ian Waite) A good day for Cuckoos. At least six birds seen including a group of three, two males and a female chasing each other around ...... (click here to view complete article) |
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SOMERSET
LEVELS 29th April 2009 (by Ian Waite) At least 50 Hobbies seen on our trip feeding quite high on St. Mark's Fly and other smaller insects as there were very few dragonflies around. (click here to view complete article) |
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PORTLAND
- MIGRATION 20th April 2009 (by Marjorie Waters) East of the Lighthouse, just off the cliffs, we found what we had hoped for. Puffins! At least two flying to the cliffs and bobbing on the sea with the Guillemots. There was so much activity that it was difficult to keep up with everything. (click here to view complete article) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 107
30th April 2009 The highlights of wader passage on the estuary and marshes during this period include a Knot on 16th, Greenshank on 17th, several Whimbrel, a Little Ringed Plover on 21st and up to 18 Black-tailed Godwits and three Bar-tailed Godwits ...... (click here to view complete article .pdf) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 106
15th April 2009 Clear skies for most of the period has meant migrant passerine numbers have been relatively low; in these conditions migrants simply fly straight over the south coast of England heading for their breeding sites. (click here to view complete article .pdf) |
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WHITE BRIDGE WALK
1st April 2009 (by Margaret Barwick) ...... then we had one of our best sightings. A peregrine was perching on the cliff. Its mate appeared and they changed places then the first one returned for a brief mating before zooming off again (click here to view complete article) |
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AXE ESTUARY BIRDS No 105
31st March 2009 The first Swallow was over Colyford Marsh on 17th, the first Willow Warbler on Beer Head on 29th, which was also the day the first Sandwich Tern fished off the Seaton sea front. (click here to view complete article) |
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HOLYFORD WOOD WALK
18th March 2009 (by Mike Lock) Primroses and Lesser Celandines were in full flower, as was Moschatel (or Town-Hall Clock) with its small and inconspicuous but attractive flowers. Close examination shows the Latin generic name Adoxa (“without glory”) to be a little unfair. (click here to view complete article) |
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