Devon Birdwatching field meeting: Axe Estuary Birds 174

(The following content is gratefully reproduced with permission of Axe Estuary Birds.)

Axe Estuary Birds No 174 February 15th 2012

The Birds

A Ruff was seen on the river on 6^th February, and Ian Waite reports that the Herons are nesting again above Axmouth, and he has seen up to 90 Dunlin.

No doubt many of you have seen an increase in your garden birds since it got cold. We have seen a Green Woodpecker scoffing up the ants in the grass, a Coal Tit, the first for some time and a Pied Wagtail. Nothing very special, but all conspicuous by their absence for some months. We have not however seen a Starling for a long time. Simon Wakely has had a Siskin in Whitford.

In spite of the cold, Sue Smith has been out with her camera and writes “I saw several Bar-tailed Godwits and lots of Dunlin on my side of the river though the weather was a bit overcast. The Black-tailed Godwits were lined up on the other side of the river. I just love Dunlin so lots of photos taken.

Thursday I ventured to the tower hide (1^st time for quite a while) and found 7 Gadwall close to the hide so here are 2 of them. The Long-tailed Tit was by the Field Study Centre and the beautiful male Pintail was up from the Tower Hide this morning with the Mallards.”

Photos by Sue Smith

Steve Waite reports “This afternoon (Feb 1) on patch, a nice flock of 12 Gadwall were floating about north of Coronation Corner (eight drakes), and on Bridge Marsh were these seven Golden Plover…Can you spot them all?

Also, at Bridge Marsh, 220 Wigeon. Back to the Estuary, and amongst the gulls were eight Med Gulls; seven adults (one near summer plumaged and one white-ringed) and a single second-winter bird.

News from Holyford Woods

Suddenly winter arrived for a few days and the bitterly cold spell stopped everything in its tracks. Sadly it froze the early frog spawn so the frogs will have to start all over again. I have had some excellent Roe deer sightings. Firstly it was the buck among the conifers, then a doe was there, and further up the valley Paco showed me there were deer down beside the stream. Through my binoculars I enjoyed watching two adult does and a young one from last year, daintily nibbling leaves from a large clump of honeysuckle. Once again a Badger is making his way through the fence behind my seat, and has dug a fresh latrine nearby. Now temperatures have risen and the ground thawed Rabbits are refreshing the small warren around the notice board beside the main entrance, and everywhere there are large and small diggings and scratchings in the leaf litter where Mice and Birds search for grubs, and Squirrels are seeking nuts buried back in the Autumn. Drumming from the Great Spotted Woodpecker is constant now, bird song is increasing, especially from a Song Thrush in the ash tree above another log I spend time on. A good place to watch Nuthatch, Tree Creeper, Tits, even a friendly Robin feeding in the surrounding Oak trees. Feisty Wrens are shouting their claims to territories, such a strident voice from a tiny bird. Spring is again under way. Jean Kreiseler

Devon Birds

On a bright sunny morning on 27^th January, 22 members of the East Devon Branch of the Devon Birdwatching and Preservation Society met at the Axmouth Harbour Bridge for a field meeting. A short sea watch from the mouth of the river yielded a Red-throated Diver, several Great Crested Grebes and distant views of Fulmars at Seaton Hole. Returning to the bridge we were treated to excellent views of a Kingfisher in the bright light as it moved from post to post. The tide was still high so we moved on to the Black Hole Marsh car park and made our way to the Field Studies Base complex and then to Colyford Common. Several hundred Lapwing were on the scrape and surrounding marsh and two hundred or so Wigeon were on the marsh. Nearby, five Buzzards were counted in the air, a Sparrow Hawk was seen and a Peregrine put in an all too brief appearance. A flock of Linnets, many appearing quite pink in the strong light, Fieldfares, Blue Tits investigating nest boxes and a fine male Bullfinch added passerine interest. The early afternoon was spent in the Tower hide which gave a convenient opportunity to dodge a heavy wintry shower. By now the tide was well down. Several Little Grebes provided close views and one emitted its strange ‘song’. Many more Lapwings were here with Redshanks and more than sixty Dunlin. Among the many gulls all five of the ‘usual’ species were picked out and after some thorough searching two adult Mediterranean Gulls were found which provided a high note on which to bring a very enjoyable day’s ‘birding’ to an end and one which showed just how much the Axe Estuary Wetlands Project has made possible. Bob Olliver

Forthcoming events

Saturday 18 February 9 am – 11 am Birds from the Tram

Led by Ian Waite Book/pay with Seaton Tramway 01297 20375

Sunday 19 February 9 am – 11 am Birds from the Tram

Led by Don Cotton Book/pay with Seaton Tramway 01297 20375

Saturday 25 February 8 am – 4 pm Winter Bird Festival

Axe Estuary Wetlands: Field Studies Base No booking required

Anyone interested in birds or birdwatching should come along to this festival of winter birdlife.

Events, activities and demonstrations will be laid on throughout the day, kicking off with a bird

ringing breakfast at 8 am. From 10 am there will be guides in the Island, Tower and Colyford

Common hides to help you identify the birds in view and pick up some essential birdwatching tips

from our local experts. All day there will be lots of indoor art and craft activities to keep the

youngsters busy, including making bird feeders to keep our feathered friends happy. Fraser Rush

will be on hand to discuss the development of the Axe Estuary Wetlands so far and to show visitors

the plans for the further expansion of the nature reserve, as it continues its transformation to

one of the premiere wetland sites in the south west.

This twice-monthly email newsletter is freely available to anyone who would like it, as is a periodic one about the activities of the East Devon Local Group of the Devon Wildlife Trust. Just send me an email with Axe Estuary Birds and/or East Devon DWT in the subject line. Also, for those without a computer, I will send a copy by post if you would like to send me some stamps.

Thanks to those who keep me informed. Please continue to tell me of any unusual, interesting or amusing sightings, and what is about locally, and send any photos you would like to share.

Bob, Jean, and David. (and many others!) davidwalters@eclipse.co.uk.

7 Springfields, Colyford, EX24 6RE. tel. 01297 552616 Mobile 0779 1541 744.

February 16, 2012Nature in DevonPermalink Leave a comment

Grey Chiffchaff: Axe Estuary Birds 173

NB Reproduced with permission and thanks to David Walters and team.

Axe Estuary Birds No 172 January 29^th 2012

The Birds

A little off patch, but worth a mention. Helen Buse spotted a pair of Swan Geese at Exeter Quay. Not native to UK, and probably escapees. Breeds in northern-most China, but also domesticated and found in collections in Europe.

Still off-patch, Karen Woolley went a-twitching all the way to Hampshire for a Spanish Sparrow and a Dark-eyed Junco.

Photo Karen Woolley

And still off patch – just – Roger Boswell snapped a Spotted Sandpiper among the Purple at Lyme Regis, and Donald Campbell saw two Dippers on the Coly on 27^th.

Back on patch, Donald reports 800 Lapwing on the estuary, with another 400 north of the A3052 on 25^th.

Photos Spanish Sparrow Karen Woolley

and Roger Boswell Spotted Sandpiper

Back on patch, Sue Smith got a lovely picture of a Bar-tailed Godwit on Seaton Marshes, and an even nicer one of a “cute fluffy Little Grebe just floating by” from the Tower Hide.

Ringing

At a ringing session at Colyton Water Treatment Plant an unusual catch was an Eastern or Grey Chiffchaff [for more see Steve’s post: http://stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/grey-chiff.html]. Photo Mike Tyler

The day’s (29^th) catch was a little smaller than previous ones, but I had to fire early to beat the Corvids and wait for the ducks to settle after a Peregrine flew over looking for breakfast. Anyway the total was 32 comprising of 29 (19) Shelduck, two Mallard and one Wigeon. An extra Mallard was extracted from an Abberton Trap. Mike Tyler.

Simon Wakely writes “A garden first today, a Merlin has been here trying its luck with our birds,”

News from Holyford Woods

Over the last two weeks the weather has been changeable, alternating between damp and misty but mild, now cold and crisp but sunny. More signs of Spring are everywhere. The catkins, now fully grown are heavy with pollen, bright yellow in the sunshine. Unless we have a really cold spell the hazel leaves will soon fill out. At last a few pussy willows are opening, in sheltered spots primrose flower buds are emerging, and there are 7 blobs of frogspawn on the pond, 10 days earlier than last year. Badger activity has started around the setts. One has been cleaned out, a latrine dug and used, and a lot of rooting for food has taken place especially all over the area where the Roe Buck was active in the rut. The dog Fox is still travelling through the Woods, his pungent scent hanging in the warm air. Bird activity, calls and song have increased, ranging from both the Mistle and Song Thrushes, Blackbirds down to the tiny Wrens. Already the flock of Long-tailed Tits has broken up and I have twice seen a pair flitting through the trees.

This afternoon the place rang with the calls of a flock of 50+ Crows, Rooks and Jackdaws, firstly mobbing 2 Buzzards, which they drove to the North of the Woods, then settling for a few minuets before taking to the air again to have a go at 2 Ravens which were twisting, diving, and swooping performing their wonderful aerial ballet, calling all the time with that dry rasping sound. They were soon totally outnumbered and gave up. The flock returned to the treetops, well and truly stirred up, especially the Jackdaws with that loud raucous call out of proportion to their size. Holyford is not always a peaceful place. Jean Kreiseler

View from Colyford Hide January summary:

The Mute Swan flock visible from the hide seems to have settled to around 30 birds. The Canada Geese which were missing for much of the month reappeared on 17^th when nine were present. Duck numbers are probably lower than might normally be expected with about 250 Wigeon and up to 30 Teal noted although the latter species can be quite elusive! A male Goosander was reported from the estuary on 15^th.

Two Peregrines were seen on the 1^st of the month and single birds several times thereafter. Sparrowhawks have also been sighted and there were five Buzzards in the air together on 27^th.

The ‘star turn’ throughout the month has been the large numbers of Lapwing on the marsh and often on the large crape where 380 were counted on the 6^th and over 1000 were estimated to be present on the marsh on 26^th. Up to about 50 Curlew have been present and 46 Dunlin were counted on the scrape on the 2^nd. Unusually, just one Black-tailed Godwit was noted on the scrape.

Passerine interest on the reserve was provided by flocks of up to 60 Linnets, small numbers of Fieldfares and Redwing and up to 21 Rock Pipits on the overhead wires. Bob Olliver

The Trivia

We have been honoured recently by a Pheasant visiting our patio and looking at us through the French window. Photo David Walters

Heather Parris recently attended an interview in Scotland, and one of the interviewers recalled hearing of a Fish Trap on the River Axe. This rang a bell, and I am trying to locate an article I saw some years ago in the journal of the Ave Vale and District Conservation Society. In the meantime, I did find a bit of an old newsreel on the internet, which is very interesting, dating from 1962. You will find it at www.britishpathe.com/video/fish-trap

Alan Romp sent me this photo of an insect new to me, identified by several of my knowing correspondents as a Western Conifer Seed Bug an introduction/immigrant from the USA. Very large numbers were reported on the south coast in the last few years, a not very welcome

immigrant from the Americas. http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Coreidae/leptoglossus_occidentalis.html

Thursday 2 February 10 am – 12 noon Meet the Birds Axe Estuary Wetlands: Black Hole Marsh. No booking required.

Tuesday 14 February 10 am – 1pm Making a love nest. Axe Estuary Wetlands: Field Studies Base. To book: 07814 477 422

St Valentine’s day is the last date in the calendar for getting bird nest boxes up in time to catch early breeders. Come along to the Field Studies Base and make a bird box for your garden with the ranger team. Each kit is £5, which includes all the fixings you will need to walk away with your very own garden love nest. Booking essential.

Thursday 16 February 10 am – 12 noon Meet the Birds. Axe Estuary Wetlands: Black Hole Marsh. No booking required.

Thanks to those who keep me informed. Please continue to tell me of any unusual, interesting or amusing sightings, and what is about locally, and send any photos you would like to share.

Bob, Mike Jean, and David. (and many others!) davidwalters@eclipse.co.uk.

7 Springfields, Colyford, EX24 6RE. tel. 01297 552616 Mobile 0779 1541 744.

For more on the grey chiffchaff, see Steve’s blog: http://stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/grey-chiff.html

January 31, 2012Nature in DevonPermalink Leave a comment

Bullfinches and Black Redstarts – Axe Estuary Birds 172

As always, thanks to David and the team for permission to reproduce the newsletter here. Best wishes to David too, who writes the following:

Please be patient, as the next Newsletter may well be a bit late. I shall receive a nice new knee on the 24^th January, which will hopefully make me more mobile. In the meantime please continue to send me all your news and photographs, without which there would be no newsletter.

Axe Estuary Birds

No 172 January 15^th 2012

The Birds

Mike Lock writes “A beautiful male Black Redstart on a farm roof in Musbury today, 2^nd January (and the last day or two according to the owners).”

Simon Wakely has at least seven Bullfinches visiting his garden, but they will not cooperate and enable him to get more than two in the frame at the same time!

Steve Waite has also been pleasantly surprised by the number of Blackcaps in his garden.

Steve gave the Wigeon flock on the marsh a quick look through – in case there was a Gadwall or any other patch goodie in amongst them – and this very pale female Wigeon stuck out like a sore thumb!

On January 1^st Steve went out for his annual Bird Race – but as he was the only one doing it, it wasn’t really a race. It was a filthy wet day too, but he managed to find 94 species on our patch, which was pretty good

At Seaton Marshes on the Lagoon a very vociferous and amorous Shelduck was trying his luck – but in vain.

Colyford Common Snippets

“I will hold back from passing you the snippets for the first week of January. They are done but there were not a lot of entries and I think the mild weather may be reducing the numbers of our usual winter visitors. I would like to pass on my thanks to the many contributors to the Colyford Hide log book who, between them, compiled 131 pages with over 3,500 entries covering 128 species during 2011. These records will be passed to the CountyRecorder. It should be pointed out though that these will not necessarily be accepted; entries covering Category B and A birds on the Devonlist (i.e. rarities) will need to be accompanied by written descriptions. I will continue with the log book in 2012.” Bob Olliver.

News from Holyford Woods

One has to remind oneself that it is only January, not March or April as the birds, trees and plants would have us think. Over the last two weeks Spring has really sprung upon us. Apart from one wild and stormy day, the weather has been warm, damp, and on many days sunny. Bird song rings out everywhere, particularly Song and Mistle Thrushes, Blackbirds, Wrens, Robins, and calls of Jay, Raven, Rooks, Buzzards, with Crows, Long Tailed Tits and Nuthatches displaying, and Greater Spotted Woodpecker drumming insistently. On Top Pool there are 2 pairs of Mallard, and 1 pair of Moorhen. Paco tells me there has been Badger in one of the setts, and there is still the strong pungent scent of Fox around. The woodland floor is coming to life too. Bluebells are up to eight inches tall, and Primrose and Foxglove plants are refreshed. The odd Celandine is out together with Cranes Bill, and Red Campion, which has shown the odd flower all winter. Not much showing of Pussy Willow yet, but the Hazel Catkins are already dusted with pollen, and the leaf buds are opening, bright green even from a distance. The Honeysuckle, never without some leaves, a winter favourite of the Roe Deer, has opened fully. On a bramble bush was a spray of Blackberry buds and flowers, next to one of fruits, albeit wizened. We, The Trust, have had a hedge trimmer cutting back the brambles, which have never stopped growing, right along The Hangings track. Wielding my pruners, I have been fighting a constant battle with them so can put them away for a while. What will the coming weeks bring I wonder? Jean Kreisler.

The Trivia

Peter Vernon writes “I saw my first Celandine flowering yesterday together with several hoverflies and also at5pm heard my first Blackbird singing and not its faint half hearted song but full on all guns blazing song! There are also still Red Admiral Butterflies about. We have Crocus, Snowdrop and Daffodil (Daffs out before Christmas!) here in the garden.

I would be interested to know what else is early this year.

I ran my Actinic 40w Skinner trap last night for the first time this year as it has been very wet and windy here up until now and was surprised to find that the only moth I caught was a Silver Y. Would this be very late or very early for this species?”

Following the query last time, Barry Henwood writes “Yes, the Winged Mayfly having emerged from the aquatic nymph has to moult again. The first winged stage has dark wings – if you catch one at night and keep it, then you will see it changes to it’s final winged form with clear wings.”

Denys Ovenden writes “I think it’s safe to say that it doesn’t happen that way, well, not quite. What does happen in all mayflies in Europe is the nymph arriving in the surface film. As it breaks the surface the surface tension is enough to support the nymph long enough for the skin to split down the back and allow the winged insect to rise from the surface within a few seconds. Point is that this isn’t the adult, but what is called the sub-imago, or sub-adult – tiresome teenager who probably deserves to be eaten anyway – which then flies to a convenient perch to ‘harden off’ before casting the final skin and becoming a full adult. These are the two stages which anglers call the ‘dun’ -because of its rather dull drab look, and the spinner, hard, bright and contrasty, with clear shining wings and very long tail streamers – two or three, depending on group.”

Ringing

A different varied catch today (7^th) with a few corvids invading the patch. The tally was :Shelduck 27 (15); Carrion Crow 1; Jackdaw 1; Rook 2; and Moorhen 1. A smaller catch than normal, but still very satisfying.

Next Newsletter

Please be patient, as the next Newsletter may well be a bit late. I shall receive a nice new knee on the 24^th January, which will hopefully make me more mobile. In the meantime please continue to send me all your news and photographs, without which there would be no newsletter.

Thanks to those who keep me informed. Please continue to tell me of any unusual, interesting or amusing sightings, and what is about locally, and send any photos you would like to share.

Bob, Mike Jean, and David. (and many others!) davidwalters@eclipse.co.uk.

7 Springfields,Colyford,EX24 6RE. tel. 01297 552616 Mobile0779 1541 744.

January 15, 2012Nature in DevonPermalink Leave a comment

Caspian Gull, Water Rail & Wheatear: Axe Estuary Birds 171

NB: The following is reproduced with permission, and with thanks to Axe Estuary Birds.

Axe Estuary Birds No 171 December 31st 2011

The Birds

The Wheatear was last seen on Friday 16^th December – if we see one in January it will be a first ! The following day there was a Water Rail on the ditch by Seaton Marshes car park.

Roger Boswell visited Seaton Marshes recently and took the following rather nice series of Blackbirds – and aThrush – scoffing down Sloes.

Sue Smith took these photos of a Kittiwake having a bath near the Tower Hide on Christmas Eve. “Lovely to see something different and such a cute little bird too.”

A Caspian Gull caused a little excitement among the local birders, and provoked several uncomplimentary remarks about its rear end. I confess to being a mite puzzled, as I can find no reference to this bird in any of my books on British Birds. This picture by Karen Woolley.

Peter Vernonsnapped this House Sparrow who appears to be saying ”Wot you lookin’ at?”

Colyford Common Snippets

The ‘Stedcombe field’ Mute Swan flock seems well established now with 23 counted on the 18^th. On the only day that Canada Geese were counted they were feeding along the bank of the River Coly and were often hidden from view so the count of 45 on 12^th is probably well short of the number actually present. A maximum of 239 Wigeon were counted on 13^th when 94 Teal were also present on the marsh.

At least 800 Lapwing were present on the marsh on 12^th with c300 of these on the large scrape and c70 Curlew were also on the scrape on the same day. The Spotted Redshank was seen again on the marsh on 13^th when seven Dunlin were also noted.

Five Rock Pipits, probably ‘littoralis’ were seen on the overhead wires on the reserve on 12^th. Eight Blackbirds were seen along the approach path along with two Song Thrushes (two had also been in full song on the reserve) and a Redwing on the 12^th.

This pre-Christmas week was perhaps unsurprisingly rather ‘quiet’. The ‘Stedcombe House’ Mute Swan club reached a membership of 32, the only count of Canada Geese was of 55 on 19^th; unusually, Wigeon were not noted in the log book during the week.

Singles of Sparrowhawk and Buzzard were seen over the reserve on 24^th.

News from Holyford Woods

I have been enjoying several still warm walks, though very wet underfoot. There has only been one occasion when the wind has been strong enough to bring down an old tree, smothered with ivy. I have taken note that some trees do still have leaves on, in particular the spindle, which are heavily loaded with their vivid salmon pink fruits, many now with their orange seeds showing. They have been a real splash of colour along the path to my seat. Bird activity has increased, with the two Mistle Thrushes singing, a Greater Spotted Woodpecker drumming, two Green Woodpeckers calling from the surrounding fields, and the cock Pheasants getting territorial. There have also been all the Corvids in and over the trees, unless they are with the Gulls following the feeders in the pig fields. Other birds seen and heard are Nuthatch (at least three) three Wrens, two Robins, Tree Creeper, Blue and Great Tits, four Blackbirds, one Chaffinch and a flock of five plus Long Tailed Tits. I have seen three squirrels in one day, an unusual number for this time of year. Twice we have seen a Roe Deer but they are difficult to sex as the Bucks shed their antlers at this time. It is really only possible if they turn their backs to show the female ‘tush’ of white hair between their white rump patches.

As we are nearly in to 2012 may I wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year. Jean Kreiseler.

The Trivia

Peter Vernonwrites

“I am presently sorting my moth records onto ‘mapmate’ for 2011 and came across the attached image of a Mayfly type insect which has just emerged from its nymph case, not sure how the heck it found itself inside my moth trap as the nymph does not have wings!?” According to Wikipedia some species of Mayfly have a Subimago stage which has working wings. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks to those who keep me informed. Please continue to tell me of any unusual, interesting or amusing sightings, and what is about locally, and send any photos you would like to share.

Bob, Jean, and David. (and many others!) davidwalters@eclipse.co.uk. 7 Springfields,Colyford,EX24 6RE. tel. 01297 552616 Mobile 0779 1541 744.

January 3, 2012Nature in DevonPermalink Leave a comment

Help Steve with the Seaton Bay Birding Report!

David Walters sent the following note from Steve Waite:

“Hi David,

I wonder if you could forward the following around your email group…

After a meeting of the Axe Estuary and Seaton Bay Bird Report team I came up with the attached form.

One of the biggest issues of writing a local bird report is the lack of relevant data available for the section writers, so we came up with this idea. I will hold and manage a database of local bird records. All bird records should be submitted using the attached form ONLY.

We aren’t after every Blackbird or House Sparrow sighting, but if you were to see say a flock of 30 Blackbird, or have a large breeding colony of House Sparrow then we would be interested. The every day garden birds in low numbers no, but anything slightly unusual or out of place, or a high count then YES PLEASE!!! If you aren’t sure whether the record would be of any use to us, then please just send it in anyway!

I think the form is quite self explanatory. We welcome any records for 2011, although they must be in by the end of January 2012. 2012 will be the first full calendar year this system will be in operation, so please if you have nothing for 2011, make this one of your New Year’s resolutions.

We only require bird records within the Axe Estuary recording area, this includes the Axe Estuary and all its marshes, Seaton, Axmouth, The Undercliff LNR (up to Rousdon), Musbury (only the southern edge of the village) Colyton, Colyford, Holyford Woods, Branscombe Mouth and Beer. If you are not sure whether your sighting(s) is/are in or out of the recording area, then please still send them in.

And remember the Devon Birdwatching and Preservation Society are always after your bird records too, wherever you live in the County! Anything submitted to me using these Axe Estuary Submission Forms will also be added to the DBWPS database.

Please email completed forms to steve_waite85@hotmail.com

Many thanks

Steve Waite”

I haven’t changed the form at all, just hoped that there might be some people who see this post who may not be on David’s newsletter that can help out!

Download the form here: Axe Estuary Birds – Seaton Bay bird report submissionform (b 2011)

December 25, 2011Nature in DevonPermalink Leave a comment