For those who take an interest in this bi-annual event i thought i'd make a start on the passage and arrival of birds seen off and around Exmouth on there way north or to stay with us for the breeding season.
I'll try not to bore you with every bird! but hopefully once something different is seen in the south we could see how quickly the country is populated with different species i.e. Swallows, Martins, and Swifts. Some migrants will travel over night where they won't be seen until they drop in further north or first seen at their breeding grounds, which would be good to mention them to.
Some of our winter visitors have started to move on. Last week our Avocets numbered 200+ down from 600+ in January, yesterday an observer counted only 30+ so birds are on the move.
The first Sandwich Tern was seen fishing over the sandbars off of Exmouth yesterday morning.
If this is of interest to you and want a day by day account of what is arriving or moving then the Portland Bird Observatory and field centre Dorset may be worth a visit. http://portlandbirdobs.blogspot.co.uk/search they get some great birds passing through. They also trap Moths on the Bill which will be of interest to some of our bloggers. There is alway a good photo or two on this website to.
I'll do it just for fun!
Two more Ospreys seen today one on the Axe and one over Torquay. Red Kites, Ruffs, Little Ringed Plover and Whimbrel showing up now. Redstart see yesterday on the cliffs at Exmouth...love to have seen that. On my wish for this summer love them and Dartmoor is the place i know they frequent.
Plenty of Willow Warblers, Black Caps, one Hobby and Three male Ring Ousels seen today along the Devon Coast, also Hundreds of Martins and a few Swallows seen to.
The 1st two Swallows arrived today.They checked their old homes now & again but were more interested in feeding.Here`s one taking a breather.
It looks like I may have ploverlets? this year. :-) Huge amounts are passing through but a % really look like they`re going to stay.
Do I have some muck in my camera?! It`ll blend in with the ploughed&raked field.
Fantastic sighting Edge.
Migrants coming through in large numbers now, Cuckoo's on the Moors, Sedge Warblers seen reeling, Tree Pipits arriving, Pied Flycatchers nesting in bird boxes in woods on the edge of Dartmoor. If you are interested you can check out Devon Birds website, this will tell you whats been seen on a day to day basis. http://www.devonbirds.org/news/bird_news/devon_bird_news enjoy
10 Swifts and a Hobby seen on the Exe Estuary first record of Swifts this season altho' one Swift was seen this week on Lundy.
1st (non-chiffchaff) warbler arrived on my patch yesterday.Presumably a w warbler - It was singing its little heart out.Shame I couldnt catch it as it buzzed around the Hawthorn. :-(
Woodpeckers,yellowhammers & chiffys all ground feeding yesterday.I reckon they`re preparing for the big push -as it were! :-)
1st House martin arrived today. The main bunch (martins & swallows)tend to arrive every year on bank holiday Monday. How they know....... :-)
They see peeps & their kids on the beach with buckets/spades/pacamacs ... that's how they know!!!! Lol
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Where are you Edge?