Peregrine Falcon, Ruffs, Black Headed Gull: Axe Estuary Birds 164

The following content is reproduced with permission and thanks to the team for bringing us the birding news (and all the other news) as always!

Axe Estuary Birds No 164 September 14th 2011

The Birds

Tim White has been to Black Hole Marsh and got these great photos of a Ruff, a Peregrine Falcon and a Black Headed Gull seeing off a Greenshank

RuffPeregrine FalconBlack Headed Gull seeing off a Greenshank

And Steve Waite took these two Ruffs, showing the huge difference in size between the male and female, and also captured this Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper while Sue Smith, out as always with her camera, got this lovely Kingfisher.

RuffsCurlew SandpiperKingfisher

Colyford Common Snippets

Nine Mute Swans appeared briefly over the reserve on 22nd, 48 Canada Geese were on the scrape on 24th and 9 Shelduck on the 22nd; 11 Teal were on the scrape on 22nd and 6 at BHM on 28th and c60 were seen in the air over the marsh on 29th. Two Pintail were noted at BHM on 26th. A single Little Grebe was seen on the river on 26th. Little Egrets (16 on the scrape on 28th) and GreyHeron (11 on the marsh on 31st) were a regular sight from the hide.

Raptor sightings included single Sparrowhawks over the reserve on 22nd and over the scrape on 28th (juvenile male), a Buzzard (31st) and the now regular Kestrel on the reserve (22nd, 29th) , two Peregrines over the marsh and BHM on 26th and one chasing Curlews over the scrape (unsuccessfully) on the 28th and a Hobby was reported from BHM on 26th. As yet there have been no sightings of Osprey.

Waders continue to provide most of the interest with 18 species noted: the Oystercatcher family was on the estuary (seen from the Tower Hide) on 22nd, five Lapwing were on the reserve on 31st, up to 11 Ringed Plovers were present on the scrape and at BHM, a Little Ringed Plover was noted on the scrape (24th), two Knot were on the scrape (22nd) and three there on 24th which may have moved to BHM by the 26th, a Little Stint was at BHM on 26th with two there on 28th, up to c20 Dunlin were present, mostly at BHM, a Ruff was at BHM on 24th with two there from 26th-31st, a Snipe was seen on the estuary on 29th, up to 10 Black-tailed Godwits were present, mostly at BHM and a single Bar-tailed Godwit which seemed to move between the scrape and BHM between 24th and 28th, a single Whimbrel was in the area from 22nd until 28th, up to 80 Curlew were present throughout, up to four Common Sandpipers were at BHM with just one seen on the scrape and one on the reserve ditches, in contrast up to four Green Sandpipers were on the scrape, two on the reserve and two at BHM, Wood Sandpipers were present at BHM throughout with a maximum of three present from 22nd-26th. Greenshanks were at BHM on several dates with a maximum of 6 on 29th and just two Redshank noted at BHM on 24th (this species is of course more commonly seen lower down the estuary, especially from the hide at Seaton Marshes).

Up to 44 Canada Geese were seen on the marsh (1st) and six Shelduck (3rd), a Mute Swan with yellow colour ring (ADI) was on the scrape on the 1st, up to 60 Teal were present and four Wigeon were seen on the 4th. The maximum Little Egret count was 15 on the marsh on 3rd with five Grey Heron also present.

A Kestrel was on the reserve on the 1st and a Sparrowhawk was seen over the marsh on the 3rd. Eight Stock Doves were seen on the 3rd. A Kingfisher was seen regularly and Meadow Pipits are beginning to be seen on the reserve with a count of eight on 3rd.

Migrant passerines seen included four Wheatears frequenting the boardwalk at high tide on 1st, and single Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat on the reserve on 3rd.

Corvid flocks have started to build up; 32 mixed Rooks and Carrion Crows were on the marsh on the 1st.

The Trivia (not so trivial!)

James Chub writes; “You may remember last year I wrote about the discovery of a Thirteen-spot Ladybird at Seaton Marshes, discovered by local naturalist Catherine Willerton. Well she has been something of a tub-thumper for these beetles ever since and it was her insistence which got ladybird expert Richard Comont to come and take a look.

Thirteen-spot Ladybird

Photo Catherine Willerton

The species in question has been officially extinct in the UK for the last 60 years and this will be the first confirmed breeding of this beetle ever in mainland Britain. I remember as a boy being told that the number of spots on a ladybird’s wing cases told you how old it was, not so, there are many different species and the thirteen-spot, is officially now my favourite!”

http://rangerjames.wordpress.com/2011/09/

Peter Vernon writes “I have attached a couple of images of the Latticed Heath Moth I caught here on Friday evening. Apparently it is a rare moth to find in Devon. I caught another last night a different specimen which was lighter in colour, both are presumed to be immigrants from the Continent.”

Latticed Heath MothLatticed Heath Moth 2

Latticed Heath Moth

News from Holyford Woods

As I walked across the field to the entrance one morning, there was a flock of about 25 Goldfinch flitting between the tall thistles poking through the bracken, and 2 GreenWoodpeckers feeding on the hillside. There are more and more signs of Autumn now. The blackberries are abundant, and the fruit of the elderberry has turned that deep glossy purple. The paths have acorns strewn around, and after one night of high winds many twigs from the oak and ash trees. Sadly I have learned from a walker that in early June his dog found a tiny Roe fawn dead beside the track across The Hangings. It was apparently terribly thin, so one must assume there was either not enough milk for 2 or there was a health problem. I have noticed the Roe buck is still fraying trees, so he must be in the false rut that can occur from now to October. The best news of all is the sighting of 2 Nuthatch young being fed by 2 adults! I heard their loud calls before I could locate them, then was able to watch them for ten minutes while seated on a favourite fallen tree away from the bottom path. Surrounded by oak, ash and birch trees there are always birds to watch there. Peter Vernon tells me he had recently seen large flocks of mostly Jackdaws flying in to roost in Holyford. Twice since I have been in White Gate Lane hoping to see them, but they must be roosting elsewhere now as there has been only the usual flock of mixed corvids.Jean Kreiseler.

Ringing

The weekend’s tally, despite the weather, was 34 birds (6 retraps) as follows: Greenfinch 8(1); Blue Tit 3(1); Goldfinch 2(1); Kingfisher 1; Moorhen 1; Great Tit 1; Long-tailed Tit 1; Dunnock 4(2); Blackcap 2; Swallow 4; Wren 1; Mallard 3; Blackbird (1); Treecreeper 1; Song Thrush 1.

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.

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

tel. 01297 552616 Mobile 0779 1541 744.

Extinct 13-spot Ladybird Found in Devon

In the past few days you may have spotted the news that a 13-spot ladybird, previously though extinct, was discovered here in the Axe Estuary in the wetlands at Seaton recently.

The 13-spot ladybird, also known as Hippodamia 13-punctata, was considered extinct in the UK from the early fifties.

It was discovered by a student who was in the area as part of a widespread effort to categorise and survey the Axe estuary. According to James Chubb of East Devon District Council, the find was an example of “the amazing diversity of wildlife to be found on the wetlands.”

Although buglife.org.uk refers to the Axe estuary and surrounding area as “a sleepy corner of Devon” (which many locals would not whole-heartedly agree with!) they are quite right to get excited about another interesting local find, adding the following for those who might wish to keep an eye out for the 13-spot ladybird:

“The 13-spot ladybird has a similar pattern to the familiar 7-spot ladybird, with between 7 and 15 black spots on a background of orange-red. It’s smaller than a 7-spot ladybird, as well as being longer and thinner, more teardrop-shaped than round.”

We normally hearmore about birds and dragonflies here but the discovery (or re-discovery) of the 13-spot butterfly is great news for conservationists not just in Devon but in the UK as a whole, in fact one of the comments in the Planet Earth Online write-up of the story suggest this rare butterfly is already being found in the North of England!

Please let us know if you spot this creature around Devon!

Little Egrets and Lots of Wheatears: Axe Estuary Birds Newsletter 163

Axe Estuary Birds birding newsletter is published with permission, and sincere thanks to the team behind it. As always, we have reproduced it as faithfully as possible for the web.

Axe Estuary Birds No 163 August 31st 2011

The Birds

Ian Waite counted no less than 36 Little Egrets at Colyford Common on 15th August, and one Sandwich Tern. And then later at the FSC at Black Hole Marsh saw a young Cuckoo feeding up on caterpillars ready for the long journey south. It seems along time ago that we had a Cuckoo actually on one of the reserves.

John Stentiford was on Beer Head on 21st, and says he saw many more Wheatears there than he would expect at this time of year. Early migration? Hard winter ahead?

Peter Butler took this photo of a Sparrow Hawk in his Seaton Garden.

Sparrowhawk

The Oyster Catcher chick at BHM seems to be flourishing and has been assiduously watched by Sue Smith, who says the parents have been most attentive. As you can see, the chick is now well grown, but still has pale legs.

Oyster Catcher family

On the same day Sue took a lovely photo of two Little Egrets landing (if that’s the right word for a descent onto water!)

Little Egrets

Stop Press! Sue has just sent me a photograph of the Cuckoo !

Cuckoo

Wet and Wild Weekend

On Sunday 21st August, three generations of the Anderson family spent a wonderful morning at this event.

We started off watching the bird ringing which none of us had seen before, seeing Blue Tits, Robins and Sedge Warblers. The latter were wonderful to see close up and see just how tiny they are – you do not get the idea of size through binoculars or a scope. This was seen whilst also enjoying bacon rolls and coffee – great!

After this the girls made fluffy animals from wool then decorating them from materials provided. Following on from this they joined the clay modeling table and one made a hedgehog and the other a swallow. Some of the group then went into the field with large nets to sweep through the grass looking to find insects etc.

I went with the two granddaughters to the tiny stream, where armed with nets, they caught various “little creatures” from the river bed. These included mayfly larvae and a tiny eel amongst other things. A very knowledgeable gentleman was eagerly telling us all about our finds. In between all this the ITV crew arrived and, with our permission, televised us. We were able to watch ourselves on the local news later in the day.

I had to reluctantly drag the children away to go home for lunch, but others including a family on holiday were staying to make bird boxes.

The East Devon rangers and volunteers put on a wonderful event over three days and should be highly praised for all they are doing to generate knowledge, interest and enthusiasm in this area. Not only did they teach the children, but parents and grandparents too!! Many thanks to all concerned.

Moira Anderson and family.

The Trivia

From Peter Vernon “ I have attached a few images of another favourite moth I am regularly catching at the moment in my moth trap. It is a Canary-shouldered Thorn and yes it is sitting on my hand!

Canary-shouldered Thorn Moth

I have had two firsts for the garden in the last couple of days, in 13 years here I have never seen either before. The first was a Brown Argus butterfly which was nectaring on our marjoram in our garden and I also saw one in our little meadow.

Old Lady Mormo maura moth

The second which I caught last night in the moth trap was an Old Lady Mormo maura moth, although dowdy colouring it was an impressive beast with a wingspan of around 60mm.”

Brown Argus butterfly

 

John Stentiford reports seeing seven Dolphins in the sea off Beer Head on Sunday 21st. It was a still day, and he had great views’

Mike Hughes a wildlife artist living in East Devon, I also do some design work for EDDC Including work on the Bird Reports.

He is having an exhibition of his work in early September in your next newsletter. Details are as follows.

Mike Hughes – Wildlife Art Exhibition, The Gallery, Hind Street, Ottery St Mary, 3-17 September

Gallery open Tuesday to Saturday

Colyford Common Snippets

The early part of the week was mostly cloudy with occasional light rain or drizzle and ‘useful’ rain overnight on 17th-18th. The ‘Wet and Wild Weekend’ was changeable with rain during the morning of the Saturday but Sunday was warm and sunny.

The 49 Canada Geese were seen on the scrape on 15th, and a single Teal was there on 16th and four juvenile Shelduck on the 18th.

Up to 25 Little Egrets were on the scrape on 15th and a maximum count of seven Grey Heron were there on 20th.

Two Kestrels were seen on the reserve on 16th.The scrape continues to provide excellent sightings of waders: a max. of eight Ringed Plovers on 18th, three Lapwings on 16th and a single Knot on 18th and 20th, six Dunlin on 15th , a Black-tailed Godwit on the same day, 53 Curlew on 18th and 51 on 20th, a single Whimbrel was in the area on 20th and 21st, three Sandpiper species were noted – a single Common on 20th and 21st, 3 Green on 19th and a Wood Sandpiper on 16th and finally, a maximum of three Greenshank were present on 16th – a total of 11 species.

The 23 birds caught during the ringing demonstration on 21st at the Wet and Wild Weekend included seven Sedge Warblers, one of which was a ‘control’ (i.e. ringed elsewhere), one Reed Warbler and three Chiffchaffs. During the week a Willow Warbler was noted on the reserve on 15th and one observer saw two Whitethroats on the tramway on 18th.

A record of eight Grey Wagtail noted in the log on 21st as being on the scrape is unusually high for the reserve which rarely boasts more than a single bird; such a number is high even for Devon and one cannot help wondering if these were in fact juvenile Pied Wagtails.

News from Holyford Woods

What a tremendous difference to be back in our green Woods again after the bitterly cold winter experience of Botswana at this time of the year. I was privileged to see three Leopards, one with a cub up a tree devouring the kill, and two Cheetahs twice, not to mention the other animals and wonderful birds, especially waders, in the amazing wet environment of the Okavango Delta. There is even more water there than usual and some tracks were impassable.

At this time of year our Woods are very quiet. Little bird activity though I have heard bird calls such as twoGreen Wood Pecker, Greater Spotted Woodpecker,Wrens still defending territory, Nuthatch, Corvids including the Ravens which have returned, one young Buzzard, and the Robins. The brambles are soaking wet so there have been no deer feeding there. They prefer to be in the conifers or the open grassy places. The Wasps nest has gone now, and today Paco located a Bees nest dug out by a Badger. On the path to my seat I nearly crushed two thumbnail sized Toads, a long way from the stream and pools in the valley. I have picked plenty of blackberries – why do people gather theirs from polluted roadsides when there they are, untainted in beautiful surroundings? On a lovely warm morning EDDC CountrysideTeam held a very successful morning event in the Woods, entitled Use Your Senses. This was well attended by 7 adults with 11 enthusiastic children of varying ages. Lovely to see them and share their enjoyment.

Jean Kreiseler

Sorry this newsletter is a bit sparce – my eyes are still not right. Many thanks to all of you who have sent encouraging messages.

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.

Jean, Bob and David. (and many others!) davidwalters@eclipse.co.uk. tel. 01297 552616 Mobile 0779 1541 744.

Our own nature photo slideshow!

We’ve just put together a little slideshow of all the great wildlife and nature photos that we have been sent over the years.

All of these pictures were taken at Lower Bruckland Farm nature reserve, and we’d like to thank everyone who has sent us photos — without you chaps with an eye for a picture, we wouldn’t have such a lovely record of the species that have been at the farm.

Close-up Nature Photos from Keith West

All photos © Keith West.

Some more photos from Keith West today. They’ve been sitting in my email for some time so apologies to Keith for not getting them uploaded more quickly!

When sending these, Keith did mention some of the equipment he uses:

For most of the close-up work I have a perspex box 21X15X3.5 c/ms, the lid is on the narrow, long side.
This enables me to photograph through the top and sides.
The camera is a Sony NEX 3 with three interchangeable lenses. The one I use for close-up work is the 18-55mm set to
macro and with two 2 diopter c-u filters fitted. Daylight is the lighting where possible. For most other pictures, it would be the 18-200mm lens.
It’s great to have this sort of insight, especially for people like myself who only dabble in the photography side of things, and wouldn’t know where to start when it comes to creating these fascinating shots. Perhaps the most important points that Keith has to make are these:
All are hand held, no tripod if I can help it. The best asset is being very patient!
My camera is always with me when out, away from home.
In short, great nature photos take time, not only to understand the vast array of equipment and the nuances of each camera and so on, but also in the time it takes for nature itself to be ready to be photographed! Finally, to get those pictures, you really need your camera on you because you don’t always know when the opportunity for a great photo will arise. Thanks again Keith!
If there is anyone else out there just dying to get their photos featured on the site then we would love to hear from you. That includes any tips you might have about equipment, technique, or even a philosophy you have about taking photos of wildlife.