Axe Estuary Birds No 155  April 30^th 2011

NB: The following is reproduced by kind permission of Axe Estuary Birds. Full credit goes to the team that produces the newsletter (see the bottom of the post for specific details). Photographs are credited throughout the text although we are working to preserve the original layout wherever possible in the future.

The Birds

We have had a summer plumaged Great White Egret on Seaton Marshes Lagoon on the 19^th, and Sue Smith was as ever handy with her camera.  The Grey Heron seems a bit put out by the intruder!  Sue also caught this Garganey at BHM.

Photo Steve Waite                                    Photo Sue Smith Photo Karen Woolley

There  was another rare Heron on patch, a Purple Heron found by Phil Abbot and photographed by Steve Waite and Sue Smith from Colyford Common Hide on Saturday 23^rd Steve says “Not only was the light perfect, and the plumage of the bird tip top, but the views were just fantastic! It sat out in full view for the entire time – I reckon it was a bit knackered  after its flight from wherever it has come from.”    Last, but not least, there was a White Stork at Colyford Common on 26^th .  What a week.                                              

Silvio Davison, on holiday from Italy, told me there were three birds he particularly wanted to see – Guillemot, Razor Bill and Puffin.  I said he would be very lucky if he did, but he did see a Guillemot over Seaton Bay on 21^st and he also saw his first Razor Bill and first Puffin from Portland Bill.  A very productive trip for him.

Ringing

This weekend as you know was our first ‘back-to-back’ session, starting early and finishing at dusk. Not as many birds caught as expected by some of us, but 87 of 18 species, plus 4 Blackbird pulli, was a reasonable start. Perhaps we were a little early to take advantage of most migrants that had yet to arrive. The weekend was split into four sessions from Friday (catching time 17.00hrs until dusk, Saturday dawn until midday and until dusk and Sunday dawn until midday. The number of birds caught at each of these sessions was 20 (8), 21 (9), 28 (9) and 18 (13), respectively. Of the total those retraps/control are shown in brackets. The control was a Blackcap caught on Saturday morning so it will be interesting to ascertain when it was first ringed and where. The totals for the three days are as follows:

Song Thrush 2(1); Linnet 2; Chaffinch 4(1); Robin 1; Willow Warbler 1; Long-tailed Tit (1); Reed Bunting 8(3); Greenfinch 6; Blue Tit 4(1); Blackcap 6(1); Great Tit 5(3); Wren 10(7); Dunnock 9(8); Blackbird 7(5); Reed Warbler 6(5); Sedge Warbler 6(1); Goldfinch 5(1); and Chiffchaff 4(1). Interesting that the retrap migrant, with the exception of the Blackcap, had been ringed by us in previous years.

A small catch of ten birds at the session on 28^th. Blackbird 2(1); Sedge Warbler 3; Dunnock (1); Wren 2(1); Chaffinch 1; Blue Tit (1).

News from Holyford Woods

After an absence of two weeks, I was amazed how the bluebells had developed and not just them but everything else.  The red campion was well advanced, as were the ramsons (wild garlic), there was a good show of early purple orchids along the top of Holyford Coppice, and the spindle trees there were in leaf and had flower buds showing. Everywhere the trees are bursting into fresh green leaf. The Roe Buck was feeding alone, as now is the time the does will have their young.  I will be on the look-out for them.  I was very pleased to see tadpoles along the edge of Top Pool in spite of not seeing any spawn there earlier. Unfortunately here the parrot feather weed is greening up after a severe cut-back from the cold and snow.  The Moorhens have had 5 young. On the newly cleared bank I watched a pair of Orange Tip butterflies flitting around, and  2 Peacock sunbathing.  A  Green-veined White and 2 Speckled Wood were busy around a sunny patch of bluebells.  Activity among the birds is intense, and the Woods ring with bird song  and calls now. It is the best time to visit any time of day. Jean Kreiseler

The Trivia

Bob Olliver writes “I also heard Cuckoo on Aylesbeare but mine was on the 21^st of April.  On the same occasion I came across a Carrion Crow on the tarmac track ‘attacking’ an adder. This week, on the 26th, when we returned from our visit to the hide and a walk in Holyford woods, we found a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in the garden feeding on aubrietia.  This seemed rather early although my books say that they can appear in any month but tend to be seen first in June.”

Simon Wakely sent this picture of a charismatic little Dunnock we often take for granted.

And now for news, which has little to do with the Axe Estuary, except it all come from local residents!

R Molony sent this “My sister in Muizeberg, Cape Town sent these photos. I am waiting to hear from her what the red liquid is!!  Beautiful birds!!”  And the answer? “They’re drinking food coloured sugar water with a little Bovril!!!!!  Today 3 Orange Breasted Sunbirds were drinking there and the White Eyes and Sunbirds even share now!”

And Jean Kreiseler’s recent trip to Botswana produced this Hippo which she reckons would add interest to the BHM Lagoon.  Perhaps climate change will bring them back.

This rogue Elephant is in a South African game park, sent to Howard and Anne West from a friend in Australia, puts our vandals to shame!

Diary Dates

Wednesday 11^th May    5pm – 7pm        Birds from the Tram with Don Cotton.  Book and pay £7.50 each, in advance with Seaton
Tramway on 01297 20375.

Saturday      14^th May   5am – 7am         Dawn Chorus and Breakfast and Introduction to Bird Ringing. Field Studies Base BHM.
This is followed by a ringing session, which you are welcome to watch.

Sunday        22^nd May   5pm – 7pm        Birds from the Tram with Ian Waite.  Book and pay £7.50 each, in advance with Seaton
Tramway on 01297 20375.

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

NB: The following is reproduced by kind permission of Axe Estuary Birds. Full credit goes to the team that produces the newsletter (see the bottom of the post for specific details). Photographs are credited throughout the text although we are working to preserve the original layout wherever possible in the future.

Axe Estuary Birds No 154  April 15^th 2011

The Birds

Karen Woolley was out in all weathers and spotted this Grey Plover on the Estuary on 3^rd April, and an Iceland Gull on the same day at the southernmost end of Seaton Marshes.

Visitors to the Seaton Caravan Park have reported a Tawny Owl landing on the roof of their caravan before flying down towards the reserve, and wonderful sightings of a Cuckoo over Aylesbeare Common on the 11^th.

Steve Waite writes “On Black Hole Marsh, a Little Ringed Plover (found by Ian Mc earlier in the day) showed on a spit from the hide. The only other summer migrants we noted were 20 Sand Martins and a Swallow. From Colyford Common hide, a Redhead Goosander on the river was a bit of a surprise – we couldn’t enjoy it for long though as it soon swam up river and out of sight.”

John and Jan Johnson think they might have seen an Ortolan Bunting at Seaton Marshes on April 10^th.  Did anyone else see it?

Sue Smith’s camera has been in action again, and she took these two pictures of Blackcaps at Seaton Marshes.  There were also lots of Linnets on the cycle path.

At Colyford Common on Monday there was a Cetti’s Warbler singing close to the hide – worth a mention as they seem to have been scarce after the hard winter.

Bob Lugg writes “I’ve just looked out of the window and was surprised to see “my” pair of Robins feeding at least two youngsters who were hopping about on the patio beneath the feeders. Has anybody else reported seeing youngsters in their gardens I wonder?”

And Moira Anderson says “Went with the family to black Hole Marsh and the new Field Centre Hide today (April 3^rd ) and saw first a few Sand Martins, then a few Swallows followed by dozens and dozens appearing in the sky from the coast -? just arrived late afternoon.  Saw 3 female Wheatears too amongst other things seen.   The granddaughters, 7 and 5 have now got the hang of binoculars and telescopes and love to see the birds.  A man and about 10 year old son came in with cameras and it was lovely to see he also was learning his birds through photography.   So it’s great to see the area being used by young and old.”

Sue and Simon Wakely have three next boxes occupied in their garden, and here is a lovely picture of one of the occupants, complete with nesting material.

News from The Reserves

The Events Guide for 2011 is now available and is full of events for all the family throughout the year.  The popular Birds for Beginners/ Meet the Birds session take on a new look with sessions every Thursday from 10.00 am to 12.00 Noon, mainly at Black Hole Marsh, but with four at Seaton Marshes in September and October.  Other events include Birds from the Tram, Bluebell Day at Holyford Woods, Bushcraft, Bird Ringing and lots more.  Please ring EDDC Country Side, 01395 517557 or 0781 4477 422 for your copy of this very complete and beautifully produced guide guide, and you will also be reminded of the events in this newsletter.

Ringing The session on the 9^th resulted in 14 birds caught including Dunnock (1), Greenfinch 2, Blackbird (1), Blackcap 4, Blue Tit (1), Wren 2 (1),  Robin (1), Goldfinch 1, Song Thrush 1.

Next weekend commencing at 1530hrs on Friday 15^th and finishing 1300hrs on Sunday is the first of our weekend sessions. On Saturday and Sunday these start at 0600hrs to take advantage of the early movement of birds, hopefully many migrants. They will finish around noon. The Saturday is also a public demonstration day.

Neil Croton writes “The group really appreciates getting colour sightings of birds on the estuary.
All our birds ( AERG )  have been ringed on the right with yellow red yellow  and 3 colour rings on the left  to identify individual birds.”
Please send details of any sightings to neil@croton.fslife.co.uk

The Trivia

Marjorie Waters sent this, which she got from a friend who was holidaying in Rwanda. “And we met the Nightjars.  The same ones who come here: At night, they like to sit in the dust in the middle of the dirt tracks in Akagera Game Park.  Sadly this does make them very vulnerable to fast moving 4×4’s setting off to do a night safari.  We were camping on our own, and drove slowly, so we had lots of time to observe them in the car headlights.”

Travis Davison found this Bee-fly in his conservatory in Colyford.  I have only seen one before. They look more like a bee than a fly, which may be why they

are so called, but the larvae eat honey and nectar. Photo David Walters.

Apologies to John Stentiford for getting his name wrong in the last news letter.  He tells me he has several species of bird nesting in his garden, including Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Dunnock. It would be interesting to hear what other readers have in their garden.

Moths and Butterflies

Steve Waite is setting his traps again, and sends this;  “Before I write about my two moth catches, butterflies are out in force now. Over the last few days I’ve seen my first Comma, Brimstone and Orange-tips, as well as plenty of these – Small Tortoiseshell.

Ok, it’s time to clean up the moths! Last Friday night (1^st April) I caught 30 moths of 11 species. No new species for this year, but several new for the year:

1 V-Pug, 1 Streamer, 2 Oak Beauty, 1 Dotted Border, 1 Early Thorn,
16 Common Quaker, 1 Twin-spotted Quaker, 2 Small Quaker, 2 Hebrew
Character, 2 Clouded Drab, 1 Early Grey.”

Streamer                                                                   V-pug

Diary Dates

Saturday April 16                 Bird Ringing          Field Studies Base, BHM from 8 a.m. Bacon Butties and Tea and Coffee
available.

Tuesday  April 19                Mammals of the   Field Studies Base, BHM. Drop in anytime between  10 a.m. and
Marshes                4 p.m.

Saturday April 30                 Bluebell Day        Holyford Woods – all day. Free parking at Colyton Grammar School, and
a free shuttle bus from 9.30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m.   Refreshments and craft
stalls.

For more information on any of the above events ring Countryside Service on 01395 517557

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