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.

Axe Estuary Birds No 153 March 31^st 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

A Red Kite was seen over Black Hole Marsh on 24^th which was a pleasant surprise.  These magnificent birds seem to be expanding their territory, so may be we will see them more frequently.  Presumably the same bird was seen at Beer Head later in the day.  On the same day John Stentiman witnessed a Sparrow Hawk swoop down and take a Pigeon in his garden, carry it to some bushes and make a meal.  He then noticed a number of Gulls scatter in apparent panic, looked up and spotted an Osprey, the first reported this spring

There has been a Hoopoe on patch, which was snapped by Steve Waite in the Seaton area.

Steve also writes “A few hours at Colyford Common/Black Hole Marsh this morning was lightened up no end when a Red Kite came flying north over the reserves just before 9am….It was easily the lowest flying one I’ve ever seen on patch- passing just above tree top height!”. He later took this picture over the house.

And Karen Woolley writes “This morning saw me taking my seventh walk to Branscombe and back and this time I actually saw some nice migrants. On reaching Branscombe I noticed a couple of Wheatears down on the grass by the car park. I was just rushing down to get a closer view when a dog walker flushed them. They came towards me and the couple turned out to be 18! It’s always a real thrill to see your first Wheatear of the year.  I didn’t see any more birds on Beer Head at first, apart that is for a few small flocks of Meadow Pipits going over. I was just approaching The Dell, checking for Adders in the adjacent field when I spotted what looked like a male Ring Ouzel, it was a long way off but unmistakable, it was definitely a Ring Ouzel. My first spring one on Beer Head.”

Stop Press!  An Avocet on the River this afternoon – the 31^st – photographed by Sue Smith

Simon and Sue Wakely write: “A garden first today, and a First ever for us. 2 Marsh Tits in the Frame, just wish there was more light –  that’s Birding,  Hope you enjoy them, we were delighted.”

A new Backwater Birding Thread has been started on Bird Forum.  The address is below, and already it is well worth looking at – and indeed posting your comments and sightings.

http://tinyurl.com/5we9lyq

News from Holyford Woods

Instead of 1 Chiffchaff I have been hearing 6 both inside and outside the woods, together with (seen and/or heard) 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Greater Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, 6 Pheasants, 2 Jays, and 2 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushs and 1 Mistle Thrush singing, Rooks and Crows – inspecting the tops of the trees in Holyford Coppice, 5 Goldcrests in the willows around Top Pool, 3 Buzzards plus  numerous LBJ’s. On a perfect spring morning Mike Lock, AVDCS Chairman, led an interesting stroll looking at flowers and plants in detail. The floor of the wooded areas is becoming a glorious golden mat now that the Golden Saxifrage has joined the Primroses, Lesser Celandines and Moschatel. We found several spotted leaves of the Early Purple Orchid at the top of Holyford Coppice, and a few early Violets. Dog’s Mercury is prevalent here and lower down too, a clear indication of an ancient wood. The Gorse on the sunny slopes of The Hangings is in full flower. One occasion I was looking at the flowers when I realised the shrub was crowded with Ladybirds, probably emerged from hibernation in the bark of an Ash Tree alongside.  Several Buff-tailed Bumble-bees have been patrolling around. The Roe Deer now spend  more time out in the surrounding fields, enjoying the fresh grass.  The warm sunny newly-cleared bank beside Top Pool is regularly enjoyed by 1 Peacock, 1 Comma and 3 Brimstone butterflies. Now birds are beginning to nest, Squirrels have returned from the urban ‘feeding stations’ they have enjoyed all winter.

I think this has been the loveliest March I can remember.  Sitting on the log seat beside Top Pool has been a joy, especially as it is a favourite spot now for the butterflies. Jean Kreiseler. (There will be no report from Jean in the next issue, as she is off to the Okavango Delta.)

Ringing

There were six cannon-net catches this winter.  One other catch was aborted thanks to the activities of Mr. Reynard, the Fox. We caught and processed a total of 399 birds (including retraps/controls, but excluding one Pheasant duly released!) comprising of 341 duck, 54 waders, 2 Geese, 1 Corvid (Crow), and 1 Moorhen. There were no injuries during this period which was due to careful planning and to an excellent team effort. Colour-ringing of Shelduck took place during the winter as well as a few Black-tailed Godwits.
The catch on 26^th totalled 32 birds comprising of 3(1) Mallard and 29 (23) Shelduck.
Our short mist-netting session last Thursday comprised of 15 birds: Bullfinch 2; Long-tailed Tit 1; Dunnock 5(4); Chaffinch 1; Robin(2); Wren (3); and Reed Bunting 1.

The Trivia

Lynda Weare writes “Not a bird, but we saw a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in the lane near Bruckland Lakes. Thought it a bit early, but then the weather has been so warm it’s enough to fool anyone!”

We have a pair of Mallard visiting our garden in Colyford – they wait outside the front door each morning waiting to be fed.  Probably the same pair as the last two years, with a good memory!

Now here is an interesting photo, taken by Peter Mason at Colyford Common.  He thinks it is of a mud slide created by an Otter – you can just see a paw print if you look carefully.

Garden Bird Watch

The most numerous were Goldfinch, but this was due to a roost in one garden with no less than 48 individuals out of the 167 recorded. The next most numerous bird was the House Sparrow, which seems surprising, with a tota1 of 152 birds seen in 28 of the 39 gardens surveyed.  Starlings, which can second in the RSPB report, did not feature in our top ten. (The RSPB results can be seen at http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/results.aspx.)

Once again, Blackbirds were seen in all but one garden, and this year so were Robins.  In terms of most seen, the top ten were Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Wren and Long-tailed Tit.  In all, some 67 species were seen, including Grey Heron, Tawny Owl, Snipe, Lesser Redpoll and Red-legged Partridge.

One interesting report from overseas, from Richard Staniforth in a snow covered Winnipeg. His list included Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downey Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker and Blue Jay.

If you would like more detailed results please let me know.

Black Hole Marsh

Work has now started on the Tower Hide at Black Hole Marsh. This is located at the southern end of the Marsh, quite close to the river. It is hoped it will be finished by Easter.  The ‘access for all’ path to it is already there, and the hide will be on stilts, with a few steps up to it affording great views of both the lake and the estuary.

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.

Axe Estuary Birds No 152 March 15th  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

Spring is with us at last!  Steve Waite was up near Beer Head  on March 8^th, and saw his first four Wheatear of the season, one of which obligingly posed for him.  Not only his first, but the earliest he has ever seen them.

Sue Smith..”What a difference a day makes!  BHM this morning – absolutely wonderful – Spring is on its way.  6/7 Sand Martins, a pair of Stonechats and Chiffchaffs everywhere.  Wonderfully warm too.  Hope that is not it for a few weeks.”

Bob Olliver writes “The new car park and access to Black Hole Marsh, etc. is proving popular already, very busy this afternoon!  I was surprised to find that there was only one page of records for the whole week (5 observers, 23 records, 16 species!) but the Bewick’s and Greylag continue to show well at times and were present on the 4^th when there were 33 Mute Swans in the usual Stedcombe flock.  A drake Pintail was present on the small scrape on the 6^th and 64 Teal were counted on and around the scrapes .  The highest Wigeon count was 40+ on the 2^nd and 38 on the 66^th. 2 Water Pipits and 10 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipits were seen on the reserve on the 4^th.”

Ian McLean writes “ The over-wintering Pipits at Colyford Common have been very elusive of late so I was quite pleased this morning when two of the ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipits were close enough to attempt to digiscope.

At Seaton Marshes, the first Wheatear was also reported, the Water Rail was showing well, as well as 50 Curlew, 40 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 30 Wigeon

Ringing

Just a note of today’s (5^th)catch that totalled 83 birds. 27 Shelduck, 8 Wigeon, 2 Canada Geese and 46 Black-tailed Godwits. The latter species caught me out, as there were more present than I thought and with a good number of duck escaping from the flying net, rather messed up our expected number of duck. Anyway it gave the trainees a field day.

News from Holyford Woods

Having been away for ten days I entered Holyford with anticipation. Immediately I was greeted by the sunny faces of a few Primroses and Lesser Celandines peeping up from the leaf litter. The mound of waste in front of a badger sett is covered with the dainty Wood-Sorrel in flower, and Wood Anemone leaves are showing there.  Flowers of the bright green Moschatel (the ‘town hall clock’) are about to open, and Dog’s Mercury is rapidly filling the spaces between the Bluebells which are at a standstill, likewise the Ramsons. The Hazel Catkins are dulling having shed their pollen, and now the Pussy Willows are opening and filling out. Everywhere there are birds calling but as yet no Chiffchaff. A Buzzard glided low over the lonely Raven perched in his tree, but he was too lazy to chase after it, and merely croaked furiously and flapped his wings. There were two Brimstone butterflies and a Peacock. The dry spell has drastically reduced the water in the frog pool, and no spawn is showing. Has it hatched or disappeared in to the mud?  Also there is none along the North edge of Top Pool. As I was searching, we disturbed  the 3 Mallard ducks and the drake’s  quacking excited Paco who took a flying leap onto the dead parrot feather weed, thinking it was firm, and went right under!  The ducks flew off as he surfaced, shocked, spluttering, and draped in weed. He did not smell very sweet and neither did I after he shook himself all over me.

Jean Kreiseler

The Trivia

Karen Woolley walked along the Coly a few days ago, and spring was much in evidence.

And Sue Smith took some “mundane” shots (I would love to see those she considers special!)

You probably know that the new Wetlands Car Park is now open, giving easy access to Black Hole Marsh and Colyford Common.  Drive into Seaton Cemetery and go through to the field the estuary side, and then walk down the much improved path.  Take care coming out, as the entrance is on a bend.

Garden Bird Watch

Black-capped Chickadee, Winnnipeg, Canada

Your Garden Bird watch sheets are still coming in, and although not all that many are very interesting.  Hopefully the results will be ready by April.  This picture of a Black-capped Chickadee was sent from a snow covered Winnipeg by Richard Staniforth, with a list of ‘Backyard Birds’ which was different, as you will see when the analysis is complete.

Birds for Beginners

For the new season’s Birds for Beginners sessions, it is planned to have a “Guide in the Hide” every Friday from 10.00 am. At the moment the sessions will start at either The Island Hide or Colyford Common Hide, and a notice will be posted to indicate which one.  Then from 12.30pm the guide will move to Seaton Marshes Hide.

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.