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.

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, 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

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.

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

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

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?

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.

“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)

NB: The following is reproduced with thanks and permission. We had some trouble with one of the photos this time round but always try to recreate the newsletter as accurately as possible!

Axe Estuary Birds No 170   December 15^th     2011  

Happy Christmas!

The Birds

On December 1^st  Roger Turner reported seeing a Wheatear on the path to the hide.  It is the latest I had heard of, then Ian Waite saw it on the 2^nd.  It was still there on  the 12^th.

Photo Sue Smith

Mike Tyler wrote “According to the book, The Birds of Devon (Tyler 2010), (whoever he is!!) the latest record for this species in Devonwas 11^th December 1945. Overwintering or a late migrant? “

Sue Smith has been out with her camera again, and sent this picture of a Snipe from Seaton Marshes

Mike Lock writes “While doing a count for the Devon Bird Atlas around Alston (north of Axminster) I heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming – several times. So they seem a bit confused by the weather. Song Thrushes were singing there and also in the Raymonds Hill area where I was doing another count.  There are lots of Redwings and rather fewer Fieldfares around, mainly feeding on the very abundant holly berries. Almost every fruiting holly bush has an attendant flock of Redwings. A lot of Blackbirds, too; I have had up to 18 in a single hour’s counting.”

Here’s an observation from Mike Dannat which, although ‘off-patch’, is definitely related to it.

“Where we live is on the edge of the Axe valley and our living room and conservatory face approximately E-N-E so we have a view over the Axe at Chard Junction and over the tributary which comes down from Chard. Over the last few mornings, at around 7:30am, I have noticed large numbers of Cormorants flying up the Axe and then diverting, more or less over the Dairy Crest plant, towards Chard reservoir. Each morning there has been a large flock which I have counted at around 40 birds and a few smaller groups. When it got to around 70 in total on Saturday 11^th  December, I checked with the Chard Reservoir web-site and found that a record count of 51 individuals had been recorded on the 7^th  and the 9^th . I contacted Kevin Harris who runs the web-site. He checked and found that another record of 55 had been set on the 10^th ! So now you know where a lot of the Axe Estuary birds may be spending their days! (Don’t tell the fishermen!)”.

Ringing

We had a good catch this morning, the 11^th, comprising of 63 birds processed. These were: Mute Swan 3(2); Canada Geese 13(1); Shelduck 11(5); Wigeon 22(2); and Mallard 14(1). (Retraps of totals shown in brackets). If it was not for the swans and geese, allowing the smaller species to escape, the total would have been a little higher.

Many thanks to Fraser for bringing along the trailer enabling the processing to take place in the countryside classroom next to the FSB at Black Hole Marsh, and of course providing refreshment of coffee and tea.

Colyford Common Snippets

Wildfowl records included up to 70 Canada Geese, just 2 Greylags on the scrape (3^rd), 12 Shelduck on the marsh on 8^th and 36 at Black Hole Marsh on 2^nd, approx. 200 Wigeon, up to 30 Teal on the scrape and 26 at BHM (2^nd). Perhaps unusually a Teal was with a small group of Mallard close to the boardwalk near the hide.  Two Little Grebes were on a ditch in the reserve on two occasions and no more than two Little Egrets or Grey Herons were noted at any one time.  Singles of Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen over the marsh on 8^th and 2^nd respectively.  Of the waders just 30 Lapwing were noted on the scrape (8^th) and a maximum of 300 on the marsh (5^th), six Dunlin (3^rd), four Snipe (10^th) and 20 Black-tailed Godwit (8^th) were on the scrape and a single Green Sandpiper was noted on the marsh on the 3^rd. 213 Black-headed and 94 Herring Gulls were resting on the marsh on 1^st.  A Kingfisher and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen on the reserve on 3^rd, seven ‘littoralis’ Rock Pipits on 10^th and three Water Pipits there on 3^rd with possibly a fourth on the scrape on the same day.  A Stonechat was at BHM on the 5^th.  Song Thrushes were very much in evidence, in full song, and seven were noted on the reserves on 10^th.  Eleven Blackbirds were along the approach path from Coly Road on 1^st and a Redwing was ringed on the same day when two Bullfinches were also ringed.  Up to 120 Starlings were present on the reserve and the marsh.  Otter spraints were found near the hide on 2^nd and two deer, probably Roe Deer, were seen on 3^rd.

News from Holyford Woods

Already positive signs of spring have been developing recently.  There are bluebell shoots showing through the leaf litter, and over a few days catkins have grown as much as two inches. An early morning walk yielded views of a Tree Creeper, the flock of 7+ Long Tailed Tits accompanied by a Goldcrest, and a sizeable flock of members of the Thrush family stripping berries off holly trees. It has been foggy and still, sunshine, heavy rain and storms – a true variety of winter weather.  Paths are now squelchy,  emitting that typical wet woods smell. Strong winds have brought down 2 trees, the largest, smothered in ivy, across the path up to my seat, and the remainder of the leaves have been ripped off the Oak trees. This morning Paco and I were bombarded with sleet then hail as we crossed The Hangings, while serenaded by two ‘storm cocks’ (Mistle thrush) defying the elements in ash trees above us.  It was good to see that for a change the stream beneath the top bridge was a bubbling torrent racing down through the goyle. Too wet to use binoculars, I watched a flock of L.B.J’s among the willow trees, accompanied, unusually, by a well marked pair of Bullfinches. Twice we have seen a lone Roe doe, but have had no sightings of the buck lately.

I visited Black Hole Marsh this morning, intending to go to the tower hide, but was foiled by the flooded track.  I went and changed to wellies, and, with the water not far from the tops, waded along to the hide.  In the reeds  near the viewing platform came the distinctive ‘squealing pig’ call of a Water Rail, but it stayed well hidden. Jean Kreiseler

The not so Trivial

I am sure many of you will wish to join me in Congratulating James and Jo Chubb, on the arrival of their daughter, Bethany Jane on 12^th December.

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, Mike and David.  (and many others!) davidwalters@eclipse.co.uk.   7 Springfields,Colyford,EX24 6RE.

tel. 01297 552616 Mobile0779 1541 744.

The Birds

David Cox reports “This morning (Sunday, 20th) I was with my two grandsons and we saw a female Mallard with about 10 tiny ducklings on the pond next to the Education Centre. Hope they fatten up quickly!” Ian Waite has seen them too, as well as baby Moorhens, a Wheatear and the Snow Buntings which are still around.

On 17th there was local excitement when a Temmink’s Stint was found at Colyford Common – only the second one on the Axe, and a first for Devon in November, I have put in two photos showing the relative size of the Stint compared with the Lapwing.

Untitled Poem

Did you think

Temmink’s Stint

Was extinct?

No! it trills and twitters

On the Tundra,

In case you wundra.

Rarely on the Axe -

and that’s a fax!

By A. Nonny-Mouse

Then came news of a Desert Wheatear, which had the twitchers who had missed out on the Temminck’s Stint all rushing off towards to Mansands, near Brixham, where Karen Woolley got this super photo.

Two of Sue Smith’s photos.

A Cormorant, standing out from the crowd, and a Little Grebe who looks as though he has bitten off more than he can chew.

The Trivia

I thought you might like to see a December Moth I caught in my moth trap last night – cute little beggar isn’t he, all wrapped up warm for winter? I had around 100 Yellow Dung Flies in the moth trap yesterday and no moths!! One of the Dung Flies was in the process of devouring another smaller fly (images attached) I was not aware that Dung Flies ate other insects? Maybe one of you could enlighten me to their eating habits. Peter Vernon

Yet another sign of this very mild autumn. On my walk yesterday I saw Red Campion, Dogwood, and Honeysuckle in full bloom. Mike Lock

Colyford Common Snippets

Fresh wildfowl interest was provided by the arrival of seven Greylag Geese which were first seen on 14th and were still present at the end of the period. Twelve Brent Geese were present throughout although some individuals proved difficult to see! The maximum Canada Goose count was 59 and 32 Shelduck were on the marsh at high tide on 14th; Wigeon were less noticeable with the only count being of 40 on the river opposite the hide on 18th. Teal numbers on the other hand reached an estimated 200 on the marsh on 18th and there was a count of 145 on the larger scrape on 15th. Two Little Grebes were on the reserve ditches on 14th and five Cormorants were roosting in the trees bordering the River Coly at the edge of the marsh on the 18th. A Kestrel was on the reserve (20th) and a Peregrine over the marsh on 15th and 18th when it caused ‘mayhem’ among the Lapwing and Teal. The discovery of a Temminck’s Stint, which is a real rarity in November, on the scrape on 17th led to the arrival of several ‘twitchers’ on the following day. There was a claimed sighting by one person who had arrived early but the bird did not stay and was not seen again and the twitchers moved on in haste mid morning when news broke of a Desert Wheatear near Brixham and a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Blagdon leaving just a couple of people in peace to enjoy the sight of large numbers of Lapwing close to the hide and three species of geese plus Teal not far away. Lapwing were plentiful with up to 400 on the scrape and about 700 in all in the area with a Golden Plover in attendance on the 14th. Up to 12 Dunlin were also present on the scrape and four Snipe were there on 14th and up to 30 Black-tailed Godwits frequented the reserve, scrape and marsh while the Spotted Redshank put in an appearances on the marsh (14th) and reserve reed bed (15th). Up to 60 (18th) Curlew could be seen regularly on the scrape. At high tide Black-headed Gulls in particular gather on the scrape; 300 were counted on 18th. Small numbers of Great and Lesser Black-backed, Herring and Common Gulls were also present on the marsh and scrape during the week. Single Kingfishers were seen on the reserve and marsh and up to six (17th) ‘littoralis’ Rock Pipits were on the reserve and the first Water Pipit of this winter period seen there on 15th. A Pied Wagtail frequented the scrape and a party of 11 Long-tailed Tits was seen along the access path to the reserve on 18th

Bob Olliver.

News from Holyford Woods

On dry days walking the paths has been like stepping along a glowing gold and bronze crunchy carpet. I have caught the scent of Fox several times, and there are known to be two in the vicinity. Not long and the dog foxes will be looking for mates. When reaching my seat one sunny morning Paco dived into the brambles and out shot 2 (healthy) rabbits which sped down the hillside. They don’t interest him very much, he prefers Pheasants, of which there are several around . Since the ground has softened I have been surprised to see mole heaps in a few places. Why tunnel through such shallow soil when there is deep soil out in the fields? Probably more worms in the deep leaf litter. The call of a Jay has echoed through the trees on several occasions, a regular occurrence at acorn time. Apart from the Oaks, the leaves on most trees are falling rapidly now, and my binoculars have been in use again. A lovely sight has been a flock of 7 Long Tailed Tits to enjoy. Best of all was hearing a Mistle Thrush boldly singing in an Ash Tree on the Southern boundary. It was a very windy afternoon and the name Storm Cock came to mind. The Rooks were enjoying swooping, climbing, tumbling and gliding in the strong wind. Crows and the 2 Ravens have been regularly mobbing the Buzzard. On more than one occasion I have watched a lone female Hornet gliding among the trees, looking for somewhere to over-winter. No Roe Deer lately, only prints in the mud. Jean Kreiseler

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.

These two photos of a Lion and a Narins Trogon from the Kruger Park in S Africa, where my grandson and his wife have been attending a course on game park management, and having a marvelous time.

photo credit: frankenstoen

We originally applied to the Forestry Commission for permission to plant some new trees in August — well the good news is that as of this week, everything is complete!

The 995 indigenous broadleaf trees that have gone in included 373 oak trees, 373 ash trees and a mixture of crabapple, spindle, hazel and alder buckthorn.

Of course, it’s going to be some time before the trees start coming through, and a good few years until they reach anything like normal size, but it’s good to know that at some point in the future there will be nearly 1000 new broadleaf trees around the nature reserve.

And just to show that it’s not all frogs and crane flies, Keith has also sent us these fantastic photos of a kestrel and a brown dragonfly… Again, thanks to Keith for being a sport and sending them in!

New pictures from Keith West! As usual, Keith hasn’t limited himself to any particular type of creature, mixing it up with a few flying insects and a great portrait of a frog for good measure. Thanks Keith! (See Keith’s latest submission of a kestrel and a dragonfly too).