Gadwall

I returned to BHM late last night but no further dragonfly sightings. However, a look from Tower hide revealed a Gadwall among the myriad Mallards so a late addition to the day-tally.

Little Ringed Plovers

I managed to get down to BHM before the tide came in this morning and was rewarded with 3 Little Ringed Plovers which weren't there yesterday. As the tide came in on the estuary at least 19 Ringed Plovers joined them as did 14 Dunlin. Several Green and Common Sandpipers were still around as were more than 20 Snipe. Lots of Blackwit, Redshank and other regulars too.
     On Friday, a juvenile Turnstone was on the estuary which others had seen before me, including Waitey's Dad. There are a few Common Darter dragonflies about but one which was smaller and blacker whizzed past me as I cycled back from Tower Hide. Possible Black Darter? Would be a first for me so I'll try again this evening...

Jersey Tiger

The birding's been a bit quiet this week although the Green sandpiper count reached at least 7 on Coly Common and the Whimbrel count 4 minimum. I was pleasantly surprised however by a Jersey Tiger moth on the windows of Colyton library! I think it must have been attracted by the plantlife in the big tub of soil  which sits outside on the pavement.Blogger is not allowing me to post photographs for some reason so you will have to go to Facebook or Twitter for those.

Inundated

"We've got water on Colyford Common LNR again." This is what's known as a classic case of British understatement. By the time I bailed out from the hide last night the boardwalk back to Pope's Lane was in danger of being overtopped. It probably was after I'd gone. Many birds were now behind the hide on rarely-flooded parts of the reserve. Blackwits, Curlews, Little Egrets, BH Gulls, 3 Green sandpipers, 2 Greenshanks, Teal x20, 3 Whimbrels in front of the hide and many Herons & Corvids cashing in on the feeding opportunity. Snipe flying and calling.Remarkable scenes.
    Earlier on, I'd been watching a Southern Hawker at Stafford Marsh when Phil Abbot messaged me from Tower Hide so I joined him to see the Sanderling he'd picked out from the large mixed flock of Dunlin & Ringed Plover on the estuary. We had a couple of Greenshank which flew to Coly Common but couldn't see much on BHM other than the usual. I had a Sparrowhawk fly across the cycle path plus a Barn Owl that looked at me then turned away before I could get my camera out.
    I missed Ian Mac's Curlew Sandpiper on Saturday but let's be optimistic and expect more of those. IM also had a Bonxie (Great Skua) from Seaton which is no mean feat. I think that brings us up to date unless you fancy giving Beer Head a go as it's done OK for migrants lately...

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper, BHM 02/08/18 (Copyright T D Wright)

Wood sandpiper, BHM 02/08/18 ( Copyright T D Wright)

Just one Wood Sandpiper still present last night but Turnstone was another new bird in - an adult too - spotted by Phil Abbot. I paid Coly Common a visit but no joy there. Yet...

August Off To A Flier

       Having been inland all day I could only get to BHM late on yesterday but it was well worth the effort. The only shank species I could see was Common Redshank from Tower Hide (although the Green Sandpipers were still present) but very late on (one of those final scan moments!) I noticed that 2 Wood Sandpipers had joined the throng. Fortunately there were several people still about and some of them managed to see and even photograph them. Too dark for my camera though and my attempt to phonescope failed miserably. I'm told by IM & SW that there's at least one still present this morning.
       Also from Tower hide before this was one juvenile YL Gull which flew down the estuary and 2 Whimbrel, one of which headed for Coly Common which I didn't have time to check as it was dark by the time I finally quitted BHM. Several Barn Owls were entertaining us all and Charmouth birder had a close encounter with a Sparrowhawk along the track. The very white Common Buzzard was about but apparently an Osprey was also seen. I missed that but I'm not worried as we'll get more I'm sure. Another splendid evening on the Axe...