I recorded 174 species in Exmouth in 2024. About average I guess. All the proper rarities came courtesy of the dedicated team at Dawlish Warren and common migrants were in very short supply through both spring and autumn periods. Sadly, totally normal and absolutely expected these days.
Exmouth highlights included 2 Little Gulls, 6/7 Spoonbills, Caspian Gull, 3 Egyptian Geese, Lesser Scaup, 3 Greater Scaup, [White-tailed Eagle], Little Ringed Plover, 11 Yellow-legged Gulls, Long-tailed Skua, 4 Great Skuas, Pomarine Skua, Black Tern, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Garganey, Long-billed Dowitcher, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 3/4 Woodlarks, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Ring Ouzels, 3 Black Redstarts, Common/Pallid Swift, 2 Great White Egrets, Marsh Harrier, 2 Hawfinches, 2 Cattle Egrets (with 70+ across the river), 3 Siberian Chiffchaffs and 1 Black-throated Diver.
Noteworthy 'day counts' included 12 Cirl Buntings, 12 Ring-necked Parakeets, 82 Red-throated Divers, c560+ Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Tufted Ducks (Bystock), and 90 Ringed Plovers (Cockle Sands).
As usual I'd like to extend my thanks to everyone who reads this blog and everyone who contacts me with info. It's hugely appreciated.
I say this every year but please note - previous 'Bumper Reviews' can easily be accessed by clicking on the year in question (located in the right hand margin of this page). A quick(ish) way to see how each year compares and sadly a way to see just how rapidly the status of some species changes as the climate and our environment changes.
Little change on New Years Day. Highlights from a look at a number of Exmouth sites included 1 Woodcock in woodland along Castle Lane, and 11 Cirl Buntings split between Orcombe (7) and the Imperial rec (4). The 12 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were still frequenting the Imperial rugby ground and a female Goldeneye was in Duckpond. Noteworthy Mudbank counts included 150+ Pintail and 82 Shelduck. Finally, a Firecrest was seen in Phear Park and the Common Sandpiper was in the adjacent brook.
Storm Henk delivered 80mph winds and a fine adult Little Gull to the Duckpond outfall on the 2nd.
On the 5th I logged my highest Ring-necked Parakeet count. Twelve left their roost on the Maer, early in the morning. At the end of the day, a single Avocet was off Mudbank.
Notable sightings on the 6th - a single Golden Plover off Mudbank, a Red Kite north over Bystock and 3 Firecrests in Bystock reserve. At least 2 Dartford Warblers on Withycombe Raleigh Common.
A single drake Shoveler was off Mudbank on the 7th and 7 Eiders were seen off the seafront. The following day there were 3 Shoveler off Mudbank and the Redshank flock numbered c50 birds.
A single juvenile Spoonbill was off Mudbank on the 11th and a wintering Cetti's Warbler was near the viewing screen.
It was a relief to finally find a Purple Sandpiper on the 12th. A single bird was below Orcombe Point with a small group of Turnstones. A male and female Goldeneye were together in Duckpond and Mudbank counts included 70+ Bar-tailed Godwits and c90 Grey Plovers.
A flock of c20 Siskins was noted in woodland adjoining Castle Lane on the 14th, along with 4 Lesser Redpolls.
On the 18th there were 2 juvenile Spoonbills off Mudbank and all 12 wintering Cirl Buntings (8 Orcombe, 4 Imperial) were seen. A Lapwing flew north over the top fields, late in the afternoon.
The continuing cold snap was responsible for 19 Golden Plovers on Orcombe the next day, as well as 3 Gadwall off Mudbank. A Firecrest was in a garden hedge along Belle Vue Road.
Ten Red-throated Divers flew south past Orcombe Point on the 20th and Mudbank counts included c130 Knot and 65+ Common Gulls. The Wigeon flock numbered c300 birds and the 2 juvenile Spoonbills were again present.
A first-winter Caspian Gull was off Mudbank on the 21st and the following day an Egyptian Goose flew past Exmouth beach towards the river. I finally saw all nine of the wintering Eiders that spent most of the time loafing somewhere off the Warren.
Fifty Great Back-backed Gulls were roosting on the Imperial rugby pitch on the 23rd and the following day c20+ Sanderling were scoped on Cockle Sands.
On the 27th the flock of 8 Cirl Buntings were again beside the slurry pit and on the 28th 82 Red-throated Divers flew west past Orcombe Point, along with a flock of 14 Pintail. A flock of c150 Knot was feeding on Cockle Sands as the tide dropped.
By the end of the month I'd recorded 113 species, with only Black Redstart and Guillemot missing from the list of 'expecteds' in Exmouth.
Adult Little Gull - Duckpond 2/1/24. Storm 'Henk' forced this beauty into Duckpond. It fed off the outfall over the high tide period.
Drake Gadwall - Mudbank 19/1/24. One of three on this date. Six were a surprise on August 19th and a single male was amongst Mallard on September 15th. Finally, 3 females spent the day off Mudbank on 16/11. All these following a blank year last year!
First-winter Caspian Gull - Mudbank 21/1/24. This bird turned up as the wind strengthened in the build up to storm Isha.
Sanderling - Exmouth beach 22/1/24.
Four of 82 Red-throated Divers that flew past Orcombe Point on the 28th - my highest ever Exmouth count.
A slow start to February. The male and female Goldeneyes were off Mudbank again on the 2nd.
On the 4th a Brent Goose count revealed c330 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and a single Pale-bellied Brent Goose.
On the 5th my first Black-tailed Godwit of the year was off Mudbank.
My first Goshawk of the year was recorded on the 9th and a flock of 16 Lapwing was way off in the distance form Withycombe Raleigh Common. Three Mediterranean Gulls off Mudbank heralded a small movement of this species.
Two Mistle Thrushes flew over Withycombe Raleigh Common on the 10th and another 3 Mediterranean Gulls were off Mudbank.
The 11th sprung a huge surprise in the form of a drake Lesser Scaup accompanying 3 Greater Scaup. Originally seen from the Warren, I was able to scope them from Shelly beach and was thrilled when they flew to land much closer, in front of Bull Hill, before heading upriver.
On the 12th there were 3 Tufted Ducks on Bystock Pool and 22 Great Crested Grebes were off the seafront.
At least 13 Red-throated Divers flew south past Orcombe Point on the 13th and 4+ Siskins were at West Lodge.
A count of 13 Red-breasted Mergansers off Mudbank on the 15th was, sadly, unusual.
The pair of Goldeneye were again off Mudbank on the 16th when c60 Turnstones were counted.
A pair of Reed Buntings in the reedbed at West Lodge on the 18th were notable for being my first in 2024.
A very distant displaying Goshawk was scoped from Mudbank on the 19th and on the 23rd at least three of the four wintering Cirl Buntings were still on the Imperial recreation ground.
On the 25th a flock of c560+ Black-tailed Godwits was roosting below the railway line off Mudbank.
On the 28th the regular Great Northern Diver was still off Shelly Beach and the 9 Eider were still off the seafront.
Dartford Warbler - Withycombe Raleigh Common 10/2/24. Reliably recorded on Exmouth heathland but only one autumn migrant encountered on Orcombe Point.
Lesser Scaup (left) with three Greater Scaup (male and two females) - Shelly Beach 11/2/24.
Siskin (male) - West Lodge 13/2/24.
Baikal Teal - Greylake, Somerset 17/2/24. A fabulous day with Derek, up on the Somerset Levels with 4 Glossy Ibis, 1 Spoonbill, 6 Common Cranes, 2 Whooper Swans, 10+ Marsh Harriers and 25+ Great White Egrets amongst the species logged.
Black-tailed Godwits - Mudbank 25/2/24. Part of a flock numbering c560+ birds.
Kingfisher - Exmouth seafront 29/4/24. At least wo birds were seen regularly around the estuary at either end of the year with additional birds seen in Maer Valley and Bystock (2). It would be interesting to know exactly how many birds were within the parish boundary in 2024 but a minimum of five seems like a conservative estimate.
At least 15 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were new arrivals on March 4th and the single remaining winterer was off Mudbank.
Of minor note on the 9th - 65+ Common Gulls and 8 Red-breasted Mergansers off Mudbank.
A migrant White Wagtail was on the dung heap on the 11th and a flock of c40 Linnets was in the same field. A male Cirl Bunting was in song near the Geoneedle and a female was near the slurry pit.
The 12th was noteworthy for a twitchable Waxwing at Cranbrook and on the 15th Tom and I went down to Torbay for a Little Bunting.
A Firecrest was on Orcombe Point on the 16th and nearby, the following day, my first Wheatear of the year was recorded.
Thirteen Pale-bellied Brent Geese were off Mudbank on the 19th and a migrant Reed Bunting was on Orcombe Point on the 21st.
On the 22nd I recorded my first Willow Warbler of the year on Orcombe Point. My first Sandwich Tern of the year was off there too.
On the 25th c60 Turnstones were off Mudbank along with 12 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. The following day, 9 Red-breasted Mergansers were off there. On the 31st my first 6 Manx Shearwaters flew east past Orcombe Point and a flock of 32 Sandwich Terns was off Mudbank.
White Wagtail - Orcombe Point 11/3/24. I didn't record any in the autumn period.
Waxwing - Cranbrook. Sadly, outside the Exmouth parish but my first anywhere since 2012.
Little Bunting - Broadsands, Torbay 15/3/24. A species I hadn't seen in 35 years and a great discovery by Mike!
My first Swallow of 2024 was off Mudbank on April 2nd. At least 5 Common Terns were off the seafront the following morning.
On the 6th my first Arctic Skua of the spring was off the seafront and 11 Red-throated Divers flew south.
On the 7th, sea-watching records included 8 Fulmars, 6 Great Northern Divers, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Arctic Skuas and, best of all, my first Little Tern in a long while (2023 was a blank year for me).
Both Grasshopper Warbler (a reeling bird) and Whitethroat were 'new for the year' on the 8th and a male Reed Bunting was singing in West Lodge reedbed (still present on the 27th at least). A flock of 21 Turnstones was off Mudbank.
A fabulous half hour was spent watching terns off the seafront on the 9th. Totals of c40 Sandwich Terns, 5 Little Terns and 1 Arctic Tern came as a very nice surprise.
On the 11th I cycled to Topsham to see a Black-throated Diver and Mudbank counts included c70 Sandwich Terns, 5 Knot, c20 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Whimbrel and 7+ Pale-bellied Brent Geese.
Three 'Greenland' Wheatears were on the Maer on the 12th.
My first Yellow Wagtail of the year was on Orcombe Point on the 14th.
At least 10 'Greenland' Wheatears were on Orcombe on the 19th and a White-tailed Eagle was upriver from Mudbank on the 20th. It headed downriver then appeared to head west, by which point it was so high up it was barely visible!
Lesser Whitethroats were between West Lodge and Courtlands and on Orcombe Point on the 21st, and a Red Kite drifted over Lower Halsdon Farm (viewed from the back garden), along with my first House Martin of the year.
The 22nd was my first good migrant day on Orcombe with 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Snipe, 2 Whinchats, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 male Redstart, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler the highlights. Off Mudbank - 58 Whimbrel, 20 Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers.
On the 26th - 8 Knot and 30 Bar-tailed Godwits off Mudbank but only c40 Whimbrel. On Bull Hill - 53+ Sandwich Terns and a single Common Tern.
Another reasonable morning on Orcombe on the 27th with 1 Whinchat, 1+ Garden Warbler, 4 Willow Warblers and my first 2 Sand Martins of the year. My first Reed Warbler of the year was singing in clifftop scrub in Sandy Bay, a Grasshopper Warbler was seen in Bystock meadow and a Cuckoo was heard from Withycombe Raleigh Common.
My first Swift was seen from the back garden on the 28th and 6 Eider (including 2 drakes) were mid-river off Mudbank. A singing Garden Warbler lingered on Orcombe Point.
Sea-watching on the 29th produced 67+ Manx Shearwaters, 5 Great Northern Divers, 6 Red-throated Divers, 7 Fulmars, 10 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Arctic Skuas.
'Greenland' Wheatear - on of three together on the Maer on 12/4/24.
2cy Peregine - Orcombe Point 13/4/24. The Orcombe pair successfully
fledged one juvenile.
Male Whinchat - Orcombe Point 27/4/24. Third (of four) in spring and just one autumn bird. Dreadful!
On May 3rd an Avocet was on Cockle Sands. On the 5th a Sedge Warbler was singing on Orcombe Point - in the same stretch of hedgerow as last year's summering (and possibly breeding) bird.
On the 6th there were 2 Garden Warblers feeding together at the top of Bystock meadow. Nearby - 8 Tufted Ducks (5 drakes, 3 females) were on the pool. My fourth singing Lesser Whitethroat of the spring was on Orcombe Point and 67+ Whimbrel were off Mudbank. A flock of 11 Swifts flew north over there.
A single Black-tailed Godwit was off Mudbank on the 7th and on the 8th a Whinchat was on Orcombe Point. The Reed Warbler was still singing from West Lodge reedbed.
A Spotted Flycatcher was back on its Bystock territory on the 10th. Also there - my first Nightjar of the year (a day-roosting male) and the Cuckoo again calling. A Red Kite was over Orcombe Point.
Two Red Kites flew high west over the Imperial rugby ground on the 11th.
A sea-watch on the 13th produced 8 Great Northern Divers, 1 Red-throated Diver and 2 lingering Arctic Skuas.
A (presumed breeding) male Cirl Bunting was singing on Orcombe Point on the 18th. The following day a Reed Warbler was singing on Orcombe Point and 2 Red Kites were seen from the back garden.
On the 24th an Osprey was off Mudbank and both Reed Warbler and Whitethroat were still singing on West Lodge territories.
Waders off Mudbank on the 28th included 38 Sanderling and 2 Grey Plovers.
A flock of 64+ Canada Geese off Mudbank on the 29th was very odd for the time of year. The following day a Red Kite headed north up the other side of the river, continuing a good run for this species.
Garden Warbler - Bystock 6/5/24. One of two feeding quietly together at the top of the meadow.
June was desperately quiet in Exmouth. On the 5th the number of Black-headed Gulls jumped to 135 birds off Mudbank up from 19 on the 3rd and 95 on the 4th. Nineteen Whimbrel felt like a high count for June. Not sure why they weren't hurrying north! The 6th was notable for the discovery of a singing male Cirl Bunting - found on Withycombe Raleigh Common which is pure heathland habitat - very different to the usual coastal farmland!
On the 10th a flock of 23 Swifts flew west across the river and 3 Red Kites were seen.
An afternoon sea-watch from the beach huts on the 13th produced 105+ Manx Shearwaters despite the poor visibility. A single Grey Plover was on Cockle Sands on the 16th.
Small numbers of Mediterranean Gulls started trickling through towards the end of the month and I caught up with the six Eiders off the seafront on the 29th. A flock of 19 Sandwich Terns was off there too.
The final day of the month produced my best sightings of the month. My earliest ever juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was off Mudbank and 6 Sand Martins flew upriver. A Goshawk was seen way up high above the river having circled up from woodland behind Starcross.
A rubbish photo but my first 'June' juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was worth capturing for posterity. A brief stop off Mudbank on 30/6/24.
My first Common Sandpiper of the summer was off Mudbank on July 4th. The next day a couple Great Crested Grebes flew in from the east and landed off the seafront and a Great Northern Diver was seen.
Highlight on the 6th was a Little Ringed Plover that was briefly on the beach near the lifeboat station, early in the morning. It flew off high, calling. Two Common Terns rested on Cockle Sands.
On the 7th a Black-tailed Godwit was off Mudbank and 2 dark-phase Arctic Skuas were off the seafront.
Big news on the 8th - a fabulous sub-adult Long-tailed Skua, first discovered at the Warren, was off Shelly beach late in the evening. The bird was watched for an hour in heavy rain as it harried terns and rested on Cockle Sands. At least 10 Common Terns were off there too.
Best bird on the 9th was a female-type Shoveler off Mudbank. At least 33 Sandwich Terns were off Shelly Beach.
The returning Yellow-legged Gull was off Mudbank on the 12th and back in the recycling centre on the 20th.
Two juvenile Ringed Plovers were on Maer Rocks on the 14th and offshore - a summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver. On the 15th two very early Wigeon were on Cockle Sands. Off Shelly Beach a flock of c85 Sandwich Terns and 11 Mute Swans. Off Mudbank - 8 Sanderlings, c145 Curlew, 21+ Whimbrel and my first juvenile Mediterranean Gull of the summer.
On the 18th there were 16+ Turnstones off Shelly Beach along with the 6 Eiders and 11 Common Terns. Five Black-tailed Godwits were off Mudbank.
My second juvenile Yellow-legged Gull of the summer was off Mudbank on the 19th along with 9 Mediterranean Gulls.
The number of Mallard off Mudbank jumped to 74 birds on the 20th and two Yellow-legged Gulls were off there - the returning third-summer bird and a 'new' juvenile.
Seventeen Mediterranean Gulls were off the seafront on the 21st and a Black-tailed Godwit was on Bull Hill.
On the 22nd I counted c145+ Sandwich Terns off Shelly Beach.
On the 25th a flock of c80+ Redshank arrived late in the evening off Mudbank and 9+ Common Terns were off there.
Highlight on the 26th were 4 Little Terns that headed upriver. The Mallard flock, still all in eclipse plumage, increased to 97 birds.
Six Great Crested Grebes and 27 Whimbrel were off Mudbank on the 27th and on the 31st the Mallard flock had increased in number to 180+ birds, with 2 Wigeon also present.
Sandwich Tern - Mudbank 15/7/24.
On August 1st a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was off the lifeboat station and, more surprisingly, a juvenile Common Gull was off Mudbank along with a juvenile Kittiwake and my first Teal in a long while.
The Mudbank Mallard flock numbered c280 birds on the 2nd.
Highlight on the 5th was my first Exmouth Great Skua in nearly three years! An Arctic Skua and 43 Common Scoters were recorded on the same short sea-watch.
On the 6th I recorded 13 Balearic Shearwaters south past Orcombe Point and then Lu and I headed off to Portugal for a week on the 7th.
The first little taste of autumn migration on the 17th with 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Willow Warblers and 2 Sand Martins on Orcombe Point. The breeding male Cirl Bunting was in song near Sandy Bay.
On the 18th a fully-spooned pale Pomarine Skua was attracted to a feeding flock of Gulls off Orcombe Point, joined by 3 Arctic Skuas and 4 skua sp. Six Teal flew in towards the river and the Mudbank Mallard flock reached c460 birds (with 17 Black-tailed Godwits off there too).
On the 19th at least 7 Arctic Skuas were off the seafront and off Mudbank I recorded 3 Common Sandpipers and 6 Gadwall.
Highlights on the 20th included 3 Great Skuas off the seafront and an Osprey from Mudbank.
The Osprey was again present on the 21st and my first Yellow Wagtail of the summer was on Orcombe Point.
The 22nd was a good day with Black Tern on a morning sea-watch from the raised beach huts, along with 6 Balearic Shearwaters and 7 Arctic Skuas. A second-summer Yellow-legged Gull was on the cricket pitch and the 3rd-summer remained in the recycling centre.
Migration picked up a little on the 25th with a Lesser Whitethroat on Orcombe being the highlight. Mudbank records included 7 Pale-bellied Brent Geese (also seen the day before), 1 Little Tern and the Osprey.
The Lesser Whitethroat was again present on the 26th when I managed a photograph of it. Best of all though - proof of successful breeding on Orcombe - a juvenile Cirl Bunting was being fed by an adult female.
A count of 450 Mallard was made off Mudbank on the 27th and a Kestrel flew west across the river. A Straight Point Kittiwake count revealed c475 birds.
The 28th was very notable for a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper on the edge of Cockle Sands amongst a good count of c90 Ringed Plovers. A single Snipe was my first of the autumn.
On the 29th the first returning Pintail was off Mudbank. A reasonably early Firecrest was on Orcombe Point and Bystock provided highlights in the form of Hobby, Redstart and two Kingfishers.
On the 30th a Garden Warbler was on Orcombe Point and 29+ Knot were counted off Mudbank.
My peak Yellow Wagtail count was made on the 31st. There were 35+ in with cattle on Orcombe Point - a reasonable count but down on previous years when it wasn't unusual to get flocks of c90+. Eight Grey Wagtails, 13+ Wheatears and an early Reed Bunting were also notable. Off Mudbank - 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull.
Lesser Whitethroat - Orcombe Point 26/8/24. Photographed on its second day.
First seen in August of 2021, as a juvenile bird, this Yellow-legged Gull returned in its third-summer plumage. On 20/7 it reappeared in the recycling centre. It was still present on the 27/8 when this photo was taken.
One of 35+ Yellow Wagtails on Orcombe on 31/8. I hoped the numbers would continue to rise but instead they fizzled. Another in a long list of migrants that appear in lower and lower numbers each year.
On September 1st my first Stonechat of the autumn (a juvenile) was on Orcombe Point. Offshore - 2 Balearic Shearwaters and a single Eider.
On the second a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was on the beach with 42 Ringed Plovers. Off Mudbank - a juvenile Little Tern and 8 Common Terns. At least 55 Sandwich Terns were off Shelly Beach and 23 Sanderlings were on Bull Hill.
Highlight on the 3rd was a Garganey off Mudbank. It was with 8 Pintail. The autumn's first Whinchat and Goldcrest were on Orcombe Point.
Rain on the 6th dropped 75+ Common Terns, 50 Sandwich Terns and a juvenile/fw Little Gull in the estuary. A late Swift was over Orcombe and a Spoonbill was off the seafront on Pole Sands.
On the 7th a Tufted Duck and Little Tern were off Mudbank. An Osprey was again off there.
The following day a Green Sandpiper flew over Mudbank. The Little Tern was seen again and duck counts included 120+ Wigeon and 30 Pintail.
On the 11th the first proper Meadow Pipit passage got going with 67+ recorded going west over Orcombe Point. Six Dark-bellied Brent Geese in Duckpond were the first returners.
On the 13th there was a little fall of 25+ Chiffchaffs on Orcombe Point. Three Yellow Wagtails were in with cattle. The Shelduck flock on Cockle Sands was made up of at least 92 birds which included good numbers of juveniles.
I was thrilled to relocate an adult Long-billed Dowitcher off Mudbank on the 14th. It had first been seen in Shutterton Creek, from Dawlish Warren the previous day.
The Long-billed Dowitcher was again present off Mudbank on the 15th, along with a Spoonbill, a drake Gadwall, 34+ Pintail, c190 Wigeon and 330+ Mallard.
The Spoonbill was again present on the 16th, with 2 Shoveler, but the dowitcher relocated to the Warren.
A Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Stonechats and a Yellow Wagtail were on Orcombe on the 17th. Slightly odd was a 22-strong flock of Cormorants that flew towards the river mouth. Mudbank wildfowl counts included 104 Pintail, 2 Tufted Ducks, c370 Wigeon and 55 Brent Geese (with at least 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose amongst them).
On September 19th there were 12 Yellow Wagtails on Orcombe Point and 600+ Teal off Mudbank. The following day the Wigeon count reached c900 and also off Mudbank - 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler and a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull.
An Osprey was again off Mudbank on the 21st and across the river the Cattle Egret flock numbered at least 42.
Five of the six Eiders were off the seafront on the 23rd and counts the following day included 255+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese off Mudbank and 490+ Meadow Pipits over Orcombe Point along with 2 Golden Plovers.
Five Yellow Wagtails were in with cattle on Orcombe on the 27th along with 1 Wheatear. Nine Greenshank off Mudbank was a good count.
My first 4+ Siskins and 15+ Chaffinches flew over Orcombe Point on the 28th. Singles of Firecrest and Tree Pipit were also recorded along with c25 Chiffchaffs. Off Mudbank - 1150 Wigeon and my first Grey Plover in a while.
On the 29th I counted c235 Pintail and c290 Dark-bellied Brent Geese off Mudbank along with c80 Turnstones and 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. On the cricket pitch - c65 Jackdaws.
Tree Pipit - Orcombe Point 1/9/24.
Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper - Exmouth beach 2/9/24. With 2 Dunlin and 42 Ringed Plovers at first light. This was my second of the autumn making 2024 a bumper year for this lovely wader!
Eclipse male Garganey - Mudbank 3/9/24.
Wheatear - Orcombe Point 13/9/24.
Long-billed Dowitcher - Mudbank 14/9/24. The moulting adult first seen in Shutterton Creek on 13/9. It had the decency to relocate to Exmouth on the 14th and was present again the following day before heading back to the Warren. It then remained on the Exe until the end of the year.
Spoonbill - Mudbank 15/9/24.
Spotted Flycatcher - Orcombe Point 17/9/24. My only record of the autumn following a dreadful spring for this species (I recorded a grand total of 'zero' on Orcombe). Thankfully, at least one bird was back on territory at Bystock but I was unable to establish whether breeding was ultimately successful.
October 1st was one of those rare days when I vacated the patch. I went to Exminster Marshes to see a fabulous juvenile Black-winged Stilt but was probably more pleased to find a Pectoral Sandpiper that flew in with 2 Snipe, calling to give away its presence. Also good to see a smart juvenile Spotted Redshank there too, plus the obligatory Marsh Harrier of course. The only Exmouth news for the 1st was 6 'new in' Pale-bellied Brent Geese off Mudbank and 1 Golden Plover plus 1 Yellow Wagtail over Orcombe Point.
Two Spoonbills headed upriver, late in the afternoon on the 2nd and on the 4th a female Garganey was off Mudbank, along with c560 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 8+ Pale-bellied Brent Geese.
On the 6th there was a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull off Mudbank and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose count had reached c700 birds. The Pintail flock numbered 310+ birds.
Highlight on the 9th was 2 Woodlarks on Orcombe Point. Also 1 late Wheatear and 3 Cirl Buntings.
Cold, clear skies on the 11th produced c2300+ Woodpigeons along with 1 Spoonbill and 1 or 2 Woodlarks on Orcombe Point. Seven Jays headed west and the female Garganey was again off Mudbank.
My first Lapwing of the autumn and first 7+ Redwings were on Orcombe on the 12th.
On the 14th I made the effort to count a flock of c1700 Wigeon. The female Garganey was again present.
I eventually found a Yellow-browed Warbler on the 17th - a non-calling bird in the Maer Long stay carpark after work.
The 18th was a good day with 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 1 Firecrest, 2 Ringed Plovers and 4 Swallows amongst a number of species moving on Orcombe.
Much quieter on the 19th but my first Black Redstart of 2024 was at Maer Farm and the top fields wader flock now held 4 Ringed Plovers and 2 Dunlin! The Yellow-browed Warbler was still in the Maer carpark and another first-winter Yellow-legged Gull was off Mudbank.
Storm Ashley passed through on the 20th but 8 Mediterranean Gulls along the beach were the only birds of any note if you don't include a late Whimbrel off Mudbank.
Frustration on the 23rd when a Common/Pallid Swift flew low south-west over Orcombe Point. My first 3+ Brambling of the year were moving along with c500+ Chaffinches, c170 Redwing, 12 Swallows and c16000+ Woodpigeons. The Yellow-browed Warbler completed a week's stay in the Maer Carpark.
A Great White Egret was seen from the back garden, late in the day on the 26th. Also - my first autumn/winter Red-breasted Merganser off there and a presumed returning Cetti's Warbler.
On Lu's birthday (27/10) a Great White Egret flew west over Orcombe Point along with 15300+ Woodpigeons and a Yellowhammer.
On the 28th a Marsh Harrier flew over Shelly Beach and yet another first-winter Yellow-legged Gull was off Mudbank.
Firecrests were on Orcombe Point and at Maer Farm on the 29th. A Whimbrel and c160 Turnstones were off Mudbank.
A juvenile Little Grebe and 4 Firecrests were on Bystock reserve on the 30th and new Orcombe arrivals on the 31st included a Dartford Warbler and another Ring Ouzel. A count of c14000+ Woodpigeons was made. A Black Redstart was on Shelly Beach apartments and a late afternoon Bystock Brambling brought a busy, bird-filled month to a close.
Some October 'vismig' totals included 3 just Redpolls, 5 Bramblings, 16 House Martins, 57 Swallows, 54+ Siskins, 23+ Reed Buntings, 14+ Jays, 75600+ Woodpigeons, 860+ Meadow Pipits, 190+ Redwings, c475 Pied Wagtails and 700+ Chaffinches.
I was pleased to find this Pectoral Sandpiper at Exminster Marshes on 1/10/24. It flew in calling whilst I was watching the juvenile Black-winged Stilt - see below.
Female Garganey - Mudbank 4/10/24. The second of the autumn. Seen again on the 11th.
One of two Woodlarks on Orcombe Point on 9/10/24.
Grey Plover - Duckpond 13/10/24.
Ring Ouzel - Orcombe Point 18/10/24. The first of two October birds.
Black Redstart - Maer Farm 19/10/24. My first Exmouth Black Red in 2024. Two more were subsequently seen in the Shelly Beach area but that was it - a very poor year for this species in Exmouth.
Pintail - Mudbank 27/10/24. Mudbank is a prime site for this species. Numbers obviously fluctuate but the first autumn returner was seen on August 29th and a good count of 310+ was made on October 6th. Good numbers were still being seen right up until the year's end.
My 7th Exmouth Marsh Harrier. This bird passed high east over Shelly beach on 28/10/24.
The Little Grebe was again seen on November 1st on Bystock Pool and a good count of c250 Curlew was on Cockle Sands.
Highlight on the 2nd was my first Exmouth Hawfinch. If flew east over the top of Wright's Lane at midday. A Brambling also showed at Wright's Lane. A little flock of 7 Mediterranean Gulls was off Mudbank and a Golden Plover circled Orcombe Point.
At least 4 Lapwings and 3 Firecrests were on Orcombe Point on the 3rd. Two Mistle Thrushes and 2 Redpolls flew over the top end of Wright's Lane.
On the 5th a flock of 7 Lapwings was in the top fields and I recorded my first 2 Fieldfares of the autumn. A drake Tufted Duck was off Mudbank.
The 8th saw the discovery of 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs (Maer carpark and West Lodge) and 2 Cattle Egrets off Mudbank. Two Black Redstarts were in the Shelly Beach area and 2+ Mistle Thrushes and a Firecrest were at West Lodge.
Six Golden Plovers were in the Orcombe top fields on the 9th and a couple Bramblings flew over.
The 10th was a good day with a Hawfinch over Mudbank and a returning Ruff off there. Also c170 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Knot, 2 Lapwings, c70 Redshank, 5 Grey Plovers and 13 Bar-tailed Godwits. Chaffinches over Orcombe numbered c110 birds and 8 Snipe were flushed. Another 4 Golden Plovers moved through.
Two Egyptian Geese flew east over Orcombe on the 13th and a Cetti's Warbler was glimpsed a few times in West Lodge reedbed.
A female-type Goldeneye was off Mudbank on the 14th and on the 15th I recorded 8 Red--breasted Mergansers off there.
On the 16th 3 female Gadwall were off Mudbank and a Siberian Chiffchaff was again at West Lodge.
A Black-throated Diver flew past the lifeboat station on the 19th - a pretty rare sight in Exmouth and the first time I've managed to photograph one within the parish.
On the 22nd, following some snow over many parts of the county, there was a flock of 25 Golden Plovers on Orcombe.
On the 23rd 7 Black Swans found shelter from storm Bert in the Duckpond.
A Dartford Warbler was at Bystock on the 27th and the Little Grebe was still there. The Siberian Chiffchaff was again at West Lodge and remained 'til the end of the month.
Juvenile Little Grebe - Bystock Pool 1/11/24. My only Exmouth record in 2024. Always a tricky species to see never mind photograph!
My second Ruff of 2024 - a male that has returned just briefly with Black-tailed Godwits for the last four years.
Siberian Chiffchaff - West Lodge 16/11/24. Two birds were seen on 8/11 - presumably this bird and another alongside the Maer long-stay carpark.
Black-throated Diver - past the lifeboat station 19/11/24.
Song Thrush - near West Lodge 22/11/24.
Great Northern Diver - Shelly Beach 23/11/24.
On December 2nd the Cetti's Warbler was between Mudbank and West Lodge , 2 Firecrests were in the hedge opposite Maer Farm and 2 Rock Pipits were at the Imperial recreation ground.
On the 3rd there were 4 Eider off the seafront and on the 6th I recorded 262+ Pintail off Mudbank along with drake Shoveler.
I was very pleased to see 2 Purple Sandpipers below Orcombe Point on the 11th along with a Pale-bellied Brent Goose. A roosting flock of c140 Redshank was off Mudbank where the Shelduck flock numbered c145.
On the 13th a Sandwich Tern was on rocks below Orcombe Point and a Yellow-browed Warbler was on Warren View playing fields behind our house.
The Yellow-browed Warbler was seen again on the 15th and 2 Cirl Buntings were on the Imperial recreation ground. The Little Grebe was still on Bystock Pool.
The Yellow-browed Warbler was last recorded on Warren View on the 17th but Derek relocated it in the brook, behind his house, on the 27th.
A Redpoll flew over Warren View on the 23rd and 2 Firecrests were along the cycle path near West Lodge.
On the 24th single Firecrests were at Maer Farm and in Phear Park. The regular Maer Valley Curlew flock numbered 80 birds.
My third Siberian Chiffchaff of 2024 was on Orcombe Point on the 27th and on the 28th the Yellow-browed Warbler was seen in back gardens at the bottom of Belle Vue Road. Both birds were still present on the 29th when 2 Firecrests were in Phear Park.
The Yellow-browed Warbler performed again on the 30th and singles of Firecrest and Mistle Thrush were seen on Orcombe Point.
Redwing - West Lodge 3/12/24.
Purple Sandpiper - Orcombe Point 11/12/24. One of two and my first (and last) sighting in the second winter period of 2024. It's quite shocking to see how quickly this gorgeous wader has abandoned what I'd assumed was a regular and reliable wintering site.
Yellow-browed Warbler - Warren View playing fields 13/12/24. This bird was present for just four days before disappearing, only to be relocated by Derek on the 27th, just a hundred metres away in the brook/back gardens at the bottom of our road.
Meadow Pipit - Imperial recreation ground 15/12/24. Even the ubiquitous 'mipit' appeared in lower than usual numbers this year. Stunning birds when seen close up.
Siberian Chiffchaff - Orcombe Point 27/12/24. The third and final Sibe Chiff of 2024.
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