Birdwatching Trip Report - 15th April 2023

17th April, 2023

We had absolutely glorious weather for this morning's Birdwatching Tram! Evidence that spring migrants are arriving is reflected in the species list below, with our first Whimbrel and Sedge Warbler of the year, plus a full set of hirundines: Sand Martin, Swallow and House Martin were all present and correct.

Notable gaps in our total of 51 species were the wintering ducks, Wigeon and Shoveler, all moved on now. A small number of Teal were still here – mostly on Black Hole Marsh – but soon they will be off too. Likewise, the lovely Black-tailed Godwits, several of which were sporting the rich chestnut colours of their breeding plumage; they will be heading for Iceland shortly.

The piping calls and noisy displays of Oystercatchers accompanied us everywhere this morning, a dominant feature of the Axe Estuary bird life at this time of year. Hopefully, there will be a few successful breeders again this year.

Among the less regular visitors were four Greylag Geese feeding with Canada Geese.

We were also treated to great views of three Roe Deer at Colyford Common.

All species seen or heard this morning are listed below...

 

Species List - 15th April 2023
Canada Goose	Common Gull	Cetti's Warbler
Greylag Goose	Great Black-backed Gull	Chiffchaff
Mute Swan	Herring Gull	Sedge Warbler
Shelduck	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Wren
Teal	Cormorant	Starling
Pheasant	Grey Heron	Song Thrush
Feral Pigeon	Little Egret	Blackbird
Stock Dove	Buzzard	Robin
Woodpigeon	Magpie	House Sparrow
Moorhen	Jackdaw	Dunnock
Oystercatcher	Rook	Pied Wagtail
Whimbrel	Carrion Crow	Meadow Pipit
Curlew	Blue Tit	Chaffinch
Black-tailed Godwit	Great Tit	Greenfinch
Redshank	Sand Martin	Linnet
Greenshank	Swallow	Goldfinch
Black-headed Gull	House Martin	Reed Bunting