Phenomenal Lyme Bay pelagic, Brixham Naturetrek Wilson's Petrel 1st in 21 years of surveys, 1920 Balearic, Sooty & 250 Manx Shearwater, 33 Stormies, 2 Arctic Skua, 28 Risso's Dolphin, 236 Common Dolphin, Ocean Sunfish, 3 Harbour Porpoise, 300 Gannet, 800 Guillemot, 250 Kitt

An hour out this morning gave me my first LRP's (two), Goosander (two) and Willow Warbler of the autumn. Read about it here... stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2025/07/black-…

117 macro moths of 42 species last night, which for the first time since I started trapping here did not include a single Hawkmoth. A sign of the mothing year moving on, as was this Canary-shouldered Thorn. Also a lovely Sallow Kitten. No immigrant macros but 5 Rush Veener.

Amazing start to August for me with a productive 1.5 hour visit to Beer Head this morning. A proper autumn flurry of migrants with singles of Pied and Spotted Fly, Lesser and Common Whitethroat, Wheatear and Sedge Warbler and 22+ Willow Warblers. Absolutely loved it! #birding

1st August and autumn starts for me... stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2025/08/beer-h…

Good to see three Ruddy Darter at Lower Bruckland Ponds, all males of varying maturity. This is now the only site in the Axe Valley for this species, as far as I know, so it's great to see them still hanging on here #dragonflies #odonata

Several Rush Veener and Rusty-dot Pearl's in my trap last night, but Silver Y and Portland Ribbon Wave were the only migrant macros (latter maybe resident though?). Otherwise it was a night for the Prominents, with the four species caught all pictured below... #mothsmatter

Plenty of birds up at Beer Head again this morning, but not quite as much variety as I had hoped. Totals: 28 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 8 Common Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler and 1 Wheatear. Nice to see the increase in Sylvias.

Grounded migrants flitting along a coastal fenceline, such a simple thing but gives me such a buzz... Beer Head highlights from two visits over the past three days: stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2025/08/back-t…

We actually have some southerly winds! It might not be that windy and there's no rain, but 45 mins from Spot On Kiosk (Seaton) this morning gave me: 135 Gannet, 7 Kittiwake, 6 Commom Scoter, 3 Balearic Shearwater, 3 Med Gulls (juvs), 1 Sandwich Tern and 1 Whimbrel

Scary

Singles of The Gem, Bordered Straw and Silver Y were the macro migrants in my catch of 70 moths last night. A few Rusty Dot Pearl and a European Corn-borer were the only obvious immigrant micros I could see, oddly no Rush Veneer even though I've caught plenty lately!

As expected there's been an increase in moth numbers these past couple of nights. Migrants continue to trickle in for me, with Scarce Bordered Straw and Dark Sword Grass the best of them. Other highlights include garden firsts of Tawny Shears and Angle-barred Pug #mothsmatter

Beer Head this morning for 2.5 hours: 32 Wheatear, 16 Yellow Wag, 15 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 3 Tree Pipit, 3 Common Whitethroat, Pied Fly, Spot Fly and Ringed Plover. Autumn moves on!

Autumn moves on at Beer Head... stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2025/08/beer-h…

I've had worse mornings! This cracking Striped Hawkmoth was waiting for me in my moth trap, then an Osprey flew over the garden heading for the Axe Estuary! Also had a Yellow Wag over which was another garden tick.

Black Hole Marsh absolutely teeming with gulls and waders. Most showing extremely well from Island Hide including Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff and Bar-tailed Godwit as pictured. Also my first Whinchat of the autumn north of Seaton Marshes and the Osprey caught a fish earlier on Axe

No change at Black Hole Marsh this morning but it's still busy there with Spotted Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 4 Common Sands, 10 Dunlin and 12 Ringed Plover all present

What a smart bird. A first for the patch and such a well deserved find for Phil A. Marsh Sandpiper on Black Hole Marsh

Marsh Sandpiper at Black Hole Marsh, a patch first: stevesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2025/08/marsh-…