This morning at the NNR in rain:

4,000+ Dunlin including one partial albino (mostly white with a few dark feathers)
100+ Ringed Plovers
11 Sanderling
2 Turnstones
1 Curlew Sandpiper
1 Little Stint
(all in full or almost full breeding plumage)
8 Whimbrel

Yesterday (12/5) there were almost no waders including no Dunlin; just a single flock of c. 300 Ringed Plovers plus two Sanderling flying passed.

11/5 - 3,000+ Dunlin, 100 Ringed Plover, 22 Oystercatcher, 14 Whimbrel, 7 Curlew, 7 Sanderling, and 1 Greenshank.

Clearly birds passing through in pulses.

Just to add to yesterday’s passerine migrants, with lots across Avon and Somerset, I saw 4 Wheatear and 5 Whinchat at Steart in the morning without covering the whole site by a long way.

Thousands of summer plumaged Dunlin were on the beach at Wall Common on the falling tide. Also one in winter plumage (!), 1 Sanderling, 1 Blackwit, a few Whimbrel and Grey Plover, and plenty of Ringed Plover. I couldn’t check the whole flock properly though as they were too dispersed.

Imm Spoonbill on Stockland first thing today, which flew off north, and another later on Otterhampton East (didn’t walk round so could have been more). Also c40 Blackwit on Stockland. A male Whinchat and a Whimbrel were on Otterhampton West. Lots of Sedge Warblers.

Yes, both are regularly recorded there.

I was also at Steart today…..

Amongst other things there were also a couple of what I believe to be Little Ringed Plovers on a shingle island in front of the Quantock hide (yellow ring around the eyes).

I recorded what I think were Cetti’s Warblers a few times around the reserve, but couldn’t spot them.

There was also what I presume was a Swan egg that had been left unattended, something I’ve never seen before.

I’ve got some ID issues on large-ish birds seen in the video I took of the Spoonbills/some photos so will plug away trying to work them out before I embarrass myself publicly again by asking questions!

Wall/Catsford Common
Bar-tailed Godwit 75
Whimbrel 8
Com Whitethroat 2
Whinchat
Wheatear
Reed Warbler 3

WWT Otterhampton Marsh
Spoonbill   2 sub adult
Avocet 100+

Stockland Marsh
Spotted Redshank   full summer plumage
Greenshank 2
Black-tailed godwit 27
Great White Egret

Male Mute Swan nesting with partner as you enter the reserve from the car park wearing Yellow Darvic DHD was ringed at Abbotsbury Swannery in 2015 as an Adult

Durleigh Res early morning viewed from the lay-by
Cattle Egret 2 in the trees with 2 Little egret
Goldeneye female in and around the reeds in front the Manor House