Spring limps forward

It's not proving a particularly exciting spring so far, but still, it's early days and to be honest is still quite cold (except for last Wednesday!).  I've got high hopes for this weekend though when the weather looks to be settling down and the temperature is forecast to rise, although this may well be false-hope and actual do nothing for numbers and/or variety, as is so often the case in spring on the Axe! 

I have managed some year ticks since my last post, although all are run-of-the mill and fully expected considering it is now mid April...

A birding tram trip on 11th gave me my first couple of Reed Warblers and first Sedge Warbler of the year.  There were also at least four singing Willow Warblers along the track, suggesting there had been some sort of fall, even if it were a small one.  Unfortunately I couldn't pick out the female Redstart that Phil and Clive had seen on Colyford Common earlier in the morning, which would have been a tram-based first for me!

My first Sedge Warbler of 2026

 

Wader passage has been as light as passerine passage so far this spring. My early April Turnstone remains the highlight for me, but I have at least now seen Whimbrel with two on the evening of 14th and nine this morning, which included eight west over Seaton Beach and another on the lower Estuary.  I have also seen two single summer-plumaged Dunlin in the last week, but other than varying Black-tailed Godwit numbers I have nothing more to add here!

Ospreys on the other hand have been performing well for me.  One caught a fish right in front of me yesterday afternoon on the lower Estuary, with presumably the same bird out fishing along the same stretch again this morning off and on for an hour. It was unsuccessful on this occasion though, and I last saw it being chased away to the east towards Axe Cliff by Herring Gulls, which may have been it departing for good?  Time will tell I suppose!

A fine shape - however much you see it!

  

Another nice sighting today was my first Caspian Gull since February (and I have been looking!).  This second calendar-year bird showed nicely on the lower Estuary from 15:45 for just over half an hour... 

My first view - second from right.  Cracking shape with very long and pale bill, very white fronted, lots of grey on  mantle, plain greater coverts and solidly black tertials - the full house really!

Such a striking shape - especially when it stuck its neck out like this!

Those little grey flecks on the rear neck are a really distinctive Casp feature

I am the last person to begrudge a nice Casp but I am longing for a white-winger and have been so hopeful for a spring bird. Spring remains the best time of year to find one (especially an Iceland) on the Axe, so I will keep trying but it is getting late now. 

Hopefully, if my predictions come true, my next update should contain a lot more action...