Birdwatching Trip Report – 26th April 2026 

26th April, 2026

Steve Waite 

A stunning spring morning with plenty of birds to be seen during the two-hour trip. 

The sky was bustling with all three species of hirundines, with Swallows and House Martins at the Seaton end of the line and large numbers of Sand Martins around their breeding site near Black Hole Marsh. Warblers were also prolific, with the still conditions encouraging many Reed & Sedge Warblers, as well as singles of Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat to sing. The latter offered some views as it sang from bushes and posts in front of the tram, as did a couple of the Sedge Warblers. 

Another summer migrant noted was a single Wheatear, perched on traction pole during the journey north. This bird would have only just arrived in the UK, having spent the winter in sub-Saharan Africa. And although it clearly made landfall on the Axe, it’s still probably several hundred miles from where it will ultimately breed. 

A good showing of gulls included a surprise first-summer Mediterranean Gull, with wading birds including three each of Black-tailed Godwits and Whimbrel. 

In total 53 species of birds were recorded during the trip. Species List - 26/04/2026
Mute Swan	Swallow
Canada Goose	House Martin
Shelduck	Sand Martin
Teal	Blue Tit
Mallard	Great Tit
Cormorant	Reed Warbler
Pheasant	Sedge Warbler
Little Egret	Lesser Whitethroat
Grey Heron	Blackcap (heard)
Buzzard	Chiffchaff (heard)
Kestrel	Cetti's Warbler (heard)
Moorhen	Wren (heard)
Oystercatcher	Starling
Black-tailed Godwit	Blackbird
Whimbrel	Song Thrush
Black-headed Gull	Wheatear
Mediterranean Gull	Robin
Common Gull	Stonechat
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Dunnock
Herring Gull	House Sparrow
Great Black-backed Gull	Meadow Pipit
Woodpigeon	Pied Wagtail
Stock Dove	Greenfinch (heard)
Magpie	Goldfinch
Rook	Linnet
Carrion Crow	Reed Bunting (heard)
Green Woodpecker