Devon Bird News

Wrafton

2012-01-30T17:28:00.002Z

There's been a gathering of small Gulls on the field over the Tarka Trail from Wrafton pond for some weeks now, and I have taken to scanning through them in the hope of something interesting, and there has been an occasional Common Gull. Today the flock was considerably smaller, and as I scanned across I said Mediterranean Gull rather distractedly, then realised it was one! A winter plumage adult. Otherwise cold and wet.

Brixham

2012-01-30T16:36:00.003Z

First winter Iceland Gull was circling around the fish quay intermittently mid- morning .Seen from near yacht club up the hill to the left, or from viewing platform right of the fish dock entry. Planned to view returning trawlers from breakwater in afternoon but abandoned due to poor conditions.

Exmouth

2012-01-30T14:19:00.000Z

4 Purple Sandpipers flew in at 1330 hrs and landed on Maer Rocks. Still present when I left at 1345hrs.

Weekend at Upottery Airfield, Smeatharpe

2012-01-30T09:54:00.000Z

Sunday 29th

The Great Grey Shrike was showing well in the morning at 8.30 a.m.- first time i have caught up with it since the new year (illness not having helped) but Ian Pearson saw it on the 8th and Dave Helliar the day before a little away from the airfield. It does seem to be roaming further now. 28 golden plover and female stonechat. A noticeable number of blackbirds with a small flock of around 15 birds staying close together feeding in hawthorn.

Saturday 28th

The Little Owl showed well for the first time since the autumn and was enjoying the last of the sun in the late afternoon. 6 golden plover were dodging cows in the rough pasture.

Otter

2012-01-29T20:26:00.007Z

Otter est - c1430 - 1615 - adult caspian gull and 4 med gull this afternoon.

The caspian gull was a fairly subtle bird. Size-wise only a fraction larger than herring gull but proportionally smaller head and noticeably slimmer, parallel-sided bill with a greenish-toned base. The yellow was duller, less orangey than similar aged herrings and there was a nice red gonys spot. The legs were an insipid grey-pink but it never stood out of the water so judging length wasn't possible. It was slope-backed which meant its primary tips dipped in the water and it lacked any tertial step. The upperparts were appreciably darker than herrings but perhaps not as dark as yellow-legged gull. It was quite proud chested when stood relaxed and its eye was often a mere pin-prick and dark though through Doug's more powerful scope it appeared dark amber. A long wait ensued before the all important primary tips were seen but on the closed wing the underside of the longest primaries looked extensively white. Once seen the outer primaries showed a lot of white with a wholly white tip to p10 visible in the second photo. The bird flew out to see around 1610.

Prawle

2012-01-29T20:20:00.004Z

Always happy to pose for a picture

Little and Large

It's been a poor year for waders so far, with a maximum of 10 Purple Sandpipers, 11 Turnstones, and just these singles of Grey Plover and Curlew. Even Oystercatcher numbers are lower than usual.

Began the day with a seawatch, highlight of which were 2 Iceland Gulls. An adult was with a group of about 20 Herring Gulls following a crabber, mostly quite distant, and while watching this one, a second bird briefly joined the party before heading off east - this one looked to be an adult too. When the crabber returned towards Salcombe, the attendant gulls followed, passing fairly close in, so could be worth a look around Salcombe for it. Also passing, 2 each of Great Northern and Red-throated Diver, 3 Brent Geese, Common Scoter and 700 Auks.

49 Golden Plovers were over the Airfields, while regular winterers included the Water Pipit, Black Redstart, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

Knowle, Budleigh Salterton

2012-01-29T17:38:00.000Z

A Firecrest in the garden! Photo by Steve Oliver

Exe Extuary

2012-01-29T17:30:00.001Z

My hunt for the 1st wint Red-breasted Goose, a winter passtime, was a success today with great views at Darts Fram. Also 980 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Reed Buntings, 70 Linnet, 140 Wigeon, 45 Curlew and 165 Black-tailed Godwits.

A drive to Dawlish Warren with a quick stop at Starcross golf course, produced another 380 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, different from those above I am sure.

Finally Dawlish produced the female Surf Scotor, 2 Slavonian Grebes, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 7 Great Crested Grebes and 20+ Razorbill's.

Axe Estuary

2012-01-29T17:14:00.003Z

14 Med Gulls this afternoon (all adults except for one 1st-winter) but still no Iceland Gull!

Plymouth

2012-01-29T17:12:00.002Z

A Brambling today, in amongt a large flock of mixed Finches (mainly Chaffinch) to the back of the coach parking area at Princetown car park.[David Palmer]

Broadsands

2012-01-29T17:07:00.000Z

On sea 3 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-breasted Merganser.

In 2nd car park 16 Cirl Buntings on seed with 5 Reed Bunting.

3 more Black-necked Grebes off Goodrington Beach.

Plym Estuary & Coypool

2012-01-29T16:48:00.002Z

The Yellow-browed Warbler showing quite well early afternoon in the wooded area just upstream from the white cottage, next to the gas installation; also Great Spotted Woodpecker.

On the Plym Estuary, one Common Sandpiper and 2 Little Grebes.

Yelland Fuel Jetty to Isley Marsh.

2012-01-29T12:24:00.003Z

08:15 to 11:00. High tide at 09:38.

A stroll from Yelland Level Crossing down to the fuel jetty and back around to Isley Marsh was quite pleasant this morning, although I`ve never seen so many people about. Weekenders I suspect?

6 Bullfinch, 6 Greenfinch on the Tarka Trail. 7 Little Egret in Instow Barton Marsh and 2 male Reed Buntings on the path to the river bank.

Jetty Roost.
88 Grey Plover; 44 Knot; c200 Dunlin; 3 Little Grebe; 1 Great Crested Grebe; c80 Dark bellied Brent flying up river; 8 Turnstone; 1 Grey Heron; just a few Lapwing, O/catcher and Redshank;
23 Teal; 10 Wigeon and 87 Curlew.
1 Redhead Goosander just off the main jetty.

27 more Turnstone on the foreshore between the jetty and Isley.

Isley Marsh at 09:50.

10 Spoonbill on the marsh viewed from the ashbeds. It makes all the difference to view these from the right location! 5 Shoveler( 2 drakes, 3 ducks) and c50 Wigeon; c150 Teal and c30 Curlew.

Most of the Wigeon on the river seem to be off Penhill Marsh lately with nos of up to c300. Nos of c240 Dark-bellied Brent are usually there as well.

Exminster Marshes

2012-01-28T20:38:00.003Z

Nice little flock of 10 Bullfinches along path from RSPB carpark to Turf, they were having a good feast on the buds. [Simon Thurgood]

Brixham

2012-01-28T20:36:00.000Z

Brixham Breakwater, 3 Iceland Gulls, 2 ad 1 1stW following trawler to breakwater only 1 ad came inside of breakwater 16:45.

[Roy Williams]

Kingswear > Mansands

2012-01-28T19:09:00.000Z

Juv Iceland Gull (quite a pale bird) feeding over brown field (recently sludge sprayed) south of old School House just after turning off onto the Coleton fishacre/Man Sands road. It flew off to another brown field with good numbers of Herring gulls S of this field again. Perhaps the same one that appeared in Brixham later?

Exmouth

2012-01-28T17:19:00.004Z

West Lodge - 0800 - 8 goldeneye (including 3 drakes), 10 little egret, 5+ meadow pipit, 1 greenshank, c300+ dunlin and yellow-browed warbler seen briefly at 0820.

Maer Rocks - 4 eider, 3 razorbill, 2 turnstone and 14 common scoter, 1 blackcap behind beach huts and a red admiral!

Exmouth Docks - male black redstart around Regatta Court.

Yesterday - West Lodge - 0815 - 2 mistle thrush, 1 treecreeper, 1 redpoll and the yellow-browed warbler on call only.

N Devon

2012-01-28T16:58:00.002Z

One, possibly two Dartford Warblers in song on the N Devon coast today. [Peter Liddle]

Brixham Breakwater

2012-01-28T16:20:00.002Z

A quick walk along the Breakwater (3:10) produced 5 purple sandpipers and a single 1st winter Iceland gull that followed a trawler with about 40-50 herring gulls right round the end of the breakwater, then stopped to clean the deck outside the harbour.

Plym Estuary & Coypool

2012-01-28T13:21:00.002Z

After no sign all morning, Russ Eynon re-found the Yellow-browed Warbler around midday and I connected with it an hour later - upstream from Coypool Park & Ride in the wooded area to the west of the river (by the no entry road signs where the lane joins Longbridge Road).

Otherwise the Spotted Sandpiper showing very well on Blaxton Meadow close to the "hide", sporting a little more adult plumage; also 38 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 6 Greenshank, 5 Little Egret, 4 Little Grebe and 30 Shelduck.

Dartington

2012-01-28T10:27:00.000Z

Three Goosanders on river 300m up from Totnes Weir this morning - one drake and two females.

Exmouth

2012-01-27T22:12:00.002Z

Went searching for Matt's Iceland Gull this afternoon. Spent a couple of hours grilling the gulls but with no luck. However, the Long-tailed Duck was present fairly distant off the Harbour View cafe and a Red-throated Diver was obligingly popping up for views every so often. Walking towards Orcombe produced 3 Common Scoters and finally an Eider was close in to Maer Rocks. No sign of any Purple Sandpipers though. As Matt has alluded to, these rocks seem to be a magnet for masses of people to clamber over, sometimes with their dogs!

Northam Burrows

2012-01-27T17:43:00.002Z

Today and for 4 or five days previously I have watched a pair of Snow Buntings feeding not far from the water's edge in the Northam Burrows near Appledore. Taking the Westward Ho entrance and following the road past the first car park on the right there is further parking on the right on the way to the Burrows Centre (closed at present).The birds were on the grass verge opposite. The tide comes in and forms a lake here.

[Andrea Shorrock]

Broadsands

2012-01-27T15:36:00.003Z

On sea: particularly quiet today just 3 Black-necked Grebes and 6 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Common Scoter. After dropping seed in the 2nd car park 19 Cirls and 9 Reed buntings came down to feed almost immediately. In the marsh just one 'collybita' Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Water Rail.

For information, and those thinking about giving Brixham a go this weekend. I have tried visiting Brixham on several evenings over the past couple of weeks hoping to catch up with some scarcer gulls, they only seem to come in when the day trawlers or sprat fishing boats return - usually late afternoon. Most of these fishing boats gut fish off the end of the breakwater before unloading their catch at the fish quay bringing hundreds of gull in to feed. I tried the other evening and no fishing boats came in = no gulls! The evening before when two Iceland gulls were found, about 5 trawlers came in, so its very hit and miss. Astra Zenica (freshwater quarry) car park is the best unless you are prepared to walk out to the end of the Breakwater as Steve Cox did.

Exmouth

2012-01-26T19:15:00.002Z

Seafront - A first-winter iceland gull on a rapidly disappearing sandbar this evening c1705 - 1715. Also 1 sanderling. On Maer Rocks 1 purple sandpiper and at least 4 turnstone.
This is the first time in a while that I've seen purple sand on the rocks. The area is generally over-disturbed. Although the light was poor the iceland appeared smaller than herrings and typically round-headed. There was clear contrast between white-looking primaries and overall biscuit-coloured plumage so I don't think there's any 'kumliens' about it.

Aveton Gifford

2012-01-26T15:38:00.001Z

On a falling tide:

Imm. Bewick's swan still with mutes.
Greenshank, 2 redshanks, 3 common sandpipers.
300 Black-headed gulls inc.2 with full chocolate heads.
2 kingfishers.

Exminster Marshes

2012-01-26T15:17:00.000Z

During a walk around the perimeter of the southern marsh I was surprised at the number of wigeon spread out on almost every field. There must have been several thousand. Also lots of lapwing including one or two starting to display in the sunshine. Amongst the 600 brent geese in the field adjacent to the Turf were the red-breasted goose and two possible pale bellied birds. There were 11 greylag geese on the lagoon with 3 gadwall and a few coots.

Also seen were a single kingfisher and a very vocal chiffchaff, the first I have seen this year on the canal bank. Raptors were very evident; 2 kestrels, 2 sparrowhawks (including a strangely marked first winter-spotted back) and a single buzzard. No peregrine to disrupt the party and no sign of the glossy ibis.

Orcombe Point

2012-01-25T22:01:00.002Z

A quick seawatch at lunchtime today produced 2 Black-throated Divers heading south-west passing close in to the headland at 1335hrs. Earlier an adult-winter Mediterranean Gull passed west just below the point with Black-headed Gulls at 1315hrs. On the sea were 6 Common Scoter, with another drake flying west a little later.

Brixham Harbour

2012-01-24T18:49:00.000Z

I watched from the outer breakwater, the same two Iceland Gull's (Juv & Adult) follow the trawlers into the Bay. The first I picked up at 1545 which was the Juv. It did enter the harbour for a spell. The Adult appeared 1615 following another trawler and stayed, as Mike had said, behind the trawler as it was gutting outside the harbour wall.

Also 10 Purple Sandpipers along outer harbour wall.

Brixham

2012-01-24T18:09:00.002Z

Picked up two new Iceland Gulls at Brixham this evening as the small day trawlers (5 of them) came in to port late afternoon. the first a juv, after losing it and scanning the group of gulls sat on the sea then found an adult! The best views were from Astra Zenica car park (after I moved from higher view points) but a walk out to the end of the breakwater would have give closer views.
Neither bird came into the harbour area where there were hundreds if not 1,000 + mostly Herring Gulls. Jake W, Dave N and Bill Mac all got down in time to see both birds, eventually sat together on the sea and feeding behind trawlers gutting fish.

Bishops Tawton today

2012-01-23T21:22:00.002Z

Malcolm had

2 whooper swans
36 mute swans
7 greylag geese

and a ruff on the tarka trail near Heanton Court

Slapton

2012-01-23T19:56:00.002Z

1:00pm - 2 Bitterns and a Marsh Harrier. [Terry Lakeman]

R.Taw between Pottington and Penhill Marsh.

2012-01-23T19:51:00.002Z

14:30

Nothing exotic but 46 Dunlin; 2 Black-tailed Godwit; 1 Bar-tailed Godwit; 3 Little Egret;
3 Grey Plover; 4 Little Grebe and 1 redhead Goosander on Pottington side.

c350 Wigeon; c200 Dark-bellied Brent; c200 Canada Geese and c40 Shelduck on Penhill Marsh side with c150 Golden Plover midriver.

1 Green Sandpiper in the usual ditch with 1 Kestrel windhovering overhead.

Clennon Valley

2012-01-23T19:50:00.002Z

2 Woodcock [Tim Clyburn]

Exmouth

2012-01-23T19:48:00.003Z

Maer Rocks - 4 Eider

Shelley Beach - Black Redstart, Goldeneye

[Claire & Chris Grove]

Brixham - yesterday 22/1

2012-01-23T19:47:00.001Z

Female Black Redstart by police station in Rea Barn Close. [Trev Leaman]

Bursdon Moor Sunday afternoon (22nd Jan)

2012-01-23T17:20:00.002Z

At least two superbly plumaged immature male Hen Harriers (with remaining brown feathering restricted to their 'saddles') and one ringtail, plus two Merlins (considered to be a male and a female on size) at roost.

Broadsands

2012-01-23T13:01:00.000Z

21 Cirl buntings and 7 Reed Buntings on seed today at back of 2nd car park near to the blue skip and beach huts - the best count this winter!

4 Black-necked & 6 Great Crested Grebes also 2 Common Scoter on the sea.

Prawle (and a little bit of Slapton)

2012-01-22T20:33:00.004Z

Water Pipit - starting to look a little peachy now.

Not the Iceland Gull!

Seawatch, 08.00 - 10.30; Hardly had time to set up before an adult Iceland Gull flew east at 08.10. Thereafter most birds were moving west, final totals being 1 Great Northern, 2 Black-throated and 3 Red-throated Divers, 119 Gannets, 9 Fulmars, 2 Common Scoters, 2 Red-breasted Megansers, Great Skua, 69 Kittiwakes and 334 Auks, nearly all Razorbills.

Wader highlights were the Green Sandpiper again, and the first Lapwing of the year, flying north. In Horseley Cove, 3 Med Gulls and the Water Pipit still, and elswhere just a single Chiffchaff. Biggest suprise of the day were 2 Crossbills that flew west to the Point, but in the face of the strong west wind, turned north and headed inland. This is the first winter record here, all previous sightings coming in the dispersal/migration period of July to early November.

Just had enough daylight to stop at Slapton Bridge on the way home, where the Bittern flew in and landed in the reeds just to the north, on the Higher Ley.

Around the exe

2012-01-22T20:18:00.000Z

Friday matford marsh
15 common gulls 30+ snipe then walk home along cannal to Exeter 7 bullfinch, 1 treecreeper, 2 kingfisher, 2 common gull at the quay. Dipper on river by the mill on the exe pub.

Saturday Dawlish Warren

Female Surf scoter, 2 slavonian grebe, 4+ great crested grebe, 1 red throated diver, 2 rock pipit, 3 eider all just of from the boathouse pub

Today exmouth

Male black redstart showing well Shelly beach, also 23+ red breasted mergansers, 1 razorbill, in exmouth dock the guillemot is still giving great views

Brixham

2012-01-22T17:58:00.000Z

No sign of the Kumlien's Gull today despite alot of people searching.

Exminster Marshes Sat 21st Jan

2012-01-22T17:41:00.002Z

The Red-breasted Goose (at last!) found amongst 300+ Brents in the fields close to the railway and footpath, just before the path turns away from the railway line, towards the Turf.

Exmouth

2012-01-22T17:07:00.002Z

Maer Rocks - 0815 - 3 red-throated diver and 4 diver sp (prob rtd also) south plus the usual 4 eider (including ad and imm drake).
West Lodge - c1600 - yellow-browed warbler again in trees along hedge at back of marshy area but elusive with occasional bursts of calling. Also 2 mistle thrush, treecreeper, c40+ goldfinch, 9+ chaffinch, 13 pied wagtail, 31 curlew, kestrel, sparrowhawk and 2 raven.

Teignmouth/Bishopsteignton

2012-01-22T16:58:00.002Z

Flock of 15+ cirl buntings in area behind Broadmeadow Sports Centre in area. The mobile flock was frequenting hedgerows in field bordered by newt fencing presumably where forthcoming Morrisons store is to be built.

Ash Hill - 1 chiffchaff (collybita), 20 linnets, sky larks

Spring At Mansands

2012-01-21T20:53:00.003Z

On the lane down from Brixham to Mansands, a pair of Blackcaps (the male singing) and a Sparrowhawk and a small flock of Meadow Pipits appeared to fly in off the sea. Also a Firecrest near the new hide. [Tim Clyburn]

Brixham Kumlien's

2012-01-21T18:53:00.000Z

Thanks Dave Leigh for the call. As I arrived the 3w Kumlien's Gull dropped near to the pontoon that Tom Whiley had photographed it last week. Looking from the War Memorial near to the Breakwater I picked the bird up on one of the enclosed floating pontoons opposite the fish quay.

I have an exhibition of my sketches and paintings on at Cockington Court, Torquay until 11th Feb free entry open 10am - 4pm daily

Brixham

2012-01-21T16:58:00.001Z

Live blog from the site! Awful digiphone pic of the Kumliens gull on the marina pontoons re-found by Dave Leigh this afternoon, Mike L sketching away as I write. Quality!

Southcott Valley, East the Water.

2012-01-21T14:57:00.002Z

The adult Little Gull was still here this morning at 10:30, with at least 6 Common Gulls, several
Black-headeds and Lapwing.

Another Ibis...

2012-01-21T13:03:00.003Z

This colour-ringed Glossy Ibis was found and photograped by Rob Horrell at Lower Tamar Lakes yesterday (20/1/12).

Skern

2012-01-21T12:30:00.000Z

First winter Little Gull over Greysands Lake late morning. This is the second Little Gull around Bideford following the adult found yesterday.

Exmouth

2012-01-20T16:54:00.002Z

West Lodge - 1550 - yellow-browed warbler - still present, showed reasonably well for a couple of minutes late this afternoon, calling on and off. It was in trees along the stream towards the back of the marsh. On Tuesday there was a lesser redpoll in the copse along with a sizeable pre-roost gathering of goldfinches. Also treecreeper and chiffchaff still there.

Thurlestone Bay

2012-01-20T15:59:00.002Z

Glossy Ibis still on the back of the marsh where it spends most of the time feeding, unless takes a short fight will ber difficult to see from the road. ,

, Aveton Gifford this morning - 1 Green & 4 Common Sandpiper, 9 Snipe ,3 Redshank, 20 Curlew . on the river both Bewicks and Black Swan, and 2 Little Grebe.

Seawatching this morning only produced 5 Gannet and 4 Razorbill , 1 Guillemot in an hour .

Southcott Valley Bideford east

2012-01-20T11:51:00.001Z

adult Little Gull in valley opposite the scrap yard at 11.30 today.

Brixham Kumlien's Gull

2012-01-20T07:02:00.003Z

3w Kumlien's Gull photographed in Brixham (inside the marina) on Sunday by Tom Whiley. Note the grey pigmentation in the primaries, dark-looking eye and traces of immaturity in wing coverts. Head shape appears less rounded than in glaucoides. This is the first Devon record in nearly twenty years!

Goosanders

2012-01-19T22:54:00.002Z

Pete Adey took this picture of two Goosanders on the Otter at Dotton this afternoon.

Brixham Harbour

2012-01-19T15:52:00.000Z

The adult Iceland Gull in Brixham on Sunday 15th was a 3rd winter Kumlien's Gull!

Brixham

2012-01-19T10:28:00.002Z

Yesterday watching around the harbour and for returning trawlers from the breakwater revealed no white-winged Gulls but 2 Little Gulls (ad and 1w, this ad had half the tail missing!). On the breakwater 20 Purple Sandpipers and Ringed Plover.

Chiffchaffs

2012-01-19T09:21:00.000Z

Mike Tyler sent me this photo of two Chiffchaffs ringed at Colyford yesterday. One is clearly Collybita, and the other most likely a Tristis. Anyway very good to have them side by side as comparison.

Chagford

2012-01-18T19:05:00.003Z

On the edge of the moor above Teigncombe, under a line of beech trees at least 2 bramblings were feeding amongst 40+ chaffinches.I am sure there are many more as I have seen them hereabouts before christmas. Other activity included, mistle thrushes, fieldfares & redwings.
On the edge of Meldon Common 50+ siskins with greenfinches and a nice male goldcrest in the hedge below. 2 Jays as well.
Finally,on Padley Common much croaking coming from puddles, pools & ditches complete with frog spawn.
Spring is here!?

Labrador Bay

2012-01-18T16:32:00.003Z

Apart from the usual passerines lurking round the cliff and fields, Razorbills were scattered liberally across the bay below the cliffs, with a single distant diver (presumed Red-throated on structure) and Great Crested Grebe as well. Best of all, a (the?) 2w Iceland Gull flying along the cliffs for a while at 14.30.

Brixham last week

2012-01-17T21:59:00.000Z

These pictures, taken last week, of a female Common Redstart were sent to me by a Brixham resident. The pale buffy edges to the tertials and secondaries are not unusual in 1st winter western birds and are normal in more eastern forms. The tips of the greater coverts seem quite richly coloured rufous.

I was a little concerned that the tone and colour of the photos might have been wrong ant that it was just a over-exposed photo of a Black Redsart but all the photos are the same all well balanced on and the camera set on auto, so what you see is pretty much just as the bird looked in reality.

PAIGNTON

2012-01-17T21:14:00.002Z

Went down to the sea front at first light this morning and discovered a dozen or more Brent Geese in the bay , together with 6 Great crested Grebe and a solitary Razorbill .

Exminster Marshes

2012-01-17T18:34:00.002Z

Very brief visit between 13.45 and 14.30. The glossy ibis was very close to the lane - so not one of the birds seen near Crediton. The water pipit was reported to be near the bend in the track but I failed to see or hear it. Lots of birds spread over the marshes but the highlight for me was a small group of finches; a male bullfinch, 4 goldfinches and a male chaffinch sitting in a bush quite close together and in full sun. What a picture and the colours!

The big flock of brent geese was out on the estuary.

Crediton

2012-01-17T17:46:00.002Z

Two Glossy Ibis feeding in wet field near the entry to Tesco's, Crediton at 12.30 - no longer present at 15.30.

[Heather Woodland]

Exmouth

2012-01-16T21:49:00.002Z

West Lodge - 1600 - yellow-browed warbler again present but elusive and showed only briefly. As well as getting in the copse of Holm Oaks it moves back along the stream away from the cycle path so patience required. Also chiffchaff there this afternoon.

Thurlestone Bay - yesterday 15/1

2012-01-16T20:42:00.001Z

This male Goosander swam across Thurlestone Bay on Sunday 15 January 2012 at 1140, and carried on west across the bay towards Burgh Island until lost to sight.

Photo by Pauline Smale

Thurlestone Bay

2012-01-16T18:21:00.002Z

At 08.00 both Glossy Ibis & Marsh Harrier over / on the marsh .

Bay watched 10.00-12.30 - superb visability F3 easterly wind . almost continuous passage of -
152 Gannet, 130 Kittiwake, 72 Razormott, 3 Common Scoter, . First of the year were - 2 Fulmar and a Great Skua. Great Northern Diver - 1 east , 1 west then at 12.05 3 together flew east

Bob B at South Milton Ley this am - 20 Chiffchaff ( inc 1 Eastern & 1 Tristis types ) 1 F Blackcap, 1M Yellowhammer

Fremington Pill

2012-01-16T18:12:00.002Z

Had a walk from Fremington Pill to Barnstaple via the Tarka trail today. Nothing much in the Pill apart from the usual Redshank's and a single Greenshank. I was surprised to see three Spoonbill's fly up the Pill, they reached the end of the creek, circled around and went back down the creek towards the estuary at Fremington quay. Almost certainly three from Isley marsh I would think (10 at Isley yesterday).
Just a single grey plover on the quay mudflats. Very quite on Penhill marsh and Anchor wood bank with just the usual stuff.

Lower Tamar Lake

2012-01-16T16:54:00.002Z

86 Teal; 44 Wigeon; 51 Mallard; 91 Coot; 7 Moorhens; 15 Goosanders (7 drakes); 5 Little Grebes; 9 Great Crested Grebes; 10 Mute Swans; 1 Water Rail; 27 Canada Geese; 1 Snipe; On and near the feeding station - 2 Willow Tits; 2 Marsh Tits; several Blue, Great and Coal Tits, 3 Nuthatches; 1 Tree Creeper; 1 Jay; some Redwings and 1 Raven over.

[Harvey Kendall]

Brixham

2012-01-16T12:17:00.001Z

Breakwater

17 Purple Sandpipers and a single Ringed Plover

Shoalstone car park

2 Little Gull, ad.w and 1w
Frustrating views also of the white-winged gull toward Berry Head, hopefully it will return later with the boats.

Slapton

2012-01-15T22:49:00.005Z

mid/Late afternoon off the Monument Car Park:
3 Little Gull 2adW 1W also Med Gull 2W. many BH and Common Gull also

Brixham

2012-01-15T21:32:00.000Z

Photo of the ad winter Little gull off Breakwater beach today found by Dave Leigh. The reported adult Iceland Gull today would be different to the 2nd w white winged gull (most probably a big Iceland) several of us saw briefly yesterday before it headed off out to sea only to return with a trawler in rapidly fading light!

Exminster Marshes

2012-01-15T21:03:00.001Z

Glossy Ibis today - photo by Tom Wallis

Prawle

2012-01-15T20:05:00.003Z

1 of the 2 Egyptian Geese still on the Airfields today. They might become more difficult to find now, as their favourite field was being ploughed this afternoon.

Seawatching from 7.45 - 10.45 produced a steady stream of the usual suspects, most heading east, namely Gannet (297), Kittiwake (111) and Auks (833, most Razorbills), with a little variety provided by 7 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and a Great Skua.

WeBs count turned up the first Grey Plover of the year among the usual waders, and 3 Med Gulls. 200 Golden Plovers were in the Airfield/West Prawle area, but the wader highlight was found in the hotspot of 'the waterlogged corner' of the Airfields when I flushed a Jack Snipe.

Elsewhere, just the Water Pipit of note, still in Horseley Cove.

Exmouth

2012-01-15T18:48:00.000Z

The black redstart was again around Shelly beach this morning and the razorbill and guillemot still in exmouth dock. After hearing about a yellow browed warbler at holm oak copse popped over but no luck.

Exminster marsh this afternoon the glossy ibis showing well with the Canada geese also along station road 80+ golden plover and 4 snipe.

Dartmoor - yesterday 14/1

2012-01-15T18:31:00.002Z

3 Red Grouse at midday today, on the west side of Hameldown Tor (Dartmoor 708808). A little earlier 30+ Golden Plover over Broad Barrow (Dartmoor SX799706).

[George Wilkinson]

Grand Western Canal - yesterday 14/1

2012-01-15T18:24:00.003Z

A walk along the Grand Western canal this morning from Halberton to Samford Peverell didn't produce any target species of Kingfisher or Water Rail but of note was a large flock of Fieldfare well in excess of 200 with a constant stream joining them from the East. Also on an adjacent ploughed field were 40+ Lapwing,30+ Redwing with several Song Thrush & at least 1 Mistle Thrush as well as good numbers of finches. Along the canal path were at least 3 pairs of Bullfinch + 2 solitary males,1 GS Woodpecker & several Coot were engaging in territorial disputes,2 Raven overhead & a commotion back at the carpark when a very noisy Green Woodpecker appeared to dive-bomb a jogger Skua-style!

[Andrew Moore]

Thurlestone Bay

2012-01-15T18:04:00.002Z

The Glossy Ibis spent most of the day feeding at the back of the Marsh - not viewable from the road, apologies to anyone who made a special visit. The female Marsh Harrier flew over twice this afternoon flushing - 35 Snipe, 2 Lapwing, 1 Black T Godwit. 60 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler.

Webs count this morning produced- 12 Ringed Plover, 10 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 22 Oystercatcher, 1 Great N Diver with 4 Razorbill on the sea . Surprise of the day flew close inshore and then east - Sandwich Tern - my first winter record.

AJL had a Green Sandpiper on South Huish Marsh .

A visiting birder reported to AJL a male Goosander in the Bay- can whoever it was confirm please as this would be the first male recorded on the patch

Brixham Iceland Gull

2012-01-15T17:57:00.002Z

Saw what looked like adult Iceland distantly from the breakwater about 9.00 am today , appeared to head towards fish quay but not there when I drove round. Reported on Birdguides today as present on pontoon.

Exminster Marsh

2012-01-15T17:41:00.002Z

Glossy Ibis in the field with the Canada geese at 10:45 on Saturday in the field on the right as you drive through the marsh. This is not a shy bird, as most people were driving up to it and watching it from their cars without binoculars!

Apparently the Red Breasted Goose had been around a few minutes beforehand.

Plenty of Teal, Widgeon and Shovellers. The most enjoyable bird was a swan lifting it's wings on the water to be purposefully blown across the scrape without having to paddle.

Brixham

2012-01-15T17:00:00.001Z

Dave Leigh found an ad. Little Gull feeding just off the beach at Breakwater.
Although good numbers of gulls around the harbour there was no sign of the white-winged gull up until last light

New Bridge, Bishops Tawton

2012-01-15T12:36:00.002Z

09:30
The 2 Whooper Swans were still with 26 Mute Swans, viewable from the causeway(A377), although they sometimes disappear from view down some of the dips at the far end of the field..
One of the Whoopers had a distinct orange stained face and head.

Exmouth

2012-01-15T11:49:00.003Z

West Lodge - 1000 - 1130 - yellow-browed warbler in Holm Oak copse next to marsh approx 3/4 mile along cycle path from Mudbank where tarmac meets boardwalk. Very elusive in windy conditions but calling on and off. Appears not to be associating with tit flock.
Maer Rocks -0800 - prob red-necked grebe, 4 eider, 1 fulmar but far fewer birds than yesterday.
Yesterday - Maer Rocks - c400+ razorbill, 1+ great crested grebe, 3 common scoter, 2 wigeon, 4 eider, 1 red-throated diver and 2 great skua. Also ad mediterranean gull Exmouth Docks late pm.

Brixham

2012-01-15T09:49:00.000Z

Had a good look around Brixham harbour this morning - no sign of the white-winged gull, but no great surprise as the numbers of gulls are much better late afternoon when the trawlers and sprat boats return.

Broadsands - very rough sea only 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 1 Black-necked Grebe in bay. 12 Cirl Buntings and 2 Reed Bunting on seed in back of 2nd car park.

razorbill &guillemot exmouth dock

2012-01-14T21:28:00.000Z

just a couple of photos from this afternoon

Brixham Breakwater

2012-01-14T17:25:00.001Z

Picked up a white winged gull amongst a feeding party of gulls between 2 day trawlers in the breakwater. Rushed back home to get my scope but couldn't relocate it so tried the fish market roofs. No luck. Mike called then to say Dave Leigh had located a Glaucous/Iceland gull on the breakwater! The bird was briefly sat on a bouy before moving off which gave the assembled onlookers little time to clinch the ID but having just spoke to Dave on phone he feels that the bird was more than likely an Iceland Gull.
Might be worth another look tomorrow?

Plym Bridge Woods

2012-01-14T16:56:00.001Z

A walk along the river and into Cann Woods produced 4 Marsh Tits, 6+ Goldcrests and 2 Nuthatches.

Bowling green marsh

2012-01-14T16:31:00.000Z

Watched from the hide from 08:10 till 10:15

A good morning with 520+ Avocets, 180+ bar tailed godwits, 650+ black tailed godwits, 1 knot, 20+ Dunlin, 22 shelduck, 500+ wigeon, 4 pochard, 3 tufted duck, 2 gadwall, 200+ Brent geese flew over towards darts farm

Exmouth this afternoon in addition to the razorbill and guillemot in exmouth dock the black redstart is still around Shelley beach area and 2 male goldeneye in with 15+ red breasted mergansers from 15:10 till 15:40 off the mussel beds but distant.

River Plym

2012-01-14T14:34:00.003Z

The Spotted Sandpiper still late morning showing very well on the River Plym, on the falling tide just downriver from the railway bridge, side by side with a Common Sandpiper, allowing excellant comparison. Also 3 Greenshank on Blaxton Meadow.

Exmouth dock

2012-01-14T14:25:00.000Z

14:15 razorbill and guillemot in exmouth dock showing well

Thurlestone Bay

2012-01-14T10:52:00.002Z

Just an early update on the Glossy Ibis- feeding close to the road until spooked by a raptor at 09.15 when it flew off to the east again. Photos will be posted tonight . Anyone coming to see it should aim to arrive late afternoon assuming it returns to roost

A Plea For Your 2011 Records

2012-01-14T09:16:00.006Z

To make the next one of these....

....we need your bird records!

This is another one of those 'plea posts', asking for all 2011 bird records to be sent to Julia and myself at recorder@devonbirds.org, ideally no later than the 31st January 2012.

Just because bird sightings have been posted up on this blog, it doesn't mean they will automatically drop into our database and appear in the next Devon Bird Report. They need to be submitted to us at the above email address, using the forms available on the DBWPS website at: http://www.devonbirds.org/.

Likewise, there are still a number of Devon A rarities that require descriptions. If you found a County Rarity in 2011 but haven't yet completed a rarities form - then please do! The relevant forms can be found at http://www.devonbirds.org/. It is always such a shame when pukka records of rare birds cannot be added to the database and archives just because there isn't any/enough documentation to support the record.

If you really don't like writing, and have a photo of said bird, or possibly made notes in a notebook - then copies of these would be better than nothing. Please send any completed rarity forms, or photos/photocopies of notebooks of Devon A rarities to recorder@devonbirds.org.

Exminster Marshes

2012-01-13T22:06:00.002Z

Glossy Ibis still, also Water Pipit and Short-eared Owl [Stewart Beer]

Photo by Brian Palmer

Thurlestone

2012-01-13T19:55:00.002Z

Can only add a Greylag Goose on South Huish Marsh and an adult Med Gull on rocks in the bay this afternoon to Mike's sightings. Had a listen from the footbridge for the Bearded Tits for half an hour but to no avail, the female Marsh Harrier did fly over though.

Beesands Ley

2012-01-13T19:52:00.002Z

Quiet WeBS count this morning, 11 Gadwall, 4 Shoveler, 11 Tufted Duck, no Pochard and just 2 Coot.

River Plym

2012-01-13T19:46:00.005Z

'A little-bit-Spotted' Sandpiper

As I was at B&Q I thought it would be rude not to pop across and have a look at this one. Showing well near the railway bridge, alongside a Common Sandpiper.

Thurlestone Bay

2012-01-13T18:06:00.002Z

The Glossy Ibis seen leaving the Marsh at 08.15 flying off to the east. Nice surprise to see it returning to roost at 16.30- which farm pond is it feeding at?

Also on the marsh today - a female Marsh Harrier ( seen 3 times ) ,35 Lapwing, , 60 Snipe, 45 Teal, 18 Wigeon, 1 Black tailed Godwit,.

On the beach -near the flats ,the first Black Redstart of the year ( a female )

4 Bearded Tit still at South Milton Ley although very elusive

Burrator Reservoir - yesterday 11/1

2012-01-12T21:49:00.003Z

A Great Northern Diver at the dam end [Barry Rankine]

Thurlestone Bay

2012-01-12T18:19:00.003Z

A quiet day which turned on its head at 16.45- looking out of my lounge window iwas completely surprised to pick up a GLOSSY IBIS coming in to roost - a patch tick and only the second site record ( I was away when the last one was seen on 25.9.09)

Earlier there were 7 LITTLE EGRET on the Marsh -6 quickly moved on .At 13.45 a flock of 75 Lapwing flew over SE with a flock of 50 Snipe most of which landed on the marsh.

A 2w Med Gull in the Bay was the first of the year.

A Walk round South Milton Ley this morning produced - 4 Cettis Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff 2 Goldcrest, 20+ Reed Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer, 7 Bullfinch ,1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Tawny Owl

This afternoon along the tidal road at Avetion Gifford- Bewick's Swan & Black Swan. 5 Common & 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 17 Curlew , 2 Egyption Goose

Stover

2012-01-12T18:19:00.000Z

A request from Jon Avon at Stover Country Park....

There is a ringed coot (Left leg) at the main feeding area. there are only 7 on the lake. This ringed coot comes out of the water to feed.

It is not a British ring as far as I can identify - the ring number is 340827 but the address of the country and ringing scheme is difficult to read. If any keen birders with good optics or cameras could get this - it will provide a very useful coot record for Devon! There's the challenge!

Any help would be welcome.