Otter Estuary and beach

A Great Northern Diver was feeding just off the river mouth at Budleigh, close in to the beach late morning. 4 Common Scoter flew west. Adult Mediterranean Gull on estuary from lower viewing platform. Water Rail showing well on river's edge reedbed opposite the upper viewing platform. A Kingfisher was in the ditch behind the new hide and 3 Stonechats were in the vicinity of the cricket pitch and Lime Kilns car park. No sign of Snow Bunting, although I see that it's been reported on Birdguides. Anyone have precise details as to where it is being seen?

At Exmouth late this afternoon, my first Blackcap of this winter, a male, showed in the valley opposite Greenfingers garden centre entrance and below Scott Drive.

As an aside, referring to Rupert's post below, there were 3 Goldeneyes (one drake) in the same spot off Shelly Beach about one week before Christmas and I had 5 there Jan 1st.

Exmouth - Bull Hill Banks

10a.m. on the low tide, there were 5 Goldeneye (2 males, 3 females) diving on the edge of the mussel beds off Shelley Beach & Bull Hill Banks. Recorded previously off D/Warren but first time I've managed to see them off Exmouth in their normal feeding spot - very late arriving this winter.

Berry Hd

Seawatch between 0930-1030hrs: 1 pomarine skua, 2-3 Great Skuas, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Divers and masses of Auks (mostly Razorbills), Kittiwakes and about 500+ Gannets in a huge feeding fenzy just off headland that gradually moved out into Lyme Bay.

Chris Smallbones reported a Glaucous Gull while watching off the top of the headland this morning.

Common Crane reported flying over Broadsands at 10am ish.

Budleigh / The Otter / Ladrum Bay

A Snow Bunting on the beach which I thought was long gone, was a pleasant surprise and a very obliging drake Red-breasted Merganser remains on the Otter. Numbers of Wigeon and Teal seem very low in number.

A look on the sea with DC off Otterton sewage works produced 4 RT Divers (23+ here on 2nd January) a lone Common Scoter.

Exminster Marshes

The Glossy Ibis was showing well down to a few feet this afternoon, just past Lions Rest Estate, either side of the lane towards the 'bends'. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was with other geese, just in front of the canal path viewing platform. A Short-eared Owl showed fairly distantly from the lane looking towards the M5. A male Kingfisher showed well on the canal, 300m up front Turf.

Beer.

Quite a few big Gulls on Beer Beach this afternoon including a 3cy Yellow Legged Gull, unfortunatly none of the Gulls hung around for long due to every man & his dog also being there.

After this a look around the set aside field near Beer Quarry turned up 50+ Yellowhammers, 15 Skylark & 4 Reed Bunting.

Yarner Woods

Sightings today from Yarner Woods: 6 marsh tits, 7 nuthatches, 2 goldcrest, great spotted woodpecker, 2 ravens, 4 jays, 2 treecreepers, a firecrest and in a nearby private site, 2 willow tits.

[Sam Marles]

Exminster Marshes - yesterday 5/1

A couple of shots of the Glossy Ibis - taken yesterday by Martin Cox

Bursdon Moor - yesterday 5/1

Yesterday evening about 4.20pm 2 Hen Harriers - a male and a ringtail. [Harvey Kendall]

Salcombe

Lanner Falcon with jess and radio tag this afternoon at the entrance to:
Snapes Pt Car Park, Batson at 13:46hrs
ring blue: /267233854?

Velator

First opportunity to put up some nets after all the stormy weather of late. Rewarded with a hatful of Finches (mostly Green) and the first Chiffchaff and Blackcap of the year. Later on caught another of each which were ringed late last year. Unfortunately the female Sparrowhawk got out of the net before I got to it, and there was no sign of the Green Woodpecker that was chasing me around the reserve for a couple of hours yesterday!
At one point a female Kestrel sat in a tree a few yards from the ringing base, but also avoided all the nets!
The totals for last year were 1655 birds ringed of 42 species.

Torridgeside 10:30 - 12:00

Weare Giffard: Whooper Swan still present in field with a couple of Mute's although a long way from the road.
Sandymere: 2 Snow buntings on the edge of the mere.
Nr Goosey Pool: Adult Med Gull showing well

Kenwith nature reserve Bideford

At least 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Water rail,2 Teal, Great spotted woodpecker, Jay,

Aveton Gifford & Avon Valley

On the estuary:
7 little egrets; Imm. Bewick's swan; black swan; 3 redshanks; 4 common sandpipers; kingfisher.

North of bridge:
water rail; dipper; 137 redwings; 16 fieldfares.

Marshes north of the bridge look ripe for conservation development!! Could be a really good wetland.

Baggy Point Gulls

Went north of the Taw/Torridge estuary this morning to try to find the Iceland gull, and surprisingly found it, and a Glaucous Gull together. They had found a calm area just off the rocks and and both were in the 'scope at the same time. I would age both birds as first winter.

Whether this is the same Glaucous as seen on Northam Burrows is debatable. The straight line distance is not great, and there are not too many places for the gulls to do fresh water bathing. Malcolm Shakespeare was on Northam Burrows at the same time and was unable to find the Glaucous there, so it is inconclusive as to whethere there are one or two birds.

Broadsands & Clennon Valley

Managed to miss the R-t Diver and R-n Grebe this morning but did get 2 Common Scoter, 18 Cirl Buntings on seed in the back of the 2nd car park and 7 Reed Buntings.

Clennon Valley: No sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler this morning but there were at least 6 Chiffchaffs (mostly seen by Josh) including 1 tristis type and a bat again - after giving a description to an expert it sounds like it is a Daubenton's Bat.

Broadsands

With MD, Red-necked Grebe, Red-throated Diver, 6 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, tristis type Chiffchaff also in marsh.

Thurlestone Bay

Forced inland because of the gale foce wind blowing sand into my face. At Upton Cross ( near South Milton ) - a walk round a rape seed field produced 200 + Skylark 10 Linnet, 36 Stock Dove , and the big surprise of the day (year ? ) a pair of Grey Partridge flushed from a hedgerow - I don't know who was the most surprised the Partridge or me ! I am aware that Falconers do release birds - there were some at Soar 2 years ago.

This afternoon at Aveton Gifford Bewick's Swan, 2 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 1 Common sandpiper.

Clennon Valley

Yellow-browed Warbler still present top NW corner of western Pond it is regularly ranging down to the middle pond. 2 collybita type and one tristis type Chiffchaffs, 3 Siskin, 4 Water Rail, 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal and a Little Egret.  

Northam Burrows

The 2 Snow Buntings which were around the edge of Sandymere Pool at the back end of last year are back again. This afternoon they were along the roadside edge just before the path to the Information centre.

Dawlish Warren

A very windy morning and I caught sight of the female surf scoter flying round the point. From the hide it was diving near the wreck next to a couple of mergansers.
On the go cart track hopping in and out of the tyres a brightly coloured male black redstart showed well in the sun.

Topsham

A report of a Chough was phoned through to me, it was seen well in a garden backing on to the River Clyst in Topsham on 2nd January - keep your eyes peeled....

Plym estuary, Plymouth.

The Spotted Sandpiper showing well today at high tide from the "hide". This bird has gained a few more spots on the undertail coverts since I last had a decent view of it. We're hoping it will dress itself for summer before it departs!
Not a lot else here just four Greenshank, two Common Sandpipers, a few Pied Wags and Linnets and one each of Peregrine and Sparrowhawk overhead.

Yesterday at Devils Point were two adult Med. Gulls, a Razorbill and a Redwing. The Redwing was my first here apart from last winters cold spell influx.

East Prawle, Aveton Gifford, Beesands

An early 2012 'twitch' to see 3 Egyptian Geese flying over the airfields ,East Prawle at 11.30am today, following a visit to Aveton G to see the  Bewick's Swan, most of the time asleep. (PS Pat, I have a silouette photo of the geese as proof !) Also 1 x Great Northern Diver and 14 + Common Scoter off Beesands [Tony Marchese]

Cockwood

Just in case anyone still needs it for the year, the Slavonian Grebe was still present this afternoon, close in to the harbour wall.

Exminster Marshes

The Glossy Ibis is still showing well today in the fields behind Lions Rest Industrial Estate, Exminster.

[Mike Jones]

Thurlestone Bay

Turned into anther stormy day wind increasing from a WSW 5 to gusty 7/8 by 13.00

Nothing new on the marsh Bay watched 10.00-12.00 45 Razormott, ,45 Gannet, 3 Kittiwake, 12 Common Scoter -east, a Red T Diver flew east , a Great N Diver flew into the bay( landed on the sea ) it or another flew west lter. A Turnstone on the rocks .

South Huish Marsh- Greylag Goose, 18 Wigeon ,1 Shoveler, 25 Teal, 30 Stock Dove ( largest flock for some time ). A 1st w Yellow L Gull in amongst a large flock of Herring Gull in the fields ,.

Bob B had Bearded Tit calling ( at least 2 ) by the footbridge with 3 Chiffchaff at the sewage works.

Visited Slapton this afternoon - Off the M car park Velvet Scoter, Slavonian Grebe, on the Ley

4 Great C Grebe, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Pochard , 30 Tufted duck . 1 ad Med Gull

Rackerhays and Kingskerwell

At Rackerhays, Newton Abbot this afternoon, an impressive 13 Mandarin, 10(6m,4f) on Island Pond and 3(2m,1f) on Dawes Pond. This may be the first record of Mandarin at Rackerhays and presumably have been displaced from the nearby fast flowing rivers. Also 2 Goldeneye, c15 Siskin and 3 Goldcrest.

At dusk this evening, a Woodcock flew over a regular fly-route at Stoneycombe at the back of Kingskerswell.

nr. Kingsbridge

Driving to work this morning and flushed a Short-eared Owl from the roadside hedge near the top of Sandy Lane ( nr. Torr Quarry ).

Weare gifford

adult Whooper Swan near annery kiln. also 40 red throated diver at hartland point. 6 crossbill at melbury

Dawlish Warren

Late morning four of us scanned the sea for thirty minutes trying to find the female Surf Scoter. We saw the Velvet Scoter and a few Common Scoters plus a female Long-tailed Duck. We walked south of Langstone Rock and saw a Great Norther Diver. On the way back just past the cafe we stopped to look again at the Long-tailed Duck and up popped the Surf Scoter a few feet away. I was told later that a Red-necked Grebe had also been seen this morning.

Baggy Point

09:35

Iceland Gull still on south side of Baggy, approx midway between the whalebone and the Point. In spite of all the commoner gulls eventually moving away, the Iceland kept coming back to the same spot. Also a number of 1stW Kittiwakes feeding in same area.

West Prawle

In the very windy weather this morning saw 25 Golden plover, 20 Stock Doves and a couple very showy Peregrines by Holset Turn.

Exminster Marshes

Glossy Ibis still at Exminster Marshes today at 4pm, in field next to Lion's Rest Industrial Estate. Good views as lovely & close to the road.

[Claire & Chris Grove]

Charleton marsh

On the marsh at high tide. c. 90 Teal,  2 Egyptian geese, 5 Pintail, 1 Little grebe, 23 Wigeon, 9 Bartailed godwit, 66 Curlew. On the estuary, 85 Brent riding out the storm.  Offshore at Beesands, 1 GN Diver and
13 C. scoter, no sign of the Velvet.

Exmouth

One Purple Sandpiper on Maer Rocks at 1620 'til dusk. Nothing else of note here.
30 Knot and 50 Sanderling on newly exposed mud bars off Shelly Beach as tide dropped mid afternoon.

Baggy Point

A slightly dangerous walk out to the point this afternoon was rewarded with good views of the Iceland Gull. Also saw 5 Razorbill, 3 Gannet and a Balearic Shearwater heading south. Probable Red-throated Diver, and a flock of about 70 Common Scoter. No sign of the Glaucous Gull, but Malcolm Shakespeare has seen it (or another) on Goosey Pool at Northam Burrows this afternoon.

Prawle and Start Bay

Seawatch 08.00 - 09.30; 1 Great Northern and 3 Red-throated Divers, 227 Gannets, 25 Fulmars, 2 Shelduck, 43 Kittiwakes and 244 Auks (most Razorbills). Quite a nice selection on the walk around, including ironically 2 Egyptian Geese. These, on the airfields, are presumably 2 of the 5 from West Prawle late last year, and are reported to have been here for several days. Only the second site record, following 3 that dropped in briefly in January 2010. Also around the airfields, a female Merlin, and a Green Sandpiper poking about in the waterlogged corner. At Horseley Cove, the Water Pipit still, and elsewhere, 6 Redwings, a Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, Goldcrest and Firecrest.

A quick look in fading light from the monument car-park at Slapton showed the Velvet Scoter to be still bobbing about all alone.

dawlish warren and exminster marsh

A visit to dawlish warren this morning got me good views of the Surf Scoter and eventually the velvet scoter with 4 common scoter all from the lifequard lookout. Also on the sea were 1 red throated diver and lots of razorbills and a few guilemots, at leat 5 great crested grebes and  the male eider was with 2 female eider. A couple of rock pipits were on the rocks in front of the seawall.

From the hide on the rising tide the American wigeon showed well with at least 2 sanderling amongst the dunlin with 15+ knot and good numbers of grey plover, 2 razorbill and at least 15+ red breasted mergansers,

14 ringed plover were in the bight, 12+ skylark, 2 stonechat, on the pond were 1 snipe and 2 little grebes



Exminster marshes this afternoon got great views of the Glossy Ibis and the barnacle goose was in with the canada geese 

Glossy Ibis exminster marshes





Knot at Dawlish warren

Redshank Dawlish warren

Another great days birding around the exe

North Devon

At  Baggy Point this morning with  fellow birder Stephen Jordan. He  spotted the Iceland Gull reported there yesterday. It seemed settled in an area  close in to the cliffside about midway out to the Point. At the Point a second white gull, a Glaucous! A fierce, and stinging, hailstorm curtailed further spotting!

Malcolm Shakespeare had a goldeneye in Croyde Bay midday.

[Stewart Beer & Stephen Jordan]

Bursden Moor

Heavy rain did not prevent a display of hunting female hen harrier, later joined by male, two peregrines, a pair of Merlin playing tag, and single flypasts of buzzard, kestrel, jay and a distant owl (probably short-eared) which alas did not return. (14:15 - 16:00)

[Andy Lansdell]

Out and about

To fill in the blanks for the day and to save replicating information already listed today- The Red-Breasted Goose still with 400+ Breant Geese on Exminster Marsh between the lagoon and Turf in the field by the canal path, a Short-Eared Owl at the northern end of the marsh and a Water Pipit on the last pool north of the road before the end car park. The Glossy Ibis still late afternoon viewable from the road by the industrial estate. Also, a Cettis Warbler in sub song this afternoon. The male Merlin was also seen today and it or another was also seen at Bowling Green Marsh.

At Dawlish Warren-the Surf Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Great-Northern and Red-Throated Divers all offshore and the drake American Wigeon still in the estuary with far fewer Eurasion Wigeon making the job of finding it a lot easier!

At Clennon Valley, a male Blackcap and a Chiffchaff in the same area as the Yellow-Browed Warbler. Also a Little Egret on the top pool.

Exmouth

Maer Rocks - 1500 - fw little gull (1520), 1 purple sandpiper, 6+ turnstone, and still lots of auks out in the bay. Also this morning 3 eider still and 23 dark-bellied brents.

Scobbiscombe, Erme Est

Ringtail Hen Harrier today.

Yelland: Taw Estuary

9 spoonbill, 30-50 shellduck, 50-70 teal, 50-70 wigeon. Huge flocks of lapwing. flocks of dunlin, redshank, curlew, oystercatcher. Few grey plover, turnstone, Little Egret. Disturbed a couple of snipe.

Tom

@northdvnnature

Exminster Marshes

A late-morning walk timed to avoid the heavy showers. The glossy ibis was close to the Lion's Rest industrial estate. Elsewhere lots of wigeon, lapwings and curlews. 11 greylags near the Turf and a single female peregrine on one of the pylons. The red-breasted goose was reported to be in the large flock of brent geese but the flock had flown out on to the estuary. The flock then flew back on to the marshes but by then we were on the way home.

Of potential interest were two redwings. First seen feeding close to the lane with two fieldfares. I initially thought all 4 birds were fieldfares and was quite surprised to see that 2 were redwings. All 4 birds were of a similar size and shape. The redwings had very dark and well marked/bold streaking on their breasts and throats. The throats looked almost totally black. I wonder if these were Icelandic birds? Turdus iliacus coburni.

Clennon Valley

Yellow-browed Warbler showing well on north side of the middle of the three large ponds in Willow and Alder trees also 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Water Rails feeding under the same trees. A medium sized bat started to hunt over the western most pond before making its way up the valley toward the Zoo.  

Iceland Gull North Devon

Iceland Gull again off Baggy Point this morning. Seen and photographed by Rob Jutsum.

Exminster Marshes

Both the glossy ibis and red-breasted goose present today.

Exeter

Local patch between the quay and St David's station this morning 08:00 till 9:30

1 dipper, 1 kingfisher, 2 grey wagtail, 2 peregrines, 2 sparrowhawk, little egret,chiffchaff
2 common gul, 30+ redwing ,6 fieldfare.

Forgot the 3+ snipe on earlier post for bowling green marsh.

Beer Beach

1 Female type Black Redstart on the Beach Huts this morning, getting chased around alot by Robins, did not see much else of note on a quietish day.

Prawle

A quiet start to the year, only time for seawatching before the rain came. 08.00 - 11.00 (with JAL and FDS); 4 Red-throated Divers, 720 Gannets, 18 Fulmars, Common Scoter, 2 Curlews, 69 Kittiwakes and 370 Auks, mainly Razorbills today.

Thurlestone Bay

T. Marsh - 75 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 35 Snipe, 15 Lapwing, 1 Blk T Godwit 1 Cettis Warbler,

1 Water Pipit..

9 Reed Bunting, 1 Bullfinch at the feeders.

South Huish Marsh - 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 25 Wigeon, 1 Greylag Goose.

On the rocks 2 Turnstone,

Offshore -on the sea single Black-Throated and Red-Throated Diver 20 Gannet

Lower Tamar Lake

8 Goosander (2 females), 1 Willow Tit at the feeding station and a Great Spotted Woodpecker plus all the usual birds

[Harvey Kendall]

Exmouth

Maer Rocks - 0815 and 1400 - 15 dark-bellied brent goose, 3 eider (drake and 2 fem), 5 common scoter, 2 purple sandpiper, 9+ turnstone, 1 great northern diver and 1 great skua attacking a feeding flock of gannets and kittiwakes. Also several auk sp, only two of which close enough to be id'd as razorbill.
Also of interest on Friday there were 2 grey partridge, c10+ red-legged partridge and a large chaffinch flock, c200+ at Hayes Barton pig farm, Yettington. All birds viewable from the footpath that cuts across the lower section of the farm.

Bowling green marsh

A happy new year to everyone

Watched from the hide from 10:00 till 13:15

400+ avocet, 181+ bar tailed godwit, 600+ black tailed godwit, 6 knot, 42+ Dunlin, 2 little egret, 3 pintail, 4 tufted duck, 2 shoveler, 500+ wigeon, teal, 50+ lapwing, cetti's warbler calling, 1 sparrowhawk, great spotted woodpecker, Jay

A good start to the year

Velator

There were 12 Shoveler by the Tarka Trail this morning along with a single Wigeon. Plenty of noisy Canada Geese and further out in the field 8 Grey-lag Geese.

By the Tesco bridge about 100 Siskin.

Torbay

Elbury Cove....2 x Black Necked Grebes this morning...
Broadsands car park....3 x Chiffchaffs, one was much greyer....Tristis type ?
4 x Male Cirls on the seed.

[Trev Leaman]

Downend, Saunton Down.

09:30 - 10:00

A single male Common Scoter just off the point plus a couple of Raven, about 30 Jackdaws and a few Black-heads; Herring Gulls and Cormorant.

Broadsands

This afternoon: 7-8 Cirl Buntings down on seed in 2nd car park with 2 Reed Bunting, 1 tristis type and 3 collybita type Chiffchaffs in marshy ditch. 2 Black-necked Grebes in Broadsdands bay and 3 Great Crested Grebes a little further out.

Prawle

Seawatching from 8.15 - 10.45; My record-breaking patch year-tick scraped in under the wire today, in the form of a female Long-tailed Duck which flew west. Remarkably this is only the 5th site record, and the first since 1999. Also passing (all west unless stated) were single Great Northern Diver, 8 Red-throated Divers (2 east), 225 Gannets, 66 Fulmars (good numbers at last), single Common Scoter and Goosander, 48 Kittiwakes and 350 Auks. More Guillemots today, but still less than half the total.

Tramping round the fog-free areas turned up some of the regular wintering fare, namely Water Pipit, 3 Chiffchaffs, Goldcrest and Firecrest.

Braunton again

Forgot to mention that I saw a huge loose flock of Golden Plover this morning over the Chivenor airfield - probably 2000 plus.

Late afternoon a flock of about 40/50 Siskin feeding in Alders along the Tarka trail by the Braunton Tesco brings 2011's birding year to an end.

Happy New birding Year to all!

Upottery Airfield, Smeatharpe

A nice end to the year. This morning a site record of 600 Golden Plovers on the barley field were flushed presumably, by an unseen raptor judging by the behaviour of the passerines and corvids.  120 lapwing were also flushed and about 6000 starlings were around the airfield in about 3 different groups.

This evening the Great Grey Shrike was showing well just before dusk and has now been present since mid October.

Exminster marsh

A quick visit to exminster marsh between 13:30 and 15:00 was rewarded with distant views of the glossy ibis from station road looking towards the lagoon feeding with the wigeon. Also a possible merlin but only a brief view, and 2 pintail, 1 water rail and 1 cetti's warbler.

On matford marsh earlier 30+ snipe 160+ lapwing , 21 black tailed godwit, 1 little grebe, 2
common gull in with 100+ black headed gull.

A good end to the year.

Braunton

A rather splendid Song Thrush singing by the main road as I headed to Velator this morning. 5 Shoveler on the flooded field across the Tarka Trail from Wrafton Pond.

Plym Estuary

1st winter Spotted Sandpiper still present on Blaxton Marsh, along with 6 Greenshank and 67 Curlew.

Torre Abbey beach, Torquay

Three Black-necked Grebes, 5 Grest Crested Grebes and a Razorbill at lunch time today.

Devils Point, Plymouth

Late news for yesterday; the Spoonbill was on Drakes Island again, leaving at about 10.50.
Otherwise very quiet down here.

Exminster Marsh

The (unringed) Glossy Ibis still on Exminster Marsh. This morning viewable distantly from the path south from the RSPB car park south of the lagoon and then this afternoon north of the lagoon on the main marsh viewable from the canal path. Also, a superb male Merlin flew in with prey and sat on a fence south of the lagoon and a Water Pipit showing well around the middle car park area.

The Photographer's Tale

Following recent comments on this blog about some poor behaviour at Exminster Marshes, and to present a balanced picture, I thought it might be good to publish this account from Seb Loram...


'I have always loved wildlife and over the last few years developed a passion for photography.  Two weeks ago I was at Exminster Marshes hoping to see a Short Eared Owl with the intention of photographing it.  So, as most ethical photographers will hopefully tell you, I started planning my shots and hoped to use my knowledge of the bird, a bit of luck and most importantly fieldcraft.

So, I walked to an area I identified as a good place with nice light, background etc etc and hunkered down in full camouflage near a post I had seen a bird perch on regularly.  I waited for 6 hours, froze to death, then suddenly the bird came across the reeds and alighted on the post about 10 metres away. The next 20 mins it sat there preening before floating off to quarter the reeds.  I waited until it had gone to the other side of the marsh and darkness fell before getting up and leaving.

The next day I came back and at 2pm a bird (the same?) was sitting on that same post.... I was so chuffed.

The feeling you get when you capture images of that nature with the subject unaware of your presence is what wildlife photography should be about, not chasing a bird around the fields just to get a photo..... its only a photo.'


This is a bird news blog, and I can't help wondering if several recent posts (this one included) have strayed a bit too far from that remit. Perhaps circumstances have demanded it though? Anyway, as a final remark on this topic can I just refer any would-be photographers to the link on the right entitled 'Bird Photography Code of Practice'. It has been there for some time, and if everyone who includes a camera in their birding kit were to read and apply it there would be a lot less bad press aimed at photographers.

Thanks

GH

Northam Borrows

Glaucous Gull first winter also a adult Med Gull at goose pool at 10:30 hrs.

Torbay

A sweep of the bay this morning came up with: 2 Great Northern Divers, 4 Black-necked Grebes, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Common Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Shelduck still lots of Razorbills and a few Guillemots.

At Broadsands: 15 Cirl Buntings on seed in back of 2nd car park + 6 Reed Buntings. In the marshy ditch between the car parks there were two tristis type and 4 collybita type Chiffchaffs.

Exminster Red-breasted Goose

An email today from David Byrne, which said in part:

'...had good views of the Red-breasted Goose with Brents close to the new viewing platform on the cycle path between 1130 and 12 this morning. It and all (I think) the Brents  took off in a single sudden flurry of wings...'

Exminster Marshes

The Glossy Ibis was in fields opposite the Lion's Rest Industrial Estate mid afternoon, earlier it had been nearer the motorway so obviously mobile. No sign of the Red-breasted Goose reported nearer Turf in a quick check but a Pale-bellied Brent was present.

The Long-eared Owl was not present, yesterday it was flushed twice from its roost by the same photographer so its absence today was not surprising. Photographers have also been reported disturbing the Short-eared Owls well away from the footpaths across the Marsh.

A reminder to all readers of this blog (with or without cameras) that the area is protected as a SSSI and It is an offence under Section 28 P(6) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as incorporated by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000), without reasonable excuse, intentionally or recklessly to destroy or damage any of the flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features by reason of which land is of special interest, or intentionally or recklessly to disturb any of those fauna. A person found guilty of any such offence may be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £20,000 or on conviction on indictment to a fine.

Away from the Exe regular checks of the Teign have failed to turn up the Iceland Gull but a gull on the evening of 26th was possibly an albino Lesser Black-backed Gull, maybe the Axe bird of previous winters?

N Devon

Malcolm Shakespeare rang me late morning to say he was at Down End (between Saunton and Croyde) - he'd been looking for the Iceland Gull, but saw a Great Skua instead - great record for this site at this time of year!

Clennon Valley

Yellow Browed Wabler still present late morning in the general area of the top pools

Broadsands

14 Cirl Buntings on seed in back of second car park with 4 Reed Buntings. In the marshy ditch between the car parks were 2 collybita type Chiffchaffs, one tristis type and a Water Rail.

Bursdon Moor

Three Hen Harriers there late this afternoon (4.30) adult male, 2nd winter male? and a ringtail all quartering the moorland. Also Merlin and Kestrel around with them.

[Karen Sims and John Towers]

Exminster Marshes

At 13.45 whilst watching the marsh from the railway line path, with Paul & Tom Kemp, all the birds flew up as they often do. Amongst them however was a Glossy Ibis. This bird then dropped back on to the marsh. The bird then flew up again at 13.55 and flew ever up and away so that it appeared to drop down at or near Bowling Green Marsh. At 14.10 to my amazement the same or another bird was feeding happily close to the same path we were on by the railway line. Great views and it could be identified as a Juv/Imm. The bird then took off and flew back towards Topsham last being seen at 14.25 flying high and north. Nobody else had mentioned it when we had arrived, so I am hoping that I was lucky enough to have found it. One subsequent report was that it was seen flying back from Topsham between our sightings so confirming that it was just one bird.

Also seen were one Short-eared Owl (plus a number of birders out on the marsh with their cameras. Can I support Gavin's comment below, this is not fair on the birds. One guy with his camera flushed the bird twice. His actions were simply selfish and unreasonable. He was wearing a full set of blue waterproofs, so if you know him tell him) and a Merlin.

Kingsbridge Estuary

12:30-14:30

Off Lincombe Pt: 

GN Diver juv 

Blk N Grebe - Blanks Mill

Pintail 30 - Blanks Mill 

Bar T Godwit 8 - off Gerston

Blk T Godwit 12 same with a few around the tide edge

Dunlin 280-300

Grey Plover 6

Spotted Redshank 1 - landed right in front of me during a hail storm, I though, if I move it will fly off - I moved, it flew off!!

Brent geese are scattered so no accurate count. duck, grebes and particularly Common Gull in good numbers.

Exminster Marshes

With most of the family commitments and a very persistent cold behind me I decided to venture on to the marshes. The brisk walk to the Turf along the railway path revealed at least one stonechat and 8 grey geese that I presumed were greylags but were very difficult to see. At Turf 21 dunlin fed on the remaining mud (it was almost high tide) and a single kingfisher was on the river.

There were about 500 brent geese on the fields. I could not see any other geese with them. A few ducks on the lagoon all appeared to be gadwall. There were an additional 4 greylags on the bank. More brent geese flew in from the estuary but still I was unable to see any other geese accompanying them. Elsewhere on the marshes were lots of lapwings, curlew, shoveller, teal and a few tufted ducks.

A female sparrowhawk seemed interested in the blackbirds near Turf. The only other raptor I saw was a kestrel near the main road. With deference to Gavin's posting I won't mention anything to do with long winged owls.

Happy New Year to all.

Totnes riverbank

A short amble along the riverbank path between the bridge and weir this afternoon produced a pair of Goosander,16 Teal, Kingfisher and 2-3 Siskins.

Exminster Owls - a Plea

The recent Long-eared Owl at Exminster has raised an issue that this blog has had to deal with a few times - whether or not to publish reports of a potentially sensitive nature. Obviously I would be quite upset to learn that a direct consequence of news published on DBN was the disturbance and harassment of the birds in question. So, following concerns raised after the first report was published, the decision was taken to keep quiet instead. However, this was without realising the bird was so obvious and had rapidly become a virtual tourist attraction! So it was 'on', then 'off' and now 'on' again. Sorry, these things happen. We are not always going to make the correct call, but will always try to err on the side of caution. Apologies if your posts or reports have been affected by this, but hopefully you'll be understanding.

The LEO has apparently chosen a rather accessible roosting bush. Might there be a temptation to approach it too closely? The Exminster Short-eared Owls have likewise become very popular. Rumour has it that some visitors are not content to watch the birds from a sensible distance but are getting into the habitat for some reason, with the obvious risk of disturbance. Clearly this is daft. All these owls will only put up with so much hassle and will move on if not left alone. I have deliberately not ascribed this alleged behaviour to any particular 'group' of enthusiasts, because the point of this post is not to lay blame, but to encourage responsibility.

The instant availibility of bird news is potentially a double-edged sword. While it gives everyone the opportunity to hear about good birds (and to go and see them if they choose) it is not discerning, and cannot tell if the recipient will behave in a resposible fashion. So, for what it's worth can I please ask that if you learn some bird news through this blog you also treat it with respect. Thanks.

GH

Plym Estuary

The Spotted Sandpiper still present this afternoon on Blaxton Meadow (islands). Also: Little Grebe (3) and Greenshank (1).

Weare Gifford

adult Whooper Swan in field near village hall at 12.00 hrs.

Kingsbridge Estuary

GN Diver

Goosander 2 fm Blanks

Dunlin 280

BT Godwit

GC Grebe 9+ plenty around sams Little G's

Tufted Duck mf

Goldeneye 2f

Pintail 30'ish 

Razorbill and

Eider - 1cy male. Castle Pt Salcombe (view from Cliff Rd?)

blackcap 2 and colibitta Chiff in the Sewage works Char Marsh

Barn Owl 2100hrs below Sorley Cross Kingsbridge.

Iceland Gull North Devon

On Boxing Day, an immature Iceland Gull was seen both in the morning and afternoon over the sea between Baggy Point and Croyde Beach. [Rob Jutsum]

Galmpton

This morning 10.30 AM, at the top of Port Hill (on the way out of Galmpton halfway to Waddeton, on the Stoke gabriel road,)  2 x Grey Partridge ( a year tick)......I have seen a pair in this area before......they caught sight of me, and ran off at high speed !!

[Trev Leaman]

Clennon Valley

The Yellow-browed Warbler was showing around 2-2.30 pm by the wooden bridge at rear of the last pool. A drake Mandarin was still on the main pool. Two Water Rails, Kingfisher, 6+ Snipe and 2 Teal also present.
Not much off Goodrington beach, the 4 Black-necked still favouring Broadsands-Elbury. No divers seen.

Bowling green marsh and exminster marsh

08:00 till 11:00 from the hide at bowling green marsh

420+ avocet, 500+ black tailed godwit, 150+ bar tailed godwit, 1 tufted duck, 1 shoveler, 300+ wigeon, 1 little egret, 150+ Brent geese, 22 Dunlin, 1 knot

13:45 till 15:30 exminster marsh great views of the long eared owl and 1 short eared owl toward motorway bridge, also peregrine, sparrowhawk, kestrel, 600+ lapwing and barnacle goose in with the Canada geese.

An excellent day

Velator

Did some ringing in the reserve this morning. Delighted to ring another wintering Blackcap, a first-winter female not carrying any fat at all, but looking in cracking shape! Later heard and saw an unringed Chiffchaff, then caught another. Best of the rest were 5 more Bullfinches, and a first-winter Song Thrush.

R.Taw between Pottington and Penhill Marsh.

13:00 - 14:00

At least 3000 Golden Plover in 2 flocks just off Penhill Marsh, with c220 Brent Geese and c1000 Lapwing.

Just 1 Bar-tailed Godwit; 5 Grey Plover and c160 Dunlin off Pottington, with fair numbers of Redshank and Curlew.

3 Black-tailed Godwit at Bradiford Reserve and the Green Sandpiper still in the ditch just before Ashford sewage works.

Dawlish Warren

At Dawlish Warren, the female Surf Scoter showing well mid morning just north of Langstone Rock and an adult Little Gull feeding offshore a bit further out.

Interesting Wigeon - Christmas Eve

Came across this quite striking cold grey-headed Wigeon in amongst the Wigeon flock feeding in fields beside the Otter on Christmas Eve. It did seem to show some features that could potentially be good for female American Wigeon with the cold grey dark peppered head contrasting with warmer flanks, dark shadow behind eye and paler forecrown and subtly different head shape. Wing coverts possibly show a third white bar in wing.
However, it could equally be a very grey variant Eurasian Wigeon.

Frustratingly I did not have enough time to get the critical underwing shot! I have had a brief look again yesterday and today, but the Wigeon flock seems smaller and greatly dispersed on the estuary. Worth keeping an eye out for it amongst the the Axe/ Exe Wigeon flocks as I would be keen to see the underwing!

Parke & Lustleigh

A pair of Mandarin on the river Bovey at Parke today, and a Firecrest just south of Lustleigh.

Broadsands-Elbury Cove

Very low tide this lunchtime, four Black-necked Grebes on the sea and single Razorbill and Guillemot. Grey Heron on rocks. A Firecrest was reported by the fence where the footpath enters the golf course , with Long-tailed Tits, but I was unable to relocate it.

Matford marsh

A walk out along the river from the mill on the exe pub to matford marsh from 10:30 till 15:00

At the mill on the exe had 2 grey wagtail and a dipper, between the quay and double locks another 2 grey wagtail, 2 kingfishers and 6+ snipe on the pools and a redshank by the overflow dam near the quay

On matford marsh excellent views of 42+ snipe on main scrape in with 50+ lapwing 4 shoveler, 1 tufted duck, 30+ teal, 2 black tailed godwit. On the back pool 3 snipe 13 shoveler and 100+ wigeon, 1 buzzard.

On the walk back along the canal had another kingfisher fishing and giving exellent views not a bad few hours walk.

Clennon Valley

Yellow-browed Warbler still present at Clennon Valley usual place: http://devonbirdnews.blogspot.com/2011/12/clennon-valley_16.html

Also 3 Chiffchaffs including at least one tristis type, 1Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 12 Tufted Ducks, 2 Tea, 2 Water Rail, 8 Snipe and 1 Little Egret.

brixham breakwater

Breakwater 13:30-14:15.

6 turnstones, 1 ringed plover, 13 purple sandpipers feeding right up on the breakwater. The purple sandpipers could be viewed up to under acouple of metres away.

Exminster Marshes

Martin Cox reports four Short-eared Owls on Exminster Marshes late this afternoon, he got some pretty good photos too!