Tarka Trail , North Devon…
Spoonbill,3 roosting On Isley Marsh, 2adults +1 immature.
15 Greenshank roosting nearby at high tide, 2 Mediterranean Gulls at Bideford East, Elsewhere On Tarka trail 4 Stonechat, an immature f. Sparrowhawk And a Kestrel…..
Exminster Marshes 29th Sept
Mid morning visit. The marsh was alive with dragon flies – mainly common darters with flocks of BH gulls feasting on the high flying insects.
Also two hobbies, one buzzard and a single seal in the culvert next to lock gates at Turf.
Berry Head
Just when we thought thousands of Great Shearwaters with a few Cory’s and Sooty’s passing Berry Head in the last week (and being seen at sea) couldn’t be bettered – Rob Hughes of Devon Sea Safari’s from Teignmouth photographed a Brown Booby 1 mile off Berry Head this morning – time to start checking every offshore island along the S coast… His story here: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=devon%20sea%20safari
Powderham Marsh RSPB
A morning visit. Best bird being a Whinchat, feeding with two Stonechat in final field before viewing platform. 4 Stonechat in total, 4 Chiffchaff, 14+ Stock Dove, 44 Teal, Snipe, 11 Linnet, Great Spotted Woodpecker & 2 Swallow.
8+ Migrant Hawkers & a Common Darter.
Soar Mill Valley area
Best today was a Wryneck lurking in scrub just above Soar Mill Cove – a favoured area! Also: migrant Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 5 Grey Wagtail heading west, 13 Swallow, House Martin, 90 Meadow Pipit & 70 Linnet.
Non-avian: 8 species of butterflies inc. Clouded Yellow, 2 Painted Lady & 3 Comma.
+1 Photo
Seaton Wetlands
Yesterday afternoon, Mallard, Shelduck, Redshank, Curlew, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Moorhen,, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Common Gull, Common Sandpiper, Teal, Stock Doves.
Trowlesworthy and Crownhill Down, Dartmoor
Trowlesworthy: Grasshopper Warbler skulking in bracken is my first autumn record here. 5 Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Green Woodpecker etc.
Crownhill Down: 5 Ringed Plover, 3 Wheatear, 9 Chiffchaff, Blackcap etc.
Great white egret, Bowling Green Marsh
Yesterday (28th) morning at about 11 am a great white egret dropped in. It only stayed for about 5 minutes before disappearing over the back, possibly onto the Clyst.
Dawlish Warren
An Osprey seen flying into the bight before heading back up the estuary towards Lympstone.
River teign, shaldon bridge to coombe cellars pub
Late post for yesterday 28th, walk from the bridge upto coombe cellars,
14 green shank, 1 med gull, 17 little egret, 3 grey heron
+1 Photo
Heanton Court area
This morning’s stop-off at Heanton Court and a short walk down to the river proved fruitful, a Grey Heron, several Greenshank, a few Redshanks, a couple of Oystercatchers and two Spoonbill’s were seen out on a sandbank.
Fremington Quay
Mediterranean Gull – at least 18 with BhGs off the quay 11:15
Egrets Tapeley Park
One Great White and two cattle Egrets on marsh adjacent Tapeley late morning 27/09/23
+1 Photo
Widworthy
Around the garden this morning.
Fremington Pill
In the Pill this morning were 3 Glossy Ibis (1 adult 2 Juveniles), 6 knot, 2 Greenshank plus all the more common birds.
Powderham to Exminster marshes
Walk north from Powderham corner to RSPB VP.
Exminster marshes generally quiet but just south of Turf was Common Sandpiper and Kingfisher. Two Wheatear on sea wall and adjacent fields. Two male Mandarin Duck on farm pond to west of sea wall were a surprise! Osprey-free zone unfortunately!
East Soar
A light westerly movement this morning involved 100 Skylark, 100+ Meadow Pipit, 12 Blue Tit moving up through Starehole, 5 Siskin, Grey Wagtail & 3 Jay moving up through Starehole and over Middle Soar (could be another good autumn passage). Also 4 Swallow, 3 Sparrowhawk, 6 Chiffchaff & 34 Magpie counted across whole Soar area over 2 days – site record count!
House Martins in Brentor
The six House Martin nests in the eaves of our house have had an exceptional year, but one nest is STILL feeding two nestlings, as yet unfledged. This is possibly a third brood from that nest. All the others (around 30) have headed south. Interestingly there are three adults busy feeding the young which are very close to fledging, so perhaps one from an earlier brood has remained behind to help the parents with the feeding which is getting somewhat frantic! At least the unseasonal warmth is providing food.
This is the latest departure that I can ever remember.
Ring Ouzel
On Dartmoor just above Owley Moor Gate, Nr South Brent this yesterday morning (27th Sept).
A count of 23 Mistle Thrush in company with several Starling and one Ring Ouzel.
Jay and Buzzard also seen.
Two hunting Sparrowhawk, two Raven, Meadow Pipit, a mixed flock of Chiffchaff and Wren working along a hedge/walled area.
Ringed Plover Torbay
Single Ringed Plover on the beach at Marine Parade, Preston this afternoon, together with c30 Turnstone
