Plym Estuary & Saltram
A bit of migration this morning with an unexpected Gadwall (drake) on Blaxton Meadow, 6 Sand Martins (north), 8+ Swallows (7 north) & 2 Wheatears (males). Also, 8 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper, 2+ Green Woodpeckers, 3 Linnets & a pair of Bullfinches.
Also yesterday, 5+ Snipe, c25 Turnstones, Kingfisher & 8 Roe Deer.
Fingle Bridge circular
Good variety of common birds in the valley today. Numerous grey wagtails. One male Blackcap. Circling overhead a raven .Beautiful morning by the river.
Ilfracombe
5 Purple Sandpipers on Capstone rocks this morning
Alphington, Exeter
Two Common Cranes few north over house at 1430.
Cadover
Around the bridge this morning, 4 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting, Linnet, a singing Tree Pipit at Lower Cadworthy farm, 2 Buzzards and a Skylark overhead.
Aylesbeare RSPB
Red Kite heading SW across the A3052 at 2.15 pm.
Otter Estuary LORP – Lesser Yellowlegs
Great to see the Lesser Yellowlegs down in the LORP area this morning (well found Chris). Further proof of how the landscape is improving to attract the waders and wildfowl. Also Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Green Sandpiper and Willow Warbler of note.
Thornhillhead N.Devon
At least one swallow possibly 2 (as I can hear chattering) into the garage this morning, but appears to be some tension as robins also nesting in there, which seems to have caused a bust up with loud alarm calls on both sides
+1 Photo
Wrafton pond area
Late afternoon around Wrafton pond where there were c50 Sand Martins and a couple of Swallows over the water, 30+ Black tailed Godwits on the large scrape and a Grey Heron on the small one. A Wren singing it heart out and lovely to hear. A Willow Warbler made an appearance on the viewing platform and sounds of the Water Rail from the bushes beside the pond.
Budleigh Salterton LORP
Lesser Yellowlegs moulting into summer plumage on the wet flood immediately N of the Lime Kiln Car Park late this evening.
Reed Warbler, RSPB Powderham Marsh
Singing Reed Warbler at Powderham Marsh this afternoon.
Turf Pub opposite Topsham
Two spoonbills feeding and one swallow early p.m. 6 April.
Took photo of spoonbills on phone. Good enough to confirm sighting. Not sure how to send image if required.
Exminster & Turf and Riverside Country Park
A morning visit to Exminster Marsh during high tide. 5 Knot, 10 Dunlin, c70 Barwit, 230 Blackwit & 170 Curlew. 50+ Sand Martin, single Swallow & House Martin. Only one singing Cetti’s Warbler. One, possibly 2 1st wint Marsh Harrier. One Wigeon, 75+ Teal, 23 Shoveler & between the Marsh & Turf 70+ Shelduck and 23 Little Egret. A few more Curlew & maybe another 5 Barwit on the estuary along with 15 Redshank & 17 Grey Plover. 3 Common Gull 2cy.
After lunch a walk from Trew Weir to Countess Weir. 1-2 Kingfisher, 2F Goosander, Little Grebe, 6-8 Sand Martin & a House Martin.
Purple heron, stover
This evening at stover purple heron overhead being harassed by 3 gulls, landed by wooden walkway (caravan site) end but very briefly. Elsewhere good numbers of sandmartins skimming over the lake. 4 cormorants in usual tree, several pairs of tufted duck, usual mob of squabbling coots, 5 coot nests spotted, 2 Canada geese. And 1 Swan on Lake, the other on the nest.
Exminster Marshes
Brief view of a Marsh Harrier and approx 5 Sand Martin on a late afternoon visit.
Aylesbeare Common
Red Kite seen over the common at 12.30pm and again at 3.10pm
+1 Photo
Yarner Wood
This afternoon really pleased to have our first Pied Flycatcher sightings of at least two males. Mistle thrushes, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow warblers, Nuthatches, G.S. Woodpeckers, Ravens, Stonechats and Canada Geese.
A quiet time at Seaton
Well the holidays almost over and the birding was nothing to write home about. The second week more smaller birds arrived; stonechats, reed buntings, willow warbler, linnets and wheatear. On the river and marshes only birds of note were wigeon. Maybe the climate changes have made the difference to the migration but good to see the work still being done on the wetlands habitat.
Ilfracombe
3 Purple Sandpipers still working the rocks below Capstone Hill; single Great Black-backed Gull; House Martin flying east to west over cliffs.
Haldon
At least 3 Tree Pipits present today with several Meadow Pipits in same area.
