Berry Head
Berry Head kayak trip today:
1 Common Tern
c 200 Guillemot
c 25 Razorbill
plus 6 Common Dolphin, 6 Harbour Porpoise
Red-veined Darter?
This was photographed yesterday, on Exminster, all be not the greatest picture. I believe it is Red-veined Darter, though would be happy for any opinions?
Harleston by Slapton
Hobby overhead this afternoon.
Powderham & Exminster Marshes
A morning visit to Powderham Marsh, followed by a midday visit to Exminster Marsh. Powderham had nothing unusual but lots of what would be expected. Best was singing Whitethroat, 6 Tufted. While there were 3 Spoonbill, 6 Hobbies & Egyptian Goose on Exminster.
Plenty of Red-eyed Damselflies on canal & good numbers of Azure Damselflies out too.
Red Kite near Bideford
11:30 am 17/5/23
A39 Fairy Cross Bideford
black headed duck , heteronetta atricapilla
seen on a roof in plympton 17-05-23, do not know if this is rare or not, but never seen before,,,
Fremington Quay
- One Osprey on the Taw , flying towards Chivenor.
+1 Photo
Emsworthy Mire
This afternoon I spent a couple of hours walking around Emsworthy Mire and got these photos of two Cuckoos. Also got a photo of two Cuckoos in the same tree.
Exminster Marsh
The now regular 3 Spoonbill roosting on the marsh this morning. Best other bird were 3 Hobby, 6 Whimbrel from Turf, 20+ Swift, 12+ singing Reed Warbler, 3 singing Sedge, a single singing Cetti’s.
First Red-eyed Damselfly out, Hairy Dragonfly too.
Ripon tor
On ripon tor cuckoo’s calling down in emsworthy reserve, a few wheatear, and 1male stonechat.
Thornhillhead N.Devon
Just a quick look out back of the house – seven Common Buzzards in and over one of the silaged fields with the Red Kite getting a hard time from the crows
Little Stint Powderham May 16th 5.30 pm
Just over the railway bridge walking from Powderham church towards Turf Lock. the Little Stint was on the edge of the water for at least half an hour.
Thornhillhead N.Devon
Single Red Kite just past the side of the house moving west over fields sillaged over the weekend
Red kite seen in Plympton 1130
Red kite spotted in Plympton at about 1130 sited over aldi
Venford Reservoir/Dart Valley/Bench Tor
A very pleasant walk in the Venford Reservoir area this morning. Singing summer visitors included two Cuckoos, 5 Chiffchaffs, 15 Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcaps and 2 Common Redstarts. Several Swallows and House Martins were flying near the reservoir, as were 2 Common Swifts. I also came across a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Siskins and a Redpoll.
Soar
Migrants included 5 Swift north and a Spotted Flycatcher.
Breeding surveys continue – looking good for migrants (Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler) & most residents. Skylarks look a little thin on the ground (still god nos though) – maybe poor breeding success in 2022 due to the drought!
Putsborough
Walked up to Putsborough from Croyde for lunch today. Just as we were reaching the top of the hill a Red Kite flew over us. As we got close to the top a farmer was cutting hay, and at least 4 more Red Kites were attracted to the potential feeding opportunity.
Red kite – Wonford, Exeter
Red kite high over Exeter (Wonford) this morning, at 09:57 h and heading west.
Dartmoor A386 Cuckoos
Late post from yesterday evening. Driving from Tavistock to Sourton on the edge of the moor, we were treated to a something we have never seen before – 3 cuckoos on fence posts by the A386, south of Willsworthy Range Car Park. We pulled in and were able to watch the birds for about 10 minutes moving from post to post and from one side of the road to the other including one eating a large hairy caterpillar. That was after seeing another doing similar about 1/2 mile before. Attached just for the record a poor quality shot taken by phone through the windscreen.
cuckoo’s- Dunnabridge Dartmoor
We watched two cuckoo’s being chased by a skylark near Dunnabridge.
