Red Kite, landcross.
Red Kite circling over Landcross for 15 minutes.
Headed ‘South’ towards Torrington
Exminster
There have been a few sightings today of red kites over the Exe and Topsham. At 5.00pm there were 4 over my house in Exminster, they drifted SW. I guess their annual pilgrimage to west Cornwall has begun.
Pair of Dippers – River Plym
One of a very busy pair of Dippers at the river Plym today . Lots of water in the Plym today from past rainfall so river running fast.
Posted as I thought maybe someone would need to see or record information from the ample number of rings on this birds leg (the other had no rings at all). Rings appear to be green and blue on the right leg and red/pink and silver on the left. I can just decern whats looks like ‘AL27’ on the silver ring.
Velator reserve
Pleased to report the arrival of 6 Canada goslings on the reserve pond this morning. Otherwise fairly quiet.
Pied Flycatcher Yarner Wood
Observed what I think was fairly assiduous off-nest courtship feeding of a female by a male over a twenty minute period. At least ten pied flycatchers (50% male/female) seen on a stroll around the wood today.
Aylesbeare RSPB
Red Kite at 3 o’clock, drifting out of sight SW. Another Kite followed a few minutes later.
Red Kite, Crediton
A rather scruffy Red Kite over Crediton at 14.30
+1 Photo
Yarner Wood
Today I found some time to walk around Yarner Wood where four Pied Flycatchers showed up.
+1 Photo
Brixham and Berry Head
This am:
3 Purple Sandpiper Brixham Breakwater
1 Sandwich Tern
5 Manx Shearwater
plus: 20 Common Dolphins, 3 Harbour Porpoise
Day trip to Lundy – CANCELLED
Please be advised that the Day Trip to Lundy on Sunday 21st May 2023 has been cancelled due to unforeseen problems with the MV Oldenberg. We have been advised by the Lundy Shore Office that the ship is under repair and will not be back in service until at least the 27th May 2023.
Land at Stoney Lane, Landkey.
Out at our field this morning it was a case of what you could hear rather than see. Two tawny owls calling, several chiffchaffs and a garden warbler. Lots of house martins and swallows overhead at one point.
+1 Photo
Stover Country Park
Tuesday morning, I spent an hour or so at the lake where there appeared to be a large Red-eared Terrapin just a few feet from a Great Crested Grebe’s nest. There were a lot of Coot’s nests around the lake some very close to the foot path. Also saw a Nuthatch, Jackdow, Tufted Duck and a pair of Swans with nine Cygnets.
Exminster Marsh
A morning visit before rain ended play. Usual 3 Imm Spoonbill. 24 Curlew, 20 Whimbrel, 16+ Blackwit & a Ruff. 14+ Swift, 10+ Swallow & House Martin. 4 Male Tufted. Otherwise what you would expect on the marsh.
Ash Barton Braunton
Due to such dreadful weather we decided to go for a wander locally up the lane towards Ash Barton where we came across a minimum of 10 yellowhammers. Made our day!
Male Cuckoo – Vellake Corner 550.898
Male Cuckoo seen and heard many times during the day in the Corn Ridge area.
Cuckoo – Vitifer Mine
Male Cuckoo seen and heard in the gullies below Birch Tor 3rd. May 2023
Hopes Nose
Hopes Nose up till 10am-Pom Skua south at 905am, a lp Arctic Skua south at 745am & a very distant skua sp (prob Pom) at 945am, also 5 Puffin (2.2,1), sum plum Great Northern Diver , 35 Manx Shears, 3 Whimbrel , 13 Dunlin plus 1 Whitethroat
White-tailed eagle Collaton
White-tailed eagle spotted swooping to the ground at Broadmoor Farmhouse, near Collaton, on the road from Newton Ferrers to Yealmpton on Wednesday 3rd May at 6:15pm. 2 minutes earlier it had been above trees near the farmhouse the other side of Gnaton Hall.
+1 Photo
Fremington Pill
This morning at Fremington Pill there were a few Whimbrel, a pair of Blackcap, Little Egrets and four Shelduck.
+1 Photo
Exminster Marsh
A Male Garganey seen from the viewing platform on the canal path being spooked by a Hobby around mid afternoon.
Other sightings: whimbrel, reed warbler, chiff chaff, swallows and a little egret.
