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Crownhill Down
This afternoon Fieldfares, Redwings, Green Woodpecker. Ravens and Crows,
Beesands and area
Beesands: Mid afternoon a 2nd winter Laughing Gull dropped in on Ley briefly then flew off, relocated patrolling along the beach, still there when I left at 15:30. Also on Ley drake Ring-necked Duck, Great White Egret and Little Grebe.
Start Pont: two Eider and 6 Red-throated Divers flew past.
Slapton Higher Ley: F/imm type Marsh Harrier hunting.
2w Laughing Gull
Plym Estuary & Saltram
A 2nd cy Little Gull was on Blaxton Meadow this afternoon with the Black-headed Gulls, before flying off and later seen flying down river (presumably the same bird as seen recently elsewhere in Plymouth). Also, Peregrine, Green Woodpecker, 2 Firecrests, c15 Siskins, Grey Wagtail, 3 (3rd cy) Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Goosanders (1 drake), 53 Wigeon, Red-crested Pochard (female), 2 Little Grebes, Grey Plover, 38+ Snipe, c400 Dunlins & a Kingfisher.
Clovelly Lakes
Clovelly Lakes this morning.
16 Goosander 3m 13f, c150 Canada Geese.
Northam Burrows and Skern
I recorded the summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit on 19.12.22. It was there again feeding on the large puddle just the other side of the entrance hut to the Skern on 20.12.22 when it was photographed (not by me). However I did see the photographs confirming it was a Bar-tailed Godwit with correct underwing pattern and visible barring on the tail feathers.
Sumer is icumen in!
south molton, Monday Jan 2nd
Two red kites Bray valley
Godwit
It has pale bars on the tail, Seems conclusive with the shorter Tibia length.
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Summer plumage Godwit at The Skern
In response to John’s call for images….our friend Roger Catlin captured these images on Boxing Day. So, going by our Collins I’d say Bar Tailed. But I’m very fallible!
Skern Merlin
Confirm the Merlin at Skern yesterday. Sitting quietly on the mud at high tide, 1400. Notable absence of small birds!
Asford Strand – Taw Estuary
9 Goosanders (5m+4f) on the north side of the Taw Estuary this morning
Colyford
Isabelline wheatear showing well on the boardwalk despite the weather.10am. didn’t see the EYW.
Plym Estuary & Saltram Monday 2nd January
An excellent count of 48+ Snipe on the afternoon’s high tide at Blaxton Meadow. Also, Grey Plover, 7 Greenshanks, 8 Turnstones, Teal (drake), Little Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Bullfinch, 2 Grey Wagtails, Green Woodpecker & c20 Redwings.
Exminster & Powderham Corner
Exminster Marsh – 2 Marsh Harrier (3cy M & Prob Ad F), 1000+ Golden Plover, 800+ Lapwing, 350+ Wigeon, 180+ Teal, 36+ Shoveler, 9 Pintail, 45+ Curlew, Ruff, 3 Kestrel, 3 Snipe, 11 Greylag, 50+ Brent Geese best of 2 hours on Exminster Marsh this morning.
Powderham Church to Turf bike ride in afternoon. Tide high. 340+ DB Brent Geese, 45 Pintail, 6 GC Grebe, pr RB Mergansers, Kingfisher, 1000+ BH Gull, 40+ Common Gull, 2 Stonechat were best of it.
Velator Reserve
Firstly though, Sue Bruce (plus her daughter and son-in-law) were at the Skern yesterday, and Mark id’d the sum plum Godwit as Bar-tailed! Anyone else seen it more closely? Or a photo?
Ringing today produced a good start to the year with 48 birds ringed. 21 of which were Greenfinch, plus one of Chris Dee’s. 5 Great Tit, 6 LT Tit, 6 Redwing 2 Song Thrush, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit one each of Goldcrest and GSW. Retraps included Chiffchaff and Kingfisher. The local Buzzard was taking an interest in the nets!! Went down the Toll Rd later, missed the Little Owl despite perfect conditions, but saw the female Black Redstart. Thanks to Grahame Preston for the heads up.
The Skern additional to Colins report….
Adding to the abundance of birds seen and reported by Colin we have to add a highlight….in fact my 1st for 30 years…a MERLIN stooping constantly on a skylark over the large freshwater scrape at the end of the tip road. Didn’t see the result as it was lost to sight. Also seen was this gull….not sure, but possibly a Common Gull? Thanks to the scoper in the blue coat for pointing it out to me.
Eds – yes, Common Gull.
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Torbay
Kayak trip Torbay today:
4 Great Northern Divers
1 Long-tailed Duck
1 Purple Sandpiper (Brixham)
25 Common Scoter (all female)
plus 6 Porpoise off Berry Head
Broadsands
Watching from Headland: 1 Black-necked Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 16+ Great Northern Divers, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Velvet Scoter, 32 Common Scoter, 2 Shelduck, 1 Brent Goose1, Grey Plover.
The Skern at high tide
Mid-afternoon on the high tide at The Skern the male black redstart was busy patrolling the boulders just past the entrance bridge. There were many brent geese, oystercatchers, wigeon, 500+ dunlin, dozens of grey plover, a few golden plover, ringed plover, turnstones, redshank, shelduck, 6 pintail, and the summer plumaged black-tailed godwit (noted yesterday by Jon Turner) was tucked in with a large group of curlews.
Aylesbeare Common, Colyford Common & Mudbanks, Exmouth
Highlights:
Aylesbeare (08:44-10:50)
Firecrest, Goldcrest, Jay, Treecreeper, GS Woodpecker.
Colyford (11:22-12:28)
Isabelline Wheatear, Rock Pipit.
Mudbanks (13:20-14:00)
Goldeneye (pair), Sandwich Tern, female Scaup.
Crossbanks
The female/immature Black Redstart was still present this aft & after spending some time actively foraging in the winter sunshine it decided to fly underneath this parked vehicle.
