Bird Sightings

Superb views of a Water Rail in a small ditch next to the Binturong enclosure. Also six Firecrests – three pairs scattered around the grounds.

10.10-13.00

At 12.30, an adult Iceland Gull flew south, close in, over the wave-cut platform and on beyond Sandy Point.  

Earlier on arrival, 2 Eiders (1 immature/female and 1 immature male) were tight in, around the Lead Stone. 

Elsewhere, the adult male Black Redstart showed well on the south side boulders and an immature/female was mobile around The Point.  A GND was south west of the Orestone with two further birds in Hope Cove.  A female Sparrowhawk patrolled the top of the site.  A Great Crested Grebe flew north.  Two Blackcaps were also seen in the scrub.

7 Grey Seals were hauled out on Thatcher Rock with a further one swimming around The Point.  A Harbour Porpoise was in outer Hope Cove.  

What looks like 3 White rings is actually a long single white ring with black lines on it. My investigation of this bird found it had been ringed in Ireland, but I’m still waiting any further information….

Colin – The colour ringed Black tailed Godwit you have seen in Fremington Pill today does not have any writing or code on the rings. This bird  is moving around the estuary & has been seen on several previous occasions. Try cr-birding to trace your sighting.

Early afternoon at Fremington Pill – one buzzard, 2 green shank, 1 little egret, 2 glossy ibis, 6 oystercatchers, lots of redshank, teal and 50+ black-tailed godwit – one had 3 white rings on the left leg and white, blue and yellow rings on the left leg – it was too far away to see if there was any writing on the rings. What is the best place to find information on the various bird rings?

A male black redstart at sandy parlor beach bovisand this morning 

2 Marsh Harriers hunting over Isley and Home farm Marsh , 5 Shoveler On Saltpill pond , The two Glossy Ibis roosting in trees at the top of Fremington creek , alongside the creek were 72 Black T. Godwits and a Spotted Redshank feeding with a Greenshank.   On return cycle a Great Crested Grebe And Several Common Gulls On the Torridge off Westleigh strait…..

Black Redstart (male) in my garden at 08.30 today.

Firecrest seen on Christmas Day in front garden at 10.30am. Happy Christmas to everyone

Visit to Slapton today produced 1 Great White Egret  1 Egyptian Goose  3 Goldeneye 1 Ring Necked Duck12 Great Crested Grebe  2 Chiffchaff 1 Waterail .  2 Goldcrest Gadwall and Tufted Duck 

Lower Tamar Lake this morning.

45 Goosander 12m 334 (0800), 1 Grey Heron, 10 Tufted Duck 8m 2f, 4 Coot, 2 Great Crested Grebe.

Happy Christmas and New Year.

10:30 1 female Scaup amongst 83 Shelduck

replying to Graham’s post. I was there at same  time and had good close up views of a Great Northern Diver

1 Velvet Scoter, 40+ Common Scoter, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Mediterranean Gull (ad). In 2nd car park 16+ Cirl Buntings and 1 Reed Bunting on seed. around Marsh at least 3 Firecrests.

The two Eiders were off Paignton Harbour again yesterday.

A female Black Redstart from office window on Higher Union Lane, Torquay today. 

Diver yesterday pm. My identification skills too rusty to determine what kind ;  err towards great northern

1 calling and showing well in garden overlooking bottom end of Oakland park. at 10.30am.