Prey item
Interesting pic from Rob. Does look like a Sparrowhawk. Brings to mind some very similar remains I found in a barn on the Marsh Road. They were Dunlin and Starling and must have been taken by the Barn Owl(s) that occupied the box in that barn. This was back in very cold winter a few years ago. I later found another set of remains in a nearby barn, which were all that was left of a juvenile Kestrel. I don’t think Peregrine would leave this much! The wing measurement I take when ringing birds is from the bend in the wing to the longest primary tip. Rob, can you try to get this and I’ll check the range for male Sparrowhawk?
+1 Photo
Escot Park – Mistle Thrush
Yesterday on my usual circuit of Escot Park, with the dog, I came across a splendid Mistle Thrush mud-collecting to line its nest. Also seen were Little Egret and a light phase Buzzard.
Ilfracombe
- 2 Purple Sandpipers still working the rocks below Capstone Hill Fulmar seem to be settling in above Tunnels Beaches
Garden – Braunton
On the front lawn this morning.
Measuring 28 cms from primary tip to neck. Body & head taken by predator.
First impression of prey item possibly male Sparrowhawk? Predator Peregrine Falcon?
Suggestions or confirmation of identification of prey item welcome.
Suggestions welcome
Wrafton Pond
15,00 7 Sand Martin chasing insects above the pond.
Cattewater off Mount Batten.
First year Eider.
Plym Estuary & Saltram
On this morning’s high tide: 25+ Snipe, Grey Plover, 6 Greenshanks, 335 Dunlins, 3 Common Sandpipers, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull (3rd cy), 17 Wigeon, 1 redhead Goosander, Kingfisher & 2 Bullfinches.
Exminster Marshes
Visit this morning. Still c400 brent geese on the fields next to the Turf, included two individuals with abnormal plumage – one with a very pale back and another well marked bird (possible ssp. hrota). A single barnacle goose was with the brent flock. Elsewhere on the marsh were c20 roosting curlew, one bar-tailed godwit, 3 lapwing, 2 oystercatcher and c35 shelduck. Wigeon, teal, mallard and shoveller were still relatively abundant.
Over head a flock of 30 golden plover flew east. A loose group of 7 sand martin appeared from the SW flew over the canal close to the Turf and then returned to the marshes.
Birds of prey included two marsh harriers each gave multiple sightings, 3+ buzzards included two that flew east and a kestrel.
Swift Totnes
one Swift Plymouth road Totnes @ 13.20 15/03/23
Dawlish, Boat Cove
Just had a Wheatear fly past Boat Cove.
+1 Photo
Saltram
Yesterday afternoon on the Plym at Saltram. 1 Redshank, I Little Egret and a solitary Common Sandpiper.
Garganey LORP Budleigh Salterton
Male Garganey still present, 2 Water Pipits and 10 plus Chiffchaffs early afternoon.
Wrafton
Garganey briefly on the main scrape this evening.
Chough at Berry Head
Single Chough appear over the clifftop on the north side of Berry Head (nr Brixham) being mobbed by a Herring Gull. About 2pm, March 14th 2023.
I am not an expert bird-watcher, but I don’t know of another likely Corvid a red beak!
Plym Estuary & Saltram
On a beautiful sunny day, Jack Snipe, 9 Snipe, Grey Plover, 7 Greenshanks, 36 Wigeon, 2 Goosanders (1 drake), Red-crested Pochard (female), Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk (male), Siskin & a pair of Stonechats.
Baggy Point
Early walk out to the point this morning. Several Rock Pipits, 5 Fulmars on the cliffs. 1 Red-throated Diver flying low North a long way out. On the walk back one possible Wheatear, but lost to view so not sure. Very big sea running.
Ashford Strand & Pottington – North side of Taw Estuary
am:- 1 Osprey being mobbed by Gulls flying from the Taw Estuary over Pottington in a northerly direction.
1 Ruff still present foraging along the shoreline between Ashford Sewage treatment works & Pottington
Fremington Pill & Saltpill Duck pond.
2 Greenshanks , 1 Spotted Redshank , 10 Black-tailed Godwits , 7 Sand Martins & 1 Great Crested Grebe .
West Charleton Marsh
Great White Egret
Lower Tavy Estuary – late post Monday 13th
On my delayed WeBS count were my first sightings for the patch of Pintail, 2 m & 3 f, but better still was a juv Spoonbill, and a roosting flock of 14 Cattle Egrets along with 16 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons.
