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Tory Brook, Plympton
Always nice to see our local Dipper on the brook, waiting for a mate to turn up.
Baggy Point
A dozen Fulmar on and around the cliffs at the point. 2 very close views of a Raven, 2 Shag and looking at the flock of mostly Black-headed Gulls on the rocks by Croyde beach, at least 2 Mediterranean Gulls.
Migrating Lapwings – Denbury to Ashburton
c1300hrs fascinating sight of a migrating flock of over 100 Lapwing flying very high from Torbay, over Denbury and last seen approaching Ashburton towards Dartmoor – a westerly movement.
Gidleigh
Saw this Great Spotted Woodpecker yesterday while working in Gidleigh.
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Saltram
Brief late afternoon walk at Saltram. Dabchick, Redshank, L.Egret, Grey Heron, Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail. Low tide, not a lot on Blaxton Meadow just 6 Curlew, 6 Wigeon, 2 L Egret and 5 Grey Heron. 2 Stock doves in their usual position.
Plym Estuary & Saltram
The Grey Plover still around, with 50+ Wigeon. Also, 8 Goosanders (2 drakes), Red-crested Pochard (female), 5 Little Grebes, 4 Snipe, 6 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 (male) Stonechats, 10+ Siskins, Firecrest, 1+ Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff & a Raven.
Wembury Point
The male Black Redstart was still present on the sandy cliffs at the sewerage pipe this morning. A Water Pipit was also present along with 30+ Rock Pipits.
Hooded Crow, Teignmouth
On The Salty sandbank 10:30 today. VERY distant photos.
Broadsands, Torbay
On the sea 30+ Common Scoter, 4 Great Northern Divers and 1 Black-necked Grebe ( which has been present for whole month). Around the marsh: 1 Firecrest , 1 Chiffchaff. In 2nd car park: 9 Cirl Buntings & 3 Reed Buntings
White tailed eagle River Tamar
27 Jan 2023 10 am White Tailed Eagle seen in flight low over the River Tamar- no photo possible.
Around the Exe – late post for yesterday
Imm.Marsh Harrier over Exminster Marshes, another or same bird over Topsham later. Great White Egret in reeds at north end of marsh, superb Ruff in with Canada Geese, 15 Barwits, c.100 Blackwits, 10 Pintail. At Bowling Green/lookout stacks of Pintail, 2 Pochard, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, several Grey Plover, 300+ Blackwits. At Darts Farm 230 Brent Geese, 2 Black Swan, 120 Wigeon & 80 Linnet – plus huge cabbages in the shop!
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Fernworthy
Today the Crossbills were again in the trees on the side of the lane leading to Fernworthy Reservoir. There were also a lot of Siskins, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a few Coal Tits in the same trees.
The Salty, Teignmouth
The Hooded Crow was present this afternoon, for a second day on the sand/shingle bar between Teignmouth and Shaldon at low tide.
In the mornings best looked for from Shaldon Bridge or the Point car park Teignmouth, afternoons from Polly Steps, Teignmouth.
Dartington
Male Goosander in the middle of lunch on the River Dart! Redhead also nearby.
Exminster Marshes 30/01/23
Two ‘cream-crown’ Marsh Harriers (difficult to sex, but at least one looks more male sized), Great White Egret, Firecrest by canal. 20+ years ago this winter combination would be amazing, not so now, how our birdlife is changing!
North side of Taw Estuary
10 Goosanders (4m + 6f) on the north side of the Taw Estuary this morning spotted from the Tarka trail between the Tarka Inn & Barnstaple.
Also c 2200 Golden Plover.
Plym Estuary & Saltram
A good gathering of 57 Wigeon on Blaxton Meadow (joint best count this winter). Also, 2 drake Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Goosanders (3 drakes), female Red-crested Pochard, Little Grebe, Grey Plover, 22 Snipe, 6 Greenshanks, 447 Dunlins, 24 Turnstones, Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher (female), Firecrest, Siskin, Grey Wagtail & 3 Roe Deer.
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Bowling Green Marsh & Topsham
Nice surprise, this morning, when a Great White Egret showed itself for 10 mins before heading off north but no sign of the Water Pipit. Meanwhile, nearby, I caught up with the regular Spotted Redshank on the estuary opposite the museum.
Torbay Boat Trip out of Brixham
A 3 hour boat trip out to Berry Head then returning around Torbay on Kelly’s Hero with Dave Saunders, delivered the following: 2 Eider, Slavonian Grebe, GC Grebe, 2 Common Scoter, 2 GN Divers, Red-throated Diver, Peregrine, 4 Purple Sandpipers, several Razorbills and hundreds of Guillemots already taking spaces on the ledges at Berry Head and the Orestone. Adult Med Gull in the harbour and at least 6 Grey Seals on the pontoons. 10 Grey Herons. Usual gulls and 25 Gannets. A very enjoyable trip with good company.
Greenfinches Old Torrington Road Barnstaple
Over 30 Greenfinches sat in the top of a copper beech in my rear neighbour’s garden 5 minutes ago.
