Please take extra care when visiting Dawlish Warren. We have been informed that due to the recent bad weather there has been significant erosion from Groyne 10 eastwards. This means that access along the site, to and from Warren Point (and the bird hide) will be via the beach only, with a risk of being cut off for a period either side of high water! Signs have been put up to alert people to the hazards, but people need to be aware that access routes that they have become used to may not be available and they need to exercise extreme caution,  with the possibility of being cut off by the tide, and people are strongly urged not to try climbing the sand cliffs. Further information is available on the Teignbridge District Council website.

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Acting on comments to Devon Birds some changes have been made to this page. To the right of this header post you'll see there are now several subjects for you to choose to read and post on. Just click your chosen subject and use as previously.

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Pair of Swans in the reserve at Velator this morning, and a Water Rail calling.

At the Skern this afternoon, Very high numbers of Common Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backs, 3 Knot, c150 Dunlin, 30/40 Redshank. at least 4 Mediterranean Gulls.

Stopped briefly at Fremington Pill on the way home where at least 34 Egrets in the roost of which at least 3 were Cattle Egrets, plus the Glossy Ibis.

The Glossy Ibis was busy foraging in the tidal channel at Fremington Pill this morning.

The 10 Cattle Egrets were on Penhill Marsh again.

Talk about being in the right place at the right time, witnessed two Male Dartford Warblers trying to attract a Female. Unfortunately couldn't get all three in focus.

Dartford Warbler

2f Scaup reported yesterday still present on the river at 4.30pm.  1 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Grey Plover 

60 Fieldfare on the move over the garden with several Redwing.

Small Tortoiseshell in garden.

A very pleasant morning fieldtrip for 23 members of DB (East Devon Branch).  We divided into two groups under our new policy to split the group where members exceed 15 and walked in opposite directions around the circular paths of the lower estuary led by myself and Tim Channon.   

A combined total of 49 species was counted with equal numbers (but some different species) being seen by the two groups.  The scrapes were generally lacking in bird species and numbers with a few Teal and a single Shoveler.  Of interest were 3 Water Rail in ditches along the road, 4 Snipe in the field near Whitebridge and good views of a Firecrest 100 yards down the west path from the cottages.  2 Gt spotted Woodpecker were seen drumming and courtship behaviour was noted for Stock Dove, Robin, Blue Tit and 5 Shelduck.  A Magpie was seen carrying nesting material.

Some belated picks from a visit to the "Emberiza Hide" at Broadsands, 12.2.19.

1                                                                    2                                                                 3

4                                                                   5                                                                  6

1. Reed Bunting [f]
2. Reed Bunting [m]
3. Yellowhammer [m] (Cirl Bunting [m] in background)
4. Cirl Bunting [f]
5. & 6. Cirl Bunting [m]

13.15

Male Black Redstart showing well on roofs and balconies of Windward Court and Leeward Court, Shelly Beach. 

Later, 70+ twittering and wheezing finches in trees around the car park at Ideford Common. Predominantly Siskins, but also Chaffinches, Goldfinches and a few Redpoll. 

Lone Greenshank at Passage House. 

2 Black-necked Grebes & 1 Slavonian Grebe (with one of the Black-necked). 8 Reed Bunting and 13 Cirl Buntings on seed in 2nd car park also 1 singing Chiffchaff.

Highlights from today's Stuart Line cruise: Great Northern Diver off Exmouth seafront, Slavonian Grebe off Cockwood, 3 immature drake Eiders on Bull Hill, at least 22 Sanderlings scattered along the sandbank fringes and at least 6 Greenshanks, mostly off Powderham. Five Goldeneye (2 drakes) towards Lympstone, c12 Great Crested Grebes and c30 Red-breasted Mergansers scattered up the estuary; again 200+ Pintail, mostly around the mouth of the Clyst. Many waders again around Turf-Topsham, especially Black-tailed Godwits (1000+?), Lapwings (1500+), Golden Plover (700), Dunlin and Avocets, with smaller numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits and Knot (c50).

Finally getting mobile enough to get back to the reserve today, 3 1/2 weeks after hip replacement. My son and daughter were in the reserve yesterday and reported a pair of Swans present on the pond - not seen any for 3 years. Today, a pair of Little Grebes (male trilling) and a smart pair of Mallard. A few Finches and Tits (including a Coal Tit) and a Treecreeper. Reed Bunting and a couple of Redwings flew over, and a Little Egret was with a  few Teal out on the scrape. 2 Kingfishers in the river.

Spotted Redshank again this evening.Also 19 med gulls,15 adults 6 of which were full bp,3 2w and 1 in fs plumage.3 knot 3 grey plover 1 barwit 148 wigeon 255 oystercatcher 3 curlew 100 dunlin 6 common gull 300 bhg  19 Redshank. 17:00-17:30.

A Lesser Whitethroat seen briefly three times in my garden (Mount Gould) today. Presumably the bird I saw nearby on 3rd Jan.

A brief look at Blaxton Meadow tonight produced 2 Snipe, 165 Redshanks, 6 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper & 56 Curlews. Also around Plym Estuary: 10 Little Egrets, 5 Goosanders (1 drake), 11 Wigeon (5 drakes), 25+ Turnstones & Chiffchaff. 

Glossy Ibis at Fremington Pill and Cormorant on Ilfracombe Pier.

Glossy Ibis                                     Cormorant Eds - This is a Shag

Glossy Ibis at Fremington Pill today at low tide.

Glossy Ibis

2 Black-necked Grebes in Broadsands bay this morning (I didn't check if the Red-necked Grebes were over at Elberry Cove today).

Berry Head: yesterdays fw Glaucous Gull from Broadsands was lingering on the sea with Herring Gulls lunch time today - straight out from the top of the headland. 

Firecrest in scrub just below Lower Soar.

2 f Greater Scaup / 3 SpoonbillJune

Glossy Ibis dropped on to far 'island' around 4pm, similar reports from Saturday 16th. Also female Ruff, 10+ Snipe and a few more Avocets than of late, owing to lower water levels 

A max this winter of 296 Dunlins (all on Blaxton Meadow) and my first Mediterranean Gulls of the year here - 2 adults and a 2nd winter. Also: 6 Goosanders (2 drakes), 11 Wigeon (5 drakes), 2 Common Sandpipers, 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 6 Greenshanks, Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk & 3 Roe Deer. 

The Leucistic plumaged Rock Pipit is still present around the Putsborough Sands Café & Shop looking in good condition feeding on scraps left by customers. For a short time it was joined by another Rock Pipit but there was a size difference between the two!

Spotted Redshank with a group of 11 Redshank on the Skern over high tide at 4.15. A flock of c400 Black-headed Gulls we’re tidying up before going to roost, with 8 Mediterranean Gulls and 30 Common Gulls

On today's Stuart Line cruise, the ‘resident’ Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood and 3 immature drake Eiders were on or near Bull Hill. Several Goldeneye (1 drake) were seen distantly towards Lympstone and 4 Greenshanks around Powderham. Around 20 Great Crested Grebes and maybe 30 Red-breasted Mergansers were scattered up the estuary, with some 200 Pintail around the mouth of the Clyst. The mudbanks around Turf-Topsham had spectacular numbers of waders, with large flocks of Black-tailed Godwits (1000?), Lapwings (1300+) and Golden Plover (700), with smaller numbers of Avocets, Bar-tailed Godwits (100?) and Knot (50?), plus a large flock of Brent Geese. Gulls included 10+ Lesser Black-backed and 380 Common Gulls. A female Goldeneye passed us as we returned towards Turf.

Some pics from the Torbay Boat Trip

   
Red-necked Grebe                            Purple Sandpiper

On the sea off of Marine parade, Paignton, a Great Northern Diver and a fly past from an Eider duck that then landed on the sea off of Paignton Green. Around the rocks Oyster Catcher and Turnstone.

Broadsands ~ Cirl Buntings showing well in the back car park, along with female Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock and a growing number of House Sparrow.

Last boat trip this winter from Brixham around Torbay was in dull and wet conditions. South Westerly winds which kept us well into the Bay. 10 Grey Seals in Brixham Harbour, the sea was too rough to go around Berry Head. A list of birds seen from the trip. 8 Mute Swans Brixham Harbour, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 12+ Turnstone, 35+ Fulmar, Common Gull, Kittiwake, 2 Heron, 1 Little Egret, Gannets, Great Black-backed Gulls, Cormorants, Shag and 3 Peregrine on our journey.

1 Woodcock, Hembury Woods, early am.

Approx 11.45hrs this morning a first winter Glaucous gull off of Broadsands, flew off towards Brixham. It was a bit distant so only record images.

Rock pipit seen on Croyde beach.

Rock pipit

Thank you so much for the publicity you recently gave to the TBNS meeting when the speaker was Dominic Couzens !  We had a very successful time with over 100 in the Hall. I really am most grateful , Thank you so much .

The Devon Birds Blog is terrific , both informative and educational !

Roger Brooks 

Glossy Ibis feeding well near the top of the tidal reach today at about 15:50 in Fremington Pill. 

Glossy Ibis

10-12 Cirl Buntings in field to west of Prawle Pt on ground near troughs.

At an undisclosed location yesterday we were excited to observe at least two Dartford warblers. The images are taken at a range of about 75 to 100 metres using the 83x zoom of a Nikon Coolpix P900 meaning there was absolutely no disturbance. We watched for about 15 minutes. They were a delight to watch! Guidance WAS sought from Devon Birds about posting the images and the go ahead was given provided no location was disclosed. 

Dartford Warbler against blue sky                          Dartford Warbler on gorse

Seen today on rising tide at about 15:30 at the Fremington Pill outfall was this Scaup Tufted hybrid keeping company with five Widgeon. Just down from the pill outfall were two pairs of Goosander. 

Two male and two female Goosander                      Scaup Tufted duck hybrid

Eds: Phil this looks to be a female (Greater) Scaup - certainly doesn't appear to be a hybrid.

The two Red-necked Grebes were again over toward Elberry Cove this afternoon also 1 Great Northern Diver. 4 Mediterranean Gulls (3 ads & 1 sw) in the evening Gull roost also 148 Common Gulls and 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Incredibly, a Swallow flew up our valley and perched in the top of a tree, this morning. The earliest I have ever experienced.

Male Scaup on Beesands Ley, Ring-necked Duck still on Slapton Ley at Torcross this morning.

Glorious sunshine for today’s Blaxton event where volunteers & a National Trust Ranger showed 67 visitors birds on the Meadow including Kingfisher, 2 Stock Doves & a Common Sandpiper. The usual Curlew and Oystercatcher flocks were present, but the bulk of waders (including over 200 Dunlins) did not leave the wall on the far side of the estuary. Thanks to everyone involved. Earlier, also 7 Goosanders (1 drake)  on the estuary.

Beautiful spring like day here, a singing Songthrush, a Buzzard displaying over the marsh, this Grey Wagtail was having a good wash and saw this one of 14 Snipes flying around the marsh. There were also 3 singing Cetti's Warblers and 6 Chiffchaffs around the marsh.

Dartford Warbler

Dartford Warbler

6 Willow Tits at three different locations around the lake.

The male Black Redstart Still showing well on the East side of the Chapels, nothing much else around, except the usual small birds, and a Goldcrest showing fairly well 

                Black Redstart                                                             Goldcrest

A lot of Brent Geese activity, lots and lots overflying. Also a Red Kite over 11:30ish.

This morning at Haldon, the Female Brambling showed twice between 10 & 11am, plenty of Siskins male & female along with chaffinches, Song thrush, Blackbirds, Sparrows and all the usual Tits

          Female Brambling                                            Siskin

pm - Cycled over to the south side of the Taw Estuary for a change to see Maurice's Cattle Egrets & was not disappointed. I cannot match Roy's excellent flight shot through my telescope but here are a few shots of the birds foraging.

one male Brambling, two male Siskins & one female Siskin feeding along with twelve Chaffinches on lawn this morning

Golden Plover flock (and others) off Turf Lock today. Not much of note on the marsh . Huge numbers of Lapwing.

Golden plover video.

https://youtu.be/W_wvgNx4HOo

13:00 - 14:00. still 10 Cattle egret among the sheep flock also 5 Little Egret on the marsh nearest to Barnstaple. On the river off Anchorwoods 1x Greenshank

   
Cattle Egret                           Greenshank

Today a Red Kite was drifting about over the town way up high. Recently checked out the high farmland around for the Golden Plovers, none about but saw several Brown Hares. 

Brown Hare

Great day out with lots of birds at Bowling Green Marsh & on the Exe Estuary. Could not resist counting the 176 Pintail present on the Marsh at high tide! My first Comma Butterfly for 2019.

Jack Snipe, 2 Snipe, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers (1 drake), 12 Goosanders (3 drakes), 7 Little Grebes, Shag, 250 Dunlins, 6 Greenshanks, 55 Curlews, 6 Wigeon (2 drakes), Kingfisher, c30 Turnstones, Common Sandpiper, 11 Mandarin Ducks (6 drakes), Stonechat, 2 Stock Doves, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Nuthatches & my first kestrel of 2019 here.

the long staying male black redstart is still showing well behind the chapels, excellent plumage,  lets hope he finds a mate soon

Yarner Wood ~ very little to be seen in the way of bird life other than the usual woodland tit species, no sign or reports from other birders of the recent Redpoll flock, only high light were two Goldcrest in with a small flock of Long Tailed Tits.

During the visit two Red Admiral butterflies seen on the wing.

Haldon visitor centre ~ Lots of Coal Tits around the feed station along with small numbers of Siskin, a few Chaffinch and eventually a female Brambling showed, two GSWP, one Greenfinch, a Song Thrush, a fly over from a solitary Crossbill.

A dry day with heavy cloud and sunny spells (which were in short supply), as were the birds. Noted a pair of Greenfinch, some Stonechats  &  Meadow Pipits, a Chaffinch & a Robin. Near Clearbrook was a Green Woodpecker who saw me coming and hid in an Ivy covered tree, and on the way back to Tavistock Road for the bus back home noted a Kestrel and a pair of Rabbits chasing each other around like silly beggars. Spring must be in the air.

At 11.15 there were just 3 Cattle Egret on the marsh in amongst the grazing sheep but by 12.30 they had increased to 10.

9 Little Egret in the field below Anchor Wood and 3 more on the marsh. c156 Dark-bellied Brent geese grazing on the marsh

3 Little Egret in the tree roost at the top end of Fremington Pill plus 3 Greenshank and c100 Redshank in the Pill.

This morning at the Lake
9 Goosander 3m 6f, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Willow Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Little Egret, 1m Reed Bunting, 1 Nuthatch, 3 Long-tailed Tit,1m Pintail, 1 Ring-necked Duck (Harvey Kendall)

Usual birds along the Northbrook but nice to see the Mallard pair return for another breeding season. Also further down towards Salmon Pool, a pair of Siskin, lots of Redwing and a couple of Song Thrush, GSW and appropriately for today a goal tending Common Buzzard. Matford Marsh had the usual species but a Water Rail and Bullfinch along the back path were the highlights.

Siskin                                                         Mallard                                      Goaltending Buzzard.

5 Blue tit, 1 Coal tit, 1pr Great tit, 6 Longtailed tit, 1 pr Bullfinch, 4m 3f Chaffinch, 22 Goldfinch, 1f Greenfinch, 9m 2f Siskin, 3 Robin, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 1pr House Sparrow, 2m 1f Blackbird, 1 Song thrush, 2 Woodpigen & 3 Male Lesser Redpoll. 

Goosander 7 (3M,4F); Grey Plover 2; Sanderling 6; Golden Plover, just 6 among large flock of Lapwing mid-river. Black-headed Gull with yellow ring, black A/Ns 2H93 on left tarsus.

Penhill Marsh - Cattle Egret 7 among sheep in corner of the marsh nearest where Tarka Trail enters old railway cutting. Dark-bellied Brent Goose c220; Wigeon 12; Little Egret 1.

11 Common Scoters still at Baggy Point this morning.

The two Red-necked Grebes were again together in Elberry Cove, also 3 Great Northern Divers, 1 Red-throated Diver but the highlight was a high flying Barnacle Goose which came in over the bay and continued to head NW.

Lots of Buntings on the seed at Broadsands including 8 Reedbuntings.