Happy New Year

Many thanks to all observers that have already submitted their records for 2019, both through Birdtrack and Devon Birds. This is much appreciated.

For other records please could observers submit their sightings by 31^st January.

Guidelines and links to recording forms can be found here https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/recording/guide_to_record_submission

Please send your records to Karen Sims data.manager@devonbirds.org and any descriptions to Kevin Rylands recorder@devonbirds.org

Best wishes and good birding for 2020

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An early morning visit to the Pill at low tide was productive but not one Cattle Egret in the trees or on the Pill (8 seen during recent visit).

The Glossy Ibis & Spotted Redshank showing well foraging in the tidal channel. A Kingfisher flew onto a perch nearby & entertained us for at least 30 minutes. Walking onto Fremington Quay close views of a single Bar tailed Godwit & a Spoonbill foraging, preening & resting.

6 Gadwall flew off from the reserve to Wrafton Pond this morning. This afternoon making full use of the golden globe in the sky, I cycled down the Toll road and at about 3p.m saw a Little Owl on the barn near Cross Banks. Having not seen one at all last year! 33 Redshank on the DWT area. Heaps of Golden Plover  - 2000+? and a few hundred Lapwing in and over the fields. 1 Greenshank on the pill. As I cycled home, just past the Toll House, a Barn Owl flew right across the road in front of me! It was then half-heartedly mobbed by a Black-headed Gull and I lost sight of it near Marstage Farm.

Female Kingfisher showing very well, the male was also seen with the female, also a few Goldcrests showing well

7 Siskin, female Brambling on butterfly trial, 1 Crossbill over car park, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dartford Warbler in thick gorse, Sparrowhawk.

One female Brambling this morning, close to the pylon, from the cycle track. No sign of any Hawfinches though.

Noted while topping the feeders up,

15 Goosander 7m 8f, 4 Ring-necked Duck 3m 1f, 2 Grey Heron plus Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorants.

This morning around the car parks: 22 Cirl Bunting 7 Yellowhammer (3 f & 4 m), 6 Reed Bunting in 2nd car park on the seed.

In the marsh behind the main beach: 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 collybita Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest & 1 Goldcrest. 

Didn't check the sea today - a bit choppy this morning.

A good days birding carrying out a RSPB / Devon Birds joint survey on the Flete Estate, 48 species identified if I include a Kestrel that was seen just off of our survey area, but still on the estate.

Numerous Goldcrest, Robin, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, an abundance of Corvids, 200 plus Rook, a leucistic Jackdaw, Raven, Green Woodpecker, GSWP, Wren, Stock Dove, Bullfinch, Skylark, Jay, Grey Wagtail, Mistle and Song Thrush.

From the SW coast path ~ Stonechat in good numbers, Oyster Catcher, good numbers of Great Black Back Gull, a Little Egret, Shag, Cormorant and numerous Herring Gull.

Highlights included, Firecrest (2), Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Red Legged Partridge.

A Blackcap was singing in my garden at lunchtime today.

Blue winged teal still present this morning showing well at 10.30

On the rocky end of Instow Beach were a good number of Oyster catchers, Wigeon, a few Curlew a Plover and loads of other waders.

Oystercatchers in flight                     A single Grey Plover

After the reed-cutting, a Firecrest, 6 Chiffchaffs & a Water Rail by the sewage works. Also a Red-throated Diver over the sea at South Huish.

Hartland Quay : 1 Red-throated Diver

Stoke: 1 male Black Redstart, 2 Grey Wagtail , 2 Chiffchaff , 1 Firecest in churchyard and surrounding gardens 

9 ringneck parakeet mear vally making way over douglas avenue 4pm

14.40

A mobile Firecrest showing well around the top part of the site.

Firecrest again present by the grammar schools path at lunchtime, in the bramble thicket behind the Hawkins Avenue shops. Also along the path, goldcrest, wren, great, blue, long tailed and coal tits, song thrush, blackbird.

Better weather this weekend,  saw small flocks of golden plover, starlings, numerous buzzards, stonechat, fieldfare and kestral.  No sign of the seo's but did come across a small flock of reed bunting. 

Male reed bunting                 Female reed bunting                      Buzzard

1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black-necked Grebe and a cracking Firecrest.

WeBS count today a little different - 121 avocets well south of their usual haunts; flock near Powderham Church. About 65 pintail - fewer than last year but accompanied by a male goosander was a surprise. Single ruff on the new scrapes on the RSPB reserve seen on the way home. Heard chiffchaff in Station Lane.

Dean Prior ~ Large mixed flock of Starling and Fieldfare, on hillside opposite the old race course.

Dartmoor from above Ashburton to Princetown, Challacombe to Widdicombe very little bird life to be seen on the higher moorland even Corvids were thin on the ground.

Prince Hall a Brambling with a flock of Chaffinch.

Between Bellever and the Warren House Inn a large mixed flock of Redwing, Starling and Fieldfare.

Challacombe ~ a sheep carcass attracting six Raven and two Buzzard.

Plenty of Turnstones, no signs of the Divers, but a lone Guillemot on the seaward side of the breakwater.

Seal feeding on a flounder, seen from the tarka trail about 1/2 mile above new bridge. 

seal

seal

Yesterday afternoon (18 January) while walking back to Barnstaple from Wrafton pond, I photographed a number of birds that included: a Song Thrush, a Robin, a couple of Curlew, some Redshank, a Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank.  There were also a good number of Canada geese, a few Lapwings and some ducks of various makes and models. 

Lapwing

Curlew

Robin

Yesterday afternoon (18 January) while walking back to Barnstaple from Wrafton pond, I photographed a number of birds that included: a Song Thrush, a Robin, a couple of Curlew, some Redshank, a Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank.  There were also a good number of Canada geese, a few Lapwings and some ducks of various makes and models. 

Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Greenshank

There is a Snipe in this photo, can you see it? There is a close-up of the snipe is another photo.

Can you spot the Snipe?

Here is a close-up of the Snipe

Snipe and Moorhen

Having been to Fremington Pill many times lately, and been disappointed, we finally get a proper look at the spotted redshank! We were also lucky enough to get it posing alongside a common redshank. 

Spotted Redshank

Spotted and common redshanks

Clovelly: 6 Marsh Tit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, 1 Grey Wagtail , 2 Black Redstart ( feeding around visitor centre ) , 1 Harbour Porpoise. 

A glorious day to visit Slapton Ley, as I arrived two Stock Doves overhead and onto the Ley which was not as busy with bird life as had hoped for, virtually nothing to be seen on the sea from the Memorial car park, just two Shag and the odd gull.

On a hillside above the Ley, 33 Great Black Backed Gull in with a flock of Canada Geese.

Small birds included several Stonechat and an obliging Cetti’s Warbler that showed well at times.

On the ley ten plus Great Crested Grebe, one Little Grebe and one possibly two Black Necked Grebe.

At least five drake Pochard and two females, same count with the Golden Eye definitely two females and not less than five drakes.

Frogmore creek two Pied Wagtails and a Common Sandpiper.

Back home at South Brent several visits to the feeders from the male Sparrow of questionable origin.

Blue-winged Teal showing well for around an hour this morning, feeding and preening before disappearing into the reeds. Also 2 pairs of Gadwall, 3 m + 2f Tufted Duck, Teal and Mallard present, female type Black Redstart and Chiffchaff around the Coastguard Cottages and 3 Great Crested Grebe offshore with a pod of c.10 Common Dolphin.

Second farmland bird count of the year turned up a record 1340 Skylark plus 93 Yellowhammer, 41 Cirl Bunting, 11 Meadow Pipit, 23 Magpie & 100 Linnet.

At last, a lovely warm gentle sunny morning for a walk out to Baggy.

Between the gate by the pond & Baggy Point was a single Black Redstart on a warm south facing cliff face. (Distant record shot heavily cropped)  It did not stay iong in one place but we enjoyed it for 30 seconds or so but did not see it again.

On arriving at Baggy Point we could not find any Common Scoters but after approx 30 minutes a flock flew past heading south towards Hartland Point.

As last visit, a single Red throated Diver was present.

5 Med Gulls with the BH Gulls in Croyde Bay.

we started the day at Fremington 9.30, in the first 5 mins we saw 8 cattle egrets flying out from the trees after roosting top end of the pil, then a glossy ibis came out from the same tree, 100 yards further up the road a spotted red shank was feeding in front of us,  after this we went to Isley Marsh , here we were lucky to see three spoonbills, a dog walker came along and walked down onto the shoreline and the dog was running everywhere, which put up all the birds, we spoked to the prerson about it , but it was a waste of time, " my dog is not out of control" was the answer, we left and went to Lower Tamar Lake,  here we saw  4 ringed neck ducks, willow tits, marsh tits and 11 goosesanders 2 great creasted grebe,  after this we went to roadford reservoir,  at the viaduct end , there were 100 plus canada geese, in with them there were 3 golden eye,  2 barnacle geese and a single pinkfoot goose. you could say " a good days birding!"

A stunning morning walk along the coast between Heybrook Bay and the Langdon Beach outflow pipe. Highlights were 10+ Cirl Bunting (5 singing), 20+ Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 1 Little Egret. 

On Langdon Beach, 30+ Meadow/Rock Pipit, 10+ Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail. 

Highlight of the morning though was a Black Redstart on the mud bank around the outflow pipe. 

Black Redstart

Male Cirl Bunting

Breakwater this morning:

26+ Purple Sandpiper

13 Knot

approx 120 Dunlin

plus one Porpoise nearby

Purple Sandpiper

Knot and Dunlin

Knot

Firecrest by the grammar schools public footpath, feeding in the bramble thicket behind the HawkinsAvenue shops.

A busy Grey Wagtail by the river bank this morning.  

Enjoyable couple of hours looking out from the headland between Broadsands and Elberry. Black-necked Grebe at the latter end; at least 10 GND still in the bay although most further out than in recent days; 2 Red-throated divers were towards Torquay and the Black-throated Diver put in a leisurely appearance initially quite close in but slowly drifting out. At least one Pomarine Skua still around harassing the few Kittiwakes at 0900.

We were surprised to see that the 8 egret which flew into the roost as we walked towards the Quay today were all Cattle Egret. 

Eight Cattle Egret

In lovely sunshine between showers: 3 Red-breasted Mergansers (2 drakes), 8 Goosanders (2 drakes), 14 Mandarin Ducks (7 pairs), 12 Wigeon (7 drakes), 3 Jack Snipe, 9 Snipe, 6 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper, 11 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlews, 2 Great Northern Divers, 3 Shags, Mediterranean Gull (ad), 7 Stock Doves & 8 Roe Deer.

Spotted redshank feeding at the pill (2pm). Red kite over the link road at Barnstaple.

On the old Tiverton South Molton road just north of Rackenford 2m and 2f Brambling among a flock of c60 Chaffinches. Feeding on a wide grassy verge under beech trees close to a large white building.

Woodleigh Wood: Dipper, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Bullfinch, 2 Jay.

South Milton Ley: 3 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff, Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler.

Some reward for keeping the pond clear today - I was treated to a Kingfisher successfully fishing in the pond.

Looking south towards Sherpa Marsh, a bird of prey perched on one of the embankments looked interesting, and when it flew was revealed as a male Marsh Harrier.

The South Milton sandbank breached earlier today and by this afternoon the lake covering the Reserve had disappeared.  The reed bed is a rather soggy but the reed cut planned for Sunday will go ahead - please check the Devon Birds Society news for detailed arrangements.

Lower Lake Goosander check.

16 Goosander 5m 11f (07:30)

Upper Lake

4 Ring-necked Duck 3m 1f.

Rod Mudge, P Buckley, N Hewitt

 3-435pm After the worst of the rain had passed- 18 G N Divers and 1 BN Grebe(Elberry Cove) but the best were 2 pale phase Pom Skuas out in Torbay 415-420pm chasing Kittiwakes

A Black-throated Diver with a couple of Great Northern Divers off Elberry Headland video clip here:  morning https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=JSKICO57548&feature=emb_logo 

At least 15 more Great Northern Divers but conditions were far from ideal for a good check. 1 Black-necked Grebe in Broadsands Bay.

Today's bike ride around the River Plym in much calmer weather than yesterday gave a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull off Blaxton Meadow, a Great Northern Diver off the rowing club with another off Queen Anne's Battery, a winter pl. Guillemot at Mayflower Steps and a second at Mountbatten breakwater.

 A coupler of hours at the pond produced some photos of female Shoveler, m & f Gadwall, Little Grebe, an unidentified duck and female Goldeneye.

Unidentified duck (Gadwall possible contender)

Male Gadwall

Female Shoveler

Pair of Siskins with Goldfinchs on feeders yesterday and again today...Actually heard the Male singing and the pair are very bold coming to within 6ft as I refilled the feeders...

Bowling Green Marsh: Long-billed Dowitcher showing well; 4 Greenshank; 70 Avocet.

Exminster Marshes: 500+ Golden Plover, 200 Avocet, 200+ Lapwing, 70 Bar-tailed Godwit, Snow Goose, 3 Barnacle Goose, 360+ Brent Goose.

Cockwood: Slavonian Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Greenshank.

Dawlish Warren: 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, several Great Crested Grebe.

A walk around Stover Country park this morning, good numbers of Tufted duck, Coot and Black Headed Gull, two female Pochard, three Mandarin duck (2M & 1F) and a Little Grebe.

Around the feeder at the viewing platform predominantly Great Tits, with a few Coal and Blue Tits, two Nuthatch, Robin and Chaffinch.

A Marsh Tit by the bridge at the top of the lake.

On the way home a large flock of "Thrushes" seen dropping into a field near Dean Prior, I suspect Redwings.

Back home at South Brent a Buzzard soaring on the strong winds being mobbed by a Herring Gull, around the feeders, female Bullfinch, Pied Wagtail, Long Tailed Tit, The Sparrow Sp of undetermined origin, Nuthatch, Greenfinch, Dunnock and numerous Goldfinch.

At least 4 Brambling (2m, 2f) in finch flock of about 150 near top right edge of Brisworthy plantation as viewed from small car park at 3.30pm

Watching from the headland this morning from 0830 -0930 produced: 53 Great Northern Divers (including a single raft of 21), 1 Black-throated Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Ad w Mediterranean Gull, 1 adult pale phase Pomarine Skua plus good numbers of Gannet, Kittiwakes, Shags, Guillemts (approx 30+) and Razorbills and 1 Harbour Porpoise.

In the marsh between the car parks 2 Firecrest and 2 Goldcrest. plenty of Cirl Buntings and a male Yellowhammer on seed in the 2nd car park and the roosting Tawny Owl back in its favourite tree near the pitch and put hut (almost impossible to find unless you know the Ivy covered branch it is sat on!)

In much improved conditions, this morning: Great Northern Diver, 6 Goosanders (3 pairs), 12 Mandarin Ducks (7 drakes), Red-crested Pochard (f), 12 Wigeon (7 drakes), 14 Snipe, Jack Snipe, 267 Dunlins, 143 Redshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers, 6 Greenshanks, 10 Oystercatchers, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, 3 Grey Wagtails, 4 Stock Doves, a pair of Stonechats & 10 Roe deer. 

One male rooting around the flower pots/buddleia stems in my urban back garden at 08.50 Good start to the day! 

In the hope that storm Brendon may have turned up the odd 'wreck' I twice biked along Plymouth Hoe in gale force winds.  The only birds of note however were two Gannets only yards offshore off the Citadel, yesterday and today.

This green woodpecker has been visiting the front garden the last couple of days.

A minimum of 146, but no more than 154 Goosanders were found in Devon at dawn on 11 Jan. Highest site count was a record 66 roosting at Meeth, but there were only 47 definite roosters on Dartmoor reservoirs (max 20 at Avon Dam). Others were at Tamar Lakes (17), Clovelly Lakes (6), Plym Est (6), Lower Dart (at least 4). There were zero counts at Portworthy and Stover (though two flew through). At Wimbleball (Somerset, but close to county boundary) 64 flew out over the dam, and at least some of these were probably heading to Devon rivers to feed. Thanks to all who took part.

Late post for Sunday afternoon.Male hen harrier between Challacombe and Widdecombe .

1 red throated diver off the pontoon at Newton ferrers at lunch time for a couple of hours.