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This is the Cattle Egret seen in Combrew Lane.

Cattle Egret

Between jobs today I popped into Wrafton pond which proved very disappointing as birds were scarce with as little as six or seven species including all the usual suspects. So moved on to Fremington Pill where it was a similar story.  I managed to get the attached photos of the Spotted Redshank and a Redshank with leg tags.  Moving on, I spotted a single Cattle Egret in a field in Combrew Lane. 

Spotted Redshank

Redshank

A Firecrest and a Green Woodpecker in the old churchyard mid-pm.

Iron Bridge to the old Bideford Bridge. 4 Shelduck, 5 Canada Geese, 10 Mallard, about 150 Lapwing, 10 Redshank, 15 Cormorants, 20 Curlew, 1 Kingfisher, Herring Gull, Black Headed Gull and at least 700 Starlings in murmuration on the old Bideford Bridge. 

Having had to go to Heathfield early this morning I drove out via the WTW at least three Chiffchaff and a good sized flock of Goldcrest working along the roadside hedge/tree line.

A walk round the lake at Stover CP ~ female Pochard, Muscovy duck, Little Grebe, Heron, numerous Tufted duck, seven female Goosander, fifty pus Black Headed Gull, four Mute Swan, one Cormorant, flock of ten or so Long Tailed Tit, small number of Goldcrest and a number of rats taking advantage of seed being placed out for the birds.

On the A38 at Ashburton a female Kestel on overhead wires at Linhay.

Back home at South Brent, two sightings of Green Woodpecker, one GSWP, pair of Bullfinch on the feeders, Nuthatch and a flyover Peregrine.

Chiffchaff

Goosander

A flock of at least 45 Siskins livened up a rather dull & damp visit. Also, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers (3 drakes), 3 Little Grebes, 31 Common Gulls, 19 Wigeon, 6 Mandarin Ducks (3 drakes), 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Dippers & 2 Grey Wagtails. 

Grey Wagtail on the Northbrook by the Vaughan Road footbridge. My fifth sighting during lockdown.

Counted a flock of at least 35 meadow pipits in fields between Totnes and Dartington this morning. 

One possible Great white Egret in a field (on the river side) just outside Umberleigh and a second in the same field as my previous post.  The Egret was about 300m away from my vantage point (based on a Google map measurement) so photo heavily cropped. Two Little Egrets and a single Heron in a riverside field near Burrington.

Great White Egret

A photo of the male blackcap with pollen on it's face

A Green Woodpecker made several visits to my house field this morning, although I hear or see them or a regular basis its rare that I get a chance to catch one on camera.

GSWP and Nuthatch on the garden fat feeders, female Reed Bunting back in.

A small number of Redwings which as with most days they are about attracted a Sparrowhawk, a little later an adult male Sparrowhawk landed briefly on one of the feed station stands.

A count of 28 House Sparrow at one point, two Long Tailed Tit, with the wet weather Goldfinch and Greenfinch numbers up on recent days.

Green Woodpecker

Green Woodpecker

Torbay:

Paignton/Preston: 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Black-necked Grebes.

Goodrington: 3 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Shoveler 

Broadsands: 28 Cirl Buntings on seed in 2nd car park, 2 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff

                                                                         Red-throated Diver

Male Blackcap in garden with pollen on his face, I assume he has been drinking nectar.  

Noticeable increase in Fieldfares and Redwings in fields along the lane. Largest group seen approximately 100 fieldfares with lesser numbers of redwings all feeding adjacent to hedges at bottom of fields. Also spotted one cirl bunting in song.

A few dozen meadow pipits hopping about on Whitchurch Down, just outside Tavistock the last 2 says.

A quick walk round Saltram early this morning revealed 1 female Goosander with several Mallards near the Sewage outlet. A couple of pairs of Mandarin Ducks and a female Red Crested Pochard with several Moorhen on the pond. Buzzards, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Green Woodpeckers, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Blue tits, Great tits, Grey Wagtails, Pied Wagtails, Curlew, Canada Geese, Little Egrets.

Red Crested Pochard

Mandarin Duck

We chose Crow for our once a day exercise walk today and were rewarded with lively close views of up to two dozen Sanderling scampering along the tide line as the tide rose. There were about forty Brent geese keeping a similar size flock of Wigeon amongst the grasses along the shoreline. Later, on heading back along the Toll Road we saw large airborne flocks of mainly Golden Plover with about 200 Lapwing. Guestimate of Plover numbers < 1,500, and some were turning gold, as we could see when they settled in the fields adjacent to the road because of the high tide.

Some of the < 1,500 Golden Plover

Two of the

No sign of any Scoters or RT Divers early am at Baggy Pt but an entertaining flock of Jackdaws at Baggy Pt & a small flock of Starlings foraging around the monkey pole & footpath.

Late aft c1000 Golden Plover in field at south end of Braunton Marshes.

Further to my post yesterday, husband managed to take a picture on his phone, wouldn't upload yesterday!

Another days lock down home birding, despite a freezing start to the day not as busy around the feeders as over the weekend, highlight of the day was finding a Grey Wagtail.

Stock Dove I see here occasionally and noted two singles and a duo during the day so was surprised to see a flock of 22 birds pass over.

A female Reed Bunting has shown on and off around the feed station throughout the afternoon, other species noted today were Long Tailed Tit, Jay, Wren, Mistle Thrush (2) Redwing, Dunnock, pair of Bullfinch, Heron, Buzzard, GSWP.

Spent several minutes watching a displaying male Sparrowhawk, spotted it very high up before going into an almost vertical dive it then regained the height and again went into another dive before eventually diving off towards Brent Hill.

Grey Wagtail

Dunnock

I need help with ID... (We all have to start somewhere.) The best I can come up with is a Willow Warbler. If so, what's it doing here in January? It's in the same area as four Blackcaps (2M, 2F) 

Eds- this is a Chiffchaff; very similar to Willow Warbler but one of the few Warblers which winter here.

Leucistic Magpie in bushes beside the railway line at the west end of Lanhydrock Road this morning.

0810hrs green woodpecker calling, great spotted woodpecker drumming 

While exercising on the Tarka trail picked up a flock of geese in flight which eventually flew close enough to make id. Possible as Barnacle geese .They then landed on the Bank of the Torridge just south of Halfpenny bridge.  The 11 Barnacles joined a flock of 26 Canada geese grazing the river bank.  Viewable from the bridge at Annery kiln. 

Around the feeders today visitors included 3 siskins, goldfinches, greenfinches, chaffinches, male blackcap, a solitary long-tailed tit and 2 nuthatches.

A brief walk around fields between Totnes and Dartington revealed a flock of about 20 meadow pipits. Also 14 redwing, green woodpecker, GS woodpecker and a buzzard. 

Friday's lock down birding gave a total of 30 species around the feed station and around home, inc Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush (2) Redwing (30+) Raven, Green and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Wren, Jay, last bird of the day was a Tawny owl at 11.10pm calling loudly close to the house.

Saturday gave 28 species with a male Siskin first thing in the morning and a late afternoon Heron that dropped onto my field pond, neither bird being on Fridays list.

Late afternoon saw a counted 58 Redwings dropping into roost and 100 plus Starlings flying into towards the village.

Today (Sunday) has given 32 species, new to the list being female Reed Bunting that has shown well on and off all afternoon, two Stock Doves passing over, Nuthatch and a flyover Peregrine falcon.

Reed Bunting

Grey Heron

11.30

The Juv Glaucous Gull showed well again in flight around the point, quarry and out towards Hope and Brandy Coves.  Also sat on the sea and around a small fishing boat.  

The female Long-tailed Duck also still present near the Lead Stone.  

Other birders reported a Mediterranean Gull had been there earlier on this morning.  

Reference to earlier post,large bird was a stork from the Sussex ? programme  Snapped in Clennon Valley, excellent picture on their Facebook site

Over the last few days our seed encrusted fat cake has attracted newcomers to add to the male and female Blackcap we first saw about two weeks ago in our front garden....today's count = THREE males and TWO females :) 

One of the males is the dominant bird and the females defer to all three males. It's very entertaining to see their reaction to one of our regular Blackbirds intrusion on the perch; the dominant male stands his ground against the considerably larger bird but the other four scramble away into the hedge where they wait patiently until the perch is vacant again :) 

One of the female Blackcaps

Male and female Stonechat 11.30

 A single adult Med Gull on Croyde Sands yesterday morning.

No notable birds to report, I'm afraid, but if anyone is short of reading matter and/or would like to know more about the birds and other wildlife in Chudleigh Parish, there's a series of (mosty) annotated checklists summarising all known wildlife records available for download from the Chudleigh Wild webpage (https://www.chudleigh-tc.gov.uk/chudleigh-wild/). I'd love to hear about any errors or additions that readers may find! We haven't attempted anything like the systematic surveys done in South Brent, just scoured records and local brains, memories and notebooks.

Alerted by my neighbour that a large bird had landed on roof opposite. Turned out to be a white stork!. It was being harassed by corvids and gulls before flying off towards Paignton town (from Clennon area)

Out yesterday (Saturday) for a walk with camera in hand and was able to get these and other images.  The resident male Kingfisher was fishing around the sluice area and caught a good size fish for his lunch.  Also along the pill were: four Glossy Ibis; two Little Egret; one Spotted Redshank; a small number of Teal; one Greenshank; two Curlew; two Shelduck; one Kingfisher; and a few Redshank.

Kingfisher

Shelduck

On the high tide this afternoon:

Great crested Grebe, Kingfisher, Shelduck, Raven. A Black headed gull with a yellow leg ring 2PKA (ringed in the UK I believe). 81 Teal, 1 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Common gull on Ernesettle creek. 2 Ring necked Parakeet in Budshead wood LNR on the walk home.

Redshank on the scrape, yet again the Green Woodpecker present. 3 Water Rails, 15 Redwing, a Kingfisher landed on one of the perches I have installed but was seen off by a Robin! It later returned, and sat briefly on the other perch I put in. Didn't stay long enough for pics. As I left, both Grey Wagtail and Dipper in the river from the bridge.

Prior to lunchtime:

The Juv Glaucous Gull showed well resting on the Lead Stone for periods and also in flight around the quarry and the point.  The female Long-tailed Duck also still close to the Lead Stone.

A female Black Redstart was mobile around the small beaches, boulders and lower cliffs close to the sea on the southern side of the site, roughly opposite Thatcher Rock.  

Male Blackcap, 2 Common Dolphins and a Grey Seal.  

Lovely sighting of Green Woodpecker, about 30 Fieldfare on golf course, solitary Snipe flushed out of gorse on sunny hillside.

Female Blackcap popped out of the scrub near the beach huts, feeding on Ivy berries. The male was camera-shy and stayed among the brambles.

Steps down from Grenville Avenue to Sherwell Valley Road, early PM. Many blackbirds feeding on the berries in ivy-covered trees  - almost all males for some reason. 2 song thrush and wood pigeons were with them. Other birds included bullfinch (M), long tailed tit, blue tit, great tit, dunnock, robin and a crest sp.

On a fine morning: 7 Goosanders (4 drakes), 3 Red-breasted Mergansers (1 drake), 14 Wigeon, adult Polish-ringed Mediterranean Gull, 54 Curlews, 14 Oystercatchers, c260 Dunlins, 134 Redshanks, 5 Greenshanks, 19 Turnstones, Green Woodpecker & 6 Roe Deer. The waders trying to roost on the wall were getting repeated disturbance from paddle boarders.

Song thrust singing away

2 reed bunting. Tree usually feeding bull finches (wild cherry?) held pair of bull finches and 4 Siskins, also appearing to be feeding around/on the buds.

Lots of Goldfinches and Coal, Blue and Great Tits on the feeders. Two new additions for the year, a pair of Siskin and a male Blackcap. A pair of Buzzards overhead, Magpies, Jackdaws, Crows also. Yesterday afternoon a single Great Northern Diver near the Ness, from the Point car park.

Friday, 22nd January, 2021.

Birds in abundance this morning in the sunshine. Two Purple Sandpipers joined nine Turnstones on the rocks below Pier One Restaurant. Two pied wagtails and a (rock?) pipit scurried back and forth as the rising tide washed the concrete slab.

Purple Sandpiper

Still several each of Shoveler, Wigeon and Gadwall on Wrafton Pond. Redshank on the scrape. On arrival at the reserve a calling Green Woodpecker, which preceded me in my anti-clockwise walk around the reserve, ending up on a telegraph pole near the entrance.. What's going on? I usually only get 1 record every couple of years, this is the 3rd record this year. 3 Water Rails calling, one seen. (Goldcrest seen in the reserve and at home yesterday). I also got down the Toll Road and found the Ruff - once again with Lapwing firstly inside Horsey Island then in the field behind Crow Beach. 1500 Golden Plover in Horsey Island.-  can't be sure about this, I didn't actually count them all...

Two skylarks singing and trying to outdo each other in fields above the village,  Very welcome sign of spring !

Walk to Tristis Rock near Harford included Green Woodpecker, pair Mistle Thrush strutting in field, two Snipe on moor (beautiful zig-zag flight), Treecreeper, Long-Tail Tits, Blue Tits, Raven on moor and about 20 Lapwing in far distance over Hangar.

A Great Northern Diver seen near the entrance to Sutton Harbour and several Turnstones on the rocks near the Yacht Club.

Turnstone

Great Northern Diver

A small high tide this morning, so few waders on Blaxton Meadow but Kinfisher there together with a female Goosander (3 others including a drake, on the estuary), Snipe & 14 Wigeon. Also around the site, Green Woodpecker, Mandarin Duck (drake), 4+ Red-breasted Mergansers (2 drakes), Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshanks, 12 Little Egrets, 7 Little Grebes & 12 Roe Deer.  

13:15

Firecrest

Walked Countesswear - Turf and back. Of note were:

- at Countesswear, a Peregrine on a pylon being mobbed by Carrion Crows, and eventually being forced to give up its, unidentifiable, prey;

- on Exminster Marsh, 18 Greylags, the expected (c600) Golden, plus, unusually for a fresh-water site, 2 Grey, Plovers, and 400+ Dunlin. Did not find the Barnacles, or attempt to count the ducks, Lapwings or other waders;

- in the ditches, the expected squealing Water Rails and singing Cetti's (6+ of both);

- in the estuary, 50-60 Avocets floating off the yacht club, and 15+ R-b Mergansers and 6+ G-c Grebes. Unusually, no Pintail.

A Kingfisher, 3 Little Grebes, Song Thrush, Heron, Goldfinches, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Redwing, Moorhen, Sparrowhawk, Shag, Cormorant, Little Egret, Turnstones, Oyster Catchers, G.B.B. Gull, Stonechats, Rock Pipits,

On the sea: 8 Great Northern and 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Scoter 40 + Guillemots, 5 Razorbills, 80+ Kittiwake, 35 Gannets and three pods of Common Dolphins a total of about 25

In Saltram Park watched a Water Rail feeding for a full 15 minutes this afternoon. Unexpected was a pair of Linnets on a warehouse roof in Maxwell Road, Cattedown.

Smart male black redstart on rocks at side of the road to the Northam Burrows car park

A female type Black Redstart in my back yard in Central Plymouth this morning, my first for the garden. 

Off Plymouth Hoe at lunchtime were 3 Great Northern Divers near Drakes Island and a few Gannets flying around. On the rocks below the Pier One Cafe a single Purple Sandpiper with 9 Turnstone and a Kingfisher. 

Outside the Sutton Harbour lock gates an Otter was a complete surprise, swimming across the water with a large crab in its jaws and being mobbed by Gulls., my first in Plymouth. 

Purple Sandpiper

A. Firecrest ringed at this site on04/12/19 was recovered in Southampton ( unfortunately ,taken by a cat )  on 17/12/20. On average up to four Firecrests overwinter at the Chillington site. Given the recovery date this individual was prtesumably overwintering at the Southampton location.Duration 379 days ,179 km. ENE.

A circuit this morning produced: 35+ Siskins, Peregrine, Green Woodpecker, 8 Goosanders (3 drakes) & female Red-crested Pochard.

25 Goosander - 5 adult drake + 20 sub-adult drakes/females (only time for a cursory count) on the lake at 11.30