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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After an absence of three days the "Italian" type Sparrow sp has spent most of the day in and out of the garden feeding on fats balls at my feed station.

Also around the garden today nice to have a Song Thrush in and my first Treecreeper of the year.

A dull, but at least clear, Stuart Lines cruise this afternoon. Pride of place has to go to the Long-billed Dowitcher feeding with Black-tailed Godwits at Topsham and 30 Cattle Egrets (counts varied from 28 to 32, but I reckoned 30!) on a sandbank just north of Starcross at about 2.30pm. There were at least 22 Great Crested Grebes, plus the usual Slavonian at Cockwood and a Little Grebe and 2 Black Swans at Topsham. 3 Pintail were on Pole Sands (off the tip of Dawlish Warren) plus c130 of Lympstone Marines camp, where there were 12 Greylag Geese on the mud (distant, but I think that's what they were!); 50 Teal at Topsham and c30 Mergansers. A Peregrine was on Exmouth church tower. Waders were well scattered, especially between Turf and Lympstone, with 300+ Avocets (30+ at Powderham), several hundred Golden Plover, c100 Bar-tailed and several large flocks of Black-tailed Godwits (must have been well over 1000). 4 Greenshank scattered between DW and Powderham. A Grey Seal was hauled out onto a buoy at DW and another seal was seen briefly between Turf and Topsham.

There has been a decent sized starling murmuration over the playing fields in Ludwell Valley Park, Exeter recently - I am pretty bad at counting but I reckon it's of the order about 1000 birds and they have been performing really well this week, so worth going out at dusk to see if you're in the area :)

This morning on the marsh, one each of Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Kestrel and Buzzard were spooking the Lapwings and ducks, and a Spotted Redshank was on the new scrape. In the estuary, the Golden Plover flock seemed to be bigger than ever (1000 plus?) and continued its mournful calling.

At Matford, a Sparrowhawk made it a five-raptor day, and my first local Gadwall of the Winter were on the main pond.

Along the canal, lots of singing Song Thrushes (plus the first Primrose).

Finally, in the crematorium grounds, Dipper and Treecreeper took the year list to 118.

Firecrest in the garden this morning. Moving along Darwin Crescent.

One of three kingfishers busy on the canal last weekend.

What a difference a day makes! With challenging conditions at the start once in the Estuary the visibility improved and the visitors started to see plenty of birds on show. Curlews were in good numbers across the Estuary and the distinctive evocative calls were drifting around the estuary on a light breeze. Several Turnstones were seen on the mussel vessel off Dawlish Warren and on the shoreline at Starcross. The Slavonian Grebe was spotted with a Little Grebe in the normal place off Cockwood. Dark Bellied Brent Geese were in good numbers in this area with several flying near the boat. Cormorants and Shags were plentiful along this stretch with comparisons between the two easy to see. Greenshank were seen towards the River Kenn confluence with Common Gull, Black Headed Gull, and Herring Gull bathing in fresh water. First of the 300+ Avocets were seen at this lower location and good numbers were seen close to the boat all the way to Topsham. A few Bar Tailed Godwit and plenty of Dunlin were off Lympstone and were numerous across the mudflats all the way to Topsham.Grey Plover were seen at a distance along with Pintail close to Exton 300+ Black Tailed Godwits were showing well along the waters edge for visitors to see along with Redshank and two small groups of Golden Plover either side of the main channel near Turf Lock. A raft of 20+ Great Crested Grebe were viewed near the River Clyst confluence this sighting was the most seen all together this winter and a real treat for the visitors. Red Breasted Mergansers stole the show today with at least 20+ on show close to the boat. On our return back to Exmouth 200+ Lapwing and 100+ Black Tailed Godwit took to the air from Powderham Marsh and showed well from the boat. As we steamed past Dawlish Warren there were very close encounters of 8+ Sanderling feeding along the waters edge which was a real bonus this finished off a very productive cruise.

Red Breasted Merganser                         Avocets                                         Sanderling

At least 12 Crossbills,200+ chaffinches,3 brambling,ad male 2female,12:00-13:00

Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose this morning from the viaduct among c400 Canada Geese. Also 3 Goldeneye.

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.

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 -  Eds This is a 'Common' 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

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.

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.