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Afternoon, 1.30 - 3.30 pm. The 1st W Glaucous Gull was still hanging around the point and the quarry, giving very close flyby views along the quarry clifftop and sometimes resting on the shore platform. It disappeared for 1/2 hour to feed behind a fishing boat. Also the long tailed duck to right of the Flat Rock, auks, gannets and a kittiwake.

Glaucous Gull, 1st Winter

Lovely walk from the old brick works up to the pusnich bridge lots of redshank and 8 greenshank..shellduck and little grebe on the estuary good numbers of redwing in the trees and six bullfinch  made it very rewarding..on a sad note an otter had been hit and killed on the road between Brixton and Elburton 

A common sandpiper showed well as did the albino GND amongst boats moored close to Whitestrand car park

The Glaucous Gull reported at Hopes nose, Torquay was on form this morning flying circuits around the point and quarry, occasionally landing to bask in the sunshine. (More images on the gallery)

Fly past from a Fulmar, Sparrowhawk hunting in the cover, three Song Thrush.

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull

09:57 - 12:47

11 Barnacle Goose (with Canada Goose flock) near Turf Hotel; Redwing, Fieldfare, Kingfisher, RB Merganser (m), Linnet, Kestrel were the highlights.

Just a few record shots of 3 m & 13 f Common Scoters. The 3 males were keeping a good distance apart from the females! 

 1 absolutely cracking Velvet Scoter at Baggy Pt this am. Most of the time on it's own keeping a distance from the Common Scoters.

The Black-throated Diver was still present, quite close, in the bay. More distant were a Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Northern Divers and a Black-necked Grebe out towards Paignton. A lot of auks were further offshore in the haze, the only three I could identify were razorbills. 8 Cirl Buntings were in the car park but disturbance levels were already quite high.

Boat trip around Torbay produced: 1 fw Iceland Gull, ad w Mediterranean Gull, Long-tailed Duck, Black-necked Grebe, Red-throated Diver, 14+ Great Northern Divers, approx. 20 Common Dolphins, 3 Harbour Porpoise.

Elsewhere from land: Black Guillemot from Breakwater. 17+ Cirl Buntings, Chiffchaff, Siberian Chiffchaff, Firecrest & Goldcrest at Broadsands.

Med Mediterranean Gull with a slight limp just west of the golf course. 

A flock of 100+ Common Scoter off Budleigh Salterton seafront this afternoon in the gloomy conditions and great to see 1 Velvet Scoter in with them.

This morning before the rain: 18 Teal, 14 Shelduck, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great crested Grebe, 29 Avocet landed on the mudflats just as the tide dropped. 13 Snipe and a Greenshank on Ernesettle creek.

As well as the Gadwall, Wigeon and Shoveler on Wrafton Pond this morning was this rather splendid drake Pintail. Once again 2 Spoonbill out on the scrape.

Drake Pintail theough the rain at Wrafton Pond.

A very quick look at the lake this morning,

35 Goosander 11m 24f, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 1m Tufted Duck, 2 Bullfinch.

A couple of Dippers pre-dawn at Longbridge, including 1 singing. Also: 7 Goosanders (3 drakes), 8 Mandarin Ducks, Barnacle Goose (presumed escape) 4 Little Grebes, Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Snipe, a pair of Stonechats, Siskin, Firecreset, Stock Dove, Green & 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Wagtails & 13 Roe Deer.

Yesterday at SEM: The Lesser Yellowlegs was still there. Redshank ,Black tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Moorhen, Curlew, Little Egret, Mute Swans, Wigeon, Teal and a pair of Mandarin Ducks with Mallard on the Avon bank opp. the hide. Bullfinches, L.T. Tits, Blue Tits, Dunnocks, Robins and Kestrels.

Mandarin Duck

Lesser Yellowlegs

Good view of Iceland Gull and Black Guillemot this morning

Black Guillemot

Iceland Gull

Yellow-browed Warbler this afternoon feeding in willows along footpath N of South Farm Road just after the three cottages. First time I’ve seen it after only hearing it on 2nd Dec!

Just to add a couple of images from today's Torbay Boat Trip, good numbers of Gannet, Razorbill, Guillemot, Great black Back Gull, Kittiwake and briefest view of a distant unidentified Skua sp to add to ML's post.

Eighteen Mute swan in Brixham harbour one ringed with a yellow tag ring marked FVD.

Great Northern Diver

Guillemot

Male Ring-necked Duck seen directly across ley from Stokeley Hide. Also 5 Goldeneyes ( 2 males ), 17 Gadwalls and no Pochard. Sea quiet apart from good numbers of Razorbills and 2 Great Northern Divers.

A cold but productive trip around Torbay birds included: 1 Black Guillemot, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 11 Great Northern Divers, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 juv/fw Iceland Gull, many Grey Seals, harbour Porpoises.

              Iceland Gull - Nigel Smallbones                      Long-tailed Duck - Nigel Smallbones

Great views of the Glaucous Gull early this afternoon, off Hope's Nose, together with a second Long-tailed Duck  which was more distant, actively diving off Lead Stone (we had just had news of the first off Preston).

Glaucous Gull

Long-tailed Duck

17 Common Scoters at Baggy Point this morning including 2 males, none at Downend. Strong NW winds & rough seas at the point hampered attempts at obtaining any decent photos!

Quite a lot more birds than usual in the garden today. Not sure why. The highlight was a Firecrest briefly (second sighting in two weeks), followed about five minutes later by a Goldcrest. The regular Black Redstart and three Blackcaps still visiting too.

Firecrest

15.00

The juv Glaucous Gull showed well in flight around the point and the quarry.

A Firecrest was also just below the entrance gate.  

This afternoon saw the first Stuart Line cruise of the season (the earlier ones had to be cancelled). Fair weather and lots of birds to be seen. Totals included c10 G C Grebes, Slavonian and Little Grebes, c25 Shags, Pintail (distant views of a flock in the Clyst), 3 Goldeneye (1 male, off Cockwood), c12 Mergansers, very approximately 500 each of Brent Geese, Avocets, Lapwings and Golden Plovers, four-figure totals of Black-t Godwits and Dunlin, c10 Greenshank, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull and a Harbour (Common) Seal hauled out.

The 2 Spoonbills were back out on the scrape this morning, along with a few Canada Geese, 7 of which were also in the reserve - first I've seen in there since 26th April. Still several each of Gadwall, Wigeon and Shoveler on Wrafton Pond.

The socially - distancing Spoonbills today.

Further to earlier posts the juvenile Iceland Gull was also briefly present at Brixham this morning.It was on the seaward side of the breakwater quite close to shore, before taking flight and drifting east where it was lost to view in the sun and not relocated.

2 Purple Sandpipers below Capstone, Stonechat in Jubilee Gardens and Black Redstart in tree behind Salvation Army Hall.

Last farmland bird count on 2020 and very disappointing numbers with 485 Skylark and just 16 Cirl Bunting & 31 Yellowhammer. Also Snipe, 26 Blackbird, 50 Linnet, 100 Starling & Chiffchaff.

Fremington Pill this morning ; 14 Cattle Egrets ( 13 roosting + 1 in flight ) , 4 Glossy Ibis ( 1 feeding & 3 in flight ) , 3 Greenshanks , 1 Spotted Redshank , 1 Kingfisher.

Greenshank & Spotted Redshank

Great views of a black guillemot in Brixham harbour, also Razorbills,guillemots,Great Northern divers, gannets, Kittiwakes, Common gulls and lots of Grey seals

Black Guillemot

Great Northern Diver

A couple more shots of the fw Black Guillemot at Brixham today from Lloyd Gray.

A Firecrest in the maple tree in my front yard this morning. A lovely thing to wake up to! 

Thirteen Goosanders on the R. Plym off Blaxton Meadow early pm.

Whilst walking up Old Walls Hill came upon a mixed flock of approx 30 finches, yellowhammers, cirl buntings and a few chaffinch. The flock was mainly down on the ground and bathing in the water tumbling down the edge of the road. Lovely sight and brilliant colours in the bright sunlight.

11.30

As yesterday, the juv Glaucous Gull initially showed very well on the sea at the point and in flight around the quarry.  It then moved slightly south and afforded excellent views as it settled on the wave cut platform opposite the Orestone.

Nearby, close to the Leadstone, the female Long-tailed Duck also showed well.  

Iceland Gull watched briefly by the boating lake at Young's Park this afternoon before it flew off out to sea.  All-pale plumage with dark eye and bill suggests 1st winter.  

The Scaup still present, too, and beginning to look quite smart.

The first winter Black Guillemot showing incredibly well in Brixham Harbour this morning by the Seal pontoon viewed from the breakwater 

Brief view of the Black Guillemot on the seaward side of the Brixham breakwater this morning, Pomarine Skua out past the Shoalstone chasing and harassing the gulls.

Lots of Gannet and Kittiwake to be seen, a GND just off of the breakwater, Guillemot, Razorbill, Cormorant and a good number of Greater Black Back Gulls.

A good number of Seals in the harbour.

Back home at South Brent two Goldcrest, GSWP and a soaring Peregrine. This evening three Tawny owls calling in the distance.

Great Northern Diver

Kittiwake

A Swallow this morning, around the church. Possibly the individual that was in Torcross on the 20 th.

Braved the wind and rain today at Northam Burrows to photograph the Snow Buntings. Despite the weather I found the birds and was able to get some half decent photos. 

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

A juv Glaucous Gull this afternoon around the point and flying around the edge of the quarry giving very close views - presumably the same bird seen there a week ago. Also the female Long Tailed Duck still just south of LeadStone 

Powderham Church towards Turf on estuary. 110+ Knot, 700+ Golden Plover, 400+ Lapwing, 650+ Dunlin, 120+ Avocet, 150+ Brent Geese & 4 Red b Mergansers. 11 Barnacle Geese still present on Exminister Marsh too.

following anothers advise i went forna stroll around this tiny patch. Had some good sightings including. 2 jay, sparrowhawk, blue, great nd coal tit, magpies,  nuthatch, jackdaws, crows, robin, dunnock, green, gold and chaffinch, goldcrest, song thrushes and what i came to find, about 10 bullfinches 4 male 6 female in the group. So happy to see so many and photogrph them

Black Guillemot off Brixham Breakwater photos from Nigel Smallbones, the bird may well have been present for over a week.. Anyone interested in a birding/wildlife boat trip around Torbay on Tuesday morning contact Kellys Hero boat: 07970 642354  

A walk along the Pottington side of the Tarka Trail this afternoon. Wind very strong and an already rising tide. Groups of Mallards 30-40 out in the river. Just beyond the end of the industrial estate where Bradiford Water cuts through to join the Taw were about 30-40 Teal in groups along with some more Mallard. Further along in another field was a group of about 80-90 BH gull. A solitary Redshank was sheltering from the wind in a gulley. A huge amount of tree debris could be seen floating along in the river. Yesterday along the Pill at Fremington the 4 Glossy Ibis showed well and before the tide covered the sandbanks on the Taw large numbers of Crows could be seen on them.

Black Guillemot at Brixham Breakwater early this morning. Probably the one spotted by Mike Langman at Shoalstone two days ago.

Black Guillemot Brixham Breakwater

Black Guillemot Brixham Breakwater

Nine Wigeon, 27+ Common Gulls, 2 Shags, Little Grebe, 35 Shelduck, 4 Greenshanks & 11 Oystercatchers, was about the best of a rather dull and damp afternoon.

Great Spotted Woodpecker loud drumming, heard twice at 0911hrs 

A Firecrest seen in the garden this morning, the first definite sighting I have had in the garden for a couple of years.

Around the feed station Jay, male Siskin, numerous Goldfinch, Greenfinch numbers a bit down on recent days.

A count of 36 House Sparrow yesterday and several small flocks of Redwing.

Late post for yesterday, Christmas Day: 1 male Black Redstart at  Westcombe beach, mid-am. 

Merry Christmas everybody.  The water was back to normal colour today no blue tinge. While there I managed to photograph the four Glossy Ibis, a Curlew, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank and a distant Kingfisher. There was also a Juvenile Herring gull playing with a rubber ball.  

Glossy Ibis

Kingfisher

Starcross to Countesswear produced c80 spp., including:

- in Powderham Park, 2 Egyptian Geese and 12 Greenshanks;

- in the estuary, 10+ R-b Mergansers, 6+ G-c Grebes, 4-500 Golden Plovers, and 200+ Avocets (but in multiple small groups, so did not attempt to count exactly);

- on Exminster Marshes, a Cirl Bunting, at least 4 squealing Water Rails  and 8 singing/calling Cetti's, 3 Snipe, 200+ Lapwings, 25 Greylags, 30+ Common Gulls (late to arrive this year), and a perched male Sparrowhawk, whose chest glowed in the low sunlight.

-  at Countesswear, a clump of Primroses in flower!

A superb male Hen Harrier patrolled up and down the ridge between Birch Tor and Challacombe Down no less than three times.  No sign however of the Grey Shrike. A 'middle-aged' Red Deer stag charged up towards Vitifers and later two groups of four and five, hinds and yearling, Red Deer were at Soussons.

One of two off Plymouth Ho today

Great Northern Diver

The male Black Redstart is still visiting our back garden daily. Also today, two male Blackcaps (and a female yesterday).

At least 3 Brambling on East Budleigh Common this morning and a close Black-throated Diver off Ladram Bay on a flat calm sea this afternoon (very uncommon here). Plus 2 Red-throated Diver and 1 Common Scoter.

Late post for yesterday (Thursday) morning, Dusky Warbler showed reasonably well in line of Sallows by the weir, mostly nearest the western and viewing side. Also Water Rail. 

Buzzard flew through the treetops in the wood. In a field above Scadson.whilst watching a Buzzard, a leucistic looking Buzzard appeared, bigger than the 1st, so probably a female. Then a 3rd Buzzard appeared, attacking the leucistic bird. Also, Redwing, Meadow Pipits, Robins, Wrens, Blackbirds,  Great Tits, a pair of Song Thrush, and a large flock of Carrion Crow.

Christmas visit to the Reserve in the afternoon. It's usually quiet by this time and so it was today; best were about 12 Greenfinch, a cronking Raven flying over and a Little Egret out on the scrape - the first for several weeks. One Water Rail. Merry Christmas everyone!

Quick dash around Torbay near to home this morning:

Goodrington: Scaup, 2 Firecrests.

Clennon Lakes: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Firecrest 3 Goldcrest.

Broadsands: 1 Black-throated Diver.           

              Yellow-browed Warbler  - Clennon                      Black-throated Diver  -  Broadsands

Great Northern Diver from Grand Parade below Plymouth Ho yesterday 24th December as well as Kingfisher

Today at Fremington Pill, a distant Kingfisher, four Glossy Ibis, two Greenshank and a male Teal or two. The water was blue and had a pungent smell.  This unnatural occurrence was reported to the relevant authorities.  

Kingfisher

Glossy ibis

Think I may have spotted the Iceland gull at the same time as you Matt! Very close but by the time I had returned with the scope it had gone to sleep.... No Pomarine skua but at least 4 or 5 Great Northern divers in the marina.

Brief call at SEM which was quite quiet. A single redshank and some curlew  with small flocks of teal. A common sandpiper on the Avon bank. Good views of two kingfishers also. 

At Brixham, a single gannet and great northern diver from the breakwater. A Guillemot on the water at the end of the breakwater also. No sign of the Icelandic Gull on the breakwater however I eventually tracked it down on one of the jetties towards the centre of town where it was roosting with other gulls. Great views!!

2 Red-Throated Divers offshore by Slapton Bridge, also Brent Goose flying north.

Road badly flooded at Torcross!

Late this afternoon saw an adult female Sparrowhawk on my garage roof  feeding on a Wood pigeon.

Good movement of Thrush species during the day with Reswing, Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare passing over and dropping into the field hedges to feed, no doubt their presence was an attraction to the Sparrowhawk.

Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk

In pretty wet conditions this morning, 2 Great Northern Divers off outer harbour wall of Brixham harbour. Also reasonable views of Pomarine Skua and numerous Gannets, auks and Kittiwakes

Too wet to see much else. 

Black Guillemot watched feeding off Shoalstone Shelter this morning in the drizzle - it swam back toward the breakwater.

A very welcome Blackbird singing at dawn this morning in Kingsteignton- 

Yesterday, under the viaduct at Roadford, possible White-fronted Goose (pink billed) along with 50+ Canadas. Would welcome confirmation from those more used to this species. No photo, too wet!

Jay, gt sp woodpecker, 2 siskin,12 redwing. 6 song thrushes singing quietly from songposts relatively, close together, perhaps 20 -30 metre gaps

Had a walk around the area a few hours after high tide and saw the usual suspects but not in any great numbers. The highlights were a Ringed Plover and my first RB Merganser of this winter.

also, I had excellent views of the Water Rail yesterday totally ignoring the noise of the walkers. I wish I had its patience!

At Hope's Nose before 11.00

1 Long-tailed Duck close to the Leadstone.  4 Great Northern Divers, 100+ Guillemots in rafts towards the Orestone, 3 Song Thrushes in full song around the site.  2 Blackcaps scolding from deep cover.  5 Grey Seals.  

Later at Meadfoot, 2 showy Firecrests and a female Blackcap.  

A Little Egret and a Grey Heron at Corbyn Head. 

Off Dawlish Town two Slavonian grebes on sea.  Then Teignmouth to Sprey Point a red-throated diver and a great northern diver. No scoter flock as might be expected this time of year.

A black redstart at the holiday park at Hele beach near Ilfracombe this morning, sharing the rooftops with a pair of stonechats and a pied wagtail

Down to Salcombe to try and find the reported albino Great Northern Diver, how such a large pure white bird proved to be so elusive is beyond me, two normal coloured birds were readily viewable and after some time I spotted the white GND  from the Whitestrand car park across the river to the left of Snapes Point but it simply disappeared, it eventually showed up by the Lifeboat and Whitestrand pontoon, a truly stunning bird to see, it cheered up a wet and foggy day.

It appears to have a dark eye rather than the pink/red of an albino so wonder if it is actually a leucistic bird, either way well worth a trip down to see it before we get locked down.

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

4 purple Sandpipers near Barricane, plus 6 Turnstones, 10 Oystercatchers, 1 Stonechat and 1 Kingfisher on the steps near the rocks,first Kingfisher that I have seen in Woolacombe. 

Broadsands: 6 Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 42 Cormorants feeding in tight flock, 1 Mediterranean Gull,10 Shag, 11 Guillemot ,4 Razorbills, 4 pods of 25+ Common Dolphins.

Paignton: 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Great Northern Diver

Goodrington: 1 1st winter drake Scaup with Tufted Ducks at Young's Park boating lakes.

Some video footage of the roosting  Iceland Gull last night at Brixham: https://twitter.com/clennonvalley/status/1341076915487174660 

Queuing in the dark, damp early morning mizzle outside Sainsbury's a Song Thrush was singing its heart out. A lady behind me said it was a song of hope and better things to come!

Happy Christmas everyone!

For the first time in many weeks, visited BGM and Goosemoor this morning, just before high tide. Water level and grass v. high as expected. Hundreds each of Wigeon and Teal, 50-75 each of Shoveler and Pintail, 8 Tufted and 25 Greylags made for a fine, busy spectacle, but there were no Gadwall, Little Grebe, or Coot, and the only waders were two Curlew (how sad is that).

Seven Turnstones on the Goatwalk, thirty Common Gulls off the recreation ground, and, back in Exeter, a singing Treecreeper raised the spirits.

Small group of goldfinches, 1 siskin, 1 l. redpoll, feeding on ash keys

The Iceland Gull again this afternoon from c3pm and still present at dusk on sea in outer harbour just off Astra Zenica car park.

Little of note on a  murky & wet day but managed: 31 Wigeon, 6 Greenshanks, Little Grebe, Snipe, 3 Shags, 9 Little Egrets, 4 Stock Doves & 6 Roe Deer. 

Lone Purple Sandpiper working the rocks off Windy Corner Capstone, along with Rock Pipits and Oystercatchers

The albino Great Northern Diver still present off Island Quay. (Distant record shot from Snapes Point path).  Also 'normal' GND off Lifeboat Station.

Albino Great Northern Diver

A mid morning visit to the River Teign at Passage House, Kingsteignton on the dropping tide, large number of Black Headed Gulls inc a BTO ringed bird, three Common Gull, a few Greater Black Back Gull and lots of Herring Gull.

Shellduck, two female Wigeon, about ten Mute Swan, several of the local feral domestic geese, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Pied Wagtail.

Fifty plus Curlew, Redshank, two Common Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, Little Grebe and seven Avocet.

At Seal Hayne two Jay and two Mistle Thrush.

Around the feeders back home at South Brent, six Long Tailed Tit, male GSWP, M&F Bullfinch and a flyover Mistle Thrush.

Avocet

Curlew

Great views of a Pomarine Skua harassing gulls off Brixham breakwater mid-am (as photographed by Richie below), then at Broadsands a little later, single Black-throated and Red-Throated Divers and a Black-necked Grebe, all close in. At least 10 Great Northern Divers between the two sites.

A sharp increase in Common Gulls today, with 32 counted. Also 4 Shags, c30 Wigeon, redhead Goosander, 2 Snipe, Stonechat, 4 Siskins, c20 Redwings & 4+ Roe Deer. 

Some good views of a pomarine skua, possibly 2, several GN divers, Kittewakes and gannets

Pomarine Skua

Kittiwake

At 3.15 pm. a Swallow around the houses in the village.

08:57 - 10:37

Dusky Warbler showed very well.

3 Great Northern Divers just off of the beach. 10+ gannets also fishing. 

The open sea being far too choppy for me, without 'scope, to pick anything out, I concentrated on the lower estuary:

- from Cofton Steps, a G-n Diver;

- in the valley-bottom fields inland from Cockwood Harbour, c40 Cattle Egrets (almost like being in Spain);

- in Powderham Park, an Egyptian Goose (my first since the young fledged in June) and a Green Sandpiper;

- cumulatively in the estuary from various points, eight R-b Mergansers, six G-c Grebes (in the 1980s, the ratio would have been 30:0), ten Greenshanks and 50+ Turnstones;

- combinedly on Cockwood Golf Course and the flooded field on the N. edge of Starcross, perhaps 150 Curlew, 300 Black-tailed Godwits, 75 Oystercatchers and 75 Redshanks, plus uncounted, but 500+, Brents and ducks. These sites are, I believe, becoming increasingly important as high-tide refuges. 

A first winter Rose-coloured Starling in a Stoke Fleming garden has been present for almost three weeks. The second record for the garden, after one in June 2008! 

The bird can be seen from the Venn Lane playing field SX862486. 

If visiting please respect local resident's health and privacy- on behalf of Kevin Rylands 
 

3 Great Northern Divers just off of the beach. 10+ gannets also fishing. 

This afternoon between and in some of the showers I managed to get a couple of photos of: 2 of the 4 male Shovelers one female Shoveler, 2 Wigeon and one male Gadwall.  On the Scrape there were a small number of Teal 20 ish.

Male Shoveler

Male Teal

A good count of 282 Dunlins (all on the wall) at high tide. Also 6 Goosanders (3 drakes), 32 Wigeon, 144 Redshanks, 1or 2 Little Grebes & 13 Common Gulls.

A good day at Brixham gull spotting, highlight was the Iceland Gull subject to previous posts that flew up the harbour side of the breakwater just after sunrise, numerous Kittiwake, being harassed once they had caught fish by Common, Black Headed, Common, Herring and Greater Black Backed Gulls of which over fifty counted.

Ten GND's around the harbour and breakwater with another four off of the Shoalstone, where a pair of Eider flew past headed west. Several Guillemot and Razorbill along with plenty of Gannet activity.

Small number of Shag and numerous Cormorants, Rock Pipit, Turnstone and Pied Wagtail.

Fourteen Seals in the harbour on one of the pontoons.

At Marine Parade, Paignton a one legged adult Mediterranean Gull with the Black Headed Gull flock, four Oyster Catcher, a Little Egret and some forty Turnstone including the Dutch ringed bird Z010032 which I note has lost the end of its centre toe on the ringed leg, but looks to be fit and  healthy.

Great Northern Diver

Iceland Gull

The juv/1w Iceland Gull still up and down the breakwater (see photos) also a single Purple Sandpiper. Now two Pomarine Skuas, one in Tor Bay the other off Berry Head. Double figures of Great Northern Divers off Shoalstone and the harbour.

Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull

The female Long-tailed Duck showed very well again up to 12.10 near the Leadstone.

18 Great Northern Divers between Thatcher Point and Long Quarry Point.

Also, good numbers of Common Gulls and several Razorbills.  8 Grey Seals and 1 Harbour Porpoise.  3 Fulmars about and many Gannets.  

12:30

Snow Bunting (2) by the 8th tee on the stone ‘bank’ (golf course side).

The Lower lake this morning.

10 Goosander 2m 8f (09:30), 3 Willow Tit, 3 Marsh Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Grey Heron, 8 Tufted Duck 5m 3f, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Cormorant.

Male Sparrowhawk garden visitor. Stayed a while having missed catching lunch.

Sparrowhawk

30 Shelducks 30 Brent Geese 150 Golden Plovers 10 Curlews 10 Oystercatchers 1 Little Egret Black headed Gulls and Herring Gulls.

A single male siskin on sunflower hearts and nyjer seeds in the garden today along with goldfinch x5, greenfinch x3 and chaffinch x1. Also house sparrows, blue tits, great tits and female greater spotted woodpecker.

Berry Head: in a break in the weather Great Skua south and Sooty Shearwater (loitering outside Tor Bay, probably same bird seen by Bill Coulson on the 15th). Many feeding Gannets and Kittiwakes driven into Tor Bay, scanning from BHd picked up white-winged gull over Shoalstone.

Shoalstone: relocated white-winger, which was an  Iceland Gull looked like juv/1w.  Further out the Pomarine Skua (pale phase prob winter adult) was still harassing Kittiwakes - here for its 3rd day so seems settled.

Mansands: there was a single Velvet Scoter feeding 200m off the beach and while watching it a dark biscuit coloured juv/1st w Glaucous Gull flew past >N.

Brixham: following a call from Mark Darlaston I popped into Brixham early afternoon to see a pale  juv/1st w Iceland Gull drifting up and down the Breakwater! 

Glaucous Gull ( probable first winter ), Ireland Bay this morning.

The albino Great Nothern Diver was showing well as it dived for crabs as the tide went out this morning. Viewed from Snapes Point near Salcombe looking across creek.

Since about the end of October we have been spotting Great Northern Divers within Salcombe Harbour, with about three being present. The last couple of weeks we have spotted what looks like an albino Great Northern Diver but would like clarification.

14+ Great Northern Divers around the south end of the Bays beaches also a ad Med Gull, Black-throated Diver and a pale phase Pomarine Skua off Elberry Headland this evening and a pod of 10+ Common Dolphins. 200+ Gannets feeding off Goodrington. Long-tailed Duck off Preston/Paignton and 3 Red-throated Divers.

A single Firecrest in car park in Brixham and 12+ Cirl Buntings at Broadsands car park

Black-throated Diver

Great Northern Diver

On the river alongside Glanvilles Mill, Ivybridge this morning two Dipper and two Grey Wagtail.

At White Oxen early afternoon a flock of 21 Stock Dove, 31 Starling, two flocks of 20 plus Woodpigeon, several flocks of Redwing, GSWP and a couple of low soaring Buzzards.

Around home several small flocks of Redwing and one of 40 birds, five Long Tailed Tit on the feeders one being BTO ringed. In the morning one of my racing pigeons killed by a female Sparrow hawk.

Derisory farmland bird count in spring temperatures  with 440 Skylark, 23 Cirl Bunting, 15 Yellowhammer, 16 Meadow Pipit, 2 Sparrowhawk, 100 Jackdaw, Chiffchaff, 24 Stock Dove & seven Long-tailed Tit.

Just one Spoonbill on the scrape this morning, which flew off as I approached (about 09.30).

Small group of 3 Redwing in a neighbour’s field at 09:00 this morning on the SW edge of the village. 

A visit on this afternoon’s rising tide produced: 7 Goosanders (3 drakes), 33 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebes,  67 Curlews, Treecreeper, 12+ Redwings, Siskin & a presumed escape Barnacle Goose.

A run round some of the Totnes rivers this morning, due to high water levels and fast run off virtually nothing to be seen at Staverton, Dartington or Totnes.

Bow Bridge to Tuckenhay ~ 16 Mallard, two Mute Swan, Moorhen and a Little Grebe.

South Brent two female Siskins on the garden feeders, the first females of the winter season, one being BTO ringed, female Bullfinch, 28 House Sparrows at one point, good numbers of Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

(Re the Siskins~ a friend in the village had a male and a female on his feeders)

This evening a Tawny owl sat just outside the house.

Tawny owl

Tawny Owl

We have only a modest garden, so I was very pleased with today's tally of 18 species.
Woodpigeon   4
Magpie   1
Jackdaw   1
Coal Tit   1
Blue Tit   4
Great Tit   2
Long-tailed Tit   5
Blackcap   1
Firecrest   1
Blackbird   2
Song Thrush   1
Robin   2
Black Redstart   1  (often favouring the end of Hill Close)
Dunnock   1
Pied Wagtail   1
Chaffinch   5
Greenfinch   6
Goldfinch   13

Black Redstart

Greenfinch

A number of pintails on the Skern 11th December. Sorry to be so late posting.

Pintails among shelduck

This bird was photographed by a fisherman off Snape's Point, Salcolme on the 15/12/20

The two Spoonbills were out on the scrape again this morning, having a bit of a preen.

Spoonbills, preening.

4 Glossy Ibis on the Pill as i drove down to the quay around mid day today

7 goosander on irrigation pond at wash farm buckfastleigh ( Riverford Organics) 9 a.m. today.

1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 37 Goosander 8m 29f, 8 Tufted Duck 5m 3f, 3 Great Crested Grebe.

A late afternoon stroll resulted in the normal Widgeon, Shelduck, Redshank etc on Blaxton a flock of mixed Tits around the hide, A Kingfisher, Little Grebe numerous Mallard and Nine Gosanders on the Plym

Blue Tit

Gosanders

Late afternoon I popped into Wrafton Pond that again was very quite.  Three male + three female Shovelers, one male Wigeon, one Little Grebe and a small number of the usual suspects

Malr and female Shovelers

300 Golden Plover over A388, 7 miles south of Holsworthy at Chapmanswell.

9 Goosander swimming together yesterday upstream from Blaxton Meadow 3 M 6F

1stw drake Scaup still at Goodrington this morning and the Yellow-browed Warbler still at Clennon Lakes also just 1 Chiffchaff present.

Large numbers of Canada geese, Shelduck and Brent. Godwits in field between wall and railway line. Dunlin, redshank, oystercatcher and single Avocet. Kingfisher feeding from wall. Pair of Stonechat in hedge top.

Goosander . ! male with 4 females flew in at midday. Also 1 male Gadwall

The now regular Dipper was still singing above the roar of traffic below Longbridge late morning. Around the treatment works outfall were a drake Goosander, Little Egret and a Kingfisher.

On my way to Porlock this morning I popped out to Fremington Pill to see what might be around. Saw a small number of Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, a couple of Teal and 2-3 Little Egret.

Greenshank

Spotted Redshank

The female Red-crested Pochard again on Portworthy Phase 3 Mica Dam along with a couple of Coots and Mallard. 

On Blaxton Meadow this afternoon: 70 Curlews, 7 Greenshanks, 134 Redshanks, 11 Oystercatchers, 33 Wigeon & 31 Shelducks. Also, Little Grebe, Shag, 23 Turnstones & Siskin.

Since the last week of November I have been having a BTO ringed Goldfinch coming into the garden feed station on an almost daily basis, obtaining the ring number from photographs I initially made a mistake and added a 4 to the ring number (turns out that was another bird).

Ringing Scheme: London Ring Number: AFP5157 Species of bird: Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

This bird was ringed by R Phillips as age at least 1 year, sex male on 10-Oct-2020 17:00:00 at Brook Manor, Buckfastleigh, Devon, UK

 It was found on 10-Dec-2020 at Hillside, South Brent, Devon, UK
OS Map reference SX7060 

It was observed 61 days after it was ringed, 10 km from the ringing site, direction South.

Since that date I have also seen Goldfinch AFP5159 and partial ring number FLB?439 also on a Goldfinch.

Today has seen two BTO ringed Blue Tits on the feeders along with a ringed Great Tit and the three above mentioned Goldfinch

Great Tit ~ BTO ring partial number ~ ARP3

Blue Tit ~ BTO ring partial number ?NE0

09:35 - 14:19

No sight nor sound of Dusky Warbler; Grey & Pied Wagtail, Stonechat (1m), Little Grebe (3) and Sparrowhawk (1) were the highlights.

The 2 Godwits had been replaced by 2 Spoonbills on the scrape this morning. Redshank still present. 2 Water Rails (one seen), Tawny Owl calling, 8 Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrest, Bull, Gold, Green and Chaffinch, probable Treecreeper, and cruising low down the river as I left, a male Sparrowhawk.

Wrafton Pond down to one cygnet left - the adults have been chasing them off gradually, there was one on the scrape early on but it flew off south.

2 Spoonbills out on the scrape by Wrafton pond this morning.

Black Redstart in back garden today 

Late post.   over 250,000 Starlings to roost at Woolley Wood near Bradworthy on the evening of 13th Dec.plus 1 Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk.(per Ian Kendall)

2 Snow Buntings still present near the 8th green, now in their 6th week. 2021 tick?

On Saturday morning 12th Dec the Great Grey Shrike gave good views but was very mobile.

Late post from 13.12.20

Five Purple Sandpiper in with 28 Turnstone.

Nothing too exciting at Powderham Corner this morning as I chased my 5 year old on his bike. But 620 Brents on the fields was nice. Pair Stonechat. 5+ Barwits, 5 Grey Plover, 31 Knot, 5 Avocet, 250+ Dunlin, 60+ Lapwing & a Ringed Plover on the Estuary, along with single GC Grebe

Community woodlands: 2 siskin, marsh tit, 2 goldcrest, 10 chaffinch, long-tailed tit

Garden: two siskin, 9 greenfinch

On the river 1 Little Grebe, 2 Goosander (redhead) and at high tide 6 Greenshanks on railway embankment opposite Blaxton Meadow.
Blaxton Meadow 14:00 – 15:30. 35 Dunlin, 52 Redshank, 28 Curlew, 12 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Plover, 10 Common Gull, 40 Black-headed Gull, 2 Med Gull, 30 Wigeon, 30 Shell Duck and 1 Kingfisher.

in between showers today at burrator. Had several flocks of crossbills, totally around 30-40 individuals throughout the day, Treecreepers, nuthatch, marsh/coal/longtail/blue and great tit. Cormorants, mallards. C.geese along with one domestic goose hanging with the crowd. Peregrine flew overhead, scaring many. Little grebe seen. Trees full of goldcrest, song thrushes singing loudly, some bird i couldn't identify. A few roe deer in the arboretum. 
All in all a very good day

The first synchronised Devon Goosander Roost Count of the winter took place this morning with observers in position at over 15 sites well before sunrise. There may be a few more counts to come in, but the results so far indicate a total of 72 on Dartmoor (Avon Dam 31, Burrator 9, Fernworthy 5, Meldon 7, Venford 17 and Upper Shaugh Lake 3). In addition there were 60 at Tamar Lakes, 25 at Shobrooke, 8 on the Taw and 4 on the Plym. Three at both Stover and Tottiford appear to have flown in from elsewhere. It was not possible to cover Meeth today, but the number roosting there was probably close to the 57 counted on 9 Dec. Therefore well over 200 Goosanders probably roosted in Devon last night. Even more may have fed in the county as it is thought that at least some of those roosting at Wimbleball in Somerset (31 last night) feed in Devon. Thanks to all counters for the early rise and prompt submission of counts.

In the cattle field at Cofton (behind the garage) not less than thirty two Cattle Egret, two Little Egret also numerous Wood pigeon and Pied Wagtails in the same field.

Greenshank in the harbour.

From Starcross railway station ~ nine Red Breasted Merganser, Curlew, Redshank, twenty Turnstone, two Common Gull, several flocks of Starling and several Little Egret.

Dawlish Warren NR ~ Golden Plover, Brent Geese, Shellduck, Wigeon, Oyster Catcher, Little Egret, Song Thrush, GSWP, Skylark, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Stonechat.

Cattle Egret

Red-breasted Merganser

14.15

Female Long-tailed Duck showed very well close to the Leadstone.   

Pre-dawn Goosander roost survey produced none, but 3 arrived soon after 8am. Bird survey during the morning produced 2 Firecrests (by footbridge over the inlet channel), 6 Mandarins, 94 Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, 18 Tufted, 64 Coot, 11 Moorhen, 425 Black-headed Gulls, Green and G S Woodpecker, 4 Marsh Tits, plus lots of other woodland birds (and a very healthy-looking rat!) taking food put out for them around the lake. Not sure it's such a good idea leaving bird food on benches and picnic tables though. I had the bizarre experience of ushering 2 Nuthatches along the lakeside path for a few metres - they're not supposed to run along the ground! Outside the Park, I flushed a Woodcock from some wet woodland.

Out pre-dawn for the Goosander survey - 4 (including 1 drake) present. Also, 32 Wigeon, 31 Shelduck, Little Grebe, Common Sandpiper, Water Rail, 8 Stock Doves, 10+ Redwings, Siskin, Green Woodpecker, Blackcap, Sparrowhawk & 10 Roe Deer.

A flock of 40+ Fieldfare in the Hawthorns at Lower Cadworthy farm together with Redwing and Starling. 3 Goosanders at Cadover lakes. Wintering Stonechats in the gorse.

Black Redstart in back gardens of Fern Way 16:00 hours

Powderham Marsh at lunchtime today. 380 Teal, 150+ Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 100+ Golden Plover, 500+ Lapwing (on Exminister), 175+ Chaffinch, 30+ Meadow Pipit incl a almost Albino & a Chiffchaff

A singing Dartford Warbler, the first time I have found the species at this site.  Also present 2 pairs of Stonechat and 10 Long tailed Tit.

Aylesbeare Common.  The odd Darty but not much else.

The Lesser Yellowlegs remains on the marsh, still actively feeding with Redshank.  Raises the interesting question that this might be the same individual that was observed at the marsh last year as unlikely to have flown west back across the Atlantic.  Hopefully these photos won't be posted postage stamp size again.

Eds - site is South Efford Marsh (Efford Marsh is in Plymouth).

On this afternoon's high tide: Great Northern Diver, drake Goosander, Little Grebe, 32 Wigeon, 6 Greenshanks & Polish-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull "PHAU".

At mid-day the Great Northern Diver was between the two Laira bridges along with two Shag.

Later on on the Cattewater a flock of herring gulls were harassing a pair of feral pigeons, forcing one of them on to the water.  The gulls didn't press on with the attack leaving the pigeon to float helplessly on the water. At this stage two men in a dory changed course as if they were to rescue it, they stopped, looked at it for a bit and then went on.  A few minutes later the bird seemed to regain its senses and began desperately flapping its wings.  It was so waterlogged it could not get off the water.  It flapped to near exhaustion when out of nowhere a blackback swooped down and struck it a severe blow, but again the gull flew off, leaving the pigeon now limp in the water.  Finally three guys in a rib came out and picked it from the water. They didn't throw it back in so I guess it was still alive and they took it ashore to be revived. Well done whoever you are.

Early count this morning 46 Goosander 16m 30f

End of day visit to Fremington Pill with fading light and light drizzle.  There were a few Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, some Mallard and some Teal.

Spotted Redshank

Redshank

About 180 Shelducks 50 Lapwings 30 Wigeons 10 Teals 5 Greenshanks 1 Curlew 4 Oystercatchers and 2 Spoonbills.

This afternoon on the high tide there were four Purple Sandpiper feeding on the rocks below the promenade.

At Watercress Ponds there were 3 Goosanders (2 drakes), 2 Little Grebes and a flock of 90 Siskins in alders. At Ugbrooke Park there were 420+ Mallard (reared for shooting, along with many Pheasants) and 2 Little Grebes.

Torbay today:

13 Great Northern Divers

8 Common Scoter

6 Common Dolphin

Great Northern Divers

Common Dolphins

A BTO ringed Goldfinch has been visiting my garden feeders since the 28th November having taken numerous photographs of it I have been able to obtain the ring details as AFP5157.

Today a second BTO ringed Goldfinch came into the feeders and may well be AFP5159

The bird 5157 was ringed at Buckfastleigh, (SX7167) on the 10/10/2020.

Goldfinch BTO ring AFP5157.

Goldfinch BTO ring AFP5157.

Another farmland bird count found 715 Skylark but just 12 Yellowhammer & 6 Cirl Bunting, a far cry from the hundreds a couple of years ago. Presume buntings have moved off to find more accessible food. Also: 51 Meadow Pipit, Black Redstart, 23 Magpie, 34 Stock Dove, 22 Blackbird, 14 Redwing, Sparrowhawk, 36 Chaffinch & 60 Starling. A nice bonus was 3 Red-throated Divers flying east close inshore at Soar Mill Cove.

Single, adult winter, Common and Mediterranean Gulls were next to the ponds this morning. The 1st winter drake Scaup also continuing to show well.

Adult winter Common Gull

Adult winter Med Gull

Message from Joan Castello ...... I have just found a Yellow-browed Warbler in the willows of the river path in Totnes, 50 yards downstream from the weir. 

6 Turnstones feeding in the seaweed by the Rowing Club

Turnstone

2 Firecrests, 3 goldcrest and 1 chiffchaff in the holly and oak trees along the brackish stream that runs along the back of Longmarsh. 

At least 12 Water Pipits in the first field N of White Bridge this afternoon, visible from the main footpath along the river, but very mobile as a flock. Also 1 Firecrest along the river.

Goosemoor ~ Greenshank, Redshank, Curlew, Common Gull, Dunlin, Little Egret, Wren, flock of Long Tailed Tit in company with at least one Goldcrest, flyover by a flock of Brent Geese.

From the Viewing platform ~ Large numbers of Black Tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Redshank, Kingfisher, a single Knot, Dunlin, Lapwing, Common Gull, Lesser Black Back Gull, Wigeon, a good sized flock of Brent Geese, by the gate a Chiffchaff.

Goat Walk ~ In excess of 400 Avocet on the far side of the estuary stretching from Turf down to Topsham, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwit, Heron, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Curlew.

On BGM various duck sp's Mallard, Tufted, Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon. Eight Greylag Geese, Heron, a large flock of Canadian Geese flew in along with two Canada hybrids, large numbers of Black Tailed Godwit inc two colour ringed birds.

Curlew

Black-tailed Godwit

2 Firecrest Oxen Cove car park Brixham. Around the bay: 1 Long-tailed Duck (Roundham Head), 8 Common Scoter, 10+ Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebes. 18+ Harbour Porpoise and 10+ Common Dolphins from boat off Berry Head. 1st w drake Scaup Young's Park, Goodrington,11 Cirl Buntings and 2 Yellowhammers Broadsands 2nd car park. 

2 Firecrests ( caught and ringed ) and 8 Goldcrests (4 caught and ringed ) in a regular overwintering site for both species.

Sad to see this dead Diver at Airy Point this morning. 

M Green-Winged Teal here,  Wednesday 9th Dec @13.30 Good nos of wigeon and teal too

14 Avocets in Upper Teign estuary this am.

Avocets

if you want to see for yourself, go to the train station from about 415 pm and you will see clearly 130 plus ringneck parakeets roosting in central reservation

Firecrest in garden Mannamead Plymouth. 7/12/20

To add to Pete's observations of today, a Great Northern Diver was upstream of the Laira Bridge for a good couple of hours.  In the space of about three minutes it was seen swallowing three sizeable fish, including a large flounder that proved difficult to swallow.

This morning at the Lower Lake.

35 Goosander 14m 21f, 5 Willow Tit,  4 Marsh Tit , 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, c25 Snipe, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey 

Shrike at Soussons this pm mobile.

Image of Grey Wag that failed to load with initial post

Grey Wagtail

Portworthy Mica dam ~ Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard,Canada Geese, Little Grebe, Redwing, Wren and sixteen Fallow deer.

Ford Park Cemetery ~ Meadow Pipits and Redwing.

Lopwell Dam ~ Maristow Estate ~ Six Little Grebe, 32 Canada Geese inc two hybrids, three Common Sandpiper, Raven, Mallard, Grey and Pied Wagtail, on leaving a covey of 20 plus Red Legged Partridge.

Cadover Fishing Lakes ~ five plus Cormorant, Moorhen, Mistle Thrush, Redwing and a pair of Goosander.

Meadow Pipit

The adult male Black Redstart in the garden again briefly this morning. As before, a Robin chased it off.

A sharp rise in Dunlin numbers, with 246 (all on Blaxton Meadow). Also, Firecrest, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Stock Dove, Raven, 5 Redwings, 2 Grey Wagtails, 32 Wigeon, Little Grebe, Goosander (redhead), 6 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper & Kingfisher. 

In my garden (Mount Gould, Plymouth) at the moment, up to 3 Blackcaps are regular visitors - 2 males & a female.

Redshank and 1 Black-tailed Godwit still on the scrape. Flock of Lapwing over by Chivenor. Male Stonechat south of the reserve. Water Rails calling, Tawny Owl ditto. A largish bird exiting the reserve looked 'interesting' and closer scrutiny revealed a Peregrine with prey (Blackbird or Water Rail size) making off towards Wrafton.

Most of the ash trees in the Prawle Reserve are suffering from dieback.  A tree surgeon will be cutting down or pollarding the trees that pose a danger to the public.  The work will start on 8 December and should be complete by 11th.  Replacement trees will be planted in the next few weeks.

Apologies for any inconvenience

Not much activity out over the sea except for a few circling gulls and gannets. 2 Stonechats in the hedgerow by Landscove showed well in the last rays of sunshine but they looked to be a cold as me.  The wind chill must have been around zero.

1 male Hen Harrier briefly, mid-pm. 

Excellent views of a cracking male black redstart this afternoon. Twenty scoters off the point.

Still several each of Wigeon, Shoveler and Gadwall at Wrafton Pond. Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank on the scrape, nearby a few Lapwing and Curlew. Rarely see Grey Wagtail, but today one was under the Tesco Bridge, one near the scrape and then one in the river as I left. Probably 4 calling Water Rails - 2 seen, one flying over the pond at my approach and the other unconcernedly feeding by the water's edge as I watched from the blind. A Cetti's Warbler also sang right in front of me and I had a good if brief view. Still plenty of Finches - also taking advantage of the Sea Buckthorn berries around the reserve. 15 Song Thrushes ringed since September gives an idea of how many are passing through.

Cold weather saw increase in Skylark numbers to 950 but buntings still on low side with 60 Yellowhammer & 45 Cirl Bunting. Also: Sparrowhawk, 22 Golden Plover, 13 Stock Dove, 110 Woodpigeon, a small influx of 46 Blackbird & 22 Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, male Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 200 Carrion Crow, 60 Starling & 30 Chaffinch.

After another cold night decided to walk out to Baggy Pt expecting an increase in the numbers of Scoters. This time 2 less than last time making a total of 18 females! Also the 2 Red throated Divers seen previously were present which later flew towards Morte Pt.

During the hour we spent at Baggy Point 11 more Red throated Divers probably from Hartland Point flew past heading towards Morte Pt.

Also 1 distant f Black Redstart present seen through the scope. 

The freezing conditions in North Devon always attract birds to the old winter standby of Sea Buckthorn.   The large stand in the main car park at Instow this morning held at least 6 Blackcap , 4 m. And 2 f. Counted together , a small party of Fieldfare , an Imm.m.Black Redstart , Many Starlings Plus Dunnock And Goldfinch.     2 Spoonbill roosting at Isley.

Two male and two female Shoveler, a few Wigeon, a couple of Gadwall two little grebe and in the field next to the pond was one Godwit, distant shot.

Shoveler

Godwit

The now regularly returning female Red-crested Pochard was on the main mica dam at Portworthy at mid-day, along with a good number of Teal and a few Wigeon and Mallard.

Both Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit out on the scrape today. Ringed 33 birds. Mostly Greenfinch(20) One of the Blackbirds clearly a continental bird: wing 140 and weight 112 grams. A Chaffinch with a Z-reg ring number was originally ringed in 2015. Retrapped it most years (except last year) since then, always in Winter. Wonder where it spends it's Summers?

Clennon Valley ~ The Friends of Clennon Valley were doing a cracking job of maintaining some of the walkways when I arrived so birding was not at its best, but Goldcrest, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Coot, numerous Moorhen seen.

Broadsands to Elberry Cove ~ Two GND, Black Necked and Red Necked Grebe, two Fulmar, Peregrine overhead towards Brixham, Guillemot, Rock Pipit, Heron and Little Egret.

Around the Broadsands ~ female Blackcap, four sightings of Firecrest, Goldcrest, Sparrowhawk, several Wren calling.

Back home at South Brent, two Sparrowhawk sightings and the remains of a Collard Dove that looked as if it had had a close encounter with a Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker calling, sixteen Starling and a few minutes ago a Tawny owl calling.

Great Northern Diver

Sparrowhawk

Had a two hour boat trip out of Brixham this morning. Was lumpy but managed to see 5 Great Northern divers, many Cormorants on the cliffs at 7 Quarries, 2 Mute Swans flying across the bay, 3 Little Egret, Brent goose flying past Berry Head, many small rafts of Guillemots and two birds of prey. Also 3 Common Dolphin and 5 Porpoise. Did get very lumpy off Berry Head. One place left for next Sunday with Kelly's Hero.

Afternoon walk round lakes 1-3. 3 dabchick, 6 teal, tufted duck, muscovy duck, little egret, water rail (heard), kingfisher, cetti's warbler (heard).

Teal

Dabchick

A good variety in this morning’s sunshine: Water Rail, 2 Jack Snipe, 3 Snipe, 170 Dunlins, 6 Greenshanks, 20+ Turnstones, 27 Wigeon, 5 Goosanders, 4 Little Grebes, 1or 2 Kingfishers, Great Northern Diver, 9 Little Egrets, 5 Siskins, pair of Stonechats & 12 Roe Deer.

Three Great Northern, two very close to Broadsands Beach with another behind the mussel beds beyond Elberry Cove, and 1 Black-throated Diver around the mussel bed buoys. 

4 (2prs) Goosander at Stover this morning. 30 Tufted, 3 Little Grebe, and Marsh Tit the best of the rest. 

Up to 12.15

A female Long-tailed Duck showed very well close to the Leadstone.  Two local birders on site said that it had been in the same area for the last two days. Also a Great Northern Driver south, Brent Goose north and 3 species of raptor.

Later this afternoon, 2 Firecrests in the bushes between the Velopark and Torbay Leisure Centre, at Clennon Valley.  

Four Purple Sandpiper on rocks near Nassau Court at high tide this morning

at Isley Marsh 1 Goldcrest 1 Curlew 1 Dunlin 30 Wigeon 40 Teal 40 Shelduck 300 Golden Plover 20 Lapwing 2 Redshank 1 Oystercatcher.

Community woodland: mixed flock (20 or so) of tits, finches included at least 1 Siskin, 1 L. redpoll

Amongst a few hundred Lapwing and Curlew in the field next to the horse field adjacent to Horsey Island this frosty morning was one unusual looking wader which was confirmed as a Ruff by Rob Jutsum, thanks, who was doing his monthly count. It's been there for a couple if weeks apparently. Although it was a good 100 metres away I did manage this grainy record shot. 

Distant image of a Ruff with Lapwing and Curlew

This male Blackbird in gardens of Oakland Park, Dawlish

around 130 ringneck parakeet in to roost

Eds - this count is very high compared with recent reports from other local observers; please confirm light conditions and confidence with accuracy when submittinmg this and other Parakeet roost counts to the County Recorder. Thanks.

9:00 - 11:00. Close views of a song thrush on the walk down the hill from car park. On the beach, mixed flock of 50 or so pipits (rock and meadow) with a single grey wagtail. A number of Water pipit candidates but views were either too distant or fleeting to confirm the species. Also of note a single sanderling chased by the waves and two turnstones.  Good number of oystercatchers as well, around 20 birds. 

Fulmar, cruising along coast towards Hopes Nose. Kestrel hovering over coastal path. TCCT interpretive board now up at both ends of the walk.

On the meadow at high tide this morning, I had my highest count of Curlew 81. Also 189 Dunlin & 26 Wigeon.

Around Torbay this morning: 1 Black-throated Diver, 4 Great Northern Divers, 12 or more Common Dolphins, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Black Redstart (Roundham Head), 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Firecrest Broadsands.

Single spotted redshank feeding on mud close to Goat Walk at 12.30.

The Lower Lake this morning.

18 Goosander 7m 11f, 6 Willow Tit, 4 Marsh Tit, 1m Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Wren, 4 Tufted Duck 3m 1f, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant.

Pair of Goosanders right up and nearly under the old bridge, 2 Common Sandpipers and Curlew, Redshank and Oystercatchers. Very cold wind!!! 

10 ringneck parakeet

Around Torbay this morning: Paignton 1 Long-tailed Duck. Goodrington 1st w drake Scaup. Clennon Lakes 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Cetti's Warblers. Broadsands 1 Firecrest.

                                         Yellow-browed Warbler Clennon Lakes 4th Dec 2020

Late swallow just flew over the site at Wembury 

This is the Spotted Redshank that failed to load on my previous post.

Spotted Redshank

A walk from Matford Marsh to Turf locks today while car in garage. Best at Matford 55 Wigeon, 58+ Teal, 14 Shoveler, 8 Tufted, 3 Gadwall, Water Rail & for sad locals 2 coot have returned. 

On Exminister Marsh Short-eared Owl showed briefly before landing in the grass. Seen later by others when flushed by walkers. Also 330+ Lapwing, 360+ Wigeon, 100+ Teal, 14 Shoveler, M Gadwall & 40+ Fieldfare.

Off Turf on Estuary as tide dropped 16 Ringed Plover, 23 Knot, 250 Dunlin, 7 Grey Plover, 30 Avocet 3 Great C Grebes & 60+ Pintail.

YbW in the Alder trees beside the Otter, south of OSM at Fluxton. The call attracted me at first and then positive ID with the eye stripe and 2 pale wing bars. A patch first!

On way home this afternoon I popped in to Fremington Pill and wasn't disappointed. Saw four Greenshank, one Spotted Redshank, a number of Teal, the usual Redshanks and one Glossy Ibis.  The most exciting find was a single Water Rail hiding in the grass close to the road..   

Spotted Redshank

Water Rail

This evenings Plymouth Road, South Brent Starling murmaration, weather conditions and poor light did not help but it gives you an idea what an incredible exhibition just 300 or so Starlings can put on.

Jackdaws showed up a couple of times and in one images I took you can see a Starling being caught by a Jackdaw, debatable if it was actually after a meal or just being a pain in the butt.....

Starling

Starling

Lots of gannets off Start point fishing, the occasional tuna showing, 5 Common scoter and 2 eider, a couple of GNDs and 2 black redstarts

Gannet

Common Scoter/ Eider

A fine male Black Redstart popped into the garden from Hill Close at lunchtime. Could it be last winter's young male returning? Sadly, it was promptly chased off by the resident Robin.

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Yesterday both Dipper and Kingfisher in the river. The Redshank on the scrape. I looked for it again this morning from the Tarka Trail, and found a Black-tailed Godwit! Looking out again from the reserve, the Redshank flew in too. A Curlew called from nearby. Water Rails still calling, and also recently, most days a Tawny Owl quietly calling during the day.

On the flower front, some little creature of the night ate my early Primroses! But yesterday I found a Ragged Robin in full flower.

On my way home from Totnes I called in to Stover.  Goosanders and Tufted Ducks showing well.

Male Goosander

3 pairs of Goosander showing well this lunchtime

First thing yesterday morning on the falling tide, I did good, and counted, which I don't normally do.

8 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 20 Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron,  14 Oystercatcher heading up the Tamar, 2 Mute swan on the wing, 3 (probably) Mute Swan over on the Cornish side, 2 GC Grebe, 2 Curlew passing by at diff. times. 2 GBBG, 20 BHG, At least 40 Canada goose, 1 Kingfisher, 1 snipe, a couple of Cormorant and a Chiffchaff with no Chaff.

Oystercatcher

GC Grebe

Marine Parade, Paignton GND and 42/43 Turnstone inc the Dutch ringed bird.

Youngs Park, the reported drake Scaup showing well

Roundham Head -A pair of Fulmar on the sea and on the headland a partly leucistic Carrion Crow, Wrens dotted all around the headland.

From Paignton harbour the two recently reported Long Tailed ducks spotted one on it's own and the other with a handful of Common Scoter, all were at a distance and binoculars or a scope required.

A pod of Dolphin working their way across and around the bay, again very distant.

From Daddyhole Plain another small flock of Scoter around the mussel beds.

Scaup

late post for Tuesday 1st December: drake Ring-necked Duck at Torcross end of Ley again plus 5 Great Northern and 2 Red-throated Divers offshore.

Blaxton Meadow being well used at low tide with 25 Wigeon joined by a dark-bellied Brent Goose. Also on site, 3 Goosanders (1 drake), Jack Snipe, Snipe, Great Northern Diver, c20 Turnstones, 3 Chiffchaffs, Stonechat, Green Woodpecker & 11 Roe Deer.

Farmland bird count priorities were 500 Skylark, 53 Cirl Bunting & 60 Yellowhammer. Still on the low side but may increase as the weather gets colder. Also: Whinchat in fracas with male Stonechat, female Merlin hunting Skylarks, 3 Lapwing (first this year), 4 Redwing, 17 Dunnock, 15 Greenfinch, 100 Jackdaw, 120 Carrion Crow & 400 Starling.

In the valley this morning. 3 Firecrests and 11 Goldcrests. Overhead 5 Redwings.  8/10 Firecrests regularly overwinter in the entire length of the valley from Lannacombe Beach to Lannacombe Green ( 3/4 mile )This morning's birds were at approx. mid point in the valley.

1st. Yr. f. Goldcrest.

1st. Yr. m. Firecrest.

09:44 - 11:54

Yellow-browed Warbler, Grey Wagtail and Jay were the highlights.

Early am - No Scoters at Downend.

At Baggy Pt one flock of exactly 20 female Common Scoters,2 Red throated Divers flying past Baggy point towards Morte Pt. 4 Shags, one pair of Ravens, 8 Fulmars & 35 Jackdaws.

Very large flocks of Lapwing around the breech area, 3 curlew sandpiper, 1common Sandpiper, 2Thrush,4 Stonechat, 6LittleEgret,flock of chaffinches, 6 little grebes,and more waders further out that we could not identify. 

Just a few Redwing feasting on a berried Hawthorn tree on Braunton Marshes.

 Photo of Horsey at low tide looking towards Braunton in the distance.

The first winter drake scaup still present on the back of the boating lake early this afternoon, with tufted ducks. 

Scaup. 1st winter drake

Tufted duck, female

A sweep of the Torbay beaches today produced : 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe (Paignton). From Broadsands 5 Red-throated Divers, 4 Great Northern Divers, 1 Red-necked Grebe, 60+ auks. 2 pods (total of 16-18 )of Common Dolphins.

At least 18 Cirl Buntings and a female Yellowhammer on seed in the 2nd car park.

At 15:40 today a pre-roost gathering of c.2 dozen Pied Wagtails, joined by about a dozen Goldfinches, in the 'parakeet tree' at the cycle track 27 junction above Blaxton Meadow.

Very Distant Red Kite over Cadover Bridge area this morning, Redwings and Fieldfares, Green Woodpecker heard

Low tide this morning produced: Great Northern Diver (juv), Little Grebe, 22 Wigeon, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Kingfishers, Shag & Grey Wagtail.

Kingfisher

Single birds seen on the 17th and 24th November at Perridge Estate. Unfortunately the estate is private but birds traditionally disperse around the estate 

Counted two rafts of 16 Common Scoter about a hundred metres off Baggy Point this morning.  In company with them were 2 adult winter Red Throated Loons and one 1st winter Guillimot. Heavily cropped Images, due to distance from subjects, attached for record purposes. 

Adult winter Red Throated Loon (Diver)

Common Scoter (probably juvenile)

Close views of Great Northern Diver off South side of Breakwater, as reported yesterday.  Unfortunately the bird had a length of what looked like nylon fishing line hanging out of the end of its bill.  Such a shame!

Female Black Redstart still around East Charleton, likely to be seen from time to time around the garage, it disappears that way when it leaves Home Farm where I see it from time to time.