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This (presumably escaped) Laughing Dove has been around Seaton all day.

This evening it was resting up, and singing, in a tree on the edge of the green at the bottom of Celandine Close. Nice bird and sounds great!

Laughing Dove (c) P&L Clarke

Went down on the coastal path that runs parralell to langdon beach and saw lots of juvenile Swallows and Whitethroats.  A few Fulmars were circling overhead and also some Stonechats perched on the fence.  Oystercatchers and Curlew were offshore and groups of Mallards were congregating on the beach.No sign of any Red Breasted Mersanger,probably because it was high tide.

One Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper at Passage House. The oddly singing Lesser Whitethroat is still singing from time to time by the river near the Brunel Industrial Estate.

Watched from 09:00 till 11:30

the 1st summer little gull was again showing well with 600+ black headed gulls, 6+ med gulls (1ad, 3 2s and 2 1s) 21+ sandwich terns, 76+ redshank, 3 greenshanks, 2 bar tailed godwits, 100+ black tailed godwits, 1 green sandpiper, 18+ little egrets.

from the quay in topsham 11:45

2 common tern with 19+ sandwich terns 

An excellent (but too brief) lunch break in the hide today. Huge numbers of Black-headed Gulls again. Other highlights were at least 10 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Tern, 1 Little Gull, 1 Common Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gulls (I'm sure there were more!), 2 Greenshank and 1 Knot.

Big numbers of Black-headed Gulls again this lunchtime. In amongst were 1 Common Gull and 3 Mediterranean Gulls.

Watched from 18:00 till 21:00

The drake scaup was again viewable from the viewing platform from 18:30

A 1st summer little gull showed well from the hide with 900+ black headed gulls and included 7+ Mediterranean gulls ( 3ad, 2 2nd summer, 2 1st summer), 18+ sandwich terns, 3 whimbrel, 2 gadwall, 1 willow warbler, 2 reed warblers, 1 reed buntings, 40+ redshank, 1 greenshanks, 100+ black tailed godwits, 4 bar tailed godwits. 

Little offshore this morning apart from 2 flocks of Common Scoter - 40 + 35 flying east. 90% were  males

Quick look round the reserve this morning was rewarded with brief views of a juvenile Redstart. Now where was that when we were ringing there yesterday!?

watched from the hide from 18:00 till 21:05

A fantastic evening on the marsh, on arrival just a few black headed gulls and a 1st summer Mediterranean gull with a steady stream of gulls coming in then just after 18:45 I was watching a different 1s Mediterranean gull when a tern dropped into view next to it after checking it over wow an adult GULL BILLED TERN a few txts and calls and a few managed to get down and see the bird before it flew out towards the estuary before returning and over the next hour and half it showed very well eventually it settled on the point to the left of the depth marker post and was still there when I left a cracking bird.

The black headed gull roost has increased to 1000+ and included 13+ Mediterranean gulls( 6+ 1s and 7+ 2s), 20+ sandwich tern dropped in and i was surprised to find a common tern and then next to it an arctic tern, also 8 bar tailed godwits 100+ black tailed godwits, 5+ whimbrel, 1 oystercatcher, 2 common gull, 2+ reed warbler, 2 reed bunting, 2 little grebe, 1 willow warbler, 5+ shoveler, 3 wigeon, 8+ teal, 3 little egrets, 20+ shelduck, 1 peregrine. 

Just a stunning evenings birding 

This evening there were at least 8 Mediterranean Gulls (5 f.s. and 3 s.s.) in with c.800 Black-headed Gulls on the edge of the main pool, at least 1 f.s. Common Gull and an ad. Lesser Black-backed Gull. 8 Whimbrel, one Lapwing and 8 Bar-tailed Godwits present. Off the viewing platform a drake Scaup showing well on the very high tide was unseasonal to say the least (but perhaps it was one of the 7 birds off Mudbank Lane, Exmouth in May).

The (redhead) red breasted merganser reported at Wembury Point yesterday was still there today, busily diving amongst the rocks as the tide went out.

Despite the generally dire Spring weather it was nice to see a few fledglings around too - whitethroat, song thrush, linnet, robin and swallow. 

A cold morning with a brisk WNW  F4 wind but much better viz

Seawatching from Warren Pt  produced - the first Sooty Shearwater of the year  ( picked up sat on the sea before flying off west at 09.45 ), 100 Manx Shearwater - mostly west , 32 Gannet, 9 Auks and at 12.10 a lp Arctic Skua flew east

Watched from the hide 16:40 till 19:10

800+ black headed gulls with 7+ Mediterranean gulls(3 2nd summer, 4 1st summer ) 6 whimbrel, 5+ sandwich terns, 8 bar tailed godwits, 90+ black tailed godwits, 1 lapwing, 16+ redshank, 40+ curlew, 5+ shoveler,8+ teal, 2 reed bunting, 1 willow warbler, 

 Slightly surprised to find a female Red-breasted Merganser, yesterday, sitting on the beach at high tide with the local Mallards.

As I arrived at Devils Point this morning I thought I saw a skua zip past as I was parking. I grabbed my bins and ran to the sea wall, alas no sign.

A little later I noticed that the GBB Gulls were after a smaller bird on the water I looked through the 'scope as one of the gulls pounced on the bird and held it under the water.

In its death throes the skua (for he it was) thrust a wing skyward as if in supplication, as if to feel for the last last time the wind under its feathers. It was then I saw the pointed underwing complete with the white flash.

Its lungs filled with salty brine and it resigned itself to its watery end. After a few desultory pecks the gull flew off and left the corpse floating on the sea.

Little else here apart from a dozen or so Manx Shearwaters beyond the braekwater.

On the Plym were three Med Gulls; a second summer and two first summers.

Watched from the hide 16:30 till 18:30

the black headed gulls have increased to 900+ this afternoon with 6+ Mediterranean gulls( 4 1st summer, 2 2nd summer) 1 common gull, 14+ sandwich terns, 130+ black tailed godwits, 8+ bar tailed godwits, 30+ redshanks, 1 whimbrel, 40+ curlew, 1 oystercatcher, 13+ teal, 4 wigeon, 2 shoveler, 15 little egrets, 1 willow warbler, 1 peregrine, 2 buzzards, 30+ house martins with a few sand martins and swallows.

3 sandwich terns put in a brief appearance plus adult and 3 juvenile ravens came to chicken bones!!!.17:00-17:30

An unusual daytime observation of a male Nightjar churring at 11.25 am. I picked up the 'song' from about 200 yards and on passing a likely location was surprised to see the bird perched on a branch ten feet away.  Couldn't resit a quick photo before the bird took flight and it flew around uttering its 'krruit ' call and wing clapping.

This is a good opportunity to advertise Devon Birds' three Nightjar evenings scheduled for Stover Country Park (Sat 29 June), Hartland Forrest (Sunday 30 June) and Mutters Moor, Sidmouth (Wed 10 July).  Details in the 2013 Programme and shortly to be announced in the press.

Arctic Skua in the  mist harrassing kittiwakes feeding on surface feeding fish .Lots of activity as the water temperature starts to rise and the feed fish start to move inshore

Lunchtime today (until about 1.45) - one of the near adult Mediterranean Gulls from the hide (it has a ring on its left leg) but more surprising was a male Scaup feeding quite distantly from the viewing platform.

On returning from a trip to see Large Blue butterflies (perfect conditions but only one seen by 2pm !) I went to try my luck with the Lesser Whitethroat sp. in the Aller Brook local nature reserve adjacent to the Brunel Industrial estate. Arrived at 4pm and could hear snatches of song but singing more regularly from 4.30pm when it popped briefly into view on a bush by the bend in the path as described. Song interesting . Final notes of main song sound like Eebee Geebee. Briefly recorded on my phone.It was moving back and forth along the path and no song/calls from 5.15 to 6pm.  

Breeding season in full swing with stonechats, wheatears, rock & meadow pipits all feeding young. Cirl buntings & stonechats look to be well down this year - will confirm breeding details later.

Superb day for butterflies with south facing slopes & 21C bringing out 82 Dark Green Fritillaries, 43 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, 57 Small Heaths & 3 Painted Ladies amongst others.

On a favoured site last evening 7 churring nightjars, 5 singing cuckoos, 8 singing willow warblers, several tree pipits & lesser redpolls plus two roe deer barking - a magical evening!

From a fishing boat: several European Storm-petrels, 2 Bonxies and a Sooty Shearwater (an interesting bird in wing moult, see photos).

The Black-headed Gull numbers seem to be growing each day - possibly getting near to 500. In amongst them at 1.30 today were 2 near adult Mediterranean Gulls. Also 1 Whimbrel amongst the Godwits, 4 Teal and 1 Wigeon.

Amongst a large number of Black-headed Gulls today (1.30pm) were 2 1st Summer Mediterranean Gulls.

During the damp WeBS count this morning there were few birds to count. The highlights, all near Turf, were two common terns and a second summer Med gull.

Elsewhere on the Exminster Marshes there were 3 Black-tailed godwits.

Seawatch until 14:30 (After Dave left).

Just another 146 Manxies and a single Puffin (All South).

Seawatch from 8am to 3pm in SW veering SE 3-4 wind with (Frank Scampton) produced :

2 Poms (sub adult pale and dark-originally ID'd by me as Arctic) west and 1 sub adult Arctic East; 2 Stormies west; 4 Puffins west; 11 Whimbrel west, 16 Common Scoter east , 3 Sandwich Terns east, 100 Kittiwakes west and 1377 Manxies west (plus a few east).Not bad for end of season. No swift species !

Seawatch from 1115-1330 with Jake Wood.

Seabirds moving south ; 643 Manx Shearwater, 5 Puffin,3 Sandwich Tern. Moving north; 60 Manx Shearwater, 7 Sandwich Tern (flew into bay to feed), 10 Common Scoter.  

3 Storm Petrels south between 10:00 - 10:45. Also a Whimbrel.

Watched from 09:00 till 11:40

4 mediterranean gulls( 3 1st summer, 1 2nd summer) in with 350+ black headed gulls, 157+ black tailed godwits, 8 bar tailed godwits, 5 whimbrel, 1 dunlin, 1 redshank, 32+ shelduck, 2 wigeon, 2 little grebes, 1 willow warbler, 2 reed warblers, 2 buzzards, 

Seawatching 5-6pm showed one fully spooned pale phase Pomarine Skua south. Also 80 Manxies, 3 Fulmars and 11 Auk sp. south.

In amongst around 200 Black-headed Gulls from the hide at 1.45 today was a near adult Mediterranean Gull that still had some black in the wing tips.

Two Lesser Whitethroat. Walked from the Swans Nest at 10.30am taking the path into Powderham Marsh and found the bird present in hedgerow near to the main road.  Then took the path from the RSPB car park at 11.30am and found the second beyond the third gateway.  Birds previously reported separately by others evidently still present.  The Powderham bird is much the easier to see.

Short-eared Owl seen 13/6/13 on outskirts of Thurlestone around 2pm. The bird spent 5 mins or so hunting before finally moving off escorted by a noisy gang of gulls and rooks!

A cloudy early morning gave way to sun and a clear horizon by 11.00. Seawatching from Warren Pt  from 08.00 - 12.00. Most of the activity up to 11.00 . Totals were -

328 Gannet,  522 Manx Shearwater, 28 Fulmar, 22 Kittiwake, 2 Puffin - E @ 08.10, 5 Arctic Skua ( 3 E , 2 on sea ). 3 Bonxie - W  , 3 Common Scoter -E , 2 Swift, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 1st s Common Gull.

Almost all the larger birds flying W- only 2 Manx S'water flew E.

On the beach 2 Whimbrel

Black Tailed Godwit on T'stone Marsh this pm .

seawatching from 11.30>15.30.  4 Storm Petrol  south plus 3 feeding at 15.15, also 5 Sandwich Tern and 61 Manx Shearwater South.

I was surprised to find a Little Ringed Plover at lunchtime today (2pm). Also an Oystercatcher with a metal ring on its left leg and a very large yellow ring on its right leg, both below the knee. I couldn't get any detail on the yellow ring although it had a dark band near the bottom.

Seawatch 12.30 - 18.00hrs with Jake Wood: 251 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Storm Petrels,1 Puffin but very Little on the move. 1 Harbour Porpoise off the headland all afternoon. Earlier in the day DMN and JW saw a full spooned Pomarine Skua >S at about 11.30hrs. 

Hi Robert,

Have a look at www.waderstudygroup.org.

It`s a Dutch website but in english. Tells you all you want to know about Sanderlings.

A flock of 40 to 60 Small Waders including Sanderling were still moving through from further south to refuel at Saunton Sands on Monday & Tuesday morning of this week on the falling tide. This morning none at all.

It would be interesting to know how long it takes a Sanderling to reach their breeding grounds. Does anyone know of any satellite tracking of this species?

Photo of Sanderling digiscoped at Saunton Sands in 2007.

Back on the patch this morning - thick mist and rain until 10.30 SW 4/5 wind ( had been S o/night ).

Between 11.15 and 12.30 a clear break in the weather produced a total of 10 Skuas and other birds off Warren Pt . 9 ARCTIC and an ad POMARINE ( with spoons ). The Arctic's were harrassing a feeding flock of Kittiwake -a total of 20 flew east. 140+ Gannet, 3 Manx Shearwater, 1 Sandwich Tern and 2 Fulmar

On Thurlestone Marsh  this pm - 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 f Teal, 2 Black Headed Gull.

Interestingly the Pom flew into the Bay and then up the valley

10th June evening seawatch: 1 (1st summer - intermediate grey bird) Long-tailed Skua flew in from north and joined, briefly, a small feeding frenzy of Kittiwakes, Guillemots and Gannets off the end of the head before flying south, 11 Common Scoter, 17 Manx Shearwaters, 50+ Kittiwakes, 60 + Gannets.

Today early seawatch 0530-0930hrs: 6 Puffin (including a small flock of 5), 1 Med Gull and 1 Common Gull (both 1st summers), 151 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Common Tern, 80 + Kittiwakes, approx 230 Guillemots and just 7 Razorbills. Also a pod of at least 6 Bottle-nosed Dolphins > north into Torbay at 0845am

17 dunln,11 ringed plover around tip pool at 07:30.

Lesser Whitethroat still singing at the back of the marsh, between the first and second turning of the path.

super grey plover bp very late migrant or equally early return.Also mixed flock of dunlin/ringed plover around 20 mark flew over to the estuary mouth side.First returning bhg(2)19:00.

I experienced a similar mass moor Gull sighting to Nik`s, this morning at 11:45 at Landacre Bridge on Exmoor, which is just over the Somerset border. I was coming home from Chetsworth Water near Exford and on the road to North Molton when In the distance could see a mass of gulls circling in the sky. There were 100s and after crossing Landacre Bridge saw them alighting on the ground just above the bridge. They were obviously feeding in rank grass but were too far away to see on what? In the time that I was watching, the nos. swelled to between 500 and 1000. Mostly Herring Gulls but with just a small no. of Lesser Black-backed. 

Another Red Kite over the Foxhole estate with 3 Buzzards at 1.15pm. It headed off NW by itself flying toward the Paignton ring road and Marldon.

Belle Vue Road/Mudbank - an osprey fishing the river at1330. Early this morning there were 2 little tern, 1 turnstone, 5+ great crested grebe and 3+ sandwich tern off Mudbank. Yesterday a red kite headed north upriver at 0940, perhaps the individual seen later at the north end of the estuary? Also yesterday at least 4 mediterranean gulls (2 fs, 2s and ad s) and 210+ black-headed gulls.

Orcombe Point - 7/6 - a hobby hunting over Maer Lane sewage works in the afternoon and on 3/6 a late wheatear in the dung field seemed large enough (and late enough) for a 'Greenland' bird but it wasn't terribly colourful.

hobby - they never normally linger long at Orcombe

late wheatear

The gull spectacle has started again on the moors with up to 1000 Herring Gull spread out over the hillsides around Challacombe, Hamel Down, over the hill to Shapley Common.  They were there all day foraging for invertebrates (I watch one taking beetles) and presumably chicks of ground nesting birds when they come across them. There were three Lesser Black Backed Gulls in amongst the flock and with a closer scan maybe there are more. The flock contanied a variety of ages mostly non breeding age classes but adults in there too.

It was quite surreal driving along the road with gulls flying off in front of the car, reminded me more of driving in coastal towns rather than on Dartmoor !!

Red Kite soaring above Matford Reserve at 3.00 pm

Pretty sure , Mandarin duck(f) with 8 ducklings. Very a skittish, so couldn't be 100% sure. Possibly could be wood duck(f). Also GS woodpecker,Buzzard , heard whitethroat, song thrush and Raven .Saw plenty of sandmartins and swallows handful of housemartins. unusually no signs of kingfishers.

At 10:20am today near Marsh Barton a Red Kite flew over towards Exminster at a great height.

Red Kite

Myself and Russ Eynon in the area north of Burrator had several male Redstarts and Wheatears. A male Cuckoo and at 1315 two Red Kite over Leather Tor heading N/NE

Had 2 Crossbills fly north over Wood Lane ( behind the field centre ), Slapton village, this morning.

Osprey low over Starcross towards Powderham this morning about 11o'clock.

0745.

Off Pottington - 5 Black-tailed Godwits. Hybrid goose with c40 Canada geese. Looks like a cross between Barnacle and possibly a Ross` Goose. Short neck, small round head and pinkish, blue bill. 2/3s size of Canada. 

Off Ashford sewage works - 2 Mediterranean Gulls (1A, 1 2S); pair of Shelduck with 5 ducklings.

Late posting for same area - 11 Sanderling in breeding plumage on wednesday 5th.

We have had a large number of sightings of both "bubbling" females and chasing males in many areas of Dartmoor over the last week.  Now you can read and follow the four Dartmoor cuckoos that have been sponsored and tagged jointly by Devon Birds and the DNP here

1 Red Kite drifted E toward Brixham mid-afternoon also on near the 'false' tree 1 Spotted Flycatcher and a female Whinchat.

Yesterday evening I photographed this 2nd calendar year Hobby hawking the cliffs for over 1.5hrs. Interesting to see the contrast in moult from body to wings and tail (newest feathers blue grey).

Sighted flying west high over Exminster Village at 1.30 pm. 

Lesser Whitethroat singing on the path by the railway line, but very hard to see!

A Barnacle Goose in with the Canadas on the marsh.

2 Mistle Thrush near Powderham on the cycle home.

Lots of fledgling Long-Tailed Tits about today!

Another red kite seen hunting from the road through Sourton (en route to Lydford Gorge where a dipper flew down the river, and 2 marsh/willow (longish bull-necks - willow?) tits were feeding on the ground by the bird table.

Just had another Red Kite over Yalberton Idustrial Estate from my bedroom window. Drifted SE at 12:20. Possibly the same bird as yesterdays?

Three hour walk: Terrace Drive (road between Haytor and Manaton): Cuckoos in abundance: 2 together seen in flight  whilst 2 or 3 other birds seen and calling. Also a pair of Mistle Thrushes. Willow warblers and Chiffchaffs singing (by Yarner), Linnets, Yellowhammers and Stonechats (many terrirtories) at Trendlebere.

Red Kite over my garden, Clennon Valley - drifted West at 3.50pm.

Just seen Jakes post - obviously the same bird!

Red Kite over Yalberton Industrial Estate at 16:00. Then drifted East towards Torbay.

Red Kite over Drewsteignton this morning c08:30 going West.

(Information passed on by Nick Dixon)

Meant to add this to previous post but fouled up.

Red Kite - Topsham 3/6/2013

A Red Kite just drifted north over my garden in Topsham at about 12.30. Still waiting for one of Matt's HB's though.

Garden Warblers singing at se edge of melbury forest&thornbury n,devon.12 buzzards between powlers piece x & thorne moor nr buckland brewer.Male kestrel nr powlers piece& female at thorne moor.Pair of yellow hammers behaving as though nesting on road from thorne moor also 2 individual males singing.Lovely views of roe deer mother & baby.

Today I was shown a cracking image of an Osprey that was photographed while soaring over fishing lakes at Loddiswell during the last few days, also a report of a Red Kite being seen at the same location but not photographed.

10:05hrs this morning, Red Kite over Peek Hill Farm and Yennadon, eventually driven towards Ingra Tor by corvids and gulls.

(Rob Harrison)

Much quieter today, with just 3 Spotted Flycatchers, and a late male Redstart adding a nice splash of colour.

Belle Vue Road - another honey buzzard over the house at 10am, this time accompanied by a common buzzard heading high east and possibly a female. Also, an unseasonal drake wigeon on the river.

Orcombe Point - 1 yellow wagtail yesterday.

honey (top) with common buzzard below. Bottom picture soaring honey.

Spent an enjoyable couple of hours along the toll-road at Braunton Marsh - lots of species about - dozens of Swallows & Swifts swooping around but no sign of any House Martins. Sedge and Reed Warblers singing from the bushes & reeds together with numerous Skylarks above.   

Couple of Spotted Flycatchers by the sewage works and a female Marsh Harrier. Little out on the estuary.

Marsh Harrier

Thought I was having a good day, then I saw the Portland website !!  A total of 43 Spotted Flycatchers is as far as I know the 2nd highest site count, but pales into insignificance when compared to the 1000+ through the Bill today.  Of mine, two groups flew through, of 8 and 6, while the rest were spread throughout the area. The only other migrants were a single Wheatear and a small number of Swifts through.  Yesterday, the 2nd Cuckoo of the year was eyeing up Whitethroat nests. 

3 1st  summer little gulls showing well at moment from the hide with the stunning male ruff and 2 1st summer Mediterranean gulls 

Still some limited migration: 1 Reed Warbler (in song), 2 Wheatears, and two parties of a total of 13 Swallows, 3 House Martins and 3 Swift.