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Went walking along to the Turf Lock this afternoon in a half-hearted attempt to refind the Caspian Tern but no joy. 5 Whimbrel flew down the estuary towards Exmouth, Curlew, Oystercatcher and a few Redshank were also present. A pair of Mute Swan had 1 cygnet and 5 Shelduck were seen with 12 young out on the water. Whitethroat and Chiffchaff were in the scrubland.

170+ Swifts feeding over arable field on way to Hillhead from Churston this morning.

No sign of Caspian Tern off the Imperial/Mudbank early this morning but 3 Common Tern and a first-summer Little Gull present.

A Black-tailed Godwit (sum-plum), 21 Curlews, 2 Mediterranean Gulls (1st-s), 7 Mandarin Ducks, 7 Marbled Whites, 3 Small & 1 Large Skippers, 2 Ringlets, 2 Painted Ladies & Small Heath.

At least six Swifts flying around over my home in Roundswell (East) behind Sainsburys in Barnstaple.

A single Red Kite drifted over the A38 at Splatford Split tonight at 17:50, the local Buzzard just ignored it.

The Caspian Tern relocated by KR late pm and showing very well roosting on mud in front of the viewing platform at BGM

A Caspian Tern on Cockle Sands, from Mudbank, at 1405 for about five minutes. Seen briefly again feeding further upriver towards Lympstone a few minutes later but no sign since. Also 2+ Mediterranean Gull, c30+ Sandwich Tern and 2 Redshank.

Single Red Kite travelling up the Exe Estuary at around 7:50 this morning. Headed in land towards Exminster.

A pair of Whinchats and a Lesser Redpoll at Tavy Cleave before the weather deteriorated. At Grenofen, juv Dipper, Grey Wagtail & High Brown Fritillary & at Magpie Bridge, 2 Marsh Tits, 2 Siskins & Humming-bird Hawk-moth.  

Dipper (juv)

Found a juvenile Chiffchaff stunned next to a bedroom window this morning. It flew off safely to bushes after a few minutes. Also first Grey Squirrel for at least a decade, which was mobbed by 20 House Sparrows - the most seen together here for several years!

flock of house martins swooping over the fields behind elberry -  late morning yesterday. (1st time I have seen these birds this year).

Curlews on the increase (11), juv Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 1st-s Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Stock Doves, 30 Mandarin Ducks, 2 Shags, 4 Marbled Whites and 7 Painted Ladies.

Must have arrived: 2 Green Sandpipers on the field in Sherpa Marsh this morning - flew off over towards the Great field. 3 Little egret, 22 Swans 7 cygnets.

On the River Plym, at least 4 Grey Wagtails feeding their chics

Grey Wagtail & chick

12 Mediterranean Gulls this evening with 31 Black-headed Gulls on the sea off Elberry Headland this evening also 4 Common Scoter.

A Red Kite drifted high northwards over Cedar Close at 1612hrs circling as it went.

Heard cuckoo this morning at around 05.00 a.m. east of Blackdown Rings (nr. Loddiswell) around SX 725 524 

With the normal site for the Taw/Torridge group Nightjar walk closed for forestry work, the group met close to Powlers Piece on the Bideford/Bradworthy road.  After an overcast but mainly dry day, the evening cleared with virtually no wind. At around 10.00 the first churning was heard, and a couple of brief but close sightings. Nothing then until almost dark, when there was considerable activity, and one Nightjar landed on the path we were on. Estimate there were 2/3 pairs present.

Also seen Tree Pipit, Redpoll, Roe Deer, with Chiffchaff, Blackcap heard.

14 Mediterranean Gulls this evening on the sea and then dropping into the beach, just 1 Black-headed Gull accompanying the group!

No sign of the Rose-coloured Starling up until 11:00 this morning.

Seven Mediterranean Gulls (three 2nd-summers & four 1st-summers) on Goosemoor at midday along with the summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank.

Four Greenshanks, three Whimbrels and two Bar-tailed Godwits on Bowling Green Marsh.

The last few days a pair of Skuas sp have been attacking Gannets off Torrs to Capstone, got fairly reasonable views but no visible stand out wing bars to be seen so I'm suspecting possible Pomarines. This evening, interesting to watch every Gull, 2000+  in the town make a break for the open sea to avoid the barrage of pyrotechnics, I'm sure they all survived !

Barrel Jellyfish

Speaking (as Rob was) of Barrel Jellyfish, here's a fresh one that from a distance looked about half the size of a football!

9 members of DB attended the East Devon Branch fieldtrip today.  Great company, weather and scenery but the birds were a challenge for their absence!  21 species listed for the day and the highlights were 2 Gt Spotted Woodpeckers (including a juv.), 3 Grey Wagtail, Gt crested Grebe and 1 young, Siskin overhead, Jay and Redstart during the morning.  After lunch a walk around the road and southern path produced a Tree Pipit and a pair of Redstart with food.  A striking light phase Buzzard on a telegraph pole on the road back to Chagford.

Fist  bird seen at 21.55, 'churring' three minutes later. Excellent views of up to 4 birds - flying/perched in trees - but surprisingly 'quiet'. Just gave it 20 minutes - midges were on top form!  

https://youtu.be/PshTqfZYg2E

BGM from 07.50 only bird of note amongst the high weeds Spotted Redshank (no Spoonbill) left at 09.50 to try for Rose-Coloured Starling and found it at Deepway in Exminster.

Rose-coloured Starling

Not 100% sure but please see low quality phone camera picture attached, could be like finding a needle in a haystack with all of the Starlings flying around up there though.

Eds  - no picture attached

A walk from Doccombe around Mardon Down to the fringes of Fingle Woods and back produced a Sparrowhawk, two Crossbills, several Redpolls, Siskins, Garden Warblers, Stonechats and Tree Pipits, innumerable Willow Warblers (including many juveniles), Yellowhammers and Whitethroats, and, between the showers, wonderful views to East and West. The bonus bird was a Cuckoo chasing the wind Eastward. 

An afternoon visit on the low tide. First-summer Mediterranean Gull, Shag, Curlew, Bullfinch (male + juv), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mandarin Duck (27), Marbled White, Bee Orchid (2) & a pair of Roe Deer.

Earlier a Humming-bird Hawk-moth feeding in the rain.

The pair of Swans that built a nest in the reserve a few weeks back have returned. Not sure what for. With hardly any duck-weed on the pond it is looking clear and yet another sighting of Kingfisher today. Red Admiral, Small Skipper and Speckled Wood (first since 3 June).were the only Butterflies in a relatively short visit (in the sunshine) this afternoon. Yesterday in overcast conditions while ringing only 1 Painted Lady in 8 hours.

Between 10.30am and 11am today a flock of approximately 70 Swifts circled over East Teignmouth in what appeared to be a feeding frenzy, with birds from around the area meeting up to enjoy a sociable gathering in low visibility conditions.

The male sparrowhawk that visits regularly has had a couple of successful days. Ambushed a female sparrow yesterday after hiding in a favourite spot in a hedge. Similar tactics today resulted in a blue tit late morning. Yesterdays catch was nearly lost to a magpie while it was being plucked on a post but the sparrowhawk successfully made off down the hedge avoiding the attention of a pursuing jackdaw. This male seems quite inquisitive and spent some time earlier this morning poking about in full view just a couple of feet off the ground and was back again this evening ignoring the alarm calls and swoops of our nesting swallows

On a recent trip to Lundy Island I photographed a number of Puffins, Razorbills, and other sea birds.

Puffin                                           Wheatear                              Common Dolphin

The Spoonbill still at BGM this lunchtime. 2 Little Grebes, 1 Wigeon. A flyover Oystercatcher was the only wader.

Saw a Cuckoo flying near Pew Tor and heard another near Vixen Tor this morning.

Pair of Gadwalls and a first-summer Mediterranean Gull this evening.

At least 7 Mediterranean Gulls (6+ 1st-s & 1 2nd-s), amongst the 23 adult Shelducks, 6 ducklings, 25 Mandarin Ducks, the lone Curlew still about, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Stock Doves, 4 juv Stonechats, Great Spotted Woodpecker, a pair of Swallows with 4 juvs at the breeding site near Laira Bridge & 6 Roe Deer (2 bucks & 4 does).

Steve Hopper has kindly pointed out to me that the white Dove pictured with a Feral Pigeon in my post this mornings is in fact a racing Pigeon. Thanks Steve - now I need to be able tell the difference as the Feral Pigeon  obviously does!

 8 Swifts and 1 Swallow flying S 0830 this morning. Yesterday, through window, a Feral Pigeon enamoured with a less than enthusiastic Dove (ringed) and a Woodmouse waiting beneath feeders in hope of a spill.

Feral Pigeon / Dove            Wood mouse

Instow dunes at the Yelland end were a couple of Sedge Warblers feeding their chicks.  A small number of Swallows, a Stonechat and a couple of Crows.

Sedge Warbler

This Red Kite was soaring overhead Bottreaux Mill near West Anstey, east of South Molton today at 09:50. Looking very tatty it drifted off towards South Molton. This hasty image, taken through a gap in some trees, won't win any awards but it does show that it was a very raggedy bird.

Red Kite overhead Bottreaux Mill near West Anstey

Spoonbill (sleeping mostly), Redshank, Greenshank, 1 Juv Med Gull in with BH Gull, Psycho LLB Gull, Blackwit, 1 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Shoveller, sprinkling of Hirundines (mostly H Martin). Goosemoor another juv Med Gull in with BH Gulls.

Cormelles car park pied blackbird made another appearance today, better camera today. Stunning when she flies having one complete white wing. 

Pied blackbird.

Arriving at the reserve this morning, to show a visitor around I was stunned to see a juvenile Siskin in the garden to the right on the little approach lane. In the reserve a Kingfisher very busy catching Sticklebacks. There may even have been 2 Kingfishers present.

Seawatching between 0500-0900 produced (selected highlights):

2 Storm Petrels, 334 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Med Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, 14 Common Scoter, 15 Swifts and 3 Harbour Porpioses.

On Dartmoor yesterday 14 June I saw a number of Siskins, a Nuthatch, male and female Chaffinch and usual Blue tits, Great tits and lots of Swallows.

Female Siskin                                                   Male Siskin

The Spoonbill was still at BGM this lunchtime. Very little else.

I have been keeping a eye on the pontoon where I know at least 3 Swallow nests are, 2 have fledged this morning, 1 set of 4 and another of 5. By the sound of the noisy chicks on the 3rd nest they wont be long to join the rest. The adults finding plenty of food along the canal bank. With the apparent Swallow numbers down this year, its great to see all these fledglings in one place.

Continuous rain until last hour or so. 

Manx Shearwater 767, Balearic Shearwater, Puffin, Bonxie, Sandwich Tern 2, Great Crested Grebe, Common Scoter 9, Kittiwake 12, Fulmar 3 & Harbour Porpoise 2+.

Spotted Flycatcher this afternoon on the Otter, downstream from Ottery St Mary, among the newly planted trees. Lovely to see one again.

Took a walk around the hills behind Killerton House thinking it might be a good area for a future fieldtrip.  Found a Spotted Flycatcher in the grounds of Killerton Chapel.  Nuthatch and some woodpeckers (Green and Gt Spotted)elsewhere but generally very few birds for such a varied habitat.  After talking to NT staff I learnt that the entire estate including the extensive woodlands (The Clump, Park Wood Columjohn Wood, The Plains etc are not free access and that unless one is a NT member, you have to pay an admission fee, plus the car park at £2 for two hours (£4 all day).   During my childhood there was a heronry at The Clump but not for many years.

Emailed ML with original photo & noted a crack in the upper mandible which suggests a fracture or breakage due to a possible collision.

I noted this morning that this bird was flying very slowly & while stalling, picking insects from the leaves of shrubs which suggests the growth impairs it's ability to feed in the usual manner so has had to adapt it's feeding behaviour to some extent to allow for this, though the poor bird is obviously struggling to survive.

Stopped off at the pond to have a look on my way along the Tarka trail to  Barnstaple.  4 House Martins & 2 Swallows were foraging within a few metres of the boardwalk .One of the Swallows was so close to where I was standing I had to take a step back to avoid a possible collision.

This one Swallow alighted twice on the handrail at the side of the boardwalk only 2 metres away from where I was standing & rested for some time. My initial assessment was the bird was exhausted or unwell.

Looking at the photos when I got home I noticed it had an abnormal upper mandible. I have not been able to identify what it is. Is it a growth of some sort from an injury or a parasite that has attached itself to the bill?

Good to see at least one pair of Shelduck with 10 juveniles on the north side of the Taw estuary between Chivenor & Barnstaple, but could only find one pair.

Family of 5 nuthatches, and 2 Y Gr. Sp. Woodpeckers being fed in our Gribbleford garden 

Female pied blackbird cormelles court car park area in combemartin. Quite spectacular when she flew with her white wings. Phone camera shot 

After being inspired by my good friend Mark Glanvile who runs “Bristol Swifts” these last couple years I’ve been trying to find out more about the Swifts, Swallows and House Martins that nest around Dawlish. On my evening walk around the center, unfortunately didn’t see the Alpine Swift seen earlier but did see 15 Common Swifts. They seem to be nesting in three main areas and have reclaimed a historic nesting site that wasn’t used last year, the number do seem to be up.

While Swallows do seemed to have disappeared this year, House Martins have found a new nesting site in the new housing development next to Sainsbury’s, 20+ birds here which is a positive sign, the odd thing here is they are only nesting on houses with the white render, don’t know why?

Alpine swift seen over the strand and Brunswick place Dawlish at 4pm with common swifts and house martins 

A Red Kite appeared over Scadson Woods between heavy rain showers at 10.20 hours. Quickly joined by the local Herring Gull population it gained height and headed towards Paignton. First new garden tick for me in a long time !!!

Been off in  foreign parts for a few days (well, Cornwall!) Returned to the reserve yesterday to find what looked like a full set of feathers from an adult Wood Pigeon on the grass. Female Sparrowhawk of perhaps a passing Peregrine?

This morning a Kingfisher perched over the pond (the nearby river being too muddy).

Just before the rains came this evening a sparrowhawk had his dinner in next doors garden - not so good for its prey, a probable sparrow

Cuckoo heard calling briefly in late AM (11:00).

10th June 2019

Seaton Wetlands- 8 Little Egret, Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan, 55 Shelduck, 30 Mallard, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, B-H Gull, Herring Gull, 1 LB-B Gull and GB-B Gull.

Eds: This post has been edited.  Please read the list of rare breeding and vulnerable Devon Birds that should not appear in sighting postings, normally the whole post is deleted.

Two parakeets seen in Rockbeare 5.30 am.

All Wk I've been seeing this handsome brute Great Black Backed Gull and it's mate raiding Ilfracombes roofs of its Herring Gull eggs and chicks.  Manx Shearwaters now passing in good numbers most days. Over at Pottington ind estate among Lesser bb and Herring Gull nesting sites at least 2 pairs of Oystercatchers on nests. 

Great Black-backed Gull                               Whitethroat

Yesterday 8/6 pair of yellowhammers male singing well, possible sighting of young y/hammer.2 white throat males singing,and one very large Raven flying overhead,small group of linnets one male Stonechat.

a good morning for the area.

Highlight of a damp and disappointing couple of hours at CM. Seems to be a male Bullfinch passing food to a female rather than to a juvenile. Display perhaps?

It was nice to see a Puffin with the Guillemots at Ore stone today

2 Tawny Owl Chicks just sitting in a tree in Plymouth

Tawny Owl Chicks

The goosander on the Otter still has 13 of her ducklings.

Spoonbill still eating voraciously

Seen before this mornings high tide were the following.

Med Gull 1st summer in amongst the 41 BHG, Oystercatcher 3, Curlew 1, Green Woodpecker 2, GSW 1, Stock Dove 4, Little Egret 3 & Grey Heron 2.

Spoonbill dropped in about 10:30 and fed voraciously for a couple of hours. Also three Greenshank and two adult Mediterranean Gulls - around 35 species in total

'Showers as well, better than the other one!' - Sparrows use the upper stories

In the woods and along the river: Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Pied Flycatcher (including a male feeding recently-fledged young), Redstart, Marsh Tit and Crossbill.

On and around Mardon: Peregrine, Cuckoo,Yellowhammer, Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Willow and Garden Warblers, Redpoll and more Crossbills, plus wonderful views in the clean air.

Good to see spotted flycatchers back on the canal .Two pairs today

The first-summer Bonaparte's Gull again present off Shelly Beach @0645 with 3 fs Mediterranean Gulls.

A return walk from Warren House Inn via Soussons & Challacombe produced: 3 male Whinchats, 2 male Redstarts, Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, 2 or 3 Cuckoos, Tree Pipit, 6 Siskins, 12 Lesser Redpolls, male Wheatear & plenty of Willow Warblers including 4 juvs being fed by an adult.

Surprise of the day was finding a singing Brambling in fine summer plumage (some pictures below) at the very end of the headland this evening, then a calling Cuckoo just behind the southern fort.

Unusual bird behaviour in daughters garden while I was on grandparent duties!

My wife first drew my attention to a male Green Woodpecker in the garden apparently looking for ants.  I then noticed a Blackbird, Robin and Great Tit sunning themselves in the same small area of bare earth.  The sun was out at the time and the garden faces west.  I have previously seen birds sunning themselves but not in the manner of three species together.  A short time later when I looked out again... two Woodpigeons had replaced the three birds and were also enjoying the sun.  Alas no picture of the GW. 

8 members of DB (East Devon Branch) attended the fieldtrip led by Tim Channon.  Species listed included Cuckoo, Bullfinch, Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Tree Pipit, Siskin, Pied Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Treecreeper and Yellowhammer amongst others.  A rewarding day albiet with some changeable weather.  After lunch when the weather developed into a lovely afternoon a further 9 species was added to the list making a total of 39 species for the day.  Thanks for the report Tim, sorry I couldn't join you.

Seawatching this morning (joined by Dave Dawe a bit later) 0530-0830hrs: 39 Puffins, 96 Guillemots, 9 Razorbills, 111 Kittiwake, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 94 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Great Skuas, 2 Storm Petrels, 2 fs Med Gulls, 8 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Tern & 76 Gannets.

The first-summer Bonaparte's Gull again present off Shelly Beach from 0545 - 0645 at least, with c100+ Black-headed Gull and 1 fs Mediterranean Gull.

Sitting in our garden in Brixton, Devon and a turtle dove landed on the fence. 

4 Mute Swans, 10+ Mallards plus 5 well-grown juveniles, 1 Cormorant, 4 Tufted Ducks, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Blackcap, 3 Blue Tits, 2 Great Tits, 1 Willow Tit, c.12 Swallows, 2 Blackbirds.

Surprised to see a Great Crested Grebe with half grown juvenile, Millers Crossing (Mill-on-the-Exe), Exeter

First-summer Bonaparte's Gull with c100+ Black-headed Gulls off Shelly Beach @0630'ish onwards. Also two fs Mediterranean Gulls. Earlier, off the seafront - 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 fs Mediterranean Gull and a Common Tern. Off Mudbank - 6 Brent Geese (of which at least 5 are Pale-bellied) and 5 Great Crested Grebe. Photos on www.gobirdingexmouth.blogspot.co.uk.

Seawatch 7.15am to 1.45 pm. SSW veering SW, wind  force 3 going 5, mist and rain at times. 

2 Skuas around midday. One pale phased Arctic and a presumed dark phased bird tho broader longer winged, deeper chested suggested spoon less  Pomarine. Both chasing Kittiwakes. Also 14 Puffins west. 8 Common Scoter and 175 Manx Shearwaters. Surprisingly no petrels despite good conditions for them.

Excellent passage of Puffins this morning between 0530-0800hrs with 91 logged all moving south, the largest group was of 7 birds. Also  1 Bonxie, 1 GND, 2 fs Med Gulls, 9 Razorbills, 600+ Guillemots, 109 Kitts, 73 Gannet, 6 Swifts & 3 H Porpoises. Plus a singing Reed Warbler and  Bee orchid in quarry.

Male Merlin hunting passerines.

After launching the Stover Dragonfly Hotspot yesterday (12 species seen, including Downy Emerald, Hairy Dragonfly and Red-eyed Damselfly), returned in the evening for Nightjars. After 2 or 3 churring males, no less than 4 appeared together, chasing each other, wing clapping and calling over the pylon ride, while a fifth churred nearby. A great end to a great day! Earlier, several Mandarins, including a duck with 2 ducklings.

9 ringneck parakeet to roost

2 very vocal Reed Bunting chicks unable to fly in the Discovery area, look fit and well though. Hopefully with all the free running dogs about today they survive to sing another day!

On this mornings high tide and around Saltram the following were seen.

The lone Curlew still here, Oystercatcher 2, Whimbrel 1, Grey Heron 3, Stock Dove 8, Green Woodpecker 1, GSW 1, Spotted Flycatcher 1 and the pair of Canada Geese still have 5 young.