Devon Birds would like to thank the many members and other birdwatchers who complied with the restrictions during the recent Lockdown and stayed in their local area (village, town or part of city) to birdwatch while exercising (and later) taking recreation. We hope that, despite the obvious frustrations, you found some respite in watching wildlife in your local area and perhaps discovered some birds close to home, that you might otherwise not have seen! As always, please submit sightings to the County recorder and / or BirdTrack. 

 

Please continue to follow the Covid related requirements (currently "rule of six outside, social distancing etc) while enjoying the new freedoms to extend your birdwatching. Some hides will remain closed for the time being and where you find one open, please follow Government guidelines on keeping yourself & others safe: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/what-you-need-to-do/

 

Thank you from

Devon Birds News site editors & members of the Records Committee

Please think very carefully before posting any information on scarce or rare breeding species both here and elsewhere online.

A list of ‘at risk’ species in the county can be found here. Please note that Wood Warbler should now also be treated as on the list. All species included need to be protected - many receive full legal protection under Schedule 1 and/or are rare in the county and may be vulnerable to persecution/disturbance. It is an offence to intentionally disturb any of the Schedule 1 species during the breeding season without a valid licence. This also applies to anyone taking photographs of these species at or near the nest or whilst feeding dependant young.

Some species may be found breeding at numerous locations however please keep information on these species limited to well-known sites (e.g. Labrador Bay for Cirl Bunting, Aylesbeare Common for Dartford Warbler). Others may be found as obvious migrants and as such can also be posted eg coastal Ring Ouzel and passage waders, or raptors eg Little Ringed Plover, Red Kite or Marsh Harrier.

If you have any doubts and think there is a chance there may be breeding, either because of the habitat or behaviour of the bird(s) then do not post, but please submit your records to the County Recorder and the RSPB.

Please be aware that egg collecting and other forms of persecution remain very real hazards for some of Devon’s birds.

Posts which breach these guidelines are likely to be not admitted / removed althogether, rather than edited.  

As noted in the minutes of the Oct 2020 DBRC meeting, Tim Jones is standing down after serving as a member of the Committee for an extended sixth year. Tim has been an active member of the Committee, and his consistently pragmatic approach to assessing records has proved invaluable. The Society would like to thank him for his contribution over the past six years and wish him well in the future.

In the hope of maintaining a geographic spread across the Committee, DBRC approached Dean Jones to fill the vacancy. Dean grew up birding and ringing in Antrim and Lothian, before a tour of various European islands, including Lundy where he has been the Warden now for the past four years.

His experience and knowledge from ringing and birdwatching around Europe will be especially useful to Devon Birds and the Records Committee.

Unless the County Recorder receives any other applications before 15th April 2021, Dean will be formally elected to fill the vacancy for a five year period.

For more information and/or an application form please contact:

Kevin Rylands, County Recorder.   Email: recorder@devonbirds.org 

If you follow our Blog but are not currently a member of Devon Birds please consider joining Devon Birds to help with the upkeep of running the website and this service as well as our valuable conservation work.

 6-700 common terns in feeding frenzy with gulls mainly in skern -appledore area although many birds at instow as well.Made several counts of resting birds and consistently arrived around the 400 mark with loads still feeding.Could well have been more due to so many feeding.Mainly adults.Also present 4 sandwich tern,10 meds,5adult,5juv,500 black headed,3 juv knot.

Reported by Rob Marshall this evening at 18:07, c600 Common Terns.

Just a couple of things

If you are making posts on the blog it will make it simpler and quicker for you if you request to be a co-author.

Also, many people I have spoken to recently are still unaware that the site has a forum that both members and non-members can utilise. It has the potential to be a great tool for asking and posing questions on a number of matters, ID queries etc, society matters and much more. The link is along the top tabs, you will have to register (using your real name) to partake in the discussions.

Cheers

Much the same at Black Hole Marsh this morning; 28 Teal, 24 Dunlin, 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Common Sands, 4 Green Sands, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, a Whimbrel and a Wheatear.

Ian M had two Redstarts at Beer Head earlier in the day - but little else.

The Wigeon still present thios morning along with 2 of the juvenile Pochard, which presumably commute between here and Sherpa Marsh.

A sparkling male Beautiful Demoiselle damselfy was a surprise by the bridge on the way in to the Velator reserve.

Seawatch 12:30-15:30. 11 Balearic Shearwaters (singles then a group of six), 12 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Bonxies, Arctic Skua, 8 Common Terns, Harbour Porpoise and Ocean Sunfish very close to the headland (see pics).

Recently returned from a great trip to California, so back to reality! A few bits n pieces eased me back in

1 Med Gull (2nd-w) amongst 500+ Black-headed Gulls, a single Sandwich Tern, Reshank (87), Whimbrel (2), Curlew (30), Common Sandpiper (2), Little egret (10), Greenshank (2), Turnstone (8), Ringed Plover (3). 

A dismal summers day until 11.00which did produce some interesting birds - all passage was east

90 Gannet, 3 Fulmar, 2 Med Gull ( juv & 2nd S )1juv Kittiwake, 6 Common Tern, 11 Sandwich Tern ( landed on rocks )2 Turnstone. At 09.35 a flock of 11 Knott came in off the sea and flew up the valley - an exceptional number for the site.

On S H Marsh 6 Teal and 4 Wheatear

In amongst the large collection of Mallard, there were 2 Shoveler and a lone and early Wigeon this afternoon.

Mid-afternoon, Osprey caught a fish and flew off south.

Also 8 greenshanks there.

At lunchtime: 24 Dunlin, 6+ Common Sands, 2+ Green Sands (5 yesterday evening), 17 Blackwits (27 yesterday evening). A check of the gulls drew a blank.

Seawatch 820-1050 , fresh southerly winds, low cloud, banks of drizzle. No large numbers of birds moving however. Manx Shearwater 104, Balearic Shearwater 1, Common Tern 1, Pomarine Skua 1 subadult, Arctic Skua 4, Bonxie 3, Gannet 85.

In the rain on the estuary:

Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 8 Common Sandpipers, Kingfisher.

Yesterday out on a angling boat, Dartmouth to mid-channel. Approx 2 miles off Dartmouth some large rafts of Manx Shearwaters, a Pomarine Skua and Bonxie. Out mid-channel a small passage of waders included Turnstones and 2 Whimbrel. Attracted to the boat many gulls now including juv Great Black-Backs, also 3 Bonxies, Arctic Skua and a few passing Common Terns otherwise dissappointing for August! However, we did see a couple of Ocean Sunfish and some Common Dolphins.

Tried a seawatch this morning - hoping something might have been forced ahead of the weather front, not a great deal but came up with the following in 2hrs, 0600hrs- 0800hrs:

330 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 423 Gannest,  46 Kittiwakes, 3 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Sandwich Tern and 1 Grey Seal

No sign of the Stone Curlew this evening but cars still on the airfield. 2 green sands and a stonechat.

Nice mix of sandpipers on flooded field west of River Taw. At least 4 Green Sandpipers, several Common Sandpipers and at least one Wood Sandpiper flushed out when first a sparrowhawk and then a buzzard disturbed the 65 black-headed gulls. Also one fox.

On the marsh this am -5 Teal, 1 Snipe, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 juv Blackcap,  Green and Great Woodpecker, 1 juv Yellow L Gull .

Offshore - 4 Common Tern, 1juv Kittiwake, 1 Balearic Shearwater. 3 Med Gull ( juv , 1st S and an Ad )  

Waders flying over- Redshank , Greenshank, 2 Dunlin, 5 Wheatear in the fields.

Full ringing team out today - 40 Sedge, 18 Reed , 1 Groppa, 38 Willow, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat

A couple of hours at Hopes Nose this morning produced: Three hundred and forty eight Manx Shearwaters (all distant), five Balearic Shearwaters, three Arctic Skuas, two un id'd skuas, fifteen Common Scoter and around thirty Kittiwakes.

13:00 - 14:00

2 Wood Sandpiper, 4+ Green Sandpiper, 2+ Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail over

On incoming tide this afternoon, 2 x Green Sandpiper amongst 35 Redshank, also at Quay single Med Gull.

A Stone Curlew on the on the westerly runway in the model aircraft area at around 10.20. The bird sat for about 10 minutes before the general disturbance of microlights, model planes, motor bikes and the stock car racing got too much for it and it flew to rough pasture behind the stock car stadium. Searching to around 12.30 failed to re-locate the bird. Around 8 wheatears, 1 green sand, 1 whitethroat and a chiffchaff. A movement of around 40 swallows south.

Whilst searching for the Stone Curlew, Dave Helliar has also found 2 whinchat and a white wagtail. Grid reference is ST101185 . Note the site is heavily disturbed today and the bird is unlikely to re-appear back on the airfield until late this evening if still in the area. If you do come, please keep to the runways or the road that runs by the side of the stock car stadium. Note if you bring a car onto the airfield the gates are locked at randon times in the evening.

Osprey 11:30hrs  Frogmore Creek also 50+ Ringed Plover, 5juv. Red Knot and juv. Sanderling

Today at Wembury :- 4 juv Wheatear, 2 sp dunlin, 1 juv ringed plover, 2 whimbrel, 1 juv whitethroat. Small passage of Manx shearwater moving West offshore in 1-3's in strong breeze.Short winged cone head and dark bush cricket also seen.

Whilst ringing this morning at T'stone Marsh- Bob B et al had a flyover Crossbill.

3 Snipe flew onto the Marsh at 07.25, 5 Sand Martin over and a Swift.

Waders on the beaches - 2 Bar Tailed Godwit, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Sanderling,.

Offshore31 Manx S'water, 1 Sandwich Tern 3 Teal.

on the coast 3 juv Wheatear . Another 4 this aft on the Golf Course.

Final ringing totals - 14 Sedge and 4 Reed Wblr

11:30 Taw Bridge :- Common Sandpiper 1.

11:55 Anchorwood Bank ; Ruff 1; Mediterranean Gull 2; Peregrine 1; Shelduck 4 juveniles.

13:00 Fremington Pill :- Redshank c80.

14:00 Isley Marsh - viewed from Tarka Trail :- Spoonbill 1; Little Egret 10. 

14:30 RMB Instow (Flooded field) :-  Ruff 1. Also c150 Swallows feeding over marshy ground together with c50 juvenile Starlings. The Ruff was being disturbed and often flew around with the Stalings and Swallows before landing again.

15:30 Taw Bridge :- Common Sandpiper 2.

Amongst the med gulls today were several common gulls and two grey plover. 

Redshank numbers up to 64 today including several juveniles.

'Living World' on BBC Radio 4, Sunday 12 August at 6.35am features Ring Ouzels on Dartmoor. Miranda Krestovnikoff tracks down these birds with the help of naturalist Nick Baker who has been studying the Dartmoor ouzels for the RSPB. Further programme details at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01lstrn

On a rising tide this morning:

3 Dunlin, 6 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 1 Redshank, 9 Common Sandpipers, Kingfisher.

On a rising tide this morning:

3 Dunlin, 6 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 9 Common Sandpipers, Kingfisher.

Hardly inspiring in the brisk easterly, early am: just 1 Wheatear and 6 Willow Warblers

Wood sandpiper still present at Exminster this evening plus 3 green sands and 9 snipe. Around 50 swallows and a female blackcap.

Form the viewing platform at Bowling Green, 3 greenshank, the spotted redshank and at least 25 sandwich terns on the mud plus a couple of reed warblers.

Whilst towing a number of children in a dinghy a Greenshank flew over, my first for the site.

1 Green Sandpiper still on the scrape this afternoon. Also present one Cow! I chased it back over the river!

11:00-12:30 Very busy on the Tarka trail this morning with loads of holidaymakers - the dangerous ones are the Bradley Wiggins wannabes who swish past you at great speed with no warning that they are coming!

Anchor Wood Bank:
Among several hundred gulls were 34 Oystercatchers,12 Canada's a single Curlew, the Black Swan was still there with 8 mutes and a Little egret.

Fremington Pill:
23 Redshank

Late News from Yesterday:
In the flooded field adjacent to the Instow camp was 1 Ruff

From recent trip in the English Channel off Devon. Seawatched from land we'd easily pass this off as an adult, but close up shows some residual barring on underwing coverts - more like a 3rd summer.

Brief look at the beach this morning only birds of note; 1 Mediterranean Gull a 1st Summer and a Redshank (noteable for site!)

40+ Swift flying out to sea late evening. Leaving?

10:45 Taw Bridge:-  2 Common Sandpiper.

11:30 7 Bretheren Bank (opp Rock Park) :-  25 Juv Redshank; 3 adult Med Gulls
and 1 Common Sandpiper.

14:00 R.Taw (opp Pottington Ind Est) :-  1 adult Med Gull.

14:10 Demoiselle Damsel Fly flopping about over the brackish ditch next to Ashford sewage works. I thought these were only ever seen over very pure, freshwater streams?
Also, more Cinnabar moths than I`ve seen in a long time. Probably due to the vast ammount of Ragwort that`s about.

Seven Swifts flying over the house tonight, three look like juveniles, good to know our local birds have succeeded.

Just a test with the new site really. This is leaf beetles 'Lilioceris Lili' which have been playing havoc with my garden lilies. I think after this I will have more still to contend with!!!!

Photo of Manx shearwater group Berry Head 7th Aug.

Bottle-nosed Dolphins a group of 6 passed at 2pm.

Yesterday confirming the number of wood sandpipers proved difficult. At one time 4 were in the air together, they landed back on the marsh. Shortly after two rose from another part of the marsh and flew south gaining height until they were lost to view. After that I could only find one on the pool.

Today I failed to find any. However a whinchat, lesser whitethroat and spotted flycatcher made up for it. 

Sizable flock of small waders on beach at high tide including 180+ Ringed Plover, but also good numbers of Sanderling and Dunlin with 1 Grey Plover and 1 Arctic Skua offshore.

Still five swifts over house this evening. 

First returning wheatear this evening. Pied wagtails up to 20 with many of them being juvenile birds which, given the weather, is quite surprising. No yellow wags yet. A huge gathering of corvids with at least 1000+ rooks and similar numbers of jackdaws. 7 ravens and 2 buzzards also around.

Congrats to the team regarding the new website - done a very good job.