We are back in Lockdown, all sightings posts from observers should only be in their very local area (town, village or part of city). Any posts where the observer is obviously travelling distances to other sites will be deleted, Devon Birds will not edit these posts.
Posted January 6th at 10:52 am by Mike Langman in Bird News
During the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak the use of Devon Birds bird hides should be in line with Government guidelines to individuals on how to protect themselves.
Please follow NHS guidelines: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/what-you-need-to-do/
Thank you for your co-operation and stay safe.
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 9:58 am by Mike Daniels in Bird News
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.
Posted October 10th, 2016 at 9:14 am in Bird News
Thursday 7th November 2013
15:15
A few more waders than of late:- Dunlin 45: Lapwing 46: Redshank 57; Bar-tailed Godwit 2; Grey Plover 1: Kingfisher 2 and Mallard 33. Didn`t count Curlew or O/Catchers.
Bradiford Reserve:- 3 Stonechat (2 males, 1 female); 3 Moorhen and just 1 hen Pheasant.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 6:52 pm by Maurice Clements in Bird News
The 2 Velvet Scoters till dusk straight offshore showing well.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 6:48 pm by Mark Bailey in Bird News
First time to Berry Head, biggest treat for us was a Dartford Warbler along fence line just north of Artillery Store, showed well for 15 minutes at around 12:30.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 6:03 pm by Sue and Steve Grimshaw in Bird News
Wood Pigeon movement started at 09.00 and only lasted 30 mins , largest flock 1500 , total logged 2210.
Interesting comparison with Steve at South Brent.
At South Huish Marsh - 40 Teal, 8 Wigeon, 1f Shoveler, 10 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Lapwing . 50+ Mipit and 45 Skylark over.
Over at T'stone Marsh - 9 Lapwing, 2 Shoveler, 20 Teal.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 5:43 pm by Mike Passman in Bird News
A Water Pipit and a 1st winter Med Gull on the river at low tide. The pipit fairly unapproachable as is usual at this site, photo attached is the best I could do.

Water Pipit - Topsham 7/11/2013
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 4:38 pm by Tim Worfolk in Bird News
Great Gey Shrike seen in the lower section of Starehole Valley between 11 and 11:30 am. Possibly the same bird as seen at Bolthead on Monday. Also single Ring Ouzel.
Shrike not seen in the afternoon but Ring Ouzel still present.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 4:31 pm by Nick & Gill Townsend in Bird News
Quartet of Whooper Swans on the marsh at c.SS473353, at about 3.30 p.m.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 4:22 pm by Jeremy Barker in Bird News
On the dropping tide at 1p.m., 7 Red breasted Mergansers were diving very actively off the mussel beds and in the pools in the mussel bank. They've arrived in the last couple of days.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 2:49 pm by Rupert Ormerod in Bird News
Lunchtime today until about 1.10. The Long-tailed Duck still showing from the hide. From the platform, 1 quite distant female type Goldeneye and 1 Great Crested Grebe plus a few small groups of Brent Geese. Good numbers of Avocets too, possibly up to100 birds.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 1:39 pm by Nick Potter in Bird News
The Great Grey Shrike still on the Common mid morning; apparently not too disturbed by the army manoeuvres and artillery fire. Last seen at SY 054 876. Photo attached - this one safely described as a 'record shot'.

Great Grey Shrike - Colaton Raleigh Common 7/11/2013
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 12:23 pm by Tim Worfolk in Bird News
2 Velvet Scoter 500m off Paignton/Preston Beach with 2 Common Scoter also 2 Great Northern Divers.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 12:05 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
A bit over overhead migration this morning: 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Reed Bunting, 7 Siskin, 30 Chaffinch, 34 Goldfinch, 4 Linnet, 5 Greenfinch, 4 Skylark, 6 Redwing.
Around the headland: 2 Firecrest, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Stonechat, 1 Kestrel, 600+ Guillemots on the cliffs and 7 Harbour Porpoise off the headland.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 12:04 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Between 08.30hrs and 09.20hrs this morning significant movement of flocks of Wood pigeons travelling west at height between the A38 and the edge of Dartmoor, initial flocks of 150 plus then a counted 48 and there after two flocks of in excess of 1000 one over 500 and numerous smaller flocks from 15 birds up to 100, the larger flocks were passing out of view with the main trail passing over while other birds were still coming into view.
Posted November 7th, 2013 at 9:27 am by Steve Hopper in Bird News
Wednesday 6th November 2013
6.5 hours sewatching from 7.45am in strong WSW winds (5/6 gusting 7) and mainly decent light . Gannets passing at c 150 per hour with 391 Kittiwakes, including a few distant immature birds in tantilising plumage ( no Sabine's alas). 19 Balearic and 4 Manx Shearwaters ( and no sniff of Sooty Shearwaters) .24 Auks (mostly Razorbills) and a returning 11 Fulmars. Also 5 Common Scoter west and 1 Tufted which had two attempts to fly west rather comically but eventually succeeding. The 1 or 2 Harbour Porpoises enjoyed the swell and regularly jumped clear of the sea and dived -quite spectacular. Only unusual passerine seen was a Firecrest seen by the coastguard cottages.
Posted November 6th, 2013 at 8:26 pm in Bird News
The Long-tailed Duck was still showing from the hide this lunchtime until around 1.40.
Posted November 6th, 2013 at 2:55 pm by Nick Potter in Bird News
A much better seawatch than anticipated between 11.30 and 13.30. Highlight was a late Osprey heading out to sea at 12.45 and watched for 5 minutes as it battled South West. Gulls were on the move with 175 Kittiwakes (it was slightly more than this but stopped counting whilst i watched the osprey!), 4 Little Gulls, 8 Common gulls, 23 GBB Gulls all west. 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Black throated diver, 2 Razorbills again all west and 25 Common Scoter east
Posted November 6th, 2013 at 2:48 pm in Bird News
A scan of the bay from Broadsands between the drizzle produced: 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Common Scoter and 4 Shoveler. 5 Cirls on seed in the back of the second car park at Broadsands and 1 Chiffchaff present in the marsh area.
Posted November 6th, 2013 at 2:06 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Obviously a lot of fish offshore at present, with a flock of up to 66 Gannets diving within 100 yards off the cliffs at times, and 5 Harbour Porpoise close inshore. In the strong WSW wind and mist/drizzle patches, the main seabirds passing by during a watch from 0800-1000 were over 300 Kittiwakes. A single Great Skua and immature Pomarine appeared several times, apparently the same individuals circling around feeding, and six Balearic Shearwaters went south.
Posted November 6th, 2013 at 1:29 pm in Bird News
Tuesday 5th November 2013
12.30pm - in addition to the Grey Phalarope, from the bridge there was a female Goldeneye (rather early?) and 2 Pochard amongst the other usual wildfowl.
Also a Merlin performing great aerobatics with Crows.
Posted November 5th, 2013 at 11:04 pm by Rupert Ormerod in Bird News
There was a Gt Northern Diver just off Brixham Breakwater mid-morning on 4th November, noted while I was walking the south west coast path. SX 932567.
Posted November 5th, 2013 at 10:35 pm by Nigel Milbourne in Bird News
7 male Mandarin and a female on Burrator Reservoir this morning.
Our first male Brambling of the autumn on feeders in the garden at Dousland
Posted November 5th, 2013 at 9:21 pm by Maureen & Rob Harrison in Bird News
A Great Grey Shrike late afternoon at around SY050882. Also Merlin around the area.

Posted November 5th, 2013 at 9:13 pm by Chris Townend in Bird News
Saw a flock of c100 Redwings at Kitterford Cross near Wrangaton this morning. This afternoon was driving over Riverford Bridge on the Dart between Dartington and Buckfastleigh when a redhead Goosander flew overhead and upstream.
Posted November 5th, 2013 at 7:37 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
This is my first post on this blog. Had the oportunity to visit this very obliging bird today.
OS Ref SZ421913
Very unusual to find your lens is too long when photographing birds! 300 to 400mm would be ideal.

Grey Phalarope - Roadford - 05/11/13
Posted November 5th, 2013 at 4:27 pm by Roger Harding in Bird News
Visit to the hide this lunchtime until about 1.40. The Long-tailed Duck showed well at times although spent most of its time under the water. Otherwise 7 Brent Geese dropped in and a small group of Redwings were feeding on berries by the railway line.
Posted November 5th, 2013 at 2:14 pm by Nick Potter in Bird News
A short walk round in blustery conditions with a strong westerly wind. A Great Skua was chasing Kittiwakes offshore. Visible migration included Swallow, single Siskin and Brambling, a few Meadow Pipits and c 200 Redwing, all going west.
Posted November 5th, 2013 at 10:58 am in Bird News
Belated report from the first Stuart Lines Exe cruise of the winter on Sunday (3 November). Highlights were 11 Great Crested Grebes, Slavonian Grebe, a Ruff (with Redshanks at Topsham), Mediterranean Gull and a late Sandwich Tern.
Posted November 5th, 2013 at 10:28 am by Dave Smallshire in Bird News
Monday 4th November 2013
As I'm unable to get anywhere at present, (new hip, so no bike or driving for a while yet) I opened a net in the garden this morning, and the first 3 birds I ringed were Redwing, Blackcap and Blackcap! - which were both in the net together both 1st years, one male, one female. After a few of the more expected Tits, I caught another male Blackcap, and a female House Sparrow. This garden has always been good for wintering Blackcaps, but now that I have the opportunity to ring at Velator, I rarely open a net at home. Perhaps I should.....
Posted November 4th, 2013 at 8:50 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
The Grey Phalarope was still showing well this afternoon! I didn't have long to locate it as it was mid-afternoon when I arrived, but luckily found it fairly quickly!

Posted November 4th, 2013 at 8:05 pm by Rob Cross in Bird News
This little beauty was showing well again today, you just need to put a bit of effort in to locating it!

Posted November 4th, 2013 at 7:59 pm by Steve Hatch in Bird News
Bolt Head
GG SHRIKE. on the headland. E Wotton conecting with this 1st yr. beauty 1040-45'ish this morning the 1st site record since 93?

Posted November 4th, 2013 at 6:40 pm by Alan Doidge in Bird News
Earky morning viz mig - 9 Stock Dove, 1 Merlin, 12 Redwing, 33 Goldfinch, Siskin , Redpoll. 6 Swallow flew N at 11.30 over the car park.
Great N Diver on the sea . waders on the rocks - 5 Turnstone and a Sanderling
1 Chiffchaff in the copse
Posted November 4th, 2013 at 6:13 pm by Mike Passman in Bird News
Pond hide at Yarner not overly busy, Coal Tits were numerous , Blues and Greats in much lesser numbers, with one Marsh Tit showing, on the way out a Grey Wagtail seen on the lower pond edge.
The woodland hide was dominated by Blue Tits, reasonable number of Marsh Tits, Nuthatch on the feeders, very brief visit by a Greater Spotted Woodpecker.
Stover was reasonably quiet, a Treecreeper behind the main building ring on left leg. Three Great Crested Grebe on the lake and a Kingfisher briefly on the pool by the feeding station.
Posted November 4th, 2013 at 5:37 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
One Albatross at Baggy Point this morning on the water preening for a short time then in flight heading south west towards Hartland.
Posted November 4th, 2013 at 2:39 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Grey Phalarope still showing well in the Goodacre/Shop area this morning at 10am.
Harvey Kendall & Barry Bryne
Posted November 4th, 2013 at 2:21 pm by Harvey Kendall in Bird News
A substantial Woodpigeon movement between 10.00 & 11.50 this morning involving 3400 birds, some moving west but the majority heading straight out to sea. Also 28 Red Admirals, most on the cliff tops and several heading out to sea.
Posted November 4th, 2013 at 2:02 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Saturday PM, whilst absorbed watching Brixham thrash Worcester.....6 late swallows flying south into the strong wind. Also noted a Black Swan on Stoke Gabriel millpond.
Posted November 4th, 2013 at 1:13 pm by Trevor Leaman in Bird News
0715-0930hrs. Limited overhead migration: 5 Brambling, 35 Chaffinch, 3 Siskin, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, 2 Redwing, 23 Meadow Pipits, 1 Skylark.
Around headland: 1 big, very orange bellied 'Greenland' Wheatear, 2 Firecrest, 11 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff 1 Blackcap, 4 Coal tits (all britannicus), 2 Stonechat. ML DMN BMc

Photo :Firecrest.
Posted November 4th, 2013 at 1:08 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
A single yellow-browed warbler in the sallows NE of the railway bridge, the bridge side of the pool on the main road onto the marshes. Seen from bridge. Also one or probably two chiffchaffs and a goldcrest. Still present at 10.30.
Posted November 4th, 2013 at 11:24 am by John Waldon in Bird News
Sunday 3rd November 2013
Yellow-browed Warbler trapped and ringed by Alan Searle this morning, he said it was showing well in the Elms by the tennis court after he released it.
Posted November 3rd, 2013 at 7:45 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
Six Med Gulls on the beach here today; five adults and a first winter.
Little else of note but with my five year old grandson in tow nothing was expected. The long term plan is, that in fifteen years time, he will have me in tow!!
Posted November 3rd, 2013 at 7:13 pm by Roy McCarthy in Bird News
Grey Phalarope still showing well at Roadford this morning.
(Tom Wallis)
Posted November 3rd, 2013 at 6:36 pm in Bird News
The Grey Phalarope continues to show very well.


Posted November 3rd, 2013 at 5:41 pm by Simon Thurgood in Bird News
A visit to the ponds produced: 1 Mandarin duck - male, 5 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck (I wonder if the normal numbers deserted for Slapton?), 4 Little Grebes, 2 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff (normally 8-10 at this time of year) and 7 Siskins > S over site.
Posted November 3rd, 2013 at 3:29 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
20 Redwing, 7 Mistle Thrush & 20 Meadow Pipit in the cemetery.
2 Adult Med Gulls at Devil''s Point.
Posted November 3rd, 2013 at 3:10 pm by Steve Cox in Bird News
Saw 10 ravens this morning in a tight group above Mardon. Wonderful aerobatics, both in pairs and as a group. Cannot bring myself to call them by their collective noun - an "unkindness" - which is unworthy of them. An exhibition would be more apt!
Posted November 3rd, 2013 at 2:09 pm by Caroline Wilkinson in Bird News
Saturday 2nd November 2013
Joined Perry for the last hour of the "vis mig" by 09.00 - hundreds of Chaffinches and Goldfinches moving SW along the clifftop was impressive as always. Also 4 Redwings and a Swallow. By 12.30 I had added single Woodcock and Firecrest to the west of the farm.
A flock of duck 400m off Hallsands in rough seas at 15.30 comprised Wigeon ( 4-5 drakes) with at least 1 duck Shoveler - odd.
Posted November 2nd, 2013 at 10:26 pm by Steve Young in Bird News
Little to write home about here this p.m. but at least nine Med Gulls were in The Sound. Feeding on floating seaweed with B.H. Gulls.
Elsewhere just a single Swallow over Ford Park cemetery and around twenty Meadow Pipits among the tombstones.
Posted November 2nd, 2013 at 8:40 pm by Roy McCarthy in Bird News
Grey Phalarope still at Roadford feeding in a very relaxed manor. Very confident little bird, managed to get about a metre away from it!
Posted November 2nd, 2013 at 5:27 pm by Tom Michie in Bird News
Around 3pm this afternoon a flock of approx 150 Wagtails the majority of which were White Wagtails with a small number of Pied Wagtails mixed in dropped into my field at South Brent, I have never seen such a large flock and concentration of these birds in one place before
Posted November 2nd, 2013 at 5:25 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
An hour seawatch 1030-1130 (presumably including Nigel's heavy shower!) in strong SW winds, clear at times, rough sea. Not a lot moving-Kittiwake 40, Brent Goose 1, Balearic Shearwater 1. 300 Redwings flew over westward.
Posted November 2nd, 2013 at 4:23 pm in Bird News
Vis mig from Slapton Bridge early morning: notably 32 Crossbill (two flocks), 100+ Chaffinch, 80+ Siskin, 300+ Goldfinch, 50+ Greenfinch, 20+ Linnet, 200+ Meadow Pipit plus a hanful of Redwings and Song Thrushes. High wind and rain stopped play. A few Chiff-Chaff around the Higher Ley and a pair of Cirl Buntings at Strete Gate
Posted November 2nd, 2013 at 1:46 pm by David Cope in Bird News
Quick walk on Berry Head. 1 Firecrest in wooded section behind BH farm. 1 Black Redstart on cliffs by bird hide, 700+ guillemots on the cliffs. At the end of headland 45+ Gannets feeding with 9 Harbour Porpoise and then run for cover, heavy rain shower. I'm starting up my winter boat trips in the bay next Sunday ( 10th ) if interested call 07866202576.
Posted November 2nd, 2013 at 11:26 am by Nigel Smallbones in Bird News
Cloudy, grey morning with a fresh W-SW wind. Watched the visible migration from the car park from 06:45. Difficult conditions, not easy to hear a lot of things but worth perservering. Passage seemed to have died out by 09:00,all birds headed south.
10 alba wagtails, 570 Goldfinch, 420 Chaffinch, 60 Linnet, 15 Siskin, 3 Brambling and the highlight 21 Crossbills ( groups of 18 and 3 ). 2 Swallows flew north.
Posted November 2nd, 2013 at 10:25 am by Perry Sanders in Bird News
Friday 1st November 2013
the bonapartes gull flew past east cliff cafe this morning around, several gannetts 11.30am towards the river, also little egret on river from marine drive
also some late news as my phones not been working sorry
29/10 at brixham, 10 purple sandpipers of the jetty near lighthouse, a single guillemot in harbour, as well as 5 rockpipits in area
30/10 at broadsands 2 male and 4 female cirl buntings in hedge of field north car park
Posted November 1st, 2013 at 9:34 pm by chris vaghela in Bird News
4 Shoveler on T'stone Marsh with 20 Teal, 6 Snipe
Waders on the rocks this morning - 1 Purple Sandpiper ( first of the autumn and an early record here ) 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstone , 1 Sanderling .
Huxton Cross fields 6 Lapwing .
Posted November 1st, 2013 at 6:21 pm by Mike Passman in Bird News
1 female Black Redstart Paignton Bowling Club, Queens Park, late morning.
Posted November 1st, 2013 at 5:23 pm by Paul Nunn in Bird News
1230 - 1500hrs: most birds of interest around woodland and road just south of the Berry Hd Hotel - 1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Firecrest, 2 Treecreepers, 3 Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest.
Posted November 1st, 2013 at 4:16 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
08:20-14:00.
13 Little Grebe, possible 'sinensis' Cormorant ( Ireland Bay with a couple other Cormorants but distant ) Shelduck, 52 Gadwall, 14 Teal, 13 Shoveler, 207 Wigeon, 52 Pochard, 367 Tufted Duck, 52 Pochard, Tufted Duck x Red-crested Pochard hybrid, 420 Coot, 45 Moorhen, 6 Mediterranean Gull ( 5 adults, 1 first winter ), c1500 Herring Gull, c300 Great Black-backed Gull, c 200 Lesser Black-backed Gull ( maybe 10 % darker intermedius type birds )and a Firecrest ( in roving tit flock by pillbox ). The vast majority of the gulls were in 2 big flocks on the beach. All the Wigeon were in Ireland Bay, most of the Coot, Tufted Ducks and Pochard in Stokely Bay/Torcross.
Posted November 1st, 2013 at 3:08 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
Not really ideal conditions in mod SW wind, rain not arrived yet. A seawatch from 0915-1115 produced mainly Kittiwakes, with 148 moving south, plus 11 auks. Four Great Skuas went south and one flew into the bay, also an adult Pomarine flew into the bay to chase Kittiwakes.
Posted November 1st, 2013 at 1:28 pm in Bird News