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.

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.

The 2 Velvet Scoters till dusk straight offshore showing well.

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.

 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.

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

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.

Quartet of Whooper Swans on the marsh at c.SS473353, at about 3.30 p.m.

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.

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.

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

2 Velvet Scoter 500m off Paignton/Preston Beach with 2 Common Scoter also 2 Great Northern Divers.

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. 

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.

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.

The Long-tailed Duck was still showing from the hide this lunchtime until around 1.40.

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

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. 

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.  

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.

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.

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

A Great Grey Shrike late afternoon at around SY050882. Also Merlin around the area.

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.

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

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.

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.   

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.

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.....

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!

This little beauty was showing well again today, you just need to put a bit of effort in to locating it!

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? 

 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

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.

One Albatross at Baggy Point this morning on the water preening for a short time then in flight heading south west towards Hartland.

Grey Phalarope still showing well in the Goodacre/Shop area this morning at 10am.

Harvey Kendall & Barry Bryne

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

The Grey Phalarope continues to show very well.

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. 

20 Redwing, 7 Mistle Thrush & 20 Meadow Pipit in the cemetery.

2 Adult Med Gulls at Devil''s Point.

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!

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.

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.

Grey Phalarope still at Roadford feeding in a very relaxed manor.         Very confident little bird, managed to get about a metre away from it!

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

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.

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

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.  

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.

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

 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 .

1 female Black Redstart Paignton Bowling Club, Queens Park, late morning.

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.

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.

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.