Happy New Year

Many thanks to all observers that have already submitted their records for 2019, both through Birdtrack and Devon Birds. This is much appreciated.

For other records please could observers submit their sightings by 31^st January.

Guidelines and links to recording forms can be found here https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/recording/guide_to_record_submission

Please send your records to Karen Sims data.manager@devonbirds.org and any descriptions to Kevin Rylands recorder@devonbirds.org

Best wishes and good birding for 2020

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Two adult Med gulls off Topsham recreational playing fields this afternoon. One had metal ring on left leg.

3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 ads both with metal rings and an unringed fw) on rocks at north end of prom today.

Made two visits today, one before lunch and one after. Before lunch saw Black Redstarts, Meadow Pipits, Blue Tits, Coal Tit, several Blackbirds, Goldfinches and Greenfinch and several Redwing.

After lunch the weather was more overcast for a while and managed a Raven, Goldfinch, Sparrow and Coal Tit but not able to get good views to photo any of them apart from the Raven.

Watched from 08:15 till 11:15

only me and Tom Jurd in the hide when Tom said he had a few birds in the reeds on the far side just before 09:00 quickly getting my scope on the birds and wow Penduline tits we definitely had 3, 1 male and 2 1st winter / females but could of been upto 5 as me and Tom certain 2 of the first 3 had no black mask on them they showed well at times in the reeds to the right of the gate until at least 09:40 a fantastic bird for the marsh and another first for Bowling green marsh. 

Before we got the penduline tits quick counts of the waders , 1 spotted redshank, 1200+ dunlin, 558+ avocet, 500+ black tailed godwits, 15+ bar tailed godwits. 150+ redshanks, 6+ reed buntings, Redwings and at least 1 fieldfare, 3 pintail, 4 gadwall.

on way down to the hide 1 nuthatch, 4 coal tit and 2 great spotted woodpecker.

another great day at bowling green marsh

1950 Golden Plover on the ridge this morning, 19 Pintail,

397 Lapwing  & 74 Common Gull.

At least 2, possibly 3 Water Pipits viewable from the hide this morning. Also a couple Kingfishers.

At least 3 Penduline Tits (adult male and a couple of 1W by the look of them) from the hide this am.

1 Water pipit at the recreational playing field this pm.

1300 - 1530

On a rising tide were 44 Teal, 45 Wigeon, 50+ Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 4 Black Tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egret, 1 Curlew, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Great Northern Diver working its way down towards the Tamar bridge at sunset.

Watched from 07:30 till 10:15

Just a quick look around this morning before xmas shopping there was lots of disturbance this morning around the area made counts very hard.

only 72 avocet on bowling green with 2 spotted redshank among 400+ dunlin, 200+ black tailed godwits, 7 gadwall , 2 stonechat, 4 reed buntings a few wigeon and teal, 3 water rail and 42+ snipe.

the viewing platform area produced another 4 water rail, kingfisher , 3 reed bunting , 4 bullfinch, 40+ redwing , 3 fieldfare, 1 green woodpecker, 2 great spotted woodpecker,

looking from the viewing platform another 105+ avocet on the far side among , 56+ grey plover and 150+ golden plover, 30+ knot, 1000+ dunlin, , 21+ red breasted mergansers.

from the goat walk before a para glider went over causing havoc with the  large number of avocet and dunlin, black tailed godwits, curlew and lapwing, lots of wigeon and lapwing disturbed from exminster.

A lovely sunny calm day for checking the sea at Otterton SW where 3 Great Northern Divers and 1 Red-throated Divers were the highlights. Best bird was a Lapland Bunting in with Skylarks late afternoon from the coast path between Otter Ledge and Brandy Head. A few pics on my blog.

Robin Shute reported that the Hoopoe is still present at the first caravan site at Dawlish Warren, please remember to ask permission to look for the bird on the site.

Russ reported two Black Redstarts today

Also small flock Redwing present for a while and photographed today by Mick Spencer

Late morning walk around the marsh with just the bins showed large numbers of Brent Geese, Canada Geese, Lapwing and Wigeon and a few Snipe in fields both sides of station road but no sign of the Brant . Early afternoon at Turf locks on low-tide produced large number of Golden Plover c180 settled in middle of mud viewed towards goatwalk with another similar size group flying from the large mud bar south of the jetty. Good numbers of Lapwing and Dunlin also on the mud with a few Grey Plover and a Grey Wagtail was around sleuce gates.

Golden Plover

Golden Plover (taken with camera held to bins)

Maer Cricket Club - 2 swallows found by Paul Gosling around 1030 this morning. Also chiffchaff there and an immature male black redstart still showing well around the sailing club.

black redstart - Exmouth Sailing Club

On the dropping tide this morning were 103 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 33 Curlew, 18 Dunlin, Common Sand, 9 Little Grebe all at top end, Kingfisher, 6 Mistle Thrush and a singing Song Thrush. 

Quiet and fairly mild conditions at Lower Tamar this morning.

14 Goosanders, 19 Mallard, 7 Teal, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Gadwall 1 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 2 Grey Herons, 9 Blackbirds, good numbers of Blue and Great Tits plus Chaffinches on and around the feeders, 2 Coal Tits, 4 House Sparrows, 7 Black headed Gulls and 3 Jays.

Harvey Kendall

Large group of Brent Geese with Black Brant flew out of Darts Farm on arrival after beeing disturbed by pickup driving through the fields late morning.

Walking back along the exe trail a Kestrel was sat on the fencing near the bridge in Goosemoor. Bowling Green Marsh produced large numbers of Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler with some Shelduck, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Snipe. Viewing Platform showed the Water Rail just inside the gates again and much closer today. From the platform large numbers Dunlin and Redshank with Grey Plover scattered around and a few Avocets with 4 Red Brested Mergancers in the river channel.

Around the goatwalk large numbers of Avocets, Black Tailed Godwits, Dunlin and a few more Grey Plover scattered around and 2 Red Breasted Mergancers in the channel. Across the river c100 Golden Plover in a line around the jetty area of turf locks and large numbers of Lapwing.

Recreation ground showed large numbers of Black Headed Gulls with lots of Common Gulls a few Redshank and a Grey Plover. The Kingfisher was flying to&fro across the river reed-beds to retreat boatyard jetty. From 1615hrs the Starlings started the buildup with their great display over and around the M5 Motorway bridge with the sun setting in the background before settling into the reed-beds. Link to video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muQYruBFa34&feature=youtu.be

Many have asked about the adult summer Bonaparte's Gull and Whiskered Tern which gave brief visits at BGM in May 2014 and were unable to see. I've uploaded digiscoped videos to youtube which were taken with a compact camera hand-held against the scope eyepiece. Links to videos below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mOpk-nSKdw&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yNq0gzMJLU&feature=youtu.be

Please note mobile number for warden has been updated and is: 079771 48270

Species noted this afternoon (5/12/14) were: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Crows (20 ish), Magpie (20ish), Squirrel, Rabbit.

At Plymouth College Playing Field (in a bush on the Sports Ground), Black Redstarts and Sparrows.

The Yellow-browed Warbler was still showing well in the back of the 1st carpark this morning - chasing off Chiffchaffs! Also Firecrest in the marsh and 18 Cirl Buntings on seed in the 2nd car park with at least a couple of Reed Buntings.

Did my Webs Count this morning, the marsh still having plenty of water in it. Also glad to see there was a Little Grebe, a male Tufted Duck and acouple of Coots to add to the list with the usual Mallards and Moorhens. After that went for a stroll around Longwood, saw 3 Firecrests in different parts of the woods, but the surprise was looking at the stream that goes under the track and seeing a Dipper, which is the first one I’ve ever seen here. 

With calmer sea this morning an opportunity to check the sea off Broadsands produced 6 Red-throated Divers still, two Great Northern, 23 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Black-necked Grebes, 8 Common Scoter.An additional Red-throated Diver was off Goodrington.

It would appear that the female Red-crested Pochard that has been visiting Budleigh intermittently since Nov 16th has now taken up residence at Bicton College Lake. It was present this morning with a couple of Tufted Duck.

There is not normally public access to the lake, but I have spoken to Bicton College who have very kindly agreed that any visiting birdwatchers are welcome to view the lake to see the bird so long as they agree to the following simple rules:

1 - Park in the visitors car park.
2 - During the week you must sign in and out at reception
3 - On a weekend reception is closed, but please give a courtesy call to the Warden (079771 48270) to let him/her know that you are on site birdwatching by the lake.

All College staff are aware of the bird, so there should be no problems

Long-tailed Duck in Spring plumage !!!

Yellow-browed Warbler still present and calling this morning with mixed tit flock.

Anyone interested in a write up about the Little Stint on the Plym Estuary in October, can see one on the Birding Frontiers website:-

http://birdingfrontiers.com/2014/12/04/a-troublesome-juvenile-stint/

10:30 Today.

A very still day on the Lake, 16 Goosander 12m 4f, 13 Tufted Duck 8m 5f, 7 G.C.Grebe, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Gadwall 1m 1f, 3 Wren, 1 Nuthatch, 2 G.S.Woodpecker, 7 Long Tail Tits,2 Jay,2 Bullfinch.

Fairy Cross.

1 Male Hen Harrier cruising the tree tops.

Black Brant was on fields far side viewed from the hide at mid-day with c600 Brent Geese and Great Spotted Woodpecker was again on the feeders. Link for close up video of Woodpecker

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0mF51x8qIg&feature=youtu.be

A few Redwing and Fieldfare feeding on the berrys along the hedgerow walking down Bowling Green Road. Water Rail was again showing really well in the field just along the left hedgerow adjacent the road inside the entrance gates for Bowling Green viewing platform. From the viewing platform on incoming high-tide 2 Spotted Redshank + 24 Grey Plover + large numbers of Avocets, Lapwing and other waders.

Black Brant

Lapwing

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Watched from 14:45 till 16:40

walked along station road upto the fishermans car park, 5 water rail, 4 stonechat , large number of wigeon in various groups around the marsh, 15+ grey plover, a group of 150+ golden plover were flushed twice by the local peregrine, large numbers of lapwing spread over the marsh, a group of 300+ Brent geese were close by the road by the middle car park and were joined by 700+ which flew in from the estuary.

waders were building up on the scrapes by the lagoon  500+ dunlin, good numbers of black tailed godwits, redshanks, and curlew.

6+ pintail, 5 tufted duck, 1 little grebe, 2 kingfisher 

Another excellent display of many thousand starlings near the motorway bridge at Topsham today between 4 and 4.17. Lots of good action over a calm river which brokes into large ripples and a wake from the massed wingbeats as the birds did their final drop into the reeds. A great watch.

Yellow-browed warbler still present on footpath between St Mary's Park in Colaton St Mary and Yalberton Industrial Estate. Also 1 chiffchaff, 10+ long-tailed tits, 6 blue tits, 4 great tits and at least 5 goldcrests.

Darts Farm late morning no sign of the Black Brant and not many Brent Geese about. Mid-day the Great Spotted Woodpecker was again on the feeders with several Chaffinch and Green Finch. Link to video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3HrMUcSLSM&feature=youtu.be

Walking along the Exe Trail there was a very nice Spotted Redshank feeding on the river clyst mud near the new bridge in Goosemoor. Large group of Brent Geese flying Goosemoor towards Darts Farm. Link to video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bozY0evcxHQ&feature=youtu.be

Bowling Green Viewing Platform showed another Spotted Redshank +  Greenshank + 9 Grey Plover + large numbers of Avocet + Dunlin + and other waders + Water Rail was again showing well along the hedgerow in usual place just inside the entrance gates.

Walked upto retreat boatyard to view the starling murmuration which arrived a bit later today in the failing light with the sun setting with red sky in the background. This produced several smaller groups instead of the 2 larger groups which had been showing in the last few days before settling into the reed-beds but still exciting to watch and the noise from the reed-beds was awesome  Link for video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe6CnO27N3w&feature=youtu.be

Spotted Redshank

Greenshank

Water Rail

Ford Park Cemetery on Tuesday.

Birds noticed were Redwing, Meadow Pipit, Green Finches, Goldfinches, Blackbirds, Robins, Magpies and Carrion Crows (by the score), Wood Pigeons.

Drake American Wigeon seen a mile upstream from Morwellham Quay on tidal river Tamar. Seen from kayak. In company of two Mallard. Very shy- didn't get closer than 100 yards before it took flight. No binoculars.

regards   Rupert Kirkwood

American Wigeon- Morwellham

Broadsands: Yellow-browed  Warbler showed well in top right corner of 1st car park first thing this morning. Also 14 (minimum) Cirl Buntings on seed in 2nd car park, feeding station is near the blue skip this year see: http://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/articles/cirl_buntings_at_broadsands

Returning home I had to 'double take' a bird sat on the wires above Brantwood Drive - amazingly it was a Swallow, looking quite sorry for itself after last nights frost - but it seen flying around later in the morning.    

Quick look at Dart's Farm this lunchtime saw just a small flock of Brent Geese and no sign of anything unusual amongst them. The Kingfisher was perched close to the feeders by the hide.

Paid a quick visit to Goosemoor on my way back to work and found the pair of Egyptian Geese on the river bank looking towards Darts Farm. Also close by was a Black Swan on the other river bank. Still there at about 2 o'clock.

The tiny Manteo Way reserve had 36 Curlew in the wintering flock on the cowfields, and 6 Common Snipe feeding way out in the open on the mud. 3 Lapwing and Shelduck highlight species on River Torridge at low water. 

A cold but bright morning. 54 Golden Plovers, 13 Lapwing and 3 Stonechats. Yesterday (2nd) 9 Golden Plover, 1 Grey wag, Kestrel and the Little Owl showing well in the afternoon.

Video of the Water Rail viewed with Keith earlier this afternoon over the high-tide as per his post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfMAwfevdeY&feature=youtu.be

Watched from 14:50 till 16:30

Bowling green marsh 14:50 till 15:30 

654+ Avocet numbers slightley down on last 2 days but still an excellent count for the marsh, 1 spotted redshank among good numbers of dunlin, black tailed godwits and lapwing and a few bar tailed godwits, 4 pochard, 6 gadwall.1 water rail close to the gate to the path to the viewing platform,

From the goat walk 5 red breasted mergansers

From the Quay and topsham rec 16:00 till 16:30

Another amazing display from the starlings pre roost,  numbers built quickly with groups coming from all directions 1 group of 1000+ flew over us as we walked to topsham rec estimate at least 20000 to 25000 the weather is supposed to be good tomorrow afternoon so hoping for another good display best watched from topsham rec.

Water rail

The first rather cold day of this winter may not have been the best day to trek across a chilly Dartmoor, but a visit to Dartmeet went very well from a birding perspective, a good flock of Goldfinch on the Alders on arrival, Yellow Hammers soon showed up, one male being a BTO rung bird with blue & yellow colour tag rings on the other leg, a Wren and a male Bullfinch showed briefly Goldcrest showing well by the river and a Marsh Tit came in just as we were leaving.

Lots of Woodpigeons that appeared to be feeding on Beech mast.

Large flock of Chaffinch on the Beechmast at Two Bridges, no sign of any Brambling with them.

Burrator seemed to be the venue for a birding photographers convention, with Nuthatch, Jay and Coal Tits being very plentiful in the area, both Green and Greater Spotted Woodpecker and a Grey Wagtail being on the days list at that location, another birder reported seeing Treecreeper on the Oaks.

Too blown out by wind to do much this am but a flock of 10 Brent Geese on the beach initially, soon flushed by dog walkers and flew off southward.

A very windy and cold Tamar Lake today.

Goosander 7m 2f keeping out of the wind in the culverts, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 2 Jay, 1 L/Grebe on the stock pond, 2 G.S.Woodpecker on the feeders, 8 G.C. Grebe, 1 Redwing, The feeders at the hide and car park both very productive with Blue/Great/Coal/Marsh/Willow Tits, Greenfinch Chaffinch Bullfinch, Dunnock, House Sparrow also 1 Wren, 3 Robin,4 Moorhen, 1 Grey Heron, 24 Mallard.

The female Red-crested Pochard again on the scrapes early this morning (Alan) before flying off.
1 Purple Sandpiper on the rocks below Otter Ledge this morning.
This afternoon 4 Shoveler, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Curlew, 1 Lapwing and 200+ Wigeon, 40+ Teal on the scrape.

Starling Roost growing at Topsham, no time to count numbers!!... This evenings display was a short one, (16:05 to 16:15) but spectacular!. Best time to view seams to be between 15:45 to 16:30 if they are there.! 

Reedbeds under M5 bridge

Starlings over the M5

My first Purple Sandpipers of the winter this afternoon on rocks by the defunct paddling pool. Dave Paull had a single there a couple of weeks ago and today there were two.

Two Egyptian Geese on the bank of the River Clyst, between Darts Farm and the Bridge Inn. 10.28 am

At Horseley Cove a slightly unexpected sight was 8 Brent Geese (7 of which in photo ) feeding on the seaweed covered  rocks, reluctant to move even when a dog walker passed. Also a lone Knot feeding with Turnstones.At the Airfield were 58 Golden Plovers and 2 Lapwing.  

A quick look at Beesands late pm, nice to see the duck buildup again with 110 Gadwall present. The storm damage to the beachfront was noticeable.

Started at Darts Farm 1245hrs

Black Brant was feeding in the fields amongst 600+ Brent Geese + Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the feeders + Kingfisher was around the fish ponds. Click on the link below for Black Brant video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQsNZ3GjBOQ&feature=youtu.be

Walking through Goosemoor a Buzzard was sat on top the fencing.

Link below shows a Spotted Redshank feeding in the Clyst Estuary viewed from Bowling Green Marsh left of the Viewing Platform on the out-going high-tide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIYZdPS-cj0&feature=youtu.be

Black Brant

Black Brant

Buzzard

Off Pottington Ind. Est :- 3 Little Egret; just 29 Lapwing; 1 Sanderling with either damaged left foot or small bivalve attached and 54 Redshank.

Off Penhill Point :- 5 Grey Plover; 8 Dunlin; 1 Great Crested Grebe; 2 Little Egret and c400 Lapwing.

Ashford Strand :- 1 Bar-tailed Godwit; 4 Little Egret and c30 Redshank. Plenty of Oystercatchers.

Bassett`s Ridge(off Heanton Court) 15:20 :- 16 Pintail (5 drakes and 11 ducks); 117 Ringed Plover; 63 Dunlin; 6 Shelduck and 8 Grey Heron.

A half-hour lunchtime visit from 13:15 saw about 600 Brent Geese, with about a dozen or so Canadas in the fields to the east of the Clyst.  In amongst them the Black Brant stood out like nobody's business.  (Must have been the same group spotted by KB later in the afternoon).  Also a couple of dozen Teal and a few Wigeon but no obvious transatlantic types with them.

Watched from 14:20 till 16:20

A quick look around after work produced a Spotted redshank in with dunlin, redshanks, bar tailed godwits and black tailed godwits, 2 tufted duck, 4 pochard, 3 gadwall all on Bowling green marsh.

from the viewing platform 600+ Brent geese flew over from darts, 1 water rail, 11 red breasted mergansers , large numbers of dunlin and a few grey plover.

from the goat walk finally found the Avovets on the far side towards turf 2 counts done confirming yesterdays count of 730+ great to see, 40+ golden plover 600+ lapwing, good numbers of dunlin, redshank, grey plover, black tailed godwits, also good numbers of common gulls among yhe black headed gulls.

finally from the quay and then the church in topsham watched a spectacular performance from c25000 Starlings over the reed beds by the Motorway bridge to end a good couple of hours birding. 

The female Red-crested Pochard on the scrapes north of the Lime Kiln car park this afternoon (first seen 16th November). Seems to be fully winged and be wearing no rings!
The Teal x Wigeon hybrid also present.

Some more photos on the following link if interested:

www.creamteabirding.co.uk/2014/12/more-ducks.html

Bird highlights were golden plover, 200 skylark,44 meadow pipit, 23 pied wagtail, 7 song thrush,130  carrion crow, 47 house sparrow & 17 cirl bunting.

Highlight of the morning was a mature femaSika stag with 6 females. Also my first Brown Hare of the year.

Around the beaches: 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Northern Diver, 13 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Black-necked Grebes.

Also Broadsands; 19 Cirl Buntings on seed in 2nd car park, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest (photo below) with 4+ Chiffchaffs.

Goodrington; Youngs Park 1 Siberian Chiffchaff (photo below) and 1 Chiffchaff. 

Black Redstart on the red cliffs near the war memorial, seen from the promenade at 3.40pm.     

Took Digby and Sue (DBWPS members) around the reserve this morning. WIndless and sunny, shame about the local shooters on the adjacent marshes, shooting far too frequently in my opinion.

We spent some time trying to see something that was attracting the attention of the small birds, hoping for a Tawny Owl, but alas, all I saw was a pesky squirrel....

We did, however hear a very vocal Cetti's Warbler, and at least 5 Chiffchaffs, including at least 3 unringed birds. A Water Rail flew out from the pond and later started squealing. Increasing numbers of Goldfinch feeding on alder cones. A Red Admiral flying around the grassy area. (Saw another in central Barnstaple later).

Finally, a Dipper in the stream as we left.

Charleton Marsh / Bay, 11 :45-13:00, high tide

Great Northern Diver ( around Saltstone ), 6 Little Grebe, 800+ Golden Plover ( flying high above fields west of marsh ), 33 Snipe and 2 Chiffchaffs ( sewage works ).

Yellow-browed Warbler feeding and calling with a small tit flock on short public footpath between St Marys Park on Stoke Road and the industrial estate. Grid reference SX 86624 59691

Popped over to Ilfracombe with Andy Lansdell to try and see the recently reported Black Redstart and Firecrest but had no joy. We met up with John Hunt , Rob Jutson and wife Paula who had been observing the Purple Sandpipers which also eluded Andy and myself !

 However, the most notable observation which I feel needs a mention was the presence of a splendid Painted Lady butterfly enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

  These cannot survive the British winter at all and are usually gone by mid to late October !

Painted Lady butterfly.