Please be advised that the Taw & Torridge Field Meeting on Sunday 23rd June has had to change venue. The woodland is off limits at Hartland Forest so the meeting will now take place at SS373193, Landcross to Powlers Piece road. Clear fell area before Powlers Piece. Look out for Roger Doble and Dave Paul who will park up and look out for members. Meet at 9.30pm. Further information can be obtained from Norman Briden 01271371072 

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. Many of these 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. 

You should also apply these principles to vulnerable species without the wider legal protection. 

Although some species may be found breeding at numerous locations, please keep information about them limited to well-known sites (e.g. Labrador Bay for Cirl Bunting and 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, as appropriate, the RSPB. 

Please be aware that egg collecting and other forms of disturbance and persecution remain very real hazards for some of Devon’s birds. Unfortuately this can involve people wanting to photograph or obtain close views of the  birds, as well as eg egg collectors. 

Every year editors on this site have to remove or edit posts which breach the code outlined here. Please play your part in making this unnecessary. 

Thank you.

Please take extra care when visiting Dawlish Warren. We have been informed that due to the recent bad weather there has been significant erosion from Groyne 10 eastwards. This means that access along the site, to and from Warren Point (and the bird hide) will be via the beach only, with a risk of being cut off for a period either side of high water! Signs have been put up to alert people to the hazards, but people need to be aware that access routes that they have become used to may not be available and they need to exercise extreme caution,  with the possibility of being cut off by the tide, and people are strongly urged not to try climbing the sand cliffs. Further information is available on the Teignbridge District Council website.

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Acting on comments to Devon Birds some changes have been made to this page. To the right of this header post you'll see there are now several subjects for you to choose to read and post on. Just click your chosen subject and use as previously.

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Please try and keep posts short, particularly in the Scarce / Rare Birds & Passage Counts page. Photographs are still very welcome.  

For help with ID email photos to id@devonbirds.org.

Gull roost continues to improve. Ross's gull appeared at 9.10 pm,feeding actively on shoreline.Spotted redshank and whimbrel mixed with curlew,barwit and redshank.

A couple of pics from today

Juv Redstart

Tree Pipit

Single Red Kite over at 12:40.

unseasonal adult little stint,ad+2s med gulls,ad golden plover.unable to post y.day due to damn internet failing..19:30-20:50.

In Soussons: 1 Redstart and good numbers of Coal Tits but little else apart from a large flock of Jackdaws flying over, c100 birds.Grey Wagtails at Pizwell Bridge. Over at Vitifer: Walk around the the area produced a few pairs of Whinchats and good numbers of Meadow Pipits. Also present, Wheatears, Willow Warblers, Pied Wagtails, Skylark, Kestrel and 4 Ravens. 

Whinchat

Grey Wagtail

Wheatear

39 Med Gulls on the sands this morning.

What a cracking bird the adult sum plum!

Just to ad to Keith's post.

fs Ross's Gull was elusive all evening and eventually appeared from the far left gulley area on the main pond and continued to feed all along the shoreline to the point at 2103Hrs.

Ross's Gull

Greenshank

2-a + 1-ss Mediterranean Gulls

watched from the hide 18:15 till 20:55

The Ross's gull showed up just after I had left thanks Dave for the email 

10 mediterannean gulls (4 adult, 2 2nd summer and 4 1st summer) among 800+ black headed gulls

The 2 sp spotted redshanks were among 180+ redshank, 7+ greenshank, 7+ bar tailed godwits, 1 sp grey plover, 1 green sandpiper, 70+ black tailed godwits , 4 whimbrel, 110+ curlew, 4 teal 3 wigeon , 5 little egrets , 3 reed warbler, 2 redd buntings , 1 little grebe, 4 sandwich terns 

adult mediterranean gull

2nd summer and 2 adult mediterranean gulls

Looking for the Gyrs falcon in Brixham, which didn't appear, we found an probable glaucous gull sat on Cod rock next to Berry head. Any opinions weather it is or not a glaucous gull?

Glaucous Gull

A single (sum-plum) Black-tailed Godwit on the pool. Other wader numbers creeping up with 19 Curlews, 12 Redshanks; also 8 Little Egrets and 17 Shelducks, of which one pair still also have 4 ducklings.

Two juv Blackcaps and 4 Marbled Whites completed the day's sightings.

Lower Tamar Lake 08:50.

2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cormorant, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Morning high tide. From 8.20 -11.00. Ross's Gull 1st Sum, Med Gull 8 (5 1st sum, 2nd sum & 2 Ad sum), Spotted Redshank 2 br pl, Redshank 182, Greenshank 3, Curlew 187, Whimbrel 4, Blkwits 81, Barwit 5, Lapwing 4 Ad, Grey Plover 1 br pl. 

Photos from top to bottom

First summer Med Gull

Second summer Med Gull

Adult summer Med Gull

41 Mediterranean Gulls on Saunton Sands yesterday morning. 37 not ringed, 4 colour ringed & digiscoped.

26 Med Gulls this morning, 1 colour ringed & digiscoped.

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.

Whimbrel, Curlew, Swift, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Little Egret and Reed Warblers on the Fremington side. Then from Velator Quay a Kingfisher, Swift, Black-headed Gulls, Swallows incl. fledglings, Common Sandpiper and early Goldfinch flocks.

2 adult Mediterranean Gulls; 3 Juvenile Redshank; 1 Bar-tailed Godwit; 1 Lapwing; 2 Little Egret; 3 Common Sandpipers; 1 Whimbrel; c70 Curlew; 2 Shelduck; 3 Swift plus Herring Gull; Great Black-backed Gulls; Oystercatcher and Black-headed Gulls. 5 Gannet over mouth of estuary.

5 Mediterranean gulls (1 1st summer and 4 adults or 2nd summers) at Topsham Rec 1pm today.

Islay Marsh:

Stonechat, Whinchat, female and male Reed Bunting, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch, 17 linnets.

Instow:

I adult med gull near the pear with all of the Black-headed Gulls, also 2 Mute swan's, Oystercatchers, Curlew.

Skern:

Tide was to far out to see any waders 5 white wagtails, 3 Pied Wagtails, 21 Goldfinches, 2 Linnets

Watched from the hide 09:35 till 10:30

A quick look this morning before the heavy showers arrived produced the 2 sp spotted redshanks among 130+ redshanks, 5 greenshanks, 182+ curlew , 3 whimbrel, 90+ black tailed godwits, 7 bar tailed godwits, 700+ black headed gulls.

later at topsham quay 5 common sandpipers 

6 Med gulls,5ad bp,2s,whimbrel,turnstone,07:00-08:15

Watched from the hide 17:30 till 20:00

The 1st summer Ross's gull still showing well at times, still 2 summer plumage spotted redshanks. 

1000+ black headed gulls included 5 Mediterranean gulls ( 1 adult and 4 1st summers) , 6+ common gulls, 2 lesser black backed gulls.

236+ curlew was double recent counts, 3 whimbrel, 7 bar tailed godwits, 180+ redshanks, 7 greenshanks, good numbers of black tailed godwits, 5+ lapwing, 1 oystercatcher.

A great moment finding this young Tawny Owl for 7 members of DB (East Branch) during their fieldtrip around Challacombe Farm and valley.  Good numbers of Redstarts, Spotted Flycatchers, Wheatears and Stonechats but fewer Whinchat than expected.  Early heavy rain set in but quickly cleared to make this another memorable day.  Thanks to Dave Murray for leading us.

From the hide this lunchtime until about 1.15. One of the summer plumaged Spotted Redshanks was showing well at times with a group of about 30 Redshanks and 1 Black-tailed Godwit at the back of the marsh. Otherwise fairly quiet with no small gulls. The female Pintail still present as well as 3 Teal.

0800hrs Adult White Morph bird...Dont get too excited... It has jessies on and seen in the vicinity of St Marys Bay

per Seb Loram

Adult knot bp,whimbrel,16 black headed gull inc 2 juv,barwit.

Viewed over the evening high-tide 1500-2000Hrs

fs Ross's Gull + c1100 Black Headed Gulls + 4 Common Gulls + 3-fs Mediterranean Gulls + Lesser Blacked Gull (sadly ate 1 of the Coot chicks) + 2-sp Spotted Redshank + c150 Redshank + c170 Curlew + 4 Whimbrel + 1-sp Grey Plover + c90 Black Tailed Godwits + 7 Bar Tailed Godwits + 2 Greenshank + 1 Green Sandpiper + 4 Lapwing + 11 Oystercatchers + 17 Little Egrets.

No sign of the fs Little Gull although seen earlier at mid-day by Nick.

Ross's Gull

sp Grey Plover

A drake Red Crested Pochard was on the bottom (eastern most) Pond.

Also a brood of 9 downy Tufted Ducks with an ad female. Tufted Ducks failed to breed in the last couple of years at Clennon Valley after a good run of successful broods.

Seawatch 10:30-14:00. ESE F5 some rain. 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 92 Manx Shearwaters, Balearic Shearwater (in heavy moult see photos), 3 Harbour Porpoise.

Lunchtime visit to the hide until about 1.15 in pouring rain. Only 6 gulls on the marsh, but this included the 1s Little Gull and an adult and 1s Mediterranean Gull. Green Sandpiper on the pool in front of the hide before it flew nearer the road. Male Wigeon and most surprisingly a female Pintail amongst noticably more Mallards than recently.

Further to Keith's post.

73 Oystercatchers dropped in after the high tide at 1905Hrs. The Ross's Gull really showed well towards the end of the day low down on the grass bank close in to far side of left channel and was still there when i left at 1935Hrs.

Ross's Gull

sp Spotted Redshank

adult Mediterranean Gull

Watched from the hide 15:50 till 18:35

The 1st summer Ross's gull showed well at times as did the 1st summer little gull and the 2 summer plumage spotted redshanks.

again 1200+ black headed gull with 6+ Mediterranean gulls( 2 adult and 4 1st summers ) 7+ common gull and a greater black backed gull.

Wader numbers were good with 182+ curlew, 4 whimbrel, 7 bar tailed godwits, 95+ black tailed godwits, 150.+ redshanks, 4 greenshanks, 4 lapwing, 1 oystercatcher.

18+ little egrets, 1 buzzards, 3 reed warblers. 

Just some photos of the smart looking adult and less-so fs Mediterranean Gulls + Green Sandpiper viewed over the afternoon high tide with Keith..

adult Mediterranean Gull

fs Mediterranean Gull (flying)

Green Sandpiper

Watched from the hide 15:00 till 18:05

With the 1st summer Ross's Gull and 1st summer little gull still showing well and the summer plumage spotted redshanks again being elusive at times 

slight dip in black headed gull numbers but still 1200+ now including 6 juv's, 13+ Mediterranean gulls(3 adult, 2 2nd summer and 8+ 1st summers) 7+ common gulls.

redshank numbers continue to increase with 177+, 7 bar tailed godwits , 80+ black tailed godwits, 2 greenshanks, 1 green sandpiper, 4 lapwing, 3 whimbrel, 90+ curlew

29+ little egrets and 2 sandwich terns briefly.

Some recent images from around Dartmoor

Tree Pipit

Common Crossbill

Lovely to see a Kittiwake at Hallsands yesterday. I understand that there is usually a good few there but only one found. It was on ledge but no sign of eggs or young.

Some more photos over the afternoon high tide on the marsh with Keith.

The Ross's Gull has been coming in regular now about 2 hours before the high tide.

3 Days now and still no sign of the Bonaparte's Gull

Ross's Gull

Little Gull

Oystercatchers

Watched from the Hide from 15:30 till 17:50

A busy afternoon on the Marsh with the 1st summer ROSS'S GULL still showing well also the Adult SPOONBILL and the 1st summer LITTLE GULL all in front of the hide.

The build up of Black headed gulls continues with at least 1500+ in today with 2 juv's, at least 12+ Mediterranean gulls (3 adults, 2 2nd summer and 7 1st summers), 4+ common gulls.

The number of oystercatchers continues to increase and today at least 138+ came in over the high tide this being my best count by far on the marsh. The 2 summer plumage Spotted redshanks were elusive at times with similar numbers of redshank and Black tailed godwits to the last few days , 7  Bar tailed godwits , 1 whimbrel, 106+ curlew, 1 green sandpiper, nice to see 8 sandwich terns on the marsh one was ringed but unable to read the details. 

18+ little egrets, 1 little grebe , 2 shoveler, 3 wigeon, 1 buzzzard

Ringing News on a Black headed Gull seen on 16th of June white ring with 26L2 code was ringed as a chick on 6/7/2013 at Lea Farm Gravel Pit near reading and is the first record of the bird since it left.

Adult Mediterranean Gull

Second summer Mediterranean gull

Ian Purchase has just given me a really good description of a white stork that flew in off the sea and continued fairly low up river at around 5pm yesterday afternoon. It may be worth checking the fields north of White's Bridge.

07:30 - 08:45

1 Spoonbill; 20 Little Egrets and 45 Shelduck on Penhill side of the river. There appears to be 2 creches of Shelduck on the Pottington side. 1 of 2 adults and 18 ducklings and a 2nd of 2 adults and 6 ducklings.

Black-headed Gulls are returning but no Meds as yet.

The Woodchat Shrike showing well all day at Swell Tor, apart from flying off for the odd insect spent most of the day on tops of the Hawthorn enjoying the sun!

Watched from the hide 11:50 til 16:05

the 1st summer Ross's gull showed well at times and has now been here for month, the 1st summer little gull and about 15:45 the adult spoonbill dropped in. 

Black headed gull numbers continue to increase with 1200+ including 1 juv, among them were 6+ med gulls ( 2 adult, 2 2nd summer , 2 1st summer), 5 common gull and 2 lesser black backed gulls.

the 2 summer plumage spotted redshanks were in with 80+ redshank, 6 bar tailed godwits, 83+ black tailed godwits, 1 greenshank, 1 green sandpiper, 1 whimbrel, 50+ curlew, 30+ shelduck. 

a surprise was 81+ oystercatchers dropping in usually only single figures on the marsh 

Still showing in same area but can be elusive at times.  Just south of the Princetown to Yelverton railway line/cycle track at SX 561 728 near Swelltor Quarry.  First time recorded on Dartmoor - see Birds of Dartmoor