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.

Three potential new members joined the group's visit to Dawlish Warren on Sat 28 February.  There was a disappointing lack of divers on the sea but 8+ Great Crested Grebe gave a good display and three Turnstone were showing well on the rocks. 

Sharp eyes of Doug found two Long-tailed Duck at the mouth of the Exe but plenty of patience was needed to see them as they were busy feeding.  Plenty of Brent Geese were on the golf course and the hide gave us good views of Grey Plover, Dunlin and Knot which were grouped together  - useful for comparison.  A displaying Skylark reminded us spring is nearly here.  Lesley G.

First time this winter that I had my camera with me at the same time that the Purple Sandpipers were feeding on the rocks off the Capstone - 4 birds seen together.

There were many Greenfinches around the carpark early this morning, also quite afew Chaffinches as well. A Great Spotted Woodpecker seen on a nearby tree and a Green Woodpecker on the track near the hide. Lots of Blue and Great Tits were around the feeder by the hide with a female Reed Bunting as well with some Bullfinches. On the marsh, plenty of Mallards and Moorhens and also 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 males and a female, 2 Coots and the Little Grebe. In the reeds were afew Chiffchaffs, about 5 and also a singing Cetti’s Warbler (photo), in the bushes by Southdown track, a Firecrest was seen.

2 Penduline Tits still mid morning at Darts Farm- ( no sign of the male bird) and still present at 11.05am Also a Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat and a Reed Bunting.  The Spoonbiil at Exminster earlier, flew off east at 10am but there was no further sign there, at Bowling Green, Goosemoor or from Exton Station. 

All 3 PENDULINE TITS were still showing well all yesterday afternoon after I first saw them arrive at 1301 hours - still frequenting the tiny reedbed adjacent to Dart's Farm hide. They were voraciously tearing apart the bulrush heads and extremely confiding. The male seemed to spend a lot of time on his own, feeding some distance away, occasionally sitting for long periods and contacting the other two with his short, shrill call. A slight hint of a deformed bill on one individual. All 3 birds were still present and happily feeding when I departed the site at 2pm and I had a call to say that they were still in the same place at 4.25pm

Here are three pictures of the Snow Bunting from yesterday (Friday)

The Snow Bunting was showing well yesterday (Friday) between the new cycle bridge and the Turf Hotel.

Helen, I hope you managed to find the Pendulines at last!!

53 Golden Plover settled on the airfield this morning was reminescent of past winters. The Snipe remain (79 counted today) with just 8 Lapwing. A single LBB Gull and 36 Black headed gulls were found amongst the horde of herring Gulls (c2000). 

Snow Bunting showing very well on the sea wall near turf

A bright morning but cloud developed.  A first for me, a spoon bill to the left of the bird hide south of white bridge.  Rather a long way off but got some distant shots.

Rob Jerrard

spoonbill

Spoonbill

spo

2 penduline tits today feeding on bull rush heads near hide, easily overlooked despite only being a few metres away as they pulled the heads apart to get at insects. A flyover black swan added to the exotic air.

Very much as you were although the fine afternoon allowed excellent views of the Snipe which totalled an impressive 89. 48 Lapwing, now 5 Stonechats, 45 Meadow Pipits and 2 Linnets were new arrivals, these having been absent most of the winter.

Yesterday 64 lapwing, 52 Snipe, 250+ Fieldfare and a flyover Cormorant. 

The Lesser Whitethroat continues to visit feeders and forage through shrubs now daily across several private gardens.

The Spotted Redhank was showing well just to the right of the viewing platform today until about 2 o'clock along with a Greenshank. Also a Water Rail at the back of the marsh from the hide.

I watch my bird feeders daily hoping to find a rarity, but never expected to see this Red Squirrel, it has been comming to the peanuts since Saturday morning, generally twice a day.

From Jon Turner :  The shot Mute Swan at Wrafton Pond being taken into care by RSPCA staff member Anthony from today. He's accompanied by a police constable seconded to the RSPCA for a few days. It's hoped that the Swan will be returned shortly after a visit to West Hatch for the pellet to be removed.

Not much today the usual birds plus;

Ludwell Valley - a pair of courting Dippers and a Grey Wagtail on the Northbrook.

A green Sandpiper on the nearest pond to the canal and the swing bridge.

Nothing of note on Matford Marshes or Harper's Lakes.

Could not see the reported 2 White Fronted Geese when I arrived at a quiet South Huish Marsh at 12.30 today. A search revealed a few Canada Geese on the back of the Marsh near the houses. A walk up the lane and a peer through the gardens gave a view of the 2 geese amongst a group of 20 Canada's. The second photo shows a size comparison

White Fronted Goose -South Huish Marsh - 25.2.15

2 White Fronted Geese with Canada Goose -South Huish- 25.2.15

13.00

Female Goosander, 2 mobile Dippers, Common Sandpiper and 2 marauding Sparrowhawks. 

No less than 12 Gadwall in the reserve this morning.

Battled rain, sleet, icy winds and glorious sun over last two days on Exminster Marshes, through to Turf. The Goose Invasion continues with a dark cloud of Brent appearing just about anywhere and everywhere on the marshes and/or estuary.  The scattered flocks of Canada Geese included a small flock of 10 Grey Lags seen around Station Road on both days. A few snipe in the fields around Station Road Plenty of Godwits, Curlews and a few Redshanks in fields and at tide's edge  - signs of changes in Godwits' plumage as the summer 'barring' beginning to appear on one or two birds. Distinct lack of small birds - probably huddled in hedgerows out of cold wind or trying to avoid the Merlin which flashed past me at 3pm yesterday near Lion's Rest.  Kestrel over Berry Brook Meadow swooped to ground but left without it's prey when a dog walker appeared. Today's highlight was spending 1/2 hour sitting with the celebrity Snow Bunting near Turf on the Sea Wall - quite an entertaining character.

After seeing the two European White-Fronted Geese at South Huish at 12.30 and phoning birdguides, I ventured over to Slapton. Could not detect any birds on the sea and ,with a cold wind blowing, nature called but the toilets at the memorial car park were closed with a note sending me to Strete Gate. Fortuitously, here  in the bright sunshine  2 Chiffchaffs circled the toilet block , followed by a Yellow-Browed Warbler , which then flew into the picnic area about 2.25pm. It was seen on and off for the next 3/4 hour. Poor record shots may follow.

The 2 White-Fronted Geese still 3.45pm at the back of South Huish Marsh with c35 Canada Geese.  Also 6 Gadwall, c30 Wigeon and c30 Teal. 

The drake Velvet Scoter was again off-shore today, but no sign of the Common Scoters today.

In less than ideal conditions these past few days (bitter North west wind and frequent heavy snow showers), the Snipe and Lapwing remain the only things of note. This morning 72 Lapwing, c50 Snipe (difficult to count) in the pig field and a fast moving flock of around 40 Golden Plover disappearing quickly into the distance. 4 Stonechats

Yesterday (23rd) 106 Lapwing, 45 Snipe, 4 Stonechats and c2000 Herring Gulls feeding on muck spread fields.

Saturday (21st) 66 Snipe, 80+ Fieldfare and the 2 resident Stonechats were joined by 2 others - whether this was the start of Spring migration not sure but if so, they must feel like turning round and heading back!

Mike Passman's website reported two 2 European White-fronted Geese (albifrons) on the Marsh this morning with the Canada Geese.

Over an exceptional High tide this morning, plenty to see but nothing out of the ordinary appart from the Snow and Sleet Showers with a bitter Wind :-

200+ Avocets, 250+ Black Tailed Godwits, 100+ Bar Tailed Godwits, 100+ Redshank, 50+ Dunlin, 200+ Widgeon, 50+ Teal 20+ Shoveler, 10+ Greylag Geese, 8+ Pintail, 20+ Lapwing, 4+ Pochard, 1 Water Rail, 1 Fox, 2 Buzzards, 1 Sparrowhawk. On the Feeders in the rough area plenty of Greenfinch, Chaffinch, and GoldFinches, Tits, and a nice Male Reed Bunting showing well.  

A pair of Pintail

Plenty of Black Tailed Godwits close to the hide

A Sparrowhawk spooked all the birds on the Marsh

Four female Shoveler and a male Pochard. The male Mute Swan still adorned with lead pellet - I hope the RSPCA will be here tomorrow. 

3 Gadwall in the reserve this morning.

All 7 SPOONBILLS present this morning and still there when I left the reserve at about ten past two. At least two with colour rings on.

Firecrest on the sheltered lower slopes of Fir Wood. Also 2 Chiffchaffs here but not singing - 1st migrants in or overwintering birds - who knows!

A couple photos of the female Goosander that seemed to be fascinated by a stick / reed & appeared to play with it for ages. Also the mallard up a tree in full voice!

20/02/2015: Imm Spoonbill roosting on Little Drake's Island, Plymouth Sound. It left at 09.12am and headed up the Tamar.

21/02/2015: Drake's Island. Cormorants sitting on many nests, Shag sitting on one nest site with active displaying by another pair nearby.

22/02/2015: Imm Spoonbill roosting on Little Drake's Island. It left at 08.20am and headed up the Tamar. (probably also present yesterday morning but if so, it left by 06.50am). Possibly a medium sized white winged gull (Iceland?) also on the Little island at one stage but it largely remained well hidden in a gully only showing its head, with Great Black backed gulls in all the more prominent exposed places. 

Robert Hurrell

This mornings high tide had completely flooded the saltmarsh and most of the birds were roosting on just two areas that remained above water: c200 Oystercatchers, c60 Curlews, 6 Ringed Plovers, c40 Redshanks and 1 Black-tailed Godwit. In the river 10 RB Mergansers and 2 Little Grebes. By the jetty was a Grey Wagtail. From a distance a Water Pipit was seen perched on dead tree in the middle of the marsh: apologies of the poor quality of the photograph.

Managed a early circuit around around the lake before the heavens opened. 10 Goosander inc 1 with a fish (perch?) & 1 playing with a stick. 2 pochard, 2 tufted, 6 mandarin & 2 GC grebe. On the feeders GS Woodpecker, nuthatch, Marsh Tit as well as the usual suspects. Weirdest sight a mallard up a tree.

Goosander with fish

Goosanders in flight

Yarner Wood - wet, but lots of Tits feeding including a Marsh Tit. 2 Drake and one duck Mandarin. Dawlish - wet with wind. One Gannet, one Kittiwake..... Along the Exe, Slavonian Grebe, and it was wet. Exminster - wet, windy and not much to see. Stopped at Powdwerham and walked along a windswept wet path towards the Turf, 600 metres short of the pub, almost stepped on the Snow Bunting! Dart's Farm - wet, no P Tits.... BGM Grey-lags, 1 Pintail a few Pochard some Wigeon, and on the way to the viewing platform, good numbers of both Wigeon and Black-tailed Godwit close to the path. Several Avocets and a Spotted Redshank from the platform, which was wet. Time to go home a light the fire.

Highlight of a stroll at Instow this morning was duck and drake Red-breasted Merganser. Also 2 Grey Plover, and Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Wigeon etc. before the rain turned us back. Supertide on Torridge had pushed a Little Egret to feed with Carrion Crows on muddy verge by busy B3233, near A39.

Apologies for the no-post at the time last Sunday 4pm, but there was a male Merlin perched on shrubs in the middle of Bursdon Moor, visible from the moor's carpark by the A39. Kestrel and Buzzard also noted but no harriers or owls.

Quick walk along Brixham Breakwater before the rain 15 Purple Sandpiper in total, 7 on seaward side and 8 on the old fuel bunkering jetty. Only 1 Turnstone. 

A drake Velvet Scoter was off Preston seafront with 10 Common Scoter this morning.

Broadsands: 15 Cirl Buntings and 3 Reed Buntings on seed in 2nd car park also 1 Chiffchaff in the marsh between the car parks. On the sea 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe and just 4 Great Crested Grebes. 

The Yellow-browed Warbler was seen again yesterday morning at Occombe Farm Nature Trail in the same area as previously reported.