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.

From the viewing platform on the in-coming evening high-tide 2 Grey Plovers (one summer plumage) again showing just above Exton; 2 Mediterranean Gulls (1-adult & 1-first summer) in front the platform and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Link to Mediterranean Gull video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSZukboK2nk

adult Mediterranean Gull from viewing platform

adult and first summer Mediterranean Gull from BGM hide

first summer Little Gull from the BGM hide

A couple of stunning Yellowhammers singing in the evening sun at Aylesbeare was a great way to finish the day off!

watched from 15:15 till 19:10

the 1st summer Little gull dropped in at 18:35 among 950+ black headed gulls , 5 Mediterranean gulls(1 adult, 4 1st summers, 8 sandwich terns ( 2 were ringed but was unable to get any details) 

83+ curlew, 5 whimbrel, 7 bar tailed godwits, 50+ black tailed godwits, 5 redshanks, 1 oystercatcher, 2 teal, 2 shoveler, 3 wigeon , 6 little egrets, 1 peregrine, 5 buzzards, 3 reed buntings.

Just to add to Keith's earlier post, from the viewing platform on the incoming evening high-tide 2 Grey Plover just above Exton with one very smart in full summer breeding plumage possibly same one Matt saw on Thursday 11th at Exmouth Mudbank. On the out-going tide 2 Sandwich Terns on white buoy in middle of estuary south of riversmeet house.

Link to grey Plover video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0TnAtEU-ko

sp-Grey Plover from BGM Vewing Platform

adult-Mediterranean Gull from Bowling Green Marsh hide

Not many birds at the Warren today, but this summer plumaged Grey Plover was a nice find, plenty of Butterflies and Wild Flowers though to stop me getting bored!

A first-summer Mediterranean Gull at Passage House this afternoon with Black-headed Gulls. Returning waders have begun to appear with 14 Oystercatchers, 9 Curlew and a Redshank noted.

watched from 13:45 till 17:30

The 1st summer Little Gull eventually came in among a big increase in the Black headed gulls to 874+ also 5+ Mediterranean gulls ( 1 adult and 4 1st summers), 4 knot (3 in summer plumage) , 7 bar tailed godwits, 50+ black tailed godwits, 2 greenshank, 4 redshanks, 3 wigeon, 3 teal, 2 shoveler, 2 whimbrel, 20+ curlew, 4+ buzzards, 1 kestrel, 1 sparrowhawk.

3 Red Kites seen adjacent to the A39 in the Horns Cross area west of Bideford 10.05 am 12/615

Viewed 1200-1645Hrs.

A fs-Little Gull dropped in at 1350hrs during monsoon conditions which is a first for this summer; 5-Sandwich Terns came in just after the high-tide; 3-Mediterranean Gulls (1-ad + 2-fs); c450-Black Headed Gulls; 4-Knot (3-sp); 5-Redshank; 2-Greenshank; 7-Bar Tailed Godwits; c50-Black Tailed Godwits; 11-Wimbrel; 17-Curlew; 2-Teal; 3-Wigeon; 2-Shoveler; 8-Little Egrets; 5-Reed Bunting; 8-Reed Warbler; 22-Shelduck.

Link to Little Gull video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPnlPb6G7vk

fs-Little Gull

fs-Little Gull

5-Sandwich Terns

Red Kite seen at Blackmoor Gate at 11:15am today.

Saw a Red kite just outside Romansleigh yesterday afternoon around 3.30pm June 11th.

Red Kite seen circling over our farm at Stoodleigh near Tiverton

Red Kite seen 10.00 am Thurs 11th June alongside the Barnstaple-Torrington road at St Johns Chapel/Eastacome area.Flying alongside road about 30 ft up.Beautiful sight !

Seen a pair of Whitethroats in Gunswell Lane South Molton on two consecutive days this week. A welcome return after several years absence. 

Michael Summers reported a Red Kite two miles east of Holsworthy on the A3072 Holsworthy/Hatherleigh at Anvil Corner earlier today.

Viewed 1145-1630hrs

Red Kite flew over at 1250hrs heading over redbrick bungalow on hill then circling high before drifting towards woodbury common + 5-Knot (3-sp); c40-Black Tailed Godwits; 2-Whimbrel; 2-Buzzard; 2-Stock Dove; 1-fs-Mediterranean Gull; c450-Black Headed Gulls; c20-House Martin; 10-Swallow; 4-Swift; 13-Little Egrets; 2-Teal; 2-Shoveler; 28-Shelduck. 

From the viewing platform on the out-going high-tide 5-Mediterranean Gulls (2-adults + 2-2nd summer + 1-first summer); 8-Bar Tailed Godwits; c40-Black Tailed Godwits (seen earlier); 5-Knot (seen earlier); 1-Greenshank; 1-Grey Plover; 6-Redshank; 10-Whimbrel; c20-Curlew; 9-Oystercatcher; 4-Great Crested Grebe; 2-Lapwing.

2-adult Mediterranean Gull from viewing platform

5-Knot from hide

Saw my first bee eater in the UK yesterday 10th June.  Circled the village a few times in the evening sunshine. A great sight.

 Single Red Kite heading south about 1 mile north-east of Kingsbridge nr. Goveton this morning at 07:45

Home Farm marsh this morning at 08.30 , 1 Red Kite flying S.E.

Seen again in the fields behind Fremington Quay cafe at 10.30 , showing well. 

I saw a red kite at around 1.30pm today, it flew over my garden and over the Abbotsham road towards the sea.

I have been notified of further red kite sightings this morning from the north of the county. Singles at Bideford end of new bridge, at Welcombe Cross and five together in a field at Shirwell.

A red kite flew over Colaton Raleigh this morning at 7.15am

Home Farm Marsh , Fremington . 

Red Kite at 08.30 this morning flying S.E & again at 10.30 above the café at Fremington quay. Showing well.

Red Kite over Instow this morning at 9.50.

9.00 this Morning Red Kite in Roundswell area of Barnstaple.

Driving my car I spotted a pair of Red Kites at Brisworthy, South Dartmoor (Meavy area).  First time I've ever seen them. Parked up quickly, grabbed camera and managed a few shots as they wheeled around - disappearing and reappearing. Not great photos - wrong lens, so had to blow these up, but OK for identification purposes. Amazing sight!

Red Kite

Common Buzzard

Red Kite

Ony bird of note seen from the pavilion leading upto the high-tide at 1200hrs was a Gannet flying along the Warren seafront circling around the estuary point before heading east towards orcombe point otherwise fairly quiet.

Fantastic view of a Red Kite over my field at the east end of Codden Hill, Landkey, N. Devon, 4 pm 10/6/15. Only just above tree height, about 20ft up.

2 flying over the A39 between Abottsham cross and the Woodtown Fairy cross turn off this morning (9.30)

1000-1500 Sunny but cold E Wind. Parked car where yesterday I had seen 2 Whitethroat feeding 2,possibly 3, well fledged youngsters. No sign today. Walked out onto open moor, first notable sighting a group of 18 Mistle Thrush ,later saw another 2. At about 11.30 am, whilst watching a kestrel ,saw a high flying red kite come off the moor heading South East towards Buckfast.At about 12 noon two cuckoos began calling near the Harbourne River. Both later seen and one poorly photographed. Also saw amongst other birds, 4 reed bunting, a whinchat, 2 yellowhammer at that location. Quite a few meadow pipits, a couple of linnets and strangely just one stonechat seen on the way back, when I saw another 2 Yellowhammer in a different location. A feature of a good day was the numbers of wood pigeon all flying east in small groups of 5 -12.Well over 100 birds in total. A couple of common blues in a sheltered spot,, as I left were the icing on the cake!

Cuckoo - South Brent -10.6.15

One of 4 Reed Buntings -South Brent - 10.6.15

One of 4 Yellowhammers -South Brent - 10.6.15

4 med gulls in over high tide today, including 3 full adults, very shiny :)

just had red kite over back garden in redhills exeter being attacked by the 2 local peregrines heading off west my second for the garden list this year 

A red kite seen just outside Mary Tavy near Wheal Betsy, flew up and down the valley a few times then headed towards North Brentor.

Just received news on fs-Black Headed Gull seen on the marsh yesterday having orange ring with black four alpha-numeric code on right tarsus: 239A. Ringed as a chick at Blasford Lakes, Hampshire on 10 June 2014 and first sighting since ringed yesterday at Bowling Green Marsh 9 June 2015.

Another Red Kite, over my house in Cedar Close at 1345hrs, heading slowly north-eastwards. It had a ragged left wing.

What a way to have lunch in the garden, Red Kite  over head 13.15 till 1340, 

Nothing of note in any of the ponds but good numbers of House and Sand Martins and Swallows over. Pair of Whitethroats on island in Harper's lakes along with Sedge and Reed Warblers (heard and glimpsed) around the (partly overgrown and nettled) lakes. Lots of Beautiful Demoiselle and Damselflies and one Broad Bodied Chaser (Male). Water Lilies in prime condition.

Beautiful Demoiselle

Water Lilies

While checking out one of my local patches before breakfast this morning!

A Red Kite circled over Heavitree, Exeter at 10.00 this morning being mobbed by Herring Gulls.

 Red Kite seen over Milton Abbot yesterday 9th June, it flew off towards Endsleigh Hotel and the Tamar Valley

This one seen over Tavistock from bedroom window at about 10:00 this morning. Carrion Crow in pursuit.

Red Kite seen high up above the Primary School at Midday   

A total of 9 Mediterranean Gulls (3 Ads, 1 2nd Sum, 5 1st Sum) from Broadsands Beach and just 1 Black-headed Gull, hundreds of Herring gulls feeding just offshore - the Med Gulls were feeding with them and coming into bathe in stream on beach. Photo of three below; two 1st sum and one 2nd sum. 

Red Kite at mid day at Tiverton Link Rd, near Rackenford junction.

Viewed over the mid-day high-tide amongst the usual gulls, waders and ducks was a very smart adult full summer Mediterranean Gull with 2 first summers.

Mediterranean Gull

1 red kite overhead Braunton Burrows near Flagpole Pond at 0830 Tue 9 Jun 15, heading generally East

One circling over Otter nurseries, Ottery St Mary, at 11.10am

Bowling Green Marsh over the late morning high-tide showed 1-Common Tern; 1-Redshank; c40-Black Tailed Godwits; 2-Dunlin; 6-Whimbrel; 1-Mediterannean Gull; c400-Black Headed Gulls; 1-Teal; 3-Wigeon; 4-Reed Buntings; 2-Stock Doves.

From the viewing platform on the outgoing tide 6-Sandwich Terns (5 on the mud with 1 on orange buoy); 1-Grey Plover; 4-Bar Tailed Godwits; 12-Whimbrel; c25-Curlew.

Exmouth docks mid-afternoon 25-Sandwich Terns on sandbar from warren point.

Common Tern

Sandwich Tern

Sunday 7th June

Several Pied Flycatchers thoughout our Sunday walk along the Bovey with a Cuckoo calling opposite Lustleigh. Worth a visit.

Dipper feeding young possibly a second brood? 

Dipper feeding young

Grey Wagtail enjoying the Sun

Pied Flycatcher