During the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak the use of Devon Birds bird hides should be in line with Government guidelines to individuals on how to protect themselves.

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This page was initially set up to give a concise news summary of birds of interest seen in Devon. Anyone noting interesting species, passage and counts could post the details to inform other birders what was going on around the county. Photos could also be added for interest and to enliven the posts. It was accepted that because other wildlife was of interest, this would also appear especially when included in a birding post.

However, in the last year, more posts have been appearing purely on subjects other than birds. Whilst of interest to some observers, this is detracting from the aim of the pages, i.e. principally bird sightings.

Devon Birds has therefore taken the decision to require contributors of other wildlife to post this in the Other Wildlife subject. However it’s accepted that occasional, exceptional, other wildlife seen during a birding outing justifies inclusion in the bird sightings post. This should, however, be a minor part of the post.

Photos are often appearing as a gallery, or even acting as a personal photo blog, rather than of county-wide sightings of interest. Devon Birds has a Gallery which members and other birders are welcome to submit their often stunning photos to, for others to see. Many of these photos need not then appear on this page. From now on, only two photos per post will be accepted to help keep posts more concise.

Devon Birds very much welcomes posts that already meet these criteria and those that will continue to do so. It would also be great to widen the input from keen birders who currently don’t contribute, including some old friends who have dropped out. Hopefully the changes will encourage wider participation, so if you look at the site but don’t post, please consider doing so.

Our aim is to provide a concise daily news summary of bird sightings around Devon, and these changes should fulfil this goal.

Below is a summary of the changes:

• Bird News (bird sightings of interest, with added occasional other wildlife) will be the default subject when visitors arrive at this page.
• Other Wildlife posts therefore won’t initially be shown unless visitors click Other Wildlife under Subjects on the right-hand side.
• Only two photos can now be submitted per post.
• General bird photos should be posted in our Gallery please.
• Co-authors should now only use the Submit a Blog Post form, to ensure a more consistent format for posts.

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.

Marsh Mills to Plym Bridge and back :- 1 grey wagtail, siskins feeding in alders and males songflighting overhead, 2 ravens cronking overhead and tumbling with 1 flipping over onto its back on occassion, a large peregrine over, a kingfisher flying down river calling, at least 2 marsh tits with coal, blue and great tits and 2 male goosanders fishing together - 1 caught a fish and there was quite a kerfuffle between them before it was swallowed.

Marsh Mills to Laira Bridge :- a little grebe at Marsh Mills, a chiffchaff near the sewage treatment works, 4 little grebes near Sainsburys with a greenshank, a female wigeon on Blaxton Meadow, a firecrest in the trees behind The Folly, 4 pairs of red breasted mergansers on the river near the rowing club with the males busily displaying, 2 great crested grebes together near the rowing club and 4 little grebes from Laira Bridge - no sign of the recent black necked grebe.

14.02.16

Thought I saw a group of 4-5 goosanders on Tottisford Reservoir plus 3 tufted ducks- can anyone confirm this? Thanks

Eds: Yes; Goosander are regular on the reservoir.

Glossy Ibis on Tarka Trail this morning.

Glossy Ibis still present.

A pair of ‘Firecrests’ working the way through a bank of camellias in a private garden in Plymouth.  SX 48616 56798

Water Pipit still at Flow Point this morning; also a Great Northern Diver just upriver from the Shaldon Bridge and two Avocets at Passage House.

Green Sandpiper 1, which I see most times I visit the area. Otherwise Wigeon 110, Teal 23 & a single Snipe. 

managed to look the other way today instead of at the Ibis. Gadwall,Tufted and Male Pochard on the pond. 

13-02-16 River Plym as it enters the estuary - 4 Red-breasted Mergansers landed in front of me - 1 Male & 3 Female. Although further along the estuary a total of 9 were seen

Male Red-breasted Merganser

1 Makle & 3 Female Red-breasted Mergansers

Glossy Ibis still present this morning, right by the Tarka trail!

Reminder: If you haven't already done so, now is the time to renew your membership.  on-line or a cheque for £18 made out to Devon Birds to Treasurer, Roger Little, Pendragon, Cornworthy, Totnes, TQ9 7ES

Caught this Cormorant at Hooe Lake in Plymouth, struggling to get out of a muddy area, but, if you look carefully at the feet you can just make out a lot of fishing line, it did manage to break free and carry on what it is best at doing. I wish fishermen and anglers would keep their line to themselves, and not just discard them.

The drake Green-Winged Teal still this afternoon viewable from Island Hide on the left hand island north of the hide and showing well. Nearby, the Glossy Ibis was showing well on the pool north of the hide on Seaton Marsh and then flew towards the Borrow Pit. 

A days birding in and around South Brent, the feeders and garden area gave a total of 29 species a few of which have been somewhat infrequent this winter such as Starling 5, Bullfinch and Jay also accounted for were Redwing 17, Song Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpeckers 2, Long Tailed Tits, Pied Wagtails, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, last night gave at least two calling Tawny owls.

A visit to a private lake on the village outskirts gave 20 species including Wigeon 9, Mallard 6, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron and two Raven overhead, Redwing and Mistle Thrush 4, Magpies 17, Wren 2, Goldcrest, Mute Swan and some frog spawn in a flooded area.

A brief wander over to the village water treatment works revealed an abundance of small bird species, three Dunnock displaying and calling, numerous Blue, Long-tailed and Great Tits, Redwing and Song Thrush feeding on Ivy berries and Goldcrest in numbers beyond an accurate count.

The 6 Spoonbills were on the scrape again this morning in the drizzle + 1 Green Sandpiper & the Glossy  Ibis.

450+ Avocet, 180+ Bar Tailed Godwit, lots of Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Curlew and Lapwing. Also two Grey Plover. A Spotted Redshank flew in quite close to the hide on the grass, running quite quickly all over the place, lovely sight enjoyed by quite a few onlookers. All the birds quite flighty this morning being spooked by a female Sparrowhawk at one point and a rather large Peregrine with a lighter grey back than normal, later on.

Glossy Ibis (and an accompanying long lens!) still by the Tarka Trail this morning.

today 7 ringneck parakeets flying in sky over central park on way towards manamead

A few days ago neighbours reported a "white" Robin on their bird feeder, and yesterday whilst bird ringing in the garden, Kevin Johns and I caught the bird.  Colouring was generally warm, unlike the Chivenor bird in November, which appeared grey in the photos.  It seemed fit and healthy, weighing in at 17.4 gm, and was in its 1^st year - ("growth" bars evident in tail and primaries and just possible to detect moult limits in the greater coverts).

Viewed just after the morning high-tide.

c500-Avocets, c70-Bar-tailed Godwits, c800-Black-tailed Godwits, c100-Redshank, c400-Dunlin, 8-Pochard (5-m + 3-f), 2-Pintail, c300-Wigeon, c100-Teal. Power-glider came over marsh again and put all the birds up most did not come back.

From the viewing platform 2-Goldeneye (drakes) also seen later from the goatwalk, 8-Red-breasted Mergansers, c2000-Dunlin, c1000-Brent Geese, Spotted Redshank, c70-Grey Plover, c30-Curlew.

From the goatwalk c400-Golden Plover on mud near Turf Locks.  Link to Goldeneye video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ounxwn8Ads

Please note that the fieldtrip planned for Saturday 13 February meeting at Powderham Church has been cancelled due to forecast of poor weather.  This will now be held on Monday 15 February at the same venue meeting at 09.30.

From Paignton Zoo today, three Buzzard’s soaring at height over the general area, one immature Peregrine Falcon ringing up under a large flock of circling Herring Gulls.

Female Sparrow Hawk seen hunting through the grounds.

Two possibly three Goldcrest, numerous Robin, Dunnock and Great Tit a possible female Blackcap in the quarry where the nature trail starts.

A Juv Glaucous Gull was roosting on the Outfalls rocks off Tunnels along with several Lbb gulls & 2 poss Iceland gulls. Such a Cracking bird to see from Ilfracombe & it stood out a mile when flying in among the 200+ Herring gulls that also all took flight. Also recently a black guillemot off the pier. Could it be the lundy resident ? 

Still there and showing well 10:30 - 11:30. Attached is a (very poor) pic.

Glossy Ibis

I arrived at the reserve at about 08.20 this morning for a ringing session. On the scrape were all 6 Spoonbills, and a look out threre shortly after, they had gone, but I did see the Glossy Ibis, which seemed settled there all day with several eager onlookers (many with cameras!) along the Tarka Trail.

A glorious day on the heights highlighted by 177 Golden Plover hunkered down on stubbles at Middle Soar, 200 Woodpigeon, 114 Skylark, 100 Linnet and Cirl Bunting in song.

The Green-Winged Teal remained on Black Hole Marsh seemingly all day again today. It was seen first thing in the morning but then people lost sight of it so it was thought to have flushed. Tim Wright (not to be confused with myself) picked it out on one of the islands again this afternoon, asleep. It had likely been in that spot all day but just hidden by other ducks etc. A few birders/photographers left without spotting it which is a shame. Here's a pic of the bird taken yesterday, right at the back of BHM. Distant but still a rather stunning individual. 

South Efford Marsh, late afternoon, of note: 1 Water Rail, 4 Common Sandpipers (estuary), 2 Kingfishers and 1 Green Woodpecker. Plus a Barn Owl hunting over the meadows upstream of Aveton Gifford bridge.

Disturbed a large flock of Redwings 50+ on an unclassified road between Herner and Cobbaton, North Devon, Tuesday 9/2/16 mid-afternoon.

Glossy Ibis showing right alongside the Tarka Trail at Velator this morning & a Barn Owl hunting over Sherpa Marsh - also a Dipper searching for food in the R Caen. Took a walk along the toll road on Braunton Marsh this afternoon & spotted a second Barn Owl hunting over Horsey Island near the White House & a flock of Fieldfare with some Starlings in the nearby trees.

Glossy Ibis

Barn Owl

Fieldfare

 A look around Bowling Green viewing platform mid- morning on the dropping tide showed 4 Goldeneye and Spotted Redshank near riversmeet house and over far left of estuary numerous other waders including Bar & Black Tailed Godwits, Redshank, Grey Plover, Curlew, Dunlin, 2 Avocets and a Water Rail in lefthand field along the pathway leading down to the platform. Early afternoon 3 Godeneye seen from the recreation ground after they flew up river.

A Woodcock flew out of Cockington Valley at 18.06pm this evening 

4 ringneck parakeets 1 male 3 female

At low tide this afternoon: 2 Greenshank, 5 Redshank, 19 Shelduck. At Flow Point: 3 Common Sandpipers, 4 Rock Pipits and the Water Pipit still showing well if a little distant.

Water Pipit

Haldon Forest Park ~ Five Brambling (3M ~ 2F) came in with the Chaffinch flock, good numbers of Siskin, Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker all showing well along with Dunnock, Robin, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Coal, Great and Blue Tits.

Stover Country Park ~ First winter Great Crested Grebe, two Little Grebe one coming into summer plumage, Grey Heron, Kingfisher and very little else on the lake.

Heathfield Industrial Estate flock of 20 plus Siskin feeding on the mature Alder trees by Mole Valley Farmers.

Marley Head, South Brent ~ female Kestrel.

Showing very well again this morning & is finding food, preening, relaxing & sleeping. Seems to have settled in & happy with this location.

Eight Goldeneyes, including three displaying males, viewable from the road bridge in the north-east corner this afternoon. Also 12 Wigeon and 20+ Tufted Ducks.

Excellent Stuart Lines cruise today, with Great Northern Diver at Exmouth, 2 Slavonian Grebes off Cockwood, 3 Great Crested Grebes, dozens of Shags, 3 Goldeneye (ad drake at Topsham) and 16 species of waders, including plenty of Avocets, 3-400 Golden Plover, c20 Knot and Spotted Redshank (with 4 Greenshank at Powderham). 1 Med. Gull with gulls gathering between Topsham and Turf. Harbour (Common) Seal on Bull Hill sandbank.

Black-tailed Godwits

Great Northern Diver

Red-breasted Mergansers

Goodleigh nr Barnstaple. Sighting of a Chaffinch sized white bird, quite a long tail - any ideas would be gratefully received. Has this been blown and which species is it.

... flushed when it was about to be stepped on... and even then I almost didn't see it! We've now seen woodcock, snipe and jack snipe (on separate occasions) in this 3-acre patch of springline mire. 

A quick check of the eastern side of the Sound for any wind blown seabbirds was not very productive; however there was a Fulmar sweeping along the cliff top at Jennycliff.

Not much more in the sheltered waters of the Cattewater, but a nice adult Mediterranean Gull on the water just in front of the Mount Batten Centre.

3 Black-necked Grebe - 2 at Torcross & one in Ireland Bay. Also: 9 Great Crested Grebe, 68 Gadwall, 188 Tufted, 2m Pochard, 8 Goldeneye & Chiffchaff in reeds.

A great early morning start watching a Barn owl hunting near South Brent, while watching it also observed, Buzzard, Jay, Raven, 55 plus Redwing flushed by one of two Sparrowhawks, Song Thrush in full song.

Back home around the feeders another count of nine Siskin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Buzzard on my wood pile, male Sparrowhawk attacking the feed station area, Rook, a big jump in all the usual garden species, in particular Blue Tit, Goldfinch and Chaffinch.

Still present but rather distant along the Chivenor side of the field this morning.

only 1 black necked grebe and an otter at Torcross 3.10 today

3 Spoonbills in the field south of the reserve this afternoon, hiding in a wet gulley from the fierce gale-force winds, which have wreaked some considerable damage to trees in the reserve! No sign of the Ibis though.

9AM(ish) - Pochard on Wrafton pond, along with 6 Shoveler. Glossy Ibis still present in field by track, feeding well and seemingly unperturbed by the strong winds. Shelduck on flood. 

At least 6 Great Northern Divers from blue buoys to Brixham harbour mouth + 1 drake R-b Merg. Red-necked Grebe seen briefly 13:00. 1 Firecrest between car parks 13:30 + 2m & 1f Cirl Buntings at usual spot.