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.

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.