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.

Late submission but Hoopoe feeding on south bound hard shoulder of M5 just north of Jn 27 Samford Peverill (Burlescombe) yesterday evening at 7.15 pm. Thought it was a Jay at first from a distance, hope it found safer place further from the motorway later - sorry no photo.

Lunchtime at Clyst Road, Topsham, the tables were turned when a Sparrowhawk was being hotly pursued by a House Sparrow! 

This evening was spent at Clennon Valley Lakes after the earlier report of a Bee Eater flying over the houses opposite the park. I walked too the small meadow to the west of the caravan park where I could hear a Bee-Eater. It then proceeded to fly out briefly from the trees at the stile and then across the caravan park, this was at c.19:45. Other birds of note were a few Jays and a Common Buzzard. 

Dartmoor this morning, windy conditions at times,

Headland Warren down to Challacombe ~  one female Wheatear,  Meadow Pipit (4),  Sky Larks, Three Cuckoo calling, Whinchat, Stonechat, male Redstart, (one of five seen over the trip) Willow Warbler (2) Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, Mistle Thrush, House Martins, Swallows and Pied Wagtails.

Fernworthy reservoir ~ 60 Herring Gull on the water,  Mistle Thrush, Pheasant (3) Swallows, House Martins, Meadow Pipits, Chiffchaff (4) Robin, GSWP and Pied Wagtails.

Leaving the moors Raven, Wren, male Bullfinch and several Buzzards.

At Buckfastleigh a Roe deer with a very small fawn seen crossing a hay field.

A nice surprise this morning whilst in the top garage getting fuel,my wife shouted, wow look at that, it was a red kite wheeling behind and over the cottages opposite.  Stunning to see.

At  about 11.15am today one or more Bee-eaters flew over my garden in Paignton.  Although it/they were calling clearly and regularly I could not see the bird(s).  The calls gradually got quieter as the birds continued off W - possibly SW. 

I would guess there was more than one bird going on the calls I could hear. 

Following two fruitless days scanning the skies over the moor waiting for an elusive (some would say non-existent) vulture, we decided to spend the day in the woods. It was well spent with great views of nesting Grey Wagtails, two pairs of Redstart, several Siskins, Tree Pipit and about four Cuckoos over Challacombe Down.  The best however came at 15:10 when to our great surprise, no not a lammergeier, but a churring Nightjar!

Amongst the Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Stonechats and Wheatears a Red Kite at 1320 hours just south of Bonehill Rocks, Then a Cuckoo at 1400 hours just west of Honeybag Tor. Then a diving Buzzard in almost the same place.

Generally quiet as expected, but - a Shag, a Whitethroat, a pair of Nuthatches feeding young at the nest, 3+ Little Egrets and 7 Shelducks. Also a confiding buck Roe Deer.

A nice change from scanning the skies over Dartmoor! 

Red kite passing low over Saddle tor today also Redstart Wheatear and at least 3 cuckoos

Tawny Owl in thick cover on the cliffs at Bolberry Down this morning - unusual locality!

Sunday 29th. Osprey heading NW along the edge of Dartmoor viewed from near Scorhill circle 

Spent most of the morning searching for the elusive Redstarts,with no luck may I add.Plenty of Pied Flycatchers about though

I think this is a Spotted Flycatcher ? not seen one before but matched this in my book

eds... Yes it is JM

My health does not now allow me to get far out into the moor but when I was a regular Dartmoor walker the area around Fur Tor (SX 588 831) is out of sight of all roads, had high numbers of dead sheep around the tor and nearby Tavy cleave would provide cliffs for roosting. If anyone fancies a walk the area could be worth checking.

A Pair of Redstarts close to the offices, a bit further along managed to catch (I think) a Spotted Flycatcher

after photographing whinchats and cuckoos on dartmoor yesterday (28/05)nr Warren House I made my way back to the car, as I got to the car dave stone and a friend arrived and said they had been searching for the lammergeier for nearly six hours with no luck, my partner who was sat in her chair beside the car , then said "what is that bird"  , dave then looked through his binos and nearly fell off his feet..it was the lammergeier, unfortunately  it drifted out of sight towards fernworthy before I could undo my camera from the tripod..to make things worse my partner said she had been watching the bird for ten minutes but didn't know what it was..there is a link her for anyone interested on daves birding diary blog

http://davesbirdingdiary.blogspot.co.uk/

It's was our day for the Doone Valley circuit. Wood Warbler singing in the oak woods by the river. Good numbers of Redstarts, Stonechat & Whinchat on the moor. Three singing Cuckoo. A great day and a terrific walk.

11.00-14.30

Whitethroat, 3 Stonechats, 4 Redpolls, 3 Siskins, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Marsh Tits, Goldcrest, 2 Nuthatches, Redstart, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 5 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Mandarins, Chiffchaff, 2 GSW, Buzzard and Wood Warbler.  Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush all calling.

Lammergeier. t

Took distant picture from Aish Tor. Bird flying very high beyond Deep Marsh and Spitchwick then flew towards Holne. Looked like it was carrying something.. Unable to attach picture. See on twitter.

Eds: Thanks, sorry but that picture is a Common Buzzard. The immature Lammergeier is longer winged, longer tailed, smaller headed, pale body with dark throat. It also shows some very individual bleaching to some of the inner primaries see  http://www.cbwps.org.uk/cbwpsword/sightings/  23rd May posting.

Sorry for late post.

Labrador Bay:-  Buzzards, Kestrel, Cirl Bunting (m), Corvids, Herring Gulls, Skylarks. Off shore a pair of Gannets diving. 2 Herring Gulls looked quite cosy on one of the map posters in the Car Park.

Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve:- Cuckoo heard on the Bight, Stonechats, Dunnocks, Robins, Corvids, Sanderlings on the Beach, A Whimbrel, a few Whitethroats, several Imm. Starlings and a couple of Blackbirds .

A Honey Buzzard just drifted low east across the river (1110) before circling higher and continuing east. Watched for 5 mins from the back garden but too far off for photo. Sketches on www.gobirdingexmouth.blogspot.co.uk later.

Only migrant bird of note was a single Spotted Flycatcher in the lower quarry, yesterday a singing Reed Warbler beside the Wardens Bungalow.

Whilst carrying out bird surveys this morning for RSPB and part of Moor than meets the eye Project www.moorthanmeetstheeye.org Paul Kemp and I had a ringtail Montagu's Harrier 3km west of Fernworthy heading strongly SW from Hangingstone Hill. Also two Red Kites nearby.

Main pond.four shellduck,one wigeon,one tufted duck.one male pochard (

very rare here) one male teal, two mallard,two grey heron,one little egret..Around the farm,the usual finches,lots of white throats with young,Sedge and willow warblers,stonechats also with young.one buzzard,one kestrel ,twenty nine species seen.Geoff Taylor ,Rupert Hawley.

No Lammergeier seen at Merrivale but I did see a Black Kite! (1110hrs).

Very tatty looking Red Kite at Beesands junction on Prawle road midday yesterday and Redpoll at Berry Head last evening with a flock of linnets.

non avian fliers. on berry head 25/5 saw common blue and small blue butterflies, the small blues feeding on tufted vetch on south fort walls.

yesterday on walk from kingswear - wall brown, small blue, common blue, red admiral, t/shell, peacock and either pearl bordered or small pearl bordered frittilaries.

Grace and Bill from Woolwell  saw a Red Kite this afternoon at Cadover Bridge which flew quite low over the river giving good views.  It then gained height until just a speck in the sky.   Eileen Willey

Red kite seen flying over Horrabridge , Devon at 07.15 tidy. 

Good numbers of Tree pipits seen today on  Dartmoor plantation.

Nice circular walk in beautiful sunshine. 4 – 6 Cuckoos seen and heard. One female Redstart (Soussons). Nothing special at Challacombe Farm but Whinchat and Wheatear at Headland Warren Farm. Sadly no Tree pipits (loads of Meadow Pipits) and no Spotted flycatchers seen.

Cuckoo

Whinchat

Wheatear

3 Hobbys in farmland behind the hide at 4.20pm

Red Kite at 4.30ish drifting over Kingsteignton , middle of Exeter road , heading in the direction of Teignmouth 

Another Red Kite drifting over Berry Down near Combe Martin at 12:15pm today.

Red kite seen at Wrangaton Cross SX 68407 57777 @ 14.22 today 26th May, heading south over A38

Red Kite over at 10am

I spotted a very large wingspanned bird.. Bigger than buzzard just east of Boasley 3.10pm tues 24th May. Too slow to get a pic sorry!

Red kite by Walkhampton Common south of Princetown by B 3212 at 12-30pm.

Spotted Preston down rd/ring rd end, Paignton by Mike a trusted a twitcher/mate at 12.40

Kite seen over Mansands 12.10pm, then drifted towards Sharkham & Berry Head.

Eight Spotted flycatchers seen around Dartmoor.

Another Red Kite sighting: 1 heading SE over Hood Manor, Dartington, 1.30pm.

1545 -1600hrs. An unusually late sighting of a female black redstart by myself and two visiting birders from Portland at Berry Head this afternoon. Seen alternating between the wall below the Guardhouse café and the rocks at the top of the cliff edge. Only poor quality record photos.

Two Red Kites tonight at 20.00 hrs the Rock Yelverton heading south.

Sightings today at the lake,

1m Yellowhammer, 2 Marsh Tit, 1m 1f Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1m Tufted Duck, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 16 Swift, 25 Swallow, 3 Nuthatch, 3 Jay,

Mike Daniels had a Red Kite today drifting over the car park at Wigford Down at 15.40.

Viewed over the morning high-tide and still very quiet around the marsh.

8-Bar-tailed Godwits (1 summer plumage), 63-Black-tailed Godwits, 9-Whimbrel, 7-Curlew, 2-Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3-Greater Black-backed Gull, 5-Herring Gull, 44-Black-headed Gull, c120-House Martin, 3-Swift, 8-Swallow, 6-Reed Warbler and a Buzzard.

From the viewing platform 9-Sandwich Terns, 8-Little Egrets and 2-Great Crested Grebes.

Bar-tailed Godwit

1 Red Kite over house 09.30.

Red kite being mobbed by herring gulls, over residential area

Cuckoo mostly around the point from about 6.15 still there 8.40 when I left. Also sandy coloured Fox Cub - cute. As well as the usual Sanderling etc. No great pics very skittish and elusive.

Sue Bruce saw a Red Kite over Braunton Burrows today.

Seen 19:00 24/05/16 from the train between Umberleigh & Chapleton a Red Kite semi hovering alongside the train track.

Red kite over around 1pm

Sighted from Devon Wildlife Reserve Emsworthy, Red Kite over Bonehill Down at around 12:50. Also seen at reserve itself. Mistle Thrush (6), Cuckoo (m), Common Redstart (2), Lesser Redpoll, Wheatears (2). Fantastic display of Bluebells.

At last a Red Kite over our village at Stoke Rivers. It has been in the area of South Molton and Filleigh but we have never seen it. Today it flew over the lane as we walked down towards Orswell. Wonderful to see.

Had a spare hour to kill so took my camera up to Berry Head. I love the way Fulmars look sat on their nests. Spotted a busy Rock Pipit, lots of male Common Blue and also a Small Blue, which was too quick for a pic.

What you lookin' at?

Rock Pipit

Spectacularly gorgeous Male Common Blue

A trip to Meeth Quarry today also turned up this pleasant surprise: 2 Red Kites, c. 09:45.

Apparently the Lammergeier had nipped across the border for a pasty, so decanted to Yarner Woods. Plenty of Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts. When leaving had 7 Red Kites high above the car park.

Pied Flycatcher

Redstart

Red Kite

Red Kite 16.25

Colin Reed reported seven Red Kites circling over  Bagborough (nr Crediton)  at 4.00pm yesterday.

Heard several Snipe drumming and chipping as well as Grasshopper Warblers reeling at Powder Mills last night

Male and female seen Monday pm in Bellever Woods close to car park April

Apologies, but the large raptor seen near North Tawton today was NOT the Lammergeier as this was seen on Bodmin moor during the day, so obviously flew west. Any suggestions? Anyone seen any other large raptors in North Devon today?!

Whinchats and the odd Wheatear seen plus three Spotted Flycatchers and four Cukoos in flight.

Visited today from mid morning till late afternoon.

River Plym. Female Mandarin with 2 chicks, Mute Swan, Corvids & Pigeons.

Plym Estuary. Cormorant, about 50 Herring Gull, 2 Shelduck & 6 Canada Geese along with half a dozen Mallards.

Saltram Park. Robins, Blackbirds, Corvids, 2 Buzzards (one being attacked by 2 Ravens, Dunnock, Moorhen. On the Duck Pond several Mallard (some with chicks), 6 Moorhen and about 8 Mandarin. " Swallows resting on the island in the pond along with a Pied wagtail. Plenty of Chaffinch around the café area.

Dartmoor this morning still unseasonably cold with windy conditions at times, but that did not stop birders sprouting up all over the moor after reports of the Lammergeier being seen earlier in the morning near Venford and Princetown.

Babeny area ~  Skylarks 16+, Stonechat 8+, Great Black Backed Gulls 2, Buzzard 5, Kestrel, Meadow Pipit 6, Cuckoo 2, Linnet 3, Swallow and House Martin in good numbers and Yellowhammer.

Headland Warren down to Challacombe ~  one female Wheatear, Meadow Pipits,  Skylarks, Four Raven, Two Cuckoo and my first Whinchat of the year with three birds being seen. The reed grass areas at Challcombe were swarming with feeding Swallows.

Further to the male Smew in North Devon on 20 & 21 May (see below), news has just reached us of a male Smew reportedly seen on Pondsbury, Lundy, on 14 May. If confirmed, this is almost certainly the same individual as on the mainland and only the second Lundy record (the first as long ago as 1933!). The dates and locations of these sightings undoubtedly raise questions about the bird's origin and/or well-being, though stranger things have happened...

Brent Goose (pale) with Canada goose flock Kitley on Friday pm.

Seen at approximately 4.30pm on B3212 on western side of Bellever Forest being mobbed by Buzzards and Crows .  After a minute of so of watching my wife just above tree level it drifted off eastwards, vanishing surprisingly quickly for such a huge bird.   

Lammergeier near Postbridge, Dartmoor today at 16.30 good views of bird being mobbed by buzzard over wooded area and a few minutes later over open moorland flying south.   Laurel Miller.

Still on the marsh today. Did get up and fly about a little bit, but mostly sitting still. Lovely day, bit of wind, lots of martins, swallows and some swifts.

Distant shot of Pom Skua

Distant shot, having a fidget

Obliging swallow

Arlington Court nest boxes. Pair of Piec Flycatchers in and out if box with food. Not sure if these are monitored by the NT or anyone else? Great to see.

Phew! So I wasn't dreaming then! Still an extraordinary record!