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Posted January 6th at 10:52 am by Mike Langman in Bird News
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Posted August 25th, 2020 at 9:58 am by Mike Daniels in Bird News
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Posted October 10th, 2016 at 9:14 am in Bird News
Wednesday 1st June 2016
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.
Posted June 1st, 2016 at 12:02 am by simonkidd in Bird News
Tuesday 31st May 2016
Lunchtime at Clyst Road, Topsham, the tables were turned when a Sparrowhawk was being hotly pursued by a House Sparrow!
Posted May 31st, 2016 at 11:56 pm by Chris Marcol in Bird News
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.
Posted May 31st, 2016 at 10:03 pm by Jacob Spinks in Bird News
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.
Posted May 31st, 2016 at 8:45 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
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.
Posted May 31st, 2016 at 6:26 pm by Philip worth in Bird News
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.
Posted May 31st, 2016 at 1:09 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Monday 30th May 2016
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!
Posted May 30th, 2016 at 10:23 pm by Chris Marcol in Bird News
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.
Posted May 30th, 2016 at 9:54 pm by Chris Godfrey in Bird News
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!
Posted May 30th, 2016 at 8:36 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Red kite passing low over Saddle tor today also Redstart Wheatear and at least 3 cuckoos
Posted May 30th, 2016 at 7:03 pm by John Deakins in Bird News
Posted May 30th, 2016 at 6:35 pm in Bird News
Tawny Owl in thick cover on the cliffs at Bolberry Down this morning - unusual locality!
Posted May 30th, 2016 at 5:27 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Sunday 29th. Osprey heading NW along the edge of Dartmoor viewed from near Scorhill circle
Posted May 30th, 2016 at 9:50 am by Steve Colombe in Bird News
Sunday 29th May 2016
Spent most of the morning searching for the elusive Redstarts,with no luck may I add.Plenty of Pied Flycatchers about though
Posted May 29th, 2016 at 8:59 pm by Ali Wines in Bird News
I think this is a Spotted Flycatcher ? not seen one before but matched this in my book
eds... Yes it is JM

Posted May 29th, 2016 at 7:20 pm by Greg Bradbury in Bird News
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.
Posted May 29th, 2016 at 7:19 pm by Paul Rhodes in Bird News
A Pair of Redstarts close to the offices, a bit further along managed to catch (I think) a Spotted Flycatcher


Posted May 29th, 2016 at 7:10 pm by Greg Bradbury in Bird News
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/


Posted May 29th, 2016 at 3:36 am by Graham Clements in Bird News
Saturday 28th May 2016
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.
Posted May 28th, 2016 at 8:09 pm by John & Karen Towers & Sims in Bird News
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.
Posted May 28th, 2016 at 8:04 pm by Paul Darlington in Bird News
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.
Posted May 28th, 2016 at 5:47 pm by David Turrell in Bird News
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 .
Posted May 28th, 2016 at 2:19 pm by Michael Spencer in Bird News
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.
Posted May 28th, 2016 at 11:24 am by Matt Knott in Bird News
Only migrant bird of note was a single Spotted Flycatcher in the lower quarry, yesterday a singing Reed Warbler beside the Wardens Bungalow.
Posted May 28th, 2016 at 11:11 am by Mike Langman in Bird News
Friday 27th May 2016
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.
Posted May 27th, 2016 at 10:33 pm by Chris Townend in Bird News
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.
Posted May 27th, 2016 at 7:34 pm in Bird News
No Lammergeier seen at Merrivale but I did see a Black Kite! (1110hrs).
Posted May 27th, 2016 at 1:42 pm by richard teague in Bird News
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.
Posted May 27th, 2016 at 10:19 am by Tim Clyburn in Bird News
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.
Posted May 27th, 2016 at 8:48 am by graham folkerd in Bird News
Thursday 26th May 2016
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
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 11:54 pm in Bird News
Red kite seen flying over Horrabridge , Devon at 07.15 tidy.
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 9:07 pm by J Henry in Bird News
Good numbers of Tree pipits seen today on Dartmoor plantation.



Posted May 26th, 2016 at 8:26 pm by Chris Buckland in Bird News
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
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 8:20 pm by Martin Rooney in Bird News
3 Hobbys in farmland behind the hide at 4.20pm
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 6:50 pm by Terry Goddard in Bird News
Red Kite at 4.30ish drifting over Kingsteignton , middle of Exeter road , heading in the direction of Teignmouth
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 6:26 pm by Graeme Davey in Bird News
Another Red Kite drifting over Berry Down near Combe Martin at 12:15pm today.
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 6:20 pm by Margaret Phillips in Bird News
Red kite seen at Wrangaton Cross SX 68407 57777 @ 14.22 today 26th May, heading south over A38
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 5:04 pm by Nic Butler in Bird News
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 5:03 pm by Rupert Kirkwood in Bird News
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!
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 4:41 pm by Mary in Bird News
Red kite by Walkhampton Common south of Princetown by B 3212 at 12-30pm.
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 4:14 pm by Malcolm Steward in Bird News
Spotted Preston down rd/ring rd end, Paignton by Mike a trusted a twitcher/mate at 12.40
Posted May 26th, 2016 at 1:39 pm by Jo pring in Bird News
Kite seen over Mansands 12.10pm, then drifted towards Sharkham & Berry Head.

Posted May 26th, 2016 at 1:09 pm by Paul Albrechtsen in Bird News
Eight Spotted flycatchers seen around Dartmoor.



Posted May 26th, 2016 at 6:50 am by Chris Buckland in Bird News
Wednesday 25th May 2016
Another Red Kite sighting: 1 heading SE over Hood Manor, Dartington, 1.30pm.
Posted May 25th, 2016 at 11:12 pm by Andy Smith in Bird News
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.
Posted May 25th, 2016 at 10:51 pm by David Pakes in Bird News
Two Red Kites tonight at 20.00 hrs the Rock Yelverton heading south.


Posted May 25th, 2016 at 9:29 pm by Chris Buckland in Bird News
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,
Posted May 25th, 2016 at 9:02 pm by ROD MUDGE in Bird News
Mike Daniels had a Red Kite today drifting over the car park at Wigford Down at 15.40.
Posted May 25th, 2016 at 8:20 pm in Bird News
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
Posted May 25th, 2016 at 1:18 pm by David Boult in Bird News
1 Red Kite over house 09.30.
Posted May 25th, 2016 at 10:55 am by Tim Jones in Bird News
Red kite being mobbed by herring gulls, over residential area
Posted May 25th, 2016 at 9:48 am by Dave Walters in Bird News
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.

Posted May 25th, 2016 at 12:32 am by Martin Rooney in Bird News
Tuesday 24th May 2016
Sue Bruce saw a Red Kite over Braunton Burrows today.
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 9:08 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Seen 19:00 24/05/16 from the train between Umberleigh & Chapleton a Red Kite semi hovering alongside the train track.
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 9:00 pm by Phil & Sue Naylor in Bird News
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 8:53 pm by Keith Annison in Bird News
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.
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 8:16 pm by Colin & Joyce Hannaford in Bird News
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.
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 8:01 pm by John & Karen Towers & Sims in Bird News
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
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 6:57 pm by steph murphy in Bird News
A trip to Meeth Quarry today also turned up this pleasant surprise: 2 Red Kites, c. 09:45.
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 6:49 pm by David Holloway in Bird News
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
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 6:18 pm by C Boyles in Bird News
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 5:00 pm by Lowell Mills in Bird News
Colin Reed reported seven Red Kites circling over Bagborough (nr Crediton) at 4.00pm yesterday.
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 4:14 pm in Bird News
Heard several Snipe drumming and chipping as well as Grasshopper Warblers reeling at Powder Mills last night
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 7:22 am by Ann Willcocks in Bird News
Male and female seen Monday pm in Bellever Woods close to car park April
Posted May 24th, 2016 at 1:25 am by Anne Clark in Bird News
Monday 23rd May 2016
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?!
Posted May 23rd, 2016 at 8:23 pm by Nick D'Agorne in Bird News
Whinchats and the odd Wheatear seen plus three Spotted Flycatchers and four Cukoos in flight.


Posted May 23rd, 2016 at 7:26 pm by Chris Buckland in Bird News
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.
Posted May 23rd, 2016 at 7:23 pm by Michael Spencer in Bird News
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.

Posted May 23rd, 2016 at 5:33 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
Sunday 22nd May 2016
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...
Posted May 22nd, 2016 at 11:48 pm by Tim Jones in Bird News
Brent Goose (pale) with Canada goose flock Kitley on Friday pm.
Posted May 22nd, 2016 at 11:00 pm by tony Edie in Bird News
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.
Posted May 22nd, 2016 at 9:30 pm by steve moore in Bird News
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.
Posted May 22nd, 2016 at 9:14 pm in Bird News
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
Posted May 22nd, 2016 at 2:56 pm by Stephanie Murphy in Bird News
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.
Posted May 22nd, 2016 at 1:13 pm by John & Karen Towers & Sims in Bird News
Phew! So I wasn't dreaming then! Still an extraordinary record!
Posted May 22nd, 2016 at 12:06 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News