Happy New Year

Many thanks to all observers that have already submitted their records for 2019, both through Birdtrack and Devon Birds. This is much appreciated.

For other records please could observers submit their sightings by 31^st January.

Guidelines and links to recording forms can be found here https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/recording/guide_to_record_submission

Please send your records to Karen Sims data.manager@devonbirds.org and any descriptions to Kevin Rylands recorder@devonbirds.org

Best wishes and good birding for 2020

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Watched from 17:50 till 20:35

A busy high tide with 525+ curlew, 54+ whimbrel, 392+ redshank, 1 spotted redshank, 26+ greenshanks , 264+ black tailed godwits, 7 bar tailed godwits, 17+ dunlin, 800+ black headed gulls, 12+ lapwing, 4 wigeon, 60+ mallards, 1 common sandpiper.

After a few unconfirmed sightings, thrilled to see a Spotted Flycatcher this morning hanging around 1500 year old yew Tree by St Mary's Tower. Other sighted around the Foxhole area. Also a Dab chick on nest on the lower marsh.

A large gathering of gulls off Oddicombe Beach, Torquay yesterday evening produced 10 Mediterranean Gulls: 4 Juveniles, 3 Ads,1 2nd summer, 2 1st summer 

Viewed over the evening high-tide.

From the hide Spotted Redshank, c 220-Redshank, 3-Common Sandpipers, 2-Dunlin, 23-Greenshank, 9-Bar-tailed Godwits, c 200-Black-tailed Godwits, c380-Curlew, c55-Whimbrel, c25-Oystercatchers, 9-Lapwing, adult Mediterranean Gull,  c800-Black-headed Gulls, 11-Little Egrets, Swallows and Sand Martins moving through.

From the viewing platform 31-Sandwich Terns flew down from the goatwalk calling and circling over the platform before dropping onto Bowling Green Marsh at 20:40hrs and later viewed from the hide.

Just to let everyone know that Beesands Ley is very quiet at the moment but cattle have strayed from the field on to the walkway and the ramp into the hide has been damaged by the cattle and is unsafe.  We are arranging for repairs to be carried out as quickly as possible but it may take several days before we can get a contractor down to the site.

A twist on "symbiosis!"  Found a wren's nest inside this (damaged) plastic owl ornament. (The owl being attached to a trellis on the front elevation of a house close to the village of Chittlehampton. 

Rob Dart was out on an angling boat mid-channel (30nm+ off Devon) last two days (17-18th) and reports 1000's of Manx Shearwaters out there (they are usually a bit closer to shore). Also a couple of Balearic Shearwaters on the 17th and a Minke Whale on the 18th.

First autumn passerine migrants passing through in the shape of two Willow Warblers at West Soar. Also 8 Swifts east along the cliffs and post-breeding numbers of 140 Linnets. Great Green Bush Cricket at Starehole ponds. On Sunday evening Hobby over South Pool Creek in Kingsbridge Estuary.

A mid morning visit to Broadsands on the dropping tide gave 14 Greater Black Backed Gull, one ringed reading 6AA8 that has been recorded in previous years.

At least three Mediterranean Gulls and one possible hybrid or non adult 

Two Cirl Bunting flew across the car park, Greenfinch,  Goldfinch and a small number of House Martins.

Back home at South Brent, Green Woodpecker, Raven and Chiffchaff and yesterday gave the first Nuthatch of the year on the garden feeders.

15 members of DB attended the morning walk from the RSPB car park to the Viewing Point.  Low flying Swallows both young and mature came within feet as we followed the route across the fields.  A close flying Hobby and sightings of a juv. Whinchat (and possibly a second bird) were most noteworthy with young of many species listed including Reed Warbler, Goldfinch, Coot, Wood Pigeon and Canada Goose.  A single Greylag Goose and Lapwing were scoped at a distance but the scrapes were generally lacking in birds.  Reed Bunting and Whitethroat also present but most birds were keeping hidden in the hedgerows.  Thanks to Geoff Green for leading us.

An evening walk around the reserve was rewarded with the second sighting of Grey Heron this week, and then a feeding group of Gulls (must have been plenty of flying ants) included an adult Mediterranean Gull.

Over the garden this afternoon there was a mixed flock of Herring, Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls enjoying an Ant-Fest. High above them there were 100-150 Swifts enjoying those flying ants that had transcended to a higher plane. Sadly no Hobby to complete the food chain!

Ive found this little chap 'down on the upside` next to its squashed sibling in fore street Ilfracombe I couldnt leave it 2B a HERGU's breakfast. No way of getting it back in its nest.  Ive soaked some mealworms for it but on closer inspection it has absolutly no fat on its breast at all so I'm guessing its parents have been predated & is already starving. Hopefully launch time 7.30 am.  

Two Sand Martins among 30+ Swallows and c10  Swifts. On the pool, just 11 Curlews and 1 Whimbrel (21 and 3 respectively yesterday), Little Egrets now up to 14 and a Mediterranean Gull (a tatty 1st ie 2nd cy) bird with the Black-headed Gulls which included 3 juvs. A pair of Shelduck with 5 juvs and another adult with 1 juv.

The Med' Gull overflew my house (Mount Gould) later and two others (ad and 2nd-s / 3rd cy) were over here yesterday "anting".

This mornings boat trip out of Brixham into Lyme bay going 6 miles out gave us sightings of Sunfish, 96 Manx Shearwater, 1 Fulmar, 2 Gannet and the usual Herring and Great Black backed Gull. 3 Harbour Porpoise.

If interested call 07866202576, we run every Sunday morning

Watched from 15:00 till 18:15

A good afternoon with 1 spotted redshank among 300+ redshank , 12+ greenshanks, 8+ common sandpipers,  1 green sandpiper, 420+ curlew, 61+ whimbrel, 9 bar tailed godwits, 200+ black tailed godwits, 10+ little egrets, 4 oystercatchers, 300+ black headed gulls.

10 common sandpiper last night visible at end of tidal road 

Sightings for this morning done in very heavy mizzle.

1 Willow Tit juv (car park), 1 Nuthatch, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (m) juv, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Great Crested Grebe (one on a nest), 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Canada, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Wagtail juv, 1 Blackcap, 2 Swallows.