There are a few vacancies available for Section Writers for the 2019 Devon Bird Report. The available Sections, with approximate numbers of species, are: Crows - 8, Crests, Tits - 9, Crakes - 5.

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This afternoons sightings at Exminster Marshes: Canada Goose 150+, Brent Geese 100+, Greylag Geese 10+, Barnical Geese 16, Mute Swan, Shovleler c20, Wigeon 300+, Lapwing 50+, Wood Pigeon, Redshank, Avocet 100+, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull. 

A cancelled mountainbike on Dartmoor gave me the chance to ride around the estuary today from Braunton to Instow and back in pretty grim weather.

At Horsey Island my first Greenshank of the year and across the toll road 2 Little Owl and a large flock of Golden Plover.

At Wrafton pond a single Tufted duck and a pair of "exotics" that I think were Baikal Teal. Unfortunately I couldn't find them again when I came back with my camera. On the scrape a single Black-tailed Godwit.

At the Braunton Inn 7 Goosander (5m 2f)

Along the estuary the usual mix of Turnstones,Grey Plover,Oystercatchers and Lapwing.

7 Eurasian Spoonbill on Isley marsh

A small group of Jackdaws on the rocks at Instow but disappointingly, no Black Redstart.

A total of 48 birds seen on a day rescued from the bad weather.

2, possibly 3 Cetti's Warblers calling in the reserve this morning, also a Water Rail squealing. South of the reserve a Male Marsh Harrier perched, then flew to confirm my ID.

In the ivy by the bridge to the reserve, 2 Chiffchaffs.

One at private garden Plymouth

1 Woodcock, mid-am.

Two Cattle Egrets showing well with cattle.

Waxwing in garden on apples.

The 8 Velvet Scoters were present this morning over towards Goodrington. Further out towards Torquay a Great Northern Diver. 2 Black-necked Grebes were seen, one fairly close in to the beach with another much further out. Similarly, 2 Red-throated Divers, one closer in than the other. Large numbers of Razorbills were scattered across the whole bay, with smaller numbers of Guillemots. Plenty of Fulmars and Kittiwakes present. 2 male Cirl Buntings were in a tree in the second car park, despite disturbance from children on bikes (thought they'd be back at school by now!). 5 Bullfinches at back of same car park, a fly-over Peregrine and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers rounded off a fruitful visit!

35 Members of DB (including many new members) met at Darts Farm and divided into two main groups led by Colin Randall and myself, while a splinter group of 3 headed for Bowling Green.  A total of c56 species listed during the morning with the highlights being:

Darts Farm: group of 3 Chiffchaff on the field slope with flock of c20 Redwing in the hedgerow,  Large numbers of Brent Geese (600+)  and Canada Geese in the meadows including 2 hybrid Canada Geese with unusual head markings. Also Stonechat and 2 Stock Dove.

Goosemoor:  Spotted Redshank, 1 Pintail, 3 Greenshank, numbers of Redshank.

Bowling Green Marsh: Avocet flock in flight but no great numbers of ducks, waders. Water Rail along hedgerow to viewing platform where a couple of Goldeneye were off The Retreat (did someone later say they saw Long- tailed Duck there?).  Hope our numbers didn't disturb other birders!

Aveton Gifford tidal road ~ 1 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Oystercatcher, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Great Black-backed Gull.

On South Efford Marsh ~ 18 + Teal, 4 Wigeon, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Curlew, 6 Great Black-backed Gull and 1 Lesser, 8 Wren, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Stonechat, 8 Bullfinch, 6 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Moorhen, 6 Pied Wagtail and 1 Buzzard.

Re:last post. There is currently a beautiful, mostly white plummage Buzzard in the Ashford area of the river. Osprey lookalike markings in flight! Pullling worms from field yesterday morning. 

Single Osprey sighted on Taw estuary near Ashford, Barnstaple.

Spotted at 13.00 hrs on Thursday 5th January 2017.

Eds: Very rare to find a wintering Osprey in Devon, would just like to make sure its not a pale buzzard?

Great article here: https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/articles/common_buzzard 

Lots of Gannets far out and Shags close in. Small passage of Auk species mainly South, six Guillemots and one Razorbill on the surface further in. Eight+ Eider, a Great Crested Grebe on the surface and an unidentified Diver flying South. Usual Gulls. An extensive search in town for Black Redstart produced none, unusual for winter! 

Two of 100+ flock of mixed Fieldfares and Redwings at Cadover yesterday (5th).

Late morning I looked for the Long-tailed Duck off Pottington with no success but I did enjoy the following birds of note: Bar-tailed Godwit (2), Dark-bellied Brent (1), Goosander (4) three males and one female, Slavonian Grebe (3) but not 100% as a long way off in poor light, infact although not black-necked due to shape just may have been Red-necked as appeared to leap out the water when diving.  

Teigngrace. Met up with Stan and found 3 Cattle Egrets located in field amongst the cattle further up the road from Blatchford Farm towards Stover and past the field with solar panels down to the bend in the road.

Trip down to Thurlestone beach the Desert Wheatear showed really well next to golf course with 2 Rock Pipits, 5 Turnstone, c10 Oystercatchers and Little Egret.

A walk over to South Huish Reserve a Kingfisher in reeds near footbridge, Ringed Plover and Black-tailed Godwit on the scrape with Teal and several Lapwing around the fields together with 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Stonechats and a Mediterranean Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls on the hill and 2 Razorbills on the sea together with a porpoise.

Many thanks Stan for the ride. Some video taken today.

DW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHz1Z0kDK0E

CE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8HqbJD27V8

Wembury Beach to Wembury Point today - 1 1st winter and 2 adult Mediterranean gulls in the stubble field, 1 chiffchaff feeding amongst reeds on the beach, 4 turnstone (uncommon here now), 1 kestrel and 1 water pipit amongst rock- and meadow pipits on large mass of seaweed on beach near sewage pipe - very aggressive towards rock pipits nearby

Water Pipit

12:30 Long-tailed Duck still feeding just offshore on falling tide but no sign by 13:00.

Bradiford Reserve viewed from Tarka Trail:- c60 teal; 4 Snipe and 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. This is the first time I`ve ever seen one on the reserve. There were none on the Taw or Penhill Marsh so why did this one turn up here on its own?

Yellow-browed Warbler feeding in the trees around the zip-wire; also Water Rail, Reed Buntings and loads of Goldfinches. Long-tailed Duck and Goldeneye on the estuary nearby.

  
Goldeneye off Topsham Rec.                                      Redwing at Topsham Rec.

The confiding male Snow Buntings still present at 10.00 this morning about 50m west of the 8th green.

Very quiet only notable birds were:

2 ad Med Gull

1 Gannet

1 Cormorant in bp.

Not much around the marsh today but a nice Song Thrush along with a small flock on Redwing and one Fieldfare - all in 1st field by the Swans nest. On the main marsh 15 Barnacle Geese in with a large Canada flock.

See video - Redwing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkRSBx-2moY

Redwing

Full breeding plumage Bar-tailed Godwit at The Skern this afternoon. Very pale creamy head which looked a little like a Ruff. Lots of Brent Geese. Over on the Taw the small flock of Eider.

This afternoon a female Black Redstart was by the sailing club at Shelly Beach. A drake Common Scoter flew out of the estuary. A female Kingfisher was on a floating platform near Leeward Court. The 2 Slavonian Grebes at Cockwood were seen in the distance. The Little Grebe still present in the marina basin.

The Marsh harrier was on the marsh again late afternoon perched in a bush mid marsh. Watched from back path. Also Cetti;s warbler . No sign of the Geese reported earlier in the week.

Two birds still frequenting the solar panel field

Smart Kingfisher near the Toll House, then down where the footpath is closed I was watching the slightly skittish flock of 1000+ Golden Plover when an exocet missile raced in from over the river. This Peregrine made a few unsuccessful passes before returning to where it had come from. I was also surprised (and delighted) to see a Little Owl on the roof of the barn where they used to breed. I was also able to scope 5 of the Spoonbills over the river at Isley Marsh. I might have seen 2 Chiffchaffs, but they were so quick I couldn't be sure. Down at Crow Point I could make out several Eider - mobile and diving off the Westward Ho! side. Good numbers of Dunlin on both the Caen and Horsey Island. Lapwings all over the place. As I got back to the Little Owl site - there were 2 of them! A stroll around the reserve revealed Goldcrest and 2 Reed Buntings, and then a lot of small birds in typical mobbing behaviour, so careful scrutiny showed a beady-eyed Tawny Owl looking down at me.

Merlin seen yesterday afternoon about 4pm

Lone cattle egret seen at Saltram 3rd January 2017.

1500-1600

Female Kingfisher

Cormorant

3 Goosander (2 Drakes 1 Redhead)

3 Mandarin (2 Drakes 1 Duck)

Lovely cold/crisp winters day on the moor. After hours of waiting my patience paid off and managed to view a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling and then drumming. 

Shipley Bridge and the Avon dam this morning, in the fields between Bloody Pool Cross and Downstowe in excess of 100 Herring Gulls feeding in the pasture fields along with a large flock of Starlings.

In the fields opposite Yelland 50 plus Redwings and Mistle Thrush in the roadside hedge.

Shipley car park gave a Green Woodpecker.

Female Kestrel, Buzzard, Woodcock in full fight, shortly afterwards a solitary Snipe.

Male Reed Bunting on the quarry perimeter fence below the dam.

Back at home my first two Siskins of the year on the garden feeders and a Song Thrush in the house field.

A follow up visit to Slapton Ley yesterday found a strong northerly wind blowing across the Ley most of the water fowl had moved to the Stokenham end, high lights were a Chiffchaff and a pair of Goldeneye duck.

Two male Shoveller duck, 70 plus Gadwall, Coot in their 100’s as well as a good number of Tufted duck, a possible Scaup sighting but the distance made positive ID unreliable.

On the outskirts of Slapton a Lapwing in flight, a large mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare and a Kestrel.

Matford Marsh am. American Wigeon showed well at times feeding amongst other Wigeon, 8+ Snipe, 2 Jays, 2 Water Rails and 3 Redwing.

Exminster Marsh pm. The female Marsh Harrier was seen around the main lagoon after being mobbed by 2 Buzzards, Peregrine was on electric pylon, 12+ Barnacle Geese from the back path, Raven and good numbers of Curlew, Brent Geese with a few Snipe feeding around the fields.

Some video taken today.

AW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SGY-VDaF7E

MH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZIfprrypqw

  
                    American Wigeon                                                                 Marsh Harrier

Eds. superb videos as ever Dave, just one thing, the Marsh Harrier is a juvenile/1st winter - worn plumage (2y+ fresher in winter), pale only on head (not on breast or wings) and fine pale tips to greater coverts. Also on size and slim build perhaps more likely a male.

Unsuccessful Scaup search but did get 160 Gadwall, 140 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 144 Tufted, 4 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye & 35 Common Gull. At the bridge Otter and Kingfisher. Nothing offshore but a few Gannets  - too calm?

Another glorious morning highlighted by 250 Golden Plover, Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 205 Skylark, 3 Black Redstart (1m 2f type) in Soar Mill Cove with 11 Rock Pipit & 10 Meadow Pipit, 9 Song Thrush, 24 Magpie, 100 Linnet, 40 Yellowhammer & 25 Cirl Bunting. Also 5 Roe Deer.

1100 - 1330hrs. Nice to have a firm walk to the hide this morning on the frozen ground! On the estuary several curlew, redshank, knot, dunlin, little egret and a lone greenshank. Wigeon, teal, shelduck and red breasted merganser in evidence. Several small birds on the feeders included a pair of cirl bunting

Having failed to see a water rail at this location in 2016, despite several views in 2015, I was pleased to see one in the reeds behind the feeders. It remained there for nearly 30 minutes, appearing later in full view as it scuttled under the footbridge to the feeders,

Whilst observing the rail, I saw a bittern fly low from the middle of the Marsh to land again in the main drainage channel not far from me. Excellent, but all too brief, views. I last saw a bittern at this location on 20.1.2016

Tuesday morning: 6 Spoonbills roosting in western corner of the marsh, one with coloured rings (blue over white) on right leg. Peregrine (perhaps juv with highly streaked breast) on marsh edge. 1 Greenshank present in marsh creek, along with the usual redshanks, little egrets and teal.

This morning most of the marsh was iced over, but good numbers of usual species.

Black-tailed Godwit

Snipe                                                                                Water Rail

Soussons one Great Grey Shrike very mobile.

A nice drake Goosander (there were four here yesterday according to Ian Pullan), a Dipper and a Green Woodpecker were all within a short distance upstream from Cadhay Bridge on the River Otter this morning.  A nice change from the hotspots of the Exe estuary.

A YELLOW BROWED WARBLER feeding in trees between Goosemoor and railway line at 11-00. A second seen later at Topsham Rec together with female Long-tailed Duck and 2 female Goosander.

This lunchtime at Topsham Rec, the Yellow-browed Warbler was showing well in the trees near the zip wire. The Long-tailed Duck was also present up towards the motorway bridge. Also 2 female Goldeneye, Water Rail, 2 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstone and 1 Avocet.

14 Barnacle Geese flew in at sunset and landed on the lagoon. 

Highlights today were a Water Pipit at Flow Point, three Bar-tailed Godwits and an Avocet at Passage House, and 10 Eiders and a Mediterranean Gull off Teignmouth seafront.

Viewed over the dropping tide.

Goosemoor  Spotted Redshank and 4 Greenshank.

BGM hide 2 Mediterranean Gulls amongst Black-headed Gulls.

Viewing platform c50 Knot, c30 Grey Plover, Greenshank, c15 Bar-tailed Godwits, numerous Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Dunlin and Red-breasted Merganser.

Goatwalk c350 Avocets with good numbers of Curlew, Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin

Topsham recreation ground Yellow-browed Warbler mobile around the trees near play area, female Long-tailed Duck, 2 female Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail.

Some video taken today and manage to pull some shots from 4k video of YBW.

YBW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTZ03tCnxQM

LTD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dfX8nwdnJs

GE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my0mdJM0dyA

  
Yellow-browed Warbler                            Long-tailed Duck                                            2 Goldeneye

I missed the Yellow-browed Warbler by the ponds during a brief visit, but nice a Firecest near the top pond. On checking the photos I took later, the bird has either a tick or seed attached to the rim of one of its eyes. Several Chiffchaffs, Kingfisher, 2 Little Egrets, Shoveler and 10 Teal also there.

  
Firecrest                                                                             Close up showing possible tick

Female Black Redstart on house roofs by Chivenor Airfield, Yellow Browed Warbler by Wrafton Pond also Kingfisher and Stonechat by nearby stream and two more Kingfishers at Crow Point. Hundreds of Lapwing over the whole area plus two large flocks of Golden Plover one numbering well over 1000+ and the smaller flock  in the hundreds.

Really went to see the silver Robin, but wasn't sure exactly where to look, so no luck.

  
Black Redstart                                             Black-headed Gulls                                              Kestrel

Still one Cattle Egret in Saltram early afternoon and also, on the river, Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper and 3 Little Grebes.

At Slapton late afternoon an Otter briefly from the bridge together with a showy Water Rail; also Firecrest and Chiffchaff in Ireland Bay and 5 Goldeneyes, but no Starling roost tonight.

Nice afternoon walk towards Crows Point produces 600+ Golden Plover, 100+ Lapwing, on Braunton Marsh, A Spoonbill on a flooded Isley Marsh which decided to return across the Taw. Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Redshank good numbers of Black Tailed Godwit and the usual Kingfishers along the Caen Estuary.

Spoonbill

Golden Plover

A traditional New Year's day list was postponed until today due to the much better weather forecast.
Total of 99 species recorded just around Budleigh, Exe and E Devon Heaths
Highlights included:

Spotted Redshank - Goosemoor
Drake American Wigeon - Matford Pool
LT Duck and YBW - Topsham Rec.
Firecrest - Exmouth Cricket Club
Bonaparte's Gull - Exmouth Shelly Beach
RT Diver - Ladram Bay
Woodcock - East Devon Heaths
Missed species included Kestrel, Treecreeper, Cetti's Warbler & Redwing!

3 male Goldeneye displaying to 2 females, Male Pochard amongst the tufties, Water rail and otter from the bridge around 4.00. I didn't find the Scaup

08.20: Great White Egret showing well this morning, in front of the hide,  before dog walkers sent it off westwards... to Arlington?

pair of eider around midday

Black Redstart on the front ignoring the hordes of visitors!!

Dunlin c500; Shelduck 14; Lapwing c600; Curlew c250; Wigeon 18; Dark-bellied Brent Goose 115; Sanderling 36; Cormorant 12; Bar-tailed Godwit 2; Grey Plover 2; Redshank c60; Ringed Plover 14; 2 Knot.

13:25 Off Ashford Sewage Works :- Long-tailed Duck 1; Sanderling 21; Grey Plover 1; Gadwall 1, which relocated to Bradiford Reserve. Overhead and heading east c120 Golden Plover.

Bradiford Reserve:- c40 Teal.

Long-tailed Duck still at scene when I left at 14:30.

A quick look this morning. Lots of birders calling in. Yellow-browed Warbler showing well by zip wire. Long-tailed Duck & Goldeneye on river. 

A lovely day to clean up on all the local goodies, so I started at the Skern as it was high tide, and found a few Pintail and Bar-tailed Godwits among all the other waders, ducks, gulls and good numbers of Brent Geese. Snow Buntings were elsewhere, probably because couldn't be bothered to find the eighth green! Didn't take long to find a smart Purple Sandpiper at the pool at Westward Ho! So to Isley Marsh. Disappointing quantities of Spoonbills - none to be precise, but a Great-crested Grebe out in the river. Sadly the Glossy Ibis didn't put in an appearance at Fremington Pill - lots of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank plus at least 2 Greenshank. Looking downstream from the distant car park I had good views of Dave's Great Northern Diver near the bridge. So on round to finish up with the long-tailed Duck - which joined the list of no-shows! 2 Knot off Pottington.

The 2 Firecrests showed well along Madeira Walk behind the cricket club this morning, with a Chiffchaff towards the Ocean complex. 2+ Purple Sandpipers appeared on Maer Rocks as the tide dropped and before becoming covered by people and dogs. A female Goldeneye was off Shelly Beach. The Little Grebe was still in the marina basin. A Slavonian Grebe was off West Lodge this afternoon with 3 more Goldeneye. Birding was a struggle in the awful weather!

Not the best weather to start the New Year or for an early morning birding trip around the South Hams with poor light and at times heavy rain.

The first bird of note was a tiercel Peregrine over Totnes.

Leasfoot Beach at Thurlestone produced the well documented and recorded Desert Wheatear now sporting a BTO ring.

South Huish Marsh gave singles of Bar Tailed Godwit, Lapwing and a male Stonechat, on the rocks in front of the apartments at South Milton beach gave a female Black Redstart.

Kingsbridge estuary on a high tide gave several small groups of Brent geese, 20 plus Shell duck, several Curlew, a very mobile flock of an estimated 100 Dunlin and two Red Breasted Merganser’s.

Frogmore Creek a Greenshank along with Grey and Pied Wagtail.

Slapton Ley a pair of Scaup (1^st winter drake) in with numerous Tufted duck and Coot, good numbers of Gadwall and one Great Crested Grebe, off shore 4 plus Gannets, a distant Black Throated  Diver, Shag and a possible Eider but too distant to be 100%.

In two stubble fields alongside the road at Higher Green Cross just outside of Slapton , a large flock of Chaffinch feeding alongside Yellow Hammer, Cirl Bunting, Skylark and Meadow Pipit and on a telegraph pole overlooking the fields a female Kestrel.

A Buzzard was the 60^th bird of the morning.

Back at home two Jays in flight across the house field, a male Bullfinch at the feed station and a Song Thrush in the garden.

Eds: that female Scaup looks like its probably a Lesser Scaup!

In and around Topsham this morning I managed 40 species in 2 hours (maybe I will start a year list) but the Rec. Ground was clearly the best place to be with Long-tailed Duck, 2 female Goldeneye and the Yellow-browed Warbler showing well.  Darts Farm gave me the last two on the list -Stonechat and Meadow Pipit but rain stopped play at 11.30. 

(East Devon Branch's 2017 Programme starts this Friday 6th Jan meeting at Darts Farm).  Happy New Year.

Sue Bruce found a rather smart male Firecrest by the Tarka trail near the old helicopter hanger this morning (9.20ish) Sadly it had gone when I went to look about an hour later.