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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
Saturday 14th January 2017
Pretty quiet on the falling tide this pm.
Dunlin 86, Redshank 109, Common Sandpiper 3, Wigeon 5, Greenshank 3, Grey Heron 12 and Ring-necked Parakeet 2.
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 9:30 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Female Goosander on the Ley this afternoon. Also 7 Teals and a pair of Tufted Ducks. 70 Mute swans probably a site record.
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 9:10 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
1115-1145
Black Redstart (Female Type}, 3 Stonechat, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 4 Med Gull ( 3 Ad, 1 2w), 1 Common Gull (Ad), 2 Shag.
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 6:58 pm by Charlie Imms in Bird News
No sign of the Velvet Scoters at Broadsands this afternoon or anything else much on the sea there apart from an adult Med Gull offshore. The 2 Eiders were still at Goodrington.
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 6:47 pm by Jason Smart in Bird News
Nine Waxwing noticed sat up in a roadside tree whilst I driving out of the store car park late afternoon. They were feeding on berries at almost at ground level in the Dreams car park, occasionally flying to drink on the roof of the Superstore.
They remained until 16.50 before presumably flying off to roost. There were only a few remain berries so I suspect early morning may be the best time to visit tomorrow.
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 5:45 pm by Kevin Rylands in Bird News
River Teign above Shaldon bridge 40+ Oyster Catcher
Cockwood overlooking the Exe 2 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Goldeneye duck, Shag, Little Egret, 2 Red Breasted Merganser, numerous Shell duck and Brent Geese, a single Greenshank, Common Gulls, reasonable numbers of Redshank, Curlew, Oyster Catcher, flocks of Dunlin moving up and down the mud flats.
A good walk around the Eastdon area failed to locate the Waxwings reported in the week despite a good crop of berries at the location.
River Exe above Powderham ~ gale force cold winds (no wonder sheltered Cockwood had such an abundance of birds) large flock of Brent Geese, 12 Red Breasted Merganser, Curlew, Oyster Catcher, 50+ Dunlin, Godwits, 20+ Grey Plover and a single Sanderling.
Buckfastleigh WTW ~ Goldcrest, 3 Siberian Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipit , numerous Pied Wagtail, 3 Black Headed Gull and one Wren.

Posted January 14th, 2017 at 5:20 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
I had a look for the scaup between 0900 and 1000 this morning. No sign of the Greater Scaup but what looked like a pretty good candidate for a Lesser Scaup was still there but way too distant for me to get a look at it's bill. Most of the waterfowl seem to have worked out exactly where they should be to have the smallest chance of being properly grilled by birders.............
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 4:59 pm by Simon Tonge in Bird News
First spring migrant, pristine male White Wagtail inSoar Mill Cove with 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Black Redstart & 6 Rock Pipit. Offshore 35 Gannet & one Fulmar. Also: 3 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 307 Skylark, 140 Linnet & 20 Cirl Bunting.
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 3:56 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Looks like the two Cattle Egrets that were at Hillhead have moved down to Waddeton early pm there are now 3 there and a Little Egret with a muddy very pale brown bill - no sign of the two at Hillhead at 1.10pm.
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 3:48 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Yellow-browed warbler, Long-tailed duck, 2 Goldeneye, 1 adult Med gull at Topsham Rec this morning.
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 3:06 pm by Martin Elcoate in Bird News
2 Cattle Egrets still at Hillhead Farm, Brixham in sheep field viewable from near roundabout. The Cattle Egret also still just south of Waddeton on the Galmpton Road showing very well with cows by road- also 1 Little Egret there earlier
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 12:23 pm by Mark Bailey in Bird News
4 Velvet Scoter still first thing but then they flew off toward Torquay, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 28 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated Diver.
In the second car park 21 Cirl Buntings and 2 Reed Bunting on seed and 1 collybita Chiffchaff in the marshy ditch.
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 11:51 am by Mike Langman in Bird News
Yellow-browed warbler still at the sewage works
Posted January 14th, 2017 at 11:49 am by Henry Trollope in Bird News
Friday 13th January 2017
Two Slavonian Grebes and 2 male Red Breasted Merganser fishing.

Slavonian Grebe Slavonian Grebe Red-breasted Merganser
Posted January 13th, 2017 at 10:20 pm by Bob Telford in Bird News
A Marsh Harrier harassing the the Teal in the gale. Also a flock of c450 Golden Plover.

Golden Plover Marsh Harrier and Teal Marsh Harrier
Posted January 13th, 2017 at 10:17 pm by Bob Telford in Bird News
1015 -1215
In blustery conditions:
c150 Dunlin, c30 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Great Crested Grebe, were the pick in amongst the more common species.
In the woodland:
1 Firecrest (poss 2) in with a roaming flock of Long tailed Tits and Goldcrests
c10 Redwing, 1 Marsh Tit.
Posted January 13th, 2017 at 7:14 pm by Charlie Imms in Bird News
Yellow-browed Warbler, Red-breasted Mergansers, male and female, Goldeneye all showing well

Yellow-browed Warbler Red-breasted Merganser Long-tailed Duck
Posted January 13th, 2017 at 5:12 pm by Colin Scott in Bird News
2 Yellow-browed Warblers present this afternoon, one along the exit steam was feeding at ground level around the path and then the fence around the velopark. Doesn't appear to be the bird from the astro turf (that moved on over 10 days ago) as the new bird has dull supercilium infront of the eye that doesn't meet above the bill. The usual Yellow-browed with the anomalies in the supercilium and pale patches up onto the crown was again up around the top lake.

The new stream bird above The astro turf bird below

Posted January 13th, 2017 at 4:29 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Visited about 14.30, low tide, very strong gale and rain. Unique distribution of birds, in good numbers, given the lack of dogwalkers but awful conditions. Gulls and Lapwings in particular were unusually close to the tarmac driveway allowing close views from car. On the grassy area NW of the Skern were most of the Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew and Dunlin. Also Starlings, Skylark and Meadow Pipit taking cover wherever possible. Another tight Oystercatcher flock on the rocky headland. Golden Plover flocks were broken up into tens rather than hundreds, scattered around site. Out on intertidal a very nice Wigeon flock and separately a good Shelduck flock (metal ring on one of these but no colour rings). Everything a lot less willing to fly, some nut with a dog off lead went right by the Wigeon flock but only a couple bothered to fly off. On the river mouth a flock of at least 7 Eider but wind and rain had basically written off my binoculars for the day by then. No sign of Snow Buntings in usual place.
Posted January 13th, 2017 at 3:16 pm by Lowell Mills in Bird News
One Yellow-browned warbler foraging along the roadside ditch between Starcross and Cockwood at 13:30.
Posted January 13th, 2017 at 2:56 pm by Justin Hart in Bird News
2 Cattle Egret in fields opposite the covered reservoir Churston side of the mini roundabout. Best views over wall beside the mini roundabout look toward the wind turbine. Another Cattle Egret was with at least 4 Little Egrets in fields between Galmpton and Waddeton only on view occasionally when on top of the field.
Posted January 13th, 2017 at 12:26 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
2 Black-necked Grebes, 28 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Red-throated & 1 Great Northern Divers also just 4 Velvet Scoter today between Broadsands & Goodrington.
6 Cirl Buntings on seed in 2nd car park.
Posted January 13th, 2017 at 12:21 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Thursday 12th January 2017
1 cattle egret still feeding beneath the wind turbine at 4.00 today.
Posted January 12th, 2017 at 7:00 pm by Jeff Hacon in Bird News
Yellow-browed warbler present again this morning at the Rec plus 2 Goldeneyes & 9 Red-breasted mergansers.
Posted January 12th, 2017 at 6:18 pm by Martin Elcoate in Bird News
11.30am. A flock of 42 Snipe, out in the open, feeding presumably on the worms being brought to the surface in this cold, wet and windy weather. Only other waders, 2 black tailed godwit, 1 dunlin and 6 oystercatchers.
Posted January 12th, 2017 at 1:42 pm by David Pakes in Bird News
Wednesday 11th January 2017
2 eider ducks 1 male and I female close to shore off Goodrington at 2.45
Posted January 11th, 2017 at 4:23 pm by Jeff Hacon in Bird News
Desert Wheatear still showing well on Thurlestone Beach - now sporting a metal leg ring and more wary than when I first saw it in November 2016.

Posted January 11th, 2017 at 4:13 pm by Stuart Green in Bird News
The Yellow browed warbler still early afternoon at the WTW but elusive. 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest. Pair of Goosander on the river by Nappers Crossing.
Posted January 11th, 2017 at 4:04 pm in Bird News
Buckfastleigh WTW ~ Goldcrest, Siberian Chiffchaff , Meadow Pipit , numerous Pied Wagtail and one Grey, Black Headed Gull and one Wren.
Matford the American Wigeon found in the Wigeon flock.
Topsham Rec Yellow Browed Warbler showing as previous reports along with large numbers of Goldfinch, two Mistle Thrush and a few Redwings.

On the river four Golden Eye, one drake and three duck, nine Red Breasted Mergansers, double figures of Common Gull, two Greylag geese, Godwits, Redshanks, Dunlin all in all very productive an busy with a variety of bird life.
Bowling Marsh Green just on tick over but worth the visit, two Snipe tucked away in long cover.
From the viewing platform 24 Curlew and two Golden Plover everything else generally very distant.
The Goat Walk provided an avian spectacle with a large flock of Avocet possibly as many as 300 plus birds talking repeatedly to the air along with a large number of Black Tailed Godwits and a smaller number of Bar Tailed and flocks of Dunlin, 45 Curlew, a small number of Grey Plover, looking across towards Exminster marsh huge flocks of Lapwing and Starlings lifting and circling around in clouds.

Posted January 11th, 2017 at 2:34 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
1 Cattle Egret (2 reported yesterday) in fields below the farm next to the large wind turbine.
Posted January 11th, 2017 at 11:15 am by Mike Langman in Bird News
9 Waxwings feeding on hedgerow berries near Eals dock, Eastdon (between Cockwood and Dawlish Warren Village) around 0930
Posted January 11th, 2017 at 10:07 am by Justin Hart in Bird News
Tuesday 10th January 2017
Lunchtime visit to Topsham Rec, much more interesting than the Yellow-browed Warbler in the play park, was this Cormorant who bit off more than he could swallow with this enormous flounder. Despite getting very close it proved just too much to swallow. I saw exactly the same thing just up river a few years back, but with a Kingfisher and a Flounder just over an inch wide!

Posted January 10th, 2017 at 10:14 pm by Chris Marcol in Bird News
This afternoon on Ilfracombe Pier a Northern Herring Gull, darker plumage with a heavily streaked head. On the 'supermarket' roof unusual to see a single Kittiwake with 6 Common Gulls among 100 Herring gulls. Also recently @ Morte Point 12+ GND.
Posted January 10th, 2017 at 5:31 pm by Martin Thorne in Bird News
There are still two Firecrests behind the Exmouth Cricket Pavilion feeding in the trees and scrub, great views late this afternoon. Best location to view them is from the top footpath. Both calling so fairly easy to find. Photos a bit grainy due to poor light.

One of two Firecrests, very mobile, always nice to see Firecrests
Posted January 10th, 2017 at 5:20 pm by Derek Carter in Bird News
A dull day in the garden brightened by this little visitor.

Posted January 10th, 2017 at 4:23 pm by Margaret Phillips in Bird News
Two Hen Harriers (adult male + ringtail) flew south near Forest Inn at 8.45 this morning.
Posted January 10th, 2017 at 3:50 pm by John Waldon in Bird News
Dartbridge ~ Kingfisher
Buckfastleigh WTW ~ 5+ Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff , 1 Meadow Pipit , 5+ Pied Wagtail, 2 Black Headed Gull and 2 Song Thrush.

Staverton WTW ~ Peregrine overhead, 4 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Pied Wagail.
Broadhempston ~ 2 Mute Swan, 2 Canadian Geese, 2 Moorhen, 12 Mallard on a private pond.

Staverton Bridge ~ 3+ Nuthatch, Siskin flock feeding on alders, 3+ Goldcrest, 3 Long Tailed Tit, 5 Goosander
(2M -3F) Treecreeper, Dipper, Buzzard and Little Grebe.
Posted January 10th, 2017 at 2:28 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
The Marsh Harrier was perched up in the middle of the marsh again this lunchtime. Still there at 1.40 at least.
Posted January 10th, 2017 at 2:19 pm by Nick Potter in Bird News
6 Ring Necked Parakeets inc a blue one at 930am in Central Park, Plymouth
Posted January 10th, 2017 at 9:58 am by Mark Bailey in Bird News
Monday 9th January 2017
Apologies for late post but over the weekend....
7th Jan: the 2 Cattle Egrets still in Saltram with the cows; also 11 Little Egrets and 93 Dunlins on Blaxton Pool. But no sign of the Plymstock Waxwing mid morning nor early afternoon.
8th Jan: Yellow-browed Warbler still in Beaumont Park, also 2+ Goldcrests and Nuthatch. But again no sign of the Waxwing early morning nor early afternoon.
Posted January 9th, 2017 at 7:48 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Yellow-browed warbler in usual place this morning plus adult & 1st winter Med gulls at the Rec. Saw Gavin Haig's Twitter post re 4 Cattle egrets on Exminster Marshes north of M5 so was pleased to be able to see them distantly from my house. The Marsh harrier came into roost in the Exe reed beds at the Rec at 3:50. I was surprised at 4:10 to see 4 Cattle egrets with BH gulls on the University playing fields, Topsham adjacent to the M5. They were flushed by a walker and flew west back towards the estuary. Returning home to look for the egrets, I heard a tristis Chiffchaff in the reeds alongside the path between the Rec & M5. It flew into the central reed bed island before I could get a good look at it.
Posted January 9th, 2017 at 4:56 pm by Martin Elcoate in Bird News
Highlight was a Bittern seen briefly in the Higher Ley from the bridge at 09:35. Still plenty of waterfowl around, eg 27 Wigeons, 132 Gadwalls, 8 Shovelers , 210 Tufted Ducks, 8 Pochards, 7 Goldeneyes and 12 Little Grebes. Had a good look from the Stokeley hide for last weeks possible Lesser Scaup but could only find a distant adult male Scaup. Good numbers of gulls as well, 500+ Black-headed Gulls in Ireland Bay included at least 4 Mediterranean Gulls. The sea was fairly quiet except for a couple Great Northern Divers just off the memorial car park.
Posted January 9th, 2017 at 2:26 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
A quiet early morning at Broadsands but a small flock of gannets diving on the anchovy shoals out in the bay were kept busy. The predators beneath were busy too, I could see the splashes of them attacking. quite clearly.
P.L. Fairclough
Posted January 9th, 2017 at 12:36 pm by Philip L. Fairclough in Bird News
The Siberian Chiffchaff was in the usual place - top end of reedy ditch between 1st and 2nd car parks, also 2 collybita Chiffchaffs.
On the sea: 8 Velvet Scoter toward Goodrington and 14 Great Crested Grebes.
Posted January 9th, 2017 at 9:30 am by Mike Langman in Bird News
Sunday 8th January 2017
Yelllow-browed warbler, Long-tailed duck, one adult Med gull and 11 Snipe this morning.
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 10:08 pm by Martin Elcoate in Bird News
Good numbers of Golden & Grey Plover, Oyster Catchers, Dunlin, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank & ShelDuck , reduced numbers of Wigeon & Brent Geese, also saw 1 Kingfisher& a few Pintail & Teal plus a few Cormorant & a Little Egret.
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 9:32 pm by Debbie Luckson in Bird News
First chance, after returning from annual Scottish holiday, to look for the two Cattle Egrets at Saltram Park. They were present, but distant, with five Little Egrets and this Mediterranean Gull with lots of Black-heads beside the cows.


Cattle egret Med Gull ad.wpl
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 9:12 pm by Chris Marcol in Bird News
Nine Red Breasted Merganser (5m 4f) feeding just above New Bridge at 15.30 this afternoon.
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 8:42 pm by Joe Higman in Bird News
Early afternoon:
250+ Common Scoter
2 LT Duck
1 GN Diver
25+ Common Dolphin offshore
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 8:20 pm by Chris Townend in Bird News
Very low water levels today, more like September after a hot summer.
On the water - a male goosander, 4 male tufted duck, 3 male and 2 female teal, 4 cormorants (2 juvs and 2 adults, 1 in full summer plumage with white speckled head and white thigh patch), a muscovy duck, a little grebe, mallards and 3 white farmyard geese with a few black headed gulls.
In the woodland a very pale buzzard, a marsh tit (with mixed tit flock in trees at northern car park), 2 nuthatches and a few siskins
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 7:59 pm by Stuart Green in Bird News
Flock of approx 2500 Golden Plover on & above Bassett's Ridge on the Taw Estuary this morning. During the aft this flock which had been moved on by the incoming tide was seen by another observer resting on Horsey Island.
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 6:28 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Some pictures from this mornings excellent trip around Torbay

One of the two groups of Velvet Scooters, 8 in this group Guillemots
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 5:15 pm by Simon Thurgood in Bird News
The long tailed duck and goldeneye(s?) are still off Topsham rec - visible from the boat slipways at the north end towards the motorway bridge. I had a water rail fly past too! At Goosemoor the spotted redshank was very close to the viewing screen with redshanks and greenshank for comparison :)
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 5:03 pm by Helen Whitall in Bird News
Once located three Cattle Egret at Teigngrace feeding in a pasture field alongside alongside a number of Herring Gull. (Click on images to enlarge)

Also seen were 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Dunnock, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 Stock Dove, 6 Little Egret, Heron, Buzzard and a Jay.
At home a male Siskin on the feeders and a Chiffchaff in the garden.
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 4:33 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
8 Velvet Scoter (only 7 initially but 8 by 11:00); 1 B-n Grebe (c. 10:55); 33 " scopeable" Razorbill; 1 Shelduck (circling over Broadsands, c.10:00); 1 Med Gull [2nd w, green ring on left tarsal, RNL4] (on roost, c. !0:00).
6-8 Cirl Bunting (1f + 1-2 heard, seafront, 3m, 2f on seed); 1 Reed Bunting + Chaffinches & Greenfinches (on seed).
1 Sib Chiffchaff (Alders between car parks, c.13:00); 2 Chiffchaff (collybita).
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 4:28 pm by David Holloway in Bird News
Sometimes it is worth opening the nets before it gets light. Today was one of those days!

Posted January 8th, 2017 at 4:18 pm by jon turner in Bird News
The imm drake Surf Scoter still at Mansands off Crabrock Point early afternoon - initially there were c250 Common Scoters distantly offshore but the flock split into two and half the flock came in as close as they would get and luckily it contained the Surf Scoter- still on show at c2pm
for pictures see https://twitter.com/markrabailey?lang=en

Posted January 8th, 2017 at 3:43 pm by Mark Bailey in Bird News
Much bird activity on the marshes: Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, Pied Wagtails, Grey Heron, Lapwings, Wigeon, Canada Geese, Greylag, Long Tailed Tits, Starlings, Curlew, Black Tailed Godwits, Shoveller, Song Thrush, Goldfinch & Bullfinch. On the estuary plenty of Avocet, Bar Tailed Godwits, Shelduck, Lapwings, Sanderlings, Redshank & Mallard.
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 3:38 pm by Stephen Huggins in Bird News
Long-tailed Duck still present along with 4 Goosander (1 Male, 3 female). Also other birds of note include 100+ Dunlin and large flocks of Lapwing.
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 3:17 pm by Benjamin Rousseau in Bird News
This mornings boat trip was a very good . The bay has large shoals of anchovies hence large numbers of birds feeding. Berry Head colony had 900+ Guillemots on the cliffs. Traveling back into Torbay 50+ Razorbill, 50+ Gannet , Kittiwake, Common Gull 2, Great Black-backed Gull and 1 Harbour Porpoise. Once in the Bay birds ranged from 1 Common Scoter , 8 Velvet Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter (separate birds from the 8), 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Eider, 28 Fulmar, 2 Purple Sandpiper and 1 Black Redstart on Brixham fish quay railings just before we started the trip. 2 grey seals in Brixham harbor.
Next trips are every Sunday in February starting on the 5th. if interested call 07866202576.
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 3:02 pm by Nigel Smallbones in Bird News
2 Cattle egret still around, showing well, with feeding cattle at 1230. Seen together with 4 Little egret, in the field at the top of the steps.
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 2:45 pm by Alan Livsey in Bird News
Seen in a private garden in the Teign Valley.
Posted January 8th, 2017 at 1:15 pm by Samuel Gray in Bird News