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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
Tuesday 7th March 2017
11 Waxwings feeding on poplar buds by the tile factory at midday

Posted March 7th, 2017 at 9:41 pm by John Walters in Bird News
The Pacific Diver was again back in the bay best viewed from the end of Brixham Breakwater but still fairly distant looking toward Torquay. 7 Great Northern Divers counted from here too.
Also in bay around Broadsands: 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Eider, 2 Black-necked Grebes and 1 Great Crested Grebe.
Posted March 7th, 2017 at 9:14 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
2 Yellow browed still, at least 8 Chiffchaff including the tristis, 10 Goldcrests, 20 Redwing, 3 Teal (all males) on floods in field below the WTW and 2 Marsh Tit in Staverton Woods.
Posted March 7th, 2017 at 7:14 pm in Bird News
As soon as I pulled up by the recently cut kale field opposite Bowden House on the Totnes to Ashprington road I could see it was full of Egrets - Now 7 Cattle Egrets and 18 Little Egrets- all still there at 450pm
Posted March 7th, 2017 at 6:01 pm by Mark Bailey in Bird News
This is actually a long-distance shot of the 5 Cattle Egrets at Weare Giffard this afternoon.

Posted March 7th, 2017 at 5:27 pm by jon turner in Bird News
Aveton Gifford ~ Male Yellow Hammer just outside of the village, on the tidal road, Common Sandpiper 3, Greenshank 3, Redshank 5, Black Tailed Godwit 2.
Frogmore Creek ~ Greenshank 3, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret 3, Shellduck 5, Redshank.
Slapton ~ Not overly busy with birds on the Ley, Pochard 4, good numbers of Tufted and Gadwall duck, Long Tailed Tit 2, Goldcrest 2.
Sea watch from Torcross 30 plus Gannet, one Seal and several Harbour Porpoise.
From the memorial car park a small flock of Shag with a Red Throated Diver keeping them company.

Posted March 7th, 2017 at 4:35 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
Five Cattle Egrets and three Little Egrets roosting in the Oak tree at the top of Fremington creek. One Spoonbill on Isley marsh.
Posted March 7th, 2017 at 2:00 pm by Malcolm Shakespeare in Bird News
Still over 100 Common Scoter and 6 Long-tailed Ducks in the bay. A little further out 20+ Great Crested Grebes.

Long-tailed Duck
Posted March 7th, 2017 at 1:41 pm by david cawthraw in Bird News
Just heard a Chiffchaff in the garden but not sure whether this is an overwintering bird or a new spring arrival.
Posted March 7th, 2017 at 1:21 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
The Snow Bunting which has wintered on the Burrows was still present this morning, unobtrusively feeding with 4 Linnets around 100m west of the 8th green. At least 10 of the wintering Eider were on the estuary but difficult to count in a particularly choppy area. No sign of any Wheatear as yet.
Posted March 7th, 2017 at 10:13 am by Roger Doble in Bird News
Monday 6th March 2017
I think consensus on the unusual looking wigeon with the white face is that it's a hybrid with a chiloe wigeon; if you look at pictures of chiloe wigeon it actually does share more features with the Bowling Green bird :)
Posted March 6th, 2017 at 9:37 pm by Helen Whitall in Bird News
A post rain afternoon visit in the vain hope of finding Wheatear. Did manage 60 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing & 30 Cirl Bunting.
Posted March 6th, 2017 at 7:06 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Following Steve's earlier post re Iceland Gull on Saunton Beach, I cycled there(!) and at first glance thought it looked a bit big. Had to move quickly. as several walkers (most with dogs) creating disturbance. Managed a few record shots before more dogs and walkers put it right off. Not much doubt that it is a Glaucous Gull I think.

Posted March 6th, 2017 at 6:57 pm by jon turner in Bird News
There's been an unusual looking female Widgeon on Bowling Green Marsh for some time now. It has the typical plumage of a female but with the addition of a white band around it's neck extending on to the cheeks. Steve Waite says that if it was a hybrid it would show more features of the other parent. So just a freak Widgeon.



Eds. This bird has been around for most of the winter see here
Posted March 6th, 2017 at 5:09 pm by Tom Wallis in Bird News
Went out to the memorial car park for an hour this afternoon. Did not see the whale though it has been reported today. Still a few Porpoises around and a Grey Seal just offshore. Birding highlights 2 Great Northern Divers and a Great Skua.
Posted March 6th, 2017 at 5:05 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
Little of note on the estuary itself this afternoon, but just up river between Coypool and Riverside Caravan Park, 13+ Siskins and a pair of Mandarin Ducks.
Posted March 6th, 2017 at 4:54 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
2nd or 3rd year bird on Saunton beach, approx 1 mile south of beach car park. Bird at tide line feeding on dead Conga Eel and present 12.30 to 12,45 at least.
Posted March 6th, 2017 at 1:52 pm by Stephen Mawby in Bird News
1 male and 2 female Goosander from the garden this morning, on the Bidwell Brook at Week.

Goosander on Bidwell Brook
Posted March 6th, 2017 at 1:39 pm by Bob Telford in Bird News
Two sand martin hawking over the Exe flood relief channel in Exeter this morning, just a few tens of meters south of the Station Road bridge.

Sand Martin
Posted March 6th, 2017 at 9:40 am by Ben Drummond in Bird News
A Chiffchaff was in full song at White Bridge on Friday morning, in the sunshine - but had stopped on our return an hour later in dull conditions. Doubtless an over-wintering bird, but even so - signs of spring! Sorry for the late post.
Posted March 6th, 2017 at 6:54 am by Colin Randall in Bird News
Sunday 5th March 2017
1 Woodcock late afternoon.
Posted March 5th, 2017 at 10:51 pm by Andy Smith in Bird News
Amongst a wealth of wildfowl this morning at Bowling Green Marsh, in addition to 80 Avocet, large flocks of Black-tailed Godwits and a flock of 20 Pintail I saw my first Sand Martin of the year. Also spotted an unusual hybrid Wigeon, showing all the plumage features and characteristics of a female Wigeon, but with a russet head and a distinctive white band across the head. Any suggestions?


Posted March 5th, 2017 at 10:43 pm by Nick D'Agorne in Bird News
Whale showed at about 15:15 way down off Torcross. Slowly worked its way up and was still off the Strete Gate car park area at 16:30 and seemed quite happy circling (feeding) in that area where the majority of Gannets had been all afternoon. Someone had told me that the Little Gull was sitting showing nicely at Torcross but all the gulls had dispersed by I made it there at 17:00ish.



Humpback Whale showing tail markings.
Posted March 5th, 2017 at 10:27 pm by Bob Telford in Bird News
Humpback whale was off the memorial car park between 17:00-17:45 at least. Also Harbour Porpoises and feeding Gannets. The whale does seem to be showing best mid afternoons onward.
Posted March 5th, 2017 at 9:56 pm by Perry Sanders in Other Wildlife
Very wet at Slapton Ley today. No whale off the beach or a little gull in the duck feeding area.
Other birds that we saw today include: Black-headed Gulls, Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebes, Coots, Tufted Ducks, M Goldeneye and Mute Swans.
Posted March 5th, 2017 at 8:16 pm by Samuel Gray in Bird News
At 11:20 ish (extra high water), the 9 Spoonbill roosting in a fairly neat row, well onto the marsh.
Even better, just off the marsh, a duck and drake Red-breasted Merganser on the river Taw, diving often and tricky to view in high winds/waves. I love the unpredictable birding in N Devon.
Posted March 5th, 2017 at 7:23 pm by Lowell Mills in Bird News
6 Cattle Egret still at Caulston Farm Stoke.
Posted March 5th, 2017 at 3:45 pm by Jeremy Spooner in Bird News
Following Rupert Kirkwoods post last week I checked out the fields near Weare Giffard.
Just north of the church close to the river I found 20 egrets. 5 Cattle Egret and 15 Little egret. Birds very mobile and often obscured so numbers may not be absolute.april
At Landcross bridge 2 Common Sandpiper
Posted March 5th, 2017 at 2:41 pm by john bronze in Bird News
The leucistic adult Black-headed Gull and 2 adult summer Mediterranean Gulls amongst the Black-headed flock this morning. Also: Lesser Black-backed Gull (23), Greenshank (4), Wigeon, Shelduck (46), Common Sandpiper and Little Grebe (4).
Later, a Blackcap singing in Lipson.

Leucistic adult Black-headed Gull
Posted March 5th, 2017 at 12:55 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
I was at Beesands Ley yesterday and a gull flew in with some odd wing markings. After double checking with Kev R its a Lesser Black-backed Gull with an odd pattern of albino feathers matched on each wing. Quite distinctive!

Posted March 5th, 2017 at 12:12 pm by Simon Thurgood in Bird News
Saturday 4th March 2017
This is just for the romantics amongst you!

Posted March 4th, 2017 at 11:42 pm by Carole Leigh in Bird News
A couple more pics of the Little Gull at Slapton today. Nice to see the humpback again this evening.



Posted March 4th, 2017 at 10:51 pm by M Witherall in Bird News
Amazing views this evening also Balearic shearwater

Posted March 4th, 2017 at 9:45 pm by John Deakins in Bird News
Balearic Shearwater south at 1230
3 Great Northern Divers
Humpback whale and 20+ porpoises

Balearic Shearwater
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 9:21 pm by Rupert Kirkwood in Bird News
At least five male Stonechats plus one female searching the newly restored section of Devon bank between our garden and the adjacent field in Barton Lane. Occasionally coming within 15 feet of us searching newly cleared earth and immitating the resident Robin by perching on the fork handle! Present for most of the afternoon.
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 8:37 pm by Kim Beaver & Rosie Arnold in Bird News
The Grebes would appear to have a varied diet, as well as the pike already posted, I saw the grebes eating tench & perch - although this was spat out, too prickly?
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 8:26 pm by Alun Sherwood in Bird News
To add to the posts already submitted, a Balearic Shearwater flew south at 12:40; 18 Grey Plover flying around offshore mid-morning; 5 Great Northern Divers and 10+ Harbour Porpoises inshore; and c65+ Gadwall on the Ley.
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 8:22 pm by Dave Smallshire in Bird News
Slapton Lay, small pond other side from Torcross, near the bridg
e, e
njoying a fish dinner
Eds: the Great Crested Grebe has caught a small Pike!
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 6:57 pm by Greg Bradbury in Bird News
A lone Gadwall duck at Torcross this morning, I think it's a male still in winter colours


Posted March 4th, 2017 at 6:49 pm by Greg Bradbury in Bird News
Went out to the memorial car park at 17:45 and the whale was showing superbly about 100 metres offshore. Equally close were several porpoises and feeding gannets. Whale still showing when I left at 18:20
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 6:46 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
Drake American Wigeon still present; busily grazing amongst one of the large flocks of Eurasian Wigeon, early pm.
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 6:40 pm by Andy Smith in Bird News
Road flooded this morning, just passable! 1 Barnacle Goose still in with 43 Canada Geese in fields near Hatch Bridge. 3 Meadow Pipit and 8 Mallard in same fields. Dipper on river, Treecreeper moving between trees near Bridge, 1 Sparrowhawk flew by and 2 Buzzard perched together in same tree.
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 5:45 pm by David Pakes in Bird News
Desert Wheatear singing from the roof of the small building between the golf club house and Leasfoot Beach early afternoon, also Black Redstart nearby. The 2 White-fronted Geese hiding away at the back of South Huish Marsh.
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 5:21 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
About 130+ Golden Plovers sighted this morning near Cox tor car park nr Tavistock..
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 5:02 pm by Robin Stanbridge in Bird News
We finally caught up with the Little Gull at the duck feeding area late afternoon. You can see how small it is in the photo, with the black headed gull for comparison. Also of note today were male and female scaup, female goosander, common gull adult and juveniles, 2 "manky mallards" plus 2 firecrests in the bushes along the path around the Ley.

Little Gull at Torcross Little & Large! Firecrest around the Ley
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 3:56 pm by Steph Murphy in Bird News
Falling tide so a large expanse of mud. 50 Wigeon, 8 Greenshank, 14 Redshank, 3 Dunlin,12 Curlew, Oyster Catcher, !4 Shelduck, Goosander redhead, 4 Little egret, Greater, Lesser Blackback, Herring and Blackheaded gulls, Kingfisher and Song thrush singing.
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 3:52 pm by Jeremy Spooner in Bird News
2 adult Med Gulls offshore plus Fulmar.
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 3:41 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Marine Parade Paignton ~ 32 Turnstone including the over wintering Dutch ringed bird.
Berryhead ~ 18 Fulmar, Great Northern Diver, numerous Shag, Cormorant and Gannet with 5+ Guillemot and a similar number of Greater Black Backed Gulls.
Three Pipit sp flew in from the sea, I suspect Meadow Pips but landed or flew on to far away to be certain.
Harbour Porpoises showing really well.




Posted March 4th, 2017 at 2:55 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
The Little gull still down at the Torcross end, on the water with Black headed's. Also: 1 Cetti's warbler, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 12 Pochard, Skylarks singing, Robin's nest building, and a 7 spot ladybird on a leaf, Spring is coming!
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 2:32 pm by Alan Livsey in Bird News
3 ringneck parakeet bodmin road whitley woods
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 12:49 pm by barry in Bird News
Yellow-browed warbler still the first bird I see when checking the WTW, also present today were chiffchaff, goldcrest and grey wagtail
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 11:36 am by Henry Trollope in Bird News
Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Yarner Wood this morning - also c8 Redpoll
Nearby , the 5 Cattle Egrets and 16 Little Egrets still 10.30am around entrance fields of Blatchford Farm , Teigngrace
late pm - 1 Cattle Egret still at Waddeton
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 11:12 am by Mark Bailey in Bird News
Three Jack Snipe, Snipe, a leucistic adult Black-headed Gull, 23 Turnstones, and 2 Stonechats.
Posted March 4th, 2017 at 9:35 am by Pete Aley in Bird News
Friday 3rd March 2017
A single colour ringed Spoonbill (one of the yellow flagged birds) feeding in the low tide pools just below the Torridge Bridge on the incoming tide at about 4.45pm. This is the second time I have recorded this bird from my bedroom window!
Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 7:53 pm by Martin Unwin in Bird News
Located the Humpback Whale around 1100hrs distantly north of the 'bell buoy' (around 2+ miles out), it worked its way north and gradually came closer during the afternoon early evening, when seabird feeding activity increased indicating fish moving closer to shore. Glad many who had missed it before were able to see it in the afternoon, although elusive at times. Also 2-3 Harbour Porpoise, Grey Seal, 2 Bonxies & an ad Mediterranean Gull came through during the day and there was a Velvet Scoter off Strete Gate.


Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 7:33 pm by Mark Darlaston in Bird News
5 Cattle Egrets and 16 Little Egrets around entrance fields of Blatchford Farm late afternoon but mobile between fields
Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 6:32 pm by Mark Bailey in Bird News
Whales showing from memorial car park from about 4.15 -5.00. When i left at 5.00 it was till there
Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 5:39 pm by Jeff Hacon in Other Wildlife
6 Cattle Egret just west of Caulston Farm Stoke.
Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 5:13 pm by Jeremy Spooner and John Adams in Bird News
15.30hrs - Returning from the boat at Brixham came the back road from Galmpton - Stoke Gabriel. Just prior to Waddeton, 2 Cattle Egrets + 1 Little Egret in field on right with cattle. Easily viewable from road.
Late post for yesterday morning, with Rod Bone, 1 Barnacle Goose with 43 Canada Geese in fields by R. Avon at Knapp Mill, viewable from road ( flooded at times) near Hatch Bridge. Has been seen here or lower down on the Avon for a week or so.
Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 4:32 pm by David Pakes in Bird News
Juv/1st w Iceland Gull Brixham, flew toward Berry Head at about 3.10pm. Also 5 Great Northern Divers from Shoalstone shelter.

Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 4:31 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Perched on telephone wires between A399 and Stoke Rivers, near to the hunt kennels turning. Wary of the light traffic and the flew towards fields by Stoke Barton. returned with camera but could not find again.
Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 2:25 pm by Karen Sims & John Towers in Bird News
Following on from Jon's post below, I was at Isley Marsh at the same time ~10:30 and the other five Spoonbill were roosting there. By Yelland Power Station site a collybita race Chiffchaff feeding in a hedgerow willow.
Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 11:29 am by Lowell Mills in Bird News
Only (!) 4 Spoonbills on the scrape this morning when I arrived - still there when I left at 10.30.
Around Sherpa Marsh small flocks of both Wigeon and Teal, along with about 20 Curlew.
Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 11:03 am by Jon Turner in Bird News
Late post for yesterday: 2 Red-throated Diver offshore at memorial & Little Gull at Torcross.
Posted March 3rd, 2017 at 8:06 am by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Thursday 2nd March 2017
Spotted just below weir at Plymbridge today Thursday 2nd March 2017 at 13.30 hrs
Eds: Just to avoid any confusion, "Common Merganser" is another name (mainly used in North America) for Goosander (as opposed to Red-breasted Merganser). Great photo!

Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 11:50 pm by Ian Douglas in Bird News
Little Gull at Slapton Ley today seen and photographed by Barry Rankine

Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 11:20 pm in Bird News
30 plus Gannets feeding close in, along with 5 Harbour Porpoise. At least 4 Fulmar and large numbers of Guillemot

Guillemot Fulmar Harbour Porpoise
Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 10:58 pm by Bob Telford in Bird News
For those who missed it, there are reports again today of the Humpback Whale feeding in Start Bay, seen at Strete Gate at 17:30.
Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 10:43 pm by Mark Darlaston in Other Wildlife
Med gull in the stream on woolacombe beach.longtailed tits collecting nesting materials,three pairs of stonechats
Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 6:43 pm by John Elvin in Bird News
A quick early evening walk along the Northbrook - at least 2 (possibly 3) Dipper, between 4 & 6 Grey wags, Green Sandpiper and a Redwing. Sadly no Kingfisher or Water Rail today.
Short video link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8wETqkpFj8

Dipper Green Sandpiper Grey Wagtail
Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 6:27 pm by Martin Rooney in Bird News
I saw the Spoonbills from the field gate as I arrived this morning, and thought there were quite a few! Sadly when I got to that side of the reserve they had gone! I thought they would be bird of the day, but maybe the red visitor (pic below) might qualify? Kingfisher by the pond again.

Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 6:15 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
High tide on the Plym Estuary produced an adult Mediterranean Gull, adult sinensis Cormorant, Common Sandpiper, 8 Manadarin Ducks, 9 Little Egrets, 128 Redshanks, 124 Dunlins, 6 Greenshanks and 6 Oystercatchers.
At Efford Marsh, a Dipper, Chiffchaff and 3 Bullfinches.
Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 4:45 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Took the coast road from Modbury via Membland to Noss Mayo. As I turned down to Membland noted a large herd of cattle on the right by the hedge 1 Cattle egret and on further detailed observation by John the number rose to 11. Also a number of Herring gulls.
Noss Mayo Marsh tit, Goldcrest, Tawny owl and Green woodpecker.
Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 3:38 pm by Jeremy Spooner and John Adams in Bird News
4 Cattle egrets and 10 Little Egrets in field beside river at Weare Giffard church.
8 Common Sandpiper
2 Green Sandpiper
3 Mandarin
Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 11:20 am by Rupert Kirkwood in Bird News
9 Spoonbills on the scrape early this morning.

Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 10:02 am by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
In the 2nd car park on seed were 13 Cirl Buntings, 2 Reed Bunting 1 Chiffchaff in the Marsh
On the sea: 2 black-necked Grebes, 1 eider, 1 Great Crested Grebe. On a worrying note it looks like some nets have been set just of the headland, there was a voluntary agreement between fishermen and TCCT not to set nets in this area between 1st November and 1st April. This seems to have been ignored and with the forecast of more strong winds the numbers of wintering divers and grebes will again pick up in the area these nets will put them at risk.
Posted March 2nd, 2017 at 8:52 am by Mike Langman in Bird News
Wednesday 1st March 2017
Mixed weather. Highlights were approx 10 Goosander, a pair of which were seen mating. Male Kingfisher fishing for over 45 minutes on the pool by the raised boardwalk. Also a Buzzard landed within 20 ft of the boardwalk.

Mating Goosander Male Kingfisher Buzzard
Posted March 1st, 2017 at 3:26 pm by Bob Telford in Bird News
A38 Heathfield while on the way to the Haldon birding survey gave the flock of Waxwings sat in the trees alongside the road opposite BCT.
At Haldon the team that I was with recorded Green Woodpecker that showed well at the beginning and end of the route covered, GSWP, Yellow Hammer (2), Siskin, Mistle and Song Thrush, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, numerous Goldcrest, Snipe (12) Woodcock (6) Stonechat (pair) Crossbill (4) two sightings and a Raven to mention a few of the species seen and recorded.
Both Roe and Fallow deer.
Back by the feed station one of the team picked out the reported female Brambling.
A divert to Teigngrace on the way home gave double figures of Little Egret and five Cattle Egret and a very pale Buzzard.
Two Sparrow hawks seen while driving on the A38, one at Chudleigh and the other near Dean Prior.
Posted March 1st, 2017 at 2:59 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
2 Spoonbills seen over Sherpa Marsh from the reserve this morning. Both settled by the reed-bed near to RMB Chivenor.
A female Kingfisher paid a visit to the pond later in the morning.
Posted March 1st, 2017 at 2:03 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Little Gull

Little Gull
Posted March 1st, 2017 at 7:57 am by Roger Backway in Bird News
Little Gull in admonst Black Headed Gull at Torcross
Posted March 1st, 2017 at 7:28 am by Roger Backway in Bird News