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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
Friday 21st April 2017
Started the day with 2 singing Whitethroats in gardens at the Rec and finished with 2 Swifts over Exminster Marshes. During the day on a low high tide highlights were 41 Ringed plover and 1 Sanderling amount a large flock of Dunlin, 2 Ruff on the Clyst before moving to Goosemoor and 10 Whimbrel.
Posted April 21st, 2017 at 11:36 pm by Martin Elcoate in Bird News
Common Sandpiper on the scrape and another along the Caen not far from the Toll House this evening. Delighted to see a Swift over the reserve too!
Posted April 21st, 2017 at 9:30 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
A Snipe at the front of the hide at Stover today showed very well for a couple of minutes - that was long enough to get some decent photo's.
At Yarner Woods the Pied Flycatchers were showing all over the place, also heard, but not seen, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Wood Warbler heard, but again not seen.



Posted April 21st, 2017 at 6:57 pm by Greg Bradbury in Bird News
A lovely male Redstart spotted this afternoon around 4 o'clock on the bottom fringes of Smeardon Down, Peter Tavy.

Redstart
Posted April 21st, 2017 at 6:55 pm by Andy Brown in Bird News
3 singing male Redstarts & 4 Tree Pipits the highlights.
Posted April 21st, 2017 at 2:59 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
A Red Kite circling high over Peter Tavy this morning around 9.45 for 10 minutes then flew off northwards over the Moors (distant shots only)



Red Kite
Posted April 21st, 2017 at 2:36 pm by Andy Brown in Bird News
While ringing in the reserve this morning an odd-sounding Goose flew around, I did see it later but not sure what it was - Egyptian? Anyone out there see one, do let me know!
Ringed 40 Swallows and 15 Sand Martins caught last night, along with 3 Blackcaps, 3 Blackbirds, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Chiffs, a Willow Warbler and a half size Dunnock - the first juvenile of the year.
Also caught a Reed Warbler ringed in 2014. and 3 2-year old Blackcaps, (ringed in 2015).
Posted April 21st, 2017 at 1:13 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Cuckoo heard from the garden of Littleham Mill near Bideford on Wednesday
Posted April 21st, 2017 at 9:39 am by Brian Sims in Bird News
Migrants thin on the ground again today despite the cloud cover. Fly-past birds included: 1 Whimbrel, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Great Northern Diver. off the headland there were still 6+ Common Dolphin and 1 Harbour Porpoise.
Posted April 21st, 2017 at 8:39 am by Mike Langman in Bird News
Thursday 20th April 2017
Solitary cuckoo heard at close proximity on the dartington estate by conservation/ woodland wardens. called on several occasions from fixed point in a tree at a higher level. This added to 2 seperate cuckoo's heard in the woodland valley behind Hound Tor on sat 15th.
Posted April 20th, 2017 at 11:46 pm by jordan harris in Bird News
At Yarner today - 3 male Redstart and 1 female showing regularly - female gathering nesting material. At least 2 male Pied Flycatchers calling and checking out nestboxes/nestsites.

Pied Flycatcher Female Common Redstart gathering nesting material
Posted April 20th, 2017 at 11:19 pm by Bob Telford in Bird News
Male and female pied flycatcher together in copse above South Zeal this morning.
Posted April 20th, 2017 at 4:59 pm by Jasper Michie in Bird News
2 Common Sandpipers on the scrape this morning, although one was originally flying around Wrafton Pond and even landed on the viewing platform at one point. A Kingfisher also flew over. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap singing in the reserve. The light rain seemed to dampen the temperature so not much showing.
This afternoon cycled to Saunton Sands sandy lane car park and along the American road to Crow point. Only 4/5 Whitethroats 3 Blackcaps, 15 Willow Warblers and 6 Chiffs. There may have been hundreds of Grasshopper Warblers, but I can't hear them anymore so I recorded none!
On the flooded area of Horsey, 1 Greenshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 12 Redshank, 24 Grey Plover (all in winter plumage) and about 30 Dunlin (in summer plumage). Finally on the Caen river just by the end of the old Chivenor lighting gantry, 3 Whimbrel.
A smattering of Sand Martins and Swallows, one House Martin.
Posted April 20th, 2017 at 4:16 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Hobby over Turf yesterday evening.
Posted April 20th, 2017 at 2:16 pm by Gerry Hooper in Bird News
1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling briefly in Soar Mill Valley early am plus at least 10 Whitethroats. The same or another Grasshopper Warbler reeling strongly and showing nicely in a stand of willows in a garden in Higher Soar mid-am.
Posted April 20th, 2017 at 1:44 pm by Andy Smith in Bird News
Wednesday 19th April 2017
Sorry its late, but I thought I posted yesterday. 1 male Redstart and 1 male Stonechat.


Posted April 19th, 2017 at 9:11 pm by Bob Telford in Bird News
A disappointing morning in the easterlies but managed 15 Swallow, Sand Martin, 16 Wheatear, 2 Sedge Warbler, 7 Whitethroat & 3 singing Willow Warblers.
Posted April 19th, 2017 at 6:42 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
A short eared owl this morning flushed from trees at the picnic area along the back path and flying onto the marsh where it looked most disgruntled. It then flew back to the trees before flying off again, this time gaining height and heading over the railway line towards Powderham Marsh.
Also good views of reed warblers and sedge warblers busily singing away.4 house martins with the swallows, blackcap and chiffchaff also seen.


Posted April 19th, 2017 at 6:36 pm by Stuart Green in Bird News
Got of the bus at matford park and ride this morning 06:20 and as I was about to cross the road by the Volkswagen car centre / garage I could hear a reeling Grasshopper warbler it was in a small bush and I watched it for 10 mins showing well and reeling away great way to start the day.
A quick look around Bowling green marsh between 15:00 and 16:30 produced the spotted redshank from the viewing platform , 1 1st winter Mediterranean gull , 15+ knot , 40+ grey plover, 6+ whimbrel, 12+ swallow, 5+ Cetti's warbler, 8+ blackcap, 5+ chiffchaffs, , 6+ buzzards.
Posted April 19th, 2017 at 6:21 pm by Keith Birchall in Bird News
Lots of Willow warblers in pairs,fledged Dipper,male Redstart,chiffchaff,2 Ravens,grey wagtails,bullfinch and lots more goldfinch than usual,nice to see good numbers of tree creeper,nuthatch and tits.Beautiful day.
Posted April 19th, 2017 at 5:57 pm by John Elvin in Bird News
There were 3 Ruff, Common Sandpiper and Greenshank with 30-odd Black-tailed Godwits by Goosemoor cycleway bridge this afternoon. The Spotted Redshank called behind Bowling Green Marsh, but it was invisible behind the railway bridge! A Cetti's Warbler was singing by the bridge.


Ruff on R Clyst Black-tailed Godwit in partial breeding plumage
Posted April 19th, 2017 at 5:42 pm by Dave Smallshire in Bird News
This morning, 5 Whitethroat (4m/1f) and 1 Speckled Yellow Moth

Speckled Yellow Moth
Posted April 19th, 2017 at 4:37 pm by Derek Stacey in Bird News
A male Ruff showing signs of summer plumage on the rapldly drying scrape in the southcott valley. Nearby on Northgate pond a Common sand and Greenshank.
Posted April 19th, 2017 at 4:30 pm by Malcolm Shakespeare in Bird News
Soar lacked any great numbers of migrants but managed: 14 Wheatears, 9 Whitethroats, 6 Willow warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and 2 House Martins.
On South Huish Marsh, the juv / 1st-s Iceland Gull, 3 Garganeys (2 drakes and a duck), 7+ Cattle Egrets, Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrels, Sedge Warbler and 2 House Martins; and over the sea, 5 Sandwich Terns.
Little of note at South Milton Ley.
Posted April 19th, 2017 at 4:11 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
South end to North end along American Road to Saunton.
Good fall of migrants this morning on the Burrows.
63 Willow Warblers, 27 Chiffchaffs, 5 Common Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (First ones in, hopefully more later), 23 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler.
Posted April 19th, 2017 at 2:11 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Two Common Sandpipers on the scrape this morning. Still precious little in the reserve: 1 singing Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warblers. Good to see a Tawny Owl fly through the trees.
Up on Exmoor (above North Molton) a couple of Tree Pipits.
Posted April 19th, 2017 at 2:10 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Tuesday 18th April 2017
A flock of c 90 Brent geese were on the Estuary this evening. Too far down river to tell which sub species with bins, but most likely to be Pale-bellied at this time of year. They appeared to be off Starcross as viewed from Topsham.
Posted April 18th, 2017 at 10:12 pm by Martin Elcoate in Bird News
Male pied flycatcher and a wood warbler in the oak wood above the River Barle just north of Dulverton. Other sightings included 3 pair of marsh tit, two pair of nuthatch, greater spotted woodpecker (2) and tree creeper (2). Three grey wagtail and a dipper on the river.

Posted April 18th, 2017 at 8:03 pm by Richard Gowen in Bird News
Three male Mandarins together on the river by Lower Buckland this morning.
Posted April 18th, 2017 at 7:36 pm by Colin Brooks in Bird News
Smart Wood warbler calling & showing well this morning
Posted April 18th, 2017 at 5:55 pm by Ian Pearson in Bird News
Pair Goosander on river, 5 Pied Flycatcher & male Redstart in song.
Posted April 18th, 2017 at 4:49 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Male Pied flycatcher at Powder mills this afternoon, stunning colours..
Posted April 18th, 2017 at 4:09 pm by john diplock in Bird News
10 Purple Sandpiper on the old fuel bunkering jetty at the end of Brixham Breakwater. Thought they would have gone but nice to see.
Posted April 18th, 2017 at 12:08 pm by Nigel Smallbones in Bird News
The Night Heron was still on Lundy yesterday afternoon, Monday 17th.
Posted April 18th, 2017 at 11:33 am by Tim Jones in Bird News
Monday 17th April 2017
This evening at least 4 Wheatear, lots of Meadow Pipit, 1 male Stonechat, pair of Linnet gathering nesting material, 1 male Reed Bunting and 1 Buzzard and 1 male Kestrel over.

Meadow Pipit Linnet gathering nest material Male Reed Bunting
Posted April 17th, 2017 at 11:12 pm by Bob Telford in Bird News
Started the day at Highfield Farm with Grasshopper warbler, Sedge warbler, 2 Cettis and 4 Cattle egrets. From Clyst viewing platform 6 Little terns distant down river. 3 Ruff on Bowling a Green Marsh. And at least 25 Whimbrel moving up river over course of the morning.
Posted April 17th, 2017 at 10:31 pm by Martin Elcoate in Bird News
A drive around Dartmoors quieter lanes, produced sightings of, Skylark many Meadow Pipits & Stonechats, Wheatears, Linnets, 1 Whinchat. 1 Whitethroat. The best by far was the sighting of a very smart male Redstart, also saw a Raven & Buzzards, many Swallows heading north
Posted April 17th, 2017 at 10:27 pm by Mike Luckson in Bird News
Plenty of Wheatears at Saddle tor today also Meadow pipits and one cuckoo

Posted April 17th, 2017 at 5:58 pm by John Deakins in Bird News
a female feeding on Mountsland common, Dartmoor about 12.00 today
Posted April 17th, 2017 at 4:44 pm by Jeff Hacon in Bird News
Charleton Marsh / Bay, 13:45-14:45
Great Crested Grebe, 3 Teals, 7 Whimbrels, 2 Ruffs ( marsh ), 4 Sandwich Terns, Grasshopper Warbler and Reed Warbler.
Posted April 17th, 2017 at 3:52 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
Hoping to see a Brimstone Butterfly but no luck so far!
Photo 1 = male Orange Tip upperwing.
Photo 2 = male Orange Tip underwing.
Photo 3 = female Orange Tip upperwing.
Now I know what you are thinking, Rob failed to get a photo of the female Orange Tip underwing!

Posted April 17th, 2017 at 2:07 pm by Rob Jutsum in Other Wildlife
South Huish Marsh, early am: Iceland Gull and Garganey still present, 4 Cattle Egrets, 5 Wheatears, singing Sedge Warbler etc.
East and Middle Soar, mid-am: 7 Wheatears, singing Whitethroat, steady trickle of Swallows passing through etc.
Posted April 17th, 2017 at 1:50 pm by Andy Smith in Bird News
Sunday 16th April 2017
Early morning start on the Exe estuary was not overly busy with bird life on the low tide, from the hide at Bowling Green Marsh ducks included Teal, Wigeon, Shoveller, Gadwall and Tufted.
From the viewing platform Redhank, Curlew, Heron, very mobile Dunlin flock.
On the Exeminster side at least five Sedge Warbler, very vocal Cetti's Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Swallow and Sand Martin, another flock of Dunlin which landed and then seen to include 12 plus Ringed Plover, steady number of Shellduck coming into one specific area 89 birds at one point, fifteen Curlew.
Emsworthy on Dartmoor five Wheatear, Meadow Pipits, Skylark, spent ages listening to a calling "drumming" bird which eventually revealed itself to be a Snipe, Raven over head.


Posted April 16th, 2017 at 9:43 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
Morning at Bolt Head brought female Merlin heading east & over Prawle then Common Buzzard in off the sea flying strongly north. Also in off the sea: 54 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin & 7 Goldfinch. In the area: Whimbrel, 2 soaring Sparrowhawk, 2 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler & Nuthatch.
Later at Slapton Ley first Swift, 3 Common Scoter on the sea, 6 Whimbrel briefly on the beach, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 House Martin & 2 singing Reed Warblers.
Posted April 16th, 2017 at 7:15 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
A thorough look around this morning. A modest passage of hirundines with 38 Swallows, and 4 House Martins heading NW. Also, 3 Swallows hanging around, my first Whimbrel of the year here, Common Sandpiper, 2 pairs of Mallard with (12 and 9) ducklings, Stock Dove (4), Sparrowhawk and Great Spotted Woodpecker (2).
As I arrived home (Mount Gould) a Ring-necked Parakeet flew over my house. Hot on the heels of Yellow-browed Warbler, this makes 110 species for the garden (in, over or from) since 1990.
Posted April 16th, 2017 at 6:14 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Another early morning visit to Dartmoor was rewarded by a stunning flypast of over a 150 Golden Plover which was even better when they landed in front of me. Otherwise usual suspects - Yellowhammer, Linnet, wheatear, m pipit, stonechat, raven and Skylark Inc 2 that were so intent on scrapping with each other in the car park they were oblivious to all the passing cars.


Golden Plover formation Skylark - the winner
Posted April 16th, 2017 at 4:55 pm by Paul Treen in Bird News
2 Dotterel between Yes tor and High Willhays .Both in breeding plumage.
Posted April 16th, 2017 at 4:04 pm by Rupert Kirkwood in Bird News
Watched from 08:00 till 12:45
After doing the hedges first with nothing new in headed to the viewing platform at bowling green marsh , 20+ knot , 45+ bar tailed godwits and 20+ great crested grebes around the estuary , just after 08:30 picked up 3 small terns of starcross but with the light they were to far to confirm ID but size and flight pattern suggested little tern they eventually flew up river so I rushed around to the goatwalk and they were just of riversmeet house but now there were 4 , they flew down river eventually they came back up river and this time there was 5 they were feeding along the edge of the estuary from turf up towards topsham they were around till just before 12:00,
At least 60+ whimbrel flew up river in 3 groups whilst watching the little terns , 1 sandwich tern and 1 Avocet was opposite goatwalk,
A quick look again from the viewing platform produced 45+ grey plover , 1 turnstone, 11 ringed plover.
Posted April 16th, 2017 at 3:39 pm by Keith Birchall in Bird News
Arrived at Goosemoor as the tide was coming in, which pushed the Spotted Redshank in towards the viewing area. It was feeding well, with lots of preening in between. Counted 11 Greenshank and around 11 Little Egret. A Whimbrel dropped in briefly, but flew towards Bowling Green Marsh after around 5 minutes. From the Goat Walk 5 Little Terns were feeding just off Turf Lock (thanks to Keith B. for the tip off) and from the Viewing Platform a Sandwich Tern was perched on the buoy. Back at the hide, 3 Ruff were visible and feeding alongside the Godwit flock, which included around 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin (some in Summer plumage), the Whimbrel and 3 Buzzards which were spooking the flock. A very productive morning for me as I went to photograph the Spotted Redshank.

Posted April 16th, 2017 at 3:01 pm by Steph Murphy in Bird News
65 Common Scoter, 2 Long-tailed Ducks and 11 Shelducks on the sea with 5 Sandwich Terns flying close to the cliffs. Other birds: Stock Doves, Cirl Buntings, Chiffchaffs, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker...

Long-tailed Duck Common Scoter
Posted April 16th, 2017 at 12:00 pm by david cawthraw in Bird News
After a chance meeting with Magnus Robb at a conference, I decided to give nocturnal sound recording a go. It has been pretty quiet thus far but last night produced a surprise with a single Barn Owl call at 3.10 AM over Freedom Fields. Slightly random given the location!
Posted April 16th, 2017 at 9:50 am in Bird News
Saturday 15th April 2017
No sign of yesterday's early morning Serin found by Pat M. Seawatch highlights were : 4 Bonxies, 1 Black-Throated Diver, 1 Whimbrel, 9 Sandwich Terns west, 2 East, 7 Common Scoter east, 8 Manx Shearwaters west.
8 Wheatears, 1 Sand Martin , 2 House Martins and (from 12 to 1pm) 70 plus Swallows came in off the sea heading north.2 Willow Warblers singing. (Yesterday Pat M had seen a Whinchat and 3 Whitethroats.)
Of interest still 12 Cattle Egrets in the Chivelstone Cross area near the wind turbine.( 11 captured in the image below)

Posted April 15th, 2017 at 11:46 pm in Bird News
Took a couple of pics of a Dipper today. Just noticed it had at least 3 rings: Orange over silver (?) left leg & a yellow on the right leg.

Dipper, Two Bridges, Dartmoor
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 10:14 pm by Alan Ford in Bird News
9 Siskins on the feeders in the garden this morning. a record for us. Also a pair of Great Tits checking out the nest boxes. Plus the usual Gold Green & Chaffinches. Dunnock Robins Blackbirds Wren & a Nuthatch a Hen Pheasant and a Sparrowhaek
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 6:50 pm by Mike Luckson in Bird News
At Soar this morning, Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 9 Wheatears and 12 Swallows.
2 Reed Warblers singing at South Milton Ley and at South Huish Marsh: Iceland Gull (juv), Garganey (drake), Cattle Egret (2 in attractive summer plumage), Dunlin, Swallow (25+), Sand Martin (4), Sedge Warbler, Wheatear and Shoveler (drake).

Cattle Egret Cattle Egret
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 6:48 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Not a huge amount out there first thing this morning, or at least not where I went, the Iceland Gull was showing well in the sheep field behind the cafe at South Huish as was a Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Rock Pips and a single Swallow overhead.



Aveton Gifford had Greenshank and Common Sandpiper on the tidal road and the marsh had a reasonable selection of smaller species inc Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Sand Martins, Dunnock, Long Tailed Tit, Wren. Yellow Hammer on the roadside hedges above the village.
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 6:31 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
Watched from 07:00 till 12:30
a good day around the marsh a quick look around the hedges produced 7+ blackcaps and 7 Cetti's warblers, from the viewing platform 1 little tern with 6 sandwich terns over at powderham corner, 20+ great crested grebes.
From the hide the highlight was a spoonbill it flew through just after 10:15 but soon returned and over the next hour it spent it's time between bowling green and goosemoor, 1 little ringed plover put in a brief appearance right next to the spoonbill, 75+ bar tailed godwits, 40+ knot, 80+ dunlin, 5 whimbrel, 2 oystercatchers, 40+ black tailed godwits, 2 common sandpipers, 1 kingfisher, 400+ sand martins over the morning included 7+ house martins, 20+ swallows, 4 buzzards, 1 kestrel, 8 tufted duck, 2 gadwall, 8+ little egrets, 3+ reed warblers.
another look from the viewing platform on the dropping tide produced the female long tailed duck just of lympstone , 1 1st winter Mediterranean gull, 60+ grey plover, and along path to viewing platform my first female blackcap of the Spring.
overall a good mornings birding
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 4:35 pm by Keith Birchall in Bird News
Vis mig in off the sea included 175 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins & 5 Goldfinch. Also 12 Wheatears & Whitethroat across the area..
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 4:20 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
There is a Harris Hawk with jessies/bells in the large yew at Clovelly House gardens seen at 2.30 pm today.No falconer in attendance so suggests it's an escapee
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 3:04 pm by Rob cleversley in Bird News
Stunning views of a cuckoo as it silently floated down onto a rock 15 ft away in the dying light of yesterday just below the East Dart Waterfall
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 2:00 pm by Rhys G in Bird News
1 Grasshopper Warbler briefly reeling this morning on WCM, also Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting on the marsh, at least 1 Whimbrel heard overhead near Geese Quarries.
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 10:47 am by Barrie Whitehall in Bird News
Bird species at Powderham Marsh today include: chiffchaff, canada geese, barnacle geese (2), greenshank (1), pheasant, lapwing, shelduck robin, buzzard, chaffinch, swallow and blackcap.
Posted April 15th, 2017 at 7:57 am by Samuel Gray in Bird News