Devon Birds would like to thank the many members and other birdwatchers who complied with the restrictions during the recent Lockdown and stayed in their local area (village, town or part of city) to birdwatch while exercising (and later) taking recreation. We hope that, despite the obvious frustrations, you found some respite in watching wildlife in your local area and perhaps discovered some birds close to home, that you might otherwise not have seen! As always, please submit sightings to the County recorder and / or BirdTrack. 

 

Please continue to follow the Covid related requirements (currently "rule of six outside, social distancing etc) while enjoying the new freedoms to extend your birdwatching. Some hides will remain closed for the time being and where you find one open, please follow Government guidelines on keeping yourself & others safe: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/what-you-need-to-do/

 

Thank you from

Devon Birds News site editors & members of the Records Committee

Please think very carefully before posting any information on scarce or rare breeding species both here and elsewhere online.

A list of ‘at risk’ species in the county can be found here. Please note that Wood Warbler should now also be treated as on the list. All species included need to be protected - many receive full legal protection under Schedule 1 and/or are rare in the county and may be vulnerable to persecution/disturbance. It is an offence to intentionally disturb any of the Schedule 1 species during the breeding season without a valid licence. This also applies to anyone taking photographs of these species at or near the nest or whilst feeding dependant young.

Some species may be found breeding at numerous locations however please keep information on these species limited to well-known sites (e.g. Labrador Bay for Cirl Bunting, Aylesbeare Common for Dartford Warbler). Others may be found as obvious migrants and as such can also be posted eg coastal Ring Ouzel and passage waders, or raptors eg Little Ringed Plover, Red Kite or Marsh Harrier.

If you have any doubts and think there is a chance there may be breeding, either because of the habitat or behaviour of the bird(s) then do not post, but please submit your records to the County Recorder and the RSPB.

Please be aware that egg collecting and other forms of persecution remain very real hazards for some of Devon’s birds.

Posts which breach these guidelines are likely to be not admitted / removed althogether, rather than edited.  

As noted in the minutes of the Oct 2020 DBRC meeting, Tim Jones is standing down after serving as a member of the Committee for an extended sixth year. Tim has been an active member of the Committee, and his consistently pragmatic approach to assessing records has proved invaluable. The Society would like to thank him for his contribution over the past six years and wish him well in the future.

In the hope of maintaining a geographic spread across the Committee, DBRC approached Dean Jones to fill the vacancy. Dean grew up birding and ringing in Antrim and Lothian, before a tour of various European islands, including Lundy where he has been the Warden now for the past four years.

His experience and knowledge from ringing and birdwatching around Europe will be especially useful to Devon Birds and the Records Committee.

Unless the County Recorder receives any other applications before 15th April 2021, Dean will be formally elected to fill the vacancy for a five year period.

For more information and/or an application form please contact:

Kevin Rylands, County Recorder.   Email: recorder@devonbirds.org 

If you follow our Blog but are not currently a member of Devon Birds please consider joining Devon Birds to help with the upkeep of running the website and this service as well as our valuable conservation work.

The Egret was just outside the Velator reserve again this morning while we were ringing (lots more Blue Tits!) However, the farmer arrived to take the Cows away, and so I fear it has moved away! In the reserve, at last - a calling Water Rail.

Catching flies in among the cows.

Huge flock of Golden Plover, well over a thousand strong, wheeling and floating and peeping to each other over Gibbet Hill near Brentor this afternoon. Smaller flocks breaking away, then reforming then, breaking up again, and all the while circling roughly over the same spot for about 25 minutes. Looking for all the world as if they were just enjoying the experience of flying in the stiff southerly breeze. 

Adult female Black Redstart spotted darting from roof-to-roof on the flats around the marina this morning

  
Black Redstart

Starting at Haldon Belvedere (Lawrence Castle), 21 members of DB (East Devon Branch) undertook a 5k walk along the east side of the Haldon ridge and included the Raptor viewing site to the west. 

The grounds of the castle produced a Buzzard and a few small flocks of winter thrushes flying over but little else and a surprising absence of finch flocks.  The trail gave us several Goldcrest, 2 Gt spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tits, 3 Bullfinch, 3 Crossbill and a Treecreeper amongst others. In spite of the lack of birds the walk introduced many to an area few had visits previously and which was nevertheless most enjoyable. 

2 Crossbills this morning - very mobile.

Harvey Kendall & Barry Bryne.

The male Black Redstart was showing very well East of the chapels where the grass has just been cut

  
Black Redstart

Drove along Exeter Road this morning at Cockwood, 4 Cattle Egrets again in with the cows.The single Cattle Egret still on Exminster Marshes main lagoon.

The Red-necked Grebe was still present in Elberry Cove this morning also 1 Great Crested Grebe and 18 Common scoter off the headland there.

Worryingly, for the first time since a voluntary agreement was put in place about 10 years ago to protect the bays wintering seabird diving bird population (Roundham Headland to Seven Quarries end of Oct - end of March) a fisherman was taking in and setting mono filament gill nets in the Elberry cove area, I am working on the best way forward. This was not the fisherman we worked with initially to organise the agreement,  who has been brilliant. 

At East Soar, Firecrest, Fieldfare, 3 Redwings, Chiffchaff & 2 Goldcrests. Black Redstart (female type) at Hallsands plus 2 Cetti’s Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests & Tawny Owl heard. First winter female Scaup still on Beesands Ley; also 3 Shovelers & Chiifchaff. At Slapton, the drake Ring-necked Duck (initially at the Torcross end before the Tufted Duck flock dispersed) & Chiffchaff.

This afternoon, 4 Barnacle Geese from Station Road, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Cattle Egret with the cattle near the middle car park.

Red Kite circling at East Buckland @ 1400 on 11/11/18. 

Seen this morning on a falling tide in Fremington Pill just below Fishley Quay. Feeding successfully & showing why, in the right light, it got its name. 

 
Glossy Ibis Fremington Pill

Brixham Breakwater, am:

7 Purple Sandpipers (6 on the jetty with 2 Turnstones, 1 feeding outside of breakwater initially, until joined by at least one other - photos below); 1 Gt N Diver, 1 B-t Diver; 1 Diver sp seen in Torbay from breakwater.

Broadsands, Early pm:

The Red-necked was in  its usual spot in Elberrry Cove, along with a second Gt N Diver (presumably the adult still molting: mottled, yet very dark upper parts; still black on crown & back of neck; full black collar).

Took the "long-walk" along the sand dunes to reach the hide this morning due to the usual walkway being partially washed away. Four Eider spotted just offshore near Groin 8 + pair of Cirl Buntings showing well on the picket fencing overlooking the creek

[Spoke to a couple of wardens - they say there are no plans to restore the walkway on the top of the dunes - things are apparently being left as they are !!]

  
Eider                                                   Cirl Bunting                                  Cirl Bunting

4 Black Redstarts (2 1st. Yr. m's) around the cottages just behind the beach.Previously this autumn,I have only seen singles. Overhead a constant westward movement of Wood pigeon flocks.(not counted)

In these mild conditions an amazing count of 1360 Skylark on winter stubbles, the highest count in recent years. Also 6 Snipe, 60 Stock Dove, 20 Blackbird, 16 Song Thrush, 6 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 30 Goldfinch, Bullfinch, 160 Linnet, 38 Yellowhammer & 11 Cirl Bunting.

From Venford to Hexworthy ~ female Kestrel, nine Golden Plover, Mistle Thrush, three female Reed Bunting, good numbers of Meadow Pipit, a hundred plus Fieldfare with a few Starlings mixed in and a Jay near the Brints forestry commission entrance.

Towards Postbridge twelve Mallard, a very unusually marked pale morph Buzzard, a female GSWP and another Kestrel.

On the lane leading down to Prince Hall 100 plus Chaffinch flock which when checked held no less than seven Brambling.

Another Kestrel near Two Bridges and a large flock of Starlings feeding in a field.

Ford Park Cemetery the most obvious avian item of note was the large number of Magpie's at one point not less than fifteen in one area and I suspect not less than thirty plus overall. Two sightings of female Sparrowhawks one adult one immature, a single Meadow Pipit, Redwing, Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush in small numbers and on leaving the forth kestrel of the morning.

Leucistic oystercatcher and singing Cirl Bunting

Leucistic Oystercatcher

About 30 Black-tailed Godwits in amongst 120 Canada Geese on the scrape this morning. In the reserve, plenty of Finches and Tits. A Treecreeper in with the Long-tailed Tits. 8 Gadwall. 1 Chiffchaff. However bird of the day was just outside: The Cattle are now in the field surrounding the reserve on the west side and there in amongst them was a Cattle Egret which flew north and landed just outside the main gate to the reserve. I've been hoping that it would hop over from Braunton Marsh, and I could have predicted it would be today - I didn't have my camera!!!

It joins a good list of Heron species seen in or very close to the reserve: Grey Heron, Little Egret, Great Egret, Night Heron, Purple Heron, Bittern, and Glossy Ibis (well sort of!).

The Cetti's Warbler was still present this morning also (just) 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrest, 16 Gadwall, 3 Snipe, 4 Little Grebes, 11 Tufted Duck, 4 Water Rail and 1 Kingfisher. Overhead approx 450 Wood Pigeons, 25 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 2 Siskin, 2 Skylark and 3 Redwing.

Had an altercation with said bird on way to work this morning.Bad timing saw it fly onto dead fox 1/4 mile beyond Abbotsham roundabout north devon towards Clovelly just when a car passed.Seeing that it was in trouble i turned round.When I got to it it was standing but with its head twirling as though stunned.Typically didn't have anything to throw over it i grabbed hold to put in car but it had other intentions and made a big struggle and subsequently sank it's talons into my hand and there is was with a buzzard hanging on with all its strength with a lorry driver behind me wondering what the hell was going on!!!!.Had to literally rip the talons out of my bleeding hand and took to vets.Visually she could see no broken wings so decided to let go and away it flew into nearest trees.Vet cleaned me up and i checked if it was okay and was still there but probably getting over a little concussion so hopefully all is well.Bit different for a  Monday morning!!!.

Vis mig highlights from Slapton Bridge ( 07:10-08:30 ) were 1200 Woodpigeons, 200 Stock Doves, 50 Greenfinches, 260 Goldfinches, 760 Chaffinches, Bullfinch and Brambling ( all south ). Wildfowl highlights were female Goldeneye and the Ring-necked Duck still at Torcross. Managed to read a couple gull rings on the beach, will post if I get details back on them. Nothing off note on the sea. Near the sewage works were Firecrest and presumably the same Yellow-browed Warbler hanging around, heard only  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C42UVNABnUg&feature=youtu.be 

Around at Beesands Ley for the November WeBS count and there were 44 Mute Swans, Black Swan, 50 Canada Geese, 3 Shovelers, 3 Teals, Gadwall, 4 Mallards, 25 Tufted Ducks and a fcy female Scaup. Perhaps of concern no Pochards seen today.

Not much over the high tide at BGM - Avocet, Pintail, Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank. One Redwing in field by the gate on path to platform. Greylag and Greenshank on Goosemoor. At Exmouth Two Black Redstart best viewed from Shelly Road (near Windward Court). Not much at Mudbank of any note Turnstone near Rockfish cafe.and at the Gore lane Dung heap some Meadow Pipits.

  
Black Redstart                                   Black Redstart                                        Meadow Pipit

From the seafront car park 4 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin were present in the nearest channels and a couple of Mergansers flew up river at a distance. The cricket pitch attracted the Herring Gull population plus 6 Gt black backed Gulls, while up the valley the flooded fields held c450 Black- headed Gulls and numbers of Curlew.  A Water Rail was heard near West Town Cottages and c10 Fieldfare were seen on the east side of the valley. 

The DB hide above the Otter on the east side has been trashed again and I collected a large bag of rubbish containing an assortment of bottles and other rubbish.

NOTE:  The footpath from Whitebridge to the sea front is closed again for emergency repairs to a culvert so it is not possible to reach the west hide.

Doing WeBs count yesterday, had a lovely Whimbrel in the creek at Sandridge Barton, along with 5 grey herons. Going back to the car, 2 Fieldfares on the leftover grapes.First we've seem this Autumn.

Saunton Sands marks 100 years since the end of WW1 with portrait of soldier, in the sand.

1 Merlin early this morning on my WeBS Count on Horsey.

Berry Pomeroy a large flock of Starling headed inland.

Marine Parade, Paignton ~ twenty two Turnstone and twenty four Oyster Catcher, seven Cormorant on the sea.

Following ML's post of yesterday had a look around the Waddaton/Galmpton area, initially a flock of sixty plus Goldfinch, a Little Egret, on a winter cornfield a flock of Chaffinch which included a female Brambling and a male Cirl Bunting, overhead four Mistle Thrush.

Just outside of Galmpton the reported pair of Egyptian Geese in a roadside field close to the field gate.

Off of Broadsands a single Great Crested Grebe.

Back home at South Brent a flock of 40 to 50  Redwing.

During my WeBS count on the Taw & Torridge Estuary this morning I enjoyed close views of a Siberian Chiffchaff feeding in rushes next to the boardwalk at Wrafton Pond at around 07.35. Classic plumage and call.

My first Firecrest of the autumn / winter here, Chiifchaff, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets (one blue), Snipe, 12 Wigeon, 5 or 6  Greenshanks, Black-tailed Godwit, 41 Curlews and 19 Shelducks.

Almost forgot - adult Yellow-legged Gull in with the Herrings on higher fields overlooking the ley.

Ring-necked Duck male in with Tufties at Torcross; 4+ Firecrests on track around Ireland Bay plus 2 Chiffchaff & Redwing; Offshore 10 Common Scoter & 10+ Kittiwakes.

The Red-necked Grebe still in Elberry Cove this morning and just one Great Northern Diver. 20 Common Scoter further out in Torbay.

The Cirl Bunting Feeding station is up and running in the 2nd car park (thanks again to the RSPB SW for the winter seed) at least 8 birds down feeding this morning.

Ring-necked Duck still at Torcross this afternoon.

Male Teal at Wistlandpound

Male Teal

Exminster Marshes were alive with Canada geese, wigeon, teal, and starlings. Good numbers of black-tailed godwits, shoveler and pintail present and one cattle egret with the cattle.

Similar at Dart's Farm, but also two green sandpipers at far end of the field to the right of the hide.

Nice to see a few divers from the breakwater at Brixham, at least 5 Great northern divers and a red-throated diver. Also 3 Purple sandpipers.

 
Great Northern Diver                                                          Red-throated Diver

Purple Sandpiper

5 Great Northern Divers and 2 Red-throated Divers this pm also 20 Common Scoter.

Nearby at Waddeton 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Ad Mediterranean Gull and a flock of 37 Stock Doves.

Pair of Egyptian Geese Waddeton

The Goosander count this morning.

10 Goosander, 3m (one eclipse), 7f which flew out very early  0630, the males flew out at  0748.

The drake Ring-necked Duck still at Torcross this morning, Black-necked Grebe, 8 Common Scotor and 2 Arctic Skua on the sea, Otter by the bridge .

Caught up with the two Spoonbill on the scrape at 7am this morning. 

From the hide 0900-0945, c250 Avocet, 3 Knot, 1 Green Sandpiper, the usual shanks and godwits etc., and a Buzzard eating a Lapwing, until the crows took over.

No Coot or Little Grebe, only 1 Tufted, and all the Pintail and Shoveler were on shore: the Otter was present, so I assume it excludes the open-water feeders.

Berry Head: 1 Yellow-browed Warbler in woods just near to entrance gates to Berry Hd from Berry Head Hotel.

Brixham: 4 Great Northern Divers and 1 Red-throated Diver

Broadsands: 5 Great Northern Divers (including one that flew off west inland toward River Dart), 3 Red-throated Divers & 16 Common Scoter

Paignton: 1 Great Northern Diver.

                          Yellow-browed Warbler                                          Great Northern Diver 

Battled along the seafront from West Hoe to Laira Bridge in strong wind. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls & 9 Cormorants including 2 sinensis. 

Black Redstart - at 11am was using the low garage roofs between the sailing club and estuary.

160 Brent Geese in Camperdown Creek - good to see a few juveniles among them after last years' dearth

Pictures from 8th Nov Brixham Breakwater

Eds- please put a name to the birds - Great Northern Diver

Once again two Spoonbills on the scrape as I arrived at about 815. Also maybe 36 Godwits, and lots of Black-headed Gulls. 10 Gadwall in the reserve, and as I left at about 10 the Spoonbills had gone, but I saw a Merlin by the river which raced into the Velator estate.

Three Great Northern Divers off Brixham Breakwater one in full summer plumage

18 Black-tailed Godwit; 3 Grey Plover; 1 Greenshank; 12 Dunlin; 26 Wigeon and 28 G.B.B.Gull. Plenty of Redshank and Lapwing but still a lack of small waders.

After a poor morning's birding at Dartington (no stubble on fields by the school) and Staverton Water works (not one bird seen in 40 minutes!) we moved to BGM where we were rewarded with some stunning waterfowl including beautiful Pintails, handsome Shoveler, pretty Teal and whistling Wigeon. Also Snipe showing well and a few Black Tailed Godwit. A real treat, though, was n Otter that was hunting in the stretch of water adjacent to the reeds behind the 'island'. We saw it surfacing, diving and eventually coming to the surface with a fish which it then consumed in open water affording great, prolonged views.

John Lloyd and Bob Barrow

Whilst monitoring the refuges in the Exe Estuary this afternoon a few sightings are worth reporting. From north of Exmouth a 2nd W Caspian gull flew towards Exmouth, 11 (possibly 13) great -crested grebes in the main channel and at least 3 pale-bellied brent geese with the main brent flock (just over 1000 including many 1st winter birds).

Five Purple Sandpipers Showing Well In The Strong Wind This Afternoon

On The Seaward Side Of The Breakwater, Also Numerous Turnstones,

And Two Seals In The Harbour  Within Twelve Feet Of The Shore!!

Red Throated Diver off of Broadsands beach moving towards Goodrington, also one Seal this afternoon.

Elberry three Great Northern Divers, one Great Crested Grebe and a Red Necked Grebe.

Unfortunately a Black Redstart run over just outside my house. About 1 mile inland from Thurlestone sands. Beautiful plumage close up, though sad to see.

3m(2 eclipse) 2f sighted 0655 flew out SSE 0714.

The Red-necked Grebe was in its usual spot just off the small shingle cove (with a blue barrel washed up on the high tide line),  looking SE from the headland between Broadsands bay and Elberry Cove, Also 2 Great Northern Divers and a Red-throated Diver there too. 

Brixham: 2 winter type Great Northern Divers at the entrance to the Breakwater looking from the (old Astra Zenica) labs car park

Shoalstone: 1 moulting summer plumaged Great Northern Diver 

10.30am...good views of a male Marsh Harrier over The Sherpa Marsh reedbeds.

Arrived at the reserve at 08.20 to see 2 Spoonbills out on the scrape No colour rings discernible. 34 Godwits too, and about 100 Black-headed Gulls. A Siskin was with. the Finch flock in the reserve and about 10 Gadwall left when they saw me...