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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 7th December 2019
Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, 2 Wigeons, Ring-necked Duck, Scaup, 212 Tufted Ducks, 12 Pochards, 2 Goldeneyes, 245 Coots, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 108 Common Gulls, 280 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Firecrest. Plenty of Water Rails calling. In the bay Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and a Common Scoter flying north. Lots of Auks sp distant flying south early morning.
Posted December 7th, 2019 at 5:47 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
From the reserve this morning a male Marsh Harrier over Sherpa Marsh, and a flock of 20 or so Fieldfares heading west. 2 water Rails calling.
Posted December 7th, 2019 at 3:38 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Lower Tamar Lake this morning.
16 Goosander 9m 7f, 6 Tufted Duck 3m 3f, 11 Willow Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 15 Coal Tit, 16 Blue Tit, 7 Chaffinch, 2 Magpie, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 28 Mallard, 1m Gadwall, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Cormorant, 3 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 4 Marsh Tit, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Robin, 6 Long-tailed Tit.
Posted December 7th, 2019 at 2:33 pm by Rod Mudge in Bird News
Two Bearded Tits (male and female) at Riverside Valley Park from the first viewing screen by the cycle path north of the Countess Weir canal bridge.
Posted December 7th, 2019 at 1:42 pm by Will Salmon in Bird News
This mornings low tide at Ernesettle creek:-
128 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe.
Later at Mountbatten:-
4 Rock pipit, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Raven feeding on carrion.
Posted December 7th, 2019 at 1:29 pm by Alan Livsey in Bird News
Two Black necked Grebes,singles of Black throated and Red Throated Divers,four G.N.Divers and the Velvet Scoter was with a group of at least eight Common Scoter all females.
Posted December 7th, 2019 at 1:19 pm by Rob Gaze in Bird News
Bittern seen wading in the far reedbed at 10am, to the right of the wooden gate. Also male Pochard
Posted December 7th, 2019 at 12:08 pm by Tim Smith in Bird News
Target bird found this morning, 2 Jack Snipe in Starehole Valley.
Posted December 7th, 2019 at 11:52 am by Rob Macklin in Bird News
3 ringneck parakeet and 1 blue one
Posted December 7th, 2019 at 10:40 am by barry insull in Bird News
Friday 6th December 2019
Late afternoon - 3 Barnacle Geese amongst large flock of Canadas seen from the railway footpath at the last gate of 'Agricultural Access'. Marsh Harrier active, putting up large flocks of Wigeon and Lapwing
Posted December 6th, 2019 at 6:22 pm by Rupert Ormerod in Bird News
A series of Goosander counts at a small private fishing lake near South Brent started with seven seen by Mike Goss on 1 Dec. This morning at 08:00 there were 14 (5 m) busily fishing, but only three on the previous two days. Birds have been seen coming in at dawn and leaving at dusk, and are presumed to be some of the Avon Dam roosters. Departure times have varied from 16:12 to 16:55.
Posted December 6th, 2019 at 10:52 am by Peter Reay in Bird News
I had a Red Kite overhead at 1600 on Wednesday December 4th, flying over Burrator Reservoir towards Sheepstor. This is the first I’ve ever seen here on my local patch. Judging from its direction of travel, it probably had flown over my house and would have been a garden tick....had I been at home!
Posted December 6th, 2019 at 12:07 am by Howard Ackford in Bird News
Thursday 5th December 2019
Stover Lake was partially frozen and foggy this morning. Highlights were 1 drake Goosander and 3 Pochard.
Posted December 5th, 2019 at 9:39 pm by Nick Potter in Bird News
This morning at the lake,
1 Green Sandpiper, 9 Goosander 5m 4f, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Wigeon, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 9 Willow Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, 1m Gadwall, 2 Nuthatch, 1m Reed Bunting, 2 Tufted Duck 1m 1f, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Jay.
Posted December 5th, 2019 at 7:34 pm by Rod Mudge in Bird News
In Kiln Lane this morning. 5 Firecrests feeding in Laurels. InVicarage Lane ,8 Goldcrests among the tit flock.
Posted December 5th, 2019 at 5:29 pm by Alan K. Searle . in Bird News
Scanned the bay for 45 minutes this morning in almost perfect conditions as the mist cleared. Results: 3 Great Northern, 1 Black-throated and 6 Red-throated Divers, 1 Black-necked and 4-5 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Guillemot, 1 Velvet and perhaps 10 Common (all female) Scoters. The Velvet spent part of the time apparently displaying to two of the Commons, and a third Common was struggling with what looked like a 3 inch diameter scallop or similar.
As a bonus, one of the Cirl Buntings was singing near the railway viaduct.
Posted December 5th, 2019 at 3:52 pm by James Camden in Bird News
A productive visit this morning: 2 Water Rails seen, 30+ Goldfinch mainly feeding on Alder cones, a Treecreeper, and out on the scrape a Black-tailed Godwit briefly, a Lapwing, 2 Pied Wagtails and 3 Redshank. Also a Grey Heron which took a quick look around inside the reserve. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew off one of the feeders.
Posted December 5th, 2019 at 1:55 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
1 chiffchaff 2 firecrest this morning
Posted December 5th, 2019 at 10:24 am by Hamish Johnson in Bird News
Wednesday 4th December 2019
At the field by the EA Lab, at 1600 a Great White Egret flew SW. at 1628, 24/5 Cattle Egrets flew low over the site, flying N to roost. Also 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers flew in and a Green Woodpecker. 37 Teal on the wet field.
Posted December 4th, 2019 at 6:00 pm by Steve Cox in Bird News
Very light breeze and gentle swell. BLACK-NECKED GREBE, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Red-throated Divers, 3 (possibly up to 6) Great Northern Divers but rather mobile around the bay, VELVET SCOTER, & 7 Common Scoter
Posted December 4th, 2019 at 4:17 pm by Rupert Ormerod in Bird News
4 Firecrests , 5 Goldcrests , including 2 ' continental' birds and 8 Chiffchaffs this morning, Nearby 15 Redwings in the tops of the Alders.



1. 1st. Yr. m.
2. A particularly smart ' continental' Goldcrest.
3. Note the extent that the pale grey side crown and nape extend on to the mantle. A diagnostic feature of 'continental' birds.
Posted December 4th, 2019 at 2:38 pm by Alan K. Searle. in Bird News
Among the Canada Geese this morning were 3 Barnacle Geese. Also, 1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Greylag and the Snow Goose is back.
Posted December 4th, 2019 at 1:09 pm by Nick Potter in Bird News
Tuesday 3rd December 2019
A good sighting of the Ring-necked Ducks 3m (one first winter) 1f.
Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 7:26 pm by Rod Mudge Adam Roberts in Bird News
This woodpecker, one of a pair, is a regular visitor to our back garden feeders. Yesterday he landed on the bottom pole, which is rusty and he can climb up, but instead he remained absolutely frozen for between 15 and 20 minutes as if there was a predator around. None of the other birds, including this robin, seemed at all concerned. What was he doing? Not so obliging was a Firecrest that stayed for about 30 seconds and didn't stay for a photo.
Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 7:13 pm by Chris Marcol in Bird News
No sign of the 5 Scaup on the pond yesterday aft but the Goldeneye still present. 1 Siberian Chiffchaff 'tristis' in the vegetation close to the boardwalk, very close views.
At Baggy Point on Sunday last c90 Common Scoters including 3 males. (not all visible in the photo, several diving)
Also 1 female Black Redstart near the NT car park
The Common Scoters are finding food at Baggy point (blue mussels) which is why they have remained at this location & not Downend so far this winter.


Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 6:31 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Cracking male Hen Harrier flying across the road ahead of me near Two Bridges this afternoon.
Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 6:08 pm by Andy Smith in Bird News
Late post from yesterday. 1 Woodcock and 5 Goosanders.
Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 6:05 pm by Andy Smith in Bird News
Little Egret 1, Kingfisher 1, Common Sandpiper 4, Little Grebe 4, Moorhen 12+, Mallard 19, Mute Swan 4, Canada Goose 9, Buzzard 4, Raven 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Redwing 13, Goldcrest 2. Scores of Pheasants in the area including one group of 12 at the junction with the driveway to Maristow House.
Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 5:59 pm by Jason Smart in Bird News
2 Jack Snipe, 19 Snipe, 39 Turnstones, Ringed Plover, 199 Dunlins, 2 Common Sandpipers, Dipper, 10 Little Grebes, Great Crested Grebe, 3 Goosanders (1 drake), 7 Wigeon, 2 Kingfishers, 12 Mandarin Ducks, Mediterranean Gull (Polish-ringed adult), 2 Shags, 2 Great Spotted & 1 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Bullfinches, Grey Wagtail & 6 Roe Deer.
Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 5:55 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Further to the previous post by Peter, I'm prompted to report the sighting of a single Red Grouse about half a mile south of Ryders hill. Not far from where I flushed five birds some five or six years ago. Also just five Golden Plover.
Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 5:16 pm by John Lusher in Bird News
2 more Chiffchaffs ringed this morning plus another Cetti's Warbler. Most of the rest were Green, Gold, and Chaffinches.
Out on the scrape a Lapwing and a Redshank, following 2 there a couple of days ago.
Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 5:15 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Four Great Northern Divers around the Harbour this afternoon, three close in off Breakwater Beach and the bird in the pictures that was feeding on crabs close to the wall between the Marina and the Inner-Harbour.


Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 4:57 pm by Steven O'Donoghue in Bird News
An adult pair and a juvenile seen flying around the Tunnel Beaches and then perched for 10 mins on our telephone wire. Looking cold. Light too bad to get a good shot with a compact.
Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 4:29 pm by Nigel Vince in Bird News
Blue winged teal showed at 12.45 and stayed feeding around the reeds for about 1hour before going to sleep on top of a clump of reeds in the sun,.
Posted December 3rd, 2019 at 3:58 pm by roger jewell & mike gibson in Bird News
Monday 2nd December 2019
A Chiffchaff in a hedge below Brent Hill this morning was not particularly unusual, but it was on Dartmoor, and in December 2018 only one Dartmoor Chiffchaff record was submitted - according to the Dartmoor Bird Report 2018. In the apparent absence of any other announcement, some readers may be interested to know that the report is available on this website, tucked away under Birdwatching/Articles/Dartmoor Bird Reports. Hopefully it will stimulate submission of more Dartmoor records for 2019.
Posted December 2nd, 2019 at 10:11 pm by Peter Reay in Bird News
There were 5 Firecrests scattered around the Zoo grounds this afternoon - 3 singles and a duo. One of the photos shows a typically minute prey item gleaned from a Yew twig; it looks like an insect egg of some sort.

Firecrest at Paignton Zoo: note the tiny prey item on the right - an insect egg?
Posted December 2nd, 2019 at 7:53 pm by Dave Smallshire in Bird News
A snipe in one of my mist nets this morning was a suprise. A lovely bird in the hand with its intricate camouflage ,and incredibly docile. No sighn of yesterday's Yellow Browed Warbler , and the Chiffchaffs had also moved on , with only 2 present today. Very few other migrants ; just 5 Goldcrests.

Snipe.
Posted December 2nd, 2019 at 5:57 pm by Alan K. Searle. in Bird News
A very early look at the lakes this morning.
Upper Lake.
5 Ring-necked Duck 3m 2f, 6 Tufted Duck.
Lower Lake.
1 Green Sandpiper on the weir, 1m Shoveler, 7 Goosander 4m 3f.
Eds.
The Ring_necked were diving with the Tufted which made sexing them very difficult, they all flew south but not the the Lower Lake.
Posted December 2nd, 2019 at 4:23 pm by Rod Mudge in Bird News
A lively morning in superb conditions brought Black Redstart, a significant influx of thrushes, 58 Blackbird & 27 Song Thrush, an increase in bunting numbers to 71 Yellowhammer, 42 Cirl Bunting & 3 Reed Bunting, 700 Herring Gull, 27 Stock Dove, 370 Woodpigeon, 170 Carrion Crow, 74 Jackdaw, a winter's peak of 1050 Skylark, 125 Starling, 7 Buzzard, 25 Greenfinch - species showing signs of recovery, 90 Canada Goose & 100 Linnet.
Late Red Admiral.
Posted December 2nd, 2019 at 3:32 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
This morning (high tide) produced: 3 Goosanders (2 drakes + redhead), Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebes, 25 Snipe, 6 Greenshanks, 6 Wigeon (3 pairs), 2 Kingfishers & a Great Spotted Woodpecker..
Posted December 2nd, 2019 at 1:00 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
A lone Whimbrel in amongst a small flock of Oystercatchers and Curlew just off Cockwood steps. No sign of Slavonian Grebe.
Posted December 2nd, 2019 at 12:18 pm by Matt Collis in Bird News
Sunday 1st December 2019
Seen a snow Bunting in the same spot today as I did 2 weeks ago in Woolacombe
Posted December 1st, 2019 at 9:08 pm by Stephen Adams in Bird News
Long distance shot of a Great Northern Diver, Curlew and Dunnock at Instow this morning.

Long distance shot of a Great Northern Diver.

Curlew three of ten.

Dunnock
Posted December 1st, 2019 at 7:37 pm by Martin Bennett in Bird News
Driving home we saw today this female kingfisher was perched on barbed wire overlooking the dike around the Great Field. Having driven by without disturbance we were able to park up some 20 metres further on & watch and photograph her successfully catch this fish. John Turner please note....she was sporting a ring on her right leg but unable to read the number. One of yours no doubt.
Posted December 1st, 2019 at 7:02 pm by Sue & Phil Naylor in Bird News
Two adult Mediterranean gulls on the rocks at the north end this afternoon. One was colour ringed green RLN4, ringed as a chick in Jablines, Seine-et-Marne, France in 2015. This is now its 3rd winter in Torbay. The other bird was unringed. Well over 20 turnstones, also 1 rock pipit.

French ringed Mediterranean Gull, green RLN4
Posted December 1st, 2019 at 5:54 pm by Chris Proctor in Bird News
Solo Female Black Redstart present in Coombe Vale garden all morning...
Posted December 1st, 2019 at 4:53 pm by Neil Graham in Bird News
A YELLOW BROWED warbler this morning ( not caught ) 11 Chiffchaffs. a big increase on the2/3 of the last week ; 3 Firecrests , 4 Goldcrests , including a ' continental ' bird and a female blackcap.

' continental ' Goldcrest. 1st. Yr.f.

Posted December 1st, 2019 at 1:45 pm by Alan K. Searle. in Bird News
Plenty of redwings still at FPC, but no signs yet of the Black Redstarts

Redwing

Posted December 1st, 2019 at 12:37 pm by Greg Bradbury in Bird News
Around 70 ringneck parakeet this morning
Posted December 1st, 2019 at 10:13 am by barry insull in Bird News