Please do not post any information about scarce or rare breeding species. They may be vulnerable to persecution or disturbance.
The exception is information on these species at well known sites (e.g. Broadsands for Cirl Bunting and Aylesbeare for Dartford Warbler) or birds which are obvious migrants away from breeding sites.
If in any doubut, please don't post but report your sighting to the county recorder asap. Site editors cannot commit to editing posts which breach these guidelines, and the whole post may be removed or not admitted.
Further details can be found in the link below, but note, Wood Warbler is now also included as a scarce breeder:-
https://www.devonbirds.org/news/bird_news/rare_breeding_species
Posted April 15th at 3:02 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
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Posted October 10th, 2016 at 9:14 am in Bird News
Sunday 7th April 2019
The highlights this morning between Anchor Wood and Penhill Marsh were a pair of treecreepers resting on opposite sides of the same tree, a possible Bonaparte’s gull in the Taw by Penhill Marsh, and almost opposite were 7 cattle egrets in the field with the cows.



Treecreeper Treecreeper Bonaparte's Gull
Posted April 7th, 2019 at 8:35 pm by Colin Dracott in Bird News
Only found out yesterday while taking a break from gardening that a male wren has built a nest against the shed in our garden.Was watching again today and another wren presumably a female was happily feeding in its presence.Great camouflage using dead ivy leaves amongst the new growth.Also my first for the year and only 2/3 willow warbler for the garden feeding oblivious to my presence.
Posted April 7th, 2019 at 8:20 pm by Robert Marshall in Bird News
Emsworthy mire seen twice while doing the circular route last sited 200 metres north of barn very mobile
Posted April 7th, 2019 at 6:56 pm by Ben sullivan in Bird News
A morning walk down river produced amongst others 1 pr Goosander, 2 Gt S-Woodpecker, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Swallow, 30+ Sand Martin, Green Woodpecker (heard), Little Egret, Willow Warbler (heard), several male Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and a Sparrow Hawk over. The riverside fields have been planted with many hundreds of tree in the space of a few months which will make this a great area in years to come.
My first 2 Swallows for my village at Marsh Green were seen at around noon today. Last year the first were sighted on 28 April.
Note: East Devon Fieldtrip programme recently circulated for April omitted to list the trip to Berry Head on Tuesday 9 April commencing at 10.am. This is still due to take place (although the weather forecast is not good!).
Posted April 7th, 2019 at 6:01 pm by Jonathan Ruscoe in Bird News
Orcombe Point - Nightingale seen briefly (not singing) in the Bristol Schools camp around 1230 this afternoon. Not seen subsequently despite searching. Also 2 Wheatear, 15+ Willow Warbler and a male Redstart (Gore Lane). Three House Martin north over Maer Farm earlier. Yesterday - singing Firecrest, Snipe and White Wagtail on Orcombe.
Posted April 7th, 2019 at 5:39 pm by Matt Knott in Bird News
Garganey, wheatear, kestrel only birds of note on a brief visit today at 2pm.
Posted April 7th, 2019 at 4:18 pm by Martin Rooney in Bird News
4 Teals, 2 Wigeons and 2 Snipes on the marsh. Singing Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Cirl Buntings present.
Posted April 7th, 2019 at 2:35 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
6pm 0n 6th - One of a number of Willow Warblers seen on route to Scrapes

Willow Warbler
Posted April 7th, 2019 at 11:41 am by Ranald Fowler in Bird News
Posted April 7th, 2019 at 8:14 am by David bartlett in Bird News
Saturday 6th April 2019
Three new patch birds for the year - Ring Ouzel (female), Williow Warbler and Linnet (4). Also, 2 Swallows, a pair of Mandarin Ducks, Green Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, 5 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs & a pair of Long-tailed Tits buliding a nest.
Posted April 6th, 2019 at 11:30 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Part 2 of my earlier post re female Goldcrest mistaking her reflection in my dining room window & brass plate of the back door handle for an intruder.


Apologies if I'm banging on about this but I'm as facinated with the bird's behaviour as she is with her own reflection. Plus it's providing some ace photo & video opportunities.
Posted April 6th, 2019 at 10:00 pm in Bird News
Walk from Berry Head to Brixham and back fairly quiet Greater Blackbacks, Gannets, Guillmots,a few Swallows lots of Goldfinch,some obliging Turnstones and a Chiffchaff singing were the highlights back home in Plymouth a possible Willow Wabler?



Turnstone ChiffChaff Willow Warbler?
Posted April 6th, 2019 at 9:37 pm by William Beck in Bird News
Multiple stops this morning:
Matford ponds - two Green Sandpipers and several Sand Martins;
Exminster Marshes - a male Garganey, two Barnacle Geese, a Peregrine, two Sedge Warblers chuntering in the ditches near the fisherman's car park, and more Sand Martins;
Starcross, Powderham Park and the Kenn outfall - an Egyptian Goose, two late Pintail and eight Greenshank and two Sandwich Terns. No Brent Geese, Mergansers or G-c Grebes visible in the estuary, so it seems the seasonal turnover has advanced quickly;
In the lanes "inland" from Starcross - the expected Cirl Bunting and R-l Partridge.
Throughout - a sprinkling of singing Willow Warblers, perhaps a week later than normal.
Posted April 6th, 2019 at 9:20 pm by James Camden in Bird News
Flock of 200+ Fieldfare flying east 07.30 this morning.
Posted April 6th, 2019 at 8:58 pm by Richard Burston in Bird News
Around the Exe this morning, Starcross by the National laboratory services eight Greenshank, four Little Egret, a solitary Curlew and several Redshank.

Over the Powderham deer herd numerous Sand Martin, nine Little Egret, the Powderham Heronry was well occupied and several Heron around the area.
Looking over the Exe from near the Powderham pedestrian overbridge, a displaying pair of Reed Bunting, two Sandwich Tern, six Oyster Catcher two of which were ringed (yellow ring over a dark blue ring on the right legs “2A” & “6M”) four Linnet, Little Egrets, Heron and one Great Crested Grebe.
Goosemoor eight Little Egret.



RSPB Bowling Green Marsh ~ singing Chiffchaff and Wren in the hedgerow, three Buzzard overhead, two Heron, Little Egret, three Greylag Geese, large numbers of Redshank with a few Dunlin and Knott mixed in, good numbers of Black Tailed Godwit, one Lapwing and a single Avocet that flew away from the marsh during the visit, a single Sand Martin and a Great White Egret being the highlight.
Exminster marshes two drake Garganey was unexpected bonus and hovering Kestrel on leaving.
DWT Heathfield a hunting Kestrel which took what appeared to be a Lizard of some kind and a vocal Chiffchaff.
Late afternoon a single Swallow at Cornwood.
Back home at South Brent two Tawny owls calling well outside (8.20pm). Yesterday two seen taking shelter in a holly tree during the afternoons heavy rain.

Posted April 6th, 2019 at 8:40 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
This female Goldcrest has been trying to see off her own reflection at my house in Paignton. She comes around the middle of every day, either to the brass plate of the back door handle or at the dining room window. Today she came to both.
Pics below & Youtube vid link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95j8hl7R2ZI&t=24s


Posted April 6th, 2019 at 6:37 pm in Bird News
Lots of Willow Warblers in the reserve the last three or four days. Looking South towards Sherpa, a female-type Marsh Harrier over the reed-bed, landed and a little while later was mobbed in flight by a pair of Crows. This was at about 10.a.m.
Walked around Sherpa early evening - a fine drake Garganey on the ponds - the same as last week, or another bird?
Posted April 6th, 2019 at 6:28 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
A single Sandwich Tern flying around, then went down river towards the Warren.

Posted April 6th, 2019 at 5:11 pm by simon Thurgood in Bird News
Cold easterly wind making viewing the bay and ley from the line difficult. Offshore just 3 Sandwich Terns and 2 second calendar year Mediterranean Gulls, Highlights around the Ley included the 3 Ring-necked Ducks seaward side of the Lower Ley opposite the Cormorant roost. Also a male Goldeneye. At least 500 Sand Martins present in the morning with a few Swallows and a House Martin. Good arrival of singing Willow Warblers and a Reed Warbler likewise singing back of Ireland Bay near the Quarry.
Posted April 6th, 2019 at 5:08 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
Several Bee flies at the quarry Slapton, one of my favourite spring time insects. It's a bumble bee mimic. The eggs are flicked by the adult female toward the entrance of the underground nests of solitary bees and wasps. After hatching, the larvae find their way into the nests to feed on the grubs.

The large bee-fly (Bombylius major)

The large bee-fly (Bombylius major)
Posted April 6th, 2019 at 4:53 pm by Richie Moore in Other Wildlife
Male pied flycatcher close to notice about coppicing by track uphill to viewpoint. Also male blackcap
Posted April 6th, 2019 at 3:03 pm by Jeff Hacon in Bird News
Friday 5th April 2019
The Great White Egret was still on show from the viewing platform at 16:00 more info http://part-timebirding.blogspot.com
Posted April 5th, 2019 at 11:27 pm in Bird News
1 Water Pipit at the side of the smaller scrape late aft / early evening. Also 1 Little Grebe.


Posted April 5th, 2019 at 7:07 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
My first Swallows (6) and Blackcap (singing male) here this year; also 4 Common Sandpipers (indicating some movement), 9 Snipe, redhead Goosander, 7 Greenshanks, Turnstone, 10 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Wagtails, 7 Chiffchaffs, Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Nuthatch nest building.
Posted April 5th, 2019 at 6:00 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Wet and windy on the Skern mid afternoon. On the plus side not many dogs. Around 200 Golden Plover still present on the salt marsh but little else. A Little Ringed Plover by Greysands Lake was showing well until flushed by one of the few dogs there. Just before leaving a Merlin flew over the lake.
Posted April 5th, 2019 at 5:32 pm by Roger Doble in Bird News
A Great White Egret found by Bob Bailey on Exminster Marsh at 1040am promptly flew off, was seen briefly at Goosemoor and then was refound by Bob at Darts Farm at 1145am on the pools in front of the viewing shelter- still present mid afternoon. Also several Sand Martins and a Swallow
Posted April 5th, 2019 at 2:39 pm by Mark Bailey in Bird News
A Great White Egret popped into Goosemoor this morning, for more on my travels go to http://www.simonthurgoodimages.co.uk/blog.asp

Great White Egret
Posted April 5th, 2019 at 2:34 pm by simon Thurgood in Bird News
3 Knot foraging amongst 34 Black tailed Godwits & 5 Bar tailed Godwits.

Posted April 5th, 2019 at 12:01 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Thursday 4th April 2019
Nice to add Red Kite to the garden list! All the gulls were calling.
Posted April 4th, 2019 at 10:32 pm by Simon Bates in Bird News
The 3 ring necked Ducks were at the south end of Slapton Ley at 7.30 this evening but no swallows or sand martins were flying in the hail !
Posted April 4th, 2019 at 10:20 pm by Jeff Hacon in Bird News
A walk along the Teign near Dunsford produced some noteworthy birds including Green Woodpecker, pairs of Mandarins, Dippers and Grey Wagtails, as well as the more usual resident and summering woodland birds..
Posted April 4th, 2019 at 8:08 pm by Nicholas Armstrong in Bird News
Another fantastic Sand Martin day. Certainly more birds than on Tuesday,but difficult to get an accurate count. Possibly 450/500+. Whether al lot of them are those of the last two days,that have halted their northward movement ,due to the drop in temperature;or are fresh birds in ,is impossible to tell. Whatever the answer they are a spectacular sight.
Posted April 4th, 2019 at 7:06 pm by Alan K. Searle. in Bird News
Lots of singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps on arrival at Prawle. Walking from Bunkers to Horsley Cove I saw my first House Martin here and my first Wheatear. At Horsely Cove a party of 7 Shelduck.
At Slapton Ley from Stokeley Bay hide I also saw the 2 male and 1 female Ring-Necked Ducks in some ways eclipsed by the sight of hundreds of Sand Martins ,which at 1pm covered the whole of the Ley visible from the hide.
Wheatear

Blackcap Shelduck

Heavily cropped record shot of the 2 male and 1 female Ring-necked Ducks

Posted April 4th, 2019 at 2:12 pm in Bird News
5 sand martins and 3 swallow at the Culm midday
Posted April 4th, 2019 at 12:43 pm by geoff Campbell in Bird News
A female Redstart was a surprise visitor to our garden in Chudleigh this morning. It didn't hang around for long though.
Posted April 4th, 2019 at 9:29 am by Nick Potter in Bird News
Little ringed plover at South Huish marsh, and lots of Chiffchaffs and Cetti's warblers singing at Slapton. Nice blackcap flitting about in the blossom.



Blackcap Wren Little Ringed Plover
Posted April 4th, 2019 at 8:48 am by Richie Moore in Bird News
For the passed two months we have had a pair of Cirl Bunting feeding on Finch seed on the back lawn in South Knighton
Posted April 4th, 2019 at 8:45 am by Roger Yeoman in Bird News
Wednesday 3rd April 2019
Seen lunchtime at Battisborough Cross , South Hams , Wednesday 3rd April 2019 .
Posted April 3rd, 2019 at 11:15 pm by John Atwill in Bird News
The Royal Mail are issuing a set of new stamps on 4th April (Thursday) illustrating British Raptors. They look good and may be of interest to some members.
Posted April 3rd, 2019 at 9:09 pm by Michael Spencer in Bird News
Slapton Ley again pretty lively today with c350 Sand Martins with single Swallow and House Martin, a fine summer-plumaged Red-necked Grebe on the sea (around Memorial Car Park), 3 Ring-necked Ducks (2 drakes + female), drake Scaup, 1 or 2 drake Garganey (Ireland Bay), 8 Sandwich Terns & 2 Willow Warblers.
Earlier at Soar, just: Wheatear, 4 Blackcaps & 2 Bullfinches.
Posted April 3rd, 2019 at 6:48 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
One Hobby and one Swallow over also 2 C Buzzards 11 Goldfinches.
Posted April 3rd, 2019 at 5:00 pm by Chris Buckland in Bird News
Best was Red Kite over farm late morning with 2 Buzzards. Also 12 Chiffchaffs & 3 Blackcaps.
Posted April 3rd, 2019 at 4:42 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Good to see the LRP again this morning from the reserve, which was heaving with Sand Martins and a few Swallows plus a bonus House Martin. Chiffchaffs all over the place, and several Willow Warblers.
Posted April 3rd, 2019 at 2:24 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Slapton Ley ~ Cetti’s Warbler calling and showing all around the Ley along with Chiffchaff, huge numbers of Sand Martins coming in off of the sea and over the Ley, simply swarms and not realistic to even try counting, two House Martin and a small flock of Swallows in with them and possibly my first Red Rumped Swallow, briefest of views but distantly pale and pink rumped.

Several pairs of displaying Great Crested Grebe, duck species included Tufted, Ring Necked (pair) drake Golden Eye and Gadwall.
Hovering Kestrel and off of the beach several Sandwich Terns.

Posted April 3rd, 2019 at 1:20 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
Two Red-legged Partridge on bungalow roof this morning.
Posted April 3rd, 2019 at 1:03 pm by Andy Rook in Bird News
Little Ringed Plover still present on the scrape this morning.

Posted April 3rd, 2019 at 12:47 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Tuesday 2nd April 2019
I was hoping the break in the weather might produce a few more birds, but a morning at Start resulted in little more than 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, a female Wheatear and a Coal Tit.
However Slapton Ley proved much more productive with 3 Ring-necked Ducks (2 drakes & a female) towards the Torcross end, 2 drake Garganey (which flew into Ireland bay), Black-necked Grebe (half way down the lower ley on the seaward side), 190+ Sand Martins (there could have been more or others might have arrived later as per Alan's post), 4 Swallows including 2 "in, off", a single House Martin and 29 Sandwich Terns (which seemed to be circling the bay and ley).
It felt like Spring!
Posted April 2nd, 2019 at 8:44 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
I am a new member and this is my first ever post. I saw many of the birds listed in Dave Pakes report on an afternoon of blustery showers. I witnessed the solitary Avocet and Little Ringed Plover. A flock of Black Tailed Godwits and another of LBB and GBB gulls. 3 Swallows passed through. Pairs of Shellduck, Teal, Mallards, Stonechat and Canada Geese were in evidence. Carrion Crow, Heron, Little Egret and Coot were also seen.



Black tailed Godwit Stonechat Distant Little Ringed Plover
Posted April 2nd, 2019 at 8:02 pm by Pete Saunders in Bird News
A large arrival of Sand Martins today. 300+ counted this evening from the Torcross car park, no doubt with a lot more over the rest of the Ley. A few Swallows among them.
Posted April 2nd, 2019 at 6:27 pm by Alan K. Searle in Bird News
Flock of 20 Fieldfares and 3 or 4 Redwings came out of a hedgerow near the weirdly named Bloody Pool Cross on the Marley Head to Shipley Bridge road this afternoon.
Posted April 2nd, 2019 at 5:40 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
It was there early (about 10) when I arrived, and still out there when I went home at about 3p.m. Another early record - my recollection is they usually turn up in about mid-to-late April.
And in the reserve, loads of Sand Martins feeding over the pond, a few Swallows among them, several each of singing Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. A few more Blackcaps than yesterday. 2 calling Cetti's Warblers.
Posted April 2nd, 2019 at 5:26 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Raven, flying and calling in the wood.
Posted April 2nd, 2019 at 5:24 pm by Michael Curran in Bird News
Star of a lunchtime visit to South Huish Marsh was a lone Avocet. first sighting at this location this year. Also present 1 Ruff, 33 Black-Tailed Godwit ( Only a couple showing signs of summer plumage), 1 Little Egret, 2 Water Pipit developing nice pink breast plumage, + a couple of linnet and other species.

Posted April 2nd, 2019 at 4:27 pm by Dave Pakes in Bird News
Red-rumped Swallow today, while I was there apart from several Sand Martins there was at least 1 House Martin

Red-rumped Swallow
Posted April 2nd, 2019 at 3:51 pm by simon Thurgood in Bird News
Lee Collins found a Red Rumped Swallow over the main pond at Dawlish Warren with 2 Sand Martins this morning / still showing on and off mid afternoon .
Posted April 2nd, 2019 at 2:52 pm by Mark Bailey in Bird News
Jon Turner phoned Sue Bruce am to say a Little Ringed Plover had shown up on the scrape so I cycled down to digiscope it.

Posted April 2nd, 2019 at 2:04 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Monday 1st April 2019
Several black-tailed godwits and a single ruff, 2 distant Little ringed plovers. Saw my first wheatears of the year with 3 of them near the carpark. A small flock of Linnets landing on the barbed wire fence and feeding on the grass



Ruff Black-tailed Godwit Linnet
Posted April 1st, 2019 at 10:44 pm by Richie Moore in Bird News
After a few days away, a late afternoon visit to the reserve: lots of Sand Martins feeding over. An influx of Chiffchaffs, at least three singing Willow Warblers, and 6 male Blackcaps seen.
Later still while looking at the scrape from the Tarka Trail, a small wader took one look at me and flew off towards Sherpa, slowly gaining height. Not Common Sandpiper, and almost certainly not Green Sandpiper... Will look again tomorrow.
Posted April 1st, 2019 at 9:43 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Upper Lake.
4 Willow Tit, 1 Treecreeper.
Lower Lake,
3 Willow Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, 1m Reed Bunting.
Posted April 1st, 2019 at 7:21 pm by Rod Mudge in Bird News
Had to go into town today - walked back from the City Basin to Matford and back along the canal. Single Redshank in the Basin (unusual) about 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Two Cattle Egret ( one by the Matford roundabout at the back of the farm with 14 Little Egret, the other in the fields by the path near the canal). Chiffchaff singing along the canal (dropped as soon as I got the camera on it DOH!) At least 4 Buzzards overhead. Nothing much on Matford Marshes or on the Northbrook.



Redshank Lesser Black-backed Gull One of the two Cattle Egret
Posted April 1st, 2019 at 5:08 pm by Martin Rooney in Bird News
Black-tailed Godwit 31; Bar-tailed Godwit 1; Common Gull 2; Shelduck 16; Common Sandpiper 1. 3 Willow Warbler feeding on insects in the Blackthorn bushes hanging over Bradiford Water.
At 1355 while sat on the sea wall by Ashford Sewage Works picked up 2 very small gulls on the foreshore. Initially thought that the first may have been the Bonaparte`s Gull seen at Wrafton last week. After picking up the second and observing them for just over 1/2hr decided that both were late first winter Little Gulls. Both disappeared at about 1430 but one returned at 1505 and was still there at 1515 when I left.
Posted April 1st, 2019 at 4:04 pm by Maurice Clements in Bird News
Following on from my post, 21.3.19, regarding a female Goldcrest apparently trying to feed around my windows; later she caught her own reflection in the glass and, like many birds, seemed to mistake it for an intruder and proceeded to attack it.
She is now doing the same with her reflection in the brass plate of the back door handle, raising her crest, posturing, then flying off in frustration.
Pics below and Youtube vid at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0XIi1PZVeQ&feature=youtu.be


She also left me her calling card (pics below).

Posted April 1st, 2019 at 3:59 pm in Bird News
Sorry for this late posting from Saturday and Sunday morning , Brixham Breakwater. Saturday morning on coast path from Berry Head to St Mary's Bay, Cettis Warbler calling and then seen. Brixham Breakwater 7 Purple Sandpiper, 5 Turnstone on old fuel jetty, many more Turnstone in Harbour area.
Posted April 1st, 2019 at 3:55 pm by Nigel Smallbones in Bird News
Two Adult Med Gulls flying over the Teign estuary at Coombe Cellars. The birds were vocal and showed full black hoods
Posted April 1st, 2019 at 10:13 am by Adam Davison in Bird News