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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 May 2019
1 Willow Tit and 1 Cuckoo calling.
Posted May 7th, 2019 at 7:58 pm by Rod Mudge in Bird News
Unfortunatly did not see Rich's Purple Heron, great find. Heard a Cuckoo behind Ireland Bay, first I've heard here for years. Apart from that a Whimbrel with a gammy leg ( hobbling but flying ok ) and 10 Swifts
Posted May 7th, 2019 at 7:15 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
Highlights of an enjoyable walk round the marsh early this mornng:
A Lesser Whitethroat on the railway path, 2 Egyptian geese by the Lions Rest, a Marsh Harrier heading towards the M5 bridge, male Garganey from the canal towpath, a large gathering of Whimbrel, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and a few Ringed Plover in the centre of the marsh. Also Sedge, Reed and Cettis warbler, Whitethroat and a male and female Bullfinch
Posted May 7th, 2019 at 3:08 pm by Rich Price in Bird News
Posted May 7th, 2019 at 1:27 pm by David paterson in Bird News
In and around the reserve this morning of note: singing Lesser Whitethroat by the bridge still. In the reserve, Tawny Owl, grey Wagtail and a smart Spotted Flkycatcher.
Last night a walk around Sherpa showed 2 Greenshank 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Gadwall, lots of (50+) House Martins, and a Swan with 8 cygnets. I suspect there may still be two nests with sitting penns on them, so it could be quite a productive year for Swans up here!
Posted May 7th, 2019 at 12:39 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
One flew west over the ley at 10.30 and appeared to land in western reedbed
Posted May 7th, 2019 at 10:35 am by Rich Billington in Bird News
Osprey with catch at Isley Marsh 10.00 , mobbed by gulls, flew off towards Home Marsh Farm still with catch. Photos to follow.
Posted May 7th, 2019 at 10:21 am by David Paterson in Bird News
Osprey causing havoc among the migrant Dunlin and Ringed Plover soon after high tide this morning. Although fairly regular on the Taw this was a patch tick for me. Also present 1 White Wagtail, 4 Wheatear, and numerous Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat.
Posted May 7th, 2019 at 9:39 am by Roger Doble in Bird News
Newly fledged Siskins joining adult birds on the feeders; first Swift of the summer overhead.
Posted May 7th, 2019 at 8:31 am by Martin Overy in Bird News
Monday 6th May 2019
A two-day circumnavigation of the north moor starting at Sticklepath out as far as Tavy Head and back via the western tors to Belstone. A singing male pied flycatcher and garden warbler to kick off in Skaigh Wood, then the first of several calling cuckoos. Four buzzards began rising on the thermals and Soon afterwards, a hobby, with another sighted an hour on, possibly the same bird. The core blanket bog areas held no dunlin or golden plover, only enlivened by an emperor moth. Snipe drumming in the dusk by my wild campsite. another hobby, a singing male whinchat, kestrel, several pairs of grey wagtails on the various rivers.
Posted May 6th, 2019 at 9:36 pm by Simon M Bates in Bird News
At least 7 Whimbrels tonight (7 at south end of estuary and 4 earlier on Blaxton Meadow). Also 4 summer plumaged Dunlins on the Meadow with 3 Oystercatchers & a single lingering, Curlew; still 3 Wheatears (1 male) about.
Posted May 6th, 2019 at 7:39 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Many swifts arriving off the sea this morning. Dozens around the village and more high in the sky heading inland..
Posted May 6th, 2019 at 6:13 pm by Graham burton in Bird News
Kayak from velator to fremington.
4 blackwits 20 oystercatcher 6 greenshank 12 curlew 15 dunlin 1 turnstone 5 redshank 4 wheatear and lost count of whimbrel ,so many
Posted May 6th, 2019 at 4:47 pm by Steve chick in Bird News
Spotted flycatcher from American road
Posted May 6th, 2019 at 4:38 pm by Steve chick in Bird News
Couldn't believe my eyes at first - 11am sat down for coffee in garden, thought "that's not a pigeon on the roof, it's a partridge!!" First for my garden... Blackbird convinced it must be a new kind of raptor, flew to roofline a few feet away and gave repeated alarm calls; Jackdaw investigated closely from its nest in our disused chimney at far end of roof, decided it must be harmless. Red-Leg eventually flew off to neighbouring garden about 25 mins later.

Posted May 6th, 2019 at 12:42 pm by Madgett PA.RA in Bird News
An early walk this morning saw, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Swift, 5 Wheater, 2 Meadow, 3 Skylark.
Posted May 6th, 2019 at 12:40 pm by Rod Mudge in Bird News
Sunday 5th May 2019
Male cuckoo flying around the farm this afternoon, a nice Garden Warbler,singing from the bushes in front of the farm,showed well for a couple of minutes, then disappeared.
Posted May 5th, 2019 at 11:17 pm by Kay and Gary Deare in Bird News
5 pearl bordered seen near new bridge hole this afternoon
Posted May 5th, 2019 at 8:01 pm by Ian samuel in Other Wildlife
A walk from Fisherman’s Car Park to Turf for breakfast. 15+ Sedge Warbler singing, a Male Garganey & 10+ Swift.
Posted May 5th, 2019 at 7:32 pm by Steve Cox in Bird News
Still 5 Purple Sandpipers on Haldon Pier, Torquay, this morning.
Posted May 5th, 2019 at 7:10 pm by CLIFF PARROTT in Bird News
Lesser Whitethroat still by the bridge to the reserve.
Single Black-tailed Godwit on the scrape - appears to have colour rings on - best I could make out was white over yellow on left leg, probable metal ring on right leg.
In the reserve first Broad-bodied Chaser.
Posted May 5th, 2019 at 12:54 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Highlights of this mornings high tide & walk around Saltram were the following:
Whimbrel 5, Curlew 1, Dunlin 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Wheatear 1(f), House Martin 5, Swallow c10 & Stock Dove 4.
Posted May 5th, 2019 at 11:32 am by Martin Phillips in Bird News
Saturday 4th May 2019
Cold wind but in the sheltered bit of the quarry in Ireland bay quite a few insects. Had my first species of Odonata with a large red Damselfly and 11 species of Hoverfly



female Syrphus ribesii Male Rhingia campestris Male Episyrphus balteatus (marmalade hoverfly)
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 9:51 pm by Richie Moore in Other Wildlife
Cold wind at Slapton but great views of Whitethroats along the front, and some really close views of cetti's warblers near the bridge. Lots of house martins over the ley and swallows.



Whitethroat Great Crested Grebe Grey Heron
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 9:39 pm by Richie Moore in Bird News
Very quiet birdwise.Female yellow wagtail and 9 white being the best.3 whimbrel,2 each of ringed plover and dunlin.17:45-18:20.
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 8:23 pm by Robert Marshall in Bird News
Good amounts of Swallows today,6 Whimbrel,sedge warblers, willow warblers,whitethroat,busy with nesting,cetti calling not seen.Very cold wind off the river but nice in the sun.



Whitethroat. Sedge Warbler Willow Warbler
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 7:52 pm by john elvin in Bird News
Single Hobby flying over in (unsuccessful) pursuit of House Martins.
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 7:03 pm by Roger Duggleby in Bird News
1 female rider, 8 distant sandwich terms and gannets
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 7:02 pm by Adam Davison in Bird News
6 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Redpoll, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Tree Pipit displaying, 3 Buzzards, 1 Skylark, 1 Dunnock, c.100 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 3 Stonechats, several Chaffinches.
Harvey Kendall & Barry Bryne.
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 6:41 pm by Harvey Kendall. in Bird News
White Wagtail, Wheatear & Whimbrel.
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 6:37 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
a Spotted Flycatcher amongst the Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Bullfinches and Wheatears around Beer Head this afternoon

Posted May 4th, 2019 at 6:28 pm by Dave McKeown in Bird News
1 Small Copper & a pair of Wall Browns which mated.
While perched on blades of grass she vibrated her wings to signal to the male she was ready to mate. I have never seen this behaviour before.


Posted May 4th, 2019 at 5:18 pm by Rob Jutsum in Other Wildlife
As a follow-on to yesterday's comments about the absence of House Martins, there were twenty plus over the Trews Weir flood channel and Gabriel's Wharf flats this morning, despite the wind. Better late than never.
There were also Sedge Warbler and Common Whitethroat singing outside the goods entrance to Alphington Sainsbury's!
James Camden
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 4:04 pm by James Camden in Bird News
13.00 - Still 4 x Cattle egret in clampits field with cattle - these birds have been around this area for some 4 months now!
Also in the estuary off Anchorwoods 6 x Whimbrel
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 3:26 pm by Roy Churchill in Bird News
Lesser Whitethroat singing by the bridge to the reserve this morning.
Yesterday: Wall butterfly in the reserve. Today: Blue-tailed Damselfly.
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 12:47 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Just seen four Swifts over the house at South Brent my first of the year and a female Barn owl in our field shelter this morning.
A single House Martin yesterday.

Posted May 4th, 2019 at 11:50 am by Steve Hopper in Bird News
6am - 10.30 At least 3 Cettis, lots of Sedge Warblers and a few Reed Warb, Reed Bunting, 2 Swifts, Numerous Sand, house martins and Swallows, Whimbrel, gadwall, Blackcap (M) A Field mouse. a Shrew and a puncture DOH!
Sedge vid -
https://youtu.be/zDO0AyiVprc


Sedge Warbler Swallow
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 11:40 am by Martin Rooney in Bird News
House Martins are back in the Exwick and St. David's Station area; good numbers of Greenfinches and Siskins at my garden feeders, plus the first of the newly-fledged Goldfinches and House Sparrows.
Posted May 4th, 2019 at 7:51 am by Martin Overy in Bird News
Friday 3rd May 2019
Whimbrel, black and bar-tailed godwits on the marsh and several rock pipits.



Black-tailed Godwit & Bar-tailed Godwit Whimbrel Shellduck
Posted May 3rd, 2019 at 9:35 pm by Richie Moore in Bird News
On the outward walk, two Cuckoos were calling from the West bank of the Erme. In the wood were a Tree Pipit, a Pied Flycatcher and several Redstarts, with Dipper and Grey Wagtail on the river. The commonest bird was Coal Tit despite the wood being pure Oak; some of them were filling the Marsh Tit niche by pulling the moss off the branches. On the return walk, a Willow Warbler was singing from the gorse at least 500m from the nearest tree. Willy no-mates?
An earlier post referred to the absence of House Martins. None yet on Gabriel's Wharf in Exeter either.
James Camden
Posted May 3rd, 2019 at 8:15 pm by James Camden in Bird News
Minimum 6 Sandwich terns around 16.50
Posted May 3rd, 2019 at 6:16 pm by Barney Donnellan in Bird News
Juvenile Siskin feeding on bird feeder, plenty of adults Siskins around the garden.
Posted May 3rd, 2019 at 4:15 pm by Mave Goddard in Bird News
Good and bad news
Dead unringed Barn owl on the A38 central reservation at Marley Head, South Brent.
But on a positive note since late on Tuesday night (30th April) I have had a very "very" vocal Barn owl visiting my place at South Brent each night, no doubt courting my captive bird and my wife discovered it roosting in our field shelter this morning.
Posted May 3rd, 2019 at 1:49 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
Late News for yesterday (Friday)
A Yellowhammer on wires by the back road between Croyde (Forda) and North Buckland. Yesterday evening at about 7.45 p.m.
Posted May 3rd, 2019 at 11:02 am by Jon Turner in Bird News
10 Whimbrel, 4 Bar-Tailed Godwits, 2 Black-Tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper on the sea weed. Lots of Swallows and a beautiful Song thrush singing it's heart out.



Bar-tailed Godwit & Whimbrel Common Sandpiper Whimbrel
Posted May 3rd, 2019 at 5:45 am by Richie Moore in Bird News
Thursday 2nd May 2019
Reaching the quiest time of year here, but managed: Whimbrel, Curlew, Red-crested Pochard (female), 6 Mandarin Ducks (5 drakes), 14 House Martins, 2 Stock Doves & 6 Roe deer (1 buck).
Posted May 2nd, 2019 at 8:17 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
From Torcross car park, this evening 28 Swifts, 60+ House Martins,50+ Swallows and 8 Sand Martins.
Posted May 2nd, 2019 at 7:03 pm by Alan K. Searle in Bird News
am - 10 Swifts over Horsey this morning.
On the Pond my first sighting of the 5 signets.
If you take into consideration the time involved on the part of the adult pair, 2 to 3 weeks to lay all the eggs & a further 6 weeks of incubation once all the eggs have been laid.

Posted May 2nd, 2019 at 6:21 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
2 small grebes seen this morning in cove ( both by 3rd buoy), both dived and not seen after. didn't have my bins with me and although eyesight iffy they looked a bit "stumpy" (little grebes maybe).
Posted May 2nd, 2019 at 6:07 pm by graham folkerd in Bird News
Plenty of Redpolls on Roborough today along with Linnets, Yellowhammers, a Cuckoo Heard but not seen, and an amazing catch of a Skylark having a mud bath



Redpoll (M) Skylark's Mud bath
Posted May 2nd, 2019 at 4:11 pm by Greg Bradbury in Bird News
A Cattle Egret was found (by Marc Millman) resting up on the lower lake with a Little Egret this afternoon.

Posted May 2nd, 2019 at 3:59 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Cycled to Barnstaple and back this morning. 1 Black-tailed Godwit on the scrape. A smattering of Whimbrel between Ashford and Barnstaple. 7 Black-tailed Godwits with a Knot at Potting ton + an adult Mediterranean Gull.
At Sherpa marsh last night 7 Greenshank, and 8 Gadwall, 3 Little Egrets and at last a fair few Swallows.
Posted May 2nd, 2019 at 1:28 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Hoped that change in weather might bring in some new passerine migrants at Prawle-not so in misty,overcast cool easterly breeze. Lots of Whitethroats on territory and Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. So tried a seawatch from 7.15am to 9.15am. 5 Puffins west, 2 Black-throated divers east and a Skua sp likely Arctic east. 4 Common Scoter west and a few Manxies.
In the area 3 Wheatears, 4 Whimbrel and a moulting Grey Plover.
At South Huish 14 Whimbrel, 5 Bar-Tailed Godwit (2 in breeding plumage) a Dunlin and 2 Barnacle Geese seen mating. Also in reeds to right of fence a Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler singing. A few Swallows and House artins (collecting mud) and 3 Common Swifts through (my first for the year)
Bar-Tailed Godwit Whimbrel House-Martins
Barnacle Geese Mixed wader flock
Posted May 2nd, 2019 at 12:44 pm in Bird News
Wednesday 1st May 2019
Three Divers off the memorial car park this afternoon, one Great Northern but the other two too far out to ID properly (but probably Red-throated). Swift, Hobby and Yellow Wag yesterday but very quiet for hirundines. I can't beleive that I have still not seen House Martin this year!
Posted May 1st, 2019 at 11:36 pm by Rich Billington in Bird News
Very little sign of migrants at Soar this morning; just single Wheatear (female) & Willow Warbler. Also 2 singing Sedge Warblers, a Stonechat with 2 recently fledged young and a Painted Lady.
Slapton Ley this afternoon, was - however - better with a Hobby hawking over Higher Ley, a drake Ring-necked Duck & 2 Swifts at Torcross, 6+ Sandwich Terns, a pair of Gadwall with 3 ducklings & a Brimstone.
Posted May 1st, 2019 at 8:31 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Lesser Redpoll f feeding with several Siskins on sunflower feeder.
Posted May 1st, 2019 at 8:24 pm by Mary Irving in Bird News
Late aft / early eve:- 5 Wheatear, 5 Swifts, a single House Martin, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank & 1 Common Sandpiper.

Posted May 1st, 2019 at 7:06 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Brixham to 2 miles off Berry Head by kayak this am:
8 Puffins (plus about 20 more probable...no binos). All in flight.
2 Red-throated Divers
4 Sandwich terns
20 ish Manx Shearwaters
plus
7 Harbour Porpoise


Red-throated Divers Harbour Porpoise trio
Posted May 1st, 2019 at 3:51 pm by Rupert Kirkwood in Bird News
a single swallow seen this morning on the green at the elberry end
Posted May 1st, 2019 at 3:12 pm by graham folkerd in Bird News
cuckoo heard yesterday afternoon from my garden on nearby farmland
Posted May 1st, 2019 at 3:05 pm by graham folkerd in Bird News
Thanks to Facebook I learnt of Rockbeare residents reporting 3 Ring-necked Parrakeet in and around the village. A large oak tree in parkland at the rear of Cranbrook Veterinary Clinic seems to have been their roost but this came down in recent high winds. Following a short visit this afternoon I managed to locate one bird very hidden in a cherry tree in Parsons Lane. Absence of neck markings suggests it's a female. Thanks to 'Susan W' for helping me with location.

Posted May 1st, 2019 at 2:49 pm by Jonathan Ruscoe in Bird News
Redpolls are back again on Roborough Down, showing a bit shy, but managed to get 1 shot of a male

Posted May 1st, 2019 at 2:29 pm by Greg Bradbury in Bird News