We are back in Lockdown, all sightings posts from observers should only be in their very local area (town, village or part of city). Any posts where the observer is obviously travelling distances to other sites will be deleted, Devon Birds will not edit these posts.
Posted January 6th at 10:52 am by Mike Langman in Bird News
We have been informed that due to storm damage and erosion the dune path that provides access to the bird hide has been closed as it is unsafe. Access from Groyne 10 to Groyne 15 will only be via the beach and is subject to tides.
Posted December 17th, 2020 at 2:31 pm by Mike Daniels in Bird News
During the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak the use of Devon Birds bird hides should be in line with Government guidelines to individuals on how to protect themselves.
Please follow NHS guidelines: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/what-you-need-to-do/
Thank you for your co-operation and stay safe.
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 9:58 am by Mike Daniels in Bird News
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.
Posted October 10th, 2016 at 9:14 am in Bird News
Tuesday 14th May 2019
Pleasant half hour from 5pm sat on Berry Head looking out to sea towards the Mew Stone. Lots of activity over the water besides numerous common gulls there were 5 black back gulls, 2 gannets, 20 crows and 40+ plus guillemots.
Posted May 14th, 2019 at 9:52 pm by David Roper in Bird News
Two red kites spotted above Teignmouth on the north side of the estuary moving west to east at 08.15 14th May.
Posted May 14th, 2019 at 7:26 pm by Bryan Smith in Bird News
Finally seeing swifts. First one last Saturday (11th May) over Rumsam area of Barnstaple and two today over Yelland.
Posted May 14th, 2019 at 7:03 pm by Robert Morgan in Bird News
taking a early walk from the rsbp carpark by the railway line, there were sand martins, house martins, swallows and two hobbys hunting over the marsh, and on the way back to the carpark i had good views of the lesser whitethroat.
Posted May 14th, 2019 at 6:41 pm by roger jewell in Bird News
3 Swifts, my first this year,. Yellowhammer on Yennadon Down.
Posted May 14th, 2019 at 3:32 pm by Mave Goddard in Bird News
A cuckoo showing very well near Cadover Bridge Area by the old filled in clay pit, constantly getting attacked by Meadow Pipits, managed some fairly good shots



Cuckoo
Posted May 14th, 2019 at 2:53 pm by Greg Bradbury in Bird News
Red Kite heading East over Coombe Valley 11.20 am....
Posted May 14th, 2019 at 11:29 am by Neil Graham in Bird News
Monday 13th May 2019
Heard one Nightjar churring at 9:20, and another later on 'Kwicking' at opposite sides of the wood, but didn't see either.
Posted May 13th, 2019 at 11:28 pm by Chris & Janet Marcol in Bird News
I saw my first Red Kite over east Devon today at around 2pm. It was circling from the north east to the south west over the Ottery St Mary area.
Posted May 13th, 2019 at 10:46 pm by Maurice T Rapley in Bird News
Single Nightjar churring and flying in the Harcombe area of Greater Haldon at 21:10 this evening.
Posted May 13th, 2019 at 10:19 pm by Martin Overy in Bird News
Walked to the estuary late afternoon.
Several Whitethroat, Stonechat and Meadow Pipit, and a few passage waders: 2 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Oystercatcher (probable resident) 3 Ringed Plover,1 Dunlin and a few Curlew. No sign of Osprey.
Posted May 13th, 2019 at 9:16 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Saw a single red kite flying over newton abbot this evening. First time I've see one in Devon
Posted May 13th, 2019 at 8:58 pm by Emma Blake in Bird News
First swifts of the year over garden three in number.
Posted May 13th, 2019 at 7:38 pm by Chris Buckland in Bird News
Two red kites over 16.00 hrs.

Posted May 13th, 2019 at 7:34 pm by Chris Buckland in Bird News
Two Wheatears (male & female), Grey Wagtail, 2 Stock Doves, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, the lingering Curlew & 7 Roe Deer (2 bucks).
Posted May 13th, 2019 at 3:53 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Pretty quiet at Soar again this morning: Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear, 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 singing Sedge Warblers, Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk & 3 House Martins.
Not one wader, later, on South Efford Marsh at high tide, but 2 Swifts, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 singing Reed Warblers & a Stock Dove.
Posted May 13th, 2019 at 3:49 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Red Kite just (12.05p.m) flew south over my house in Braunton.
Posted May 13th, 2019 at 12:20 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
At least 12 whimbrel on the beaches plus two Bar-tailed godwits, 3 whitethroats and a skylark on the corner of the golf course.



Bar-tailed Godwit Whitethroat Whimbrel
Posted May 13th, 2019 at 6:24 am by Richie moore in Bird News
Sunday 12th May 2019
Our first swifts of the year over the garden this afternoon around 16:00 group of three calling high over.
Posted May 12th, 2019 at 10:39 pm by Graham Devine in Bird News
Sighted over Thornbury Plymouth, Red Kite being harassed by 3 Buzzards at 10:50
Posted May 12th, 2019 at 9:42 pm by Colin & Joyce Hannaford in Bird News
Must have been a hatch because we saw at least three together and others in singles plus the colours were so vibrant! Observed near Starehole Bay.


Posted May 12th, 2019 at 8:37 pm by Phil & Sue Naylor in Other Wildlife
First swifts of 2019 in Combe Martin: 2 silent at 11.50, followed by 3 screamers at 18.00.
Posted May 12th, 2019 at 8:05 pm by Jonathan Nicholl in Bird News
Posted May 12th, 2019 at 7:41 pm by barry insull in Bird News
Sues sharp eyes produced a call of "Osprey" and we watched it flying west to east towards Frogmore Creek last seen being mobbed by gulls. I've included an extremely distant image purely for the record.

Posted May 12th, 2019 at 7:06 pm by Phil & Sue Naylor in Bird News
Dark, female type Marsh Harrier flew straight through east over the marsh at 17:10. Presumably next stop Slapton Ley.
Posted May 12th, 2019 at 6:28 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
On a glorious day Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. A number of Stonechats between Scorhill and Hound Tor harassing the Ten Tors walkers. Kestrel seen hunting and Cuckoo heard calling along the brook.
Posted May 12th, 2019 at 5:38 pm by Chris Godfrey in Bird News
2 possible Cattle Egret seen this evening from the train whilst going past Stoke Woods, glimpse was fleeting but looked promising if anyone wants to go and check if they’re the real thing.
Posted May 12th, 2019 at 5:25 pm by Toby Mylett in Bird News
Plenty of stonechat and linnet plus several yellowhammer.

Posted May 12th, 2019 at 11:17 am by Ian Muir in Bird News
8.30 a.m. River Taw- Osprey still present-being harassed by two gulls, an Oystercatcher and a Curlew. Cettis Warbler seen and heard on Tarka Trail near Instow.
Posted May 12th, 2019 at 11:05 am by Seamus Ivers in Bird News
Just seen one from my garden on clovelly rd Bideford drifting see probably over littleham area.3 swifts here chasing as well ????.
Posted May 12th, 2019 at 10:11 am by Robert Marshall in Bird News
Grasshopper warbler - 1 reeling, dunlin 1 sp, whimbrel 1
Posted May 12th, 2019 at 10:06 am by Richard Archer in Bird News
Saturday 11th May 2019
Chudleigh Knighton Heath.
Yellowhammer, Large Red Damselfly.
Bovey Heathfield Heath.
2 x Yellowhammer (m&f), Slow-worm, Common Newt.
Yarner Woods.
4+ Pied Flycatcher, Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
Stover Park.
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Chaffinch, Mandarin, Mallards, Grey Squirrels
Posted May 11th, 2019 at 8:53 pm by Michael Spencer in Bird News
Male Ruff west over Bolberry Down, later seen on South Huish Marsh together with Dunlin, 2 Barnacle Geese, White Wagtail & several, presumably migrant, Pied Wagtails
Posted May 11th, 2019 at 8:26 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Sherpa had 13 Pied/White Wagtails (3 of the latter) this evening. Still no Yellow ones though.
Posted May 11th, 2019 at 8:18 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Just a few more photos, if that's ok,



Pied Flycatcher Common Redpoll Grey Wagtail
Eds: it will be a Lesser Redpoll
Posted May 11th, 2019 at 5:40 pm by john elvin in Bird News
Redpoll,Willow Warbler,Pied flycatcher,Spotted Flycatcher,Redstart,Blackcap,Cuckoo,Whinchat,Grey Wagtail, Dipper,GreenWoodpecker,Larks Pipits,2 Swift ,nice numbers of swallows and martins,really pleased with the good amounts of birds especially nice to see 6 spotted flycatchers.



Redstart Spotted Flycatcher Whinchat Eds: Stonechat
Posted May 11th, 2019 at 5:35 pm by john elvin in Bird News
Yesterday was a lovely day to be out though few new migrants although 3 Spotted Flycatchers (my first of the year) were in the area ( the reserve, Ashpark Lane and Stallions Bite).
Also good views of Green Hairstreak and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary (plus lots of Orange Tips)
Spotted Flycatcher Green Hairstreak
Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary

Posted May 11th, 2019 at 1:46 pm in Bird News
4pm yesterday, 6 Whimbrel on beach.
Posted May 11th, 2019 at 7:40 am by Charlotte Crow in Bird News
Friday 10th May 2019
Late afternoon, of note: 4 Whinchats (3 males), 1m Cuckoo, 2 Redpolls, usual Willow Warblers and Stonechats, Dipper and Grey Wagtail on the river, Buzzard and Kestrel etc
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 11:26 pm by Andy Smith in Bird News
Spotted Flycatcher seen and observed for approx 10 minutes this afternoon. Only seen once.before 2 years ago in September. Plenty of Blackcaps calling. Song Thrush, Jay, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, nesting Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Buzzard.
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 10:38 pm by Stephen Huggins in Bird News
Delighted to report the arrival of 6 new mowing machines in the reserve this morning. In the form of Canada Geese goslings. They were already in the meadow when I was leaving.
Lots of Swallows House and Sand Martins around Sherpa this evening, But still no Yellow Wagtail. 3/4 Swift. 4 Grey Herons and 3 Cormorants flew off.
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 10:08 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Nice spotted flycatcher at South Milton and a few Sedge warblers, 5 whimbrel on the rocks and a ruff on the marsh at South Huish



Spotted Flycatcher Sedge Warbler Ruff
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 9:50 pm by Richie Moore in Bird News
Distant views of a male Ruff in fine breeding colours at South Milton Reserve today. Was feeding almost constantly. This is a first for us having only ever seen the female (reeve?) years ago on Chivenor airfield!

Male Ruff
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 9:40 pm by Phil Naylor in Bird News
A morning walk, ending just before the rain came, produced a Cuckoo, a Common Redstart, many Pied Flycatchers, several Garden Warblers and Tree Pipits, two pairs of Redpolls busy with display flights, and most of the commoner woodland birds, but no Wood Warblers, alas.
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 8:46 pm by James Camden in Bird News
Seen near venford today. 7 PB's


Posted May 10th, 2019 at 7:29 pm by Ian Samuel in Other Wildlife
pearl bordered fritillary near venford resevoir
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 7:20 pm by ian samuel in Other Wildlife
Great Crested Grebes with chick.
Short video
https://youtu.be/P9mGTY3IquU

Great Crested Grebe
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 7:13 pm by Martin Rooney in Bird News
saltrum 9 ringneck parakeet by cafe
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 5:40 pm by barry insull in Bird News
My first Spotted Flycatchers (2) and Swifts (3) of year, here. Also 6 Mandarin Ducks (5 drakes), 2 Whimbrels, Stock Dove, 3 Wheatears (1 male), 3 Roe Deer & Small Heath.
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 4:35 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Whitethroat,Blackcaps,Redstart,Willow Warblers,Tree Pipit,Linnets, Goldfinch,Fulmars,stonechats,Wheatear,greening up nicely and really lovely early morning chorus. Not quite dawn!!!!



Black Cap. Willow Warbler Whitethroat.
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 3:51 pm by john elvin in Bird News
0650 - 1125. 60+ Manx Shears flying W, 2 Canada Geese flying E (my 107th species for this site), 1 Whimbrel (first this year), 1 Sedge Warbler in full song, 1 Common Gull, 2 Gannet, 7 Willows, 1 Chiff, 8 Whitethroat, c25 House Martin, 10 Sand Martin, 18 Swallow plus 22 other Species. 1 Orange Tip the only butterfly.


Canada Geese Whimbrel
Posted May 10th, 2019 at 3:40 pm by Derek Stacey in Bird News
Thursday 9th May 2019
This evening walked round Sherpa accompanied by the inquisitive cattle which actually help as a sort of mobile hide! In the centre field with a small strip of mud/water at last a few Wagtails: 5 Pied and 2 White. Also a strange record of a very muddy-footed male Whinchat! Good numbers of Swallows and Sand Martins and several Swifts too. First set (of 3) Canada goslings.
In the reserve caught a modest 5 Swallows and a Sedge Warbler. Plus a Reed Warbler which I ringed in July 2014 as a 3J so now near 5 years old.
Posted May 9th, 2019 at 10:16 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
A morning stroll up to Clifford Bridge and back produced two Common Redstarts, at least six Pied Flycatchers, a Garden Warbler, two pairs of Dippers and a small flock of Crossbills, plus most of the expected common species. A pleasantly-sheltered place to visit on a windy day.
Posted May 9th, 2019 at 6:30 pm by James Camden in Bird News
Quick afternoon visit. Hobby at least 2 maybe 4. Spoonbill. Common Lizard, god numbers of hirundine including a few Swift.
Spoonbill video
https://youtu.be/IzJNJQF8Fgo
Common Lizard video
https://youtu.be/xg2yfgiDWWE



Spoonbill Hobby - distant Common Lizard
Posted May 9th, 2019 at 5:35 pm by Martin Rooney in Bird News
Two heading west 6am this morning. Just kept going.
Posted May 9th, 2019 at 5:15 pm by Barney Donnellan in Bird News
The adult Spoonbill was showing well this lunchtime. Good numbers of House Martins, plus a few Sand Martins and Swifts. 1 Hobby and 1 Peregrine. Also a Weasel and some kind of Shrew.
Posted May 9th, 2019 at 4:07 pm by Nick Potter in Bird News
Single Swift off the very end feeding last night
Posted May 9th, 2019 at 12:52 pm by Tim Clyburn in Bird News
Wednesday 8th May 2019
Hooray the Swift's are back.7 over Stanhope terrace/northdown rd and more importantly 4 on clovelly rd/Waterloo terrace area close to my boxes.May get to lure them in come the weekend.20:20-2030
Posted May 8th, 2019 at 9:00 pm by Robert Marshall in Bird News
Seawatch 07.45 - 12.15: 97 Manx Shearwatewrs, 6 Sandwich Terns, 2 Gadwalls, 2 Swifts & 1 or 2 Harbour Porpoises.
Disappointing!
Posted May 8th, 2019 at 3:46 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Seawatch 06.30 -07.30hrs produced 31 Manx Shearwaters, 6 Puffins, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Fs Mediterranean Gull, 5 fs Common Gulls, 6 Swifts over the sea and 2 Harbour Porpoises. Also virtually no grounded migrants on the headland.
Posted May 8th, 2019 at 1:10 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Male Garganey, Ad Spoonbill, 215+ Dunlin, 10 Whimbrel, 25+ Swift, c10 Sand Martin, 15+ House Martin on Exminister Marsh early this morning.
Lunch time Adult Spoonbill still present, 120+ Swift, 70+ House Martin, Lesser Whitethroat along railway line & Little Gull 2nd Summer, flew over from Powderham Marsh.
Posted May 8th, 2019 at 11:24 am by Steve Cox in Bird News