Happy New Year

Many thanks to all observers that have already submitted their records for 2019, both through Birdtrack and Devon Birds. This is much appreciated.

For other records please could observers submit their sightings by 31^st January.

Guidelines and links to recording forms can be found here https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/recording/guide_to_record_submission

Please send your records to Karen Sims data.manager@devonbirds.org and any descriptions to Kevin Rylands recorder@devonbirds.org

Best wishes and good birding for 2020

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Six or more Mediterranean Gulls on Instow near the cricket field

Mediterranean Gulls

Lovely afternoon at Dawlish Warren, 2 Roseate terns off the beach and lots of Sandwich terns, 10 Sanderling on the beach and 2 Dunlin.

Roseate Tern

Sanderling

Dunlin

At Instow a common gull?  The Glossy Ibis in Fremington was up for a photo or two.

Glossy Ibis

Common gull

From yesterday little ringed plover,31 med gulls,20 ads,2nd s,6fs,4juv's.20:15-2115

Highlights included: Juv Cuckoo being fed by Meadow Pipit, Little Grebe family, Juv Redstart, 2 Great Crested Grebe, Redpoll, 4 juv Grey Herons, Cormorant, 7 Siskin, 3 Chiffchaff and a single Willow Warbler. Also 3 Golden Ringed Dragonflies.

Juv Cuckoo

Grey Heron

Little Grebe family

A few waders on this morning's high tide including: 3 Greenshanks, 4+ Common Sandpipers, 32 Curlews, 91 Redshanks, Dunlin (sum-plum) & Turnstone (sum-plum). The latter was on Blaxton Meadow, the first time I can remember seeing one here. Also: 1st-s Mediterranean Gull, 13 Little Egrets, 6 Stock Doves, 7 Mandarin Ducks, Shag & a Shelduck with 2 juvs.

I met a couple at Velator the other day who saw a Swallowtail in their garden in West Down within the last few days.

Over the wildflower meadows on the waste site adjacent to the old power station at Yelland, this continental swallowtail was seen and photographed by my mother in law on Wednesday just gone. I was 15 minutes behind and did not see it. 

A one off migrant perhaps but a reminder of just how special this site is for wildflowers, inverts and wildlife full stop. Hope locals will do what they can to campaign against development here. 

0910-1215 :-

200+ Black tailed Godwit, 160+ Curlew, 18 Whimbrel, 14 Little Egret, 150+ Redshank, 70+ Dunlin, 5 Shelduck, 1 Mediterranean gull, 1 Reed Warbler, 6 Greenshank from the viewing platform.

First signs of significant migration this morning at 9.00 on a falling tide. 8 Sanderling, 5 Ring Plover, 180 Dunlin, 76 Curlew, 1Whimbrel, 1Redshank, 16, Mediterranean Gull. Also 4 Little Tern through, and most surprising 2 Gannet 

1 Common Sandpiper on R.Caen late aft / early evening.

6 ringneck parakeet

Glossy Ibis viewed from the Skern, at 08:05 yesterday 16th July.

it flew off towards Crow Point/Instow.

All along the boulders lining the drop off from the tip road were what appeared to be a brood of 4 and a further brood of 3 fledgling Northern Wheatear. Also saw an adult female.

Lovely afternoon walking around the quarry (not trespassing as i work there). Lots of Wheatear, Sky Larks, Meadow Pipits, Sand Martins, Swallows, Pied Wagtails, Goldfinches, Tufted Ducks, Little Grebes and a pair of Reed Buntings to name a few.

Sand Martin

Skylark

Wheatear

Eleven members enjoyed the sunny weather walking to and round the quarry to the north of Haytor rocks.   Good views of male Yellowhammer, juvenile Wheatear, several Chiffchaff (possibly some were Willow Warblers) and many Stonechat.  Blackcap in the quarry with plenty of Swallows flying round including some juveniles.   We moved to Blackslade Water and located a Marsh Tit along with Stonechat, Goldfinch, Swallows and Chiff / Willow W..  Species count: 24.  

A visit on this afternoon's high tide. Not much to add to Martin's post, but the Coot was just as much of a surprise to me (I hadn't seen his post before my visit)! This is a rarity here, and as far as I can remember, the first one I've seen on the patch, outside very cold conditions. 

Also 2 Mediterranean Gulls (ad-s & 1st-s), 3 Mandarin Ducks and the Little Egrets included a juvenile.

An interesting morning ringing: dominated by a steady supply of Blackcaps. With lots of birds fledging most of those ringed were juveniles. That is except Blackcaps: of the twenty I ringed 7 were adults. Surely they can't all be breeding in the reserve - I've already ringed a good number of adults, so most of these are already migrating(?) Of note were all the male Blackcaps - including a retrap - seemed to have a brood patch. Also:

3 juv Cetti's Warblers

5 juv Robins

1 juv Reed Warbler (and an adult)

1 juv Greenfinch

1 juv Blackbird

1 juv Song Thrush

2 juv Goldcrest

3 juv Wrens

2 juv Chiffchaffs

On this mornings high tide the following were seen:

Curlew 35, Redshank 91 on the meadow, Greenshank 3, Common Sandpiper 5, Little Egret 13, Green Woodpecker 3, GSW 3, Stock Dove 9, Whitethroat 1 and the surprise of the morning was a Coot on the river by Longbridge.

On the high tide: 3 Mediterranean Gulls (ad-s & 2 1st-s), Greenshank, 68 Redshanks, 34 Curlews & 11 Little Egrets. Also 5 Stock Doves, Green Woodpecker, juv Goldcrest & 16 Mandarin Ducks.

Plenty of butterflies including double figures of Small Skipper, Marbled White & Gatekeeper & a single Large Skipper.

Churring from 21.36 for one minute - nothing thereafter. Two birds, male & female, constantly in the air/perched in trees from 21.45 - 22. 10, with a third fly-over bird (female?) at 22.10. Best viewed over new planting/tree tubes - by the Nightjar notice-board!  

Flock of Redshank at low tide on the north side of the Taw Estuary & plenty of BH Gulls & 3 Meds amongst them.

This delightful Blue-tailed Damselfly alighted on my bicycle lock cable by the Toll House.

On R.Caen 19 Dunlin still in sumplum, 1 juv Greenshank,142 BH Gulls inc 5 juv's , 1 adult Med Gull & 2 Little Egrets.

Osprey sat on post around 1:30pm. More details please visit http://part-timebirding.blogspot.com/