In the light of the continuing Covid19 restrictions on the number of people gathering together, and the need for social distancing, it has been agreed that there will be no Devon Birds meetings or events organised until 21st June 2021, when Government restrictions are planned to be lifted. If there is any Government announcement that necessitates a change to this date an update will be posted.

Devon Birds would like to thank the many members and other birdwatchers who complied with the restrictions during the recent Lockdown and stayed in their local area (village, town or part of city) to birdwatch while exercising (and later) taking recreation. We hope that, despite the obvious frustrations, you found some respite in watching wildlife in your local area and perhaps discovered some birds close to home, that you might otherwise not have seen! As always, please submit sightings to the County recorder and / or BirdTrack. 

 

Please continue to follow the Covid related requirements (currently "rule of six outside, social distancing etc) while enjoying the new freedoms to extend your birdwatching. Some hides will remain closed for the time being and where you find one open, please follow Government guidelines on keeping yourself & others safe: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/what-you-need-to-do/

 

Thank you from

Devon Birds News site editors & members of the Records Committee

Please think very carefully before posting any information on scarce or rare breeding species both here and elsewhere online.

A list of ‘at risk’ species in the county can be found here. Please note that Wood Warbler should now also be treated as on the list. All species included need to be protected - many receive full legal protection under Schedule 1 and/or are rare in the county and may be vulnerable to persecution/disturbance. It is an offence to intentionally disturb any of the Schedule 1 species during the breeding season without a valid licence. This also applies to anyone taking photographs of these species at or near the nest or whilst feeding dependant young.

Some species may be found breeding at numerous locations however please keep information on these species limited to well-known sites (e.g. Labrador Bay for Cirl Bunting, Aylesbeare Common for Dartford Warbler). Others may be found as obvious migrants and as such can also be posted eg coastal Ring Ouzel and passage waders, or raptors eg Little Ringed Plover, Red Kite or Marsh Harrier.

If you have any doubts and think there is a chance there may be breeding, either because of the habitat or behaviour of the bird(s) then do not post, but please submit your records to the County Recorder and the RSPB.

Please be aware that egg collecting and other forms of persecution remain very real hazards for some of Devon’s birds.

Posts which breach these guidelines are likely to be not admitted / removed althogether, rather than edited.  

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On my way to Porlock this morning I popped out to Fremington Pill to see what might be around. Saw a small number of Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, a couple of Teal and 2-3 Little Egret.

Greenshank

Spotted Redshank

The female Red-crested Pochard again on Portworthy Phase 3 Mica Dam along with a couple of Coots and Mallard. 

On Blaxton Meadow this afternoon: 70 Curlews, 7 Greenshanks, 134 Redshanks, 11 Oystercatchers, 33 Wigeon & 31 Shelducks. Also, Little Grebe, Shag, 23 Turnstones & Siskin.

Since the last week of November I have been having a BTO ringed Goldfinch coming into the garden feed station on an almost daily basis, obtaining the ring number from photographs I initially made a mistake and added a 4 to the ring number (turns out that was another bird).

Ringing Scheme: London Ring Number: AFP5157 Species of bird: Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

This bird was ringed by R Phillips as age at least 1 year, sex male on 10-Oct-2020 17:00:00 at Brook Manor, Buckfastleigh, Devon, UK

 It was found on 10-Dec-2020 at Hillside, South Brent, Devon, UK
OS Map reference SX7060 

It was observed 61 days after it was ringed, 10 km from the ringing site, direction South.

Since that date I have also seen Goldfinch AFP5159 and partial ring number FLB?439 also on a Goldfinch.

Today has seen two BTO ringed Blue Tits on the feeders along with a ringed Great Tit and the three above mentioned Goldfinch

Great Tit ~ BTO ring partial number ~ ARP3

Blue Tit ~ BTO ring partial number ?NE0

09:35 - 14:19

No sight nor sound of Dusky Warbler; Grey & Pied Wagtail, Stonechat (1m), Little Grebe (3) and Sparrowhawk (1) were the highlights.

The 2 Godwits had been replaced by 2 Spoonbills on the scrape this morning. Redshank still present. 2 Water Rails (one seen), Tawny Owl calling, 8 Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrest, Bull, Gold, Green and Chaffinch, probable Treecreeper, and cruising low down the river as I left, a male Sparrowhawk.

Wrafton Pond down to one cygnet left - the adults have been chasing them off gradually, there was one on the scrape early on but it flew off south.

2 Spoonbills out on the scrape by Wrafton pond this morning.

Black Redstart in back garden today 

Late post.   over 250,000 Starlings to roost at Woolley Wood near Bradworthy on the evening of 13th Dec.plus 1 Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk.(per Ian Kendall)

2 Snow Buntings still present near the 8th green, now in their 6th week. 2021 tick?

On Saturday morning 12th Dec the Great Grey Shrike gave good views but was very mobile.

Late post from 13.12.20

Five Purple Sandpiper in with 28 Turnstone.

Nothing too exciting at Powderham Corner this morning as I chased my 5 year old on his bike. But 620 Brents on the fields was nice. Pair Stonechat. 5+ Barwits, 5 Grey Plover, 31 Knot, 5 Avocet, 250+ Dunlin, 60+ Lapwing & a Ringed Plover on the Estuary, along with single GC Grebe

Community woodlands: 2 siskin, marsh tit, 2 goldcrest, 10 chaffinch, long-tailed tit

Garden: two siskin, 9 greenfinch

On the river 1 Little Grebe, 2 Goosander (redhead) and at high tide 6 Greenshanks on railway embankment opposite Blaxton Meadow.
Blaxton Meadow 14:00 – 15:30. 35 Dunlin, 52 Redshank, 28 Curlew, 12 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Plover, 10 Common Gull, 40 Black-headed Gull, 2 Med Gull, 30 Wigeon, 30 Shell Duck and 1 Kingfisher.

in between showers today at burrator. Had several flocks of crossbills, totally around 30-40 individuals throughout the day, Treecreepers, nuthatch, marsh/coal/longtail/blue and great tit. Cormorants, mallards. C.geese along with one domestic goose hanging with the crowd. Peregrine flew overhead, scaring many. Little grebe seen. Trees full of goldcrest, song thrushes singing loudly, some bird i couldn't identify. A few roe deer in the arboretum. 
All in all a very good day

The first synchronised Devon Goosander Roost Count of the winter took place this morning with observers in position at over 15 sites well before sunrise. There may be a few more counts to come in, but the results so far indicate a total of 72 on Dartmoor (Avon Dam 31, Burrator 9, Fernworthy 5, Meldon 7, Venford 17 and Upper Shaugh Lake 3). In addition there were 60 at Tamar Lakes, 25 at Shobrooke, 8 on the Taw and 4 on the Plym. Three at both Stover and Tottiford appear to have flown in from elsewhere. It was not possible to cover Meeth today, but the number roosting there was probably close to the 57 counted on 9 Dec. Therefore well over 200 Goosanders probably roosted in Devon last night. Even more may have fed in the county as it is thought that at least some of those roosting at Wimbleball in Somerset (31 last night) feed in Devon. Thanks to all counters for the early rise and prompt submission of counts.

In the cattle field at Cofton (behind the garage) not less than thirty two Cattle Egret, two Little Egret also numerous Wood pigeon and Pied Wagtails in the same field.

Greenshank in the harbour.

From Starcross railway station ~ nine Red Breasted Merganser, Curlew, Redshank, twenty Turnstone, two Common Gull, several flocks of Starling and several Little Egret.

Dawlish Warren NR ~ Golden Plover, Brent Geese, Shellduck, Wigeon, Oyster Catcher, Little Egret, Song Thrush, GSWP, Skylark, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Stonechat.

Cattle Egret

Red-breasted Merganser

14.15

Female Long-tailed Duck showed very well close to the Leadstone.   

Pre-dawn Goosander roost survey produced none, but 3 arrived soon after 8am. Bird survey during the morning produced 2 Firecrests (by footbridge over the inlet channel), 6 Mandarins, 94 Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, 18 Tufted, 64 Coot, 11 Moorhen, 425 Black-headed Gulls, Green and G S Woodpecker, 4 Marsh Tits, plus lots of other woodland birds (and a very healthy-looking rat!) taking food put out for them around the lake. Not sure it's such a good idea leaving bird food on benches and picnic tables though. I had the bizarre experience of ushering 2 Nuthatches along the lakeside path for a few metres - they're not supposed to run along the ground! Outside the Park, I flushed a Woodcock from some wet woodland.

Out pre-dawn for the Goosander survey - 4 (including 1 drake) present. Also, 32 Wigeon, 31 Shelduck, Little Grebe, Common Sandpiper, Water Rail, 8 Stock Doves, 10+ Redwings, Siskin, Green Woodpecker, Blackcap, Sparrowhawk & 10 Roe Deer.

A flock of 40+ Fieldfare in the Hawthorns at Lower Cadworthy farm together with Redwing and Starling. 3 Goosanders at Cadover lakes. Wintering Stonechats in the gorse.

Black Redstart in back gardens of Fern Way 16:00 hours

Powderham Marsh at lunchtime today. 380 Teal, 150+ Wigeon, 7 Shoveler, 100+ Golden Plover, 500+ Lapwing (on Exminister), 175+ Chaffinch, 30+ Meadow Pipit incl a almost Albino & a Chiffchaff

A singing Dartford Warbler, the first time I have found the species at this site.  Also present 2 pairs of Stonechat and 10 Long tailed Tit.

Aylesbeare Common.  The odd Darty but not much else.

The Lesser Yellowlegs remains on the marsh, still actively feeding with Redshank.  Raises the interesting question that this might be the same individual that was observed at the marsh last year as unlikely to have flown west back across the Atlantic.  Hopefully these photos won't be posted postage stamp size again.

Eds - site is South Efford Marsh (Efford Marsh is in Plymouth).

On this afternoon's high tide: Great Northern Diver, drake Goosander, Little Grebe, 32 Wigeon, 6 Greenshanks & Polish-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull "PHAU".

At mid-day the Great Northern Diver was between the two Laira bridges along with two Shag.

Later on on the Cattewater a flock of herring gulls were harassing a pair of feral pigeons, forcing one of them on to the water.  The gulls didn't press on with the attack leaving the pigeon to float helplessly on the water. At this stage two men in a dory changed course as if they were to rescue it, they stopped, looked at it for a bit and then went on.  A few minutes later the bird seemed to regain its senses and began desperately flapping its wings.  It was so waterlogged it could not get off the water.  It flapped to near exhaustion when out of nowhere a blackback swooped down and struck it a severe blow, but again the gull flew off, leaving the pigeon now limp in the water.  Finally three guys in a rib came out and picked it from the water. They didn't throw it back in so I guess it was still alive and they took it ashore to be revived. Well done whoever you are.

Early count this morning 46 Goosander 16m 30f

End of day visit to Fremington Pill with fading light and light drizzle.  There were a few Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, some Mallard and some Teal.

Spotted Redshank

Redshank

About 180 Shelducks 50 Lapwings 30 Wigeons 10 Teals 5 Greenshanks 1 Curlew 4 Oystercatchers and 2 Spoonbills.

This afternoon on the high tide there were four Purple Sandpiper feeding on the rocks below the promenade.

At Watercress Ponds there were 3 Goosanders (2 drakes), 2 Little Grebes and a flock of 90 Siskins in alders. At Ugbrooke Park there were 420+ Mallard (reared for shooting, along with many Pheasants) and 2 Little Grebes.

Torbay today:

13 Great Northern Divers

8 Common Scoter

6 Common Dolphin

Great Northern Divers

Common Dolphins

A BTO ringed Goldfinch has been visiting my garden feeders since the 28th November having taken numerous photographs of it I have been able to obtain the ring details as AFP5157.

Today a second BTO ringed Goldfinch came into the feeders and may well be AFP5159

The bird 5157 was ringed at Buckfastleigh, (SX7167) on the 10/10/2020.

Goldfinch BTO ring AFP5157.

Goldfinch BTO ring AFP5157.

Another farmland bird count found 715 Skylark but just 12 Yellowhammer & 6 Cirl Bunting, a far cry from the hundreds a couple of years ago. Presume buntings have moved off to find more accessible food. Also: 51 Meadow Pipit, Black Redstart, 23 Magpie, 34 Stock Dove, 22 Blackbird, 14 Redwing, Sparrowhawk, 36 Chaffinch & 60 Starling. A nice bonus was 3 Red-throated Divers flying east close inshore at Soar Mill Cove.

Single, adult winter, Common and Mediterranean Gulls were next to the ponds this morning. The 1st winter drake Scaup also continuing to show well.

Adult winter Common Gull

Adult winter Med Gull

Message from Joan Castello ...... I have just found a Yellow-browed Warbler in the willows of the river path in Totnes, 50 yards downstream from the weir. 

6 Turnstones feeding in the seaweed by the Rowing Club

Turnstone

2 Firecrests, 3 goldcrest and 1 chiffchaff in the holly and oak trees along the brackish stream that runs along the back of Longmarsh. 

At least 12 Water Pipits in the first field N of White Bridge this afternoon, visible from the main footpath along the river, but very mobile as a flock. Also 1 Firecrest along the river.

Goosemoor ~ Greenshank, Redshank, Curlew, Common Gull, Dunlin, Little Egret, Wren, flock of Long Tailed Tit in company with at least one Goldcrest, flyover by a flock of Brent Geese.

From the Viewing platform ~ Large numbers of Black Tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Redshank, Kingfisher, a single Knot, Dunlin, Lapwing, Common Gull, Lesser Black Back Gull, Wigeon, a good sized flock of Brent Geese, by the gate a Chiffchaff.

Goat Walk ~ In excess of 400 Avocet on the far side of the estuary stretching from Turf down to Topsham, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwit, Heron, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Curlew.

On BGM various duck sp's Mallard, Tufted, Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon. Eight Greylag Geese, Heron, a large flock of Canadian Geese flew in along with two Canada hybrids, large numbers of Black Tailed Godwit inc two colour ringed birds.

Curlew

Black-tailed Godwit

2 Firecrest Oxen Cove car park Brixham. Around the bay: 1 Long-tailed Duck (Roundham Head), 8 Common Scoter, 10+ Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebes. 18+ Harbour Porpoise and 10+ Common Dolphins from boat off Berry Head. 1st w drake Scaup Young's Park, Goodrington,11 Cirl Buntings and 2 Yellowhammers Broadsands 2nd car park. 

2 Firecrests ( caught and ringed ) and 8 Goldcrests (4 caught and ringed ) in a regular overwintering site for both species.

Sad to see this dead Diver at Airy Point this morning. 

M Green-Winged Teal here,  Wednesday 9th Dec @13.30 Good nos of wigeon and teal too

14 Avocets in Upper Teign estuary this am.

Avocets

if you want to see for yourself, go to the train station from about 415 pm and you will see clearly 130 plus ringneck parakeets roosting in central reservation

Firecrest in garden Mannamead Plymouth. 7/12/20

To add to Pete's observations of today, a Great Northern Diver was upstream of the Laira Bridge for a good couple of hours.  In the space of about three minutes it was seen swallowing three sizeable fish, including a large flounder that proved difficult to swallow.

This morning at the Lower Lake.

35 Goosander 14m 21f, 5 Willow Tit,  4 Marsh Tit , 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, c25 Snipe, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey 

Shrike at Soussons this pm mobile.

Image of Grey Wag that failed to load with initial post

Grey Wagtail

Portworthy Mica dam ~ Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard,Canada Geese, Little Grebe, Redwing, Wren and sixteen Fallow deer.

Ford Park Cemetery ~ Meadow Pipits and Redwing.

Lopwell Dam ~ Maristow Estate ~ Six Little Grebe, 32 Canada Geese inc two hybrids, three Common Sandpiper, Raven, Mallard, Grey and Pied Wagtail, on leaving a covey of 20 plus Red Legged Partridge.

Cadover Fishing Lakes ~ five plus Cormorant, Moorhen, Mistle Thrush, Redwing and a pair of Goosander.

Meadow Pipit

The adult male Black Redstart in the garden again briefly this morning. As before, a Robin chased it off.

A sharp rise in Dunlin numbers, with 246 (all on Blaxton Meadow). Also, Firecrest, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Stock Dove, Raven, 5 Redwings, 2 Grey Wagtails, 32 Wigeon, Little Grebe, Goosander (redhead), 6 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper & Kingfisher. 

In my garden (Mount Gould, Plymouth) at the moment, up to 3 Blackcaps are regular visitors - 2 males & a female.

Redshank and 1 Black-tailed Godwit still on the scrape. Flock of Lapwing over by Chivenor. Male Stonechat south of the reserve. Water Rails calling, Tawny Owl ditto. A largish bird exiting the reserve looked 'interesting' and closer scrutiny revealed a Peregrine with prey (Blackbird or Water Rail size) making off towards Wrafton.

Most of the ash trees in the Prawle Reserve are suffering from dieback.  A tree surgeon will be cutting down or pollarding the trees that pose a danger to the public.  The work will start on 8 December and should be complete by 11th.  Replacement trees will be planted in the next few weeks.

Apologies for any inconvenience