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
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 April 2020
This morning 0700 at Plymbridge a pair of Goosanders and a solitary male Mandarin duck. Pied and Grey wagtails, Jays, Song thrushes, Blackbirds, Nuthatches, Blue, Great and Coal tits, G.S. Woodpeckers. Several Skylarks and a pair of Canada Geese over Boringdon Golf course.

Goosanders and Mandarin duck at Plymbridge
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 10:20 pm by Bob Barrow in Bird News
8.20 a.m. - flock of exactly 15 fieldfare over Canal Hill, Tiverton (heading north).
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 8:35 pm by James Morrison in Bird News
A walk out onto the moors above South Brent to Glasscombe Corner this afternoon gave Swallows, Meadow Pipits, Stonechat, Skylark, Linnet, Kestrel, Raven, Buzzard, an adult and a juvenile GBBG, the highlight being two male Wheatears my first of the year.
Back at home the would be Italian Sparrow sp back on the feeders, no doubt inspired by the cooler conditions, late afternoon wing slapping Wood pigeons on their nest caught my attention in time to see both birds doing their level best to wing beat off an immature female Sparrowhawk that was raiding their nest, despite their determined efforts it made off with a squab.

Posted April 14th, 2020 at 7:35 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
In the garden today were the usual minageri dunnocks,wrens, numerous blue tits, sparrows, goldfinch blackbirds, and stars of the garden today were greenfinch and a singular long-tailed tit. Overhead circling buzzards and the area sparrow hawk flew over late afternoon. Multitudes of butterfly including alittle blue one that was to fast to capture on camera.



Greenfinch Long-tailed tit Orange tipped butterfly.
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 7:00 pm by Philip worth in Bird News
Late aft bike ride to Saunton & back. 6 Swallows overhead.
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 6:57 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Walked the towpath to Turf and back this morning. Of note:
- a Grasshopper Warbler singing from the tidal reeds just South of the motorway. That makes four heard in three years for me after a gap of at least a decade;
- a Willow Warbler at Countesswear which several times started its normal descending song, but then switched to a slightly stumbling "chiff-chaff". There was a piece about this in BB a couple of years ago, which I think concluded that the fall in Willow numbers in Southern Britain was prompting some males to learn the Chiffchaff''s song, as it is better for their genes to produce hybrid young rather than none;
- Sedge Warblers are now well into double figures and have been joined by two or three Reeds, making for a seven-warbler day;
- two Mallard broods, of three and twelve;
- a final group of four Brent Geese in the estuary off Turf;
- perhaps six Swallows and thirty Sand Martins, but no House yet;
- last week's Avocets and Gadwall have gone, and only one (Common) Ringed Plover was left on the new scrapes;
- a Weasel ran across the cycle track near the viewing platform.
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 4:27 pm by James Camden in Bird News
Someone was asking on Twitter whether Greenfinch numbers were increasing? Last spring I was getting 3-4 Greenfinches at a time; this spring it has been 5-6 on the feeders - so it looks like there is a recovery of sorts.

Posted April 14th, 2020 at 3:34 pm by Martin Overy in Bird News
Nigel Smallbones recorded today; still 9 Purple Sandpiper on the Breakwater this morning and two Great Northern Divers.

Great Northern Divers
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 3:10 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Eds: could all contributors please use the title box for all sightings posts for the site (in full name) so readers know where it is and label the photos with the species name.
Blackcap, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, a loving pair of Magpies and a squirrel hanging upside down on the bird feeders. Other wildlife, Female and Male Orange tips, small & large whites, Holly blues M & F

Posted April 14th, 2020 at 2:22 pm by Greg Bradbury in Bird News
A fine weather walk to the Tamar gave sightings of 2 Shelduck, a Little egret, 6 Singing Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, a flyover Kestrel and a distant Buzzard, on the way home 2 male Blackcap chasing an agitated female, and a pair of Grey Wagtails catching flies. Speckled wood, Small white, Orange tip and Holly blue butterflies also seen.
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 1:40 pm by Alan Livsey in Bird News
About 25 Sand Martins half a dozen House Martins and a Swallow between the pond and the scrape this morning one each of Sedge and Reed Warblers in the nearby Sherpa Marsh reed-bed (both unseen)
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 1:37 pm by jon turner in Bird News
Cattle Egret by the scrape this morning.

Poor record shot
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 1:35 pm by jon turner in Bird News
1030 to 1130. A loose restless flock of 20 -30 Linnets singing and calling
Also Chiffchaffs, Stonechats, Robins, Dunnock, Wren, Thrush, B'bird, Blue and Great Tits. Stock Dove on farm building. Rock Pipit near stream's mouth.
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 1:25 pm by Abraham Cutajar in Bird News
Late news from Saturday 11th April.
Red Kite over our house at 3.50pm flying north.
Still no Swallows or House Martins seen.
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 12:14 pm by David Leigh in Bird News
W/P bird on sea, In Boat cove, seen from bedroom window in Oakland park
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 11:34 am by Paul Barker in Bird News
I'll not bore you with the entire reply that I received from Norway but it appears the Redshank has been spotted and reported by a number of Devon birders over the last couple of years or so. The reply also had the email addresses of the reporters. I have hidden part of the email addresses to preserve their owners privacy.
I hope you Will see earlier reports about the Redshank.
Kjell
The Norwegian Common Redshank-project, c/o Kjell Mork Soot,
Hareidsvegen 234,N-6060 Hareid, Norway Hareid, Norway 27.01.2020
Robert Jutsum, UK (Email:rob.jutsum@***********)
Thank you very much for taking the time to report to us details of the sighting of a flagged Common Redshank (Tringa totanus). Information about this bird and its movement is given below:
Ring no : Stavanger 7218391 Orange flag HAE ( Left tarsus : metal ring . Left tibia: yellow colour ring. Right tibia: orange flag engraved with three black letters HAE). LAY:LBM:RAON(HAE) F
Age/sex /biometric: 2K + ( hatched 2016 or before ). Wing 168 mm. Weight 158 g.
Ringing date: 09.09.2017, 18 hrs.
Ringing place: Revtangen (58*45'11''N-005*29'24''E) (Revtangen Ornithological Station), Klepp, Rogaland, Norway. Caught in walk-in-trap. Ringer: Håvard Husebø / Revtangen OS
Finding date: 22.10.2017 Observed: Fremington Pill (51*04'31''N-004*07'11''W) Taw Estuary, Devon, England.
Distance : 1049 km SSW. Direction: 220 deg. Time: 0-1-18 (1 month-18 days after ringing.). Remarks : Photo documented by Phil Naylor. Distinct photo.
Finding date: 15.11.2017
Observed: Fremington Pill (51*04'31''N-004*07'11''W) Taw Estuary, Devon, England.
Distance : 1049 km SSW. Direction: 220 deg. Time: 0-2-6 (2 month-6 days after ringing.).
Remarks : Observed by Norman Briden. Reported by Chris Dee.
Finding date: 26.03.2018
Observed: Fremington Pill (51*04'31''N-004*07'11''W) Taw Estuary, Devon, England.
Distance : 1049 km SSW. Direction: 220 deg. Time: 0-6-17 (6 months-17 days after ringing.).
Remarks : Photo documented by Jan Whittington. Reported by Tim Davis.
Finding date: 03.12.2018
Observed: Fremington Pill (51*04'31''N-004*07'11''W) Taw Estuary, Devon, England.
Distance : 1049 km SSW. Direction: 220 deg. Time: 0-6-17 (6 months-17 days after ringing.).
Remarks : Observed by Edward Stubbings,
(Email: edwardstubbings************)
Finding date: 21.11.2019, 13:00 hrs.
Observed: Fremington Pill (51*04'31''N-004*07'11''W) Taw Estuary, Devon, England.
Distance : 1049 km SSW. Direction: 220 deg. Time: 2-2-12 (2 years-2
months-12 days after ringing.).
Remarks : Photo documented by Phil & Sue Naylor. Distinct photo.
Finding date: 21.01.2020, - hrs.
Observed: Fremington Pill (51*04'31''N-004*07'11''W) Taw Estuary, Devon, England.
Distance : 1049 km SSW. Direction: 220 deg. Time: 2-4-12 (2 years-4 months-12 days after ringing.).
Remarks : Photo documented by Robert Jutsum, email:rob.jutsum@***********
The list and information goes on and on.
Posted April 14th, 2020 at 1:02 am by Martin Bennett in Bird News
Monday 13th April 2020
One female pied flycatcher this afternoon.
Posted April 13th, 2020 at 6:33 pm by Jane Penton in Bird News
Cuckoo heard then seen flying up toward Cairn this pm.
Posted April 13th, 2020 at 6:05 pm by Martin Thorne in Bird News
My lockdown list has got a bit stale in the last few days, but was brightened no end by a Canary ( domesticated) landing on the chair beside me in the garden. It stayed for all of ten seconds then flew west.
Posted April 13th, 2020 at 5:48 pm by Fred Ferguson in Bird News
continued

Speckled wood Willow Warbler
Eds: question the Willow Warbler.. The leg colour, dark bill, prominent lower eye ring, weak supercilium, wing length dumpy bodied and long tailed jizz would all suggest this is a Chiffchaff..
Posted April 13th, 2020 at 5:47 pm by Martin Bennett in Bird News
My morning walk today proved fruitful. My route from Roundswell, through Anchor wood, along the river to fremington quay, Fremington Pill and along the main road back to Roundswell. On route, sightings - 1 common gull in a group of 6 or 7 Shelduck , around 30 Shelduck in various sized groups, 5 Curlew, 1 Cormorant, 2 Greater Black-backed gulls, 2 Little Egret, (Penhill point). 2 Willow Warblers,1 Great tit and a Blackbird and 1 Orange-tip Butterfly (Fremington quay). 2 Swallows (my first of the year at Fremington Pill). Heard - 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Blue tit, 1 Blackcap, 2 Dunnock, 4 Wrens and 2 Speckled wood Butterflies at various points along the route.

Shelduck and Common gull Orange-tip Willow Warbler
Posted April 13th, 2020 at 5:44 pm by Martin Bennett in Bird News
A small selection of common spring moths from last night.



Early Grey. Common Quaker A richly coloured Red Chestnut
Posted April 13th, 2020 at 3:12 pm by Alan K. Searle. in Other Wildlife
It is around 14 years since I heard a Whitethroat sing from the Devon hedge along the back of my flat, which used to be a regular springtime thing. This afternoon (13 April) I was checking the hawthorns when a 'sparrow' didn't look quite right. When it briefly broke the cover of emerging leaves, it clearly had a white throat. I am not familiar with the lesser whitethroat so I came straight in and compared the two species online. It had very quietly uttered some subsong, so from that and the size and browner colours I am pretty sure this was a Common Whitethroat
Posted April 13th, 2020 at 2:05 pm by Aubrey McKenzie in Bird News
Red Kite drifted over our house in the strong easterly wind at Dunkeswell around lunchtime. The first we have seen here after 14 years living here.
Posted April 13th, 2020 at 1:45 pm by Peter Lamb in Bird News
A noisy Grey-lag Goose was on the scrape this morning, and 3 House Martins over the reserve.- first this year.
Posted April 13th, 2020 at 1:08 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Early morning walk to Plymbridge where there was a solitary female Goosander on the river. Lots of Blackcaps singing and Jays, Nuthatches, Magpies G.S. Woodpecker, Song thrush, Blue and Great tits, Wrens Robins and Dunnocks in the surrounding woods. A Kestrel and Sparrowhawk at Hilltops. Lots of Skylarks over Boringdon golf course and a fleeting glimpse of a hen Wheatear, my first of the year.
Posted April 13th, 2020 at 12:04 pm by Bob Barrow in Bird News
Sunday 12th April 2020
Largest lockdown list from garden today ! 36 species in total with one new addition being a calling Willow Tit.(First sighting in over six years at this location). Also local House Martins finally on site. No Red kite today but did see one of the four reported in the area yesterday afternoon.
Posted April 12th, 2020 at 9:37 pm by Clive Mason in Bird News
Finally 5 sallows at Saunton golf club while walking on the bridal path by the large golf club reservoir and 1 flew over our house on pixie lane. Also saw stonechat, skylarks, buzzards, Renault wheatear and a adder
Posted April 12th, 2020 at 6:38 pm by Kevin Lymer in Bird News
At 11.30 am this morning a Red Kite flew low over our house through the village.
Posted April 12th, 2020 at 6:17 pm by Vic & Sylvia Tucker in Bird News
A walk along the edge of Dartmoor above South Brent first thing this morning, five Raven, a male Blackcap and a Willow Warbler disputing ownership of a sought after perch, Meadow Pipit and Skylark in good numbers, Green Woodpecker calling, a male Reed Bunting and several Yellow Hammer, Stonechat with female gathering nesting material, flyover Heron, a year tick with a female Redpoll and a buck Roe deer.
The first Cuckoos are being reported above the village but they evaded my efforts this morning.






Back at home my usually vocal Green Woodpecker pair have become rather quiet but can be seen periodically around their nest site tree, male Blackcap singing well and back on his previous nesting territory, GSWP, several pairs of House Sparrows busy around the nest boxes and the would be Italian Sparrow showed up today having been notable by his absence for the last couple of days, possibly simply missing him around the feeders which being much quieter are not be given as much attention.
Dunnock nest in the garden predated by Magpies.
Female Peregrine buzzing a soaring Buzzard over Brent Hill. Yesterday afternoon an immature female Sparrow hawk crashed into the garden hedge in full pursuit of a fleeing male Blackbird, how on earth it didn't come to serious harm is beyond me, during the night a Barn owl calling towards the A38 and at least four Tawny owls calling away.
Posted April 12th, 2020 at 5:43 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
A Red Kite over the house again today the second in two days. Drifted over at 16.00 hrs going north. I just happened to look up as it passed overhead so another lucky sighing! Todays was an hour later than yesterday.
Posted April 12th, 2020 at 4:14 pm by Jonathan Ruscoe in Bird News
A Single bird drifting north over Kingsteignton at 1345hrs
Posted April 12th, 2020 at 3:08 pm by JDA in Bird News
Cycled out to Berry Head - brief look off the top of the headland produced a raft of over 300 Manx Shearwaters (originally estimated at 200+) see video here https://youtu.be/nfUagyLij1U . Also on site singing and displaying Whitethroat, Willow Warbler a pair of Swallows the Guillemot colony looking busy with all the ledges crammed full - no Kittiwakes today. My first two Wall butterflys of the spring were right at the end of the head and a few white Rock Rose'e just begining to flower.

Posted April 12th, 2020 at 1:38 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Heard passing Dawlish 07:35 this a.m. One of my favourite sounds.
Posted April 12th, 2020 at 11:42 am by Dave Cox in Bird News
Small, about a foot long, and very brightly coloured grass snake moving through the vegetation on bank of Scratchyface Lane.
Posted April 12th, 2020 at 8:43 am by JacquieB in Other Wildlife
Saturday 11th April 2020
At 17.00 in ploughed field opposite my house . A local patch first .
what a lockdown record . Poor record shots on thurlestonebaybirds.co.uk
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 7:13 pm by Mike PASSMAN in Bird News
A beautiful male Redstart, no photo, will have another look tomorrow.
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 6:44 pm by John elvin in Bird News
4 Red Kites (not all seen by me) north over Chelston today - 2 at 11.50am, 1 at 2.40pm and 1 at 2.55pm- also 1 Swallow north and 4 House Martins.
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 4:39 pm by Mark Bailey in Bird News
Red Kite drifted over moving east. Spotted by Caroline Stevens and Pete
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 4:35 pm by Pete Stevens in Bird News
Red Kite over house at height at 2.45pm, drifting north towards Whimple. 2 local Buzzards in sky at same time. Made a little excitement and a contrast to painting the house!
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 3:09 pm by Jonathan Ruscoe in Bird News
12.05pm Red Kite flying North East over Teignmouth
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 3:02 pm by Robert Kent in Bird News
A Pied Flycatcher singing nicely this morning, the first of the year here.
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 2:57 pm by Andy Smitb in Bird News
1 Common Whitethroat in hedgerow along Saunton Road & another at Downend + 1 male Wheatear. Cycled from Braunton.

Posted April 11th, 2020 at 2:06 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
At last - minimum of 3 reed warblers heard in Higher Ley, not in full song but enough to advertise their presence.
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 1:46 pm by Graham Burton in Bird News
Common Sandpiper again between the Toll house and Marstage Farm. 3 Wheatears down near the estuary. Family of 12 Mallard ducklings on the main pool at Sherpa. No Hirundines again.
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 1:34 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Sue and I have continued our walks around the southern part of Chudleigh, yesterday reaching 52 species of birds, 11 mammals, 3 herpetiles (Slow-worm and Palmate and Smooth Newts in our garden), 11 butterflies and 2 dragonflies (first Large Red Damselfly emerged on the 8th and a large Emperor larva in our pond). Best among the birds lately have been a pair of Goosanders circling near the Teign yesterday, Tawny Owl, the first Swallow on the 7th, a good arrival of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, a newly-fledged Robin on 9th and a pair of Linnets (now rare locally).
Mammals have been boosted by evening walks with bat detectors, so we've located Greater and Lesser Horseshoes, Noctule, Daubenton's and Common and Soprano Pipistrelles, as well as 4 Rabbits (rare locally), 3 Roe Deer, Fox, Hedgehog and Grey Squirrel. We've also put out some 'Dormouse tubes', so we're hoping to confirm that they're still around. Butterflies have included the commoner species, including a few Holly Blues and a nice hatching of Orange-tips (first egg found on Lady's Smock yesterday). Several Dark-edge Bee-flies and a several mining bees that I haven't put names to yet have added to the interest. We haven't got around to compiling a plant list yet, but the last few weeks have seen wonderful displays of Primroses, Wild Daffodils and Wood Anemones, with lots more species now bursting on the scene. It was good to see the parasitic Toothwort flowering in the woods, where Wych Elms are starting to flower and the leaves of Small-leaved Limes are showing bright yellow-green. It's a lovely time of year!

Flower Crab Spider Large Red Damselfly Dark-edged Bee-fly
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 11:46 am by Dave Smallshire in Bird News
First time I've witnessed a Bee-fly flicking it's eggs into a Solitary bees nest. You can see the eggs at the back of the Bee-fly. First she would have covered them in mud to give them some weight.

Bombylius major Bombylius major
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 8:40 am by Richie Moore in Other Wildlife
Around and near the garden



Walnut Orb Spider Common Lizard (earliest seen) Roe Deer
Posted April 11th, 2020 at 8:03 am by Geoff Mitchell in Other Wildlife
Friday 10th April 2020
A fledgling blackbird on allotment this evening. Also a Holly Blue and a Brimstone butterfly.
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 10:28 pm by Joe Higman in Bird News
A white zebra finch landed on my patio earlier.
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 9:12 pm by Charlie Imms in Bird News
out on my daily walk lots of bird life around today female Blackcap 2 Bullfinch 6 Goldfinch 2 Yellowhammer 8 Skylark 2 Chiffchaff 4 Swallow 1 Stock Dove 2Jay 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Kestrel 2 Buzzard and 7 Wheatear in a newly ploughed field plus all the usual birds. Also 1 female Roe deer in garden first thing this morning
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 7:59 pm by Roger Backway in Bird News
Four ring necked parakeets around our garden in Wonford. seen off by nesting crows 19.00 to approx19.30.
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 7:56 pm by Howard Flower in Bird News
10 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, small flocks of Linnet Stonechat,Meadow Pipits,Pied Wagtail," Greenfinch,2,Goldfinch2,Wheatear 1male 1female.



Willow Warbler. Blackcap Chiffchaff.
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 7:06 pm by john elvin in Bird News
Easterly wind so the expected arrival came around midday with another 39 Common Buzzards moving NE, bringing the running total to 266 migrants so far since late March. Still no Kites though!
Also today: 3 Sparrowhawks, Raven, 2 Swallows & 2 House Martins. In the pond our first ever Grass Snake plus a toad getting out of the way! First Holly Blue.
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 5:11 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Walked again around Sherpa Marsh this morning - very quiet - best was a migrant Common Sandpiper on the Pill between Velator and Marstage Farm. Once again a lone Oystercatcher by the ponds..
In the reserve 8 Butterfly species: Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue and Orange-tip.
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 5:11 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Just seen 8 house martins over the Village, one swallow near the church looking like it’s planning to stay, mating mallard in the garden pond and female blackbird carrying worms into next doors garden. The robin is still on the nest and mating blue tits too. Feels like it is all kicking off!
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 5:06 pm by Fiona Freshney in Bird News
I've been watching the Wood Pigeon nest in the trees about 20 meters from my bedroom window since they were sat on the eggs. Here are the chicks about 3 weeks old , I think.

Posted April 10th, 2020 at 4:15 pm by Peter Castle in Bird News
A very fresh Yellow Barred Brindle. Quite early for this species.

Yellow Barred Brindle .
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 3:07 pm by Alan K. Searle. in Other Wildlife
Osprey drifting north this morning at 11.20am,
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 2:43 pm by Andrew Hickson in Bird News
Cycled out to Saunton this morning for daily exercise routine.
15 'alba' Wagtails (Continental race) seen on passage.
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 2:32 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Red Kite

Posted April 10th, 2020 at 2:11 pm by Geoff Mitchell in Bird News
Just doing a bit of gardening in Laira & 2 Red Kites have just gone overhead towards Marsh Mills.
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 10:28 am by Martin Phillips in Bird News
Still 3 goldeneye on the Ley - 2 males, 1 female. Small groups of swallows now regularly appearing, house martins in the village, procession of willow warblers in ley side trees.
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 10:16 am by Graham Burton in Bird News
I've just seen the post about Ring-Necked Parakeets earlier in the week. I saw them over Marsh Barton on Wednesday, c6pm.
Posted April 10th, 2020 at 9:14 am by Alan Ford in Bird News
Thursday 9th April 2020
4 House Martins over the town, early pm.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 11:23 pm by Andy Smith in Bird News
Swallow right on the Devon Cornwall border hawking along the Tamar. Out working delivering shopping. Plenty of Orange tips and Brimstones around the nearby lanes too.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 8:58 pm by Charlie Imms in Bird News
Excellent views of a pristine Painted Lady at Musbury yesterday.Must have come in on these southerly winds. Sorry - no photo.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 8:29 pm by Mike Lock in Other Wildlife
Male Pied Flycatcher seen at 13:00 hours
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 8:21 pm by Fiona Moffatt in Bird News
1 singing Whitethroat am,1 Swallow pm over the house.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 7:28 pm by Vic & Sylvia Tucker in Bird News
An Adult Fm. Marsh Harrier quartering low over the reeds between Torcross and the middle car park this evening. Presumably the bird reported by Graham over the HigherLey onTuesday evening.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 7:01 pm by Alan K. Searle in Bird News
While out observing the 'pink super moon' last night from 2215 to 2235 a Spotted Crake was very clearly audible and not too distant, presumably in the bottom of the valley in front of the house in wet/marshy streamside habitat.
No doubt a singing migrant and unlikely to hang around but I will listen out later and get a recording if still present and calling.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 6:52 pm by Richard J Berridge in Bird News
Osprey at 3.30 pm then flew towards Topsham, What I presume is the Slavonian grebe in its third week at the Turf and several swallows visiting last year's nesting sites.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 6:20 pm by John Waldon in Bird News
1 Red Kite over Paignton at 11-15am. another over about an hour later

Posted April 9th, 2020 at 4:39 pm by Tony Sherwood in Bird News
Perfect conditions today and did not disappoint with 57 Common Buzzards moving generally NE between 11:10 & 16:20hrs - running total now 227 - there is something to be said for a lockdown. Our house is at the head of the valley above Slapton and the buzzards use the thermals created to gain height before moving off. The gulls do it too! Bout time I had a stork!
Also today: Garden Warbler (garden tick), Sparrowhawk, 2 Swallow, Starling (rare here) & 3 House Martin.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 4:35 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
A pair of Goosander a Dipper and a Swallow at Plymbridge this morning at 0700. Yesterday morning disturbed a Little Egret and a Dipper on the Tory brook at Peacock Meadow.also Raven overfly
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 3:18 pm by Bob Barrow in Bird News
Please note, the bird hide at Dawlish Warren nature reserve is closed until further notice, and birders should not be making special journeys by car to visit the reserve (as some still are). Thanks for your cooperation and stay safe!
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 2:22 pm by Stephen Edwards in Bird News
Wimbrel heard this morning on R.Caen & a good fall of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler & Blackcap in Braunton Burrows (The Toll Road & Sandy Lane car park is closed until further notice so do not turn up in the car as there is nowhere to park)
If you want to hear the bird song I'm afraid you have to leg it!
Photo 1:- R.Caen at high tide (10.1m) taken from Crossbanks.
Photo 2:- Horsey at high tide.
Photo 3:- Orange tip m taken on 07/04/2020



Posted April 9th, 2020 at 12:38 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Woodmouse with a taste for suet pellets making an early start on the ground feeder this morning. 2 Swallows flew over on 6th and a single on the 7th April

Woodmouse
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 12:24 pm by Derek Stacey in Other Wildlife
Lovely to see 4 swallows. My first of the year. Shoveller and shelduck. Blackcap. Was that a Cettis I heard ? Also a magnificent hare !
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 11:38 am by Steve Ross in Bird News
Osprey being harassed by gulls over Heavitree are of Exeter heading north
Fantastic garden tick
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 11:36 am by DI Brooker in Bird News
Early this morning a pair of Sparrowhawk circling over the garden. Just now c.10.45 a Red Kite flew north over the garden. Not nearly the pandemonium that the Osprey caused last week.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 11:15 am by Martin Unwin in Bird News
During our daily walk this morning, we saw four ring-necked parakeets flying together over Ducke's Marsh, Exeter, towards the A38, south easterly direction. Unmistakable, but no photo could be taken.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 11:12 am by Sam Stripp in Bird News
Quick walk in the woods this morning lots of bird activity new birds to my widey list included nuthatch .coal tit .. 2 parakeets in the tree tops..also good to see great tits taking nesting material to one of my nest boxes
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 10:25 am by Mike Williams in Bird News
Swallows have just arrived - in and out of the garage this morning. Great to see them back.
Posted April 9th, 2020 at 9:38 am by Mark West in Bird News
Wednesday 8th April 2020
Male Pied Wagtail in trees lining Feather bed lane at 13:00 hours
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 9:30 pm by Fiona Moffatt in Bird News
Red kite flying north about 4.00pm.
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 6:59 pm by Graham burton in Bird News
On a local cycle ride, exercising our thigh muscles (!) whilst keeping our distance from other cyclists on the trail, we managed to see most of the early Summer migrants we had hoped for, including Reed Warbler, and Swallow by the entrance path to the RSPB Exminster Marshes Reserve-which is CLOSED, Sedge Warbler by the cycle trail and several singing Willow Warblers. There was also a Black-tailed Godwit in full summer plumage by the scrapes and a Green Sandpiper flew up nearby. Several pairs of Shelduck appeared to be starting courtship displays and a small flock of Wigeon and Teal were also by the shallow marsh area near the entrance road. A Whimbrel was calling from the Estuary on our return route. It was a superb sunny afternoon and we had a total of 52 species between Powderham and the marshes.
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 6:21 pm by Nick D'Agorne in Bird News
16 more Buzzards NE today but probably missed a load as had to do a food drop to our elderly in-laws at Modbury. Running total now 170. Did get Red Kite on way back though!! Also 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers in garden.
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 6:09 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
2 Red Kites over Paignton at 5 pm heading north.
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 5:13 pm by Tony Sherwood in Bird News
Red Kite over Ambrosia in Tinhay 16:50
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 4:54 pm by David Boddy in Bird News
Walked down to Sherpa Marsh this morning, more in hope than expectation, but surprised to hear and then see a Reed Warbler and also hear but not see a Sedge Warbler. Another Sedge was singing (again unseen) in the reserve.
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 4:26 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
On our now regular evening walk up the brook, the 7:15pm Dipper showed up exactly on time. Only a little further upstream a Sparrowhawk was standing on its very recent kill, as yet unplucked. We were worried that it could have been the Dipper's mate, but were relieved to see it was a Blackbird. On the return at 8:50 the Dipper was still there, as were a few Daubenton's and Pipistrelle bats in the daylight.
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 1:47 pm by Chris & Janet Marcol in Bird News
The 16 Sandwich Terns that came off passage into Plymouth on the 5th have all departed today. A dearth of passerine migrants during this same period is unaltered expect for 5 Willow Warblers and 2 Sedge Warblers being the sole obviously new arrivals at Jennycliff.
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 12:35 pm by Vic & Sylvia Tucker in Bird News
A walk round my home fields this morning gave GSWP, Green Woodpecker, pair of Blackcap, Chiffchaff , two Stock Dove over, Song Thrush in full song, possible Willow Warbler (on call) and a pair of Bullfinch.
A cycle ride down to Ivybridge and back gave a Red Kite high over the centre of Ivybridge slowly drifting towards Plymouth. From the state of its tail almost certainly the same bird recently seen at South Brent, given the height and poor light it could easily be mistaken for a Black Kite.
At Bittaford a Chiffchaff and Song Thrush, Blackcap and Chiffchaff at Wrangaton.
On coming back into South Brent a pair of Swallow chasing each other over Exeter Road, the first village Swallows for me this year.
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 11:37 am by Steve Hopper in Bird News
Seen at 10:56am over Ivybridge thermalling with the gulls. Same bird with a worn tail seen over South Brent.
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 11:02 am by Paul in Bird News
Red Kite flew east past garden at 09:45
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 10:53 am by Will Salmon in Bird News
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 10:31 am by Rupert Kirkwood in Bird News
Early evening walk, 1 adult female marsh harrier over the Higher Ley. Straining ears for reed warbler but no luck yet - usually one or two in by now.
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 10:26 am by graham burton in Bird News
Cycled around great field yesterday. Saw several Buzzards, kestrel, Sparrow hawk, barn owl and on the Cane 2 Common Turns-and heard 3 Cetti’s warblers as well as the usual’s
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 8:03 am by Kevin Lymer in Bird News
Nice to see 5 swallows fly in, 2 shellducks circling the bay and chiffchaffs in the hedge opposite the garden.


Shelduck Chiffchaff
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 6:32 am by Richie Moore in Bird News
From the garden at Hope cove Lots of Sandwich terns diving in for sandeels. A few stock doves flying around and a Kestrel chased across the bay by the gulls



Kestrel Sandwich Tern Stock Dove
Posted April 8th, 2020 at 6:26 am by Richie Moore in Bird News