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.  

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.

4 Red Kits over Hallsands last Sunday. Garden a delight with fledgling Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock and Blue tit plus a juvenile field mouse collecting scraps from bird feeders.

I seem to have been the only birder in Devon not to have seen a Red Kite from my house during lockdown - until today!  After 33 years of not seeing one in Chudleigh parish, finally I saw one at 3 pm flying north up the Teign Valley.  I gather one was also seen over Beggar's Bush, Haldon (within the parish), on the 12th.  My lockdown total for the parish is now 73 species. This includes breeding Mandarin Ducks and Dippers on the Teign, plus occasional Goosanders and a Hobby. Highlights on the Haldon fringe have included 4 pairs of Stonechat, 3 of Tree Pipit, masses of Siskins, a few Lesser Redpolls and at least 70 Crossbills, including young being fed. Notably missing so far: Whitethroat and Nightjar, although I haven't looked for the latter yet!

In the evenings we've been tracing the commuting routes of Greater Horseshoe Bats exiting south from Chudleigh Caves, to predict how they will cope with housing developments. Dormouse monitoring has started, with our first nest on the very edge of town. Botanical surveys have resulted in the discovery of over 1000 Adder's-tongue in one field, Bastard Balm in a superb hedgebank and a steep meadow covered in Early Purple Orchids; the main Greater Butterfly Orchid count will be tomorrow. There is more to life than birds!

I have been asked to post that Grace Bushell on 4th May heard a Cuckoo at 5am from her house at Woolwell, Plymouth PL6

Out and about today morning visit to Instow saw and heard Blackcaps, linnets and Whitethroats. Afternoon visit to Wrafton pond and Braunton Borrows. Saw pair of Mute Swans with six signets, a Mallard (f) with two ducklings. heard Cetti's Warbler across the pond and sedge Warblers in the bushes along side the path.

Blackcap                                   Whitethroat                                 Mute Swans with signets

Walked the loop past the obelisk and then the tracks across the road this morning, to round up the usual suspects: Crossbill, Redpoll, Siskin, Tree Pipit, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Yellowhammer, Stonechat, Treecreeper etc. Song from all despite the cold wind.

Bonus birds were a Tawny Owl roosting in a spruce, and an invisible Redstart singing from some Oaks lower down the slope.

Also, c20 Ravens were very active and vocal on the E. side. Did not look like a systematic territorial fight, so wonder if they are this year's young from the wider area establishing their places in the hierarchy of the "teenage" flock.

3m Swift, 2 Grey Heron, 6 Cormorant, 30+Swallow, c20 House Martins, 22 Canada Geese plus 4 Goslings, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Moorhen.

Also

1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Peregrine Northam.

Red Kite drifting north up the Axe valley at 11 a.m, between Musbury and Whitford

Great views of both Little Bittern at Radford Park Lake and Woodchat Shrike at Wembury earlier today

  
Woodchat Shrike                                   Little Bittern                                    Little Bittern

This morning, the Woodchat shrike in front of the radar station, several Whitethroat, 2 Whimbrel on the beach and 2 Swift overhead. At Radford Park lake, Plymouth, 1 Little Bittern (probably a female).

Whitethroat

Woodchat Shrike

Little Bittern

Had good views of Little Bittern this morning fishing.i

Red Kite reported this morning.

Female Little Bittern showing well in dead fallen trees on lake edge first thing. 

Little Bittern

A few moths overnight in less than ideal conditions

Muslin Moth

Nut-tree Tussock

The shrike still at the same location as Vic posted yesterday. Park in NT car park, go over righthand gate and view near pine trees looking towards the radar station. The bird favours the gorse bushes just beyond the pines.

A solitary Spoonbill feeding on Black Hole Marsh, Seaton Wetlands Weds evening 13 May. 
Sadly no camera, but a fascination 30 mins watching his energetic feeding. 

1 Red Kite over the A38/A379 junction just north of Kennford, early evening.

2 young Dippers being fed by parents on the Erme in Ivybridge. Great close up views but no camera, typical. 

Red Kite over the A39 just west of Barnstaple this morning about 9.45. Flushed a Grey Partridge from the roadside driving along the lane to my field just before Hearson Cross this afternoon.

A single red kite low over the field behind the house this afternoon, as the sillage was being picked up. It slowly departed eastwards, harassed by 3 crows then drifted on serenely as they lost interest.

Lovely male Pied Flycatcher, 4 Spotted flycatchers 1 being female, 2 Wood Warblers, many Blackcap, 1Nuthach,young Thrush and good numbers of Swallows and Martins. Little further from home today. 

First time out under new Lockdown rules was fruitful. At least 8 Whinchats (5m, 3f), 10 Crossbills, 1 Redstart (m), 2 Tree Pipits, several Cuckoos and Green Woodpeckers plus good numbers of Willow Warblers.

At Hms Cambridge a Woodchat Shrike, found by Jenny Stidson. Park at NT car park, on left out of car park a private rd,walk up towards lay-by on left look towards radar mast and lone pine tree.

Not known as a birding hotspot, and despite human activity and an infestation of dogs, walks around Uffculme can be interesting and often rewarding. A total of 77 species have been recorded in the parish during 2020.

My recent highlights include a Cuckoo on 8/5 (the first I have seen in the parish for over 20 years); 2 Red Kites on 12/5, one right above my house; frequent Sparrowhawk sightings including  the kill of a pigeon on my front lawn; many Buzzards with over 20 seen yesterday; and a group of around 20 Swifts circling Coldharbour Mill, a local nesting site.

It is also good to report breeding of Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Moorhen, Buzzard and apparently Stonechat (very rare here). I have also noticed the high number of Blackcaps around, many in pairs and hopefully breeding as well.

Red Kite flew over my Paignton garden yesterday. It was being mobbed by herring gulls and crow.it was unperturbed just carried on past,giving me great views

More from my walk. A female Blackcap and Butterfly (not sure of type) does anybody what it is? And a Curlew with a missing leg seen at the head of Fremington Pill.

Blackcap                          Curlew                                 Butterfly

Eds: The butterfly is a Speckled Wood

Out again today around my usual route. Got lucky with the birds The Cetti's Warbler, Willow Warbler and White Throat were happy to pose for my camera.  I caught a glimpse of a Female Blackcap but the male remained hidden.

Cetti's Warbler                             Whitethroat                                   Willow Warbler

Red Kite seen today 13th May over my garden in Lydford. The first one I’ve seen since moving here a year ago. Beautiful  

Finches in the garden this evening

Greenfinch                          Goldfinch

Red Start, Grey Wagtail, Wheatear, Stonechat,

2 Cuckoos, both being chased off by Pipits. 

6 ringneck parakeet including unusual bright yellow juvenile

Photos of 2 of the 3 Red Kites seen over East Teignmouth this morning

The red-legged partridge, which we first reported end of April, has been a regular but quite wary visitor to our garden, so it was a bit of a surprise to see it sitting comfortably on top of an outhouse close to the house. I managed to grab this quick record shot through the bathroom window with my phone.

Red-legged Partridge

A gorgeous Blackcap announcing his territory and a Redstart . 

No roosting Goosanders this am for the first time since September. Instead, a pair of Great Crested Grebes - regular non-breeding visitors at this time of year. 

Great Crested Grebe

There has been a steady passage of raptors moving NE over East Teignmouth Today, with 6 Common Buzzards and 3 Red Kites, often pursued by Carrion Crows. 2 Swifts also seen on migration with 2 Swallows and a few House Martins.

Red Kite sighting.  Midday on 12 05 2020. Single bird heading north, being harassed by a crow.  

Other nearby sightings help to confirm identification, as I was surprised. 

This morning all along the coast plenty of Whimbrels were hunkerd down from the N east wind, largest group was a flock of 7 and not much else apart from a few Gannets. 

Recently just after dark waders that sound like Greenshanks are circling and calling over the town then heading out toward the sea. 

  
Whimbrels

Just a few moths in the light-trap over the weekend and before the cold winds set in.

  
Great Prominent head shot          Chocolate-tip - a new moth for me                  Buff-tip

What Seagulls are good at, collecting rubbish

Red kite flying over the site this morning towards bircham woods.

At least 5 Red Kites overhead at the same time near my home village of Dolton this afternoon, one came fairly close with lovely views in the binoculars.

Andy Gooch

Along my usual walk to Tews Lane with my dog, I used my iphone pro to capture this photo of a Song Thrush sitting about 4 metres up a tree. Not brilliant quality but good enough considering that it came from my phone camera's telephoto lens.

Song Thrush

Red Kite seen scavenging around the marsh 8.30am being mobbed by crows before landing to feed on fence post near the main lagoon from the cycle track.

  
Red Kite

Best I could find today - difficult to photograph - I kept getting blown about!

Common Sandpiper

While in the reserve this morning I took a call from Ian Wicks, who told me of the passing of his father, and Devon Birds stalwart, and indeed my predecessor as warden of the Velator reserve John Wicks, on Saturday. He had been ill for a while but passed away peacefully. Nothing to do with the current crisis.

Red Kites south at 09:45 and 10:30 yesterday, and another at rooftop height at 09:00 this morning.

Red Kite circling and calling Paignton Devon AM 10 May 2020 

Seems to be a lot around at the moment, but nice to see one glide right over my house on the edge of the southern moors (above Buckfast), unfortunately wind was too fast to grab a shot but nice to see!

Juvenile dipper today on riverside walk. Skipped around before disappearing into a cave to the side of the weir.

Lone red kite spotted circling near Eaglescott Airfield ,9.15 Mon 11th May

10/5/20 Cuckoo flying overhead at Butterbrook, making strange rattling call rather than 'cuckooing'. Dipper on River Erme under A38, lovely to see at about 5 metres.

Apologies to the editors for failing to mention the location of the 7 Red Kites reported over the village yesterday.

Cuckoo calling close by throughout the day Sunday. First time heard at this location for years! Two pairs of swallows also returned to their nest sites on Saturday.

Forgot to mention the sighting of a pair of Lesser Black-backed gulls near  Penhill.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

More from my walk.

Dunnock                             Willow Warbler                         Curlew 

Red Kite circling and calling over Preston Down Paignton 10th May 2020 

Single red kite at 09.00 circling high and drifting SW over West Sandford 

Another walk around the circuit for me today.  Got a very lucky but quick shot of a shy Cetti's warbler near Anchor wood. Further along a Willow warbler decided to pose for my camera.  At the top end of Fremington Pill a Chaffinch appeared on a phone wire above my head.

Cetti's Warbler

Chaffinch

Willow Warbler

Broods of Mandarin Duck and Dipper on the R. Teign at Chudleigh today, plus Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail. Also a 'new' population of Adder's-tongue found nearby, with an estimate 1000 plants.

Not much to report today: a single calling Whimbrel near the mouth of the Caen. The Garganey briefly on Sherpa Marsh. 4 Swallows 6 Swifts. Best sighting were several Large Red Damselfly and an Oil Beetle. Spent much of the afternoon with my eyes on the skies for Kites. None! Over the house, a few House Martin and a smaller Bird of Prey - probably male Sparrowhawk to go with several Buzzards.

Seen above my garden on Atlantic Way at 15.45 accompanied by seagulls and one buzzard. Camera refused to cooperate!

Just after 15:00 a single Red Kite over Salston Manor, moving West. Then suddenly 3 more over the house. Fantastic! They headed slowly West towards the southern side of West Hill.

Plenty of Greenfinch , Willow Warbler and Skylark around at 06.30 today along with Chaffinch , Blackbirds , Robins and Stonechat.

At around 1900 yesterday evening the 9th May we had 5 Red Kites drift over Princetown checking out the fields as they went. They didn't seem to be in any hurry and slowly drifted NE over the prison and out of sight.

A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers at nest with food was one find.  Others included Dipper, Sand Martin at nest and a Whitethroat. Otherwise my notebook is rather empty for the last few weeks!    

Red Kite seen again at 12:30 and 13:15.

? Same bird as that seen earlier or different birds.  Last one seen heading in a south easterly direction.

A walk from home down to Northam Burrows and around Skern produced a pair of Reed Bunting, three singing Linnet, two singing Stonechat, several Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat with three pairs of Wheatear, plenty of Skylark and Meadow Pipit. At Skern on a dropping tide there was a mixed flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover with one Turnstone and one Whimbrel. The Dunlin numbered approximately 130 with about 30 Ringed Plover. Most of the Dunlin were in full summer plumage. Hoping to get a more accurate count tomorrow without dog disturbance!

Had 7 over the garden at 09:20 this morning. Originally seen at rooftop height, they then increased height before drifting west. As they were seen quite early and in a flock, I wonder if they could have roosted somewhere locally? 

Eds: we don't know were you saw them... Please see other postings.

A Red Kite this morning at 08.35 flying over Ernesettle in Plymouth going towards St.Budeux. - Richard Edmondson

At least 70+ Swifts flew over the house between 18:30 and 19:30 last evening.  All heading North.

Rather scruffy looking Red Kite over Chambercombe Manor at 08.52 this morning.

Red Kite drifted over Radford Woods at 12:05 heading North toward Saltram

From my garden in Goodrington, flying North 10:35am

2 Red Kites drifted over our garden around 10.00 this morning. 

Red kite circling over Northlew yesterday

There were at least 8 Red Kite over western Exeter yesterday afternoon, between Alphington and Exwick, with three birders watching. I also had a Hobby over garden in Alphington. 

Having been highly envious of all the red kite sightings across the county over the last few weeks, I was delighted to spot six at 21.00 going in to roost in a beech tree at Piddledown Common, just north of castle Drogo, near Drewsteignton tonight.

Due to the lockdown I have taken to lying on a bench in the garden and watching the skies, this evening I saw lots of House martins, a few swallows and swifts, 2 Sparrowhawks a raven and a red kite twice.

Red Kite                             House Martin                             Sparrowhawk

managed to catch up with the ringneck parakeet family with the olive and blue parent with their 4 babies 1blue 1 grey 1 green and 1 bright yellow

My bike ride earlier  today along the Tarka trail from Anchor wood to Instow was interesting to say the least. Cetti's warbler, Willow warbers, Sage warblers, Chiffchaffs, White throat, Blackcap, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Wrens, Swallows, Swifts, Buzzards and many others seen, heard or photographed along the route.  

Goldfinch                            Greenfinch                                  Buzzard

Having seen two yesterday, not surprised to find one this evening, and after taking a few shots it flew so I pressed the button and bingo!

Taking flight.

Goosander still intact with 14 chicks (is this a normal size brood?) and cuckoo calling several times at about 7am this morning.

The swifts are back in the town centre of Great Torrington. 2 this morning over the entrance to the main car park

After about 3-4 'is it isn't it' sightings of disappearing birds, spotted 3 Kites, forked tails apparent.

All birds high up and moving, fom Sidmouth direction. One towards Colaton Raleigh, two seperate birds heading towards Aylesbeare Common around 3.30 - 3.45pm.

Red Kite drifting West over Salston Manor at 14:20. The first RK I've seen in Devon- superb!

Red kite drifter west over garden near exwick cemetery at 12:32

Another distant shot of a Spotted Flycatcher near the Manor this morning.

7 swifts over the estate, 1 calling.

we have had swifts over the house just outside oakhampton for a week now and  yesterday evening they decided to zoom back under the eaves where they have nested for the last four years at least,we are glad to welcome them back although we havnt had swallows in the barn for the last two years and we are only seeing a few around again this year again which is worrying

Good views of a red kite circling over Kingsteignton being harassed by a single crow.  Flew off towards the East.

2 spotted flycatchers,6grey wagtails,1 grey heron,4 dipper and 2 goldcrests.

Spotted Flycatcher                     Dipper                                         Grey Heron

Thursday, 2 red kites flying purposefully north together on village outskirts - about 4.30.

Hirundines noticeable only by their absence today - just 2 Swallows around Sherpa Marsh. Only other birds of note were a Greenshank and 2 drake Garganey.

2 Swifts flying over the garden, lovely site. 

I am told this is a Lesser black back. Knowing little about Gull ID's - is this a Juvenile, Adult, 2nd winter bird.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Goosander and 14 chicks on the Otter at Fluxton. Good views of a pair of Linnets and a Willow Warbler singing and showing well.

Finally heard then saw my first two swifts over our back garden and a 

possible raven.

I saw my first 2020 swift yesterday morning, 7th May, soaring over Great Torrington near where  they nest each year. Just the one