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
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Posted October 10th, 2016 at 9:14 am in Bird News
Monday 31st August 2020
change of scenery today away from the moors, down at crowpoint.
surprised to find even more wheatears , dunlin and ring plover, there were several little egrets dispersed here and there. singular kestrel hovering over one of the fieds on the way in.
there also seemed to be many dragon flies, singularly , in doubles triples and even a few quads tangled together.

wheatear on a hot tin roof
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 8:38 pm by philip worth in Bird News
Juvenile osprey hunting off Lympstone at low water (noon), not successful and struggled to get airborne.
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 7:06 pm by John Waldon in Bird News
4 female Wheatear around the site and a juv Dunlin on the wave-cut platform late morning.
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 7:00 pm by Paul Darlington in Bird News
Blaxton Meadow Monday 15:00 – 17:00. 7 Canada Geese, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Greenshanks, 65 Redshanks, 28 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 16 Little Egrets, 12 Oystercatchers, over 150 Black-headed Gulls, 25 plus Herring Gulls,3 Stock Dove, 1 Sandpiper on the river.
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 6:44 pm by John O'Connell-Davidson in Bird News
From Skern on the high tide there were 36 Knot, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, small numbers of Mediterranean Gull, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew and Whimbrel. Suddenly all the birds were up from the Instow side and an Osprey was hunting over the Taw beyond Crow Point. It disappeared towards Chivenor.
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 6:30 pm by Martin Unwin in Bird News
An afternoon’s excursion, ending up at Blaxton Meadow just before high tide where 2 Kingfishers performed well. Also 7 Greenshanks, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 154 Redshanks, 15 Turnstones, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Stonechats, 3 Roe Deer & a Fox.
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 6:23 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
No sign of the shrike this afternoon. However, great views of 10+ Yellow Wagtail among the sheep in fields above the point. Also on the cliffs a Clouded Yellow butterfly.
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 4:21 pm by Matt Clark in Bird News
A late Swift (or maybe 2) and a Grey Heron brightened up lunch
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 3:18 pm by Rich Billington in Bird News
Good to see a Winchat passing through on migration attracted to a family of Stonechats in the scrub. Grayling Butterfly.
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 2:20 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Bowling Green Marsh this morning. Knot 5+, Curlew Sand 4, Dunlin 130+, Common Sand 1, Redshank 350+, Greenshank 34, Whimbrel 1. Powderham Corner Osprey in trees By Powderham Tower
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 1:28 pm by Steve Cox in Bird News
Adult Spoonbill on the scrape, pair of Gadwall with the Mallards and Teal .
32 Mediterranean Gulls , mainly adults but 2 second winters and 6 first winters on sandbank on r.Taw between Gaya trust and Chivener .A juvenile
Marsh Harrier soaring over Braunton Marsh.
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 12:07 pm by Malcolm Shakespeare in Bird News
Migrants at Moorwell Pond this morning were ,7 Willow Warblers. 15 Chiffchaffs (including a retrapped adult, ringed here on 03/04/2019 ) ,4 Blackcaps ,1 Reed Warbler ;and the Cetti's Warbler ,ringed on the 28th.of July,still present.

Juv. Cetti's Warbler.
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 11:18 am by Alan K. Searle in Bird News
Lots of Wheatears at soar on airfield and in most of the fields, Spotted flycatchers in the willows and a few willow warblers, yellow wagtails in the field behind the cafe and a nice whinchat down the bottom. At South Efford several common Sandpipers, 20 Dunlin, 4 Greenshank, 5 Black-tailed godwits and the usual curlews. Distant views of a kingfisher

Curlew

Common Sandpiper
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 5:49 am by Richie Moore in Bird News
A hundred or more Oystercatchers on the shoreline. Clearly not all in this image.

Oystercatcher
Posted August 31st, 2020 at 1:56 am by Martin Bennett in Bird News
Sunday 30th August 2020
Back from a week away and very pleased to see a male Kingfisher in the reserve. Also a juvenile Reed Warbler popped up to inspect me as I sat behind the blind. Caught one Swallow this evening. 5 Curlews nearby.
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 9:41 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Osprey late afternoon watched from the kayak.
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 7:06 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
birds seem to be scarce on the ground at the moment, smaller ones i find anyway. Out over kingsford hill and challacombe moor i came across 20+ wheatear in different locations , reed bunting,a singular redstart, flocks of meadow pipits and a few swallows.

wheatear
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 6:21 pm by philip worth in Bird News
Around the cliffs overlooking Anstey’s Cove. Mid afternoon.
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 5:37 pm by Paul Nunn in Bird News
Three Swift flew over the road.
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 4:39 pm by Martin Unwin in Bird News
This morning: 10 Little Egret, 5 Black tailed Godwit, 20 Dunlin, 4 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper on the river Avon, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler.
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 4:10 pm by Alan Livsey in Bird News
35+ Yellow Wags along Gore Lane, Orcombe Point, in fields right of lane with cows this afternoon , but difficult to get an accurate count . 1 late Swift overhead
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 3:06 pm by Mark Bailey in Bird News
Male Blackcap in full song this morning. Initial impression of song suggested something different with long drawn out and varied phrases which did not seem familiar.

Blackcap

Blackcap
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 1:46 pm by Jonathan Ruscoe in Bird News
A few birds in glorious weather this morning including: Sand Martin, Swift, 5 Stonechats, Whitethroat, 2 Sparrowhawks, Green Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, 10+ Stock Doves, Shag & Common Sandpiper. Also 3 Roe Deer.
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 1:03 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
1 Osprey at 09:15hrs fishing along the River Tamar off Warleigh Point (as viewed from Ernesettle Creek), watched for around 30 minutes before it eventually caught a fish and flew up the River Tavy and out of sight.
Also 5 GCGrebe on the Tamar (2 juveniles), a Wheatear feeding on seaweed along the foreshore, 2 Dunlin flying upriver and 3 Raven and a Sparrowhawk over.
Along Ernesettle Creek 2 Common Sandpiper and a Greenshank with Swallows over and a singing Chiffchaff.
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 1:02 pm by Stuart Green in Bird News
A dawn start to avoid the bank holiday crowds turned up 82 Wheatears, 25 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, 145 Swallows, Swift, 66 Skylarks, Sparrowhawk, Golden Plover, 2 Little Egrets (rare here), Common Gull & 180 Linnets.
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 12:24 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Whinchat, Redstart and at least 23 Wheatear in fields and on the moor near the farm first thing.

Whinchat
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 9:59 am by Chris E in Bird News
Spotted Redshank still at Fremington Pill Sunday morning 07.00
Posted August 30th, 2020 at 7:06 am by David Paterson in Bird News
Saturday 29th August 2020
Walk around the site 11 am to 3 pm pretty quiet but a male Common Scooter fairly close in, nice size flocks of Starlings and Linnets a good amount of Stone Chats, Ringed Plover and Sanderling also near the hide a Wagtail family that we were unsure poor photo attached but think maybe Citrine Wagtail?
Eds - no photo attached.
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 8:41 pm by William Beck in Bird News
Numerous, < 30, Black Tailed Godwit, most in breeding plumage seen on the Taw estuary today between Chivenor and Taw Bridge along with < 80 Redshank We also spotted one Knot by the Bradiford Water outfall

Two Black Tailed Godwit and a Knot
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 8:30 pm by Phil and Sue Naylor in Bird News
A pleasant walk along the Estuary late afternoon produced juv Ruff 2 Common Sandpiper 15 Curlew 10+ Black Tailed Godwit on the footpath 6+ Wheatear moving through no Osprey seen
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 8:30 pm by Derek Carter in Bird News
15:11 - 17:15
Highlights:
Curlew (140+); Whimbrel (1); Dunlin; Redshank; Black-tailed Godwit; Greenshank (3); Knot; Ruff (1); Wheatear (1)
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 7:10 pm by Paul Bray in Bird News
One Osprey perched on top of dead wood among fir trees, at the Bere Ferrers end of the railway bridge, flew downriver to Kingsmill lake at 1730, caught a fish and returned to the same perch, harassed by Crows.
Also, 18 Little egret on the Bere Ferrers side of the Tavy.
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 6:35 pm by Alan Livsey in Bird News
Swift seen by Janet over Chelston, yesterday lunchtime
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 6:26 pm by Chris Proctor in Bird News
This afternoon: 2 Whinchats, Reed Warbler, adult Mediterranean Gull & a Roe Deer.
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 5:33 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Juvenile woodchat shrike on the bramble in the farm fields above seasons point seen from the top coast path
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 4:37 pm by Mike Williams in Bird News
Two Osprey's at Warleigh Point, 0930hrs at low water they came from Lopwell dam area. They began fishing just above the railway bridge up from Warleigh but soon came down opposite us as lots of Crows and Gulls where harrying them, had wonderful views of one diving and catching a very big mullet.
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 4:23 pm by Barry Rankine in Bird News
Equal apologies for this late post but I saw a single Swift at lunchtime on 28.08.20. This bird seemed to have the right idea and was heading west!
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 1:32 pm by Martin Unwin in Bird News
A walk this morning at low tide produced 1or 2 Dippers, 3 redhead Goosanders, 4 Common Sandpipers, Grey Wagtail, 10 Mandarin Ducks, 3 Kingfishers & 2 Wheatears.
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 10:16 am by Pete Aley in Bird News
Apologies for late post. 1 x Swift over Maynards School, Spicer Road around 18:30 Friday 28/8/20
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 10:14 am by Diane Brooker in Bird News
Two Whinchat (migrant, don't breed here) at Trowlesworthy with Stonechats. Seen along footpath to farm in bracken and vegetation. Two juv Green Woodpecker also around.
Posted August 29th, 2020 at 9:30 am by Chris E in Bird News
Friday 28th August 2020
Observed a Swift at 9am this morning flying north over the house in Teignmouth. Surprised it was so late in the month and that it appeared to be flying the wrong direction!
Posted August 28th, 2020 at 9:21 pm by Nick D'Agorne in Bird News
Disappointing sea watch between 7.30 and 8.30 am with not too much activity.. 30 to 40 gannets spotted along way out to the south. A redstart showed well on the cliff top but not well enough to take a decent photo
Posted August 28th, 2020 at 5:43 pm by David Roper in Bird News
Dodged some very heavy showers at Blaxton Meadow to see: Kingfisher, ad Mediterranean Gull, 5 Greenshanks, 9 Oystercatchers & 2 Dunlins. Also a juv Turnstone in the lower estuary.
Posted August 28th, 2020 at 4:49 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
2 Spoonbill drifted south over Berry Head early afternoon one showing obvious black tips to the primaries (imm) the other perhaps showing just a little black but the primaries looked all white in reality - so I guess the Exe Estuary birds..
Posted August 28th, 2020 at 2:33 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
A walk on the Braunton Burrows produced a first for us in the UK. Approaching one of the larger of the ponds to the north of J lane we inadvertently flushed a Green Sandpiper from cover near the waters edge. It called as it jinked and climbed with a sort of pweeit repeated often and disappeared to the north. About twenty minutes later we flushed the unfortunate bird (or another?) again, this time at the margins of nothing more than a large puddle. Nothing more than a grainy image, which I won't bother uploading, as it flew off but the white rump & dark tail edge are clearly visible. As per Collins...first impression was of a large house martin.
Posted August 28th, 2020 at 1:33 pm by Phil and Sue Naylor in Bird News
A brief early morning fruitless search for Dotterel around the airfield but did turn up 2 Green Sandpipers, the first sightings since 2016. Also 250 Herring Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Stock Dove, 2 Wheatear & 500 Linnet.
Posted August 28th, 2020 at 12:26 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Spotted Flycatcher briefly feeding in Park at 7pm Wednesday 26th. Flew off towards allotments over the river. Apology for late post and poor cropped photo.
Posted August 28th, 2020 at 5:11 am by Mike Booth in Bird News
Thursday 27th August 2020
Early evening walk along the seafront was a real treat with 6 Oystercatchers, 15 Turnstones (not so easy to count as they were well spread out), a Little Egret, a Shag, Great Black Gull, many Black Headed Gulls, a pair of Sandwich Terns (adult with juvenile) and a feeding frenzy of 4 or 5 Gannets continually diving not far offshore.
Posted August 27th, 2020 at 8:16 pm by Stephen Huggins in Bird News
14:08 - 17:00
Spoonbill (2) (flew west at 16:10); Scaup (2); Wigeon; Teal; Mallard; Gadwall; Shoveler; Curlew; Dunlin (50+); Knot (3); Common Sandpiper; Swallow; Sand Martin; House Martin; Buzzard; Redshank; Jackdaw; Moorhen; Grey Heron; Little Egret; Black-headed Gull; Cormorant; Lapwing; Magpie;
Posted August 27th, 2020 at 6:23 pm by Paul Bray in Bird News
Seawatch 12:00-14:30 before brief violent storm (wind switching through SE 40mph to N 70 mph briefly) came through when watching impossible for a while! Left 15:30 as wind N and sunny but still many birds tracking N into the wind into Lyme Bay, normal passage direction is S.
2 Sooty Shearwaters (12:15 & 13:34), 3 Balearic Shearwaters (only! This is the time of peak in a normal year, but we seem to have had that in early July!), 829 Manx Shearwaters (many very close, including unidentified bird that got pulse racing), Bonxie, 6 Arctic Terns, 12 Common Terns, 20+ 'commic' Terns, 4 Sandwich Terns, 5 European Storm-petrels, 90+ Kittiwakes (good no's of juvs), also good passage of Gannets and Fulmars.
Posted August 27th, 2020 at 6:11 pm by Mark Darlaston in Bird News
Great Egret just to the west of Fremington in fields just by the estuary path. Snow Goose amongst big flock of Canada Geese in fields near Tarka Trail, along the estuary path.
Posted August 27th, 2020 at 5:23 pm by Chris Baines in Bird News
Barnstaple on Yeo River this morning down towards the Cricket Club!
Posted August 27th, 2020 at 3:08 pm by Martin Bond in Bird News
Seen wednesday 26/8/20 at turf lock exminster marshes

Snow Goose
Posted August 27th, 2020 at 2:04 pm by Bob Kent in Bird News
Wednesday 26th August 2020
A Spoonbill, some Mallard and a few Geese.

Spoonbill
Posted August 26th, 2020 at 11:25 pm by Martin Bennett in Bird News
Black Hole Marsh, Little Egret 3, Black Tailed Godwit 20+, redshank 20+, Oyster Catcher 10+, Ringed Plover 11, Dunlin 21, Green Sandpiper 2, Ruff 1, Shellduck 4 juveniles.
A Peregrine came in low over the water and tried to take one of the Green Sandpipers, I have never seen this type of hunting behaviour before, the falcon barely inches above the water, the Sandpiper dived under the water and the peregrine flew through the resultant splash.
Posted August 26th, 2020 at 8:44 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
My 3rd attempt to post this shot of a Great White Egret
Eds: photos must be reduced in size to be posted there are detailed instructions given when you post.
Any picture file over 1mb will fail to upload.
Posted August 26th, 2020 at 7:55 pm by David Paterson in Bird News
Saltpill Duck Pond , Great White Egret.
Posted August 26th, 2020 at 7:43 pm by David Paterson in Bird News
15:15 - 17:46
Two Spoonbill and a Scaup were the highlights.
Posted August 26th, 2020 at 7:28 pm by Paul Bray in Bird News
Only one Spoonbill showing this morning at BGM and three Greenshank at Goosemoor

Spoonbill

Greenshank
Posted August 26th, 2020 at 6:12 pm by Colin Scott in Bird News
Highlights of a trip to the Exe today included a single cattle egret at Cockwood (in field opposite the Cockwood steps), a common scoter in the estuary off the Warren, an osprey fishing near Cockwood, 5 wheatears on the Warren with another at Cockwood.
Posted August 26th, 2020 at 6:07 pm by John Waldon in Bird News
4Wheatear,numerous Linnets,Goldfinch and a few meadow Pipits.Large amounts of waders including Knot,Ringed Plover,Curlew,Dunlin.Turnstones,and 4 young Sandwich Terns.

Knot.

Dunlin.
Posted August 26th, 2020 at 5:32 pm by John Elvin in Bird News
Posted August 26th, 2020 at 11:31 am by David Paterson in Bird News
Spoonbill at Home Farm Marsh . Great White Egret at Saltpill Duck Pond & a Spotted Redshank in Fremington Pill

Heavy crop
Posted August 26th, 2020 at 11:30 am by David Paterson in Bird News
Tuesday 25th August 2020
A multi-stop day (with bins. only) produced:
- from the sea-wall, 2 Manx Shearwaters and a steady stream of Gannets, Kittewakes and Sandwich Terns;
- from Starcross, a Med. Gull and the first G-C Grebe of the Autumn in the estuary, 200+ Turnstones roosting on the breakwater, and many more Sandwich Terns, making probably 100+ for the day;
- no Cattle Egrets at Matford/Countesswear, but instead a Yellow Wagtail with the sheep in the Alphinbrook flood channel.
Going back a few days, there was a fresh brood of 5 Mallard ducklings in the Trews Weir flood channel. I thought they would stand little chance, and next day, for the first time, counted the gulls loafing around: total 1100+, 39:1 Herring to LBB, and, unsurprisingly, no ducklings. With others in the city, 1500+ reported from the lower estuary and usually 500+ at Budleigh, is the East Devon Herring Gull meta-population of national importance? New conservation designation needed?
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 10:33 pm by James Camden in Bird News
7 Turnstones on seafront in late afternoon.
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 8:44 pm by Malcolm Steward in Bird News
Sea watching from the cliff coastal path near the Sewage works this afternoon (1.45pm - 3.45pm). 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Great Shearwater, 3 European Storm Petrel, 5 Common Scoter, 1 Arctic Skua, but best of all a Leach's Storm Petrel Supporting cast of Fulmar, Gannet and Kittiwake. Strangely, no other Shearwater species.
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 8:42 pm by Spencer Dicks in Bird News
A lone seawatch from the headland so I will have missed many birds. Counted 397 Manx shearwater, 4 Balearic shearwater, 28 sooty shearwater all but one early bird in a brief passage between around 10:0 to 10:30 ish, 3 storm petrel, 38 northern fulmar and 198 gannet. All moving South. In addition a small flock of c40 dunlin passed south.
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 8:14 pm by Pete Stevens in Bird News
Berryhead 6.00-15.30 Many Observers
Fea's/Desertas Petrel 8.30-8.35 ,Great Shearwater 2, Sooty Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater 7, Manx 500+, Storm Petrel 11+ many lingering, Arctic Skua 5, Common Tern 20. Arctic tern 4, Sandwich 12, Whimbrel 4. Tuna fish leaping ,Ocean Sunfish and 15+ Common Dolphin
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 7:53 pm by Dave Dawe in Bird News
2 Storm Petrel's off Boat Cove at 6.30pm
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 7:45 pm by paul barker in Bird News
Didn't stay for the whole morning or day so have not post the bird species totals but did see this fantastic Fea's/Desertas Petrel drift by.

Fea's/Desertas Petrel Berry Head 25 Aug 2020
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 7:26 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Highlights around Budleigh today were at least 3 Storm Petrels off the seafront (2+ am and 1 this afternoon). Also a juvenile Wood Sandpiper on the main scrape N of Lime Kiln car park early evening.
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 7:03 pm by Chris Townend in Bird News
A Little Egret in our small garden pond this afternoon. Possibly disorientated by the strong winds here at Dunkeswell.
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 5:59 pm by Peter Lamb in Bird News
Juvenile Caspian Gull off Mudbank today. Also Osprey off there at 1410 and again later on. A Great Skua rested briefly on Maer Rocks early am. Photos and further sightings on my blog - www.gobirdingexmouth.blogspot.co.uk
Posted August 25th, 2020 at 5:34 pm by Matt Knott in Bird News
Monday 24th August 2020
Starting at Velator Quay we walked along the bank to Horsey and back. Views of Sherpa Marsh produced Canada Geese X <40 and 5 Black Tailed Godwit. Apart from all the BHG's and many Little Egret, of interest were a pair of Peregrine falcon harassing <20 Dunlin a 3 x Ringed Plover We also saw either two, or one twice, Kingfisher (male) fishing successfully in the now tidal stretch of the old Caen River bed. We also saw 4 Oystercatcher and 3 Curlew. The unexpected sight of three migrating Swift was a treat. Many juve & adult Barn Swallow were feeding over the fields. A good productive walk.

One of three Common Swift
Posted August 24th, 2020 at 6:49 pm by Phil and Sue Naylor in Bird News
Sea watch between 08.00 and 15.00 hours today produced 612 Manx Shearwaters with only 4 Balearic Shearwaters amongst them. 2 Skuas - probably Arctic, 1 Greenshank, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Swift, 4 Common Scoter, c 60 Kittiwake, c 6 Harbour Porpoise and c 20 Common Dolphins.
Posted August 24th, 2020 at 4:44 pm by Clive Mason in Bird News
The Dutch ringed Turnstone, Z010032, was back this afternoon. This bird was originally reported at this location in a post by Steve Hopper in December 2014 and it has wintered there every year since.
The bird was ringed in The Netherlands in August 2013 and identified by the ringer as a juvenile.
Posted August 24th, 2020 at 4:42 pm by Steven O'Donoghue in Bird News
Another good number of species this morning over high tide. Of interest 16 Knot, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Sanderling c750 mixed flock Dunlin/Ringed Plover, 1 Little Tern and 6 Sandwich Tern
Posted August 24th, 2020 at 11:41 am by Roger Doble in Bird News
Sunday 23rd August 2020
Viewed close to the canal towpath just on Countess Weir side of M5 road over bridge. Birds very close to grazing cattle livestock initially thought a mixed group with Little Egrets (2 of which had been seen earlier close to the A379 road and 4 more later found in Exminster Marsh fields on the village side of M5) but legs on the 6 were yellow aswell as beak and a short neck and in flight were pure white as short flying was seen. Time 1900ish. Weather sun with wind.
Posted August 23rd, 2020 at 11:42 pm by Richard Giles / Fiona Neate in Bird News
A record shot of the Great Egret on Fremington Saltpill at 07:30 this morning.
Posted August 23rd, 2020 at 11:03 pm by Ken Ebsworthy in Bird News
A trip to the area to see if I could capture a glimpse of an osprey for the first time in three years. A kingfisher darting up and over us drew our attention to the sky and there drifting over us was a red kite only my second encounter with one. A few hours later an osprey came flying down the Tavy towards the Tamar. The previous night in the same area, we had watched a hobby hunting insects.

Red Kite

Osprey
Posted August 23rd, 2020 at 10:17 pm by Shane Willson in Bird News
The Melodious Warbler showed extremely well in the brambles, just north of the new flood defence, adjacent to the golf course, between 15.10-15.25.
Posted August 23rd, 2020 at 7:03 pm by Paul Darlington in Bird News
This morning:
9 Turnstone, 13 Mediterranean gull (11 ad, 2 1st winter) 2 Sandwich tern, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Shag, 1 Fulmar on a flypast, several Gannet off Wembury point, 12+ Rock pipit on seaweed, 11 Swallow, 4 Whitethroat, and 2 Cirl bunting.
Posted August 23rd, 2020 at 4:05 pm by Alan Livsey in Bird News
Melodious Warbler still showing this morning in same area in thicket behind main pond. Can't attach picture under new guidelines!
Posted August 23rd, 2020 at 3:34 pm by Jonathan Ruscoe in Bird News
An Osprey on the River Exe viewed from the steps at the River Kenn at 1.56pm, on the dropping tide, caught a fish north of Mudbank Lane and gave a superb flyover back into Powderham Park until lost from view at 2.03pm
Posted August 23rd, 2020 at 3:21 pm by Mark Bailey in Bird News
Yesterday’s drake Gadwall still on Blaxton Meadow with plenty of waders (over 200 birds including 7 species). A Black-tailed Godwit dropped in after high tide & a flock of 7 Common Sandpipers was lingering on the lower estuary. Also: 6 Greenshanks, 3 Dunlins, 2 Shags, Kingfisher & adult Mediterranean Gull.
Posted August 23rd, 2020 at 2:17 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Ad Osprey on dead tree. 2 Green Sandpipers on water meadow.
Posted August 23rd, 2020 at 1:02 pm by Vic & Sylvia Tucker in Bird News
Good WeBS count on the Skern this morning including 5 Knot, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Sanderling, 2 Turnstone, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern and a Peregrine.
Posted August 23rd, 2020 at 12:06 pm by Roger Doble in Bird News
Saturday 22nd August 2020
Osprey sighted in the Shaugh Lakes area being harrased by Ravens at 10:00, flew north towards Burrator. Other birds same area, Kestrels (2), Buzzards, Wheatears (4), Green Woodpecker, Stonechats, Sand Martins, Swallows, Meadow Pipets.
Posted August 22nd, 2020 at 5:27 pm by Colin & Joyce Hannaford in Bird News
Driving home today around the Braunton Great Field we were surprised to see this Great White Egret fishing in the dike just along from the thatched Linnay. Saw it catch two fish before it was disturbed by a long line of cars on the unofficial Braunton bypass.

Great White Egret
Posted August 22nd, 2020 at 3:23 pm by Phil and Sue Naylor in Bird News
Back on the patch after a few day’s elsewhere & surprised to see a drake Gadwall (on Blaxton Meadow), a rare bird here & usually associated with freezing conditions. Also, 6 Turnstones (5 ad-s & juv), 6 Greenshanks, Dunlin, 7 Oystercatchers, 2+ Common Sandpipers & 2 Shags.
Posted August 22nd, 2020 at 12:16 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Imm. Marsh Harrier quartering reserve , Kestrel sheltering in Barn Owl box ,
on the scrape , Ad. Spoonbill , 12 Little Egrets , 9 Greenshank , 20+ Redshank, 11 Black tailed Godwits and 60+ Curlews. On return cycle 6 Turnstones at Instow.
Posted August 22nd, 2020 at 11:54 am by Malcolm Shakespeare. in Bird News
Goosanders at Cadover Bridge

Goosanders
Posted August 22nd, 2020 at 9:57 am by Bob Barrow & in Bird News
The male sparrowhawk that regularly visits our garden around the feeders has become aware of a second brood of swallows in the garage roof space. It has now taken to sitting inside the garage presumably waiting for an incoming parent rather than directly predating the nest which is tucked away high up? Its virtually invisible when in there and although I have disturbed it a number of times, the frequency of visit appears to be increasing and I think it can only be a matter of time before a successful strike!
Posted August 22nd, 2020 at 9:24 am by Mark West in Bird News