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2 pied wagtails and a female black redstart brightened the day.

A morning walk to Fremington Quay via Combrew Lane soon found 13 cattle egrets in the fields, one in particular was making the most of its sheep host. Sorry for the quality of the photo but it was at a distance.

A flock of not less than twenty two Magpies gathering in an Oak tree on Hillside, South Brent around midday, after about an hour they dispersed in varying directions after a Buzzard came over.

On the Rv Avon near Brent Mill, a pair of Goosander, seven Mallard, Pied and Grey Wagtails and a fly over Cormorant.

At home this evening a visiting Tawny owl and another calling close by.

Magpies

Tawny Owl

Black brant showing well this afternoon at Exminster Marshes - beside the cycle trail at Topsham Locks. Nice to see two Pale-bellied brent geese there as well.

Counted 14 racing the waves

Went out to look for the Whooper Swan this afternoon, as part of my exercise! I spied a small group of Swans from Velator harbour looking over the river to the fields south of the reserve. In among 2 family groups of Mute Swans was the juvenile Whooper Swan! After I packed up the scope, I looked back and it had disappeared into a ditch! 2 minutes later and I'd have missed it!

Highlights -  female Marsh Harrier; Brent Goose (DB & PB); Black Brant (1)

Lovely light at Stover this morning on 13 Goosanders (2 ad and imm drakes). Also 3 Gadwall (1 drake), 6 Tufted, 2 Pochard, 2 Little Grebes, 1 G C Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Raven, Marsh Tit and Crossbill (heard only). Rangers had a Great White Egret in flight there early on.

Nice to be out on a brighter morning with sightings including: Kingfisher (female), Dipper, 4 Goosanders (1 drake), 18 Wigeon, 3 Little Grebes, c285 Dunlins (initially on Blaxton Meadow), 6 Greenshanks & 11+ Stock Doves. 

Hackney Marsh, Newton Abbot 

Driving home through Umberleigh today after working in Exeter area when I spotted the Great White Egrets again.  They were feeding in the same field as they were in yesterday.  As it was late afternoon again, light was poor although sunbeams did manage to break through on a couple of occasions. 

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

On Blaxton Meadow: Redshank, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Crows, Mallards, Wigeon, Canada Geese, Goosander 2,  6 more in main river, Common Gulls, GBB Gulls, LBB Gulls, Sparrowhawk, Greenshank 6,Curlew, Dunlin, Oystercatcher. In the estate: Buzzard 1, Goldfinches 30+, Chaffinches 2, Nuthatches, R.N. Parakeets, Skylarks, Jays, Magpies, Meadow pipits ,Dunnock, Robins, Coal, Great and Blue Tits.

Redshank

Common Gull

At mid-day managed to spot at least one of Stuart's Purple Sandpipers from yesterday at Rusty Anchor.  It was standing proud on the rock showing off it's orangey-yellow legs and bill, but as soon as the camera came out it hunkered down, making it near impossible to spot. At Tinside Lido only a single Turnstone and two Great Northern Divers close in in the Sound.

Camouflaged Purple Sandpiper

I remember someone reported a juvenile Whooper Swan a while back on Braunton Marsh so it was nice to get eyes, and lens,  on it today as I drove the Marsh road on the way to a dentist appointment. Also spotted a female Kingfisher but with poor lighting it wasn't worth risking putting her to flight for a grainy image so left her in peace. 

Juvenile Whooper Swan

10:29 - 13:24

Highlights were Buzzard, Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, Little Egret, Dipper.

Late post from Wednesday:

The two Snow Bunting are still at the end of the Pebble Ridge.

Later on the Torridge there were two Goosander (male and female) the first I’ve seen from the house as well as a Great Crested Grebe, 86 Teal and a Kingfisher.

Daily walk around Fremington, confirmed 4 Glossy Ibis roosting in the trees at the top of the pill along with 15+ Cattle and Little Egrets. 

This morning on my way to customers on Dartmoor I noticed two Great White Egrets(GWE)  feeding in a field near Umberleigh.  On my home the two GWEs were still in the same field so as I was able to stop in a gateway I whipped out my camera.  The two GWs along with nine Grey Herons, two Buzzards and a few Fieldfares were congregating about a 100 metres away in the top corner of the field.

Buzzard

Great White Egret

2 Purple Sandpipers feeding on the rocks with 4 Turnstone below Maritimos coffee hut this afternoon, first I've seen on Plymouth Hoe for a few years now. 

Sightings during a circuit this morning (low tide) included: Mediterranean Gull (ad), 31 Common Gulls, Goosander (drake), 18 Wigeon, Kingfisher, 30+ Redwings, 8+ Siskins, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers & 4 Stock Doves.

Redshank out on the scrape still (or again) Gadwall, Wigeon, and Shoveler on Wrafton Pond. Arrived at the gate to the reserve to see a Water Rail scuttling about just inside, not sure which way to go to find cover! Heard 3 others there during my walk around. About 15 Redwing flew out as I left.

Eighteen Goosander, 5 drake/13 duck, on the lake at New Park 11.30

A visitor not normally seen in our back garden feeders here in Braunton. 

female Blackcap

13 January 2021

2 reed bunting

Home birding can throw up the odd surprise year tick and this morning saw a Lesser Black Back Gull pass over the house.

An immature male Sparrowhawk went through the feed station early this morning without any success on its part, two male Siskin on the feeders and a Goldcrest showed briefly as it foraged along a hedge.

Good numbers of Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and House Sparrow around the feeders and growing numbers of Pied Wagtails turning up.

This afternoon I collected an injured immature male Goshawk from a vets after it had been found at the roadside on Dartmoor.

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

During an afternoon’s walk in rather dull conditions: Kingfisher, pair of Stonechats, 14 Wigeon, 14 Oystercatchers, 5 Greenshanks, 2 Shags, Red Admiral & 6 Roe Deer.

In my garden (Mount Gould), a female Blackcap visiting regularly & a male occasionally joining her.

Approximately 25 Hawfinches leaving the traditional roost early mornings daily since mid December..

Numbers increased with the recent cold winter. 

At work driving along the tidal road this morning and the Lesser Yellowlegs still present.

Sparrow Hawk took feral pigeon from bird table and onto front path.

In addition to Pete Aley’s post, we counted 3 RB Mergansers this afternoon, 2x drake and 1 female on the Plym. 

I managed to drag our dog out for a walk today, she didn't want to go but was eventually persuaded, although I now have claw marks across my patio. Walked from Roundswell to Fremington Pill and the quay, along the Tarka trail towards Barnstaple, up through Anchor Wood and back to my home in Roundswell. It's a nice comfortable distance to cover for my routine daily exercise.  En route there were five Cattle Egrets seen in a field between Bickington and Muddlebridge (just beyond the speed camera). Along Fremington Pill there were just a few Redshank, Teal, Black headed gulls, a Cormorant and a couple of Oystercatchers. Moving on to Penhill Marsh, there were a good number of Canada Geese, Brent Geese, a couple of Little Egrets, 15 - 20 Curlew (in flight) and in the field opposite the marsh - a lone Greenshank. In the river off Anchor wood were five Goosander (3m + 2f). More geese across the river near Pottington, too far away to Id.  Apologies for the poor quality. 

Catle Egrets

Cattle Egret

On the sea: 4 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Northern Diver and 1 Black-necked Grebe.

In the reedbed marsh behind the beach: 1 Siberian Chiffchaff and 2 collybita Chiffchaffs

Car park: 1 Firecrest, 17 Cirl Buntings

Not known as a hotbed of birding but in the first ten days of 2021 a total of 50 species noted (around 75-80 is usual for the entire year).

Highlights have included;-   Common Snipe, Jack Snipe (a real rarity), Cattle Egret, Stonechat, Kingfisher, Dipper, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (very unusual here), Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Raven, plus winter thrushes and the more common birds. Only one raptor however..Buzzard.

Male Black Redstart in the usual area between the Exmouth Sailing Club and the flats

Sparrowhawk over twice today flushing initially a flock of 30 plus Redwing from a field hedge and later in the day a large mixed flock of Goldfinch and Greenfinch.

Three Mistle Thrush, GSWP, Jay and Raven and three Pied Wagtail around or over the house field.

Around the feeders 20 plus House Sparrow, 13 Blue Tit at one point, Goldfinch and Greenfinch numbers building up again inc a BTO ringed Goldfinch, a Wren and nice to have a pair of Siskin back in the garden.

Siskin

Siskin

The male Italian Sparrow sp that visited my garden feed station throughout 2020 arrived back this afternoon, I last saw it in early October after it had been absent for several days, it appeared to have been mauled and I suspected that it had run foul of a cat.

I noticed it earlier this afternoon in what can only be described as a pitiful condition, most of its facial and head feathers are missing, and parts of its face and eye ring are swollen, but it's alive and despite its looks it is alert and feeding well, given its appearance and the recent spell of bitterly cold weather I am surprised its survived.

Italian Sparrow sp

Italian Sparrow sp

Usual suspects seen today although there was a Redshank in amongst a small flock of Oystercatchers which I don't often see in this location. Very vocal squabble of pipits around the pipe, a mix of rocks and meadows. 

Firecrest on steps down from Howard Close to Gilbert Close, 14.25 pm.

09:48 - 11:57

Two Little Egret, one Green Sandpiper, four Redwing bathing in the brook were the highlights of 23 species seen.

In company with about 15 Mute Swans in a field today near where Sir Authurs Pill adjoins Boundary Drain was a single White Fronted Goose. We're no experts by any means but my Collins seems to conclude it's a Greenland race, Flaviostris, mainly because of the long orange bill....but I'm happy to be corrected. 

Eds - Although it is somewhat difficult to judge orange / pink bill colour from these pictures, the fact that it looked orange in the field certainly points to Greenland. This is further supported by the narrow white tail tips and somewhat heavy bill.

White Fronted Goose

White Fronted Goose

Great start: as I arrived at the bridge I saw a small bird across the river which turned out to be a Chiffchaff, and then a Redshank flew out from almost under me off up river 50 yards towards Wrafton where there was another one! they chided me from up there for disturbing them. Also there was a Dipper. In the reserve a strident call from a Green Woodpecker, and later 3 Water Rails squealing unseen from deep cover. Wrafton Pond, the scrape and the reserve pond all still frozen.

No sign of the Ring Ouzel later in the afternoon.

35 species seen on circular walk from home including Green Woodpecker, 5 Bullfinch, Treecreeper, Nuthatch and 2 GS Woodpecker. 

Firecrest along bridleway in Binicliff and Brockhole Woods by Newnham Park.

Marsh Tit in Furzeacre Woods - first for me at this site. 

Grey Wagtail on driveway and 7 Siskin and 1f Blackcap in the garden. 

Nuthatch

All 5 species of thrush seen in the Parke estate at Bovey Tracey. Large flocks (30 birds+) of redwing and fieldfare seen on the main driveway, car park and orchard. Also of interest a male blackcap seen in the orchard. 

Nothing new this afternoon but at least 8 Goosanders (4 drakes) & a drake Red-breasted Merganser still around. Also, 231 Dunlins, 15 Oystercatchers, Common Sandpiper, 5 Little Grebes, 9 Wigeon, 5 Greenshanks & a Green Woodpecker.

A chilly morning walk once fog lifted, just a quick nip around. Usual Tit suspects in high numbers. Pied and grey wagtail, dunnock, robins, blackbirds, songthrush, goldfinch chaffinch, g.s woodpeckers, jays, at most at one time 5 bullfinch, 4 of which female .

My lockdown walk via the cove this afternoon found the Black-necked Grebe showing close enough to be well seen even without my telescope. Also a single Great Northern Diver visible there. The Coastguard firing flares into Broadsands bay earlier probably put paid to any chance of  anything being seen there........

A walk along parts of the River Avon at South Brent this morning, numerous Jays, at one point three together, two Dipper, Green Woodpecker good numbers of Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, Long Tailed Tit, Buzzard.

Towards and at the WTW a good sized flock of Goldcrest, M&F Grey Wagtail, three Pied Wagtails, two Wren and a rarity for the village in the form of a Black Headed Gull.

Back at home a female Reed Bunting I think the earliest one I have seen here.

Goldcrest

Reed Bunting

7 Redwings feeding in holly tree this morning.

Circa 250 Golden Plover on Dunkeswell Airfield this morning.

Great Northern Diver has been very obliging for a week, presenting shoreside views each morning. A solitary bird, photographed on 7th, Jan. was joined, today, (10th) by a second bird.

Solitary GND on a sunny morning

Two GNDs as the fog was lifting

Curlew Drive - Charleton Marsh.

Highlights this morning included 500 Golden Plovers, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Knots and a Firecrest in the marsh.

Sunday 10 January Two male and one female blackcap visiting the garden bird feeders in Whitleigh Plymouth today being very aggressive towards the other birds

Kestrel flew overhead

Late post for yesterday, 8th January: 1 Woodcock at dusk. 

I have worked out that we have a minimum of four Blackcaps visiting the garden: two males and two females. The Black Redstart is still visiting daily.

Blackcaps

Black Redstart

I had 50 mins to spend between dropping mum's live in carer at Totnes station and collecting the next one. I walk up the Dart and I was surprized to find a common sandpiper feeding on the weir along with a grey wagtail

07:30-11:30.

Got onto the creekside for first light. At least 500 Jackdaws leaving a distant roost somewhere around North Pool. Elsewhere Great Northern Diver, 77 Brent Geese, 7 Little Grebes, 40 Pintails, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 12 Grey Plovers and 75 Common Gulls. Influx of Song Thrushes around the marsh and also Chiffchaffs in the sewage works - 9 seen.

On this afternoon's high tide: 8 Goosanders (4 drakes), 6 Wigeon, just 1 Little Grebe, the presumed escape Barnacle Goose with c200 Canadas, Shag, 14 Oystercatchers, 5 Greenshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers & 236 Dunlins. 

Weds 6th Jan walking on Braunton Burrows and saw Ring Ouzel.  Returned again on Friday and got some good pictures.

Ring Ouzel 8.1.2021

Blackcap, female, in the garden.

At home this morning a flock of up to forty Redwing feeding at the end of the garden and into the adjoining field. Raven calling and a Green Woodpecker seen to fly over before landing in a tree. Feed station busy with the usual garden birds.

A walk along the River Avon on the outskirts of the village gave five Long Tailed Tit, a Heron, Dipper and four Goldcrest.

********** Avian Flu ********** Took a call this morning to the effect that six Mute Swan had been recovered from Sutton Harbour, Plymouth, all showing signs of Avian Flue the bodies have been sent for testing. 

Redwing

Goldcrest

Aroubd the duck pond and car park early this morning. grey and pied wagtails, chaffinch and goldfinch, plenty of nuthatch. 20 curlew in the cow field. Redwings in the carpark, meadow pippits, g.s woodpecker, roe deer spotted in distance. Long tail/ blue/ coal and great tits. Robins. 

walking by the plym to blaxton. Curllew, redshank. 30+ shelduck. Dunlin numbering hundreds. Widgeon, teal, mallard, oyatercatcher, 3 kingfisher, m+f goosanders, sandpiper of some sorts. L.egret. heron. 

The adult Black Brant in with the Brent flock at 1120 and still there when I drove back past around 1230pm. Also at least one Pale-bellied Brent in the flock.

10 Goosanders on the Plym today - 5 drakes and 5 redheads. All in one flock at high tide and seen just downriver from Saltram beach.

Flock of 10 + Siskins on alder cones. 15+ rewind feeding on ground throughout.  Marsh tit, Fieldfare.

Thursday 2drumming GSW in tall oak-Darlington river bank.

Friday 8th Singing Dipper top of new fish ladder-Totnes Weir-16:20 ie nearly dark!

Chiffchaff visiting back yard daily, photo yesterday; a (blurred) female black redstart visiting last Sunday. 

Chiffchaff

Black Redstart

Navigating the icey pathways, a visit produced: Firecrest, 2 Blackcaps, Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper, 6 Little Grebes, Sparrowhawk, Grey Wagtail & male Bullfinch.

Also, on Tothill Playing Fields, the Polish-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull "PHAU".

In a field between Royal Marine Camp and Lympstone, just before first boardwalk, 2 Egyptian Geese.

This morning there were still 10+ cattle egrets and a few little egrets in the fields at North Down Farm

Cattle Egrets

I met ivybridge birder stephen herzig yesterday afternoon, And he told me he had found a male black redstart on a housing estate in ivybridge.

This morning i went looking and after a short wait it appeared on the rooftops of one of the houses,It is very flighty but can be found at lucerne fields estate amongst the houses just past the play area and water run off ponds

Two green woodpeckers calling 0811hrs

Local field with 10 Starling, 3 Mistle thrush, 2Redwing as 5 Fieldfares arrived. Blackbird AND Songthrush in adjacent hedges.