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

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

 

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

 

Thank you from

Devon Birds News site editors & members of the Records Committee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Up to twenty Pintail on the Skern as the tide retreated late afternoon. Seen not far from the bridge. Thanks to ?? who gave me the tip off yesterday. 

Further to yesterday's post went back on beach this morning and took more photos as Mike Langman is sure the bird is an Auk.

Eds - Yes, a Guillemot

Four Mediterranean Gulls on this afternoon's high tide (3 ads + 2nd-w); also, 4 Little Grenes, 3 Goosanders (1 drake), 31 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 52 Curlews, 56 Shelducks (including Axe-ringed A06), Shag & 9 Stock Doves.

Walked from Countesswear to Powderham Park and back this morning. Highlight was the GW-f Goose family close to the canal between Swan's Nest Road and Topsham lock.

Of lesser note were two singing Treecreepers, my first of the year, opposite the sewage works. Also:

- on the storage lagoon, 4 Pochards, a good number nowadays, and 3 Tufteds;

- in the estuary, 800+ Blackwits in a single flock, with 25+ Barwits in smaller groups nearby, 50+ Grey Plovers scattered around and the usual Golden flock huddled together;

- near Turf, a Cirl Bunting in one of their less regular spots;

- West of the railway below Turf, the Snow Goose was still with the Canadas. There is so much dead ground when one looks from the seawall that the Barnacles could still be there too;

- in the Park, 30+ Stock Doves, the most there yet;

- in the Park and around the Kenn outfall, 10+ Greenshanks.

Missing today were Pintail and the Egyptian Geese.

A 1st winter Glaucous Gull resting alone on the rocks along the beach at Wembury this morning before being disturbed by dog walkers and flying off towards Plymouth.

Eds - pale eye, pale bill-tip & generally (appears to have) very pale plumage; so perhaps 2nd or 3rd-winter?

Glaucous Gull

Well after a bonanza of birds in the warm calm sunshine yesterday, it was back to earth with a bump today: not much at all in the reserve, but now 2 drake Pochard on Wrafton Pond. Little Egret out on the scrape.

Spotted yesterday (22/2/21). Small number of cattle egrets at the top of the village.

cattle egrets

A female Brambling joined the Cirl Bunting flock (22 today) on seed in the 2nd car park, also a single male Yellowhammer, its odd they are not more regular at the site although the winter of 2019/20 saw up to 7 coming to the seed here. In the marsh behind the beach 1 Siberian Chiffchaff and a single collybita chiffchaff.

   Yellowhammer

Doing her bit to control the local Feral Pigeon infestation!

Polecat carcass.

Afternoon mtb ride gave a Dipper and Grey Wagtail on the Tory Brook. On the remnant of Crownhill Down three Yellowhammers, my first this year, with three Meadow Pipit in a hawthorn. Ten Stonechats were notable. A Sparrowhawk. Over Whitehill china clay tip four Buzzards caused a stir among the Skylarks.

In clovelly bay this pm 1GNDiver and  the LT Duck was still present.

Six stonechats (three pairs) on Brent Hill, and four (first winter?) loosely together on farmland below, represents an increase on the two-three wintering birds. Perhaps an arrival of migrants en route to breeding areas on the moor or beyond?

Also today, 11 roosting goosanders at the Avon Dam (one pair mated) and six teal including two displaying males.

Stonechat (first winter?)

Old churchyard mid-pm, a male Firecrest, crown blazing, chasing a Goldcrest. Inter-specific aggression or courtship?

Afternoon walk from Plympton to Hemerdon and Crownhill Down produced my first Wheatear of the year in fact it's the earliest I've ever seen one. Lots of Skylarks Pipits and Stonechats. Several Buzzards, a Kestrel and a Sparrow Hawk .In Furzeacre Wood a GSW 8 Greenfinches, a solitary Fieldfare with a flock of Redwing and a singing Dipper on the Tory Brook.

Wheatear

Dipper

Soryy that my first post is of a dead bird on Budleigh Salterton beach tthsi morning. I am almost certain it is a  GND.

Check around the Torbay beaches today: 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 14 Great Norther Divers, 46 Great Crested Grebes. 

In glorious sunshine, a female/imm Tufted Duck on the narrow river, 4 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 5 Goosanders (3 drakes), 2 Red-breasted Mergansers (1 drake), 4 Snipe, 6 Greenshanks, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, 2 Stonechats, 5+ Stock Doves & 8 Roe Deer, 

Three adult Mediterranean Gulls (all s/p = one with full black head, two with partial black heads).  Seven Goosanders (3 males), two Bar=tailed Godwits, two Common Sandpipers, one Common Gull.

Saltpill pond , 4 Glossy Ibis , a pair of Shoveler and singing Cetti’s warbler.

2 Spoonbill at Isley and 1 at Fremington quay.    The rough fields across 

the trail from Penhill point towards Anchor Bank held 8 Cattle Egrets.

adult Male Peregrine on Torridge bridge.

Robins displaying

Pair Great Sp Woodecker mating. Nuthatch, Redwings.

Single Red kite flying over Cullompton town centre, heading north-east at 09.37 this morning. 

A Tawny owl very active and vocal around the house this evening.

A pair of Siskin on the feeders this morning.

Tawny Owl

Tawny Owl

Wintering Whimbrel seen in Charleton Bay this morning

15.45

Juv Glaucous Gull at the point.  38 Great Northern Divers between the Orestone and Anstey's Cove.  1 Red-throated Diver beyond the Lead Stone. 

Female Black Redstart showed very well on the south side.

5 Shelducks in flight, heading south.    

Further to David Cope's post, walking on the front towards the Yacht club picked up a group of six Great Northern Divers in a loose but close group, not really diving and reasonably static, a couple more further in feeding on shore crabs. Walking back to the Ness saw another group of nine close together and in a line swimming towards Bundle Head, again not diving much and another two further out. Pretty calm sea after the last few days, maybe just resting? Any thoughts? Also a Harbour Porpoise breaching slightly behind the group of nine.

EDS: These groups of Great Northern Divers typically 'raft' while resting and particularly when going to roost in the evening sometimes in quite large groups - see earlier posts on Torbay Divers.

On the sea: 18 Great Northern Divers, 1 Black-throated and 1 Red-throated Diver, 39 Great Crested Grebes. Looks like the Great Northern Divers might have started to disperse already now the winds have subsided.

A skylark displaying over Chelson Meadow was a welcome sign of spring this afternoon

Two Tufted Ducks (1 drake) on the lower estuary; also, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers (3 drakes), 5 Goosanders (4 drakes), 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, Shag & Mediterranean Gull (adult winter).

At Weare Giffard this afternoon 2 Cattle Egret in fields by bridge at Annery Kiln. 
On the Skern the male  Black Redstart present on rocks near Appledore Bridge

Think we have just seen an albino magpie by Beaumont road church today - no chance for a pic as we were driving - Never knew these existed but see a reference to it in 2017 on this blog. Very interesting.

Eds - yes; this is a leucistic bird which frequents that area of Plymouth.

Drake Pochard on the pond this morning, with Wigeon and Shoveler but no Gadwall. Water Rail, Goldcrest and Cetti's Warbler in the reserve, Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher in the river.

Went for a walk along the Ashford side of the Tarka trail this morning. Dull and overcast with a milky sun trying to shine through the cloud. Lots to see. On the river side lots of Redshank, Oystercatchers and Curlew. Some Sheduck, Cormorants and Gulls on the sandbanks. Of interest was a pair of Goosander, the male displaying at times whilst they floated up and down the river fishing, coming close to shore several times. A Spoonbill and Great White Egret stood close together. On the land side where Bradiford Water comes to join the river were up to 40 Teal, some Canada Geese and more Oystercatchers.

A single Goshawk circling over Kingsteignton for 10 - 15 minutes this morning about 1125

Eds: A rare record of a migrant Goshawk away from known breeding areas. The breeding season is already here for some species, including Goshawk, so please refer to the guidelines if unsure.

Off the seafront this morning 8 Great northern Divers, 1 Red throated Diver, 2 Common Scotor and a Great Crested Grebe. A female Black Redstart around the Den last week.

Great views of 2 Purple Sandpipers, with 9 Turnstones, feeding on rocks below Maritimos.  All moved round to Rusty Anchor rocks as the tide rose.  Also 3 Great Northern Divers close in to sea wall.

Alongside the regular coal tits, blue tits, marsh tits, long tailed tits, chaffinches, house sparrows, woodpecker and great tits we have been visited by a brambling. A lock down treat.

270+ Chaffinch along with one female Brambling. 10+ Reed Bunting, 62 Lapwing, 120+ Teal and as is often the case, a Kestrel. 

Checking  roost last night with Simon Tonge: minimum of 55 Great N Divers (max raft size 10 also 7,7 6) but many still feeding so could easily have missed some, 2 Black-t Divers,  24 Great C Grebes, 1 ad w Mediterranean Gull, 67 Common Gulls and just 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Frog spawning continues, at least 3 more frogs showing in pond. Pair of Blackbirds chasing. Three robins displaying to each other and two more in another part of wood.

This afternoon up to 16.30

The Juv Glaucous Gull showed very well around the site in flight, on the rocks at the point and on the sea. 

1 Red-throated Diver off the point.  27 Great Northern Divers between the Orestone and Hope Cove.  One of the GNDs called in Hope Cove - very evocative!

Also, an adult Mediterranean Gull in near summer plumage, 40 Common Gulls, 3 Great Crested Grebes and a LBBG. 

Two Harbour Porpoises and 3 Grey Seals.

Took advantage of my jab trip to Westward Ho! (very efficient) to take a short walk down Fremington Pill. At least 2 Greenshank, a very smart Spotted Redshank and then at about 3.20, all four Glossy Ibis flew in from the west, struggling in the gale force winds, and flew towards Bickington.

The field behind nut bush lane and others nearby are attracting flocks of 50 plus chaffinch and linnet. There were at least two brambling in with the chaffinch. Also 3 buzzard, 2 raven.

1300hrs 200221. Wonderful murmeration of 300+ Golden Plover giving us a display for 20 minutes near the top of Penn Beacon.

Glaucous gull, prob 2nd winter, offshore, flew towards Jennycliff. Great northern diver offshore and ad Med gull with partial hood.

Wet and windy again on a walk around Plymouth Hoe this lunchtime - a Purple Sandpiper on the rocks at Rusty Anchor, 5 Turnstone on the rocks below the Pier One Cafe, the female Long-tailed Duck still in The Cattewater (distant, mobile and spending very little time at the surface as viewed from Duttons Cafe/Fishermans Nose) and 2 Great Northern Divers much closer in off Queen Annes Battery and showing very well.

Purple Sandpiper

Great Northern Diver

Not as many birds on Blaxton meadow as yesterday, 408 Dunlin is a good count. Another good count was 62 Siskin near the water works. Also seen were 2 each of GS & G Woodpecker.

Roost tonight: 54 Great N Divers (max raft size 10 - but I left early), 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 24 Great C Grebes, 68 Common Gulls, 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Only a howling gale, but (like Art in s Molton), only occasional light rain. Several each of Shoveler, Gadwall and Wigeon on Wrafton Pond again, and more of the latter out on the scrape, with again good numbers of Teal. The Gull flock there was enhanced today: along with several hundred Black-headed Gulls, a few Herring, the LBB Gull again and one or two Common Gulls. All head-on into the wind. 2 Swans, and after some searching, the Redshank. In the reserve, birds hard to come by as usual in a gale. 1 Redwing, 1 GSW and a 20+ flock of Goldfinch. Yesterday a Kestrel flew in as I was leaving landing on the wall by the pumping station. It had some lunch which could have been a small mammal.

Well over 1,000 birds on Blaxton Meadow during this morning's high tide including: a winter peak of 380+ Dunlins, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey Plover, 6 Greenshanks, 12 Wigeon, female Goosander (3 others including 2 drakes, on the estuary), 58 Shelducks, 31 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls & 2 unringed adult Mediterranean Gulls (Polish-ringed PHAU also on the estuary), Several Dunlins had a close encounter with a hunting adult male Peregrine.

Also, around the site, 3 Little Grebes, Siskin & adult Shag.

Surprisingly dry. 2 Bullfinches, 2 marsh tits, 20+Redwing, 30+ chaffinch,  nuthatch. Frenzy of frog activity yesterday and Tuesday (at least 10 pairs) subsided.

Female winter Long-tailed Duck showing again this morning on city side of weir. 

Yesterday pm saw approx 20 Crossbill just above car park, plus a Dartford Warbler on the common.

12.00

A female Long-Tailed Duck south of the point.  A Red-throated Diver off the point.  21 Great Northern Divers between the Lead Stone and Long Quarry Point.  At least six Great Crested Grebes between the Lead Stone and Hope Cove  Also, 2 Harbour Porpoises and 2 Grey Seals.

Later, between 16.20-17.35, the Juv Glaucous Gull in flight and sat on the sea near the Lead Stone.  

Eight Great Northern Divers off the sea front today 10.30 am .

Our flutter of garden House Sparrows enjoying the sunshine this aft after a good meal on the seed feeder.

A high soaring Peregrine over home this morning, it spent a few minutes mobbing one of a pair of soaring Buzzards. A male Sparrow hawk came in and landed on one of my feed station stands in the afternoon.

While watching 12 Green finch on the feeders another 30 plus flew in and landed in the top of a tree at the end of the garden, most I have seen here for some time.

Siskin's showing well over the last few days with two females and two males in together yesterday, with a pair seen today.

Approx 40 Redwing's around the field hedgerows.

Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail and Starling showing well.

Peregrine mobbing a Buzzard

Female Siskin

An afternoon's walk revealed: 2 Fieldfares, Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Bullfinch, 2 Common Sandpipers, 13 Wigeon & a female Goosander.

Fairly distant views of the Great Northern Diver and the Long Tailed Duck off the Mountbatten ferry pontoon.  A solitary Purple Sandpiper on the rocks inside the west end of the breakwater

Long Tailed Duck

Purple Sandpiper

Another evening watch off Broadsands tonight: 49 Great Northern Divers (inc rafts of 15, 11, 7 and 5), 1 Black-throated Diver, 12 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 140+ Common Gulls, 17 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Black-throated Diver - Broadsands

As mentioned in my last post, there was a mass stranding of Starfish and Crabs off Smugglers Cove, Teignmouth, today, providing food for the gulls and Divers.

The Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, c300 Dunlins, 2 Snipe, 6 Greenshanks, adult Mediterranean Gull (unringed), 16 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls (including 1 showing characteristics of intermedius) all on Blaxton Meadow at high tide. Also, around the patch, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers (3 drakes), female Goosander, 24 Mandarin Ducks (14 drakes), Green Woodpecker & 2 Stonechats.

11.45

From the clifftop section of the SWCP - Red-throated Diver, 4 Great Northern Divers, 2 Great Crested Grebes, many Cirl Buntings (several singing) and a Skylark in full song aloft.  2 species of raptor.  Harbour Porpoise.  

Cycle ride from the Rusty Anchor to Marsh Mills, I saw 46 species.

Rusty Anchor-purple sandpiper roosting on rocks between HMS York and HMS Vanguard models.

Hoe-Great Northern Diver

SW coast path-distant views of the Long-tailed duck

Laira bridge- little grebe but no BN grebe

Along the Plym Estuary- redshank, greenshank, dunlins, curlews, a pair of goosanders, a pair of red-breasted mergansers, shelducks and wigeons.

Marsh Mills-on the bridge over the river-a pair of grey wagtails, common sandpiper and a single dipper.

Wrafton Pond devoid of all the 'interesting' Ducks today - too much disturbance from nearby machinery? Scrape had Teal Wigeon Redshank Swans and unusual here: LBB Gull. In the reserve, a very vocal Green Woodpecker, GSW, about 40 Redwings, A few each of Green Gold Chaff and 1 Bullfinch. plus most of the other usual suspects. A Grey Heron in the field to the south.

North end of Braunton: 2 Dippers from the bridge over the river Caen at Caen St School.

LTD and GND off Slipways and pontoon. Iron Bridge only saw a Little Grebe.

Please note with regret that the East Bank Hide above the Otter Estuary is now closed for safety reasons. The hide has been vandalised on a number of occasions and is regarded as no longer fit for purpose. It is planned to remove the hide and to return the site to its natural state.  

Working in Newton Abbot and Ashburton today so had an opportunity to pop in to Stover.  While walking around the lake I spotted five female Goosander, ten or twelve Tufted duck and a Water rail.

Water Rail

Water Rail

A Great Northern Diver 20m off the Wet Wok around 3pm. Meadow Pipit, Oystercatcher and a Peregrine flyby. Distant views of the LT Duck and another GND near Mountbatten.

At 5:20pm today I had a brief sighting of a barn owl gliding across fields between Totnes and Dartington. 

Singing Skylark this afternoon, field between Fluxton nr Ottery and West Hill. First of the year.

Birds busy feeding on 20 acres of various crops.....fodder radish a late winter favourite.Supplementary feeding has also attracted 120 stock doves,250 linnets 300 chaffinches including European species and another mixed flock of 300 comprising chaffinch goldfinch bullfinch and greenfinch.Also seen treecreeper,Marsh tit and 5 buzzards.Meadow pipits and starling feeding amongst the kale.

The Lower Lake this morning,

21 Goosander, 1m Tufted Duck, 4 Willow Tit, 6 Coal Tit, 9 Blue Tit. 10 Mallard, 5 Robin, 4 Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Redwing, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Long-tailed Tit.

As mentioned in my last post, there was a mass stranding of Starfish and Crabs off Smugglers Cove, Teignmouth, today, providing food for the gulls and Divers.

Juvenile Whooper swan this evening feeding with a dozen or so Mute Swans.

Juvenile Whooper Swan. (I think)

Not often that you see so many Divers off Teignmouth seafront, but there were 7 Great Northern Divers this afternoon, including a flock of 4 feeding together. The mass stranding of starfish and crabs could have something to do with it. The Black-Headed Gulls were certainly enjoying the feast!

Flock of 4 Great Northern Divers

Black-headed Gull with probable starfish leg

Broadsands this evening: 35 Great Northern Divers (inc a raft of 19), 1 Black-throated Diver, 11 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Common Scoter, 1 adw Mediterranean Gull, 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (inc 3 intermedius types in flock)

Yet another shot of the lovely female L.T. Duck and a Great Northern Diver off Mount Batten this afternoon. Also a flypast of a R.B. Merganser, Cormorants, Shags and Oystercatchers

Long Tailed Duck

Great Northern Diver

Seen fishing close to the Iron Bridge

Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe with fish

Love is in the Garden Pond again after a week of bitterly cold weather.

The frogs are smiling again & these comical little characters make everyone smile too!

4 Glossy Ibis flew over the Pill at 16.00 this afternoon & set down in the fields opposite the pill road. 

Up to 11.45

Juv Glaucous Gull in flight around and sat on the Lead Stone.  28 Great Northern Divers between Thatcher Rock and Hope Cove.  6 Purple Sandpipers on low rocks close to the point.  5 Great Crested Grebes.

Female Black Redstart around the boulders on the small beach and cliff faces on the south side. 

Later, a Great Northern Diver in the outer part of Torquay Harbour.  2 Great Crested Grebes off Torre Abbey Sands.  A Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Egret and Grey Heron at Corbyn's Head.     

The Female long-tailed Duck still showing very well at Mountbatten

Long-tailed Duck still present this morning, also Adult Yellow-legged Gull. Lesser Black-backed Gulls returning with 4 Adults present

At Isley this morning ; 3 Spoonbills & 2 Great crested grebes.

At Mount Batten bay L.T Duck  still present ,also 1G N Diver.

While cycling into South Brent yesterday chance sighting of a high flying Woodcock passing over the A38 near the Carew slip road.

Around home this morning Heron, Nuthatch, two male Siskin and a very vocal Firecrest in the garden.

The Grey Plover, but only 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Greenshanks and 5 Teal on the flooded meadow this morning.  An adult Mediterranean Gull, with a nearly full black hood brings to three seen here in recent days.

Two song thrush chasing, quivering, displaying

Long-tailed Duck still off the slipway this morning 

Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Highlight of mid-day visit to Cattedown was the Long-tailed Duck off the Mountbatten watersports centre, a now rare visitor to Plymouth.  In Saltram Park at dusk was a Water Rail.

While working in Cullompton, I have watched a pair of Ravens carrying sticks and building a nest in a large conifer near the centre of town. The tree is a large conifer in a private garden adjacent to Station road and just down the hill from the Police station.

As the afternoon drew to a close many gulls came in to assemble before heading out to sea presumably to roost on the water. Herring Gulls, Common Gulls and over six hundred Black-headed Gulls. In amongst them all were three adult Mediterranean Gulls and a white necked Ruff who looked, and appeared to feel, ever so slightly out of place. A nice bird to see though.

A pair of snow buntings showing well on Northam Burrows this morning

A Peregrine on a kill on a farm field just off Plymbridge Lane. 2 Canada Geese with 2 female Goosanders on larger pool and for the first time I saw a pair of Goosander on the smaller circular pool at Boringdon G. C .who looked like they were building up to a mating session. A Buzzard, Crows, Magpies ans several Skylarks over the course.

Peregrine

Goosanders

Took a walk from home today which took us to Sandy Lane Car Park and along the SW Coast Path towards Saunton Golf club. The first birds if interest were a flock of 18 Magpies keeping the cattle company. A cock Pheasant ran ahead of us before hiding in deep cover then a distant blob in some trees turned out to be a Great Spotted Woodpecker.  A couple of Redwing were seen flying and Songthrush was seen but not heard. On the return leg we spotted a small flock of about 6 Longtailed tits 3 Bluetits 2 2 Great tits and a stunning male Bullfinch. The highlight of the walk though was undoubtedly our first singing Skylarks of the year! At least five heard and seen. Uplifting  :)

Great Spotted Woodpecker at distance.

On Blaxton Meadow at high tide first thing - Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 62 Curlews, 7 Greenshanks, 4 Teal, the female Red-crested Pochard, 21 Wigeon & 1st-w Mediterranean Gull. Also today, adult Great Northern Diver, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Stock Doves, 4 Goosanders (2 drakes) & 5 Red-breasted Mergansers (3 drakes).

Around the Cattewater, adult Mediterranean Gull (Polish-ringed PHAU), sinensis Cormorant (adult), 2 Grey Wagtails & a Common Sandpiper. 

Up to 12.30

The Juv Glaucous Gull showed well on low rocks towards the point and also in flight to and from the Lead Stone.  16 Great Northern Divers and 11 Great Crested Grebes between Thatcher Rock and Hope Cove.  2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Lead Stone.

Two Meadow Pipits on the main slope and a male Blackcap in the higher scrub, towards the gate.

A female Black Redstart around the boulders near the small beach on the south side.  

13/2/21 1500 On a garage roof in Ivybridge picking at the moss. Hooded Crow. Other Rooks around and at first sight (very close about 3m) thought it was some sort of albino, but after some research am convinced that it must be Hooded Crow possibly blown down by the NE high winds recently.

Broadsands : 1 Siberian Chiffchaff in the marsh behind the beach again today.

Around the bay: 1 Long-tailed Duck (Paignton) 7 Common Scoter, 11 Great Northern Divers (mostly Broadsands), 3 Red-throated Divers, 21 Great Crested Grebes.

In Clovelly bay off mount batten 1 L T Duck. found by Russ Enon this am.

Showed well on the river all yesterday between the weir and the bottom of Weirfield Road. Flew down river 5:30 pm, has returned above the weir again this morning.