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
Tuesday 7th September 2021
Cycled from Powderham church to Exminster Marshes this morning. 3 species of Egret, with the Great White Egret in the middle of the marsh and 3 Cattle Egrets just past the fisherman's car park. Good views of a Kingfisher by Turf.
Posted September 7th, 2021 at 9:11 pm by Nick Potter in Bird News
A sprinkling of migrants today including: 22 Wheatears, 7 Yellow, 3 White & 3 Grey Wagtails, 3 Sand Martins, 2 Tree Pipits, 3 Whinchats, Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Willow Warblers & 4 Snipe. Also, Great Spotted Woodpecker & Sparrowhawk.
Posted September 7th, 2021 at 5:26 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Three roosting Goosanders this morning were the first here since 9 Jul and the first autumn returns (but from where?). Flew downriver at 0711. Also six Teal and 21 Mallard. On the dam itself, several species making appearances included Spotted Flycatcher and two White Wagtails. No Sparrowhawk or Kestrel today, but on 3 Sep there were two juvs of each perched on the outer 'steps'. Also three Whinchat on the walk back to Shipley.

Sparrowhawks, 3 Sep

Goosanders at dawn, 7 Sep
Posted September 7th, 2021 at 2:07 pm by Peter Reay in Bird News
This morning a Wryneck seen on the bridlepath together with a solitary Wheatear and Whinchat and several Stonechats, 2 Ravens and a Jay. Dunlin, Little Stints, Sanderlings and Ringed Plovers on Tungsten West Lake.

Wryneck

Wryneck
Posted September 7th, 2021 at 12:34 pm by Bob Barrow in Bird News
Monday 6th September 2021
At lunchtime today were 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 1 Water Rail, 2 Ruff, c75 Redshank, c40 Curlew, and single figures each of Blackwit, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper.
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 8:46 pm by J in Bird News
100+ Swallows, 60+ House Martin’s, 6 Sand Martin’s, 5 Swift’s at East Prawle Village. In the surrounding areas, 4 Wheatears, 5 Spot Fly, 2 Pied Fly, 6 Whinchat, 12 Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffs, Hobby, RB Shrike amongst the usual birds. Mixed flock of 120+ Linnets and Goldfinch feeding on the thistles.
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 8:45 pm by G and L Carr in Bird News
17:46 - 19:02
Avocet (1), Black and Bar-Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Knot, Ruff, Pintail, Wigeon, LBBG, Common Gull, Mediterranean Gull were the highlights.
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 8:06 pm by Paul Bray in Bird News
Good numbers of Whinchats (6) & Greenshanks (11) this evening; also 2 Wheatears, Whitethroat, 5 Stonechats & an adult Mediterranean Gull.
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 8:05 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Around 60 Teal and 1 Osprey.
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 6:36 pm by Barnabas in Bird News
Best today was Wryneck just south of the ponds in Starehole valley plus Nuthatch moving west up through Starehole Valley. Also: Grey Heron over, Sparrowhawk, 12 Stock Dove, 40 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 19 Wheatear, Whinchat, 15 Robin (small influx), 2 Blackcap, 9 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 9 Willow Warbler, 18 Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, 200 Rook, 37 Goldfinch, Bullfinch & 140 Linnet.
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 2:52 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
Osprey over the village at 11:15, heading towards the Yealm estuary. Looking at the time of the sighting, it was probably the same bird reported over Hooe Lake.
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 12:46 pm by David Fieldsend in Bird News
4 Greenshanks , 1 Spotted Redshank , 2 Kingfisher , 1 Common Sandpiper , 200+ Dunlin , 12 Ringed Plovers , 3 Turnstones , 2 Little Stints , 12 Swallows , 4 House martins & 1 Curlew Sandpiper.

Little Stint

Curlew Sandpiper
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 12:02 pm by Dave Paterson in Bird News
A lot of commotion over Hooe lake and radford. Was looking for a sparrowhawk as the culprit. In fact it was a osprey flying around and headed south, could not see any rings.
Also on the lake and around.
King Fisher, egret, heron, little grebe, mite Swan, mallards, black head gull herring gull, LBB gull, goldcrest, blue, great and l.t tits. Robins, dunnock, gs woodpecker, Jay.
Also in the lake I spotted a few alive and dead terrapins, not sure if its known of their presence.
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 11:34 am by Annabel Sharpe in Bird News
Ruff (juv until 0750, no sign since), 4 Little Stint still, 1 Sanderling, 23 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover on Drakelands Pit, viewed from top of Crownhill Down. Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit over.
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 9:09 am by Chris E in Bird News
Lots of Balearic Shearwaters quite close in at times, Arctic Skua, lots of terns, Common and Sandwich, Kittiwakes and a common gull.

Balearic Shearwater

Balearic Shearwater
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 8:27 am by Richie Moore in Bird News
In the garden yesterday

Long Tailed Tit
Posted September 6th, 2021 at 8:24 am by Geoff Mitchell in Bird News
Sunday 5th September 2021
21:00 tonight a male Tawny Owl heard calling from the wooded area of the Beacon, West Hill, Braunton. No answering call from ant female.
Posted September 5th, 2021 at 9:04 pm by Philip Naylor in Bird News
A modest spread of migrants today including: Redstart, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, 11 Wheatears, 4 Willow Warblers, 3 Sand Martins, Golden Plover, Snipe & 4 Dunlins.
Also both Stoat & Weasel & a Painted Lady.
Posted September 5th, 2021 at 6:48 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Never seen one before then two appear together - Little Stint. Also saw some Turnstones, Ring Plover and Dunlin.

Little Stint
Posted September 5th, 2021 at 6:22 pm by Martin Bennett in Bird News
A cycle along the Exe this morning from the fisherman’s car park at Exminster to Dawlish Warren and back gave, female Sparrowhawk, Little Stint, Garganey, two Marsh Harrier juvenile and adult female (several sightings) Black Swan, Kingfisher, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Curlew, Oyster Catcher, Little Egret, Heron, Great White Egret, Common Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Bar Tailed Godwit, Black Tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Redshank, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Kestrel, Stonechat, large numbers of Swallow all over the estuary and a Snow Goose along with approx 150 Canada Geese at Cockwood.

Bar Tailed Godwit

Kingfisher
Posted September 5th, 2021 at 5:42 pm by Steve Hopper in Bird News
c150 Balearic Shearwaters in the bay this morning. Sometimes just a couple hundred meters offshore and resting on sea off memorial. Also 50 plus each of Sandwich and Common Terns. Many hundreds more terns, probable Common, distant offshore. Also Arctic Skua, Great Skua, c300 Kittiwakes, 5 Turnstones and Whimbrel. Lots of Mediterranean Gullls, all ages.
Posted September 5th, 2021 at 5:14 pm by Perry Sanders in Bird News
1 Leucistic Redshank & 1 Curlew Sandpiper in the gulley opposite Pottington Industrial Estate. Can be seen from the Tarka trail.
1 Green Sandpiper in Bradiford Reserve.
Posted September 5th, 2021 at 3:49 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Great 2 hours at Exminster Marsh this morning. Spoonbill 2 (Ad, Juv), Garganey 2, Marsh Harrier 2 (Juv, Imm F), 5 Ruff, 2+ Little Stint, 2 Green Sand, Sp Redshank, 150+ Curlew, 150 Blackwits, 2 Greenshank, 50+ Teal, 8 Shoveler & a Snipe
Posted September 5th, 2021 at 9:43 am by Steve Cox in Bird News
Popped down to the scrape this afternoon hoping to see the Mandarin duck. No luck, but one spoonbill and 4 Ruff were ample consolation.
Posted September 5th, 2021 at 6:11 am by Andy Leat in Bird News
Saturday 4th September 2021
Large passage of birds this afternoon including at least 20 Sandwich, 7 Common, 2 Arctic and 3 Black Terns. 40 Kittiwakes and 10 Med Gulls in various plumages.
Posted September 4th, 2021 at 6:15 pm by G & L Carr in Bird News
Five Whinchats this afternoon with 2 Wheatears & 7 Stonechats. Otherwise water birds pretty unexceptional but 7 Greenshanks still about.
Posted September 4th, 2021 at 5:49 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Curlew Sandpiper, Nocturnal flight call heard over Lea mount Park 3/9/21 at 11.40PM
Posted September 4th, 2021 at 5:19 pm by Paul Barker in Bird News
1 f Wheatear during a walk on the Burrows this morning
An abundance of Butterflies inc Common Blue (very good numbers on Water Mint, Purple Loosestrife & Common Fleabane & one in the garden on the rockery at lunchtime),Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, & GateKeeper.
Lots of berries on Hawthorn bushes for the thrushes.
Dead Grey Squirrel on one of the numerous sandy tracks (photo 2)
Photo 1 - Female Common Blue
Posted September 4th, 2021 at 4:26 pm by Rob Jutsum in Bird News
Fremington Pill .
7 Greenshanks , 1 Spotted Redshank , 1 Kingfisher , 1 Common Sandpiper.
Fremington Quay.
4 Black-tailed Godwits , 50 Dunlin , 10 Ringed Plovers , 2 Sanderlings , 3 Turnstones , 3 Little Stints , 1 Whimbrel.
Along the Taw .
3 Swallows , 4 Kingfishers , 30+ Dunlins , 4 Ring Plovers , 2 Common Sandpipers.

Little Stint.
Posted September 4th, 2021 at 3:10 pm by Dave Paterson in Bird News
An early morning visit didn't produce much, as in passage birds, but the best of the rest was a Tree Pipit, Kingfisher, Dipper, a flock c250 Goldfinch over Chelson meadow near the Ride put up by a female Sparrowhawk. Also a good passage of House Martin & Swallow (mixed flock). at least c250 over Saltram House and a constant movement of birds all heading East while I was there. The total must of been over 600+
Posted September 4th, 2021 at 1:16 pm by Martin Phillips in Bird News
Friday 3rd September 2021
Stopped off at Aylsebeare Common today where this lovely Dartford warble was seen.

Dartford Warbler

Dartford Warbler
Posted September 3rd, 2021 at 11:25 pm by Martin Bennett in Bird News
possible sighting off Dawlish 17.15 3rd September 2021
Posted September 3rd, 2021 at 8:20 pm by Geoff Tilbury in Bird News
1310-1630:
Two, possibly three Ospreys seen this afternoon. One Osprey perched in a dead tree at 1315 at the New Barn farm end of the Tavy railway bridge. Later on, one Osprey seen twice diving into the Tavy, then it was joined by another and they both drifted off circling high over Bere Ferrers / Blaxton Wood / river Tavy area. 2 record shots, 1 digiscoped from 700 metres.

Osprey

Osprey
Posted September 3rd, 2021 at 7:31 pm by Alan Livsey in Bird News
In terrible light this eve 4 Little Stint (others saw 6 earlier in the day) and about 30 Dunlin in the Drakelands Pit. Whinchat on Down too.

Whinchat
Posted September 3rd, 2021 at 7:18 pm by Chris E in Bird News
Marsh Harrier and 2 Wood Sandpiper present this morning at right of lagoon seen from canal bank. Singles of Hobby and Spoonbill reported earlier by others.
Posted September 3rd, 2021 at 5:31 pm by Jonathan Ruscoe in Bird News
A morning's visit produced: c35 Wheatears, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 8 Sand Martins, Tree Pipit, 2 each of White & Grey Wagtails, 3 Dunlin (over), Sparrowhawk & a Roe Deer.
Posted September 3rd, 2021 at 5:00 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
A cool, grey, breezy morning was enlivened by a male Merlin flying fast over the fields. Also: 10 Alba Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, 13 Wheatear, 9 Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Bullfinch & 30 Goldfinch.
Non-avian: 47 Autumn Lady's Tresses.
Posted September 3rd, 2021 at 2:21 pm by Rob Macklin in Bird News
A good early morning seawatch 0630-0900hrs: 1294 'comic' Terns light and distance made id near impossible but suspect mostly Common Terns; 2 Arctic Tern (juvs), 25 Common Tern, 28 Sandwich Tern, 45 Balearic Shearwaters >N 26 >S, 1 Manx Shearwater, 6 Fulmar 20+ Arctic & 2 Great Skuas, 1 Y-l Gull, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Common Gulls, several hundred Kittiwake,2 Common Scoter and 3+ Harbour Porpoise.,
Posted September 3rd, 2021 at 1:38 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
Spotted Redshank at the pill this morning.
Posted September 3rd, 2021 at 12:59 pm by Dave Paterson in Bird News
Thursday 2nd September 2021
A visit on this morning's low tide produced: juv Yellow-legged Gull, Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, 21 Little Egrets, 35 Mandarin Ducks, Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, 2 Stonechats, Bullfinch, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers & a Roe Deer.
Posted September 2nd, 2021 at 7:16 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Eight Little Stint, 4 Sanderling, 29 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover all in the flooded Drakelands Pit at the top of Crownhill Down this eve. Scope essential.
Whinchat and 2 Wheatear at base of Down.

Wheatear
Posted September 2nd, 2021 at 7:14 pm by Chris E in Bird News
An Osprey was on a post mid-estuary viewed from Exton Station. This is the second day at this location on a rising neap tide, and seems to sit there for longish periods.
Posted September 2nd, 2021 at 6:56 pm by Rupert Ormerod in Bird News
A short, late afternoon cycle along the Tarka Trail produced 53 Med. gulls resting on the shore plus 4 greenshank in the bay near Heanton Court. Also 36 widgeon adjacent to the garden centre, a dozen or so teal at Bradiford Reserve, plus a mix of godwits, some dunlin and curlews etc at various points.
Posted September 2nd, 2021 at 5:42 pm by alan craddock in Bird News
25 Species recorded, Birds of note, Raven 2, Greenshank 2, Grey Heron 1, Common Sandpiper 3, Dunlin 1, Ringed Plover 2, Little Egret 1, Goldcrest 5, Willow Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 3, Treecreeper 1, Little Grebe 7, Ruff 1, Swallow 1 and Buzzard 2.
Posted September 2nd, 2021 at 5:09 pm by Steve McAusland in Bird News
Taw-Torridge estuary/ Isley Marsh,
3 Wheatear, 29 Curlew, 3 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Cormorant, 7 Herring Gull, around 10 Black Headed Gull, 1 Great Black Backed Gull 8 Little Egrets and 1 Spoonbill.
Home Farm Marsh,
From Bird Hide 64 Teal and 5 Mallard.
Salt Pill Duck Pond,
52 Mallard, 9 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 3 Mute Swan and one Coot.
Posted September 2nd, 2021 at 4:03 pm by Barnabas in Bird News
200 plus Dunlin , 30 ish Ringed Plovers , 6 Herons , 4 Knot , 4 Sanderings ,3 Greenshanks , 1 Marsh Harrier & 1 hunting juvenile Peregrine.
Posted September 2nd, 2021 at 3:48 pm by Dave Paterson in Bird News
Nought of note on the scrape, but pleased to see 2 Grey Wagtails, a Kingfisher and a Dipper in the river from the bridge to the reserve. Not often that I record all three there! over the reserve several each of Swallow and House Martin.
Posted September 2nd, 2021 at 12:32 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
Yesterday while in South Devon I dropped into Slapton sand. Black swan and a few Tufted ducks on the lake. On the beach were a number of sea birds including: a couple of Med. gulls; a common gull; some GBB gulls; a number of Kittiwakes; a couple of common terns and a good number of Sandwich Terns.

Sandwich Tern

Med Gull
Posted September 2nd, 2021 at 2:37 am by Martin Bennett in Bird News
Wednesday 1st September 2021
09:41 - 13:59 Highlights….
Viewing platform: 1 Osprey on post mid-river, near Exton for nearly an hour; Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Shelduck,Curlew, Oystercatcher.
Matsh from hide: Teal, Wigeon, Kingfisher (1 male), Marsh Harrier (1 female), Lesser Black-backed Gull, Snipe (3), Sand Martin, House Martin
Posted September 1st, 2021 at 8:57 pm by Paul Bray in Bird News
Five Little Stint still in the Drakelands Pit this eve. Also 2 Sanderling fresh in today. 12 Ringed Plover and 31 Dunlin. 2 Wheatear, about 60 Swallow and 20 Sand Martin feeding at the base of Crownhill Down.

Sand Martin
Posted September 1st, 2021 at 8:46 pm by Chris E in Bird News
Juvenile Osprey again from the yacht club, also 5 Common Sandpipers, 32 Curlew and an amazing 13 Spotted Flycatchers along the edge of the river taking shelter from the stiff NE breeze! 6 Harbour (Common) Seals

Posted September 1st, 2021 at 8:25 pm by Mike Langman in Bird News
We've had a young male Sparrowhawk harassing the sparrows at the feeder of late & so far he's been unsuccessful. Today's sortie kept up the 100% failure record and ended up with it resting, and recce'ing for further targets, from our neighbours rooftop. A short while later it locked on and arrowed off eastwards low & fast.

Sparrowhawk, I think he sees me!

Sparrowhawk locked on, pre-launch.
Posted September 1st, 2021 at 5:30 pm by Phil and Sue Naylor in Bird News
Although generally quieter for migrants than of late, an Icterine Warbler showed well for a few minutes around the isolated small barn to the east of East Soar Farm. Otherwise, around Soar, 17 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Wheatears, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Willow Warblers & a Reed Warbler.
Later, South Huish Marsh produced: 2 Wood Sandpipers, single Bar- & Black-tailed godwits, 11 Dunlins, Snipe, 3 Ringed Plovers, c10 Sand Martins, a White & 20+ Yellow Wagtails, 5 Wheatears & a Swift.
Posted September 1st, 2021 at 4:55 pm by Pete Aley in Bird News
Ringed Plovers, Dunlins, Whimbrels, Curlews, Oystercatchers, Black Headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 1 Great Black Backed Gull, around 10 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron and a Spoonbill.
Posted September 1st, 2021 at 3:45 pm by Barnabas in Bird News
Stared with a quick look at the scrape - 2 female Pintail still. Then walked south from the reserve on the East bank of the Caen.1 Little Egret on the way to the Toll House. In the field with cattle south of the reserve, 8 Curlew. Then a couple of Pied Wagtails but a closer look also revealed 2 juvenile Yellow Wagtails. Good sized roost of Herring Gulls and Canada Geese by the main pond at Sherpa, plus a Cormorant, 2 Little Egrets and a Spoonbill! Never seen one here before, presumably the one Rob saw in the Caen yesterday. By the new pool just beyond Sherpa a Green Sandpiper, the habitat there looks ideal for a Spotted Crake. (I can dream) Walked on down to the estuary, but waders few and far between - 2 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover and a few Curlew. 1 Kestrel was the only bird of prey. Back at the river before the reserve, a Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher. Not very many Swallows, and one Sand Martin.
Posted September 1st, 2021 at 2:01 pm by Jon Turner in Bird News
It was like Noah’s Ark yesterday at Exminster Marsh. 2 Garganey, 2 little Stint (Juvs), 2 Ruff, 2 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier (Juv & young F) but sadly just the one Hobby. Also 52 Teal, 5 Shoveler & 12+ Snipe. Juv Harrier is a stunning bird.
Posted September 1st, 2021 at 10:53 am by Steve Cox in Bird News
An early morning couple of hours at the marshes, mostly scoping from the towpath. Yesterday's two Little Stints were still present and were joined by a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at 0830. A supporting cast of Ruff, Great White Egret, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier and Garganey (on the pool near to the Fisherman's car park) plus all the 'usual' stuff made for some enjoyable birding.
Posted September 1st, 2021 at 10:39 am by Simon Tonge in Bird News
14 Ringed Plover, 29 Dunlin, 15 Oystercatchers, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Black Headed Gulls, 3 Herring Gulls, 1 Great Black Backed Gull and a Cormorant.
Posted September 1st, 2021 at 10:17 am by Barnabas in Bird News