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Distance shot of the Marsh Harrier.

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

This afternoon and evening at the pond first - where there were two Gadwall (1m and 1f) and four Little Grebes. Later from the pontoon on the Caen and over-looking the reed bed across the river, the Marsh Harrier appeared for a short time just before sundown.  Also got a shot of a flyby of two Swans. 

Gadwall

Mute Swans

My first Wheatear of the year (female), Stonechat (male), Treecreeper, 22 Turnstones, Red-crested Pochard (female) & 6 Roe Deer.

 Thanks to everyone who submitted an objection over the plans for a solar farm on Chelson Meadow. 114 people objected (42% of public comments) & Devon Wildlife Trust also put in an excellent objection. We now await a date for the Planning Committee to consider it.

Started by cycling from Barnstaple to Braunton. Only 7 Chiffchaffs heard (2 seen).A few Black-tailed Godwits along the way and 3 Greenshank. Nothing of note at Wrafton Pond or the scrape. On the way over to the reserve, disturbed a Redwing. in the reserve 2 Jays, Goldcrest,.6 Chiffs, and a couple of Cetti's Warblers. On the way out met a birder who said Swallow and House Martin seen over the scrape with Sand Martins. Quick diversion and found a House Martin. Returned later and completed the set with a few Swallows. They all looked cold. Probably the first time I've seen House Martin before Swallow.

Red kite just south of Newton Tracey and male mandarin duck on the Torridge nearTorrington  

09:07-10:09

Highlights for me were one Marsh Harrier hunting, three Cattle Egret (with the deer) and an Egyptian Goose.

Female Black Redstart on exactly the same spot on the garage roof as was seen on 21 March. Also feeding on the patio. Next to rugby training ground.

Snipe drumming and chipping below dam at 0620 yesterday - first of the year.

The spotted crake still there at 4.30 this afternoon. Got a few diary photos using my phone and scope.

Spotted Crake

Spotted Crake

Lots of Cetti's, Skylarks and Chiff Chaffs singing. A Blackcap also. The Spotted Crake, Spoonbill, Ruff and Marsh Harriers. On the way back called into the farm shop at Powderham, counted 60-ish Cattle Egret from the car park.

Brief views of Spotted Crake, Coots, Moorhens, Shovelers, Pintail, Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Shelduck, Cormorant, a solitary Spoonbill, Heron, Little Egret, Ruff, Lapwing, Mute Swans, Redshank, Dunlin, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Chiffchaffs, Wheatears, Wrens, Cettis Warblers, Kestrel, C, Crows, Jackdaws ,Brent Geese, Canada Geese, Egyptian Geese and excellent views of a Marsh Harrier

Shoveler

Ruff

Powderham ~ Female Kestrel.

Exminster marsh , very brief view of the reported Spotted Crake, showed well for about 20 seconds.

Two Ruff, two Marsh Harrier one an adult female being seen off by a very aggressive Lapwing that made numerous attacks driving off the Harrier, Kestrel a Spoonbill, Herons and Little Egrets, several Cetti’s Warbler, Skylark and Chiffchaff in full song.

DWT Heathfield male and female Kestrels hunting the first I think I have seen there, Stonechat, at least four Chiffchaff.

Back home at South Brent two Redwing, a Song Thrush and the daily territorial tussle between a Raven and Buzzard.

Spotted Crake

Evening visit to the pond and scrape. Cold. breezy, not terribly conducive to summer migrants. Perhaps that, combined with it being high tide led to an influx of Black-tailed Godwits - my final tally was 127. Didn't see the Garganey but another birder had. After some time I did eventually see 10 Sand Martins.

Also, I heard back from Abbotsbury Swannery. The yellow-ringed female Mute Swan (FBJ) was ringed in Dorset as a cygnet in 2017.It has been reported several times of late from the Braunton marsh area.

After seeing seven Buzzards in the same thermal over my garden last week, a Red Kite soaring high over the back garden at 2pm today was a welcome addition to my Garden List. 

Red Kite

09:01 - 10:50

Spotted Crake, Raven, Marsh Harrier, Swallow, Spoonbill amongst the ‘usuals’ were the highlight. 

Osprey circling over my back garden, 1245hrs.

The three Garganey, and 3 Black-tailed Godwits out on the scrape this morning.

First Willow Warbler this morning (a singing male) plus 7 male Wheatears, 4 Blackcaps, 19 Chiffchaffs & Red-legged Partridge.

Popped down to Exminster Marsh and successfully saw the spotted crake along with others, then headed down to Powderham where the large flack of cattle egrets (50+) were with the deer in the park, viewed from the cycle track. Shelduck and occasional little egret mixed in too.

Late afternoon I thought I'd have another crack at the Barnacle Geese and was able to get in a little closer. Afterwards, I popped over to Wrafton Pond where I later met Andy Leat. I got a blurry shot of a Willow Warbler, a nice shot of a Little Grebe. Out on the Scrape were a number possibly 30+ Black -tailed Godwits, a Grey Heron, a Little Grebe and a few Teal. Best of all Andy said look-up, the sky was full of Swallows and House Martins so Summer is here at last!

Barnacle Geese

Barnacle Goose

After having great views of the Spotted Crake, and seeing female Marsh Harrier and the Spoonbill, Andy Lansdell and I headed to Dawlish Warren hoping for a bonus on the sea, which appeared pretty empty, but after a few minutes Andy said: "Look at this" and there was the Velvet Scoter - apart from a Cormorant and a few Gulls, the only bird out there, bonus achieved. On the way back along the lane joining Powderham Church to the main road in a field with cattle just next to the road, a single Cattle Egret.

One Brambling on the feeder this morning and a couple of flyover Siskins and a singing Blackcap. Also: Kestrel, Stock Doves, Mistle Thrush and 4 redhead Goosanders on the lake 2 days ago.

During this winter I often photographed the metal ring on the Whooper Swan from the road hoping to crack the code. After numerous attempts finally I succeeded.

Just heard back from the BTO & the bird was ringed near Dublin in 2021.

Delighted to see the Spotted Crake this afternoon, well done Steve Cox on the find. It showed well, but distantly in the pool next to the Station Road carpark.

Spotted Crake

8 Mediterranean Gulls in full summer plumage off Ethelwynne Brown close, 

Bideford east.     Saltpill pond had 5 Glossy Ibis, Male Garganey And Shoveler among 20 + Teal.

Female Ring Ouzel 200m east of Cliff Road, along coast path.

A male Wheatear early afternoon ranging between the bench at the bottom of the first slope and Sandy Point - also 2 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff 

Cycled down the trail to Barnstaple this morning & at least 21 Chiffchaffs, only1 Blackcap, 2 female Goosanders, 29 Black tailed Godwits 17  Wigeon & 3 Greenshank. 

On the way back checked Wrafton scrape for the third time this morning & the 3 Garganey (2m + 1f) that Jon Turner had posted a few days ago were resting peacefully surrounded by Teal on the scrape.

While photographing these 1 Willow Warbler vocalising in the willows that surround Wrafton Pond.

Found a nice Spotted Crake on Exminster Marsh this evening. Also 2 1st w Marsh Harrier, 35 Sand Martin & a Swallow. 162 Curlew, 84 Wigeon, 190 Teal, 11 Pintail & 2 Tufted 

My first swallow of the season over Kennick reservoir at 6pm. Watched it feeding over the reservoir for 10 minutes or so but no more seen. 

In Mamhead Woods this morning, a displaying Redpoll, my first of the year, and four pairs of Crossbills, plus lots of Siskins, a singing Chiff-Chaff every hundred yards or so, and an early-returning Yellowhammer.

Later, in the lanes near Kenton, two pairs of Stonechats, unusual in farmland, but both with some bramble scrub and unploughed headlands, so maybe they can breed. Reminders of Winter were flocks of 10+ Meadow Pipits, 30+ Linnets and a 40+ Redwing/Fieldfare mix.

In Powderham Park, 10+ Cattle Egrets and seven Egyptian Geese.

Red kite with worn tail; at least 6 singing blackcaps

12:45

Male Ring-necked Duck

1 Swallow.pm.

First visit to Black Hole Marsh since before the lockdown; once the fog had cleared it was a nice day; 50 Bar-tailed Godwit, plus a very nice Ruff, and at least five vocal and visible (for a change) Cetti's Warblers.

am More than a dozen Chiffchaffs,1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap & a pair of Holly Blues, 1 Common Lizard running across the path, too quick so no time for a photo! Blackthorn blossom & lots of primroses & dog violet in flower.

Great Northern Diver still in the River Taw-Torridge this morning as seen by Rob Jutson yesterday. No boats or jetskis as low tide. One Wheatear on the Pebble bank by the 8th tee.

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Brent Goose

Brent Geese

This is a late post from my visit yesterday to Instow where I saw 5 of 17 Brent Geese showing well. 

3 miles East of South Molton, 10 am

Single Med Gull on Wrafton pond this morning.

Hopefully an attached poor shot taken by holding phone to scope.

Immature White-tailed Eagle drifting up the Plym estuary at 1515hrs heading North.

6 Black-tailed Godwits on the scrape with the now diminishing numbers of Teal. Dipper in the river. In the reserve 4/5 singing Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap. Around Sherpa 3 Garganey (later seen back on the scrape) 2 Gadwall, About 8 Little Egrets, and at last - decent (if distant) views of the Great White Egret. On the pond beyond Sherpa the Whooper Swan. Back at Wrafton pond a  Mediterranean Gull.

Great White Egret

Whooper Swan

2 red kite over Affaland Clawton.

Presumed W-T Sea Eagle over the common at 11.50 this morning accompanied by 6 Buzzard.. Circling from the east and heading west towards Exeter.  Will be interested in hearing of other sightings today.

Red Kite flying over Princetown 1015 this morning mobbed by Jackdaws.

Ploughed and started to roll the bird mix field today.Plenty of company including 170 Rooks, 20 Jackdaws,8 Stock Dove, 140 Pheasant,8 Pied Wagtails 4 Buzzard and best of all a Red Kite which arrived at 3.30 and stayed half an hour .Also seen a solitary Meadow Pipit and non avian included 15 Red Deer hinds and a Common Lizard.

A dozen Cattle Egret in a field of cows just beyond Cowley Bridge at 10:30 this morning, seen from the train.

2 Mute Swans, 1 Coot, 1 Moorhen, A Few Mallards, around 10 Teal, 1 Shoveler and 1 Garganey.

Today at about noon the 4 barnacle geese were still at Braunton Marsh but a couple of fields back. The whooper swan is still there and was much nearer!

Barnacle Goose

Whooper Swan

Arrived early for a ringing session in the reserve this morning, and very pleased to catch a Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler (first of the year) during the first round of the  nets. But despite there being several Chiffchaffs singing, I only caught one more. Later I caught a Redwing, showing that winter isn't quite over yet. However, that was about the lot so I packed up at about 11 and headed for a walk around Sherpa. I was alerted by others to look over by the Chivenor side, so ambled over and found a Great White Egret. Presumably the one I have seen twice recently.

Sad to hear that Alan K Searle of Torcross passed away last night, a true Devon Birder and ringer he will be sadly missed

1 Great Northern Diver in mid - channel between Northern Burrows & Crow Beach earlier this morning.

Instow Cricket ground this evening where this Meadow Pipit was picking off the flies, 15 Pied Wagtails feeding on the field along with 30+ Linnets.

Meadow Pipit

Linnet

A flock of 20 plus Fieldfares still with us.

My first Brimstone of the year on Woodbury Common this morning.

Soar: New Black Redstart on Sharp Tor; 2 singing Blackcap, 22 Chiffchaff. Non-avian: 3 Speckled Wood.

Harleston: 20 Common Buzzards heading generally east today bringing the total to 270, a new Devon record!. Also over: Sparrowhawk going east, Peregrine overhead (unusual here) and Red Kite heading east, but low, in mid-afternoon.

My first singing male Blackcap for the Spring seen on the River Otter footpath near Ottery St Mary this morning.

 A singing Reed Warbler by the Discovery Hut. Four Barnacle Geese with Canada Geese on Colyford Marsh, where a pair of Stonechat on the tramway wires.

Dave Paul found a Jack Snipe on the Burrows yesterday, and it was still there around 9.45 today. In the marshy area to the left, over the bridge at Appledore Gate

24th 11.30 Early Swallow resting on overhead cables

Late afternoon at Atherington where I saw four Yellowhammer, two Collard Dove and a small group of Pheasants.

Yellowhammer

Pheasant

This afternoon on the pond there were just a few Mallard, a couple of Little Grebes and lots of Gulls including a Lesser black back Gull. On the Scrape were three Gargarney (2m + 1f) a couple of Wigeon and a few Teal.

Garngarney

Lesser Black-backed Gull

This morning on Braunton Marsh were four Barnacle geese (long distance and heat haze affected image). A male Chaffinch singing in the roadside trees.

Barnacle Geese

Chaffinch

Spotted Redshank today at Bowling Green Marsh, along with 275 Redshank, 80 Blackwit, 42 Wigeon, 34 Pintail, 25+ Teal, 9 Tufted, 4 Shoveler, 15 Greenshank (Goosemoor), 17 Avocet, 10 Dunlin, Green Woodpecker, Kingfisher & Sparrowhawk.

At Riverside Country Park 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 10 Wigeon, 16 Teal, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Chiffchaff & 2 Reed Bunting.

Lots of butterflies out today, including Brimstone (2) at Bowling Green 

Car in garage so whole day in the garden - best was migrant Goshawk over early afternoon heading east (same line as recent migrant Sparrowhawks), The size of the bird close to nearby Buzzard! 2 Blackcaps singing here. So to Buzzards - 28 today in these easterlies giving a running spring total of 250. Question: What do they do when the winds are usually westerlies?

Came home from a shopping trip to find this guy inside our flat on Sutton Wharf in Plymouth. Opened the windows and it flew out towards the Barbican. First for the year and the first ever inside our flat!

First Male Black cap of the year very briefly in my garden, in Braunton. Checked out the feeders and pond and off he went.  

Black Redstart passed through our field today 1515 plus we still have 3 female Bramblings feeding on our table.

1 female around my cottage at Home farm during the middle of the day

Andy & the 4 Barnacle Geese were still present this morning!

This time they were half the distance away so good views with the bins from the gate & the side of the road.

On Dartmoor today where I got to see more Bramblings.

Male Brambling

Brambling

Male Wheatear investigating the location,

At least 35 Ravens circling high in the sky this afternoon, with birds constantly calling.

Single Dunlin feeding in the large pit this afternoon. Also 68 Black-headed Gulls in the gull roost - good count for here. Two Shelduck also present.

At Soar: 2 male Wheatears (first of year), first White Wagtail & Grey Wagtail flying east.

Meanwhile at Harleston: 76 Common Buzzards moving ENE from late morning to c.1600 - a new Devon county record! Also Sparrowhawk moving north.

Looking for the Greylag goose reported on Braunton Marsh today. No luck but found 4 Barnacle Geese feeding on the field behind the Whooper Swan.

Still there this evening.

Gargeny 1 pair.3 Siberian Chiffchaffs.  South Huish Reserve, Teal 30 ,Shoveler 1 pair, 11 Water Pipits including 2 in rose breasted summer plumage.

Cycled to the marshes again this am & on the way met Andy Leat who had seen earlier at long distance 4 Barnacle Geese foraging. .

Excellent spot Andy & can confirm your sighting from my long distance photo from the gate. 

Male Garganey roosting with a Male Shoveler and Several Teal on the main pond.    6 Glossy Ibis feeding in the field to the west of the pond . Plus several Cetti’s warbler singing .

Thanks to Stuart & Kim Leverton for spotting the Sparrow Hawk which was disturbing Snipe around the margins of the pond. It didn't catch any whilst we were there. Also seen was a Chiff chaff and a Cettis Warbler was calling from the far side. 

Sparrowhawk glaring for the camera

Visit to Powderham Marsh RSPB at lunchtime. 60+ Linnets, 67 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 8 Wigeon, M Pintail, 4+ Reed Bunting & 4 spp of Butterfly incl 10 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood & Comma. Ducks mostly from Exminster Marsh where workings taking place.

A shorter visit then to Exminster. Male Garganey in the centre of the marsh. Imm Spoonbill still. Ducks again reduced with 105+ Teal, 45+ Wigeon, 30+ Shoveler & 7 Pintail. 1st cy Marsh Harrier too, along with Kestrel & 12 DB Brent’s.

Nice to see at least 5-6 singing Skylark over last few days. 

On the river were Dipper and Grey Wagtail, and on the banks a minimum 4 singing Blackcaps, new in I think, and, briefly and unexpectedly, dueting Tawny Owls. South of Ladram Bay were R-l Partridges in the fields, Fulmars patrolling the cliffs, a R-t Diver preening in the surf, and Rock Pipits and Stonechats singing on the cliff-tops. The Scoter flock seems to have left. Nothing of note on the LORP, with lots of machinery working.

A few Stock doves on Fremington Quay, a Greenshank and three Glossies along the pill.  It was unusually quite along the pill possibly due to a man walking close to the water edge from the top the the iron bridge.

Stock Dove

Greenshank

A single Greylag Goose with the Mute Swans & the Whooper.

White-tailed Eagle distantly from the back garden in Exmouth, somewhere north-east of Lympstone @1335. It headed back in a more south-easterly direction a few minutes later. One of the Isle of Wight birds. It was over the Warren at 120pm (see below) and over Beer Head 1530-1630.

Watched an Osprey take a fish from the river just above the rail bridge and fly up river. It was observed later eating the fish on the Greenland Bank.

Osprey 1

Osprey 2

Plenty of activity in the sunny weather, Goldfinches and Blue Tits nest building, Buzzards, Sparrow Hawks and a possible sighting of a Merlin.

Goldcrest

Goldfinches

Watching the waders at Saltram, but nothing unusual; lots of singing Chiffchaff, plus about a dozen Ring-necked Parakeets shredding flower buds. Cadover was quiet, apart from a handsome male Reed Bunting. Red Kite over the A38 near South Brent on the way home.

WTE (looked like an immature bird) low along length of sand spit towards Exmouth around 1320

Low enough to see satellite tag!

record shot of WTE over Dawlish Warren

Common Buzzard passage from 10:00 to c.15:30 with 34 birds moving through east. Total from 12th March now 146. Also 3 female Sparrowhawks inc. 2 flying high east (migrants), male Kestrel, Raven, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers 7 singing Chiffchaff.

1 vocal Green Sandpiper flying over the pond / scrape just south of Sandy Lane car park this morning.

We had a single Red Kite 0950 flying north over Postbridge.and 300 Golden Plover over Ridden Ridge near Bellever Village.

Beautiful morning with sun and a light breeze. The usual spoonbill was on the roost with an ever growing number of shelduck (about 60 today). The single ruff was with the curlew flock before they were disturbed. Also a single dunlin and a few black-tailed godwit. A male garganey was on the pool near the canal until 8.45 when most of the birds flew as a peregrine appeared. I was unable to relocate it after they settled back on the pool. Several singing chiffchaff and Cettis warblers.

2 Garganey, 3 Shoveler, and a water Pipit

Water Pipit

Garganey