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A couple of the 1st winter Oystercatchers sported a metal ring on the left leg whilst one also had a small blue on the left leg, plus a blue “AM” and small yellow on the right. Anyone able to interpret this bling collection?

Oystercatchers

Rings close up

At low tide, the exposed rocks yielded 7 Purple Sandpipers, about 10 each of Turnstones and Oystercatchers and approximately 20 Brent Geese.

Purple Sandpipers

Turnstone

I joined the birding party (on my own) On Crownhill Down this afternoon, Golden Plover, Wheatear, Stonechat, Chaffinch, Green Woodpecker, Skylark. Sharing images of the Skylarks and Stonechat as others have shared the Wheatear/Plover.

Skylark

Skylark and Stonechat on Gorse

2 Female Wheatear 

Tawny Owls and Blackbirds currently competing in the orchard.Earlier 35 Chaffinches ,a female Brambling,3 GSWs,Nuthatch,Treecreeper, Marsh Tit,Goldfinch,Greenfinch,Bullfinch,3Jays and a female Kestrel.200 plus Redwing feeding on Ivy berries in the wood with regular short excursions to the neighbouring meadow.At least a third were of the Icelandic race with very dark streaks on their breasts……..not seen them before this winter.2 of the 3 rookeries on the farm have been abandoned this year but about 60 individuals have begun nest reconstruction at the third……..about 2 weeks later than usual..Perhaps predation of the young by Buzzards has been a factor at the smaller rookeries?Non avian sittings included a Stoat,a Brimstone and several Small Tortoiseshells.

Love this time of year - barn owl quartering over the moor, really close by in the glorious late afternoon sun, several chiffchaffs singing and a willow tit calling.

The Black Redstart which has spent the winter by the bridge on the tip road at Northam was surprisingly still present today and showing well, as usual. 

Black Redstart at Northam

09:20 - 13:30

Couldn’t see any Wheatear but plenty of the usuals around - Brent Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, Avocet, Marsh Harrier (f) and 3 Glossy Ibis were the highlights.

A reasonable spread of birds on a lovely sunny day included: Treecreeper, 2 Stonechats (male & female), both Chiffchaff & Blackcap singing, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Goosanders (1 drake), 17 Mandarin Ducks, Jack Snipe, Snipe, 9 Roe Deer & 2 Peacock butterflies.

A planning application has now been submitted for a solar farm on Chelson Meadow, a wildlife-rich part of this site. Although some concessions have been secured, there are still serious concerns over the impact on wildlife. Please put in a planning objection before 22nd March. You can email or send comments by post if you don't want to register through the planning portal. Details here:- 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19BxR6nA2gtPaV5x2lDg4mmSnU8XLo2la3_QWYCKuPaU/edit?usp=sharing

Pics from previous report

Golden Plover

Wheatear

On Crownhill Down this morning: Redwings, Reed Buntings 2, Golden Plover 50+, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Robins 2, Wrens 2, Stonechats 8, Wheatears 3, Jay 1, Magpies 3,Kestrel 1, Ravens 3, Canada Geese 7,Snipe 1.

Seen first thing this morning 3 Wheatear's (all male), 120+ Golden Plover  on the Tor and 4 Reed Bunting (3m 1f). Skylark and Meadow Pipit in full song.

Yesterday afternoon we saw a kingfisher, dipper, grey wagtail and WATER RAIL(!) in the brook, plus a lot of newly arrived chiffchaffs about in the willows.

More Wheatears! At least seven feeding around Skern pool this afternoon. Stunning birds. 

Wheatear

During this afternoon's WeBS count, there were 2 Little Gulls (ad + fw) feeding in the lower part of the estuary, visible from Cockwood steps. Nearby, a Red Kite appeared briefly over woodland above Eastdon. Green Woodpeckers called there and at Dawlish Warren. The WeBS totals for the Starcross to Dawlish Warren golf course section included 7 G C Grebes, 360 Brent Geese, including a Pale-bellied Brent at Starcross, 7 Mergansers and 6 Greenshank.

Image for previous post showing right eye 

A quick run out this morning between showers bagged this nice local tick. The bird was showing well feeding amongst but, keeping a distance from the Canada Geese. At one point the bird was surrounded and tried to make itself look somewhat bigger with little effect on the Canada geese. One thing I did notice from my images is that it’s right eye seems to be clouded over, perhaps it’s blind in one eye? The what three words location was purest.pigtails.destroyer

2 Chiffchaff on the Coast Path near the Shipyard at Appledore. Good views of 2 and possibly a 3rd calling some distance away. Two Redwing still around on horse field at Northam.

At least three around the bird feeders on Meldon road. 

This morning (late morning) my son and I popped down to Wrafton Pond where we saw a  good number of Sand Martins, two Drake Pochards, two Little Grebes, a Cetti's Warbler and a Chiffchaff.

Pochard

Chiffchaff

Two early arrivals on Northam Burrows today, two Northern Wheatear , one by the golf course, 8th tee, and another over by the scrape near the end of the tip road keeping company with about 10 Linnet.   A Kingfisher also seen in the gut draining from in front of the golf clubhouse.

Northern Wheatear by 8th tee RNDGC

Northern Wheatear by end of tip road

In Powderham Park were the regular Egyptian Goose pair, 80+ Shelducks, mostly sitting in pairs, and, new since last week, 15+ Stock Doves and 2 Gadwall. A bonus was an eye-level Treecreeper in the churchyard.

In the estuary were still 15+ R-b Mergansers, but Pintail were down to c25 against 80+ last week. Couldn't see any Avocets, Knot or Grey Plovers.

On Exminster Marsh were singles of Marsh Harrier and Spoonbill, and 5 Tufted Ducks. I checked the males carefully, but all were white-flanked, alas.

Back in Exeter, what was probably my last Redwing until Autumn was in a canal-side Alder, and the local Ravens seem to be incubating high up on one of the Grid pylons.

Saturday 12th, a raft of 66+ Razorbills, plus 4 Guillemots just off Highveer point, Heddon Valley, midday. My first sighting of Exmoor auks of year.

After seeing the post about the water rail at Saunton cottages, I thought I’d pop down and have a look. Sure enough it was in the same spot and I watchedit for a good 30minutes. Marvellous. Another year tick!

Thanks Phil and Sue.

After tips from Bob B & Chris E, went for our first Wheatears of the season. There were also a pair of Stonechats on the same gorse bush with the Wheatears, I just wasn't quick enough with the shutter button!

Dipper, kingfisher and WATER RAIL(!) seen in the brook, plus several chiffchaffs that look to be new arrivals. Rail was skulking along the far bank on one of the bends, I almost missed it!

Two Wheatear at the top of the down.

A walk along the river this am, Little Egret fishing at the weir, Kingfisher, Chetti's briefly singing, first chiffchaff of the year behind the Salston Manor, and 2 Otters, one showing well as it hunted for fish etc.

One seen exploring the pebble ridge and golf course at the mouth of the estuary....near the 8th green. A second was near the dump road and Skern pool. Both birds too skittish for a passable photo.

A solitary Sand Martin seen over Dawlish Warren today.

Three Mediterranean Gulls (on Blaxton Meadow at high tide), 2 in summer plumage including Polish-ringed PHAU. Also, 5 Goosanders (1 drake), 36 Mandarin Ducks, single Common Sandpiper & Greenshank & a flock of c35 Siskins.

A planning application has now been submitted for a solar farm on Chelson Meadow, a wildlife-rich part of this site. Although some concessions have been secured, there are still serious concerns over the impact on wildlife. Please put in a planning objection before 22nd March. You can email or send comments by post if you don't want to register through the planning portal. Details here:- 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19BxR6nA2gtPaV5x2lDg4mmSnU8XLo2la3_QWYCKuPaU/edit?usp=sharing

More than 3 dozen Common Scoter diving below Brandy Head. At least 2 Fulmars.

At least 3 sand martins buzzing about this afternoon over the lake. No sign of the ring necked duck. A peregrine came through and scared off all the godwits, stooping several times before flying off.

1 male Snow Bunting flew low >N looked like it might have put down on cliffs between Elberry and Broadsands but no sign after a short search.

On the sea 42 Great Crested Gebes, 1 Great Northern Diver, 16+ Common Dolphins & 1 Harbour Porpoise (unusual this far in bay).

The pf goose grazing in fields NW of causeway this afternoon

The 8 Cattle Egrets feeding in the field around Stokeley pond this afternoon.

Wifey sent me to Tesco for a few items, but I went via Fremington Pill where I saw two Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, some Redshank, a Little Egret and a lot of Black-tailed Godwit including to fully clothed birds.

Black-tailed Godwits

Greenshank

3 Swallows. Earliest we've ever seen them in N Devon 

Walk to Turf and back along canal. Strong southerly breeze so most birds well hidden. No sign of the chiffchaffs that were so evident yesterday. Still good numbers of teal, wigeon and shoveller. Few waders. Two spoonbills at the roost and a single male wheatear from Station Road.

A Purple Sandpiper with 5 Turnstone this morning, foraging on the rocks in front of Pier one restaurant. 

Crownhill Down early this am: Jays 2, Dunnock 1, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Stonechats, Goldfinches 8,Golden Plover and Wheatears 4, my first of the year.

Jay

Wheatear

6 Common Buzzards over this morning between 10:50 and 11:15 inc. a group of four. The resident male came up to meet them calling constantly and made sure they moved through, generally heading east.

5 singing Chiffchaff,2 Black caps . 1Firecrest.

Early morning - 1 Wheatear seen from the footpath on top of the cliff top.

This afternoon 2 Sandwich Terns around the harbour.

Group of three green sandpipers still around. On the large scrape between the huge dead tree and the aqueduct. 

An hour at Haldon Forest feeders in the rain today produced 7+ Brambling, 60+ Chaffinch, 30+ Siskin, 3 Yellowhammer, 2 Redpoll & 2 GS Woodpecker. 

One benefit of the rain was few people about, so birds stayed put for longer. 

1 Sand Martin over the pond late aft.

The Upper Lake this morning.

3 Tundra Bean Geese, 2 Willow Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, c20  Fieldfare,

2 Sandwich Terns around the outer harbour this afternoon.

Quick walk around the lake this morning. Still good duck numbers, with 7 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon and a pair of Gooander.

Yesterday at Teigngrace: Canada Geese with the Pink Footed Goose and a Canada/Barnacle hybrid? (Eds - appears to be a partially albino Canada) Little Egrets, Mute Swans, Magpies and Carrion Crows.

Pink-footed Goose

Canada Goose/Barnacle hybrid

Small flock of Bramblings feeding in the garden today. At present about 18

Yesterday at Yarner Wood: Wood pigeon, GSW, Blackbird, Blue, Great, Coal, Marsh and L T tits, C. Crow Stonechat, Wren, Raven, Dunnock, Buzzard, Mallard, Grey Wagtail, Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Siskin.

Chaffinch

Nuthatch

Late afternoon at Wrafton Pond area where a single Snipe was enjoying the golden sunlight.  Out on the scrape (smaller pond) a single Heron stood still for just a few shots.

Snipe

Grey Heron

While in Yeo Mill area South Molton, I spotted two Great Spotted Woodpecker, one Marsh Tit, two Long tailed Tit, one Coal Tit, one Pied Wagtail, one Grey Wagtail, Two Dunnocks and a Goldcrest.

Grey Wagtail

Dunnock

Walked Darts fam to Topsham today noticablly quiter than a month ago when we were last here the Ring necked duck was distant and we found this Chiffchaff? hawking from a bush and spotted the Curlew from the crossing by railway bush maybe the leg rings could be identified

Bill and Jill Beck

Chiffchaff?

Curlew

2 Chiffchaff singing - my first of the year.

Straight Point: c120 kittiwakes on cliffs viewed from Sandy Bay; male kestrel, buzzard, raft of 14 Brent geese, 2 GBB gulls and 5 cormorants atop cliffs.

Mar Lane: 2 ring necked parakeets, stock dove

one Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, four Ravens, calling Stock Dove, two Little Grebes, two Redshank and 50+ Shelduck on the upper estuary

Immature Peregrine hunting over the Chiverstone Farm area NW of Kenton at lunchtime today, the first time I have seen one in "ordinary" farmland.

 After a nice birdy chat with Rob Jutsum by Saunton Farm Cottages I continued a walk towards the Burrows and stopped by the next hump backed bridge to check for anything in the dike. To my delight a  Water Rail was skulking in the shallow water not 5 metres away! Watched it for about 10 minutes as it fed happily....left it undisturbed eating its tea! 

Water Rail feeding

On this afternoon's low tide: Great Crested Grebe, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (including Polish-ringed PHAU), adult Black-headed Gull TR6M (also Polish-ringed), 20 Common Gulls, Common Sandpiper, 28 Mandarin Ducks, female Red-crested Pochard, 4 Goosanders (1 drake) & a male Kingfisher.

A planning application has now been submitted for a solar farm on Chelson Meadow, a wildlife-rich part of this site. Although some concessions have been secured, there are still serious concerns over the impact on wildlife. Please put in a planning objection before 22nd March. You can email or send comments by post if you don't want to register through the planning portal. Details here:- 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19BxR6nA2gtPaV5x2lDg4mmSnU8XLo2la3_QWYCKuPaU/edit?usp=sharing

The single Whooper Swan still present on the marshes with the 2 Mutes.

On the way home on Braunton Great Field delighted to see a single  Brown Hare running across the field. 

Last port of call Wrafton Pond where there were 2 Chiffchaff ,one in full song on the far side of the pond & the other visible as well as vocal in the Willows adjacent to the Tarka trail. Also vocal Cettis.

No sign of the Cattle Egrets yesterday afternoon and only one Cattle Egret present at Stokeley pon this morning, it flew off up the valley at 9.08am.

Male and female Brambling at the feeders this morning along with a male Yellowhammer.

The Pink-footed Goose was still at Teigngrace at about 9.20 this morning. I only had a brief view as as soon as I found it, a helicopter flew over and all the geese flew to the other side of the road, out of sight.

Singing Chiffchaff. 3 Roe deer in the park. 

One Firecrest at 1000 this morning exploring the trees on the path below Okehampton Primary School. Very close views.

Nice male Wheatear at warren point today, our first for year.

Also singing Chiffchaff, which i assume is a new arrival

10 Purple Sandpipers on Breakwater this afternoon, My highest total of the Winter

1st bird back on known breeding territory at East Charleton, this same territory held the first arrival in 2021. Feeding in Goat Willow at 13:00 with occasional singing. Arrival 4 days later than in 2021 but earlier than the recent six year average.

Spring! 2 Chiffchaffs singing here. 3 days earlier than my earliest record back in 2011.

24 Golden Plover on the down this morning. Many moulting into summer plumage. Reed Bunting and 10+ Skylark singing. Pix: https://bit.ly/3vRx18h 

Yellowhammers in full song near Sandford, skylarks singing. In the garden a welcome male brambling and the regular goldcrest found a caterpillar which it struggled to eat in one go.

Pink-footed Goose still with Canadas and Mute Swans in meadow SE of Teigngrace this morning.

Pink-footed Goose and Canada Geese

8 Cattle Egrets at entrance to Stokely Farm Shop this morning.

10 bullfinches (7m 3f) feeding on willow blossom (8 in one tree, two in another) by Frying Pans; single male teal with 11 tufted ducks, 2 Canada geese and 4 mallards on the lake. Lesser black-backed gull with herring gulls at the edge. Single greenfinch and nice male kestrel only other birds of note.

The male Brambling stiil around; also, Common Sandpiper, 27+ Turnstones, 27 Mandarin Ducks & female Red-crested Pochard.

A planning application has now been submitted for a solar farm on Chelson Meadow, a wildlife-rich part of this site. Although some concessions have been secured, there are still serious concerns over the impact on wildlife. Please put in a planning objection before 22nd March. You can email or send comments by post if you don't want to register through the planning portal. Details here:- 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19BxR6nA2gtPaV5x2lDg4mmSnU8XLo2la3_QWYCKuPaU/edit?usp=sharing

The drake Ring-necked Duck was back at BGM today - distant and often underwater though! Also Spotted Redshank, 100+ Avocets, several dozen Pintail, 12 Common and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and a Cetti's Warbler singing by the railway.

Ring-necked Duck

Ring-necked Duck

Some good sightings at Lynmouth and the Valley of Rocks yesterday. The Stonechats were numerous and particularly active.

Female Stonechat

Grey Wagtail

Tawny Owl calling and Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming behind Holmleigh Road.

10 Great Black Backed Gulls off Stokeley Bay.

Red Kite going E at 14.08 yesterday. 

Slapton Ley off the tank 13 Gadwall, Stokeley 5 Cattle Egret.

South Huish Marsh 3 Little Egret, 42 Teal, 6 Stonechat, 9 Pied Wagtail, 6 Rock Pipit

A Pink-footed Goose with Canadas and Mute Swans in a meadow SE of Teigngrace at SX855733 (as reported recently by Kev and Will). I viewed it from the old level crossing at the E corner of the field.

Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

This morning on Crownhill Down a mixed flock of  Redwing and Fieldfare 40+, Goldfinches 6, Skylarks 15, Meadow Pipits 8, Ravens 5, Magpies 4,Reed Bunting 1. A pair of Tufted Ducks on one of the small ponds. And on the Tungsten West Lake (TWL) Cormorant 1, Shelduck 2. With at least 70 Teal and a pair of Wigeon on the nearby Portworthy Lake

Skylark

Reed Bunting

North of White Bridge & in the fields of the Lower Otter Restoration Project;

4 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper and 3 Water Pipits with Meadow Pipits also present

Just before 9 am this morning a Red Kite high over the house at  South Brent headed southerly in the murky conditions.

Green Woodpecker calling as it has been for the last few days.

Red Kite

Red Kite