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On arriving at the pond just before 18:00 I heard the rattle of a Garganey in the reed bed. It then appeared swimming out into the pond.

Above the pond were at least a dozen or more Swallows with a few Sand Martins & above these were 2 House Martins.

A female sparrowhawk collided with s kitchen window at 17.20 today and stayed still long enough to take a mobile image.

Red Kite over Bishops Tawton at 10.30am today. A Chiffchaff singing for the second day running at my field at the back of Codden Hill this afternoon.

The intrepid birders braving the blustery conditions on the 5th East Devon Field Trip for the year, this morning, had to work hard to pick out the gems on offer in the swinging trees and howling winds.

For our troubles, we managed 2 Treecreepers, Linnets, singing Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Coal Tits and Goldcrests, passing Buzzards and then finally, just before the lure of a Bacon Butty had us heading for the car park, 3 showy Siskins posed for us near the Obelisk.

Chiffchaff

Siskin

1st Winter present from Cockwood steps at 2.25pm for 5 mins before flying to Bull Hill

In addition to a lot of Swallows and Sand Martins hawking in the lee of the reserve this morning (including a few inside over the pond), I saw a brood of about 10 Mallard ducklings. She mast have started to lay those eggs at the end of February. Sadly I went in search for a photo, but couldn't find them!

This afternoon I spent a few hours at Exminster Marsh waiting for the Spotted Crake to appear, finally between 18.00-1900 hours it appeared. Got good views and a few snaps in poor light.  While waiting a male Pintail came into view.

Spotted Crake

Pintail

10 Sandwich Terns in Torbay this evening viewed from Marine Parade 

Saw first swallow today 4pm mid devon swooping amongst cattle.

A sprinkle of spring arrivals setting up home on the Common at Torrington. 2 Blackcaps and a single chiffchaff singing. Also a green and a great spotted woodpecker and a song thrush singing as dusk fell. Lots of great tits calling

Osprey circling high over Exe estuary towards Lympstone at 0945hrs.

Exminster Marsh yesterday evening ~ Spotted Crake showing almost constantly occasionally chased around by a Water Rail, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, five Sand Martin over one of the scrapes later joined by a flock of 100’s that then moved on, two Swallow the first I have seen this season.

A Spoonbill flew in and showed well, feeding very actively after preening, in one image taken can be seen to be swallowing a stickleback.

Spotted Crake

Spoonbill

Crownhill Down first thing: Sand Martin over west, 27 Fieldfare and 4 Redwing at base. Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.

Furzeacre Wood, Hemerdon, at lunch: Singing Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff and 3 Blackcap.

Wheatears 3, Stonechats, Skylarks, M. Pipits, Mallards, Pied Wagtails, Ravens 2, C. Crows, Magpies, a solitary Jay, a Sparrowhawk ,Linnets, Goldfinches, Pied Wagtails.

Wheatear

Skylark

Spotted crake still present in the same spot around midday. Came out of grass for a few minutes with good views.

ring neck duck still present at blackhill quarry.

4 Swallows near the point this afternoon  then they headed inland 

A walk from the top end of Fremington Pill & back on the falling tide this morning revealed an "old friend", Redshank with yellow colour ring and orange leg tag with HAE thereon. We had previously seen and reported this bird twice, firstly in 2017, then again in November 2019! Seems it likes Fremington Pill. Also of note was a Ruff with 6 other Redshank and about 30 Black Tailed Godwit of which at least three were moulting into breeding colours. 

Redshank HAE back in the Pill again

Distant Black Tailed Godwit in breeding plumage

New in, a Black-tailed Godwit in smart summer plumage. Also, Willow Warbler, a pair of Grey Wagtails, female Stonechat, Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 8 Greenshanks & 4 Roe Deer. 

Black-tailed Godwit

Walked from Fremington to Instow. Highlights included:

Fremington Pill: Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed godwits and a Ruff

Saltpill Duckpond: Male garganey and 5 Glossy Ibis

Isley Marsh: 5 knot in amongst the oystercatcher roost and a very odd teal. Possibly the same individual seen at Hayle yesterday by one of my friends. Possible hybrid? Garganey X teal?

Black-tailed godwit 40, greenshank 1, spotted redshank1 showing darkened plumage. L. egret, 2

Yellowhammers, Tits and Chaffinches around the feeders at the car park at Dartmeet.

Yellowhammer

Good numbers of Sand Martins and Swallows over the pond this morning. First Willow Warbler I've heard in the reserve this year (briefly) Tawny Owl called, 106 (or so!) Black-tailed Godwits on the scrape. Late afternoon visit revealed a huge increase in Swallows and Sand Martins over the pond Lovely to see.

My first Willow Warbler of the year; also, Bullfinch, a pair of Stonechats, Green Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, Comma & 5 Roe Deer.

5 swallows over fields on edge of village. Blackcaps now singing in every thicket.

Disturbed a hoopoe on the wooded coast path just before Overbecks as I was heading back towards Salcombe. Unmistakeable! Flew into woods quickly so unable to get a photo sorry 

seven swallows over Colyford sewage treatment works feeding on clouds of midge

The crake didn't show in the hour we were waiting for it. The Spoonbill showed well near the middle car park. Marsh Harrier, Bar and 2 Black-tailed Godwits, Willow Warbler, 2 Egyptian Geese, Water Rail and a RB Merganser off Turf. Plus the usuals.

Spoonbill

The spotted crake was showing well intermittently in the usual place, by the last pool before the canalside car par. Also glimpses of a water rail. the imm spoonbill and a red kite circling overhead for some minutes.

On the Tarka path from Instow to Yelland were two Stonechats (1m & 1f) in the field adjacent to the old Power Station were a few Linnets and Skylarks.

Stonechat

Skylark

1st winter drake Velvet Scoter on sea at Coryton cove at 4.45pm.

It drifted south with 2 Common Scoter

The Spotted Crake performed well this evening, with a nice back-up cast of imm. Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, Water Rail and 15 Sand Martins.

Spotted Crake

Short-eared Owl

Red kite seen near pool, around 1645 this evening.

19 Golden Plover seen at the top of the Down early this morning, 3 Wheatears, Numerous Linnets, 3 Goldfinches, 2 Greenfinches, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Green Woodpeckers, Stonechats, Mixed Fieldfares and Redwings down near the bridlepath..

Golden Plover

Linnet

Ringing this morning to see if much new from the South has appeared. 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Willow Warblers was the answer. Also 2 Cetti's Warblers ringed. Then went for a walk down the River Caen as far as the runway light gantry. Female Peregrine chasing a fortunate Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Garganey, the White Reed Bunting. but down by the pill box, all the Gulls and Shelduck were in a tizz about something, and careful scrutiny revealed a North-bound OSPREY which flew on over Braunton.

This morning at the Lake,

2 Garganey 1m 1f, 2 Willow Tits, 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Grey Heron.

On the Tarka path this afternoon between Fremington and Yelland were two Goldcrests, two Blackcaps, a Willow Warbler, two Long-tailed Tits, four Glossy Ibis and a few Robins,Blackbirds and Little Egrets.

Goldcrest

Long-tailed Tit

Lots of bird activity along the northern and western side of the Down in the mixed heath, bracken and scattered trees. Lost count of the number of male yellowhammer calling; upward of 12, plus small flocks of linnet and meadow pipit. 

Spotted crake still present until 4,45 just back along the road from the fisherman's car park and a Spoonbill opposite the middle car park

Afternoon visit to Hopes Nose, Torquay, brief view of a very smart male Wheatear, two pairs of Stonechat, five singing male Greenfinch, two Chiffchaff, good day for raptors including a Kestrel that showed well.

Oyster Catcher and Fulmar, Rock Pipit, Wren, Goldfinch and a pair of Ravens that showed well, frequently displaying.

Raven

Raven

Male Wheatear on western slopes, with two Hares in same area.

This morning, around the valley in front of the reservoir was 5 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Yaffling Green woodpeckers, 2 Grey wagtail by the quarry. A singing male Blackap, Greenfinch, and singing Willow Warbler were at the bottom end of the car park. 3 Buzzards overhead and a buck Roe deer on the grassy slopes.

In addition to Pete's sightings - 32 Golden Plover first thing on the down before flying north. Reed Bunting, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Redwing and 2 Fieldfare.

When looking for the drake Pintail amongst the Teal were amazed to find a herd of 54 Fallow Deer, bucks, does & yearlings. This is the largest group we've ever come across there. Wheatear on Crownhill Down and several singing Chiffchaff along the edge of the Down.

On the Down, 4 Wheatears (3m), Green Woodpecker & 4 Fallow Deer. On Portworthy, a drake Pintail & 26 Teal.

Wheatear in abundance at Prawle Point. Also a gannet fly-by and a purple sandpiper on the rocks. A single swallow over East Prawle. 2 Sandwich Turns through Salcombe harbour

Yellowhammer (m) in the corner of the barley field by the path through to the back of Pynes Hill, at the top of the hill.

Today while walking along the Tarka path from Barnstaple to Fremington I spotted three Cattle Egrets on the Barnstaple end of Penhill Marsh and a Red Kite circling low over a field on the inland side of the path. Photographed with my phone.

Red Kite

Late for yesterday.

1f Goosander, 2 Willow Tits, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Tufted Duck (3m 1f), 2 Great Black-backed Gulls.

Make black redstart spotted yesterday (Friday 1st April) in someone’s drive close to the car park in Hope Cove. Fulmar also seen flying across the bay.

Today while driving along the A377 towards my home in Barnstaple I was crossing New Bridge and noticed a group of birds in a field off in the distance. This Greylag Goose was there with a group of Swans and Canada Geese. 

Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose

Exminster Marsh this pm. Imm Spoonbill, 2 1st wint Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, Water Rail where Spotted Crake was/is, 185 Teal, 84 Wigeon, 37 Shoveler, 6 Pintail, 2 singing Blackcap & single singing Chiffchaff 

The male Ring-Necked Duck was reported from the quarry lake again this morning, and I saw it this afternoon.  Best not to visit pm, as the bird was straight into the sun, and, for good measure, under the water more than on it in today's choppy conditions!

4 ( 2 pairs) of Egyptian Geese with flock of 52 Canada Geese on banks of River Avon, Aveton Gifford approx 600m above Venn Weir this am. Also seen Male Reed Bunting and Green Sandpiper.

One pair of 2 - Egyptian Geese - River Avon, Aveton Gifford

 Challacombe  Farm  at 10.20am today. one female redstart. By Carol  Bartlett and Jenny  Stidwill.

3 Sandwich Terns we’re actively diving for fish this afternoon off Teignmouth seafront, viewed from the Coastguard Station.

A falling tide visit today produced little on the estuary but elesewhere: Wheatear (female), Treecreeper, Stonechat (male), Speckled Wood & 4 Roe Deer.

A 2^nd cal yr Lesser Black-backed Gull (B1HA5) seen on Blaxton Meadow 19/3/22 was ringed on Alderney 16/7/21 & seen at Lodmoor 14/8/21.

Thought people might be interested in information on the Sea Eagle seen here on 22nd March. It was a female (G801) fledged in 2021, which as of yesterday (31st) was recorded around Arne, Dorset.

Given other records posted here and on other local news sites there were three different WTEs in county within a week of each other!

S

11 bramblings in garden feeding on sunflower hearts. 6 lesser redpolls shortly afterwards, also 12+ siskins; goldfinches; chaffinches; single greenfinch.

5 Cattle Egret on marsh by farm shop.

Reed Bunting showing well.

For your interest.  With reference to the Sea Eagle sightings in Devon posted on 27.3.22. I have now heard from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation advising me that this bird is identified as female G466 released on the isle of Wight in 2020.  For details go to:  https://www.roydennis.org/category/sea-eagle/isle-of-wight-sea-eagles/