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Hooded crow in fields behind hide

Two common sandpiper flying around ley 

All seen today before dusk

Ruff, LRP, 100 Blackwits, 5 Barwit, 16 Whimbrel, 19 Curlew & 3 Dunlin on Exminster Marsh this evening. 21 Teal and a few Reed & Sedge Warblers singing

This morning: 3 Wheatears (2 males), Whitethroat, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Green Woodpecker & 10 Roe Deer.

Night-heron catching his tea, Roach I think !!. Around 4 o'clock today.

Fish in the bill,

Job done, nice Roach for supper

1male Redstart, 5 male Pied Flycatchers,  2 female Pied Flycatchers, good numbers of Willow Warblers  and Chiffchaff, 2 Bullfinch,1 Dipper, 6 grey wagtail and 1 heron.

Female Goosander with eight young, on the Teign ropposite Fingle Bridge Inn this morning.

Overlooking the reservoir was 1 Cuckoo, a singing male Redstart and 7 Swallows over the water and cattle fields. 8 Willow warblers, 5 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap in the valley below the reservoir, 2 Sparrowhawk over the quarry.

A Night Heron present on and off this morning - apparently for its 10th day and showing below the willow at the waters edge,left of the channel 30 yards north of Slapton Bridge. Also the drake Ring Necked Duck still with Tufted Ducks at the edge of Ireland Bay - 2 Sandwich Terns south, a few Swallows and a showy Reed Warbler at the bridge.

Today around Fremington Quay area where it Blackcap was seen singing and further on at the pond was this Sedge Warbler.

Balckcap

Sedge Warbler

4 Black-tailed Godwits on the scrape all day. Up to 6 Little Egrets around the area. The two Glossy Ibis seen again today. Also distant views of the Leucistic Reed Bunting. This evening no Yellow Wagtails, and only a few Swallows plus some Sand Martins (cold Northerly wind) Best was the Little Ringed Plover on the damp bit in the central field.

White stork present and looking comfortable this evening.

An afternoon visit. 19 Teal, 4 Pintail, Sedge & 3+ Reed Warblers singing. And 4 Hobby near Lions Rest.

At Tavy Cleave, 4 singing male Whinchats, 3+ Cuckoos, 7 singing male Willow Warblers, 7 Wheatears (3 males), 3 Grey Wagtails, Stonechats  feeding newly fledged juvs & 2 Reed Buntings.

Two Dippers at Grenofen & also Mistle Thrush feeding a newly fledged juv plus a pair of Grey Wagtails.

Pleasant afternoon visit to Matford pools and Exminster marshes. White stork accompanied by 2 little ringed plover at Matford. On the northern marsh a cuckoo flew over the canal (no calling) and there were several whitethroats singing. The male garganey was on the new scrape. A few swallows at Turf were visiting previously used nest sites. A few whimbrel on the shore and on the fields (total about 8). From station Road had good views of one hobby pursued by a kestrel. The 2 marsh harriers were active over the fields near the lagoon. 

Near the Rock were a Cuckoo, my first here in fifteen years of visits, and half a dozen Tree Pipits. On Mardon were Cuckoo again, possibly the same one, eight or more Redpolls buzzing around their favoured Birches in the NW corner, a Garden Warbler in the damp Willows, and a newly-fledged Stonechat. Lots of Willow Warblers and a few Yellowhammers at both sites. 

Six house martin seen over ‘upper town’ Christow this morning and 3 swallow over Archers’ Walk. 

White stork present at 1.20pm

 Swallows over Cross Street/Griggs Close, lunchtime.

Unusually busy at the Avon Dam reservoir this morning with four male Goosanders (one in moult, presumably imm to ad), two Canada Geese, four Herring Gulls, two G C Grebes, one Grey Heron, seven ad Mallard (two female) and three unaccompanied, newly hatched Mallard ducklings. Neither of the females paid any attention to the ducklings. The Goosanders flew out together the dam together at 0549. Also at least one reeling Gropper at the top end, the first I've heard for years, thanks to new hearing aids.

Goosanders and Canada Geese at dawn

Thursday afternoon around Anchor Wood area was a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in a dead branches of an Oak tree.  And in a low bush a Whitethroat made itself known.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Whitethroat

200+ Sand Martin and first Swift of the year. White Stork still on Matford Marsh at 8.20. 

16:30 > While waiting for the Osprey to show up again which had been seen late yesterday aft & again early this morning I waited for an hour or so at Cross banks. The weather was warm & sunny in complete contrast to the cold & overcast conditions this morning & the flood water mirror calm. A flock of 12 Whimbrel flew across the Caen Estuary & landed on the near side of the breach. Further up the Toll Road towards the White House a pair of Wall Brown Butterflies.

Crownhill Down this evening. at least 2 Cuckoos calling, Wheatears, Linnets, Goldfinches, Stonechats, Skylarks, Buzzards and Dunnocks.

Cuckoo

Wheatear

White Stork at Matford Marsh showing well. Exminster Marsh Great White Egret edge of main lagoon, Grey Plover on mud by river edge out from Turf four in all. One Plover in Summer plumage "cracking bird". 

GB 62 Ring number.

Looking dapper with its plumage fluffed up.

Female Goosander with 7 young at Cadover this afternoon.

Just heard a Cuckoo calling up on Brent Hill.

While listening two Blackcap singing in the garden hedges and two Raven over head.

The usual bird was asleep in Ireland Bay for much of the morning and a female Scaup joined the Tufties for a short while.

Best today was my first ever Cuckoo at Soar, being pursued by a squadron of Goldfinches. Also 3 House Martin and still windy and cold even with 5 layers on!!

Plenty of willow warbler and blackcap up above the quarry. Along the river; Dipper, grey wagtail and two Goosander.  Good numbers of swallow now around Staddon Heights GC. 

2 Cuckoos, 1 (m) Redstart, 2 (m) Whinchat. Very windy and cold day. 

09:14 - 11:43

Tree Pipit, Common Crossbill, Siskin, Yellowhammer were the highlights.

Female Hen Harrier. Raven with 5 newly fledged young. A light passage of House Martins and Swallows.

Some signs of migration today with Whinchat (female), 7 Wheatears (3 males), 2 House Martins, c20 Swallows (including 7 belting north) & a Whimbrel. Also, Sparrowhawk, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green-veined White, Orange-tip & 7 Roe Deer.

Not much on the scrape (1 Teal)! but in the reserve amongst the singing Warblers was proof that i did indeed see a Little Egret in the reserve yesterday: It was perched on one of the branched I installed for Kingfishers! Not great for it as it's a bit high over the water, but it stayed long enough for photos. Around Sherpa the 2 Glossy Ibis still, a few Reed Warblers, a pair of Shoveler, a smart sum plum Black-tailed Godwit, and an even smarter bright male Yellow Wagtail.

5 Swallows seen, for my first sighting this year, over Heathfield

This morning started with a stop-off and Fremington Pill where there were at least three Whimbrels and a similar number of Shelduck. Later while around Hartland area I stopped-off at Bursdon Moor where there were a few Stonechats and Skylarks.

Shelduck

Stonechat

Additions to Rob’s post: 9 Wheatears, Willow Warbler, c10 Swallows, 2 House Martins, White Wagtail, Wall & Orange-tip.

Female Wheatear ? (please correct if required) on a neighbour's rooftop in Greenbank, Plymouth  (0.5 mile from city centre) at 6.00pm. Chased off an adjacent rooftop by a herring gull. Stayed around for a few minutes. Photo taken through closed window so picture not entirely clear.

Eds: yes, Wheatear.

4 Wheatear, numerous Stonechat, Meadow Pipit & Skylark along the bridlepath. On the down, More of same, plus Linnet, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Willow Warbler, Pied Wagtail, 1 Hen Pheasant, 1 Snipe, 

Opened the nets again at 0545.As I recall the thermometer was reading 4 degrees. Not too many insects on the wing then. So once again hardly any birds. Then the wind got up at about 930, so by 11 I was on my way. Best were 2 Reed Warblers - first of the year. Genuinely surprised to see a Jay still present. Also a Little Egret flew out of the reserve at one point. Saw 3 Black-tailed Godwits out on the scrape first thing and when I went for an evening stroll, (7p.m.) they were still there with a Common Sandpiper. 2 Swallows too.

With a spare hour or so this afternoon, I decided to pop out to Horsey Island to see what was around.  I'm glad that I did as the Osprey came close.  Sorry to say that R.J came by a little too late unless he managed to see the bird later.

Osprey

Osprey

Best today Whinchat, Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler & 20+ Whitethroat.

Non-avian: 3 Roe Deer and Adder on Bolt Head.

For anyone who is interested I got some information back from the White Stork Project about the white stork GB62. the White stork is female bird who was released on a private estate in surrey 2018 and attempted to breed there last year but was unsuccessful. she was on the isle of white just a week ago.

Walking with friends this morning around Burrator area, we heard the Cuckoo, saw, (M) Redstart, a pair of Pied Fly Catchers exploring  a bird box. plenty of Willow warbler, Sky larks, Swallows and Wheatear keeping out of the wind on Down Tor.

First thing to surprise me early this am was my first ever Sedge Warbler by the garden pond!

Another trip around my regular 10 mile circuit..

8 Wheatear & 10 Sedge Warbler & a report of a single Cuckoo heard on Braunton Burrows.

Several Garden Warblers singing near Didworthy this morning.

Garden Warbler

There were two Black Kites over Hartland last Thursday, 21st April

House Martins over Griggs Close/ Cross Street Northam early this morning.

Sighted today at Eastern end of the Reservoir, Goosanders 2 (m) and 2 (f), also Wigeon 2(m&f), whilst on a cycle ride.

Working in Lynton today so popped down to Heddon's Mouth for a walk.  Along the path were a male and female Blackcap and many others along the way to the beach. Also saw a male and female Stonechat and what appeared to be a pair of Rock Pipits. An Orange tip butterfly landed close by but it was too scruffy to photograph and a small blue butterfly flew pass and disappeared over some bushes.

Blackcap

Stonechat

A light Swallow passage,1 Red Kite at 1.45pm .

Best today were earliest ever Hobby for Soar and six Whimbrel moving east. In 2013 there were 24 pairs of Greenfinches at Soar falling to just two pairs in 2018 & 3 pairs in 2020. This year there are 25+ pairs - looks like an amazing recovery from trichomonosis.

Male Bullfinch decked out in all his finery, Single Sand Martin flying low over Hillsborough.

I had a leisurely walk along the Caen footpath to the Taw Estuary this afternoon and pleasantly surprised to see an Osprey roosting on a field post near the Chivenor boundary. I watched for 10 minutes when it decided to took off and fished the Caen and the Taw Torridge Estuary. Still circling there at 16:00. 10 Whimbrel 5 Common Whitethroat Reed and Sedge Warbler heard in the Serpa Marsh with a Common Sandpiper feeding along the edge and 5 House Martins and 3 Sand Martins hawking over the marsh.

The 2 Glossy Ibis still at Sherpa Marsh this morning and 3 Whimbrel on the Caen not far past the Toll House until disturbed by a dog walker. Couple of singing Whitethroats livened up the rest of the walk.

A couple more pics from the trip.

Linnet

Stonechat

The East Devon Branch of Devon Birds 9th Field Trip for the year, saw an eager crowd gather at Aylesbeare Common to see what goodies could be extracted from the extensive gorse and woodland on offer.

The fine weather and light winds helped out as we found several Darford Warbler, Siskin, Willow Warbler, Linnet, Coal Tit, Stonechat, Raven and Buzzard, with flyover Yellowhammers, House Martin and Swallows.

Dartford Warbler

Male Siskin

The Taw and Exmoor branch of The British Naturalists Association had a trip to Exmoor yesterday and had 27 birds including a redstart at Chetsford Water plus six butterflies during the day

House martins, 4, at Pickwell, common whitethroat at Georgeham, Putsborough, Baggy Point, Saunton Down. Swallows throughout.

10.30 this morning my neighbour and I saw from Roundswell a Red Kite over Woodville as it headed towards Barnstaple direction.

A mid-evening walk from Instow towards Yelland along the Tarka Trail on the right – the grassy fields had 20+ whimbrel and the ploughed fields had 20+ wheatear, 2 pied wagtails and a song thrush among the herring gulls. Along the trail there were several swallows, and plenty of linnets and goldfinches. Heading across the field to the SW Coast path we had good views of a roe deer, seemingly being chased by the cows! On the dune path there was a whitethroat and distant views towards the Skern of a probable great northern diver. Most of the whimbrel had now relocated to the beach.

Wheatear

roe deer

Two more Wagtails to make up the set.

Pied Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

After the excitement of seeing the four wagtail species at South Huish we detoured via the Tory Brook to see our resident pair of Grey Wagtails to make up the set. We also saw our first Whitethroats at South Milton Ley and to top off the day our (earliest to date) Nightjar at Cann Woods, Plympton.

White Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Good to see the site's first singing Lesser Whitethroat and singing Sedge Warbler of the year this morning.  The former was initially vocal and mobile across the upper part of site before disappearing   The latter favoured the brambles on the north side of the meadow at the bottom of the first slope.  

Also, the 2 immature male Eiders remain, now favouring the area NW of The Orestone.  3 Whimbrels, 26 Manx Shearwaters north, 3 Sandwich Terns south,  2 Swallows in off the sea and a Red-throated Diver south.  A 'blue' Fulmar was also of interest.   

Last of the pics that might help with ID of Wagtail race.

Hope these help with ID of Blue type Wag at South Huish today.

Early start today but very little on or around the pond and a similar story on the scrape.  Got a shot of a Magpie and one of a House Sparrow.  Moved on the Braunton Burrows where it was a lot more productive.  A Kestrel, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear and a single Cattle Egret near the Private road.  At the far end of the Private road were a couple of Whitethroats, a pair of Linnets .

Magpie

House Sparrow

Late afternoon/early evening stroll. Shelduck on the scrape, + Little Egret, Chiff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap singing in the reserve, and the only addition I can make to Fozz's post were 2 Wheatears in the central field.

Phil this white Reed Bunting has been around for a while now, I thought it was probably a male when I heard it singing a few days ago!

24th April 2022 Hope these pics will nail a Blue Headed Wagtail or not !!!!!!!!!!

Wag at South Huish

Wag at South Huish

Definitely a Whimbrel day today! During the coordinated WeBs count around 1 pm I had 50 (with 35 Bar-tailed Godwits) in Cockwood Corner and others saw 13 at the Warren, 32 at Powderham Corner and 4+ at Exminster Marshes. So at least 99 just before high tide. Later, 30 flew N past Topsham at 2 pm and c40 ditto at 4 pm - although 42 reappeared 15 minutes later!

A walk around Sherpa Marsh after lunch, spoiled by the racket of cars racing around Chivenor,  produced about 20 Sand Martins about a dozen Swallows and the biggest surprise, an almost completely leucistic Reed Bunting. It was interacting quite normally with three others and may be a female as it seemed paired with a handsome male. 

Leucistic Reed Bunting

Leucistic Reed Bunting in flight

A very quiet WeBS count for me at lunch time. The 8 whimbrel present at the start of the count were joined by another 25 and then the whole flock flew north to north of the Turf. At the same time another 30 flew north over the marshes. On my way home a single little ringed plover was close to Station Road and there were a couple of cattle egrets with the cattle in the middle of the marsh..

16 Cattle Egret, 4 Ruff, 3 Whimbrel, 2 LRP, 21 Blackwit, 63 Teal, 3 Tufted, 2 Gadwall, 6 Cetti’s, 3 Reed & 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Swallow on Exminster this morning 

Pair of Pied Flycatchers. 

Male Pied Flycatcher

Female Pied Flycatcher

Whilst sat in my garden this afternoon a male sparrowhawk landed on my shed roof and sat there for a few seconds before flying into next door's garden and disturbing all the blackbirds there. Yesterday near Filleigh I saw a large falcon with a very long tail. The light wasn't good and I was driving so I couldn't stop in time. Any ideas? Too big for a kestrel. 

Red Kite flying north over Gutter Tor at 12:20.

An excellent morning along the Caen- 3 whimbrel,  lots of wheatear, pair of whitethroat, pair of stonechat, oyster catcher, shellducks, Canada geese, little egrets, heron, lots of skylarks, 3 linnets, kestrel, buzzard, Reed warbler and 2 glossy ibis.

A pair of Eider off of Warren Point was the highlight of an early morning birding trip. Seven whimbrel, a wheatear and Sandwich terns provided iadditional nterest.

Flying Eastwards low over the houses opposite the College, Abbotsham Rd. Mobbed away by crows.

Good numbers of birds this morning despite the cold wind .list includes linnets white throats, chiffchaff,blackcap cirl bunting,greenfinch,long tailed tit,on the way home had 3 wheatear close to the golf course at staddon heights

After years of waiting to see a kite in West Devon, one seen south east of Tavistock above Shorts Down, Whitchurch 3pm 23 April 22.

2 Yellow Wagtails and a Blue headed Wagtail in the field behind the cafe. Several Wheatears, 2 Whinchats and a few White Wagtails. A flock of 10 Bar-tailed Godwits flew over with a Whimbrel.

Blue-headed Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Nice local visit to Torbay's highest point this afternoon. A Red Kite drifted north at 15.45, one of six species of raptor seen. 

A group of approximately 10 Ring Necked Parakeets flying south from Mutley Plain in the direction of Plymouth University campus at 8.30pm.

Red kite near Northland Cross, N of South Molton, 2 pm mo

Just couldn't resist the temptation of Blue-headed and 'British' type Yellow Wagtails with White and Pied Wagtails too. Also there were at least nine Wheatears and my first Whinchat of the year. Far too windy when I was there for decent photos, but this was made up for by two newly fledged Stonechats on the fence next to me.

Stonechat juv

Early evening nip down to the pond this evening. As well as the usual suspects there were 10 Black Tail Godwits in splendid breeding plumage, a few Teal, a number of Hirundines, mostly House Martins from what I could tell, and a Common Sandpiper on the scrape. Also, a blackcap male in the bushes by the pond and a Sedge Warbler singing in the hedgerow, but refusing to show itself.
No sign of the Ibis this evening.

Earlier whilst looking for the White Stork at Fremington with Alan, my first wheatear of the year. 

Pair of Wrynecks in woodland. Photo of one sitting on balcony rail of Airbnb property

Eds: this is a fledgling Mistle Thrush

Wryneck on balcony rail

15 Wheatear (12 males and 3 females) feeding in a ploughed field at SS479319 along with several White Wagtail, 2ndCY Common Gull and Mediterranean Gull.

Further along the Tarka Trail towards Instow at SS476316 there was a Willow Warbler singing and including a Chiffchaff riff at the end of the song! I noted the same thing in the same place at the same time last year. Could it be the same bird?

1 Cuckoo, 1 Whinchat, 1 Green Woodpecker at Warren House and 1 Swallow at Princetown

Spotted Redshank still late pm on River Teign at Passage House Inn , and 5 Greenshank , Common Sand, a male Wheatear and a Swallow 

Fantastic morning at Exminster Marsh- 5 Red Kites at c11am, Hobby at 1145am, 3 Ruff, 30 PB Brent’s over river, 5 Wheatear, c50 House M, Sand Martins, Swallows, Sedge and Reed W showing well, 3 Egyptian Geese, 25 Dunlin,2 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 5 sum plum Cattle Egrets- nearby the Snow Goose at Powderham Marsh

Grasshopper Warbler briefly this morning, near Visitor Centre. Plus 2 Wheatear and 2 Swallow

Red Kite low and eastward over Otterton about 12.00

Sadly No White Stork in fields by The Tarka Trail but on the bright side there  were 10 Cattle Egret in another field with some sheep by the Tarka Trail from Fremington to Barnstaple..

Little Egret, Grey Heron, 4 Teal out on the scrape. Singing Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrest, Willow, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers in the reserve, while a displaying Whitethroat was over by Velator harbour. A bit further on a Common Sandpiper in the Caen (high tide) and one of the Glossy Ibis close by the reed-bed at Sherpa. Over the central field 30 or 40 Sand Martins and a dozen or so Swallows. Another Common Sandpiper at the main Sherpa lake. A very fast-flying flock of 20+ Dunlin zoomed over the Caen, around the marsh and off towards the estuary.

At 11.15 this morning a Red Kite was observed over St. Michael and All Angels church in heavitree before being mobbed by a pair of Ravens. The Kite drifted off to the east and the Ravens returned to perch beside a large stick nest in a Cedar of Lebanon tree in the churchyard.

Lower Tamar Lake this morning.

5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Reed Bunting 1m 1f, 1 Cormorant, c50 Sand Martin, 2 Marsh Tit.

One handsome mistle thrush on the pitch about 10am this St George's Day, and - just when I thought it was safe to reduce my bird-food bill for the time - 11 starlings. Also several male blackcaps seen and heard on the old railway line at Anvil Corner on Thursday. As a bit of poetic justice, every morning after I've been requested to brush feline housemate Dashel, the silver fluff goes outside in an old hanging feeder. The house sparrows love it 

Friday, first House Martin investigating usual nesting eaves

Bramblings in garden every day for more than a month, maximum count caught by camera trap = 13. Still some stragglers left, leaving it surprisingly late to make the move north.

Brambling - 21 April 2022 - Manaton

Today while working in Budleigh Salterton I popped down to the beach where this Rock Pipit appeared.

Rock Pipit

Looks like Jon's right. Nice find, let's hope we get some nesting here soon. 

Ringing information of Taw Stork

I'm pretty sure the Stork will be from the reintroduction scheme at the Knepp estate being re-wilded in Sussex. It's a fascinating place to visit. Will try to find the details of this ring number.

Several Pied Flycatchers and Tree Pipits seen and others heard, but Redstart heard only, alas. Along the way from Bovey, two Garden Warblers had joined the Blackcaps, and a Dipper was singing from the Wray.

Here are the Pictures of the white stork and it's ring

White Stork

White Stork Ring GB62

First Whimbrels of the year, here, with one grounded and 3 heading north. Also, 6 Wheatears (2 males), Willow Warbler singing, Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Snipe, Common Sandpiper, summer-plumaged Dunlin, 4 Greenshanks, female Pintail & 12+ Roe Deer. Still only 3 Swallows and no House Martins.

From Fremington to Barnstaple on Tarka trail in the fields on the right was a White Stork at 1pm. I will upload photo when home

At least one of the Glossy Ibis seen late morning.

Male Whinchat at base of down. Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 4 Wheatear, Cuckoo, 4 Sand Martin, 7 Willow Warbler and a Little Egret the other highlights.

Whinchat

First two Swallows for me this year flew over the house @ 0730.

Red Kite over Godborough Castle , Thursday morning.