Devon Birding

Plymouth - Firecrest on Lanhydroc Road at 08.00 (Thanks R. Billington)

Kingsbridge - Cattle Egret still at Easton Farm

Budleigh Salterton - 3 Red-throated Diver off the seafront flew west at 13.30. 50 Common Scoter and female Eider also offshore. Chiffchaff by toilet block (Thanks T. Smith)

Croyde Bay - Iceland Gull juvenile still 14.00.

Westward Ho! - Great Northern Diver and second winter drake Eider offshore.

Beer - Surf Scoter first/second winter drake still off beach.

Braunton - 2 Bewick's Swans still Braunton Marsh at 12.15pm. 

Exminster - 9 Woodlark in stubble fields off Matford Lane early afternoon (Thanks T. Smith)

Kingsbridge - 2 Cattle Egrets still at Easton Farm midday (Thanks A. Doidge)

Kingsbridge Estuary - 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with 96 Dark-bellied Brents in Lincombe Bay (A Doidge)

Croyde Bay - Juvenile Iceland Gull still showing well on beach at 15.30.

Braunton Marsh - 2 Bewick's Swans showing well with 4 Mute Swans 500 yards west of the Linnie and 100 yards south of road at 15.15.

Downe End Point - 12 Common Scoter offshore.

Plymouth - Water Pipit and Mediterranean Gull at Mountbatten.

Sidmouth - Black Redstart.

Beer - Surf Scoter still offshore. Black Redstart still on beach.

   Black Redstart, Beer, © Charles Fleming (Please see Charles' website for more)

Brixham Breakwater - 5 Purple Sandpiper on seaward side of breakwater (Thanks R. Williams)

Broadsands - 27 Red-throated Diver, 24 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Eider, Velvet Scoter, 20 Common Scoter, 4 Brent Geese, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Teal and 7 Cirl Buntings (Thanks B. Bailey)

Preston - 4 Black-necked Grebes offshore. 2 Black-necked Grebes and 2 Wigeon off Goodrington (B. Bailey)

Avonwick - Ringtail Hen Harrier east of the Avonwick Bridge at 13.30 though distant (Thanks R. Belringer)

Kingsbridge - 3 Cattle Egrets still west of Kingsbridge Estuary in fields opposite Park Farm.

East Prawle - Ringtail Hen Harrier flew north late afternoon. Green Sandpiper at Moorwell Pond.

Slapton - Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and 6 Red-throated Diver in Start Bay. 5 Ruddy Duck on lower ley. Firecrest on eastern side of bridge by ringing hut.

Thurlestone Marsh - Black Redstart

Beesands - Red-crested Pochard x Tufted Duck hybrid still on ley with 3 Scaup. Slavonian Grebe offshore.

Seaton - Surf Scoter first winter drake off Beer in afternoon. Black Redstart still on beach.

Roadford Reservoir - Long-tailed Duck first winter in cutoff at Nature Reserve end.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still at 11.15.

Croyde Bay - Juvenile Iceland Gull still showing well on beach near stream at 11.30. 8 Common Scoter off Downe End Point.

  Iceland Gull, Croyde Bay, © James Packer (Please see James' website for more)

Kingsbridge - 8 Cattle Egrets south of Kingsbridge between Collapit Bridge and water treatment works entrance at 09.09 with 4 Little Egrets (Thanks P. Sanders and J. Marshall)

Dawlish warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore (Thanks T. Smith)

Wistlandpound Reservoir - Probable Siberian Chiffchaff with tit flock in pines below car park at 12.45.

Exminster - 9 Woodlark and a Woodcock in stubble fields behind town (Thanks D. Stone)

Exminster Marshes - Jack Snipe and Water Pipit at 15.30.

Ide - 6 Waxwings reported near Ide, flew over road towards garden centre this morning.

Austin's Bridge, Buckfastleigh - Firecrest with Goldcrests by bridge.

New Bridge - Whooper Swan still.

Slapton - Red-throated Diver, 3 Goldeneye.

Beer - Black Redstart on beach.

Croyde Bay (Braunton) -  Juvenile Iceland Gull still.

  Iceland Gull, Croyde Bay, © James Packer (Please see James' website for more) 

Kenwith NR, Bideford - Pallas's Warbler showing well at the end of northern path on reserve near dam. View from gate with barbed wire. Bird feeding under conifers with a Firecrest at SS.446.274

Exminster Mashes - Cattle Egret flew along river Exe towards Turf, and still present at 12.30pm by main lagoon.

Kingsbridge - 4 Cattle Egrets south of Kingsbridge between Collapit Bridge and water treatment works entrance in kale field on right at 16.00.

Bowling Green Marsh - Siberian Chiffchaff in hedge along Bowling Green Lane near hide with 3 Chiffchaffs at 09.50.

Exmouth - Red-necked Grebe still off Shelly Beach mid-morning. Black Redstart on seafront at Morton Crescent. Spotted Redshank at Mudbank Lane (Thanks T. Smith)

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter female still. Drake Surf Scoter briefly mid-afternoon before flying off. Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and 2 Red-throated Divers also offshore.

Broadsands - Red-throated Diver, Red-breasted Merganser and 15 Common Scoter offshore at 09.30.

Kingsbridge Estuary - 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with 44 Dark-bellied Brents.

Croyde Bay (Braunton) - Juvenile Iceland Gull reported.

Seaton - Common Sandpiper on the Axe Estuary 100m north of Seaton bridge late afternoon.

Beer - 2 Black Redstarts (one male) near beach huts.

New Bridge - Whooper Swan south of Bishops Tawton at New Bridge in field by railway at 1.30pm.

Baggy Point - Black Redstart still on cliffs at Pencil Rock SS.431.398 . 2 Dartford Warblers on Middleborough Hill, just past gate after car park.

Halberton - Mandarin drake still on Grand Western Canal at SS.997.125.

  Mandarin, Halberton © Charles Fleming (Please see Charles' website for more)

Happy New Year from here at Devon Birding!

Bowling Green Marsh - Probable female American Wigeon on marsh viewable from hide at 10.30.

Kingsbridge -Yellow-browed Warbler in private garden.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore with 2 Red-throated Divers at 10.00.

Exmouth - Female Black Redstart still at the Exe Yacht Club. Red-necked Grebe still off Shelly Beach. (Thanks T. Smith).

Colyton - Hawfinch in private gardens on the edge of the village at 10.30.

Sidmouth - 8 Purple Sandpiper on Chit Rocks at 15.45.

New Bridge - Whooper Swan still with Mute Swans in a field north of the bridge at 12.30.

Baggy Point - Black Redstart still on cliffs near the point at 10.30.

Isley Marsh - Six Spoonbills still on the falling tide at 11.00.

Exmouth - Red-necked Grebe off Shelley Beach at 16.00 with 2 Goldeneye (Thanks T. Smith)

Berry Head - Black Redstart at the southerly point of the lower quarry track at 14.00.

Clennon Valley, Paignton - Probable Siberian Chiffchaff (ssp. tristis) in willows by western pond by causeway. Firecrest also present.

Exmouth - Black Redstart female again on garden walls of apartments adjacent to Shelly Beach at 15.10. (Thanks T. Smith)

Exminster - 4 Woodlark (Thanks L. McGechie)

Bursdon Moor - 2 Hen Harriers (both ringtails) over moor at 16.20.

Colyford Common - 2 Water Pipits at 10.00 with 8 Rock Pipits including one showing features of 'Scandinavian' ssp. littoralis.

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter female still off the seawall along with a Slavonian Grebe.

Exminster - 2 Woodlark in stubble field off Matford Lane at 09.30.

Halberton - Mandarin drake still on the Grand Western Canal early afternoon 100 yards south of Crownhill Bridge at SS.998.126

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still at approx. SS.490.328.

Halberton - Mandarin drake on Grand Western Canal, 200 yards south of Crown Hill Bridge SS.998.126 at 16.00.

Seaton - Black Redstart at the Axe Yacht Club.

Beer - Black Redstart still on the beach.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still on marsh at 8.30am, also 27 Pintail.

Baggy Point - Black Redstart on cliffs near the point. 

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter still off the seawall.

Warren House - Jack Snipe flushed from Challacombe path below Soussons plantation at mid-day.

Sidmouth - Black Redstart on the seafront flew towards the town. 6 Purple Sandpipers on Chit Rocks in afternoon (Thanks T. Smith)

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter female still offshore.

Seaton - Black Redstart still in gardens along Trevelyan Road.

Exmouth - Black Redstart around Exmouth docks.

Merry Christmas from here at Devon Birding!

Holcombe, Teignmouth - Sabine's Gull reported in valley by Smugglers Inn.

Beer - Firecrest in Jubilee Gardens. Black Redstart by the beach huts.

Exmouth - Swallow between Lympstone and Exmouth mid afternoon.

Seaton - Black Redstart in gardens on Trevelyan Road.

Exmouth - Black Redstart again on roof of Windward Court. Black-throated Diver off the seafront with a Slavonian Grebe at 15.00, viewable from the Pavilion. (Thanks T. Smith)

Mudbank Lane - Spotted Redshank on tideline late afternoon.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still off Langstone Rock with a Great Northern Diver and 2 Slavonian Grebes.

Mudbank Lane - Spotted Redshank and Greenshank on tideline at 14.10 (Thanks T. Smith)

Exmouth - Black Redstart again on Shelley Beach, on rooftop of Windward Court at 14.45. (T Smith)

Axmouth - 2 Firecrests around play park.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still present.

Exmouth - Black Redstart behind the Exe sailing club around the dinghies on Shelley Beach at 12.20 (Thanks T. Smith)

Broadsands - Velvet Scoter offshore with a Great Northern Diver. 6 Cirl Buntings around car park.

Preston - Long-tailed Duck still offshore.

Thurlestone - 2 Back Redstarts on Leasefoot Beach.

Ilfracombe - 4 Purple Sandpipers.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore.

Broadsands - 4 Black-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter, 11 Common Scoter and an Eider offshore (Thanks J. Marshall)

Preston - Long-tailed Duck still offshore with a Black-necked Grebe. (J. Marshall)

Goodrington - 2 Black-necked Grebes.

Dawlish Warren - Adult female Surf Scoter still offshore along with a Black-throated Diver.

Preston - Long-tailed Duck still offshore with 2 Black-necked Grebes and a Great Northern Diver. (Thanks J. Marshall)

Goodrington - Eider and 2 Black-necked Grebes offshore. (J.Marshall)

Beer - 2 Firecrests in Jubilee Gardens at 09.30.

Seaton - Adult Mediterranean Gull at Coronation Corner later afternoon.

Exmouth - Black Redstart again at Exe Sailing Club, by dinghies on Shelley Beach. (Thanks T. Smith)

New Bridge - Whooper Swan still with Mute Swans at the side of the A377 SS.571.284 at 11.15.

Countess Wear - Female Scaup still on canal at Riverside CP by path to viewing platforms.

  Scaup, Countess Wear, © Dave Stone (Please see Dave's Blog for more)

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter still. Also 2 Slavonian Grebe, Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver and 5 Red-breasted Merganser.

New Bridge - Adult Whooper Swan still in field by the river Taw with Mute Swans at 08.00.

Seaton - 3 Great Northern Divers flew west this morning.

Northam Burrowes - 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese with c.150 Dark-bellied Brents at c.SS.455.310 this morning.

Countess Wear - Female Scaup on canal 400m north of swing bridge at 15.00.

Exmouth - 2 Black Redstarts around the marina early afternoon: one by Exe Sailing Club and the other on rooftops in Victoria Way adjacent to the marina basin (Thanks T. Smith)

Otter Estuary - Mediterranean Gull with Herring Gulls opposite the hide.

Colyford Common - 5 Water Pipits still.

Preston - Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck and Great Northern Diver offshore.

  Long-tailed Duck, Preston, © Phil Stidwill (Please see Phil's website for more)

Seaton - 2 Black Redstarts at the Axe Yacht Club.

Beesands Ley - 3 Scaup.

Goodrington - 4 Black-necked Grebes and 3 Great Northern Divers.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still.

Thurlestone - Black Redstart on beach. 

Barnstaple - 2+ Water Pipits still in fields opposite post 4 of Tarka Trail SS.545.328.

Isley Marsh - 4 Spoonbills still early afternoon.

Ilfracombe - 4 Purple Sandpipers still present below Capstone Parade at 10.35. Black Redstart in gardens above museum at 10.00.

Broadsands - Velvet Scoter offshore with 15 Common Scoter, 7 Black-necked Grebes and 2 Great Northern Diver but no sign of the Red-necked Grebe. Little Egret on beach and Siberian Chiffchaff reported in car park.

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter female still today; also Slavonian Grebe and a possible Siberian Chiffchaff.

Barnstaple - Whooper Swan with Mute Swans near the Iron Bridge. 3+ Water Pipits in fields opposite Dripping Well at SS.545.328 mid afternoon.

Sidmouth - Male Black Redstart on beach and on buildings 100m from Jacobs Ladder early afternoon.

Clennon Valley - Firecrest along path between lakes and caravan site at 14.00.

Berry Head - Balearic Shearwater past. Also Red-necked Grebe, Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver and 1,400 auk sp.

Countess Wear - Siberian Chiffchaff still at the old settling beds today.

Broadsands - Red-necked Grebe and Velvet Scoter offshore. 8 Cirl Buntings in the car park.

Preston - Long-tailed Duck still offshore with 8 Black-necked Grebes and a Great Northern Diver.

Kingsbridge - Firecrest in private garden.

Exmouth - Black Redstart still by the yellow building near the marina basin briefly mid-morning. (Thanks T. Smith)

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still today, also Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver.

New Bridge - Whooper Swan still with Mute Swans.

Colyford Common - 20 Water Pipits.

New Bridge - Whooper Swan with Mute Swans.

Dawlish Warren - Slavonian Grebe still in estuary.

Brixham - 10 Purple Sandpipers on the breakwater at 09.30.

Sidmouth - 8 Purple Sandpipers on Chit Rocks at 12.15.

Beer - Firecrest still in Jubilee Gardens.

Prawle Point - Short-eared Owl north of the point late afternoon.

Molland Common - Male Hen Harrier over at 13.15

Exmouth - Black Redstart on new apartment block near the marina basin. (Thanks T. Smith)

Shelly Beach, Exmouth - Pale-bellied Brent Goose on beach.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore.

Torbay - 13 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Great Northern Diver, 7 Eider, Velvet Scoter and 11 Common Scoters.

Preston - Long-tailed Duck still offshore. 

Dawlish Warren - No sign of female Surf Scoter.

Exmouth - Black Redstart around the marina basin. (Thanks T. Smith)

Mudbank Lane - Spotted Redshank

Colyford Common - 11 Water Pipits still.

Tamar Lakes - 23 Goosander to roost.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still, also Slavonian Grebe and Dartford Warbler.

South Huish Marsh - 2 Black Redstarts

Thurlestone - 2 Black Redstarts on marsh and 1 on the beach.

Broadsands - 8 Black-necked Grebes, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter and 2 Great Northern Diver offshore.

Exmouth - Black Redstart by the Exe sailing club and another near the marina basin. (Thanks T. Smith)

Colyford Common - 10+ Water Pipits present.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore today. Also 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Eider, Slavonian Grebe and probable Siberian Chiffchaff.

Preston - Long-tailed Duck still offshore with 5 Black-necked Grebes and 2 Great Northern Diver.

Goodrington - 6 Black-necked Grebes.

Broadsands - 3 Black-necked Grebes on north side of beach.

Thurlestone - 2 Black Redstarts and a Water Pipit on Thurlestone Marsh.

Beer - Firecrest still in Jubilee Gardens.

Isley Marsh  7 Spoonbills still, also Spotted Redshank and Red-throated Diver.

Broadsands - Siberian Chiffchaff in trees by car park. 6 Black-necked Grebes, Slavonian Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and Velvet Scoter offshore.

Preston - Long-tailed Duck and Black-necked Grebe offshore.

Berry Head - 2 Black Redstarts.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still.

Northam Burrowes - Slavonian Grebe off the north end of the Skern again at high tide late morning. 

Ilfracombe - 2 Purple Sandpipers on rocks below Capstone Parade at high tide late morning.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still off the seawall. Probable Siberian Chiffchaff by the 1st pond.

Kingsbridge Estuary - Spotted Redshank

Thurlestone - 2 Water Pipits and a Black Redstart still on marsh. Black Redstart on Yarmer Beach.

Exminster Marshes - 1st winter Mediterranean Gull

Countess Wear - Siberian Chiffchaff still with 4 Chiffchaffs.

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter still offshore.

Countess Wear - Siberian Chiffchaff still on the towpath edge of old settling beds mid afternoon. Female Scaup still on canal north of the swing bridge.

Bowling Green Marsh - Spotted Redshank feeding with Common Redshanks. Also 51 Golden Plover and 5 Pintail. (Thanks T. Smith)

Thurlestone - 2 Water Pipits and a Black Redstart at Thurlestone Marsh.

Countess Wear - Siberian Chiffchaff still at the old settling beds with 5 Chiffchaffs. Female Scaup on canal north of the swing bridge, and Water Rail on pools nearby. 3 Goldeneye on river adjacent to sewage works. (Thanks T. Smith)

Torquay - 4 Black-necked Grebes off Preston seafront.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore late afternoon with a Velvet Scoter.

Beer - 2 Firecrests in Jubilee Gardens.

Broadsands - Velvet Scoter

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter still offshore with a Slavonian Grebe.

Goodrington - 2 Black-necked Grebes, Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver offshore.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter again offshore.

Salcombe -  Yellow-browed Warbler still behind Winking Prawn restaurant at Hangar Creek reedbed NR in sallows between pay and display car park and tennis court.

Countess Wear - Siberian Chiffchaff and Firecrest still at the sewage works.

Tiverton - Firecrest in hedgerow to the rear left of Morrisons supermarket.

Fremington Pill - Spotted Redshank feeding in shallows at the Pill.

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still, in deep gully near the shoreline.

Salcombe -  Yellow-browed Warbler still behind Winking Prawn restaurant at Hangar Creek reedbed NR in sallows between pay and display car park and tennis court at 13.20 with a Firecrest.

Dawlish Warren - Velvet Scoter and Slavonian Grebe offshore. Probable Siberian Chiffchaff at Cuckoo's Nest.

Kingsbridge Estuary - 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese

Salcombe - Yellow-browed Warbler behind Winking Prawn restaurant at Hangar Creek reedbed NR in sallows between pay and display car park and tennis court 14.00-14.20.

Dawlish warren - Female Surf Scoter still offshore, also 8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese.

Exeter - Scaup on canal.

Kingsbridge Estuary - Slavonian Grebe

Plymouth - Black Redstart at West Hoe. Red-throated Diver in bay (Thanks M. Youdale)

Instow - Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver and Red-throated Diver in estuary (Thanks C. Colley)

Roadford Resevoir - Long-tailed Duck female/immature at Wortha. Follow footbridge over bridge from Headson car park to view lake. Yellow-legged Gull in roost. 14 Goosanders in roost at Dam.

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter still on sea off wind turbine early afternoon. Also adult Mediterranean Gull, Whimbrel and 2 Red-throated Divers. Possible Siberian Chiffchaff in car park.

Plymouth - 4 Purple Sandpipers off West Hoe with 4 Mediterranean Gulls.

Sidmouth - 8 Purple Sandpipers on Chit Rocks.

Ilfracombe - Black Redstart in gardens by the museum at SS.517.477

Isley Marsh - 6 Spoonbills still, as well as 4 Pintail.

Fremington Pill - Spotted Redshank again in creek late morning with Greenshank.

Bowling Green Marsh - Firecrest briefly in trees along path leading to viewing platfoarm (Thanks T. Smith)

Berry Head - 2 Pomarine Skuas, Great Skua and Balearic Shearwater past.

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter female still offshore with Great Northern Diver.

Exmouth - 2 Black Redstarts around rocks on Shelley Beach (Thanks S. Davies)

Mudbank Lane - Spotted Redshank on edge of estuary in channel. Also Greenshank and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese (Thanks T. Smith)

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter still offshore. Also Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and 7 Common Scoters.

Preston - Long-tailed Duck still offshore with 4 Black-necked Grebes and a Great Northern Diver.

Goodrington - 5 Black-necked Grebes.

Tiverton - No sign of Long-eared Owl in private garden (Thanks D. Campbell)

Modbury - No sign of Common Crane (Thanks M. Youdale). Possible Purple Heron seen briefly on 18th but no sign since.

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter still, viewed (distantly) from Exmouth. Also 10 Common Scoter offshore. (Thanks T. Smith)

Modbury - Common Crane still 2 miles west of Modbury in stubble field south of the A379 at c.SX.638.516. Take the minor road signed Orcheton and view from the 1st gate beyond Goutsford Bridge.

Tiverton - Long-eared Owl in private garden (Thanks D. Campbell)

  Long-eared Owl, Tiverton, per David Campbell

Topsham - First winter Mediterranean Gull 

Countess Wear - Firecrest

Thurlestone - Black Redstart

Yealm Estuary - 2 Slavonian Grebes in Kitley Bay.

Exe Estuary - 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese off Mudbank Lane early afternoon (Thanks T. Smith)

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter still off Langstone Rock late morning with a Great Northern Diver.

Modbury - Common Crane still 2 miles west of Modbury in stubble field south of the A379 at c.SX.638.516. Take the minor road signed Orcheton and view from the 1st gate beyond Goutsford Bridge.

Bursdon Moor - 3 Hen Harriers (ringtails) and a Merlin late afternoon.

Broadsands - Probable Siberian Chiffchaff (ssp. tristis) on south side of Broadsands Marsh. Also 'Scandinavian' Chiffchaff (presumed ssp. abietinus).

Seaton - 3 Great Northern Divers past.

Modbury - Common Crane still 2 miles west of Modbury in stubble field south of the A379 at c.SX.638.516. Take the minor road signed Orcheton and view from the 1st gate beyond Goutsford Bridge.

Dawlish Warren - Female Surf Scoter still off seawall late morning.

Slapton Ley - 2 Scaup from Stokely Bay hide.

Dawlish Warren - Surf Scoter female still off seawall at 10.15am.

Berry Head - No sign of Sardinian Warbler by early afternoon. Hen Harrier ringtail over (Thanks K. Hale) and Red-throated Diver over (Thanks P. Freestone<