Paignton's Penduline Tit showed well all month at Young's Waterpark, giving far better views than when it had been at Clennon Valley. Cattle Egrets were again widely reported around the county, whilst the Surf Scoter remained off Dawlish Warren and the Exe Estuary Black Brant was last reported on 7th.

On 6th, the American Herring Gull appeared again on the Otter Estuary, showing on and off until 20th. Mega news on 7th came in the form of a possible Alpine Accentor seen well on private land on 27th February near Dartmouth, but the bird was not seen again. The Great Grey Shrike at Bellever Tor stayed all month though was typically wide-ranging and proved difficult to locate at times.

Migrants began to rub shoulders with winter visitors, the first Sand Martin being seen on 4th, and a Swallow noted on 12th. A scattering of Garganey from mid-month onwards was welcome, with 4 birds together at Bowling Green Marsh on 13th along with a report of 3 Little Stints, and the first Wheatears were seen at the coast on the same date.

There was an unconfirmed report of a Great White Egret from Dawlish Warren on 16th, whilst 2 Bearded Tits were seen briefly at the same site on 17th.

The first Osprey of the year was on the Exe on 20th, and from then on migrant numbers increased steadily with the first House Martin on 25th and Grasshopper Warbler on 29th.

Birds left over from February included the Clennon Valley Penduline Tit, Surf Scoter at Dawlish Warren, Black Brant on the Exe and numerous Cattle Egrets at various locations.

One of the most notable features of the month was the number of Iceland Gulls frequenting the Axe Estuary, with as many as 5 individuals thought to have occured. 

A Bittern at Slapton in the Higher Ley reedbed was seen several times but never for more than a few seconds, while a second individual was at Exminster Marshes on 10th.

Bird of the month was a first winter American Herring Gull on the Otter Estuary at Budleigh Salterton from 13th. A second for Devon, it was found by Matthew Knott and showed well on its first evening, but was very hard to catch up with subsequently, due to its infrequent appearances. An adult Glaucous Gull was at the same site on 14th, and a wintering Whimbrel was on the estuary all month.

In north Devon, the Whooper and Bewick's Swans remained at New Bridge and Braunton respectively, until 13th at least. 

The Great Grey Shrike was still at Bellever Tor, Dartmoor on 17th but was very mobile and proved difficult to locate at times.

On 27th, Exminster held 5 Tundra Bean Geese, 2 of which stayed until mid-day on 28th but were not seen again.

Nearby, a female Scaup was at Matford Pools from 26th, while up to 3 moved between Beesands and Slapton all month.

January was a welcome improvement on December, as cold weather and early yearlisting fever helped to produced good numbers of regular winter visitors as well as several more notable species.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was in a private Kingsbridge garden on 1st, whilst a Pallas's Warbler was at Kenwith NR, Bideford on 2nd.

As with last winter, Cattle Egrets were a major feature throughout, with birds noted at Kingsbridge, West Charleton, Thurlestone, Powderham, Colyton, Axmouth and Ivybridge.

In the north of the county, an Iceland Gull showed well at Croyde Bay from 3rd until 7th, whilst the Whooper Swan remained at New Bridge and 2 Bewick's Swans were new at Braunton Marsh on 5th. Plymouth held a Glaucous Gull on 30th and 31st.

The female Surf Scoter continued to show at Dawlish Warren, and a first winter drake was off Seaton from 3rd. A Black Brant was mobile around the Exe from 24th-31st at least, visiting Powderham, Exminster, Exmouth and Dawlish Warren.

A Penduline Tit was seen at Slapton on 7th, and was then relocated at Clennon Valley on 14th, where it remained for the rest of the month. A Grey Phalarope was in Plymouth from 15th - 18th, with another showing well at Northam Burrowes 18th - 23rd. A third individual was briefly in Brixham harbour on 31st.

Hawfinches were at Ide (Exeter) and Colyton, though were elusive and difficult to pin down.

Easterly winds at the end of the month brought a notable Little Gull influx, small flocks being seen at a number of locations along the coast including 10 lingering off Seaton on 31st.

At Salcombe, the Yellow-browed Warbler was last reported on 1st. Possible/probable Siberian Chiffchaffs were at Countess Wear, Broadsands, Clennon Valley and Dawlish Warren, with the female Surf Scoter remaining at the latter site all month.

On Christmas Day, a Sabine's Gull was reported from Teignmouth, with a Swallow reported from Exmouth on the same date.

A scattering of Black Redstarts, Firecrests and Water Pipits throughout the county failed to arouse much interest, although good numbers of divers and grebes returning to the south coast were well watched. A Whooper Swan joined the Mute Swans at New Bridge, Barnstaple on 11th and was still present on 18th. Up to 7 Spoonbills remained at Isley Marsh throughout.

A Common Rosefinch over Dawlish Warren on 1st was seen during a 'vis-mig' watch, with single Mealy Redpoll and Hawfinch also flying over on 6th. The female Surf Scoter was still present offshore all month.

A Common Crane took up residence in fields near Modbury on 3rd, and stayed until 25th at least. Bellever Tor on Dartmoor held a Great Grey Shrike on the same date, with the bird still present on 16th.

Highlight of the month for many was a Sardinian Warbler which showed well on and off at Berry Head from 12th - 21st. What was presumably last month's Barred Warbler was also seen briefly at the same site on 12th before flying inland. A Long-eared Owl was behind the visitor centre on 17th, with another in a private garden in Tiverton on 25th.

Several Yellow-browed Warblers lingered from October, with individuals at Salcombe, Prawle Point and Berry Head.

On 13th, a probable Glossy Ibis was reported from Bowling Green Marsh but was not seen subsequently.

An untwitchable Rough-legged Buzzard on Lundy for much of the month gave good views to those lucky enough to connect with it, but it disappeared before a boat could be chartered from the mainland. 

In the north of the county, a Desert Wheatear was an excellent find at Instow on 12th, whilst the nearby King Eider at Appledore was last reported on 17th.

October kicked off with a brief Pectoral Sandpiper at Colyford Common on 2nd, whilst a Common Rosefinch remained on Lundy. Yellow-browed Warblers featured at Berry Head, Bolt Head, Start Point, Prawle Point, South Milton and on Lundy.

Seawatching throughout the month was excellent, with a handful of Sabine's Gulls and Long-tailed Skuas past the regular sites, whilst 2 Little Auks passed Berry Head on 30th and another was off Prawle Point on the same date. A Leach's Petrel was seen off Hartland Point on 24th, and on 27th a female Surf Scoter was off Dawlish Warren until the end of the month at least.

The drake King Eider returned to Appledore on 9th for its second winter, and 2 Lesser Scaups were on the estuary together from 11th. Bolt Head held a Radde's Warbler on 12th, with Prawle also hosting one on the same day, whilst either it or another was at nearby Start Point on 16th. A Barred Warbler was typically elusive at Berry Head on 27th.

A Night Heron was briefly on the Dart on 13th but news was not released until 15th, by which time the bird had moved on. A Red-eyed Vireo at Wembury on the evening of the 13th was also a brief affair, and was not relocated the following day despite searching.

Lundy held a Red-throated Pipit on 22nd, and on 29th a Paddyfield Warbler was trapped and ringed. A Richard's Pipit was present on the island the following day.

Bowling Green's Marsh Sandpiper was last seen at midday on 1st, whilst the Semipalmated Sandpiper at Dawlish Warren remained until 6th.

A presumed Fea's Petrel flew north past Berry Head on 2nd, whilst more regular seabirds were also much in evidence, with several Sabine's Gulls and Long-tailed Skuas passing through. Remarkably, Seaton also hosted a Sabine's Gull, whilst Dawlish Warren as usual also claimed its fair share of seabirds.

Wrynecks were at Dawlish Warren, Start Point, Tiverton and Torquay.

A Dotterel at Axmouth on 8th did not linger, although more obliging were the regular Ospreys on the Axe Estuary, with others seen on most of the major estuaries around the county.

A nationwide Honey Buzzard influx took place during the month, with Devon claiming it's share of the sightings, several birds being seen over Haldon and at coastal locations. 

A Great White Egret was reported at Bowling Green Marsh on 15th, but was not seen again. Another very brief affair was the Ortolan Bunting that flew north over Beesands on 18th.

An Aquatic Warbler was trapped and ringed at Slapton on 20th, and showed well in the Higher Ley on 28th, before being seen again briefly on the morning of the 29th.

Lundy stole the spotlight for much of September however. Western Bonnelli's Warbler, Tawny Pipit, Icterine Warbler, Ortolan Bunting, Bluethroat, Booted Warbler and Common Rosefinch all gracing the island with their presence. 

A typically quiet start to the month saw a scattering of Wood Sandpipers, Roseate Terns, Curlew Sandpipers and other assorted late summer/early autumn migrants.

Shearwaters were again well represented with good numbers of Balearics going through as well as occasional Cory's with the odd Great. 

On 8th, a White-winged Black Tern was found by a holidaymaker at Slapton Ley. There were no reports after the 8th however, although the bird showed fairly well during it's brief stay.

A possible American Herring Gull was reported from Dawlish Warren on 21st, however it was looked for subsequently and there was no further sign.

A drake Surf Scoter was a surprise off Dawlish Warren on 23rd, whilst on the same day, a Cattle Egret was at Colyford Common. From the other end of the Exe Estuary, a drake Long-tailed Duck in its breeding finery was found at Bowling Green Marsh, and stayed until 29th at least.

On 24th, an intruiging report came through from north Devon: An AMERICAN ROBIN at Westward Ho! near the Heron's Lea residential centre. The area was extensively searched but there was no further sign that afternoon or on the following day.

Bird of the month for many was mainland Devon's first Semipalmated Sandpiper (the other 3 records all coming from Lundy). It showed well in the Bight at Dawlish Warren, roosting with Sanderlings on the beach at high tide. It entertained many during its stay, which lasted until 6th September.

Less obliging was a Marsh Sandpiper at Bowling Green Marsh on 31st. It was mobile between the Clyst Estuary and the pools at Bowling Green, and was last seen at midday on 1st September.

July was mainly notable for the seabird passage towards the end of the month. South westerly winds, and some heavy rain brought in a large movement of Cory's Shearwaters.

The month started quietly, with just a handful of Mediterranean Gulls and the odd Balearic Shearwater being seen. On 3rd, an early Osprey was seen fishing at Exmouth.

A Slavonian Grebe spent much of the month around the Exe estuary mouth, at Dawlish Warren.

Another summer plumaged grebe concerned at least one Black-necked at Slapton Ley, a surprisingly out of season record.

On 5th, the first Cory's Shearwater was seen off Berry Head. As the month progressed, shearwater numbers built up, peaking with  205 Cory's past Prawle Point on 30th. Large numbers were also seen off Berry Head, with a max of 102, also on 30th. Small numbers of Balearic Shearwaters accompanied them (occasionally reaching double figures).

The biggest news of the month came on 29th, with a YELKOUAN SHEARWATER seen well off Berry Head.

Wood Sandpiper at Exminster on 30th, and 2 Curlew Sandpipers at Bowling Green on 31st signaled the first signs of return wader migration. 

A few Cattle Egrets were still present around the county at the beginning of the month.

Best bird of the month was a male Red-footed Falcon over Dawlish Warren on 3rd.

A couple of Common Rosefinches were trapped and ringed on Lundy during the month.

A Rose-coloured Starling was at Stoke Fleming cricket pitch on 10th.

On 12th, a Black Kite was seen over Exminster Marshes, circling high over Topsham before being lost to view. 

A strangely out of season record concerned a first summer drake Surf Scoter off Dawlish Warren on 20th, staying until 24th.

Other than a few Roseate Terns and small numbers of Balearic Shearwaters regularly off Dawlish, the month was typically quiet and uneventful. 

The month started well, with good local birds including Pomarine Skua, Garganey and Wood Sandpiper passing through.

Good numbers of terns were on the move, with flocks of all 6 regular UK species (including small numbers of Black and Roseate) gathering at Dawlish Warren.

A handful of Cattle Egrets remained from April, but reports became less regular as the month progressed.

North Devon's first winter drake King Eider was last seen on 3rd.

A first summer American Golden Plover was at Exminster Marshes from 4th-28th, but occasionally proved elusive, disappearing for several days at a time. For images, please see Diary and Digiscoping gallery.

A Purple Heron over Dawlish Warren on 5th was a very brief affair.

Two Woodchat Shrikes were present for much of the month, a female at Wembury, and another adult near Fernworthy on Dartmoor.

A Bonaparte's Gull was at Bowling Green Marsh for a few hours on the evening of the 20th, but was not seen subsequently.

Migrants began to arrive in earnest, with large numbers of Wheatears, hirundines and warblers seen early in the month.

There was a small influx of Red Kites early in the month, with single birds widely spread across the county.

The discovery of a Little Crake at Exminster Marshes on 9th drew in admirers from far and wide. The bird showed well for short periods in the ditch by the car park at Exminster marshes, and was last reported on 24th.

A Hoopoe was seen at Woodbury Common on 17th, but did not stay. Another was seen at Seaton Marshes on 23rd, but as usual proved very elusive.

Terns began arriving towards the end of the month, with Sandwich, Little, Common, Arctic and Black all seen. The first Yellow Wagtails began passing through, and there was a notable Little Gull passage with up to 21 recorded at South Huish.

On 20th a Black Kite was seen lingering over West Charleton, but soon flew south.

The first Stone Curlew of the year was at Exmouth on 21st, but did not stay and soon flew inland.

A Nightingale was in song at Dawlish Warren on the morning of the 23rd.

Appledore, the favoured wintering site of the King Eider played host to a Red-rumped Swallow briefly on 24th.

Another brief affair was a Wryneck at Bolt Tail on 25th.

The first Roseate Tern of the year was off Dawlish Warren on 30th, bringing the month to a close.

The King Eider, Yellow-browed Warbler, Long-billed Dowitcher, Falcated Duck and Surf Scoter all remained from the previous month, and continued to entertain visiting and local birders.

The first hirundines, Sand Martins, Garganey and Sandwich Terns began to trickle through from the beginning of the month.

A Great White Egret was seen briefly on 5th at Bideford, but other than that, no new rarities were found. 

A possible Little Bunting was reported at Torcross, Slapton on 16th, but was not seen again.

A Long-eared Owl showed very well along the Tarka Trail, Barnstable, in North Devon, first discovered on the 17th.

A juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard flew over Orcombe Point, Exmouth, also on 17th, but was not relocated. 

The first reported Osprey of the year flew in off the sea at Thurlestone on 25th. 

By the end of the month, larger numbers of migrants were coming in, with Little Ringed Plover, Garganey, Whimbrel and terns all seen.

Cattle Egret numbers remained high throughout the month. Lingering rarities included the Falcated Duck at Countess Wear, Dawlish Warren's Surf Scoter and Bowling Green Marsh's Long-billed Dowitcher.

A Ring-billed Gull was seen on several occasions at Slapton Ley, whilst at the same site, Black-necked Grebe and up to 15 Velvet Scoter were regular offshore. Down the road, the Red-crested Pochard remained at Beesands Ley, with a Long-tailed Duck off Tinsey Head.

Torbay provided the usual winter haul of seaducks, with a brief Surf Scoter reported, alongside all three diver species and a few Velvet Scoter. 

On 9th, a Yellow-browed Warbler was found in Plymouth in Central Park, and remained for the rest of the winter.  

Small numbers of Great Grey Shrikes were scattered around the county, with individuals on Dartmoor, the East Devon heaths, and in North Devon.

The real excitement came on 18th in the form of a first winter drake King Eider, the first for Devon. Found at Appledore, Bideford, it proved to be a very popular bird, remaining throughout the late-winter/early spring period, although was occasionally elusive, commuting between Appledore and Northam Burrowes CP.

No new rarities were discovered during the remainder of the month, but Cattle Egrets continued to arrive in small numbers, and the first few spring migrants were seen.

The month was mainly notable for the Cattle Egret influx. Devon held a decent proportion of the high numbers nationally, with birds recorded at many sites across the county. Counts of up to 8 at Exmouth, 6 on the Kingsbridge estuary, and numerous ones and twos scattered across various sites.

The Long-billed Dowitcher remained from 2007 at Bowling Green Marsh, although was often hard to locate and not reported for up to a week at a time, as it commuted between the Clyst and the RSPB Bowling Green reserve.

A good county bird, Lapland Bunting, was found at Orcombe Point, Exmouth, but often proved elusive for local birders.

The Black Brant remained into the New Year on the Kingbridge Estuary with the wintering flocks of Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

An adult Laughing Gull was discovered at Bideford in North Devon on 6th and was seen again on the 16th.

A 1st winter female Surf Scoter spent much of the winter off Dawlish Warren, occasionally moving accross the river mouth towards Exmouth. 

A handful of out of season Balearic Sheartwaters were seen off various south coast points during the month.

The female Red-crested Pochard remained on Beesands Ley, another left-over scarcity from the end of 2007.

Glaucous Gulls were seen at South Huish and Dawlish Warren, but both were one day only birds.

On the 30th, the previous year's Falcated Duck was seen again at Countess Wear sewage works, re-raising the inevitable debate as to whether the bird was a genuine vagrant or an escape.