Devon Birding (7 Viewers)

[Roy C]

Had a walk around Instow and Yelland via the coastal route this morning. No sign of any Wheatears at Instow and the Little Owl was not showing in the open shed. Very quite on the estuary. Spent most of my time trying to get close to a hunting Barn Owl but never got nearer than about 150 yards.

 

[scary-canary]

Had a walk around Instow and Yelland via the coastal route this morning. No sign of any Wheatears at Instow and the Little Owl was not showing in the open shed. Very quite on the estuary. Spent most of my time trying to get close to a hunting Barn Owl but never got nearer than about 150 yards.

Beautiful composition Roy, like it.
Chris

 

[Maurice499]

Had a walk around Instow and Yelland via the coastal route this morning. No sign of any Wheatears at Instow and the Little Owl was not showing in the open shed. Very quite on the estuary. Spent most of my time trying to get close to a hunting Barn Owl but never got nearer than about 150 yards.

Hi Roy,
There were 2 Little Owls perched in the long shed on 21/03/2010. I was told that the Barn Owl roosts either in the open linhay in the cattle field or the round mud hut. There were plenty of pellets on the floor of the mud hut when I looked..
Maurice.

 

[Roy C]

Hi Roy,
There were 2 Little Owls perched in the long shed on 21/03/2010. I was told that the Barn Owl roosts either in the open linhay in the cattle field or the round mud hut. There were plenty of pellets on the floor of the mud hut when I looked..
Maurice.

Yes, I saw two Little owls in the shed last week Maurice (they were both on the same perch!). I was told about the Barn Owl several weeks ago but this is the first time I have seen it - I will return.

 

[Maurice499]

At Skern this morning between 07:20 and 08:40 @ high tide:-

2 Dark-bellied Brent.
35 Shelduck.
1 Black-tailed Godwit.
7 Ringed Plover.
10 Wheater.
1 Curlew.
7 Oystercatcher.

The weather was atrocius! Those Wheatear must have wondered, "Why have we come here?"
Maurice.

 

[Roy C]

At Skern this morning between 07:20 and 08:40 @ high tide:-

2 Dark-bellied Brent.
35 Shelduck.
1 Black-tailed Godwit.
7 Ringed Plover.
10 Wheater.
1 Curlew.
7 Oystercatcher.

The weather was atrocius! Those Wheatear must have wondered, "Why have we come here?"
Maurice.

Good to see that many Wheatears Maurice, I only saw a couple a few weeks ago.

 

[The Kerreran]

Quite surprised to be the only one at Berry Head this morning, but glad I dragged myself out of bed.
In 4 1/2 hours [and mostly the first 1 1/2];
5 Puffins, 3 Balearics, 136 Manxies, 4 Red-throated Divers [2 s/pl ad., 2 imm.], 1 diver sp., and 1 Great Northern Diver [imm.] past south, plus 1 Black-throated Diver [imm.] on the sea then flew south. A lone Sarnie went north. Lots of auks [almost entirely Guilles] and Fulmar about, a dozen Gannets were attending the Harbour Porpoises all morning [with only a few going past south], there was a fair passage of Kittiwake, and a couple of very tough Swallows in/off!
Definitely worth the get-up! B

 

[Ranger James]

Had a walk around Instow and Yelland via the coastal route this morning. No sign of any Wheatears at Instow and the Little Owl was not showing in the open shed. Very quite on the estuary. Spent most of my time trying to get close to a hunting Barn Owl but never got nearer than about 150 yards.

Hi Roy,

With stunning shots like this, did you need to get any closer?? Really beautiful shot, I am envious.

James

 

[Jon Turner]

At Wrafton pond this evening, along with 30+ Swallows and 10+ Sand Martins was a lone House Martin. Still pretty wet everywhere.

This morning at the Velator reserve, a white bird of prey - thought at first it was a Barn Owl, but it quickly took flight (not like a Barn Owl at all). also, sadly, not big enough to be the Gyr Falcon. I think it was an almost white Sparrowhawk. Just a hint of buff in some feathers. Apparently Sue and Leigh Bruce saw one flying along the river Caen in October 2008. Could be the same bird. It could also be the bird than John Wicks saw close by on the day the Gyr was on Saunton Beach and Horsey Island.

Jon

 

[Ppedro]

2 female Scaup on Beesands Ley this afternoon.

 

[Maurice499]

At Wrafton pond this evening, along with 30+ Swallows and 10+ Sand Martins was a lone House Martin. Still pretty wet everywhere.

This morning at the Velator reserve, a white bird of prey - thought at first it was a Barn Owl, but it quickly took flight (not like a Barn Owl at all). also, sadly, not big enough to be the Gyr Falcon. I think it was an almost white Sparrowhawk. Just a hint of buff in some feathers. Apparently Sue and Leigh Bruce saw one flying along the river Caen in October 2008. Could be the same bird. It could also be the bird than John Wicks saw close by on the day the Gyr was on Saunton Beach and Horsey Island.

Jon

A Gyr Falcon was reported on the Gower Peninsular on 27/3 and 28/3, so it looks as if the one on Braunton Marshes and Horsey has taken a trip across the channel.
Maurice

 

[janel]

Quite surprised to be the only one at Berry Head this morning, but glad I dragged myself out of bed.
In 4 1/2 hours [and mostly the first 1 1/2];
5 Puffins, 3 Balearics, 136 Manxies, 4 Red-throated Divers [2 s/pl ad., 2 imm.], 1 diver sp., and 1 Great Northern Diver [imm.] past south, plus 1 Black-throated Diver [imm.] on the sea then flew south. A lone Sarnie went north. Lots of auks [almost entirely Guilles] and Fulmar about, a dozen Gannets were attending the Harbour Porpoises all morning [with only a few going past south], there was a fair passage of Kittiwake, and a couple of very tough Swallows in/off!
Definitely worth the get-up! B

What was the time of the morning for your best 1 1/2 hours?

 

[The Kerreran]

What was the time of the morning for your best 1 1/2 hours?

As is unfortunately often the case with seawatching, [I say unfortunately, because I hate getting up in the morning! ] it was at the start; 7-30 'til 9-00, with all the Puffins and Balearics, and 113 of the Manxies. The front passed just before 9-00 and the majority of birds were either in front or just after it.

The divers didn't start passing until after it had gone through, though [the first 3 Red-throats, which were together, were hard behind the front, while the wind was still squirrelly], and with their tendency to fly high, I probably missed a few - so 'best' might be debatable!

 

[camelbirder]

A Gyr Falcon was reported on the Gower Peninsular on 27/3 and 28/3, so it looks as if the one on Braunton Marshes and Horsey has taken a trip across the channel.
Maurice

The Braunton Marshes/ Gower bird was almost certainly the same bird that was seen at Newquay, on at least three occasions, and in the Bude/ Widemouth area, on at least two.

 

[Jon Turner]

The Braunton Marshes/ Gower bird was almost certainly the same bird that was seen at Newquay, on at least three occasions, and in the Bude/ Widemouth area, on at least two.

I'm sure you're right, Derek, it would be interesting to compare the photos of the Gower bird, which I think was photographed when it first appeared, with the shot that Rob Jutsum took of it on Saunton beach (See Devon birds website). Only I can't remember where the pics of the Gower bird are!!!

Jon

 

[sarahlouise84]

Osprey was seen eating a fish in the trees in the grounds of powderham castle yesterday around 4pm.

 

[Maurice499]

I'm sure you're right, Derek, it would be interesting to compare the photos of the Gower bird, which I think was photographed when it first appeared, with the shot that Rob Jutsum took of it on Saunton beach (See Devon birds website). Only I can't remember where the pics of the Gower bird are!!!

Jon

Hi Jon,
There`s a photo of the Gower bird on Birdguides. It looks very much like the same one that Robert saw on Saunton beach.
Maurice

 

[chris23565]

Hi, Just a quick question, a friend of mine is currently on holiday in North Devon, while out birding this morning he had 2x Dartford Warblers, I don't know the exact location an would'nt want to give it anyway, but he was wondering, is it unusual to have Dartfords in this area, I know he was close to the coast of Lundy Island.

Thanks in advance.

Chris.

www.westportlake.blogspot.com

 

[Roy C]

Hi, Just a quick question, a friend of mine is currently on holiday in North Devon, while out birding this morning he had 2x Dartford Warblers, I don't know the exact location an would'nt want to give it anyway, but he was wondering, is it unusual to have Dartfords in this area, I know he was close to the coast of Lundy Island.

Thanks in advance.

Chris.

www.westportlake.blogspot.com

There are several places along the North Devon coast that are known for Dartfords Chris. Could have been around Baggy Point, Saunton Down or even Around the Westward Ho! area to name a few places.

 

[Sprigo]

I say my first Dartford on the North coast last week. It popped out of the gorse within 3 feet of me and stopped for 20 secs. Kicking myself because I'd left the camera in the car!