[Ranger James]

A little perambulation around Haldon's pushchair-friendly paths turned up a few crossbills, loads of goldcrests and a croaking raven.

James

[metal.birder]

Thanks Dave,

Just been down to Topsham, no Red Breasted Goose. But on the Goat walk there were 100+ Avocet, great views as they were so close to shore, 50 foot away, lots of Black tailed Godwit.

Then on to the platform for Greenshank, Redshank, MORE Avocet (lovely), and some Dunlin.

Then the hide, 2 Pintail, 300+ Wigeon, 20+ Teal, a Little Grebe, 4 or so Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Snipe, Bar tailed Godwit in Summer plumage, Pochard, loads of Curlew.

Happy days.

[Odonate]

Hi

I had a Water Pipit on Wembury Beach yesterday. It was at the Wembury Point end but was very flighty.

Not sure where to put local news now Joe Rays site seems not to be working?

O

[davercox]

Originally Posted by Odonate

Not sure where to put local news now Joe Rays site seems not to be working?

You could try this one, Paul has been criticised in the past for publishing details of rare breeders but AFAIK most people use it.

[Odonate]

Cheers

I'll try there

O

[Maurice499]

Originally Posted by Odonate

Hi

I had a Water Pipit on Wembury Beach yesterday. It was at the Wembury Point end but was very flighty.

Not sure where to put local news now Joe Rays site seems not to be working?

O

I believe Joe informed users of his website that due to college commitments, he wouldn`t be able to maintain the site for a while.

[SANDYMERE]

Spent a few hours yesterday morning on Braunton marshes, beautiful spring day but no sign of the crane
Does anyone know if its still around?

[Sy V]

Are these plans likely to disrupt Devon birding?

Here.

[Ppedro]

Originally Posted by Sy V

Are these plans likely to disrupt Devon birding?

Here.

I would not think so, seems as good a place for one as anywhere.

[cwpbirder]

I hope to visit Isley Marsh for the Spoonbills Sat am, could anyone advise on best parking areas/access to Tarka Trail as I'm from out of county?? thanks in advance.

[Roy C]

Originally Posted by cwpbirder

I hope to visit Isley Marsh for the Spoonbills Sat am, could anyone advise on best parking areas/access to Tarka Trail as I'm from out of county?? thanks in advance.

Hi, You need to access the Tarka Trail at Yelland (on the old Barnstaple to Bideford Road, not the new link Road). At Yelland turn off to the old Power station site sign posted Estuary Business Park. Just before the road crosses the Tarka Trail you can park on the right hand side, there will be other cars parked there. Once parked, walk to the Tarka Trail and turn Right, about 200 yards down the trail on the left you will see the entrance to Isley marsh. Hope this helps.

[cwpbirder]

Roy - thanks for the info - v useful - I think high tide is before dawn so will try when tide falling early-mid morning

[Roy C]

Originally Posted by cwpbirder

Roy - thanks for the info - v useful - I think high tide is before dawn so will try when tide falling early-mid morning

You should have a excellent chance of seeing the Spoonbills - I will probably be there myself weather permitting.

[metal.birder]

Took a walk around Haldon Forest looking for the Crossbills.....no such luck today.

Had to settle for 4 Siskin on one of there feeders,, got about 15 foot away so they looked lovely with bins! Just wish I had a nice long camera lens again!! Oh also some Marsh Tits!

[Jon Turner]

Originally Posted by cwpbirder

I hope to visit Isley Marsh for the Spoonbills Sat am, could anyone advise on best parking areas/access to Tarka Trail as I'm from out of county?? thanks in advance.

Hi, If you want to see the Spoonbills off the estuary, they seem to be spending the night(?) roosting in the flooded field across the Tarka Trail from Wrafton pond. All 6 have been there for the last two mornings. I saw them there at 09.30 this morning and they looked fairly settled. I wonder if this is because of the high spring tides at the moment?
The Red-crested Pochard is also still in residence on the pond.

They are quite close, so should provide decent photo ops, (Roy?)

Jon

[Roy C]

Originally Posted by Jon Turner

Hi, If you want to see the Spoonbills off the estuary, they seem to be spending the night(?) roosting in the flooded field across the Tarka Trail from Wrafton pond. All 6 have been there for the last two mornings. I saw them there at 09.30 this morning and they looked fairly settled. I wonder if this is because of the high spring tides at the moment?
The Red-crested Pochard is also still in residence on the pond.

They are quite close, so should provide decent photo ops, (Roy?)

Jon

Thanks for the tip Jon - I was at Isley this morning and there was no sign of the Spoonbills. Like you say, the high tide must have driven them off the Marsh all together. Will be at Wrafton tomorrow am (weather permitting).

[pandachris]

A nice few hours around midday on one of our infrequent visits to Devon.

One Black-necked Grebe on the lagoon, viewed from the hide near the Sherman Tank.

One Slavonian Grebe, one Red-necked Grebe and one Long-necked Duck on the sea at Torcross, viewed from near the Start Bay Inn.
One Red-throated Diver along the surf line from the beach car park a little further east.
Several Gannets off Prawle Point.

The five regular British grebes in the space of an hour might have been a UK first for us.

[Jon Turner]

Originally Posted by pandachris

A nice few hours around midday on one of our infrequent visits to Devon.

One Black-necked Grebe on the lagoon, viewed from the hide near the Sherman Tank.

One Slavonian Grebe, one Red-necked Grebe and one Long-necked Duck on the sea at Torcross, viewed from near the Start Bay Inn.
One Red-throated Diver along the surf line from the beach car park a little further east.
Several Gannets off Prawle Point.

The five regular British grebes in the space of an hour might have been a UK first for us.

As indeed might the Long-necked Duck!!

Jon

[Sprigo]

Originally Posted by pandachris

One Slavonian Grebe, one Red-necked Grebe and one Long-necked Duck on the sea at Torcross, viewed from near the Start Bay Inn.

As a newbie the Long-necked Duck had me searching my field guide.

[Maurice499]

Originally Posted by cwpbirder

I hope to visit Isley Marsh for the Spoonbills Sat am, could anyone advise on best parking areas/access to Tarka Trail as I'm from out of county?? thanks in advance.

Hi cwpbirder,

The map refs for Isley Marsh and Wrafton Pond are:-
SS490328 and SS488354

Look `em up on Googlemaps or Ordnance Survey websites. Easier to see from a map.

Maurice

[metal.birder]

Think he may have been excited, and I probably would have been with his list of Grebes!! Was it a long-TAILED Duck??? lol

[Roy C]

Originally Posted by Maurice499

Hi cwpbirder,

The map refs for Isley Marsh and Wrafton Pond are:-
SS490328 and SS488354

Look `em up on Googlemaps or Ordnance Survey websites. Easier to see from a map.

Maurice

Too late Maurice, He (Brian) went to Isley this morning - No sign of the Spoonbills though - they were on the other side.
BTW Maurice I went up to the pond opposite Bishop Tawton yesterday - no sign of the Goosander or Green Sand.

[SANDYMERE]

Lonesome Whooper spotted on the Skern this afternoon.

[pandachris]

Originally Posted by Sprigo

As a newbie the Long-necked Duck had me searching my field guide.

Oops. Obviously I meant Black-tailed Duck. Or was it a Long-tailed Grebe? Hope nobody tries to park in that car park just east of Torcross, as well. Might get closer to the duck than they bargained for. Schoolboy geographical error based on the perception that the south coast runs east to west.

Hope the weather bucks up a bit today. Might want to walk off our hotel breakfast.

[Pastynator]

Hi Roy. Is this the pond you mean?
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&...06899&t=h&z=17

Any other bird life there? (even common birds i mean)

Originally Posted by Roy C

Too late Maurice, He (Brian) went to Isley this morning - No sign of the Spoonbills though - they were on the other side.
BTW Maurice I went up to the pond opposite Bishop Tawton yesterday - no sign of the Goosander or Green Sand.