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Devon Birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JRE
- Start date
Hyrax
Well-known member
Female ......? Presumably not human
Edit: I've just familiarised myself with post titles, ignore me
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Jon Turner
Well-known member
I was in the (closed) reserve at Velator this morning and unfortunately flushed a Bittern! It flew out of the reserve into the adjacent reedbed, from where I later saw it fly further south to the main marsh at Sherpa. It was seen again at 2.35 when a helicopter took off from Chivenor and it flew a bit further south but once again dropped into the reedbed.
Jon
Jon
Perry Smale
Well-known member
Don't you mean fortunately flushed a Bittern? You might not have seen it otherwise!
Jon Turner
Well-known member
Don't you mean fortunately flushed a Bittern? You might not have seen it otherwise!
Well yes I suppose so, but I don't like disturbing rare birds! That's the third for north Devon in the last couple of weeks!
Went to Fremington Creek this morning and caught up with the Spotted Redshank just upstream of the railway bridge. A look at the river at Bishops Tawton revealed a host of Canada Geese and a nice male Goosander. Then I cycled home to Braunton and checked the Red-crested Pochard on the pond. Still 3 Tufted Duck there too.
Jon
MTN1540
Member
Torrington: Tawny Owl in trees just of the main Bideford Road.
Weare Gifford: Spotted 5 swans from the main road, I could not stop and dont know if they are the Whopper Swans, they are (or were) on the far bank if you are looking from Weare Gifford at the Torrington end of the village.
Fremington Quay: 2 Shelduck, Knot, Spotted Redshank, Redhank, Curlew, Oystercatchers, Little Egret.
HELP Please, I am hopefuly off to Braunton on Sunday, where is the best place to go
Weare Gifford: Spotted 5 swans from the main road, I could not stop and dont know if they are the Whopper Swans, they are (or were) on the far bank if you are looking from Weare Gifford at the Torrington end of the village.
Fremington Quay: 2 Shelduck, Knot, Spotted Redshank, Redhank, Curlew, Oystercatchers, Little Egret.
HELP Please, I am hopefuly off to Braunton on Sunday, where is the best place to go
Jon Turner
Well-known member
Well, as there is (I hope) still a Bittern a Sherpa Marsh, I suggest you have a look down there. You have to walk down the eastern embankment of the Caen River from the new Tesco roundabout. Park by the Tiki Surf Factory. The Red-crested Pochard is still on Wrafton Pond; easy access from the Tarka Trail. You might also find Water Pipit in Velator harbour. Regret I can't meet you as I'm off to Cornwall for a few days on Sunday (weather permitting).
Jon
Andrew
wibble wibble
Finally got the Bittern at Budleigh Salterton just as I was about to leave. It was in the field immediately west of White Bridge.
I had packed my gear and was about to leave and started muttering obscenities to myself which flushed it from my feet. It had been there all the time despite the presence of two shotgun wielding morons who had an unusual aversion to Pheasants flying overhead. The Bittern landed in the middle of the field then walked over to the reeds/ditch that runs alonside South Farm Road.
Quite fortunate as I had earlier decided to go home due to the shooters but changed my mind and stuck it out for another hour.
Also a snazzy little Firecrest from the second path west of the river.
I had packed my gear and was about to leave and started muttering obscenities to myself which flushed it from my feet. It had been there all the time despite the presence of two shotgun wielding morons who had an unusual aversion to Pheasants flying overhead. The Bittern landed in the middle of the field then walked over to the reeds/ditch that runs alonside South Farm Road.
Quite fortunate as I had earlier decided to go home due to the shooters but changed my mind and stuck it out for another hour.
Also a snazzy little Firecrest from the second path west of the river.
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borealis
New member
Hi all; been looking in on the forum occasionally but not posted 'til now ("lurking" I believe is the term).
Can't really answer your question re the Spotted Sand but would like add a question of my own -
As I found/IDed the spotted sand I've taken a sort of proprietorial interest in it. I'm down at the Topsham Rec nearly every day and haven't definitely seen the bird since 5th Jan (just before the cold snap). I had a possible sighting on the 19th but the bird was distant both perched and in flight - I was fairly sure of it at the time but couldn't be 100% certain. I know it's been reported a few times since then, often to the north under the M5 bridge. Now, please don't think I'm implying any misidentification but has anyone had really good, close views or photographed it in the last 3 weeks?
As I say, I'd be pleased to learn that it's still there; it certainly isn't hanging around where it used to.
cheers
Tim W
Ranger James
Well-known member
Always worth considering Tim. I've not caught up with it (or tried particularly) so I would hope that its still about!!
Rob Smallwood
Well-known member
Was hoping to pick up the Spotted Sand on our Mancunian trip to Devon next week, so any up to date news would be welcome...
Maurice499
Well-known member
Just to make you all a little envious, I`ve just returned today from the Costa Blanca, where in addition to the usual great birds that Spain has to offer, I saw 36 Stone Curlews in a single flock in an overgrown compound next to a de-salination plant at Salinas De San Pedro(Mar Menor) and 79 Cattle Egrets all together on the local golf Course. 2 amazing sightings for any birder.
Maurice499
Well-known member
I take it you didn`t find the Bittern at Sherpa Marsh? I was thinking of having a look for it 2moro(Tues).
Rob Smallwood
Well-known member
I and three friends from the Manchester will be in the Devon area on Thursday & fFiday, so if you see 4 slightly lost birders falling out of a Peugeot feel free to say hello - or give us a wide berth if you prefer!
Maurice499
Well-known member
Bloody Dogs!
They get everywhere!!
In Spain the vast majority of dog owners are English and even there they are beginning to disturb wild life. Why is it that the English have such a relationship with the damned things? Have you ever tried to have a word with these people and point out the problems they cause. Keep your head down `cos you`ll get a load of FLACK!
When I was young in Braunton, we had a dog (lurcher) but we only had it to do a job, namely rabbiting. In them days the local butcher used to give you a 1/- each. A dog used to be kept for a job.
The Aussies did some research into dogs and dog walking and produced a result that they cause between a 40 and 60% reduction in wildlife in those areas where it is prevelant.
John Breeds, who used to be the National Conservancy Council warden for Braunton Burrows, said to me one day that there is so much dog sh-t on the Burrows that the plant life is being affected. It enriches the ground and encourages the weeds and vigorous species of plants that you don`t want. The rare species for which the Burrows used to be famed are being lost because of DOGS and DOG WALKERS.
Now you know my opinion of `em.
