Devon Birding (4 Viewers)

[Roy C]

Caught up with the Crane this morning thanks to Maurice's directions. Still in the same field with the Mute's but too far off for anything other than record shots.

 

[Roger Harding]

Hi
Been birding N. Devon for years (some familiar names here).
Only just found this site.
Caught up with the crane today.
Hope you lke the pics

Roger

 

[Roy C]

Had a walk from Muddlebridge to Barnstaple via Fremington quay and the Tarka trail this afternoon.
Very quite in the Pill with just the usual Redshank and Gulls, no sign of Greenshank or the Spotted Red. There were Two Spoonbills at Fremington quay (the first time I have seen them here this winter) together with a scattering of Oystercatchers, Curlew and Redshank.
Saw a little Grebe in the scrapes at Clampits, never seen one there before.
On Penhill Marsh there was a mixed flock of Brent (100) and Canada’s (70) as well a dozen Shelduck and four Little Egret.
At Anchor wood field there were 20 Curlew (numbers seem well down this winter at this site) 6 Shelduck and a pair of Mute Swans. On the River side I saw 4 Little Grebes in the shallows, the usual four or five Lapwing and a sprinkling of Oystercatchers, Curlew, Shelduck and Redshank.
Not much in the way of photos but got a few record shots.

 

[Mark]

RFI Crane

Has anyone looked for or got any news on the Crane at Braunton Burrows today?

 

[Ranger James]

Great photos Roy, you can really appreciate the oystercatcher is a 'priser' rather than a 'hammerer' with that sharp beak!
Also, anyone know why it is that spoonbills spend so much time with that highly adapted bill tucked below a wing? It is heavy and this is a comfy place to rest it, or is it particularly sensitive and feels the cold?
James

 

[MTN1540]

Went on the Avocet Cruise around the Exe Esturary today, overcast but dry with no wind, a really good day.

Amongst the sightings:

Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Shag, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Brent Geese,
Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Goldeneye, Red Breasted Merganser, Oystercathcer,
Avocet, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit,
Curlew, Common Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Northern Diver,
Greylag Geese, Slavonian Grebe and Grey Seal.

And on the way home we saw a Barn Owl at Dolton Beacon.

 

[SJPortugal]

Was in Devon on business yesterday and was lucky enough to eat my lunch in Broadsands car park, watching 4-5 Cirl Buntings feeding on the tarmac.

 

[Maurice499]

Had a wander around The Jetties roost and Isley this morning. Good numbers of waders, until a dog owner allowed his 2 black Poodle type dogs to run amoke on the foreshore and put everything up. I had a few harsh words with him and he came up with the old dog-owner chestnut, "They`ve got plenty of other places to go." You cannot educate pork but then I`ve heard pigs are more intelligent than dogs and some of their owners.

Lapwing - c300
Knot - 67
Turnstone - c70
Dunlin - c500
Greenshank - 1
Bar-tailed Godwit - 14
Grey Plover - 113
Spoonbill - 6 on Isley
Spotted Redshank - 1 near the reserve/ashbed gate.
Teal in good numbers but not that many Wigeon or Curlews.

 

[metal.birder]

Hi fellow birders from Exeter.

Hi guys,

Just found out about this site so thought I'd join in !

I'm a regular visitor to Exminster Marsh recently having got back into birding, also Aylesbeare common and Topsham.

Went for my first trip to Dawlish Warren yesterday early, not much about, a couple of Great Crested Grebe too far away for my not great scope, warden said he'd seen the Surf Scoter but I missed it, lots of Grey Plover.

Going to Topsham for a couple of hours this afternoon, fingers crossed I still haven't seen the Red Breasted Goose yet!!!

Cheers everyone,..........Mark:t:

 

[davercox]

Welcome to the forum Mark, as you can see there are plenty of Devon birders on here so you should feel at home !

 

[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]

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]

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]

North Devon Crane

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

 

[Sy V]

Are these plans likely to disrupt Devon birding?

Here.

 

[Ppedro]

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.