Devon Birding (2 Viewers)

[sherlock]

A Buzzard being mobbed by a Sparrowhawk? not sure so any clarification welcome

 

[Jaff]

The other bird looks like a Kestrel. Can just make out it's grey head and rufous back. Not long now and I'll be down there!

 

[sherlock]

The other bird looks like a Kestrel. Can just make out it's grey head and rufous back. Not long now and I'll be down there!

Cheers - have a good hol.

highlights

Today - 3 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, Rock Pipit, c3 Linnet, Stonechat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Cormorant

Yesterday - c6 Ringed Plover, c9 Dunlin, 1 Canada Goose, 7 Shelduck

the day before - family group 6 Wrens, Bullfinch, 3 Rock Pipit, Long Tailed Tit

 

[metal.birder]

Can anyone help me with the exact location of Haldon Ridge? Want to go there looking for raptors, I know Haldon forest where the bike tracks are, but I'm not sure where Haldon Ridge is.....it may be a raptor viewpoint if this helps?
Thanks in advance,

Mark.

 

[binfield]

For the raptor viewing platform just follow the trail left heading out of the main carpark. It is sign posted. Also there is a map of the forest in the car park that should give you good directions. Hope that helps.

 

[The Kerreran]

Haldon Forest is on the Haldon Ridge - it being the line of high ground between the Teign and Exe valleys. I don't know exactly where the sightings you refer to were made from, but there are two well-known raptor viewpoints; by the Mamhead Obelisk, and the old 'Raptor Viewpoint', whose car park is now cut off by cycle tracks from the new development. If you park at the cycle place and follow the track that runs on NW parallel to the road, you will find a spur leading to the open viewing area just as the track turns sharply downhill.

 

[metal.birder]

Thankyou Tom, Sounds good to me, I'll check it out and report back, gonna give it a go Saturday!
Thank you,

Mark.

 

[metal.birder]

Thanks Binfield!!!

Mark.

 

[sherlock]

2 Kestrel, several Whitethroat, really pleased to see a couple of Mistle Thrushes - at least I think they were - see pic, 5 Cormorant, c10 Swallow, 1 Stonechat, Magpie, c3 Linnet, several Blackbird, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Dunnock, Pigeon, Herring Gull, Chaffinch, Starling, House Sparrow

 

[vanellus]

2 Kestrel, several Whitethroat, really pleased to see a couple of Mistle Thrushes - at least I think they were - see pic, 5 Cormorant, c10 Swallow, 1 Stonechat, Magpie, c3 Linnet, several Blackbird, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Dunnock, Pigeon, Herring Gull, Chaffinch, Starling, House Sparrow

That's a Mistle OK. Visiting Porlock Weir at end of July, hoping for some good birding.

 

[RegTelescope]

I am in Devon from 2 July for a week. I was wondering what the chances of catching up with the following were:

Woodlark (was thinking of Chudleigh Knighton Heath)
Pied Flycatcher (sounds like they should be easy in Yarner Wood)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Yarner Wood, but assume need a bit of luck)
Whimbrel (do a few linger around Dawlish Warren during summer?)
Roseate Tern (possible at Dawlish Warren?)

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[binfield]

I am in Devon from 2 July for a week. I was wondering what the chances of catching up with the following were:

Woodlark (was thinking of Chudleigh Knighton Heath)
Pied Flycatcher (sounds like they should be easy in Yarner Wood)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Yarner Wood, but assume need a bit of luck)
Whimbrel (do a few linger around Dawlish Warren during summer?)
Roseate Tern (possible at Dawlish Warren?)

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

for Pied fly Yarner is a good call.The lesser spotted can be found at Yarner but as you have said it's down to luck on the day
Whimbrel i would say bowling green marsh area ,quite a few present the last time i was over there, as for Roseate turn i would say exmouth rather than the warren. I visit the Warren most days and tbh its been very quiet lateley,But i think it's always worth a visit .

Edit: roseate turn a regular visitor to bowling green marsh i have just been told.

 

[RegTelescope]

That's really helpful. Thank you.

 

[Jon Turner]

An adult male Rose-coloured Starling was present this morning in a private garden in Kingsheanton - just west of Barnstaple. If you go to the hamlet, be aware that there is virtually nowhere to park.

 

[Jon Turner]

An adult male Rose-coloured Starling was present this morning in a private garden in Kingsheanton - just west of Barnstaple. If you go to the hamlet, be aware that there is virtually nowhere to park.

And now a cracking photo on the Devon Birds site:

http://devonbirdnews.blogspot.com/

Jon

 

[sherlock]

And now a cracking photo on the Devon Birds site:
Jon

Wow!! fantastic looking bird.

Yesterday under Barnstaple long bridge a convoy of some 80 - 110 Canada Geese (I was on public transprt so impossible to count umbers better).

 

[sherlock]

Highlights of the day

3 Goldcrest, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Yellowhammer, 1 Wren, 2 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch, several Black Headed Gull

 

[socksitis]

My highlight today was watching a Hobby over that 'barren landscape' us locals call Dartmoor!

 

[sherlock]

Forgot the lens! Fremington Quay area - Bullfinch and Redshank including good vocals!

 

[steve west]

My highlight today was watching a Hobby over that 'barren landscape' us locals call Dartmoor!

Watching a Hobby is always a highlight. Even if it's on video:

http://youtu.be/3yAZQexn2J0

Hope you don't mind the intrusion, but I'm sure many who haven't been this close to a Hobby will enjoy it.

Steve