@devonbirder.bsky.social
Thanks to 2 Birders in the hide at Ryan's Field RSPB early evening I had excellent scope views of the White-rumped Sandpiper, 3 Spoonbills and a Spotted Redshank.
October 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Thanks to 2 Birders in the hide at Ryan's Field RSPB early evening I had excellent scope views of the White-rumped Sandpiper, 3 Spoonbills and a Spotted Redshank.
Birding plans had to be changed as when I was driving near Crows an Wra this morning I realised I had left my scope and bins behind in our Hayle Hotel bedroom!!! Managed to see 3 Blackcaps, a Grey Wagtail and 10 Chiffs using Ann's Opticron bins before rain stopped play early afternoon.
October 18, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Birding plans had to be changed as when I was driving near Crows an Wra this morning I realised I had left my scope and bins behind in our Hayle Hotel bedroom!!! Managed to see 3 Blackcaps, a Grey Wagtail and 10 Chiffs using Ann's Opticron bins before rain stopped play early afternoon.
I stopped at Marazion Marsh RSPB at 17.20 and quite expected the flock of Egrets visible from the railway bridge to be Little Egrets. On viewing them through my scope though they were all Cattle Egrets, 31 in total.
October 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I stopped at Marazion Marsh RSPB at 17.20 and quite expected the flock of Egrets visible from the railway bridge to be Little Egrets. On viewing them through my scope though they were all Cattle Egrets, 31 in total.
Rumour has it that the Hayle White-rumped Sandpiper was taken by a Peregrine after I saw it yesterday afternoon. No sign of it this morning either at Hayle RSPB or Carnsew Pool. Spoonbill on Carnsew Pool at 11.05.
October 17, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Rumour has it that the Hayle White-rumped Sandpiper was taken by a Peregrine after I saw it yesterday afternoon. No sign of it this morning either at Hayle RSPB or Carnsew Pool. Spoonbill on Carnsew Pool at 11.05.
We were just driving near Marazion when the news of the White-rumped Sandpiper came on the Cornwall WhatsApp Group. Luckily there were Birders on the bird by the time I got there. 2025 has been an excellent Sandpiper year for me. Terek next!!! I should be so lucky.😂
October 16, 2025 at 6:03 PM
We were just driving near Marazion when the news of the White-rumped Sandpiper came on the Cornwall WhatsApp Group. Luckily there were Birders on the bird by the time I got there. 2025 has been an excellent Sandpiper year for me. Terek next!!! I should be so lucky.😂
A cold morning at Colliford Lake. Fortunately the Baird's Sandpiper was showing well on the shoreline at 10.40 with a single Dunlin. Park in Dam car park and walk left for about 400 yards.
October 15, 2025 at 10:20 AM
A cold morning at Colliford Lake. Fortunately the Baird's Sandpiper was showing well on the shoreline at 10.40 with a single Dunlin. Park in Dam car park and walk left for about 400 yards.
Reposted
Great views of the Zitting Cisticola this morning - perched several times for a few minutes 😊
August 6, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Great views of the Zitting Cisticola this morning - perched several times for a few minutes 😊
Am I in Greece or on one of the Western Isles. Warm weather, white sand and turquoise sea. Apart from the cry of the gulls I can't hear a thing.
May 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Am I in Greece or on one of the Western Isles. Warm weather, white sand and turquoise sea. Apart from the cry of the gulls I can't hear a thing.
Report of an American Golden Plover this morning at Balranald had us going there instead of Berneray. However I was too late as despite around 15 Birders looking there was no sign. I finally saw the juvenile Iceland Gull though so that was some compensation.
May 18, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Report of an American Golden Plover this morning at Balranald had us going there instead of Berneray. However I was too late as despite around 15 Birders looking there was no sign. I finally saw the juvenile Iceland Gull though so that was some compensation.
Driving along the A865 near Bayhead this morning I noticed too late that the bird on a fence post was a male Hen Harrier. Unfortunately by the time I stopped the car and reversed back it had flown off. The second time I have seen a perched male Hen Harrier in the last three days.
May 16, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Driving along the A865 near Bayhead this morning I noticed too late that the bird on a fence post was a male Hen Harrier. Unfortunately by the time I stopped the car and reversed back it had flown off. The second time I have seen a perched male Hen Harrier in the last three days.
We first came to the Western Isles in 1995 and this surely must be the only year we have ever had 5 consecutive days of warm sunshine. Having seen all the resident birds today is a relaxing day on the beach. Apart from waves breaking I can't hear any sound. Bliss.
May 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
We first came to the Western Isles in 1995 and this surely must be the only year we have ever had 5 consecutive days of warm sunshine. Having seen all the resident birds today is a relaxing day on the beach. Apart from waves breaking I can't hear any sound. Bliss.
As we are staying at Samlesbury tonight we detoured to Marshside RSPB and the Temminck's Stint was still showing on and off as it fed along a narrow channel. Several Ruff there but the Wood Sandpiper had flown off unfortunately
April 27, 2025 at 1:07 PM
As we are staying at Samlesbury tonight we detoured to Marshside RSPB and the Temminck's Stint was still showing on and off as it fed along a narrow channel. Several Ruff there but the Wood Sandpiper had flown off unfortunately
Due to muting many words on X I rarely had to see any political tweets. Unfortunately it looks like I am going to have to start muting words now on Blue Sky. I don't follow the author of the offending post either so why did I see it?
April 12, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Due to muting many words on X I rarely had to see any political tweets. Unfortunately it looks like I am going to have to start muting words now on Blue Sky. I don't follow the author of the offending post either so why did I see it?
Another very warm day but lacked the cooling breeze. Started this morning watching a female Dartford Warbler at Aylesbeare but then drove up the M5 to Durleigh to see the Whiskered Tern which gave excellent scope views. Ended at Steart WWT seeing 2 Little Ringed Plovers and my first Cuckoo of 2025
April 11, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Another very warm day but lacked the cooling breeze. Started this morning watching a female Dartford Warbler at Aylesbeare but then drove up the M5 to Durleigh to see the Whiskered Tern which gave excellent scope views. Ended at Steart WWT seeing 2 Little Ringed Plovers and my first Cuckoo of 2025
A good day in West Cornwall started with close range views of the Hoopoe at Marazion. On then to Gwynver Beach car park to make the arduous walk to see my 3rd Alpine Accentor which showed well on and off. Several Swallows and Wheatears seen there.
April 3, 2025 at 2:16 PM
A good day in West Cornwall started with close range views of the Hoopoe at Marazion. On then to Gwynver Beach car park to make the arduous walk to see my 3rd Alpine Accentor which showed well on and off. Several Swallows and Wheatears seen there.
Paid my first ever visit this afternoon to Longham Lakes. Thanks to all who gave me parking and access info. The Lesser Scaup still showing well at the south end at 14.10.
March 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Paid my first ever visit this afternoon to Longham Lakes. Thanks to all who gave me parking and access info. The Lesser Scaup still showing well at the south end at 14.10.
A cold wind this morning on Studland. Single Black-necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver off South Beach at 11.10. For the second year in a row I didn't even hear a Ring-necked Parakeet.
March 17, 2025 at 11:22 AM
A cold wind this morning on Studland. Single Black-necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver off South Beach at 11.10. For the second year in a row I didn't even hear a Ring-necked Parakeet.
Blue sky and sun in Weymouth but a chilly wind. Saw my first Cettis Warbler and a Little Ringed Plover on the west side. 23 Black-tailed Godwits and a few Mediterranean Gulls were the best of the rest.
March 16, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Blue sky and sun in Weymouth but a chilly wind. Saw my first Cettis Warbler and a Little Ringed Plover on the west side. 23 Black-tailed Godwits and a few Mediterranean Gulls were the best of the rest.
69 Cattle Egrets this afternoon in a field just east of Westhay Reserve car park. 3 Great White Egrets in a field west of the car park.
March 6, 2025 at 4:25 PM
69 Cattle Egrets this afternoon in a field just east of Westhay Reserve car park. 3 Great White Egrets in a field west of the car park.
Arrived at Cheddar Reservoir later than expected due to the road from Wedmore being closed. The 4 Scaup were off the Cheddar Tower whilst 3 Black-necked Grebes were close to the bank on the South side at 16.00.
March 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Arrived at Cheddar Reservoir later than expected due to the road from Wedmore being closed. The 4 Scaup were off the Cheddar Tower whilst 3 Black-necked Grebes were close to the bank on the South side at 16.00.
Luckily 4 Birders on site had seen the Rosy Starling fly into the back garden of a house in Heathfield Drive before I arrived. Thirty minutes later the Rosy Starling showed well before flying off.
March 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Luckily 4 Birders on site had seen the Rosy Starling fly into the back garden of a house in Heathfield Drive before I arrived. Thirty minutes later the Rosy Starling showed well before flying off.
Sitting in the car at Powderham shop car park I could see distantly through the trees most of the 50+ Cattle Egrets reported near the castle earlier. Suddenly most of them took flight and obligingly are now at the tops of 2 bare trees where I counted 45.
March 3, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Sitting in the car at Powderham shop car park I could see distantly through the trees most of the 50+ Cattle Egrets reported near the castle earlier. Suddenly most of them took flight and obligingly are now at the tops of 2 bare trees where I counted 45.
A lovely afternoon but I mistakenly thought the grassy track to Powderham Marsh would not need wellies. It was rather muddy in places and nothing of note when I arrived at the end of the track. Marsh looks good though for later this month. Kestrel was a Devon year tick.
March 3, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A lovely afternoon but I mistakenly thought the grassy track to Powderham Marsh would not need wellies. It was rather muddy in places and nothing of note when I arrived at the end of the track. Marsh looks good though for later this month. Kestrel was a Devon year tick.
A beautiful morning at Chard Reservoir. The 2w Little Gull still feeding over the water at 11.20. Thanks Dave for putting the news out earlier
February 28, 2025 at 11:23 AM
A beautiful morning at Chard Reservoir. The 2w Little Gull still feeding over the water at 11.20. Thanks Dave for putting the news out earlier
No sign of the Lesser Scaup at The Skern over the high tide. Walked to the second jetty along The Taw estuary and the Green-winged Teal was roosting on the rocks along the edge of the channel. At Fremington the Spotted Redshank was at the top of the Pill at the water's edge.
February 24, 2025 at 5:14 PM
No sign of the Lesser Scaup at The Skern over the high tide. Walked to the second jetty along The Taw estuary and the Green-winged Teal was roosting on the rocks along the edge of the channel. At Fremington the Spotted Redshank was at the top of the Pill at the water's edge.