Martin Elcoate
@melcoate.bsky.social
Volunteer for The Green Runners; low carbon running & birding in Devon, mostly in squares.
Running in Squares - my blog for the OS
https://linktr.ee/MartinElcoate?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=0a99957a-af9c-4481-81d1-6ba562fb06ff
Running in Squares - my blog for the OS
https://linktr.ee/MartinElcoate?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=0a99957a-af9c-4481-81d1-6ba562fb06ff
Last minute decision to only work half the day. Left the desk, popped on my running shoes and ran 15km down to the sea.
Passed this man trying to outrun an Octopus 🐙. Didn’t hang around to witness the outcome. Stranger things.
#Running #StrangerThings #SeenOnMyRun
Passed this man trying to outrun an Octopus 🐙. Didn’t hang around to witness the outcome. Stranger things.
#Running #StrangerThings #SeenOnMyRun
November 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Last minute decision to only work half the day. Left the desk, popped on my running shoes and ran 15km down to the sea.
Passed this man trying to outrun an Octopus 🐙. Didn’t hang around to witness the outcome. Stranger things.
#Running #StrangerThings #SeenOnMyRun
Passed this man trying to outrun an Octopus 🐙. Didn’t hang around to witness the outcome. Stranger things.
#Running #StrangerThings #SeenOnMyRun
A frosty morning run. Glad of the gloves & a reminder of the poor circulation I have in my hands.
As I approached the end of my run, a Grey Seal swam parallel to the path, a few meters away. We watched each other pass until the seal decided it was time to slide under the water.
#RunningWithSeals
As I approached the end of my run, a Grey Seal swam parallel to the path, a few meters away. We watched each other pass until the seal decided it was time to slide under the water.
#RunningWithSeals
November 26, 2025 at 7:56 PM
A frosty morning run. Glad of the gloves & a reminder of the poor circulation I have in my hands.
As I approached the end of my run, a Grey Seal swam parallel to the path, a few meters away. We watched each other pass until the seal decided it was time to slide under the water.
#RunningWithSeals
As I approached the end of my run, a Grey Seal swam parallel to the path, a few meters away. We watched each other pass until the seal decided it was time to slide under the water.
#RunningWithSeals
Sometimes I find energy on a run that wasn’t there at the start. Today was a case in point.
I felt tired as I pulled on my running shoes. And felt tired for the first few km. But slowly energy returned.
I had planned for 10km but pushed on until I hit the half marathon.
#running
I felt tired as I pulled on my running shoes. And felt tired for the first few km. But slowly energy returned.
I had planned for 10km but pushed on until I hit the half marathon.
#running
November 24, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Sometimes I find energy on a run that wasn’t there at the start. Today was a case in point.
I felt tired as I pulled on my running shoes. And felt tired for the first few km. But slowly energy returned.
I had planned for 10km but pushed on until I hit the half marathon.
#running
I felt tired as I pulled on my running shoes. And felt tired for the first few km. But slowly energy returned.
I had planned for 10km but pushed on until I hit the half marathon.
#running
Drogo - great 10km family walk in a loop along & around the Teign Valley from Castle Drogo.
The river was running fast, the noise filling the valley. A female Goosander battled the rapids.
A single Marsh Tit was the best of the birds but the views top it all.
#Devon @nationaltrust.org.uk
The river was running fast, the noise filling the valley. A female Goosander battled the rapids.
A single Marsh Tit was the best of the birds but the views top it all.
#Devon @nationaltrust.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Drogo - great 10km family walk in a loop along & around the Teign Valley from Castle Drogo.
The river was running fast, the noise filling the valley. A female Goosander battled the rapids.
A single Marsh Tit was the best of the birds but the views top it all.
#Devon @nationaltrust.org.uk
The river was running fast, the noise filling the valley. A female Goosander battled the rapids.
A single Marsh Tit was the best of the birds but the views top it all.
#Devon @nationaltrust.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Meant to post the video rather than the image.
argentatus Herring Gull, Topsham Rec, Devon lunchtime today.
#DevonBirds #Birding
argentatus Herring Gull, Topsham Rec, Devon lunchtime today.
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Meant to post the video rather than the image.
argentatus Herring Gull, Topsham Rec, Devon lunchtime today.
#DevonBirds #Birding
argentatus Herring Gull, Topsham Rec, Devon lunchtime today.
#DevonBirds #Birding
A dark(er) backed large gull caught my attention today at Topsham Rec among the argenteus Herring Gulls. A third or fourth year argentatus Herring Gull. Scarce in these parts.
#DevonBirds #Gulls
#DevonBirds #Gulls
November 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A dark(er) backed large gull caught my attention today at Topsham Rec among the argenteus Herring Gulls. A third or fourth year argentatus Herring Gull. Scarce in these parts.
#DevonBirds #Gulls
#DevonBirds #Gulls
November 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Damp walk around town trying to keep my hands warm. Little of note on the bird front. Relatively few ducks on Bowling Green Marsh & no sign of the Red-necked Grebe.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
November 22, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Damp walk around town trying to keep my hands warm. Little of note on the bird front. Relatively few ducks on Bowling Green Marsh & no sign of the Red-necked Grebe.
#DevonBirds
#DevonBirds
An afternoon walk around Exmouth followed by a 14km run home. Beautiful day with clear views all along the coast.
A Firecrest called next to the cycle path as I ran by. Time to update my Firecrest map - my 2024/25 records in the 20x20km map centred on home 🏡.
A Firecrest called next to the cycle path as I ran by. Time to update my Firecrest map - my 2024/25 records in the 20x20km map centred on home 🏡.
November 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
An afternoon walk around Exmouth followed by a 14km run home. Beautiful day with clear views all along the coast.
A Firecrest called next to the cycle path as I ran by. Time to update my Firecrest map - my 2024/25 records in the 20x20km map centred on home 🏡.
A Firecrest called next to the cycle path as I ran by. Time to update my Firecrest map - my 2024/25 records in the 20x20km map centred on home 🏡.
2 Moors Way recce - I ran an unfamiliar section of the route today in glorious sunshine. I joined the path at Bennett’s Cross & ran down to Chagford, looping back via a route of my own making. 19km, 600m elevation.
I made 3 mistakes, which is exactly why I wanted to recce the path.
#Running #Devon
I made 3 mistakes, which is exactly why I wanted to recce the path.
#Running #Devon
November 17, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Decent day’s #Birding & walking around the Exe Estuary.
Exmouth: 2 Black Redstarts, Cirl Bunting, Firecrest, Whimbrel, 21 GC Grebes
Local wood: Goshawk shot across a trail through the trees. Really close. Monster of a bird!! 😲
Dawlish Warren: 5 Velvet Scoters, my 1st for 3 years. 👍🏻
#DevonBirds
Exmouth: 2 Black Redstarts, Cirl Bunting, Firecrest, Whimbrel, 21 GC Grebes
Local wood: Goshawk shot across a trail through the trees. Really close. Monster of a bird!! 😲
Dawlish Warren: 5 Velvet Scoters, my 1st for 3 years. 👍🏻
#DevonBirds
November 16, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Decent day’s #Birding & walking around the Exe Estuary.
Exmouth: 2 Black Redstarts, Cirl Bunting, Firecrest, Whimbrel, 21 GC Grebes
Local wood: Goshawk shot across a trail through the trees. Really close. Monster of a bird!! 😲
Dawlish Warren: 5 Velvet Scoters, my 1st for 3 years. 👍🏻
#DevonBirds
Exmouth: 2 Black Redstarts, Cirl Bunting, Firecrest, Whimbrel, 21 GC Grebes
Local wood: Goshawk shot across a trail through the trees. Really close. Monster of a bird!! 😲
Dawlish Warren: 5 Velvet Scoters, my 1st for 3 years. 👍🏻
#DevonBirds
Second walk around town of the day and great to find a Great White Egret on Bowling Green Marsh.
More #LowCarbonBirding
#DevonBirds #Birding
More #LowCarbonBirding
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 15, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Second walk around town of the day and great to find a Great White Egret on Bowling Green Marsh.
More #LowCarbonBirding
#DevonBirds #Birding
More #LowCarbonBirding
#DevonBirds #Birding
Red-necked Grebe still on Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, sticking to the same stretch of water.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 15, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Red-necked Grebe still on Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, sticking to the same stretch of water.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh for its third day. Clearly not an early riser. It had a bit of a stretch to show of it’s amazing seaweed like feet.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 14, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh for its third day. Clearly not an early riser. It had a bit of a stretch to show of it’s amazing seaweed like feet.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
Yesterday vs Today. Hoping tomorrow brings even better views.
November 13, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Yesterday vs Today. Hoping tomorrow brings even better views.
Lunchtime run - out for a 10km run from home.
As I ran I looked for birds along Ludwell Valley and saw 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper.
Love seeing these birds in such an incongruous place.
#DevonBirds #Birding #Running
As I ran I looked for birds along Ludwell Valley and saw 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper.
Love seeing these birds in such an incongruous place.
#DevonBirds #Birding #Running
November 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Lunchtime run - out for a 10km run from home.
As I ran I looked for birds along Ludwell Valley and saw 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper.
Love seeing these birds in such an incongruous place.
#DevonBirds #Birding #Running
As I ran I looked for birds along Ludwell Valley and saw 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper.
Love seeing these birds in such an incongruous place.
#DevonBirds #Birding #Running
The Red-necked Grebe was still on Bowling Green Marsh this morning.
Not great conditions to get an image but better than yesterday (plus I had my scope with me).
No problem identifying it today 👍🏻
#DevonBirds #Birding
Not great conditions to get an image but better than yesterday (plus I had my scope with me).
No problem identifying it today 👍🏻
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 13, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The Red-necked Grebe was still on Bowling Green Marsh this morning.
Not great conditions to get an image but better than yesterday (plus I had my scope with me).
No problem identifying it today 👍🏻
#DevonBirds #Birding
Not great conditions to get an image but better than yesterday (plus I had my scope with me).
No problem identifying it today 👍🏻
#DevonBirds #Birding
2/2 I put the news out of a possible RN Grebe & was pleased to receive this photo from Dave Stone confirming its identity (by which time I was at work).
1st record of Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh.
Could this be the bird @axebirder.bsky.social released on the Axe?
#DevonBirds #Birding
1st record of Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh.
Could this be the bird @axebirder.bsky.social released on the Axe?
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
2/2 I put the news out of a possible RN Grebe & was pleased to receive this photo from Dave Stone confirming its identity (by which time I was at work).
1st record of Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh.
Could this be the bird @axebirder.bsky.social released on the Axe?
#DevonBirds #Birding
1st record of Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh.
Could this be the bird @axebirder.bsky.social released on the Axe?
#DevonBirds #Birding
1/2 I popped into the Bowling Green Marsh this morning for a quick scan thru’ the ducks. I noticed a distant grebe hugging the far reeds. Trouble is, I only had bins.
After a lot of squinting, I was fairly sure it was a Red-necked Grebe but couldn’t be 💯%. Damn!
#DevonBirds #Birding
After a lot of squinting, I was fairly sure it was a Red-necked Grebe but couldn’t be 💯%. Damn!
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
1/2 I popped into the Bowling Green Marsh this morning for a quick scan thru’ the ducks. I noticed a distant grebe hugging the far reeds. Trouble is, I only had bins.
After a lot of squinting, I was fairly sure it was a Red-necked Grebe but couldn’t be 💯%. Damn!
#DevonBirds #Birding
After a lot of squinting, I was fairly sure it was a Red-necked Grebe but couldn’t be 💯%. Damn!
#DevonBirds #Birding
Spotted Redshank on Bowling Green Marsh this morning (along with another Spot Red, Ruff and lots of other waders).
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 10, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Spotted Redshank on Bowling Green Marsh this morning (along with another Spot Red, Ruff and lots of other waders).
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
Thought I’d have a nose around Dawlish Warren for a couple of hours this afternoon. No stripey warblers sadly but plenty of Goldcrests & Chiffs to keep my hopes up.
Best of the birds: Dartford Warbler, Barnacle Goose (my 1st this year), 12 Common Scoter & a great Great Northern Diver.
Best of the birds: Dartford Warbler, Barnacle Goose (my 1st this year), 12 Common Scoter & a great Great Northern Diver.
November 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Thought I’d have a nose around Dawlish Warren for a couple of hours this afternoon. No stripey warblers sadly but plenty of Goldcrests & Chiffs to keep my hopes up.
Best of the birds: Dartford Warbler, Barnacle Goose (my 1st this year), 12 Common Scoter & a great Great Northern Diver.
Best of the birds: Dartford Warbler, Barnacle Goose (my 1st this year), 12 Common Scoter & a great Great Northern Diver.
Recovery walk around Topsham this morning. Surprised to find a Garganey on Bowling Green Marsh. Also 2 Spotted Redshanks and a Ruff.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Recovery walk around Topsham this morning. Surprised to find a Garganey on Bowling Green Marsh. Also 2 Spotted Redshanks and a Ruff.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
Salt Settlers Six - a simple game of how many 4.5km laps around the Otter Estuary can you run in 6 hours?
12 laps / 52km for me.
Beautiful day for a run, even if it was a bit of a grind towards the end.
Thanks to the other runners for their company & Climb South West for a top event.
#Running
12 laps / 52km for me.
Beautiful day for a run, even if it was a bit of a grind towards the end.
Thanks to the other runners for their company & Climb South West for a top event.
#Running
November 8, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Salt Settlers Six - a simple game of how many 4.5km laps around the Otter Estuary can you run in 6 hours?
12 laps / 52km for me.
Beautiful day for a run, even if it was a bit of a grind towards the end.
Thanks to the other runners for their company & Climb South West for a top event.
#Running
12 laps / 52km for me.
Beautiful day for a run, even if it was a bit of a grind towards the end.
Thanks to the other runners for their company & Climb South West for a top event.
#Running