I thought it would be a good time to start the new thread for Spring 2016 as we are now seeing bird movements along the Devon coast. Our first Sand Martins were recorded yesterday with individuals seen in South Devon, on the Exe and in North Devon near the River Taw. ChiffChaffs have been seen in growing numbers with large numbers of Meadow Pipits seen on both coastlines. A few Wheatears have been reported in the South West none in Exmouth to date but could be any time soon. Interestingly several Red Kites have been reported locally which is a rarity for Devon however this time of year we tend to get continental birds drifting over to the UK. It is understood these birds are Male in search of females. There in no local population of Red Kite so these birds will probably drift on thro' our area. Our Exe Brent Geese are now dispersing and heading north on their epic journey of 3000 miles back to Northern Siberia where they'll stay on their breeding grounds until September when hopefully they will return with more youngsters than last year. Our Avocets will be off soon back to Holland and the low countries on the continent. Widgeon, Teal, Pintail Redshank, Godwits, and other Waders will be also heading north for the long days of summer to all return again from September for yet another winter with us in Devon. We have plenty to look forward to in the coming few months with increasing numbers of migrants hitting our shores... a very interesting and exciting time ahead. Please feel free to add to thin thread when migration hits your area. Thanks for reading.
Ooh, fabulous shots, Derek. What smart looking birds Wheatears are.
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Tony
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Stunning wheatears!
I saw a water pipit at Rainham Marshes only last week, and we still have a few Bewick's and whooper swans at Minsmere, so there's still a fair amount of movement to look forward to.
Roll on the hirundines!!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Hi Clare, Sand Martins are coming through in numbers now, good numbers seen at Bowling Green Marsh, Two Wheatear on the marsh last evening... dear o' Chiffchaff are arriving to with that wonderful spring song!! what a great time of year....awesome.
Steady sightings of sand martins across Devon with the first 6 Swallows reported on the Exe Estuary. A first Cuckoo heard near Tiverton yesterday afternoon. Green Sandpiper and a Ruff reported on the other side of the Exe Estuary. Look out for your first sighting of this years Swallow and listen out for the Cuckoo, they are arriving in the UK.
Portland Bird Observatory in Dorset blogs always worth a look if you are interested in Bird migration. Large numbers of birds logged here every day. portlandbirdobs.blogspot.co.uk
Gorgeous wheatears, swallows coming too, great stuff.
Lot to learn
Popped to Bowling Green Marsh for an hour hoping for some migrants and chuffed I had a Ruff
Great stuff (to continue the rhyming) ;-)
"Let loose the Kraken!"
Plenty of Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins seen across the county and all heading North, so keep a look out from now on. First Willow Warblers heard and seen over the last few days, with increased numbers of Chiffchaff. Had one singing in the Garden today. Increased numbers of Wheatears too. Huge numbers of Meadow Pipits now coming through. Great time, Spring is here!
Had my first Wheatear and first Sand Martin on Good Friday :D A lot of singing Chiffchaffs too but I don't really count those as plenty overwinter round here. Oh, and also CRAZY numbers of Firecrests at Dungeness - had six in view in the (tiny) lighthouse garden at one point. I suspect they were wanting to head back to the continent but were being held back by the weather.
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