Mark Bailey

A lovely relaxed time at Exminster Marsh today - highlights - 2 Spoonbill including the ringed bird from the Netherlands, c30 Swifts, c20 House Martins, 6 Greenshank , 2 Ringed Plover, c12 Whimbrel, male Wigeon, male Teal

At least 6 Painted Lady around Armada Park, Chelston , Torquay at lunchtime today

My first Swifts of the year - 2 at 1224pm over Armada Park, Chelston, Torquay

A nice dog walk after work at South Milton Sands - on South Huish Marsh - 1-2 Yellow Wagtails, Cattle Egret, Whimbrel, 7 Bar-Tailed Godwits in off and continued up valley , Ringed Plover and c50 Swallows/House Martins

A Hobby north over my house in Torquay 810am!

@TimTim292 @DevonBirds @BirdGuides @BirdTrack @_BTO @freebirdnewsuk @DevonWildlife @waderquest Yep looking at pics seems a different bird to that one

@markrabailey @DevonBirds @BirdGuides @BirdTrack @_BTO @freebirdnewsuk @DevonWildlife @waderquest Was the one at Clyst st Mary intact?

What stunning bird Night Heron Seaton wetlands Devon. I’ve noticed that it missing a claw from its left foot so might be distinctive if seen again else where @DevonBirds @BirdGuides @BirdTrack @_BTO @freebirdnewsuk @DevonWildlife @waderquest #BirdsSeenin2026 #NightHeron

I always struggle with seeing Treecreeper and this year it took me 100 days 😂- but finally one showed well late morning in these trees at Ideford Common

Hopes Nose -645-935am- c200 Manx Shearwaters lingering offshore - 3 Purple Sands on rocks at Sandy Point, GND on sea off point and 2 Whitethroats

2 Spoonbill flew up the River Exe past Powderham footbridge 1pm

Exminster this am-a Ruff showing well by the viewing platform for second day - only the second reported bird in Devon this year! Also the Continental Black Tailed Godwit still, Spoonbill, c20 Cattle Egrets, Red Kite north at 933am, plenty of Reed &Sedge Warblers, c400Sand Martins

Dawlish Warren- 2 Eider - adult male and female off the seawall still c145pm found earlier by Lee C- the first ones reported in Devon this year! Also c6 Sandwich Terns, 3 GCGrebes (dreadful pics taken with phone hand held to scope)!

Continental Black Tailed Godwit - Exminster for its 6th day-on pools in front of Lagoon with Black Tailed Godwit flock on and off from 930am -expertly found by James D- the first confirmed record for Devon ! Also Spoonbill, Russian White Fronted Goose, Whimbrel, Swallows, Sedge W

@WiseBirding Brilliant ! And a great pic 👍

Chuffed to find a Bonaparte’s Gull on the patch last thing this evening. I’ve been looking hard the last few weeks, so finally paid off. 😊 #OtterEstuaryNR

Bonapartes Gull - Blaxton Meadow - possibly the first one actually seen on Blaxton Meadow - great find by Stuart G- and 38 years ago to the month that @DickFilby found Devon’s first modern day record alongside the Ross’s Gull !

Bonapartes Gull still Blaxton Meadow 930am and showing well from Viewing area by hide

Bonapartes Gull still 905am Blaxton Meadow on the River Plym - (flew in 845am)- my first in Plymouth for 30 years- in the late 80’s/early 90’s Mush, Richard White, Dave A and @DEBALMER use to find these for fun!

c25 Sand Martins at Bowling Green Marsh at c1pm low over the water in front of the hide - my earliest Sand Martins ever !

@DevonBirder Yep that was my first one and then of course it relocated to the Plym so win win

@markrabailey Were you at Poldhu Cove in March 1988 to see the first winter Ross's Gull? The pink adult Ross's at Cley in May 1984 was my first.

Took 2 attempts but the Ross’s Gull showed brilliantly flying around the harbour at Newlyn for c10 mins at 315pm-I believe the longest staying one in Cornwall by a day so glad it hung on today-my 8th Ross’s & 3rd in Cornwall- also now makes up for missing the 89 bird at Newlyn