Bill Coulson
@devonshirenature.bsky.social
Birding, Bees, Insects, Plants, Cetaceans, Nature
South Devon. U.K. Mostly using Canon R7 and RF100-500 lens
South Devon. U.K. Mostly using Canon R7 and RF100-500 lens
Common Dolphins, Berry Head this morning giving us multiple examples of this behaviour - coming out of the water sometimes almost vertically and then falling back onto the sea, either gently, or splashing down hard.
Maybe looking out for seabirds indicating fish or other communication?
Maybe looking out for seabirds indicating fish or other communication?
January 6, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Common Dolphins, Berry Head this morning giving us multiple examples of this behaviour - coming out of the water sometimes almost vertically and then falling back onto the sea, either gently, or splashing down hard.
Maybe looking out for seabirds indicating fish or other communication?
Maybe looking out for seabirds indicating fish or other communication?
Common Dolphins still feeding this morning along the tideline coming out of Torbay past Berry Head. I caught this one breaching ahead of a small pod.
January 4, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Common Dolphins still feeding this morning along the tideline coming out of Torbay past Berry Head. I caught this one breaching ahead of a small pod.
The past cople of days have been great for watching the Common Dolphins off Berry Head. Its very difficult to count them accurately but I estimate that the main pod was about 30 individuals.
January 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The past cople of days have been great for watching the Common Dolphins off Berry Head. Its very difficult to count them accurately but I estimate that the main pod was about 30 individuals.
Common Dolphins actively feeding off Berry Head this morning.
Debate going on among anglers present as to whether they might be feeding on Sprats, Anchovies or something else.
Terrific breach at the end.
Debate going on among anglers present as to whether they might be feeding on Sprats, Anchovies or something else.
Terrific breach at the end.
January 2, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Common Dolphins actively feeding off Berry Head this morning.
Debate going on among anglers present as to whether they might be feeding on Sprats, Anchovies or something else.
Terrific breach at the end.
Debate going on among anglers present as to whether they might be feeding on Sprats, Anchovies or something else.
Terrific breach at the end.
Firecrests, at least four of them, feeding along the nature trail at Slapton Ley NNR. This one about to eat some kind of Aphid.
A Great White Egret, one of two seen over the upper Ley.
A Great White Egret, one of two seen over the upper Ley.
December 31, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Firecrests, at least four of them, feeding along the nature trail at Slapton Ley NNR. This one about to eat some kind of Aphid.
A Great White Egret, one of two seen over the upper Ley.
A Great White Egret, one of two seen over the upper Ley.
Powerful northeasterly pushing up rough seas off Berry Head yesterday. It didn't stop the Gannets feeding but today, Xmas Day, gusts are going to be even stronger!
December 25, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Powerful northeasterly pushing up rough seas off Berry Head yesterday. It didn't stop the Gannets feeding but today, Xmas Day, gusts are going to be even stronger!
Merry Christmas from Brixham with an image of a Common Dolphin and her calf swimming past Berry Head.
December 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Merry Christmas from Brixham with an image of a Common Dolphin and her calf swimming past Berry Head.
In poor early morning light I was treated to a view of this Great Northern Diver flying south round Berry Head.
In the strong south easterly several Fulmars were skimming the face of the cliff and missing the rock face by inches.
In Torbay about 200 Gannets were diving for fish.
In the strong south easterly several Fulmars were skimming the face of the cliff and missing the rock face by inches.
In Torbay about 200 Gannets were diving for fish.
December 22, 2025 at 8:16 PM
In poor early morning light I was treated to a view of this Great Northern Diver flying south round Berry Head.
In the strong south easterly several Fulmars were skimming the face of the cliff and missing the rock face by inches.
In Torbay about 200 Gannets were diving for fish.
In the strong south easterly several Fulmars were skimming the face of the cliff and missing the rock face by inches.
In Torbay about 200 Gannets were diving for fish.
From wanderings this morning:
Yellow-browed Warbler still at the back of the car park at Broadsands behind the stored beach huts.
Berry Head and three Great Northern Divers like this one pushing into some big rolling waves.
Yellow-browed Warbler still at the back of the car park at Broadsands behind the stored beach huts.
Berry Head and three Great Northern Divers like this one pushing into some big rolling waves.
December 20, 2025 at 4:49 PM
From wanderings this morning:
Yellow-browed Warbler still at the back of the car park at Broadsands behind the stored beach huts.
Berry Head and three Great Northern Divers like this one pushing into some big rolling waves.
Yellow-browed Warbler still at the back of the car park at Broadsands behind the stored beach huts.
Berry Head and three Great Northern Divers like this one pushing into some big rolling waves.
Latest Painted Lady we've seen! This one on the coastal footpath near Froward Point.
Buff-tailed/White-tailed Bumblebees busy in the lovely
still-flowering borders at Coleton Fishacre NT this afternoon.
At least one of them carrying some mites.
Buff-tailed/White-tailed Bumblebees busy in the lovely
still-flowering borders at Coleton Fishacre NT this afternoon.
At least one of them carrying some mites.
December 19, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Latest Painted Lady we've seen! This one on the coastal footpath near Froward Point.
Buff-tailed/White-tailed Bumblebees busy in the lovely
still-flowering borders at Coleton Fishacre NT this afternoon.
At least one of them carrying some mites.
Buff-tailed/White-tailed Bumblebees busy in the lovely
still-flowering borders at Coleton Fishacre NT this afternoon.
At least one of them carrying some mites.
After all this bloody rain, a reminder of Spring, meet the Tapered Drone Fly Eristalis pertinax. Taken on a sunny day at the end of March this year in Slapton Ley NNR.
Spring 2026 is just round the corner!😀
Spring 2026 is just round the corner!😀
December 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
After all this bloody rain, a reminder of Spring, meet the Tapered Drone Fly Eristalis pertinax. Taken on a sunny day at the end of March this year in Slapton Ley NNR.
Spring 2026 is just round the corner!😀
Spring 2026 is just round the corner!😀
Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Broadsands this morning, flagged up by Mike Langman. I was nearby and watched it finish preening and set off into the bay. A P-b Brent was seen flying past Berry Head by Jake Wood a little later.
Pic 3 is a dark-bellied Brent showing darker less contrasting underside.
Pic 3 is a dark-bellied Brent showing darker less contrasting underside.
December 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Broadsands this morning, flagged up by Mike Langman. I was nearby and watched it finish preening and set off into the bay. A P-b Brent was seen flying past Berry Head by Jake Wood a little later.
Pic 3 is a dark-bellied Brent showing darker less contrasting underside.
Pic 3 is a dark-bellied Brent showing darker less contrasting underside.
Great Northern Diver still showing vestigial summer plumage and looking superb at Broadsands this morning.
Yesterday this Razorbill in winter plumage was fishing close to the rocks.
Yesterday this Razorbill in winter plumage was fishing close to the rocks.
December 11, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Great Northern Diver still showing vestigial summer plumage and looking superb at Broadsands this morning.
Yesterday this Razorbill in winter plumage was fishing close to the rocks.
Yesterday this Razorbill in winter plumage was fishing close to the rocks.
Great Northern Diver coming down with a running bellyflop onto the waters of Broadsands Bay this morning. Its not elegant but it is effective. Job done.
December 10, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Great Northern Diver coming down with a running bellyflop onto the waters of Broadsands Bay this morning. Its not elegant but it is effective. Job done.
Five Razorbills pushing their way past Berry Head this morning, diving as they went.
The Great Black-backed Gull had been sitting on a rock until it spotted a small eel which it speedily took out of the water.
The Kittiwake was one of a dozen or so around the breakwater at the weekend.
The Great Black-backed Gull had been sitting on a rock until it spotted a small eel which it speedily took out of the water.
The Kittiwake was one of a dozen or so around the breakwater at the weekend.
December 8, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Five Razorbills pushing their way past Berry Head this morning, diving as they went.
The Great Black-backed Gull had been sitting on a rock until it spotted a small eel which it speedily took out of the water.
The Kittiwake was one of a dozen or so around the breakwater at the weekend.
The Great Black-backed Gull had been sitting on a rock until it spotted a small eel which it speedily took out of the water.
The Kittiwake was one of a dozen or so around the breakwater at the weekend.
Red-throated Diver flying south from Torbay this morning, demonstrating its hump-backed appearance in flight.
Seven Great Northern Divers seen between Berry Head and Brixham breakwater. Near Berry Head GNDs are more likely than not to bringing up fish rather than crabs.
Seven Great Northern Divers seen between Berry Head and Brixham breakwater. Near Berry Head GNDs are more likely than not to bringing up fish rather than crabs.
December 8, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Red-throated Diver flying south from Torbay this morning, demonstrating its hump-backed appearance in flight.
Seven Great Northern Divers seen between Berry Head and Brixham breakwater. Near Berry Head GNDs are more likely than not to bringing up fish rather than crabs.
Seven Great Northern Divers seen between Berry Head and Brixham breakwater. Near Berry Head GNDs are more likely than not to bringing up fish rather than crabs.
From Turf Hotel on the River Exe:
One of the many Avocets sifting the tidal mudbanks for food.
A Kestrel working the fields looking for small mammals.
One of the many Avocets sifting the tidal mudbanks for food.
A Kestrel working the fields looking for small mammals.
December 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
From Turf Hotel on the River Exe:
One of the many Avocets sifting the tidal mudbanks for food.
A Kestrel working the fields looking for small mammals.
One of the many Avocets sifting the tidal mudbanks for food.
A Kestrel working the fields looking for small mammals.
Lesser Crested Tern swooping over the River Exe yesterday. Photographed from the end of the spit at Dawlish Warren.
December 5, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Lesser Crested Tern swooping over the River Exe yesterday. Photographed from the end of the spit at Dawlish Warren.
Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bangalensis off Dawlish Warren this morning. Was speedily succesful catching a good sized fish. Probably the rarest bird I will see in my lifetime.
A probable vagrant from W/N.Africa and found in Indian Ocean as far east as Australia.
A probable vagrant from W/N.Africa and found in Indian Ocean as far east as Australia.
December 4, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bangalensis off Dawlish Warren this morning. Was speedily succesful catching a good sized fish. Probably the rarest bird I will see in my lifetime.
A probable vagrant from W/N.Africa and found in Indian Ocean as far east as Australia.
A probable vagrant from W/N.Africa and found in Indian Ocean as far east as Australia.
Redwings in good numbers, Parke NT this morning feasting on Holly and Mistletoe. Also seen and pictured: Song Thrush, Firecrest, Blackcap m.
Seen around the Orchard: Mistle Thrushes (2), Nuthatches (2),
Goldcrests, Green Woodpecker, Chaffinches.
Unusually this time of year, not a single Fieldfare.
Seen around the Orchard: Mistle Thrushes (2), Nuthatches (2),
Goldcrests, Green Woodpecker, Chaffinches.
Unusually this time of year, not a single Fieldfare.
December 3, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Redwings in good numbers, Parke NT this morning feasting on Holly and Mistletoe. Also seen and pictured: Song Thrush, Firecrest, Blackcap m.
Seen around the Orchard: Mistle Thrushes (2), Nuthatches (2),
Goldcrests, Green Woodpecker, Chaffinches.
Unusually this time of year, not a single Fieldfare.
Seen around the Orchard: Mistle Thrushes (2), Nuthatches (2),
Goldcrests, Green Woodpecker, Chaffinches.
Unusually this time of year, not a single Fieldfare.
A Firecrest landed at my feet this morning and immediately started feeding in the leaf litter. This was by the stored beach huts in the unused car park at Broadsands.
December 2, 2025 at 1:37 PM
A Firecrest landed at my feet this morning and immediately started feeding in the leaf litter. This was by the stored beach huts in the unused car park at Broadsands.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Broadsands this morning.
Hats off to @shiphaybirder.bsky.social who heard it, spotted it and followed it up through the Sallow to make life easier for the rest of us!
Hats off to @shiphaybirder.bsky.social who heard it, spotted it and followed it up through the Sallow to make life easier for the rest of us!
November 30, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Yellow-browed Warbler at Broadsands this morning.
Hats off to @shiphaybirder.bsky.social who heard it, spotted it and followed it up through the Sallow to make life easier for the rest of us!
Hats off to @shiphaybirder.bsky.social who heard it, spotted it and followed it up through the Sallow to make life easier for the rest of us!
Curlews feeding in the soft soil of fields near Bowling Green Marsh yesterday. This one throwing back and swallowing a small earthworm.
Out on the mudbanks in a receding tide at least 200 Avocets
sweeping their bills left and right, picking up tiny shrimps and marine worms.
Out on the mudbanks in a receding tide at least 200 Avocets
sweeping their bills left and right, picking up tiny shrimps and marine worms.
November 26, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Curlews feeding in the soft soil of fields near Bowling Green Marsh yesterday. This one throwing back and swallowing a small earthworm.
Out on the mudbanks in a receding tide at least 200 Avocets
sweeping their bills left and right, picking up tiny shrimps and marine worms.
Out on the mudbanks in a receding tide at least 200 Avocets
sweeping their bills left and right, picking up tiny shrimps and marine worms.
Red-throated Diver some way off Broadsands this afternoon.
Distinctive slender up-turned bill. Not quite in full winter plumage yet.
I took pic 2 at the end of Nov. last year and the bird was much closer. Its latin name Gavia stellata alluding to its white/star speckled back in winter plumage.
Distinctive slender up-turned bill. Not quite in full winter plumage yet.
I took pic 2 at the end of Nov. last year and the bird was much closer. Its latin name Gavia stellata alluding to its white/star speckled back in winter plumage.
November 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Red-throated Diver some way off Broadsands this afternoon.
Distinctive slender up-turned bill. Not quite in full winter plumage yet.
I took pic 2 at the end of Nov. last year and the bird was much closer. Its latin name Gavia stellata alluding to its white/star speckled back in winter plumage.
Distinctive slender up-turned bill. Not quite in full winter plumage yet.
I took pic 2 at the end of Nov. last year and the bird was much closer. Its latin name Gavia stellata alluding to its white/star speckled back in winter plumage.
Snipe well hidden at Clennon Lakes, Paignton this morning.
November 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Snipe well hidden at Clennon Lakes, Paignton this morning.