James Diamond
@jamesrdiamond.bsky.social
Local birding patch news from RSPB Exminster Marshes.
Chair, @Exetercycling.bksy.social
Happy on a bike
Chair, @Exetercycling.bksy.social
Happy on a bike
Lovely that we still have a nice House Sparrow colony around The Turf, Exminster Marshes RSPB.
This male was feeding just fledged youngsters with sawfly larvae (I think)
#devonbirds
This male was feeding just fledged youngsters with sawfly larvae (I think)
#devonbirds
June 21, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Lovely that we still have a nice House Sparrow colony around The Turf, Exminster Marshes RSPB.
This male was feeding just fledged youngsters with sawfly larvae (I think)
#devonbirds
This male was feeding just fledged youngsters with sawfly larvae (I think)
#devonbirds
Female Shoveler with a brand new brood of ten lovely mini-diggers at RSPB Exminster Marshes this evening #devonbirds
June 14, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Female Shoveler with a brand new brood of ten lovely mini-diggers at RSPB Exminster Marshes this evening #devonbirds
That time of year when waders start to move.
Wader chicks still running around at Exminster Marshes RSPB, whilst the first migrant colour-ringed Curew are returning from breeding grounds.
Wader chicks still running around at Exminster Marshes RSPB, whilst the first migrant colour-ringed Curew are returning from breeding grounds.
June 14, 2025 at 10:25 AM
That time of year when waders start to move.
Wader chicks still running around at Exminster Marshes RSPB, whilst the first migrant colour-ringed Curew are returning from breeding grounds.
Wader chicks still running around at Exminster Marshes RSPB, whilst the first migrant colour-ringed Curew are returning from breeding grounds.
Think there was a Temminck's twitch on this evening, bike parking full....
May 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Think there was a Temminck's twitch on this evening, bike parking full....
The great Topsham Ferry took me part way home from physio & swimming today & my family home from haircuts & shopping.
The ferryman told me that in 2025, the Ferry carried over 8000 people & 2800 bikes across the River Exe.
Great active travel service from Exeter City Council 👌
The ferryman told me that in 2025, the Ferry carried over 8000 people & 2800 bikes across the River Exe.
Great active travel service from Exeter City Council 👌
May 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The great Topsham Ferry took me part way home from physio & swimming today & my family home from haircuts & shopping.
The ferryman told me that in 2025, the Ferry carried over 8000 people & 2800 bikes across the River Exe.
Great active travel service from Exeter City Council 👌
The ferryman told me that in 2025, the Ferry carried over 8000 people & 2800 bikes across the River Exe.
Great active travel service from Exeter City Council 👌
Lovely early morning checking out breeding birds at Exminster Marshes RSPB.
A Shelduck on a pylon- the probable nest site is below.
And a Lapwing mum with four gorgeous chicks about 4 days old.
#devonbirds
A Shelduck on a pylon- the probable nest site is below.
And a Lapwing mum with four gorgeous chicks about 4 days old.
#devonbirds
May 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Lovely early morning checking out breeding birds at Exminster Marshes RSPB.
A Shelduck on a pylon- the probable nest site is below.
And a Lapwing mum with four gorgeous chicks about 4 days old.
#devonbirds
A Shelduck on a pylon- the probable nest site is below.
And a Lapwing mum with four gorgeous chicks about 4 days old.
#devonbirds
Distant, poor light & raining but 3 Wood Sandpipers around Spoonbill legs at Exminster Marshes RSPB today.
Late April, high tide & light rain combined to dump waders inc Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Com Sandpiper & Bar-tailed Godwits.
#devonbirds
Late April, high tide & light rain combined to dump waders inc Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Com Sandpiper & Bar-tailed Godwits.
#devonbirds
April 26, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Distant, poor light & raining but 3 Wood Sandpipers around Spoonbill legs at Exminster Marshes RSPB today.
Late April, high tide & light rain combined to dump waders inc Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Com Sandpiper & Bar-tailed Godwits.
#devonbirds
Late April, high tide & light rain combined to dump waders inc Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Com Sandpiper & Bar-tailed Godwits.
#devonbirds
Two hours of pre-work dawn birding & three of the loveliest Spring migrants appeared.
-Wood Sandpiper (pic)
-Garganey (pic)
-Lesser Whitethroat (no pic)
Exminster Marshes RSPB #devonbirds
-Wood Sandpiper (pic)
-Garganey (pic)
-Lesser Whitethroat (no pic)
Exminster Marshes RSPB #devonbirds
April 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Two hours of pre-work dawn birding & three of the loveliest Spring migrants appeared.
-Wood Sandpiper (pic)
-Garganey (pic)
-Lesser Whitethroat (no pic)
Exminster Marshes RSPB #devonbirds
-Wood Sandpiper (pic)
-Garganey (pic)
-Lesser Whitethroat (no pic)
Exminster Marshes RSPB #devonbirds
It is not very often that I run to see a bird.
But I was already out running when the Short-eared Owl reappeared this evening at RSPB Exminster Marshes.
A short diversion & lovely views in the evening light.
Overwhelmingly an Apri bird here.
But I was already out running when the Short-eared Owl reappeared this evening at RSPB Exminster Marshes.
A short diversion & lovely views in the evening light.
Overwhelmingly an Apri bird here.
April 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It is not very often that I run to see a bird.
But I was already out running when the Short-eared Owl reappeared this evening at RSPB Exminster Marshes.
A short diversion & lovely views in the evening light.
Overwhelmingly an Apri bird here.
But I was already out running when the Short-eared Owl reappeared this evening at RSPB Exminster Marshes.
A short diversion & lovely views in the evening light.
Overwhelmingly an Apri bird here.
Woodlark were rather scarce in my @btobirds.bsky.social Woodlark survey today.
But lovely as ever to see at least four singing male Cirl Bunting along the lanes.
This one was singing from a very heavily flailed Devon bank hedge.
But lovely as ever to see at least four singing male Cirl Bunting along the lanes.
This one was singing from a very heavily flailed Devon bank hedge.
April 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Woodlark were rather scarce in my @btobirds.bsky.social Woodlark survey today.
But lovely as ever to see at least four singing male Cirl Bunting along the lanes.
This one was singing from a very heavily flailed Devon bank hedge.
But lovely as ever to see at least four singing male Cirl Bunting along the lanes.
This one was singing from a very heavily flailed Devon bank hedge.
The rather gorgeous summer plumage Spotted Redshank at RSPB Exminster Marshes today.
Spring passage birds here are exceptionally rare & this may have been a lingering wintering bird from the Estuary.
Either way, it was lovely.
#devonbirds
Spring passage birds here are exceptionally rare & this may have been a lingering wintering bird from the Estuary.
Either way, it was lovely.
#devonbirds
April 20, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The rather gorgeous summer plumage Spotted Redshank at RSPB Exminster Marshes today.
Spring passage birds here are exceptionally rare & this may have been a lingering wintering bird from the Estuary.
Either way, it was lovely.
#devonbirds
Spring passage birds here are exceptionally rare & this may have been a lingering wintering bird from the Estuary.
Either way, it was lovely.
#devonbirds
Smashing the Billionarchy one egg at a time on Easter Sunday in Devon.
April 20, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Smashing the Billionarchy one egg at a time on Easter Sunday in Devon.
Did my annual Rookery count this week.
Site has seen extensive tree felling over the past winter due to Ash Dieback creating H&S and road safety risk.
Occupied nests have dropped to lowest level since at least 2016.
#devonbirds
Site has seen extensive tree felling over the past winter due to Ash Dieback creating H&S and road safety risk.
Occupied nests have dropped to lowest level since at least 2016.
#devonbirds
April 16, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Did my annual Rookery count this week.
Site has seen extensive tree felling over the past winter due to Ash Dieback creating H&S and road safety risk.
Occupied nests have dropped to lowest level since at least 2016.
#devonbirds
Site has seen extensive tree felling over the past winter due to Ash Dieback creating H&S and road safety risk.
Occupied nests have dropped to lowest level since at least 2016.
#devonbirds
And the other bird we discussed- Wheatear. A late arrival but now back on track it seems
April 12, 2025 at 11:22 AM
And the other bird we discussed- Wheatear. A late arrival but now back on track it seems
...or we just have bad memories & rose-tinted glasses.
Here are the Birdtrack 2025 vs historic reporting rates for Sand Martin & Swallow in Devon
Here are the Birdtrack 2025 vs historic reporting rates for Sand Martin & Swallow in Devon
April 12, 2025 at 9:58 AM
...or we just have bad memories & rose-tinted glasses.
Here are the Birdtrack 2025 vs historic reporting rates for Sand Martin & Swallow in Devon
Here are the Birdtrack 2025 vs historic reporting rates for Sand Martin & Swallow in Devon
A nice flock of 12 Light-bellied Brent Geese high North over RSPB Exminster Marshes at 0732 today.
Bang on for the Spring passage in mid-late April en route from France to Canada
#devonbirds
Bang on for the Spring passage in mid-late April en route from France to Canada
#devonbirds
April 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A nice flock of 12 Light-bellied Brent Geese high North over RSPB Exminster Marshes at 0732 today.
Bang on for the Spring passage in mid-late April en route from France to Canada
#devonbirds
Bang on for the Spring passage in mid-late April en route from France to Canada
#devonbirds
Four Spoonbill at RSPB Exminster Marshes early morning today
Spooked by a helicopter & flew off towards Topsham.
All seem to have at least some black in primaries, so not yet fully adult.
Spooked by a helicopter & flew off towards Topsham.
All seem to have at least some black in primaries, so not yet fully adult.
April 10, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Four Spoonbill at RSPB Exminster Marshes early morning today
Spooked by a helicopter & flew off towards Topsham.
All seem to have at least some black in primaries, so not yet fully adult.
Spooked by a helicopter & flew off towards Topsham.
All seem to have at least some black in primaries, so not yet fully adult.
Lovely early Spring morning at Exminster Marshes RSPB.
Redstart rare here, so this gorgeous male was lovely surprise. They are very much an April & Sept bird here.
Light passage of Woodpigeon, Chaffinch & single Jay, Fieldfare, LRP, Ringed Plover & Yellow Wag into N breeze.
#devonbirds
Redstart rare here, so this gorgeous male was lovely surprise. They are very much an April & Sept bird here.
Light passage of Woodpigeon, Chaffinch & single Jay, Fieldfare, LRP, Ringed Plover & Yellow Wag into N breeze.
#devonbirds
April 5, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Lovely early Spring morning at Exminster Marshes RSPB.
Redstart rare here, so this gorgeous male was lovely surprise. They are very much an April & Sept bird here.
Light passage of Woodpigeon, Chaffinch & single Jay, Fieldfare, LRP, Ringed Plover & Yellow Wag into N breeze.
#devonbirds
Redstart rare here, so this gorgeous male was lovely surprise. They are very much an April & Sept bird here.
Light passage of Woodpigeon, Chaffinch & single Jay, Fieldfare, LRP, Ringed Plover & Yellow Wag into N breeze.
#devonbirds
Glorious lunch break Spring weather to enjoy the sights & sounds of the Exeter City Centre rookery.
At least 72 active nests cf 46 nests in 2024
Also two new for 2025 summer migrants for my lunchtime lists- Lesser Black-backed Gull & singing Chiffchaff
##devonbirds
At least 72 active nests cf 46 nests in 2024
Also two new for 2025 summer migrants for my lunchtime lists- Lesser Black-backed Gull & singing Chiffchaff
##devonbirds
April 2, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Glorious lunch break Spring weather to enjoy the sights & sounds of the Exeter City Centre rookery.
At least 72 active nests cf 46 nests in 2024
Also two new for 2025 summer migrants for my lunchtime lists- Lesser Black-backed Gull & singing Chiffchaff
##devonbirds
At least 72 active nests cf 46 nests in 2024
Also two new for 2025 summer migrants for my lunchtime lists- Lesser Black-backed Gull & singing Chiffchaff
##devonbirds
This leg-flagged Curlew (Wf X46) at RSPB Exminster Marshes today was ringed as a chick at Terschelling 🇳🇱 in May 2024
Presumably it will spend its teenage summer with us on the Exe & then head back to in 2026 to breed 🤞
##devonbirds
Presumably it will spend its teenage summer with us on the Exe & then head back to in 2026 to breed 🤞
##devonbirds
March 29, 2025 at 10:50 AM
This leg-flagged Curlew (Wf X46) at RSPB Exminster Marshes today was ringed as a chick at Terschelling 🇳🇱 in May 2024
Presumably it will spend its teenage summer with us on the Exe & then head back to in 2026 to breed 🤞
##devonbirds
Presumably it will spend its teenage summer with us on the Exe & then head back to in 2026 to breed 🤞
##devonbirds
2/2
Oulu is a world famous cycling City, where >40% of people cycle through snowy & -30c winters.
On my bucket list to cycle the EV10 route out of Oulu for about an hour & look for B-L,G one long summer day.
Oulu is a world famous cycling City, where >40% of people cycle through snowy & -30c winters.
On my bucket list to cycle the EV10 route out of Oulu for about an hour & look for B-L,G one long summer day.
March 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM
2/2
Oulu is a world famous cycling City, where >40% of people cycle through snowy & -30c winters.
On my bucket list to cycle the EV10 route out of Oulu for about an hour & look for B-L,G one long summer day.
Oulu is a world famous cycling City, where >40% of people cycle through snowy & -30c winters.
On my bucket list to cycle the EV10 route out of Oulu for about an hour & look for B-L,G one long summer day.
1/2
Seen today, this Curlew (B-L,G) brings my two passions together.
In winter I see it from my 🚲 at RSPB Exmimster Marshes.
Very soon it will head N 2300 km to breed near Oulu 🇫🇮
#devonbirds
Seen today, this Curlew (B-L,G) brings my two passions together.
In winter I see it from my 🚲 at RSPB Exmimster Marshes.
Very soon it will head N 2300 km to breed near Oulu 🇫🇮
#devonbirds
March 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM
1/2
Seen today, this Curlew (B-L,G) brings my two passions together.
In winter I see it from my 🚲 at RSPB Exmimster Marshes.
Very soon it will head N 2300 km to breed near Oulu 🇫🇮
#devonbirds
Seen today, this Curlew (B-L,G) brings my two passions together.
In winter I see it from my 🚲 at RSPB Exmimster Marshes.
Very soon it will head N 2300 km to breed near Oulu 🇫🇮
#devonbirds
Today's Osprey matched my earliest ever here, on 22 March 2022. April is the best month for Spring passage.
Today's bird was quite typically sat on a post eating a fish off Turf.
Today's bird was quite typically sat on a post eating a fish off Turf.
March 22, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Today's Osprey matched my earliest ever here, on 22 March 2022. April is the best month for Spring passage.
Today's bird was quite typically sat on a post eating a fish off Turf.
Today's bird was quite typically sat on a post eating a fish off Turf.
Lots of things heading in different directions at Exminster Marshes RSPB today.
A White-tailed Eagle from Isle of Wight, two Barnacle Geese on their way to 🇬🇱 (?), Pale-bellied Brent headed to 🇨🇦 & colour-ringed Curlew (no pic) on way to 🇫🇮
A White-tailed Eagle from Isle of Wight, two Barnacle Geese on their way to 🇬🇱 (?), Pale-bellied Brent headed to 🇨🇦 & colour-ringed Curlew (no pic) on way to 🇫🇮
March 15, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Lots of things heading in different directions at Exminster Marshes RSPB today.
A White-tailed Eagle from Isle of Wight, two Barnacle Geese on their way to 🇬🇱 (?), Pale-bellied Brent headed to 🇨🇦 & colour-ringed Curlew (no pic) on way to 🇫🇮
A White-tailed Eagle from Isle of Wight, two Barnacle Geese on their way to 🇬🇱 (?), Pale-bellied Brent headed to 🇨🇦 & colour-ringed Curlew (no pic) on way to 🇫🇮