Mark D
@seaskywatch.bsky.social
Interested in all #wildlife, but #seabirds, #raptors and #cetaceans are my favourites. Many hours spent #seawatching at home and abroad.
(Header: Balearic and Manx Shearwaters 05/08/25)
(Header: Balearic and Manx Shearwaters 05/08/25)
Six Purple Sandpipers Brxham breakwater, also the presumed returning ad Med Gull
November 23, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Six Purple Sandpipers Brxham breakwater, also the presumed returning ad Med Gull
Drake and f-type Ring-neckedDucks (with drake Tufted) spooked by anglers Beesands Ley 21/11/25 . Thanks to
@sheldonbirds.bsky.social
@sheldonbirds.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Drake and f-type Ring-neckedDucks (with drake Tufted) spooked by anglers Beesands Ley 21/11/25 . Thanks to
@sheldonbirds.bsky.social
@sheldonbirds.bsky.social
Yesterday at Beesands Ley, there's always some idiots that think rules don't apply to them! May be fishermen quietly in the reeds at the side is tolerable, but you can imagine the effect of these two (in their new kit) - as per photo of all the ducks clearing off to Slapton!
November 22, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Yesterday at Beesands Ley, there's always some idiots that think rules don't apply to them! May be fishermen quietly in the reeds at the side is tolerable, but you can imagine the effect of these two (in their new kit) - as per photo of all the ducks clearing off to Slapton!
Nice to see a good run of 52+ Fulmars today past Berry head. As we get into winter, always hope for a 'dark' one, or even super 'double dark'.
November 11, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Nice to see a good run of 52+ Fulmars today past Berry head. As we get into winter, always hope for a 'dark' one, or even super 'double dark'.
The seasons are out of phase, Blackthorn flowering at Slapton while there are sloes on othe bushes!??
November 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The seasons are out of phase, Blackthorn flowering at Slapton while there are sloes on othe bushes!??
Slapton Ley (higher Ley Street Gate end), 4 Great White Egrets roosting.
Start Pt 3 Black Redstarts (2 f/imm type, one m)
Start Pt 3 Black Redstarts (2 f/imm type, one m)
November 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Slapton Ley (higher Ley Street Gate end), 4 Great White Egrets roosting.
Start Pt 3 Black Redstarts (2 f/imm type, one m)
Start Pt 3 Black Redstarts (2 f/imm type, one m)
One of the Great Northern Divers was sat on the sea, smart jus coming out of breeding plumage, also some Common Dolphins, this was the later close group.
November 5, 2025 at 1:55 PM
One of the Great Northern Divers was sat on the sea, smart jus coming out of breeding plumage, also some Common Dolphins, this was the later close group.
Berry Hd 0700-1100: Leach's Storm-petrel (10:20), 2 Manx, juv Arctic Tern, 16k Kittiwakes, 27 Med Gulls, 35 Cn Gulls, c6,000 Razorbill/Guillemot, juv (pale type) Pomarine Skua, 5 Arctic, 5 Bonxie, 2 GN Diver, Red-t Diver, c20 Cn Dolphin, 4 H Porpoise, 2 ABF Tuna with @clennonvalley.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Berry Hd 0700-1100: Leach's Storm-petrel (10:20), 2 Manx, juv Arctic Tern, 16k Kittiwakes, 27 Med Gulls, 35 Cn Gulls, c6,000 Razorbill/Guillemot, juv (pale type) Pomarine Skua, 5 Arctic, 5 Bonxie, 2 GN Diver, Red-t Diver, c20 Cn Dolphin, 4 H Porpoise, 2 ABF Tuna with @clennonvalley.bsky.social
Not many people photograph Leach's off Devon. This was from a boat I used to work on, taken 20/10/2011
November 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Not many people photograph Leach's off Devon. This was from a boat I used to work on, taken 20/10/2011
Walking home through the lanes both Vetch and Violets either late or early flowering!
October 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Walking home through the lanes both Vetch and Violets either late or early flowering!
What a grand lass! This is Mr 'whitespot' he's seven plus years old now. Survivor of many a cat attempt, sometimes he may disappear for couple of weeks, but I'm always relieved when I see him again. The white spot is always there after every moult! And he usually breeds in or aroung the garden.
October 25, 2025 at 8:26 AM
What a grand lass! This is Mr 'whitespot' he's seven plus years old now. Survivor of many a cat attempt, sometimes he may disappear for couple of weeks, but I'm always relieved when I see him again. The white spot is always there after every moult! And he usually breeds in or aroung the garden.
Dead Common Dolphin Slapton Sands, already registered. Looks quite in good condition.
October 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Dead Common Dolphin Slapton Sands, already registered. Looks quite in good condition.
Experiencing a mini-influx of Song Thrushes in the garden, often this 1st wave of thrushes brings a few Ring Ouzels (but not in our garden, yet only a couple of miles away on the moor).
October 17, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Experiencing a mini-influx of Song Thrushes in the garden, often this 1st wave of thrushes brings a few Ring Ouzels (but not in our garden, yet only a couple of miles away on the moor).
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna and their Garfish prey, South Devon
October 8, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna and their Garfish prey, South Devon
ID help please? This caterpillar was wandering along the tide line of the Dart, pretty smart!
October 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM
ID help please? This caterpillar was wandering along the tide line of the Dart, pretty smart!
So this young Osprey lingers into October, off soon?
October 1, 2025 at 7:58 PM
So this young Osprey lingers into October, off soon?
A continental feel or a changing Britains?! Both Glossy Ibis and Cattle Egrets at West Charleton Marsh 18/09/25
September 19, 2025 at 8:19 AM
A continental feel or a changing Britains?! Both Glossy Ibis and Cattle Egrets at West Charleton Marsh 18/09/25
Start Pt: Balearic 31
Manx 72
Common t 3
Sooty 4
Sandwich 5
0730-1000
Also Hobby and Convolvulus Hawmoth(grounded)
Manx 72
Common t 3
Sooty 4
Sandwich 5
0730-1000
Also Hobby and Convolvulus Hawmoth(grounded)
September 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Start Pt: Balearic 31
Manx 72
Common t 3
Sooty 4
Sandwich 5
0730-1000
Also Hobby and Convolvulus Hawmoth(grounded)
Manx 72
Common t 3
Sooty 4
Sandwich 5
0730-1000
Also Hobby and Convolvulus Hawmoth(grounded)
The sunrise at Berry Head yesterday, it promised much and delivered many Balearics. Once upon a time 654 would be a Devon record but not so these days, with our changing climate and seas!
September 15, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The sunrise at Berry Head yesterday, it promised much and delivered many Balearics. Once upon a time 654 would be a Devon record but not so these days, with our changing climate and seas!
Interesting air flow, might up SP Skua from the other side?! Interesting to see what Estaca de Bares gets!!
September 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Interesting air flow, might up SP Skua from the other side?! Interesting to see what Estaca de Bares gets!!
Also a grim sight of presumed dead Grey Seal, you can see the rope around the tail so probably entangled and drown
August 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Also a grim sight of presumed dead Grey Seal, you can see the rope around the tail so probably entangled and drown
Berry Head 0730-11:30 stong E wind: Great Skua,43 Balearic, 178 Manx, 40+ Med Gulls (most juvs, some ads), 13 Sandwich Terns. Expected a lot more Balearics but must have already cleared out!!
August 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Berry Head 0730-11:30 stong E wind: Great Skua,43 Balearic, 178 Manx, 40+ Med Gulls (most juvs, some ads), 13 Sandwich Terns. Expected a lot more Balearics but must have already cleared out!!
Pelagic 13 Aug west Lyme Bay: 19 Cn Terns, 4 Arctic Skuas, 3 Euro Storm-petrels, 2 Juv Yl Gulls, 10+ Med Gul, juv common Gull (very early to be down here !), 2 Teal, 1000++ mixed Balearic / Manx flock probably 3:1 ratio - I expect a lot more as birds to the horizon!
August 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Pelagic 13 Aug west Lyme Bay: 19 Cn Terns, 4 Arctic Skuas, 3 Euro Storm-petrels, 2 Juv Yl Gulls, 10+ Med Gul, juv common Gull (very early to be down here !), 2 Teal, 1000++ mixed Balearic / Manx flock probably 3:1 ratio - I expect a lot more as birds to the horizon!
Black Kite as a boat tick was nice approaching Santander on 04/08 - of course spotted by eagle-eyed Del. Surprised camera even managed to focus on it and quite a good result considering. Light #birdingGear Nikon Z50ii, lens Z400/f4.5. Weighs less than Om1 ii and 300/f4 pro. Both 600mm equiv.
August 8, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Black Kite as a boat tick was nice approaching Santander on 04/08 - of course spotted by eagle-eyed Del. Surprised camera even managed to focus on it and quite a good result considering. Light #birdingGear Nikon Z50ii, lens Z400/f4.5. Weighs less than Om1 ii and 300/f4 pro. Both 600mm equiv.
May be a clue to what's driving the local feeding bonanza, Sandwich Tern with Sprat!?
August 6, 2025 at 9:19 PM
May be a clue to what's driving the local feeding bonanza, Sandwich Tern with Sprat!?