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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Gently vocal Dartford Warbler at RSPB Aylesbeare this morning. #Devonbirds

Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Part of a group of 9-10 Bearded Reedlings at RSPB Radipole this morning. Mobile but occasionally gave good views. Well worth the drive from East Devon @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Wryneck again on the tram track by the Tower hide, Seaton Wetlands this afternoon (22/9/26). #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

A surprise Wryneck encounter at the Seaton Wetlands this morning. A great spot by Bob Longhorn, while the rest of us in the hide were staring at the sky, waiting for the Osprey to appear. It flew soon after, and has not yet been relocated. #Devonbirds #Seatonwetlands

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Something of the view that a fish might get of an Osprey hunting overhead. The juvenile bird is still on the Axe (19/9/26), and given the wind, it seems unlikely that it will leave today. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Female Kingfisher, this morning on the Seaton Wetlands. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Is the juvenile Osprey now on the Axe on an extended 'staycation'? If, and it is a big IF, this morning's Osprey is the same bird that was first seen on the 20th August, it has been here for nearly four weeks. 1st picture from 20/8, 2nd picture from this morning 16/9. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I have been away for a few days, but my wife and I managed a fleeting encounter with a juvenile Osprey, from the Tower hide this evening. The corvids drove it away before it could catch a fish, but it was great to see it in the golden light of the setting sun. #SeatonWetlands #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Two adult Glossy Ibis from the Avalon Hide, Ham Wall this morning.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Glossy Ibis (juvenile I presume) with a delicious snack at RSPB Ham Wall this morning. Sadly, identifying the invertebrate is above my pay grade!

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Juvenile Osprey, still on the Seaton Wetlands yesterday. It did try out a very high 'thermal' lift in the afternoon, before coming back down to fish. Perhaps it is ready to move on... #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

'Our' juvenile Osprey put on a good show this afternoon, near the Tower hide on the River Axe. It must move on eventually, but it will be missed! #DevonBirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This is the sort of shot you get if you are standing around chatting, and don’t realise, until it is too late, that Osprey you were waiting for has just gone over your head <sigh>.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

It was a no-show for Osprey on the Axe this morning, but there was a female Kingfisher flitting around various points near the hide, to keep us occupied. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

A somewhat bedraggled Osprey, flying down the Axe this morning in the gloom and the rain. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

There was no sign of the Osprey in the early morning (07/09/26), but there are still plenty of interesting small birds on the wetlands. Pec Sand, Common Sand, Curlew Sand, Common Snipe, Ruff, Kingfisher and Spot Red. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

The juvenile Osprey on the Axe seems to be getting more efficient at fishing. One aborted swoop then a successful dive. It was only a small mullet(?), so hopefully it will return later in the day. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Pectoral Sandpiper on the Seaton Wetlands this afternoon. To be fair, I only know this because of Bird Guides and the wise heads in the Island Hide, but I am slowly learning! #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

The crows on the Axe valley can give migrating Osprey a hard time. Experienced adults fish quickly and move off, but the juveniles are harassed all the time. Today’s bird had to land on the mud, mid afternoon, to recover and was still being menaced by 7 crows. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Sadly no sign of Osprey when I was in the Tower Hide, but there was a BT Godwit MMA match on Black Hole Marsh, Seaton Wetlands this afternoon. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I feel guilty about saying this, but CJ7 has been briefly demoted to my second favourite Osprey, at least until next March… We have no idea where this unringed Osprey came from, but it has been entertaining us handsomely on the River Axe for at least 5 days. #Devonbirds @harbourbirds.bsky.social

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

After miserable weather in the morning, we had a better afternoon on the Axe, East Devon. After a few false starts and a lot of unwanted attention from corvids, our migrating adult managed to catch a fish just before 6pm. Phew.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

One of two Kingfishers flitting around BHM and the Axe this morning. The highlight of a thoroughly wet and windy early morning. Osprey reported at 7am but not seen since - very sensibly keeping their heads down. #seatonwetlands

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

It has been a good morning on the Axe for Osprey, two birds but they kept us waiting until 10am. Both unringed.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Expert Osprey, showing off a bit on the River Axe this evening. It dropped one of the fish eventually. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

No sign of the adult female Osprey this morning on the Axe, but we did get an amber-eyed juvenile attempt to fish several times. It did catch one, but lost it immediately. Flew off to rest on the Axmouth side of the valley, chased by corvids. Hopefully it will be back. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Unringed mature Osprey fishing at 8am this morning (25/08/26) on the River Axe. Fish caught on the first dive and the bird flew east and was lost to view.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Fantastic views of the Red necked Phalarope from the Island hide on Black Hole Marsh, Seaton Wetlands, today. #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

The juvenile Osprey was back on the River Axe this morning (22/8/26), flying north to south. It pulled out of one dive, got the attention of a crow, flew down to the harbour and was lost to view east. I’m a bit worried about it, as it has only been seen to catch one tiny fish in several days. 🤞

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

2/2 A few more shots from today's (21/8/26) excellent BOPH Osprey cruise on Poole Harbour @harbourbirds.bsky.social

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

1/2 Absolutely excellent BOPH Osprey cruise this morning. The highlight, apart from all the Osprey, was the fly-by of G466, the resident female White-tailed Eagle. The resident male, G463, was also in the harbour. As usual, my thanks to the BOPH team (Sam and Humphrey). @harbourbirds.bsky.social

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Juvenile unringed Osprey on the River Axe this afternoon (20/8/26). #Devonbirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Only my 2nd wander round LORP since we moved down in March. I had forgotten how amazingly red the mud is around the Otter. I failed, again, to find any Yellow Wags or Winchat but it was good to catch one of the White Storks released on Bodmin moor a few days ago. #Devonbirds.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

A Wheatear on Colyford Common, Seaton Wetlands, this afternoon, a sure sign that meteorological autumn is just around the corner.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Record shots from today’s (14/08/26) BOPH Osprey cruise. 5 or possibly 6 Osprey seen but none were particularly close to the boat and it was hot, so all the usual excuses for average photographs apply. I’m still optimistic that we will get some passage birds on R.Axe! @harbourbirds.bsky.social

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Having missed them entirely at Yarner Wood earlier in the season, I was very pleased to catch up with numerous Spotted Flycatchers at Lambeth’s Castle near Bridport, today. Bunching up and feeding for the journey ahead of them. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

A perfect day for a boat trip with boatsafari.co.uk, out of Brixham harbour this morning. Short beaked Common Dolphin, Guillemot, Manx Shearwater, and Gannet.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Grey Heron with Eel this morning on the Black Hole Marsh, Seaton Wetlands. #DevonBirds

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Seemingly out of nowhere, a Stone Curlew has arrived on the Seaton Wetlands this evening! An awesome spot by Tim Clark. Probably resting up before a big overnight flight.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Cormorant on the River Axe this afternoon, tossing a small Eel in the air to get it unwrapped from its beak.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

A White Stork on the River Axe this afternoon (01/08/26). A very rare visitor to the Axe and presumably part of the re-introduction program.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Short beaked Common Dolphins Bow-riding the boat trip on the ‘Spot On’ this morning, out of Brixham Harbour.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Enjoyed a 2hr trip with boatsafari.co.uk this morning from Brixham harbour. No sea birds, worth pointing out, but loads of short beaked Common Dolphin including several very young Dolphins with their mothers.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Long tailed Shrike near Holwell, 24th July 2026.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

After prompting by my wife, I revisited the Long tailed Shrike near Holwell for better shots. Amazing to think that this is only the 3rd UK report of this bird and that the 2nd was also this month, in Fife, Scotland. These birds are a long way from Asia! My thanks to the farmer for the parking.

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

A Purple Heron was spotted early this morning on BHM, Seaton Wetlands. It flew off and up the river Axe but not before catching a rat. #SeatonWetlands

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

A final few shots from my Norfolk visit. Not the most exciting trip but it is always enjoyable. The Stilt at Frampton was the highlight. Sadly, the Black winged Kite was virtually invisible in the middle of Hempstead marshes, due to heat haze, and I managed to miss the Kelling Shorelark 3 times!

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I can confidently claim to have taken the worst pictures of the amazing Long tailed Shrike in Gloucestershire this afternoon. Distance and heat haze are my excuses, as usual. I must have been looking at the right bird, as there were ~100 other birders!

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Great to see the Manton Bay Osprey family, (Maya. 33(11), 8R5, 8R6 and 8R7, flying about this morning. Just a thought but I wonder if we could petition LRWT to put a couple of perching sites on the side of the water near the hide, for next year? #Osprey #MantonBay #LRWT

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Mike Gaston @impatientbirder.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

There is still at least one Black winged Stilt at Frampton Marsh this morning, and it was showing well in the sunshine. I have not noticed any others being reported recently (in the UK). #RSPBFramptonMarsh

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