iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

@axebirder.bsky.social Hi Steve. Looking at Devon limosa & found your blog about a candidate in 2017. What a strange bird! Did you ever do anything with it? One worry from me- my understanding from others & pics is limosa should be well into winter plum by mid Sept Your bird looks q fresh?

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

New report from Exeter Cycling Campaign just out: options for Dryden Road.

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Did you repond to the Exminster consult'n? Thank you Good news! All 6 proposals got strong support. Teignbridge HATOC report recommends ALL 6 proposals are progressed: ✅new parallel crossing on E2 🚴route ✅new🦓 crossing in the village Link to the HATOC reports pack: share.google/k8Xx6t51y5ql...

A large HGV is shown on a wide road. A shared path for people walking & cycling lines each side of the road with no marked crossing when the cycle/walking path ends on one side

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John Danks @johndanks.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

How easy is it to cycle around some of our towns and cities? I got on my bike to find out www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

'Plymouth council lacks will to encourage active travel'

Plymouth City Council admits network gaps as a cyclist says people often ride on roads unprotected.

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Great to see our chair, James Diamond, along with the Rifford Road cycling path, starring in this piece by Spotlight on the varying quality of active travel infrastructure in Exeter and Plymouth. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

bbc.co.uk

Spotlight - Evening News: 11/08/2025

The latest news, sport, weather and features from the South West of England.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

X46 is a Dutch bird which was ringed as a chick in 2024.

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Mick Green @mickgreen1.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Well done the counters.

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Mick Green @mickgreen1.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Fantastic achievement. More needed. Well done Exeter Cycling Campaign and Devon County Council.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

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

Male House Sparrow sat on a fence facing left with a beakful of sawfly larvae

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Over 1,000 people a day, including over 300 children, are using the new Rifford Road separated pedestrian and cycle path and safe crossings, a new survey shows – that’s over half a million miles of safe and easy journeys on bikes, scooters, wheelchairs and mobility scooters every year. 🚶‍♀️👨‍🦽🚴‍♀️🛴🧵

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Given it is now in its third year, I guess it might have tried to breed this year & failed, and is back for the winter

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Yes that's the one. Link was to Devon & Cornwall Wader Ringing Group site, which has the details for that bird.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Female Shoveler with a brand new brood of ten lovely mini-diggers at RSPB Exminster Marshes this evening #devonbirds

A female Shoveler with a brood of very small young swimming on shallow water with short grass in the background

A female Shoveler with a brood of small young swimming on shallow water with green grass in the background

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

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.

Pair of Oystercatchers plus two well-grown chicks June 2025

Colour-ringed Curlew RG at Exminster Marshes. Last seen exactly three months ago on 14 March. Presumably a failed breeder.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Hi Simon What were the tags? Was it a Dutch bird with a white leg flag?

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ETSC - European Transport Safety Council @etsc.eu · 03/06/2025

Study on London 20 mph limits shows: - collisions ⬇️ 35% - casualties ⬇️ 36% - fatal/serious injuries ⬇️ 34% - child casualties ⬇️ 46% - child deaths ⬇️ 75% - walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists killed/seriously injured ⬇️ 28% etsc.eu/20mph-limits...

etsc.eu

20mph limits in London linked to sharp fall in road injuries and deaths, new report finds

A new study published by Transport for London (TfL) has shown that the introduction of 20mph speed limits and zones on local authority-managed roads in London between 1989 and 2013 led to significant…

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Could you do your bit & email your Councillors this weekend to ask what has happened since the original motion was passed?

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The Rare Breeding Birds Panel @ukrbbp.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

DUCKS: by this time of spring most ducks will have settled at potential breeding sites. So all records of scarce & rare breeding ducks, including Shoveler, Wigeon, Garganey, Pintail, Pochard and Red-breasted Merganser, should be submitted, with breeding evidence, to the relevant county recorder

A female Shoveler, the focus of attention for five drakes at a wetland in Northumberland this week. She appeared to be paired with one, so that’s a ‘probable breeding’ record.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Think there was a Temminck's twitch on this evening, bike parking full....

Three bicycles locked to a bike rack next to a blue RSPB sign

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

One evening social Two cuddly 🐶 One🌛 Two fellow campaigners from North & South Devon One newly elected Councillor Heaps of💡ideas If you missed our May Meet Up, join our next one: Friday June 6th 7-9pm, venue tbc. Put it in your diary and see you there. #Exeter #cycling #friends

Yellow post-it note saying "In case you missed it"

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

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 👌

Two bike riders wait on a slipway as bikes are loaded onto ferry. The river is calm and muddy.

Families wait on slipway to board ferry. The sky is blue.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

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

Distant view of male Shelduck sat on top of a pylon tower

Zoomed in view of Shelduck sat on top of pylon tower

A Lapwing brooding three chicks, with their legs visible under her. The fourth chick is to the left on the edge of a shallow pool.

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Congratulations to newly elected Exeter city & Devon County Councillors. We work with all political parties to help make Exeter journeys safer, easier & cheaper for all ages & abilities. You can sign up to our newsletter (link below) & if you want to know what we care about have a look at this ⏬️

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

It's this Friday. We'd 😍 you to join us there.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

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

Poor shot of 3 Wood Sandpipers and a sleeping Spoonbill

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

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 stood on small island at Exminster Marshes RSPB

A distant male Garganey swimming away with Curlew. Shelduck & Shoveler on water at Exminster Marshes RSPB

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

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.

A runner in yellow shirt & purple hat, with Exminster Marshes in the background

Bar chart of records of Short-eared Owl at Exminster Marshes, with clear peak in April

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

It would. Make sure you fill in the consultation and tell DCC. Thx if you have already. 🚲 🚶‍♂️ 🚲

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

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.

Male Cirl Bunting sat on top of bare hedge against a green background

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

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

Summer plumage Spotted Redshank in lovely black plumage with silvery spots.

Summer plumage Spotted Redshank, balck body with bright white eye crescents

Bar chart showing monthly reporting rate of Spotted Redshank at RSPB Exminster Marshes. January & November-December are peak months, with a small autumn peak in September.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Smashing the Billionarchy one egg at a time on Easter Sunday in Devon.

Three boiled eggs decorated like billionaires

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Do you live, work or travel through Newtown? Take ten minutes to make Newtown a better place for cycling, walking and wheeling. Devon County Council are consulting on Traffic Regulation Orders to make Newtown safer for people on foot, bikes and wheels.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

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

Bar chart showing occupied nests counts at Wracombe Farm rookery since 2016. Counts are shown as blue bars against white background

A silver van drives away on the A379 with Wracombe Farm woods to the right showing extensive area of recent tree felling

The bare tree canopy at Wracombe Farm woods, showing occupied Rook nests

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

🌞🚲😎 Summer socials are back! Check out our latest newsletter for all the dates and more: mailchi.mp/cb9aedaac073...

A bike being ridden in late evening summer sunshine

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

And the other bird we discussed- Wheatear. A late arrival but now back on track it seems

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

...or we just have bad memories & rose-tinted glasses. Here are the Birdtrack 2025 vs historic reporting rates for Sand Martin & Swallow in Devon

Graph showing reporting rate of Sand Martin in 2025 vs historic trend in Devon. Appears to show earlier & higher peak reporting rate in 2025

Graph showing Devon reporting rate of Swallow in 2025 vs historic trend. Appears to show 2025 arrival as v similar (so far) to historic trend.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

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

A very high flying flock of Light-bellied Brent Geese flying in a line against a blue sky

Bar chart of BTO Birdtrack records of Light-bellied Brent Goose at Exminster Marshes, showing brief Spring passage peak in mid-late April

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

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.

Four Spoonbills in flight flying left to right against a blue sky

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Needs to be back at Turf by 27 April 🙏

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

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

Bar chart of Redstart records at Exminster Marshes RSPB, showing peak occurence in April & September

Male Redstart perched on Blackthorn bush with white blossom

Male Redstart perched on wooden fence at Exminster Marshes RSPB

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

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

Four Rook nests in a bare tree against a blue sky in Exeter

Rook nests in a bare Oak tree in Southernhay, Exeter against a blue sky

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Exeter Cycling Campaign @exetercycling.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Excellent to see this high quality separated bike path fully open - a great project by the Devon transport team.

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

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

A roosting Curlew with white leg flag at RSPB Exminster Marshes

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

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.

BBC website article 'How Pulu became the winter cycling capital of the world'

School children cycling on snow covered bike path in Oulu. 52% of school trips in Oulu are by bike (credit: Pekka Takhola)

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

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

Curlew with colour rings Blue- Lime, Green at Exminster Marshes RSPB 23 March 2025

Map showing ring reads of Blue-Lime, Green in near Oulu in Finland

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James Diamond @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

You did better than me with the photo...

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