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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Berry Head 725-1120am- 1 Sooty Shear, 2 Bonxie, 10 Arctic Skua, c35 Balearic Shears, c65 Manx Shears, 5 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Scoter , c12 Med Gulls , c1000 Kittiwakes

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Osprey still at Powderham at 950am

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Berry Head 645-9am with @clennonvalley.bsky.social and @billmacbirding.bsky.social -a juv Sabine’s Gull at 739am-my first in Devon for 9 years!Also Black Tern at 710am,Sooty Shear,juv Arctic Tern,2 Little Gulls & c100 Balearic Shears,c100 Manx,c15 Arctic Skuas,Whimbrel,7 Sand Terns& 2Egyptian Geese!

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

A fantastic 6 day non birding break in Tuscany in Italy-from the house-c40 Bee-Eaters seen every day, Short-Toed Eagle, Roller, c12 Zitting Cisticola, Scops Owl, Italian Sparrows, c20 Turtle Doves, Nightingale, 80 Cattle Egret, GWE, Corn Bunts, Serin, Marsh Harriers, Hooded Crows, Sards,Cetti’s

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Powderham Marsh late pm- a cracking adult Osprey over south at c510pm- 2 Ruff, Green Sand, 2 Common Sands and 6-8 Clouded Yellows

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Red-Necked Phalarope still 445pm on Blackhole Marsh, Seaton from Island Hide and showing well- just my third in Devon and first since 2003!!

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Osprey on north side of River Teign between Coombe Cellars pub and Teignmouth bridge viewed from Hearn Field 430-440pm

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

The 2 Chough still this morning at Prawle in field by Langerstone Point on the coastal footpath from c9am and showing very well- still a very rare bird in Devon - my only previous ones being in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2022(3)

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Took my dad up to see the Long Tailed Shrike this afternoon on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border and after a bit of a wait it showed so well- nice little English tick for me as well !

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Jersey Tiger Moth yesterday and another today in my garden in Torquay

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Caspian Tern (red ringed) River Clyst from viewing platform 8.49pm - only the 6th record for Devon

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

One of the local Green Woodpecker calling away on the telegraph pole outside my house in Torquay late pm

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Long Tailed Shrike this morning near Crail showed really well the entire time we were there with @seatonbirder.bsky.social and Clive M- also plenty of Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers and Tree Sparrow

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Western Reef Heron this evening showing well at Foryd Bay, North Wales - didn’t think that would happen after sea watching at Berry Head all morning!

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Berry Head - 555am-11am personal totals Sooty Shear. 12 Puffins, 35 Storm Petrels , 40 Balearic Shears, 3 Common Terns, Sandwich Tern, 9 Gadwall, c2500 Manx Shears, 2 GND, Harbour Porpoise

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Back from a non birding holiday to Rhodes-birding highlights Lallysos- Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Bee Eater, Sard Warbler- Rhodes Town- Crag Martin, Scopolis Shearwater- Lindos Alpine Swifts, Lesser Kestrels-also saw Flying Fish, Starred Agama & Northern White Breasted Hedgehog

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

What a start to the day-an excited phone call from @robmurphy.bsky.social saying he had just found a Wryneck at Labrador Bay south of Shaldon, near the car park and it was still showing when I arrived - what a bird - the first one I’ve seen in the month of May- still showing c9am at least

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Exciting tracking a Little Tern down the Devon coast today-in the estuary at Dawlish Warren at c830-then flew out to sea with 3 Sandwich Tern(Lee C) .Then seen off Hopes Nose at c930am with 2 Sandwich Tern(i must have missed one)! & then Finally off Berry Head at c1025am with 3 Sand T again (Mike L)

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

An exciting sea watch at Hopes Nose 650-1040am-little tern at 930(only the third time I’ve seen one here-1986 and 1991)- 5 Puffin(2 at 706am, 2 at 754am & 910am), 1+ad LP Pom Skua at 726am & 740am, 3 GND, 5 Eider(3m2f) 720am, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Turnstone, 350 Manxies, 4 Common scoter

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

3 Swift low over upper Cockington Valley this evening - wonderful to hear them calling - depressingly only the second time this spring of seeing a Torbay Swift

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

A lovely relaxed time at Exminster Marsh today - highlights - 2 Spoonbill including the ringed bird from the Netherlands, c30 Swifts, c20 House Martins, 6 Greenshank , 2 Ringed Plover, c12 Whimbrel, male Wigeon, male Teal

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

At least 6 Painted Lady around Armada Park, Chelston , Torquay at lunchtime today

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

My first Swifts of the year - 2 at 1224pm over Armada Park, Chelston, Torquay

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

A nice dog walk after work at South Milton Sands - on South Huish Marsh - 1-2 Yellow Wagtails, Cattle Egret, Whimbrel, 7 Bar-Tailed Godwits in off and continued up valley , Ringed Plover and c50 Swallows/House Martins

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

A Hobby north over my house in Torquay 810am!

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

I always struggle with seeing Treecreeper and this year it took me 100 days 😂- but finally one showed well late morning in these trees at Ideford Common

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Hopes Nose -645-935am- c200 Manx Shearwaters lingering offshore - 3 Purple Sands on rocks at Sandy Point, GND on sea off point and 2 Whitethroats

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Exminster this am-a Ruff showing well by the viewing platform for second day - only the second reported bird in Devon this year! Also the Continental Black Tailed Godwit still, Spoonbill, c20 Cattle Egrets, Red Kite north at 933am, plenty of Reed &Sedge Warblers, c400Sand Martins

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Dawlish Warren- 2 Eider - adult male and female off the seawall still c145pm found earlier by Lee C- the first ones reported in Devon this year! Also c6 Sandwich Terns, 3 GCGrebes (dreadful pics taken with phone hand held to scope)!

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Continental Black Tailed Godwit - Exminster for its 6th day-on pools in front of Lagoon with Black Tailed Godwit flock on and off from 930am -expertly found by @jamesrdiamond.bsky.social - the first confirmed record for Devon ! Also Spoonbill, Russian White Fronted Goose, Whimbrel, Swallows,Sedge W

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Bonapartes Gull - Blaxton Meadow - possibly the first one actually seen on Blaxton Meadow - great find by @stuart17.bsky.social and 38 years ago to the month that Dick Filby found Devon’s first modern day bird alongside the Ross’s Gull

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Bonapartes Gull still Blaxton Meadow 930am and showing well from Viewing area by hide

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Bonapartes Gull still 905am Blaxton Meadow on the River Plym - (flew in 845am)- my first in Plymouth for 30 years- in the late 80’s/early 90’s Richard White, Mush, @westcoastbirds.bsky.social @debalmer.bsky.social use to find these for fun!

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

c25 Sand Martins at Bowling Green Marsh at c1pm low over the water in front of the hide - my earliest Sand Martins ever !

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Took 2 attempts but the Ross’s Gull showed brilliantly flying around the harbour at Newlyn for c10 mins at 315pm-I believe the longest staying one in Cornwall by a day so glad it hung on today-my 8th Ross’s & 3rd in Cornwall- also now makes up for missing the 89 bird at Newlyn-happy days

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Lesser Yellowlegs Truro on river behind Tesco 1125am

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Drake Scaup still on Long Rock Pool, Marazion this morning

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Lesser Yellowlegs still c11am Truro on river behind Tesco - near junction of rivers by Blewetts Wharf and showing well

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

As I was passing through Plymouth - stopped in at Saltram and the free flying - fully winged- Unringed - highly mobile female Red-Crested Pochard still on Cart Pond- now for its 10th year!

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

The female Brambling that was refound at Broadsands 4 days ago still this morning in fields behind beach at northern end with Chaffinch and Linnet flock but very elusive

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

35+ Mandarins (25+ males , 10+ females)- Queens Marsh Dartington this afternoon - the biggest flock I have ever seen in Devon - also a Green Sandpiper

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Ad Med Gull Marine Parade Preston, Torbay 1245pm at least on rocks

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Caspian Gull still 1220pm at least in Brixham Harbour and showing well on pontoons viewed from c100m along the breakwater - only the third one I’ve seen in Devon!

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Adult Little Gull Teignmouth sea front at north end off Teign Bean cafe showing well c830am-850am at least (2 GND)

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Killdeer today! Having dipped 7 previously (Norfolk, Wales, Cornwall, 2 x Scilly, 2 x Devon) showed well but distantly 150-250pm at Ripley Farm Reservoir

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Saltram early morning - at least 7 Ring Necked Parakeets showing well- also Egyptian Goose on Blaxton Meadow (very rare in Plymouth), Bar Tailed Godwit and an adult LBB Gull

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Black Throated Diver showing well off Meadfoot beach Torquay 1pm viewed from shelter towards north end of road - cheers to @shiphaybirder.bsky.social for the heads up and good find Tom B- also adult Med Gull on rocks

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Torquay harbour -outer wall- mid am- 10 Purple Sands and a fem type Black Redstart on end rocks

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

The Black Necked Grebe still Stoke Gabriel millpond 1115am at least showing ridiculously well from car park- nearby c6 Fieldfare at Waddeton

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Mark Bailey @markrabailey.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Red Necked Grebe off Broadsands this morning off headland - also c15 GND, 7RTD, Razorbill, 5 GCG, plenty of Fulmars , 2 female Reed Buntings in second car park with Cirl Buntings

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