Bill Coulson
@devonshirenature.bsky.social
Birding, Bees, Insects, Plants, Cetaceans, Nature
South Devon. U.K. Mostly using Canon R7 and RF100-500 lens
South Devon. U.K. Mostly using Canon R7 and RF100-500 lens
Breathed a sigh of relief just to see our first Lesser Spotted Woodpecker surviving winter in Yarner Wood. It was up near the highest entrance gate from Trendlebeare.
Also saw several Marsh Tits, always a delight.
Also saw several Marsh Tits, always a delight.
February 4, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Breathed a sigh of relief just to see our first Lesser Spotted Woodpecker surviving winter in Yarner Wood. It was up near the highest entrance gate from Trendlebeare.
Also saw several Marsh Tits, always a delight.
Also saw several Marsh Tits, always a delight.
On a Stuart Line Cruise yesterday on the Exe Estuary ably led by Derek Carter. Red-breasted Mergansers and a Goldeneye were some of the highlights.
February 3, 2026 at 7:41 AM
On a Stuart Line Cruise yesterday on the Exe Estuary ably led by Derek Carter. Red-breasted Mergansers and a Goldeneye were some of the highlights.
Little Gulls, first winter ones, finding food from the rough sea just north of the pier at Teignmouth this morning.
Difficult to count as they were flying up and down from the pier but at least three birds.
Underside of Little Gull in pic 3 has a pinkish hue?
Difficult to count as they were flying up and down from the pier but at least three birds.
Underside of Little Gull in pic 3 has a pinkish hue?
February 2, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Little Gulls, first winter ones, finding food from the rough sea just north of the pier at Teignmouth this morning.
Difficult to count as they were flying up and down from the pier but at least three birds.
Underside of Little Gull in pic 3 has a pinkish hue?
Difficult to count as they were flying up and down from the pier but at least three birds.
Underside of Little Gull in pic 3 has a pinkish hue?
Black-throated Diver in the harbour Brixham this morning. Nice clean white throat & white rear "wheel arches".
Caspian Gull on its favourite perch on the wavebreak.
On the beach a 4yr female Grey Seal named Wild Grey. She's been there 3 days already to moult. Red Tag visible from a previous rescue.
Caspian Gull on its favourite perch on the wavebreak.
On the beach a 4yr female Grey Seal named Wild Grey. She's been there 3 days already to moult. Red Tag visible from a previous rescue.
January 30, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Black-throated Diver in the harbour Brixham this morning. Nice clean white throat & white rear "wheel arches".
Caspian Gull on its favourite perch on the wavebreak.
On the beach a 4yr female Grey Seal named Wild Grey. She's been there 3 days already to moult. Red Tag visible from a previous rescue.
Caspian Gull on its favourite perch on the wavebreak.
On the beach a 4yr female Grey Seal named Wild Grey. She's been there 3 days already to moult. Red Tag visible from a previous rescue.
Marsh Harrier on the Southdown side of the valley at Mansands today. It put up about 10 snipe which flew around in a panic.
January 28, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Marsh Harrier on the Southdown side of the valley at Mansands today. It put up about 10 snipe which flew around in a panic.
Gannets diving for baitfish today in Brixham harbour.
It was very wet and windy this afternoon and several Kittiwakes assembled on the breakwater wall. They were either full of little fish or just knackered from flying in this gale.
It was very wet and windy this afternoon and several Kittiwakes assembled on the breakwater wall. They were either full of little fish or just knackered from flying in this gale.
January 27, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Gannets diving for baitfish today in Brixham harbour.
It was very wet and windy this afternoon and several Kittiwakes assembled on the breakwater wall. They were either full of little fish or just knackered from flying in this gale.
It was very wet and windy this afternoon and several Kittiwakes assembled on the breakwater wall. They were either full of little fish or just knackered from flying in this gale.
Caspian Gull, a very hungry one, finding ways to feed itself in Brixham harbour today.
January 26, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Caspian Gull, a very hungry one, finding ways to feed itself in Brixham harbour today.
Caspian Gull on the Brixham wavebreak again today and giving closer views. On the water, in the last pic, it sometimes assumed a rather hunched position with its bill raised up as if begging to be fed. This part of the inner harbour is teeming with baitfish. Video next post shows fishing attempt.
January 26, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Caspian Gull on the Brixham wavebreak again today and giving closer views. On the water, in the last pic, it sometimes assumed a rather hunched position with its bill raised up as if begging to be fed. This part of the inner harbour is teeming with baitfish. Video next post shows fishing attempt.
Caspian Gull (1st winter) found on the wave break in Brixham harbour by Ali King yesterday.
January 26, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Caspian Gull (1st winter) found on the wave break in Brixham harbour by Ali King yesterday.
A fairly small but bold Grey Seal hauled out on the slipway in the harbour at Brixham this afternoon. Fortunately it was left in peace by passers by and dogs.
January 24, 2026 at 6:20 PM
A fairly small but bold Grey Seal hauled out on the slipway in the harbour at Brixham this afternoon. Fortunately it was left in peace by passers by and dogs.
Unusual to see a Great Crested Grebe in Brixham Harbour but this morning this one took shelter from the gales and wasted no time in getting some shut-eye.
A few Kittiwakes were dropping onto the inner harbour attempting to catch the small silvery baitfish which were present.
A few Kittiwakes were dropping onto the inner harbour attempting to catch the small silvery baitfish which were present.
January 24, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Unusual to see a Great Crested Grebe in Brixham Harbour but this morning this one took shelter from the gales and wasted no time in getting some shut-eye.
A few Kittiwakes were dropping onto the inner harbour attempting to catch the small silvery baitfish which were present.
A few Kittiwakes were dropping onto the inner harbour attempting to catch the small silvery baitfish which were present.
Mansands this morning a male Cirl Bunting staying out of the wind and Oystercatchers trying, in vain, to fly towards the sea into the teeth of a south easterly gale.
January 23, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Mansands this morning a male Cirl Bunting staying out of the wind and Oystercatchers trying, in vain, to fly towards the sea into the teeth of a south easterly gale.
Black-necked Grebe on the Mill Pool, Stoke Gabriel this morning. Found yesterday by Jake Wood.
"Continental" Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis, subspecies of carbo. Slenderer than common Cormorant, with a different shape patch at base of bill. White Head in spring. Thanks Mike L for ID'ing.
"Continental" Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis, subspecies of carbo. Slenderer than common Cormorant, with a different shape patch at base of bill. White Head in spring. Thanks Mike L for ID'ing.
January 14, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Black-necked Grebe on the Mill Pool, Stoke Gabriel this morning. Found yesterday by Jake Wood.
"Continental" Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis, subspecies of carbo. Slenderer than common Cormorant, with a different shape patch at base of bill. White Head in spring. Thanks Mike L for ID'ing.
"Continental" Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis, subspecies of carbo. Slenderer than common Cormorant, with a different shape patch at base of bill. White Head in spring. Thanks Mike L for ID'ing.
Red-throated Diver off Marine Drive, Paignton this evening.
January 13, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Red-throated Diver off Marine Drive, Paignton this evening.
Great Northern Diver in Brixham Harbour in calmer conditions. Its eyes, not so red in winter, brighten in summer as an aid to sexual selection in the breeding season. The red pigment also helps vision when fishing in dark or murky conditions.
One of the Purple Sandpipers out on the breakwater.
One of the Purple Sandpipers out on the breakwater.
January 11, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Great Northern Diver in Brixham Harbour in calmer conditions. Its eyes, not so red in winter, brighten in summer as an aid to sexual selection in the breeding season. The red pigment also helps vision when fishing in dark or murky conditions.
One of the Purple Sandpipers out on the breakwater.
One of the Purple Sandpipers out on the breakwater.
Common Dolphins, Berry Head this morning giving us multiple examples of this behaviour - coming out of the water sometimes almost vertically and then falling back onto the sea, either gently, or splashing down hard.
Maybe looking out for seabirds indicating fish or other communication?
Maybe looking out for seabirds indicating fish or other communication?
January 6, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Common Dolphins, Berry Head this morning giving us multiple examples of this behaviour - coming out of the water sometimes almost vertically and then falling back onto the sea, either gently, or splashing down hard.
Maybe looking out for seabirds indicating fish or other communication?
Maybe looking out for seabirds indicating fish or other communication?
Common Dolphins still feeding this morning along the tideline coming out of Torbay past Berry Head. I caught this one breaching ahead of a small pod.
January 4, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Common Dolphins still feeding this morning along the tideline coming out of Torbay past Berry Head. I caught this one breaching ahead of a small pod.
The past cople of days have been great for watching the Common Dolphins off Berry Head. Its very difficult to count them accurately but I estimate that the main pod was about 30 individuals.
January 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The past cople of days have been great for watching the Common Dolphins off Berry Head. Its very difficult to count them accurately but I estimate that the main pod was about 30 individuals.
Common Dolphins actively feeding off Berry Head this morning.
Debate going on among anglers present as to whether they might be feeding on Sprats, Anchovies or something else.
Terrific breach at the end.
Debate going on among anglers present as to whether they might be feeding on Sprats, Anchovies or something else.
Terrific breach at the end.
January 2, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Common Dolphins actively feeding off Berry Head this morning.
Debate going on among anglers present as to whether they might be feeding on Sprats, Anchovies or something else.
Terrific breach at the end.
Debate going on among anglers present as to whether they might be feeding on Sprats, Anchovies or something else.
Terrific breach at the end.
Firecrests, at least four of them, feeding along the nature trail at Slapton Ley NNR. This one about to eat some kind of Aphid.
A Great White Egret, one of two seen over the upper Ley.
A Great White Egret, one of two seen over the upper Ley.
December 31, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Firecrests, at least four of them, feeding along the nature trail at Slapton Ley NNR. This one about to eat some kind of Aphid.
A Great White Egret, one of two seen over the upper Ley.
A Great White Egret, one of two seen over the upper Ley.
Powerful northeasterly pushing up rough seas off Berry Head yesterday. It didn't stop the Gannets feeding but today, Xmas Day, gusts are going to be even stronger!
December 25, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Powerful northeasterly pushing up rough seas off Berry Head yesterday. It didn't stop the Gannets feeding but today, Xmas Day, gusts are going to be even stronger!
Merry Christmas from Brixham with an image of a Common Dolphin and her calf swimming past Berry Head.
December 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Merry Christmas from Brixham with an image of a Common Dolphin and her calf swimming past Berry Head.
In poor early morning light I was treated to a view of this Great Northern Diver flying south round Berry Head.
In the strong south easterly several Fulmars were skimming the face of the cliff and missing the rock face by inches.
In Torbay about 200 Gannets were diving for fish.
In the strong south easterly several Fulmars were skimming the face of the cliff and missing the rock face by inches.
In Torbay about 200 Gannets were diving for fish.
December 22, 2025 at 8:16 PM
In poor early morning light I was treated to a view of this Great Northern Diver flying south round Berry Head.
In the strong south easterly several Fulmars were skimming the face of the cliff and missing the rock face by inches.
In Torbay about 200 Gannets were diving for fish.
In the strong south easterly several Fulmars were skimming the face of the cliff and missing the rock face by inches.
In Torbay about 200 Gannets were diving for fish.
From wanderings this morning:
Yellow-browed Warbler still at the back of the car park at Broadsands behind the stored beach huts.
Berry Head and three Great Northern Divers like this one pushing into some big rolling waves.
Yellow-browed Warbler still at the back of the car park at Broadsands behind the stored beach huts.
Berry Head and three Great Northern Divers like this one pushing into some big rolling waves.
December 20, 2025 at 4:49 PM
From wanderings this morning:
Yellow-browed Warbler still at the back of the car park at Broadsands behind the stored beach huts.
Berry Head and three Great Northern Divers like this one pushing into some big rolling waves.
Yellow-browed Warbler still at the back of the car park at Broadsands behind the stored beach huts.
Berry Head and three Great Northern Divers like this one pushing into some big rolling waves.
Latest Painted Lady we've seen! This one on the coastal footpath near Froward Point.
Buff-tailed/White-tailed Bumblebees busy in the lovely
still-flowering borders at Coleton Fishacre NT this afternoon.
At least one of them carrying some mites.
Buff-tailed/White-tailed Bumblebees busy in the lovely
still-flowering borders at Coleton Fishacre NT this afternoon.
At least one of them carrying some mites.
December 19, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Latest Painted Lady we've seen! This one on the coastal footpath near Froward Point.
Buff-tailed/White-tailed Bumblebees busy in the lovely
still-flowering borders at Coleton Fishacre NT this afternoon.
At least one of them carrying some mites.
Buff-tailed/White-tailed Bumblebees busy in the lovely
still-flowering borders at Coleton Fishacre NT this afternoon.
At least one of them carrying some mites.