Part-time Birding: June 2018

A Family Day Out And A Dip

Pullabrook Woods, Bovey Tracey, Devon
The whole family went for an outing today. We love visiting this site as it has a nice stream, woodlands and grass areas. My time was focused on the family but as ever I noted a few bits and bobs. The theme today was manly Butterflies with the following selection seen. White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Comma, Marbled White, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Ringlet and Meadow Brown. A few Dragonflies put in an appearance with Beautiful Demoiselle, Emperor Dragonfly and Ruddy Darter. The only problem was nothing sat still for a portrait.

Enchanter’s Nightshade

Clevedon, Avon
Early evening I decided to have a look at the Pied Crow that’s been hanging around the town centre. I know it’s highly unlikely it will make the list but I was interested in seeing the bird. However it was a wasted trip as even after extensive searching I failed to find it. On the plus side, I was amazed by the amount of Common Swift in the area.

Just Trying To Do The Right Thing

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
I aimed to take a walk from the white bridge to the hide. On arrival I noted a Cetti’s Warbler a few Eurasian Reed Warbler gathering grubs and several Barn Swallow hawking over the water for insects. Things were rather enjoyable on the bridge until I heard a splash and someone saying “Go find it boy” and a dog duly jumped in the river from the reed bed area (on the right hand side, looking towards the mouth of the Estuary) where Eurasian Reed Warblers possibly have nests. I was annoyed by this but the dog returned to the path and it stopped. I carried on enjoying the views etc from the bridge when from path (where the bench is) the same dog splashed into the river. All the mentioned birds flew off (the Warblers probably leaving young unattended!) I walked round I noted an elderly chap throwing stones in to the river and repeatedly saying “Go find it boy”.

I arrived at the bench to find that it was actually an elderly couple. I want it known that I have nothing against dogs but do have an issue with irresponsible owners. I politely said “I’m not wishing to be awkward here but your dog really shouldn’t be in the river. It does say on the information boards to keep dogs on the path”. The chap sort of acknowledged this and said “Ok”. I was happy to leave it there when the lady chirped up in an aggressive voice “everyone else does it so why shouldn’t we?” I could feel my anger rising (more so in this heat) but kept my cool and said “I would tell anyone the same thing. This is an SSSI Nature Reserve that holds important breeding species!”. The chap then decided to air his opinions “My dog is hot, he needs to cool off.”. I responded with “I appreciate that and I do care but I really dont think this place is appropriate. Do you?” They both then mumbled something in tandem which I didn’t catch. I decided I wasn’t going to get anywhere with these and walked away saying. “You need to respect others that want to enjoy the area!”.

So I preceded on my walk but came back within five minutes to find that they had moved on. Perhaps my words had made a deference? Now I do appreciate that they had just as much right to be there and enjoy the place but they seemed to have no respect for anything apart from the dog. Again, please don’t think I have it in for dogs. In fact it’s the opposite as I have been a dog owner. However I would personally take my dog to a more appropriate place if I wanted it to be able to cool off and I would respect any notices placed at sites that involved dog control.

Spotted Redshank

Goosemoor, Topsham, Devon
I had a little look late afternoon for the reported Spotted Redshank and the bird was on show on the opposite side of the Estuary. A smart Summer plumage bird that spent a lot of time hidden in the channel. Apart from that the area was rather quiet bar a few Northern Lapwing, Common Redshank and a single Common Greenshank. A Broad-bodied Chaser put in a brief appearance as did a couple of Ringlets.

Spotted Redshank

Northern Lapwing

More Butterflies etc and a Great Show

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
I had a very quick walk along the railway path at lunchtime. A few singing Eurasian Reed Warblers were the only bird species of note. Butterflies included Comma, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White and Small White, a few Dragonflies in the form of Broad-bodied Chaser, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly and Common Darter. A few Bee and Fly species that I have no idea of the ID.

Bee species

Speckled Wood

Fuller’s Teasel

Formosan Thistle

Fly Species

Blue-tailed Damselfly (mating pair)

Meadow Brown

Bystock Pools, Devon
A walk around the meadow area after work. Lots of Butterflies and Dragonflies on offer. Marbled White, Comma, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Large White and Small White. Dragonflies included, Commo Blue Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly and Keeled Skimmer. Very quiet on the bird front.

Comma

Ringlet

Marbled White

Large Skipper

Keeled Skimmer (Female)

Caterpillars (I am useless at identifying caterpillar species so I don’t know what these are)

There was also another very noisy flying beast in the form of an Apache Helicopter that hovered over the meadow for a few minutes.

Apache Helicopter

Undisclosed Site, Near Exmouth, Devon
With perfect conditions for viewing European Nightjar, it seemed rude to do so. The conditions did indeed prove perfect and the birds didn't disappoint with 45 minutes of constant views, churring, calling and wing clapping.

A cracking full moon

European Nightjar (Male)

European Nightjar (Male and Female)

European Nightjar (Male)

Yarner Wood

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
With no news of the Royal Tern I decided to take a walk around Yarner. On arrival I took a brief walk on Trendlebere Down and was instantly greeted with several Tree Pipit. I took a few circuits around the woods and failed to see any Lesser Spotted Woodpecker or Wood Warbler. I bumped into one of the locals who advised that there are around 5 birds but the nests have failed due to mice! A sad state of affairs for an already struggling Devon breeder! Birds of note though included a smart Grey Wagtail around the pond hide, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Nuthatch and a nice family of Common Redstart. Not much else around apart from a smart Silver-washed Fritillary. Still an enjoyable walk in lovely weather. Oh and it beats working!!

Tree Pipit

Grey Wagtail

Silver-washed Fritillary

Small-leaf Bramble

No Royal Tern

Exmouth, Devon
(8pm - 10pm)
I’ve been keeping an eye on the reports of the American Royal Tern that’s been around the South Coast. It was picked up late on Tuesday at Pagham Harbour, West Sussex. It done a bunk very early on Wednesday morning and was again picked up very late the same day at Lodmoor and Ferrybridge in Dorset. It was heading west and travelling a fair few miles everyday, so my logic was to watch the sea front and Estuary in the hope it picked the Exe as it’s next stop off. I checked from the lifeboat station for a while but the best on offer there were a few close in Northern Gannet. I moved into the Quay and there was little on offer there. Then on to Shelley Beach where I did pick out several Sandwich Tern feeding but none with an orange bill. Oh well, it’s out there somewhere! I just hope it’s found tomorrow as I have a day off.

Northern Gannet

A Decent Selecton Of Butterflies And Moths

Bystock Pools, Devon
I took a look around the whole reserve late afternoon. The meadow area was full of Butterflies including loads of Meadow Brown, several Large Skipper and Marbled White but best of all a White Admiral. Elsewhere on the reserve were a few Blue-studded Blue. Moth wise there were Common Grass Veneer, Six Spot Burnet, Cinnabar, Common Wave, Marbled White Spot, one I haven’t yet managed to ID (UPDATE thanks Matt for the ID of Straw-barred Pearl) and another that is one of 3 possible species Syncopacma larseniella, S. taeniolella or S. cinctella and apparently the only way to tell is dissect under a microscope.

Large Skipper

Marbled White

Silver-studded Blue

White Admiral

Common Wave

Marbled White Spot

Six Spot Burnet

Cinnabar

Straw-barred Pearl

1 of 3 species (Syncopacma larseniella, S. taeniolella or S. cinctella)

Common Green Grasshopper

Byron Way, Exmouth
I haven’t cut my lawn for a while and I have Common Selfheal flowers. It’s a shame to mow them.

Common Selfheal

More Winged Critters

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon

I thought I would have a look after work for some Butterflies but it was rather quiet apart from Meadow Brown and Large White. However a Common Whitethroat that was gathering food kept me entertained for a while. Followed by a very close Kit European Rabbit that duly done a runner when it clocked me.

Common Whitethroat

Kit Rabbit

I’m off mate!

Japanese Bindweed

Pink Sorrel

Spear Thistle

Bystock Pools, Devon

I then took a walk from the pool end of the reserve to the boardwalk. It was quiet on the bird front but a Eurasian Jay brightened things up. The task today was Dragonflies and Butterflies and it didn’t disappoint. Lots of Common Blue Damselfly and Small Red Damselfly around the pool with a Four Spot Chaser and Emperor Dragonfly. Along the path to the boardwalk were a good number of Beautiful Demoiselle, a few Keeled Skimmer and Black-tailed Skimmer. The Butterflies were quiet with only Large Skipper noted.