Farewell 2018

Firstly, thanks to anyone that reads my blog and a happy New Year to you all. I only started blogging for my own records at the start of 2018 but it’s been humbling to hear from quite a number of people that it’s been informative to them. I have to be honest and say It was a tough year (birding wise) but I still managed a healthy 242 species locally and on my trips further afield (although I did miss some that I would have expected). 

I didn’t obtain that many lifers this year but I guess that when you’ve seen over 400 species the lifers do get harder to get. However the quality this year far outweighed the quantity of birds seen with American Horned Lark, Green Heron, Grey Catbird and Pied Wheatear being my stand out birds.

One thing in particular that interested me this year was to discover that DNA proved the Italian type Sparrow at Budleigh Salterton wasn’t a full Italian however they couldn’t rule out other Mediterranean island birds but I never found out the conclusion of those results. I am still pleased that I got to see such an interesting bird though. 

Another surprise was the Dalmatian Pelican that hung around Cornwall and spent a little time in Devon a couple of years ago was added to the UK list and became a nice armchair tick for me. I will never forget how impressed I was with that wingspan!

I was lucky enough to see a number of rare species but simple things like the Hawfinch influx was one of most enjoyable things of the year as were higher than average Brambling flocks. Yes, I love going for that mega but It’s not always about that prize if you truly enjoy watching our feathered friends. 

That said, my biggest disappointments were a few missed lifers with Brown Shrike in Cornwall, and a Franklin’s Gull at Radipole Lake. Also, (although not a lifer) what will no doubt be Devon’s first Pallid Harrier. A great find by Matt Knott and I was smothering with flu so couldn’t drag myself out. 

So here’s hoping 2019 will be a great birding year for you all. Thanks to all those that have helped me this year. I feel blessed to be part of a great group of people in this area. 

Winter Wildfowl Spectacle

Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
I had my annual winter visit to the WWT centre today. I do love visiting at this time of year to witness the wildfowl spectacle. My target was the Holden Hide as this gives a good viewpoint of the reserve and you can usually get all the main species the reserve has to offer. From the hide there were large groups of (Bewick’s) Tundra Swan, Whooper Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, and Greylag Goose, there were a decent number of Barnacle Goose but they were always very distant as were the 7 Common Crane that were on site. 2 Peregrine Falcon were again distant and hunkering on the ground from the wind, From the Martin Smith hide were 2 Ruff. There were also 3 Pink-footed Goose on site and I wasn’t sure if they were captive or not. Either way, they were a welcome site.

Pink-footed Goose 

(Bewick’s) Tundra Swan

Common Moorhen  

Greylag Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Whilst onsite it had a look around the captive enclosures so I could brush up on those rarer species that turn up in the UK including some of those mega American diving Ducks.

Ruddy Shelduck (Female)

Goldeneye (Male)

Common Goldeneye (Female)

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Common Eider (Male and Female) 

Red-breasted Goose 

Snow Goose

Smew (Male)

Canvasback (Male)

Redhead (Male)

Cackling Goose

Bufflehead (Male)

Barrow’s Goldeneye (Male)

Greater Scaup (Male)

Lesser Scaup (Male)

Ring-necked Duck (Male)

Westhay Moor, Somerset
On the way home I popped here in the hope of a Bearded Reedling. At first the place seemed devoid of life but things picked up with a Male Western Marsh Harrier and a Merlin. I heard a few Bearded Reedling but I failed to locate any birds.

Fallow Deer

Powderham, Devon
I had a look around Powderham before work in the hope of seeing the Yellow-browed Warbler Matt Knott found yesterday. I couldn’t locate it but enjoyed some nice views of a large flock of Red-legged Partridge and the resident Fallow Deer.

Fallow Deer

Short-eared Owl At Last

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
I had a quick look from the middle car park for the 2 reported Short-eared Owls with no joy. It was late in the day and cold so I didn’t stick around for long. However as I was driving back on the A379 just a hundred metres or so from the roundabout that leads to station road (heading towards Exeter). One of the birds flew along the road towards me! I managed to avoid veering off the road and slowed down enough to obtain a few seconds view of the bird. Luckily there was no traffic behind me as I expect I would have had an angry BEEP. Phew! I have finally caught up with one. I was beginning to think I would miss out on this cracking species this year so I’m pleased to finally see one.

Some Somerset Stuff

Oathe, Somerset
I had a work meeting in Somerset today and after it finished I popped to this area for half an hour as it was around the corner. The reason for the visit was that I had heard there were Whooper Swans here. I couldn’t find any but I was impressed by the amount of Northern Lapwing in the area. I didn’t do an accurate count but it was was in the several hundreds. I walked along the road and flushed a Common Kingfisher and best of all a Jack Snipe. There were also a decent amount of Redwing and Fieldfare.

Fieldfare 

Swell Wood, Somerset
I also popped into this RSPB reserve for 10 minutes. I didn’t leave the car park as someone had dropped Seed all over the place and there was a real feeding frenzy of woodland birds. Lots of Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit with a couple of Marsh Tit mixed in. Also a Eurasian Nuthatch and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker. This seemed like a really nice reserve and has a Heronry lookout hide.

Cirl Bunting

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I managed a quick look around Gore Lane after work until dusk. The 2 Cirl Buntings are still about and were feeding near the dung heap. They didn’t stick around for long and darted for cover in the hedge that follows the road when a juvenile Eurasian Sparrowhawk came bombing through. The bird stopped in the opposite field. I didn’t have my scope but managed this photo through my binoculars!

(Juvenile) Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Yet More Eurasian Woodcock

East Devon Common, near Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington

I had a drive around the roads near Hayes Pig Farm at dusk I the hope of finding any feeding Eurasian Woodcock. My luck was in as I spotted an individual in my headlights. I only managed to get this single stinker of a record photo on my iPhone emote it flew off 

Eurasian Woodcock 

More Eurasian Woodcock

East Devon Common, near Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington
I staked out an area a few miles from Hayes Pig Farm at dusk tonight. My reward was 7 Eurasian Woodcock and a Tawny Owl. I do enjoy seeing the Eurasian Woodcock but tonight’s views were all flyovers. Still at rather close range and they started flying while it was just about light enough to enjoy.

Red-necked Grebe And Black Guillemot

Elberry Cove, Paignton, Devon
I finished work early and popped along for another look for the Red-necked Grebe. Conditions were much calmer than my last unsuccessful visit. I first noted 2 Common Loon, one of which was in rather close. The Red-necked Grebe was more distant but I obtained decent views. A few European Shag and Great Cormorant were also in the cove.

Common Loon 

Common Loon 

Common Loon

Red-necked Grebe

Shoalstone, Paignton, Devon
A quick move on to the car park in the hope that the reported Black Guillemot was about. I got straight on to the bird in question. It was very distant though. Also a fly past Atlantic Puffin was most unexpected but pleasing. A few Common Murre were equally distant as were some Northern Gannet.