Otter Estuary

The Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
A quick walk around the white bridge area after work. The only birds of note were a Cetti’s Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler and a European Green Woodpecker. Also nice to see a number of Barn Swallow around.

No Savi’s Warbler

Ferrybridge, Portland, Dorset
Me and my mate Pete had a trip to Dorset today. We popped here first in the pouring rain in the hope of a Little Tern. No joy and there was nothing else on offer.

Lodmoor, Weymouth, Dorset 
We moved here to get some shelter at the bandstand. On arrival we were treated to really nice views of a Male Northern Wheatear in the car park. A look on the first scrape gave us our first of the year Common Tern with 2 individuals. Not a lot else on offer except 2 Common Snipe, a few Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit and a single Common Sandpiper. However, as we were in the car park about to leave I picked out a strange call and got on to a Hirundine type bird as it flew straight over head and was able to confirm a Red-rumped Swallow. I was very pleased with myself for getting that firstly on call. It didn’t seem to stick around as it kept going north at pace.

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset
We had a look here for the Savi’s Warbler but the weather was atrocious and we struck out even after staking out the bandstand area (we were informed this was the best place) We were treated to 2 Western Marsh Harrier, plenty of Eurasian Reed Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler. As we had a cuppa in the visitors centre another Common Sandpiper was pottering about on the island.

Portland Harbour, Dorset
We popped here as we were tired of the rain and it’s got decent shelter in the right conditions. It was nice to take a breather from the wind and rain but all that was on offer were 2 Common Sandpiper. This species seemed to turn up everywhere today. Although the weather was clearing up we both decided that we had had enough of feeling soaked through so headed home.

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
A quick walk from the middle car park to the viewing platform after work gave me my first Eurasian Reed Warbler a single Cetti’s Warbler and a Common Reed Bunting. No sign of the reported Garganey.

Common Swift

Woodbury Common, Devon
I was off work today to have some time with the family so we decided to pop to Crealy. As we were driving across the Common a Common Swift flew over the road at speed (due to the wind) it was a brief view but it was nice to see my first of the year.

Northern Wheatear

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
A very quick look at the dung heap this afternoon was rewarded with a pair of Northern Wheatear and a Eurasian Rock Pipit. I was hoping for Western Yellow Wagtail but no such luck.

Northern Wheatear (Male)

Northern Wheatear (Male)

Common Whitethroat

The Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I had a quick walk along the Otter this afternoon from the white bridge down to the hide and back. The first bird I saw was a Common Whitethroat. The bird was very elusive and only showed for a matter of seconds but it was enough to ID as a Female. Also on site were a pair of Eurasian Blackcap, a Male Eurasian Bullfinch and a Cetti’s Warbler.

Great Grey Shrike

Emsworthy Mire, Dartmoor, Devon
I had an early finish today and went to look for the Great Grey Shrike. I bumped into Dave Stone and Charlie Fleming and discovered it was on site. Another birder caught site of the bird in the third field from the barn and we soon obtained really nice views. I had a look at the barn area for a reported Common Redstart with no joy.

Great Grey Shrike

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
As I was in the area I popped along and got killer views of 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Male and Female) and 2 European Pied Flycatcher both Males. No sign of Common Redstart though.

Summer Migrants

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I checked the dung field and immediate area very quickly first thing but it was rather misty and there wasn't much about apart from a few Willow Warbler.

Exminster Marsh, Devon
As the roads are quiet due to half term, the lure of yesterdays Garganey got the better of me so I popped here before heading to the office. I walked from the middle car park to the fisherman's car park and back. The first bird of note was a singing Sedge Warbler that also showed itself briefly at close range. This was followed by cracking views of a Cetti's Warbler. Near the fisherman's car park were 2 Barnacle Goose, a Eurasuan Whimbrel in among the Eurasian Curlew and a Male Common Reed Bunting but alas, no Garganey. As I arrived back at the middle car park, a number of Sand Martins were feeding and a single Common House Martin was in amongst them.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I went for another look around after work and was rewarded with a Male Northern Wheatear along the coastal path. A few Willow Warbler were dotted about but I was surprised to see a Red-legged Partridge whilst checking out the dung field before leaving. It was sat on the fence to the left of the field but dropped down into the old dung field to quickly for a photo. I checked the other field without success. Also a few Barn Swallow were pottering about.

Great Egret

Darts Farm, Topsham, Devon 

As I pass here on my commute to work it seemed really rude not to call in to see the reported Great Egret after work. The bird showed nicely if not distantly at the back of the lagoon from the hide. This is my second bird this year in Devon after a surprise one at Bowling Green Marsh back in February.

Eurasian Blackcap

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had a walk from Gore lane, across the permissive path to the coastal path and down to the Geoneedle this morning. Nothing on the dung heap but along the coastal path was a single Willow Warbler in song and seen, immediately followed by a male Eurasian Blackcap, again in song and seen briefly. This was my first Eurasian Blackcap of the year.

Willow Warbler

Exminster Marsh, Devon 
I had a look around the railway path area after work and had my first Willow Warbler of the year. A Peregrine Falcon was sat on one of the pylons but there wasn’t much else of note. I then walked from the fisherman’s car park to the viewing platform as I had been informed by my mate Pete (that I bumped into along the railway path) of a Eurasian Blackcap in song in that area. I couldn’t stay long so I was unsuccessful but there was a single Male Common Reed Bunting.