Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon
I had an early finish today so I popped here as I haven’t visited for a while. A Little Stint showed if not distantly and with awkward sunlight. It caused a bit of debate as to its ID as it didn’t look textbook to anyone present. Also on site of note were 4 Curlew Sandpiper and 6 Common Sandpiper.
Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
I had time to swing by in the hope that the reported Garganey was on site but my luck was out. However, a Wood Sandpiper showed beautifully as did a Spotted Redshank.
Brown Booby
Gwithian Sands, Cornwall
I gave in to the lure of a potential UK second (the Kent bird a few days before seems to be a different bird). Me and my good pal Pete set off towards Hayle and around halfway there, a report came out that it was around Godrevy Point. So I thought “lets set up at Gwithian sands” as it’s a good position to see across the whole bay and across to St Ives. The plan worked perfectly as we had only been searching for 15 minutes when Pete spotted what he thought was the Brown Booby diving in the Cadris Bay direction. He quickly gave me directions and I got on to the bird exiting the water and it started heading towards Hayle. It gave really good views and we were both able to clinch the ID. A report came out a moment later saying a possible candidate had gone past Godrevy Point in a westerly direction. Which further supported our ID.
Hayle, Cornwall
Having bagged the bird quicker than anticipated, we decided to check out Ryan’s field and the Estuary. There was no sign of the White Stork. Despite high numbers of bird the only species of note on the estuary were 4 Red Knot and a small group of Common Ringed Plover. Having bagged the target bird we decided to grab a cuppa and head back home.
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I quickly popped here before going home in the hope of a Whinchat or something better but the only birds of note were 3 Northern Wheatear.
I gave in to the lure of a potential UK second (the Kent bird a few days before seems to be a different bird). Me and my good pal Pete set off towards Hayle and around halfway there, a report came out that it was around Godrevy Point. So I thought “lets set up at Gwithian sands” as it’s a good position to see across the whole bay and across to St Ives. The plan worked perfectly as we had only been searching for 15 minutes when Pete spotted what he thought was the Brown Booby diving in the Cadris Bay direction. He quickly gave me directions and I got on to the bird exiting the water and it started heading towards Hayle. It gave really good views and we were both able to clinch the ID. A report came out a moment later saying a possible candidate had gone past Godrevy Point in a westerly direction. Which further supported our ID.
Hayle, Cornwall
Having bagged the bird quicker than anticipated, we decided to check out Ryan’s field and the Estuary. There was no sign of the White Stork. Despite high numbers of bird the only species of note on the estuary were 4 Red Knot and a small group of Common Ringed Plover. Having bagged the target bird we decided to grab a cuppa and head back home.
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I quickly popped here before going home in the hope of a Whinchat or something better but the only birds of note were 3 Northern Wheatear.
Some Good Waders
Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
After work I popped into the hide and caught a decent roost. The best I’ve seen on the marsh for a while. Lots of Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and Common Redshank. In amongst this was a single Red Knot, 2 Ruff, Spotted Redshank and best of all a Curlew Sandpiper.
After work I popped into the hide and caught a decent roost. The best I’ve seen on the marsh for a while. Lots of Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and Common Redshank. In amongst this was a single Red Knot, 2 Ruff, Spotted Redshank and best of all a Curlew Sandpiper.
Western Yellow Wagtail
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had a quick look after work. Circa 15 Western Yellow Wagtail were in the field with cattle on Maer Lane. A few adults and juvenile in the flock. On the permissive path from Gore Lane and the coastal path were 3 Northern Wheatear. On the Lane to Bristol School Camp was a single Spotted Flycatcher. Also a few Green-veined White were dotted about.
I had a quick look after work. Circa 15 Western Yellow Wagtail were in the field with cattle on Maer Lane. A few adults and juvenile in the flock. On the permissive path from Gore Lane and the coastal path were 3 Northern Wheatear. On the Lane to Bristol School Camp was a single Spotted Flycatcher. Also a few Green-veined White were dotted about.
A Couple Of Bits
Pullabrook Woods, Bovey Tracey, Devon
Had a family day out and had a picnic along the river. The only bird of note was a Grey Wagtail. On the Butterfly front was a few Silver-washed Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Red Admiral and Large White. The only Dragonfly seen was an Emperor Dragonfly.
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
A walk around late evening produced very little with a Female Northern Wheatear, Female Common Whitethroat and Common Swift being the best on offer. Well done to Matt and Derek for getting a Tawny Pipit this morning.
Had a family day out and had a picnic along the river. The only bird of note was a Grey Wagtail. On the Butterfly front was a few Silver-washed Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Red Admiral and Large White. The only Dragonfly seen was an Emperor Dragonfly.
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
A walk around late evening produced very little with a Female Northern Wheatear, Female Common Whitethroat and Common Swift being the best on offer. Well done to Matt and Derek for getting a Tawny Pipit this morning.
Elusive Sylviid Warbler And European Hedgehog
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had a walk from Gore Lane to the coastal path after work. Was hoping for a Whinchat or Western Yellow Wagtail. I was being optimistic as it was rather dire. A Sylviid Warbler kept me entertained for some time. It only showed itself on 3 brief occasions. I’m 99% certain it’s was a Common Whitethroat but you know that moment when you think your into to something special? I had that feeling but frustratingly, I couldn’t hang around to make sure.
Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
I’m having almost daily visits from a European Hedgehog. It is actually rather relaxed and wanders very close to me. A very friendly individual indeed.
I had a walk from Gore Lane to the coastal path after work. Was hoping for a Whinchat or Western Yellow Wagtail. I was being optimistic as it was rather dire. A Sylviid Warbler kept me entertained for some time. It only showed itself on 3 brief occasions. I’m 99% certain it’s was a Common Whitethroat but you know that moment when you think your into to something special? I had that feeling but frustratingly, I couldn’t hang around to make sure.
Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
I’m having almost daily visits from a European Hedgehog. It is actually rather relaxed and wanders very close to me. A very friendly individual indeed.
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| European Hedgehog |
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| European Hedgehog |
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| European Hedgehog |
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| European Hedgehog |
Poorly Dunnock
Exeter, Devon
As I was leaving work, I came across this poor little Dunnock that looked very unwell. I couldn’t just leave it on the tarmac, so I picked it up (it didn’t flinch) and popped it up in the nearest tree. I don’t hold out much hope for the poor thing though. Very sad!
As I was leaving work, I came across this poor little Dunnock that looked very unwell. I couldn’t just leave it on the tarmac, so I picked it up (it didn’t flinch) and popped it up in the nearest tree. I don’t hold out much hope for the poor thing though. Very sad!
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| Dunnock |
Bystock Pools Again
Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon
I had a wander around most of the Reserve today. Not much in the way of birds but some good insects around. Butterflies included, A single (faded and bedraggled) Silver-washed Fritillary, several Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Large White, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. Dragonflies on offer were, Migrant Hawker, Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Keeled Skimmer, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Emperor Dragonfly, Southern Hawker, Beautiful Demoiselle and Common Blue Damselfly.
I had a wander around most of the Reserve today. Not much in the way of birds but some good insects around. Butterflies included, A single (faded and bedraggled) Silver-washed Fritillary, several Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Large White, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. Dragonflies on offer were, Migrant Hawker, Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Keeled Skimmer, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Emperor Dragonfly, Southern Hawker, Beautiful Demoiselle and Common Blue Damselfly.
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| Black-tailed Skimmer |
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| Painted Lady |
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| Red Admiral |
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| Silver-washed Fritillary |
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| Common Darter (Female) |
Arctic Tern
Exmouth Quay, Devon
A quick evening look before dusk on a dropping tide. On Great Bull Hill, in amongst good numbers of Sandwich Tern were around 10 Common Tern and a single Arctic Tern. On Warren Point were around 20 Common Ringed Plover, similar numbers of Dunlin and 4 Sanderling.
A quick evening look before dusk on a dropping tide. On Great Bull Hill, in amongst good numbers of Sandwich Tern were around 10 Common Tern and a single Arctic Tern. On Warren Point were around 20 Common Ringed Plover, similar numbers of Dunlin and 4 Sanderling.
Sea Watch Let Down By Large Shearwaters
Porthgwarra, Cornwall
Me and my mate Pete headed off early in the hope of sea watching heaven. We arrived in good time and I headed up to the head whilst Pete staked out the cove. There was a large ensemble of expectant birders and I had already seen a report en route that Berry head and seen a large Shearwater Species. All set for a good watch I thought. It started off well with 3 Great Skua in close succession, a couple of Balearic Shearwater and a Single Sooty Shearwater. Decent numbers of Manx Shearwater went through and a close European Storm Petrel. All good so far I thought. I was wrong, it started to get quieter by the minute, whilst Berry Head had 2 Long-tailed Jaeger and another large Shearwater species. One species was added to the day with a Parasitic Jaeger. Let’s say there were a number of birders left wanting.
Me and my mate Pete headed off early in the hope of sea watching heaven. We arrived in good time and I headed up to the head whilst Pete staked out the cove. There was a large ensemble of expectant birders and I had already seen a report en route that Berry head and seen a large Shearwater Species. All set for a good watch I thought. It started off well with 3 Great Skua in close succession, a couple of Balearic Shearwater and a Single Sooty Shearwater. Decent numbers of Manx Shearwater went through and a close European Storm Petrel. All good so far I thought. I was wrong, it started to get quieter by the minute, whilst Berry Head had 2 Long-tailed Jaeger and another large Shearwater species. One species was added to the day with a Parasitic Jaeger. Let’s say there were a number of birders left wanting.
Bystock Dragonflies
Bystock Pools, Exmouth. Devon
A quick look after work produced a few dragonflies with Keeled Skimmer, Southern Hawker, Common Darter and Golden-ringed Dragonfly. A few Common Lizard around and the only Butterfly species was Gatekeeper.
A quick look after work produced a few dragonflies with Keeled Skimmer, Southern Hawker, Common Darter and Golden-ringed Dragonfly. A few Common Lizard around and the only Butterfly species was Gatekeeper.
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| Common Darter |
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| Bee Species |
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| Golden-ringed Dragonfly |
Bits And Bobs
Dartmoor, Devon
I had a few hours to kill this afternoon so I visited a few sites between Postbridge and Warren House Inn. Nothing special seen with the best bird being a Peregrine Falcon. However, 2 groups of Highland Cow were nice to see.
Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon
After Dartmoor I couldn’t resist a quick look around. 2 Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Southern Hawker and Keeled Skimmer. Common Lizard are like buses for me at the moment. My first in ages yesterday and today several seen. I also (surprisingly) saw my first Grayling of the year.
I had a few hours to kill this afternoon so I visited a few sites between Postbridge and Warren House Inn. Nothing special seen with the best bird being a Peregrine Falcon. However, 2 groups of Highland Cow were nice to see.
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| Highland Cow |
After Dartmoor I couldn’t resist a quick look around. 2 Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Southern Hawker and Keeled Skimmer. Common Lizard are like buses for me at the moment. My first in ages yesterday and today several seen. I also (surprisingly) saw my first Grayling of the year.
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| Common Lizard |
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| Grayling |
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| Speckled Wood |
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