Lack of time

Colaton Common, Devon
I dont seen to be able to get out in the field much at the moment with workloads and preparing to move house. In a few weeks time I will be in Ottery St Mary. I will still visit many of the Exmouth and Exeter sites I currently do but will need to figure out some new local patches as well.

Anyway, I visited this area the commons today and started at the Warren car park. I worked my way down hill and immediately got on to a small flock of Fieldfare and Redwing. A few Meadow Pipits and Common Linnet were dotted about. To the north of the grenade range I managed the briefest of views of a Short-eared Owl. I was also pleased to get my first Eurasian Woodcock of the winter  with 2 flyovers. I was starting to get worried that none were in the location this year so it was a sigh of relief to finally see some.

Long-tailed Duck and Short-eared Owl

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
A flying visit before work found me on site with just enough daylight to see. I got on to the 2nd winter Long-tailed Duck straight away. It was at the far end of the reserve from the hide, so couldn't get any better pictures than this.

Long-tailed Duck

Woodbury Common, Devon
I had a walk around after work until dusk. I have been on site a number of times over the last few weeks but have not come across much. Today however, I was lucky enough to catch up with a Short-eared Owl hunting east of Warren Car

Blue-winged Teal

Man Sands, Devon
I have wanted to see a Blue-winged Teal since I was a teenager. I have never had the opportunity so I couldn't let this one slip by. I arrived at 08:15 and within minutes I was on to the bird. It showed nicely at times but equally it can go missing for periods. So glad it has stuck around as the last few days have been hell waiting to get the time to see it. In my mind it looks to be an immature Male. I only base this on the dark rear end plumage. Also, a Female should have a darker cap and eyeline. The head on this bird also looks greyish in certain light but I'm no expert on this species so I'm happy to be corrected.

I was also very pleased to see a bonus Grey Partridge walk out on the road a few miles away from Man Sands on my return journey.

Blue-winged Teal (Juvenile Male?)

Blue-winged Teal (Juvenile Male?)

 Blue-winged Teal (Juvenile Male?)

Paddyfield Pipit

Sennen, Cornwall 
I managed a day off to head to Cornwall for the apparent Paddyfield Pipit. My good pal Pete and I set off early and were onsite in good time. It was rather windy but it was only a very short walk to the location. We waited patiently with the gathered group of expectant birders. Pete had done his homework on the expected call and had it to the left of us in the cut maize field. However, it didn't show for a further 15 minutes or so but when it did, it showed at extremely good range. Due to the wind however, these are the best phone scoped pictures I could get. Whatever is made of this bird and regardless of whether it will be accepted as a UK first. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it. Sadly the Buff-breasted Pipit seems to have vanished since yesterday morning.

Paddyfield Pipit 

Paddyfield Pipit 

Paddyfield Pipit 

Paddyfield Pipit 

We moved on to see the male Lesser Scaup. One route, a report came out that there was also a female on site. It was pouring down on arrival but we easily saw both birds. I thought I had got pictures of both birds but the female ones are too blurred (even for my standards) to post. UPDATE - The female from open wing photos (not mine) seems to be a hybrid.

Lesser Scaup (Male)