A Nice Long Walk

Ottery St Mary Area, Devon
The whole family went for a long walk after home schooling. We followed public footpaths from the bottom of Butts Road. Through the farm fields towards Fairmile Lane to the Otter River. We then followed the Ottery up to Cadhay Bridge and back home.

So added to my lockdown list were the following species.

Coal Tit
Little Egret
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Barn Swallow
Stock Dove
Mistle Thrush
Eurasian Teal

Making The Most Of Lockdown

Butts Road and surrounding area, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
So, I have been in lockdown since Tuesday. I work for Devon County Councils Highways department and I am still working from home. Also juggling home schooling with my wife who also has to work from home.

These are scary times and we are trying to keep a routine and be as normal as possible. My youngest is autistic so this situation is very difficult for her comprehend.

Anyway, we are getting out for an hours exercise and keeping to the social distancing rules. So my birding is confined to these walks and my garden.

So, I have decided to keep a 'Lockdown List". Something to hopefully look back on in the future.

So my list at present consists of the following.

Mallard
Common Pheasant
Indian Peahen (heard only not tickable)
Common Buzzard
Herring Gull
Rock/Feral Pigeon
Common Wood pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Tawny Owl (heard only)
Great Spotted Woodpecker
European Green Woodpecker
Eurasian Magpie
Western Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Northern Raven
Eurasian Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Common Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Eurasian Wren
Eurasian Nuthatch
Common Starling
Common Blackbird
Song Thrush
European Robin
House Sparrow
Dunnock
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Common Chaffinch
European Greenfinch
Common Linnet
Eurasian Goldfinch

Yesterday I also saw this nice Peacock butterfly. And today I saw a Small White.

Peacock

2 Out Of 3 Ain't Bad

Labrador bay, Devon 
After a dismal week of dips I managed a few hours off family duties and decided to try to make amends. Very windy and choppy seas were the order of the day but I managed to find a sheltered spot and easily picked out the Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter. PHEW!!

(Left) Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter 

(Left) Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter 

Powderham Marsh, Devon 
I moved on for the Green-winged Teal. At the platform I bumped into Dave Boult and we scoped the marsh together. The Snow Goose was present as were, Little Ringed Plover, the male Greater Scaup, a White Wagtail in amongst the many Pied Wagtail, several Sand Martin and the Ruff. Despite hanging around I still didnt get the Green-winged Teal. As Meatloaf said, "two out of three ain't bad". On the walk to the platform and back were, a single male Cirl Bunting, Cetti's Warbler and 2 Common Chiffchaff. 

A Week Of Dipping Ducks And A Surprise

16th March - Labrador Bay, Devon 
I popped here first thing. Bad idea as the sum was low and directly shining on the mussel beds. It was so bright I couldnt look through my bins. I was obviously hoping for the Surf Scoter, Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck. But I managed to dip all three species. A nice amount of Cirl Bunting around the car park area and a number of Great Crested Grebe in the parts of the bay I could scan without being blinded.

Cirl Bunting (Male)

Cirl Bunting (Male)

Orcombe point, Exmouth, Devon 
I popped here after work in the hope of a Northern Wheatear. None on site as it was a nice day so they perhaps just carried on through. Bumped into Matt Knott and as always, it was nice to have a quick chin wag. I did catch up with the Black-legged Kittiwake colony though.

17th March- Powderham Marsh, Devon 
I made a flying lunchtime visit to see the Green-winged Teal. It didnt show whilst I was there. Another dipped Duck. I did catch up with the Snow Goose and a couple of Cirl Bunting.

Butts Road, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
I couldnt sleep so I was in the back garden having a cigarette at 02:30 and heard a sistant strange call. I get Tawny Owl here most nights but this was different. After a few moments the call got nearer and I quickly realised it was a Little Owl. I'm going to have to check a few places in the area.

Today - Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
Due to be advised to work from home and will be having the kids at home from Monday. I took a look here after work as I may not be out for a while. On the river were 2 White-throated Dipper, a Common  Kingfisher and Little Egret. No sign of any Common Merganser.

Around the trees in the area were a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Chiffchaff and Eurasian Nuthatch.

Some Good Garden Birds

Butts Road, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
Spent some time watching the garden today and had my first Eurasian Jay (also my first of the year surprisingly). A Eurasian Nuthatch pottered about for a moment as did a European Green Woodpecker.

Laughing Gull Dip

Chew Valley Lake
I had a look around for the Laughing Gull. This morning but despite trying several locations around the lake, I failed. Did see a female Western Marsh Harrier, 3 Great Egret, a pair of Common Goldeneye and good numbers of Mew Gull.