No Golden Oriole

Squabmoor and Dalditch, Devon
I had a 2 hour stake out for the Golden Oriole this evening from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. No sight nor sound of the bird so I am a bit perplexed by a report that came out 2 minutes after leaving stating it's there singing!?

Anyway, an enjoyable evening with 2 Eurasian Hobby, 3 Eurasian Jay, numerous Yellowhammer and a single Dartford Warbler.

Yellowhammer (Male)

Yellowhammer (Male)

European Stom Petrel

Otterton, Devon
I went for my daily exercise from Stantywell Farm to the coastal path near the sewage works this evening. In one of the fields just down from the farm were, 2 Red-legged Partridge and 2 Brown Hare.

A further 2 Brown Hare were seen further along. At the feeder at the sewage works was a stunning male Cirl Bunting and along the path to the coastal path was a nice female Common Whitethroat.

At the coastal path I scanned the sea. A few Northern Gannet and Northern Fulmar were far out and then whilst tracking a Black-legged Kittiwake, I picked up a small black bird just above the surface. It was initially heading straight towards me so my initial thought was Common Murre. However, the jizz was all wrong. The bird then tracked west and it because immediately obvious I was watching a European Storm Petrel. Not too shabby for a lockdown tick.

European Bee-eater

White Bridge, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
After seeing a report of 7 European Bee-eater in Exmouth. I hoped that they would be relocated. This species is a UK lifer for me and I've missed a few chances at seeing this superb species.

A text from Matt Knott advising me that they were at the white bridge on the river Otter. Got me off on a mad rush to get there. I parked the other side of the bridge and followed the path north on the east side of the river. Several birders advised they were mobile. I staked out a location with a few birders including Dave Boult and Dave Stone. 

I had my 11 year old daughter with me as this is her favourite bird from her book and she has longed to see one. She proved rather useful as her young eyes got us all on to a number of birds. The most I saw at one time was 6 bit there were numerous sightings.

On leaving, Dave Boult had come back to the bridge as he and others had counted 15 birds. I saw a further 2 birds as they went to roost near the bridge.

Nice Clear Water

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon 
I had to run an errand to my in laws today so I had a cheeky stop off at Bystock pools on the way home.

A pair of Tufted Duck were on the main pool. I've not seen any here for ages and sounds wierd to be pleased to see as I've not seen any since way before lockdown. A pair of European Stonechat were about and a nice Yellowhammer.

A few dragonflies were out too with Common Darter and Large Red Damselfly

I was amazed at how clean the water was in the pool. I could see how deep it actually is and the fish were as clear as day. Perhaps this lockdown has had an effect with less air pollution? Any way, it was nice to visit a familiar site.

Nice clean water

Nice clean water