Northern Mockingbird And Summer Arrivals

Beer Head, Devon 

I had the day off so I headed here in search of any summer arrivals. I had already got a heads up from Kevin Hale of a decent fall. This first bird was a Northern Wheatear. I never get tired of seeing this species. On the east side of the head were a very decent amount of Common Chiffchaff and in among them were a few Willow Warbler. 2 male Eurasian Blackcap put in an appearance. Oddly my first of the year! A few Barn Swallow came in off the sea. I so wished for a Ring Ouzel as that place is primed to receive one. Not today though.

Northern Wheatear (Male)

Exmouth, Devon 

As the stay at home rule has been lifted, I felt it safe to go for the Northern Mockingbird that has been a long stayer in Exmouth. I only had my binoculars with me so I only managed a record shot. What a cracking little bird to see. 

Northern Mockingbird 

Black-throated Loon

Seaton, Devon 

I had a day off yesterday (26th March) so I popped to Seaton for a good look around. I started at Black Hole Marsh and was treated to my (and the sites) first Common House Martin of the year with 3 that flew through heading north. A Cetti's Warbler should briefly but very well near the Sand Martin nesting area. 

I moved on to the beach near the Harbour and was treated to a Black-throated Loon. A local rarity. It was on the sea for a short while then flew west. A Great Crested Grebe pottered about and singles of Manx Shearwater and Great Skua made an appearance. A few Northern Fulmar were also off Seaton Hole. 

Next was Coronation Corner. Numerous Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mew Gull and a single second winter Mediterranean Gull was a welcome site.

Lastly, I visited Colyford Common. 6 Sand Martin put in a fly through appearance while they made their journey North. Also on site was a single Northern Wheatear.

It was a lovely day and nice to get some welcomed summer arrivals on the scoreboard. 

Missed This Song

Knapp Copse, Putts Corner, Devon 

I took a walk around this local reserve after work. I was welcomed by the song of a Common Chiffchaff. It felt great to hear that sound again in lovely sunshine. I have so missed that song. There were a total of 4 singing individuals on site. I was also treated to a pair of Eurasian Bullfinch and a Eurasian Jay. Oddly, the first sightings this year for me. On the feeders at the carpark was a lovely Eurasian Nuthatch but there was no sign of the Marsh Tit I saw there in the winter.

I have also signed up for the RSPB Turtle Dove survey and been given a pretty local area to survey between May and June. Its an area that has some suitable habit. With the current state of the species, I'm hot holding out too much hope but you never know. Maybe the whole lockdown situation throughout Europe helped the species last year? Any way, I will give it a try. 

Buntings And A Cattle Egret

Stantywell Farm, Otterton, Devon 

I had the day off today so I decided to venture outside of Ottery. I haven't visited Statywell Farm for some time and was so pleased to be back here. The main target was of course Cirl Bunting and I managed 6 individuals. Numbers are down from previous visits but the species is spreading further east, so its a good thing in my book. Other Bunting species also on site were a single Female Yellowhammer and Male Common Reed Bunting. A nice group of circa 30 Common Linnet, several Eurasian Skylark and 2 Stock Dove made the supporting cast. I was disappointed not to see Red-legged Partridge but a nice Brown Hare made me smile before I left.

Common Reed Bunting (Male)

Brown Hare 

Cirl Bunting (Male)

White Bridge, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 

I couldn't resist the lure of a long staying Western Cattle Egret, so I popped here to take a look. The bird showed very nicely in the first field with the cattle along with several Little Egret. Best views were from the path heading north of the White Bridge. Not much else of note but a Little Grebe from the Bridge was a welcome sight.

Western Cattle Egret 

Common Merganser

Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I took a walk along the wooded area and bridge area after work. In the wooded area were a pair of Eurasian Nuthatch, lots of Goldcrest and Coal Tit. In the adjacent field was a pair of Stock Dove but best of all were 2 pairs of Common Merganser.

Common Merganser (2 pairs)

Common Merganser (Female)

Brambling

East Hill Strips, Devon 

I took a walk around this area this afternoon. Not a lot of species seen to be honest. I did get nice views of Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper and Redwing. Best of all was a Brambling. My first of the year.