Ottery St Mary, Devon
I was beginning to think I would go another year without seeng Red Kite as I missed every single one on last year's migration. I had been out most of the day and got home and opened the patio doors to let some air in and BOOM! A cracking individual was circling low over the house. It started to gain some height before heading off north.
Earlier on in the day I saw my first Common Blue Butterfly and an obliging Speckled Wood.
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| Speckled Wood |
Ottery St Mary, Devon
Due to family commitments, I spent most of my day at home. I was treated to my first ever true garden Northern Jay first thing but it was ever so brief. I was constantly watching the skies for a Red Kite. No such luck but did get a few Common Swift and Common Buzzard. however, late afternoon a distant raptor was making its way east. For me, a possible European Honey Buzzard. All the characteristics where there. Large tail, large wings, very pale underside with wide bands and dark carpals. Slow wing beat and a nice curve to the wings, unlike a Common Buzzars. It was however, too distant for me to be 100% certain.
Exminster Marsh, Devon
Early evening I popped along to see the American Golden Plover. The bird showed fantastically and I was able to get a few record shots. I do love this species and have been dying to see it since it was recorded yesterday.
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| American Golden Plover |
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| American Golden Plover |
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| American Golden Plover |
Outskirts of Exmouth, Devon
I have been desperate to look for European Nightjars but this awful weather has got in the way. One of my daughters loves to see these with me so as she is now off school, we popped out to look for this awesome species. We didn't have to wait too long and a cracking Male flew from Gorse a few metres from where we were patiently waiting. A few moments later a few individuals started to sing and we eventually got flight views of 2 Females. Going on calls, I would say there was around 6 individuals on site. We both headed off very happy to have seen them and to know there are a few individuals back on territory.
Otterton Cliffs, Devon
I braved the wet weather for one and a half hours at the cliffs near the Sewage works. A constant stream of Manx Shearwater, totalling circa 500 birds. 3 Parasitic Jaeger, 1 European Storm Petrel was a lucky spot as it popped into my scope view while track some Manx Shearwater. Around 30 Common Murre some on the sea and some in flight. 10 Common Scoter bobbed around and 10 Black-legged Kittiwake battled their way west.
Otterton Cliffs, Devon
I wasn't going to go out today as I had been frantic at work and was feeling like I wanted to be a couch potato. Then, at about 6pm. I had the sudden urge that this evening was going to be good. So I dragged my tired carcas off the sofa and headed to the coastal path near the Sewage works. I used to seawatch Orcombe Point with some degree of success but a few years ago I started here and have found it more productive for Shearwater passage but have struggled with Skua species.
No sooner had I pointed my scope at the sea, I was watching 4 Manx Shearwater passing by. OK, I thought, Worth getting out for. Within 10 minutes I had seen 30 Manx Shearwater. Then out of the gloom, I picked out a Sooty Shearwater. It battled its way west into the strong south westerly winds. At on point it came in close enough to appreciate it before heading further out into the gloomy bay. On the sea were 10 Common Scoter and there were a few Northern Fulmar and Northern Gannet lurking about.
After that the Manx Shearwater passage really picked up with birds close in and distant as did the Black-legged Kittiwake of which I totalled 70 birds. At one point, I was tracking some Manx Shearwater and Black-legged Kittiwake, when a Parasitic Jaeger started hassling the latter. It chased one for a few moments before finally settling on the sea. Unfortunately, way too distant for my phone to scope abilities. An unidentified Auk species flew by just after this as did a Common Loon.
I stayed for a further 30 minutes or so and I was so pleased I did. The Manx Shearwater passage continued and I ended on 132 birds. But to top off a great evening, a Pomarine Jaeger popped into my scope as I was scanning. It always remained distant and I soon lost it.
A very productive visit and goes to show, you should always go with your gut instinct. Well, it worked this time at least!
Dartmoor, Devon
I had the day off and as there was a break in this awful weather we have been enduring, I thought I would explore Dartmoor. I had 5 target species in mind, Common Cuckoo, Whinchat, Common Redstart, Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.
I parked near Warren House Inn and within 5 minutes had enjoyed views of 2 Common Cuckoo. One of which was point blank. Already pleased, I started the walk to Challacombe farm. On route I was treated to a Male Whinchat, 6 European Stonechat, 4 Willow Warbler and another Common Cuckoo. 2 of my species in the bag.
At the farm I got straight onto a Garden Warbler in full song. And a moment later a Spotted Flycatcher. 4 species I the bag now, I started to think, this is one of those great days. With that, yet another Common Cuckoo put in an appearance. I saw zero last year so this more than made up for it. Also at the farm was a Female Common Whitethroat, a Grey Wagtail, numerous Barn Swallow and a few Common House Martin.
I struggled a bit with the Common Redstart but after a bit of a search, I finally caught up with a pair. Job done! Or was it? A little bit away from the farm I caught sight of a brown backside dart into the Gorse. I was going to just dismiss it but decided to hang fire and double check what it was. I was pleased I did as I eventually got brief views of a Common Grasshopper Warbler. Result!
So, all in all a fabulous time and what a joy to see all those species in one area. Also on the walk we're numerous Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Common Reed Bunting.
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| Common Cuckoo |
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| Common Redstart (Male) |
Exminster Marsh, Devon
I took a quick walk along the railway path this evening. Lots of Barn Swallow, Common House Martin and Sand Martin. Several Common Reed Warbler were the first birds to treat me. Then a got the briefest of views of the long staying Greater White-fronted Goose before it headed back into a ditch. A single Eurasian Whimbrel was hanging about with Eurasian Curlew. Several Common Swift few overhead. Ans a single Common Greenshank.
Dawlish, Devon
The lure of a Red-rumped Swallow was too great today so I popped to see the bird early evening. I arrived and within a minute I was getting the best views I've ever had in my life. I have seen this species a few times in the UK and numerous times abroad but never like this. I didn't even need binoculars and at one point the bird flew within a few feet of me at waist height. What an awesome experience.
Swannery, Abbotsbury, Dorset
Whiskered Tern is a bird I've missed on 3 occasions which really is a bitter pill to Swallow. So the fact that the individual at the swannery has hung around for a number of days now was to tempting to pass up. So after work today I set off in hope. I arrived to hear that the bird had flown off. Wad this to be dip number 4? But after 5 minutes I caught sight of the bird coming in from the right and past the hide and out of sight. OK, I've seen it but I want more I thought. After another few minutes the bird popped back into the lagoon and gave stonking close views. I was too awe struck to even think of photos as I enjoyed close scope views and watched it move further out of the lagoon. Perhaps I should invest in a camera? Also on site were a number of Common Tern, Sandwich Tern and a Black Swan.
On the walk back to the beach car park (I didn't pay much attention on the way out) were 2 Northern Wheatear, 2 Eurasian Reed Bunting, and 2 Common Reed Warbler. I did think about going for the Tawny Pipit at Cogden but I was pushed for time and as much as it's a cracking bird, I have seen a few before.
Undisclosed site, East Devon
Sorry but I'm not going to say where I took my evening walk today as I saw a number of schedule 1 species and the site may not be a well known breeding area. On the site were 2 Dartford Warbler, 1 Tree Pipit, 5 Yellowhammer and best of all, my first of the year Red Crossbill. With 12 birds on view. They were always rather distant. Hence, the mega zoomed scope photo. Also of interest was a flyover Common Swift, Mistle Thrush and European Green Woodpecker.
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| Red Crossbill (Male) |
