Ring Ouzel and Black Redstart

Peak Hill, Sidmouth, Devon 

Due to work and family commitments. I haven't been out as much this October as I would have liked. I had a few hours off this afternoon and not having to be on call for my kids, I took the opportunity to catch a few species. I do like Peak Hill so the chance of a Ring Ouzel was mouthwatering. I headed straight to the north end of the valley and within minutes I was enjoying great views. Shame I was on bins only as I was viewing down to around 30 metres. I also had a distant bird that gave off Ring Ouzel but couldn't confirm or relocate.

Seaton, Devon 

Having not caught up with a Black Redstart this year and news of 5 in the town. I had to pop along to take a look. As luck would have it, I got on to two females in the housing estate behind the Premier Inn. I walked around a bit more and looked at the yacht club but couldn't locate any more individuals. 

Skuas

Berry Head, Devon 

I had the day off so I headed to Torbay in the hope of a decent seawatch. I knew there was little chance of Wednesdays spectacular show of Great Shearwater but having not picked up any Skua species I hoped this place would deliver. And deliver it did with 5 Parasitic Jaeger. One reasonably close in and a very close in Great Skua harassing a Black-legged Kittiwake. A supporting cast of 8 Common Scoter was welcome also.

Red Phalarope

Charmouth, Dorset

I've not seen a Red Phalarope for a few years, so a Juvenile just 30 minutes or so away was too tempting. I arrived at the Bridge near the mouth of the River Char to a crowd of non birders. A lot of questions later (I think I had managed to tell half the people in the area) admirers were aware of what it was, where it was from and where it was going. I didn't mind one bit as it was lovely to get people who were genuinely interested and appreciated the little grey bird. The bird was rather showy and a times was just a few feet away. 

Red Phalarope (Juvenile)

Red Phalarope (Juvenile)

Red Phalarope (Juvenile)