Isabelline Wheatear

Colyford Common, Seaton, Devon 

Having been a birder for many years, lifers are few and far between. So last weeks Olive-backed Pipit was a welcome but to get 2 in a week is unheard-of for me of late.  So when news broke of an Isabelline Wheatear yesterday, I was annoyed that I couldn't get there and hoped it would stick around. Lady luck was on my side as the ping from Birdguides this morning and a WhatsApp message meant I knew where I was going. I arrived to find numerous onlookers enjoying fantastic views. The bird didn't seem fazed by the admiring crowd and was happy pottering about and feeding. 

Isabelline Wheatear

Isabelline Wheatear

Olive-backed Pipit

Phear Park, Exmouth, Devon 

Having never seen an Olive-backed Pipit, I had to pop along to my old patch area to take a look. The bird showed ridiculously well feeding under an oak tree circa 100m up from the entrance gate. What a cracking bird and it just goes to show that anything can turn up anywhere!

Olive-backed Pipit

Olive-backed Pipit

Olive-backed Pipit

Olive-backed Pipit

Olive-backed Pipit

Olive-backed Pipit

Purple Sandpiper

Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon 

I had the afternoon off and needed to pop to Exmouth. As it happens that coincided with low tide so I had to swing by to look for Purple Sandpiper. I wondered around the edge of the rocks for a while only to find several Ruddy Turnstone busily feeding amongst the rocks. Then I heard the calls and sure enough 8 Purple Sandpiper dropped in. I wondered slowly out on the rocks and was gutted I was only on binoculars as they came very close as I stood freezing but still. So some great photo opportunities but no equipment!