Black-winged Stilt

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

News broke very suddenly of a Black-winged Stilt on site. Having the afternoon to myself and about to head out locally, I decided a change of plan was in order. I first saw the bird (a Female) from the viewing platform but moved on to the tower hide as that's were it was hanging around. To say the bird was showy is an understatement. I enjoyed the views for a while with some other admirers and it was nice to meet some familiar faces and to put some faces to names. I then moved on and on the path back was a Common Reed Bunting. Oddly my first I'd the year. A cracking record for the site indeed.

Black-winged Stilt (Female)

Black-winged Stilt (Female)

Black-winged Stilt (Female)

Black-winged Stilt (Female)

Black-winged Stilt (Female)

Lesser Yellowlegs

Lower Otter Restoration Project, Devon 

I had a flying visit to look for the reported Lesser Yellowlegs and got straight on to the bird from Lime kiln car park. This site is certainly starting to deliver when several great species already visiting the site this year. I can't wait to see what else drops in the future 

Lesser Yellowlegs

Black-throated Loon

Otterton Sewage works, Devon 

I had an hours look around the works and coastal path. At the works on arrival was a Male Cirl Bunting. Lots of singing Eurasian Skylark where a pleasure to listen to on the way to the coastal path. On the sea was a single Black-throated Loon and 2 Razorbill. Back at the works on my way back to the car was a Willow Warbler. 

Eurasian Spoonbill, Common Firecrest and Spotted Redshank

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon

I decided after the rain had stopped to pop over and catch up with the Eurasian Spoonbill. It was on show in the middle of the reserve. The Spotted Redshank was also on show in front of the hide. A Male Common Pochard was at the back of the reserve. Plus the usual waders and Wildfowl. At the top of the road near the Bridge was a vocal and showy Common Firecrest. Nice to bump into Rob and Steph and have a catch.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Spotted Redshank 

Cettis Warbler

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon

It's my birthday today so went for a good walk along the Otter. Near the water treatment area was several Eurasian Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff. A pair of Eurasian Bullfinch and a showy and noisy Cetti's Warbler. Further down river were 7 Common Merganser and 2 Grey Wagtail.

Common Merganser (Female)

Grey Wagtail

Alpine Swift

Cockwood, Devon.

Having not been able to get out and experience the current Alpine Swift influx. I was pleased to have time this morning to head over to Dawlish direction as 4 were on show over the country park. On route I thought they had moved on due to messages on WhatsApp but I decided to keep going and was pleased I did as when I was going through Starcross, a further message came out that 2 were viewable at the ridge West of Cockwood. So I headed to the steps and was straight on to the 2 birds. Strongly a UK first for me having seen hundreds abroad. On the estuary was a bonus Spotted Redshank and in a stubble field south of Kenton were 2 Red-legged Partridge. 

Garganey

Lower Otter Restoration Project, Devon 

I have been suffering with anxiety and depression for a few weeks but Ben Rowland got me out of the house for a few hours this morning. We were after yesterday's reported Male Garganey. We walked up the footpath from the White Bridge with no sign. Several others had also not see the bird. Whilst looking We spotted a few Water Pipit, Common Sandpiper, Common Greenshank and Common Snipe. Whilst up near the new viewing platforms a few people said that there were a few birders on the Garganey and they had been asked to let us know. So we promptly made our way back towards the White Bridge to be put straight on to the bird sleeping close to the path. 

And awesome morning as it really helped my mental health to be out in nature with great company. The Road to recovery is tough but I'm getting there. 

Garganey (Male)

Marsh Tit

Crowpits Covert, East Hill, Devon

I had a stroll along this area of East Hill this morning as another local birder Ben Rowland had seen Marsh Tit. I had to wait a little while but had awesome view if a few very vocal birds. Also on site were Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper and Redwing. Whilst I was waiting for the Marsh Tit I am sure I had a Lesser Redpoll call. It was rather distant and despite a bit of a search and wait and couldn't locate. 

Greater Scaup

Sowden Lane, Lympstone, Devon 

I wanted to look for the female Greater Scaup that has been on the river Exe for some time. Having read Matt Knotts blog it was clear it prefers this area. I couldn't locate the bird for some time but finally it popped up rather close. Also 6 Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Great Crested Grebe.

Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon 

I moved on in hope of seeing the 2 immature Common Eider. Again I had to put some time in before I picked them out very distantly. Also a single Common Scoter.

Greater Scaup (Female)

White-throated Dipper and Common Merganser

Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I decided to go to Cadhay Bridge for a late afternoon walk. In the wooded area was a Eurasian Treecreeper, a couple of Redwing were also about. On the river was a single female Common Merganser and 2 White-throated Dipper. 

Common Merganser

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I had a quick look around this area after work. 1 White-throated Dipper, 1 Common Kingfisher, 1 Stock Dove and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Hooded Crow

Teignmouth, Devon 

I had a few hours to spare late morning so decided I wanted to see the Hooded Crow. I've not seen one in the UK for a while so I was hoping all week it would stay whilst I was working and unable to go. I arrived at Lower Point and walked so I could look back across the estuary towards the bridge. I set up my scope and couldn't believe that I had set it up straight on the bird. What luck! I enjoyed for 10 minutes or so and managed a rubbish record shot as it was rather distant. 

Hooded Crow

Cirl Bunting

Stantywell Farm, Otterton, Devon

I had an hour off work this pm as I needed a break. Having not seen Cirl Bunting for a while I thought this place would deliver. I walked down from the farm and staked out the usual field (with beehives in) with no joy. Loads of Common Linnet and Common Chaffinch around and Eurasian Skylark in the air. I had to start calling it quits and head home. At the first gate down front the farm I heard a familiar call. A bit of a scan and there was a Cirl Bunting, hiding rather well in the hedge. Just shows that despite their colour they can be well camouflaged when they want to. See if you can spot it.

Cirl Bunting (Male)

Common Goldeneye

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 

I had to hang around in Exmouth for a few hours this afternoon. So I decided to watch here as the tide was dropping. Lots of species were on offer. There were quite a few Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Red Knot and Sanderling, lots of Dunlin a small group of European Golden Plover flew up river. Several Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe. I finally picked out a male Common Goldeneye over the far side of the estuary.

Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon 

I moved to Shelly Beach to look for the Black Redstart but couldn't locate so opted for Maer Rocks on as the tide would have dropped enough to look for Purple Sandpiper and was in luck with 7 on site.

Loons

Otterton Sewage works, Devon 

I was passing so had to pop I after seeing Rob and Steph Murphy's impressive count of 53 Red-throated Loon. I could only spare 30 minutes on site so I hoped it would be good. It was! Red-throated Loon were everywhere! I managed a count of 49 birds! Also 1 Black-throated Loon, 4 Common Scoter, 10 Common Murre, 2 Razorbill and 3 Black-legged Kittiwake. 

In the surrounding fields we're Eurasian Skylark, Common Linnet and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. No Cirl Bunting but in all honesty I wasn't on site long enough to do a proper search.

Red-throated Loon

Rose-ringed Parakeet and Red Kite

London

Myself and the family just got back from a few days in London. We went to take in a show and do some site seeing. 

Wiltshire

On they way up we stopped for a break at a place near Stonehenge. Conveniently, a place I knew would be good for Red-legged Partridge. I wasn't wrong as there were 12 birds plus a bonus 5 Grey Partridge. 

Hampshire / Surrey

While driving through these counties on the A303 and M3 I was treated to 6 Red Kite. 

London 

We arrived at our hotel in Wembley and was greeted by a calling Rose-ringed Parakeet that was sat in a tree opposite the hotel. 

London Portobello Road

On the second day we went to Portobello Road and I managed a total of 21 Rose-ringed Parakeet. With the majority of these around the Ladbroke Grove tube station whilst the birds were going to roost somewhere. 

Rose-ringed Parakeet

White-throated Dipper

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I took a look along the river heading north from here. Just by the Otter Mill was a cracking White-throated Dipper accompanied by a Grey Wagtail.

Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I walked along the footpath going north of the bridge that has the river on your left and woods on your right. On the river we're 4 Common Merganser (2 pairs) and the woods held Eurasian Treecreeper and Eurasian Nuthatch.

Dartford Warbler

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 

I had to pop to the Nightingale hospital in Sowton for a long awaited steroid injection in my shoulder. So I decided to relax myself by having a quick 30 minutes on site to look for Dartford Warbler. I couldn't believe my luck as a few 100 metres into the reserve, a cracking Male was literally feeding about 6 feet away from me. I have no camera but managed a few awful pictures simply with my phone.

Dartford Warbler (Male)

Dartford Warbler (Male)

Spotted Redshank

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 

I had a few hours to kill whilst my daughter was auditioning for a part in Centre stages next performance of Shrek the musical at Exmouth Pavilion (plug done). So as it coincided with the tide on its way out from high tide, I decided to visit here. 

Straight away I was treated to numerous Common Snipe, Pied Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit. At the back of the reserve were 2 Common Pochard busy diving for food a few Northern Pintail were dotted about. There were so many waders that scanning for the Spotted Redshank was very difficult but my patience paid off but was never able to get a photo. More scanning for the Ruff was not so successful. 

Common Snipe

Pied Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit 

Laughing Gull

Slapton, Devon 

I have wanted to see Laughing Gull for as long as I have been birding but the timing has never been right due to work, family etc. I have also manged to dip a few over the years. So when I had the chance to look for the supposedly showy 2nd Winter bird in the Slapton / Beesands area today. I simply had to go. I arrived at the memorial car park to be told it was showing superbly 10 minutes ago. Here I go I thought. Another dip? 

Whilst I waited I was treated to a Mediterranean Gull on the beach. After 10 minutes or so someone shouted that it was heading towards us and I was straight on the bird within seconds of the call. It first decided to sit on the Ley which was OK views and I was pleased to finally see this species but I wanted better. A few minutes later it was flying literally 10 feet above our heads so I managed a few flight shots with my phone. It then sat on the sea briefly before finally sitting where I wanted it, on the beach. 

I did take a short look for the Ring-necked Duck without success but getting to enjoy the Laughing Gull was much more enjoyable.

Laughing Gull (2nd winter)

Laughing Gull  (2nd winter)

Laughing Gull  (2nd winter)

Laughing Gull  (2nd winter)

Isabelline Wheatear

Colyford Common, Seaton, Devon 

I wanted to get another look at the Isabelline Wheatear and I also was hoping to see the Eastern Yellow Wagtail. The Isabelline Wheatear was no issue and showed off beautifully. Even doing the normal pose on a post! The was no news on the Eastern Yellow Wagtail though so I popped into the hide for a while and was treated to a Peregrine Falcon. Another look for the Eastern Yellow Wagtail was unsuccessful, despite there being a number of Meadow Pipit flitting about that were at one point all put up by the presence of a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. However, it was lovely to catch up with some of the birders on site and share stories and knowledge. 

Isabelline Wheatear 

Isabelline Wheatear