2020 Review And New Year Listing

2020 Review

Last year was a tough one for all. I did far less birding than other years. Mainly due to home working. My normal routine means I bird before and after work on both commutes. Since I'm not commuting, that wasn't possible add to that to 3 months of home schooling and..... 

However, I did manage 202 species with a number of lifers in the mix. The Sociable Lapwing had to be the stand out bird. I did however feel slightly sad when I saw it. Why? Because its endangered in its natural habitat and who knows if one will ever grace our shores again. A sobering reminder of how fragile life is. I have seen European Bee-eater abroad on several occasions but to see not one but 13 for the first time in the UK was a special moment. The Tundra Bean Goose in Somerset was also a lifer (seen Tiaga) and I was amazed by how tame it seemed. I guess that its not used to humans and therefore doesn't fear us?

Other notable species were the Blue-winged Teal at Mandands, Long-billed Dowitcher at Bowling Green Marsh and Surf Scoter at Labrador Bay (before Covid-19 kicked off). A lesser Yellowlegs at Averton Gifford and 10 Ring Ouzel at Avon Dam were also very memorable. Superb views of Western Yellow Wagtail and Eurasian Penduline Tit at Steart Marsh were very enjoyable. On the Warbler front the Marsh Warbler at Tipton St John and Melodious Warbler at Dawlish Warren were great to see. Others great bits and bobs include American Wigeon (Exmouth) and Green-winged Teal (Matford). I didn't do much sea watching but did manage Great Shearwater, Pomerine Jaeger and Parasitic Jaeger from Berry Head and a Sooty Shearwater, European Storm Petrel and a Leach's Storm Petrel off Otterton.

Species I missed that I would normally expect to see were Eurasian Bittern, Common Cuckoo, Water Rail, Common Crane, Bewick's Swan, Barnacle Goose, Egyptian Goose, Arctic Tern, Roseate Tern, Red Kite and Sanderling! What a strange year it has been. 

I also added a few Butterfly lifers with Long-tailed Blue, Grizzled Skipper and Wood White at Seaton and Lulworth Skipper at Portland.

2021 New Year List 

I didn't have time to put in a full day so no magical 100 for me. 

My first bird was a European Goldfinch on the feeders in my garden and by the end of my Coffee I had logged the 5 commoner Thrush species. 

We had a family walk from Budleigh Salterton beach to the White Bridge this morning. Highlights were a Common Loon, a flock of Common Scoter that included a Velvet Scoter and Water Pipit.

Late afternoon I took a walk around my estate and the farmland behind my house and added a number of species. I finished the day on 70 species. Not too shabby for little effort. 

Here's hoping that 2021 will be a better year for all. 

American Wigeon

Exmouth, Devon 

Popped to Exmouth today in hope of seeing the eclipse plumage drake American Wigeon. I popped to Mudbank first. I scanned the large Eurasian Wigeon flock for around an hour until he gave himself up. First one I've seen for nearly 2 years and was great to see.

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

This week around my estate I have taken a few very short walks and not ventured more than half a mile from my home. I've noticed a nice flock of circa 30 Redwing in the area which was nice to see. Also the following of note. Mistle Thrush, a big increase in European Greenfinch, European Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch, Tawny Owl and Goldcrest. A total of 34 species on my doorstep, which just goes to show what you can see if you keep and eye open.

Little Stint And A Weird Wigeon

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
After work I decided to pop to the hide and see what was going on. As I arrived I checked my phone which had been on silent due to me just coming out of a meeting. On checking I noted the report earlier on of a Little Stint. Sure enough I got on to the bird as soon as I set up my scope. It showed rather nicely whilst I was there but as ever I struggled to get a decent photo. Also of note were several Northern Pintail although I expect there were more in amongst a mass of sleeping birds. 2 Stock Dove showed rather close to the hide too. There are now good numbers of wildfowl on site so I checked for anything unusual. I was hoping that Matt Knott’s Red-crested Pochard may be in the mix but there was no luck there. One of the Wigeon though gave off some signs of American. The bird was I think a Female. It was sleeping all the time I was on site but I got glimpses of a grey head rather than the usual brown. Even if the bird was a juvenile, I would expect a rusty colour to show through. I didnt manage to get a photo worthy of even scrutinising. I may be barking up the wrong tree and light may have been playing tricks wih me so I will try to have another look tomorrow. As ever, some really awful photos!!

Little Stint 

Little Stint 

Little Stint  

Ltitle Stint

Stock Dove

Stock Dove

American Wigeon Again!

Matford Pools, Exeter, Devon
After work I decided to take another look at the American Wigeon. This time around it was showing nicely on the left of the first pool. Also of note were a Stock Dove, several Common Snipe, a few Northern Lapwing, a few Eurasian Curlew and Lesser Black-backed Gull.

American Wigeon (Male)

American Wigeon (Male)

Eurasian Wigeon (Male)

Northern Lapwing

Great Cormorant

Tufted Duck (Male)

Stock Dove

Carrion Crow

Canada Goose

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
A made a quick stop here but nothing of any note.

Common Moorhen

American Wigeon

Matford Pools, Exeter, Devon 
Finally caught up with the American Wigeon on a visit after work. The Eurasian Wigeon flock were at the back of the pool from the viewing platform. They were obscured from view for a lot of the time but the bird eventually gave decent (if not distant) views. The only other birds of note were 2 Common Snipe and a group of 7 Mistle Thrush.

Seafront, Exmouth, Devon 
A late afternoon (almost dusk) sea watch from near the clock tower, produced 2 Red-throated Loon. I still haven’t managed to catch up with the Long-tailed Duck anywhere on the Exe as yet though.