Part-time Birding: Bar-headed Goose

Showing posts with label Bar-headed Goose. Show all posts

Little Bustard

Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire
The lure of the reported Little Bustard was too great to resist. I met up with my mate Pete and we headed off in anticipation. The first report had already come out but with such a bird there aren’t any guarantees. We arrived in good time and followed the onsite instructions. There was a decent ensemble already searching frantically when we got to the viewing area. After around 30 minutes the call was made that it was showing. Directions from the chaps next to me soon got me on to the bird. It only showed very briefly and not long enough for a photo attempt but long enough to get the ID. My mate didn’t get onto it so we stayed a for few hours but it wasn’t prepared to show again. Also on site was a Bar-headed Goose in with the Barnacle Goose

Little Bustard Twitch

Exton, Devon
After dropping Pete off I had a very quick look off the station platform for this mornings Osprey. Unfortunately, I struck out on that one. The only bird of any interest was a Black Swan.

Black Swan

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon
Lastly I took a quick walk along the main pool to the boardwalk pool area. Not too many Butterfly species with Brimstone and Painted Lady but I was pleased with the number of the later. Dragonflies were again few and far between with Common Blue Damselfly, Small Red Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly and Southern Hawker.

Red Kite And Pink-footed Goose

Roadford Lake, Devon
I had the afternoon off so I decided to have a look for the Pink-footed Goose. This visit was only my second after a really awful previous trip. It was a few years ago to see a Red Phalarope. It belted down with rain and I got lost and was up to my neck in mud. However, today’s trip was far more enjoyable. As I neared the site a Red kite flew low in front of me just at the A30 turning for the reservoir. I got some advice before going and was advices to park in the lay-by near the bridge. Thanks Rob Murphy for the directions. I walked the short distance to the bridge and looked into the bay area and first noted a Bar-headed Goose that’s a hybrid with something but I am not sure what? Then at the far end was the target Pink-footed Goose that showed rather nicely. I checked the other side of the bridge to find circa 20 Brambling in with a large flock of Common Chaffinch feeding not far from the shoreline

Pink-footed Goose

Bar-headed Goose (hybrid)

Brambling (Male)

Lower Tamar Lake, Devon / Cornwall
As I was only 20 minutes or so from this site I felt it rude not to pop in to look for Willow Tit. Surprisingly, this is the first time I have visited the site and I was impressed by the amount of activity on the feeders. I knew I only had 30 minutes here so I staked out these feeders. However, no Willow Tit put in an appearance. I quickly looked at the lake and got my first Barn Swallow of the year hawking over the water. Also on the lake were a couple of Great Crested Grebe. I did have a scan for the Female Ring-necked Duck that hadn’t been reported for a while but I couldn’t pick it out. So it could still be there or moved on. As I returned to the car this nice Male Great Spotted Woodpecker was at the feeders but again no Willow Tit.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Male)

Mostly Non Tickable Stuff

Bicton Arena, Yettington, Devon
On the way to the Otter Estuary after work I noticed 2 Helmeted Guinea-fowl in the field just by the entrance to the Arena. I couldn’t resist a quick look and some pictures. They aren’t a BOU tickable species but I still enjoy seeing this unusual species.

Helmeted Guinea-fowl

The Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
I got to site around 10 minutes too late to catch the Spotted Crake as it’s preferred feeding area had literally just disappeared under the water. The Bar-headed Goose was showing distantly from the hide. Another non tickable bird but again a very smart species and a joy to observe.

East Devon Commons, Devon
The area I visited had very little on offer as it was rather busy with walkers etc, so everything was skulking away. However I did manage the briefest of views of a Dartford Warbler.

A Decent Variety

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
A pre work visit gave a minimum of 8 Northern Wheatear. 4 in the dung field and 4 in the field with the electric fence. Some very approachable birds. Several fly over Western Yellow Wagtails flitting about and a small group of Meadow Pipit.

Northern Wheatear (2 individuals)

Northern Wheatear

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
Had an hours look after work. In the second cattle field north of white bridge were 3 distant Western Cattle Egrets. I then walked down to the hide where the Spotted Crake showed on and off on the opposite side of the Estuary. The Western Cattle Egrets then relocated near the hide and I obtained far better views. I found out on the way back to the bridge that they had been flushed by a jogger in the field! Finally from the white bridge looking towards the estuary mouth, I spotted the Bar-headed Goose. Returning again for what I believe is it’s fourth year in the area.