Part-time Birding: Black Swan

Showing posts with label Black Swan. Show all posts

Snow Bunting and Ring-necked Duck

Haldon Forest, Devon

I popped here as soon as I had dropped the kids off at school to see Hawfinch. Despite a few hours on site I failed to see a single one.

Slapton Sands, Devon

It's been a few years since I have seen a Snow Bunting, so I headed to Slapton. This isn't a site I've ever stopped at (driven through for work) but I must say it's a cracking area. I was treated to a Eurasian Jay on arrival and a Cetti's Warbler as I passed the east part of the Ley. However, the star bird was a little way past the beach car park and boy was it a star. This male comes amazingly close if you stay still. I've seen this species close up before but not as close as this. What a corker.

Snow Bunting (Male)

Beesands, Devon

While I was in the area, it seemed rude not to pop over to see the male Ring-necked Duck. I didn't go to the hide but walked along the beach side of the pool and managed to sneak a look through the reeds and the bird was distantly viewable. Views would have been more difficult from the hide though. Also on site was a Black Swan.

Ring-necked Duck (Male)

Whiskered Tern

Swannery, Abbotsbury, Dorset

Whiskered Tern is a bird I've missed on 3 occasions which really is a bitter pill to Swallow. So the fact that the individual at the swannery has hung around for a number of days now was to tempting to pass up. So after work today I set off in hope. I arrived to hear that the bird had flown off. Wad this to be dip number 4? But after 5 minutes I caught sight of the bird coming in from the right and past the hide and out of sight. OK, I've seen it but I want more I thought. After another few minutes the bird popped back into the lagoon and gave stonking close views. I was too awe struck to even think of photos as I enjoyed close scope views and watched it move further out of the lagoon. Perhaps I should invest in a camera? Also on site were a number of Common Tern, Sandwich Tern and a Black Swan.

On the walk back to the beach car park (I didn't pay much attention on the way out) were 2 Northern Wheatear, 2 Eurasian Reed Bunting, and 2 Common Reed Warbler. I did think about going for the Tawny Pipit at Cogden but I was pushed for time and as much as it's a cracking bird, I have seen a few before.

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.

Bonaparte’s Gull And Black Swans

Topsham Rec, Topsham, Devon
I’ve been a bit under the weather the last few days and felt dreadful leaving work but decided to have a quick stop off on the way home. Luckily the Bonaparte’s Gull was showing rather nicely and I managed to enjoy some great views. Also 2 Black Swan were busy feeding.