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

Manx Shearwater

Otterton Sewage works, Devon 

As the weather seemed like a possible good seawatch was on the cards I headed to my go to site at the coastal path near the Sewage works. It wasn't a bad shout as after 10 minutes had seen a steady flow of 50 Manx Shearwater. The Weather dipped in and out of good and bad visibility but I stuck with it for 1 and a half hours. I was glad I did as my final count was c 150 Manx Shearwater, 3 Razorbill, 4 Common Murre, 8 unidentified Auk and 7 Black-legged Kittiwake. As I was leaving there were singles of Yellowhammer and Cirl Bunting at the Sewage works.

Parasitic Jaeger

Otterton Cliffs, Devon 

I braved the wet weather for one and a half hours at the cliffs near the Sewage works. A constant stream of Manx Shearwater, totalling circa 500 birds. 3 Parasitic Jaeger, 1 European Storm Petrel was a lucky spot as it popped into my scope view while track some Manx Shearwater. Around 30 Common Murre some on the sea and some in flight. 10 Common Scoter bobbed around and 10 Black-legged Kittiwake battled their way west. 

Sooty Shearwater

Otterton Cliffs, Devon 

I wasn't going to go out today as I had been frantic at work and was feeling like I wanted to be a couch potato. Then, at about 6pm. I had the sudden urge that this evening was going to be good. So I dragged my tired carcas off the sofa and headed to the coastal path near the Sewage works. I used to seawatch Orcombe Point with some degree of success but a few years ago I started here and have found it more productive for Shearwater passage but have struggled with Skua species.

No sooner had I pointed my scope at the sea, I was watching 4 Manx Shearwater passing by. OK, I thought, Worth getting out for. Within 10 minutes I had seen 30 Manx Shearwater. Then out of the gloom, I picked out a Sooty Shearwater. It battled its way west into the strong south westerly winds.  At on point it came in close enough to appreciate it before heading further out into the gloomy bay.  On the sea were 10 Common Scoter and there were a few Northern Fulmar and Northern Gannet lurking about.

After that the Manx Shearwater passage really picked up with birds close in and distant as did the Black-legged Kittiwake of which I totalled 70 birds. At one point, I was tracking some Manx Shearwater and Black-legged Kittiwake, when a Parasitic Jaeger started hassling the latter. It chased one for a few moments before finally settling on the sea. Unfortunately, way too distant for my phone to scope abilities. An unidentified Auk species flew by just after this as did a Common Loon.

I stayed for a further 30 minutes or so and I was so pleased I did. The Manx Shearwater passage continued and I ended on 132 birds. But to top off a great evening, a Pomarine Jaeger popped into my scope as I was scanning. It always remained distant and I soon lost it. 

A very productive visit and goes to show, you should always go with your gut instinct. Well, it worked this time at least!

Sea Watching

Berry Head, Devon 

I had the day off especially to do some sea watching. I was tempted to venture to Porthgwarra (wish I had now as good counts of Great Shearwater and Cory's Shearwater). However, I still had an enjoyable time with great company at Berry Head. It was slow going but a trickle of Manx Shearwater and Balearic Shearwater was a welcome site. As was a Pomerine Jaeger, a few Parastic Jaeger and a Great Skua. Lots af Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar and Northern Gannet to make up the supporting cast. Also great amount of Harbour Porpoise sightings. 

A lovely couple from Stockport were on holiday and by chance ended up on Berry Head. It was a great pleasure getting them on to a number of lifers (Manx Shearwater Balearic Shearwater, Pomerine Jaeger,  Parasitic Jaeger and Harbour Porpoise). It was amazing to see the joy on their faces and made me think of all the times I've had those "get in there!" Moments. All too few and far between these days. But equally nice to see the true meaning of enjoying birdwatching. 

All in all a great day out. As Berry head always is.

A Week Of Dipping Ducks And A Surprise

16th March - Labrador Bay, Devon 
I popped here first thing. Bad idea as the sum was low and directly shining on the mussel beds. It was so bright I couldnt look through my bins. I was obviously hoping for the Surf Scoter, Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck. But I managed to dip all three species. A nice amount of Cirl Bunting around the car park area and a number of Great Crested Grebe in the parts of the bay I could scan without being blinded.

Cirl Bunting (Male)

Cirl Bunting (Male)

Orcombe point, Exmouth, Devon 
I popped here after work in the hope of a Northern Wheatear. None on site as it was a nice day so they perhaps just carried on through. Bumped into Matt Knott and as always, it was nice to have a quick chin wag. I did catch up with the Black-legged Kittiwake colony though.

17th March- Powderham Marsh, Devon 
I made a flying lunchtime visit to see the Green-winged Teal. It didnt show whilst I was there. Another dipped Duck. I did catch up with the Snow Goose and a couple of Cirl Bunting.

Butts Road, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
I couldnt sleep so I was in the back garden having a cigarette at 02:30 and heard a sistant strange call. I get Tawny Owl here most nights but this was different. After a few moments the call got nearer and I quickly realised it was a Little Owl. I'm going to have to check a few places in the area.

Today - Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
Due to be advised to work from home and will be having the kids at home from Monday. I took a look here after work as I may not be out for a while. On the river were 2 White-throated Dipper, a Common  Kingfisher and Little Egret. No sign of any Common Merganser.

Around the trees in the area were a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Chiffchaff and Eurasian Nuthatch.

Black-legged Kittiwake and Common Firecrest

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
After work I had a craving to see Black-legged Kittiwake so I popped along the coastal path to view the firing range. There were a nice number of birds returning to the site, which is encouraging. Also a pair of Peregrine Falcon were patrolling the cliffs.

Liverton Copse, Exmouth, Devon 
I moved on to look here for Common Firecrest and after a little search I found 2 birds that showed particularly well. Lots of Primrose about the site too.

Berry Head Sea Watching

Berry Head, Brixham, Devon
I had a few hours sea watching today. I went with my mate who at present is unable to make the trek back up the quarry. So I spent an hour from the headland and an hour from the sea watching site. On the headland conditions where awful but down on the sea watching area was more productive. On arriving a cracking Sooty Shearwater showed incredibly close. 4 Balearic Shearwater and a couple of Manx Shearwater also came through. 1 Great Skua and 3 Parasitic Jaeger put in an appearance but a few more Parasitic Jaeger were called out but I failed to get on them in the gloom. A European Storm Petrel was called and lost as soon as called. Frustrating but that’s the nature of that species. It is hard to pick out a Starling size bird in gloomy conditions at distance. Supporting cast were a couple of Common Tern, Sandwich Tern and Mediterranean Gull, Several Northern Fulmar, a raft of Black-legged Kittiwake and a number of Northern Gannet. No photos today due to weather conditions. I got rather wet is an understatement and a warm cuppa in the cafe was very welcome.

Not Too Shabby

Berry Head, Brixham, Torbay
I had a day off today so I thought I would visit Berry Head for a change of scenery. Porthgwarra (as always) stole the limelight but a sea watch from the headland produced Manx Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater (looks like another one went through after I left), Northern Fulmar, Black-legged Kittiwake, Common Kestrel and Common Whitethroat. However that action was overshadowed by the amount of Short-beaked Common Dolphins in the area.Several Pods were seen and some at rather close range. The largest pod contained around 40 individuals. I would guess (as some pods were probably already seen) around 70 individuals in total. I decided on the headland (rather than the sea watching site) to open up Butterfly options. It paid off as there were Wall, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Holly Blue on offer.

Short-beaked Common Dolphin  

Short-beaked Common Dolphin

Short-beaked Common Dolphin   

Wall

Red Admiral   

Speckled Wood    

Northern Fulmar  

Chudliegh Knighton Heath, Devon 
I had a quick stop off here on route to my next venue. Strangely I’ve never visited this reserve but I enjoyed the pools (that are very quick to get to). Dragonflies on offer here were, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Small Red Damselfly, Southern Hawker and Common Darter. I was gutted that the later wouldn’t sit still for a portrait! The best bird on offer was a solitary Male and a few female Yellowhammer. 

Small Red Damselfly  

Yarner Woods, Bovey Tracey, Devon
I done a walk from the car park up to the top hide area. Birds here were, Spotted Flycatcher, Marsh Tit, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Bullfinch (Male) and Grey Wagtail. 

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I finished off with a quick stroll around the point. Not much action apart from a Male Peregrine Falcon that drifted along the coastal path. I came across a micro Moth which I at present have got no idea on the identification. 

Peregrine Falcon (Male)

Unidentified micro Moth

Manxies And Sarnies

Coastal path at Sewage Plant, Otterton, Devon
I felt the conditions were ok to look at the sea today. So after work I popped to what’s always been a reliable site for me. There’s a handy vantage point on the coastal path just at the end of the footpath from the Sewage treatment plant.

On arrival and even before I had set my scope up, I was treated to 2 Sandwich Tern heading west. My first Sarnies of the year. For the first 10 minutes there wasn’t much happening apart for 1 Northern Gannet, 1 Black-legged Kittiwake and 1 Northern Fulmar. Then within a 10 minute period 25 Manx Shearwater came through in a group of 6, a single, a group of 8 and finished with a group of 10. My first Manxie movement of the year.

I do apologise for my photos here as my scope is ok for the range but my iPhone struggled. So really poor digiscoping record shots.

Manx Shearwater

Manx Shearwater

Manx Shearwater

Manx Shearwater

Half Descent Sea Watch

5th January 2018
Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon 
A Very brief sea watching session at first light for 30 minutes. 10 Common Scoter, one of which could have been a Velvet Scoter as I’m sure I had a flash of white on one but the choppy conditions and distance made it impossible to obtain a positive ID. Also of note, 3 Common Eider, too many Black-legged Kittiwake and Northern Gannet to count. Several each of Razorbill and Common Murre heading west. Disappointingly, no Loon species that I could see.