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. 

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

Black-throated Loon

Seaton, Devon 

I had a day off yesterday (26th March) so I popped to Seaton for a good look around. I started at Black Hole Marsh and was treated to my (and the sites) first Common House Martin of the year with 3 that flew through heading north. A Cetti's Warbler should briefly but very well near the Sand Martin nesting area. 

I moved on to the beach near the Harbour and was treated to a Black-throated Loon. A local rarity. It was on the sea for a short while then flew west. A Great Crested Grebe pottered about and singles of Manx Shearwater and Great Skua made an appearance. A few Northern Fulmar were also off Seaton Hole. 

Next was Coronation Corner. Numerous Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mew Gull and a single second winter Mediterranean Gull was a welcome site.

Lastly, I visited Colyford Common. 6 Sand Martin put in a fly through appearance while they made their journey North. Also on site was a single Northern Wheatear.

It was a lovely day and nice to get some welcomed summer arrivals on the scoreboard. 

A Few Good Species

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon 
I popped here first after work as I was inspired by Matt Knotts finding. As Matt mentioned, it is looking good up there at the moment. My first find were 3 Lesser Redpoll, only brief views and then flight views before disappearing. Next was a pair of Eurasian Siskin. Then the bird I was hoping for, a cracking Common Firecrest. The only one I spotted but calls suggested many more on site.

Otterton Sewage Works, Devon
I decided to give this place a quick look on the way home. At the car park feeder was a stunning Male Cirl Bunting and a few Yellowhammer. Sea watching wasnt shabby either. A nice calm surface revealed 6 Red-throated Loon, 1 Black-throated Loon and plenty of Northern Fulmar.

Cirl Bunting (Male)

Red-throated Loon 

Yellowhammer (Female)

.

Red-necked Grebe

Elberry Cove, Broadsands, Devon
I had most of the day off today so I thought I would look for the Red-necked Grebe. I didn’t have to look too hard as 2 birds showed rather well. Also on site were singles of Common Loon, Black-throated Loon and Great Crested Grebe.

Red-necked Grebe (2 individuals)

Red-necked Grebe

Black-throated Loon

Cockwood, Devon
I have been desperate to see Sanderling for a while so I popped to the railway steps as the tide was dropping. Plenty of Dunlin and Ruddy Turnstone feeding at the shoreline but sadly no Sanderling. Also a few Mew Gull, Common Redshank and Red-breasted Merganser but not much else of note.

Dorset Delivers Again

A cracking “fill your boots” day out in Dorset.

Portland Harbour, Dorset 
First stop off in search of Loons and Grebes. It was rather quiet here but eventually a Black-throated Loon showed distantly. The only other bird of note was a Common Murre.

Sandsfoot Castle, Weymouth, Dorset 
My next stop proved better with a Common Loon, Horned Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Black-necked Grebe.

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset 
My main targets here were the Ring-necked Duck and Bearded Reedling. After two circuits of the Buddleia Loop I was giving up hope of the later but just near the visitor centre I heard the distinctive call and there were a Male and Female at real close quarters. They were often slightly obscured and due to the breeze, never ventured right to the top of the reeds. I absolutely adore this species and wish I could see them more often. A quick look of the pontoons along the main road gave me the other target bird. Mission complete! Also on site were good numbers of Common Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck. I was surprised not to get a Mediterranean Gull though!

Bearded Reedling (Male)

Bearded Reedling (Female)

Bearded Reedling (Female)

Bearded Reedling (Female)

Lodmoor, Weymouth, Dorset 
Next stop off was for the Lesser Yellowlegs. I got straight on to this cracking bird and had nice close views for a few minutes but it flew off before a photo opportunity. Also onsite was a Male Western Marsh Harrier, Ruff and good numbers of Common Snipe.

Ruff

Maiden Castle, Dorchester, Dorset
I couldn’t resist stopping off here for Corn Bunting and the place didn’t disappoint as I got straight on to a group of circa 20 birds.

Lyme Regis, Dorset 
A final stop off to look for the apart showy Common Eider and boy is it showy. The bird was outside the harbour and gave nice views. I couldn’t locate any Purple Sandpiper or the earlier reported Black Redstart in the Bowling Green area.

Common Eider (Male)

Half Day Off

Goosemoor, Topsham, Devon
I was going to have a full day off work to go birding but the weather made me change my mind so I opted for a half day. I started at Goosemoor but there was very little about initially. However the call of a Garden Warbler soon got my attention. I located the bird on Bowling Green Road in the trees to the left of the railway bridge. It showed briefly but I soon lost it. Also in that area were a Male and Female Eurasian Blackcap.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
The rain set in again so I took refuge in the hide. On arrival I was aware of s lot of Hirundine activity. They were mainly Sand Martin but a number of Barn Swallow and a couple of Common House Martin accompanied them. A Cetti’s Warbler was calling at the left hand side at the back of the reeds and a single Little Grebe and Common Pochard were the best of the supporting cast. Then a Gull came in from the Estuary. It wouldn’t stay still as it flew around the reserve a few times and duly left. The rain was really coming down which hampered things but I felt at the time it was giving off Bonaparte’s Gull. I’ve since seen that it’s been reported later in the afternoon. So my initial thoughts seem to have been correct (for once).

Barn Swallow

Sand Martin

Sand Martins  

Maer Rock, Exmouth, Devon
I decided I fancied some sea watching so I pitched up at the raised beach huts near Maer Rocks. I watched for around 2 hours and it was rather productive. However Berry Head has put it to shame once again! During my watch I had a Common Loon, a Black-throated Loon, 5 Manx Shearwater, a Northern Fulmar, 4 Little Tern, 6. Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 30 Sandwich Tern, 3 'Commic' Tern, 8 Black-legged Kittiwake, 5 Northern Gannet, 2 Common Murre, 2 unidentifiable Auk, 10 Common Scoter and 20 Pale-bellied Brant Goose. I was really surprised not to get a Skua. On Maer Rocks were 3 Purple Sandpiper and a totally knackered looking Male Northern Wheatear. He didn't move for quite some time. I checked back in on him from time to time and started to get concerned as the tide was starting to cover the Rocks. He left it until a moment or 2 before the Rocks were covered to muster up the strength to fly off towards the Maer, phew!

Northern Gannet  

Common Tern   

Little Tern (Honest) 

Northern Wheatear (Male)  

Purple Sandpiper  

Group of Purple Sandpiper

Common Scoter (Male)

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
A brief visit before calling it s day didn’t provide much more than a White Wagtail and 2 Eurasian Rock Pipit on the dung heap and a Common Whitethroat on Gore Lane. Matt Knott had a fruitless look around the top fields and was heading towards Bristol School Camp as I left. I’m not sure yet if that area was any better.