Mediterranean Gull

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 

I had to drop one of the daughters off to stage school in Exmouth so I had a few hours to kill before needing to pick her up. I had a look off Mudbank Lane and was pleased to get what I hoped for in the form of a Mediterranean Gull.

Mediterranean Gull 

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon 

Despite having seen 10 species of Butterfly in my garden, I have missed seeing a few species so I popped here. It didn't fail as I spotted White Admiral, Marbled White, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Skipper, Large Heath, Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Common Blue. Dragonfies where great too with Common Blue Damselfly, Small Red Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Migrant Hawker, Golden-ringed Dragonfly and Common Darter. 

Large Skipper 

Keeled Skimmer 

Western Yellow Wagtail

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 

I had the day off so popped to the point. I remember how hard work it used to be at times birding that place but wow do I miss it now I've moved from Exmouth. 

I started off watching the dung field and a wader flew over me and landed in the long weeds opposite the gate. First thought was Curlew but bill was shorter so then Whimbrel came to mind. However, its underwing gave off a distinct black armpit. The only wader that springs to mind then is Grey Plover. However, the jizz seemed wrong. The bird was never seen again despite a long watch so it will go in the "What was that pile?" 

A walk from Gore Lane to the coastal path flushed a Northern Wheatear that flew towards the geoneedle and many Meadow Pipit. I then walked along the coastal path towards Sandy Park and in amongst the cows were 2 Western Yellow Wagtail. 

On the Butterfly front were numerous Small Copper. 

Lesser Emperor

Lower Bruckland Ponds, Devon 

I had the day off today as needed an eye test mid morning (ouch, expensive). Afterwards, I decided to visit this long overdue site. All my time in Devon, I've never been here. Wow! what a site I've been missing. The place was alive with Dragonfly and Damselfly.  This was the reason I popped here as there has been a Lesser Emperor hanging about. It took me a while to track it down as there are large numbers Dragonfly to look through but I eventually had decent flight views around the 3rd pond. A lifer Dragonfly for me so I was extremely pleased. I didn't manage a photo though as it wouldn't stay still and kept moving on to the 4th pond and back. 

Other species on site were, Emperor Dragonfly, Four-spotted Chaser, Scarce Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Beautiful Demoiselle. 

I was so engrossed by the Dragonflies that I kept forgetting to look out for anything else. Bird wise seemed rather quite but Butterfly species I did manage to log were, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Large White and Small White.

Small Skipper 

Common Blue Damselfly 

Golden-ringed Dragonfly 

Emperor Dragonfly (Female)

Purple Hairstreak

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

A great evening spent on site today. 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Male Ruff, Water Rail, several Mediterranean Gull from the island hide. Best of all though we're 2 Purple Hairstreaks in oak trees near the tower hide. Thank to Steve Waite for the heads up.

Little Ringed Plovers

Mediterranean Gull

Ruff (Male)

Sedge Warbler

Seaton Marshes, Devon 

Now that my work loads have calmed down and the Euros are over, I decide I needed to get out. I popped here early evening and was treated to a few year ticks. A few Common Sandpiper and a single Green Sandpiper were seen from the island hide. Both being year ticks (what have I been doing this year?) Below the hide was a Small Tortoiseshell too. Along the path to the tower hide was a Sedge Warbler (also a year tick). Wow, have I been lazy this year. Also a nice Keeled Skimmer. 

Sedge Warbler 

Green Hairstreak

Bystock Pools, Devon 

I decided to give the birds a rest today and focus on other winged critters. I do love Butterflies and Dragonfies so I popped to my best local place in search of some good species. This Small reserve never fails to deliver on both families I was targeting. My Butterfly species seen were, Green Hairstreak, Marbled White, Silver-washed Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Peacock and Common Blue. 

Far more Dragonfly species were on offer with Black-tailed Skimmer, Keeled Skimmer, Emperor Dragonfly, Large Red Damselfly, Four-spotted Chaser, Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Beautiful Demoiselle, Common Blue Damselfly and Common Darter.

It was also nice to see numerous Common Spotted Orchids in the meadow area. I didn't have one good bird moment with a day churring European Nightjar. I couldn't locate it though. 

White Bridge, Budleigh Salterton

I moved on to the River Otter as I haven't visited here for a while. I managed to add Red Admiral, Large White and Banded Demoiselle to the day list.

Beautiful Demoiselle (Female)

Keeled Skimmer (Male)

Large Red Damselfly (Male)

Black-tailed Skimmer (Female)

Six Spot Burnet

Small Heath

Marbled White 

Large Skipper 

Green Hairstreak 

Beautiful Demoiselle (Male)

Emperor Dragonfly 

Large Red Damselfly (Pair)

Black-tailed Skimmer (Male)

Banded Demoiselle (Male)

Common Spotted Orchid

Large Yellow Underwing in the
garden the other day

Common Firecrest

Axe Undercluffs, Seaton, Devon 

I popped here today for a quick loon for Butterflies. A few Wood White on offer but none wanted their picture taken. But a Common Blue was obliging.

Common Blue (Male)

Undisclosed Site, Near Exmouth, Devon 

I wanted to visit a few of my old haunts in the Exmouth area. I won't say where I saw these as they maybe in a breeding location but at least 2 Common Firecrest were rather showy. So close in fact, I couldn't phone scope a picture so I could only take heavily zoomed phone picture. Not the greatest but you get the jist.

Common Firecrest 

Common Firecrest

Common Firecrest

Common Firecrest 

Red Kite

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I was beginning to think I would go another year without seeng Red Kite as I missed every single one on last year's migration. I had been out most of the day and got home and opened the patio doors to let some air in and BOOM! A cracking individual was circling low over the house. It started to gain some height before heading off north. 

Earlier on in the day I saw my first Common Blue Butterfly and an obliging Speckled Wood.

Speckled Wood 

Long-tailed Blue

Seaton Harbour, Devon 

I had the day off today so wanted to go in search of Butterflies. I really wanted to photograph Dingy Skipper so I headed here first. A good number were about and I managed to get a photo. But, the star of the show was a stunning Long-tailed Blue. It showed rather nicely and  cracking lifer species.

Dingy Skipper

Long-tailed Blue

Broadcroft Quarry, Portland, Dorset

I moved on in search of more Butterflies. I really wanted a Lulworth Skipper, another lifer. And on arrival it was the first Butterfly I saw. Couldnt get a photo thought. Other great species on site were. Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Small Blue, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Heath, Painted Lady, Small White, Large White, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. 

Small Copper 

Common Blue

Adonis Blue

Small Blue

Small Heath

Wood White

Seaton Cliffs, Devon

I popped back to look for Dingy Skippers this evening again in the hope of a photo opportunity. None seen but I did get another lifer Butterfly in the form of a cracking Wood White.

Wood White

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon

Whilst in the area, it seemed rude not to pop in to see my favourite Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper. The bird showed beautifully from the viewing section at the entrance path to the island hide. Also on site were several Common Sandpiper.

Wood Sandpiper 

 

Wood Sandpiper 

Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper 

Ottery St Mary, Devon

Back at home in the evening. This handsome Common Toad was sat on my patio.

Common Toad

Dingy Skipper

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 

I popped to the commons last Wednesday (29th July) and got great views of a pair of Dartford Warbler. Unfortunately not much else about.

Seaton, Devon

Today after work I popped to the cliff area at the beach to look for Dingy Skipper. Strangely a Butterfly species I've never seen. A my luck was in with a single specimen seen. I know there are more there but it was rather late (8pm) and there was a breeze so I guess the rest were in hiding. Very pleased to finally catch up with this Butterfly. Couldnt get a picture though, so I feel another visit will be on the cards soon.

A Bit Of A Sea Watch

Otterton, Devon

I had a super quick look off the coastal path near the Sewage works this afternoon. Rather quite at first with only a few Northern Gannet and a raft of Common Scoter to keep my occupied. Then I picked up a lonely Balearic Shearwater going west. Not too shabby I thought. 

Common Scoter

Common Scoter

This lovely Holly Blue kept me company for around 15 minutes. 

Holly Blue

Holly Blue

Common Whitethroat

Taleford, Devon
We have had several walks since my last post but nothing interesting to report on the bird front. However, today we walked from Cadhay House to Taleford and near a Farm just passed Ottery motor services was my first Common Whitethroat of the year.

A few Butterflies seen to including, Holly Blue, Orange-tip and Common Blue.

Common Blue