Lots And Lots And Lots Of Gulls

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
Had a doctors appointment after work so I could only manage a quick 30 minutes birding today. As Orcombe was the nearest decent place to spend that time I headed there. I guess I thought it’s the best option considering the time available and there’s always a chance of a late migrant. On arrival at Gore Lane the farmer was busy in one of the fields with 2 tractors on the go. The activity had attracted a huge amount of Gulls and corvids. There were probably around 400 Gulls with them all looking like European Herring Gulls. The Corvids were in smaller numbers (60 or so) And comprised of Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Javkdaw, Eurasian Magpie and a Northern Raven. There was not much else on offer apart from a calling Common Whitethroat that remained hidden. I said Hi to the Cows as I walked to the coastal path and took some more flower pictures. I was hoping for some butterflies but there was only a single Small White on offer.

Medick

Common Sorrel

Cut-leaved Cranes-bill

One Of Those Days

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I felt that the over night conditions were primed for a fall of migrants so I popped up first thing. The place was almost devoid of any bird life apart from a few European Herring Gull and Eurasian Magpie. As I have mentioned before on this blog, I have a real love / hate relationship with Orcombe. There can be weeks where I see nothing but it can also deliver the goods. Today was a day of nothing, so I headed to work with my tail between my legs.

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
After work I took a look around the common. I was hoping for Dartford Warbler. I had walked for 20 minutes down the left hand side of the reserve and in that time I hadn’t seen a bird. At this point I thought to myself “Spence, this is one of those days!” I continued towards the bottom of the reserve (where there are a number of pools) and had only seen 2 Carrion Crow and heard a singing Common Chiffchaff. Once I arrived at the pools things did improve slightly with a Male Eurasian Bullfinch, a Common Chiffchaff, 2 Eurasian Blue Tit and a Common Chaffinch.

On another note. My 9 year old daughter Brooke went on an orginised wildlife walk at Dawlish Warren today and was chuffed to see her first Osprey and Sand Lizard. It’s nice to see her really getting into her birds and wildlife. Her life list is now 62! Not bad considering she only started listing this year. Perhaps she’ll beat her Daddy one day?

I’m off to Portland area tomorrow so hopefully I will have a better day.

All About The Corvids

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had an hours look around after work. Not a great deal on offer but I did enjoy close views of a Northern Raven,. Lots of Eurasian Magpie and Carrion Crow as ever. A few Eurasian Rock Pipits were in the new dung field and a few Eurasian Skylark were singing away in the top feild.

Eurasian Rock Pipit

Eurasian Magpie 

Northern Raven

Northern Raven 

A Missed Goose

Orcombe Point, Devon
A bits and bobs sort of day today. A quick look first thing this morning produced very little. I was hoping for a Northern Wheatear in the top fields but no joy. There were a few Eurasian Skylark happily singing away but not much else of note. On the way back through Littleham, I spied this Eurasian Collared Dove and as it was posing nicely I thought it rude not to snap it.

Eurasian Collared Dove

Hayes Barton, Devon
After work I had limited time due to a Drs appointment so I decided to take a look at Hayes Barton pig farm. Just as I left, I got a text from my mate Pete about the Greater White-fronted Goose at Exminster Marshes but had no time to head off and have a look. a shame really as its not guaranteed to hang about and its a nice Devon tick. Anyway, at the farm, were several Common Pheasant, plenty of Carrion Crow, circa 20 House Sparrow, a few Common Chaffinch and White (Pied) Wagtail and a Common Buzzard. Surprisingly no Red-legged Partridge on view.

Common Pheasant (Male)

Common Buzzard

American Wigeon Again!

Matford Pools, Exeter, Devon
After work I decided to take another look at the American Wigeon. This time around it was showing nicely on the left of the first pool. Also of note were a Stock Dove, several Common Snipe, a few Northern Lapwing, a few Eurasian Curlew and Lesser Black-backed Gull.

American Wigeon (Male)

American Wigeon (Male)

Eurasian Wigeon (Male)

Northern Lapwing

Great Cormorant

Tufted Duck (Male)

Stock Dove

Carrion Crow

Canada Goose

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
A made a quick stop here but nothing of any note.

Common Moorhen

Red-legged Partridge

Hayes Barton Farm, Yettington, Devon
A dawn visit to the pig farm near Yettington produced 6 Red-legged Partridge in the field directly behind the farm house. It was good to see healthy numbers of House Sparrow around the farm buildings, I would guess c40. Numerous Corvids with a mix of Carrion Crow, Rook and Western Jackdaw. A few Common Pheasant and a calling European Green Woodpecker.