Cettis Warbler

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon

It's my birthday today so went for a good walk along the Otter. Near the water treatment area was several Eurasian Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff. A pair of Eurasian Bullfinch and a showy and noisy Cetti's Warbler. Further down river were 7 Common Merganser and 2 Grey Wagtail.

Common Merganser (Female)

Grey Wagtail

White Stork and Garganey

Matford Marsh, Exeter, Devon 

I had to pop to Exeter this morning so I couldn't resist looking as the White Stork. It's a rather showy bird and despite it being a released bird from the Knepp project, its always nice to see. 

White Stork

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon 

I had time for an hours walk around so I started from the middle car park and walked to the new scrap area. There were good numbers of Sedge Warbler and Eurasian Reed Warbler on the walk. Plus a few Commo  Reed Bunting and Cetti's Warbler. The star bird though was the Male Garganey that was showing on and off between the reeds at the new scrap. Also back at the middle car park 2 Common Swift flew over.

Garganey (Male)

Sedge Warbler

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 

Early evening I took my daughter to rehearsals in Exmouth and had an hour or so to spare, so I walked around Orcombe Point. It was so nice to see my first Common Whitethroat of the year with a few on territory. 

Common Whitethroat (Male)

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)

Snow Bunting (Male)

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)

Ring-necked Duck (Male)

Ring-necked Duck (Male)

Greater White-fronted Goose

Exminster Marsh, Devon 

I took a quick walk along the railway path this evening. Lots of Barn Swallow, Common House Martin and Sand Martin. Several Common Reed Warbler were the first birds to treat me. Then a got the briefest of views of the long staying Greater White-fronted Goose before it headed back into a ditch. A single Eurasian Whimbrel was hanging about with Eurasian Curlew. Several Common Swift few overhead. Ans a single Common Greenshank. 

Cetti's Warbler

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

This evening, I took the same walk as my last past from Finnimores and along the east end of the river Otter south of St Saviours Bridge. There seemed to be a few more Eurasian Blackcap on territory than my last visit. It was the Cetti's Warbler that I wanted to see again though. The bird is a very showy individual that comes very close at times. I think there are now 2 birds on site as the bird I was looking at was staying close but at one point I heard a more distant call. I managed a few poor records shots through my bins.

Cetti's Warbler 

Cetti's Warbler 

My First Patch Cetti's Warbler

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I haven't managed to get out since Sunday due to a terrible bad back. Its still rough but a gentle walk seemed to help today. Enough of me. I started off by parking at Handsford Way and walked by the scrubland at Finnimores industrial estate. Good to see a healthy population of House Sparrow. What surprised me most though was the unmistakable call of a Yellowhammer. I couldn't locate the bird and despite me waiting for 10 minutes it didn't call again. What an usual place to come across one though. Also on the farm opposite, in the tree line that boarders the main B road (Barrack Road) was a Male Eurasian Blackcap singing his heart out.

I crossed St Saviours Bridge and headed south on the east side of the river Otter. Lots of Song Thrush in the area but not much else of note. On the path from the open grass area to the farmland things got more interesting. 3 Eurasian Bullfinch showed beautifully (1 Male and 2 Females). 3 more Male Eurasian Blackcap in full song plus 2 Females. Best of all though was that call that often makes me jump when heard at close range, the Cetti's Warbler. What a loud call that is. After a little wait, the bird showed beautifully at close quarters. Oddly enough, this is my first record of this species on patch. 

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. 

2 Out Of 3 Ain't Bad

Labrador bay, Devon 
After a dismal week of dips I managed a few hours off family duties and decided to try to make amends. Very windy and choppy seas were the order of the day but I managed to find a sheltered spot and easily picked out the Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter. PHEW!!

(Left) Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter 

(Left) Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter 

Powderham Marsh, Devon 
I moved on for the Green-winged Teal. At the platform I bumped into Dave Boult and we scoped the marsh together. The Snow Goose was present as were, Little Ringed Plover, the male Greater Scaup, a White Wagtail in amongst the many Pied Wagtail, several Sand Martin and the Ruff. Despite hanging around I still didnt get the Green-winged Teal. As Meatloaf said, "two out of three ain't bad". On the walk to the platform and back were, a single male Cirl Bunting, Cetti's Warbler and 2 Common Chiffchaff. 

Red-necked Grebe

Shelley Beach, Exmouth, Devon 
After work I popped along to see the Red-necked Grebe. It showed rather nicely in the scope but was constantly diving so no pictures. Also about was a Great Crested Grebe. Nice to have a quick chat up with the finder, Matt Knott.

White Bridge, Otter estuary, Devon 
I couldn't resist popping here on my way home as I was in a Grebe sort of mood. As luck would have it. 2 Little Grebe were pottering about. Also a nice Cetti's Warbler.

Darts Farm Dragonflies And Butterflies

Darts Farm, Topsham, Devon
After work I popped here in search of Scarce Chaser. Matt Knott had a few here yesterday. It didn’t take me long to locate a few around the main fishing area. Also on site were Small Red-eyed Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly. Butterflies present were Comma, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Small White. The only bird of note was a Cetti’s Warbler.

Scarce Chaser (Male)

Otter Estuary

The Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
A quick walk around the white bridge area after work. The only birds of note were a Cetti’s Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler and a European Green Woodpecker. Also nice to see a number of Barn Swallow around.

No Savi’s Warbler

Ferrybridge, Portland, Dorset
Me and my mate Pete had a trip to Dorset today. We popped here first in the pouring rain in the hope of a Little Tern. No joy and there was nothing else on offer.

Lodmoor, Weymouth, Dorset 
We moved here to get some shelter at the bandstand. On arrival we were treated to really nice views of a Male Northern Wheatear in the car park. A look on the first scrape gave us our first of the year Common Tern with 2 individuals. Not a lot else on offer except 2 Common Snipe, a few Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit and a single Common Sandpiper. However, as we were in the car park about to leave I picked out a strange call and got on to a Hirundine type bird as it flew straight over head and was able to confirm a Red-rumped Swallow. I was very pleased with myself for getting that firstly on call. It didn’t seem to stick around as it kept going north at pace.

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset
We had a look here for the Savi’s Warbler but the weather was atrocious and we struck out even after staking out the bandstand area (we were informed this was the best place) We were treated to 2 Western Marsh Harrier, plenty of Eurasian Reed Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler. As we had a cuppa in the visitors centre another Common Sandpiper was pottering about on the island.

Portland Harbour, Dorset
We popped here as we were tired of the rain and it’s got decent shelter in the right conditions. It was nice to take a breather from the wind and rain but all that was on offer were 2 Common Sandpiper. This species seemed to turn up everywhere today. Although the weather was clearing up we both decided that we had had enough of feeling soaked through so headed home.

Summer Migrants

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I checked the dung field and immediate area very quickly first thing but it was rather misty and there wasn't much about apart from a few Willow Warbler.

Exminster Marsh, Devon
As the roads are quiet due to half term, the lure of yesterdays Garganey got the better of me so I popped here before heading to the office. I walked from the middle car park to the fisherman's car park and back. The first bird of note was a singing Sedge Warbler that also showed itself briefly at close range. This was followed by cracking views of a Cetti's Warbler. Near the fisherman's car park were 2 Barnacle Goose, a Eurasuan Whimbrel in among the Eurasian Curlew and a Male Common Reed Bunting but alas, no Garganey. As I arrived back at the middle car park, a number of Sand Martins were feeding and a single Common House Martin was in amongst them.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I went for another look around after work and was rewarded with a Male Northern Wheatear along the coastal path. A few Willow Warbler were dotted about but I was surprised to see a Red-legged Partridge whilst checking out the dung field before leaving. It was sat on the fence to the left of the field but dropped down into the old dung field to quickly for a photo. I checked the other field without success. Also a few Barn Swallow were pottering about.

Not A Lot To Report

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon

I had an half hour look around at the crack of dawn but it was rather quiet. A Male Common Kestrel showed briefly near the coastal path, a few Meadow Pipits were mobile about the site as were a few Common Linnet and Eurasian Goldfinch. Not much else of note. I bumped into Matt Knott who was still on site when I left so he may have had more but I had to drag my sorry butt to work. 

Darts Farm, Topsham, Devon
Inspired by yesterday’s Lesser Redpoll. I decided to have another look around the fields and pond areas. The hide area proved most productive with 2 Green Sandpiper at the far end of the wetland area plus a Cetti’s Warbler seen but mostly heard to the left of the hide. A few Finches popped up on the surrounding trees but nothing interesting.

Green Sandpiper 

Green Sandpiper two individuals  

Common Linnet 

Just Trying To Do The Right Thing

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I aimed to take a walk from the white bridge to the hide. On arrival I noted a Cetti’s Warbler a few Eurasian Reed Warbler gathering grubs and several Barn Swallow hawking over the water for insects. Things were rather enjoyable on the bridge until I heard a splash and someone saying “Go find it boy” and a dog duly jumped in the river from the reed bed area (on the right hand side, looking towards the mouth of the Estuary) where Eurasian Reed Warblers possibly have nests. I was annoyed by this but the dog returned to the path and it stopped. I carried on enjoying the views etc from the bridge when from path (where the bench is) the same dog splashed into the river. All the mentioned birds flew off (the Warblers probably leaving young unattended!) I walked round I noted an elderly chap throwing stones in to the river and repeatedly saying “Go find it boy”.

I arrived at the bench to find that it was actually an elderly couple. I want it known that I have nothing against dogs but do have an issue with irresponsible owners. I politely said “I’m not wishing to be awkward here but your dog really shouldn’t be in the river. It does say on the information boards to keep dogs on the path”. The chap sort of acknowledged this and said “Ok”. I was happy to leave it there when the lady chirped up in an aggressive voice “everyone else does it so why shouldn’t we?” I could feel my anger rising (more so in this heat) but kept my cool and said “I would tell anyone the same thing. This is an SSSI Nature Reserve that holds important breeding species!”. The chap then decided to air his opinions “My dog is hot, he needs to cool off.”. I responded with “I appreciate that and I do care but I really dont think this place is appropriate. Do you?” They both then mumbled something in tandem which I didn’t catch. I decided I wasn’t going to get anywhere with these and walked away saying. “You need to respect others that want to enjoy the area!”.

So I preceded on my walk but came back within five minutes to find that they had moved on. Perhaps my words had made a deference? Now I do appreciate that they had just as much right to be there and enjoy the place but they seemed to have no respect for anything apart from the dog. Again, please don’t think I have it in for dogs. In fact it’s the opposite as I have been a dog owner. However I would personally take my dog to a more appropriate place if I wanted it to be able to cool off and I would respect any notices placed at sites that involved dog control.

Dire Birding

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon.
I had a brief look around the lane after work and to say the birding was dire would be a understatement. The best bird on offer was a heard only Cetti’s Warbler.

I’ve been reading many comments about the poor showing and indeed quality of birds using (or should I say not using) this reserve. I’m not sure what’s happening there and hope things perk up at some point.

Max Chrysanthemum

Dorset Tree Sparrow And A Self Found Black Redstart

Portland Bill, Dorset  
Me and my mate Pete had a day in Dorset today. Our first stop was the bird obs to get the lowdown on the reported Eurasian Tree Sparrow. I had seen on yesterdays blog that there were 2 but today there was an increase to 3 birds. We were advised that the obs quarry was the best place to look. We had brief flight views of 2 individuals but an hour or so stake out didn’t produce any other views. The Little Owl was playing ball either so we decided to head off. We had parked near the Pulpit Inn and on the way back I was pleased to self find a Black Redstart. A rather showy bird and we enjoyed prolonged views of the bird. We popped in to the obs to ensure it made the day list and headed off.

Black Redstart 

Meadow Pipit  

Common Linnet

Red Hot Poker    

Wild Celery     

English Stonecrop      

Ferrybridge, Portland, Dorset 
Next stop was to take in the Little Terns and they didn’t disappoint. I was impressed with the numbers too. I’ve visited this site for a few years now and today’s tally was the highest I can recall there. Let’s hope their breeding season is a success.

Little Tern    

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset 
This was our last site and the target species was Bearded Reedling. On arrival we stopped in the visitor centre for some food and refreshments. As ever we both still had our bins to hand and were glad we did as there was a 2 cycle Yellow-legged Gull on one of the posts in the lagoon. It didn’t hang around too long though. We also enjoyed close views of a Common Tern feeding. There were good numbers of Common Swift, Barn Swallow and Common House Martin with a couple of Sand Martin thrown into the mix. Around the reserve were lots of Eurasian Reed Warbler and several Cetti’s Warbler.

Domestic Duck   

Eurasian Coot and young   

Great Crested Grebe      

European Greenfinch    

Yellow Flag Iris   

Heracleum moellendorffii 

Add caption

What A Difference An Angle Makes

The Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I had a bit of time to spare after work so I though I would look around the White Bridge area of the Otter. When I arrived a few Barn Swallow were feeding over the water and field. 3 Common Buzzard were soaring above and I kept an eye out for a Red Kite without success. Along the path to the hide were a few Eurasian Blackcap, a Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Eurasian Reed Warbler. Then I spotted a really stand out bird. It was giving off a very pied plumage appearance. I got on to it with my bins initially but decided it deserved a look at with the scope as it was a tad distant. With the scope I could easily see it was a Bunting and the default would be Common Reed Bunting but in the lighting conditions and with the angle it looked completely different. The bird duly changed angle to reveal its true identity as a Common Reed Bunting. It just goes to show how easy it can be to get confused.

Common Reed Bunting

Crosswort

Meadow Buttercup 

Red Valarian

Hyacinth Orchid

Blue Flag Iris

A Reported Red-backed Shrike

Undisclosed Site, Exmouth, Devon 
I popped back to see if I could pick up on my possible Tree Sparrow before work. No joy but did get a Common Firecrest. It’s an amazing site really as I had a number of species. The best of the bunch were, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Eurasian Blackcap and the first fledged Conmon Chaffinch and Conmon Blackbird but no Spotted Flycatcher today.

Budleigh Common, Devon
After work, I received a message about a Red-backed Shrike that had been reported early in the day. I was at the Otter at the time but quickly got back to the car in hot pursuit. I met up with Matt Knott and we both scoured the area with no success. The only birds of note were a couple of Sand Martin, European Stonechat and Common Linnet. Still I enjoyed catching up with Matt and it’s always worth a look. At the end of the day, if your not out there looking your not going to see bugger all. I was only at the Otter for 10 minutes when I got the message so not much to report apart from a calling Cetti’s Warbler at White Bridge.

Some more flower pictures..... Yawn!

Hairy Bittercress 

Uncertain of this species

Pink Campion   

Common Chickweed       

Creeping Buttercup       

Bothriospermum Chinense

Wild Geranium

Green Heron And A Possible Black Kite

Llan Mill, Pembrokeshire
My boss was kind enough to let me have a last minute day off so that I could go and see a bird I have longed to see for some time. I missed out on the Cornwall bird in 2010 so I was determined not too miss out on this one. My mate Pete has never seen one of these either so he meet me and we headed off early. The drive up was nerve racking and we had got passed the Severn bridge and still not got news of a sighting. As with any long trip, there's always the chance of a no show so we started wondered if this was going to be a hell of a dip. We finally got the news it had been seen and you could feel the tension ease immediately. Now it was just a case of getting there and hoping it shows in the time I had there as I needed to be back in Exmouth for 5:30pm so time was of the essence.

On route, near Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire. Our minds were distracted for a few moments as we were treated to excellent low views of a Red Kite. The traffic had been more than kind to us and we arrived in good time. The bird in question is in a private garden pond on the property of local MP Simon Hart. There was the obligatory charity bucket which we gladly added to and we set up along with 40 - 50 other eager birders. I was impressed with the garden, it was a large pond and the garden looked more like a wildlife reserve. We didn't have to wait long to get our first glimpse of the bird. Phew, pressure off and job done. As my pictures show, it never came fully out in the open and the several views obtained were of it peeking through the reeds. With our boots filled we headed off and were treated to another great Red Kite near the Pembrokeshire / Carmarthenshire border.

Green Heron

Green Heron

Green Heron (Butt view)

We have even made the local paper (Left hand with Green coat)

Ham Wall, Somerset 
On the way back we both needed to stretch our legs for an hour. So we decided here would be as good a place as any to stop. We only walked up to the first viewing platform and back. On the way to the platform we were treated to views of a Eurasian Hobby (first of the year) and several Common Swift. Around the platform and surrounding trees were 2 Great Egret, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Eurasian Reed Warbler and several Eurasian Blackcap. Disappointingly, there was no sign of yesterday’s Mealy Redpoll. We left feeling a bit refreshed and on the way back (a few miles back into Devon) we encountered another Kite species. I say Kite species as this was no Red Kite. We knew straightaway from the jizz that it was Kite but the fork in the tail was small and the bird mainly dark underneath. So we think this was a Black Kite

What a cracking day! The Green Heron was a stunner of a bird and as knackered as I am writing this, it was well worth the trip. The only downside was that my folks live in Swansea that I had to pass twice on the trip and I didn't have time to even call in for a quick cuppa.