No Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
I finished work early today so I took an optimist look around a few areas that I normally have luck with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Luck, sadly wasn’t on my side today though. At the pond hide was a pair of Mandarin Duck that have moved back in after the works that took place last year. On the feeders were Common Chaffinch, Great Tit and Coal Tit. Around the top hide were more of the previously mentioned but in far greater numbers plus a Marsh Tit.

Mandarin Duck (Male)

Common Chaffinch (Male)

Exton Marsh And Ideford Common

Exton, Devon
Having not had a chance to look for the Glossy Ibis over the weekend I had a very quick look first thing. It was freezing cold and the Marsh was frosted over. There was unfortunately no sign of the bird. Thanks to Dave Stone for the news on Saturday.

Ideford Common, Devon
I had a look around the car park area today for Lesser Redpoll. Plenty of Common Chaffinch were around as were the usual Tit species around the feeders. Including Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit. A Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Treecreeper put in brief appearances. I was pleasantly surprised to see a single Marsh Tit for a short time too. After a while I was being to give up hope for the target species when a small flock of Eurasian Siskin started feeding in the tops of the trees. I enjoyed watching them for a while when I heard the call of a Lesser Redpoll. After a short search a single bird was seen on the treetops for a while before it flew off and I lost sight of it.

Some Somerset Stuff

Oathe, Somerset
I had a work meeting in Somerset today and after it finished I popped to this area for half an hour as it was around the corner. The reason for the visit was that I had heard there were Whooper Swans here. I couldn’t find any but I was impressed by the amount of Northern Lapwing in the area. I didn’t do an accurate count but it was was in the several hundreds. I walked along the road and flushed a Common Kingfisher and best of all a Jack Snipe. There were also a decent amount of Redwing and Fieldfare.

Fieldfare 

Swell Wood, Somerset
I also popped into this RSPB reserve for 10 minutes. I didn’t leave the car park as someone had dropped Seed all over the place and there was a real feeding frenzy of woodland birds. Lots of Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit with a couple of Marsh Tit mixed in. Also a Eurasian Nuthatch and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker. This seemed like a really nice reserve and has a Heronry lookout hide.

Common Kestrel At Close Range

Bicton Common, Devon
After work I had a mooch around the area opposite the Uphams Plantation car park. On arrival I noted a large mixed flock feeding around the car park. I scanned for anything unusual but the flock consisted of Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest. I continued on my way and had 2 flyover Red Crossbill, several mobile Meadow Pipit and some Common Linnet were flitting about. Then everything went quiet so I turned around to move on only to discover the reason for everything ducking for cover. A close (around 20 metres) range Female Common Kestel was surveying the area from the top of a small pine tree. It’s always nice to be able to appreciate a bird close up.

Common Kestrel (Female)

Common Kestrel (Female)

Common Kestrel (Female)

Woodbury Castle

Woodbury Castle, Devon 
After work I thought I’d visit the castle area and surrounding Common. Not much made the notebook to be honest. In the castle woods were 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, a single European Green Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Common Chaffinch and Great Tit. The common area didn’t fare much better with 2 Northern Raven, a few European Stonechat and a small flock of Meadow Pipit.

I’m off Friday so I’m hoping to get out and bag a few nice species. I bet that lifer Brown Shrike in Soapy Cove won’t stick around long enough though!  

Another Busy Week

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 29th August 2018
There was no further sign of the Spotted Flycatcher but I did hear Lesser Redpoll in an area of the reserve that I normally have luck with this species. However I was unable to locate a bird. At least I know they are about I guess. I’ve still not seen this species yet this year though which is rather depressing. Are numbers that low? Or am I just being unlucky? There were a number of fungi in the area but don’t expect my to identify this as I haven’t a clue!

Mushroom species   

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 30th August 2018
It’s been a busy week but I have had a few quick visits to Orcombe Point. I was only able to do this after work so I’ve not see the variety or numbers that Matt Knott and others have seen. In fact the only birds of note have been a few Northern Wheatear.

Northern Wheatear    

Northern Wheatear 

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon 
Today I managed an hour around Bystock. I covered the main pool and South Heath to the boardwalk pools. Not too many birds around with Coal Tit, Common Chiffchaff, European Robin, Mistle Thrush and Great Spotted Woodpecker making the list. Butterflies fared better with several Small Copper, lots of Small White, Speckled Wood and a Painted Lady. Dragonflies included Emperor Dragonfly, Southern Hawker, Common Darter and Keeled Skimmer.

Painted Lady  

Small Copper     

Small Copper  

Keeled Skimmer (Female) 

Keeled Skimmer (Female)

A Walk With The Kids

Woodbury Castle
The whole family has a walk around the site this morning and stopped for a picnic. It wasn’t to busy on the bird front as there must have been some race / walk taking place. Perhaps part of the Heath Week events. Anyway, there was quite a lot of noise from this event so the only birds see were a European Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Common Chaffinch and Common Linnet. There were 2 species of Dragonfly seen with a Female Common Darter and a Male and Female Southern Hawker. There are now 2 ponds in the centre area of the fort and the Southern Hawker was busy laying eggs on a log in one of the ponds.

Common Darter (Female) 

Southern Hawker (Female)

Dragonflies, Butterflies And Some Birds Too

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
I has a walk around Aylesbeare Reserve after work for a change of scenery. It was nice to see a stunning Male Yellowhammer as I haven’t been to the right places to see one for a few months. A few Common Linnet, Willow Warbler, European Green Woodpecker and Coal Tit. Plenty of Dragonfly species and a variety of Butterflies. 1 Southern Hawker, several Keeled Skimmer, a rather bedraggled looking Four-spotted Chaser, 2 Emperor Dragonfly, double figures of Common Blue Damselfly and a handful of Blue-tailed Damselfly provided the Dragonfly action. The Butterfly entertainment came from good numbers of Greyling, 4 Holly Blue, lots Small White and Large White, many Large Skipper and a few Small Skipper, 3 Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 Dark-green Fritillary, 1 Red Admiral, a couple of Speckled Wood and plenty of Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. A few Silver Y moths made up the supporting act.

Common Blue Damselfly

Four-spotted Chaser  

Emperor Dragonfly  

Keeled Skimmer (Male)

Southern Hawker   

Keeled Skimmer (Female)

 Greyling 

Cornflower 

East Devon Commons

Lympstone Common
A morning visit near the top of Bystock reserve produced a few Yellowhammer but little more. Near Yettington I spotted a few Barn Swallow resting on a wire.

Barn Swallows

Woodbury Common
A before work visit. I’m not going to give exact location details but I parked at the model aircraft car park. A Spotted Flycatcher and a daytime churring European Nightjar were the best on offer and both within a few meters of each other. I had another look after work and had the European Nightjar churring again but no sign of the Spotted Flycatcher. Both trips produced a Eurasian Jay, a few Common Linnet, Coal Tit, European Greenfinch and Eurasian Goldfinch.

Uphams Plantation, Yettington, Devon
After visiting Woodbury Common after work I popped here for a quick look. Lots of Brimstone on the wing and a Eurasian Hobby came through at speed but rather quiet otherwise.

Scarlet Pimpernel   

Woodbury Common, Devon
An evening walk from the model aircraft car park. Again European Nightjar churring and also a Garden Warbler. Also a Willow Warbler (well that was what call it was kind of giving) with black legs.

Willow Warbler with black legs 

Undisclosed site, near Exmouth, Devon
A good evening with at least 6 European Nightjar. Churring, calling and wing clapping.

A Bits And Bobs Day

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
First thing this morning I popped to the hide to see what was about. The only thing of any note were a few Hirundines. A mixed flock both in flight and resting in the far reeds. An even amount of Barn Swallow, Sand Martin and Common House Martin.

Eurasian Oystercatcher 

Grey Heron 

Sand Martin and Barn Swallow

Common House Martin, Sand Martin and Barn Swallow

Common House Martin, Sand Martin and Barn Swallow

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
I had a little over an hour to spare here in between work. Though an hour wasn’t enough seeing that the main car park is closed. So I swiftly made my way from the Trendlebere car park over the heath and down to the visitors centre. No Tree Pipit as yet but possibly a tad early. I walked up the river and back to some spots I usually get European Pied Flycatcher without success. Also keeping an eye out for any Lesser Spotted Woodpecker or an early Wood Warbler. Having no luck with any of these species, I headed back to look at the top hide before leaving. As always a good showing of Coal Tit, Great Tit, European Blue Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Siskin.

Eurasian Siskin (Male)

Eurasian Siskin (Male)

Eurasian Siskin (Female)

Eurasian Nuthatch

Great Tit

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
After work I had to have a cortisone injection for a dodgy shoulder. Age is starting to get the better of me. After that I had a bit of time to whizz around the point. On arrival at Gore Lane, I was greeted by a mass of Gulls going mental in flight in the direction of the coastal path. Hearing earlier of a Osprey at Budleigh Salterton being mobbed Gulls, I was desperately hoping that this was going to be a similar event. I headed towards the commotion, constantly looking to the sky but as I got closer the Gulls dispersed. I arrived at the coastal path and looked around but nothing was there. Were the Gulls fussing due to a raptor?... I guess I’ll never know.

A Dip And A Dipper

Dunsford Wood, Dunsford, Devon
I had to give a talk and training session at our Barnstaple office today so on the way home I took a detour via Dunsford Woods. My target bird was Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I did hear one calling at quite close range but frustratingly, I couldn’t pin it down and eventually lost the call. I did however see 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, 1 Eurasian Treecreeper, numerous Coal Tit, Great Tit and Eurasian Blue Tit. Surprisingly there were no Grey Wagtail but I did get cracking views of a White-throated Dipper.

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

Coal Tit

The Little Guys Made It

County Hall, Exeter, Devon
Whilst having a cigarette break in work, I watched a large party of mixed birds feeding. In the flock were, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 3 Eurasian Blue Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Eurasian Wren. So it was very encouraging to see that the smaller species in that area had made it through the rough weather. Also around the site throughout the day were, 8 Common Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 European Green Woodpecker, 1 Eurasian Jay and a few Eurasian Goldfinch.

Raptors And Finches

Uphams Plantation, near Yettington, Devon
I had a walk around the plantation after work and there were a few things on offer. At one point there was a group of 4 Common Buzzard flying low over head. Probably looking for some supper. A Common Kestrel wizzed through a bit later on. Then I noticed a lot of Finches coming in and starting to roost. I lost count but there were C100 Common Linnet, C150 Common Chaffinch and C20 Brambling. While I was watching this, a male Red Crossbill pottered about briefly before taking off. Also of note were 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Northern Raven, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Coal Tit and a single Meadow Pipit.

Brambling (Female)

Brambling (Female)

Treecreeper And Another Failed Attempt

Bystock Pools, Devon
An hours walk around the meadow and bordering woodland area produced 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, a very vocal Male European Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a few Coal Tit and what I hoped to see, 2 Eurasian Treecreeper (my first of the year).

Exmouth seafront and quay, Devon 
Another failed look for the Bonaparte’s Gull. This is becoming a bit of a bogey bird for me this year! Nothing else of note except the usual Gull species, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Great Cormorant.