Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth cycle path, Exmouth, Devon
Took the kids for a bike ride today from Castle Lane to Littleham and back. As ever, I was noting the bird species. On the route were Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Common Buzzard, Song Thrush, Goldcrest and Eurasian Bullfinch. Around a third of the way along are a number of feeders. I’m not sure who keeps these stocked up by they were attracting a number of species including Eurasian Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit and House Sparrow. Also of note were 2 Fallow Deer in one of the fields.
Showing posts with label Common Buzzard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Common Buzzard. Show all posts
Pallid Harrier
Colaton Raleigh Common, Devon
I’ve not been able to get out this week as I’ve had a case of man flu (there worse type of flu there is of course) so I was pleased to get a text late yesterday afternoon from Matt Knott advising that had amazingly found a Pallid Harrier but I wasn’t able to have a look. So I popped to site as soon as I had dropped the kids to breakfast club only to be told it had been seen not too long ago. I could only spare 30 minutes before I had to drag myself to work (my first day back after snot fest). As I still wasn’t feeling to great my boss agreed to a very early finish but I couldn’t resist spending some more time looking for the Pallid Harrier. It’s not a lifer bird for me but it would constitute only my second individual in the UK. So it seemed worthwhile putting the time in.
Halfway to the grenade range I got excited by a largish raptor heading towards me only to be quickly deflated to see it was a Common Buzzard. The second bird I spotted also got me excited but I again quickly realised its true identity as a Female Common Kestrel. That was quickly followed by a Male Common Kestrel. Whilst on site both Common Kestrels were rather active and I started to worry that I would start ignoring them and in turn end up ignoring the Pallid Harrier. Unfortunately I came away not seeing the bird in question. I wonder if it is still in the area and being elusive or it has indeed moved on? With today’s wind direction I actually favoured it still being in the area rather than moving on but who knows?
Also on site during both visits were European Green Woodpecker, Several Meadow Pipits (which I hoped would be pursued by the Harrier), Common Linnet and European Stonechat. Even though I didn’t see it I must admit it was nice to be back in the field after being ill. Again I would like to congratulate Matt on an absolutely wonderful find and for getting the news out quickly.
I’ve not been able to get out this week as I’ve had a case of man flu (there worse type of flu there is of course) so I was pleased to get a text late yesterday afternoon from Matt Knott advising that had amazingly found a Pallid Harrier but I wasn’t able to have a look. So I popped to site as soon as I had dropped the kids to breakfast club only to be told it had been seen not too long ago. I could only spare 30 minutes before I had to drag myself to work (my first day back after snot fest). As I still wasn’t feeling to great my boss agreed to a very early finish but I couldn’t resist spending some more time looking for the Pallid Harrier. It’s not a lifer bird for me but it would constitute only my second individual in the UK. So it seemed worthwhile putting the time in.
Halfway to the grenade range I got excited by a largish raptor heading towards me only to be quickly deflated to see it was a Common Buzzard. The second bird I spotted also got me excited but I again quickly realised its true identity as a Female Common Kestrel. That was quickly followed by a Male Common Kestrel. Whilst on site both Common Kestrels were rather active and I started to worry that I would start ignoring them and in turn end up ignoring the Pallid Harrier. Unfortunately I came away not seeing the bird in question. I wonder if it is still in the area and being elusive or it has indeed moved on? With today’s wind direction I actually favoured it still being in the area rather than moving on but who knows?
Also on site during both visits were European Green Woodpecker, Several Meadow Pipits (which I hoped would be pursued by the Harrier), Common Linnet and European Stonechat. Even though I didn’t see it I must admit it was nice to be back in the field after being ill. Again I would like to congratulate Matt on an absolutely wonderful find and for getting the news out quickly.
Missed Purple Heron By A Whisker
Shapwick Heath, Somerset
I had to travel to Bath for a meeting today so it seemed rude not to head off a tad early so I could pop into Shapwick Heath. I headed to Noah’s hide in the hope of seeing the Purple Heron that’s been around. On arrival I was informed that it had been showing fantastically until a few minutes ago. Typical I thought!! However I was treated to great views of a Osprey, 2 Western Marsh Harrier and 2 Great Egret around the lake. Also on route to the hide were another 3 Great Egret, and a bedraggled looking Common Buzzard. A few Dragonflies in the way of Southern Hawker and Common Darter. Plus a rather nice Cricket species, that I think is a Dark Bush Cricket. Numerous Small White, Large White and Speckled Wood made up the Butterfly species.
I had to travel to Bath for a meeting today so it seemed rude not to head off a tad early so I could pop into Shapwick Heath. I headed to Noah’s hide in the hope of seeing the Purple Heron that’s been around. On arrival I was informed that it had been showing fantastically until a few minutes ago. Typical I thought!! However I was treated to great views of a Osprey, 2 Western Marsh Harrier and 2 Great Egret around the lake. Also on route to the hide were another 3 Great Egret, and a bedraggled looking Common Buzzard. A few Dragonflies in the way of Southern Hawker and Common Darter. Plus a rather nice Cricket species, that I think is a Dark Bush Cricket. Numerous Small White, Large White and Speckled Wood made up the Butterfly species.
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| Osprey |
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| Osprey |
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| Common Buzzard |
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| Great Egret |
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| Great Egret |
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| Dark Bush Cricket? |
New Life
Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
After work I visited the Otter again. This site keeps calling to me lately. You know when you just get that though of “I need to be there” today’s theme was Raptors and Warblers. On arrival at the white bridge, the first bird was a Female Conmon Kestrel followed by a Cetti’s Warbler. A little north of the bridge was a Female Eurasian Sparrowhawk gliding through the trees on the east side of the river. Again no Common Kingfisher or Water Rail. Will I ever see these species this year!!
I decided to try the south of the bridge and was rewarded with my first Sedge Warbler of the year. First heard singing then the briefest of views. A further brief view of a Eurasian Reed Warbler followed. Out on a tree stump on the east side of the river was a Conmon Buzzard. So Raptors V Warblers ended at a 3 all draw.
To finish the visit, at the white bridge was a group of Mallard Ducklings. My first young seen of any species this year. I do love watching Ducklings discovering their surroundings and I watched for a while. Their mummy was never too far away and watching over them. She duly shuffled them into cover when any passerby came near. New life is well underway!
Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
Back at home this Bumblebee was on my side entrance gate. I’m ok with Butterflies and Dragonflies but I’m not great with identifying Bees. My best attempt at this species is a Buff-tailed Bumblebee but I would happily be corrected by anyone with superior knowledge than me.
After work I visited the Otter again. This site keeps calling to me lately. You know when you just get that though of “I need to be there” today’s theme was Raptors and Warblers. On arrival at the white bridge, the first bird was a Female Conmon Kestrel followed by a Cetti’s Warbler. A little north of the bridge was a Female Eurasian Sparrowhawk gliding through the trees on the east side of the river. Again no Common Kingfisher or Water Rail. Will I ever see these species this year!!
I decided to try the south of the bridge and was rewarded with my first Sedge Warbler of the year. First heard singing then the briefest of views. A further brief view of a Eurasian Reed Warbler followed. Out on a tree stump on the east side of the river was a Conmon Buzzard. So Raptors V Warblers ended at a 3 all draw.
To finish the visit, at the white bridge was a group of Mallard Ducklings. My first young seen of any species this year. I do love watching Ducklings discovering their surroundings and I watched for a while. Their mummy was never too far away and watching over them. She duly shuffled them into cover when any passerby came near. New life is well underway!
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| Mallard Ducklings |
Back at home this Bumblebee was on my side entrance gate. I’m ok with Butterflies and Dragonflies but I’m not great with identifying Bees. My best attempt at this species is a Buff-tailed Bumblebee but I would happily be corrected by anyone with superior knowledge than me.
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| Buff-tailed Bumblebee ?? |
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.
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.
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.
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| 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.
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| Common Pheasant (Male) |
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| Common Buzzard |
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.
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.
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| Brambling (Female) |
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| Brambling (Female) |
Italian Sparrow Again
Cadbury Gardens, East Budleigh, Devon
After work I decided to have a look at the putative Italian Sparrow. I did try on Tuesday but the news of a Water Pipit in my last blog distracted me. On arrival the bird in question was nowhere to be seen but with the amount of House Sparrow feeding and in the surrounding bushes I knew it would be along soon. There were a few other species to keep me entertained while I waited. A Common Buzzard flew overhead and a Male Eurasian Bullfinch gave a fleeting view. There were the usual Common Starting around and a European Robin popped on to the feeder.
Then the Sparrow flew in and stole the show.
After work I decided to have a look at the putative Italian Sparrow. I did try on Tuesday but the news of a Water Pipit in my last blog distracted me. On arrival the bird in question was nowhere to be seen but with the amount of House Sparrow feeding and in the surrounding bushes I knew it would be along soon. There were a few other species to keep me entertained while I waited. A Common Buzzard flew overhead and a Male Eurasian Bullfinch gave a fleeting view. There were the usual Common Starting around and a European Robin popped on to the feeder.
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| European Robin |
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| Common Starling |
Then the Sparrow flew in and stole the show.
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| Putative Italian Sparrow (Male) |
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| Putative Italian Sparrow (Male) |
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