Common Goldeneye

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 

I had to hang around in Exmouth for a few hours this afternoon. So I decided to watch here as the tide was dropping. Lots of species were on offer. There were quite a few Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Red Knot and Sanderling, lots of Dunlin a small group of European Golden Plover flew up river. Several Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe. I finally picked out a male Common Goldeneye over the far side of the estuary.

Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon 

I moved to Shelly Beach to look for the Black Redstart but couldn't locate so opted for Maer Rocks on as the tide would have dropped enough to look for Purple Sandpiper and was in luck with 7 on site.

Egyptian Goose and Common Goldeneye

Powderham, Devon 

I had to run an errand in Exeter so I decided to add in a bit of birding. I popped here due to hearing there were seven Egyptian Goose seen in the stubble field next to the church. As reported, there were seven Egyptian Goose showing rather well. 

Cockwood, Devon 

While in the area I thought I would go to the steps and see if I could spot any Common Goldeneye. After a bit of a search a single female gave herself up. 

Egyptian Goose 

Laughing Gull Dip

Chew Valley Lake
I had a look around for the Laughing Gull. This morning but despite trying several locations around the lake, I failed. Did see a female Western Marsh Harrier, 3 Great Egret, a pair of Common Goldeneye and good numbers of Mew Gull.

Snow Goose and Finches

Exminster Marsh, Devon
I had the afternoon off so popped her for a look around. The place was still frozen so all the wildfowl and waders were in amongst the grass. I was along the railway path when the Snow Goose flew in with some Canada Goose from Powderham. It landed over by the canal so I drove over to the fisherman's car park. Just past the (now falling apart) viewing platform was the bird in question. Also on site was several Common Snipe, good numbers of Northern Lapwing and the usual other species.

Snow Goose 

Snow Goose

Cockwood, Devon
A quick look from here produced the Common Goldeneye and Horned Grebe. There was not much else on offer.

Aylesbeare Common, Devon
My last stop off. I spent most of my time watching a finch flock. Many Common Chaffinch but I soon located a single Brambling and Lesser Redpoll.

A Reservoir, A Lake And A Marsh

Cheddar Reservoir, Somerset 
I had the day off so decided to pop to a few places I’ve not visited for a good while. This was my first stop, with my main target of Red-crested Pochard. After a good search I drew a blank but the following notable species were logged. Common Loon, Greater Scaup, Common Pochard, Grey Wagtail a Male Mandarin Duck and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Greater Scaup (Male)

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Male)

Mandarin Duck (Male)

Common Loon

Chew Valley Lake, Avon 
I always struggle to bird this place, especially without a permit.
Targets here were the Lesser Scaup (not reported for a while but could still be on site) and Long-tailed Duck. I stoppped off at a couple of spots. The best I could muster were 4 Male Common Goldeneye, a Female Greater Scaup at the lay-by at Herons Green Bay, a few Mew Gull at the dam and several Common Pochard and a white Eurasian Coot at Herriotts Bridge. I always struggle with birding this place due to the size of the site so feeling a tad deflated, I moved on.

Goldeneye (Male)

Mew Gull

Steart Marshes, Somerset
A final site before heading home. The main target heat was Short-eared Owl. I started off at Otterhampton Marsh where 3 Eurasian Spoonbill showed distantly. I moved to Steart Gate for the target species and wasn’t disappointed, with 2 individuals on show. Also a major surprise was a Twite. I had heard that there had been a few reports of this bird but I wasn’t expecting to see it. It was rather flightly and skulking (not surprising with 2 Short-eared Owls on the prowl.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

FINALLY A Yellow-browed Warbler!

Decoy Country Park, Newton Abbot, Devon 
As I was going to go to Stover I decided to pop here to look for the Common Loon. After a decent search, there was no sign. I bumped into Charlie Fleming. I’ve seen many of his excellent photos over the years but we have never chatted before. It was a pleasure getting  to know him and we had a very good chinwag. I hope to bump in to him again sometime.

Stover Country Park, Stover, Devon 
I wanted to pop here as I love to see the Common Merganser and it didn’t disappoint with 4 pairs on site. Eurasian Siskin was about the best at the feeder and 2 pairs of Mandarin Duck were a nice addition too.

Mandarin Duck (Male and Female)

Cockwood
My next stop off to look for Common Eider and Common Goldeneye and both species showed (if not distantly).

Powderham Sawmills
I gave the area another go for the Yellow-browed Warbler and within 10 minutes the bird showed beautifully in the willows to the right of the concrete area outside Poppy’s Flower studio. I’m glad I have finally caught up with this lovely species as I was beginning to think I would never see another one again!

Powderham Corner
A final stop off to check through the Brant Goose. Nothing of interest that I could pick out as they were always distant. However, on the Estuary was a close Grey Plover and good numbers of Northern Pintail. In the fields on the way back to the main road were 2 Eurasian Sparrowhawk co hunting Thrushes (I think Redwing). They were both unsuccessful.

Grey Plover 

A New Year

A new year and a fresh list to complete. 1 popped to a few sites and managed 82 species. I won’t mention them all but the highlights were.

Matford Marsh, Exeter 
I thought I would pop here in the hope of last years boggie bird (Yellow-browed Warbler). No joy but there was a Common Chiffchaff that got me excited for a second or so. Around the marsh were Black-tailed Godwit, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Common Snipe.

Powderham Sawmill
Another go at last years boggie bird but again there was no Yellow-browed Warbler on offer but a group of 6 Red-legged Partridge were close by.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham
A Little Gull off the Goat Walk was a welcome sight, also here were Pied Avocet, Red Knot, Grey Plover and Dunlin. Around the marsh were Redwing, Northern Pintail, Bar-tailed Godwit and Cetti’s Warbler. I didn’t stay long as it was far too overcrowded for my liking. I felt almost claustrophobic.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth 
A quick visit produced Cirl Bunting, Northern Raven and Meadow Pipit.

The Seafront, Exmouth
What is it about “We must all go for a walk on New Year’s Day?!” As again this place was far too busy (it was busier than I have ever seen it in the summer) so I didn’t hang about but did manage a distant Red-throated Loon

The Quay and Imperial Grounds, Exmouth 
Black Redstart, Common Eider, Mew Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Horned Grebe, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser were the best on offer here.

Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington 
A quick visit got me a Brambling at the farm and a European Green Woodpecker nearby. A quick return visit to a site near the farm at dusk got me a Eurasian Woodcock.

Gulls, Gulls, Gulls And Some Other Good Stuff

A day trip to Cornwall
A few days before this outing I had planned on going to Cornwall but I didn't feel up to the drive so Ham Wall looked like this place to go. I met up with my good pal Pete but on route we had both heard the news that the M5 had been shut. I later, sadly found out that it had been closed due to a fatality. So a quick decision saw us reverting to the original plan of Cornwall.

Trenance Pool, Newquay, Cornwall
Our first port of call was the boating lake in Newquay for the 1st winter Ring-billed Gull. We picked the bird up sitting on the island and it posed very nicely. Also around the lake were 3 Muscovy Duck.

Ring-billed Gull (1st winter)

Ring-billed Gull (1st winter)

St Gothian Sands, Gwithian, Cornwall
Our next leg was a quick trip down the road to see the Male Greater Scaup and juvenile Glaucous Gull. The Greater Scaup was on display but due to the blustery conditions I couldn't get a photo. There was initially no sign of the Gull but on leaving it popped on the island.

Glaucous Gull (Juvenile)

Glaucous Gull (Juvenile)

Newlyn Harbour, Cornwall
We moved on further into the depths of Cornwall, with more white winged gulls our target. On arrival at the harbour this Iceland Gull was showing so amazingly. We didn't even need our binoculars to view it. The best views I have ever had of this species!

Iceland Gull (1st Winter) 

Iceland Gull (1st Winter)

Then to top it off, the second Glaucous Gull of the day (and my third of the year) dropped in and gave equally stupendous views.

Glaucous Gull (2nd Winter)

Glaucous Gull (2nd Winter)

Marizion, Cornwall 

A lightening quick stop to look for Loons proved fruitless but a distant Sinensis Great Cormorant was a nice to see.

Drift Reservoir, Cornwall

Still in complete awe with the views of the Gulls. We moved on to Drift Reservoir in hope of the Pink-footed Goose. Distance views were obtained of the Goose in with a group of Canada Goose and Greylag Goose. Also distant views of a Black-necked Grebe.

Hayle Estuary, Cornwall
A quick stop off for the Eurasian Spoonbill proved a success as the bird was showing beautifully on Ryans field. Also of note were countless Lesser Black-backed Gull and a few Mew Gull.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill

Dozmary Pool

The last stop of the day, in search of the Male Lesser Scaup. I have managed to see this bird at this site for the last 4 years and today didn't disappoint. Again I couldn't manage any pictures in the blustery conditions. Also on the pool were a pair of Common Goldeneye. Around the pool were several European Golden Plover and I also managed vey brief views of a immature / Female Hen Harrier as it dived into cover.

So we headed for home very happy indeed with the species seen and the views of the Gulls will stick with me forever. Cornwall never fails to deliver.

Common Goldeneye

Topsham Recreation Ground, Devon 
I took the kids to the scate park but as always I had the bins with me. Not much of note but nice views of  2 drake Common Goldeneye and 2 drake Red-breasted Merganser