Common Grasshopper Warbler

Dartmoor, Devon 

I had the day off and as there was a break in this awful weather we have been enduring, I thought I would explore Dartmoor. I had 5 target species in mind, Common Cuckoo, Whinchat, Common Redstart, Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. 

I parked near Warren House Inn and within 5 minutes had enjoyed views of 2 Common Cuckoo. One of which was point blank. Already pleased, I started the walk to Challacombe farm. On route I was treated to a Male Whinchat, 6 European Stonechat, 4 Willow Warbler and another Common Cuckoo. 2 of my species in the bag. 

At the farm I got straight onto a Garden Warbler in full song. And a moment later a Spotted Flycatcher. 4 species I the bag now, I started to think, this is one of those great days. With that, yet another Common Cuckoo put in an appearance. I saw zero last year so this more than made up for it. Also at the farm was a Female Common Whitethroat, a Grey Wagtail, numerous Barn Swallow and a few Common House Martin.

I struggled a bit with the Common Redstart but after a bit of a search, I finally caught up with a pair. Job done! Or was it? A little bit away from the farm I caught sight of a brown backside dart into the Gorse. I was going to just dismiss it but decided to hang fire and double check what it was. I was pleased I did as I eventually got brief views of a Common Grasshopper Warbler. Result! 

So, all in all a fabulous time and what a joy to see all those species in one area. Also on the walk we're numerous Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Common Reed Bunting. 

Common Cuckoo 

Common Redstart (Male)

Western Yellow Wagtail And A Thayer’s Gull??

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
An early morning look around didn’t prove successful. The place is really muddy and one of the fields has a stream flowing through it! I trudged along from Gore Lane and got to the mud bath that is the coastal path. My reward was a few Willow Warbler.

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 
I had a look here after Orcombe Point in the hope of a Osprey. Matt Knott turned up for a quick look but I stayed for a while. Just after Matt left I came across another odd Gull. The bird in question was very white apart from black tips on the primaries. It was noticeably smaller than the European Herring Gulls too (about Iceland Gull size). This is where it gets weird and sounds like I’m jumping on the band wagon. Matt had explained to me that there had been a report (not sure of the credibility) of a Thayer’s Gull at Dawlish Warren a few weeks ago. Now it’s going to sound like I am wanting this to be that bird. This isn't a case of my just having a case of wishful thinking. I have to go with what I saw. I have an app that can ID from a photo. I’ve tried it out on every photo I’ve taken (to test for its accuracy) and it’s been 100% correct (even with my rubbish photos). When I put my photos in of this bird it comes back with an immature Thayer’s Gull as the best match. With all these pointers I am left thinking "Is this the real deal?" These are my crappy photos and it’s the bird on the right.

(Putative) Thayer’s Gull

(Putative)  Thayer’s Gull

(Putative) Thayer’s Gull

Near Smeatharpe, Devon
I had a meeting in a remote portacabin near Smeatharpe this afternoon. When the meeting was over I popped out of the cabin for a cigarette and was greeted by the call of a Western Yellow Wagtail. After a few seconds I located 4 smart individuals. Really unexpectedly but enjoyable.

Western Yellow Wagtail 

Western Yellow Wagtail 

Western Yellow Wagtail 

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
I had walk from Lime Kiln car park to white bridge after work. I had seen a report of a Common Grasshopper Warbler so was hopefull it hadn’t moved on. No sign of the bird but in the first reed bed after the hide was a Eurasian Reed Warbler. Nothing else of note.