Part-time Birding: Common House Martin

Showing posts with label Common House Martin. Show all posts

Sand Martins

Ottery St Mary, Devon

I took a walk along the river Otter this evening. I started at St Saviours Bridge and headed south for a mile or do and back. I was first treated to a few Sand Martins pottering about. These were accompanied by several Barn Swallow and Common House Martins making thier way north. There were a few Eurasian Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff singing. The one bird that entertained me the most though was a Great Spotted Woodpecker that was completing a nest hole.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

First Common House Martin Of The Year

Cadhay bridge to Feniton, Devon
Took the same walk as yesterday but headed further north, almost to Feniton. Not a great deal to add but did get my first Common House Martin of the year. There we now 4 Mandarin Duck as opposed to the 2 I saw yesterday. Also nice to see more Barn Swallow around the farmland. A few Butterflies seen with Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.

I cant wait for Dragonflies as I've found a few good spots.

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.

Wood Sandpiper Episode III

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
Hide
I popped to the hide before work and one of the Green Sandpiper was in front of the hide. A few Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Dunlin and a Stock Dove were about but not much else was on offer.

Green Sandpiper

Black-tailed Godwit

Viewing platform
A quick look produced 4 Common Greenshank and circa 40 Dunlin.

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon
I couldn’t resist a quick nip across to Seaton for the reported Wood Sandpiper. And on my third attempt this year I obtained awesome close views of a juvenile. I don’t know what it is about this Marsh but the Wood Sandpipers always show well. I bumped into Tim White who reminded me of a few years ago when there were 30 plus however last year there were no records. Also a showy Common Sandpiper was on offer.

Wood Sandpiper (Juvenile)

Common Sandpiper

Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
I forgot to mention that my Common House Martin have fledged. I didn’t witness it but I believe 2 youngsters made their way out from the nest some time on Tuesday.

No Wood Sandpiper But A Black Tern

Goosemoor, Topsham, Devon
I went to look for the reported Wood Sandpiper early evening. No sign of the bird but 2 Juvenile Little Ringed Plover kept me entertained.

Little Ringed Plover (Juvenile)

The Quay, Exmouth, Devon
I finished the evening looking in the hope Matts Juvenile Black Tern that he spotted this morning would reappear in amongst the roost. I’ve had a busy day today so I couldn’t get out sooner. Sandwich Tern numbers have increased a lot and there must have been around 100 birds. Also 10 Mediterranean Gulls of varying ages present. I was about to give up as the light faded when out of a channel popped a Juvenile Black Tern. It was only visible for a few seconds but enough for me. I’m not sure it was the same bird though.

Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
Looks like there are 2 young Common House Martin in the nest on my house. They are starting to poke their heads out now so hopefully not long until they fledge.

Common House Martin

Banded Demoiselle And Hungry Mouths

Otter Estuary, Otterton, Devon
The whole family had a walk alone the Otter from the white bridge to Otterton and back. Lots of Butterflies and Dragonflies to keep me entertained. However my 9 year old is now reeling off the names just as well as her dad! The best on offer were Comma, Red Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary (a species that in my experience seems to be having a bumper year)

We stopped at a clearing where you can get to the waters edge. The area is full of pebbles but there is a small area of grass and we had a picnic. We could see lots of young fish in the river, plus a few adult Sea Trout but also noticed some young flatfish. It was the Dragonflies that stole the show though, with around 50 Banded Demoiselle in this area. Also a Azure Damselfly and an Emperor Dragonfly.

Banded Demoiselle (Female)

Banded Demoiselle (Make)

Banded Demoiselle (Male)

Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
Back at home, my Conmon House Martins are frantically bringing food back for the young. I’ve seen a few beaks pop out of the nest and think there’s 2 in there. Can’t wait (and hope) I’m around to see them fledge.

Common House Martin

FINALLY...A Water Rail

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
I decided to give the area another go after last weeks dog incident. It could be luck or perhaps my point was proved as there was no dog splashing around and I had a very productive 30 minutes. I hung around the white bridge and didn’t need to move as there was a lot on offer. A Common Sandpiper was distant south of the bridge, Common Swift, Common House Martin and Barn Swallow were flying over head and hawking over the water. A Male Common Reed Bunting showed and sang nicely and the visit was topped off with a Water Rail (amazingly my first of the year) it was literally just south of the bridge and was busily taking worms back into the reeds. No doubt to feed young. Another reason why I had my dog rant the other day as these are shy creatures at the best of times and disturbance could be devastating.

Water Rail

European Honey Buzzard

Clyst Road, Near Whitehall Lane, Topsham, Devon
On my drive home from work I notice a bird of prey that on wing impression looked like a European Honey Buzzard. I managed to stop (blocking the road) and extremely quickly get my bins on the bird (bins were on the passenger seat) and was able to confirm the ID.

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon
I had a quick look after work and there was nothing of any note. I did enjoy some of the flora around though.

Multiflora Rose

Rugosa Rose

Hedge Bindweed

Hirsute Rasberry

Red Valerian

Common Valerian

Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
At home I was greeted by 2 Common Swift screeching around the house. 1 landed briefly on my roof but it was all to quick for a photo. My Common House Martins were both poking their heads out of the nest with plenty more busily feeding. A flock of around 30 Common Starling but alas no Rosy Starling in amongst them.

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

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House Martins And Flowers

Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
Our nesting Common House Martins have made their perilous migration trek back to the nest. There are several nests dotted around my street but last year was the first time a pair had built a nest on my house. Ive only lived in my current house a few years and after seeing a few nests around I was planning on putting up a box for them at the end last years breeding season ready for this year but they beat me to the job (or saved me the job) last year by building one from scratch whilst I was on holiday. Last years brood produced 2 successful fledglings. Let’s hope this year is a good year for them too.

The whole family felt a tad ill today but we did manage a little walk from my mum in laws along the footpath that leads from Pound Lane to Partridge Road. The kids enjoyed the flowers and butterflies and messing around in the stream. Butterfly species included Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood and Peacock. On the bird front the only notable bird species were a few vocal Common Chiffchaff. Whenever I walk along here I always think “This should be a great place for Spotted Flycatcher” but it never is. To keep me occupied. I took a few flower pictures but my wildflower ID skills aren’t terribly great so feel free to correct me.