Garganey

Lower Otter Restoration Project, Devon 

I have been suffering with anxiety and depression for a few weeks but Ben Rowland got me out of the house for a few hours this morning. We were after yesterday's reported Male Garganey. We walked up the footpath from the White Bridge with no sign. Several others had also not see the bird. Whilst looking We spotted a few Water Pipit, Common Sandpiper, Common Greenshank and Common Snipe. Whilst up near the new viewing platforms a few people said that there were a few birders on the Garganey and they had been asked to let us know. So we promptly made our way back towards the White Bridge to be put straight on to the bird sleeping close to the path. 

And awesome morning as it really helped my mental health to be out in nature with great company. The Road to recovery is tough but I'm getting there. 

Garganey (Male)

Curlew Sandpiper

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, 

I had some time to kill after lunch, so I decided I would see if I could find the Osprey or a Curlew Sandpiper. I stated off at the viewing platform but the wind had really picked up and I think the Osprey was probably hunckering down. There were a good number of waders on the far left side though. Mainly Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit and Common Redshank and a few EurasianWhimbrel. I decided to get out of the wind and next popped in to the hide. There was a Red Knot in with the again numerous waders but I was pleased to get a Curlew Sandpiper pottering at the far right back of the reserve. Other notable species wereca Common Redshank and Northern Pintail. I decided to check the viewing platform again before leaving and noted 5 Red Knot with a group of Dunlin but still no sign of the Osprey.

Sedge Warbler

Seaton Marshes, Devon 

Now that my work loads have calmed down and the Euros are over, I decide I needed to get out. I popped here early evening and was treated to a few year ticks. A few Common Sandpiper and a single Green Sandpiper were seen from the island hide. Both being year ticks (what have I been doing this year?) Below the hide was a Small Tortoiseshell too. Along the path to the tower hide was a Sedge Warbler (also a year tick). Wow, have I been lazy this year. Also a nice Keeled Skimmer. 

Sedge Warbler 

Curlew Sandpiper

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon

An evening look around produced a Little Stint, Green Sandpiper, Common Ringed Plover, a Red Knot, Common Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Plenty of Dunlin and eventually a single Curlew Sandpiper. 

Wood White

Seaton Cliffs, Devon

I popped back to look for Dingy Skippers this evening again in the hope of a photo opportunity. None seen but I did get another lifer Butterfly in the form of a cracking Wood White.

Wood White

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon

Whilst in the area, it seemed rude not to pop in to see my favourite Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper. The bird showed beautifully from the viewing section at the entrance path to the island hide. Also on site were several Common Sandpiper.

Wood Sandpiper 

 

Wood Sandpiper 

Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper 

Ottery St Mary, Devon

Back at home in the evening. This handsome Common Toad was sat on my patio.

Common Toad

Exeter Birding

Woodwater Lane, Exeter, Devon
A quick look at lunchtime produced singles of Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Grey Wagtail.

Ludwell Valley, Exeter, Devon
I moved on for a quick walk along Northcote Brook in the hope of White-throated Dipper. I didnt have to try to hard as I soon discovered one. Also another Grey Wagtail.

More Good Waders

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon
I had an early finish today so I popped here as I haven’t visited for a while. A Little Stint showed if not distantly and with awkward sunlight. It caused a bit of debate as to its ID as it didn’t look textbook to anyone present. Also on site of note were 4 Curlew Sandpiper and 6 Common Sandpiper.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
I had time to swing by in the hope that the reported Garganey was on site but my luck was out. However, a Wood Sandpiper showed beautifully as did a Spotted Redshank.

No Savi’s Warbler

Ferrybridge, Portland, Dorset
Me and my mate Pete had a trip to Dorset today. We popped here first in the pouring rain in the hope of a Little Tern. No joy and there was nothing else on offer.

Lodmoor, Weymouth, Dorset 
We moved here to get some shelter at the bandstand. On arrival we were treated to really nice views of a Male Northern Wheatear in the car park. A look on the first scrape gave us our first of the year Common Tern with 2 individuals. Not a lot else on offer except 2 Common Snipe, a few Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit and a single Common Sandpiper. However, as we were in the car park about to leave I picked out a strange call and got on to a Hirundine type bird as it flew straight over head and was able to confirm a Red-rumped Swallow. I was very pleased with myself for getting that firstly on call. It didn’t seem to stick around as it kept going north at pace.

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset
We had a look here for the Savi’s Warbler but the weather was atrocious and we struck out even after staking out the bandstand area (we were informed this was the best place) We were treated to 2 Western Marsh Harrier, plenty of Eurasian Reed Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler. As we had a cuppa in the visitors centre another Common Sandpiper was pottering about on the island.

Portland Harbour, Dorset
We popped here as we were tired of the rain and it’s got decent shelter in the right conditions. It was nice to take a breather from the wind and rain but all that was on offer were 2 Common Sandpiper. This species seemed to turn up everywhere today. Although the weather was clearing up we both decided that we had had enough of feeling soaked through so headed home.

Little Ringed Plover

Powderham Marsh, Devon 
After work I had a walk to the viewpoint as I was informed over the weekend by Rob and Steph Murphy that there were 3 Little Ringed Plover on the marsh. I wasn’t able to get out over the weekend so I was itching to have a look for them. As I walked to the viewpoint, the Snow Goose flew over and settled in its current favoured field near the Swans Nest Inn. Small flocks of Common Linnet, Common Chaffinch and Eurasian Goldfinch gave me something to look through on route.

On arriving at the viewpoint, I didn’t have to look too hard for the Little Ringed Plover as I got straight on to one of the birds and very quickly picked up the other 2 all around the base of the pylon. Several Sand Martin were hawking the marsh and after a search I picked up singles of Ruff and Common Sandpiper to the right of the marsh. A group of 20 European Golden Plover were to the left with a few coming into breeding plumage. Due to the distance here are some awful record shots!

Ruff 

Little Ringed Plover 

European Golden Plover 

Sandpipers In The City

Woodwater Lane, Exeter, Devon
I stopped at the bridge in this area before work and got 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail. It’s still amazes me to find these in a City.

Powderham Sawmills, Devon
I popped here at lunchtime in the hope of the Marsh Tit that was found on a Yellow-browed Warbler stakeout. Saw Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit but no Marsh Tit. No sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler either but a couple of Common Reed Bunting were nice to see.

Joney’s Cross Car Park, Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
After work I had a look in this area for a reported Lesser Redpoll. No luck but a nice pair of Eurasian Bullfinch were a nice sight.

Giving The Pallid Harrier Another Chance

Blackhills Quarry, Exmouth, Devon
After reading on Devon Birds that the Pallid Harrier had been seen in the area, I thought I would look in to it. I checked out the Facebook page mentioned but have to admit I was dubious as to whether the ID was correct. However I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and thought it worthy of checking out. I checked out the area around the pond for around 45 minutes this morning before work. The first bird I noted was a Common Sandpiper that was quickly followed by a Northern Wheatear. There were good number of Meadow Pipit (potential Harrier food), On the pond were 3 Little Grebe and a single female Tufted Duck. No sign of the reported Pallid Harrier but I did have an unusual sighting with a flyover White-bellied Dipper!

I gave it another go for an hour after work I saw more Meadow Pipit, the Tufted Duck count went up to 4 birds and Canada Goose were added to the Wildfowl species. Several Common Moorhen were feeding in amongst a group of European Herring Gull and a Great Cormorant that were resting on the shore. A few mobile Common Linnet were around as were a party of European Stonechat. The best bird however was a rather pale looking bird that was rather distant that I believe was a young Whinchat but my photo doesn’t do it justice. Again no sign of a Pallid Harrier.

Common Sandpiper  

Northern Wheatear 

Little Grebe  

Whinchat (Juvenile)

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

Green Sandpiper  

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)

Wood Sandpiper (Juvenile)

Wood Sandpiper (Juvenile)

Common Sandpiper 

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.

Glossy Ibis

Matford Pools, Exeter, Devon
As this is not far from work and on my way home. It seemed rude not to call by and take a look at the reported Glossy Ibis. I arrived at the viewing platform and couldn’t see the bird but within a few minutes the bird took off from the reed area and flew over towards the main pool. I quickled moved around and relocated the bird feeding on what’s left of the pool. It was always rather distant so I only managed a few rubbish record shots. Also of note was a single Common Sandpiper.

Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis

Exmouth Quay

Exmouth Quay, Devon 
I have had 2 brief looks at low tide the past 2 days The best birds of note were, several Sandwich Terns (seen on both days). I do keep scrutinising the Sandwich Tern for any with an Orange bill. 1 smart adult Mediterranean Gull (seen yesterday) and 3 Common Sandpiper (today) that flew into the cove and duly flew back out as there were people pottering about there. Everything was rather distant, so I couldn’t get any decent pictures of the mentioned but here is a Great Black-backed Gull.

Great Black-backed Gull

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

Water Rail

Water Rail

All About The Littles

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon 
I had a few hours out this afternoon so firstly I decided to walk Along Station Road from the main RSPB car park to the middle car park. Not a great deal around to be honest so I ambled back. On the way bank I bumped in to my mate Pete. He had been to Powderham Marsh this morning and seen the Little Gull that’s been hanging about. Time was a bit short to I headed off (upping the pace) to take a look. As I was near the main car park, I heard a calling Eurasian Reed Warbler but decided I couldn’t spend the time looking for it.

Powderham Marsh, Powderham, Devon
Pete had warned me that it was muddy so I was glad I had my wellies on as I slugged my way to the viewing platform. Muddy is an understatement!! As I was walking at pace through the mud I was pretty tired on arriving at the platform. Age is definitely catching up with me lately! Anyway, the first birds that stuck out were the dodgy Snow Geese (equally dodgy photos below) I spent some time scanning the scrapes but had no joy with the Little Gull. I was however pleased to come across my first Little Ringed Plover of the year. Far too distant for a photo. Also around the scrape were a few Little Egret, 3 Greylag Goose, a few Northern Lapwing and a smart Common Sandpiper. As the theme of the day was species starting with Little, its ironic that I was also a little late home for tea!

Snow Goose

Common Sandpiper 

Horned Grebe And A Missed Pipit

Quay, Exmouth, Devon 
An early morning look (at first light) from the quay provided me with distant views of the Long-tailed Duck. It was off shore from the Warren Point. Also 2 Common Loon, 2 Common Eider, several Common Scoter, several European Shag and Red-breasted Merganser. Distant views of the Horned Grebe near Cockwood and a few Great Crested Grebe. Numerous Gulls but nothing unusual.

Lympstone, Devon 
A look on the way to work in the Sowden Lane area (near the cycle track and rail bridge) gave very close views of several Brambling.

Topsham, Devon 
Had a look at the rec after work to see if the Water Pipit was around but no sign. Only bird of note was a single Common Sandpiper.