Greater Scaup

Sowden Lane, Lympstone, Devon 

I wanted to look for the female Greater Scaup that has been on the river Exe for some time. Having read Matt Knotts blog it was clear it prefers this area. I couldn't locate the bird for some time but finally it popped up rather close. Also 6 Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Great Crested Grebe.

Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon 

I moved on in hope of seeing the 2 immature Common Eider. Again I had to put some time in before I picked them out very distantly. Also a single Common Scoter.

Greater Scaup (Female)

Loons

Otterton Sewage works, Devon 

I was passing so had to pop I after seeing Rob and Steph Murphy's impressive count of 53 Red-throated Loon. I could only spare 30 minutes on site so I hoped it would be good. It was! Red-throated Loon were everywhere! I managed a count of 49 birds! Also 1 Black-throated Loon, 4 Common Scoter, 10 Common Murre, 2 Razorbill and 3 Black-legged Kittiwake. 

In the surrounding fields we're Eurasian Skylark, Common Linnet and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. No Cirl Bunting but in all honesty I wasn't on site long enough to do a proper search.

Red-throated Loon

Skuas

Berry Head, Devon 

I had the day off so I headed to Torbay in the hope of a decent seawatch. I knew there was little chance of Wednesdays spectacular show of Great Shearwater but having not picked up any Skua species I hoped this place would deliver. And deliver it did with 5 Parasitic Jaeger. One reasonably close in and a very close in Great Skua harassing a Black-legged Kittiwake. A supporting cast of 8 Common Scoter was welcome also.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Coastal path near Otterton, Devon 

I had a few hours to spare this morning so I visited a few old haunts. I started at the sea watching ledge near the Sewage works. As it was high tide, my thought was possibly a good chance of some Loons. Not great quantity but singles of Common Loon and Red-throated Loon were enjoyed. A few Common Murre and Northern Fulmar plus a hunting Peregrine Falcon were also enjoyed. Unfortunately I didn't see any Common Scoter or Cirl Bunting.

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon 

Next I visited one of my old favourite areas when I lived in Exmouth. It was rather quite, with no sign of a Common Firecrest but a solo Lesser Redpoll was a nice consolation. 

Shelley Beach, Exmouth, Devon 

I had a lightening quick look for the Black Redstart with no success. 

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 

Finally, a look off here. As it was hight tide, it was nice to see a few Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone and a single Dunlin close up. Out in the estuary were a few Great Crested Grebe but I couldn't locate the 2 Black-necked Grebe. The star bird was initially sleeping on arrival but a short wait meant great views of the Eurasian Spoonbill.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill 

Parasitic Jaeger

Otterton Cliffs, Devon 

I braved the wet weather for one and a half hours at the cliffs near the Sewage works. A constant stream of Manx Shearwater, totalling circa 500 birds. 3 Parasitic Jaeger, 1 European Storm Petrel was a lucky spot as it popped into my scope view while track some Manx Shearwater. Around 30 Common Murre some on the sea and some in flight. 10 Common Scoter bobbed around and 10 Black-legged Kittiwake battled their way west. 

Sooty Shearwater

Otterton Cliffs, Devon 

I wasn't going to go out today as I had been frantic at work and was feeling like I wanted to be a couch potato. Then, at about 6pm. I had the sudden urge that this evening was going to be good. So I dragged my tired carcas off the sofa and headed to the coastal path near the Sewage works. I used to seawatch Orcombe Point with some degree of success but a few years ago I started here and have found it more productive for Shearwater passage but have struggled with Skua species.

No sooner had I pointed my scope at the sea, I was watching 4 Manx Shearwater passing by. OK, I thought, Worth getting out for. Within 10 minutes I had seen 30 Manx Shearwater. Then out of the gloom, I picked out a Sooty Shearwater. It battled its way west into the strong south westerly winds.  At on point it came in close enough to appreciate it before heading further out into the gloomy bay.  On the sea were 10 Common Scoter and there were a few Northern Fulmar and Northern Gannet lurking about.

After that the Manx Shearwater passage really picked up with birds close in and distant as did the Black-legged Kittiwake of which I totalled 70 birds. At one point, I was tracking some Manx Shearwater and Black-legged Kittiwake, when a Parasitic Jaeger started hassling the latter. It chased one for a few moments before finally settling on the sea. Unfortunately, way too distant for my phone to scope abilities. An unidentified Auk species flew by just after this as did a Common Loon.

I stayed for a further 30 minutes or so and I was so pleased I did. The Manx Shearwater passage continued and I ended on 132 birds. But to top off a great evening, a Pomarine Jaeger popped into my scope as I was scanning. It always remained distant and I soon lost it. 

A very productive visit and goes to show, you should always go with your gut instinct. Well, it worked this time at least!

Manx Shearwater

Otterton Sewage Works, Devon 

I had a 45 minute sea watching session from the cliffs near the Sewage works this evening. A bit of Manx Shearwater passage. All the groups totaled 36 birds. 2 Razorbill sat far out. 21 Common Scoter, 3 Sandwich Terns and 3 Northern Fulmar. Around the farmland were 8 Brown Hare and 2 Cirl Bunting.

European Storm Petrel

Otterton Coastal Path, Devon

I had the afternoon off as it was perfect sea watching conditions. So I headed here as it's the nearest descent location to pitch up. It all started very quiet with the commoner species of Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar, Black-legged Kittiwake and Common Scoter. After about 30 minutes I picked out a cracking European Storm Petrel. And literally 5 minutes later a Sooty Shearwater. Hmmm, this could be a good session I thought. As it happens I was right. A further 2 European Storm Petrel but better still a Leach's Storm Petrel. I didn't put the news out as I've only ever seen one before and not very well, so I had to be sure. So refreshing myself with the species, I am now confident. It was rather close. It was longer winged, looked larger, no covert band on underwing and had a stronger more veering flight pattern. As, I was getting ready to leave a Great Shearwater went by and topped off an enjoyable afternoon. Also making the notepad was a single Red-legged Partridge on the lane down to the Sewage works and a Cirl Bunting on the feeder.

A Bit Of A Sea Watch

Otterton, Devon

I had a super quick look off the coastal path near the Sewage works this afternoon. Rather quite at first with only a few Northern Gannet and a raft of Common Scoter to keep my occupied. Then I picked up a lonely Balearic Shearwater going west. Not too shabby I thought. 

Common Scoter

Common Scoter

This lovely Holly Blue kept me company for around 15 minutes. 

Holly Blue

Holly Blue

Velvet Scoter

Dawlish Warren, Devon 
A quick look after work from the sea wall near the lifeguard hut for the Velvet Scoter was very successful. The bird was rather distant but nice to see. Also 6 Common Scoter that were even more distant and a scattering of Great Crested Grebe.

Velvet Scoter (Juvenile)

Not Quite 2,500 But Still A Great

Berry Head, Brixham, Devon
Me and my mate were planning on going to Porthgwarra today but my daughter was ill this morning. She went to school but I didn’t want to venture 2 and half hours away in case the school called to say “come and get her”. So we opted for a closer venue and Berry Head seemed the best option. As it happens the call never came so I was most aggrieved to see a report of 1,500 Great Shearwater at Porthgwarra. That’s a spectacle you don’t get to witness that often. I’ve since seen that the total was over 2,500 plus a possible Band-runped Storm Petrel. Now that’s a total slap across the chops!

I'm trying to be positive though as I did managed a single Great Shearwater at Berry Head, so all was not lost. The time spent on site was rather productive. Around 10 Great Skua and 8 Parasitic Jaeger on offer, with some very close in sightings. 2 Red Phalarope popped up a few times but the views were very brief. Balearic Shearwater numbers were in the region of 50 birds whilst we were on site and there was a single Manx Shearwater. Theres was 1 possible Sooty Shearwater. A distant bird that was rather long winged to be a Balearic Shearwater but I just couldn’t clinch it 100% and the view was ever so short. I still haven’t seen a European Storm Petrel this year and typically one was seen after I left.

One of the Parasitic Jaeger’s to me looked like a potential Pomarine Jaeger. See the second photo. What made me thnk with this bird was the fact that the breast band went all around, where as it should stop on a Parasitic. Not a complete clincher though as this can be misleading on both species but I also felt tha the birds flight was more relaxed, steady and strong.I guess that the jury will stay out on this one.

Also an unidentifiable small Skua. Size pointed to Long-tailed Jaeger but again, far too distant to clinch a positive ID.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
Later in the afternoon I had a very quick look from the raised beach huts. Not a great deal on offer except circa 25 Common Scoter.

Great Skua  

Parasitic Jaeger or Pomarine Jaeger?

Parasitic Jaeger 

Balearic Shearwater  

Great Skua  

Great Skua

Great Skua

Quiet Sea Watching

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I had 2 very brief sea watching sessions from the raised beach hut area. Conditions seemed good but both viewings were very quiet. The best offering on this mornings attempt was an Auk, which felt like Common Murre but too distant to tell. Also a decent number of Northern Gannet knocking about. Matt Knott and his mate Nick seemed to fare slightly better with 1 confirmed Balearic Shearwater and possibly a few more.

After work wasn’t much better with the highlights being 7 Common Scoter, a few Sandwich Tern and Northern Gannet.

My Porthgwarra trip is now confirmed for Thursday due to work commitments. It looks like the winds will still be favourable. It can’t be much worse than today anyway!

Wave Watching

Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon
With conditions still primed for some sea watching I had a pre and after work session from the Maer Rocks area. In the morning (06:45 - 07:20) I seem to have missed the Shearwater, Skua and Auk action as Berry Head seemed to be the place (as ever) to be. I did however see descent numbers of Sandwich Tern and my first Arctic Tern. The after work session (16:30 - 17:10) was slightly better with c30 Manx Shearwater appearing out of the gloom, 2 Common Scoter a Velvet Scoter and an unidentifiable Skua species. I’m pretty sure the Skua was an Parasitic Jaeger but it was rather distant and in the gloom so it was very difficult to get a positive ID even in the scope. Also on Mear Rocks were 3 Purple Sandpiper and a Ruddy Turnstone.

Lots of Shearwaters

Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon
As the conditions seemed perfect I decided to do a quick sea watch session once the kids were settled for the night. As soon as I set up the scope it was obvious that there was a lot of passage going on. Within a few minutes I had already counted 40 Manx Shearwater heading west. As I scoped the birds just didn’t seem to stop streaming through. One group came close in near the large bouy that the Terns rest on and I could make out a Balearic Shearwater. Try as I might I couldn’t even muster one of my crappy pictures. I stayed until the light was no longer any good (around 8:15pm) and had counted c 280 - 290 Manx Shearwater. Also of note were a group of Common Scoter close in and several Sandwich Tern on the previously mentioned bouy.

Manx Shearwater 

Sandwich Tern

A Day Out In Dorset

I had a well earned day off today so decided to have a look around Portland and Weymouth.

Portland Harbour, Dorset
I stopped here first in the hope of some Grebes or Loons but was a tad disappointed with what was on offer. The only species that made the note book were a solitary Sandwich Tern and a few Red-breasted Merganser.

Sandwich Tern

Red-breasted Merganser (Male)

Reap Lane, Portland, Dorset
My next stop was a look for the Siberian Lesser Whitethroat. Again there wasn’t a lot on offer except for 2 fly through Barn Swallow and the usual House Sparrow and Common Starling.

Chesil Cove, Portland, Dorset
With the brisk South Easterly winds, I thought this sheltered side of the island would be a good place to check out. I wasn’t wrong either as I got on to a Male and Female Garganey sat close in on the sea. My first of the year and always a pleasure to see. Also around were a small flock of Common Scoter, 1 Razorbill, a few Common Murre and Northern Gannet.

Garganey (Male and Female)

Garganey (Male and Female)

Garganey (Male and Female)

Garganey (Male and Female)

Common Scoter 

Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth, Dorset 
I popped here quickly in the hope of a Red-necked Grebe that’s been seen off there a few times but again my luck was out. This was open to the winds so everything was obviously sheltering elsewhere.

Lodmoor Reserve, Weymouth, Dorset
Next, Lodmoor. This reserve is great for its Common Tern colony and Marsh Harrier. Today both were on offer. The Common Tern have only just started to arrive, so I only managed 2 birds in flight on arrival. They did a short circle around then headed off to sea. The Marsh Harrier, however put in a much better performance. With a Male and Female hunting quite close. There wasn’t much else of real note.

Tufted Duck (Male and Female)

Black-headed Gull 

Marsh Harrier (Male)

Eurasian Coot

Radipole Lake Reserve, Weymouth, Dorset

This was probably the most productive part of the day for me. 15 Common Pochard, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Eurasian Reed Warbler, lots of Common Chiffchaff and best of all a Siberian Chiffchaff. The Siberian Chiffchaff was on the Budleia Loop near the shelter / viewing platform. It called and showed beautifully at times. However, frustratingly couldn’t get that decent photo. Every time I got it in my sights, someone with either Dogs or Kids came round the corner. Don’t get me wrong, I have 3 kids myself. So I appreciate it’s great to be out with them and enjoying the wildlife. I’m also not totally against Dogs but do hate ones that aren’t controlled in the correct manner (there were some examples of this today). I’m not going to rant and I appreciate people that read this will have dogs but at a wildlife reserve, they surely have to be controlled?

Grey Heron

Rock / Feral Pigeon

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon
On the way home I had a very brief stop off (to stretch my legs) very little on the lagoon so I headed back to the car. I was greeted by the friendliest European Robin I have ever come across. It came with 2 feet of me and I think if I had any food on me it would have fed from my hand.

                     "Give us a lift mate!"                                                                

European Robin

"Got any grub?"

European Robin  

European Robin

European Robin

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 
As I was leaving Black Hole Marsh, I received a call from Terry Smith to say he had just got an Osprey on the Exe. So I knew I could get there and manage about 30 minutes to check it out.  Based on what Terry had told me, I decided to pitch up at Mudbank Lane. I scoped the Estuary over and over but didn’t see it. Thank for the call though Terry and a nice sighting. The

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.

Half Descent Sea Watch

5th January 2018
Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon 
A Very brief sea watching session at first light for 30 minutes. 10 Common Scoter, one of which could have been a Velvet Scoter as I’m sure I had a flash of white on one but the choppy conditions and distance made it impossible to obtain a positive ID. Also of note, 3 Common Eider, too many Black-legged Kittiwake and Northern Gannet to count. Several each of Razorbill and Common Murre heading west. Disappointingly, no Loon species that I could see.