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)

Spotted Redshank

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 

I had a few hours to kill whilst my daughter was auditioning for a part in Centre stages next performance of Shrek the musical at Exmouth Pavilion (plug done). So as it coincided with the tide on its way out from high tide, I decided to visit here. 

Straight away I was treated to numerous Common Snipe, Pied Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit. At the back of the reserve were 2 Common Pochard busy diving for food a few Northern Pintail were dotted about. There were so many waders that scanning for the Spotted Redshank was very difficult but my patience paid off but was never able to get a photo. More scanning for the Ruff was not so successful. 

Common Snipe

Pied Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit 

Baikal Teal

Greylake, Somerset 

Having only fluked some flight views of the Baikal Teal. I decided to give the bird one more go. I arrived at the left hide and was told it had not long been flushed but looked to drop to the left. After a little bit of scanning I stumbled upon the bird with it in full view. I excitedly shouted "Got it" and panic ensued with many in the hide. It was difficult to give directions with the hundreds of birds on view but with a bit of help from Dave Boult. We managed to get people on to the bird. It slept pretty much all the time we were on it bar another quick lift of the head so pretty rubbish record shots. However, if you look carefully (especially the second photo), you can see the vertical white strip on its breast and the darker head colour can be seen in both pictures.. Also on site were Western Marsh Harrier, Great Egret, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Common Snipe. 

Baikal Teal 

Baikal Teal 

Ruff

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 

I visited the hide over the morning high tide. As I turned up I was advised there had just been a Little Gull reported off the goat walk. So I popped along but there was no sign. At the hide, the highlights were 3 Ruff, 1 Common Snipe and circa 20 Common Greenshank. A good number of Dunlin were on offer to scrutinise a single Stock Dove popped in and a few Northern Pintail andBar-tailed Godwit were dotted about.

Common Snipe 

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.

Corn Bunting And Spotted Redshank

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had a look in the dung heap area of Gore Lane first this this morning  and quickly got on to the Corn Bunting as it sat at close range on the hedge. After I had filled my boots with the great views I had a quick look around the site but there was nothing else of real note but had one last look at the dung heap before leaving and managed a White Wagtail.

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting

White Wagtail 

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
After work I had a little stroll along the path from the white bridge to the scrape. On the Estuary was a single Mew Gull in amongst the small Gull flock and I had the briefest of views of the Spotted Redshank. It was so brief that it appeared in my scope view whilst I watch looking through the Gulls. I didn’t have enough time to take any pictures though. The only other birds of note were 3 Northern Pintail and 2 Common Snipe.

Common Redshank 

Mew Gull

Northern Lapwing 

Common Shelduck (Male and Female)

American Wigeon Again!

Matford Pools, Exeter, Devon
After work I decided to take another look at the American Wigeon. This time around it was showing nicely on the left of the first pool. Also of note were a Stock Dove, several Common Snipe, a few Northern Lapwing, a few Eurasian Curlew and Lesser Black-backed Gull.

American Wigeon (Male)

American Wigeon (Male)

Eurasian Wigeon (Male)

Northern Lapwing

Great Cormorant

Tufted Duck (Male)

Stock Dove

Carrion Crow

Canada Goose

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
A made a quick stop here but nothing of any note.

Common Moorhen

Snow Day

Exmouth, Devon

We’ve been hit by snow so I have done my bit and put out extra food to help our feathered friends in their time of need. The kids have obviously enjoyed the events and I do enjoy the amazing bird movements but no doubt many species will really struggle in these conditions and it’s sad to know that many will lose the battle to survive. 

Snow!!!

Looking for food in the garden first thing was a Redwing. I’ve seen Redwing in the fields up the road from me but never in my garden! I hope that guys makes it through this snow period! There were actually quite a number around the area all frantically looking for some nourishment! This one was on the way to the in laws on Marley Road.

Redwing

Also visiting the garden very briefly were 6 Fieldfare. There is a tree up the road bearing berries (forgive me as I’m not great with trees so don’t know what type) that they were desperately feeding from. Also 2 Common Snipe flew low over the house. This proved to me that things were tough out there for the birds.

I had a text off Matt Knott that I didn’t see straight away about a group of Woodlark on the beach but by that time I couldn’t make the trek.

White-throated Dipper

Ludwell Valley, Exeter, Devon
A quick stop off after work at the Topsham road end got me quickly on to 2 White-throated Dipper in the brook. It never ceases to amaze me how the birds make a living in the city. It’s unfortunately not the cleanest of brooks but fair play they get on with it.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
Spent a bit of time around the Marsh. Lots of Eurasian Wigeon and Eurasian Teal. A few Tufted Ducks and Northern Shoveler. Standout birds were a single Common Pochard, 3 Common Snipe, numerous Northern Pintail and as I was leaving close to dusk a Eurasian Sparrowhawk hunting the hedges around the road near the hide.