Rose-ringed Parakeet

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I had heard from a local birder of a Rose-ringed Parakeet literally round the Corner from me. So I decided to take a stroll around and sure enough, a single bird was happily sitting on the telephone cables on Chineway Road. Also a few Common Swift overhead. Bad photo as I only had binoculars and phone.

Rose-ringed Parakeet

White Stork and Garganey

Matford Marsh, Exeter, Devon 

I had to pop to Exeter this morning so I couldn't resist looking as the White Stork. It's a rather showy bird and despite it being a released bird from the Knepp project, its always nice to see. 

White Stork

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon 

I had time for an hours walk around so I started from the middle car park and walked to the new scrap area. There were good numbers of Sedge Warbler and Eurasian Reed Warbler on the walk. Plus a few Commo  Reed Bunting and Cetti's Warbler. The star bird though was the Male Garganey that was showing on and off between the reeds at the new scrap. Also back at the middle car park 2 Common Swift flew over.

Garganey (Male)

Sedge Warbler

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 

Early evening I took my daughter to rehearsals in Exmouth and had an hour or so to spare, so I walked around Orcombe Point. It was so nice to see my first Common Whitethroat of the year with a few on territory. 

Common Whitethroat (Male)

Wood Sandpiper

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

I have been itching to get to site all week knowing that it's been a great place for Wood Sandpiper. So I was pleased to have an early evening walk out to the island hide today. I do love Wood Sandpiper, it's on of my favourite waders. The site didn't disappoint either with 4 individuals. I seem to have missed the Western Marsh Harrier by a few minutes though. Also on site 2 late Common Swift flyovers. 

Wood Sandpiper

River Warbler

Ham Wall, Somerset 

The lure of this amazing lifer was too great today so I popped up this evening. I also gained a companion for the trip. Kevin Hale joined me for this great bird. Once on site and on route a fellow birder advised us its really showy, so we were confident we would see it. We could hear the bird reeling on our approach and we're on to the bird before even setting up scopes. The reports say "showing well" and they aren't lying. The whole time we were there it only went into cover for around 15 minutes. I wish every lifer was as easy as this. Also on site was a stunning Male Western Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Egret and plenty of Common Swift. On the way back to the car Kevin got a Eurasian Bittern that I missed. A great bird and great to meet and chat with Kevin. A very enjoyable evening.

River Warbler 

River Warbler 

River Warbler 

Greater White-fronted Goose

Exminster Marsh, Devon 

I took a quick walk along the railway path this evening. Lots of Barn Swallow, Common House Martin and Sand Martin. Several Common Reed Warbler were the first birds to treat me. Then a got the briefest of views of the long staying Greater White-fronted Goose before it headed back into a ditch. A single Eurasian Whimbrel was hanging about with Eurasian Curlew. Several Common Swift few overhead. Ans a single Common Greenshank. 

Red Crossbill

Undisclosed site, East Devon

Sorry but I'm not going to say where I took my evening walk today as I saw a number of schedule 1 species and the site may not be a well known breeding area. On the site were 2 Dartford Warbler, 1 Tree Pipit, 5 Yellowhammer and best of all, my first of the year Red Crossbill. With 12 birds on view. They were always rather distant. Hence, the mega zoomed scope photo. Also of interest was a flyover Common Swift, Mistle Thrush and European Green Woodpecker. 

Red Crossbill (Male)

Common Swift

Cadhay bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
The whole family took a walk to the bridge and back today. I'm rather blessed with where I live to be able to go for nice walks and see next to no one.

On today's walk were my first Common Swift of the year. 2 individuals flew south and kept going. Also a few Eurasian Skylark flight displaying.

Also of note was a Eurasian Blackcap in my garden the other day. Took me totally by surprise and had gone by the time I grabbed my phone for a photo.

A Couple Of Bits

Pullabrook Woods, Bovey Tracey, Devon
Had a family day out and had a picnic along the river. The only bird of note was a Grey Wagtail. On the Butterfly front was a few Silver-washed Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Red Admiral and Large White. The only Dragonfly seen was an Emperor Dragonfly.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
A walk around late evening produced very little with a Female Northern Wheatear, Female Common Whitethroat and Common Swift being the best on offer. Well done to Matt and Derek for getting a Tawny Pipit this morning.

Tree Pipit And Common Redstart

Yarner Wood and Trendlebere Down, Devon
I had a quick look around Trendlebere Down and Yarner wood this afternoon. A Tree Pipit showed beautifully on Trendlebere Down and a few Common Swift were overhead. In the woods were a Male European Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, a pair of Common Redstart and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Common Redstart (Female)

Tree Pipit

Spotted Flycatcher

Common Swift

Woodbury Common, Devon
I was off work today to have some time with the family so we decided to pop to Crealy. As we were driving across the Common a Common Swift flew over the road at speed (due to the wind) it was a brief view but it was nice to see my first of the year.

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

A Family Day Out And A Dip

Pullabrook Woods, Bovey Tracey, Devon
The whole family went for an outing today. We love visiting this site as it has a nice stream, woodlands and grass areas. My time was focused on the family but as ever I noted a few bits and bobs. The theme today was manly Butterflies with the following selection seen. White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Comma, Marbled White, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Ringlet and Meadow Brown. A few Dragonflies put in an appearance with Beautiful Demoiselle, Emperor Dragonfly and Ruddy Darter. The only problem was nothing sat still for a portrait.

Enchanter’s Nightshade 

Clevedon, Avon
Early evening I decided to have a look at the Pied Crow that’s been hanging around the town centre. I know it’s highly unlikely it will make the list but I was interested in seeing the bird. However it was a wasted trip as even after extensive searching I failed to find it. On the plus side, I was amazed by the amount of Common Swift in the area.

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.

Nightingales, Bitterns And Lots Of Cool Stuff

Bridgewater and Taunton Canal near Lower Durston, Somerset
There is a little spot I know of on this canal that holds a few Common Nightingale. I got there to be greeted with the delightful song and encountered stonking views of 2 individuals. Also around the area were a few Eurasian Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff.

Common Chiffchaff

Eurasian Blackcap (Male)

Common Nightingale  

Common Nightingale  

Common Nightingale  

Common Nightingale   

Common Nightingale    

Common Nightingale  

Common Vetch   

Ground Ivy

Chinese Hawthorn  

Greylake, Somerset 
As this was just around the corner, I popped in for a quick look around. I didn’t stay long as I struggle with this reserve. I have only been a few times but I find the reserve hard work as I seem to be looking at head height reed all the time. I did see a few Eurasian Reed Warbler though.

Field Mustard  

Common Comfrey 

Ham Wall, Somerset 
My next stop was just up the road at Ham Wall. I have visited a few times this year but not seen Eurasian Bittern so this species plus Common Cuckoo were my priority birds. It was rather busy today but it didn’t deter the birds. The first bird of note was a Great Egret, I eventually racked up 10 by the time I left. I was treated to a Male Marsh Harrier next and numerous Common Swift were screaming above. In fact there were so many Common Swift I lost count of the numbers. Next I managed to get one of my 2 bogey birds of this year in the form of a Common Kingfisher... phew. Typically (once you see one the flood gates open) I ended up seeing 2 birds. I had heard both my target birds calling by this point so I kept going to the Avalon hide being treated to quite a few Garden Warbler and Eurasian Blackcap. There were no sightings of either species at the hide but I was delighted to see a ball of fluff... I mean Tawny Owl chick. A gorgeous looking thing indeed. I moved back to the Tor View Hide and I was instantly treated in flight views of a Common Cuckoo and within a minute 2 flight views of Eurasian Bittern (its like waiting for a bus). There were a lot of Eurasian Reed Warbler around the Reserve and several Cetti’s Warbler giving it large (as they do).I was surprised not to see a Eurasian Hobby though. With my boots filled I stopped for a coffee and ate my lunch before heading off elsewhere.

Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher 

Garden Warbler 

Tawny Owl (Chick)

Greylag Goose 

Common Swift

Great Egret

Great Egret

Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon
As I left Ham Wall I decided I would head back to Exmouth and check the sea as conditions looked pretty good. I watched for around an hour and half and managed a few good sightings. First off were 2 Great Skua that were rather distant and didn’t hang about but enjoyable all the same. Tern activity got good at one point with circa 20 Sandwich Tern and a couple of Commic Tern. In amongst this was a Little Tern, this surprised me a little as I though this should be on a breeding ground by now. Then I picked out a bird that looked to have a different jizz to it. It always stayed distant so I couldn’t get a full positive ID but it was looked a tad smaller than Sandwich Tern and looked to have shorter wings and a slower and shallower flight pattern. My only thought is a Roseate Tern. Looking at BirdGuides there have been a couple reported so it’s possible this was indeed one but as I mentioned, I couldn’t get enough on it. During my time there around 20 Manx Shearwater passed through, all heading west and 1 Auk species and a single Northern Fulmar.

When all is said and done, a rather productive and very enjoyable day out.

Green Heron And A Possible Black Kite

Llan Mill, Pembrokeshire
My boss was kind enough to let me have a last minute day off so that I could go and see a bird I have longed to see for some time. I missed out on the Cornwall bird in 2010 so I was determined not too miss out on this one. My mate Pete has never seen one of these either so he meet me and we headed off early. The drive up was nerve racking and we had got passed the Severn bridge and still not got news of a sighting. As with any long trip, there's always the chance of a no show so we started wondered if this was going to be a hell of a dip. We finally got the news it had been seen and you could feel the tension ease immediately. Now it was just a case of getting there and hoping it shows in the time I had there as I needed to be back in Exmouth for 5:30pm so time was of the essence.

On route, near Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire. Our minds were distracted for a few moments as we were treated to excellent low views of a Red Kite. The traffic had been more than kind to us and we arrived in good time. The bird in question is in a private garden pond on the property of local MP Simon Hart. There was the obligatory charity bucket which we gladly added to and we set up along with 40 - 50 other eager birders. I was impressed with the garden, it was a large pond and the garden looked more like a wildlife reserve. We didn't have to wait long to get our first glimpse of the bird. Phew, pressure off and job done. As my pictures show, it never came fully out in the open and the several views obtained were of it peeking through the reeds. With our boots filled we headed off and were treated to another great Red Kite near the Pembrokeshire / Carmarthenshire border.

Green Heron

Green Heron

Green Heron (Butt view)

We have even made the local paper (Left hand with Green coat)

Ham Wall, Somerset 
On the way back we both needed to stretch our legs for an hour. So we decided here would be as good a place as any to stop. We only walked up to the first viewing platform and back. On the way to the platform we were treated to views of a Eurasian Hobby (first of the year) and several Common Swift. Around the platform and surrounding trees were 2 Great Egret, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Eurasian Reed Warbler and several Eurasian Blackcap. Disappointingly, there was no sign of yesterday’s Mealy Redpoll. We left feeling a bit refreshed and on the way back (a few miles back into Devon) we encountered another Kite species. I say Kite species as this was no Red Kite. We knew straightaway from the jizz that it was Kite but the fork in the tail was small and the bird mainly dark underneath. So we think this was a Black Kite

What a cracking day! The Green Heron was a stunner of a bird and as knackered as I am writing this, it was well worth the trip. The only downside was that my folks live in Swansea that I had to pass twice on the trip and I didn't have time to even call in for a quick cuppa.

Some Great Stuff In Dorset

Me and my good pal Pete had a road trip to Dorset today in search of that star Spring migration bird.

Ferrybridge, Portland, Dorset
Our first stop off was the lagoon at Ferrybridge in search of Little Tern. We scoped every boat, buoy and the shingle beach opposite but couldn't locate any Little Tern. Its very strange as they are usually in on the 19th like clockwork. I only know that date as I spoke to an RSPB person on site last year. There was however a single Common Tern and several Sandwich Tern to keep us occupied.

Common Tern 

Sandwich Tern

The Bill, Portland, Dorset
We moved on to the observatory to pop in and ask the low down of the morning. on arrival we noticed a group of birders opposite the observatory and looking in to the crown estate field. So we immediately went over to see what they were all looking at. Steph Murphy and her other half were there (Sorry I cannot recall his name) and we were told that Whinchat was the answer. The bird however was very distant. I got scope views but they were rather shocking. Someone also mentioned that there was Common Redstart in the same area. After a quick catch up with Steph and co we decided to relocate to the free car parking area near the cottage and look from there. We were glad we did as we got close views of the Whinchat, a Male and Female Common Redstart, several Northern Wheatear (mainly Males but a few Females) and a fly through Common Swift.

We then walked across the slope field to the Auk colony. on route were a few Meadow Pipit, Common Linnet, Eurasian Skylark and a nice Tree Pipit. The Auks showed nicely at times, mainly Common Murre but a few Razorbill were on offer too. A single Northern Fulmar patrolled the cliffs and a single Northern Gannet was feeding in the distance.

I fancied a look in the quarry before moving on and on the way back across the slope fields a Eurasian Skylark gave nice views whilst feeding. It was lovely to enjoy these views as I normally only get fleeting flybys or display flight views. We got to the quarry and searched a little while but there was no sign of the Little Owl. There was actually very little in the quarry, with a Common Chiffchaff and a Common Wood Pigeon being the only birds in there. I was hoping for a Common Whitethroat as its a prime stop off location for a tired bird but no joy.

Whinchat (Male)

Whinchat (Male) 

Northern Wheatear (Male)

Northern Wheatear (Female) 

Common Redstart (Male)

Common Murre 

Razorbill

Razorbill 

European Shag

European Shag 

Eurasian Skylark

Eurasian Skylark

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset
Our last stop in Dorset. we hoped that the weather would favour Bearded Reedling. After having slowly completed the Budleia Loop we had struck out. The best bird being seen was a Cetti's Warbler. on the way back and on the bridge near the visitors centre we both started hearing a Warbler sing. First impressions were a Eurasian Reed Warbler but the song changed. I fully appreciate that Reed Warbler species can mimic but this bird was amazing! I picked out Blue Tit, Chaffinch and House Sparrow within the first round of singing. The call changed and changed, it was quite amazing! Now my understanding is that Marsh Warbler are the more talented singers, so I was hoping this bird would revel itself. Needless to say it didn't. Shame as I would have loved to see the bird making such mesmerising tunes. Other wildlife of note were in the variety of Butterflies. The following species where seen. Brimstone, Peacock, Small White and Large White.