Dartford Warbler

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 

I had to pop to the Nightingale hospital in Sowton for a long awaited steroid injection in my shoulder. So I decided to relax myself by having a quick 30 minutes on site to look for Dartford Warbler. I couldn't believe my luck as a few 100 metres into the reserve, a cracking Male was literally feeding about 6 feet away from me. I have no camera but managed a few awful pictures simply with my phone.

Dartford Warbler (Male)

Dartford Warbler (Male)

European Nightjar

Near Exmouth, Devon 

A visit this evening to a common just outside Exmouth produced 4 European Nightjar. Lots of wing clapping and churring. Also 1 Dartford Warbler. 

Common Redstart

Peak Hill, Sidmouth, Devon 

I had a stroll around this area late afternoon / early evenibg, hoping for an earlier reported Western Yellow Wagtail with no joy. The were 2 Mistle Thrush and a Willow Warbler on offer though. 

Mutters Moor, Sidmouth, Devon 

I then spent the rest of my time at this lovely location. I was treated to a female Common Redstart not far from the carpark. It was the briefest of sightings and despite staking the place out for 20 minutes it never reappeared. Further into the Moor I managed to see my first Red Crossbill of the year. First picked out on alarm call and after a Little wait, it showed briefly  There were several Yellowhammer dotted around and calling. On my way back to the car, a lovely pair of Dartford Warbler kept me entertained for a while. Phone scoping is tricky at times and the only picture I managed of a Dartford Warbler was when my phone decided to auto focus but not on the bird!

European Stonechat (Male)

Yellowhammer (Male)

 Dartford Warbler (Male)

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)

Possible European Serin

Peak Hill, Sidmouth, Devon 

I had a walk around the field amd wooded areas this morning. In the Gorse was a cracking Dartford Warbler I only saw it briefly but it looked stunning in the sun. There were at least 2 Common Whitethroat in that area also. Giving some great views and song. A single Yellowhammer was seen briefly but the best was a possible and I must state possible European Serin. I caught a sight of a bird flying away from me at reasonable range and I noted a cracking yellow colour on its lower back. The whole jizz felt correct but it never called. I so wanted it to call to clinch the ID. I stuck around for another 45 minutes but I never saw it again. 

Common Whitethroat (Male)

Dartford Warbler

Fire Beacon Hill, Bowd, Devon 

An hours walk around site early evening rewarded me with 2 Northern Wheatear, 4 Yellowhammer, 1 Dartford Warbler and 1 Tree Pipit. It won't be long before the Eurasian Nightjars are back. 

Yellowhammer (Male)

Dartford Warbler, Tree Pipit and Yellowhammer

Mutters Moor, Sidmouth, Devon

I took a walk around this site early evening. I have never visited this site before but was very pleased with the amount of bird life. On arrival I was treated to several Yellowhammer. Further along a Male Dartford Warbler put in a nice but brief performance. A Tree Pipit put an equally brief show. Near the car park a Eurasian Blackcap was singing his little heart out. I will be making this a more regular haunt and will be adding Peak Hill part of that visit next time.

Yellowhammer (Male)

Dingy Skipper

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 

I popped to the commons last Wednesday (29th July) and got great views of a pair of Dartford Warbler. Unfortunately not much else about.

Seaton, Devon

Today after work I popped to the cliff area at the beach to look for Dingy Skipper. Strangely a Butterfly species I've never seen. A my luck was in with a single specimen seen. I know there are more there but it was rather late (8pm) and there was a breeze so I guess the rest were in hiding. Very pleased to finally catch up with this Butterfly. Couldnt get a picture though, so I feel another visit will be on the cards soon.

European Nightjar

Exmouth Seafront, Devon
We went for a family walk and it was nice to finally catch up with a Sandwich Tern and Common Tern.

Beacon Fire Hill, Devon 2nd June
I took a walk around in the evening and saw a single male Dartford Warbler. Also on site were 2 Tree Pipit, 2 European Nightjar a few European Stonechat and Yellowhammer.

European Stonechat (Male)

Yellowhammer (Male) 

Yarner Wood, Devon 2nd June
One evening I went for a quick walk but didnt see much. However, a Male European Pied Flycatcher was a pleasant sight.

Tipton St John, Devon 30th May
I was alerted to a Marsh Warbler so it was rude not to make the 8 minute drive to take a look. I was asked not to blog it but the news is now out that it had moved on after a few days. I have seen one before but the views this gave were incredible.

Marsh Warbler

Marsh Warbler

No Golden Oriole

Squabmoor and Dalditch, Devon
I had a 2 hour stake out for the Golden Oriole this evening from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. No sight nor sound of the bird so I am a bit perplexed by a report that came out 2 minutes after leaving stating it's there singing!?

Anyway, an enjoyable evening with 2 Eurasian Hobby, 3 Eurasian Jay, numerous Yellowhammer and a single Dartford Warbler.

Yellowhammer (Male)

Yellowhammer (Male)

Dartford Warbler

Woodbury Common, Devon
After work I took advantage of the fact the rain had stopped and had a wander around Woodbury Castle and surrounding common. Not a great deal around but a nice Male Dartford Warbler making the most of the sun was a welcome sight. Circa 60 Meadow Pipit were about and a similar number of Barn Swallow came through.

Aylesbeare Dragonflies And Butterflies

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
A had a quick walk before work down to the ponds. Dragonflies included Keeled Skimmer, Common Blue Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly and Azure Damselfly. Butterflies present were, Painted Lady, Ringlet, Large Skipper and Small Skipper. As I was leaving, a cracking Male Dartford Warbler was seen briefly singing on top of some gorse. Lots of European Stonechat and Common Linnet around too.

Azure Damselfly 

Keeled Skimmer (Female)

Ringlet 

Large Red Damselfly 

Temminck’s Stint

Chapel Amble, Cornwall 
I had the day off so me and my mate Pete caught up for a spot of birding. As the Temminck’s Stint has been around for a while now. It seemed rude not to pay it a visit. We got to the village car park and got straight on to the bird in the field directly opposite. The bird showed beautifully although I struggled to get a decent photo. There was unfortunately nothing else special on site, despite recent reports of Water Pipit, Western Cattle Egret, Ruff, Western Barn Owl and Grey Partridge. However, I have to say, that’s the easiest Temminck’s Stint to bag ever!

Temminck’s Stint 

Temminck’s Stint 

Hayle Estuary, Cornwall 
We moved on to look for the reported Ring-billed Gull. Despite there being a good number of Gull species around, a good scan couldn’t locate it. However, there were good numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gull and a couple of smart Mediterranean Gull finally gave themselves up. I’m pretty sure I had a Yellow-legged Gull but this distance was immense, even for my optics! On Ryan’s field was the resident Eurasian Spoonbill, that was fast asleep.

Helston boating lake, Cornwall 
As this wasn’t far away. We thought we would give this site a go as the Ring-billed Gull has visited this site. Our luck wasn’t in but we did see the almost certain plastic Ferruginous Duck.

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
A quick visit produced really nice views of a Male and Female Dartford Warbler. A nice way to round the day off.  

Mostly Non Tickable Stuff

Bicton Arena, Yettington, Devon 
On the way to the Otter Estuary after work I noticed 2 Helmeted Guinea-fowl in the field just by the entrance to the Arena. I couldn’t resist a quick look and some pictures. They aren’t a BOU tickable species but I still enjoy seeing this unusual species.

Helmeted Guinea-fowl

Helmeted Guinea-fowl

Helmeted Guinea-fowl

The Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I got to site around 10 minutes too late to catch the Spotted Crake as it’s preferred feeding area had literally just disappeared under the water. The Bar-headed Goose was showing distantly from the hide. Another non tickable bird but again a very smart species and a joy to observe.

East Devon Commons, Devon
The area I visited had very little on offer as it was rather busy with walkers etc, so everything was skulking away. However I did manage the briefest of views of a Dartford Warbler.

More Nightjars

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
A quick look from the hide this morning and 2 Ruff in almost breeding plumage were at the back left of the reserve. A few Eurasian Blackcap around the garden but not much else of note.

Cowslip  

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
A quick visit after work to look for Dartford Warbler was unsuccessful. It was rather quite but there were a few Eurasian Blackcap near the farm. I’m not sure if it’s just me but I think this species seems to be more abundant this year as I see them everywhere lately. There were a number of Brimstone on the wing plus this Small Blue.

Small Blue 

Undisclosed site, near Exmouth, Devon
I went to have another look at the local European Nightjar and had a smart Male perch up briefly. It churred for a few seconds and duly dived in to cover. Excuse the truly awful pictures. I have lightened them but the quality is dreadful. A record shot if nothing else.

European Nightjar 

European Nightjar 

European Nightjar 

Aylesbeare Common

Aylesbeare Common, Devon
With the weather turning warm and the lack of wind, I thought I would have a look for some Dartford Warblers after work. I enjoyed being out in the warmth but unfortunately there were no Dartford Warblers on offer. In fact there was very little on offer apart from some Eurasian Stonechat and Common Linnet. I'm out for a Portland trip again tomorrow. Lets hope it delivers

European Stonechat (Male)

European Stonechat (Female)

Common Linnet (Male)

One Of Those Days

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I felt that the over night conditions were primed for a fall of migrants so I popped up first thing. The place was almost devoid of any bird life apart from a few European Herring Gull and Eurasian Magpie. As I have mentioned before on this blog, I have a real love / hate relationship with Orcombe. There can be weeks where I see nothing but it can also deliver the goods. Today was a day of nothing, so I headed to work with my tail between my legs.

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
After work I took a look around the common. I was hoping for Dartford Warbler. I had walked for 20 minutes down the left hand side of the reserve and in that time I hadn’t seen a bird. At this point I thought to myself “Spence, this is one of those days!” I continued towards the bottom of the reserve (where there are a number of pools) and had only seen 2 Carrion Crow and heard a singing Common Chiffchaff. Once I arrived at the pools things did improve slightly with a Male Eurasian Bullfinch, a Common Chiffchaff, 2 Eurasian Blue Tit and a Common Chaffinch.

On another note. My 9 year old daughter Brooke went on an orginised wildlife walk at Dawlish Warren today and was chuffed to see her first Osprey and Sand Lizard. It’s nice to see her really getting into her birds and wildlife. Her life list is now 62! Not bad considering she only started listing this year. Perhaps she’ll beat her Daddy one day?

I’m off to Portland area tomorrow so hopefully I will have a better day.

Dartford Warbler

Hawkerland Common
A quick scan with the scope from the entrance near the car park for Aylesbeare Common. On offer was a single European Stonechat, 7 European Greenfinch and a nice male Dartford Warbler (albeit very distant)

Aylesbeare Common
Around the common were 7 Yellowhammer, circa 50 Common Linnet and circa 30 Meadow Pipit. I had hoped for some Lesser Redpoll but again my luck was out on that front. They can be rather tricky to catch up with around here. On leaving there were 20 White (Pied) Wagtail drinking and pottering around a large puddle at the car park.