Cettis Warbler

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon

It's my birthday today so went for a good walk along the Otter. Near the water treatment area was several Eurasian Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff. A pair of Eurasian Bullfinch and a showy and noisy Cetti's Warbler. Further down river were 7 Common Merganser and 2 Grey Wagtail.

Common Merganser (Female)

Grey Wagtail

Glaucous Gull and Yellow-browed Warbler

Cricklepit Bridge, Exeter Quay, Devon 

In was working in the city and had half day leave planned so it seemed rude not to look for the Glaucous Gull. I had seen pictures and reports that said it can be a very showy bird and they weren't wrong. I soon as I arrived it was right by the Bridge, floating around happily. In fact it was so close I had to move back up the bank to get it in my scope! I did worry whether it was an ill bird but it seemed to be rather happy and well. I always loge seeing this species and this Juvenile didn't disappoint.

Glaucous Gull (Juvenile)

Glaucous Gull (Juvenile)

Ottery Estuary, Devon

Having enjoyed the Glaucous Gull I decided to go closer to home and look for a Yellow-browed Warbler that had been reported by Terry Smith. It was supposed to be in the area of the bend as you just start to go along South Farm Road. I hung around for a while with no joy so I walked up to the White Bridge. At the Bridge was a lovely Grey Wagtail and a Little Grebe. On the way back down there were a few Meadow Pipit. I got back to the bend and bumped into Chris Townsend. It was nice to catch up and have a chinwag. We both separated for a bit in the hope one would pick up on it and after a little while a mixed Tit flock came through. With them was a female Eurasian Blackcap and a cracking Common Firecrest. Soon after Chris spotted the Yellow-browed Warbler in the top of a tree and I just managed a fleeting view of it as it dropped back down. I had to leave not long after but I think it will stick around to have another crack at it. 

On another note I couldn't believe how much the restoration project had come on since my last visit. I am truly excited to see the site finished and equally excited to see it develop and what species that could entice.

Sand Martins

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I took a walk along the river Otter this evening. I started at St Saviours Bridge and headed south for a mile or do and back. I was first treated to a few Sand Martins pottering about. These were accompanied by several Barn Swallow and Common House Martins making thier way north. There were a few Eurasian Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff singing. The one bird that entertained me the most though was a Great Spotted Woodpecker that was completing a nest hole. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 

Cetti's Warbler

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

This evening, I took the same walk as my last past from Finnimores and along the east end of the river Otter south of St Saviours Bridge. There seemed to be a few more Eurasian Blackcap on territory than my last visit. It was the Cetti's Warbler that I wanted to see again though. The bird is a very showy individual that comes very close at times. I think there are now 2 birds on site as the bird I was looking at was staying close but at one point I heard a more distant call. I managed a few poor records shots through my bins.

Cetti's Warbler 

Cetti's Warbler 

My First Patch Cetti's Warbler

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I haven't managed to get out since Sunday due to a terrible bad back. Its still rough but a gentle walk seemed to help today. Enough of me. I started off by parking at Handsford Way and walked by the scrubland at Finnimores industrial estate. Good to see a healthy population of House Sparrow. What surprised me most though was the unmistakable call of a Yellowhammer. I couldn't locate the bird and despite me waiting for 10 minutes it didn't call again. What an usual place to come across one though. Also on the farm opposite, in the tree line that boarders the main B road (Barrack Road) was a Male Eurasian Blackcap singing his heart out.

I crossed St Saviours Bridge and headed south on the east side of the river Otter. Lots of Song Thrush in the area but not much else of note. On the path from the open grass area to the farmland things got more interesting. 3 Eurasian Bullfinch showed beautifully (1 Male and 2 Females). 3 more Male Eurasian Blackcap in full song plus 2 Females. Best of all though was that call that often makes me jump when heard at close range, the Cetti's Warbler. What a loud call that is. After a little wait, the bird showed beautifully at close quarters. Oddly enough, this is my first record of this species on patch. 

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)

Northern Mockingbird And Summer Arrivals

Beer Head, Devon 

I had the day off so I headed here in search of any summer arrivals. I had already got a heads up from Kevin Hale of a decent fall. This first bird was a Northern Wheatear. I never get tired of seeing this species. On the east side of the head were a very decent amount of Common Chiffchaff and in among them were a few Willow Warbler. 2 male Eurasian Blackcap put in an appearance. Oddly my first of the year! A few Barn Swallow came in off the sea. I so wished for a Ring Ouzel as that place is primed to receive one. Not today though.

Northern Wheatear (Male)

Exmouth, Devon 

As the stay at home rule has been lifted, I felt it safe to go for the Northern Mockingbird that has been a long stayer in Exmouth. I only had my binoculars with me so I only managed a record shot. What a cracking little bird to see. 

Northern Mockingbird 

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 New Location

Footpath North From Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

The family have done the walk in my last post a few times this week. However, there was nothing worth mentioning.

Today though, we tried a new footpath and managed to add a few species to my lockdown list. Grey Heron, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Black (pair) Common Merganser (pair) and unexpectedly a pair of Mandarin Duck. Also worthy of a mention were the vast amount of Common Chiffchaff.

Common Whitethroat

The Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I had a quick walk along the Otter this afternoon from the white bridge down to the hide and back. The first bird I saw was a Common Whitethroat. The bird was very elusive and only showed for a matter of seconds but it was enough to ID as a Female. Also on site were a pair of Eurasian Blackcap, a Male Eurasian Bullfinch and a Cetti’s Warbler.

Eurasian Blackcap

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had a walk from Gore lane, across the permissive path to the coastal path and down to the Geoneedle this morning. Nothing on the dung heap but along the coastal path was a single Willow Warbler in song and seen, immediately followed by a male Eurasian Blackcap, again in song and seen briefly. This was my first Eurasian Blackcap of the year.

Willow Warbler

Exminster Marsh, Devon 
I had a look around the railway path area after work and had my first Willow Warbler of the year. A Peregrine Falcon was sat on one of the pylons but there wasn’t much else of note. I then walked from the fisherman’s car park to the viewing platform as I had been informed by my mate Pete (that I bumped into along the railway path) of a Eurasian Blackcap in song in that area. I couldn’t stay long so I was unsuccessful but there was a single Male Common Reed Bunting.

Bowling Green Marsh

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
It’s been a busy week this week so I was pleased to get a bit of birding in. A quick look after work from the viewing platform wasn’t very productive with the best on offer being a few Common Greenshank. I was hoping for Eurasian Blackcap along the lane but it was all rather quiet.

Grey Catbird

Treve Common, Near Lands End, Cornwall
Today, me and my good friend Pete headed off in the hope of the UK’s 2nd recorded Grey Catbird. After our Brown Shrike dip a few weeks ago I for one was a nervous wreck in case it had moved on. So once news broke as we were driving passed Whiddon Down on the A30, I heaved a huge sigh of relief. Despite getting caught up with 3 broken down vehicles near Hayle we made it to site in reasonably good time.

We parked the car in the field that has been negotiated with the land owner and noted 2 crowds. One had congregated on the other side of the common and some at the bottom of the car park. We decided that the car park option seemed as good as any so made the short walk to the gathered onlookers. We had basically timed it to perfection as the bird was showing nicely and we both got rather good views. PHEW! pressure off and job done.

We stuck around for around an hour and half and the bird showed a few times with some very nice views even though the bird was rather mobile. It didn’t sit up enough for me to both enjoy good views and to take a decent phone scoped photo. I did manage a few but they are poor even to my crappy standards. Also on site were a Northern Wheatear that kept us on our toes as it was popping up where the Grey Catbird was favouring, a Male Eurasian Blackcap, Common Kestrel and Eurasian Skylark.

Grey Catbird 

Northern Wheatear 

After filling our boots we had a brief look at Cape Cornwall for Red-billed Chough. Apparently they had been on site all morning but moved on in the Botallack direction. We called in here briefly too but had no joy. I was pushed for time as it was parents evening for 2 of my kids so I knew I had to leave Cornwall earlier than I normally would. On the way home we were a tad disappointed that late news came out about a Red-breasted Flycatcher and Richard’s Pipit within earshot of the Grey Catbird but we soon reflected on the mega sighting we had observed and forgot about what we missed.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
After I had dropped Pete off I decided I had enough time for a quick blip from Gore Lane to the coastal path and back. On arrival I was treated to great close views as a Female Peregrine Falcon flew over Gore Lane. There was a small flock of Common Linnet but nothing else of note. On leaving I noted that Matt Knott has arrived and was off doing his round. I got home and received a call off him asking if I was still on site as he had a Short-eared Owl. I advised I wasn’t and thanked Matt for the call and information, its always appreciated. Parents evening over ran so I didn’t get a chance to look but time permitting I may have a look before work but there is also he lure of Red-breasted Flycatcher in Sidmouth and a Barred Warbler at Dawlish Warren. Decisions, descisions. I think its safe to say that Autumn has kicked off!

Willow Warbler Singing Like A Chiffy

Woodbury Common, Devon
I took another trip up to look at the Willow Warbler I saw yesterday which had black legs. I was curious as yesterday I noticed it was giving off an odd call. The best I can describe the call is a sped up Conmon Chiffchaff. I know Warblers can be excellent at mimicking but I have to admit I haven’t come across a Willow Warbler with this much talent. Perhaps I’ve just not been paying attention but I enjoyed listening to the bird. I wanted to double check just in case I was missing something.

I studied the bird for a while and as I did, it was plainly obvious it was a Willow Warbler. I though about the dark legs for a moment. This (as far as I know) means it could simply be a young bird that hasn’t reached breeding maturity yet. Leg colouration does change with age so I’m going to check in on this bird out from time to time to see if they have lightened. If they don’t, could this be a subspecies?

Now distinguishing grey looking Willow Warbler from Conmon Chiffchaff can be tricky enough if there’s no call and there’s poor views and I am in no way an expert in Willow Warbler subspecies so I’m just speculating. An interesting bird non the less.

Also on offer was a brief Garden Warbler (call only), a Male Eurasian Blackcap and a churring European Nightjar

What A Difference An Angle Makes

The Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I had a bit of time to spare after work so I though I would look around the White Bridge area of the Otter. When I arrived a few Barn Swallow were feeding over the water and field. 3 Common Buzzard were soaring above and I kept an eye out for a Red Kite without success. Along the path to the hide were a few Eurasian Blackcap, a Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Eurasian Reed Warbler. Then I spotted a really stand out bird. It was giving off a very pied plumage appearance. I got on to it with my bins initially but decided it deserved a look at with the scope as it was a tad distant. With the scope I could easily see it was a Bunting and the default would be Common Reed Bunting but in the lighting conditions and with the angle it looked completely different. The bird duly changed angle to reveal its true identity as a Common Reed Bunting. It just goes to show how easy it can be to get confused.

Common Reed Bunting

Crosswort

Meadow Buttercup 

Red Valarian

Hyacinth Orchid

Blue Flag Iris

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 

A Reported Red-backed Shrike

Undisclosed Site, Exmouth, Devon 
I popped back to see if I could pick up on my possible Tree Sparrow before work. No joy but did get a Common Firecrest. It’s an amazing site really as I had a number of species. The best of the bunch were, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Eurasian Blackcap and the first fledged Conmon Chaffinch and Conmon Blackbird but no Spotted Flycatcher today.

Budleigh Common, Devon
After work, I received a message about a Red-backed Shrike that had been reported early in the day. I was at the Otter at the time but quickly got back to the car in hot pursuit. I met up with Matt Knott and we both scoured the area with no success. The only birds of note were a couple of Sand Martin, European Stonechat and Common Linnet. Still I enjoyed catching up with Matt and it’s always worth a look. At the end of the day, if your not out there looking your not going to see bugger all. I was only at the Otter for 10 minutes when I got the message so not much to report apart from a calling Cetti’s Warbler at White Bridge.

Some more flower pictures..... Yawn!

Hairy Bittercress 

Uncertain of this species

Pink Campion   

Common Chickweed       

Creeping Buttercup       

Bothriospermum Chinense

Wild Geranium

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.

Red Knot Or Not?

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
A pre work visit to the hide early morning. There wasn't a great deal about but on my first scan of the waders on the spit I was drawn to this smaller wader. It was sleeping when I first saw it so I couldn't be sure what it was. It woke up to preen itself for a moment or two and I could only manage a few of my rubbish photos. At the time it was sleeping, I did think Red Knot. However when it was preening etc. the neck looked to long for a Red Knot (picture 1 kind of capture this). The light was awful (as it can be at this site when the sun is low) but the bird was a medium sized wader and looked a dull brown / grey on the back, wings and head (almost like a non breeding Godwit plumage). The chest and belly were white but the chest had some faint barring on it. It was short billed and the supercilium stood out a mile (picture 2 shows this). I had a proper look at the pictures during my lunch break and conferred with my trusty Collins App and the only suitable candidate was a Red Knot. Although it didn't quite sit well with me (me and my curiosity again!).

Mystery Wader - Longer neck than I would expect for Red Knot

Mystery Wader - Look at that Supercilium!

Mystery Wader - Short bill

I returned to the site after work to have another look. There were plenty of Waders about. Mainly Black-tailed Godwit but a couple of Dunlin and several Red Knot were in the mix. I was glad there were Red Knot about as it gave me a chance to do a compare and contrast on the bird from this morning. And in honesty, looking at the Red Knot has made me think my bird from this morning didn't quite fit with how these birds looked. However I cant seem to tag it to anything else at the moment! Also on site was a Ruff, a few Sand Martin and a Male Eurasian Blackcap on the road near Goosemoor.

Red Knot in amongst Black-tailed Godwit 

Dunlin in amongst Black-tailed Godwit 

Black-tailed Godwit

The Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
I had time for a quick look before heading home. The Cetti's Warbler was in song near the white bridge. No sign of the Lesser Whitethroat but to be fair I wasn't on site long. Still no Common Kingfisher or Water Rail! A few Barn Swallow were about but apart from that the site was very quiet.