Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth cycle path, Exmouth, Devon
Took the kids for a bike ride today from Castle Lane to Littleham and back. As ever, I was noting the bird species. On the route were Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Common Buzzard, Song Thrush, Goldcrest and Eurasian Bullfinch. Around a third of the way along are a number of feeders. I’m not sure who keeps these stocked up by they were attracting a number of species including Eurasian Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit and House Sparrow. Also of note were 2 Fallow Deer in one of the fields.
Showing posts with label Eurasian Blue Tit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eurasian Blue Tit. Show all posts
Exton Marsh And Ideford Common
Exton, Devon
Having not had a chance to look for the Glossy Ibis over the weekend I had a very quick look first thing. It was freezing cold and the Marsh was frosted over. There was unfortunately no sign of the bird. Thanks to Dave Stone for the news on Saturday.
Ideford Common, Devon
I had a look around the car park area today for Lesser Redpoll. Plenty of Common Chaffinch were around as were the usual Tit species around the feeders. Including Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit. A Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Treecreeper put in brief appearances. I was pleasantly surprised to see a single Marsh Tit for a short time too. After a while I was being to give up hope for the target species when a small flock of Eurasian Siskin started feeding in the tops of the trees. I enjoyed watching them for a while when I heard the call of a Lesser Redpoll. After a short search a single bird was seen on the treetops for a while before it flew off and I lost sight of it.
Having not had a chance to look for the Glossy Ibis over the weekend I had a very quick look first thing. It was freezing cold and the Marsh was frosted over. There was unfortunately no sign of the bird. Thanks to Dave Stone for the news on Saturday.
Ideford Common, Devon
I had a look around the car park area today for Lesser Redpoll. Plenty of Common Chaffinch were around as were the usual Tit species around the feeders. Including Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit. A Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Treecreeper put in brief appearances. I was pleasantly surprised to see a single Marsh Tit for a short time too. After a while I was being to give up hope for the target species when a small flock of Eurasian Siskin started feeding in the tops of the trees. I enjoyed watching them for a while when I heard the call of a Lesser Redpoll. After a short search a single bird was seen on the treetops for a while before it flew off and I lost sight of it.
Some Somerset Stuff
Oathe, Somerset
I had a work meeting in Somerset today and after it finished I popped to this area for half an hour as it was around the corner. The reason for the visit was that I had heard there were Whooper Swans here. I couldn’t find any but I was impressed by the amount of Northern Lapwing in the area. I didn’t do an accurate count but it was was in the several hundreds. I walked along the road and flushed a Common Kingfisher and best of all a Jack Snipe. There were also a decent amount of Redwing and Fieldfare.
Swell Wood, Somerset
I also popped into this RSPB reserve for 10 minutes. I didn’t leave the car park as someone had dropped Seed all over the place and there was a real feeding frenzy of woodland birds. Lots of Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit with a couple of Marsh Tit mixed in. Also a Eurasian Nuthatch and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker. This seemed like a really nice reserve and has a Heronry lookout hide.
I had a work meeting in Somerset today and after it finished I popped to this area for half an hour as it was around the corner. The reason for the visit was that I had heard there were Whooper Swans here. I couldn’t find any but I was impressed by the amount of Northern Lapwing in the area. I didn’t do an accurate count but it was was in the several hundreds. I walked along the road and flushed a Common Kingfisher and best of all a Jack Snipe. There were also a decent amount of Redwing and Fieldfare.
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| Fieldfare |
I also popped into this RSPB reserve for 10 minutes. I didn’t leave the car park as someone had dropped Seed all over the place and there was a real feeding frenzy of woodland birds. Lots of Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit with a couple of Marsh Tit mixed in. Also a Eurasian Nuthatch and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker. This seemed like a really nice reserve and has a Heronry lookout hide.
Common Kestrel At Close Range
Bicton Common, Devon
After work I had a mooch around the area opposite the Uphams Plantation car park. On arrival I noted a large mixed flock feeding around the car park. I scanned for anything unusual but the flock consisted of Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest. I continued on my way and had 2 flyover Red Crossbill, several mobile Meadow Pipit and some Common Linnet were flitting about. Then everything went quiet so I turned around to move on only to discover the reason for everything ducking for cover. A close (around 20 metres) range Female Common Kestel was surveying the area from the top of a small pine tree. It’s always nice to be able to appreciate a bird close up.
After work I had a mooch around the area opposite the Uphams Plantation car park. On arrival I noted a large mixed flock feeding around the car park. I scanned for anything unusual but the flock consisted of Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest. I continued on my way and had 2 flyover Red Crossbill, several mobile Meadow Pipit and some Common Linnet were flitting about. Then everything went quiet so I turned around to move on only to discover the reason for everything ducking for cover. A close (around 20 metres) range Female Common Kestel was surveying the area from the top of a small pine tree. It’s always nice to be able to appreciate a bird close up.
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| Common Kestrel (Female) |
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| Common Kestrel (Female) |
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| Common Kestrel (Female) |
Orcombe Point
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had an half an hour scam around the top fields area. A nice mixed feeding flock hung around the old dung field for a little while. After scrutinising the flock, nothing special revelled itself. The flock contained mainly Long-tailed Tit with a few Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit. The top field opposite the current dung field held a flock of Common Linnet, the most I’ve seen up there for a while with around 20 birds. A dozen or so Meadow Pipit and I had a flyover, calling Western Yellow Wagtail. Only heard as I was looking into the sun to try to locate it. A few Barn Swallow around but apart from that not a lot else to report.
I had an half an hour scam around the top fields area. A nice mixed feeding flock hung around the old dung field for a little while. After scrutinising the flock, nothing special revelled itself. The flock contained mainly Long-tailed Tit with a few Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit. The top field opposite the current dung field held a flock of Common Linnet, the most I’ve seen up there for a while with around 20 birds. A dozen or so Meadow Pipit and I had a flyover, calling Western Yellow Wagtail. Only heard as I was looking into the sun to try to locate it. A few Barn Swallow around but apart from that not a lot else to report.
Looking For Butterflies And Other Winged Critters
Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon
I had to pop to the recycling centre this afternoon so I decided to do a quick circuit of both the Meadow area and Pool areas of the reserve. I was hoping for a selection of Butterflies and Dragonflies. There were only Small White and Large White on the wing in the Meadow so I drove around to the pool area. It was rather busy so I knew my chances would be slim on seeing much but I continued to walk to the end of the boardwalk. None of the Butterflies settled so no pictures but did see a Brimstone and best of all large Fritillary species. As it was a flight view I couldn’t make out which one. The likely species here is High Brown or Dark Green but both aren’t usually on the wing until mid June. So is this something else or are they simply making the most of the nice weather? I also spied a ???? that rested on the boardwalk.
I also spotted a Terrapin. Now most people would say WOW! but not me. There must have been pet ones realised there a few years ago and as much as I like them, they cause severe damage to the ecosystem. I know the warden tries to eradicate them when discovered. The reason for this is they love to eat the dragonfly larva. With quite a number of important species breeding there, this can be devastating.
On the bird front it was rather quiet. A Common Buzzard was sat in the Meadow on arrival and a few Song Thrush were singing away. In the trees around the Meadow were a few Great Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit and European Robin and a European Green Woodpecker flew over.
I had to pop to the recycling centre this afternoon so I decided to do a quick circuit of both the Meadow area and Pool areas of the reserve. I was hoping for a selection of Butterflies and Dragonflies. There were only Small White and Large White on the wing in the Meadow so I drove around to the pool area. It was rather busy so I knew my chances would be slim on seeing much but I continued to walk to the end of the boardwalk. None of the Butterflies settled so no pictures but did see a Brimstone and best of all large Fritillary species. As it was a flight view I couldn’t make out which one. The likely species here is High Brown or Dark Green but both aren’t usually on the wing until mid June. So is this something else or are they simply making the most of the nice weather? I also spied a ???? that rested on the boardwalk.
I also spotted a Terrapin. Now most people would say WOW! but not me. There must have been pet ones realised there a few years ago and as much as I like them, they cause severe damage to the ecosystem. I know the warden tries to eradicate them when discovered. The reason for this is they love to eat the dragonfly larva. With quite a number of important species breeding there, this can be devastating.
On the bird front it was rather quiet. A Common Buzzard was sat in the Meadow on arrival and a few Song Thrush were singing away. In the trees around the Meadow were a few Great Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit and European Robin and a European Green Woodpecker flew over.
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| Iceland Poppy |
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| Gorse |
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| Fairy Primrose |
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| Dog Violet |
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| Creeping Cinquefoil |
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| Wild Strawberry |
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| Common Sowthistle |
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| Small Red Damselfly (Female) |
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| Terrapin |
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.
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.
A Dip And A Dipper
Dunsford Wood, Dunsford, Devon
I had to give a talk and training session at our Barnstaple office today so on the way home I took a detour via Dunsford Woods. My target bird was Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I did hear one calling at quite close range but frustratingly, I couldn’t pin it down and eventually lost the call. I did however see 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, 1 Eurasian Treecreeper, numerous Coal Tit, Great Tit and Eurasian Blue Tit. Surprisingly there were no Grey Wagtail but I did get cracking views of a White-throated Dipper.
I had to give a talk and training session at our Barnstaple office today so on the way home I took a detour via Dunsford Woods. My target bird was Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I did hear one calling at quite close range but frustratingly, I couldn’t pin it down and eventually lost the call. I did however see 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, 1 Eurasian Treecreeper, numerous Coal Tit, Great Tit and Eurasian Blue Tit. Surprisingly there were no Grey Wagtail but I did get cracking views of a White-throated Dipper.
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| White-throated Dipper |
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| White-throated Dipper |
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| White-throated Dipper |
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| White-throated Dipper |
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| White-throated Dipper |
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| Coal Tit |
Don’t Move, I’m Cold!
East Budleigh, Devon
I popped to Cadbury Gardens again after work to see if I could get a better photo of the putative Italian Sparrow but despite there being plenty of House Sparrow around, it didn’t show. A few bits and bobs on offer though.
Mudbank Lane Exmouth
I then descided to have a quick look off Mudbank Lane. Nothing special on offer but I found this Common Redshank trying to shelter from the wind and was amused by the Dunlin trying as best as it could to use the Common Redshank as shelter.
“Don’t move, I’m cold”
I popped to Cadbury Gardens again after work to see if I could get a better photo of the putative Italian Sparrow but despite there being plenty of House Sparrow around, it didn’t show. A few bits and bobs on offer though.
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| House Sparrow (Male) |
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| House Sparrow (Female) |
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| Common Blackbird (Male) |
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| Eurasian Blue Tit |
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| Common Wood Pigeon |
I then descided to have a quick look off Mudbank Lane. Nothing special on offer but I found this Common Redshank trying to shelter from the wind and was amused by the Dunlin trying as best as it could to use the Common Redshank as shelter.
“Don’t move, I’m cold”
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| Common Redshank and Dunlin |
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| Eurasian Oystercatcher |
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| Eurasian Curlew |
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| Common Redshank |
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| Dunlin |
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| Black-headed Gull |
Home Working
Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
I spent the day working from home to complete a 5000 word assignment on leadership styles and when to use them..... YAWN. I was hoping to get out for an hour but birding was rained off. However, I do have a descent view and managed to see the following in the garden and trees at the back of adjacent street. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 European Green Woodpecker, 4 Eurasian Goldfinch, 1 Goldcrest, a party of 10 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Eurasian Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Common Blackbird and 2 European Greenfinch which aren’t that common in my garden. So that did break up my assignment day.
I spent the day working from home to complete a 5000 word assignment on leadership styles and when to use them..... YAWN. I was hoping to get out for an hour but birding was rained off. However, I do have a descent view and managed to see the following in the garden and trees at the back of adjacent street. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 European Green Woodpecker, 4 Eurasian Goldfinch, 1 Goldcrest, a party of 10 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Eurasian Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Common Blackbird and 2 European Greenfinch which aren’t that common in my garden. So that did break up my assignment day.
The Little Guys Made It
County Hall, Exeter, Devon
Whilst having a cigarette break in work, I watched a large party of mixed birds feeding. In the flock were, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 3 Eurasian Blue Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Eurasian Wren. So it was very encouraging to see that the smaller species in that area had made it through the rough weather. Also around the site throughout the day were, 8 Common Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 European Green Woodpecker, 1 Eurasian Jay and a few Eurasian Goldfinch.
Whilst having a cigarette break in work, I watched a large party of mixed birds feeding. In the flock were, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 3 Eurasian Blue Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Eurasian Wren. So it was very encouraging to see that the smaller species in that area had made it through the rough weather. Also around the site throughout the day were, 8 Common Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 European Green Woodpecker, 1 Eurasian Jay and a few Eurasian Goldfinch.
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