Missed This Song

Knapp Copse, Putts Corner, Devon 

I took a walk around this local reserve after work. I was welcomed by the song of a Common Chiffchaff. It felt great to hear that sound again in lovely sunshine. I have so missed that song. There were a total of 4 singing individuals on site. I was also treated to a pair of Eurasian Bullfinch and a Eurasian Jay. Oddly, the first sightings this year for me. On the feeders at the carpark was a lovely Eurasian Nuthatch but there was no sign of the Marsh Tit I saw there in the winter.

I have also signed up for the RSPB Turtle Dove survey and been given a pretty local area to survey between May and June. Its an area that has some suitable habit. With the current state of the species, I'm hot holding out too much hope but you never know. Maybe the whole lockdown situation throughout Europe helped the species last year? Any way, I will give it a try. 

Common Merganser

Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I took a walk along the wooded area and bridge area after work. In the wooded area were a pair of Eurasian Nuthatch, lots of Goldcrest and Coal Tit. In the adjacent field was a pair of Stock Dove but best of all were 2 pairs of Common Merganser.

Common Merganser (2 pairs)

Common Merganser (Female)

Brambling

East Hill Strips, Devon 

I took a walk around this area this afternoon. Not a lot of species seen to be honest. I did get nice views of Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper and Redwing. Best of all was a Brambling. My first of the year. 

Unusual Urban Birding

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I haven't blogged for a while. In fact, I haven't birded for a while either. Work commitments and illness have gotten in my way. 

I have only been on few walks around my estate. I have of course been watching the garden and the main order of the last few weeks have been. Redwing, Eurasian Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a flyover Little Egret. 

On today's lunchtime walk though I came across something that I have heard calling of late. A few streets away I came across an usual site. An Indian Peafowl. This female was rather at home wandering the street and pottering about in gardens. Not quite what you would expect from urban birding.  

Indian Peafowl (Female)

Marsh Tit

Knapp Copse, Putts Corner, Devon

I thought I would get some exercise today so I cycled to this close nature reserve. It a few miles east of Ottery St Mary. Just passed the Hare and Hounds cross roads on the road to Seaton. Lots of the usual suspects with highlight being Goldcrest, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker. However, the best was at the carpark feeders with a lovely Marsh Tit.

Some Good Garden Birds

Butts Road, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
Spent some time watching the garden today and had my first Eurasian Jay (also my first of the year surprisingly). A Eurasian Nuthatch pottered about for a moment as did a European Green Woodpecker.

Smew

Chard Reservoir, Somerset 
I popped here again this morning with the youngest to see the Smew. Distant views as last time but again  enjoyed seeing the bird. Other bits and Bobs included, Eurasian Bullfinch, Great Creasted Grebe, Eurasian Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Great Creasted Grebe 

Biking And Birding

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.

Common Firecrest

Liverton Copse, Exmouth, Devon 
I was going to pop to Darts Farm after work but I finished later than planned and with traffic lights on the bridge I decided I didn’t have time. However, inspired by Matt Knotts look around a very local copse I decided I could swing by for 20 minutes or so. I’ve never actually birded this area but I was surprised by the variety of species on offer. On the treetops were a few Redwing. Within minutes I had seen Eurasian Treecreeper and Eurasian Nuthatch. I then got on to a Goldcrest and with that the call of a Common Firecrest. After a few minutes I managed to locate and get descent views of one bird. As I watched, I reckon I heard at least 3 individuals but couldn’t locate any others. I think I will be visiting here a bit more often. It’s weird that it’s literally 5 minutes from my house and I hadn’t discovered this tiny piece of land that does have lots of potential. Thanks Matt for the information.

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.

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.

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.

Woodbury Castle

Woodbury Castle, Devon 
After work I thought I’d visit the castle area and surrounding Common. Not much made the notebook to be honest. In the castle woods were 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, a single European Green Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Common Chaffinch and Great Tit. The common area didn’t fare much better with 2 Northern Raven, a few European Stonechat and a small flock of Meadow Pipit.

I’m off Friday so I’m hoping to get out and bag a few nice species. I bet that lifer Brown Shrike in Soapy Cove won’t stick around long enough though!  

A Walk With The Kids

Woodbury Castle
The whole family has a walk around the site this morning and stopped for a picnic. It wasn’t to busy on the bird front as there must have been some race / walk taking place. Perhaps part of the Heath Week events. Anyway, there was quite a lot of noise from this event so the only birds see were a European Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Common Chaffinch and Common Linnet. There were 2 species of Dragonfly seen with a Female Common Darter and a Male and Female Southern Hawker. There are now 2 ponds in the centre area of the fort and the Southern Hawker was busy laying eggs on a log in one of the ponds.

Common Darter (Female) 

Southern Hawker (Female)

A Few Bits and Bobs And A Purple Hairstreak

Otterton, Devon
I had a quick walk along the path from the Sewage works to the coastal path. A few Butterflies of note included Speckled Wood, Comma, Ringlet, Small White, Large White, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown and Small Skipper. Bird wise, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk flew low over the field, Eurasian Skylark, Common Chaffinch and Eurasian Goldfinch.

 

Small Skipper  

Field Bindweed  

Bystock Pools, Devon
I moved on for a quick look around the meadow and adjacent woodland. A few Eurasian Nuthatch and a single Great Spotted Woodpecker were the best birds of note but it was the Butterflies and Moths that stole the show with Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Comma, Gatekeeper, Small White, Meadow Brown, Silver-washed Fritillary and best of all a Purple Hairstreak. Moths produced large numbers of Six-spot Burnet a Garden Tiger and a few I’m working on the ID as moths are still a work in progress for me.

Silver Y (Thanks for the help Matt)  

Yet to ID Moth 

Greater Burdock    

Alder Spittlebug 

Tree Bumblebee?

Yarner Wood

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
With no news of the Royal Tern I decided to take a walk around Yarner. On arrival I took a brief walk on Trendlebere Down and was instantly greeted with several Tree Pipit. I took a few circuits around the woods and failed to see any Lesser Spotted Woodpecker or Wood Warbler. I bumped into one of the locals who advised that there are around 5 birds but the nests have failed due to mice! A sad state of affairs for an already struggling Devon breeder! Birds of note though included a smart Grey Wagtail around the pond hide, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Nuthatch and a nice family of Common Redstart. Not much else around apart from a smart Silver-washed Fritillary. Still an enjoyable walk in lovely weather. Oh and it beats working!!

Tree Pipit

Grey Wagtail 

Silver-washed Fritillary 

Small-leaf Bramble

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

A Bits And Bobs Day

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
First thing this morning I popped to the hide to see what was about. The only thing of any note were a few Hirundines. A mixed flock both in flight and resting in the far reeds. An even amount of Barn Swallow, Sand Martin and Common House Martin.

Eurasian Oystercatcher 

Grey Heron 

Sand Martin and Barn Swallow

Common House Martin, Sand Martin and Barn Swallow

Common House Martin, Sand Martin and Barn Swallow

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
I had a little over an hour to spare here in between work. Though an hour wasn’t enough seeing that the main car park is closed. So I swiftly made my way from the Trendlebere car park over the heath and down to the visitors centre. No Tree Pipit as yet but possibly a tad early. I walked up the river and back to some spots I usually get European Pied Flycatcher without success. Also keeping an eye out for any Lesser Spotted Woodpecker or an early Wood Warbler. Having no luck with any of these species, I headed back to look at the top hide before leaving. As always a good showing of Coal Tit, Great Tit, European Blue Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Siskin.

Eurasian Siskin (Male)

Eurasian Siskin (Male)

Eurasian Siskin (Female)

Eurasian Nuthatch

Great Tit

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
After work I had to have a cortisone injection for a dodgy shoulder. Age is starting to get the better of me. After that I had a bit of time to whizz around the point. On arrival at Gore Lane, I was greeted by a mass of Gulls going mental in flight in the direction of the coastal path. Hearing earlier of a Osprey at Budleigh Salterton being mobbed Gulls, I was desperately hoping that this was going to be a similar event. I headed towards the commotion, constantly looking to the sky but as I got closer the Gulls dispersed. I arrived at the coastal path and looked around but nothing was there. Were the Gulls fussing due to a raptor?... I guess I’ll never know.

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.

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

Coal Tit

Treecreeper And Another Failed Attempt

Bystock Pools, Devon
An hours walk around the meadow and bordering woodland area produced 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, a very vocal Male European Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a few Coal Tit and what I hoped to see, 2 Eurasian Treecreeper (my first of the year).

Exmouth seafront and quay, Devon 
Another failed look for the Bonaparte’s Gull. This is becoming a bit of a bogey bird for me this year! Nothing else of note except the usual Gull species, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Great Cormorant.

Out And About In Devon

Ludwell Valley, Exeter, Devon
This can be a good site for White-throated Dipper but none seen ofay. I did see 4 Green Sandpiper and 2 Grey Wagtail.


Stover County Park, Devon 
20 Common Merganser mainly females but 4 males, a pair of Mandarin Duck, 2 pairs of Common Pochard. On the feeder were a pair of Eurasian Bullfinch, a male Eurasian Siskin, 3 Eurasian Nuthatch and plenty of Coal Tit, European Blue Tit and Great Tit.


Exminster Marsh, Devon
100’s of Eurasian Wigeon but I couldn’t locate the American Wigeon, which I later discovered had relocated back to Matford Marsh. However I was pleased to see a Western Marsh Harrier on leaving site.


Cockwood, Devon 
I had cracking views of the resident Horned Grebe and a Common Loon from the railway steps. Also of note were a group of 20 Grey Plover and a single Great Crested Grebe.


Exmouth, Devon
Awesome close views of a Common Firecrest on the path at the rear of the Cricket pitch. One of my favourite birds and I love watching them potter about.


Hayes Barton, Devon 
My last stop was the pig farm to see if there were any Red-legged Partridge in the surrounding fields but nothing about. It was dusk when in left and just up the road (on the way back to Exmouth) near the triangular road section. I was stopped in my tracks by a pair of eyes in my headlights. I edged forward very slowly and got excellent views of a Eurasian Woodcock. I managed to observe the bird for a few moments before it realised I was watching it and it quickly vanished into the scrub. The best views I have ever had as I normally only get flyovers.