Isabelline Wheatear

Colyford Common, Seaton, Devon 

I wanted to get another look at the Isabelline Wheatear and I also was hoping to see the Eastern Yellow Wagtail. The Isabelline Wheatear was no issue and showed off beautifully. Even doing the normal pose on a post! The was no news on the Eastern Yellow Wagtail though so I popped into the hide for a while and was treated to a Peregrine Falcon. Another look for the Eastern Yellow Wagtail was unsuccessful, despite there being a number of Meadow Pipit flitting about that were at one point all put up by the presence of a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. However, it was lovely to catch up with some of the birders on site and share stories and knowledge. 

Isabelline Wheatear 

Isabelline Wheatear 

Back out again

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

I haven't done much birding over the last month due to severve back and shoulder issues that I need an operation on. But today I felt mobile enough to get out so I opted for this site as its nice and flat and easy. There wasn't anything to talk about from the island hide apart from a fly through Eurasian Sparrowhawk. However, the tower hide was a bit more productive with numerous Common Ringed Plover, a single Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Grebe and a sleepy Common Greenshank.

Common Greenshank 

Baikal Teal

Greylake, Somerset 

Having only fluked some flight views of the Baikal Teal. I decided to give the bird one more go. I arrived at the left hide and was told it had not long been flushed but looked to drop to the left. After a little bit of scanning I stumbled upon the bird with it in full view. I excitedly shouted "Got it" and panic ensued with many in the hide. It was difficult to give directions with the hundreds of birds on view but with a bit of help from Dave Boult. We managed to get people on to the bird. It slept pretty much all the time we were on it bar another quick lift of the head so pretty rubbish record shots. However, if you look carefully (especially the second photo), you can see the vertical white strip on its breast and the darker head colour can be seen in both pictures.. Also on site were Western Marsh Harrier, Great Egret, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Common Snipe. 

Baikal Teal 

Baikal Teal 

A Nice Long Walk

Ottery St Mary Area, Devon
The whole family went for a long walk after home schooling. We followed public footpaths from the bottom of Butts Road. Through the farm fields towards Fairmile Lane to the Otter River. We then followed the Ottery up to Cadhay Bridge and back home.

So added to my lockdown list were the following species.

Coal Tit
Little Egret
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Barn Swallow
Stock Dove
Mistle Thrush
Eurasian Teal

Topsham Rec

Topsham Recreation Ground, Devon 
We took the kids to play in the park so I couldn’t resist a look around. A few Black-tailed Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit. 2 Common Greenshank, a Common Kingfisher and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk patrolling overhead.

Merlin

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I took a walk north from the White bridge to the aqueduct after work. I was hoping for Common Kingfisher. I came away not seeing one but a Merlin sat on a distant post near the aqueduct was a delightful compromise. I picked it up on binoculars by accident as I was looking at a Grey Heron. Unfortunately, it few before I could get my scope set up for a photo! However, a few fields down was an obliging Eurasian Sparrowhawk.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Female)

Pied Avocet And Common Eider

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
A morning visit on Monday didn’t give up the Yellow-browed Warbler but from the hide was a single Ruff and few Dunlin in amongst the many Black-tailed Godwit flock and a nice raft of Pied Avocet.

Pied Avocer

Shelly Beach, Exmouth, Devon 
A quick look after work in the hope of a Black Redstart was unsuccessful. I guess it was hunkered down due to the presence of a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. On the estuary were a few Common Eider, with one individual at rather close range.

FINALLY A Yellow-browed Warbler!

Decoy Country Park, Newton Abbot, Devon 
As I was going to go to Stover I decided to pop here to look for the Common Loon. After a decent search, there was no sign. I bumped into Charlie Fleming. I’ve seen many of his excellent photos over the years but we have never chatted before. It was a pleasure getting  to know him and we had a very good chinwag. I hope to bump in to him again sometime.

Stover Country Park, Stover, Devon 
I wanted to pop here as I love to see the Common Merganser and it didn’t disappoint with 4 pairs on site. Eurasian Siskin was about the best at the feeder and 2 pairs of Mandarin Duck were a nice addition too.

Mandarin Duck (Male and Female)

Cockwood
My next stop off to look for Common Eider and Common Goldeneye and both species showed (if not distantly).

Powderham Sawmills
I gave the area another go for the Yellow-browed Warbler and within 10 minutes the bird showed beautifully in the willows to the right of the concrete area outside Poppy’s Flower studio. I’m glad I have finally caught up with this lovely species as I was beginning to think I would never see another one again!

Powderham Corner
A final stop off to check through the Brant Goose. Nothing of interest that I could pick out as they were always distant. However, on the Estuary was a close Grey Plover and good numbers of Northern Pintail. In the fields on the way back to the main road were 2 Eurasian Sparrowhawk co hunting Thrushes (I think Redwing). They were both unsuccessful.

Grey Plover 

Cirl Bunting

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I managed a quick look around Gore Lane after work until dusk. The 2 Cirl Buntings are still about and were feeding near the dung heap. They didn’t stick around for long and darted for cover in the hedge that follows the road when a juvenile Eurasian Sparrowhawk came bombing through. The bird stopped in the opposite field. I didn’t have my scope but managed this photo through my binoculars!

(Juvenile) Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Barnacle Goose Amd Yet Another Missed Yellow-browed Warbler

Milbury Lane, Exminster, Devon
I had a very quick look for yesterday’s Yellow-browed Warbler before work around Milbury Lane with no luck. I really think I’m not destined to connect with this species this year. The only birds of note was a fly through Female Eurasian Sparrowhawk and large numbers of Redwing and a few Fieldfare flying overhead.

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
A quick look from the middle car park after work gave up the 4 Barnacle Goose in amongst a large flock of Canada Goose. Also good numbers of Northern Lapwing about. Light was fading fast, so no time to look for anything else.

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose 

Barnacle Goose 

Barnacle Goose

One Hell Of A Dip

Soapy Cove, Kynance, Cornwall 
So the day had finally come to have a go at the Brown Shrike. Me and my mate Pete made the journey in good time and even got from Kynance National Trust car park to the birds prefered site in good time. So we found a good vantage point and started the waiting game. We were soon joined by Steph and Rob Murphy and it was a pleasure to chat and swap stories. A few species kept us entertained, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit and European Stonechat. After what seemed an eternity we all decided to call it a day having not seen the bird which would have been lifer for all involved apart from Pete. Nevertheless I had an enjoyable time on site.

View of valley that leads to Soapy Cove

The Lizard, Cornwall
Me and Pete popped here for a rather late lunch in the lighthouse car park in the hope of salvaging the day with a Red-billed Chough but even they didn’t want to play ball.

Helston Boating Lake, Helston, Cornwall 
On the way home, with a deflated feeling I felt I needed to see something decent. So we popped along to the boating lake to see the questionable Male Ferruginous Duck. On arrival we noted the pool was virtually drained for repairs. However, the bird showed and it was nice to appreciate the bird at close range as normally these birds are shy and distant.

Ferruginous Duck (Male)

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon

When nearly home I received a text from Matt Knott about a Red-crested Pochard at Mudbank Lane. I decided to have a super quick look but there was no sign. Apparently someone had fired a shot at them and everything had gone up. So by the time I got there the numbers of Eurasian Wigeon (which the bird was associating with) had dropped as they had understandably moved on. 

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?

New Life

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
After work I visited the Otter again. This site keeps calling to me lately. You know when you just get that though of “I need to be there” today’s theme was Raptors and Warblers. On arrival at the white bridge, the first bird was a Female Conmon Kestrel followed by a Cetti’s Warbler. A little north of the bridge was a Female Eurasian Sparrowhawk gliding through the trees on the east side of the river. Again no Common Kingfisher or Water Rail. Will I ever see these species this year!!

I decided to try the south of the bridge and was rewarded with my first Sedge Warbler of the year. First heard singing then the briefest of views. A further brief view of a Eurasian Reed Warbler followed. Out on a tree stump on the east side of the river was a Conmon Buzzard. So Raptors V Warblers ended at a 3 all draw.

To finish the visit, at the white bridge was a group of Mallard Ducklings. My first young seen of any species this year. I do love watching Ducklings discovering their surroundings and I watched for a while. Their mummy was never too far away and watching over them. She duly shuffled them into cover when any passerby came near. New life is well underway!

Mallard Ducklings 

Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon 
Back at home this Bumblebee was on my side entrance gate. I’m ok with Butterflies and Dragonflies but I’m not great with identifying Bees. My best attempt at this species is a Buff-tailed Bumblebee but I would happily be corrected by anyone with superior knowledge than me.

Buff-tailed Bumblebee ??

White-throated Dipper

Ludwell Valley, Exeter, Devon
A quick stop off after work at the Topsham road end got me quickly on to 2 White-throated Dipper in the brook. It never ceases to amaze me how the birds make a living in the city. It’s unfortunately not the cleanest of brooks but fair play they get on with it.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
Spent a bit of time around the Marsh. Lots of Eurasian Wigeon and Eurasian Teal. A few Tufted Ducks and Northern Shoveler. Standout birds were a single Common Pochard, 3 Common Snipe, numerous Northern Pintail and as I was leaving close to dusk a Eurasian Sparrowhawk hunting the hedges around the road near the hide.