Eurasian Woodcock

Colaton Raleigh Common, Devon
I had to drop the kids to Exmouth for they're stage school session and it worked out nicely for a dusk walk around the common. I was hoping for Eurasian Woodcock and within 5 minutes I had 2 flyover. Despite a walk in the right places I only managed another 1 flyover.

Lack of time

Colaton Common, Devon
I dont seen to be able to get out in the field much at the moment with workloads and preparing to move house. In a few weeks time I will be in Ottery St Mary. I will still visit many of the Exmouth and Exeter sites I currently do but will need to figure out some new local patches as well.

Anyway, I visited this area the commons today and started at the Warren car park. I worked my way down hill and immediately got on to a small flock of Fieldfare and Redwing. A few Meadow Pipits and Common Linnet were dotted about. To the north of the grenade range I managed the briefest of views of a Short-eared Owl. I was also pleased to get my first Eurasian Woodcock of the winter  with 2 flyovers. I was starting to get worried that none were in the location this year so it was a sigh of relief to finally see some.

Some Good Birds In Exeter

Northbrook, Ludwell Valley, Exeter 
A walk along the brook from Ludwell Lane to Topsham Road after work was well worth it. On site were 1 Water Rail, 1 White-throated Dipper and a minimum of 6 Grey Wagtail. I’ve said this before but it amazes my that such good birds survive here. I couldn’t find any Green Sandpiper though.

Woodbury Common, Devon 
A quick look until dusk in the hope of the Hen Harrier was unsuccessful but I unintentionally flushed a single Jack Snipe and had 3 Eurasian Woodcock in flight at dusk.

A New Year

A new year and a fresh list to complete. 1 popped to a few sites and managed 82 species. I won’t mention them all but the highlights were.

Matford Marsh, Exeter 
I thought I would pop here in the hope of last years boggie bird (Yellow-browed Warbler). No joy but there was a Common Chiffchaff that got me excited for a second or so. Around the marsh were Black-tailed Godwit, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Common Snipe.

Powderham Sawmill
Another go at last years boggie bird but again there was no Yellow-browed Warbler on offer but a group of 6 Red-legged Partridge were close by.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham
A Little Gull off the Goat Walk was a welcome sight, also here were Pied Avocet, Red Knot, Grey Plover and Dunlin. Around the marsh were Redwing, Northern Pintail, Bar-tailed Godwit and Cetti’s Warbler. I didn’t stay long as it was far too overcrowded for my liking. I felt almost claustrophobic.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth 
A quick visit produced Cirl Bunting, Northern Raven and Meadow Pipit.

The Seafront, Exmouth
What is it about “We must all go for a walk on New Year’s Day?!” As again this place was far too busy (it was busier than I have ever seen it in the summer) so I didn’t hang about but did manage a distant Red-throated Loon

The Quay and Imperial Grounds, Exmouth 
Black Redstart, Common Eider, Mew Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Horned Grebe, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser were the best on offer here.

Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington 
A quick visit got me a Brambling at the farm and a European Green Woodpecker nearby. A quick return visit to a site near the farm at dusk got me a Eurasian Woodcock.

Yet More Eurasian Woodcock

East Devon Common, near Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington

I had a drive around the roads near Hayes Pig Farm at dusk I the hope of finding any feeding Eurasian Woodcock. My luck was in as I spotted an individual in my headlights. I only managed to get this single stinker of a record photo on my iPhone emote it flew off 

Eurasian Woodcock 

More Eurasian Woodcock

East Devon Common, near Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington
I staked out an area a few miles from Hayes Pig Farm at dusk tonight. My reward was 7 Eurasian Woodcock and a Tawny Owl. I do enjoy seeing the Eurasian Woodcock but tonight’s views were all flyovers. Still at rather close range and they started flying while it was just about light enough to enjoy.

No Sign But Eurasian Woodcock

Woodbury Common, Devon
I had a quick look around until dusk. No sign of yesterday’s Hen Harriers or Red Crossbill but a nice flock of circa 200 Fieldfare and a few Redwing.

Near Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington, Devon
I drove home via the back road (from Yettington to Bystock) and had brief but great views of a Eurasian Woodcock in my headlights on the road before it flew off.

Eurasian Woodcock And A Missed Soaking

East Devon Commons, Devon 
I’m not going to give away the exact location I’m afraid but a after work walk coinciding with dusk, gave me 2 very close in flight views of Eurasian Woodcock. It’s nice to know that there are at least a few back in the area. I just made it back to the car before the thunderstorm hit and the heavens opened. That would have been one heck of a soaking. Phew!

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.