Common Goldeneye

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 

I had to hang around in Exmouth for a few hours this afternoon. So I decided to watch here as the tide was dropping. Lots of species were on offer. There were quite a few Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Red Knot and Sanderling, lots of Dunlin a small group of European Golden Plover flew up river. Several Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe. I finally picked out a male Common Goldeneye over the far side of the estuary.

Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon 

I moved to Shelly Beach to look for the Black Redstart but couldn't locate so opted for Maer Rocks on as the tide would have dropped enough to look for Purple Sandpiper and was in luck with 7 on site.

Sociable Lapwing

Crows an Wra, Cornwall (4th December)

I had the day off and the lure of a mega lifer was too great. I know some will say I shouldn't have gone but you if you read the guidance it clearly says you can travel from tier 2 to tier 1 as long as you still abide by tier 2 restrictions. The only ones that cannot travel are unfortunately tier 3 residents. I didn't stop anywhere on the journey there and back and I socially distanced from all on site. In fact, social distancing was adhered to by all of the small ensemble there. 

Anyway, the bird showed superbly straight on arrival. I couldn't believe I was seeing such a class bird and I totally enjoyed the views. Also on site were numerous Northern Lapwing and European Golden Plover.

I stayed for 30 minutes and left for home. 

Sociable Lapwing

Little Ringed Plover

Powderham Marsh, Devon 
After work I had a walk to the viewpoint as I was informed over the weekend by Rob and Steph Murphy that there were 3 Little Ringed Plover on the marsh. I wasn’t able to get out over the weekend so I was itching to have a look for them. As I walked to the viewpoint, the Snow Goose flew over and settled in its current favoured field near the Swans Nest Inn. Small flocks of Common Linnet, Common Chaffinch and Eurasian Goldfinch gave me something to look through on route.

On arriving at the viewpoint, I didn’t have to look too hard for the Little Ringed Plover as I got straight on to one of the birds and very quickly picked up the other 2 all around the base of the pylon. Several Sand Martin were hawking the marsh and after a search I picked up singles of Ruff and Common Sandpiper to the right of the marsh. A group of 20 European Golden Plover were to the left with a few coming into breeding plumage. Due to the distance here are some awful record shots!

Ruff 

Little Ringed Plover 

European Golden Plover 

Barnacle Goose And Some Dire Birding

Exmouth Cricket Club, Devon 
A quick look at first light for the Common Firecrest was unfortunately fruitless.

Exminster Marsh, Devon 
A flying visit at lunchtime today along the railway path. The 4 Barnacle Goose were on show. Good numbers of Northern Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit and was pleased to see a few European Golden Plover.

Barnacle Goose

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
A walk around after work both yesterday and today was very dire indeed. I was looking for Lesser Redpoll and Yellowhammer and on both occasions saw next to nothing. This place can be a bit hit and miss.

Eurasian Whimbrel And Common House Martin

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
I had to visit to the marsh today. This morning produced 2 year ticks. From the hide was a lovely Eurasian Whimbrel, from the road going from the hide to the viewing platform gate was a Male Eurasian Blackcap and on the path to the viewing platform a Female Eurasian Blackcap. There wasn’t much else from the hide except a pair of Northern Pintail and a pair of Gadwall and from the platform a Common Greenshank. Of note off the Goat Walk though was a single Pied Avocet and a flock of around 100 European Golden Plover. No Osprey, that I had hoped for.

This afternoons visit was only a quick one to the hide and I got my first Common House Martin fly through with a few Sand Martin and a few Barn Swallow lingered. Again not much else of note.

Whimbrel 

European Golden Plover 

Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank

Eurasian Curlew

Gulls, Gulls, Gulls And Some Other Good Stuff

A day trip to Cornwall
A few days before this outing I had planned on going to Cornwall but I didn't feel up to the drive so Ham Wall looked like this place to go. I met up with my good pal Pete but on route we had both heard the news that the M5 had been shut. I later, sadly found out that it had been closed due to a fatality. So a quick decision saw us reverting to the original plan of Cornwall.

Trenance Pool, Newquay, Cornwall
Our first port of call was the boating lake in Newquay for the 1st winter Ring-billed Gull. We picked the bird up sitting on the island and it posed very nicely. Also around the lake were 3 Muscovy Duck.

Ring-billed Gull (1st winter)

Ring-billed Gull (1st winter)

St Gothian Sands, Gwithian, Cornwall
Our next leg was a quick trip down the road to see the Male Greater Scaup and juvenile Glaucous Gull. The Greater Scaup was on display but due to the blustery conditions I couldn't get a photo. There was initially no sign of the Gull but on leaving it popped on the island.

Glaucous Gull (Juvenile)

Glaucous Gull (Juvenile)

Newlyn Harbour, Cornwall
We moved on further into the depths of Cornwall, with more white winged gulls our target. On arrival at the harbour this Iceland Gull was showing so amazingly. We didn't even need our binoculars to view it. The best views I have ever had of this species!

Iceland Gull (1st Winter) 

Iceland Gull (1st Winter)

Then to top it off, the second Glaucous Gull of the day (and my third of the year) dropped in and gave equally stupendous views.

Glaucous Gull (2nd Winter)

Glaucous Gull (2nd Winter)

Marizion, Cornwall 

A lightening quick stop to look for Loons proved fruitless but a distant Sinensis Great Cormorant was a nice to see.

Drift Reservoir, Cornwall

Still in complete awe with the views of the Gulls. We moved on to Drift Reservoir in hope of the Pink-footed Goose. Distance views were obtained of the Goose in with a group of Canada Goose and Greylag Goose. Also distant views of a Black-necked Grebe.

Hayle Estuary, Cornwall
A quick stop off for the Eurasian Spoonbill proved a success as the bird was showing beautifully on Ryans field. Also of note were countless Lesser Black-backed Gull and a few Mew Gull.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill

Dozmary Pool

The last stop of the day, in search of the Male Lesser Scaup. I have managed to see this bird at this site for the last 4 years and today didn't disappoint. Again I couldn't manage any pictures in the blustery conditions. Also on the pool were a pair of Common Goldeneye. Around the pool were several European Golden Plover and I also managed vey brief views of a immature / Female Hen Harrier as it dived into cover.

So we headed for home very happy indeed with the species seen and the views of the Gulls will stick with me forever. Cornwall never fails to deliver.

Finches And Buntings Part II

Stantyway Farm, Otterton, Devon 
Had another dawn look around the Farm area. Again a large flock of Common Linnet, Common Chaffinch and European Goldfinch. No Brambling or European Greenfinch. Bunting wise, again a single Cirl Bunting, 4 Yellowhammer and C30 Conmon Reed Bunting. Couldn’t locate the odd looking one from yesterday, so perhaps it was just an odd looking Conmon Reed Bunting. Also a Mistle Thrush and Common Kestrel of note.

Yellowhammer

Common Linnet

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
An hour or so visit after work. From the goat walk and viewing platform. 4 Mew Gull, 5 European Golden Plover, numerous Pied Avocet, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank and 2 Little Egret.

Little Egret