Part-time Birding: European Robin

Showing posts with label European Robin. Show all posts

Common Loon At Close Quarters,

Elberry Cove, Paignton, Devon
Me and my mate Pete had planned to do a trip to Slimbridge today but I woke up feeling rather crappy to say the least. I monged out on the sofa for the morning and finally felt ok to pop out. There’s only so much daytime television anyone can take! So I thought “I haven’t seen Red-necked Grebe this year” so I set off to see if the one in Elberry Cove would play ball. The weather conditions were against me as I battled to view into strong winds. There was no sign of the bird but a very friendly European Robin kept me company. It was feeding between my feet and I swear that if I had food on me, it would have feed from my hand. Sadly on the beach was a washed up dead Harbour Porpoise that the Carrion Crow were eyeing up.

Harbour Potpoise

European Robin

Brixham Harbour, Brixham, Devon
As the wind was fierce and the sea very choppy. I decided the harbour would be a good place for things to use as a shelter. I wasn’t wrong as no sooner as I had arrived, I got on to an outrageously close Common Loon. The bird showed amazingly all the time I was there. It fed, cleaned itself and even had a nap. The Ruddy Turnstone were as friendly as ever. Also in the harbour near the breakwater was a Grey Seal.

Common Loon

Ruddy Turnstone

Grey Seal

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
Matt Knott has informed me of a Short-eared Owl on Orcombe this morning so I headed off in hope. This is another species I seem to unable to connect with this year and today’s jaunt didn’t put that right.

Another Busy Week

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 29th August 2018
There was no further sign of the Spotted Flycatcher but I did hear Lesser Redpoll in an area of the reserve that I normally have luck with this species. However I was unable to locate a bird. At least I know they are about I guess. I’ve still not seen this species yet this year though which is rather depressing. Are numbers that low? Or am I just being unlucky? There were a number of fungi in the area but don’t expect my to identify this as I haven’t a clue!

Mushroom species

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 30th August 2018
It’s been a busy week but I have had a few quick visits to Orcombe Point. I was only able to do this after work so I’ve not see the variety or numbers that Matt Knott and others have seen. In fact the only birds of note have been a few Northern Wheatear.

Northern Wheatear

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon
Today I managed an hour around Bystock. I covered the main pool and South Heath to the boardwalk pools. Not too many birds around with Coal Tit, Common Chiffchaff, European Robin, Mistle Thrush and Great Spotted Woodpecker making the list. Butterflies fared better with several Small Copper, lots of Small White, Speckled Wood and a Painted Lady. Dragonflies included Emperor Dragonfly, Southern Hawker, Common Darter and Keeled Skimmer.

Painted Lady

Small Copper

Keeled Skimmer (Female)

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.

Iceland Poppy

Gorse

Fairy Primrose

Dog Violet

Creeping Cinquefoil

Wild Strawberry

Common Sowthistle

Small Red Damselfly (Female)

Terrapin

Italian Sparrow Again

Cadbury Gardens, East Budleigh, Devon
After work I decided to have a look at the putative Italian Sparrow. I did try on Tuesday but the news of a Water Pipit in my last blog distracted me. On arrival the bird in question was nowhere to be seen but with the amount of House Sparrow feeding and in the surrounding bushes I knew it would be along soon. There were a few other species to keep me entertained while I waited. A Common Buzzard flew overhead and a Male Eurasian Bullfinch gave a fleeting view. There were the usual Common Starting around and a European Robin popped on to the feeder.