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.

Common Kestrel At Close Range

Bicton Common, Devon
After work I had a mooch around the area opposite the Uphams Plantation car park. On arrival I noted a large mixed flock feeding around the car park. I scanned for anything unusual but the flock consisted of Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest. I continued on my way and had 2 flyover Red Crossbill, several mobile Meadow Pipit and some Common Linnet were flitting about. Then everything went quiet so I turned around to move on only to discover the reason for everything ducking for cover. A close (around 20 metres) range Female Common Kestel was surveying the area from the top of a small pine tree. It’s always nice to be able to appreciate a bird close up.

Common Kestrel (Female)

Common Kestrel (Female)

Common Kestrel (Female)

Red Crossbill

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
A visit to the hide first thing. Viewing is always hard on sunny mornings this time of the year as the sun is low and in yours eyes. However, good numbers of Eurasian Teal, a few Eurasian Wigeon, a single Common Greenshank and several Black-tailed Godwit dropped in. Apart from that it was rather quite and most birds were still rather sleepy.

Woodbury Common, Devon
A lightening visit to the model airplane area after work produced a few Common Chiffchaff, a feeding flock of Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit and Eurasian Blue Tit, singles of Eurasian Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Best of all was a brief view of a Red Crossbill. There were a few more around as I heard multiple calls but I couldn’t locate. I also noted large numbers of Dunnock. At one point around 15 were foraging together on the path. They have obviously done ok.

Hawfinch And Black Redstart

Topsham Cemetery, Devon
As it was freezing this morning I thought I would try my luck with the Hawfinch before work. I have tried a few brief attempts but had no luck. Today that luck changed. There were at least 6 birds (I suspect there were more as they were quite mobile at one point) I managed to get some descent on the ground views but my photo wasn’t great at all. When they got mobile, I was joined by Dave Stone as we tried to pin them down. Nice to catch up with Dave and share some sighting details. A few other bits and bobs were around the cemetery, including European Greenfinch, Regwing, Song Thrush and Goldcrest. I finally had to drag myself away and get to work!

Hawfinch (Female)

Hawfinch (Female) 

Hawfinch (Female)  

Hawfinch (Female)

Hawfinch (Female)

Redwing

Dunnock 

European Greenfinch (Female) 

Common Chaffinch (Male)

Budleigh Salterton Cricket Pitch, Devon
After work I was torn between looking here or having another look for the Corn Bunting at Orcombe Point. I was pleased with my decision as on the left hand side of the Cricket pitch was a stunning Male Black Redstart. I managed a few (very distant shots) and it was very mobile. The Tawny Owl was roosting in its usual tree and also of interest was a lonely Red Knot on the Estuary near the picnic tables. Matt Knott text me to say that the Corn Bunting was still on site. Think I will take another look at it tomorrow.

Black Redstart (Male)

Black Redstart (Male) 

Black Redstart (Male)    

Eurasian Goldfinch 

Red Knot 

Red Knot 

Song Thrush 

White (Pied) Wagtail 

Home Working

Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
I spent the day working from home to complete a 5000 word assignment on leadership styles and when to use them..... YAWN. I was hoping to get out for an hour but birding was rained off. However, I do have a descent view and managed to see the following in the garden and trees at the back of adjacent street. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 European Green Woodpecker, 4 Eurasian Goldfinch, 1 Goldcrest, a party of 10 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Eurasian Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Common Blackbird and 2 European Greenfinch which aren’t that common in my garden. So that did break up my assignment day.

The Little Guys Made It

County Hall, Exeter, Devon
Whilst having a cigarette break in work, I watched a large party of mixed birds feeding. In the flock were, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 3 Eurasian Blue Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Goldcrest and 1 Eurasian Wren. So it was very encouraging to see that the smaller species in that area had made it through the rough weather. Also around the site throughout the day were, 8 Common Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 European Green Woodpecker, 1 Eurasian Jay and a few Eurasian Goldfinch.

Buzzard Quest And Bramblings

A3052 near Crealy, Devon
After my interesting Buzzard from yesterday. I had a look at a few locations around Crealy (before and after work) without a sniff of any sort of Buzzard. I will keep looking (As long as the snow holds off) even just to put it to bed as an odd looking Buzzard. I know there are some birds that you just have to let go but I don’t like to let go without a fight!

Uphams Plantation, near Yettington, Devon
I gave up on the Buzzard quest with just enough time for another quick walk around the plantation. I arrived just in time to catch the Finches coming in and start to roost. Numbers of Common Linnet and Common Chaffinch were quite a bit lower than my last visit but Brambling numbers were slightly up with C40. Also 2 Goldcrest and 10 Eurasian Goldfinch but no Red Crossbill today.

Raptors And Finches

Uphams Plantation, near Yettington, Devon
I had a walk around the plantation after work and there were a few things on offer. At one point there was a group of 4 Common Buzzard flying low over head. Probably looking for some supper. A Common Kestrel wizzed through a bit later on. Then I noticed a lot of Finches coming in and starting to roost. I lost count but there were C100 Common Linnet, C150 Common Chaffinch and C20 Brambling. While I was watching this, a male Red Crossbill pottered about briefly before taking off. Also of note were 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Northern Raven, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Coal Tit and a single Meadow Pipit.

Brambling (Female)

Brambling (Female)

Red Crossbill In The Cold

Uphams Plantation, Yettington, Devon 

An hours (very cold) visit after work produced 2 Brambling in amongst the small Common Chaffinch flock, 1 calling flyover Red Crossbill was my first of the year. 1 European Green Woodpecker surprisingly again, my first of the year, 10 Redwing several Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tit plus 20 Common Linnet.