Little Auk and Black-necked Grebe

Harbour, Weymouth, Dorset 

Another day off and another lure. Little Auk is not a species you really get to enjoy down south. They are usually flybys or a distant speck on the sea. So I had to give this bird a go. I opted to set up opposite the lifeboat station. There were a number of birders on both sides eagerly waiting. After around 20 minutes a Whistle came from the opposite side and signals pointing a little further up the harbour. I walked the couple of hundred metres and could see the tiny thing in-between 2 yellow boats. Quick bin views confirmed and I was soon getting great scope views. The best views I have ever had and what a buzz.

Little Auk 

Little Auk 

Little Auk 

Little Auk 

Sandsfoot, Weymouth, Dorset 

With the Little Auk safely in the bag. I decided to see if I could spot the Black-necked Grebes from the sailing club. I did one scan with no luck and another birder turned up and on his first scan picked them up. I assume they had popped up from a feeding session. Non the less, we enjoyed pretty decent views of 4 birds. Also on site were numerous Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe. All done by lunchtime, I decided to head home. One happy chap.

Black-necked Grebe 

Red-necked Grebe

Shelley Beach, Exmouth, Devon 
After work I popped along to see the Red-necked Grebe. It showed rather nicely in the scope but was constantly diving so no pictures. Also about was a Great Crested Grebe. Nice to have a quick chat up with the finder, Matt Knott.

White Bridge, Otter estuary, Devon 
I couldn't resist popping here on my way home as I was in a Grebe sort of mood. As luck would have it. 2 Little Grebe were pottering about. Also a nice Cetti's Warbler.

Smew

Chard Reservoir, Somerset 
I popped here again this morning with the youngest to see the Smew. Distant views as last time but again  enjoyed seeing the bird. Other bits and Bobs included, Eurasian Bullfinch, Great Creasted Grebe, Eurasian Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Great Creasted Grebe 

Red Kite And Pink-footed Goose

Roadford Lake, Devon 
I had the afternoon off so I decided to have a look for the Pink-footed Goose. This visit was only my second after a really awful previous trip. It was a few years ago to see a Red Phalarope. It belted down with rain and I got lost and was up to my neck in mud. However, today’s trip was far more enjoyable. As I neared the site a Red kite flew low in front of me just at the A30 turning for the reservoir. I got some advice before going and was advices to park in the lay-by near the bridge. Thanks Rob Murphy for the directions. I walked the short distance to the bridge and looked into the bay area and first noted a Bar-headed Goose that’s a hybrid with something but I am not sure what? Then at the far end was the target Pink-footed Goose that showed rather nicely. I checked the other side of the bridge to find circa 20 Brambling in with a large flock of Common Chaffinch feeding not far from the shoreline

Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Bar-headed Goose (hybrid)

Brambling (Male)

Lower Tamar Lake, Devon / Cornwall 
As I was only 20 minutes or so from this site I felt it rude not to pop in to look for Willow Tit. Surprisingly, this is the first time I have visited the site and I was impressed by the amount of activity on the feeders. I knew I only had 30 minutes here so I staked out these feeders. However, no Willow Tit put in an appearance. I quickly looked at the lake and got my first Barn Swallow of the year hawking over the water. Also on the lake were a couple of Great Crested Grebe. I did have a scan for the Female Ring-necked Duck that hadn’t been reported for a while but I couldn’t pick it out. So it could still be there or moved on. As I returned to the car this nice Male Great Spotted Woodpecker was at the feeders but again no Willow Tit.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Male)

Red-necked Grebe

Elberry Cove, Broadsands, Devon
I had most of the day off today so I thought I would look for the Red-necked Grebe. I didn’t have to look too hard as 2 birds showed rather well. Also on site were singles of Common Loon, Black-throated Loon and Great Crested Grebe.

Red-necked Grebe (2 individuals)

Red-necked Grebe

Black-throated Loon

Cockwood, Devon
I have been desperate to see Sanderling for a while so I popped to the railway steps as the tide was dropping. Plenty of Dunlin and Ruddy Turnstone feeding at the shoreline but sadly no Sanderling. Also a few Mew Gull, Common Redshank and Red-breasted Merganser but not much else of note.

Velvet Scoter

Dawlish Warren, Devon 
A quick look after work from the sea wall near the lifeguard hut for the Velvet Scoter was very successful. The bird was rather distant but nice to see. Also 6 Common Scoter that were even more distant and a scattering of Great Crested Grebe.

Velvet Scoter (Juvenile)

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.

Dorset Tree Sparrow And A Self Found Black Redstart

Portland Bill, Dorset  
Me and my mate Pete had a day in Dorset today. Our first stop was the bird obs to get the lowdown on the reported Eurasian Tree Sparrow. I had seen on yesterdays blog that there were 2 but today there was an increase to 3 birds. We were advised that the obs quarry was the best place to look. We had brief flight views of 2 individuals but an hour or so stake out didn’t produce any other views. The Little Owl was playing ball either so we decided to head off. We had parked near the Pulpit Inn and on the way back I was pleased to self find a Black Redstart. A rather showy bird and we enjoyed prolonged views of the bird. We popped in to the obs to ensure it made the day list and headed off.

Black Redstart 

Meadow Pipit  

Common Linnet

Red Hot Poker    

Wild Celery     

English Stonecrop      

Ferrybridge, Portland, Dorset 
Next stop was to take in the Little Terns and they didn’t disappoint. I was impressed with the numbers too. I’ve visited this site for a few years now and today’s tally was the highest I can recall there. Let’s hope their breeding season is a success.

Little Tern    

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset 
This was our last site and the target species was Bearded Reedling. On arrival we stopped in the visitor centre for some food and refreshments. As ever we both still had our bins to hand and were glad we did as there was a 2 cycle Yellow-legged Gull on one of the posts in the lagoon. It didn’t hang around too long though. We also enjoyed close views of a Common Tern feeding. There were good numbers of Common Swift, Barn Swallow and Common House Martin with a couple of Sand Martin thrown into the mix. Around the reserve were lots of Eurasian Reed Warbler and several Cetti’s Warbler.

Domestic Duck   

Eurasian Coot and young   

Great Crested Grebe      

European Greenfinch    

Yellow Flag Iris   

Heracleum moellendorffii 

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Great Crested Grebe And Western Cattle Egret

Imperial Ground, Exmouth, Devon
Due to the high winds first thing this morning. I decided to take a look off the Imperial ground that looks into Exmouth Nature Reserve. I was hoping that things may have been seeking refuge. Not a lot about except for a group of Great Crested Grebe. They came in close on a few occasions. A very overlooked bird but I personally enjoy watching them.

Great Crested Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon 
After work I aimed to have a look on Powderham Marsh but on route an alert came out about 3 Western Cattle Egret on Exminster Marsh. So I popped there and was treated to nice views of the birds from Station Road, just up from the industrial estate. Also around the marsh were the 2 Snow Goose and my first Barn Swallow of the year, flying through with some Sand Martin. A small group had assembled to view the Egrets and it was nice to catch up with Terry Smith and Dave Stone. I’m not sure what it is about Western Cattle Egrets but I just can’t seem to ever get a decent picture.

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Horned Grebe And A Missed Pipit

Quay, Exmouth, Devon 
An early morning look (at first light) from the quay provided me with distant views of the Long-tailed Duck. It was off shore from the Warren Point. Also 2 Common Loon, 2 Common Eider, several Common Scoter, several European Shag and Red-breasted Merganser. Distant views of the Horned Grebe near Cockwood and a few Great Crested Grebe. Numerous Gulls but nothing unusual.

Lympstone, Devon 
A look on the way to work in the Sowden Lane area (near the cycle track and rail bridge) gave very close views of several Brambling.

Topsham, Devon 
Had a look at the rec after work to see if the Water Pipit was around but no sign. Only bird of note was a single Common Sandpiper.

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.