Sand Martins

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I took a walk along the river Otter this evening. I started at St Saviours Bridge and headed south for a mile or do and back. I was first treated to a few Sand Martins pottering about. These were accompanied by several Barn Swallow and Common House Martins making thier way north. There were a few Eurasian Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff singing. The one bird that entertained me the most though was a Great Spotted Woodpecker that was completing a nest hole. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 

Unusual Urban Birding

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I haven't blogged for a while. In fact, I haven't birded for a while either. Work commitments and illness have gotten in my way. 

I have only been on few walks around my estate. I have of course been watching the garden and the main order of the last few weeks have been. Redwing, Eurasian Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a flyover Little Egret. 

On today's lunchtime walk though I came across something that I have heard calling of late. A few streets away I came across an usual site. An Indian Peafowl. This female was rather at home wandering the street and pottering about in gardens. Not quite what you would expect from urban birding.  

Indian Peafowl (Female)

Red Crossbill

Uphams plantation, Woodbury, Devon 
I popped here as it's one of my usual haunts at this time of year. First bird I see, Red Crossbill, a female. A few seconds later it was joined by a male. Short but nice views were obtained. Also on site of note were a European Green Woodpecker and Greater Spotted Woodpecker.

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 

New Home, New House List

Butts Road, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
So we moved to Ottery a week ago and with Christmas, the only birding I've done is from the garden. So I have concentrated on my new house list. 33 species so far
Mallard
Common Buzzard
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Black-headed Gull
European Herring Gull
Common Wood Pigeon
Tawny Owl
Great Spotted Woodpecker
European Green Woodpecker
Eurasian Magpie
Western Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Northern Raven
Coal Tit
Eurasian Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Goldcrest
Eurasian Wren
Eurasian Nuthatch
Common Starling
European Robin
Common Blackbird
Fieldfare
Redwing
Song Thrush
House Sparrow
Dunnock
Pied Wagtail
Common Chaffinch
European Greenfinch
European Goldfinch

Tree Pipit And Common Redstart

Yarner Wood and Trendlebere Down, Devon
I had a quick look around Trendlebere Down and Yarner wood this afternoon. A Tree Pipit showed beautifully on Trendlebere Down and a few Common Swift were overhead. In the woods were a Male European Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, a pair of Common Redstart and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Common Redstart (Female)

Tree Pipit

Spotted Flycatcher

European Nightjar

Undisclosed Site, Near Exmouth, Devon 

I popped to a local common this evening to see if any European Nightjar have returned. At least 4 birds churning and one seen in flight. Also a few Barn Swallow and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

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)

A Decent Selection At The Farm

Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington, Devon
A walk along the road and the public footpath at the farm after work. The place was quiet busy with bird activity. I guess the earlier dusting of snow in the area and the cold had brought them in towards the farm in search of food. There were circa 150 Common Chaffinch, a Female Brambling, several Common Reed Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Cirl Bunting, Circa 30 Redwing, several Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail, a few Meadow Pipit, European Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Some Somerset Stuff

Oathe, Somerset
I had a work meeting in Somerset today and after it finished I popped to this area for half an hour as it was around the corner. The reason for the visit was that I had heard there were Whooper Swans here. I couldn’t find any but I was impressed by the amount of Northern Lapwing in the area. I didn’t do an accurate count but it was was in the several hundreds. I walked along the road and flushed a Common Kingfisher and best of all a Jack Snipe. There were also a decent amount of Redwing and Fieldfare.

Fieldfare 

Swell Wood, Somerset
I also popped into this RSPB reserve for 10 minutes. I didn’t leave the car park as someone had dropped Seed all over the place and there was a real feeding frenzy of woodland birds. Lots of Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit with a couple of Marsh Tit mixed in. Also a Eurasian Nuthatch and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker. This seemed like a really nice reserve and has a Heronry lookout hide.

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.

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    

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     

Small Copper  

Keeled Skimmer (Female) 

Keeled Skimmer (Female)

A Few Bits and Bobs And A Purple Hairstreak

Otterton, Devon
I had a quick walk along the path from the Sewage works to the coastal path. A few Butterflies of note included Speckled Wood, Comma, Ringlet, Small White, Large White, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown and Small Skipper. Bird wise, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk flew low over the field, Eurasian Skylark, Common Chaffinch and Eurasian Goldfinch.

 

Small Skipper  

Field Bindweed  

Bystock Pools, Devon
I moved on for a quick look around the meadow and adjacent woodland. A few Eurasian Nuthatch and a single Great Spotted Woodpecker were the best birds of note but it was the Butterflies and Moths that stole the show with Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Comma, Gatekeeper, Small White, Meadow Brown, Silver-washed Fritillary and best of all a Purple Hairstreak. Moths produced large numbers of Six-spot Burnet a Garden Tiger and a few I’m working on the ID as moths are still a work in progress for me.

Silver Y (Thanks for the help Matt)  

Yet to ID Moth 

Greater Burdock    

Alder Spittlebug 

Tree Bumblebee?

Yarner Wood

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
With no news of the Royal Tern I decided to take a walk around Yarner. On arrival I took a brief walk on Trendlebere Down and was instantly greeted with several Tree Pipit. I took a few circuits around the woods and failed to see any Lesser Spotted Woodpecker or Wood Warbler. I bumped into one of the locals who advised that there are around 5 birds but the nests have failed due to mice! A sad state of affairs for an already struggling Devon breeder! Birds of note though included a smart Grey Wagtail around the pond hide, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Nuthatch and a nice family of Common Redstart. Not much else around apart from a smart Silver-washed Fritillary. Still an enjoyable walk in lovely weather. Oh and it beats working!!

Tree Pipit

Grey Wagtail 

Silver-washed Fritillary 

Small-leaf Bramble

Not Many Birds But An Eel

Footpath from Pound Lane to Partridge Road, Exmouth 
Went for a walk with the kids as they like to explore this area. Not many birds of note around with the best being a Great Spotted Woodpecker but we did spot this Eel making his way up the very shallow stream.

Eel

A Reported Red-backed Shrike

Undisclosed Site, Exmouth, Devon 
I popped back to see if I could pick up on my possible Tree Sparrow before work. No joy but did get a Common Firecrest. It’s an amazing site really as I had a number of species. The best of the bunch were, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Eurasian Blackcap and the first fledged Conmon Chaffinch and Conmon Blackbird but no Spotted Flycatcher today.

Budleigh Common, Devon
After work, I received a message about a Red-backed Shrike that had been reported early in the day. I was at the Otter at the time but quickly got back to the car in hot pursuit. I met up with Matt Knott and we both scoured the area with no success. The only birds of note were a couple of Sand Martin, European Stonechat and Common Linnet. Still I enjoyed catching up with Matt and it’s always worth a look. At the end of the day, if your not out there looking your not going to see bugger all. I was only at the Otter for 10 minutes when I got the message so not much to report apart from a calling Cetti’s Warbler at White Bridge.

Some more flower pictures..... Yawn!

Hairy Bittercress 

Uncertain of this species

Pink Campion   

Common Chickweed       

Creeping Buttercup       

Bothriospermum Chinense

Wild Geranium

Yarner Wood

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
An hour or so visit after work was rather satisfying. I started off by parking at the first Trendelbere car park and was rewarded with a Garden Warbler singing. I do love listening to their song. I only had the briefest of views (albeit a good view) but not enough for a photo opportunity. I had a look around the heath but didn’t locate any Tree Pipit. It had stated raining so they probably had the good sense to look for cover (whilst this idiot birders stood there getting soaked!) I looked in the trees on the end of the heath for any Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but all I could manage was a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

I then drove to the next car park. This may sound lazy but when time is against you have to utilise it well. It had stopped raining so I staked out the area by the entance gate. Within I few minutes I got fabulous views of 2 Female and 1 Male Pied Flycatcher. One of the Females was rather interesting. I think the white patch on the primaries of one of the birds seemed rather large, well larger than I have ever witnessed. I know what your thinking, he’s thinking this is a Collared Flycatcher. Well, yes it did cross my mind if I’m honest. However I’ve never seen a Collared and my time with Pieds over the years has been limited. So I’ve probably not noticed or seen one that’s a bit different. I did manage some pictures but the light was awful. It’s probably nothing unusual but I do like to share my thoughts on this blog and point out things that I find odd or unusual.

I think the side on photos show the size, length and shape of the primary wing bar. It also had a white forehead patch. I guess the Iberian sub species is a possibility too but I don’t yet know enough about that subspecies. I guess I need to brush up on my Flycatchers.

It’s weird, I’ve been birding for a long time now but I still come across things that make my stop and think. As the saying goes “everyday is a school day”

European Pied Flycatcher (Female) 

European Pied Flycatcher (Female)

European Pied Flycatcher (Female)

The Otter Again

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I took another look around the white bridge area of the Otter Estuary after work. Again no Common Kingfisher or Water Rail. These are definitely my bogey birds of the year! A Cetti’s Warbler again called and showed briefly right by the bridge. A bit further north of the bridge I heard the briefest of calls of a Common Whitethroat. I couldn’t however locate it and it didn’t call again. South of the bridge I glimpsed a mating pair of Eurasian Reed Warbler. Also around the area were 2 Barn Swallow, 2 European Green Woodpecker and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

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.