No Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
I finished work early today so I took an optimist look around a few areas that I normally have luck with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Luck, sadly wasn’t on my side today though. At the pond hide was a pair of Mandarin Duck that have moved back in after the works that took place last year. On the feeders were Common Chaffinch, Great Tit and Coal Tit. Around the top hide were more of the previously mentioned but in far greater numbers plus a Marsh Tit.

Mandarin Duck (Male)

Common Chaffinch (Male)

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.

Exton Marsh And Ideford Common

Exton, Devon
Having not had a chance to look for the Glossy Ibis over the weekend I had a very quick look first thing. It was freezing cold and the Marsh was frosted over. There was unfortunately no sign of the bird. Thanks to Dave Stone for the news on Saturday.

Ideford Common, Devon
I had a look around the car park area today for Lesser Redpoll. Plenty of Common Chaffinch were around as were the usual Tit species around the feeders. Including Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit. A Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Treecreeper put in brief appearances. I was pleasantly surprised to see a single Marsh Tit for a short time too. After a while I was being to give up hope for the target species when a small flock of Eurasian Siskin started feeding in the tops of the trees. I enjoyed watching them for a while when I heard the call of a Lesser Redpoll. After a short search a single bird was seen on the treetops for a while before it flew off and I lost sight of it.

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)

Woodbury Castle

Woodbury Castle, Devon 
After work I thought I’d visit the castle area and surrounding Common. Not much made the notebook to be honest. In the castle woods were 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, a single European Green Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Common Chaffinch and Great Tit. The common area didn’t fare much better with 2 Northern Raven, a few European Stonechat and a small flock of Meadow Pipit.

I’m off Friday so I’m hoping to get out and bag a few nice species. I bet that lifer Brown Shrike in Soapy Cove won’t stick around long enough though!  

Orcombe Point

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I had an half an hour scam around the top fields area. A nice mixed feeding flock hung around the old dung field for a little while. After scrutinising the flock, nothing special revelled itself. The flock contained mainly Long-tailed Tit with a few Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit. The top field opposite the current dung field held a flock of Common Linnet, the most I’ve seen up there for a while with around 20 birds. A dozen or so Meadow Pipit and I had a flyover, calling Western Yellow Wagtail. Only heard as I was looking into the sun to try to locate it. A few Barn Swallow around but apart from that not a lot else to report.

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 

A Bits And Bobs Day

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
First thing this morning I popped to the hide to see what was about. The only thing of any note were a few Hirundines. A mixed flock both in flight and resting in the far reeds. An even amount of Barn Swallow, Sand Martin and Common House Martin.

Eurasian Oystercatcher 

Grey Heron 

Sand Martin and Barn Swallow

Common House Martin, Sand Martin and Barn Swallow

Common House Martin, Sand Martin and Barn Swallow

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
I had a little over an hour to spare here in between work. Though an hour wasn’t enough seeing that the main car park is closed. So I swiftly made my way from the Trendlebere car park over the heath and down to the visitors centre. No Tree Pipit as yet but possibly a tad early. I walked up the river and back to some spots I usually get European Pied Flycatcher without success. Also keeping an eye out for any Lesser Spotted Woodpecker or an early Wood Warbler. Having no luck with any of these species, I headed back to look at the top hide before leaving. As always a good showing of Coal Tit, Great Tit, European Blue Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Siskin.

Eurasian Siskin (Male)

Eurasian Siskin (Male)

Eurasian Siskin (Female)

Eurasian Nuthatch

Great Tit

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
After work I had to have a cortisone injection for a dodgy shoulder. Age is starting to get the better of me. After that I had a bit of time to whizz around the point. On arrival at Gore Lane, I was greeted by a mass of Gulls going mental in flight in the direction of the coastal path. Hearing earlier of a Osprey at Budleigh Salterton being mobbed Gulls, I was desperately hoping that this was going to be a similar event. I headed towards the commotion, constantly looking to the sky but as I got closer the Gulls dispersed. I arrived at the coastal path and looked around but nothing was there. Were the Gulls fussing due to a raptor?... I guess I’ll never know.

A Dip And A Dipper

Dunsford Wood, Dunsford, Devon
I had to give a talk and training session at our Barnstaple office today so on the way home I took a detour via Dunsford Woods. My target bird was Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I did hear one calling at quite close range but frustratingly, I couldn’t pin it down and eventually lost the call. I did however see 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, 1 Eurasian Treecreeper, numerous Coal Tit, Great Tit and Eurasian Blue Tit. Surprisingly there were no Grey Wagtail but I did get cracking views of a White-throated Dipper.

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

Coal Tit

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.

Northern Goshawk And Willow Tit

Undisclosed site, Devon
I finished work very early as I had an appointment to go to which took less time than expected. So I decided to do a swift trip to a site I know that’s good for Northern Goshawk. It proved worth the visit as one was circling overhead as I parked up. I managed descent views of the bird for a few minutes before it drifted out of sight.

Stover Country Park, Devon
Time wasn’t really on my side but on the way home I stopped off at Stover for a lightening quick walk to the feeder and back. 15 Common Merganser were on the lake, 1 of them being a drake.

Common Merganser (Male)

Common Merganser (Females)

On the feeder (although it was devoid of seeds) were the usual species but it was nice to see both a male and female Eurasian Siskin and best of all, a Willow Tit. I initially put it down (obviously) as a Marsh Tit. However it came down to the platform (as someone had sprinkled seeds by the bench) and closer scrutiny showed that the crown was matt and not glossy. It’s cheeks were brilliant white and obviously larger, pale panels on the secondaries showed through and it was a warm buff colour underneath.

I managed a few other dreadful photos.

Great Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Eurasian Coot