Greater Scaup

Sowden Lane, Lympstone, Devon 

I wanted to look for the female Greater Scaup that has been on the river Exe for some time. Having read Matt Knotts blog it was clear it prefers this area. I couldn't locate the bird for some time but finally it popped up rather close. Also 6 Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Great Crested Grebe.

Maer Rocks, Exmouth, Devon 

I moved on in hope of seeing the 2 immature Common Eider. Again I had to put some time in before I picked them out very distantly. Also a single Common Scoter.

Greater Scaup (Female)

Curlew Sandpiper and Garganey

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 

I had an evening look around. I've not been here for some time since moving from Exmouth to Ottery St Mary. So it was nice to be on Familiar territory. I was hoping for my first Eurasian Whimbrel and Garganey of the year. The first species was easy with a few birds on site. The hide was frustratingly closed, so I had to make do with views from the road. 

The next species on offer was Curlew Sandpiper. A Few birds were frustrating to get views of but I did manage some half okay views. The Greater Scaup put in a brief appearance. As did a Common Pochard. With really fading light I just managed a Garganey before heading off. As always, lots of waders on offer with Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Common Redshank. It looks like yesterday's Spotted Redshank has cleared out though. Unless its elsewhere on the Exe.

2 Out Of 3 Ain't Bad

Labrador bay, Devon 
After a dismal week of dips I managed a few hours off family duties and decided to try to make amends. Very windy and choppy seas were the order of the day but I managed to find a sheltered spot and easily picked out the Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter. PHEW!!

(Left) Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter 

(Left) Surf Scoter and Velvet Scoter 

Powderham Marsh, Devon 
I moved on for the Green-winged Teal. At the platform I bumped into Dave Boult and we scoped the marsh together. The Snow Goose was present as were, Little Ringed Plover, the male Greater Scaup, a White Wagtail in amongst the many Pied Wagtail, several Sand Martin and the Ruff. Despite hanging around I still didnt get the Green-winged Teal. As Meatloaf said, "two out of three ain't bad". On the walk to the platform and back were, a single male Cirl Bunting, Cetti's Warbler and 2 Common Chiffchaff. 

Greater Scaup And Ruff

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
I popped in at high tide after work in the hope of seeing the Greater Scaup and Ruff. There was a lot of activity and the waders were unsettled. There must have been a raptor nearby but no one in the hide got sight of one. Plenty of the normal species on offer with good numbers of Pier Avocet. The Ruff was picked up by Dave Boult soon after I arrived. He gave me directions on were the Greater Scaup was last seen but it had gone AWOL. I was about to call it a day when I picked it up in the centre of the marsh. The Iong-billed Dowitcher was on sight but couldn't be located.

I also learned that I can now again add Hudsonian Whimbrel to my list as the IOC have split it. I'm glad as I have seen 2 individuals. 1 in Sussex in 2015 and the other in Cornwall in 2016.

Greater Scaup (Male)

Greater Scaup (Male)

Ruff

A Reservoir, A Lake And A Marsh

Cheddar Reservoir, Somerset 
I had the day off so decided to pop to a few places I’ve not visited for a good while. This was my first stop, with my main target of Red-crested Pochard. After a good search I drew a blank but the following notable species were logged. Common Loon, Greater Scaup, Common Pochard, Grey Wagtail a Male Mandarin Duck and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Greater Scaup (Male)

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Male)

Mandarin Duck (Male)

Common Loon

Chew Valley Lake, Avon 
I always struggle to bird this place, especially without a permit.
Targets here were the Lesser Scaup (not reported for a while but could still be on site) and Long-tailed Duck. I stoppped off at a couple of spots. The best I could muster were 4 Male Common Goldeneye, a Female Greater Scaup at the lay-by at Herons Green Bay, a few Mew Gull at the dam and several Common Pochard and a white Eurasian Coot at Herriotts Bridge. I always struggle with birding this place due to the size of the site so feeling a tad deflated, I moved on.

Goldeneye (Male)

Mew Gull

Steart Marshes, Somerset
A final site before heading home. The main target heat was Short-eared Owl. I started off at Otterhampton Marsh where 3 Eurasian Spoonbill showed distantly. I moved to Steart Gate for the target species and wasn’t disappointed, with 2 individuals on show. Also a major surprise was a Twite. I had heard that there had been a few reports of this bird but I wasn’t expecting to see it. It was rather flightly and skulking (not surprising with 2 Short-eared Owls on the prowl.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Gulls, Gulls, Gulls And Some Other Good Stuff

A day trip to Cornwall
A few days before this outing I had planned on going to Cornwall but I didn't feel up to the drive so Ham Wall looked like this place to go. I met up with my good pal Pete but on route we had both heard the news that the M5 had been shut. I later, sadly found out that it had been closed due to a fatality. So a quick decision saw us reverting to the original plan of Cornwall.

Trenance Pool, Newquay, Cornwall
Our first port of call was the boating lake in Newquay for the 1st winter Ring-billed Gull. We picked the bird up sitting on the island and it posed very nicely. Also around the lake were 3 Muscovy Duck.

Ring-billed Gull (1st winter)

Ring-billed Gull (1st winter)

St Gothian Sands, Gwithian, Cornwall
Our next leg was a quick trip down the road to see the Male Greater Scaup and juvenile Glaucous Gull. The Greater Scaup was on display but due to the blustery conditions I couldn't get a photo. There was initially no sign of the Gull but on leaving it popped on the island.

Glaucous Gull (Juvenile)

Glaucous Gull (Juvenile)

Newlyn Harbour, Cornwall
We moved on further into the depths of Cornwall, with more white winged gulls our target. On arrival at the harbour this Iceland Gull was showing so amazingly. We didn't even need our binoculars to view it. The best views I have ever had of this species!

Iceland Gull (1st Winter) 

Iceland Gull (1st Winter)

Then to top it off, the second Glaucous Gull of the day (and my third of the year) dropped in and gave equally stupendous views.

Glaucous Gull (2nd Winter)

Glaucous Gull (2nd Winter)

Marizion, Cornwall 

A lightening quick stop to look for Loons proved fruitless but a distant Sinensis Great Cormorant was a nice to see.

Drift Reservoir, Cornwall

Still in complete awe with the views of the Gulls. We moved on to Drift Reservoir in hope of the Pink-footed Goose. Distance views were obtained of the Goose in with a group of Canada Goose and Greylag Goose. Also distant views of a Black-necked Grebe.

Hayle Estuary, Cornwall
A quick stop off for the Eurasian Spoonbill proved a success as the bird was showing beautifully on Ryans field. Also of note were countless Lesser Black-backed Gull and a few Mew Gull.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill

Dozmary Pool

The last stop of the day, in search of the Male Lesser Scaup. I have managed to see this bird at this site for the last 4 years and today didn't disappoint. Again I couldn't manage any pictures in the blustery conditions. Also on the pool were a pair of Common Goldeneye. Around the pool were several European Golden Plover and I also managed vey brief views of a immature / Female Hen Harrier as it dived into cover.

So we headed for home very happy indeed with the species seen and the views of the Gulls will stick with me forever. Cornwall never fails to deliver.