Tundra Bean Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose and Whooper Swan

Exminster Marsh, Devon 

I needed a break from moving house and sorting stuff, so I popped over late afternoon to catch up with the wildfowl currently on offer. I firstly walked up to the lock cottage and after song helpful directions I had decent views of the Greater White-fronted Goose but better still the Tundra Bean Goose. The views were a bit obscure but is was nice to see my one in Devon. 

Back at the Fisherman's carpark, the 3 Whooper Swans were showing, albeit a bit distant. Light was fading by this point so I failed to locate the Pink-footed Goose. 

Greater White-fronted Goose

Lower Otter, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 

We moved house on Friday, still in Ottery but getting everything set has meant no birding for a few weeks. I had to pop round Exmouth this morning to drop my daughter off for her dress rehearsal for today's performances at the Pavilion. So, while out I decided to pop over to see the Greater White-fronted Geese. They were showing very well from South farm road and I enjoyed prolonged views of 34 birds. 

Greater White-fronted Goose 

Greater White-fronted Goose 

Greater White-fronted Goose 

Greater White-fronted Goose

Exminster Marsh, Devon 

I took a quick walk along the railway path this evening. Lots of Barn Swallow, Common House Martin and Sand Martin. Several Common Reed Warbler were the first birds to treat me. Then a got the briefest of views of the long staying Greater White-fronted Goose before it headed back into a ditch. A single Eurasian Whimbrel was hanging about with Eurasian Curlew. Several Common Swift few overhead. Ans a single Common Greenshank. 

Tundra Bean Goose

Apex leisure park, Burnham on sea, Somerset 

A belated post from Wednesday (2nd December). I have been desperate to see the Tundra Bean Goose as it was a lifer bird for me. I have see Tiaga Bean Goose. 

I have been waiting for the national lock down to be over to travel. And as guidance says you can travel within tier 2 areas, I thought I would go for it. Due to the location I wore a face mask at all times (even though it was outside) as there were a number of people on site so I played it safe.

The bird shows ridiculously close, almost tame and I was able to enjoy great views of the bird. The two juvenile Greater White-fronted Geese (of Russian origins) showed and behaved equally as well.

Tundra Bean Goose

White-fronted Goose (Russian)

Winter Wildfowl Spectacle

Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
I had my annual winter visit to the WWT centre today. I do love visiting at this time of year to witness the wildfowl spectacle. My target was the Holden Hide as this gives a good viewpoint of the reserve and you can usually get all the main species the reserve has to offer. From the hide there were large groups of (Bewick’s) Tundra Swan, Whooper Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, and Greylag Goose, there were a decent number of Barnacle Goose but they were always very distant as were the 7 Common Crane that were on site. 2 Peregrine Falcon were again distant and hunkering on the ground from the wind, From the Martin Smith hide were 2 Ruff. There were also 3 Pink-footed Goose on site and I wasn’t sure if they were captive or not. Either way, they were a welcome site.

Pink-footed Goose 

(Bewick’s) Tundra Swan

Common Moorhen  

Greylag Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Whilst onsite it had a look around the captive enclosures so I could brush up on those rarer species that turn up in the UK including some of those mega American diving Ducks.

Ruddy Shelduck (Female)

Goldeneye (Male)

Common Goldeneye (Female)

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Common Eider (Male and Female) 

Red-breasted Goose 

Snow Goose

Smew (Male)

Canvasback (Male)

Redhead (Male)

Cackling Goose

Bufflehead (Male)

Barrow’s Goldeneye (Male)

Greater Scaup (Male)

Lesser Scaup (Male)

Ring-necked Duck (Male)

Westhay Moor, Somerset
On the way home I popped here in the hope of a Bearded Reedling. At first the place seemed devoid of life but things picked up with a Male Western Marsh Harrier and a Merlin. I heard a few Bearded Reedling but I failed to locate any birds.

Little Gull And Geese

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
This morning I was up early so I popped along to the point in the hope of any migrants. It was extremely quiet in the top field apart from 2 White Wagtail on the dung heap. The fields from Gore Lane to the coastal path didn’t hold anything apart from a Common Chiffchaff so I decided to check out the coastal path. It’s no too muddy now so it wasn’t as much as a slog as my last visit. With nothing of interest I decided to look out to sea. A few Northern Gannet were feeding with a couple of Sandwich Terns and there were a few Gull species. Manly European Herring Gull and a few Great Black-backed Gulls. Then as I was about to drag myself away and head to work, a solitary Little Gull flew swiftly past heading east. I was able to get it in my scope a tad too late for a photo opportunity. My first Little Gull if the year.

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon 
After work I needed to pop to Exminster on an errand so I thought it rude not to have a quick stroll along the railway path. The Greater White-fronted Goose showed better than yesterday (but my photos aren’t much better though), a single Greylag Goose and plenty of Canada Goose. I’m still yet to see Barnacle Goose or Egyptian Goose this year! I heard the call of a Western Yellow Wagtail but couldn’t locate the bird. A Willow Warbler was calling on the Powderham side of the rail tracks. There were a descent amount of Barn Swallow, with some lingering and others flying straight through. With the recent luck the Lizard in Cornwall has had, I checked them out for a hopeful Red-rumped Swallow but alas there weren’t any.

Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
I had to pop in to Exeter mid afternoon, so it was rude not to have a quick call into Exminster Marsh. I didn’t stay very long but long enough to finally catch up with the Greater White-fronted Goose. I was viewing from Station Road and the bird in question was pottering around towards the turf area. It was distant but I got great views through the scope. My pictures however are not so great.

Greater White-fronted Goose 

Greater White-fronted Goose

Whilst watching the Goose, this Mute Swan had sneaked up a few metres away and duly decided it would build a nest on the road.

Mute Swan

Spoonbill But No Goose

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
I had two visits today before and after work. I was hoping to see the Greater White-fronted Goose. Plenty of Canada Goose on show but I had no joy with the target Goose. The Eurasian Spoonbill was on view in the centre of the marsh on both visits but I couldn’t get a decent picture. A few Northern Pintail and Gadwall were the only note worthy birds.