Cettis Warbler

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon

It's my birthday today so went for a good walk along the Otter. Near the water treatment area was several Eurasian Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff. A pair of Eurasian Bullfinch and a showy and noisy Cetti's Warbler. Further down river were 7 Common Merganser and 2 Grey Wagtail.

Common Merganser (Female)

Grey Wagtail

White-throated Dipper

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I had a quick look around this area after work. 1 White-throated Dipper, 1 Common Kingfisher, 1 Stock Dove and 1 Grey Wagtail.

White-throated Dipper

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I took a look along the river heading north from here. Just by the Otter Mill was a cracking White-throated Dipper accompanied by a Grey Wagtail.

Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I walked along the footpath going north of the bridge that has the river on your left and woods on your right. On the river we're 4 Common Merganser (2 pairs) and the woods held Eurasian Treecreeper and Eurasian Nuthatch.

Eurasian Beaver

River Otter, Devon 

Tonight I went on a mission to find Eurasian Beaver. And was lucky enough to find a female with a kit. Outstandingly close views as the female tore off bark and nice views of a kit on the opposite bank. Also a Grey Wagtail on site.

Eurasian Beaver (Female)

Eurasian Beaver (Female)

Eurasian Beaver (Kit)

Grey Wagtail

Black Kite and Red Kite

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I had to pop to Sainsbury's to pick up a few bits early evening but I couldn't resist a 30 or so minutes blip around the River Otter south of St Saviours Bridge. I was first treated to a Cetti's Warbler literally by the Bridge. I walked over the footbridge and through the first gate. All the while hoping for a Common Whitethroat as I did have one stop off here this time last last year.

No sooner had I walked through the gate, I picked up a raptor through the trees to my right. It was obscured but I got Red Kite vibes. Boy, was I wrong. The bird came reasonably low over the treeline and I had one of those heart stopping moments as I realised I was tracking a Black Kite. It veered on and off over the treeline heading rather quickly south. I got the news out straight away in the hope someone further south could get on to it. 

10 minutes or so later I picked up a Kite that was heading north. I hoped that it was the the Black Kite doing a u turn but this time I was on to a Red Kite. I got the news out again and did manage to get another local birder on to the bird as it drifted over his house. I'm still in awe at having a two Kite day in such a short period. 

Also on site, were numerous Sand Martin, Common House Martin, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Blackcap, Eurasian Treecreeper and Grey Wagtail. 

I went shopping with a real spring in my step and forgot all about the fact I didn't see a Common Whitethroat!

Little Stint

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

I have been on holiday in North Devon all week. In Watermouth. Disappointingly, not a lot to talk about to be honest. Best on offer were Grey Wagtail, Marsh Tit, Northern Raven and Eurasian Rock Pipit. So it was nice to get to a familiar site and see a Little Stint this evening. It spent most of its time sleeping with a few Dunlin until a couple of Common Moorhen trampled through and disturbed the lot. It then gad to show (although distantly). 

Little Stint (Middle bird)

Common Merganser

Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

An early evening walk from Cadhay Bridge to Taleford. At Cadhay Bridge were 3 Common Merganser (1 Male and 2 Females), 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Eurasian Nuthatch. Barn Swallow and Common  House Martin numbers are on the rise too. 

Common Merganser (Female)

Common Merganser (Male)

Stock Dove 

Lockdown 3 Birding

 Ottery St Mary, Devon

I'm quite lucky that I can easily walk to a few places near me to get my daily exercise and birding fix. Here are the hghlights from the last week.

The garden has produced some good entertainment whilst I'm working in the kitchen / diner. With Goldcrest, Eurasian Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, European Greenfinch and Long-tailed Tit. Fieldfare and Redwing have been very prominent too. Plus a brief Tawny Owl the other evening. 

A walk along the Otter near St Saviours Bridge allowed me to get good views of White-throated Dipper and Grey Wagtail. 

Slightly further north on the Otter near Cadhay House gave me Eurasian Treecreeper, 8 Stock Dove, Grey Heron and Little Egret. Disappointingly, no Common Kingfisher which I normally see along here.

I've only been carrying my binoculars but did manage a half decent photo of this White-throated Dipper in very overcast conditions.

White-throated Dipper

Siberian Chiffchaff

 Exwick, Exeter, Devon 

I popped to the flood relief area to look for the Dusky Warbler. It was a no show unfortunately. I did pick up on the Siberian Chiffchaff though. First one I've seen in a while. Also a Grey Wagtail and White-throated Dipper were on site. 

A Nice Long Walk

Ottery St Mary Area, Devon
The whole family went for a long walk after home schooling. We followed public footpaths from the bottom of Butts Road. Through the farm fields towards Fairmile Lane to the Otter River. We then followed the Ottery up to Cadhay Bridge and back home.

So added to my lockdown list were the following species.

Coal Tit
Little Egret
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Barn Swallow
Stock Dove
Mistle Thrush
Eurasian Teal

Making The Most Of Lockdown

Butts Road and surrounding area, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
So, I have been in lockdown since Tuesday. I work for Devon County Councils Highways department and I am still working from home. Also juggling home schooling with my wife who also has to work from home.

These are scary times and we are trying to keep a routine and be as normal as possible. My youngest is autistic so this situation is very difficult for her comprehend.

Anyway, we are getting out for an hours exercise and keeping to the social distancing rules. So my birding is confined to these walks and my garden.

So, I have decided to keep a 'Lockdown List". Something to hopefully look back on in the future.

So my list at present consists of the following.

Mallard
Common Pheasant
Indian Peahen (heard only not tickable)
Common Buzzard
Herring Gull
Rock/Feral Pigeon
Common Wood pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Tawny Owl (heard only)
Great Spotted Woodpecker
European Green Woodpecker
Eurasian Magpie
Western Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Northern Raven
Eurasian Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Common Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Eurasian Wren
Eurasian Nuthatch
Common Starling
Common Blackbird
Song Thrush
European Robin
House Sparrow
Dunnock
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Common Chaffinch
European Greenfinch
Common Linnet
Eurasian Goldfinch

Yesterday I also saw this nice Peacock butterfly. And today I saw a Small White.

Peacock

Some Decent Stuff On The Otter

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
After work I explored further along this area taking in Coleridge bridge. A single White-throated Dipper was taking a bath at the waters edge. One flyover Common Merganser and a single Grey Wagtail were the best on offer.

White-throated Dipper 

White-throated Dipper 

Exeter Birding

Woodwater Lane, Exeter, Devon
A quick look at lunchtime produced singles of Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Grey Wagtail.

Ludwell Valley, Exeter, Devon
I moved on for a quick walk along Northcote Brook in the hope of White-throated Dipper. I didnt have to try to hard as I soon discovered one. Also another Grey Wagtail.

All About The Thrushes

Emsworthy Mire, Near Haytor, Devon
I had the afternoon and despite having pretty bad sciatica, I made the effort to go and have a little look around. Most of my time was spent sitting on walls to ease the pain. This worked rather well actually as I was able to watch a flock of around 60 Fieldfare and in amongst them were 2 Male Ring Ouzel and around 10 Redwing. I couldn't chase them down for a photo and they always remained distant. To back up the other Thrush species a few Song Thrush and Common Blackbird were on site. A Grey Wagtail was a nice surprise too. Also of note on site were 2 Eurasian Jay, Northern Raven and a Male Eurasian Bullfinch. A few Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Magpie and Carrion Crow made up the supporting cast.

A Couple Of Bits

Pullabrook Woods, Bovey Tracey, Devon
Had a family day out and had a picnic along the river. The only bird of note was a Grey Wagtail. On the Butterfly front was a few Silver-washed Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Red Admiral and Large White. The only Dragonfly seen was an Emperor Dragonfly.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
A walk around late evening produced very little with a Female Northern Wheatear, Female Common Whitethroat and Common Swift being the best on offer. Well done to Matt and Derek for getting a Tawny Pipit this morning.

Back In The Field

Sewerage Works, Otterton, Devon 
The sciatica got the better of me and I have been near enough housebound for a week. I’ve been going stir crazy, so as I felt a bit better today, I decided to venture out. I popped to the sewage works as it is flat and easy going. I was rewarded with a Female Cirl Bunting, a Male Yellowhammer and a Male Common Reed Bunting. They were all seen near the car park area.

Cirl Bunting (Female)

Hayes Barton Pig Farm, Yettington, Devon
On the way to the farm there were 2 Helmeted Guineafowl at Bicton. Around the farm were a decent number of Common Chaffinch. It was difficult to count the Common Chaffinch as they were very flighty. Also on site were a single Female Brambling and 1 Grey Wagtail. Just along the road I was stopped by a group of 3 Eurasian Bullfinch (1 Male and 2 Females) and I could resist a photo opportunity.

Eurasian Bullfinch (Male)

Eurasian Bullfinch (Female)

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.

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

A Bird Friendly Farm

Otterton Sewage Works, Devon 
A look around before work gave a female Cirl Bunting, Male Common Reed Bunting and several Common Chiffchaff feeding bear the car park. Unfortunately the Cirl Bunting flew off whilst I was setting up the scope and didn’t return, so no photos. I have to say that the work that Stantywell farm is putting in to make it a bird friendly environment is doing something. Also on site were a few Eurasian Skylark.

Common Chaffinch (Female) 

Common Reed Bunting (Male)

Common Chaffinch (Male)

Hayes Barton Pig Farm, near Yettington, Devon 
A grey and wet after work visit didn’t produce much but a Grey Wagtail brighttened up the visit.

Sandpipers In The City

Woodwater Lane, Exeter, Devon
I stopped at the bridge in this area before work and got 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail. It’s still amazes me to find these in a City.

Powderham Sawmills, Devon
I popped here at lunchtime in the hope of the Marsh Tit that was found on a Yellow-browed Warbler stakeout. Saw Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit but no Marsh Tit. No sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler either but a couple of Common Reed Bunting were nice to see.

Joney’s Cross Car Park, Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
After work I had a look in this area for a reported Lesser Redpoll. No luck but a nice pair of Eurasian Bullfinch were a nice sight.