Snow Goose and Finches

Exminster Marsh, Devon
I had the afternoon off so popped her for a look around. The place was still frozen so all the wildfowl and waders were in amongst the grass. I was along the railway path when the Snow Goose flew in with some Canada Goose from Powderham. It landed over by the canal so I drove over to the fisherman's car park. Just past the (now falling apart) viewing platform was the bird in question. Also on site was several Common Snipe, good numbers of Northern Lapwing and the usual other species.

Snow Goose 

Snow Goose

Cockwood, Devon
A quick look from here produced the Common Goldeneye and Horned Grebe. There was not much else on offer.

Aylesbeare Common, Devon
My last stop off. I spent most of my time watching a finch flock. Many Common Chaffinch but I soon located a single Brambling and Lesser Redpoll.

Dorset Delivers Again

A cracking “fill your boots” day out in Dorset.

Portland Harbour, Dorset 
First stop off in search of Loons and Grebes. It was rather quiet here but eventually a Black-throated Loon showed distantly. The only other bird of note was a Common Murre.

Sandsfoot Castle, Weymouth, Dorset 
My next stop proved better with a Common Loon, Horned Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Black-necked Grebe.

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset 
My main targets here were the Ring-necked Duck and Bearded Reedling. After two circuits of the Buddleia Loop I was giving up hope of the later but just near the visitor centre I heard the distinctive call and there were a Male and Female at real close quarters. They were often slightly obscured and due to the breeze, never ventured right to the top of the reeds. I absolutely adore this species and wish I could see them more often. A quick look of the pontoons along the main road gave me the other target bird. Mission complete! Also on site were good numbers of Common Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck. I was surprised not to get a Mediterranean Gull though!

Bearded Reedling (Male)

Bearded Reedling (Female)

Bearded Reedling (Female)

Bearded Reedling (Female)

Lodmoor, Weymouth, Dorset 
Next stop off was for the Lesser Yellowlegs. I got straight on to this cracking bird and had nice close views for a few minutes but it flew off before a photo opportunity. Also onsite was a Male Western Marsh Harrier, Ruff and good numbers of Common Snipe.

Ruff

Maiden Castle, Dorchester, Dorset
I couldn’t resist stopping off here for Corn Bunting and the place didn’t disappoint as I got straight on to a group of circa 20 birds.

Lyme Regis, Dorset 
A final stop off to look for the apart showy Common Eider and boy is it showy. The bird was outside the harbour and gave nice views. I couldn’t locate any Purple Sandpiper or the earlier reported Black Redstart in the Bowling Green area.

Common Eider (Male)

A New Year

A new year and a fresh list to complete. 1 popped to a few sites and managed 82 species. I won’t mention them all but the highlights were.

Matford Marsh, Exeter 
I thought I would pop here in the hope of last years boggie bird (Yellow-browed Warbler). No joy but there was a Common Chiffchaff that got me excited for a second or so. Around the marsh were Black-tailed Godwit, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Common Snipe.

Powderham Sawmill
Another go at last years boggie bird but again there was no Yellow-browed Warbler on offer but a group of 6 Red-legged Partridge were close by.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham
A Little Gull off the Goat Walk was a welcome sight, also here were Pied Avocet, Red Knot, Grey Plover and Dunlin. Around the marsh were Redwing, Northern Pintail, Bar-tailed Godwit and Cetti’s Warbler. I didn’t stay long as it was far too overcrowded for my liking. I felt almost claustrophobic.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth 
A quick visit produced Cirl Bunting, Northern Raven and Meadow Pipit.

The Seafront, Exmouth
What is it about “We must all go for a walk on New Year’s Day?!” As again this place was far too busy (it was busier than I have ever seen it in the summer) so I didn’t hang about but did manage a distant Red-throated Loon

The Quay and Imperial Grounds, Exmouth 
Black Redstart, Common Eider, Mew Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Horned Grebe, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser were the best on offer here.

Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington 
A quick visit got me a Brambling at the farm and a European Green Woodpecker nearby. A quick return visit to a site near the farm at dusk got me a Eurasian Woodcock.

A Smart Grebe

Cockwood, Devon
I had a quick look for the Horned Grebe today and it showed rather well from the railway steps. I haven’t bothered to see it in summer plumage for a few years and had the urge to do so. I was glad I did as it reminded me that this species is actually a very smart looking bird indeed. Also of note were 2 adult Mediterrean Gulls sat on Great Bull Hill (again a tad too distant for even a crappy record picture) next to a group of Sandwich Tern. Still no oranges billed Tern though (yes I’m obsessed with finding a Royal Tern!). After only a few minutes the 2 Mediterranean Gulls took off and they were joined by another. The 3 birds headed up river towards Bowling Green Marsh. Reading the Devon blog, 2 of the birds did drop in.

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe And A Missed Pipit

Quay, Exmouth, Devon 
An early morning look (at first light) from the quay provided me with distant views of the Long-tailed Duck. It was off shore from the Warren Point. Also 2 Common Loon, 2 Common Eider, several Common Scoter, several European Shag and Red-breasted Merganser. Distant views of the Horned Grebe near Cockwood and a few Great Crested Grebe. Numerous Gulls but nothing unusual.

Lympstone, Devon 
A look on the way to work in the Sowden Lane area (near the cycle track and rail bridge) gave very close views of several Brambling.

Topsham, Devon 
Had a look at the rec after work to see if the Water Pipit was around but no sign. Only bird of note was a single Common Sandpiper.

Out And About In Devon

Ludwell Valley, Exeter, Devon
This can be a good site for White-throated Dipper but none seen ofay. I did see 4 Green Sandpiper and 2 Grey Wagtail.


Stover County Park, Devon 
20 Common Merganser mainly females but 4 males, a pair of Mandarin Duck, 2 pairs of Common Pochard. On the feeder were a pair of Eurasian Bullfinch, a male Eurasian Siskin, 3 Eurasian Nuthatch and plenty of Coal Tit, European Blue Tit and Great Tit.


Exminster Marsh, Devon
100’s of Eurasian Wigeon but I couldn’t locate the American Wigeon, which I later discovered had relocated back to Matford Marsh. However I was pleased to see a Western Marsh Harrier on leaving site.


Cockwood, Devon 
I had cracking views of the resident Horned Grebe and a Common Loon from the railway steps. Also of note were a group of 20 Grey Plover and a single Great Crested Grebe.


Exmouth, Devon
Awesome close views of a Common Firecrest on the path at the rear of the Cricket pitch. One of my favourite birds and I love watching them potter about.


Hayes Barton, Devon 
My last stop was the pig farm to see if there were any Red-legged Partridge in the surrounding fields but nothing about. It was dusk when in left and just up the road (on the way back to Exmouth) near the triangular road section. I was stopped in my tracks by a pair of eyes in my headlights. I edged forward very slowly and got excellent views of a Eurasian Woodcock. I managed to observe the bird for a few moments before it realised I was watching it and it quickly vanished into the scrub. The best views I have ever had as I normally only get flyovers.