Red-throated Loon

Stantywell Farm And Otterton Coastal Path
A quick look after work. I started at Stantywell Farm in the hope of Cirl Bunting and Yellowhammer but I was not successful. Things picked up from the coastal path near the Sewage Treatment Works with a single Red-throated Loon, several Northern Gannet and Circa 30 Eurasian Skylark in the fields. As I was leaving around the area there were circa 30 Fieldfare looking to roost in a tree. Also of note is the fact that there is a healthy House Sparrow population around the farm.

Fieldfare 

Woodlark

Stantywell Farm, Otterton, Devon

Today’s after work yomp was a walk along the road from the farm to the Sewage treatment plant. Just down from the farm was a decent sized group of House Sparrow. I checked through the flock in the hope of a Bunting. No Bunting but I noted a call I hadn’t heard for a while and with that I scanned and got onto a Woodlark! No sooner as I had got onto it the bird took of and flew over me towards the football pitch. I watched it until it was out of sight and a later search to relocate the bird was unsuccessful. 

The next field held a group of 6 Red-legged Partridge. I assume the same group I saw there last week. They pottered about at rather close range and I enjoyed watching them for quite a while. The same field held circa 300 Common Linnet that kept flying off in large groups then coming back to perch on the overhead wires that go through the field. Again I carefully scanned the flock for anything unusual but nothing jumped out as being anything other than Common Linnet. There was not much else of note apart from the White Common Pheasant and a Common Kestrel but I came away pleased to see a Woodlark. My first sighting for well over a year. 

Red-legged Partridge 

Common Linnet (flock)

Common Pheasant (Female)

On the way home I stopped to say hello to Sir Raleigh 

Sir Walter Raleigh statue East Budleigh 

A Missed Goose

Orcombe Point, Devon
A bits and bobs sort of day today. A quick look first thing this morning produced very little. I was hoping for a Northern Wheatear in the top fields but no joy. There were a few Eurasian Skylark happily singing away but not much else of note. On the way back through Littleham, I spied this Eurasian Collared Dove and as it was posing nicely I thought it rude not to snap it.

Eurasian Collared Dove

Hayes Barton, Devon
After work I had limited time due to a Drs appointment so I decided to take a look at Hayes Barton pig farm. Just as I left, I got a text from my mate Pete about the Greater White-fronted Goose at Exminster Marshes but had no time to head off and have a look. a shame really as its not guaranteed to hang about and its a nice Devon tick. Anyway, at the farm, were several Common Pheasant, plenty of Carrion Crow, circa 20 House Sparrow, a few Common Chaffinch and White (Pied) Wagtail and a Common Buzzard. Surprisingly no Red-legged Partridge on view.

Common Pheasant (Male)

Common Buzzard

Don’t Move, I’m Cold!

East Budleigh, Devon
I popped to Cadbury Gardens again after work to see if I could get a better photo of the putative Italian Sparrow but despite there being plenty of House Sparrow around, it didn’t show. A few bits and bobs on offer though.

House Sparrow (Male)

House Sparrow (Female)

Common Blackbird (Male)

Eurasian Blue Tit

Common Wood Pigeon

Mudbank Lane Exmouth 
I then descided to have a quick look off Mudbank Lane. Nothing special on offer but I found this Common Redshank trying to shelter from the wind and was amused by the Dunlin trying as best as it could to use the Common Redshank as shelter.

                     “Don’t move, I’m cold”

Common Redshank and Dunlin

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Dunlin

Black-headed Gull

Italian Sparrow Again

Cadbury Gardens, East Budleigh, Devon 
After work I decided to have a look at the putative Italian Sparrow. I did try on Tuesday but the news of a Water Pipit in my last blog distracted me. On arrival the bird in question was nowhere to be seen but with the amount of House Sparrow feeding and in the surrounding bushes I knew it would be along soon. There were a few other species to keep me entertained while I waited. A Common Buzzard flew overhead and a Male Eurasian Bullfinch gave a fleeting view. There were the usual Common Starting around and a European Robin popped on to the feeder.

European Robin

Common Starling

Then the Sparrow flew in and stole the show.

Putative Italian Sparrow (Male)

Putative Italian Sparrow (Male)

Red-legged Partridge

Hayes Barton Farm, Yettington, Devon
A dawn visit to the pig farm near Yettington produced 6 Red-legged Partridge in the field directly behind the farm house. It was good to see healthy numbers of House Sparrow around the farm buildings, I would guess c40. Numerous Corvids with a mix of Carrion Crow, Rook and Western Jackdaw. A few Common Pheasant and a calling European Green Woodpecker.