Part-time Birding: Lesser Redpoll

Showing posts with label Lesser Redpoll. Show all posts

Marsh Tit

Crowpits Covert, East Hill, Devon

I had a stroll along this area of East Hill this morning as another local birder Ben Rowland had seen Marsh Tit. I had to wait a little while but had awesome view if a few very vocal birds. Also on site were Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper and Redwing. Whilst I was waiting for the Marsh Tit I am sure I had a Lesser Redpoll call. It was rather distant and despite a bit of a search and wait and couldn't locate.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Coastal path near Otterton, Devon

I had a few hours to spare this morning so I visited a few old haunts. I started at the sea watching ledge near the Sewage works. As it was high tide, my thought was possibly a good chance of some Loons. Not great quantity but singles of Common Loon and Red-throated Loon were enjoyed. A few Common Murre and Northern Fulmar plus a hunting Peregrine Falcon were also enjoyed. Unfortunately I didn't see any Common Scoter or Cirl Bunting.

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon

Next I visited one of my old favourite areas when I lived in Exmouth. It was rather quite, with no sign of a Common Firecrest but a solo Lesser Redpoll was a nice consolation.

Shelley Beach, Exmouth, Devon

I had a lightening quick look for the Black Redstart with no success.

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon

Finally, a look off here. As it was hight tide, it was nice to see a few Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone and a single Dunlin close up. Out in the estuary were a few Great Crested Grebe but I couldn't locate the 2 Black-necked Grebe. The star bird was initially sleeping on arrival but a short wait meant great views of the Eurasian Spoonbill.

Eurasian Spoonbill

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

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.

A Few Good Species

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon
I popped here first after work as I was inspired by Matt Knotts finding. As Matt mentioned, it is looking good up there at the moment. My first find were 3 Lesser Redpoll, only brief views and then flight views before disappearing. Next was a pair of Eurasian Siskin. Then the bird I was hoping for, a cracking Common Firecrest. The only one I spotted but calls suggested many more on site.

Otterton Sewage Works, Devon
I decided to give this place a quick look on the way home. At the car park feeder was a stunning Male Cirl Bunting and a few Yellowhammer. Sea watching wasnt shabby either. A nice calm surface revealed 6 Red-throated Loon, 1 Black-throated Loon and plenty of Northern Fulmar.

Cirl Bunting (Male)

Red-throated Loon

Yellowhammer (Female)

Exton Marsh And Ideford Common

Exton, Devon
Having not had a chance to look for the Glossy Ibis over the weekend I had a very quick look first thing. It was freezing cold and the Marsh was frosted over. There was unfortunately no sign of the bird. Thanks to Dave Stone for the news on Saturday.

Ideford Common, Devon
I had a look around the car park area today for Lesser Redpoll. Plenty of Common Chaffinch were around as were the usual Tit species around the feeders. Including Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit. A Eurasian Nuthatch and Eurasian Treecreeper put in brief appearances. I was pleasantly surprised to see a single Marsh Tit for a short time too. After a while I was being to give up hope for the target species when a small flock of Eurasian Siskin started feeding in the tops of the trees. I enjoyed watching them for a while when I heard the call of a Lesser Redpoll. After a short search a single bird was seen on the treetops for a while before it flew off and I lost sight of it.

Barnacle Goose And Some Dire Birding

Exmouth Cricket Club, Devon
A quick look at first light for the Common Firecrest was unfortunately fruitless.

Exminster Marsh, Devon
A flying visit at lunchtime today along the railway path. The 4 Barnacle Goose were on show. Good numbers of Northern Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit and was pleased to see a few European Golden Plover.

Barnacle Goose

Aylesbeare Common, Devon
A walk around after work both yesterday and today was very dire indeed. I was looking for Lesser Redpoll and Yellowhammer and on both occasions saw next to nothing. This place can be a bit hit and miss.

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.

Brambling’s And Lesser Redpoll

Woodbury Castle, Devon
I had a lightening quick circuit of the woods before work. Common Chaffinch numbers seem to be on the rise and there were 2 if not more Brambling mixed in with the flock, as was a Lesser Redpoll. I’ve struggled to see this species this year and now I’ve seen 2 in quick succession (it’s like waiting for a bus). I had a quick scan of the common for Matt’s Hen Harrier with no luck. There was some evidence of Common Wood Pigeon movement with 2 large groups that totalled circa 180 birds and decent numbers of flyover Meadow Pipit.

I was hoping to get back to Powderham to look at yesterday’s weird Bunting but a work meeting meant I ran out of time. My mate Pete did manage a look this morning with no avail. At present it’s down as Bunting sp.

Out of interest, my mate Pete sent me this link about Albino Pheasants. They can’t be that rare can they? Perhaps I should call the BBC about the Otterton bird? Not!!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-46045596

Not A Lot To Report

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon

I had an half hour look around at the crack of dawn but it was rather quiet. A Male Common Kestrel showed briefly near the coastal path, a few Meadow Pipits were mobile about the site as were a few Common Linnet and Eurasian Goldfinch. Not much else of note. I bumped into Matt Knott who was still on site when I left so he may have had more but I had to drag my sorry butt to work.

Darts Farm, Topsham, Devon
Inspired by yesterday’s Lesser Redpoll. I decided to have another look around the fields and pond areas. The hide area proved most productive with 2 Green Sandpiper at the far end of the wetland area plus a Cetti’s Warbler seen but mostly heard to the left of the hide. A few Finches popped up on the surrounding trees but nothing interesting.

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper two individuals

Common Linnet

Lesser Redpoll

Darts Farm, Topsham, Devon
Having seen a tweet on Twitter by Dave Stone, I decided to take a look at Darts Farm after work. The reason I went there was that he had seen a Lesser Redpoll around the smaller pond. It took me a while to locate the bird in blustery conditions but it did show around the hide area. It was always rather mobile but I managed a few decent views. Surprisingly (apart from a calling bird at Aylesbeare a while back), this is my first sighting of this species this year. I normally see them throughout the year but It’s strange how some years certain species evade you!

Another Busy Week

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 29th August 2018
There was no further sign of the Spotted Flycatcher but I did hear Lesser Redpoll in an area of the reserve that I normally have luck with this species. However I was unable to locate a bird. At least I know they are about I guess. I’ve still not seen this species yet this year though which is rather depressing. Are numbers that low? Or am I just being unlucky? There were a number of fungi in the area but don’t expect my to identify this as I haven’t a clue!

Mushroom species

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 30th August 2018
It’s been a busy week but I have had a few quick visits to Orcombe Point. I was only able to do this after work so I’ve not see the variety or numbers that Matt Knott and others have seen. In fact the only birds of note have been a few Northern Wheatear.

Northern Wheatear

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon
Today I managed an hour around Bystock. I covered the main pool and South Heath to the boardwalk pools. Not too many birds around with Coal Tit, Common Chiffchaff, European Robin, Mistle Thrush and Great Spotted Woodpecker making the list. Butterflies fared better with several Small Copper, lots of Small White, Speckled Wood and a Painted Lady. Dragonflies included Emperor Dragonfly, Southern Hawker, Common Darter and Keeled Skimmer.