Garganey

Undisclosed site near Lower Durlston, Somerset 

I had the day off today (well earned after an 11 hour shift yesterday). I have been longing to get to the levels so off I popped. I headed for Ham Wall but topped off at a place I know is good for Common Nightingale. After a bit of hanging around, it was obvious I wasn't going to get lucky today. 

Ham Wall, Somerset 

I walked up to the first viewing platform and was treated to Eurasian Reed Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap and Cetti's Warbler on the way. On arrival I was informed of a Male Garganey. The bird was sleeping but I enjoyed the views. 3 Western Marsh Harrier put in an appearance soon after arriving as did 3 Great Egret. I short wait produced a lovely flyby Eurasian Bittern. An equally nice flyby Eurasian Hobby and as I was leaving a Common Whitethroat popped up and treated me to a song. A few Orangetip Butterfly was also pottering about. 

Shapwick Heath, Somerset 

I took a walk up to Noahs lake and on the way up, bumped into a local that advised there were 3 Little Gull on the lake. You cant yet get into the hide but I did manage to see the 3 via various gaps. Also on site were, 1 Western Marsh Harrier and 3 Great Egret. On the Butterfly front there were a few Common Brimstone and a single Peacock. 

Garganey (Male)

Great Egret

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.

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

All About The Littles

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon 
I had a few hours out this afternoon so firstly I decided to walk Along Station Road from the main RSPB car park to the middle car park. Not a great deal around to be honest so I ambled back. On the way bank I bumped in to my mate Pete. He had been to Powderham Marsh this morning and seen the Little Gull that’s been hanging about. Time was a bit short to I headed off (upping the pace) to take a look. As I was near the main car park, I heard a calling Eurasian Reed Warbler but decided I couldn’t spend the time looking for it.

Powderham Marsh, Powderham, Devon
Pete had warned me that it was muddy so I was glad I had my wellies on as I slugged my way to the viewing platform. Muddy is an understatement!! As I was walking at pace through the mud I was pretty tired on arriving at the platform. Age is definitely catching up with me lately! Anyway, the first birds that stuck out were the dodgy Snow Geese (equally dodgy photos below) I spent some time scanning the scrapes but had no joy with the Little Gull. I was however pleased to come across my first Little Ringed Plover of the year. Far too distant for a photo. Also around the scrape were a few Little Egret, 3 Greylag Goose, a few Northern Lapwing and a smart Common Sandpiper. As the theme of the day was species starting with Little, its ironic that I was also a little late home for tea!

Snow Goose

Common Sandpiper