Firecrest and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Mudbank, Exmouth, Devon 

I had the day off today and was keen to get out in the sun. I wanted to visit a few old haunts so I popped here first. Not a great deal on offer but I was pleased to see my first Red-breasted Merganser of the year. I realised how much I miss some of my old local spots. Also a few Great Crested Grebe around too. 

Bystock Pools, Exmouth,Devon 

On to one of my favourite places. I quickly got on to a Yellowhammer and some Eurasian Siskin but the star bird was a very showy Common Firecrest. Unfortunately I only armed myself with bins for this and was annoyed with a lost fabulous photo opportunity. It was also pleasing to see a few Butterfly species with Brimstone, Peacock and Comma.

Yarner Woods, Bovey Tracey, Devon 

I decided I had the urge to see Lesser Spotted Woodpecker so I made the trip up to the best spot in Devon. As soon as I arrived at the top car park, I heard the unmistakable drumming and after just popping into the reserve, a got on to an individual. Only a brief view before it moved on. Down at the pond hide was a pair of Mandarin Duck. That again put in a brief show before hiding in the undergrowth.

Mandarin Duck

Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I had a wander around the bridge area mid afternoon and the first bird I heard was a Common Kingfisher and within seconds I had nice views before it Spotted me and flew off down river. Oddly, my first sightings this year. Also around the Bridge were a few Sand Martin and a Little Egret. Near the entrance to the wooded area was a busy Southern Migrant Hawker and in the wooded area were Eurasian Treecreeper and Eurasian Nuthatch.

Gosford Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I moved on to this area and made my way north. Last year I saw Mandarin Duck at this location and after a patient wait they are still there. Also more Sand Martin and a single Lesser Black-backed Gull. Not a Common sight here. 

A New Location

Footpath North From Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

The family have done the walk in my last post a few times this week. However, there was nothing worth mentioning.

Today though, we tried a new footpath and managed to add a few species to my lockdown list. Grey Heron, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Black (pair) Common Merganser (pair) and unexpectedly a pair of Mandarin Duck. Also worthy of a mention were the vast amount of Common Chiffchaff.

Some Nice Year Ticks

Brixham Harbour, Devon
The first thing I noticed as soon as I parked the car was the amount of Common Loon in the bay. Let's just say I lost count at 30. A few Purple Sandpiper were on the usual jetti and an adult Mediterranean Gull was in the Marina. Out towards Elberry Cove was a single Red-throated Loon. Far out in the bay were a few Common Murre and Razorbill.

Purple Sandpiper 

Common Loon

Mansands, Devon 
I picked up the female Black Redstart instantly on the cottages roofs. A Cetti's Warbler was glimpsed whilst looking at the Wetland area. Finally the Blue-winged Teal put in a lightening performance. Too quick for a photo opportunity. Also from the hide was a pair of Eurasian Bullfinch and this rather large Brown Rat.

Brown Rat

Black Redstart (Female)

Stover Country Park, Devon 
Last stop of the day and managed a pair of Mandarin Duck, Eurasian Treecreeper and a few Marsh Tit

Eurasian Nuthatch 

Eurasian Treecreeper 

Mandarin Duck 

No Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Devon
I finished work early today so I took an optimist look around a few areas that I normally have luck with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Luck, sadly wasn’t on my side today though. At the pond hide was a pair of Mandarin Duck that have moved back in after the works that took place last year. On the feeders were Common Chaffinch, Great Tit and Coal Tit. Around the top hide were more of the previously mentioned but in far greater numbers plus a Marsh Tit.

Mandarin Duck (Male)

Common Chaffinch (Male)

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

FINALLY A Yellow-browed Warbler!

Decoy Country Park, Newton Abbot, Devon 
As I was going to go to Stover I decided to pop here to look for the Common Loon. After a decent search, there was no sign. I bumped into Charlie Fleming. I’ve seen many of his excellent photos over the years but we have never chatted before. It was a pleasure getting  to know him and we had a very good chinwag. I hope to bump in to him again sometime.

Stover Country Park, Stover, Devon 
I wanted to pop here as I love to see the Common Merganser and it didn’t disappoint with 4 pairs on site. Eurasian Siskin was about the best at the feeder and 2 pairs of Mandarin Duck were a nice addition too.

Mandarin Duck (Male and Female)

Cockwood
My next stop off to look for Common Eider and Common Goldeneye and both species showed (if not distantly).

Powderham Sawmills
I gave the area another go for the Yellow-browed Warbler and within 10 minutes the bird showed beautifully in the willows to the right of the concrete area outside Poppy’s Flower studio. I’m glad I have finally caught up with this lovely species as I was beginning to think I would never see another one again!

Powderham Corner
A final stop off to check through the Brant Goose. Nothing of interest that I could pick out as they were always distant. However, on the Estuary was a close Grey Plover and good numbers of Northern Pintail. In the fields on the way back to the main road were 2 Eurasian Sparrowhawk co hunting Thrushes (I think Redwing). They were both unsuccessful.

Grey Plover 

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.