Western Yellow Wagtail

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 

I had the day off so popped to the point. I remember how hard work it used to be at times birding that place but wow do I miss it now I've moved from Exmouth. 

I started off watching the dung field and a wader flew over me and landed in the long weeds opposite the gate. First thought was Curlew but bill was shorter so then Whimbrel came to mind. However, its underwing gave off a distinct black armpit. The only wader that springs to mind then is Grey Plover. However, the jizz seemed wrong. The bird was never seen again despite a long watch so it will go in the "What was that pile?" 

A walk from Gore Lane to the coastal path flushed a Northern Wheatear that flew towards the geoneedle and many Meadow Pipit. I then walked along the coastal path towards Sandy Park and in amongst the cows were 2 Western Yellow Wagtail. 

On the Butterfly front were numerous Small Copper. 

Northern Wheatear

Woodbury Common, Devon 
I had a walk around the model aircraft field and surrounding area after work. A single Female Northern Wheatear was feeding on the main field. A few Meadow Pilots around and a European Stonechat were the best on offer

Dartford Warbler

Woodbury Common, Devon
After work I took advantage of the fact the rain had stopped and had a wander around Woodbury Castle and surrounding common. Not a great deal around but a nice Male Dartford Warbler making the most of the sun was a welcome sight. Circa 60 Meadow Pipit were about and a similar number of Barn Swallow came through.

A Decent Selection At The Farm

Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington, Devon
A walk along the road and the public footpath at the farm after work. The place was quiet busy with bird activity. I guess the earlier dusting of snow in the area and the cold had brought them in towards the farm in search of food. There were circa 150 Common Chaffinch, a Female Brambling, several Common Reed Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Cirl Bunting, Circa 30 Redwing, several Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail, a few Meadow Pipit, European Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Lots Of Wagtails

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I popped up for an hour this afternoon to discover a lot of Wagtails around the dung heap. The vast majority being Pied with a number of Meadow Pipits and a solitary Grey Wagtail. A decent flock of Common Linnet were also around this area. Around 20 Eurasian Skylark flew overhead as did a Common Kestrel. I only managed 1 Cirl Bunting though.

Not 1 But 2

Woodbury Common, Devon
I haven’t done much birding this week (well nothing worthy of talking about) so I was glad to get an early finish today and get out for a few hours up to dusk. I thought I would look around the common and I had just got out of the car when I spotted 2 birds that looked like raptors flying through at distance. I got my bins on the first bird and realised it was a juvenile Hen Harrier. I quickly moved to the second bird and had a wow moment as this was also a Hen Harrier. The second bird in my mind was a female. Also just as I was around 100 metres from the car I had 6 Red Crossbill. I walked around seeing not much else for a while but came across a flock of circa 30 Fieldfare and several Redwing. A few Meadow Pipit, Common Linnet and Common Chaffinch made the supporting cast.

Pied Wheatear

Trevose Head, Near Padstow, Cornwall 
I had the afternoon off so I decided to see it I could get myself a lifer. I’ve waited a long time to get the bird in question. I picked up Pete and we set off. We reached the site in good time but not knowing the area, we were unsure of where to go. Luckily another group of birders were coming back and gave us very good directions. From the national trust car park you head back down the road and take the road towards the lifeboat station. You then enter the first gate and follow the path along the hedge to view. We had only walked about 5 minutes along this path and connected with the female Pied Wheatear. We got outrageous views for around 10 minutes before we lost it. A stunning bird and one I’ve longed to see for such a long time.

Also around the area where a few Eurasian Skylark, European Stonechat and Meadow Pipit. The bird was also a lifer for Pete so we were both pleased as punch with the successful trip.

Pied Wheatear (Female)

Pied Wheatear (Female)

Pied Wheatear (Female) 

Pied Wheatear (Female)

Hen Harrier Again

Woodbury Common, Devon
The Hen Harrier showed again briefly at dusk (around 4:45pm) hunting just below Woodbury Castle. It was soon lost to view as light was poor. Also circa 150 Meadow Pipit over head.

Hen Harrier

Woodbury Common, Devon
An hours look after work was rewarded within minutes of arriving (4:15pm) as a juvenile Hen Harrier flew extremely low almost directly over me. The views were brief as trees were blocking me and it quickly went low and was hard to keep track of but they weren’t half close views for a few seconds.

I then decided to walk right out in the direction of the grenade range in the hope of seeing yesterday’s Short-eared Owl and we are due a Great Grey Shrike. No joy there but there were large numbers of Meadow Pipit and Common Linnet to keep me entertained on the way. I also enjoyed distant views of a small group of what I believe were Roe Deer (I’m no good with deer species so I’m happy to be corrected). On the way back (around 5:05pm). The Hen Harrier again flew directly over me and this time I was able to watch it fly low for a few moments longer than the first sighting. Unfortunately it was all still a bit quick for me to set my scope up for a photo. I always enjoy seeing this species and sadly that doesn’t occur too often.

Roe Deer?

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 

Northern Wheatear

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I finished work early today as I had an appointment and popped to site for an hour afterwards. On arrival at Gore Lane I was treated to a Female Common Kesterl hunting the dung field. In the last field along the permissive path from Gore Lane to the coastal paths were 2 Northern Wheatear hopping around and catching insects. I never tire of watching these guys. Apart from that the only other noteworthy species were a lonely European Stonechat and a few flyover Meadow Pipit.

I’m off tomorrow to hopefully have a successful twitch of the Grey Catbird. I have everything crossed but if I dip I may give up on this twitching business. In all honesty I bet I would get tempted again. Let’s hope it’s more productive than my last Cornwall twitch for the Brown Shrike, which apparently may still be in the area further up the coast from Kynance at Prendannack but it was only reported as a possible on the Cornwall site. Interestingly, someone reported 3 Frigatebirds at Porthleven. A wholly unconfirmed report though.

Northern Wheatear 

Northern Wheatear 

Partridges, White Pheasant And Hares

Stantywell Farm, Otterton, Devon
I decided to walk along the road from the farm to the entrance track to the Sewage works in search of any Finches or Buntings. There were no Buntings and only a handful of Common Chaffinch but I hope numbers will increase the deeper we get in to Autumn and move into Winter. There were decent numbers of House Sparrow. That wouldn’t be unusual a number of years ago but these days a very nice and encouraging sight.

As I moved down the road I came across a nice group of Red-legged Partridge. Some of the bird’s showed at decent range and it was a joy to watch them potter about. The next field held several Common Pheasant with a couple of odd variations, including a lovely White form and a few European Rabbit. Also flying overhead were a few Eurasian Skylark and Meadow Pipit but the best was yet to come as I walked back up to the farm I noted 2 large looking Rabbits. I got the scope on them and quickly realised that these were not your normal European Rabbit but were Brown Hare. The 2 individuals sat there nicely and seemed oblivious to me watching them. Hard to believe but this was my first sighting of this species in Devon.

Red-legged Partridge 

Red-legged Partridg

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge (Group)

Common Pheasant (White variation)

Common Pheasant (White variation)

Brown Hare

Brown Hares

Brown Hare

Brown Hare

Red-legged Partridges and European Rabbit

Isabelline Shrike

Thurlestone, Devon
I got up later than planned this morning so missed my chance at a dawn attempt at the Thurlestone Shrike. I did however have the afternoon off as I had an appointment and just had enough time to have a go at it this afternoon. I have to say the bird was easy to get on to as it was busily feeding and perching on a bush (as I would expect a Shrike to be doing) near the coastal path a little way down from the green hut that’s mentioned in all the reports.

I had really good views and can confidently say it’s an Isabelline Shrike or as BOU call it Daurian Shrike. For it to be Red-tailed or BOU name Turkestan, I would have expected a more contrasting bird with darker upper parts and cleaner underparts.

It was a welcome relief to actually connect with a Shrike this year after dipping on the Soapy Cove Brown Shrike (that still hurts) only the other week and a reported Red-Backed Shrike a little while ago on East Budleigh Common. I’m hoping a Great Grey Shrike will turn up on Colaton Raleigh Common soon (one normally has by now). As I do like that species.

Also on site were a few Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, European Stonechat and a Common Kestrel

Isabelline Shrike 

Isabelline Shrike 

Isabelline Shrike 

Isabelline Shrike 

Isabelline Shrike

Isabelline Shrike

Common Kestrel At Close Range

Bicton Common, Devon
After work I had a mooch around the area opposite the Uphams Plantation car park. On arrival I noted a large mixed flock feeding around the car park. I scanned for anything unusual but the flock consisted of Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest. I continued on my way and had 2 flyover Red Crossbill, several mobile Meadow Pipit and some Common Linnet were flitting about. Then everything went quiet so I turned around to move on only to discover the reason for everything ducking for cover. A close (around 20 metres) range Female Common Kestel was surveying the area from the top of a small pine tree. It’s always nice to be able to appreciate a bird close up.

Common Kestrel (Female)

Common Kestrel (Female)

Common Kestrel (Female)

One Hell Of A Dip

Soapy Cove, Kynance, Cornwall 
So the day had finally come to have a go at the Brown Shrike. Me and my mate Pete made the journey in good time and even got from Kynance National Trust car park to the birds prefered site in good time. So we found a good vantage point and started the waiting game. We were soon joined by Steph and Rob Murphy and it was a pleasure to chat and swap stories. A few species kept us entertained, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit and European Stonechat. After what seemed an eternity we all decided to call it a day having not seen the bird which would have been lifer for all involved apart from Pete. Nevertheless I had an enjoyable time on site.

View of valley that leads to Soapy Cove

The Lizard, Cornwall
Me and Pete popped here for a rather late lunch in the lighthouse car park in the hope of salvaging the day with a Red-billed Chough but even they didn’t want to play ball.

Helston Boating Lake, Helston, Cornwall 
On the way home, with a deflated feeling I felt I needed to see something decent. So we popped along to the boating lake to see the questionable Male Ferruginous Duck. On arrival we noted the pool was virtually drained for repairs. However, the bird showed and it was nice to appreciate the bird at close range as normally these birds are shy and distant.

Ferruginous Duck (Male)

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon

When nearly home I received a text from Matt Knott about a Red-crested Pochard at Mudbank Lane. I decided to have a super quick look but there was no sign. Apparently someone had fired a shot at them and everything had gone up. So by the time I got there the numbers of Eurasian Wigeon (which the bird was associating with) had dropped as they had understandably moved on. 

Woodbury Castle

Woodbury Castle, Devon 
After work I thought I’d visit the castle area and surrounding Common. Not much made the notebook to be honest. In the castle woods were 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, a single European Green Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Common Chaffinch and Great Tit. The common area didn’t fare much better with 2 Northern Raven, a few European Stonechat and a small flock of Meadow Pipit.

I’m off Friday so I’m hoping to get out and bag a few nice species. I bet that lifer Brown Shrike in Soapy Cove won’t stick around long enough though!  

Giving The Pallid Harrier Another Chance

Blackhills Quarry, Exmouth, Devon
After reading on Devon Birds that the Pallid Harrier had been seen in the area, I thought I would look in to it. I checked out the Facebook page mentioned but have to admit I was dubious as to whether the ID was correct. However I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and thought it worthy of checking out. I checked out the area around the pond for around 45 minutes this morning before work. The first bird I noted was a Common Sandpiper that was quickly followed by a Northern Wheatear. There were good number of Meadow Pipit (potential Harrier food), On the pond were 3 Little Grebe and a single female Tufted Duck. No sign of the reported Pallid Harrier but I did have an unusual sighting with a flyover White-bellied Dipper!

I gave it another go for an hour after work I saw more Meadow Pipit, the Tufted Duck count went up to 4 birds and Canada Goose were added to the Wildfowl species. Several Common Moorhen were feeding in amongst a group of European Herring Gull and a Great Cormorant that were resting on the shore. A few mobile Common Linnet were around as were a party of European Stonechat. The best bird however was a rather pale looking bird that was rather distant that I believe was a young Whinchat but my photo doesn’t do it justice. Again no sign of a Pallid Harrier.

Common Sandpiper  

Northern Wheatear 

Little Grebe  

Whinchat (Juvenile)

Quiet On Orcombe

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
A quick look after work produced a single Northern Wheatear in the dung field along with a few Meadow Pipit. In the opposite field were a largish flock of Meadow Pipit and circa 20 Barn Swallow. Other than that, it’s was very quiet.

Northern Wheatear  

Northern Wheatear 

Orcombe Point

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I had an half an hour scam around the top fields area. A nice mixed feeding flock hung around the old dung field for a little while. After scrutinising the flock, nothing special revelled itself. The flock contained mainly Long-tailed Tit with a few Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit. The top field opposite the current dung field held a flock of Common Linnet, the most I’ve seen up there for a while with around 20 birds. A dozen or so Meadow Pipit and I had a flyover, calling Western Yellow Wagtail. Only heard as I was looking into the sun to try to locate it. A few Barn Swallow around but apart from that not a lot else to report.