Sociable Lapwing

Crows an Wra, Cornwall (4th December)

I had the day off and the lure of a mega lifer was too great. I know some will say I shouldn't have gone but you if you read the guidance it clearly says you can travel from tier 2 to tier 1 as long as you still abide by tier 2 restrictions. The only ones that cannot travel are unfortunately tier 3 residents. I didn't stop anywhere on the journey there and back and I socially distanced from all on site. In fact, social distancing was adhered to by all of the small ensemble there. 

Anyway, the bird showed superbly straight on arrival. I couldn't believe I was seeing such a class bird and I totally enjoyed the views. Also on site were numerous Northern Lapwing and European Golden Plover.

I stayed for 30 minutes and left for home. 

Sociable Lapwing

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.

Some Somerset Stuff

Oathe, Somerset
I had a work meeting in Somerset today and after it finished I popped to this area for half an hour as it was around the corner. The reason for the visit was that I had heard there were Whooper Swans here. I couldn’t find any but I was impressed by the amount of Northern Lapwing in the area. I didn’t do an accurate count but it was was in the several hundreds. I walked along the road and flushed a Common Kingfisher and best of all a Jack Snipe. There were also a decent amount of Redwing and Fieldfare.

Fieldfare 

Swell Wood, Somerset
I also popped into this RSPB reserve for 10 minutes. I didn’t leave the car park as someone had dropped Seed all over the place and there was a real feeding frenzy of woodland birds. Lots of Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit with a couple of Marsh Tit mixed in. Also a Eurasian Nuthatch and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker. This seemed like a really nice reserve and has a Heronry lookout hide.

Barnacle Goose Amd Yet Another Missed Yellow-browed Warbler

Milbury Lane, Exminster, Devon
I had a very quick look for yesterday’s Yellow-browed Warbler before work around Milbury Lane with no luck. I really think I’m not destined to connect with this species this year. The only birds of note was a fly through Female Eurasian Sparrowhawk and large numbers of Redwing and a few Fieldfare flying overhead.

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
A quick look from the middle car park after work gave up the 4 Barnacle Goose in amongst a large flock of Canada Goose. Also good numbers of Northern Lapwing about. Light was fading fast, so no time to look for anything else.

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose 

Barnacle Goose 

Barnacle Goose

Spotted Redshank

Goosemoor, Topsham, Devon
I had a little look late afternoon for the reported Spotted Redshank and the bird was on show on the opposite side of the Estuary. A smart Summer plumage bird that spent a lot of time hidden in the channel. Apart from that the area was rather quiet bar a few Northern Lapwing, Common Redshank and a single Common Greenshank. A Broad-bodied Chaser put in a brief appearance as did a couple of Ringlets.

Spotted Redshank 

 Northern Lapwing 

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 

Corn Bunting And Spotted Redshank

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had a look in the dung heap area of Gore Lane first this this morning  and quickly got on to the Corn Bunting as it sat at close range on the hedge. After I had filled my boots with the great views I had a quick look around the site but there was nothing else of real note but had one last look at the dung heap before leaving and managed a White Wagtail.

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting

White Wagtail 

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
After work I had a little stroll along the path from the white bridge to the scrape. On the Estuary was a single Mew Gull in amongst the small Gull flock and I had the briefest of views of the Spotted Redshank. It was so brief that it appeared in my scope view whilst I watch looking through the Gulls. I didn’t have enough time to take any pictures though. The only other birds of note were 3 Northern Pintail and 2 Common Snipe.

Common Redshank 

Mew Gull

Northern Lapwing 

Common Shelduck (Male and Female)

American Wigeon Again!

Matford Pools, Exeter, Devon
After work I decided to take another look at the American Wigeon. This time around it was showing nicely on the left of the first pool. Also of note were a Stock Dove, several Common Snipe, a few Northern Lapwing, a few Eurasian Curlew and Lesser Black-backed Gull.

American Wigeon (Male)

American Wigeon (Male)

Eurasian Wigeon (Male)

Northern Lapwing

Great Cormorant

Tufted Duck (Male)

Stock Dove

Carrion Crow

Canada Goose

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
A made a quick stop here but nothing of any note.

Common Moorhen

Finally.... A Stonechat

Darts Farm, Topsham, Devon
A very swift lunchtime walk to the hide, gave me my first European Stonechat of the year. I can’t believe it’s taken me until now to see one! 2 individuals feeding in the reeds to the left of the hide. From the hide 10 Northern Lapwing, C30 Eurasian Curlew and a few (very frozen looking) Eurasian Teal.

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
A walk after work for the white bridge to the mouth of the estuary. 4 Little Grebe around the bridge, a single Northern Lapwing on the scrapes near the hide, 2 Eurasian Rock Pipit on the cricket pitch, a group of Brant Goose near the estuary mouth and a calling (but not seen) Tawny Owl in the direction of the farm shop, were the best of the bunch.