Eurasian Otter and Eurasian Beaver

River Otter, Devon 

After I told my 2 daughters about the Eurasian Beaver they were desperate to see then so we all popped there this evening. We were first treated to outstanding views of a Eurasian Otter feeding. We moved on and after a short wait, we were watching a Female Eurasian Beaver and 2 kits. The look on my daughters faces were priceless. They had a real nice time and we were treated to a Tawny Owl too.

Eurasian Beaver

River Otter, Devon 

Tonight I went on a mission to find Eurasian Beaver. And was lucky enough to find a female with a kit. Outstandingly close views as the female tore off bark and nice views of a kit on the opposite bank. Also a Grey Wagtail on site.

Eurasian Beaver (Female)

Eurasian Beaver (Female)

Eurasian Beaver (Kit)

Grey Wagtail

Cirl Bunting

Stantywell Farm, Otterton, Devon 

I've not been able to birdwatch for nearly 2 weeks due to contracting Covid. Despite being double vaccinated, it was still not a pleasant experience. Today was the day of my freedom after isolation and after obtaining a negative test I was keen to get out. 

I decided to keep it simple and go somewhere very quite so I popped to Stantywell Farm. I gave the sea an optimistic look which drew a complete blank but I was entertained by a cracking Male Cirl Bunting along the footpath from the sewage works to the coastal path. Also in the fields was a nice Brown Hare. 

Not a trip for quantity but it didn't matter as it was so nice to get back out into the field and in the fresh air. 

I also had this cracking Silver Y moth in my garden the other day. 

Silver Y

Manx Shearwater

Otterton Sewage Works, Devon 

I had a 45 minute sea watching session from the cliffs near the Sewage works this evening. A bit of Manx Shearwater passage. All the groups totaled 36 birds. 2 Razorbill sat far out. 21 Common Scoter, 3 Sandwich Terns and 3 Northern Fulmar. Around the farmland were 8 Brown Hare and 2 Cirl Bunting.

Some Non Bird Related Stuff

Ottery St Mary area, Devon

I have seen much in the way of birds in the last week so I though I would post a few photos of some other wildlife I've seen over the last week or so.

This Large Yellow Underwing was hanging about in my Ottery garden yesterday. 

Large Yellow Underwing

This Comma is one of many that like to frequent the Otter river. Found anywhere from Cadhay Bridge to Fenny Bridge.

Comma

Plenty of these have been seen in the garden. 

Snipe Fly (Female)

In the same areas as the Comma are numerous Beautiful Demoiselle and Banded Demoiselle. I never get tired of seeing these stunning species.

 

Beautiful Demoiselle (Female)

Beautiful Demoiselle (Male)

This beauty was in my garden a little while back.

Common Green Shield Bug

European Stom Petrel

Otterton, Devon
I went for my daily exercise from Stantywell Farm to the coastal path near the sewage works this evening. In one of the fields just down from the farm were, 2 Red-legged Partridge and 2 Brown Hare.

A further 2 Brown Hare were seen further along. At the feeder at the sewage works was a stunning male Cirl Bunting and along the path to the coastal path was a nice female Common Whitethroat.

At the coastal path I scanned the sea. A few Northern Gannet and Northern Fulmar were far out and then whilst tracking a Black-legged Kittiwake, I picked up a small black bird just above the surface. It was initially heading straight towards me so my initial thought was Common Murre. However, the jizz was all wrong. The bird then tracked west and it because immediately obvious I was watching a European Storm Petrel. Not too shabby for a lockdown tick.

Common Merganser

Cadhay Bridge, Devon 
I've finally started to explore my Ottery surroundings. I have found a number of good habitats to look at but finding suitable parking is a real issue. Especially when your short on time. However, today I managed to park very near to the Otter river near Cadhay House. I was pouring down so I didnt get long here but I did see 5 Common Merganser (2 male and 3 female). It also looks good for the Eurasian Beaver. I'm looking forward to checking this site out more as it has river, grassland and wooded areas. Looks like good potential.

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 

Elusive Sylviid Warbler And European Hedgehog

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I had a walk from Gore Lane to the coastal path after work. Was hoping for a Whinchat or Western Yellow Wagtail. I was being optimistic as it was rather dire. A Sylviid Warbler kept me entertained for some time. It only showed itself on 3 brief occasions. I’m  99% certain it’s was a Common Whitethroat but you know that moment when you think your into to something special? I had that feeling but frustratingly, I couldn’t hang around to make sure.

Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon 
I’m having almost daily visits from a European Hedgehog. It is actually rather relaxed and wanders very close to me. A very friendly individual indeed.

European Hedgehog 

European Hedgehog 

European Hedgehog 

European Hedgehog 

Bystock Dragonflies

Bystock Pools, Exmouth. Devon
A quick look after work produced a few dragonflies with Keeled Skimmer, Southern Hawker, Common Darter and Golden-ringed Dragonfly. A few Common Lizard around and the only Butterfly species was Gatekeeper.

Common Darter

Bee Species 

Golden-ringed Dragonfly 

Bits And Bobs

Dartmoor, Devon
I had a few hours to kill this afternoon so I visited a few sites between Postbridge and Warren House Inn. Nothing special seen with the best bird being a Peregrine Falcon. However, 2 groups of Highland Cow were nice to see.

Highland Cow

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon
After Dartmoor I couldn’t resist a quick look around. 2 Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Southern Hawker and Keeled Skimmer. Common Lizard are like buses for me at the moment. My first in ages yesterday and today several seen. I also (surprisingly) saw my first Grayling of the year.

Common Lizard

Grayling

Speckled Wood

Common Lizard

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon
A quick look after work from the main pool to the boardwalk pools. A Holly Blue was the best of the Butterflies. Dragonflies included Southern Hawker, Beautiful Demoiselle, Keeled Skimmer, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Common Blue Damselfly and Small Red Damselfly. I pleased to see a Common Lizard. The first I’ve seen there for a while. A nice selection of Bees with Red-tailed Bumblebee and White-tailed Bumblebee.

Common Lizard

Common Darter 

Red-tailed Bumblebee 

White-tailed Bumblebee 

European Nightjars And A Pink Grasshopper

East Devon Commons
I took my daughter and nephew to see the local European Nightjars. First of all we had fun exploring for an hour or so and came across a pink Grasshopper. From reading up quickly on this it seems this is an unusual genetic mutation. I think the species is simply a Meadow Grasshopper though. The sun started to set and we were treated to amazing views of several European Nightjar. My nephew was pleased as he has never seen one before.

Dartmoor Pony

Busy explorers

Meadow Grasshopper (pink mutation)

Bystock Butterflies Take 3

Bystock Pools Nature Reserve, Exmouth, Devon
Today I took a walk from the main pool, taking in the boardwalk area and continued up to the meadow and back. Not much in the way of birds but again a good variety of insect life. Butterflies noted were Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Marbled White, Red Admiral, Small Heath and Meadow Brown. Dragonflies included Emperor Dragonfly, Four-spotted Chaser, Keeled Skimmer, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Small Red Damselfly and Beautiful Demoiselle. Also of interest was a Green Tiger Beetle.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Small Heath

Beautiful Demoiselle (Male)

Green Tiger Beetle

A Garden Visit

Exmouth, Devon
Just had a visit from this little fella.

European Hedgehog 

European Hedgehog 

European Hedgehog 

Snow Goose And Egyptian Goose

Powderham Castle, Devon 
An early morning look into the grounds from the estuary road gave distant views of 3 Egyptian Goose near the lake. Not much else of note but I also enjoyed watching the Fallow Dear.

Egyptian Goose 

Fallow Dear

Exminster Marsh, Devon
I moved onto look for the Snow Goose and I didn’t have to look very hard at all as it was in the field just before the Swans nest (coming from the roundabout). It was hanging out with a few Canada Goose.

Snow Goose

Biking And Birding

Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth cycle path, Exmouth, Devon 
Took the kids for a bike ride today from Castle Lane to Littleham and back. As ever, I was noting the bird species. On the route were Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Common Buzzard, Song Thrush, Goldcrest and Eurasian Bullfinch. Around a third of the way along are a number of feeders. I’m not sure who keeps these stocked up by they were attracting a number of species including Eurasian Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit and House Sparrow. Also of note were 2 Fallow Deer in one of the fields.

Fallow Deer

Powderham, Devon
I had a look around Powderham before work in the hope of seeing the Yellow-browed Warbler Matt Knott found yesterday. I couldn’t locate it but enjoyed some nice views of a large flock of Red-legged Partridge and the resident Fallow Deer.

Fallow Deer

Common Loon At Close Quarters,

Elberry Cove, Paignton, Devon
Me and my mate Pete had planned to do a trip to Slimbridge today but I woke up feeling rather crappy to say the least. I monged out on the sofa for the morning and finally felt ok to pop out. There’s only so much daytime television anyone can take! So I thought “I haven’t seen Red-necked Grebe this year” so I set off to see if the one in Elberry Cove would play ball. The weather conditions were against me as I battled to view into strong winds. There was no sign of the bird but a very friendly European Robin kept me company. It was feeding between my feet and I swear that if I had food on me, it would have feed from my hand. Sadly on the beach was a washed up dead Harbour Porpoise that the Carrion Crow were eyeing up.

Harbour Potpoise 

European Robin  

European Robin 

European Robin 

Brixham Harbour, Brixham, Devon
As the wind was fierce and the sea very choppy. I decided the harbour would be a good place for things to use as a shelter. I wasn’t wrong as no sooner as I had arrived, I got on to an outrageously close Common Loon. The bird showed amazingly all the time I was there. It fed, cleaned itself and even had a nap. The Ruddy Turnstone were as friendly as ever. Also in the harbour near the breakwater was a Grey Seal.

Common Loon

Common Loon

Common Loon

Ruddy Turnstone

Grey Seal

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
Matt Knott has informed me of a Short-eared Owl on Orcombe this morning so I headed off in hope. This is another species I seem to unable to connect with this year and today’s jaunt didn’t put that right.