Isabelline Wheatear

Colyford Common, Seaton, Devon 

I wanted to get another look at the Isabelline Wheatear and I also was hoping to see the Eastern Yellow Wagtail. The Isabelline Wheatear was no issue and showed off beautifully. Even doing the normal pose on a post! The was no news on the Eastern Yellow Wagtail though so I popped into the hide for a while and was treated to a Peregrine Falcon. Another look for the Eastern Yellow Wagtail was unsuccessful, despite there being a number of Meadow Pipit flitting about that were at one point all put up by the presence of a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. However, it was lovely to catch up with some of the birders on site and share stories and knowledge. 

Isabelline Wheatear 

Isabelline Wheatear 

Baikal Teal

Greylake, Somerset 

I finally saw the Baikal Teal on my 4th attempt yesterday. Only a brief and very lucky to pick out flight view but a view non the less. Also good views of Western Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Great Egret, European Golden Plover and Common Snipe.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Coastal path near Otterton, Devon 

I had a few hours to spare this morning so I visited a few old haunts. I started at the sea watching ledge near the Sewage works. As it was high tide, my thought was possibly a good chance of some Loons. Not great quantity but singles of Common Loon and Red-throated Loon were enjoyed. A few Common Murre and Northern Fulmar plus a hunting Peregrine Falcon were also enjoyed. Unfortunately I didn't see any Common Scoter or Cirl Bunting.

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon 

Next I visited one of my old favourite areas when I lived in Exmouth. It was rather quite, with no sign of a Common Firecrest but a solo Lesser Redpoll was a nice consolation. 

Shelley Beach, Exmouth, Devon 

I had a lightening quick look for the Black Redstart with no success. 

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 

Finally, a look off here. As it was hight tide, it was nice to see a few Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone and a single Dunlin close up. Out in the estuary were a few Great Crested Grebe but I couldn't locate the 2 Black-necked Grebe. The star bird was initially sleeping on arrival but a short wait meant great views of the Eurasian Spoonbill.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill 

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

Willow Warbler

Exminster Marsh, Devon 
I had a look around the railway path area after work and had my first Willow Warbler of the year. A Peregrine Falcon was sat on one of the pylons but there wasn’t much else of note. I then walked from the fisherman’s car park to the viewing platform as I had been informed by my mate Pete (that I bumped into along the railway path) of a Eurasian Blackcap in song in that area. I couldn’t stay long so I was unsuccessful but there was a single Male Common Reed Bunting.

Black-legged Kittiwake and Common Firecrest

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
After work I had a craving to see Black-legged Kittiwake so I popped along the coastal path to view the firing range. There were a nice number of birds returning to the site, which is encouraging. Also a pair of Peregrine Falcon were patrolling the cliffs.

Liverton Copse, Exmouth, Devon 
I moved on to look here for Common Firecrest and after a little search I found 2 birds that showed particularly well. Lots of Primrose about the site too.

A Nice Surprise

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
I popped to the hide first thing before work in the hope of catching up with the reported Glossy Ibis. Fellow birder Dave Stone was already in the hide and I soon discovered that there was no sign of the bird. Dave kindly updated me on a few highlights on the reserve which included circa 150 Bar-tailed Godwit and 4 Pied Avocet. Dave was still in the hide when I left, so he may have added to that list. As we were chatting I could see that Dave had clocked something over my shoulder, so I turned to look in the direction he was looking (left of the hide). We both saw a large white bird flying out of the tree line and head towards Darts Farm. At first I simply thought “Swan” but within a couple of seconds we both realised we were watching a Great Egret! It flew over the railway line and dropped out of site. A very good record for the reserve and I went to work a happy chappy!

Powderham Marsh, Devon
After work I done a super quick walk to the viewing platform and back. I was hoping for the Snow Goose. I know the bird is of questionable origin but I still enjoy seeing it. No joy but I spotted my first Peregrine Falcon of the year, sat on one of the pylons. Nothing much else of real note, just the usual suspects you would expect there.

Winter Wildfowl Spectacle

Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
I had my annual winter visit to the WWT centre today. I do love visiting at this time of year to witness the wildfowl spectacle. My target was the Holden Hide as this gives a good viewpoint of the reserve and you can usually get all the main species the reserve has to offer. From the hide there were large groups of (Bewick’s) Tundra Swan, Whooper Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, and Greylag Goose, there were a decent number of Barnacle Goose but they were always very distant as were the 7 Common Crane that were on site. 2 Peregrine Falcon were again distant and hunkering on the ground from the wind, From the Martin Smith hide were 2 Ruff. There were also 3 Pink-footed Goose on site and I wasn’t sure if they were captive or not. Either way, they were a welcome site.

Pink-footed Goose 

(Bewick’s) Tundra Swan

Common Moorhen  

Greylag Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Whilst onsite it had a look around the captive enclosures so I could brush up on those rarer species that turn up in the UK including some of those mega American diving Ducks.

Ruddy Shelduck (Female)

Goldeneye (Male)

Common Goldeneye (Female)

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Common Eider (Male and Female) 

Red-breasted Goose 

Snow Goose

Smew (Male)

Canvasback (Male)

Redhead (Male)

Cackling Goose

Bufflehead (Male)

Barrow’s Goldeneye (Male)

Greater Scaup (Male)

Lesser Scaup (Male)

Ring-necked Duck (Male)

Westhay Moor, Somerset
On the way home I popped here in the hope of a Bearded Reedling. At first the place seemed devoid of life but things picked up with a Male Western Marsh Harrier and a Merlin. I heard a few Bearded Reedling but I failed to locate any birds.

Grey Catbird

Treve Common, Near Lands End, Cornwall
Today, me and my good friend Pete headed off in the hope of the UK’s 2nd recorded Grey Catbird. After our Brown Shrike dip a few weeks ago I for one was a nervous wreck in case it had moved on. So once news broke as we were driving passed Whiddon Down on the A30, I heaved a huge sigh of relief. Despite getting caught up with 3 broken down vehicles near Hayle we made it to site in reasonably good time.

We parked the car in the field that has been negotiated with the land owner and noted 2 crowds. One had congregated on the other side of the common and some at the bottom of the car park. We decided that the car park option seemed as good as any so made the short walk to the gathered onlookers. We had basically timed it to perfection as the bird was showing nicely and we both got rather good views. PHEW! pressure off and job done.

We stuck around for around an hour and half and the bird showed a few times with some very nice views even though the bird was rather mobile. It didn’t sit up enough for me to both enjoy good views and to take a decent phone scoped photo. I did manage a few but they are poor even to my crappy standards. Also on site were a Northern Wheatear that kept us on our toes as it was popping up where the Grey Catbird was favouring, a Male Eurasian Blackcap, Common Kestrel and Eurasian Skylark.

Grey Catbird 

Northern Wheatear 

After filling our boots we had a brief look at Cape Cornwall for Red-billed Chough. Apparently they had been on site all morning but moved on in the Botallack direction. We called in here briefly too but had no joy. I was pushed for time as it was parents evening for 2 of my kids so I knew I had to leave Cornwall earlier than I normally would. On the way home we were a tad disappointed that late news came out about a Red-breasted Flycatcher and Richard’s Pipit within earshot of the Grey Catbird but we soon reflected on the mega sighting we had observed and forgot about what we missed.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
After I had dropped Pete off I decided I had enough time for a quick blip from Gore Lane to the coastal path and back. On arrival I was treated to great close views as a Female Peregrine Falcon flew over Gore Lane. There was a small flock of Common Linnet but nothing else of note. On leaving I noted that Matt Knott has arrived and was off doing his round. I got home and received a call off him asking if I was still on site as he had a Short-eared Owl. I advised I wasn’t and thanked Matt for the call and information, its always appreciated. Parents evening over ran so I didn’t get a chance to look but time permitting I may have a look before work but there is also he lure of Red-breasted Flycatcher in Sidmouth and a Barred Warbler at Dawlish Warren. Decisions, descisions. I think its safe to say that Autumn has kicked off!

Common Whitethroat

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I had to pop to the recycling centre early afternoon as our fridge freezer packed in a few days ago. I guess 13 years of service isn’t too bad in this throw away age. Anyway after I had dropped it off I had time to have a quick look around. It was rather quiet until I got to the coastal path. I was pleased to get my first Conmon Whitethroat sighting of the year. It was the briefest of sightings but enjoyable. I was near the shelter when I glimpsed the bird and moments later a Male Peregrine Falcon drifted over me. A Northern Fulmar was hanging around the cliffs a few Sandwich Tern were feeding distantly and a Barn Swallow flew through. It’s quite dire at the moment up Orcombe Point.