Long-tailed Duck and Short-eared Owl

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
A flying visit before work found me on site with just enough daylight to see. I got on to the 2nd winter Long-tailed Duck straight away. It was at the far end of the reserve from the hide, so couldn't get any better pictures than this.

Long-tailed Duck

Woodbury Common, Devon
I had a walk around after work until dusk. I have been on site a number of times over the last few weeks but have not come across much. Today however, I was lucky enough to catch up with a Short-eared Owl hunting east of Warren Car

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

Short-eared Owl At Last

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
I had a quick look from the middle car park for the 2 reported Short-eared Owls with no joy. It was late in the day and cold so I didn’t stick around for long. However as I was driving back on the A379 just a hundred metres or so from the roundabout that leads to station road (heading towards Exeter). One of the birds flew along the road towards me! I managed to avoid veering off the road and slowed down enough to obtain a few seconds view of the bird. Luckily there was no traffic behind me as I expect I would have had an angry BEEP. Phew! I have finally caught up with one. I was beginning to think I would miss out on this cracking species this year so I’m pleased to finally see one.

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.

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!