Spotted Crake

Greylake, Somerset 

I had a day off so me and Pete went to Somerset for the Spotted Crake. Very soon after arriving at the hide the bird showed extremely well very close to the hide. Rob and Steph Murphy arrived as it was showing and we all got superb views. Also on site was a Great Egret and a Eurasian Hobby was around the car park.

Spotted Crake

Spotted Crake

Spotted Crake

Ham Wall, Somerset 

Next stop off to look for the Black-winged Stilt. We made our way to the second viewing platform to stake it out. A Great Egret popped in as did a Western Marsh Harrier. A few Waders kept us entertained with a Green Sandpiper and 2 Ruff. Rob and Steph joined us after a while but relocated to widen the search and up our chances. Unfortunately the bird was nowhere to be seen. 

A Decent Variety

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
A pre work visit gave a minimum of 8 Northern Wheatear. 4 in the dung field and 4 in the field with the electric fence. Some very approachable birds. Several fly over Western Yellow Wagtails flitting about and a small group of Meadow Pipit.

Northern Wheatear (2 individuals) 

Northern Wheatear 

Northern Wheatear 



Northern Wheatear

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
Had an hours look after work. In the second cattle field north of white bridge were 3 distant Western Cattle Egrets. I then walked down to the hide where the Spotted Crake showed on and off on the opposite side of the Estuary. The Western Cattle Egrets then relocated near the hide and I obtained far better views. I found out on the way back to the bridge that they had been flushed by a jogger in the field! Finally from the white bridge looking towards the estuary mouth, I spotted the Bar-headed Goose. Returning again for what I believe is it’s fourth year in the area.

Western Cattle Egret  

Western Cattle Egret

Bar-headed Goose

Bar-headed Goose

Bar-headed Goose

Egyptian Goose..... Oh And A Spotted Crake

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I took an after work walk from the Cricket pitch up to the viewing platform south of the white bridge. En route were 4 Common Ringed Plover and 4 Dunlin in the first channel by the picnic benches. At the hide an Egyptian Goose, drifted passed north with 2 Greylag Goose and what seemed like a few hundred Canada Goose. I walked up to the last viewing platform that’s just south of the white bridge in the hope of a better look at the Egyptian Goose. My hunch was right as it was sat on what remained of the mud on the opposite side of the Estuary. I watched for a few moments and decided to scan the area, just to the right of the Goose was the Spotted Crake. Giving off better views than the other day. Still a tad distant for a good photo though.

Egyptian Goose 

Egyptian Goose  

Egyptian Goose 

Spotted Crake 

Spotted Crake 

Spotted Crake 

Spotted Crake

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I got new of a Spotted Crake that was showing rather well on the Otter Estuary from the hide. I just managed to time the trip there to avoid high tide and obtained distant yet great scope views. This is only my second individual after seeing one at Bowling Green Marsh in 2014. Which were the briefest and worst views imaginable. So to finally get to enjoy this species was amazing! I managed a couple of really awful record shots.

Spotted Crake 

Spotted Crake 

Shelley Beach and the Quay, Exmouth, Devon 
I quickly moved on to see if I could catch any Terns on Great Bull Hill. There was only a bit of it showing but enough to hold some Terns. No Black Tern on show but a number of Sandwich Tern and a few Common Tern. A pair of Ruddy Turnstone were resting on one of the drum shaped Bouys and on the seaward side of the Warren spit were a dozen or so Common Ringed Plover.