Common Grasshopper Warbler

Dartmoor, Devon 

I had the day off and as there was a break in this awful weather we have been enduring, I thought I would explore Dartmoor. I had 5 target species in mind, Common Cuckoo, Whinchat, Common Redstart, Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. 

I parked near Warren House Inn and within 5 minutes had enjoyed views of 2 Common Cuckoo. One of which was point blank. Already pleased, I started the walk to Challacombe farm. On route I was treated to a Male Whinchat, 6 European Stonechat, 4 Willow Warbler and another Common Cuckoo. 2 of my species in the bag. 

At the farm I got straight onto a Garden Warbler in full song. And a moment later a Spotted Flycatcher. 4 species I the bag now, I started to think, this is one of those great days. With that, yet another Common Cuckoo put in an appearance. I saw zero last year so this more than made up for it. Also at the farm was a Female Common Whitethroat, a Grey Wagtail, numerous Barn Swallow and a few Common House Martin.

I struggled a bit with the Common Redstart but after a bit of a search, I finally caught up with a pair. Job done! Or was it? A little bit away from the farm I caught sight of a brown backside dart into the Gorse. I was going to just dismiss it but decided to hang fire and double check what it was. I was pleased I did as I eventually got brief views of a Common Grasshopper Warbler. Result! 

So, all in all a fabulous time and what a joy to see all those species in one area. Also on the walk we're numerous Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Common Reed Bunting. 

Common Cuckoo 

Common Redstart (Male)

Spotted Flycatchers Galore

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon 

Saw Dave Boults twitter report of 12 plus Spotted Flycatcher on Bystock Pools reserve. So was itching to have a look as I've not seen one this year. As it happened, I had to run an errand in Exmouth so had 30 minutes there this evening. I didn't quite get the results Dave had but did get on to 6 individuals.  As the saying goes "it's like waiting for a bus, then they all come at once." I also note plenty of Common Chiffchaff, at least 7 individuals. A good number of Tit species noted too. It was great to see the place buzzing with bird life and I wish I could have spent longer there.

Western Yellow Wagtail

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I had a quick look after work. Circa 15 Western Yellow Wagtail were in the field with cattle on Maer Lane. A few adults and juvenile in the flock. On the permissive path from Gore Lane and the coastal path were 3 Northern Wheatear. On the Lane to Bristol School Camp was a single Spotted Flycatcher. Also a few Green-veined White were dotted about.

Tree Pipit And Common Redstart

Yarner Wood and Trendlebere Down, Devon
I had a quick look around Trendlebere Down and Yarner wood this afternoon. A Tree Pipit showed beautifully on Trendlebere Down and a few Common Swift were overhead. In the woods were a Male European Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, a pair of Common Redstart and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Common Redstart (Female)

Tree Pipit

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Woodbury Common, Devon 
I had a quick look around after work. 1 Willow Warbler, a pair of Eurasian Bullfinch, several Common Linnet, but best of all 2 Spotted Flycatcher.

Spotted Flycatcher And European Nightjar

East Devon Commons
I took my Daughter out to a few sites this evening to see the local European Nightjars. First of all we popped to a site where she saw her first Spotted Flycatcher. She was well pleased. I’m getting very impressed with her ability to identify birds from their call and song. She’s pretty damn good for a 10 year old. We ended the evening with hearing a few and seeing a European Nightjar. One happy daughter!

Spotted Flycatcher

Aylesbeare Common, Devon
A circuit walk after work. I took the immediate left from the entrance gate, through the wooden area, down to the European Nightjar lookout area then back up to the concrete path and on to the entrance again. At first the place seemed devoid of life but around the wooded area was a Male Eurasian Blackcap. Down by the lookout area was a European Green Woodpecker. Best of all was a Spotted Flycatcher from the concrete path near the entrance, along with a few crisp looking Common Chiffchaff. Both the Woodpecker and Flycatcher posed lovely but my iPhone battery was dead so I frustratingly missed out on some photos.

East Devon Commons

Lympstone Common
A morning visit near the top of Bystock reserve produced a few Yellowhammer but little more. Near Yettington I spotted a few Barn Swallow resting on a wire.

Barn Swallows

Woodbury Common
A before work visit. I’m not going to give exact location details but I parked at the model aircraft car park. A Spotted Flycatcher and a daytime churring European Nightjar were the best on offer and both within a few meters of each other. I had another look after work and had the European Nightjar churring again but no sign of the Spotted Flycatcher. Both trips produced a Eurasian Jay, a few Common Linnet, Coal Tit, European Greenfinch and Eurasian Goldfinch.

Uphams Plantation, Yettington, Devon
After visiting Woodbury Common after work I popped here for a quick look. Lots of Brimstone on the wing and a Eurasian Hobby came through at speed but rather quiet otherwise.

Scarlet Pimpernel   

Woodbury Common, Devon
An evening walk from the model aircraft car park. Again European Nightjar churring and also a Garden Warbler. Also a Willow Warbler (well that was what call it was kind of giving) with black legs.

Willow Warbler with black legs 

Undisclosed site, near Exmouth, Devon
A good evening with at least 6 European Nightjar. Churring, calling and wing clapping.

Missed Lifer But Some Great News

Davidstow Airfield, Cornwall 
Having heard news of 4 Eurasian Dotterel on the runway first thing. I decided to take a look as (weird as this sounds) I am yet to see one. I spent a few hours there with no joy and there were several other birders all doing their best not to see them too. A few birds of note though were, several Northern Wheatear, Northern Raven and Eurasian Skylark.

Undisclosed site, Exmouth, Devon 
Later in the day I popped to a local site (twice) that has Common Firecrest and Spotted Flycatcher. I didn’t have my equipment on me to take photos but 2 Common Firecrest and a single Spotted Flycatcher showed beautifully. Both species bred here last year too so it’s great to see them return. I also picked out a Sparrow call at close range. It’s not the sort of habitat I would expect to see a Sparrow in so the call stopped me in my tracks. Now here’s the interesting part as the call sounded as though it was a Tree Sparrow. I doubled checked the calls of all the other species in the area (just in case I was just hearing an odd call of another species) and at one point, walked away so I could double check the call on my Collins app without disturbing the bird. After all this, everything still pointed to Tree Sparrow! Try as I might I couldn’t locate the bird for a view of any sort. I will need to keep an eye on this area I think.

I seem to be taking an interest in wild flowers this year and snapped a few photos with my phone today.

Three-cornered Leak

Ivy-leaved Toadflax

Common Grape Hyacinth