Berry Head, Devon
I had the afternoon off so as conditions looked good for a sea watch I gave it as shot. On arrival, I discovered I had missed out on a few Balearic Shearwater and Atlantic Puffin. I only stuck around for around and hour and a half as I had to get back to Exmouth. I did see 2 groups of Manx Shearwater equaling 15 birds. A number of Mediterranean Gull of various ages. Good numbers of Northern Gannet. A few Northern Fulmar, a Tufted Duck and a Great Skua that got a conversation going about South Polar Skua.
Showing posts with label Tufted Duck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tufted Duck. Show all posts
Giving The Pallid Harrier Another Chance
Blackhills Quarry, Exmouth, Devon
After reading on Devon Birds that the Pallid Harrier had been seen in the area, I thought I would look in to it. I checked out the Facebook page mentioned but have to admit I was dubious as to whether the ID was correct. However I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and thought it worthy of checking out. I checked out the area around the pond for around 45 minutes this morning before work. The first bird I noted was a Common Sandpiper that was quickly followed by a Northern Wheatear. There were good number of Meadow Pipit (potential Harrier food), On the pond were 3 Little Grebe and a single female Tufted Duck. No sign of the reported Pallid Harrier but I did have an unusual sighting with a flyover White-bellied Dipper!
I gave it another go for an hour after work I saw more Meadow Pipit, the Tufted Duck count went up to 4 birds and Canada Goose were added to the Wildfowl species. Several Common Moorhen were feeding in amongst a group of European Herring Gull and a Great Cormorant that were resting on the shore. A few mobile Common Linnet were around as were a party of European Stonechat. The best bird however was a rather pale looking bird that was rather distant that I believe was a young Whinchat but my photo doesn’t do it justice. Again no sign of a Pallid Harrier.
After reading on Devon Birds that the Pallid Harrier had been seen in the area, I thought I would look in to it. I checked out the Facebook page mentioned but have to admit I was dubious as to whether the ID was correct. However I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and thought it worthy of checking out. I checked out the area around the pond for around 45 minutes this morning before work. The first bird I noted was a Common Sandpiper that was quickly followed by a Northern Wheatear. There were good number of Meadow Pipit (potential Harrier food), On the pond were 3 Little Grebe and a single female Tufted Duck. No sign of the reported Pallid Harrier but I did have an unusual sighting with a flyover White-bellied Dipper!
I gave it another go for an hour after work I saw more Meadow Pipit, the Tufted Duck count went up to 4 birds and Canada Goose were added to the Wildfowl species. Several Common Moorhen were feeding in amongst a group of European Herring Gull and a Great Cormorant that were resting on the shore. A few mobile Common Linnet were around as were a party of European Stonechat. The best bird however was a rather pale looking bird that was rather distant that I believe was a young Whinchat but my photo doesn’t do it justice. Again no sign of a Pallid Harrier.
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| Common Sandpiper |
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| Northern Wheatear |
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| Little Grebe |
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| Whinchat (Juvenile) |
American Wigeon Again!
Matford Pools, Exeter, Devon
After work I decided to take another look at the American Wigeon. This time around it was showing nicely on the left of the first pool. Also of note were a Stock Dove, several Common Snipe, a few Northern Lapwing, a few Eurasian Curlew and Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
A made a quick stop here but nothing of any note.
After work I decided to take another look at the American Wigeon. This time around it was showing nicely on the left of the first pool. Also of note were a Stock Dove, several Common Snipe, a few Northern Lapwing, a few Eurasian Curlew and Lesser Black-backed Gull.
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| American Wigeon (Male) |
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| American Wigeon (Male) |
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| Eurasian Wigeon (Male) |
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| Northern Lapwing |
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| Great Cormorant |
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| Tufted Duck (Male) |
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| Stock Dove |
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| Carrion Crow |
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| Canada Goose |
Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
A made a quick stop here but nothing of any note.
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| Common Moorhen |
White-throated Dipper
Ludwell Valley, Exeter, Devon
A quick stop off after work at the Topsham road end got me quickly on to 2 White-throated Dipper in the brook. It never ceases to amaze me how the birds make a living in the city. It’s unfortunately not the cleanest of brooks but fair play they get on with it.
Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
Spent a bit of time around the Marsh. Lots of Eurasian Wigeon and Eurasian Teal. A few Tufted Ducks and Northern Shoveler. Standout birds were a single Common Pochard, 3 Common Snipe, numerous Northern Pintail and as I was leaving close to dusk a Eurasian Sparrowhawk hunting the hedges around the road near the hide.
A quick stop off after work at the Topsham road end got me quickly on to 2 White-throated Dipper in the brook. It never ceases to amaze me how the birds make a living in the city. It’s unfortunately not the cleanest of brooks but fair play they get on with it.
Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
Spent a bit of time around the Marsh. Lots of Eurasian Wigeon and Eurasian Teal. A few Tufted Ducks and Northern Shoveler. Standout birds were a single Common Pochard, 3 Common Snipe, numerous Northern Pintail and as I was leaving close to dusk a Eurasian Sparrowhawk hunting the hedges around the road near the hide.
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