Baikal Teal

Greylake, Somerset 

I had the day off do I thought I would give the Baikal Teal another go as I dipped 2 Sundays ago but only had 1 hour on that attempt. Sadly, I spent 4 cold hours waiting with no joy. However, good views of a pair of Bearded Reedling, a Water Rail a few Western Marsh Harrier and a Great Egret. I'm sure the Baikal Teal won't be going anywhere for a while so I will give it another go soon. 

Western Marsh Harrier 

North Curry, Somerset 

On the way home I quickly pulled into a lay by just when you get on to the minor road from the A361 and managed quick bin views of 2 Whooper Swan.

Whooper Swan 

Purple Hairstreak

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

A great evening spent on site today. 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Male Ruff, Water Rail, several Mediterranean Gull from the island hide. Best of all though we're 2 Purple Hairstreaks in oak trees near the tower hide. Thank to Steve Waite for the heads up.

Little Ringed Plovers

Mediterranean Gull

Ruff (Male)

Slim Pickings

Darts Farm, Topsham, Devon 
A quick visit after work. The fields from the hide are flooded slightly at the moment and today held a number of Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew and Eurasian Wigeon but no sign of the Water Rail that’s been rather showy of late. Around the crop field were Common Linnet, Eurasian Goldfinch and a single Lesser Black-backed Gull. Nothing else of real note.

Some Good Birds In Exeter

Northbrook, Ludwell Valley, Exeter 
A walk along the brook from Ludwell Lane to Topsham Road after work was well worth it. On site were 1 Water Rail, 1 White-throated Dipper and a minimum of 6 Grey Wagtail. I’ve said this before but it amazes my that such good birds survive here. I couldn’t find any Green Sandpiper though.

Woodbury Common, Devon 
A quick look until dusk in the hope of the Hen Harrier was unsuccessful but I unintentionally flushed a single Jack Snipe and had 3 Eurasian Woodcock in flight at dusk.

FINALLY...A Water Rail

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I decided to give the area another go after last weeks dog incident. It could be luck or perhaps my point was proved as there was no dog splashing around and I had a very productive 30 minutes. I hung around the white bridge and didn’t need to move as there was a lot on offer. A Common Sandpiper was distant south of the bridge, Common Swift, Common House Martin and Barn Swallow were flying over head and hawking over the water. A Male Common Reed Bunting showed and sang nicely and the visit was topped off with a Water Rail (amazingly my first of the year) it was literally just south of the bridge and was busily taking worms back into the reeds. No doubt to feed young. Another reason why I had my dog rant the other day as these are shy creatures at the best of times and disturbance could be devastating.

Water Rail

Water Rail

Water Rail

The Otter Again

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
I took another look around the white bridge area of the Otter Estuary after work. Again no Common Kingfisher or Water Rail. These are definitely my bogey birds of the year! A Cetti’s Warbler again called and showed briefly right by the bridge. A bit further north of the bridge I heard the briefest of calls of a Common Whitethroat. I couldn’t however locate it and it didn’t call again. South of the bridge I glimpsed a mating pair of Eurasian Reed Warbler. Also around the area were 2 Barn Swallow, 2 European Green Woodpecker and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Cetti’s Warbler

Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 
After a rough day at work I had a walk along the Otter. I started at the white bridge and headed north.
On arrival I was treated to a Common Kestrel sat on the wires. It’s not that often I really get to appreciate this species as I normally see them in flight or hovering. So I enjoyed watching it for a while. Then I heard the unmistakable call of the Cetti’s Warbler. No matter how many times I hear it, the call still amazes me. It’s so powerful and loud for such a small bird. I have often jumped out of my skin when one calls right beside me.

The Cetti’s Warbler showed beautifully in the reeds by the bridge but in typical Warbler fashion it nipped into the undergrowth as soon as I was about to get a picture. Needless to say it never called or showed again.

I headed off up the path. Secretly hoping for a Common Whitethroat to start singing from the bushes. This is bizarre but I have yet to see a Common Kingfisher or Water Rail this year. So I also had high hopes of both these species today. Unfortunately my luck was out with all the mentioned species. It’s early days yet thought. There wasn’t much else of note apart from the sound of a few Common Chiffchaff and Song Thrush but it was nice to be out in the sunshine and it was a lovely walk.

Common Kestrel (Female)

Common Kestrel (Female)