Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had a quick lunchtime jaunt around ans it was a bit quiet apart from 5 Western Yellow Wagtail that were with the cows near the coastal path before flying in land due to it being rather busy up there.
Showing posts with label Western Yellow Wagtail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Western Yellow Wagtail. Show all posts
Common Redstart
Peak Hill, Sidmouth, Devon
I had a stroll around this area late afternoon / early evenibg, hoping for an earlier reported Western Yellow Wagtail with no joy. The were 2 Mistle Thrush and a Willow Warbler on offer though.
Mutters Moor, Sidmouth, Devon
I then spent the rest of my time at this lovely location. I was treated to a female Common Redstart not far from the carpark. It was the briefest of sightings and despite staking the place out for 20 minutes it never reappeared. Further into the Moor I managed to see my first Red Crossbill of the year. First picked out on alarm call and after a Little wait, it showed briefly There were several Yellowhammer dotted around and calling. On my way back to the car, a lovely pair of Dartford Warbler kept me entertained for a while. Phone scoping is tricky at times and the only picture I managed of a Dartford Warbler was when my phone decided to auto focus but not on the bird!
 |
| European Stonechat (Male) |
 |
| Yellowhammer (Male) |
 |
| Dartford Warbler (Male) |
Western Yellow Wagtail
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had the day off so popped to the point. I remember how hard work it used to be at times birding that place but wow do I miss it now I've moved from Exmouth.
I started off watching the dung field and a wader flew over me and landed in the long weeds opposite the gate. First thought was Curlew but bill was shorter so then Whimbrel came to mind. However, its underwing gave off a distinct black armpit. The only wader that springs to mind then is Grey Plover. However, the jizz seemed wrong. The bird was never seen again despite a long watch so it will go in the "What was that pile?"
A walk from Gore Lane to the coastal path flushed a Northern Wheatear that flew towards the geoneedle and many Meadow Pipit. I then walked along the coastal path towards Sandy Park and in amongst the cows were 2 Western Yellow Wagtail.
On the Butterfly front were numerous Small Copper.
Western Yellow Wagtail
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had to pop to Exmouth early evening and had an hour to spare. So, it seemed very rude not to visit one of my favourite old patch sites. I parked at foxholes as Maer Lane was closed (wasn't sure if there was access to Gore Lane). As it happens, it worked out to be the best option as I wanted to see Western Yellow Wagtail. As luck would have it a group were in the first field you get to. As I entered the field, I first noticed 3 Northern Wheatear. But also caught the call of the Western Yellow Wagtail. Within seconds I was on to several birds. They were hard to keep track of in-between the cows and they were flighty as there were a few people around but I reckon 16 or 17 birds. I also managed to pin down 6 Northern Wheatear.
 |
| Northern Wheatear |
 |
| Western Yellow Wagtail |
2020 Review And New Year Listing
2020 Review
Last year was a tough one for all. I did far less birding than other years. Mainly due to home working. My normal routine means I bird before and after work on both commutes. Since I'm not commuting, that wasn't possible add to that to 3 months of home schooling and.....
However, I did manage 202 species with a number of lifers in the mix. The Sociable Lapwing had to be the stand out bird. I did however feel slightly sad when I saw it. Why? Because its endangered in its natural habitat and who knows if one will ever grace our shores again. A sobering reminder of how fragile life is. I have seen European Bee-eater abroad on several occasions but to see not one but 13 for the first time in the UK was a special moment. The Tundra Bean Goose in Somerset was also a lifer (seen Tiaga) and I was amazed by how tame it seemed. I guess that its not used to humans and therefore doesn't fear us?
Other notable species were the Blue-winged Teal at Mandands, Long-billed Dowitcher at Bowling Green Marsh and Surf Scoter at Labrador Bay (before Covid-19 kicked off). A lesser Yellowlegs at Averton Gifford and 10 Ring Ouzel at Avon Dam were also very memorable. Superb views of Western Yellow Wagtail and Eurasian Penduline Tit at Steart Marsh were very enjoyable. On the Warbler front the Marsh Warbler at Tipton St John and Melodious Warbler at Dawlish Warren were great to see. Others great bits and bobs include American Wigeon (Exmouth) and Green-winged Teal (Matford). I didn't do much sea watching but did manage Great Shearwater, Pomerine Jaeger and Parasitic Jaeger from Berry Head and a Sooty Shearwater, European Storm Petrel and a Leach's Storm Petrel off Otterton.
Species I missed that I would normally expect to see were Eurasian Bittern, Common Cuckoo, Water Rail, Common Crane, Bewick's Swan, Barnacle Goose, Egyptian Goose, Arctic Tern, Roseate Tern, Red Kite and Sanderling! What a strange year it has been.
I also added a few Butterfly lifers with Long-tailed Blue, Grizzled Skipper and Wood White at Seaton and Lulworth Skipper at Portland.
2021 New Year List
I didn't have time to put in a full day so no magical 100 for me.
My first bird was a European Goldfinch on the feeders in my garden and by the end of my Coffee I had logged the 5 commoner Thrush species.
We had a family walk from Budleigh Salterton beach to the White Bridge this morning. Highlights were a Common Loon, a flock of Common Scoter that included a Velvet Scoter and Water Pipit.
Late afternoon I took a walk around my estate and the farmland behind my house and added a number of species. I finished the day on 70 species. Not too shabby for little effort.
Here's hoping that 2021 will be a better year for all.
Common Redstart
Beer Head, Devon
A late post from a visit yesterday evening. I was rather late getting to site but was hopefully of seeing some migrants. I caught up with a male Common Redstart that showed very briefly before dropping into the undergrowth and didnt show again. A few Western Yellow Wagtail were rather mobile and didnt settle down. On the headland south of the barn I picked up a call I've not heard before. The only way to describe it was a "Hew up" with the Hew being rather slow and the up quick. Its difficult to describe calls. I searched the area with no luck and only heard the call 3 times. I've checked Xeno canto, for things I think it could have been with not luck. All I can say is I've never heard that call before so just playing guess work at what to listen to. This will go down as a "oh I wish I knew what that was" bird.
Western Yellow Wagtail
Beer Head, Devon
All the years I've lived in East Devon, I have never managed to get to this site. Got some info off Kevin Hale today though and had an evening visit. A joy of a site with lots of great habitats. And an amazing migration drop in area.
I wanted to have a look for Western Yellow Wagtail and was not disappointed. Within minutes I had got nice views of 4 birds. I normally see this species hanging about with Cows, so to see them dodging sheep feet was a bit of a novelty.
On leaving, there was a Red-legged Partridge by the barn near the entrance gate and nice views of a European Green Woodpecker.
I will definitely be spending more time here now that I live nearer the site than I was in Exmouth.
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.
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.
Orcombe Point
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had an half an hour scam around the top fields area. A nice mixed feeding flock hung around the old dung field for a little while. After scrutinising the flock, nothing special revelled itself. The flock contained mainly Long-tailed Tit with a few Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit. The top field opposite the current dung field held a flock of Common Linnet, the most I’ve seen up there for a while with around 20 birds. A dozen or so Meadow Pipit and I had a flyover, calling Western Yellow Wagtail. Only heard as I was looking into the sun to try to locate it. A few Barn Swallow around but apart from that not a lot else to report.
I had an half an hour scam around the top fields area. A nice mixed feeding flock hung around the old dung field for a little while. After scrutinising the flock, nothing special revelled itself. The flock contained mainly Long-tailed Tit with a few Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blue Tit and Great Tit. The top field opposite the current dung field held a flock of Common Linnet, the most I’ve seen up there for a while with around 20 birds. A dozen or so Meadow Pipit and I had a flyover, calling Western Yellow Wagtail. Only heard as I was looking into the sun to try to locate it. A few Barn Swallow around but apart from that not a lot else to report.
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.
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.
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 |
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 |
A Quick Scan Around Orcombe
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I Managed a quick scan around after work which produced at least 5 Northern Wheatear in the new dung field. I managed to take photos of 4 individuals. A couple of flyover Western Yellow Wagtail. I couldn’t locate them on the ground as the cattle where in areas of long grass and at the farther end of the field. Not much else of note birdwkse but lots of Small White Butterflies and a smart Comma.
I Managed a quick scan around after work which produced at least 5 Northern Wheatear in the new dung field. I managed to take photos of 4 individuals. A couple of flyover Western Yellow Wagtail. I couldn’t locate them on the ground as the cattle where in areas of long grass and at the farther end of the field. Not much else of note birdwkse but lots of Small White Butterflies and a smart Comma.
 |
| Northern Wheatear |
 |
| Northern Wheatear (2 individuals) |
 |
| Northern Wheatear |
 |
| Comma |
 |
| Small White |
Western Yellow Wagtails
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had a call from Dave Stone saying he had just seen 10 Western Yellow Wagtail on Orcombe. They were located in a field on Maer Lane with some cows. I popped up for a quick look and there were 5 on view. Thanks for the call Dave.
I had a call from Dave Stone saying he had just seen 10 Western Yellow Wagtail on Orcombe. They were located in a field on Maer Lane with some cows. I popped up for a quick look and there were 5 on view. Thanks for the call Dave.
 |
| Western Yellow Wagtail |
 |
| Western Yellow Wagtail |
Little Gull And Geese
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
This morning I was up early so I popped along to the point in the hope of any migrants. It was extremely quiet in the top field apart from 2 White Wagtail on the dung heap. The fields from Gore Lane to the coastal path didn’t hold anything apart from a Common Chiffchaff so I decided to check out the coastal path. It’s no too muddy now so it wasn’t as much as a slog as my last visit. With nothing of interest I decided to look out to sea. A few Northern Gannet were feeding with a couple of Sandwich Terns and there were a few Gull species. Manly European Herring Gull and a few Great Black-backed Gulls. Then as I was about to drag myself away and head to work, a solitary Little Gull flew swiftly past heading east. I was able to get it in my scope a tad too late for a photo opportunity. My first Little Gull if the year.
Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
After work I needed to pop to Exminster on an errand so I thought it rude not to have a quick stroll along the railway path. The Greater White-fronted Goose showed better than yesterday (but my photos aren’t much better though), a single Greylag Goose and plenty of Canada Goose. I’m still yet to see Barnacle Goose or Egyptian Goose this year! I heard the call of a Western Yellow Wagtail but couldn’t locate the bird. A Willow Warbler was calling on the Powderham side of the rail tracks. There were a descent amount of Barn Swallow, with some lingering and others flying straight through. With the recent luck the Lizard in Cornwall has had, I checked them out for a hopeful Red-rumped Swallow but alas there weren’t any.
This morning I was up early so I popped along to the point in the hope of any migrants. It was extremely quiet in the top field apart from 2 White Wagtail on the dung heap. The fields from Gore Lane to the coastal path didn’t hold anything apart from a Common Chiffchaff so I decided to check out the coastal path. It’s no too muddy now so it wasn’t as much as a slog as my last visit. With nothing of interest I decided to look out to sea. A few Northern Gannet were feeding with a couple of Sandwich Terns and there were a few Gull species. Manly European Herring Gull and a few Great Black-backed Gulls. Then as I was about to drag myself away and head to work, a solitary Little Gull flew swiftly past heading east. I was able to get it in my scope a tad too late for a photo opportunity. My first Little Gull if the year.
Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
After work I needed to pop to Exminster on an errand so I thought it rude not to have a quick stroll along the railway path. The Greater White-fronted Goose showed better than yesterday (but my photos aren’t much better though), a single Greylag Goose and plenty of Canada Goose. I’m still yet to see Barnacle Goose or Egyptian Goose this year! I heard the call of a Western Yellow Wagtail but couldn’t locate the bird. A Willow Warbler was calling on the Powderham side of the rail tracks. There were a descent amount of Barn Swallow, with some lingering and others flying straight through. With the recent luck the Lizard in Cornwall has had, I checked them out for a hopeful Red-rumped Swallow but alas there weren’t any.
 |
| Greylag Goose |
 |
| Greylag Goose |
 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose |
 |
| Greater White-fronted Goose |
Western Yellow Wagtail And A Thayer’s Gull??
Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
An early morning look around didn’t prove successful. The place is really muddy and one of the fields has a stream flowing through it! I trudged along from Gore Lane and got to the mud bath that is the coastal path. My reward was a few Willow Warbler.
Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon
I had a look here after Orcombe Point in the hope of a Osprey. Matt Knott turned up for a quick look but I stayed for a while. Just after Matt left I came across another odd Gull. The bird in question was very white apart from black tips on the primaries. It was noticeably smaller than the European Herring Gulls too (about Iceland Gull size). This is where it gets weird and sounds like I’m jumping on the band wagon. Matt had explained to me that there had been a report (not sure of the credibility) of a Thayer’s Gull at Dawlish Warren a few weeks ago. Now it’s going to sound like I am wanting this to be that bird. This isn't a case of my just having a case of wishful thinking. I have to go with what I saw. I have an app that can ID from a photo. I’ve tried it out on every photo I’ve taken (to test for its accuracy) and it’s been 100% correct (even with my rubbish photos). When I put my photos in of this bird it comes back with an immature Thayer’s Gull as the best match. With all these pointers I am left thinking "Is this the real deal?" These are my crappy photos and it’s the bird on the right.
Near Smeatharpe, Devon
I had a meeting in a remote portacabin near Smeatharpe this afternoon. When the meeting was over I popped out of the cabin for a cigarette and was greeted by the call of a Western Yellow Wagtail. After a few seconds I located 4 smart individuals. Really unexpectedly but enjoyable.
Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
I had walk from Lime Kiln car park to white bridge after work. I had seen a report of a Common Grasshopper Warbler so was hopefull it hadn’t moved on. No sign of the bird but in the first reed bed after the hide was a Eurasian Reed Warbler. Nothing else of note.
An early morning look around didn’t prove successful. The place is really muddy and one of the fields has a stream flowing through it! I trudged along from Gore Lane and got to the mud bath that is the coastal path. My reward was a few Willow Warbler.
Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon
I had a look here after Orcombe Point in the hope of a Osprey. Matt Knott turned up for a quick look but I stayed for a while. Just after Matt left I came across another odd Gull. The bird in question was very white apart from black tips on the primaries. It was noticeably smaller than the European Herring Gulls too (about Iceland Gull size). This is where it gets weird and sounds like I’m jumping on the band wagon. Matt had explained to me that there had been a report (not sure of the credibility) of a Thayer’s Gull at Dawlish Warren a few weeks ago. Now it’s going to sound like I am wanting this to be that bird. This isn't a case of my just having a case of wishful thinking. I have to go with what I saw. I have an app that can ID from a photo. I’ve tried it out on every photo I’ve taken (to test for its accuracy) and it’s been 100% correct (even with my rubbish photos). When I put my photos in of this bird it comes back with an immature Thayer’s Gull as the best match. With all these pointers I am left thinking "Is this the real deal?" These are my crappy photos and it’s the bird on the right.
 |
| (Putative) Thayer’s Gull |
 |
| (Putative) Thayer’s Gull |
 |
| (Putative) Thayer’s Gull |
I had a meeting in a remote portacabin near Smeatharpe this afternoon. When the meeting was over I popped out of the cabin for a cigarette and was greeted by the call of a Western Yellow Wagtail. After a few seconds I located 4 smart individuals. Really unexpectedly but enjoyable.
 |
| Western Yellow Wagtail |
 |
| Western Yellow Wagtail |
 |
| Western Yellow Wagtail |
I had walk from Lime Kiln car park to white bridge after work. I had seen a report of a Common Grasshopper Warbler so was hopefull it hadn’t moved on. No sign of the bird but in the first reed bed after the hide was a Eurasian Reed Warbler. Nothing else of note.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)