White-throated Dipper and Common Merganser

Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I decided to go to Cadhay Bridge for a late afternoon walk. In the wooded area was a Eurasian Treecreeper, a couple of Redwing were also about. On the river was a single female Common Merganser and 2 White-throated Dipper. 

Common Merganser

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I had a quick look around this area after work. 1 White-throated Dipper, 1 Common Kingfisher, 1 Stock Dove and 1 Grey Wagtail.

White-throated Dipper

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I took a look along the river heading north from here. Just by the Otter Mill was a cracking White-throated Dipper accompanied by a Grey Wagtail.

Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I walked along the footpath going north of the bridge that has the river on your left and woods on your right. On the river we're 4 Common Merganser (2 pairs) and the woods held Eurasian Treecreeper and Eurasian Nuthatch.

Red-legged Partridge

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I haven't had any chance to make a dent in the 2022 year list, apart from the usual garden birds which has included Eurasian Jay, Redwing, Common Pheasant and a non tickable Indian Peafowl. I did pop to a few places late afternoon toady though. 

On the Road out of Ottery to Putts Corner (Hare and Hounds) in the first field on the left past the animal rescue centre were a group of 6 Red-legged Partridge. I was only on bins, so poor record shot below.

A few 100 metres south of St Saviours Bridge, wad a nice White-throated Dipper and 6 Common Merganser. 

Red-legged Partridge 

Lesser Whitethroat

River Otter, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I took walk along west side of the river Otter, south of St Saviours Bridge this evening. 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Sand Martin collecting nesting materials and landing giving great views. I spent 10 minutes having awesome views of a White-throated Dipper. 1 Common Whitethroat put in a brief appearance as did a Lesser Whitethroat. 

Sand Martin 

White-throated Dipper 

White-throated Dipper 

Lockdown 3 Birding

 Ottery St Mary, Devon

I'm quite lucky that I can easily walk to a few places near me to get my daily exercise and birding fix. Here are the hghlights from the last week.

The garden has produced some good entertainment whilst I'm working in the kitchen / diner. With Goldcrest, Eurasian Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, European Greenfinch and Long-tailed Tit. Fieldfare and Redwing have been very prominent too. Plus a brief Tawny Owl the other evening. 

A walk along the Otter near St Saviours Bridge allowed me to get good views of White-throated Dipper and Grey Wagtail. 

Slightly further north on the Otter near Cadhay House gave me Eurasian Treecreeper, 8 Stock Dove, Grey Heron and Little Egret. Disappointingly, no Common Kingfisher which I normally see along here.

I've only been carrying my binoculars but did manage a half decent photo of this White-throated Dipper in very overcast conditions.

White-throated Dipper

Siberian Chiffchaff

 Exwick, Exeter, Devon 

I popped to the flood relief area to look for the Dusky Warbler. It was a no show unfortunately. I did pick up on the Siberian Chiffchaff though. First one I've seen in a while. Also a Grey Wagtail and White-throated Dipper were on site. 

Ring Ouzel and Lesser Yellowlegs

Avon Dam, Shipley Bridge, Devon 

I had the day off and was desperate to see Ring Ouzel. I turned up and started the walk from Shipley Bridge to the dam and the heavens opened. I arrived at the dam soaking wet with only seeing 4 Ring Ouzels but in distant flight. 

On the way back down and not too far from the dam in noticed some activity in some trees on the opposite side of the river. At first I noted Fieldfare. With several birds feeding on the Rowan berries. Then, a female Ring Ouzel followed by a male and then more and more. I counted 10 individuals all within 2 trees next to one another.

I looked like a drowned rat by this point but I didnt care. I do love seeing this species and I enjoyed watching them for a good while. I managed a record photo (as dismal as the weather).

On the way back down I also bumped into a White-throated Dipper. 

Ring Ouzel (Male) with Fieldfare above

Ring Ouzel (Male)

South Eford Marsh, Averton Giffard, Devon 

Whilst in the area, it felt rude to not pop here and take a look for the lesser Yellowlegs. I didnt have too long here but I didnt need it. I was able to view the bird very nicely from the entrance gate. I love seeing this species. A very nice bird. Again, a rather awful photo.

Lesser Yellowlegs

Some Decent Stuff On The Otter

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
After work I explored further along this area taking in Coleridge bridge. A single White-throated Dipper was taking a bath at the waters edge. One flyover Common Merganser and a single Grey Wagtail were the best on offer.

White-throated Dipper 

White-throated Dipper 

Exploring My Surroundings 3

St Saviours Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 
After work I explored the footpaths around this bridge. South of the bridge were 2 Little Grebe. A few Song Thrush were dotted about but nothing else of note. However, just north of the bridge was a single White-throated Dipper. The bird showed beautifully but I only had my bins on me.

Exploring My Surroundings 2

Cadhay Bridge to Taleford, Devon 
I had a walk along this public footpath that takes in some of the river Tale. A Common Kingfisher seen from Cadhay Bridge was my first of the year. The Common Merganser were in their usual place. Along the river Tale path was a single Grey Wagtail. In one of the fields were 3 Stock Dove. Not much else to brag about but I see this as a great spot for White-throated Dipper.

Exeter Birding

Woodwater Lane, Exeter, Devon
A quick look at lunchtime produced singles of Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Grey Wagtail.

Ludwell Valley, Exeter, Devon
I moved on for a quick walk along Northcote Brook in the hope of White-throated Dipper. I didnt have to try to hard as I soon discovered one. Also another Grey Wagtail.

Lots Of Year Ticks In Somerset

Near Lower Durston, Somerset 
I popped along to a site in Somerset that I know holds Common Nightingale. I wasn’t disappointed as I had good but brief views of one bird. Also on site were a few Common Swift, Eurasian Blackcap, Great Spotted Woodpecker and lots of Song Thrush. Also on the Dragonfly front were good numbers of Blue-tailed Damselfly.

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Hodders Combe, Somerset
I have never been to this site but inspired by Dave Stones blog I thought I would give it a try. Within 10 minutes of being on site I was on to a Wood Warbler. I eventually came across 2 birds in total. Also on site was White-throated Dipper, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper and Eurasian Blackcap. I liked this site and I will visit again soon.

Ham Wall, Somerset 
My last stop off to get a few more year ticks. Great flight views of Eurasian Bittern, 2 Eurasian Hobby, a flyby Common Kingfisher and a very distant Common Cuckoo. Also of note where 4 Great Egret, 2 Western Marsh Harrier, what seemed to be a larger amount of Common Swift, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler and Common Reed Bunting.

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.

A Dip And A Dipper

Dunsford Wood, Dunsford, Devon
I had to give a talk and training session at our Barnstaple office today so on the way home I took a detour via Dunsford Woods. My target bird was Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I did hear one calling at quite close range but frustratingly, I couldn’t pin it down and eventually lost the call. I did however see 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Eurasian Nuthatch, 1 Eurasian Treecreeper, numerous Coal Tit, Great Tit and Eurasian Blue Tit. Surprisingly there were no Grey Wagtail but I did get cracking views of a White-throated Dipper.

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

White-throated Dipper

Coal Tit

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.