Black-throated Loon

Otterton Sewage works, Devon 

I had an hours look around the works and coastal path. At the works on arrival was a Male Cirl Bunting. Lots of singing Eurasian Skylark where a pleasure to listen to on the way to the coastal path. On the sea was a single Black-throated Loon and 2 Razorbill. Back at the works on my way back to the car was a Willow Warbler. 

Whinchat and European Pied Flycatcher

Peak Hill, Sidmouth, Devon 

I saw a report of a Ring Ouzel and 2 Western Yellow Wagtail on site but I couldn't get out early. I guessed that both species may not stay but I had a good optimistic walk around the site with no joy. I was though, treated to 2 Whinchat.

Whinchat

Whinchat

Yarner Woods, Bovey Tracey, Devon 

I had an itch to see European Pied Flycatcher so I set off her to take a look around. I also love this site and enjoy wandering around here. I always stop at the second car park at Trendlebere Down and enter the reserve. I got on to a Male as soon as I was by the entrance. I then looked for Common Redstart a bit into the reserve and after a bit of a wait a manged brief views of a Male. Whilst waiting I was treated to another Male European Pied Flycatcher  There are quite a few Eurasian Blackcap on site too.

Trendlebere Down, Bovey Tracey, Devon 

While I was here it seemed rude not to look for Tree Pipit. For a good while I couldn't find any sign but I was finally rewarded with views of 3 individuals. Also one Willow Warbler and more Eurasian Blackcap.

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)

Northern Mockingbird And Summer Arrivals

Beer Head, Devon 

I had the day off so I headed here in search of any summer arrivals. I had already got a heads up from Kevin Hale of a decent fall. This first bird was a Northern Wheatear. I never get tired of seeing this species. On the east side of the head were a very decent amount of Common Chiffchaff and in among them were a few Willow Warbler. 2 male Eurasian Blackcap put in an appearance. Oddly my first of the year! A few Barn Swallow came in off the sea. I so wished for a Ring Ouzel as that place is primed to receive one. Not today though.

Northern Wheatear (Male)

Exmouth, Devon 

As the stay at home rule has been lifted, I felt it safe to go for the Northern Mockingbird that has been a long stayer in Exmouth. I only had my binoculars with me so I only managed a record shot. What a cracking little bird to see. 

Northern Mockingbird 

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.

Summer Migrants

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I checked the dung field and immediate area very quickly first thing but it was rather misty and there wasn't much about apart from a few Willow Warbler.

Exminster Marsh, Devon
As the roads are quiet due to half term, the lure of yesterdays Garganey got the better of me so I popped here before heading to the office. I walked from the middle car park to the fisherman's car park and back. The first bird of note was a singing Sedge Warbler that also showed itself briefly at close range. This was followed by cracking views of a Cetti's Warbler. Near the fisherman's car park were 2 Barnacle Goose, a Eurasuan Whimbrel in among the Eurasian Curlew and a Male Common Reed Bunting but alas, no Garganey. As I arrived back at the middle car park, a number of Sand Martins were feeding and a single Common House Martin was in amongst them.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I went for another look around after work and was rewarded with a Male Northern Wheatear along the coastal path. A few Willow Warbler were dotted about but I was surprised to see a Red-legged Partridge whilst checking out the dung field before leaving. It was sat on the fence to the left of the field but dropped down into the old dung field to quickly for a photo. I checked the other field without success. Also a few Barn Swallow were pottering about.

Eurasian Blackcap

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon
I had a walk from Gore lane, across the permissive path to the coastal path and down to the Geoneedle this morning. Nothing on the dung heap but along the coastal path was a single Willow Warbler in song and seen, immediately followed by a male Eurasian Blackcap, again in song and seen briefly. This was my first Eurasian Blackcap of the year.

Willow Warbler

Exminster Marsh, Devon 
I had a look around the railway path area after work and had my first Willow Warbler of the year. A Peregrine Falcon was sat on one of the pylons but there wasn’t much else of note. I then walked from the fisherman’s car park to the viewing platform as I had been informed by my mate Pete (that I bumped into along the railway path) of a Eurasian Blackcap in song in that area. I couldn’t stay long so I was unsuccessful but there was a single Male Common Reed Bunting.

Dragonflies, Butterflies And Some Birds Too

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
I has a walk around Aylesbeare Reserve after work for a change of scenery. It was nice to see a stunning Male Yellowhammer as I haven’t been to the right places to see one for a few months. A few Common Linnet, Willow Warbler, European Green Woodpecker and Coal Tit. Plenty of Dragonfly species and a variety of Butterflies. 1 Southern Hawker, several Keeled Skimmer, a rather bedraggled looking Four-spotted Chaser, 2 Emperor Dragonfly, double figures of Common Blue Damselfly and a handful of Blue-tailed Damselfly provided the Dragonfly action. The Butterfly entertainment came from good numbers of Greyling, 4 Holly Blue, lots Small White and Large White, many Large Skipper and a few Small Skipper, 3 Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 Dark-green Fritillary, 1 Red Admiral, a couple of Speckled Wood and plenty of Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. A few Silver Y moths made up the supporting act.

Common Blue Damselfly

Four-spotted Chaser  

Emperor Dragonfly  

Keeled Skimmer (Male)

Southern Hawker   

Keeled Skimmer (Female)

 Greyling 

Cornflower 

Willow Warbler Singing Like A Chiffy

Woodbury Common, Devon
I took another trip up to look at the Willow Warbler I saw yesterday which had black legs. I was curious as yesterday I noticed it was giving off an odd call. The best I can describe the call is a sped up Conmon Chiffchaff. I know Warblers can be excellent at mimicking but I have to admit I haven’t come across a Willow Warbler with this much talent. Perhaps I’ve just not been paying attention but I enjoyed listening to the bird. I wanted to double check just in case I was missing something.

I studied the bird for a while and as I did, it was plainly obvious it was a Willow Warbler. I though about the dark legs for a moment. This (as far as I know) means it could simply be a young bird that hasn’t reached breeding maturity yet. Leg colouration does change with age so I’m going to check in on this bird out from time to time to see if they have lightened. If they don’t, could this be a subspecies?

Now distinguishing grey looking Willow Warbler from Conmon Chiffchaff can be tricky enough if there’s no call and there’s poor views and I am in no way an expert in Willow Warbler subspecies so I’m just speculating. An interesting bird non the less.

Also on offer was a brief Garden Warbler (call only), a Male Eurasian Blackcap and a churring European Nightjar

The Commons

Woodbury Castle and Surrounding Commons, Devon 
It’s been very busy in work this week so I’ve not been able to get but after I had time for an hours birding. I couldn’t decide where to go so I had reached Woodbury without knowing where to go. I opted for the commons and stopped at Woodbury Castle. In the Woods were a Song Thrush, Goldcrest and the usual Tit species. A quick look around the surrounding heathland gave 2 Willow Warbler And a probably Garden Warbler.

Model Airplane Car Park, Woodbury Common, Devon. 
Just a 20 minute look around the car park area produced several Eurasian Siskin, a pair of Eurasian Bullfinch and a few Common Linnet. Not much else of note

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.

(Putative) Thayer’s Gull

(Putative)  Thayer’s Gull

(Putative) Thayer’s Gull

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.

Western Yellow Wagtail 

Western Yellow Wagtail 

Western Yellow Wagtail 

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.

Orcombe And Willow Warblers

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I had a look around this morning for my odd Gull from yesterday. There were plenty of Gulls on offer but not the bird in question. I was hampered by the fog so didn’t see anything else of note on the migrant front.

Goosemoor, Topsham, Devon 
After work I went to have a look at the reported Willow Warblers. The site didn’t disappoint as there were easily 10 Willow Warbler hanging around the shrubs and trees on the cycle path near the first viewing screen. There were also a few Common Chiffchaff. I managed these dreadful photos.

Common Chiffchaff 

Willow Warbler