Wood Sandpiper

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

I have been itching to get to site all week knowing that it's been a great place for Wood Sandpiper. So I was pleased to have an early evening walk out to the island hide today. I do love Wood Sandpiper, it's on of my favourite waders. The site didn't disappoint either with 4 individuals. I seem to have missed the Western Marsh Harrier by a few minutes though. Also on site 2 late Common Swift flyovers. 

Wood Sandpiper

Wood White

Seaton Cliffs, Devon

I popped back to look for Dingy Skippers this evening again in the hope of a photo opportunity. None seen but I did get another lifer Butterfly in the form of a cracking Wood White.

Wood White

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon

Whilst in the area, it seemed rude not to pop in to see my favourite Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper. The bird showed beautifully from the viewing section at the entrance path to the island hide. Also on site were several Common Sandpiper.

Wood Sandpiper 

 

Wood Sandpiper 

Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper 

Ottery St Mary, Devon

Back at home in the evening. This handsome Common Toad was sat on my patio.

Common Toad

More Good Waders

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon
I had an early finish today so I popped here as I haven’t visited for a while. A Little Stint showed if not distantly and with awkward sunlight. It caused a bit of debate as to its ID as it didn’t look textbook to anyone present. Also on site of note were 4 Curlew Sandpiper and 6 Common Sandpiper.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
I had time to swing by in the hope that the reported Garganey was on site but my luck was out. However, a Wood Sandpiper showed beautifully as did a Spotted Redshank.

Wood Sandpiper And A Nice Selection Of Waders

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
The Wood Sandpiper was reported late morning so after work I thought I would swing by on my way home. I only had my binoculars but obtained really nice views to the left of the hide with a few Green Sandpiper. On the main spit were a few Eurasian Whimbrel and Common Greenshank. A nice finish to the visit was a Ruff moulting out of summer plumage.

Balearic Shearwater

Exmouth sea front, Devon 
I had I quick look after work and got a dark phase Parasitic Skua. Not much else on offer so I had another go this evening. A number of Sandwich Term about but too distant to see if anything else was in the mix. Best bird by far was a Balearic Shearwater. It was a little way out and I had to battle the on coming wind but just enough to get a positive ID.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
I then saw the report of 2 Wood Sandpiper. So it seemed rude not to have a quick look. No sign of the birds and the best on offer was a sleepy Green Sandpiper.

Wood Sandpiper Episode III

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
Hide
I popped to the hide before work and one of the Green Sandpiper was in front of the hide. A few Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Dunlin and a Stock Dove were about but not much else was on offer.

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper  

Green Sandpiper  

Black-tailed Godwit

Viewing platform 
A quick look produced 4 Common Greenshank and circa 40 Dunlin.

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 
I couldn’t resist a quick nip across to Seaton for the reported Wood Sandpiper. And on my third attempt this year I obtained awesome close views of a juvenile. I don’t know what it is about this Marsh but the Wood Sandpipers always show well. I bumped into Tim White who reminded me of a few years ago when there were 30 plus however last year there were no records. Also a showy Common Sandpiper was on offer.

Wood Sandpiper (Juvenile)

Wood Sandpiper (Juvenile)

Wood Sandpiper (Juvenile)

Common Sandpiper 

Common Sandpiper 

Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
I forgot to mention that my Common House Martin have fledged. I didn’t witness it but I believe 2 youngsters made their way out from the nest some time on Tuesday.

Another Missed Wood Sandpiper

Goosemoor, Topsham, Devon 
After work I decided to take a look for yesterday’s Wood Sandpiper and today’s Curlew Sandpiper. I couldn’t get out last night to look for the former and I knew that the tides would be wrong at the time of visit but it seemed rude not to pop in as it’s on the way home. Goosemoor was very quite with only several Black-headed Gull on site.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
Hide 
I moved on to the hide in hope but the best bird was a Green Sandpiper. It showed rather close in at times. There were several juvenile Common Shelduck but not much else of note. On the lane to the viewing platform was a smart Red Admiral and a Southern Hawker. I’m not sure if the sightings board in the hide is up to date but someone had marked Wood Sandpiper as seen.

Green Sandpiper  

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper    

Red Admiral

Viewing platform
A look off the platform only produced one decent bird, a single Summer plumage Red Knot was pottering around in Greenshank corner. No photo could be obtained due to wind, haze and it was obscured at times. Plenty of Common Redshank and Black-headed Gulls around too.

No Wood Sandpiper But A Black Tern

Goosemoor, Topsham, Devon
I went to look for the reported Wood Sandpiper early evening. No sign of the bird but 2 Juvenile Little Ringed Plover kept me entertained.

Little Ringed Plover (Juvenile)

The Quay, Exmouth, Devon 
I finished the evening looking in the hope Matts Juvenile Black Tern that he spotted this morning would reappear in amongst the roost. I’ve had a busy day today so I couldn’t get out sooner. Sandwich Tern numbers have increased a lot and there must have been around 100 birds. Also 10 Mediterranean Gulls of varying ages present. I was about to give up as the light faded when out of a channel popped a Juvenile Black Tern. It was only visible for a few seconds but enough for me. I’m not sure it was the same bird though.

Byron Way, Exmouth, Devon
Looks like there are 2 young Common House Martin in the nest on my house. They are starting to poke their heads out now so hopefully not long until they fledge.

Common House Martin