Glaucous Gull and Yellow-browed Warbler

Cricklepit Bridge, Exeter Quay, Devon 

In was working in the city and had half day leave planned so it seemed rude not to look for the Glaucous Gull. I had seen pictures and reports that said it can be a very showy bird and they weren't wrong. I soon as I arrived it was right by the Bridge, floating around happily. In fact it was so close I had to move back up the bank to get it in my scope! I did worry whether it was an ill bird but it seemed to be rather happy and well. I always loge seeing this species and this Juvenile didn't disappoint.

Glaucous Gull (Juvenile)

Glaucous Gull (Juvenile)

Ottery Estuary, Devon

Having enjoyed the Glaucous Gull I decided to go closer to home and look for a Yellow-browed Warbler that had been reported by Terry Smith. It was supposed to be in the area of the bend as you just start to go along South Farm Road. I hung around for a while with no joy so I walked up to the White Bridge. At the Bridge was a lovely Grey Wagtail and a Little Grebe. On the way back down there were a few Meadow Pipit. I got back to the bend and bumped into Chris Townsend. It was nice to catch up and have a chinwag. We both separated for a bit in the hope one would pick up on it and after a little while a mixed Tit flock came through. With them was a female Eurasian Blackcap and a cracking Common Firecrest. Soon after Chris spotted the Yellow-browed Warbler in the top of a tree and I just managed a fleeting view of it as it dropped back down. I had to leave not long after but I think it will stick around to have another crack at it. 

On another note I couldn't believe how much the restoration project had come on since my last visit. I am truly excited to see the site finished and equally excited to see it develop and what species that could entice.

Yellow-legged Gull, Red Kite

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 

I had to drop my daughter to rehearsals so I thought I would take a walk around. Not much happening bar a few Common Whitethroat and Eurasian Skylark. 

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 

I decided to take a look here as the tide was out and Matt Knott was already there. He pointed out a cracking 1st Summer Yellow-legged Gull quite close in. There were also a few Eurasian Whimbrel dotted about. Mostly in the heat haze. Matt moved on but it was great to catch up with him. He did say that there were some Northern Wheatear up on Orcombe Point this morning so I popped back.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon

Having chatted with Matt I decided to give it a go again and after a little wait I spotted 2 Northern Wheatear in the now ploughed dung field. They were at the far end and very hard to pick out in the heat haze. 

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

Whilst I was in Exmouth, I received a message from Ben that a Red Kite was heading over and I would get it from my house. But as luck would have it, I got home from Exmouth (2 hours after the message) and looked up from my garden and there was a Red Kite. A rather tatty looking bird with missing primaries. Ben confirmed that his was tatty too and so was an individual I saw last week. So I presume it to be the same bird. 

A Showy Yellow-browed Warbler

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
A quick look at first light and the Yellow-browsed Warbler showed along the road opposite the hide. It was feeding in the ditch from the hide to the 20 mph sign. To say that this individual shows beautifully would be an understatement. It seems totally oblivious to people. Pity I was only armed with my phone camera and could only obtain this awful record shot. A couple of Eurasian Wren were in full on fight mode nearby. It’s such a strange thing to see such a small species being so ferocious!

Yellow-browed Warbler

Sandpipers In The City

Woodwater Lane, Exeter, Devon
I stopped at the bridge in this area before work and got 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail. It’s still amazes me to find these in a City.

Powderham Sawmills, Devon
I popped here at lunchtime in the hope of the Marsh Tit that was found on a Yellow-browed Warbler stakeout. Saw Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit but no Marsh Tit. No sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler either but a couple of Common Reed Bunting were nice to see.

Joney’s Cross Car Park, Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
After work I had a look in this area for a reported Lesser Redpoll. No luck but a nice pair of Eurasian Bullfinch were a nice sight.

FINALLY A Yellow-browed Warbler!

Decoy Country Park, Newton Abbot, Devon 
As I was going to go to Stover I decided to pop here to look for the Common Loon. After a decent search, there was no sign. I bumped into Charlie Fleming. I’ve seen many of his excellent photos over the years but we have never chatted before. It was a pleasure getting  to know him and we had a very good chinwag. I hope to bump in to him again sometime.

Stover Country Park, Stover, Devon 
I wanted to pop here as I love to see the Common Merganser and it didn’t disappoint with 4 pairs on site. Eurasian Siskin was about the best at the feeder and 2 pairs of Mandarin Duck were a nice addition too.

Mandarin Duck (Male and Female)

Cockwood
My next stop off to look for Common Eider and Common Goldeneye and both species showed (if not distantly).

Powderham Sawmills
I gave the area another go for the Yellow-browed Warbler and within 10 minutes the bird showed beautifully in the willows to the right of the concrete area outside Poppy’s Flower studio. I’m glad I have finally caught up with this lovely species as I was beginning to think I would never see another one again!

Powderham Corner
A final stop off to check through the Brant Goose. Nothing of interest that I could pick out as they were always distant. However, on the Estuary was a close Grey Plover and good numbers of Northern Pintail. In the fields on the way back to the main road were 2 Eurasian Sparrowhawk co hunting Thrushes (I think Redwing). They were both unsuccessful.

Grey Plover 

Fallow Deer

Powderham, Devon
I had a look around Powderham before work in the hope of seeing the Yellow-browed Warbler Matt Knott found yesterday. I couldn’t locate it but enjoyed some nice views of a large flock of Red-legged Partridge and the resident Fallow Deer.

Fallow Deer

Barnacle Goose Amd Yet Another Missed Yellow-browed Warbler

Milbury Lane, Exminster, Devon
I had a very quick look for yesterday’s Yellow-browed Warbler before work around Milbury Lane with no luck. I really think I’m not destined to connect with this species this year. The only birds of note was a fly through Female Eurasian Sparrowhawk and large numbers of Redwing and a few Fieldfare flying overhead.

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon
A quick look from the middle car park after work gave up the 4 Barnacle Goose in amongst a large flock of Canada Goose. Also good numbers of Northern Lapwing about. Light was fading fast, so no time to look for anything else.

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose 

Barnacle Goose 

Barnacle Goose

Another Missed Yellow-browed Warbler

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon
After work I decided to take a look around the viewing platform area for the earlier reported Yellow-browed Warbler. After a decent look I drew a blank. Around the area though was a Male and Female Eurasian Bullfinch, 2 Eurasian Jay, 3 Somg Thrush and a Common Kestrel. I seem unable to connect with a Yellow-browed Warbler after missing Matts Exmouth bird and a bird in Exeter. There’s still some time left though.