A Reservoir, A Lake And A Marsh

Cheddar Reservoir, Somerset 
I had the day off so decided to pop to a few places I’ve not visited for a good while. This was my first stop, with my main target of Red-crested Pochard. After a good search I drew a blank but the following notable species were logged. Common Loon, Greater Scaup, Common Pochard, Grey Wagtail a Male Mandarin Duck and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Greater Scaup (Male)

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Male)

Mandarin Duck (Male)

Common Loon

Chew Valley Lake, Avon 
I always struggle to bird this place, especially without a permit.
Targets here were the Lesser Scaup (not reported for a while but could still be on site) and Long-tailed Duck. I stoppped off at a couple of spots. The best I could muster were 4 Male Common Goldeneye, a Female Greater Scaup at the lay-by at Herons Green Bay, a few Mew Gull at the dam and several Common Pochard and a white Eurasian Coot at Herriotts Bridge. I always struggle with birding this place due to the size of the site so feeling a tad deflated, I moved on.

Goldeneye (Male)

Mew Gull

Steart Marshes, Somerset
A final site before heading home. The main target heat was Short-eared Owl. I started off at Otterhampton Marsh where 3 Eurasian Spoonbill showed distantly. I moved to Steart Gate for the target species and wasn’t disappointed, with 2 individuals on show. Also a major surprise was a Twite. I had heard that there had been a few reports of this bird but I wasn’t expecting to see it. It was rather flightly and skulking (not surprising with 2 Short-eared Owls on the prowl.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Pied Avocet And Common Eider

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 
A morning visit on Monday didn’t give up the Yellow-browed Warbler but from the hide was a single Ruff and few Dunlin in amongst the many Black-tailed Godwit flock and a nice raft of Pied Avocet.

Pied Avocer

Shelly Beach, Exmouth, Devon 
A quick look after work in the hope of a Black Redstart was unsuccessful. I guess it was hunkered down due to the presence of a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. On the estuary were a few Common Eider, with one individual at rather close range.

A Bird Friendly Farm

Otterton Sewage Works, Devon 
A look around before work gave a female Cirl Bunting, Male Common Reed Bunting and several Common Chiffchaff feeding bear the car park. Unfortunately the Cirl Bunting flew off whilst I was setting up the scope and didn’t return, so no photos. I have to say that the work that Stantywell farm is putting in to make it a bird friendly environment is doing something. Also on site were a few Eurasian Skylark.

Common Chaffinch (Female) 

Common Reed Bunting (Male)

Common Chaffinch (Male)

Hayes Barton Pig Farm, near Yettington, Devon 
A grey and wet after work visit didn’t produce much but a Grey Wagtail brighttened up the visit.

Red-throated Loon

Stantywell Farm And Otterton Coastal Path
A quick look after work. I started at Stantywell Farm in the hope of Cirl Bunting and Yellowhammer but I was not successful. Things picked up from the coastal path near the Sewage Treatment Works with a single Red-throated Loon, several Northern Gannet and Circa 30 Eurasian Skylark in the fields. As I was leaving around the area there were circa 30 Fieldfare looking to roost in a tree. Also of note is the fact that there is a healthy House Sparrow population around the farm.

Fieldfare 

Barnacle Goose And Some Dire Birding

Exmouth Cricket Club, Devon 
A quick look at first light for the Common Firecrest was unfortunately fruitless.

Exminster Marsh, Devon 
A flying visit at lunchtime today along the railway path. The 4 Barnacle Goose were on show. Good numbers of Northern Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit and was pleased to see a few European Golden Plover.

Barnacle Goose

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 
A walk around after work both yesterday and today was very dire indeed. I was looking for Lesser Redpoll and Yellowhammer and on both occasions saw next to nothing. This place can be a bit hit and miss.

Velvet Scoter

Dawlish Warren, Devon 
A quick look after work from the sea wall near the lifeguard hut for the Velvet Scoter was very successful. The bird was rather distant but nice to see. Also 6 Common Scoter that were even more distant and a scattering of Great Crested Grebe.

Velvet Scoter (Juvenile)

Possible Water Pipit And A Mystery Stint

Darts Farm, Topsham, Devon 
I was alerted to a possible Stint species that was spotted very distantly from the hide so I couldn’t resist calling in on the way home. After a search I couldn’t locate a wader that resembled a Stint but I did get what I am 95% sure was a Water Pipit. The bird was always at the far end of the channel, light wasn’t great and the tussocks obscured view a lot. However, the bird was a plumper looking bird, it had a purple tone, a very bright breast and very little streaking. I couldn’t make out a supercilium though, which I would have liked to help clinch the ID. Also on site were a good number of Common Reed Bunting and Common Chaffinch.

Dorset Delivers Again

A cracking “fill your boots” day out in Dorset.

Portland Harbour, Dorset 
First stop off in search of Loons and Grebes. It was rather quiet here but eventually a Black-throated Loon showed distantly. The only other bird of note was a Common Murre.

Sandsfoot Castle, Weymouth, Dorset 
My next stop proved better with a Common Loon, Horned Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Black-necked Grebe.

Radipole Lake, Weymouth, Dorset 
My main targets here were the Ring-necked Duck and Bearded Reedling. After two circuits of the Buddleia Loop I was giving up hope of the later but just near the visitor centre I heard the distinctive call and there were a Male and Female at real close quarters. They were often slightly obscured and due to the breeze, never ventured right to the top of the reeds. I absolutely adore this species and wish I could see them more often. A quick look of the pontoons along the main road gave me the other target bird. Mission complete! Also on site were good numbers of Common Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck. I was surprised not to get a Mediterranean Gull though!

Bearded Reedling (Male)

Bearded Reedling (Female)

Bearded Reedling (Female)

Bearded Reedling (Female)

Lodmoor, Weymouth, Dorset 
Next stop off was for the Lesser Yellowlegs. I got straight on to this cracking bird and had nice close views for a few minutes but it flew off before a photo opportunity. Also onsite was a Male Western Marsh Harrier, Ruff and good numbers of Common Snipe.

Ruff

Maiden Castle, Dorchester, Dorset
I couldn’t resist stopping off here for Corn Bunting and the place didn’t disappoint as I got straight on to a group of circa 20 birds.

Lyme Regis, Dorset 
A final stop off to look for the apart showy Common Eider and boy is it showy. The bird was outside the harbour and gave nice views. I couldn’t locate any Purple Sandpiper or the earlier reported Black Redstart in the Bowling Green area.

Common Eider (Male)

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Maer Farm, Exmouth, Devon 
A quick look around the back of the farm finally gave me the Rose-ringed Parakeet. The bird was sat in the trees behind the farm.

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.

Lots Of Wagtails

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 
I popped up for an hour this afternoon to discover a lot of Wagtails around the dung heap. The vast majority being Pied with a number of Meadow Pipits and a solitary Grey Wagtail. A decent flock of Common Linnet were also around this area. Around 20 Eurasian Skylark flew overhead as did a Common Kestrel. I only managed 1 Cirl Bunting though.

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.

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 

A New Year

A new year and a fresh list to complete. 1 popped to a few sites and managed 82 species. I won’t mention them all but the highlights were.

Matford Marsh, Exeter 
I thought I would pop here in the hope of last years boggie bird (Yellow-browed Warbler). No joy but there was a Common Chiffchaff that got me excited for a second or so. Around the marsh were Black-tailed Godwit, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Common Snipe.

Powderham Sawmill
Another go at last years boggie bird but again there was no Yellow-browed Warbler on offer but a group of 6 Red-legged Partridge were close by.

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham
A Little Gull off the Goat Walk was a welcome sight, also here were Pied Avocet, Red Knot, Grey Plover and Dunlin. Around the marsh were Redwing, Northern Pintail, Bar-tailed Godwit and Cetti’s Warbler. I didn’t stay long as it was far too overcrowded for my liking. I felt almost claustrophobic.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth 
A quick visit produced Cirl Bunting, Northern Raven and Meadow Pipit.

The Seafront, Exmouth
What is it about “We must all go for a walk on New Year’s Day?!” As again this place was far too busy (it was busier than I have ever seen it in the summer) so I didn’t hang about but did manage a distant Red-throated Loon

The Quay and Imperial Grounds, Exmouth 
Black Redstart, Common Eider, Mew Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Horned Grebe, Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser were the best on offer here.

Hayes Pig Farm, Yettington 
A quick visit got me a Brambling at the farm and a European Green Woodpecker nearby. A quick return visit to a site near the farm at dusk got me a Eurasian Woodcock.