European Storm Petrel

Otterton Coastal Path, Devon

I had the afternoon off as it was perfect sea watching conditions. So I headed here as it's the nearest descent location to pitch up. It all started very quiet with the commoner species of Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar, Black-legged Kittiwake and Common Scoter. After about 30 minutes I picked out a cracking European Storm Petrel. And literally 5 minutes later a Sooty Shearwater. Hmmm, this could be a good session I thought. As it happens I was right. A further 2 European Storm Petrel but better still a Leach's Storm Petrel. I didn't put the news out as I've only ever seen one before and not very well, so I had to be sure. So refreshing myself with the species, I am now confident. It was rather close. It was longer winged, looked larger, no covert band on underwing and had a stronger more veering flight pattern. As, I was getting ready to leave a Great Shearwater went by and topped off an enjoyable afternoon. Also making the notepad was a single Red-legged Partridge on the lane down to the Sewage works and a Cirl Bunting on the feeder.

Sea Watching

Berry Head, Devon 

I had the day off especially to do some sea watching. I was tempted to venture to Porthgwarra (wish I had now as good counts of Great Shearwater and Cory's Shearwater). However, I still had an enjoyable time with great company at Berry Head. It was slow going but a trickle of Manx Shearwater and Balearic Shearwater was a welcome site. As was a Pomerine Jaeger, a few Parastic Jaeger and a Great Skua. Lots af Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar and Northern Gannet to make up the supporting cast. Also great amount of Harbour Porpoise sightings. 

A lovely couple from Stockport were on holiday and by chance ended up on Berry Head. It was a great pleasure getting them on to a number of lifers (Manx Shearwater Balearic Shearwater, Pomerine Jaeger,  Parasitic Jaeger and Harbour Porpoise). It was amazing to see the joy on their faces and made me think of all the times I've had those "get in there!" Moments. All too few and far between these days. But equally nice to see the true meaning of enjoying birdwatching. 

All in all a great day out. As Berry head always is.

Melodious Warbler

Dawlish Warren, Devon 

I couldn't resist a trip this evening to see the Melodious Warbler. Didnt have to wait to long either as the bird showed nicely for a minute or so. Sadly no photo as by the time I was confident in the ID (all I could see was its butt at first) and set up to snap it, it flew off and I didn't see again. It was still nice to see my first one in Devon though. Not much else of note apart from a female Common Whitethroat near the visitor centre. 

Finally A Northern Wheatear, Some Nice Waders And A YL Gull

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 

I was in Exmouth on an errand and had literally 10 minutes to spare. So I popped here for a quick look. Since moving and lockdown, I haven't been here in ages. It felt nice to be back on a familiar site. The target was Northern Wheatear and since a load had been seen at Beer Head. I thought there had to be some here. Anyway, I was able to see a single bird in my 10 minutes there. Amazingly, due to lockdown. This was my first of the year. 

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

A quick visit this evening produced the Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper and Ruff from the viewing area before the island hide. Lots of Dunlin and Common Ringed Plover about I also bumped into Steve Waite that let me know of an adult Yellow-legged Gull from the tower hide. I picked it out but the light wouldnt let me get a great photo with my equipment. Also a single Common Greenshank and lots more Dunlin from this hide. 

Little Stint

Yellow-legged Gull 

Long-tailed Blue

Seaton Harbour, Devon 

I had the day off today so wanted to go in search of Butterflies. I really wanted to photograph Dingy Skipper so I headed here first. A good number were about and I managed to get a photo. But, the star of the show was a stunning Long-tailed Blue. It showed rather nicely and  cracking lifer species.

Dingy Skipper

Long-tailed Blue

Broadcroft Quarry, Portland, Dorset

I moved on in search of more Butterflies. I really wanted a Lulworth Skipper, another lifer. And on arrival it was the first Butterfly I saw. Couldnt get a photo thought. Other great species on site were. Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Small Blue, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Heath, Painted Lady, Small White, Large White, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. 

Small Copper 

Common Blue

Adonis Blue

Small Blue

Small Heath

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

Dingy Skipper

Aylesbeare Common, Devon 

I popped to the commons last Wednesday (29th July) and got great views of a pair of Dartford Warbler. Unfortunately not much else about.

Seaton, Devon

Today after work I popped to the cliff area at the beach to look for Dingy Skipper. Strangely a Butterfly species I've never seen. A my luck was in with a single specimen seen. I know there are more there but it was rather late (8pm) and there was a breeze so I guess the rest were in hiding. Very pleased to finally catch up with this Butterfly. Couldnt get a picture though, so I feel another visit will be on the cards soon.

A Bit Of A Sea Watch

Otterton, Devon

I had a super quick look off the coastal path near the Sewage works this afternoon. Rather quite at first with only a few Northern Gannet and a raft of Common Scoter to keep my occupied. Then I picked up a lonely Balearic Shearwater going west. Not too shabby I thought. 

Common Scoter

Common Scoter

This lovely Holly Blue kept me company for around 15 minutes. 

Holly Blue

Holly Blue

Some Non Bird Related Stuff

Ottery St Mary area, Devon

I have seen much in the way of birds in the last week so I though I would post a few photos of some other wildlife I've seen over the last week or so.

This Large Yellow Underwing was hanging about in my Ottery garden yesterday. 

Large Yellow Underwing

This Comma is one of many that like to frequent the Otter river. Found anywhere from Cadhay Bridge to Fenny Bridge.

Comma

Plenty of these have been seen in the garden. 

Snipe Fly (Female)

In the same areas as the Comma are numerous Beautiful Demoiselle and Banded Demoiselle. I never get tired of seeing these stunning species.

 

Beautiful Demoiselle (Female)

Beautiful Demoiselle (Male)

This beauty was in my garden a little while back.

Common Green Shield Bug

European Nightjar

Exmouth Seafront, Devon
We went for a family walk and it was nice to finally catch up with a Sandwich Tern and Common Tern.

Beacon Fire Hill, Devon 2nd June
I took a walk around in the evening and saw a single male Dartford Warbler. Also on site were 2 Tree Pipit, 2 European Nightjar a few European Stonechat and Yellowhammer.

European Stonechat (Male)

Yellowhammer (Male) 

Yarner Wood, Devon 2nd June
One evening I went for a quick walk but didnt see much. However, a Male European Pied Flycatcher was a pleasant sight.

Tipton St John, Devon 30th May
I was alerted to a Marsh Warbler so it was rude not to make the 8 minute drive to take a look. I was asked not to blog it but the news is now out that it had moved on after a few days. I have seen one before but the views this gave were incredible.

Marsh Warbler

Marsh Warbler

No Golden Oriole

Squabmoor and Dalditch, Devon
I had a 2 hour stake out for the Golden Oriole this evening from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. No sight nor sound of the bird so I am a bit perplexed by a report that came out 2 minutes after leaving stating it's there singing!?

Anyway, an enjoyable evening with 2 Eurasian Hobby, 3 Eurasian Jay, numerous Yellowhammer and a single Dartford Warbler.

Yellowhammer (Male)

Yellowhammer (Male)

European Stom Petrel

Otterton, Devon
I went for my daily exercise from Stantywell Farm to the coastal path near the sewage works this evening. In one of the fields just down from the farm were, 2 Red-legged Partridge and 2 Brown Hare.

A further 2 Brown Hare were seen further along. At the feeder at the sewage works was a stunning male Cirl Bunting and along the path to the coastal path was a nice female Common Whitethroat.

At the coastal path I scanned the sea. A few Northern Gannet and Northern Fulmar were far out and then whilst tracking a Black-legged Kittiwake, I picked up a small black bird just above the surface. It was initially heading straight towards me so my initial thought was Common Murre. However, the jizz was all wrong. The bird then tracked west and it because immediately obvious I was watching a European Storm Petrel. Not too shabby for a lockdown tick.

European Bee-eater

White Bridge, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
After seeing a report of 7 European Bee-eater in Exmouth. I hoped that they would be relocated. This species is a UK lifer for me and I've missed a few chances at seeing this superb species.

A text from Matt Knott advising me that they were at the white bridge on the river Otter. Got me off on a mad rush to get there. I parked the other side of the bridge and followed the path north on the east side of the river. Several birders advised they were mobile. I staked out a location with a few birders including Dave Boult and Dave Stone. 

I had my 11 year old daughter with me as this is her favourite bird from her book and she has longed to see one. She proved rather useful as her young eyes got us all on to a number of birds. The most I saw at one time was 6 bit there were numerous sightings.

On leaving, Dave Boult had come back to the bridge as he and others had counted 15 birds. I saw a further 2 birds as they went to roost near the bridge.

Nice Clear Water

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon 
I had to run an errand to my in laws today so I had a cheeky stop off at Bystock pools on the way home.

A pair of Tufted Duck were on the main pool. I've not seen any here for ages and sounds wierd to be pleased to see as I've not seen any since way before lockdown. A pair of European Stonechat were about and a nice Yellowhammer.

A few dragonflies were out too with Common Darter and Large Red Damselfly

I was amazed at how clean the water was in the pool. I could see how deep it actually is and the fish were as clear as day. Perhaps this lockdown has had an effect with less air pollution? Any way, it was nice to visit a familiar site.

Nice clean water

Nice clean water