Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon
An early evening walk from Cadhay Bridge to Taleford. At Cadhay Bridge were 3 Common Merganser (1 Male and 2 Females), 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Eurasian Nuthatch. Barn Swallow and Common House Martin numbers are on the rise too.
 |
| Common Merganser (Female) |
 |
| Common Merganser (Male) |
 |
| Stock Dove |
Exminster Marsh, Devon
An early evening walk around a place I dont visit as much as I used (and not been able to due to lockdown). The Ruddy Shelduck was viewable from the canal path south of Fisherman's car park. The sunlight was awful. Also in the same location were 3 Western Cattle Egret. I did obtain better lighting views from the road between the Fisherman's and middle car park but views were distant and obscure.
Exmouth, Devon
Popped to the in-laws to spend some time with them in the garden. As they live less than half a mile from the Northern Mockingbird, I took a walk to enjoy this bird one more time. The best place to view is from the opposite side of Exeter Road, looking across into the gardens between Iona Avenue and Cauleston Close. You can fully see the birds preferred Holly tree and avoid going down the footpath and drag a step ladder to (quite rightly) avoid standing on neighbours walls. The bird showed beautifully and I was able to get a better picture with my phone to scope.
 |
| Northern Mockingbird |
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 |
Knapp Copse, Putts Corner, Devon
I took a walk around this local reserve after work. I was welcomed by the song of a Common Chiffchaff. It felt great to hear that sound again in lovely sunshine. I have so missed that song. There were a total of 4 singing individuals on site. I was also treated to a pair of Eurasian Bullfinch and a Eurasian Jay. Oddly, the first sightings this year for me. On the feeders at the carpark was a lovely Eurasian Nuthatch but there was no sign of the Marsh Tit I saw there in the winter.
I have also signed up for the RSPB Turtle Dove survey and been given a pretty local area to survey between May and June. Its an area that has some suitable habit. With the current state of the species, I'm hot holding out too much hope but you never know. Maybe the whole lockdown situation throughout Europe helped the species last year? Any way, I will give it a try.
Stantywell Farm, Otterton, Devon
I had the day off today so I decided to venture outside of Ottery. I haven't visited Statywell Farm for some time and was so pleased to be back here. The main target was of course Cirl Bunting and I managed 6 individuals. Numbers are down from previous visits but the species is spreading further east, so its a good thing in my book. Other Bunting species also on site were a single Female Yellowhammer and Male Common Reed Bunting. A nice group of circa 30 Common Linnet, several Eurasian Skylark and 2 Stock Dove made the supporting cast. I was disappointed not to see Red-legged Partridge but a nice Brown Hare made me smile before I left.
 |
| Common Reed Bunting (Male) |
 |
| Brown Hare |
 |
| Cirl Bunting (Male) |
White Bridge, Budleigh Salterton, Devon
I couldn't resist the lure of a long staying Western Cattle Egret, so I popped here to take a look. The bird showed very nicely in the first field with the cattle along with several Little Egret. Best views were from the path heading north of the White Bridge. Not much else of note but a Little Grebe from the Bridge was a welcome sight.
 |
| Western Cattle Egret |
Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon
I took a walk along the wooded area and bridge area after work. In the wooded area were a pair of Eurasian Nuthatch, lots of Goldcrest and Coal Tit. In the adjacent field was a pair of Stock Dove but best of all were 2 pairs of Common Merganser.
 |
| Common Merganser (2 pairs) |
 |
| Common Merganser (Female) |
East Hill Strips, Devon
I took a walk around this area this afternoon. Not a lot of species seen to be honest. I did get nice views of Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper and Redwing. Best of all was a Brambling. My first of the year.
Feniton, Devon
I was asked not to blog about this at the time in case it created unwanted attention. I was made aware of a White Stork in Feniton on the 7th February, so I cycled the few miles to take a look. The bird showed fantastically and I enjoyed for a few minutes before carrying on with my bike ride. I assume its from the Knepp release project. Last I heard it has moved on from Feniton but is still in East Devon. Again, I'm best off keeping it quiet in case the locals don't want it advertised.
 |
| White Stork |
Ottery St Mary, Devon
The family did the same walk around our part of Ottery St Mary as I did yesterday lunchtime. The female Indian Peafowl was in the same location but has a male friend. I feel amazed to see them in this setting. I'm used to seeing them in places like Trago Mills and Escot etc, not on someone's front garden.
 |
| Indian Peafowl (Male) |
 |
| Indian Peafowl (Female) |
Ottery St Mary, Devon
I haven't blogged for a while. In fact, I haven't birded for a while either. Work commitments and illness have gotten in my way.
I have only been on few walks around my estate. I have of course been watching the garden and the main order of the last few weeks have been. Redwing, Eurasian Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a flyover Little Egret.
On today's lunchtime walk though I came across something that I have heard calling of late. A few streets away I came across an usual site. An Indian Peafowl. This female was rather at home wandering the street and pottering about in gardens. Not quite what you would expect from urban birding.
 |
| Indian Peafowl (Female) |
Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon
After work today, I took a walk out to Cadhay Bridge. I've been here a few times over lockdown this winter in search of Common Merganser with no luck. There were several birds here last winter so I was starting to get a bit worried this year. However, todays visit proved productive with 3 birds. A Male and 2 Females. A poor picture in poor light. Also a few Redwing in the area.
 |
| Common Merganser (Male and 2 Females) |
Knapp Copse, Putts Corner, Devon
I thought I would get some exercise today so I cycled to this close nature reserve. It a few miles east of Ottery St Mary. Just passed the Hare and Hounds cross roads on the road to Seaton. Lots of the usual suspects with highlight being Goldcrest, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker. However, the best was at the carpark feeders with a lovely Marsh Tit.
