Red-legged Partridge

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I haven't had any chance to make a dent in the 2022 year list, apart from the usual garden birds which has included Eurasian Jay, Redwing, Common Pheasant and a non tickable Indian Peafowl. I did pop to a few places late afternoon toady though. 

On the Road out of Ottery to Putts Corner (Hare and Hounds) in the first field on the left past the animal rescue centre were a group of 6 Red-legged Partridge. I was only on bins, so poor record shot below.

A few 100 metres south of St Saviours Bridge, wad a nice White-throated Dipper and 6 Common Merganser. 

Red-legged Partridge 

Egyptian Goose and Common Goldeneye

Powderham, Devon 

I had to run an errand in Exeter so I decided to add in a bit of birding. I popped here due to hearing there were seven Egyptian Goose seen in the stubble field next to the church. As reported, there were seven Egyptian Goose showing rather well. 

Cockwood, Devon 

While in the area I thought I would go to the steps and see if I could spot any Common Goldeneye. After a bit of a search a single female gave herself up. 

Egyptian Goose 

Tundra Bean Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose and Whooper Swan

Exminster Marsh, Devon 

I needed a break from moving house and sorting stuff, so I popped over late afternoon to catch up with the wildfowl currently on offer. I firstly walked up to the lock cottage and after song helpful directions I had decent views of the Greater White-fronted Goose but better still the Tundra Bean Goose. The views were a bit obscure but is was nice to see my one in Devon. 

Back at the Fisherman's carpark, the 3 Whooper Swans were showing, albeit a bit distant. Light was fading by this point so I failed to locate the Pink-footed Goose. 

Greater White-fronted Goose

Lower Otter, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 

We moved house on Friday, still in Ottery but getting everything set has meant no birding for a few weeks. I had to pop round Exmouth this morning to drop my daughter off for her dress rehearsal for today's performances at the Pavilion. So, while out I decided to pop over to see the Greater White-fronted Geese. They were showing very well from South farm road and I enjoyed prolonged views of 34 birds. 

Greater White-fronted Goose 

Greater White-fronted Goose 

Greater White-fronted Goose 

Black Redstart

Shelly Beach, Exmouth, Devon 

I had to pop to Exmouth to drop my daughter to rehearsals this afternoon so I had a few hours to look around. I popped here and was straight on to a cracking Male Black Redstart on the apartment rooftops.

Black Redstart (Male)

Recycling centre, near Rugby club, Exmouth, Devon

I walked the short distance to look for the Yellow-legged Gull. This wasn't as easy.  I was onsite until I had to leave to pick up my daughter when I finally got on to it. I couldn't manage a picture though. 

Little Auk and Black-necked Grebe

Harbour, Weymouth, Dorset 

Another day off and another lure. Little Auk is not a species you really get to enjoy down south. They are usually flybys or a distant speck on the sea. So I had to give this bird a go. I opted to set up opposite the lifeboat station. There were a number of birders on both sides eagerly waiting. After around 20 minutes a Whistle came from the opposite side and signals pointing a little further up the harbour. I walked the couple of hundred metres and could see the tiny thing in-between 2 yellow boats. Quick bin views confirmed and I was soon getting great scope views. The best views I have ever had and what a buzz.

Little Auk 

Little Auk 

Little Auk 

Little Auk 

Sandsfoot, Weymouth, Dorset 

With the Little Auk safely in the bag. I decided to see if I could spot the Black-necked Grebes from the sailing club. I did one scan with no luck and another birder turned up and on his first scan picked them up. I assume they had popped up from a feeding session. Non the less, we enjoyed pretty decent views of 4 birds. Also on site were numerous Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe. All done by lunchtime, I decided to head home. One happy chap.

Black-necked Grebe 

Snow Bunting and Ring-necked Duck

Haldon Forest, Devon 

I popped here as soon as I had dropped the kids off at school to see Hawfinch. Despite a few hours on site I failed to see a single one. 

Slapton Sands, Devon 

It's been a few years since I have seen a Snow Bunting, so I headed to Slapton. This isn't a site I've ever stopped at (driven through for work) but I must say it's a cracking area. I was treated to a Eurasian Jay on arrival and a Cetti's Warbler as I passed the east part of the Ley. However, the star bird was a little way past the beach car park and boy was it a star. This male comes amazingly close if you stay still. I've seen this species close up before but not as close as this. What a corker.

Snow Bunting (Male)

Snow Bunting (Male)

Snow Bunting (Male)

Beesands, Devon 

While I was in the area, it seemed rude not to pop over to see the male Ring-necked Duck. I didn't go to the hide but walked along the beach side of the pool and managed to sneak a look through the reeds and the bird was distantly viewable. Views would have been more difficult from the hide though. Also on site was a Black Swan.

Ring-necked Duck (Male)

Ring-necked Duck (Male)

Ring-necked Duck (Male)

Ruff

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 

I visited the hide over the morning high tide. As I turned up I was advised there had just been a Little Gull reported off the goat walk. So I popped along but there was no sign. At the hide, the highlights were 3 Ruff, 1 Common Snipe and circa 20 Common Greenshank. A good number of Dunlin were on offer to scrutinise a single Stock Dove popped in and a few Northern Pintail andBar-tailed Godwit were dotted about.

Common Snipe 

Pectoral Sandpiper

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 

News broke of a Pectoral Sandpiper on site so I decided to take a look. I have seen this species once before at Exminster Marsh years ago but the views were dreadful. That was not the case today. The bird was on view to the right side of the hide and what views they were. A cracking juvenile and a cracking record for the site. 

Pectoral Sandpiper 

Pectoral Sandpiper 

Pectoral Sandpiper 

Pectoral Sandpiper 

Western Yellow Wagtail

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 

I had the day off so popped to the point. I remember how hard work it used to be at times birding that place but wow do I miss it now I've moved from Exmouth. 

I started off watching the dung field and a wader flew over me and landed in the long weeds opposite the gate. First thought was Curlew but bill was shorter so then Whimbrel came to mind. However, its underwing gave off a distinct black armpit. The only wader that springs to mind then is Grey Plover. However, the jizz seemed wrong. The bird was never seen again despite a long watch so it will go in the "What was that pile?" 

A walk from Gore Lane to the coastal path flushed a Northern Wheatear that flew towards the geoneedle and many Meadow Pipit. I then walked along the coastal path towards Sandy Park and in amongst the cows were 2 Western Yellow Wagtail. 

On the Butterfly front were numerous Small Copper. 

Eurasian Dotterel

Dawlish Warren, Devon 

I've been on a family visit to Wales this weekend so when news broke yesterday of a Eurasian Dotterel I was gutted. Gutted, because despite the many species I've seen. I've never seen this species. It's a species I remember seeing in my first bird book as a young lad and saying to myself "I really want to see one of those!' Despite several attempts at this species I've never got the opportunity. So, I was gutted as this is a species that never tend to stick around and I resigned myself to that fact I'd missed a cracking opportunity. Imagine my face when I heard it was still there today. Hmmm, there's still a chance. 

I left Wales as planned after lunch and it took 3 hours to get back to Ottery. I was tired to say the least but knew I couldn't miss this chance. Due to other family things we had to do on returning home I didn't set off until 5:45pm. However, that did coincide with the tide being right. I walked (rather fast) to the bight and was put straight on to the bird by a helpful chap. To say I was giddy would be an understatement as the views were incredible. I enjoyed the views for a while (pinching myself). Now I've seen much rarer birds but this as I've mentioned this was special as its been years of waiting to see. I walked back along the beach and was treated to a lovely group of Sanderling. I do love watching these birds dart in and out around the surf. They are comical at times.

One knackered but extremely happy chap. 

Eurasian Dotterel 

Eurasian Dotterel 

Sanderling 

Sanderling 

Eurasian Spoonbill

Exminster Marsh, Devon 

I had the day off so I popped here for a quick look around this afternoon in the hope of seeing the Eurasian Spoonbills that have been hanging around the Exe. As luck would have it they were viewable from Station Road. They were a tad distant and the heat haze was dreadful but it was nice to finally catch up with these birds. 

Eurasian Spoonbill 

No Ortorlan Bunting

Axe Cliff, Axmouth, Devon 

I had a few hours look around Axe cliff this afternoon for the Ortorlan Bunting. Despite there being good numbers of Yellowhammer, me and a few others couldn't locate the bird. I did see a Whinchat, several Northern Wheatear and a Common Whitethroat though. 

I've never explored this site but I have to admit, it's a cracking place that has so much potential.

Western Yellow Wagtail

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 

I had to pop to Exmouth early evening and had an hour to spare. So, it seemed very rude not to visit one of my favourite old patch sites. I parked at foxholes as Maer Lane was closed (wasn't sure if there was access to Gore Lane). As it happens, it worked out to be the best option as I wanted to see Western Yellow Wagtail. As luck would have it a group were in the first field you get to. As I entered the field, I first noticed 3 Northern Wheatear. But also caught the call of the Western Yellow Wagtail. Within seconds I was on to several birds. They were hard to keep track of in-between the cows and they were flighty as there were a few people around but I reckon 16 or 17 birds. I also managed to pin down 6 Northern Wheatear. 

Northern Wheatear

Western Yellow Wagtail