Big Garden Birdwatch

 Ottery St Mary, Devon

As I now live in an area with decent bird activity I decided I would take part in the RSPB big garden birdwatch. I opted for early morning on Saturday. I have seen all of these species at different times since moving in but I've been so busy with the house and work that I haven't really spent a good amount of time simply sat enjoying the wildlife. So it was really nice to fully appreciate what's on offer. This is my full list of birds just in the boundary of my garden in an hours watch. 

• Common Wood Pigeon (31)
• Eurasian Collared Dove (1)
• European Herring Gull (1 in the garden and 28 in adjacent field)
• Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1)
• Great Spotted Woodpecker (1)
• European Green Woodpecker (1)
• Eurasian Jay (1)
• Eurasian Magpie (1)
• Carrion Crow (2 plus 16 flyovers)
• Coal Tit (5)
• Eurasian Blue Tit (5)
• Great Tit (3)
• Long-tailed Tit (6)
• Eurasian Nuthatch (1)
• Eurasian Treecreeper (1)
• Common Goldcrest (1)
• Common Chiffchaff (1)
• Eurasian Wren (1)
• Common Starling (11)
• Common Blackbird (3 male and 2 female)
• Redwing (6)
• Fieldfare (2 plus 3 in adjacent field)
• Song Thrush (1)
• European Robin (2)
• House Sparrow (6 male and 7 female)
• Dunnock (3)
• Common Chaffinch (10 male and 6 female)
• Eurasian Bullfinch (2 male and a female)
• European Greenfinch (1)
• Eurasian Goldfinch (5)

Not on the British list 

• Indian Peahen (2 male and a female)

Not counted as they were flyovers 

• Canada Goose
• Northern Raven

Baikal Teal

Greylake, Somerset 

I finally saw the Baikal Teal on my 4th attempt yesterday. Only a brief and very lucky to pick out flight view but a view non the less. Also good views of Western Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Great Egret, European Golden Plover and Common Snipe.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Coastal path near Otterton, Devon 

I had a few hours to spare this morning so I visited a few old haunts. I started at the sea watching ledge near the Sewage works. As it was high tide, my thought was possibly a good chance of some Loons. Not great quantity but singles of Common Loon and Red-throated Loon were enjoyed. A few Common Murre and Northern Fulmar plus a hunting Peregrine Falcon were also enjoyed. Unfortunately I didn't see any Common Scoter or Cirl Bunting.

Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon 

Next I visited one of my old favourite areas when I lived in Exmouth. It was rather quite, with no sign of a Common Firecrest but a solo Lesser Redpoll was a nice consolation. 

Shelley Beach, Exmouth, Devon 

I had a lightening quick look for the Black Redstart with no success. 

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 

Finally, a look off here. As it was hight tide, it was nice to see a few Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone and a single Dunlin close up. Out in the estuary were a few Great Crested Grebe but I couldn't locate the 2 Black-necked Grebe. The star bird was initially sleeping on arrival but a short wait meant great views of the Eurasian Spoonbill.

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill 

Baikal Teal

Greylake, Somerset 

I had the day off do I thought I would give the Baikal Teal another go as I dipped 2 Sundays ago but only had 1 hour on that attempt. Sadly, I spent 4 cold hours waiting with no joy. However, good views of a pair of Bearded Reedling, a Water Rail a few Western Marsh Harrier and a Great Egret. I'm sure the Baikal Teal won't be going anywhere for a while so I will give it another go soon. 

Western Marsh Harrier 

North Curry, Somerset 

On the way home I quickly pulled into a lay by just when you get on to the minor road from the A361 and managed quick bin views of 2 Whooper Swan.

Whooper Swan 

Glossy Ibis

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

The Mrs has a bad back so I was desperate to get the kids out of the house. Hmmmm "let's go for a scooter ride kids". I decided the cycle path here was good for scooters so off we went with a small detour to bridge Marsh for the reported Glossy Ibis. I did a quick scan looking south of the A3052 with no success but a little further up the road the three Glossy Ibis were showing nicely. I was only on bins and the kids were keen to get going so no pictures. It was a case of the usual suspects on the Marsh and despite a bit of a search. There was no sign of yesterday's Lesser Scaup. 

Pink-footed Goose

Exminster Marsh, Devon 

I popped to the Marsh this afternoon with two targets in mind. The Glossy Ibis and the Pink-footed Goose. A few hundred metres along the railway path and after a good scan the later finally popped out of a ditch a showed for a while. The later though seemed a master at avoiding me, despite many others on site seeing it. Although, I heard many on site hadn't see the Pink-footed Goose (swings and roundabouts). The Glossy Ibis seemed rather mobile today but I will try again. It was nice to get a few sightings of Western Marsh Harrier though.

Pink-footed Goose 

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