Water Pipits

Lower Otter, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 

I had the day off and had big plans to go bird watching but the rain spoiled my plans. So I spent the day with my wife and her mother in Exmouth. However, I did manage a brief visit to the lower Otter restoration project. I've not been here for a while and it's changed a bit. My target species was the Water Pipits that have been onsite a little while. I looked in the first field from the path heading north of the White Bridge  At first all I could pick out were numerous Pied Wagtail but after a short wait, I managed to find the Water Pipits on the opposite side of the field. I located 6 birds before it started raining again and I called it a day. 

Ring-necked Duck

Blackhill Quarry, Exmouth, Devon 

I was at my mum in laws when I heard news of 2 male Ring-necked Duck at the Quarry. I set off with no bins and hoped someone would be there. As luck would have it a chap was there and had one in his scope and he kindly let me take a peak. As we got chatting I discovered he was half Welsh and was a fellow Swansea City supporter and we had a brief footie chinwag. Hope to see him around again. 

Cirl Bunting

Stantywell Farm, Otterton, Devon 

A late blog from Friday 11th. Ive been struggling with a bad back so I had a gentle couple of hours walk around the farm up to the Sewage works. The first bird I saw was a Common kestrel. I bumped into Dave Boult pretty much straight away amd he got me on to 2 Red-legged Partridge. Soon after I picked up a nice mixed Finch and Bunting flock that held a few Reed Bunting and Cirl Bunting. Further up the lane were Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush. There were also good numbers of Common Linnet and Common Starling. 

Common Kestrel 

Reed Bunting (Male)

Cirl Bunting (Male)

Song Thrush 

Baikal Teal

Greylake, Somerset 

Having only fluked some flight views of the Baikal Teal. I decided to give the bird one more go. I arrived at the left hide and was told it had not long been flushed but looked to drop to the left. After a little bit of scanning I stumbled upon the bird with it in full view. I excitedly shouted "Got it" and panic ensued with many in the hide. It was difficult to give directions with the hundreds of birds on view but with a bit of help from Dave Boult. We managed to get people on to the bird. It slept pretty much all the time we were on it bar another quick lift of the head so pretty rubbish record shots. However, if you look carefully (especially the second photo), you can see the vertical white strip on its breast and the darker head colour can be seen in both pictures.. Also on site were Western Marsh Harrier, Great Egret, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Common Snipe. 

Baikal Teal 

Baikal Teal 

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