Manx Shearwater

Otterton Sewage works, Devon 

As the weather seemed like a possible good seawatch was on the cards I headed to my go to site at the coastal path near the Sewage works. It wasn't a bad shout as after 10 minutes had seen a steady flow of 50 Manx Shearwater. The Weather dipped in and out of good and bad visibility but I stuck with it for 1 and a half hours. I was glad I did as my final count was c 150 Manx Shearwater, 3 Razorbill, 4 Common Murre, 8 unidentified Auk and 7 Black-legged Kittiwake. As I was leaving there were singles of Yellowhammer and Cirl Bunting at the Sewage works.

Family Holiday

Mamaris, Turkey 23rd May to 6th June 

It seems like an eternity since our last family holiday. Covid put a stop to them since our last on in 2019. So we were all excited to get back to our favourite family holiday County of Turkey for our 6th time. We arrived at dusk and the first birds I saw was 2 Sand Martins followed by a flyby Purple Heron.

Sat at the balcony was often very productive. And throughout the stay I saw Hooded Crow, Red-rumped Swallow, Alpine Swift, Pallid Swift, Eurasian Jay (sub species), Common Swift, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, House Sparrow, Great Tit, Eurasian Collared Dove, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, Eurasian Blue Tit, European Robin, Song Thrush and Eurasian Goldfinch simply having a morning coffee. And one evening I was treated to a Tawny Owl.

The pool area produced much the same except one day whilst taking a break from swimming and sat around the pool an Eleanor's Falcon flew low over the resort.

We spent a few days around the beach and the only species of note were Yellow-legged Gull.

A boat trip during the first week produced OK numbers of Yellow-legged Gull plus singles of Great Cormorant and Pygmy Cormorant as we were leaving Marmaris. We stopped at Turunc there was a pair each of Eurasian Crag Martin and Red-rumped Swallow and there were good numbers of Sand Martin and Barn Swallow. Also noted were a few possible Spanish Sparrow but I am aware that there are many hybrids with House Sparrow so they could have been a mishmash. 2 Rock Dove, more Eurasian Collared Dove a single Laughing Dove and a Mallard.

I had a few walks around some farmland lanes near the hotel a various times during the trip. This produced a Helmeted Guineafowl, Sardinian Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eastern Orphean Warbler plus a Sombre Tit.

We spent one day at a Water park and the only new species added to the trip was White Wagtail

On our second week we took a Jeep safari.  And at our meet up point with other jeeps were lots of Alpine Swift and 1 Little Ringed Plover. We had lunch at Turgut Selalesi Waterfall and I saw 2 Common Nightingale, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Wren, Grey Wagtail and a Monarch Butterfly.

Towards the end of the holiday I wanted to check out the Mills Park at Günnücek as its a good wooden area and part of the National nature reserve. For some unknown reason it was closed but not deterred I took a walk along the road out of Marmaris and then back down to the marina and managed to get me my target bird a Krupers Nuthatch. Also Eurasian Jay, Common Blackbird, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

A 2 hour coach transfer from the hotel to the airport forced a bathroom stop off for several other travellers. We stopped at a remote service station that overlooked farmland and orchards. It was a productive 30 minutes stop as I saw Calendra Lark and European Bee-eater plus more Red-rumped Swallow.

Moth species 

Helmeted Guineafowl 

Barn Swallow (Young)

Blue-tailed Damselfly 

European Nightjar

Near Exmouth, Devon 

A visit this evening to a common just outside Exmouth produced 4 European Nightjar. Lots of wing clapping and churring. Also 1 Dartford Warbler. 

Eurasian Otter and Eurasian Beaver

River Otter, Devon 

After I told my 2 daughters about the Eurasian Beaver they were desperate to see then so we all popped there this evening. We were first treated to outstanding views of a Eurasian Otter feeding. We moved on and after a short wait, we were watching a Female Eurasian Beaver and 2 kits. The look on my daughters faces were priceless. They had a real nice time and we were treated to a Tawny Owl too.

Eurasian Beaver

River Otter, Devon 

Tonight I went on a mission to find Eurasian Beaver. And was lucky enough to find a female with a kit. Outstandingly close views as the female tore off bark and nice views of a kit on the opposite bank. Also a Grey Wagtail on site.

Eurasian Beaver (Female)

Eurasian Beaver (Female)

Eurasian Beaver (Kit)

Grey Wagtail

Yellow-legged Gull, Red Kite

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 

I had to drop my daughter to rehearsals so I thought I would take a walk around. Not much happening bar a few Common Whitethroat and Eurasian Skylark. 

Mudbank Lane, Exmouth, Devon 

I decided to take a look here as the tide was out and Matt Knott was already there. He pointed out a cracking 1st Summer Yellow-legged Gull quite close in. There were also a few Eurasian Whimbrel dotted about. Mostly in the heat haze. Matt moved on but it was great to catch up with him. He did say that there were some Northern Wheatear up on Orcombe Point this morning so I popped back.

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon

Having chatted with Matt I decided to give it a go again and after a little wait I spotted 2 Northern Wheatear in the now ploughed dung field. They were at the far end and very hard to pick out in the heat haze. 

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

Whilst I was in Exmouth, I received a message from Ben that a Red Kite was heading over and I would get it from my house. But as luck would have it, I got home from Exmouth (2 hours after the message) and looked up from my garden and there was a Red Kite. A rather tatty looking bird with missing primaries. Ben confirmed that his was tatty too and so was an individual I saw last week. So I presume it to be the same bird. 

Common Cuckoo

East Budleigh Common, Devon 

I had to pop to Exmouth this evening on parenting taxi duties and having read Matt Knotts blog of a Common Cuckoo in the area I decided to drop by. I started in Bystock Pools and as I headed towards the common I heard the bird it sounded rather near but as it happens the bird was rather mobile, possibly due to the number of dog walkers at that time of day (no I'm not against dog walkers.... well ones that are responsible anyway). It kept moving around and calling and I ended up at the top end of the common (actually near the road by Blackhill Quarry) when I finally got onto it. Very brief views before it moved back towards Bystock Pools. A great record and would be awesome if it sticks around.

White Stork and Garganey

Matford Marsh, Exeter, Devon 

I had to pop to Exeter this morning so I couldn't resist looking as the White Stork. It's a rather showy bird and despite it being a released bird from the Knepp project, its always nice to see. 

White Stork

Exminster Marsh, Exminster, Devon 

I had time for an hours walk around so I started from the middle car park and walked to the new scrap area. There were good numbers of Sedge Warbler and Eurasian Reed Warbler on the walk. Plus a few Commo  Reed Bunting and Cetti's Warbler. The star bird though was the Male Garganey that was showing on and off between the reeds at the new scrap. Also back at the middle car park 2 Common Swift flew over.

Garganey (Male)

Sedge Warbler

Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon 

Early evening I took my daughter to rehearsals in Exmouth and had an hour or so to spare, so I walked around Orcombe Point. It was so nice to see my first Common Whitethroat of the year with a few on territory. 

Common Whitethroat (Male)

Whinchat and European Pied Flycatcher

Peak Hill, Sidmouth, Devon 

I saw a report of a Ring Ouzel and 2 Western Yellow Wagtail on site but I couldn't get out early. I guessed that both species may not stay but I had a good optimistic walk around the site with no joy. I was though, treated to 2 Whinchat.

Whinchat

Whinchat

Yarner Woods, Bovey Tracey, Devon 

I had an itch to see European Pied Flycatcher so I set off her to take a look around. I also love this site and enjoy wandering around here. I always stop at the second car park at Trendlebere Down and enter the reserve. I got on to a Male as soon as I was by the entrance. I then looked for Common Redstart a bit into the reserve and after a bit of a wait a manged brief views of a Male. Whilst waiting I was treated to another Male European Pied Flycatcher  There are quite a few Eurasian Blackcap on site too.

Trendlebere Down, Bovey Tracey, Devon 

While I was here it seemed rude not to look for Tree Pipit. For a good while I couldn't find any sign but I was finally rewarded with views of 3 individuals. Also one Willow Warbler and more Eurasian Blackcap.

Black Kite and Red Kite

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I had to pop to Sainsbury's to pick up a few bits early evening but I couldn't resist a 30 or so minutes blip around the River Otter south of St Saviours Bridge. I was first treated to a Cetti's Warbler literally by the Bridge. I walked over the footbridge and through the first gate. All the while hoping for a Common Whitethroat as I did have one stop off here this time last last year.

No sooner had I walked through the gate, I picked up a raptor through the trees to my right. It was obscured but I got Red Kite vibes. Boy, was I wrong. The bird came reasonably low over the treeline and I had one of those heart stopping moments as I realised I was tracking a Black Kite. It veered on and off over the treeline heading rather quickly south. I got the news out straight away in the hope someone further south could get on to it. 

10 minutes or so later I picked up a Kite that was heading north. I hoped that it was the the Black Kite doing a u turn but this time I was on to a Red Kite. I got the news out again and did manage to get another local birder on to the bird as it drifted over his house. I'm still in awe at having a two Kite day in such a short period. 

Also on site, were numerous Sand Martin, Common House Martin, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Blackcap, Eurasian Treecreeper and Grey Wagtail. 

I went shopping with a real spring in my step and forgot all about the fact I didn't see a Common Whitethroat!

Sand Martins

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I took a walk along the river Otter this evening. I started at St Saviours Bridge and headed south for a mile or do and back. I was first treated to a few Sand Martins pottering about. These were accompanied by several Barn Swallow and Common House Martins making thier way north. There were a few Eurasian Blackcap and Common Chiffchaff singing. The one bird that entertained me the most though was a Great Spotted Woodpecker that was completing a nest hole. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 

Common Redstart

Peak Hill, Sidmouth, Devon 

I had a stroll around this area late afternoon / early evenibg, hoping for an earlier reported Western Yellow Wagtail with no joy. The were 2 Mistle Thrush and a Willow Warbler on offer though. 

Mutters Moor, Sidmouth, Devon 

I then spent the rest of my time at this lovely location. I was treated to a female Common Redstart not far from the carpark. It was the briefest of sightings and despite staking the place out for 20 minutes it never reappeared. Further into the Moor I managed to see my first Red Crossbill of the year. First picked out on alarm call and after a Little wait, it showed briefly  There were several Yellowhammer dotted around and calling. On my way back to the car, a lovely pair of Dartford Warbler kept me entertained for a while. Phone scoping is tricky at times and the only picture I managed of a Dartford Warbler was when my phone decided to auto focus but not on the bird!

European Stonechat (Male)

Yellowhammer (Male)

 Dartford Warbler (Male)

Barnacle Goose, Western Cattle Egret and Little Ringed Plover

Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, Devon 

I had to pop to Sowton for a morning meeting so I decided to pop into the hide for 30 minutes pre meeting. I was hoping for the Ruff and Spotted Sandpiper but no luck. I think I was a little off with the timing of high tide and couldn't stick around. It was nice to see a Pied Avocet though.

Bridge Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

I took an early evening trip here to look for the reported Barnacle Geese that have been frequenting the Marsh. A couple of scans drew a blank but after around 10 minutes 4 individuals flew from the south and landed to allow good views. 

Colyton, Devon 

There have been 3 Western Cattle Egrets hanging around the fields to the north of the village so I followed some directions given and soon found the birds. Unfortunately, they always remained behind a tree line but I could make them out but not get a photo.

Blackhole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

The last stop in fading light was to look for a Little Ringed Plover. I got straight onto the bird that was always distant. It was also nice to see a couple of showy Common Snipe.

Pied Avocet 

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose 

Firecrest and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Mudbank, Exmouth, Devon 

I had the day off today and was keen to get out in the sun. I wanted to visit a few old haunts so I popped here first. Not a great deal on offer but I was pleased to see my first Red-breasted Merganser of the year. I realised how much I miss some of my old local spots. Also a few Great Crested Grebe around too. 

Bystock Pools, Exmouth,Devon 

On to one of my favourite places. I quickly got on to a Yellowhammer and some Eurasian Siskin but the star bird was a very showy Common Firecrest. Unfortunately I only armed myself with bins for this and was annoyed with a lost fabulous photo opportunity. It was also pleasing to see a few Butterfly species with Brimstone, Peacock and Comma.

Yarner Woods, Bovey Tracey, Devon 

I decided I had the urge to see Lesser Spotted Woodpecker so I made the trip up to the best spot in Devon. As soon as I arrived at the top car park, I heard the unmistakable drumming and after just popping into the reserve, a got on to an individual. Only a brief view before it moved on. Down at the pond hide was a pair of Mandarin Duck. That again put in a brief show before hiding in the undergrowth.