Exwick, Exeter, Devon
I popped to the flood relief area to look for the Dusky Warbler. It was a no show unfortunately. I did pick up on the Siberian Chiffchaff though. First one I've seen in a while. Also a Grey Wagtail and White-throated Dipper were on site.
Steart Marsh, Somerset
I had the day off so I popped here for the morning. I first went to Stockland Marsh in search of the Eurasian Penduline Tits. When they say Wellies are essential, they mean it. The trudge there and back though was worth it for views of male and females birds. On route I also had a fly over Female Hen Harrier and on site a Male Western Marsh Harrier.
I then moved on to Steart Gate and after a bit of a search the Eastern Yellow Wagtail showed at very close range.
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| Eastern Yellow Wagtail |
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| Eastern Yellow Wagtail |
Crows an Wra, Cornwall (4th December)
I had the day off and the lure of a mega lifer was too great. I know some will say I shouldn't have gone but you if you read the guidance it clearly says you can travel from tier 2 to tier 1 as long as you still abide by tier 2 restrictions. The only ones that cannot travel are unfortunately tier 3 residents. I didn't stop anywhere on the journey there and back and I socially distanced from all on site. In fact, social distancing was adhered to by all of the small ensemble there.
Anyway, the bird showed superbly straight on arrival. I couldn't believe I was seeing such a class bird and I totally enjoyed the views. Also on site were numerous Northern Lapwing and European Golden Plover.
I stayed for 30 minutes and left for home.
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| Sociable Lapwing |
Apex leisure park, Burnham on sea, Somerset
A belated post from Wednesday (2nd December). I have been desperate to see the Tundra Bean Goose as it was a lifer bird for me. I have see Tiaga Bean Goose.
I have been waiting for the national lock down to be over to travel. And as guidance says you can travel within tier 2 areas, I thought I would go for it. Due to the location I wore a face mask at all times (even though it was outside) as there were a number of people on site so I played it safe.
The bird shows ridiculously close, almost tame and I was able to enjoy great views of the bird. The two juvenile Greater White-fronted Geese (of Russian origins) showed and behaved equally as well.
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| Tundra Bean Goose |
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| White-fronted Goose (Russian) |
Ottery St Mary, Devon
I walked around the farmland areas near my house this afternoon. Sticking to the PROW's. The order of the day was Thrushes. Plenty of Common Blackbird about, Several Song Thrush, and 4 Mistle Thrush. However, the main event was a mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare. The flock was circa 250 birds. Mainly Redwing but good numbers of Fieldfare.
One of my photos captured 3 species and it's a shame I couldn't get both nearby Song Thrush and Common Blackbird in the shot. Well, I could of but they would have been dots.
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| Mistle Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare |
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| Mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare |
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| Fieldfare |
Exmouth, Devon
Popped to Exmouth today in hope of seeing the eclipse plumage drake American Wigeon. I popped to Mudbank first. I scanned the large Eurasian Wigeon flock for around an hour until he gave himself up. First one I've seen for nearly 2 years and was great to see.
Ottery St Mary, Devon
This week around my estate I have taken a few very short walks and not ventured more than half a mile from my home. I've noticed a nice flock of circa 30 Redwing in the area which was nice to see. Also the following of note. Mistle Thrush, a big increase in European Greenfinch, European Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch, Tawny Owl and Goldcrest. A total of 34 species on my doorstep, which just goes to show what you can see if you keep and eye open.
Avon Dam, Shipley Bridge, Devon
I had the day off and was desperate to see Ring Ouzel. I turned up and started the walk from Shipley Bridge to the dam and the heavens opened. I arrived at the dam soaking wet with only seeing 4 Ring Ouzels but in distant flight.
On the way back down and not too far from the dam in noticed some activity in some trees on the opposite side of the river. At first I noted Fieldfare. With several birds feeding on the Rowan berries. Then, a female Ring Ouzel followed by a male and then more and more. I counted 10 individuals all within 2 trees next to one another.
I looked like a drowned rat by this point but I didnt care. I do love seeing this species and I enjoyed watching them for a good while. I managed a record photo (as dismal as the weather).
On the way back down I also bumped into a White-throated Dipper.
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| Ring Ouzel (Male) with Fieldfare above |
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| Ring Ouzel (Male) |
South Eford Marsh, Averton Giffard, Devon
Whilst in the area, it felt rude to not pop here and take a look for the lesser Yellowlegs. I didnt have too long here but I didnt need it. I was able to view the bird very nicely from the entrance gate. I love seeing this species. A very nice bird. Again, a rather awful photo.
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| Lesser Yellowlegs |
Bridge Marsh, Seaton, Devon
I've been suffering with my sciatica so I've not been out a lot of late. It felt better today so I saw my opportunity to go and look for the Pink-footed Goose. I only had about 30 minutes of daylight but I was in luck as it was on show as soon as I arrived. I do like this Goose species and I stuck around until dark and enjoyed watching it. Not much else on offer but that didnt matter.
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| Pink-footed Goose |
Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon
I hadn't planned on going out birding but a message from Tim Wright on Twitter about Spotted Redshank. Gave me the inspiration I needed get out for a quick walk. The bird showed well in scope views from the tower hide but wasn't quite close enough for a phonescoped picture. The fading light didnt help. Nice to see my first one of the year though. Thanks Tim for putting the news out.
Ottery River, Ottery St Mary, Devon
I had a walk this evening from St saviours bridge in Ottery to halfway to Tipton St John. I was treated to several Grey Wagtail, White-throated Dipper and Common Kingfisher. My first Cetti's Warbler in Ottery boundary and more Little Egret than I could count. I thought back to when I first started birdwatching (late teens) and the later 2 species I mentioned were a real rarity (Living in Wales, even more so) and now they are relatively easy species to enjoy. It also got me thinking of all the species that I would see in plentiful numbers that are now hard to see and enjoy. How time changes things? Best of all though was the briefest view of an Eurasian Beaver. I dont seem to have much luck when looking for these amazing creatures so I was extremely pleased to finally catch up with one again.
Beer Head, Devon
Last Wednesday I spent an afternoon getting to know this site in more detail. Not a great deal about but did enjoy 5 Northern Wheatear, a fly over Western Yellow Wagtail and Lots of Meadow Pipit. I was treated to Small Copper and Clouded Yellow on the Butterfly front.
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Northern Wheatear |
Bystock Pools, Exmouth, Devon
Saw Dave Boults twitter report of 12 plus Spotted Flycatcher on Bystock Pools reserve. So was itching to have a look as I've not seen one this year. As it happened, I had to run an errand in Exmouth so had 30 minutes there this evening. I didn't quite get the results Dave had but did get on to 6 individuals. As the saying goes "it's like waiting for a bus, then they all come at once." I also note plenty of Common Chiffchaff, at least 7 individuals. A good number of Tit species noted too. It was great to see the place buzzing with bird life and I wish I could have spent longer there.
Ottery Valley Ice Cream, Monkton, Devon
Despite the rain, the family popped here for an ice cream. It had stopped raining when we got there so I was able to check the fields. Plenty of Pied Wagtail where about but in amongst them was a single Northern Wheatear. Just goes to show, you can see great things in the most unlikely of places.
Beer Head, Devon
A late post from a visit yesterday evening. I was rather late getting to site but was hopefully of seeing some migrants. I caught up with a male Common Redstart that showed very briefly before dropping into the undergrowth and didnt show again. A few Western Yellow Wagtail were rather mobile and didnt settle down. On the headland south of the barn I picked up a call I've not heard before. The only way to describe it was a "Hew up" with the Hew being rather slow and the up quick. Its difficult to describe calls. I searched the area with no luck and only heard the call 3 times. I've checked Xeno canto, for things I think it could have been with not luck. All I can say is I've never heard that call before so just playing guess work at what to listen to. This will go down as a "oh I wish I knew what that was" bird.
Ottery St Mary, Devon
I woke up to this amazing garden tick. A Northern Wheatear on my neighbours roof
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| Northern Wheatear |
Shapwick, Somerset
Had the day off so had a few hours around the marshes. I was treated to a Great Egret almost straight way on the way to Noah's Lake. At the hide at Noah's lake I just caught sight of the Osprey as it circled over the lake and out of sight. The Black-necked Grebe showed well, if not distantly. 3 Western Marsh Harrier gave pretty good views too. Back at the main path, another 2 Great Egret.
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| Great Egret |
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| Black-necked Grebe |
Ham Wall, Somerset
A quick walk up to the first viewing platform. All rather quite on the birding front with the best bird being a Common Kingfisher at the bridge. On the Dragonfly front there were loads of Southern Hawker plus a nice Migrant Hawker. Disappointingly no Eurasian Bittern seen on either sites.
