Little Stint

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

I have been on holiday in North Devon all week. In Watermouth. Disappointingly, not a lot to talk about to be honest. Best on offer were Grey Wagtail, Marsh Tit, Northern Raven and Eurasian Rock Pipit. So it was nice to get to a familiar site and see a Little Stint this evening. It spent most of its time sleeping with a few Dunlin until a couple of Common Moorhen trampled through and disturbed the lot. It then gad to show (although distantly). 

Little Stint (Middle bird)

Common Kingfisher

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

I thought I would take an evening look from the tower hide in the hope the Osprey was still around. It was a no show and I believe it flew out to sea a bit earlier on. Oh well, there's always time for another. There was this stunning Common Kingfisher on show, which I always enjoy.

Common Kingfisher

Mandarin Duck

Cadhay Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I had a wander around the bridge area mid afternoon and the first bird I heard was a Common Kingfisher and within seconds I had nice views before it Spotted me and flew off down river. Oddly, my first sightings this year. Also around the Bridge were a few Sand Martin and a Little Egret. Near the entrance to the wooded area was a busy Southern Migrant Hawker and in the wooded area were Eurasian Treecreeper and Eurasian Nuthatch.

Gosford Bridge, Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I moved on to this area and made my way north. Last year I saw Mandarin Duck at this location and after a patient wait they are still there. Also more Sand Martin and a single Lesser Black-backed Gull. Not a Common sight here. 

Wood Sandpiper

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

I have been itching to get to site all week knowing that it's been a great place for Wood Sandpiper. So I was pleased to have an early evening walk out to the island hide today. I do love Wood Sandpiper, it's on of my favourite waders. The site didn't disappoint either with 4 individuals. I seem to have missed the Western Marsh Harrier by a few minutes though. Also on site 2 late Common Swift flyovers. 

Wood Sandpiper

Cirl Bunting

Stantywell Farm, Otterton, Devon 

I've not been able to birdwatch for nearly 2 weeks due to contracting Covid. Despite being double vaccinated, it was still not a pleasant experience. Today was the day of my freedom after isolation and after obtaining a negative test I was keen to get out. 

I decided to keep it simple and go somewhere very quite so I popped to Stantywell Farm. I gave the sea an optimistic look which drew a complete blank but I was entertained by a cracking Male Cirl Bunting along the footpath from the sewage works to the coastal path. Also in the fields was a nice Brown Hare. 

Not a trip for quantity but it didn't matter as it was so nice to get back out into the field and in the fresh air. 

I also had this cracking Silver Y moth in my garden the other day. 

Silver Y

Lesser Emperor

Lower Bruckland Ponds, Devon 

I had the day off today as needed an eye test mid morning (ouch, expensive). Afterwards, I decided to visit this long overdue site. All my time in Devon, I've never been here. Wow! what a site I've been missing. The place was alive with Dragonfly and Damselfly.  This was the reason I popped here as there has been a Lesser Emperor hanging about. It took me a while to track it down as there are large numbers Dragonfly to look through but I eventually had decent flight views around the 3rd pond. A lifer Dragonfly for me so I was extremely pleased. I didn't manage a photo though as it wouldn't stay still and kept moving on to the 4th pond and back. 

Other species on site were, Emperor Dragonfly, Four-spotted Chaser, Scarce Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Beautiful Demoiselle. 

I was so engrossed by the Dragonflies that I kept forgetting to look out for anything else. Bird wise seemed rather quite but Butterfly species I did manage to log were, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Large White and Small White.

Small Skipper 

Common Blue Damselfly 

Golden-ringed Dragonfly 

Emperor Dragonfly (Female)

Purple Hairstreak

Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon 

A great evening spent on site today. 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Male Ruff, Water Rail, several Mediterranean Gull from the island hide. Best of all though we're 2 Purple Hairstreaks in oak trees near the tower hide. Thank to Steve Waite for the heads up.

Little Ringed Plovers

Mediterranean Gull

Ruff (Male)

Cinnabar Moth

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

No birdwatching today due to family commitments but had this lovely Cinnabar Moth in the garden today.

Cinnabar Moth

Sedge Warbler

Seaton Marshes, Devon 

Now that my work loads have calmed down and the Euros are over, I decide I needed to get out. I popped here early evening and was treated to a few year ticks. A few Common Sandpiper and a single Green Sandpiper were seen from the island hide. Both being year ticks (what have I been doing this year?) Below the hide was a Small Tortoiseshell too. Along the path to the tower hide was a Sedge Warbler (also a year tick). Wow, have I been lazy this year. Also a nice Keeled Skimmer. 

Sedge Warbler 

Green Hairstreak

Bystock Pools, Devon 

I decided to give the birds a rest today and focus on other winged critters. I do love Butterflies and Dragonfies so I popped to my best local place in search of some good species. This Small reserve never fails to deliver on both families I was targeting. My Butterfly species seen were, Green Hairstreak, Marbled White, Silver-washed Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Peacock and Common Blue. 

Far more Dragonfly species were on offer with Black-tailed Skimmer, Keeled Skimmer, Emperor Dragonfly, Large Red Damselfly, Four-spotted Chaser, Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Beautiful Demoiselle, Common Blue Damselfly and Common Darter.

It was also nice to see numerous Common Spotted Orchids in the meadow area. I didn't have one good bird moment with a day churring European Nightjar. I couldn't locate it though. 

White Bridge, Budleigh Salterton

I moved on to the River Otter as I haven't visited here for a while. I managed to add Red Admiral, Large White and Banded Demoiselle to the day list.

Beautiful Demoiselle (Female)

Keeled Skimmer (Male)

Large Red Damselfly (Male)

Black-tailed Skimmer (Female)

Six Spot Burnet

Small Heath

Marbled White 

Large Skipper 

Green Hairstreak 

Beautiful Demoiselle (Male)

Emperor Dragonfly 

Large Red Damselfly (Pair)

Black-tailed Skimmer (Male)

Banded Demoiselle (Male)

Common Spotted Orchid

Large Yellow Underwing in the
garden the other day

Common Firecrest

Axe Undercluffs, Seaton, Devon 

I popped here today for a quick loon for Butterflies. A few Wood White on offer but none wanted their picture taken. But a Common Blue was obliging.

Common Blue (Male)

Undisclosed Site, Near Exmouth, Devon 

I wanted to visit a few of my old haunts in the Exmouth area. I won't say where I saw these as they maybe in a breeding location but at least 2 Common Firecrest were rather showy. So close in fact, I couldn't phone scope a picture so I could only take heavily zoomed phone picture. Not the greatest but you get the jist.

Common Firecrest 

Common Firecrest

Common Firecrest

Common Firecrest 

River Warbler

Ham Wall, Somerset 

The lure of this amazing lifer was too great today so I popped up this evening. I also gained a companion for the trip. Kevin Hale joined me for this great bird. Once on site and on route a fellow birder advised us its really showy, so we were confident we would see it. We could hear the bird reeling on our approach and we're on to the bird before even setting up scopes. The reports say "showing well" and they aren't lying. The whole time we were there it only went into cover for around 15 minutes. I wish every lifer was as easy as this. Also on site was a stunning Male Western Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Egret and plenty of Common Swift. On the way back to the car Kevin got a Eurasian Bittern that I missed. A great bird and great to meet and chat with Kevin. A very enjoyable evening.

River Warbler 

River Warbler 

River Warbler 

Red Kite

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

I was beginning to think I would go another year without seeng Red Kite as I missed every single one on last year's migration. I had been out most of the day and got home and opened the patio doors to let some air in and BOOM! A cracking individual was circling low over the house. It started to gain some height before heading off north. 

Earlier on in the day I saw my first Common Blue Butterfly and an obliging Speckled Wood.

Speckled Wood 

American Golden Plover And A Possible European Honey Buzzard

Ottery St Mary, Devon 

Due to family commitments, I spent most of my day at home. I was treated to my first ever true garden Northern Jay first thing but it was ever so brief. I was constantly watching the skies for a Red Kite. No such luck but did get a few Common Swift and Common Buzzard. however, late afternoon a distant raptor was making its way east. For me, a possible European Honey Buzzard. All the characteristics where there. Large tail, large wings, very pale underside with wide bands and dark carpals. Slow wing beat and a nice curve to the wings, unlike a Common Buzzars. It was however, too distant for me to be 100% certain. 

Exminster Marsh, Devon 

Early evening I popped along to see the American Golden Plover. The bird showed fantastically and I was able to get a few record shots. I do love this species and have been dying to see it since it was recorded yesterday.

American Golden Plover

American Golden Plover

American Golden Plover