This morning I went to a private site near Lympstone in Devon to look for Yellowhammer`s and after a bit of a search I managed to see 2 male and a female bird , also seen were 4 male and a female Cirl Bunting , 2 Reed Bunting , and 2 Common Buzzard .
The rain had now set in so I went down to look at the Exe Estuary at Exmouth where I saw the wintering Greater Scaup and a few Northern Pintail . To finish the day off I went back to Bowling Green Marsh in Topsham , and I saw 300+ Pied Avocet , 70+ Bar-Tailed Godwit , 15 Common Snipe and a Common Greenshank .
Monday, 30 January 2017
Sunday, 29 January 2017
Bowling Green Marsh
I went for a look at Bowling Green Marsh in Topsham this morning and managed to get a bit of birding done before the rain set in . And I saw a mixed flock of 38 Northern Pintail ( a good count for the marsh ) , a male Tufted Duck , numerous Eurasian Wigeon , 7 Northern Shoveler , 5 Common Teal & a Little Grebe ( my 1st on the marsh this year )
Waders on the marsh today were as follows , 300+ Pied Avocet , 60+ Bar-Tailed Godwit , 50+ Northern Lapwing , a Spotted Redshank and a Common Snipe . And as I was driving past Tremlett`s Marsh a female Eurasian Sparrowhawk flew across the road .
Waders on the marsh today were as follows , 300+ Pied Avocet , 60+ Bar-Tailed Godwit , 50+ Northern Lapwing , a Spotted Redshank and a Common Snipe . And as I was driving past Tremlett`s Marsh a female Eurasian Sparrowhawk flew across the road .
Saturday, 28 January 2017
Jack Snipe
This morning I had a look at two sites where I have seen Eurasian Woodcock in previous years but there was no sign of any today !! So I went to the Venn Ottery Common where I had a bit more luck as I saw a Jack Snipe , a Common Snipe and a Eurasian Jay . Back at home I had the usual birds around the feeders with Dunnock being the prominent bird .
Friday, 27 January 2017
Lesser Scaup
This morning Andy Bond and myself made the trip down to the Lower Tamar Lake to look for Willow Tit and we managed to see 2 of them by the hide and that pleased Andy as he had not seen them for a few years . Also seen coming to the feeders were European Blue Tit , Great Tit , Coal Tit Marsh Tit , and my first Eurasian Treecreeper of the year .
We then headed for Dozmary Pool on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall . But when we got there the mist was very bad and we could just about make out some Common Pochard , Common Goldeneye , Tufted Duck and Little Grebe but there was no sign of the male Lesser Scaup the bird that we had came for , so we decided to heads for home . But Andy had a feeling that it was still there somewhere so we went back for one last look and as luck would have it Andy found the bird on the far end of the pool and saved the day ........well done mate !
We then headed for Dozmary Pool on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall . But when we got there the mist was very bad and we could just about make out some Common Pochard , Common Goldeneye , Tufted Duck and Little Grebe but there was no sign of the male Lesser Scaup the bird that we had came for , so we decided to heads for home . But Andy had a feeling that it was still there somewhere so we went back for one last look and as luck would have it Andy found the bird on the far end of the pool and saved the day ........well done mate !
Wednesday, 25 January 2017
East Devon
This morning I took a look at the Otterton Sewage Works are where I saw a large flock of Common Chaffinch and Common Linnet , 2 male and 2 female Cirl Bunting , 2 Reed Bunting and 3 Common Skylark .
I then had a look at Chiselbury Bay off of Otterton and I saw 100+ Common Scoter , 5 Red-Throated Diver , 8 Common Guillemot , 2 Razorbill and 6 Northern Fulmar
I then had a look at Chiselbury Bay off of Otterton and I saw 100+ Common Scoter , 5 Red-Throated Diver , 8 Common Guillemot , 2 Razorbill and 6 Northern Fulmar
Tuesday, 24 January 2017
Fog Fog and more Fog
Not a lot of birding done today due to very heavy fog . So most of todays birds were seen around my garden feeders , with Black-Billed Magpie , Western Jackdaw , Common Blackbird , Great Tit , Blue Tit , Song Thrush , House Sparrow , Wood Pigeon , Dunnock and Long-Tailed Tit all seen . So not a bad count of birds .
Later in the day the fog lifted for a while so I went and had a look at Goosemoor in Topsham and I saw 8 Common Greenshank , a Spotted Redshank and 2 Eurasian Curlew .
Later in the day the fog lifted for a while so I went and had a look at Goosemoor in Topsham and I saw 8 Common Greenshank , a Spotted Redshank and 2 Eurasian Curlew .
Sunday, 22 January 2017
Yellow-Browed Warbler
This afternoon I went for a walk to the Recreation Ground in Topsham . Where I got great views of the wintering Yellow-Browed Warbler as it is still feeding in the trees by the zip wire , also seen were half a dozen Long-Tailed Tits . And a look at the River Exe got me a Common Seal .
I then went over to the Exminster Marshes as I had gotten a message telling me that 2 Eurasian Spoonbill had dropped into the marsh but by the time I had reached there they had already flown off again . But I did manage to see 14 Barnacle Geese , a male Peregrine Falcon and 3 Red Fox that were all curled up together soaking up the sun .
I then went over to the Exminster Marshes as I had gotten a message telling me that 2 Eurasian Spoonbill had dropped into the marsh but by the time I had reached there they had already flown off again . But I did manage to see 14 Barnacle Geese , a male Peregrine Falcon and 3 Red Fox that were all curled up together soaking up the sun .
Saturday, 21 January 2017
Haldon Forest . Devon
Today we did a family trip up to the Haldon Forest and went on one of the walks with my daughter and grandson . After we had done the walk I managed to get a bit of birding done , and I saw numerous Eurasian Siskin , 2 male and 4 female Common Crossbill but they were always to distant to get anything more than this record shot . There was also a large flock of Common Chaffinch , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Eurasian Nuthatch .
Friday, 20 January 2017
Birding Somerset
A trip up to Somerset today , with our first stop at the Ham Wall RSPB Reserve and our first bird seen was a Great White Egret . We then went to the Avalon Hide area and we heard 3 Bearded Tits calling but we couldn`t see them , also seen were numerous Goldcrest .
We then headed for the RSPB Reserve at Greylake , where we saw 20+ Common Snipe , a Western Marsh Harrier and another Bearded Tit .
We then headed for the RSPB Reserve at Greylake , where we saw 20+ Common Snipe , a Western Marsh Harrier and another Bearded Tit .
19 / 1 / 2017
London
Today we had a day out in London . First thing I had a look in Hyde Park where I saw 6 Egyptian Geese , 2 Ring-Necked Parakeet and a Grey Heron .We then did some more walking around and took in the sights and in Green Park I saw another 6 Ring-Necked Parakeets and I even had one in the garden of Buckingham Palace . Later on we caught the coach back home and I saw 2 Red Kite over the M4 in Berkshire .
Today we had a day out in London . First thing I had a look in Hyde Park where I saw 6 Egyptian Geese , 2 Ring-Necked Parakeet and a Grey Heron .We then did some more walking around and took in the sights and in Green Park I saw another 6 Ring-Necked Parakeets and I even had one in the garden of Buckingham Palace . Later on we caught the coach back home and I saw 2 Red Kite over the M4 in Berkshire .
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
The Exminster Marshes
The Exminster Marshes was my port of call today , where there was 60+ Dark Bellied Brent Goose , a very large count of Eurasian Wideon , 300+ Dunlin , 100+ European Golden Plover , 30+ Grey Plover , a male and female Peregrine Falcon that kept putting everything on the marsh to flight ! , 2 Water Pipit ( a good bird for the marsh these days ) , a single Common Skylark and a couple of Common Linnet .
At the end of the marsh at Turf Lock 8 Grey Plover were sat on the posts along with a Common Kingfisher and on the Exeter Canal this male Red-Breasted Merganser showed very well .
At the end of the marsh at Turf Lock 8 Grey Plover were sat on the posts along with a Common Kingfisher and on the Exeter Canal this male Red-Breasted Merganser showed very well .
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
Bonaparte`s Gull
Getting out early pay`s off sometimes and this morning was just one of those days ! as I had gone down to Bowling Green Marsh for a look and I found the adult winter Bonaparte`s Gull sat on the water with a few Black-Headed Gull`s at 9.05 but they were not there for long after I found them as they flew off towards Goosemoor , I went and had a look to see if it was in there but couldn't find it again .
Also seen on BGM today were 4 male and a female Northern Pintail , a male Tufted Duck , numerous Pied Avocet & Black-Tailed Godwit , 20+ Bar-Tailed Godwit and 3 Mistle Thrush .
I then got some news that there was some Bohemian Waxwing`s showing at Darts Farm so I went to look for them but they had flown off before I got there , so I went to the Recreation Ground in Topsham and I saw the long staying female Long-Tailed Duck , a female Common Goldeneye and the Yellow-Browed Warbler was still feeding in the park by the zip wire .
Also seen on BGM today were 4 male and a female Northern Pintail , a male Tufted Duck , numerous Pied Avocet & Black-Tailed Godwit , 20+ Bar-Tailed Godwit and 3 Mistle Thrush .
I then got some news that there was some Bohemian Waxwing`s showing at Darts Farm so I went to look for them but they had flown off before I got there , so I went to the Recreation Ground in Topsham and I saw the long staying female Long-Tailed Duck , a female Common Goldeneye and the Yellow-Browed Warbler was still feeding in the park by the zip wire .
Monday, 16 January 2017
Elusive Waxwing !!
A look around the Topsham Recreation Ground today got me a couple of Common Goldeneye , 5 male and 3 female Red-Breasted Merganser , 8 Common Teal , 2 Common Gull , a Lesser Black-Backed Gull , 6 Redwing , 20+ European Goldfinch and as I was walking along the road beside the Recreation Ground a Bohemian Waxwing called but I couldn't see it anywhere so perhaps it was just flying over .
Saturday 14th January
A trip out today to the Lower Tamar Lake in hope of seeing Willow Tit , we walked along the path to the hide and when we got there another birder was already in the hide as he was trying to photograph a Water Rail , he told me that Willow Tits had been coming to the feeder all the time that he had been there ! so I crouched down and looked out of the window and after a while a couple came in and grabbed some seed and were gone again in a flash , but I managed to get these shots of them but it was very hard crouching down and taking them out of the window hence a couple are not really sharp but they do show the main features of the bird... a pale wing panel , whole white cheeks and a larger bib and duller cap than the Marsh Tits that were also seen .
Sunday, 15 January 2017
Cornwall
I was down in Cornwall visiting my girlfriend for a few days and on the Thursday evening we got our first snow of the year but it did`nt settle for very long , the next day Friday the 13th we went down to the Hale Estuary to look for the male Green-Winged Teal as I had missed it a week or so back , but today it showed very well from the B3301 causeway in with some Common Teal and Eurasian Wigeon . Sue wanted to have a look at St Michael`s Mount so we headed for Marazion , we got out of the car and braved the high winds and freezing cold and after she had seen what she wanted we then had a quick look at Longrock Pool where after a little wait the 1st winter Ring-Billed Gull dropped in to have a wash , it was on show for around 20 minutes before it flew off towards Mounts Bay again , also seen were 4 Little Grebe .
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Waxwing`s Here at Last !!!
First thing this morning I had a look at Goosemoor in Topsham where the Spotted Redshank was showing well with a Common Greenshank , I then went and had a look at the Exe Estuary from the Goatswalk in Topsham where I saw 300+ Pied Avocet , 60+ Bar-Tailed Godwit , 24 Red Knot , 2 Ruddy Turnstone and on the other side of the estuary there was 50+ European Golden Plover .
I then decided to go for a look at the Exminster Marshes but just as I was turning into the marsh my phone went off telling me that there was some Bohemian Waxwing near Cockwood so off I went for them and when I got there I managed to see 12 of these superb looking birds , this is a bird that you never get tired of seeing and hearing their call .
I then decided to go for a look at the Exminster Marshes but just as I was turning into the marsh my phone went off telling me that there was some Bohemian Waxwing near Cockwood so off I went for them and when I got there I managed to see 12 of these superb looking birds , this is a bird that you never get tired of seeing and hearing their call .
Tuesday, 10 January 2017
Getting Colder
It was a lot colder today than the last few days and a bit overcast but I still managed to get some birding in at the Topsham Recreation Ground , some nice birds were seen but nothing new for year but I saw the following , a male and 2 female Common Goldeneye , 2 male and 3 female Red-Breasted Merganser , 2 Pied Avocet , 2 Grey Plover , 3 Common Gull , 6 Redwing , 3 Mistle Thrush and the wintering Yellow-Browed Warbler .
Sunday, 8 January 2017
Long-Tailed Duck
I spent this morning at the Recreation Ground in Topsham as there has been a male Goldeneye seen there on the River Exe for the last few days but I couldn't find it this morning but the female Long-Tailed Duck was still performing well , also seen was a male Red-Breasted Merganser , 4 Ruddy Turnstone , 2 Water Rail , 3 adult winter Mediterranean Gull , 2 Common Kingfisher & 7 Reed Bunting & away from the river the Yellow-Browed Warbler was still showing and calling quite well in the park .
Saturday, 7 January 2017
Bowling Green Marsh area
A look around my local area this morning got me numerous Eurasian Wigeon , Common Teal and Northern Shoveler , a Common Snipe , my first 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker of the year , 4 Goldcrest and a Common Raven all seen on Bowling Green Marsh , I then had a look at the Clyst Estuary from the viewing platform but I only saw a Pied Avocet , a Common Greenshank and a Grey Wagtail .
My last look today was at Goosemoor where there was a Spotted Redshank and a distant Water Rail .
My last look today was at Goosemoor where there was a Spotted Redshank and a distant Water Rail .
Friday, 6 January 2017
A quick pop out !
I did a quick bit of birding today at the Ludwell Valley CP in between doing my shopping and I managed to see 3 White-Throated Dipper , 2 Green Sandpiper , a Common Kingfisher , 4 Grey Wagtail , 20+ Redwing and a female Eurasian Bullfinch .
Thursday, 5 January 2017
Firecrest
A couple of hours spent birding this morning around the Exe Estuary at Exmouth got me a Greater Scaup in eclipse plumage and a few Northern Pintail off of Mudbank Lane in Exmouth , elsewhere on the estuary there was a few Brent Geese and a couple of Red-Breasted Merganser , and over in another area of Exmouth a Firecrest showed well on Madeira Way .
Wednesday, 4 January 2017
Birding Cornwall
A trip down to Cornwall with the boys today with our first stop at the Hale Estuary where Eurasian Spoonbill was added to the year list , our next stop was at Trenow Cove near Perraouthnoe to look for the Hudsonian Whimbrel but after much looking we couldn`t find it anywhere , so we went over to Penzance to do some sea watching and it turned out to be quite good as we saw 7 Great Northern Diver , a Black-Throated Diver , a Red-Throated Diver and the Pacific Diver that has returned to the area for a few years now ! also seen were 11 Common Scoter , 2 Velvet Scoter and 7 Purple Sandpiper were on the rocks .
We then went to Mousehole where we saw the superb looking Eastern Black Redstart......WOW what a bird ! we then had a call from another birder telling us that the Hudsonian Whimbrel was now showing well at Trenow Cove so we went back again to look for it and this time our luck was in and we came away happy this time , we ended the day where we started on the Hale Estuary where there was 1 male and 3 female Goosander to end off a great days birding .
We then went to Mousehole where we saw the superb looking Eastern Black Redstart......WOW what a bird ! we then had a call from another birder telling us that the Hudsonian Whimbrel was now showing well at Trenow Cove so we went back again to look for it and this time our luck was in and we came away happy this time , we ended the day where we started on the Hale Estuary where there was 1 male and 3 female Goosander to end off a great days birding .
Tuesday, 3 January 2017
Topsham Recreation Ground
This morning I decided to have another look at the Yellow-Browed Warbler at the Topsham Recreation Ground as when I saw it on Sunday the weather and light were terrible , well today the light was great and the bird was showing in all its glory ! and what a superb little bird it is .
And on the River Exe the 2 female Common Goldeneye and the female Long-Tailed Duck were still showing well , I then walked up towards the moterway bridge and on the walk I saw a Common Sandpiper , 3 Grey Plover , 2 Ruddy Turnstone , 2 Common Kingfisher , 2 Reed Bunting and a Water Rail .
And on the River Exe the 2 female Common Goldeneye and the female Long-Tailed Duck were still showing well , I then walked up towards the moterway bridge and on the walk I saw a Common Sandpiper , 3 Grey Plover , 2 Ruddy Turnstone , 2 Common Kingfisher , 2 Reed Bunting and a Water Rail .
Monday, 2 January 2017
Desert Wheatear
Another trip down to Leasfoot Beach at Thurlestone this morning with my mate Ken Montandon to look for the Desert Wheatear that is still on show from the last time that we saw it back in November and just like the last time we had to wait a little while for it to show but we got nice views of it in the end , we then walked over to South Huish but there was not a lot there but on the walk back we got this Black Redstart on South Milton Sands , the only other birds of note today were 3 Cattle Egret seen at Teigngrace .
