This morning I went to an area near the village of Ide in Devon and I saw 4 Red-Legged Partridge , 6 Common Skylark , 1 Woodlark + another one heard on call , a Common Buzzard and 2 Common Raven but by now the rain had started to fall so I headed for home ,
Later in the day I was sat at home when this female Eurasian Sparrowhawk visited my feeders and stayed for about 5 minutes but then flew off without catching anything !
Sunday, 26 February 2017
Saturday, 25 February 2017
Humpback Whale in Devon !!!
Andy Bond and myself went down to Slapton Ley in South Devon this morning , and we saw the astounding sight of a Humpback Whale feeding in Start Bay , we were told that it was a bit further out than yesterday but we still got nice views of it breaching and at least three blows , we also saw around half a dozen Common Dolphin , we then had a look at Slapton Ley and saw a 1st winter Little Gull a nice bird for the year .
Friday 24th February
Three of us made a trip up to Gloucestershire today with our first stop at Parkend to look for Hawfinch and there was 12 seen at least , we then went to Ashleworth Ham to look for a reported male Green-Winged Teal and we managed to see it but it was always asleep !
We then carried on to Stow On The Wold to look for the Blue Rock Thrush and after a bit of searching we got good views of the bird plus a nice bonus of a Red Kite that was seen just outside of the town , our last stop of the day was at Frampton Sailing Lake where we got distant views of 4 male and a female Red-Crested Pochards the first that I have seen for quite a few years .
We then carried on to Stow On The Wold to look for the Blue Rock Thrush and after a bit of searching we got good views of the bird plus a nice bonus of a Red Kite that was seen just outside of the town , our last stop of the day was at Frampton Sailing Lake where we got distant views of 4 male and a female Red-Crested Pochards the first that I have seen for quite a few years .
Thursday, 23 February 2017
Pom
I went down to Exmouth this morning for a look at Maer Rocks and I saw 3 Purple Sandpiper , 2 Ruddy Turnstone and a few Eurasian Oystercatcher . It was absolutely blowing a gale with an offshore wind but I still decided to do a sea watch in Lyme Bay , I had been doing it for well over an hour with just the usual seabirds with Common Scoter , Northern Gannet , Black-Legged Kittiwake , lots of auks but they were to far out to tell what they were , a Red-Throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver then flew through and then I got my reward as I picked up a skua slowly making its way across the bay and as it came closer it turned out to be a pale Pomarine Skua , the tail looked square with no tail projection but the bird was a bit of a way out from shore .
Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Tuesday 21st February
Today I went birding in Dorset with my mates Ken Montandon and Andy Bond and our first stop was at the Lytchett Bay area to look for the Lesser Yellowlegs that has been seen there but there was no sign of it today but I did see 2 Jack Snipe and a Mediterranean Gull . We then moved on to Hole`s Bay in Poole Harbour where we saw a female Smew , numerous Northern Pintail , numerous Black-Tailed Godwit and a Spotted Redshank .
We then went inland to Wareham Common to look for a reported Great Grey Shrike and we got nice views of it along with a male Merlin and a male and 2 female Common Crossbill , we finished the day off at Maiden Castle near Dorchester where Andy and Ken saw quite a few Corn Bunting but I only managed to get on two of them , still a nice end to the days birding !
We then went inland to Wareham Common to look for a reported Great Grey Shrike and we got nice views of it along with a male Merlin and a male and 2 female Common Crossbill , we finished the day off at Maiden Castle near Dorchester where Andy and Ken saw quite a few Corn Bunting but I only managed to get on two of them , still a nice end to the days birding !
Monday, 20 February 2017
Dartford Warbler
I went for a look around Aylesbeare Common this morning and it was quite atmospheric with the mist rolling in . But I did manage to see the bird that I was looking for the Dartford Warbler but I only connected with 2 of them , not a lot else was on show with only a few Coal Tit and Goldcrest and a calling European Green Woodpecker .
So I made my way back to Bowling Green Marsh in Topsham where I saw 2 male and 2 female Northern Pintail , 100+ Black-Tailed Godwit , 50+ Bar-Tailed Godwit , 3 Common Snipe and a male Peregrine Falcon .
So I made my way back to Bowling Green Marsh in Topsham where I saw 2 male and 2 female Northern Pintail , 100+ Black-Tailed Godwit , 50+ Bar-Tailed Godwit , 3 Common Snipe and a male Peregrine Falcon .
Sunday, 19 February 2017
Bohemian Waxwing
There was not a lot of time for birding today . But Sue and I managed to get in a little bit out at Yarner Wood on the edge of Dartmoor , on the way there the 10 Bohemian Waxwing were still showing at Heathfield beside the main road , out at the wood we didn`t see a lot with only the common woodland birds seen with 2 Eurasian Nuthatch , 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker , 15 Blue Tit , 12 Great Tit 8 Marsh Tit , 6 Coal Tit , 6 Common Chaffinch and a male and female Eurasian Siskin .
Friday, 17 February 2017
Birding Dorset
Today me and my mate Ken went up to Dorset to do some birding with our first stop at Thumb Lane in Weston to look for the Hume`s Leaf Warbler that has been seen there , we had to wait for over an hour for the bird to make an appearance and when it did show it showed well and was very vocal , but it was mostly at the top of the trees & always on the move making it quite hard to get shots of it .
We then went to Dorchester to look for an adult Rose-Coloured Starling and as we had already dipped this bird last week we had our fingers crossed for today and it worked as the bird showed but only for a short while , we then went for a look at Lodmoor in Weymouth where we saw a male and female Western Marsh Harrier`s , on then to Portland Bill where 2 Short-Eared Owls showed very well in the top fields , the day ended at the fleet at Abbotsbury where we saw 8 male Greater Scaup and a female Merlin that photographed at dusk .
We then went to Dorchester to look for an adult Rose-Coloured Starling and as we had already dipped this bird last week we had our fingers crossed for today and it worked as the bird showed but only for a short while , we then went for a look at Lodmoor in Weymouth where we saw a male and female Western Marsh Harrier`s , on then to Portland Bill where 2 Short-Eared Owls showed very well in the top fields , the day ended at the fleet at Abbotsbury where we saw 8 male Greater Scaup and a female Merlin that photographed at dusk .
Thursday, 16 February 2017
Sad Day
I had to attend a funeral today . So I didn`t have much free time so I just went for a look around the Recreation Ground in Topsham and on the River Exe I saw the adult male and female Common Goldeneye and a 1st winter male bird ( the bird in the photo`s ) , also seen was the long staying Yellow-Browed Warbler that showed very well today in the bright sunshine , a Water Rail and 2 male and 2 female Reed Bunting , later in the day I had a look at Darts Farm where I saw 20+ Common Linnet and 2 Common Chiffchaff .
Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Black Redstart
This morning I had a look at Bowling Green Marsh in Topsham . And I saw all the usual wildfowl , 50+ Northern Pintail , a male and female Tufted Duck , 200+ Pied Avocet , 60+ Bar-Tailed Godwit , 20+ Dunlin , 3 Common Snipe , 5 Common Gull , a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull and as I was going along Bowling Green Lane a Yellow-Browed Warbler was calling from the marsh on the other side of the hedge but I could not see it .
I then went down to Shelley Beach in Exmouth and I saw a male and female type Black Redstart , a European Shag , 20+ Ruddy Turnstone and a couple of Rock Pipits .
I then went down to Shelley Beach in Exmouth and I saw a male and female type Black Redstart , a European Shag , 20+ Ruddy Turnstone and a couple of Rock Pipits .
Monday, 13 February 2017
Dipping
Today was a day of dipping birds as myself and Ken went up to Dorset to do some birding with the first stop at Dorchester to look for the Rose-Coloured Starling... 1st dipp , we then went to Portland to look for the Hume`s Leaf Warbler but when we got there it was blowing a gale ..2nd dipp .
We then had a look at the Radipole RSPB Reserve in Weymouth where the birding was a bit better as we saw 20+ Mediterranean Gull , 2 male and a female Bearded Reedling + another on call , and a Cetti`s Warbler . Our last stop of the day was at Abbotsbury to look for 2 Richard`s Pipits that have been seen there and after a bit of a search we got them in the end , but they were always a bit distant ....success at last for today lol .
We then had a look at the Radipole RSPB Reserve in Weymouth where the birding was a bit better as we saw 20+ Mediterranean Gull , 2 male and a female Bearded Reedling + another on call , and a Cetti`s Warbler . Our last stop of the day was at Abbotsbury to look for 2 Richard`s Pipits that have been seen there and after a bit of a search we got them in the end , but they were always a bit distant ....success at last for today lol .
Sunday, 12 February 2017
Freezing
I took a look at the Recreation Ground in Topsham this morning and saw an adult male and female Common Goldeneye and with them was a 1st winter female bird & 2 male Red-Breasted Merganser flew past going up river , I then looked at the trees where the wintering Yellow-Browed Warbler has been showing and again today it showed well .
I then went over to the Exminster Marshes where the strong wind was freezing and really got into my bones , but it was good to see 20+ European Golden Plover these birds are usual on the marsh this time of year but I don't usually see them as close as they were today , also seen were 10 distant Barnacle Geese and a few Redwing and Fieldfare .
I then went over to the Exminster Marshes where the strong wind was freezing and really got into my bones , but it was good to see 20+ European Golden Plover these birds are usual on the marsh this time of year but I don't usually see them as close as they were today , also seen were 10 distant Barnacle Geese and a few Redwing and Fieldfare .
Saturday, 11 February 2017
Snowing !!!!
This morning I went out early in the falling snow to catch the high tide on Bowling Green Marsh but I didn`t see anything out of the ordinary , but I still saw some nice birds . On the marsh I saw numerous Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal , a mixed flock of 30+ Northern Pintail , 20+ Northern Shoveler , numerous Black-Tailed Godwit , 30+ Bar-Tailed Godwit and 200+ Pied Avocet , I then walked down towards the Exe Estuary and in the last field there was a mixed flock of thrushes with 5 Common Blackbird , 3 Song Thrush , 2 Mistle Thrush and 2 Redwing .
I then went and had a look at Goosemoor where I saw a Spotted Redshank , a Common Greenshank , 2 Little Egret and a Water Rail , but the cold had now got to me so I headed for home for a nice cup of tea .
I then went and had a look at Goosemoor where I saw a Spotted Redshank , a Common Greenshank , 2 Little Egret and a Water Rail , but the cold had now got to me so I headed for home for a nice cup of tea .
Friday, 10 February 2017
A Good Day
My first stop today was near the village of Kenn where I saw 3 Red-Legged Partridge . I then went to Cockwood and went over the railway crossing and looked at the Exe Estuary and the birding was very good as I saw 1 male and 5 female Common Goldeneye , 2 Slavonian Grebe , 4 Bar-Tailed Godwit and the adult winter Bonaparte`s Gull .
I then went to the Exminster Marshes to look for the Western Marsh Harrier but again there was no sign of it , I have looked for it a few times this year with no luck and I thought that it had moved on , but it was reported again the other day so I take it that its still there somewhere , on the marsh all the normal wildfowl were on show along with a female Eurasian Sparrowhawk , & a small flock of European Goldfinch , I then walked through an area of deep sedge and put up 5 Common Snipe and 2 Jack Snipe making a great end to the days birding .
I then went to the Exminster Marshes to look for the Western Marsh Harrier but again there was no sign of it , I have looked for it a few times this year with no luck and I thought that it had moved on , but it was reported again the other day so I take it that its still there somewhere , on the marsh all the normal wildfowl were on show along with a female Eurasian Sparrowhawk , & a small flock of European Goldfinch , I then walked through an area of deep sedge and put up 5 Common Snipe and 2 Jack Snipe making a great end to the days birding .
Thursday 9th February
My make Ken has just returned from Romania and he wanted to go out birding so we went to look for the Little Bunting at Trinity Hill near Axminster . We found the bunting flock ok bit it was mostly Reed Buntings but we did manage to see the Little Bunting a couple of times but the views we had were very brief . We then went to Woodbury Castle where we saw a Eurasian Treecreeper , a small flock of Common Chaffinch , a male Brambling and a Eurasian Nuthatch .
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Brambling
A short trip up to Woodbury Castle this morning to look for Brambling , and I soon came across the finch flock but it took me over an hour of looking before I came across one but in the end I managed to see 3 male and 2 female birds . Also seen were 50+ Common Chaffinch , 15 European Goldfinch , 4 Eurasian Nuthatch , a European Treecreeper , a Stock Dove and a European Green Woodpecker .
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Ring-Billed Gull
Andy Bond and myself went up to Somerset today to do some birding with our first stop being at the Chew Valley Lake and we managed to see the following birds . 3 Bewick`s Swan , 40+ Tufted Duck , 20+ Common Pochard , 6 male and 9 female Greater Scaup , 4 male and 2 female Common Goldeneye , a very out of place male Common Scoter , 6 Great Crested Grebe , 2 Little Grebe , 2 Black-Necked Grebe , 4 Common Gull , a very confiding adult Ring-Billed Gull , and an adult Yellow-Legged Gull .
We then went to the Ham Wall reserve where we saw 2 Great White Egret , 1 male and 3 female Western Marsh Harrier and a murmuration of thousands of Common Starlings .
We then went to the Ham Wall reserve where we saw 2 Great White Egret , 1 male and 3 female Western Marsh Harrier and a murmuration of thousands of Common Starlings .
Monday, 6 February 2017
Short-Eared Owl
Today Sue and I made a trip up to Portland Bill in Dorset , and in the top fields we saw a very nice Short-Eared Owl , 2 female Common Kestrel , 6 Common Skylark , 2 Meadow Pipit , and a Common Raven .
We then went to the Radipoll RSPB Reserve in Weymouth but we only saw 5 Gadwall , 20+ Tufted Duck , the long staying Hooded Merganser , 2 Cetti`s Warbler and 2 Bearded Tit were heard on call . By now the rain had set in so we then headed for home .
We then went to the Radipoll RSPB Reserve in Weymouth but we only saw 5 Gadwall , 20+ Tufted Duck , the long staying Hooded Merganser , 2 Cetti`s Warbler and 2 Bearded Tit were heard on call . By now the rain had set in so we then headed for home .
Saturday, 4 February 2017
Red-Necked Grebe
A trip down to Broadsands in South Devon today turned out to be a good move as I saw the following birds . 5 Velvet Scoter showed but only very distant views , 2 Great Northern Diver , 100+ Great Crested Grebe , 3 Black-Necked Grebe , a Red-Necked Grebe , 8 Razorbill , 2 Common Guillemot , 12 Northern Fulmar , 2 Nothern Gannet and 6 European Shag . We then went for a look off of Goodrington Sands to see if the scoter were showing any better but there was no sign of them but I found a male and female Common Eider .
