Tuesday, 30 April 2019
Little Gull
A look around the Exminster Marshes this morning got me a calling Yellow Wagtail but even though I had a good look for it I just couldn't see it anywhere . Also seen 20+ Common Swift , a single Barn Swallow , 4 Common Sand Martin , a male and female Blackcap , a Common Whitethroat , European Reed Warbler were calling from everywhere plus a few Sedge Warbler and Cetti`s Warbler ....also seen was my first Hairy Dragonfly of the year . And the Little Gull was still showing well on the Powderham Marshes .
Monday, 29 April 2019
Lyme Bay
A look at Lyme Bay as I walked along the seafront at Exmouth this morning in the falling rain got me a Common Scoter , a close in to shore Red-Throated Diver , 7 Sandwich Tern and 2 European Shag .
Friday, 26 April 2019
Dark-Eyed Junco
I took another look at the Exminster Marshes this morning but there was not a lot to be seen today with only 3 Little Egret , 2 Cattle Egret , 2 Common Swift , 4 Barn Swallow , 10 Common Sand Martin , 5 Common House Martin , 2 Common Raven and a Reed Bunting .
Later in the day news broke of a Dark-Eyed Junco in North Devon at Westward Ho so I made the trip up in hope that it would still be on show . The bird was showing in the back garden of a house and the owners were very kindly opening their house so that birders could see the bird from their lounge .
It took a wait of around an hour for the bird of the "Slate-Coloured Race" to turn up again and when it did it showed well for about 5 minutes and then vanished back into the garden again.......Once again many thanks to the owners and to Devon Birds .
Later in the day news broke of a Dark-Eyed Junco in North Devon at Westward Ho so I made the trip up in hope that it would still be on show . The bird was showing in the back garden of a house and the owners were very kindly opening their house so that birders could see the bird from their lounge .
It took a wait of around an hour for the bird of the "Slate-Coloured Race" to turn up again and when it did it showed well for about 5 minutes and then vanished back into the garden again.......Once again many thanks to the owners and to Devon Birds .
Thursday, 25 April 2019
Common Swift
Late news yesterday of a Red-Rumped Swallow on the Exminster Marshes so me going over to look for it early this morning but there was no sign of it today . But after a bit of a search I did see my 1st Common Swift of the year in-between the heavy downpours of rain along with a few Common House Martin , Common Sand Martin and Barn Swallow , there was also 2 Cattle Egret , 20+ Whimbrel , a few European Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler and a very nice fly through Osprey .
Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Sea Watch
This morning the rain was pouring down so I went down to Exmouth to do a sea watch in Lyme Bay and I got around a dozen Northern Gannet , 20+ Sandwich Tern and 2 Common Tern ....and soaking wet .
And as Bugs Bunny said That's All Folks
And as Bugs Bunny said That's All Folks
Tuesday, 23 April 2019
Wood Warbler
A trip out to Yarner Wood this morning to look for Pied Flycatcher turned out to be a good move as I saw 5 male birds and a single female bird . It is always a privilege to be able to watch and hear these superb little birds .
I also saw 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a male Common Redstart but the highlight of the day was a Wood Warbler that was seen along the top path of the wood , I picked it up first on call and after a bit of a search I just about managed to get on to it but the bird was right in the top of the trees doing its flight call , this is my first in the woods for a couple of years as I had no luck at all last year .
I then had a look out on the common where I saw a Garden Warbler , quite a few Willow Warbler and a Common Chiffchaff .
On the way home a stop off at the Great Haldon Forest got me my first Tree Pipit of the year and also a few more Willow Warbler and Common Chiffchaff .
I also saw 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a male Common Redstart but the highlight of the day was a Wood Warbler that was seen along the top path of the wood , I picked it up first on call and after a bit of a search I just about managed to get on to it but the bird was right in the top of the trees doing its flight call , this is my first in the woods for a couple of years as I had no luck at all last year .
I then had a look out on the common where I saw a Garden Warbler , quite a few Willow Warbler and a Common Chiffchaff .
On the way home a stop off at the Great Haldon Forest got me my first Tree Pipit of the year and also a few more Willow Warbler and Common Chiffchaff .
Monday, 22 April 2019
A Good Morning
I got news this morning of a Lesser Whitethroat on the Exminster Marshes so I got there as fast as I could but in my hurry I read the message wrong and I went to the RSPB Car park and I got out of the car and I could hear one calling near the railway bridge , so I went to look for it and I found it ok but it never showed well and it slowly worked its way back down the entrance road .
But I then found out that the message was about one near the fishermans car park so I went to see if that one was showing better and this time I managed to get these couple of shots of it . I then had a look around the marsh seeing 2 Cattle Egret , 100+ Common Shelduck , 6 Whimbrel , quite a few European Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler , a Common Whitethroat , 5 Blackcap , 2 Yellow Wagtail with one seen and another heard calling and the day was finished off with 10 Common House Martin .
But I then found out that the message was about one near the fishermans car park so I went to see if that one was showing better and this time I managed to get these couple of shots of it . I then had a look around the marsh seeing 2 Cattle Egret , 100+ Common Shelduck , 6 Whimbrel , quite a few European Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler , a Common Whitethroat , 5 Blackcap , 2 Yellow Wagtail with one seen and another heard calling and the day was finished off with 10 Common House Martin .
Sunday, 21 April 2019
Aylesbeare Common
I took a look around Aylesbeare Common this morning the birding was rather slow and the most numerous bird was Willow Warbler and thy seemed to be singing from every vantage point .
Also seen were quite a few Common Stonechat and Common Linnet , a few Common Chiffchaff
2 European Green Woodpecker , a Mistle Thrush and a male and female Yellowhammer...stunning birds to see .
Also seen were quite a few Common Stonechat and Common Linnet , a few Common Chiffchaff
2 European Green Woodpecker , a Mistle Thrush and a male and female Yellowhammer...stunning birds to see .
Saturday, 20 April 2019
The Exminster Marshes
This morning I took a walk down the back path on the Exminster Marshes with maybe an early Lesser Whitethroat in mind but there was no luck today . But there was still a few birds to be seen with 6 new in European Reed Warbler , 3 Sedge Warbler , 5 Cetti`s Warbler , 4 Blackcap , a Garden Warbler that is a very good bird for the marsh but I expect its the same bird that was on Powderham Marsh a few days ago...but you never know ! and also seen down the far end of the path was my first Common Whitethroat of the year .
I then had a look by the Lyons Rest area where I saw a Cattle Egret and a male Northern Wheatear .
Also seen were 3 Grass Snake , 3 Slow Worm and the following Butterflies . Brimstone , Peacock . Orange Tip , Speckled Wood , Holly Blue , Green-Veined White and Large White .
I then had a look by the Lyons Rest area where I saw a Cattle Egret and a male Northern Wheatear .
Also seen were 3 Grass Snake , 3 Slow Worm and the following Butterflies . Brimstone , Peacock . Orange Tip , Speckled Wood , Holly Blue , Green-Veined White and Large White .
Thursday, 18 April 2019
Garden Warbler
I caught this moth last night and I looked it up and its a Streamer , its supposed to be quite common but its a new one for me anyway .
Today I took a look at Bowling Green Marsh and I saw 2 Mistle Thrush , a Song Thrush and a Cetti`s Warbler . I then went across to the Marshes on the other side of the Exe Estuary where I saw the long staying Snow Goose , 4 Little Ringed Plover , a Green Sandpiper , a Ruff , a distant Little Gull , a Common Kestrel , at least 6 male Blackcap , my first Garden Warbler of the year and also seen were 5 Orange Tip and 2 Green-Veined White Butterflies .
Today I took a look at Bowling Green Marsh and I saw 2 Mistle Thrush , a Song Thrush and a Cetti`s Warbler . I then went across to the Marshes on the other side of the Exe Estuary where I saw the long staying Snow Goose , 4 Little Ringed Plover , a Green Sandpiper , a Ruff , a distant Little Gull , a Common Kestrel , at least 6 male Blackcap , my first Garden Warbler of the year and also seen were 5 Orange Tip and 2 Green-Veined White Butterflies .
Wednesday, 17 April 2019
Tuesday 16th April
A day out with the boys saw us heading for Salisbury Plain area in Wiltshire in hope of seeing Stone Curlew and we managed to see two of them , we also saw a female Hen Harrier , numerous Red-Legged Partridge around 20 Corn Bunting , a Red Kite , 3 Great Bustard ( The first time that I have seen them in this area ) , 2 male and a female Yellowhammer and 3 Brown Hare .
We then headed for Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire as a Bonaparte`s Gull and an Arctic Tern had been reported there and on the way there we saw another Red Kite from the car , at the Palace after a long walk through the grounds we got nice views of the Bonaparte`s Gull and Arctic Tern on the lake and we also saw a Great White Egret and a Common Tern and flying around the grounds were at least another 4 Red Kite , and just as we started our journey home a Muntjac Deer crossed the road in front of us ......A superb day out .
We then headed for Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire as a Bonaparte`s Gull and an Arctic Tern had been reported there and on the way there we saw another Red Kite from the car , at the Palace after a long walk through the grounds we got nice views of the Bonaparte`s Gull and Arctic Tern on the lake and we also saw a Great White Egret and a Common Tern and flying around the grounds were at least another 4 Red Kite , and just as we started our journey home a Muntjac Deer crossed the road in front of us ......A superb day out .
Thursday, 11 April 2019
Thursday 11th April
A day out today with my mates Ken and Andy and our destination was Somerset to look for a male Lesser Scaup at Blagdon Lake that has been on show there for quite a while but we picked the day when it was nowhere to be seen and that just about sums it up for us this year !
But while we were there we saw numerous Tufted Duck , a few Great Crested Grebe , 2 Little Grebe , a Great White Egret , a Tawny Owl that was heard calling from a stand of trees and a few Common Sand Martin were feeding over the lake and also seen was a Muntjac Deer .
We then went to a private site where we saw a couple of Eurasian Tree Sparrow and I still find it strange that you can come to the next county and see these birds but it is a very rare bird in Devon and in fact I have never been able to see one and that's after 34 years of birding .
Our last stop was at Shapwick Heath where we walked up to Noah`s Lake where we saw another Great White Egret , a Glossy Ibis and an adult Little Gull and on the walk back to the car there was a fly over Western Marsh Harrier .
But while we were there we saw numerous Tufted Duck , a few Great Crested Grebe , 2 Little Grebe , a Great White Egret , a Tawny Owl that was heard calling from a stand of trees and a few Common Sand Martin were feeding over the lake and also seen was a Muntjac Deer .
We then went to a private site where we saw a couple of Eurasian Tree Sparrow and I still find it strange that you can come to the next county and see these birds but it is a very rare bird in Devon and in fact I have never been able to see one and that's after 34 years of birding .
Our last stop was at Shapwick Heath where we walked up to Noah`s Lake where we saw another Great White Egret , a Glossy Ibis and an adult Little Gull and on the walk back to the car there was a fly over Western Marsh Harrier .
Wednesday, 10 April 2019
More Of The Shrike
Another trip out to Emsworthy Mire on Dartmoor today as my mate Andy was hoping to see the Great Grey Shrike and I went along as more eyes the better looking for it , But it took us two hours looking for it today before we got nice views of the bird .
Tuesday, 9 April 2019
Great Grey Shrike
A trip out to Emsworthy Mire on Dartmoor this afternoon with my good friend Charlie Fleming to look for a reported Great Grey Shrike . And after a bit of a search we ended up getting nice views of the bird that has probably spent the winter in the area .
Monday, 8 April 2019
Slow Birding
I had a look at the Exminster Marshes this morning but there was hardly any birds to be seen with only 2 Barnacle Goose , 6 Cetti`s Warbler , a Willow Warbler , a Common Chiffchaff , a male Blackcap and a few Great Tit .
I also saw my first Grass Snake of the year and 3 Slow Worm .
I also saw my first Grass Snake of the year and 3 Slow Worm .
Sunday, 7 April 2019
Migrants
There was a bit of a movement of birds today . And my day started off at Bowling Green Marsh where there was a Little Ringed Plover , a Grey Plover , a few Red Knot , numerous Common Sand Martin , around half a dozen Barn Swallow and my 1st Common House Martin of the year .
I then went across to the Exminster Marshes and I saw a male Garganey , 20+ Common Sand Martin , 2 Northern Wheatear , 2 Reed Bunting and another 1st for the year a Sedge Warbler that was seen in the stretch between the middle car park and the fishermans car park .
Later I had a call from local birder Matt Knott telling me that he had found a Common Nightingale in the Bristol Schools Camp so I shot down there as fast as I could in hope of seeing it , but it had gone to ground and even though Matt and I searched for it there was no sign of it again ! but a male Common Redstart and 6 Willow Warbler were very nice to see indeed .
I then went across to the Exminster Marshes and I saw a male Garganey , 20+ Common Sand Martin , 2 Northern Wheatear , 2 Reed Bunting and another 1st for the year a Sedge Warbler that was seen in the stretch between the middle car park and the fishermans car park .
Later I had a call from local birder Matt Knott telling me that he had found a Common Nightingale in the Bristol Schools Camp so I shot down there as fast as I could in hope of seeing it , but it had gone to ground and even though Matt and I searched for it there was no sign of it again ! but a male Common Redstart and 6 Willow Warbler were very nice to see indeed .
Saturday, 6 April 2019
Long Distant Shots
I went for another look at Bowling Green Marsh this morning where I saw a couple of Greylag Geese , 2 male Gadwall , and yesterdays Great White Egret graced us with it presence today but it was way over in the far corner of the marsh along with a Little Egret and a Grey Heron .
There was also large flocks of Common Sand Martin going through the marsh and I was able to pick out my first Barn Swallow in Devon this year . And down around the bushes by the viewing platform I saw 2 Stock Dove , a European Green Woodpecker , a Mistle Thrush , 4 Cetti`s Warbler , 2 Blackcap and 2 Common Chiffchaff .
A look at the Exe Estuary then got me my first 4 Sandwich Tern of the year but they were well out in the middle of the estuary + a female Red-Breasted Merganser and on the Clyst Estuary there was 12 Red Knot .
There was also large flocks of Common Sand Martin going through the marsh and I was able to pick out my first Barn Swallow in Devon this year . And down around the bushes by the viewing platform I saw 2 Stock Dove , a European Green Woodpecker , a Mistle Thrush , 4 Cetti`s Warbler , 2 Blackcap and 2 Common Chiffchaff .
A look at the Exe Estuary then got me my first 4 Sandwich Tern of the year but they were well out in the middle of the estuary + a female Red-Breasted Merganser and on the Clyst Estuary there was 12 Red Knot .
Friday, 5 April 2019
Great White Egret
A look around Bowling Green Marsh this morning got me a single Brent Goose , a Common Buzzard , a female Western Marsh Harrier , numerous Common Sand Martin , a Lesser Black-Backed Gull , a Common Chiffchaff and a Blackcap .
I then was told that a Great White Egret had flown towards the marsh from the Exminster Marshes so I kept my eyes peeled but it never landed on the marsh , but then news came out that it was showing on Goosemoor so I went to see if it was still there and I found it in the reedbeds on the far side , I was hoping that it would come out into the open when all of a sudden up it flew and off towards the Clyst Marshes and I managed to fire off a few shots of it in flight and thought that was that . But again news came out that it was in fact now in front of the hide at the Darts Farm Reserve so over I went to look for it and this time it showed very well out in the open .
I then was told that a Great White Egret had flown towards the marsh from the Exminster Marshes so I kept my eyes peeled but it never landed on the marsh , but then news came out that it was showing on Goosemoor so I went to see if it was still there and I found it in the reedbeds on the far side , I was hoping that it would come out into the open when all of a sudden up it flew and off towards the Clyst Marshes and I managed to fire off a few shots of it in flight and thought that was that . But again news came out that it was in fact now in front of the hide at the Darts Farm Reserve so over I went to look for it and this time it showed very well out in the open .
Thursday, 4 April 2019
Northern France Trip . Tuesday 2nd April . Day 2
On waking up in the house that we spent the night in at St Inglevert we ticked off Eurasian Collared Dove , Winter Wren , Common Blackbird , Great Tit , Common Chaffinch and Eurasian Nuthatch for the day list . We then made our way down across the area of the Somme ! to Le Parc Du Marquenterre a large reserve that you pay to get into but it gives you access to 13 hides and was well worth it .
At the reserve after our breakfast of a coffee and a toasted cheese sandwich we started to make our way around the reserve and the first thing that we noticed was that there was Cetti`s Warblers everywhere , also seen were Greylag Goose , Barnacle Goose , breeding White Stork , Eurasian Spoonbill and Cattle Egret , plenty of Pied Avocet , 2 superb looking adult Mediterranean Gull , a couple of Common Crane , summer plumaged Black-Necked Grebes and Little Grebes and then the bird that I had hoped to see a Middle Spotted Woodpecker that was calling and drumming for quite a while but I just couldn`t get on it but then to much joy it flew across right in front of me .... mission accomplished !!
We then made our way through St Quenton-En-Tormont where we saw a few White Stork and a Eurasian Jay , towards an area of reedbeds near the town of Crotoy to look for Bluethroat , we parked the car up and walked along a long path with reedbeds on either side of us and we soon had a few singing Fan-Tailed Warbler , we walked on a bit further and picked out a singing Bluethroat and after a while we got great views of it and it turned out to be one with a white throat patch .. Luscinia cyanecula , a few more birds were heard and seen but we didn`t get as good views of them as the first one .
Also seen was a Great White Egret and 5 Eurasian Spoonbill , the rain then started to fall so we made our way back to Calais for our return journey home after a couple of great days birding .
At the reserve after our breakfast of a coffee and a toasted cheese sandwich we started to make our way around the reserve and the first thing that we noticed was that there was Cetti`s Warblers everywhere , also seen were Greylag Goose , Barnacle Goose , breeding White Stork , Eurasian Spoonbill and Cattle Egret , plenty of Pied Avocet , 2 superb looking adult Mediterranean Gull , a couple of Common Crane , summer plumaged Black-Necked Grebes and Little Grebes and then the bird that I had hoped to see a Middle Spotted Woodpecker that was calling and drumming for quite a while but I just couldn`t get on it but then to much joy it flew across right in front of me .... mission accomplished !!
We then made our way through St Quenton-En-Tormont where we saw a few White Stork and a Eurasian Jay , towards an area of reedbeds near the town of Crotoy to look for Bluethroat , we parked the car up and walked along a long path with reedbeds on either side of us and we soon had a few singing Fan-Tailed Warbler , we walked on a bit further and picked out a singing Bluethroat and after a while we got great views of it and it turned out to be one with a white throat patch .. Luscinia cyanecula , a few more birds were heard and seen but we didn`t get as good views of them as the first one .
Also seen was a Great White Egret and 5 Eurasian Spoonbill , the rain then started to fall so we made our way back to Calais for our return journey home after a couple of great days birding .
