Update on the mistake in the last posting as it was meant to say Spotted Redshank lol !

Migrants

The day started off at Bowling Green Marsh in Topsham where there was a small fall of migrants with 4 male and 1 female Blackcap , 4 Common Chiffchaff , 2 Willow Warbler , 2 Cetti`s Warbler and a White Wagtail

Also seen were a 100+ Common Redshank , a Spotted Wagtail , a European Green Woodpecker and a Song Thrush .

I then went across to the Exminster Marshes where there was a new in 2nd calender year Greater White-Fronted Goose that was showing in a field opposite the Lyons Rest .

Blackcap ( Sylvia atricapilla ) . Bowling Green Marsh . Topsham . Devon

 

 

Greater White-Fronted Goose ( Anser albifrons ) . The Exminster Marshes . Devon

 

 

Red Knot

A trip over to the Exminster Marshes this morning got me the following birds . 20+ Bar-Tailed Godwit , 30+ Black-Tailed Godwit , my first 10 Red Knot of the year , 3 Dunlin , 2 Pied Avocet , 6 Little Egret , 2 Egyptian Geese , a Peregrine Falcon and a few Common Chiffchaff and Cetti`s Warbler . 

Red Knot ( Calidris canutus ) . The Exminster Marshes . Devon

 

Northern Goshawk

Early this morning I had a bit of joy ! As I picked up a Northern Goshawk flying over my garden , I had gone out to the garden with an early morning cup of tea so I was a bit upset as I didn`t have the camera with me . But still a great garden tick and a 1st for the garden list . Also near by was a Common Raven and a calling European Green Woodpecker .

I then went down to Bowling Green Marsh where there was a flock of 50+ Common Sand Martin and in with them was my 1st Barn Swallow of the year . A look at Goosemoor then got me 4 Little Egret , a few Common Teal and Eurasian Curlew .

Little Egret ( Egrettagarzetta ) . Goosemoor . Topsham . Devon

 

 

Eurasian Curlew ( Numenius arquata ) . Goosemoor . Topsham . Devon

 

Common Teal ( Anas crecca ) . Goosemoor . Topsham . Devon

 

At Last !

 I spent a couple of hours this morning on the Exminster Marshes and they were well spent as I finally managed to see the male Merlin that has been around the marshes for a while now and this was my ninth time of trying , yippee

I managed to see it as I was looking at 5 Northern Wheatear with 3 males and 2 female birds . Also seen was my first Whimbrel of the year , around a dozen Common Sand Martin and 10 Common Skylark . 

Northern Wheatear ( Oenanthe oenanthe ) . The Exminster Marshes . Devon

 

Northern Wheatear

 Not a lot to report today but this nice male Northern Wheatear at Gore Lane in Exmouth was my 1st for the year and it did brighten up my day . Also seen were a few Common Skylark and a Common Raven .

Northern Wheatear ( Oenanthe oenanthe ) Gore Lane . Exmouth . Devon

 

 

Common Sand Martin

Just a few of the large flock of 50-60 Common Sand Martin seen over the Exminster Marshes today . The only other things I saw were a couple of Cetti`s Warbler and a greyish bird of prey that shot through the marsh , there has been a Male Merlin seen on the marsh this week but I just didn`t get enough on it to clinch the sighting , better luck next time I hope lol . 

( Common ) Sand Martin . ( Riparia riparia ) . The Exminster Marshes . Devon

 

 

A nice Day

 This morning I went to a Private Site where I saw a male and female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker , 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 30+ Lesser Redpoll .

My next stop was at Haldon Forest and I managed to see numerous Eurasian Siskin , 2 Eurasian Nuthatch , a few Common Crossbill were heard calling but only a female bird came down to drink  and 10 Yellowhammer were also seen . But the highlight of the day was finding a Bank Vole an animal that I very rarely see let alone manage to get a photograph of .

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker ( Dendrocopos minor ) . Private Site . Devon

 

 

Yellowhammer ( Emberiza citrinella ) . Haldon Forest . Devon

 

Bank Vole . Myodes ( clethrionomys ) glareolus . Haldon Forest . Devon

 

 

The Exminster Marshes

 My walk today took me down the back path on the Exminster Marshes . And the first birds I saw were a couple of Common Buzzards enjoying the thermals , also seen was a Eurasian Sparrowhawk and a male Common Kestrel 

As I carried on walking Cetti`sWarblers were popping up here and there and bursting into song , I then arrived at the far end of the marsh where a couple of Goldcrest were showing quite well but it was so hard to get a shot of them lol . Also seen were 3 Short-Tailed Vole and a Brimstone Butterfly .

Goldcrest ( Regulus regulus ) . The Exminster Marshes . Devon

 

 

Cetti`s Warbler ( Cettia cetti ) . The Exminster Marshes . Devon

 

Red Kite

 A look at the Exminster Marshes this morning got me a distant Red Kite that flew though the marsh towards Exminster Village being harassed by a Common Buzzard all the way .

Also seen was a male Common Kestrel , 4 Cetti`s Warbler , 2 Common Chiffchaff and this male Red-Breasted Merganser that was seen at the Turf Locks .

Red-Breasted Merganser ( Mergus serrator . Turf Locks . Devon

 

Dawlish Warren

  I had a morning walk around Dawlish Warren today . And a look out into Lyme Bay got me my 1st four  Northern Gannet of the year . Also seen today were 2 Little Grebe ,  a male Cirl Bunting , a Common Skylark , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Great Black-Backed Gull .

Cirl Bunting ( Emberiza cirlus ) . Dawlish Warren . Devon

 

Common Skylark ( Alauda arvensis ) . Dawlish Warren . Devon

 

Great Black-Backed Gull ( Larus marinus ) . Dawlish Warren . Devon

 

Cattle Egret

 Today was a day of heavy downpours so not a lot was seen ! But I took a look at Cofton Farm where I did manage to catch up with 12 Cattle Egret .

I then had a look at Powderham Park where I saw 12 Common Shelduck , 10 Common Pheasant and a superb flock of 30+ Stock Dove . Also seen was some very nice Fallow Deer .

Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) . Cofton . Devon

 

 

Cattle Egret

 I have tried many times to catch up with Cattle Egret near Cockwood and today I was in luck as I came across one single bird in with the herd of cows !

I then carried onto Dawlish Warren where I saw 4 Canada Geese , 2 male and 2 female Northern Shoveler , a Little Grebe . a Water Rail and a calling European Green Woodpecker .

Little Grebe ( Tachybaptus ruficollis ) . Dawlish Warren . Devon

 

Northern Shoveler ( Anas clypeata ) . Dawlish Warren . Devon

 

Canada Goose ( Branta canadensis ) . Dawlish Warren . Devon

 

Lesser Redpoll . Devon . 8 / 3 / 2021

 

The East Devon Comms

 I had a look around the East Devon Commons this morning but I didn`t see a lot ! But what I did see was very good , with 8 Dartford Warbler . I also had my highest ever day total of European Adder as I was lucky enough to see 5 of them & also seen was a Slow Worm .

Dartford Warbler ( Sylvia undata ) . The East Devon Commons . Devon

 

 

European Adder ( Vipera berus ) . The East Devon Commons . Devon

 

Little Ringed Plover

A trip to the Exminster Marshes today got me a nice Little Ringed Plover  . There was an earlier report of 3 birds on the new scrapes but by the time I got there 2 had already moved on .

Also seen was a large flock of Dark Breasted Brent Geese , quite a few Eurasian Wigeon , Eurasian Curlew , and Black - Tailed Godwit , 6 Dunlin , 500+ European Golden Plover . And these warblers were also seen today , 2 Cetti`s Warbler , 7 Common Chiffchaff , a Siberian Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler .

And this smart looking Great Cormorant of the continental sinensis race was showing well on the Exeter Canal .

Little Ringed Plover ( Charadrius dubius ) . The Exminster Marshes . Devon

 

 

 

Great Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax sinensis ) . The Exeter Canal . Exminster Marsh . Devon

 

 

A Good Day

 A look around the Exminster Marshes this afternoon turned out very good as I saw the following birds 4 Greater White-Fronted Geese , 2 Common Skylark , a male Peregrine Falcon , a Ruff , a couple of  Redwing , 2 Cetti`s Warbler , 2 Willow Warbler , 4 Common Chiffchaff and a pale bird showing all the characteristics of a Siberian Chiffchaff .

Siberian Chiffchaff ( Phylloscopus trisis ) . The Exminster Marshes . Devon