Well the end of the year is on us . It was not a bad year of birding as I managed to see 259 different birds in Britain and out of them I managed to photograph 228 of them . With the highlight for me being 2 new birds with an Arctic Redpoll and a Grey Catbird .
In my local county of Devon I saw 218 birds for the year with the highlight being on Colaton Raleigh Common with a very nice Pallid Harrier .
A very Happy New Year to all my followers and good Birding for the coming year .
Monday, 31 December 2018
Sunday, 30 December 2018
Weasel
I went to Darts Farm in Topsham this morning to check out the finch flock and it is started to build up a little bit with mostly Common Chaffinch bit there was also a few Reed Bunting in with them , but no sign of any Brambling .
I then went to the Matford Marshes on the edge of Exeter as a Yellow-Browed Warbler had been seen there yesterday and I was only there a short while when I heard it call but I could`nt manage to see it . But I put the news out anyway and after a while Dave Boult and Andy Bond turned up and after quite a search we all managed to see the bird but it was constantly on the move with a flock of Long -Tailed Tits , also seen was a Little Grebe , 2 Common Chiffchaff , a smart male Goldcrest , 2 Redwing , a Eurasian Bullfinch and this superb Weasel that popped out for a short while before vanishing back into the undergrowth .
I then went to the Matford Marshes on the edge of Exeter as a Yellow-Browed Warbler had been seen there yesterday and I was only there a short while when I heard it call but I could`nt manage to see it . But I put the news out anyway and after a while Dave Boult and Andy Bond turned up and after quite a search we all managed to see the bird but it was constantly on the move with a flock of Long -Tailed Tits , also seen was a Little Grebe , 2 Common Chiffchaff , a smart male Goldcrest , 2 Redwing , a Eurasian Bullfinch and this superb Weasel that popped out for a short while before vanishing back into the undergrowth .
Saturday, 29 December 2018
Bowling Green Marsh
A look around Bowling Green Marsh this morning got me 300+ Brent Goose of the dark bellied race , 5 Greylag Goose , 15 Northern Pintail , a male and female Tufted Duck , 100+ Northern Lapwing , a very good count on the marsh of over 20+ Common Snipe , 15 Bar-Tailed Godwit , 2 Little Egret and a Red Fox .
I then went for a look around the viewing platform area where there 2 Redwing , a Eurasian Bullfinch and 2 Cetti`s Warbler were heard on call .
I then went for a look around the viewing platform area where there 2 Redwing , a Eurasian Bullfinch and 2 Cetti`s Warbler were heard on call .
Thursday, 27 December 2018
The Fog
First thing this morning Topsham was covered in thick Fog but I still managed to pick out a Eurasian Nuthatch and a Eurasian Bullfinch on my feeders in the garden .
A bit later I went down to Bowling Green Marsh to see if I could see anything but it was still hard work but I did see 50+ Black-Tailed Godwit , 20+ Bar-Tailed Godwit , 50+ Common Redshank , 8 Dunlin and a single Common Snipe .
A bit later I went down to Bowling Green Marsh to see if I could see anything but it was still hard work but I did see 50+ Black-Tailed Godwit , 20+ Bar-Tailed Godwit , 50+ Common Redshank , 8 Dunlin and a single Common Snipe .
Wednesday, 26 December 2018
Great Spotted Woodpecker
I have been having a male Great Spotted Woodpecker coming into the garden to feed on the nuts for a while now but this is the first female that I have had for quite a while .
Sunday, 23 December 2018
Bowling Green Marsh
I had a look at Bowling Green Marsh in Topsham this morning and now there is so much water on it it looks like a boating lake lol . Anyway I saw numerous Eurasian Wigeon and Northern Shoveler , 2 male and a female Northern Pintail , numerous Black-Tailed Godwit , 2 Common Snipe , 2 Grey Wagtail and 2 Common Raven . Also seen was a run that could very well be an Otter`s !
A look from the viewing platform then got me 2 male and a female Red-Breasted Merganser and a couple of Pied Avocet .
A look from the viewing platform then got me 2 male and a female Red-Breasted Merganser and a couple of Pied Avocet .
Thursday, 20 December 2018
Haldon Forest
I went up to the Great Haldon Forset this morning for a look around with Common Crossbill being the primary bird that I was looking for and I was lucky to find a flock of 15-20 of them and I was very pleased with that as I just love watching these birds .
I also saw 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker , 20+ Coal Tit , 30+ Common Chaffinch , 20+ European Greenfinch , 6 Goldcrest and 8 Eurasian Siskin .
I had gone up there on my own and spent a couple of hours at least just mooching around and I was just about to leave when I bumped into my birding mucker Charlie Fleming and it was great to spend some time with him and reminisce about times gone by .
I also saw 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker , 20+ Coal Tit , 30+ Common Chaffinch , 20+ European Greenfinch , 6 Goldcrest and 8 Eurasian Siskin .
I had gone up there on my own and spent a couple of hours at least just mooching around and I was just about to leave when I bumped into my birding mucker Charlie Fleming and it was great to spend some time with him and reminisce about times gone by .
Wednesday, 19 December 2018
Yellow-Browed Warbler
This morning I went to the Powderham Sawmill to look for a reported Yellow-Browed Warbler and I spent over an hour there looking for it , I heard the bird twice on call when I first got there but after an intensive search I just could`nt manage to see it , Also at the site was a Water Rail and a European Green Woodpecker .
I then went for a look at Bowling Green Marsh where there was numerous Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal , 6 Northern Shoveler , a male and female Northern Pintail , 20+ Northern Lapwing , a Common Greenshank and a male Eurasian Sparrowhawk .
I then went for a look at Bowling Green Marsh where there was numerous Eurasian Wigeon and Common Teal , 6 Northern Shoveler , a male and female Northern Pintail , 20+ Northern Lapwing , a Common Greenshank and a male Eurasian Sparrowhawk .
Friday, 14 December 2018
A Good Morning
I was out looking around the cemetery grounds in Topsham early this morning as I have been doing for a while now , and this morning it paid off as I saw my first returning Hawfinch of the winter but before I could get anywhere near it off it flew towards the Clyst Marshes . I also saw 14 Redwing , 20+ European Goldfinch and 7 European Greenfinch .
Yesterday there was a Great White Egret seen on the Exminster Marshes so I went over to see if it was still around but there was no sign of it today . But I did see 4 Barnacle Geese , 4 Greylag Geese , a Snow Goose ( Perhaps a new one or the one from earlier in the year...but where has it been all this time ?? ) , a large flock of European Golden Plover and Northern Lapwing kept on being spooked and after a search I found the culprits...not 1 but 2 Short-Eared Owls that were flying up and then dropping to the ground again and it was great to see these birds back on the marshes again , also seen was a male Peregrine Falcon , a Common Buzzard , 2 Common Raven and a Eurasian Bullfinch .
Yesterday there was a Great White Egret seen on the Exminster Marshes so I went over to see if it was still around but there was no sign of it today . But I did see 4 Barnacle Geese , 4 Greylag Geese , a Snow Goose ( Perhaps a new one or the one from earlier in the year...but where has it been all this time ?? ) , a large flock of European Golden Plover and Northern Lapwing kept on being spooked and after a search I found the culprits...not 1 but 2 Short-Eared Owls that were flying up and then dropping to the ground again and it was great to see these birds back on the marshes again , also seen was a male Peregrine Falcon , a Common Buzzard , 2 Common Raven and a Eurasian Bullfinch .
Thursday, 13 December 2018
Brrrrrrrrrr
On a cold and desolate Bowling Green Marsh this morning all the usual wildfowl were on show with the best of them being a male and female Common Pochard , also seen were numerous Black-Tailed Godwit , 50+ Common Redshank , 22 Northern Lapwing and a single Pied Avocet .
I then had a look at the Exe Estuary at Exmouth where I saw 20+ Dark Bellied Brent Geese , 3 Common Shelduck and a close in Great Crested Grebe but out in the cold wind finally got to me so I then headed for home .
I then had a look at the Exe Estuary at Exmouth where I saw 20+ Dark Bellied Brent Geese , 3 Common Shelduck and a close in Great Crested Grebe but out in the cold wind finally got to me so I then headed for home .
Tuesday, 11 December 2018
Red-Rumped Swallow
Amazing news for this time of year of a Red-Rumped Swallow found yesterday at Torpoint saw my mate Andy and myself making the trip down to Plymouth and catching the car ferry across to Torpoint , we had our fingers crossed that it would still be there but there was no worry about that because as we were driving down the road the bird flew right over the car .
We then parked up and the bird was just flying up and down the road and sometimes it was just a few feet above our heads , what an absolute privilege it was to be able to take in the features of this bird at close quarters .
We then parked up and the bird was just flying up and down the road and sometimes it was just a few feet above our heads , what an absolute privilege it was to be able to take in the features of this bird at close quarters .
Monday, 10 December 2018
Little Bunting
1st thing this morning I had 12 Fieldfare , a Mistle Thrush and 11 Rook in the cemetery grounds in Topsham . I then had a quick look at Bowling Green Marsh where I saw a Ruff and 2 fly through Black Swan .
I then met up with my mate Andy and we went up to Chiswell on the edge of Portland to look for a Little Bunting that has been showing there for a few days , we arrived to find out that the bird had gone missing but after about half an hour it was re-found and showed very well indeed , also seen was a Black Redstart . We then had a look at Radipoll Lake in Weymouth where we saw a Western Marsh Harrier , 11 Mediterranean Gull , and Cetti`s Warbler & Water Rail were heard on call .
Our last stop of the day was near the Abbotsbury Swannery where we saw 21 Cattle Egret a Common Kestrel and a Short-Eared Owl .
I then met up with my mate Andy and we went up to Chiswell on the edge of Portland to look for a Little Bunting that has been showing there for a few days , we arrived to find out that the bird had gone missing but after about half an hour it was re-found and showed very well indeed , also seen was a Black Redstart . We then had a look at Radipoll Lake in Weymouth where we saw a Western Marsh Harrier , 11 Mediterranean Gull , and Cetti`s Warbler & Water Rail were heard on call .
Our last stop of the day was near the Abbotsbury Swannery where we saw 21 Cattle Egret a Common Kestrel and a Short-Eared Owl .
Tuesday, 4 December 2018
Topsham
I had a walk around Topsham this morning and the first bird that I saw was a Grey Wagtail near the Exe Estuary , I then walked down beside the estuary to Bowling Green Marsh where I got todays photo of a Common Starling , a bird that we just take for granted but as you can see looks fabulous in its winter plumage . Also seen were 13 Greylag Geese , numerous Eurasian Wigeon , Common Teal and Northern Shoveler , a Common Buzzard , 2 Redwing and a male and female Eurasian Bullfinch .
I then took a quick look at Goosemoor but the only bird there was a Common Chiffchaff but then again it was at low tide .
I then took a quick look at Goosemoor but the only bird there was a Common Chiffchaff but then again it was at low tide .
Monday, 3 December 2018
Great Spotted Woodpecker
No birding done today as such . But this Great Spotted Woodpecker was a welcome visitor to the feeders in my garden....( For you Susie Q ) x
Sunday, 2 December 2018
Topsham Rec
A morning look at the Topsham Recreation Ground didn`t turn up much at all with only 4 male and 3 female Red-Breasted Merganser , 6 Common Redshank , 2 Pied Avocet , a Common Sandpiper , 2 Great Black-Backed Gull`s , a Common Gull and a very late Red Admiral Butterfly .
Saturday 1st December
I had a look for any returning Hawfinch in the cemetery grounds in Topsham today but again there was no sign of any , but a small finch flock is starting to build up with a few European Goldfinch and Common Chaffinch and 12-15 European Greenfinch .
Also seen was a Common Buzzard , a Eurasian Nuthatch , 20+ Redwing , a Fieldfare and 3 Mistle Thrush .
Also seen was a Common Buzzard , a Eurasian Nuthatch , 20+ Redwing , a Fieldfare and 3 Mistle Thrush .
Friday, 30 November 2018
Otter
This morning saw me on Colaton Raleigh Common as I had heard that a Hen Harrier had been seen on the commons but I spent quite a while looking for it but had no luck again , I think that you need some luck and just jam in on these birds . There was not a lot else to see with 28 Carrion Crow , 2 Common Raven , 4 Common Skylark , 3 Dartford Warbler and a male and female Common Stonechat .
My next stop was at Woodbury Castle where there was a flock of Common Chaffinch and in with them were 2 male and 2 female Brambling but I expect that there are more . Also seen was a European Green Woodpecker , 2 Eurasian Nuthatch and a Eurasian Treecreeper . My last stop of the day was a quick look at Bowling Green Marsh where there was quite a rare bird for the marsh a Great Crested Grebe and it was only my 3rd on here in over 30 years of covering it .But the highlight of the day was an Otter seen on the far side of the marsh in front of the reedbed and only my second one seen on here .
My next stop was at Woodbury Castle where there was a flock of Common Chaffinch and in with them were 2 male and 2 female Brambling but I expect that there are more . Also seen was a European Green Woodpecker , 2 Eurasian Nuthatch and a Eurasian Treecreeper . My last stop of the day was a quick look at Bowling Green Marsh where there was quite a rare bird for the marsh a Great Crested Grebe and it was only my 3rd on here in over 30 years of covering it .But the highlight of the day was an Otter seen on the far side of the marsh in front of the reedbed and only my second one seen on here .
Wednesday, 28 November 2018
Winter Moth
No birding done today but overnight I caught my first ever Winter Moth and I was quite pleased with that as I thought that I would not get anymore new ones this year , also caught was a November Moth .
Monday, 26 November 2018
Hume`s Warbler
A trip down to Berry Head again this morning in hope of getting a photo of the Hume`s Warbler but again I could not get a decent shot of it and had to settle for just nice views again . Also seen were 2 very nice Firecrest... stunning little birds .
I then had a look at Brixham`s inner harbour where this Great Northern Diver was showing incredibly well .
I then had a look at Brixham`s inner harbour where this Great Northern Diver was showing incredibly well .
Thursday, 22 November 2018
Hume`s Warbler
A trip down to Berry Head this afternoon to look for a Hume`s Warbler that was found this morning and on arrival there were two other birders already there and they told us that the bird was still around but out of view at the moment . But after about 10 minutes we could here the bird calling and then all of a sudden it popped into view in the tree in front of me , we managed to get good views of the bird but I had no chance at all of getting a photo of it as it was there and gone in a flash .
Wednesday, 21 November 2018
Bearded Reedling
On a frosty morning I decided to have a look around the Cemetery Grounds outside of my house in Topsham and the first birds that I saw was a large flock of Redwing and a couple of Mistle Thrush were in with them .
I then went to the old sludge beds at Countess Wear as I thought that the Pallas`s Leaf Warbler may have ended up in there but there was no sign of it today . But I did see a few Long-Tailed Tit , 3 Coal Tit , 2 Goldcrest , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Eurasian Treecreeper , I then walked along the path beside the Exeter Canal to look out at the Exe Reedbeds and I had 2 sightings of a female type Bearded Reedling but it may have been just the one bird , I have had them at this site a few times before but this was my first for quite a while .
I then went to the old sludge beds at Countess Wear as I thought that the Pallas`s Leaf Warbler may have ended up in there but there was no sign of it today . But I did see a few Long-Tailed Tit , 3 Coal Tit , 2 Goldcrest , a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Eurasian Treecreeper , I then walked along the path beside the Exeter Canal to look out at the Exe Reedbeds and I had 2 sightings of a female type Bearded Reedling but it may have been just the one bird , I have had them at this site a few times before but this was my first for quite a while .
Tuesday, 20 November 2018
The Exminster Marshes
I spent an hour and a half looking for the Pallas`s Leaf Warbler at Milbury Lane in Exminster this morning but there was no sign of it again today , and all I saw was a Common Chiffchaff , 20+ European Goldfinch and a female Eurasian Bullfinch .
I then took a look at the Exminster Marshes but not a lot was seen with only large flocks of Redwing , 50+ Fieldfare , a Cetti`s Warbler and a Common Raven .
I then took a look at the Exminster Marshes but not a lot was seen with only large flocks of Redwing , 50+ Fieldfare , a Cetti`s Warbler and a Common Raven .
Pallas`s Leaf Warbler
An update on the warbler that was seen on the Exminster Marshes on Sunday . Local birder Dave Boult had taken a video of the bird that clearly shows a central crown stripe and a pale yellow rump and the bird has now been Re-Identified as a Pallas`s Leaf Warbler.....a first for the Exminster Marshes .
Many thanks to the finder James Diamond and to Matt Knott who was the first to query the bird from my photo ...
Many thanks to the finder James Diamond and to Matt Knott who was the first to query the bird from my photo ...
Monday, 19 November 2018
Thrushes
I had a look at the Cemetery Grounds in Topsham this morning and I saw 30-40 Redwing , 13 Fieldfare and this male Eurasian Sparrowhawk that was eyeing up its breakfast .
I then went over to the Exminster Marshes to have another look for yesterdays Yellow-Browed Warbler but there was no sign of it today . But I did see the 4 Barnacle Geese again , a male and female Common Stonechat , 2 Common Raven , a large flock of 300+ Redwing and 50+ Fieldfare .
I then went over to the Exminster Marshes to have another look for yesterdays Yellow-Browed Warbler but there was no sign of it today . But I did see the 4 Barnacle Geese again , a male and female Common Stonechat , 2 Common Raven , a large flock of 300+ Redwing and 50+ Fieldfare .
Sunday, 18 November 2018
Pallas`s Leaf Warbler
Today I went over to an area of the village of Exminster called Milbury Lane where you follow the lane right to the end and reach the Exminster Marshes as a Yellow-Browed Warbler was found in the small copse there this morning . At first there was no sign of it since the first sighting and I had only just managed to hear the bird on call , but after about an hour I managed to refind it and called out to the other birders there and we all managed to get nice views of it up in the top of the trees ...
The bird has now been re-identified as a Pallas`s Leaf Warbler .
The bird has now been re-identified as a Pallas`s Leaf Warbler .
Saturday, 17 November 2018
Red-Legged Partridge
On the Exminster Marshes this afternoon there were 6 Cattle Egret in with the cows near Lyons Rest and a bit further up road the 4 Barnacle Geese were in with Canada Geese by the middle car park and a they were a bit closer than when I saw them last week , and on top of that the female Western Marsh Harrier was showing very well at times .
Up till now I had not seen Red-Legged Partridge in Devon this year so I decided to try and put this right , so my first stop to look for them was in the fields near Kenton close to the Powderham Sawmill and my luck was in as I found a flock of 20-30 of them making it a nice end to the days birding .
Up till now I had not seen Red-Legged Partridge in Devon this year so I decided to try and put this right , so my first stop to look for them was in the fields near Kenton close to the Powderham Sawmill and my luck was in as I found a flock of 20-30 of them making it a nice end to the days birding .
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