Well today I could only manage to get this distant shot of a Eurasian Hobby . It is my first of the year so fingers crossed that I can better it some time .
Also seen was a male Western Marsh Harrier , Cetti`s Warbler , Eurasian Reed Warbler , Sedge Warbler , Common Chiffchaff and a Blackcap .
Tim Andy and myself made a trip up to Swineham Gravel Pits in Dorset to look for a Bluethroat a very rare bird that visits us from Europe some times . And after a long walk we got great views of the bird of the red spotted race of northern Europe .
These birds used to be rarer in Britain but they seem to be turning up a bit more allowing us to enjoy these beautiful birds .
The highlight of the day for me was seeing my 1st Weasel of the year that was seen on the canel path at the Exminster Marshes .
Also seen were the following birds
Common Buzzard . Eurasian Curlew . Whimbrel . Common Skylark . Sedge Warbler . Blackcap . Common Chiffchaff and Cetti`s Warbler
News of a Black-Crowned Night Heron saw me making the trip over to Seaton in East Devon in hope of seeing it . And the bird was showing very well on Borrow Pit . There was not a lot else to see with only 4 Cetti`s Warbler and a Common Chiffchaff .
I started the day off at Emsworthy Mire on Dartmoor where I saw a Common Buzzard , a Common Raven . And new for the year Common Redstart with 3 male birds seen . also seen was a Clouded Yellow Butterfly .
I then went to Yarner Wood to look for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker but again I was out of luck .
But I did see 2 male Blackcap , 2 Willow Warbler , Eurasian Treecreeper , Great Spotted Woodpecker , 2 Mistle Thrush , Pied Flycatcher and my first Tree Pipit of the year
A quick look at the Exminster Marshes this morning before the rain set in . Got me 3 Common Buzzard , a few Barn Swallow , 3 Cetti`s Warbler , 2 European Reed Warbler , 2 Sedge Warbler , Common Chiffchaff , 2 male Blackcap and 2 Cattle Egret .
The Pied Flycatcher have returned to Yarner Wood and a pair showed quite well this morning .
Also seen were a pair of Blackcap , Willow Warbler , Common Chiffchaff , Goldcrest and Song Thrush .
Another highlight today was seeing a Water Shrew near the reservoir my first in over ten years 😀
On The Exminster Marshes this morning new birds for the year were Common Swift , 2 Sedge Warbler , a European Reed Warbler and a Ruff . Also seen were Black-Tailed Godwit , Cetti`s Warbler , European Spoonbill , 4 Barn Swallow , numerous Common Sand Martin , The long staying Greater White-Fronted Goose , a male Western Marsh Harrier and 20+ Cattle Egret .
