[from Lee Collins]
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Dawlish
Just wanted to give news of Waxwings today at Dawlish, 4 in total, very obliging, feeding on fallen apples in a open area off Teignmouth Road just south of Coronation Avenue/ Road?? Light was awful so getting cracking shots was hard. One bird is colour ringed so have sent details off tonite.
[from Lee Collins]
[from Lee Collins]
Prawle Area
A good start to the year in dull grey weather.
Seawatching highlights (from 9am to 11am):2750 auks in first hour ; at least 8 x Harbour Porpoises off the point with Gannet flocks. 1 x Black Throated Diver west and 2 x Teal east.
At Langerstone rocks : 4 x Purple Sandpipers, 3 x Knot , single Turnstone and Curlew.
Off the rocks 3 x female Goosander.
Then at 11.45 a Sooty Shearwater flew close east ! (all features seen-bit of a shock as never een one in January before )
At Horsley Cove the Water Pipit still present along with 3 x Redshank,12 x Turnstone, pipts, starlings and other common bird species.Here I saw my only Stonechat of the day ! Also, 4 x Med gulls ; 2 x adult ,2nd year and a 1st year.Only 1 x male Cirl Bunting seen along the coast path.
At the airfields 50+ Fieldfares and 30+ Redwings. Totals for Song Thrushes at Prawle c 25. Only 1 x Golden Plover seen, but 251 Lapwing. [from Tony Marchese]
Hartland Point
Spotted 100+ Red Throated Divers today at Hartland Point (in Barley Bay), easily visible with binoculars. Plus approx 100 gannets and 2 porpoises.
Many thanks to Mark Darlaston for his earlier post as we wouldn't have visited the area otherwise, and would have missed out on a lifetime tick for the divers!) [from Julie and Aaron Rinder]
Exminster and Powderham marshes
A good day on the marshes with Marsh Harrier and Smew showing well, and whilst at turf a flock of 10 White Fronted Geese flew over circled a few time and seemed to land on Powderham Marshes, later whilst calling into Powderham Marsh, i had good views of the W F geese in with the Canda geese from the viewing platform,also seen here were many Brambling and a good selection of tits larks etc, other birds reported on both reserves but not seen by myself were 1/2 Bitterns,Hen Harrier a few Woodlark, Oh and 1 Red Breasted Goose at Turf
North Devon
A male Blackcap in the garden this morning was a treat, later two singing Song Thrushes nearby. At Sherpa Marsh a flock of 100+ Canada Geese, 3 Little Grebes, and then a big flock of Wigeon on the grass - maybe 6/700. Haven't seen this many here in a good few years. Good numbers of Snipe too. In the Velator reserve, very quiet. Wrafton Pond had 3 Pochard and 2 Tufted Duck, and in the field over the Tarka Trail, 7 Shoveler.
Later went out to Baggy Point again. No Dartford Warblers or Lapland Bunting. Off the point 14 Common Scoter, the female Eider, and a Red-throated Diver - 5 more flew south, and a distant Razorbill. In a very calm sea there were good numbers of Porpoises, and attending them were a couple of Kittiwakes. A Fulmar was seen under the cliffs at the point.
A good start to the year with well over 50 species seen.
Happy (and birdy) New Year to you all!
Later went out to Baggy Point again. No Dartford Warblers or Lapland Bunting. Off the point 14 Common Scoter, the female Eider, and a Red-throated Diver - 5 more flew south, and a distant Razorbill. In a very calm sea there were good numbers of Porpoises, and attending them were a couple of Kittiwakes. A Fulmar was seen under the cliffs at the point.
A good start to the year with well over 50 species seen.
Happy (and birdy) New Year to you all!
Thurlestone Bay
Late start due to visitors.
Thurlstone marsh - 2 Pochard 4 Shoveler, 50 Wigeon, 35 Teal1 Water Pipit, 2 Water rail 2 Bullfinch in my garden.
South Milton Ley - Only 1 Chiffchaff ,150+ Fieldfare 100 + Redwing
South Huish marsh - 85 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 2 Mute Swan , 185 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing
Good no's of Fieldfare-- almost more than during the cold weather.
Thurlstone marsh - 2 Pochard 4 Shoveler, 50 Wigeon, 35 Teal1 Water Pipit, 2 Water rail 2 Bullfinch in my garden.
South Milton Ley - Only 1 Chiffchaff ,150+ Fieldfare 100 + Redwing
South Huish marsh - 85 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 2 Mute Swan , 185 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing
Good no's of Fieldfare-- almost more than during the cold weather.
Kingsbridge Estuary
Curlew Drive - Charleton Marsh, 09:45-12:15, rising tide.
10 Greylag Geese ( came in from the east then headed north over Kingsbridge ), 42 Brent Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese ( on pontoon walkway, Lincombe ), 30 Pintail, 9 Shoveler, Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 38 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, Slavonian / Black-necked Grebe ( distant, entrance to Blanksmill Creek ), 15 Bar-tailed Godwit, 29 Knot ( good number for here ), Kingfisher and 4 Chiffchaffs ( sewage works ).
Nice to hear some birds starting to sing and a couple Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming.
Hope everyone has a happy, healthy bird-filled 2011.
10 Greylag Geese ( came in from the east then headed north over Kingsbridge ), 42 Brent Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese ( on pontoon walkway, Lincombe ), 30 Pintail, 9 Shoveler, Gadwall, 18 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 38 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, Slavonian / Black-necked Grebe ( distant, entrance to Blanksmill Creek ), 15 Bar-tailed Godwit, 29 Knot ( good number for here ), Kingfisher and 4 Chiffchaffs ( sewage works ).
Nice to hear some birds starting to sing and a couple Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming.
Hope everyone has a happy, healthy bird-filled 2011.
Axe Estuary and Seaton Bay
A late night prevented an early start, but late morning 8 Velvet and 43 Common Scoters were showing off Seaton seafront. 2 Brent Geese flew in from the east and joined them, and 3 Red-throated Diver, a few Razorbill and several Great Crested Grebes were scattered about on the sea.
The adult Bewick's Swan is still with us, with Mute Swans between Musbury and Colyford. It is best viewed from the road that goes from the A3052 to Lower Bruckland Ponds (just east of Boshill Cross) then around the back of the ponds to Musbury. Also at Lower Bruckland Ponds at least one Pochard and five Tufted Duck mid afternoon (Phil had more earlier). The adult Greylag Goose is also still with us, opposite Stecombe Vale.
Today's lowlight was missing the patches first confirmed Waxwings. James McCarthy watched 9 for a couple of minutes along Colyford Road, in trees opposite the entrance to Black Hole Marsh. After flitting between trees they flew off north towards Colyford, calling as they went. Gripping!
The adult Bewick's Swan is still with us, with Mute Swans between Musbury and Colyford. It is best viewed from the road that goes from the A3052 to Lower Bruckland Ponds (just east of Boshill Cross) then around the back of the ponds to Musbury. Also at Lower Bruckland Ponds at least one Pochard and five Tufted Duck mid afternoon (Phil had more earlier). The adult Greylag Goose is also still with us, opposite Stecombe Vale.
Today's lowlight was missing the patches first confirmed Waxwings. James McCarthy watched 9 for a couple of minutes along Colyford Road, in trees opposite the entrance to Black Hole Marsh. After flitting between trees they flew off north towards Colyford, calling as they went. Gripping!
Babbacombe Bay and Torbay
Babbacombe / Oddicombe: a Red-necked Grebe close in off the northern end of the beach, 49 Red-throated Divers, 186 Great Crested Grebes (with Mike Langman's count off Broadsands, that's a massive total of 255 for the area!)
Off Preston saw similar species and numbers to prevous post.
Brixham Breakwater: 13:55 a call from Mike L to say Sooty Shearwater heading your way!! So Adele, Matt Twiggs and I watched in disbelief as the strange plumaged Sooty Shearwater cruised by and headed out past Berry Hd! Meanwhile the Bonxie was having ago at four Gannets back in the bay. Then a flock of 29 Red-throated Divers flew past out of Torbay and later another Red-necked Grebe flying into the bay. Only 8 Purple Sandpipers seen on the breakwater.
What an amazing 1st Jan! Happy New Year
Off Preston saw similar species and numbers to prevous post.
Brixham Breakwater: 13:55 a call from Mike L to say Sooty Shearwater heading your way!! So Adele, Matt Twiggs and I watched in disbelief as the strange plumaged Sooty Shearwater cruised by and headed out past Berry Hd! Meanwhile the Bonxie was having ago at four Gannets back in the bay. Then a flock of 29 Red-throated Divers flew past out of Torbay and later another Red-necked Grebe flying into the bay. Only 8 Purple Sandpipers seen on the breakwater.
What an amazing 1st Jan! Happy New Year
Torbay
Broadsands: 1 Sooty Shearwater feeding fairly close in at one stage being harassed by Herring gulls - very odd bird with symmetrical long pale carpal bars on upperwings also darkish underwings not showing the normal silvery underwing coverts it eventually flew past Brixham Breakwater and Mark Darlaston saw it carry on out past Berry Head. 1 Bonxie resting and chasing Gannets, 4 Black-necked Grebes, 1 Red-necked Grebe, 66 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Common Scoter, 1 Eider, 2 Red-throated Divers, 110+ Razorbills, 13 Guillemots.
Goodrington: 4 Common Scoter, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 10 Razorbills.
Preston /Paignton: 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Common Scoter, 4 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Great Crested Grebes.
Goodrington: 4 Common Scoter, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 10 Razorbills.
Preston /Paignton: 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Common Scoter, 4 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Great Crested Grebes.
Mansands
A quick circuit of the marsh at lunchtime produced the expected 20 Teal and 6 Gadwall but more unusually here , a Green Sandpiper. A Water Rail was feeding out on the open mud and single Redshank and Dunlin were present. (waders generally are scarce here except Snipe).
2 Razorbill and a Great Crested Grebe offshore.
At home in Brixham , male and female Blackcap in my hedge.
2 Razorbill and a Great Crested Grebe offshore.
At home in Brixham , male and female Blackcap in my hedge.
Topsham
Only a brief look from the house yesterday produced 16 Brambling and 1 female Marsh Harrier. The harrier was circling high over the Exe reed beds at 2 pm before dropping down to perch in the middle of the reeds.
Exmouth
So far today, just bumbling around Exmouth very leisurely:
Shelly Beach: Slavonian Grebe, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, first-winter male Goldeneye, Greenshank. (+ hundreds of dogs and owners).
Cedar Close: male Blackcap in my back garden, 5 Redwing.
Shelly Beach: Slavonian Grebe, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, first-winter male Goldeneye, Greenshank. (+ hundreds of dogs and owners).
Cedar Close: male Blackcap in my back garden, 5 Redwing.
Friday, 31 December 2010
Exminster marshes
Some photos from the canal today. Greenshank at Turf lock midday, smew and bittern at Topsham lock, mid afternoon. The bittern was quite mobile, flying up and moving between reedbeds 4 times.
Starling Roost
The Starling roost that Mark mentioned in his Hartland posting is in a pine plantation on the Devon/Cornwall border. It can be viewed just off the A39 on the minor road to East Youlstone/Bradworthy at SS272164. In my experience there are no spectacular aerobatics, the birds just fly straight into the roost but still quite a sight none-the-less.
Happy New Year everybody.
Regards
Nigel
Happy New Year everybody.
Regards
Nigel
Hartland area
Walked Shipload Bay to Hartland Point, good numbers of Red-throated Divers, we had a minimun count of 140, many close in. As usual many of these birds look quite contrasting with some showing white flank patch (but no Black-throats seen)! Obviously a good food source present, as also over 100 Razorbills / Guillemots and at least 20 Harbour Porpoise milling about.
A quick stop at Bursdon Moor saw one 'ringtail' Hen Harrier and a Merlin hunting. Also huge Starling flocks (10000s) heading for what must be a massive roost nearby.
A quick stop at Bursdon Moor saw one 'ringtail' Hen Harrier and a Merlin hunting. Also huge Starling flocks (10000s) heading for what must be a massive roost nearby.
Tiverton
The year ended with three nice birds including a Brambling and a male Blackcap in the garden followed by a drake Goosander on the River Exe just south of town.
Sidmouth
10 Purple Sandpipers on the west end of the town beach / nearest rockpile at 1500hrs over high tide.
(Also 2 male Blackcaps in my back garden, Cedar Close, Exmouth at 1300hrs, but again, no sign of the female - hope she didn't perish in the severe weather).
(Also 2 male Blackcaps in my back garden, Cedar Close, Exmouth at 1300hrs, but again, no sign of the female - hope she didn't perish in the severe weather).
Exminster Marshes
In late afternoon, a ringtail Harrier (dark under-secondaries suggested a juv) flew from marshes west of Topsham Lock bridge over the canal, perhaps to roost in the reeds. A Peregrine chivvied a good-sized Starling roost into spectacular gyrations. Smew and a few Gadwall and Tufted still on the canal, and several Grey Plover pretending to be Goldies on the marshes.
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