Sunday, 5 December 2010
Turf Snow Bunting
Another nice photo of the confiding Snow Bunt at Turf Lock. This one from John Lee.
Brixham
...noted yesterday the usual winter Black redstart for the 1st time, which spends it's time going up and down Rea Barn Close, and the lower section of the BM Community College Playing fields......been a regular here for the last 4 years at least.
[from Trevor Leaman]
[from Trevor Leaman]
Thurlestone Marsh .
8.30 3 f Goosander ,6 Shoveler, 70 Wigeon, 30 Teal .Singles of Dunlin & lapwing.
In the Village 6 Redwing ,4 Fieldfare.
Waxwings at Buckfastleigh were great- must be the most photographed birds in Devon this weekend
Dipped on the Hawfinches at Ide
In the Village 6 Redwing ,4 Fieldfare.
Waxwings at Buckfastleigh were great- must be the most photographed birds in Devon this weekend
Dipped on the Hawfinches at Ide
Buckfastleigh and Berry Head
The two Waxwings performed well on and off near the Co-op, as did the first winter Lapland Bunting at Berry Head (where a quick look at the cliffs revealed lots of Guillemots and a few Fulmars).
Torbay -04/12/10
A quick look at Torbay yesterday (04/12/10) lunch time. At least 12 Red-throated Divers (some mobile and flying) well out in the bay, 1 Great Northern, 2 Black-necked Grebes off Elberry and 7 Common Scoter. Long-tailed Duck and 2 Black-necked Grebes off Preston / Paignton.
Colyton WTW
If you've seen Steve's blog you'll be aware that there is a Yellow Wagtail on Colyton WTW (opposite the Woodlark field). It is at least a potential candidate for Eastern Yellow Wagtail, so it would be nice if some skilful soul could get some stunning photos from all angles, and clear recordings of the call. Thanks in advance!
In the meantime, here is a digiscoped shot taken through the morning mist. Please do better than this...
In the meantime, here is a digiscoped shot taken through the morning mist. Please do better than this...
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Prawle
Day started with a decent seawatch (08.00 - 11.30), most notable event being a reasonable passage of Divers. 24 passed in total, all going west, and consisted of 13 Red-throated, 4 Great Northern, 3 Black-throated and 4 unidentified. Other highlights were 2 Balearic Shearwaters, also west, 100 Gannets, the first Fulmar for a few weeks, 140 Auks, (mainly Guillemots today), at least twelve Common Gulls and up to 30 Kittiwakes. A small selection of wildfowl included 2 Brent Geese (dark-bellied), 3 Shelduck and singles of Wigeon, Gadwall and Common Scoter.
Along the shore were several cold weather refugees. As well as the usual Oystercatchers (75), Curlews (3) and Turnstones (12), there were 9 Dunlin, 5 Knot, 2 Redshank and a Grey Plover. The more usual cold-weather suspects were only present in small numbers - 25 Golden Plover, 17 Lapwing and 10 Snipe.
Also present today, 9 Med Gulls, 100+ Skylarks and single Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
Topsham
4 Bramblings in garden between recreational playing fields and M5 bridge
[from Martin Elcoate]
Thurlestone Marsh
Only time for a quick look at the Marsh this morning , what a surprise to find 4 female Goosander ( a site tick for me- according to Bob Burridge many many years since last recorded )
With the marsh unfrozen the Duck started to return - 2f Pintail flew in at 10.30, also 35 Teal, 16 Wigeon,5 Shoveler. 3 Water Rail, 3 lapwing 40+ Snipe
With the marsh unfrozen the Duck started to return - 2f Pintail flew in at 10.30, also 35 Teal, 16 Wigeon,5 Shoveler. 3 Water Rail, 3 lapwing 40+ Snipe
Otter Estuary
A good day on the Otter today. Highlight was definitely a Short-eared Owl (thanks Ray!) sat on the saltmarsh for 10 minutes before being harrassed by crows and heading high west. Other highlights today:
33 Dunlin (good count), 30+ Curlew, 6+ Redshank, 4+ Ringed Plover, 4+ Lapwing, 1 Knot, 1 Grey Plover (scarce), 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 12+ Snipe, 2 adult Med. Gulls, 300+ Skylark, 1 Brambling, 1 Water Pipit (cricket pitch) and last but not least the Glossy Ibis is still alive and well north of White Bridge.
No sign of Ruff reported from yesterday.
A good day on the Otter today. Highlight was definitely a Short-eared Owl (thanks Ray!) sat on the saltmarsh for 10 minutes before being harrassed by crows and heading high west. Other highlights today:
33 Dunlin (good count), 30+ Curlew, 6+ Redshank, 4+ Ringed Plover, 4+ Lapwing, 1 Knot, 1 Grey Plover (scarce), 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 12+ Snipe, 2 adult Med. Gulls, 300+ Skylark, 1 Brambling, 1 Water Pipit (cricket pitch) and last but not least the Glossy Ibis is still alive and well north of White Bridge.
No sign of Ruff reported from yesterday.
Kingsbridge Estuary
Charleton Marsh / Bay, 13:15-15:30, high tide.
Teal now up to 338 on the marsh, numbers augmented by birds unsettled by shooting on estuary nearby. Also single female Pintail and Shoveler. 34 Snipe included a flock of 30 flying around ( Snipe normally hard to see on the marsh, their favoured areas out of sight and bounds). Kingfisher showing well on and off below the hide. Out on the estuary still the adult Mediterranean Gull, also a Great Northern Diver near the Saltstone. Walking back up the marsh 3 nervous looking Greylag Geese flying around. 3 Chiffchaffs and a Grey Wagtail in the sewage works. Small but noticeable influx of Song Thrushes around the marsh.
Teal now up to 338 on the marsh, numbers augmented by birds unsettled by shooting on estuary nearby. Also single female Pintail and Shoveler. 34 Snipe included a flock of 30 flying around ( Snipe normally hard to see on the marsh, their favoured areas out of sight and bounds). Kingfisher showing well on and off below the hide. Out on the estuary still the adult Mediterranean Gull, also a Great Northern Diver near the Saltstone. Walking back up the marsh 3 nervous looking Greylag Geese flying around. 3 Chiffchaffs and a Grey Wagtail in the sewage works. Small but noticeable influx of Song Thrushes around the marsh.
Exmouth
All seen this afternoon:
Shelly Beach - male Black Redstart (on appartment blocks overlooking beach), 2 Greenshank, [Grey Seal].
Mudbank Lane - 2 Scaup, 14 Goldeneye, 13 Shoveler, 200 Teal, Greenshank.
Shelly Beach - male Black Redstart (on appartment blocks overlooking beach), 2 Greenshank, [Grey Seal].
Mudbank Lane - 2 Scaup, 14 Goldeneye, 13 Shoveler, 200 Teal, Greenshank.
Berry Head
Close in, off quarry. 2 f. Eider diving and consuming small starfish. 1 GN Diver, 2 Razorbills.
Lapland bunting still present.
Lapland bunting still present.
Buckfastleigh
The 2 Waxwings still in Buckfastleigh this morning, feeding on berries opposite the co-op but spending most time sat in the top of the trees in nearby Hamblins Road.
Friday, 3 December 2010
Paignton
Two Black-necked Grebes, Long-tailed Duck, Oystercatcher 55 and Turnstone 16.
[from Steve Cox]
[from Steve Cox]
Ide - Hawfinches
10 Hawfinches counted leaving the roost site at Ide this morning.Sadly this is private land but up to 3 birds are still viewable from the road at West Town Farm.
Directions - leave A30 and drive through Ide Village.At top of hill beside the Poachers pub turn right at mini roundabout and follow signs to West Town Farm (approx 1 mile from ide village).Park at farm and check field maple trees just beyond the farm and normally viewable from road.
[from Roy Adams]
R.Taw off Pottington Ind Est and Bradiford Reserve
14:40 to 15:45
3 Bar-tailed Godwit; c300 Dunlin; 10 Ringed Plover; 3 Grey Plover; c40 Redshank; 2 Black-tailed Godwit; 6 Little Grebe; c35 Oystercatcher; c40 Redshank. Not many Lapwing about.
Bradiford Reserve.
c120 Teal and 55 Mallard. Just a few Lapwing in the field between the reserve and Ashford sewage works.
Yesterday at 12:15 there were 6 Little Grebe swimming and diving around the supports of the swing bridge. There was also a Coot with them. I don`t recall ever seeing a Coot at this location before?
3 Bar-tailed Godwit; c300 Dunlin; 10 Ringed Plover; 3 Grey Plover; c40 Redshank; 2 Black-tailed Godwit; 6 Little Grebe; c35 Oystercatcher; c40 Redshank. Not many Lapwing about.
Bradiford Reserve.
c120 Teal and 55 Mallard. Just a few Lapwing in the field between the reserve and Ashford sewage works.
Yesterday at 12:15 there were 6 Little Grebe swimming and diving around the supports of the swing bridge. There was also a Coot with them. I don`t recall ever seeing a Coot at this location before?
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