Saturday, 19 February 2011
Exe Estuary
On the Stuart Line cruise this afternoon: first winter Glaucous Gull (off Exmouth seafront), fw drake Long-tailed Duck with Slavonian Grebe off Cockwood, 2 female Scaup off Lympstone, plus 2 Little and 1 GC Grebe, c25 Shags, 7 Little Egrets, 70+ Mergansers, a quick count of 570 Avocets, 5 Greenshank at Powderham, several hundred each of both godwits, c100 Common Gulls, 1 Kingfisher on wreck off Cockwood. Also the long-time resident (blind?) Common Seal hauled out on Bull Hill.
Wembury Point
Still 2 Water Pipit at the point but little else of note. Also one stranded Porpoise? Have I watched too many Nat Geo documentaries with Shark in the title or does the missing bit look suspiciously circular?? 2 Honey Bees in my garden as well collecting pollen from Crocus flowers.
Newbridge
James Leonard and I returned to Newbridge this afternoon. There is a Pink-footed Goose there with the Swan flock. There is another Goose with it that has pink feet and a mostly pink bill.
The two pictures above (sorry for the quality) are this bird. It has been variously identified!
All opinions welcome!
Jon
ps we also saw 4 Little Egrets and the Cattle Egret.
Wrafton
6 Spoonbills roosted on Wrafton marsh for the last two nights and departed quite early (from James Leonard).
(In the field on the south side of the Tarka Trail opposite Wrafton Pond.)
(In the field on the south side of the Tarka Trail opposite Wrafton Pond.)
Beesands Ley
Very quiet this morning except for 5 Goosanders which soon took off and flew south anyhow.
NEW BRIDGE, BISHOPS TAWTON.
10:05
35 Mute Swans and 2 Pink-footed Geese in meadows downstream of the bridge. 2 Farmyard (white) Geese in the river.
Also 1 Greylag with c60 Canada Geese in field alongside Tawstock road.
1 Little Grebe and 2 Goosander upstream.
No sign of Cattle Egret or Little Egrets.
35 Mute Swans and 2 Pink-footed Geese in meadows downstream of the bridge. 2 Farmyard (white) Geese in the river.
Also 1 Greylag with c60 Canada Geese in field alongside Tawstock road.
1 Little Grebe and 2 Goosander upstream.
No sign of Cattle Egret or Little Egrets.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Topsham Environs
Three drake and two female Red-breasted Mergansers were on the Exe off the recreation ground in the morning as were two Avocets, a Common Sandpiper, eighteen Teal, three Black-tailed Godwits and eighty eight Common Gulls.
One Spotted Redshank was with twenty six Redshanks and three Greenshanks on the Clyst Estuary from the viewing platform at about half past two in the afternoon.
The female Smew was still on the lagoon at Bowling Green Marsh viewable from the hide at five past three.
One Spotted Redshank was with twenty six Redshanks and three Greenshanks on the Clyst Estuary from the viewing platform at about half past two in the afternoon.
The female Smew was still on the lagoon at Bowling Green Marsh viewable from the hide at five past three.
Cyprus Records
For Mike Passman & anyone else who has recently visited/will be visiting Cyprus.
I worked in Cyprus 2005-2009 and am still involved in writing species accounts for the annual Cyprus Bird Report. Could I please ask that anyone who visits Cyprus to send me a list of their sightings on a spreadsheet if possible. Species/Location/Number of birds/Comments/Date and I will forward them on to the recorder (Colin Richardson). My email is nwcottle@gmail.com
There aren't that many resident birders out there and all records from visiting birders are most welcome. Thanks.
I worked in Cyprus 2005-2009 and am still involved in writing species accounts for the annual Cyprus Bird Report. Could I please ask that anyone who visits Cyprus to send me a list of their sightings on a spreadsheet if possible. Species/Location/Number of birds/Comments/Date and I will forward them on to the recorder (Colin Richardson). My email is nwcottle@gmail.com
There aren't that many resident birders out there and all records from visiting birders are most welcome. Thanks.
Thurlestone Bay
Back on the patch after a visit to Cyprus.
Small goups of Black Headed Gulls moving through the Bay and up the valley, including 1- 1st w & 1- 2w Med Gulls.
Single Shelduck in the Bay, 1 Red T Diver flew east
Thurlestone marsh -4 Shoveler, 5 Lapwing , 9 Wigeon,.
Max Reed Buntings at the feeders up to 21. Another 7 ringed this am.
Small goups of Black Headed Gulls moving through the Bay and up the valley, including 1- 1st w & 1- 2w Med Gulls.
Single Shelduck in the Bay, 1 Red T Diver flew east
Thurlestone marsh -4 Shoveler, 5 Lapwing , 9 Wigeon,.
Max Reed Buntings at the feeders up to 21. Another 7 ringed this am.
Exe Estuary
A selection of birds seen on the Exe during yesterdays RSPB Avocet Cruise, highlight being the Long-tailed Duck - a first for me.
Otter Estuary
The following birds were present on and around the Otter Estuary late this afternoon;
2 Water Rails
First-winter Yellow-legged Gull
and two of Matthew Knott's gulls from last Friday:
leucistic Black-headed Gull ( I can see all sorts of birds being claimed from this individual - groan!)
putative first-winter Scandinavian Herring Gull
The latter bird was stood in the second field up from the cricket pitch and was huge, dwarfing a first-winter argenteus stood alongside!
2 Water Rails
First-winter Yellow-legged Gull
and two of Matthew Knott's gulls from last Friday:
leucistic Black-headed Gull ( I can see all sorts of birds being claimed from this individual - groan!)
putative first-winter Scandinavian Herring Gull
The latter bird was stood in the second field up from the cricket pitch and was huge, dwarfing a first-winter argenteus stood alongside!
Tamar Lakes
A visit to Lower Tamar Lake this afternoon revealed:
41 Goosanders (5 males)
1 female Pintail
56 Coot
2 Moorhens
26 Wigeon
3 Gadwall
19 Mallard
Canada Geese as ever
Plus 2 Willow Tits at the feeding station with numerous other tits and a Nuthatch
No sign of the Bittern although it was reported earlier today.
(Harvey Kendall)
41 Goosanders (5 males)
1 female Pintail
56 Coot
2 Moorhens
26 Wigeon
3 Gadwall
19 Mallard
Canada Geese as ever
Plus 2 Willow Tits at the feeding station with numerous other tits and a Nuthatch
No sign of the Bittern although it was reported earlier today.
(Harvey Kendall)
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Seaton
The 12 Velvet Scoter were again showing well off Seaton Hole this afternoon, together with 20 Common Scoter and 3 Eider. The Bewick's Swan was again in the field opposite Stedcombe Manor.
North Devon
Ringing at the Velator reserve this morning yielded plenty of Finches (11 Green, 12 Chaff, and 12 Gold) plus 2 Siskins and a female Brambling. Also a female Reed Bunting.
While there I had a message from Steve W with news of birds at Bishop's Tawton, so headed off there at 4.30 with James L. In the first field north of the the river 5 Mute Swans, 5 Little Egrets and a CATTLE EGRET - first Reported by Rob Jutsum yesterday.
South of the river 30+ Mute Swans (mostly ist-years) with a Greylag Goose and a Pink-footed Goose!
In the river 4 Goosanders including 2 smart-looking Drakes.
While there I had a message from Steve W with news of birds at Bishop's Tawton, so headed off there at 4.30 with James L. In the first field north of the the river 5 Mute Swans, 5 Little Egrets and a CATTLE EGRET - first Reported by Rob Jutsum yesterday.
South of the river 30+ Mute Swans (mostly ist-years) with a Greylag Goose and a Pink-footed Goose!
In the river 4 Goosanders including 2 smart-looking Drakes.
Broadsands
34 Great Crested Grebes off shore and 1 black-necked Grebe (brief look only). If anyone notices fishing nets set just offshore from Elberry Headland please estimate length of net, number of bouys holding the net, time and date date. Please email details to me mikelangman@blueyonder.co.uk
In back of 2nd car park: 11 Cirl Buntings, 10 Reed Buntings and a female Brambling. 160+ (in several groups) of Redwing flying over >N.
In back of 2nd car park: 11 Cirl Buntings, 10 Reed Buntings and a female Brambling. 160+ (in several groups) of Redwing flying over >N.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Bowling Green Marsh
Redhead Smew still present on the main pool this evening until 1725hrs at least. Also the high tide wader roost included a Spotted Redshank and 400+ Avocet.
Berry Head
Seawatch 10:00-13:30. Despite promising conditions relatively little moving, apart from a trickle of Auks, Gannets and Kittiwakes. Highlights being 4 Red-throated Divers and a Red-necked Grebe heading south. 2 Harbour Porpoise off the headland and a single Eider off the platform.
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