A round-up of birds this evening - not all seen by me, so some counts rough.
11 Manx Shearwaters E in half an hour from 5:15
The selection of waders on the estuary/marshes included these indicators of definite passage: c.30 Dunlin, a handful of Ringed Plovers, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits (3 in full summer garb), 1 Knot, 2 Common Sands.
Also, a Whinchat and 4 Wheatears on Black Hole Marsh.
Saturday, 30 April 2011
White Stork
Just to prove the White Stork is the same bird as the one on Colyford Common. I didn't look too closely at this photo before as it wasn't a 'keeper'.
More Stork Stuff
In addition to Steve's info from Chris Batty, a couple of other observations re. the White Stork.
First, a bit of research from Shaun Barnes...
Fylde Bird Club noted that On 26th March 2011 Bob Danson and Barry Dyson discovered a White Stork feeding in a flooded field at Pilling Lane Ends, before it relocated to a field alongside Taylor's Lane, Stake Pool. However, the presence of a narrow metal ring above the bird's left foot proved it to be an escape from captivity, and the same individual that had earlier been noted in Scotland over Fairlie, Ayrshire on 13th March 2011, then at Ormiston, Edinburgh and Whitecraig, Lothian on 17th-19th March. After leaving the Fylde it overflew Halton, Lancashire then Tebay, Cumbria on 27th March before visiting Lockerbie and Moffat, Dumfriesshire on 9th-10th April and Banchory, Aberdeenshire on 11th-12th April 2011. The bird originated from Harewood House, north of Leeds, West Yorkshire, where free-flying White Storks are known to have been kept as exhibits since at least April 1997, and they successfully fledged young later that year. Ringed White Storks from this source are occasionally recorded at large around northern England and southernScotland, particularly in the early spring (see http://at2h.blogspot.com/2009/03/not-so-great-escape.html). The individual seen on the Fylde is believed to have been visiting Scotland since at least January 2001 (see http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2011/03/wknd-19-20-march.html) and http://birdingsometimes.blogspot.com/2009/03/quiet-on-coast.html).
And finally, a note from Josh Marshall to say that Paignton Zoo used to use such rings on their storks to distinguish between males and females [and perhaps still do?]
First, a bit of research from Shaun Barnes...
Fylde Bird Club noted that On 26th March 2011 Bob Danson and Barry Dyson discovered a White Stork feeding in a flooded field at Pilling Lane Ends, before it relocated to a field alongside Taylor's Lane, Stake Pool. However, the presence of a narrow metal ring above the bird's left foot proved it to be an escape from captivity, and the same individual that had earlier been noted in Scotland over Fairlie, Ayrshire on 13th March 2011, then at Ormiston, Edinburgh and Whitecraig, Lothian on 17th-19th March. After leaving the Fylde it overflew Halton, Lancashire then Tebay, Cumbria on 27th March before visiting Lockerbie and Moffat, Dumfriesshire on 9th-10th April and Banchory, Aberdeenshire on 11th-12th April 2011. The bird originated from Harewood House, north of Leeds, West Yorkshire, where free-flying White Storks are known to have been kept as exhibits since at least April 1997, and they successfully fledged young later that year. Ringed White Storks from this source are occasionally recorded at large around northern England and southernScotland, particularly in the early spring (see http://at2h.blogspot.com/2009/03/not-so-great-escape.html). The individual seen on the Fylde is believed to have been visiting Scotland since at least January 2001 (see http://sedgewarbler.blogspot.com/2011/03/wknd-19-20-march.html) and http://birdingsometimes.blogspot.com/2009/03/quiet-on-coast.html).
And finally, a note from Josh Marshall to say that Paignton Zoo used to use such rings on their storks to distinguish between males and females [and perhaps still do?]
Thurlestone Bay.
Just had a call from Bob B at 18.00 3 Arctic Skua & a light phase Pomarine Skua ( with spoons ) in the Bay . Another flock of 40 Bar T Godwit takes the day total to 712 & 1003 for the 3 days.
3 Egyptian Goose flew onto South Huish marsh
3 Egyptian Goose flew onto South Huish marsh
Thurlestone Bay.
Superb passage of waders- Bay watched from 09.00-17.00 Bob B,AJL & myself .
Main highlightwas a total of 672 Bar T Godwit- largest flocks 90 & 140. all went up the valley after flying into the Bay. This makes a total of 963 logged in the last 3 days ( the recent record is 1170 in May 1990) with stronger easterly winds for the next few days we could pass this landmark.
100 Whimbrel , 1 Grey Plover, 1 Sanderling, 30 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper plus the resident Oystercatchers completed the wader day list.
3 Arctic Skua, 5 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern, 8 Wheatear, 10 Swift, 10 Sand Martin, 13 House Martin and 100+ Swallow
Thurlestone Marsh had a late Sipe & 22 Teal.
Yesterday aSpotted Flycatcher at the side of the marsh
A very enjoyable day !
Main highlightwas a total of 672 Bar T Godwit- largest flocks 90 & 140. all went up the valley after flying into the Bay. This makes a total of 963 logged in the last 3 days ( the recent record is 1170 in May 1990) with stronger easterly winds for the next few days we could pass this landmark.
100 Whimbrel , 1 Grey Plover, 1 Sanderling, 30 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper plus the resident Oystercatchers completed the wader day list.
3 Arctic Skua, 5 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern, 8 Wheatear, 10 Swift, 10 Sand Martin, 13 House Martin and 100+ Swallow
Thurlestone Marsh had a late Sipe & 22 Teal.
Yesterday aSpotted Flycatcher at the side of the marsh
A very enjoyable day !
The White Stork
Following on from Gavin's post below about the White Stork first seen on the Axe Estuary, and now residing in North Devon, I have some news...
Thanks to an email from Chris Batty I can confirm this White Stork is indeed an escaped captive bird. It has spent the past spring in Lancashire (since late March).
Just shows that however good the weather conditions seem, you just don't know.....
Thanks to an email from Chris Batty I can confirm this White Stork is indeed an escaped captive bird. It has spent the past spring in Lancashire (since late March).
Just shows that however good the weather conditions seem, you just don't know.....
Northam Burrows
Plenty of Wheatear's around this year - the males are looking stunning at the moment. I particularly like the tail spread in this one.
Jetty Roost, Yelland
After visiting Weare Giffard at 07:30 and seeing the White Stork, I came back to Yelland and had a stroll down to the Jetty Roost at about 08:30.
Among a feeding flock of 64 Dunlin and 37 Ringed Plover was 1 adult spring plumaged Sanderling.
A careful scrutiny revealed that it was flagged and ringed.
I observed that it had:-
Left leg:Yellow ring.
Right leg: Blue flag over red ring.
A check of Sanderling Ringing Projects on cr-birding.be indicates that there should be at least 1 flag and 4 colour rings, so if you see it about perhaps you can add to those I saw. It could be that the red and yellow rings were each 2 of the same colour on each leg.
10 Bar-tailed Godwit.
18 Whimbrel and just 1 Shelduck. Plenty of Common Whitethroat and 2 Wheatear in the site of the old power station. The Wheatear seem to like the large heaps of concrete boulders.
Instow Barton Marsh had 1 low flying Buzzard and contractors are clearing out the drainage ditches producing vegatation free, water filled ditches.
Among a feeding flock of 64 Dunlin and 37 Ringed Plover was 1 adult spring plumaged Sanderling.
A careful scrutiny revealed that it was flagged and ringed.
I observed that it had:-
Left leg:Yellow ring.
Right leg: Blue flag over red ring.
A check of Sanderling Ringing Projects on cr-birding.be indicates that there should be at least 1 flag and 4 colour rings, so if you see it about perhaps you can add to those I saw. It could be that the red and yellow rings were each 2 of the same colour on each leg.
10 Bar-tailed Godwit.
18 Whimbrel and just 1 Shelduck. Plenty of Common Whitethroat and 2 Wheatear in the site of the old power station. The Wheatear seem to like the large heaps of concrete boulders.
Instow Barton Marsh had 1 low flying Buzzard and contractors are clearing out the drainage ditches producing vegatation free, water filled ditches.
And on a Different Note...
Not news, just a bit of light relief. Photo from Pete Adey yesterday - female House Sparrow with assorted goodies from the brook at Newton Poppleford...
Prawle - roundup 28 & 29/4
28/4; Female Woodchat Shrike found early evening on the clifftop at Horseley Cove. Appeared to be well fed - content to just sit around. Some traces of blood on it's face, so had probably eaten a Cirl Bunting recently! On the beach below, 17 Bar-tailed Godwits (3-4 in breeding plumage), 13 Whimbrel, and a Grey Plover at Langerstone Point. 45 Manx Shearwaters east in a single flock.29/4; Shrike still present, today favouring the walls/hedges running north from the beach. Also today, a male Whinchat (alongside the shrike), 9 Wheatears, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher (female), and 4 Willow Warblers. Earlier, a seawatch produced 232 Gannets, 23 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Common Scoters, 91 Bar-tailed Godwits (east, + 3 still at Horseley Cove), 12 Whimbrel (east, + 2 at Horseley), Arctic Skua, 11 Common Gulls (all immatures), Sandwich Tern, 162 Guillemot/Razorbills and a Puffin. (Also, very pleased to see a Basking Shark - my first here for many years).
(p.s. Nice picture of the Stork, Roy - I wish my distant record shots were that good!!)
Weare Giffard White Stork
Some more great shots of the White Stork- these taken by Shaun Barnes.
Unfortunately, as sometimes happens when a good photo allows a closer examination of a rare or scarce bird, all may not be quite what it seems. See particularly the last photo in the set...
If anyone knows for sure what such an adornment actually indicates, I'd be happy to hear about it. Go on, confirm my worst fears!
Even so, a very smart and obliging bird. The missing primary in the right wing pretty much proves that this is the same bird that was at Colyford Marsh earlier in the week.
Unfortunately, as sometimes happens when a good photo allows a closer examination of a rare or scarce bird, all may not be quite what it seems. See particularly the last photo in the set...
If anyone knows for sure what such an adornment actually indicates, I'd be happy to hear about it. Go on, confirm my worst fears!
Even so, a very smart and obliging bird. The missing primary in the right wing pretty much proves that this is the same bird that was at Colyford Marsh earlier in the week.
Cornborough
Had an early wander along the cliffs to see if Roy's Ring Ouzel might still be present. Sadly not, but a cracking male Whinchat was some compensation, along with a male Yellowhammer, lots of Whitethroats, a small movement of Swallows heading north with a couple of Sand Martins and three Swifts. An interesting song by the gate eventually showed what I suspected: Garden Warbler! There was also a Red-legged Partridge out in one of the fields. 4 Wheatears were on rough ground at the top of the hill.
Great shot of the Stork Roy!
Great shot of the Stork Roy!
White Stork
River Torridge nr Weare Giffard 10:30
Managed a few distant shots through hedge and trees as the bird was feeding in the River. Last seen way up high and drifting over Torrington direction - cracking bird !!!
Managed a few distant shots through hedge and trees as the bird was feeding in the River. Last seen way up high and drifting over Torrington direction - cracking bird !!!
Exminster Marsh
"Marble-Tail" - seen for a couple of minutes at 10:30 feeding along the near edge of the pool closest to the middle car park. Then flew over to the far corner of the pool where it dropped behind the taller clump of reeds. Longish ivory-coloured tail. In flight, whitish underwing and creamy secondaries were text book for Marbled Duck. Pity about the size, bill and other seemingly inconsistent features!
Pink-footed Goose still present on the same pool.
4 Swift over, plus a female Wheatear along the metal fence in front of the lagoon.
Otherwise, disappointingly quiet.
Start Point
08:00-10:30, Car Park - lighthouse - Mattiscombe Valley.
Some overnight rain for about an hour either side of midnight but Start pretty much blown out in strong NE wind making it hard to see any migrants which may well have been around. Had to settle for 12 Whimbrel, 5 Wheatear, Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 5 Willow Warblers.
Some overnight rain for about an hour either side of midnight but Start pretty much blown out in strong NE wind making it hard to see any migrants which may well have been around. Had to settle for 12 Whimbrel, 5 Wheatear, Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 5 Willow Warblers.
Weare Gifford
Left home at stupid'o'clock to get to Weare Gifford at first light and was rewarded with the White Stork feeding contently in the same freshly cut field giving very good views, I left at 06:20 so not sure how long it stayed but it did look very settled
siskins breed in my garden
siskins have breed in my garden thought you might like latest pic.
regards
Nigel bastin.
regards
Friday, 29 April 2011
Sherpa Marsh
And a final late walk of the day showed 2 drake Teal still, only one Common Sandpiper, but a bonus with a smart Wood Sandpiper! Glad to see that the Stork has been committed to film!
white stork (again)
received a phone call from Malcolm Shakespeare about a white stork in Weare Gifford so dashed over to look still present in large field behind the houses opposite the cyder presse pub 20:20hrs got a record shot with a handheld camera
Ring Ouzel
Westward Ho! 15:00
Managed to grab a quick record shot of this distant bird this afternoon.
Managed to grab a quick record shot of this distant bird this afternoon.
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