Saturday 12th December
Not a great deal of excitement on the patch today - A Peregrine, 35 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 5 Lapwing and 2 Redshank, 2 Little Egret and good numbers of Wigeon and Teal. No time to check out the new cafe, but hopefully tomorrow!
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Thursday 10th December
A look on the sea and the Otter Estuary this afternoon produced only 1 GND, 1 RB Merganser and William, the wintering Whimbrel. I think this is his 3rd consecutive winter now. However, the big news of today was the opening of OCEAN HOUSE CAFE/DELI in the High Street - http://www.oceanhouse.biz/ looks like plenty of good cakes on the website. Something to try at the weekend me thinks.......
A look on the sea and the Otter Estuary this afternoon produced only 1 GND, 1 RB Merganser and William, the wintering Whimbrel. I think this is his 3rd consecutive winter now. However, the big news of today was the opening of OCEAN HOUSE CAFE/DELI in the High Street - http://www.oceanhouse.biz/ looks like plenty of good cakes on the website. Something to try at the weekend me thinks.......
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Wednesday 9th December
An hour on the seafront this morning only revealed a lone Common Scoter and a GND flying west. However, the Lawn Bakery performed exceptionally well with a fantastic Maple and Pecan Nut Slice. Watch this space for a full article on the best bakery in Budleigh.........
An hour on the seafront this morning only revealed a lone Common Scoter and a GND flying west. However, the Lawn Bakery performed exceptionally well with a fantastic Maple and Pecan Nut Slice. Watch this space for a full article on the best bakery in Budleigh.........
Monday, 7 December 2009
Monday 7th December
Spent an hour at the SHELTER for an hour this morning in a pretty strong SW wind and other than quite a few Kittiwakes, Razorbills and Gannets moving west, the highlight was a single Balearic Shearwater giving some excellent views as it headed west coming quite close in. I see there have been 40+ birds in Cornwall over the last couple of days. Certainly seems a species that can be seen in any month now......
Spent an hour at the SHELTER for an hour this morning in a pretty strong SW wind and other than quite a few Kittiwakes, Razorbills and Gannets moving west, the highlight was a single Balearic Shearwater giving some excellent views as it headed west coming quite close in. I see there have been 40+ birds in Cornwall over the last couple of days. Certainly seems a species that can be seen in any month now......
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Saturday 5th December Part II
Back to the real world!
Back to the Otter Estuary, where 35 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 11 Snipe, 8 Lapwing, 4 Redshank and 7 Brent Geese were the highlights.
Back to the real world!
Back to the Otter Estuary, where 35 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 11 Snipe, 8 Lapwing, 4 Redshank and 7 Brent Geese were the highlights.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Monday 9th November
Not much happening today on the Otter, but a count of 11 Lapwing and 21 Curlew was pretty good. An early evening visit produced the highlight though, as I added Little Owl to the patch list.
Not much happening today on the Otter, but a count of 11 Lapwing and 21 Curlew was pretty good. An early evening visit produced the highlight though, as I added Little Owl to the patch list.
Sunday 8th November
A walk along the River Otter produced a welcome Dipper and then a great finale with 4,000+ Starlings giving a great show as they came in to roost.
A walk along the River Otter produced a welcome Dipper and then a great finale with 4,000+ Starlings giving a great show as they came in to roost.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Tuesday 3rd November
Garden Tick!
Whilst carrying out a bit of good old DIY today - I heard a Black Redstart calling from the garden! A quick dash for the bins/camera and a cracking garden tick sat on the garden wall, taking the garden list to a grand total of 40 since moving in just over 7 months ago.
Who
said DIY was all bad??
Garden Tick!
Whilst carrying out a bit of good old DIY today - I heard a Black Redstart calling from the garden! A quick dash for the bins/camera and a cracking garden tick sat on the garden wall, taking the garden list to a grand total of 40 since moving in just over 7 months ago.
Who
said DIY was all bad??
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Sunday 1st November
A late afternoon wander down to the Otter with the Mrs allowed us to enjoy some fantastic aerial displays of 1,200+Starlings coming into roost in the reedbed- Not Green, not Bright Green and not Greenish, just good old fashioned Sturnus Vulgaris!
A late afternoon wander down to the Otter with the Mrs allowed us to enjoy some fantastic aerial displays of 1,200+Starlings coming into roost in the reedbed- Not Green, not Bright Green and not Greenish, just good old fashioned Sturnus Vulgaris!
Saturday 31st October
GREEN(ish) DAY?
After much debate on an interesting pylloscopus warbler on The Lizard, considered to be either a Greenish Warbler or Green Warbler (potential 2nd record for Britain), Russki and I decided to head down first thing on Saturday morning and have a look for ourselves.
The bird showed on and off fairly regularly during the 3 hours that we were there and we had some good scope and bin views low down in good light as well as in the canopy in potentially misleading light. In a nutshell, it was a very interesting bird and certainly to my eye had yellowish tones to the supercilium, neck sides and UT coverts. The bill was very "snouty" looking seeming thick based and long, the upperparts did not strike me as particularly "bright green" seeming rather washed out but nontheless green in colour. A very prominent wing bar was present on the greater coverts with a few pale edges on the median coverts on just one side. The supercilium had an obvious bulge to the supercilium immediately behind the eye and did not appear to meet on the forehead. The overall jizz of the bird was quite distinct in that it seemed quite stout flicking around with continually drooped wings.
The bird was heard to call a few times and was clearly di-syllabic to my ear.
My experience of Green Warbler (aka Bright Green Warbler) is only in Sri Lanka in March and were not great views, but I do remember thinking they seemed quite washed out in appearance - not a great help!
Persistance by a local Cornish birder resulted in a recording being made of the call of the and a sonogram was sent to Magnus Robb on Saturday afternoon who concluded; Greenish Warbler without doubt.
However, it has been suggested that Green Warblers from the Black Sea region are almost inseparable from Greenish Warbler in plumage and although the songs are very different, the call of this population is stated as being clearly di-syllabic as opposed to the tri-syllabic stated in most literature in relation to populations elsewhere in the world.
If you haven't fallen asleep already, see below for more.
See here for more: http://surfbirds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5983
See some photos taken by Steve Rogers of bird here: http://www.swopticsphoto.com/
Other birds seen on site included Yellow-browed Warbler and Pied Flycatcher.
No time for any puddings I'm afraid - they will be coming soon!
GREEN(ish) DAY?
After much debate on an interesting pylloscopus warbler on The Lizard, considered to be either a Greenish Warbler or Green Warbler (potential 2nd record for Britain), Russki and I decided to head down first thing on Saturday morning and have a look for ourselves.
The bird showed on and off fairly regularly during the 3 hours that we were there and we had some good scope and bin views low down in good light as well as in the canopy in potentially misleading light. In a nutshell, it was a very interesting bird and certainly to my eye had yellowish tones to the supercilium, neck sides and UT coverts. The bill was very "snouty" looking seeming thick based and long, the upperparts did not strike me as particularly "bright green" seeming rather washed out but nontheless green in colour. A very prominent wing bar was present on the greater coverts with a few pale edges on the median coverts on just one side. The supercilium had an obvious bulge to the supercilium immediately behind the eye and did not appear to meet on the forehead. The overall jizz of the bird was quite distinct in that it seemed quite stout flicking around with continually drooped wings.
The bird was heard to call a few times and was clearly di-syllabic to my ear.
My experience of Green Warbler (aka Bright Green Warbler) is only in Sri Lanka in March and were not great views, but I do remember thinking they seemed quite washed out in appearance - not a great help!
Persistance by a local Cornish birder resulted in a recording being made of the call of the and a sonogram was sent to Magnus Robb on Saturday afternoon who concluded; Greenish Warbler without doubt.
However, it has been suggested that Green Warblers from the Black Sea region are almost inseparable from Greenish Warbler in plumage and although the songs are very different, the call of this population is stated as being clearly di-syllabic as opposed to the tri-syllabic stated in most literature in relation to populations elsewhere in the world.
If you haven't fallen asleep already, see below for more.
See here for more: http://surfbirds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5983
See some photos taken by Steve Rogers of bird here: http://www.swopticsphoto.com/
Other birds seen on site included Yellow-browed Warbler and Pied Flycatcher.
No time for any puddings I'm afraid - they will be coming soon!
Friday 30th October
A trip to Plymouth to do some domestic chores also allowed a little time to slip in some birding at Saltram Park. Here the highlights whilst birding with Russki were 2 cracking Firecrests and an absolutely stonking Millionaire Shortbread that was so tasty, I just shovelled it in without even taking a photo - My apologies!
A trip to Plymouth to do some domestic chores also allowed a little time to slip in some birding at Saltram Park. Here the highlights whilst birding with Russki were 2 cracking Firecrests and an absolutely stonking Millionaire Shortbread that was so tasty, I just shovelled it in without even taking a photo - My apologies!
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Saturday 24th October
South Shields hosts Jewel in the Crown
Seeing the very wet forecast, feeling a bit under the weather (others may refer to it as man flu!) and not being able to cope with a BIG DIP, I met with my team at 06.30am on Saturday morning and headed North hoping that if it wasn't there, at least we would not have travelled too far before knowing we had dipped! With three others for company who also suffer from the affliction that is known as Twitching, all we could do was wait and keep driving north. At 08.30am, just south of Birmingham we received the news we were waiting for and I then knew it was going to be a very long day!
At 2.00pm we arrived in drizzly conditions and dashed down to the quarry to get cracking scope views of the boy! After enjoying some great views, despite the weather, we headed back to the car about 2hrs later and the weather deteriorated and we got completely soaked! Within 5 minutes, the weather had miraculously cleared and the sun was out and I felt it rude not to go back for second helpings! The light was great, it was calm and still and the eastern gem performed exceptionally along with a much more elusive YBW that seemed most unhappy with its new eastern neighbour.
South Shields hosts Jewel in the Crown
Seeing the very wet forecast, feeling a bit under the weather (others may refer to it as man flu!) and not being able to cope with a BIG DIP, I met with my team at 06.30am on Saturday morning and headed North hoping that if it wasn't there, at least we would not have travelled too far before knowing we had dipped! With three others for company who also suffer from the affliction that is known as Twitching, all we could do was wait and keep driving north. At 08.30am, just south of Birmingham we received the news we were waiting for and I then knew it was going to be a very long day!
At 2.00pm we arrived in drizzly conditions and dashed down to the quarry to get cracking scope views of the boy! After enjoying some great views, despite the weather, we headed back to the car about 2hrs later and the weather deteriorated and we got completely soaked! Within 5 minutes, the weather had miraculously cleared and the sun was out and I felt it rude not to go back for second helpings! The light was great, it was calm and still and the eastern gem performed exceptionally along with a much more elusive YBW that seemed most unhappy with its new eastern neighbour.
So - back in the car and another 7 hour drive home returning at about 01.30am Sunday - Was it worth it? Of Course it was!
See below for poor record shots of the little beauty.
Eastern-crowned Warbler - 1st record for Britain.
Eastern-crowned Warbler - 1st record for Britain.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Thursday 20th October
Suffering from Post Pterodroma Shock today after yesterday's seawatch. Still all seems a little surreal but yesterday morning my legs went from beneath me and I physically shook as I watched a Pterodroma whizz past the seafront. In total shock, and within seconds of seeing it, I rang Kev at Dawlish and literally shouted I've just had a "Fea's Petrel type thing" (note I could hardly speak!) heading west towards you!" It still seems strange writing those words now and the event was quite a blur as the distinct jizz, flight and plumage hit me! Rather frustratingly despite also alerting watchers at Berry Head, it was not picked up again. Maybe the next few days of blustery winds will mean it gets picked up somewhere - I hope so.
Suffering from Post Pterodroma Shock today after yesterday's seawatch. Still all seems a little surreal but yesterday morning my legs went from beneath me and I physically shook as I watched a Pterodroma whizz past the seafront. In total shock, and within seconds of seeing it, I rang Kev at Dawlish and literally shouted I've just had a "Fea's Petrel type thing" (note I could hardly speak!) heading west towards you!" It still seems strange writing those words now and the event was quite a blur as the distinct jizz, flight and plumage hit me! Rather frustratingly despite also alerting watchers at Berry Head, it was not picked up again. Maybe the next few days of blustery winds will mean it gets picked up somewhere - I hope so.
Monday, 19 October 2009
Sunday 18th October
A walk along the coast path and a visit to the hide with the Mrs produced a female Pintail, 100 Common Scoter and a good flock of Linnet and Skylark.
A walk along the coast path and a visit to the hide with the Mrs produced a female Pintail, 100 Common Scoter and a good flock of Linnet and Skylark.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Wednesday 14th October
Staines produces the Goods!
A trip to Staines Moor somewhat after the hysteria of the original news breaking, we cooly and calmly enjoyed some excellent views of the 1st winter Brown Shrike. Certainly an education after the infamous "Scilly Shrike" and a vastly different bird!!
1st winter Brown Shrike, Staines Moor
Scilly Shrike October 2008
1st winter Brown Shrike, Staines Moor
Staines produces the Goods!
A trip to Staines Moor somewhat after the hysteria of the original news breaking, we cooly and calmly enjoyed some excellent views of the 1st winter Brown Shrike. Certainly an education after the infamous "Scilly Shrike" and a vastly different bird!!
1st winter Brown Shrike, Staines Moor
Scilly Shrike October 2008
1st winter Brown Shrike, Staines Moor
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Wednesday 7th October
An early look at the sea with Russky only produced a single Bonxie. A look at the Otter produced one 2nd winter Med Gull and then a final look at the sea gave a GND.
An early look at the sea with Russky only produced a single Bonxie. A look at the Otter produced one 2nd winter Med Gull and then a final look at the sea gave a GND.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Tuesday 6th October 2009
A good seawatch off Budleigh seafront this afternoon with 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie and 1 Sooty Shearwater.
In light of the complete absence of rarities in the South West and as Scotland and the Northern Isles just laugh at us, I find myself pondering the following dilemma.
A good seawatch off Budleigh seafront this afternoon with 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie and 1 Sooty Shearwater.
In light of the complete absence of rarities in the South West and as Scotland and the Northern Isles just laugh at us, I find myself pondering the following dilemma.
Sunday, 4 October 2009
SCILLY 20 YEARS ON
Not at its best but very pleasant!
Despite the blocking high producing far from ideal Scilly birding conditions, a pleasant week on St. Martin's - a very underwatched island. Best find was Yellow-browed Warbler - Woo Hoooo! Best bird was undoubtedly the Steppe Grey Shrike (a 1st for Scilly) that was re-found on St Mary's on our day of arrival after having been on St Martin's the day before! Other highlights included, Long-billed Dowitcher on Tresco (another Scilly tick for me and the first record since 1985!), and on St. Martins, RB Flycatcher, Firecest, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Peregrine, Golden Plover, Barwit, Blackwit, Little Stint, Sanderling, Snipe, Ringed Plover, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Water Rail and others!
At the end of the day, I love Scilly and have been visiting at least once a year almost every year since 1989. Birding on St Martin's was as I like it, few birders and great potential - Maybe next year.....................
RB Flycatcher at the Cricket Pitch
Friends of Little Arthur's Farm
Long-billed Dowitcher Tresco
Scilly Shrew - Note the white-teeth and big ears
Golden Plover - one of 11 at the Daymark but
alas no AGP or better despite daily searching
Round Island from Tresco
Juvenile Swallow St Martins
Not at its best but very pleasant!
Despite the blocking high producing far from ideal Scilly birding conditions, a pleasant week on St. Martin's - a very underwatched island. Best find was Yellow-browed Warbler - Woo Hoooo! Best bird was undoubtedly the Steppe Grey Shrike (a 1st for Scilly) that was re-found on St Mary's on our day of arrival after having been on St Martin's the day before! Other highlights included, Long-billed Dowitcher on Tresco (another Scilly tick for me and the first record since 1985!), and on St. Martins, RB Flycatcher, Firecest, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Peregrine, Golden Plover, Barwit, Blackwit, Little Stint, Sanderling, Snipe, Ringed Plover, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Water Rail and others!
At the end of the day, I love Scilly and have been visiting at least once a year almost every year since 1989. Birding on St Martin's was as I like it, few birders and great potential - Maybe next year.....................
RB Flycatcher at the Cricket Pitch
Friends of Little Arthur's Farm
Long-billed Dowitcher Tresco
Scilly Shrew - Note the white-teeth and big ears
Golden Plover - one of 11 at the Daymark but
alas no AGP or better despite daily searching
Round Island from Tresco
Juvenile Swallow St Martins
The classic drinking establishment
of the 90s
Winning View
of the 90s
Winning View
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Thursday 24th September
A morning walk around the Otter produced, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 50+ Linnet, 2 Skylark over, Water Rail, Grey Wagtail.
A morning walk around the Otter produced, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, 50+ Linnet, 2 Skylark over, Water Rail, Grey Wagtail.
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Monday 21st September
A pre-work thrash round the patch today produced 10+ Blackcap, loads of Chiffchaffs and 2 Spotted Flycatchers.
A pre-work thrash round the patch today produced 10+ Blackcap, loads of Chiffchaffs and 2 Spotted Flycatchers.
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Sunday 20th September
Highlight today was definitely a Hobby over the estuary this evening.
I have also had a few complaints of late that there has not been enough in the way of tempting cakes and puddings on my blog, so to keep you all happy and particularly the Newton Stringer, here is a fine Custard Tart from the best bakery in Budleigh Salterton, The Lawn Bakery!
Highlight today was definitely a Hobby over the estuary this evening.
I have also had a few complaints of late that there has not been enough in the way of tempting cakes and puddings on my blog, so to keep you all happy and particularly the Newton Stringer, here is a fine Custard Tart from the best bakery in Budleigh Salterton, The Lawn Bakery!
Saturday 19th September
News today of 6 Glossy Ibis at nearby Seaton Marshes made me all the more determined to sit it out at the Otter and hope. Unfortunately, despite most of the day spent at the patch, no sign and the birds eventually headed east anyway! Highlights today were Yellow Wagtail again on the cricket pitch, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Snipe and Common Sandpiper on the estuary.
PS - Why is at that, just because you have a pair of bins around your neck that good old Jo Public always want to stop and talk to you!? How many times do I have to put up with people asking me "What have we got?" What have WE got, I don't know, What have YOU got! Then today, I had a variation on the theme as I am watching a Yellow Wag, and I get, "What are we missing?" Deep breath time.................
News today of 6 Glossy Ibis at nearby Seaton Marshes made me all the more determined to sit it out at the Otter and hope. Unfortunately, despite most of the day spent at the patch, no sign and the birds eventually headed east anyway! Highlights today were Yellow Wagtail again on the cricket pitch, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Snipe and Common Sandpiper on the estuary.
PS - Why is at that, just because you have a pair of bins around your neck that good old Jo Public always want to stop and talk to you!? How many times do I have to put up with people asking me "What have we got?" What have WE got, I don't know, What have YOU got! Then today, I had a variation on the theme as I am watching a Yellow Wag, and I get, "What are we missing?" Deep breath time.................
Friday 18th September
Yellow Wagtail on the Cricket Pitch was the only notable migrant and then dipped 2 Little Stint on the estuary in the evening!
Yellow Wagtail on the Cricket Pitch was the only notable migrant and then dipped 2 Little Stint on the estuary in the evening!
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Wednesday 16th September
A day working out at Prawle Point gave rise to a small movement of Meadow Pipits, 3 Grey Wagtails, 4 Wheatear and a Tree Pipit over.
More importantly however - An excellent wader day for the Otter - 1 Barwit, 1 Curlew, the usual Whimbrel (not happy with the Barwit on its patch!) and 20 Dunlin, also the first of the Wigeon returned with 11 birds tonight. You have to understand, this is good stuff for the Otter Estuary!! So tomorrow Tufted Puffin......COME ON!!...................
A day working out at Prawle Point gave rise to a small movement of Meadow Pipits, 3 Grey Wagtails, 4 Wheatear and a Tree Pipit over.
More importantly however - An excellent wader day for the Otter - 1 Barwit, 1 Curlew, the usual Whimbrel (not happy with the Barwit on its patch!) and 20 Dunlin, also the first of the Wigeon returned with 11 birds tonight. You have to understand, this is good stuff for the Otter Estuary!! So tomorrow Tufted Puffin......COME ON!!...................
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
.jpg)
