Helen and I went for a wander along the River Otter and I ventured out again during the late afternoon. Golden Plover were the stand out hard weather movement species, with a minimum of 500 birds around the scrapes, cricket pitch and estuary. Certainly the most I have ever seen on the Otter! Luckily, they all seemed to be feeding despite the poor weather. Other notable species for the Otter were 5 Pintail and a drake Red-breasted Merganser, both scarce species here. Other species today included flocks of 40+ Fieldfare, 40+ Meadow Pipit, Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Curlew, Chiffchaff and surprisingly just 2 Lapwing. Plus 2 Stock Dove and a Siskin, both from the garden!
I just hope it is not too severe on the birds again, but inevitably there will sadly be some casualties and it is meant to freeze tonight. I saw two Chiffchaffs looking for food on the pavement on Budleigh High Street on our way back home.
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| Otter Estuary |
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| Part of the Golden Plover flock on the scrapes |
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| Part of the flock on the Estuary |
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| Drake Red-breasted Merganser - A scarce visitor to the Otter |
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| The sound of Golden Plovers arriving was almost continuous |
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| More Golden Plover! |
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| The River Otter |
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| A Common Chiffchaff having a tough time |
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| Snowman on the beach at Budleigh |
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| Pintail on the scrapes |
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| Incoming Golden Plover! |
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