Cream Tea Birding: Snow in Budleigh again!

I was overseas for the last snow event in Budleigh a couple of weeks ago, so I was quite excited to see this rare event again. For me it was the first time since 2010.

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.