New Year Listing 2020

Once again Helen and I headed out on our New Year local listing, postponed from New Year's Day due to the poor weather. It was a much better day today, drier and brighter but with a stiff cold northerly breeze. We headed to Exmouth and Bowling Green Marsh by car and then cycled around Budleigh and Otterton STW before a final dusk session on the Commons. Frustratingly, we again failed to break the 100 species, but we managed a respectable 96 species. The magic 100 must be possible, but everything needs to fall into place and you are always chasing the daylight!

Anyway it was a great day and highlights included:
Hundreds of Black-tailed Godwits at BGM
Long-billed Dowitcher and Ruff at BGM
Avocets, Golden and Grey Plover on the Exe
Black Redstart near Exmouth Marina
Water Pipit, Blackcap and Green Sand around the Otter
Red-throated Diver, Guillemot, Fulmar and Cirl Bunting Otterton
Merlin, Yellowhammer and Fieldfare on the Commons

Notable omissions as always included:
Med Gull, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Treecreeper, Dartford Warbler, Slavonian Grebe, Cattle Egret and Tawny Owl (though there is still a chance from the garden tonight!)

Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff at Bowling Green Marsh - Spot the Ruff!