We’ve just returned from five days of birding in Devon. The weather was pretty miserable to start with. The first couple of days found us dodging rain, snow, hail, and howling winds. On Sunday night I received some very upsetting news and I wondered if it was appropriate to continue with the trip. We decided that it was best to stay and be out in the fresh air with the birds taking our minds off things.
FRIDAY 21st MARCH
First stop Bowling Green Marsh, where the Long Billed Dowitcher had been reported that morning. However on arrival we were greeted with the dreaded words “it flew off about an hour ago”. Not the best of starts to the trip. It was cold and showery but there were signs of Spring with about 20 Sand Martins buzzing about (year tick) and we heard our first Chiffchaffs of the year. On the pools there were Wigeon, Shelduck, Shoveler and Little Grebe. On the estuary we year ticked Grey Plover and Dunlin. Other waders included 6 Avocet, Black & Bar Tailed Godwit, Redshank and Curlew. There was a female Red breasted Merganser on the channel.
Next a seawatch at Dawlish Warren. We had some lovely Gannets (year tick) and Razorbill (Lifer 201), Shag, Cormorant, GC Grebe and Oystercatcher. Lots of very tame Rock Pipits around the seafront, also Turnstone (year tick). Thought I had a suspect for the long staying Surf Scoter at one stage, but my scope was shaking so much in the wind and then there was hail and rain and I lost it before I could get a handle on it.
SATURDAY 22nd MARCH
The Long Billed Dowitcher was reported at high tide again yesterday evening so we headed back to Bowling Green Marsh first thing, where we spent a miserable few hours not seeing the bird. On the bright side we were happy to see an early Swallow and Chiffchaffs were now singing everywhere (year ticks). Other birds much the same as yesterday; also a few Pintail, a Buzzard, a Little Egret and now 2 Red Breasted Merganser.
Next we tried for Cirl Bunting at a nearby site but were worried by evidence of extensive chopping down of hedgerows. The wind was howling and there was snow and hail showers; if there were any Cirl Buntings about they would have been sensibly tucked away somewhere.
The weather was extremely changeable but we braved a walk around Powderham Marshes RSPB before retiring early for the day. A flock of about 30 Linnets was a nice year tick, also 2 Redwing, Lapwing, Shelduck and a Stonechat. We flushed several Pheasants under our feet along the walk, its no good for the old ticker when they go up like that!
SUNDAY 23rd MARCH
Broadsands Bay – Success this morning with Cirl Buntings (Lifer 202) feeding in the carpark with Chaffinch, Dunnock etc. Smashing little birds! I began the seawatch on my own at first and soon wished I’d waited for Max when a man came along in the tightest, shortest swimming trunks I’ve ever seen and started a conversation with me. He announced he was going for a swim, as you do of course in freezing conditions. And they say us birders are mad! Despite the cold and on-off rain/hail showers the sea was as still as a mill pond. Excellent views of fishing Gannets, a Guillemot (year tick), Cormorant, Shag, Oystercatcher, loads of GC Grebes (sadly no Black Necked Grebes). Was pleased to see Fulmars (year tick) on and around the cliffs and there was a Heron and a Little Egret fishing in the bay.
Aylesbeare Common RSPB – Finally a tickable view of a Dartford Warbler (Lifer 203). It didn’t show for long, but it was enough. We sheltered from a storm in the forest, then moved on, as the weather wasn’t promising for better views.
Sidmouth – Reg had said this area was meant to be good for Purple Sandpiper…when we got there I began to wish I’d researched this further as we hadn’t a clue where to start. We walked up towards the cliffs hoping for possible good vantage points to scan the rocks below. A good view out over the water gave us a group of eight Common Scoter (year tick) but couldn't see the rocks. We saw a Green Woodpecker up on the hill then decided to change tack and go down to the beach to check the rocks for the Purple Sands. It looked a bit bleak at first but we soon had a small dumpy looking wader in our sights, when it showed it was indeed a Purple Sandpiper (Lifer 204) and very nice it was too.
MONDAY 24th MARCH
Steps Bridge (Dartmoor) – What a beautiful timeless place. This was a time for quiet reflection and I could have sat there all day watching the river flowing and admiring the ancient trees, just so peaceful. We had at least 2 Dipper up and down the river, haven’t seen them for a long while, so very nice to get reacquainted with them. Other highlights Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Coal Tit, Nuthatch and Redwing. Stopped at Fernworthy Resevoir to look for Crossbills, but it was raining and we couldn’t hear any on a short walk so we decided to give this a miss and move on.
Headed northwards to Northam Burrows CP. It was a bit of a trek, but we thought we should have a bash for the King Eider cos who knows when we’ll get the chance to see one again? The bird was apparently quite far ranging and the area looked large and confusing. We were in the wrong place completely at first but thankfully some locals were able to point us in the right direction of Skern. I was really pleased to be able to locate the first winter King Eider without too much trouble (Lifer 205) and although it was the opposite side of Skern we had good and prolonged views. Hope to see an adult drake one day! Also got our first Wheatears and Skylarks of the year here. Also Golden Plover, Brent Geese and more Shags.
TUESDAY 25th MARCH
Popped out to Dawlish Warren again this morning for a seawatch. Again failed to locate the Surf Scoter off Langstone Rock. The sea was very still so perhaps she had drifted further out? I’m sure my seawatching is improving gradually - although I dipped the Scoter again, I did find tons of GC Grebes, Cormorant, Shag, a pair of Red Breasted Merganser, Gannets and a Great Northern Diver. A quick walk up at the beach on the Nature Reserve revealed much the same plus 5 Grey Plover, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and an infinite number of singing Chiffchaffs. Rock Pipits again along the seafront. Sadly we didn’t have enough time to visit the estuary, so headed back to vacate the rented cottage.
Surfing Birdguides on Max’s mobile last night had revealed a Cattle Egret not to far away at Newton Abbot, a bird we needed as a lifer and one we’d been keen to connect with during our trip. The report stated that the bird was in a field feeding with 8 Little Egrets. The directions were a bit sketchy so we didn’t know if we’d find the place but driving down the main road we couldn’t miss a field full of sheep and Egrets…surely this was the place and one was a Cattle? It was a bit of a strain to look over the hedge even standing on the grass verge but we were able to check through the Little Egrets and discover that one was indeed a Cattle Egret (Lifer 206). It was better to watch it through bins as the scope wouldn’t reach over the hedge and we eventually got some good views through our persistance.
So now it was time now to head back to Brum. But I couldn’t resist one final twitch. I’d heard news of a first winter Bonaparte’s Gull at Cheddar Reservoir; a site we’d pass close to on the way back up the M5. Arriving at the Reservoir I was excited to spot a group of birders on the bank above us. It turned out they were watching the long staying Red Necked Grebe, not the Gull. Only the second time I’ve seen one though and this one was very nearly in full breeding plumage now….stunning! The Great Northern Diver then showed towards the back of the Reservoir. Excellent birds these were but there wasn’t much time to dwell on them, as there was a small matter of trying to life the Bonaparte’s.
We were told it was further round the Reservoir by the Rugby posts and we could see a group of birders/photographers in the vicinity so we hot footed it up there. There were loads of Black Headed Gulls and a few Commons all settled on the water. Although the Bonaparte’s had been seen only a few moments ago, it wasn’t showing and no one was on it. A photographer had some bread and started to chuck it out it front of us. All the gulls came up for the bread and soon Bonaparte’s Gull was at the forefront of the action (Lifer 207). Although slightly smaller than the BH Gulls he was a feisty little character pushing through them all to get at the bread. An absolutely cracking bird, probably one of my favourite moments of the trip because of the close views….down to a few feet at times, you don’t get much better than that with such a rare bird. Also saw five Scaup, a hundred or more Sand Martins and a Grey Wagtail….a great place for anyone who needs a few ticks. Take some bread, but if you forget you can cadge some from the ‘Bread Man’ who feeds the ducks there…that’s what one birder did and then offered to sell it on to me for a pound a slice! A great laugh there this afternoon with the other birders....thats what its all about IMO :)
Big thanks go to Reg and to Steve for some excellent information that helped us find our way around. Cheers mateys.
FRIDAY 21st MARCH
First stop Bowling Green Marsh, where the Long Billed Dowitcher had been reported that morning. However on arrival we were greeted with the dreaded words “it flew off about an hour ago”. Not the best of starts to the trip. It was cold and showery but there were signs of Spring with about 20 Sand Martins buzzing about (year tick) and we heard our first Chiffchaffs of the year. On the pools there were Wigeon, Shelduck, Shoveler and Little Grebe. On the estuary we year ticked Grey Plover and Dunlin. Other waders included 6 Avocet, Black & Bar Tailed Godwit, Redshank and Curlew. There was a female Red breasted Merganser on the channel.
Next a seawatch at Dawlish Warren. We had some lovely Gannets (year tick) and Razorbill (Lifer 201), Shag, Cormorant, GC Grebe and Oystercatcher. Lots of very tame Rock Pipits around the seafront, also Turnstone (year tick). Thought I had a suspect for the long staying Surf Scoter at one stage, but my scope was shaking so much in the wind and then there was hail and rain and I lost it before I could get a handle on it.
SATURDAY 22nd MARCH
The Long Billed Dowitcher was reported at high tide again yesterday evening so we headed back to Bowling Green Marsh first thing, where we spent a miserable few hours not seeing the bird. On the bright side we were happy to see an early Swallow and Chiffchaffs were now singing everywhere (year ticks). Other birds much the same as yesterday; also a few Pintail, a Buzzard, a Little Egret and now 2 Red Breasted Merganser.
Next we tried for Cirl Bunting at a nearby site but were worried by evidence of extensive chopping down of hedgerows. The wind was howling and there was snow and hail showers; if there were any Cirl Buntings about they would have been sensibly tucked away somewhere.
The weather was extremely changeable but we braved a walk around Powderham Marshes RSPB before retiring early for the day. A flock of about 30 Linnets was a nice year tick, also 2 Redwing, Lapwing, Shelduck and a Stonechat. We flushed several Pheasants under our feet along the walk, its no good for the old ticker when they go up like that!
SUNDAY 23rd MARCH
Broadsands Bay – Success this morning with Cirl Buntings (Lifer 202) feeding in the carpark with Chaffinch, Dunnock etc. Smashing little birds! I began the seawatch on my own at first and soon wished I’d waited for Max when a man came along in the tightest, shortest swimming trunks I’ve ever seen and started a conversation with me. He announced he was going for a swim, as you do of course in freezing conditions. And they say us birders are mad! Despite the cold and on-off rain/hail showers the sea was as still as a mill pond. Excellent views of fishing Gannets, a Guillemot (year tick), Cormorant, Shag, Oystercatcher, loads of GC Grebes (sadly no Black Necked Grebes). Was pleased to see Fulmars (year tick) on and around the cliffs and there was a Heron and a Little Egret fishing in the bay.
Aylesbeare Common RSPB – Finally a tickable view of a Dartford Warbler (Lifer 203). It didn’t show for long, but it was enough. We sheltered from a storm in the forest, then moved on, as the weather wasn’t promising for better views.
Sidmouth – Reg had said this area was meant to be good for Purple Sandpiper…when we got there I began to wish I’d researched this further as we hadn’t a clue where to start. We walked up towards the cliffs hoping for possible good vantage points to scan the rocks below. A good view out over the water gave us a group of eight Common Scoter (year tick) but couldn't see the rocks. We saw a Green Woodpecker up on the hill then decided to change tack and go down to the beach to check the rocks for the Purple Sands. It looked a bit bleak at first but we soon had a small dumpy looking wader in our sights, when it showed it was indeed a Purple Sandpiper (Lifer 204) and very nice it was too.
MONDAY 24th MARCH
Steps Bridge (Dartmoor) – What a beautiful timeless place. This was a time for quiet reflection and I could have sat there all day watching the river flowing and admiring the ancient trees, just so peaceful. We had at least 2 Dipper up and down the river, haven’t seen them for a long while, so very nice to get reacquainted with them. Other highlights Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Coal Tit, Nuthatch and Redwing. Stopped at Fernworthy Resevoir to look for Crossbills, but it was raining and we couldn’t hear any on a short walk so we decided to give this a miss and move on.
Headed northwards to Northam Burrows CP. It was a bit of a trek, but we thought we should have a bash for the King Eider cos who knows when we’ll get the chance to see one again? The bird was apparently quite far ranging and the area looked large and confusing. We were in the wrong place completely at first but thankfully some locals were able to point us in the right direction of Skern. I was really pleased to be able to locate the first winter King Eider without too much trouble (Lifer 205) and although it was the opposite side of Skern we had good and prolonged views. Hope to see an adult drake one day! Also got our first Wheatears and Skylarks of the year here. Also Golden Plover, Brent Geese and more Shags.
TUESDAY 25th MARCH
Popped out to Dawlish Warren again this morning for a seawatch. Again failed to locate the Surf Scoter off Langstone Rock. The sea was very still so perhaps she had drifted further out? I’m sure my seawatching is improving gradually - although I dipped the Scoter again, I did find tons of GC Grebes, Cormorant, Shag, a pair of Red Breasted Merganser, Gannets and a Great Northern Diver. A quick walk up at the beach on the Nature Reserve revealed much the same plus 5 Grey Plover, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and an infinite number of singing Chiffchaffs. Rock Pipits again along the seafront. Sadly we didn’t have enough time to visit the estuary, so headed back to vacate the rented cottage.
Surfing Birdguides on Max’s mobile last night had revealed a Cattle Egret not to far away at Newton Abbot, a bird we needed as a lifer and one we’d been keen to connect with during our trip. The report stated that the bird was in a field feeding with 8 Little Egrets. The directions were a bit sketchy so we didn’t know if we’d find the place but driving down the main road we couldn’t miss a field full of sheep and Egrets…surely this was the place and one was a Cattle? It was a bit of a strain to look over the hedge even standing on the grass verge but we were able to check through the Little Egrets and discover that one was indeed a Cattle Egret (Lifer 206). It was better to watch it through bins as the scope wouldn’t reach over the hedge and we eventually got some good views through our persistance.
So now it was time now to head back to Brum. But I couldn’t resist one final twitch. I’d heard news of a first winter Bonaparte’s Gull at Cheddar Reservoir; a site we’d pass close to on the way back up the M5. Arriving at the Reservoir I was excited to spot a group of birders on the bank above us. It turned out they were watching the long staying Red Necked Grebe, not the Gull. Only the second time I’ve seen one though and this one was very nearly in full breeding plumage now….stunning! The Great Northern Diver then showed towards the back of the Reservoir. Excellent birds these were but there wasn’t much time to dwell on them, as there was a small matter of trying to life the Bonaparte’s.
We were told it was further round the Reservoir by the Rugby posts and we could see a group of birders/photographers in the vicinity so we hot footed it up there. There were loads of Black Headed Gulls and a few Commons all settled on the water. Although the Bonaparte’s had been seen only a few moments ago, it wasn’t showing and no one was on it. A photographer had some bread and started to chuck it out it front of us. All the gulls came up for the bread and soon Bonaparte’s Gull was at the forefront of the action (Lifer 207). Although slightly smaller than the BH Gulls he was a feisty little character pushing through them all to get at the bread. An absolutely cracking bird, probably one of my favourite moments of the trip because of the close views….down to a few feet at times, you don’t get much better than that with such a rare bird. Also saw five Scaup, a hundred or more Sand Martins and a Grey Wagtail….a great place for anyone who needs a few ticks. Take some bread, but if you forget you can cadge some from the ‘Bread Man’ who feeds the ducks there…that’s what one birder did and then offered to sell it on to me for a pound a slice! A great laugh there this afternoon with the other birders....thats what its all about IMO :)
Big thanks go to Reg and to Steve for some excellent information that helped us find our way around. Cheers mateys.
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