Glossy Still Here

Possible Pheasant, Seaton Marshes, April '16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Glossy Ibis & Shoveler, Seaton Marshes, April '16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

I popped into Seaton Marshes today. Still Willow Warblers around Borrow Pit but not too much happening. At least the Glossy's still with us but I've not seen the GW Teal for more than a week now. The Ibis flew in to the lagoon from somewhere up near Tower hide so still ranging around...

Raptors on Patch

Blackbird, Seaton, April '16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Osprey, Axe Estuary, April '15 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Well, the wind and the rain were not pleasant yesterday so I spent some time in hides. From the Tower I had my first Whimbrel of the year then noticed a Marsh Harrier up by the A3052 bridge. I think it was a new one as it looked a bit different to last week's bird, having much more obvious pale patches on the underwing and a more contrasting upperwing with the coverts more pale brown than the flight feathers. A Peregrine mobbed it which provided a nice size comparison, suggesting this was a male MH as it was quite small. On my way round to have a closer look at it from Coly Common I stopped by the Field Centre and helped the people there to spot it. As we were looking at it together, local man Peter Mason said "What's this other bird then?" I looked across to where he was looking and was delighted to see that his bird was an Osprey! Another first-of-the-Spring brought about by the shift in wind direction to the East; this was turning into a terrific afternoon session. Before I could text the other local birders I received a text from I Mc, who'd got it from the Tower that I'd vacated. It headed up towards Cownhayne area last we saw it, and a couple of House Martins amongst the Swallows added to the flow of migrants. I got a soaking cycling home but it was well worth it. I've used an old Osprey photograph above for those people who just like to look at the pictures. You know who you are...

White Wags

White Wagtail, Colyton Water Treatment Works, 06/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Once again I have to apologise for the poor photographs but maybe I'll delete this post once I'm sure all the locals have read it! Cycling home last evening along Cownhayne dodging the muck trucks I was delighted to see at least 2 White Wagtails among the Pieds. They were a bit flighty and that field is quite big, plus some of the birds were nipping over the road a bit. A Song Thrush joined them out in the open but otherwise it was largely corvids that were enjoying the 'feast'. Anyway, the above picture at least shows the grey rump and contrast between black nape and pale grey mantle.               

White Wagtail, Colyton WTW, 06/04/16 ( Copyright TDW )

This pic shows the paleness of the flanks & breast-sides. I also had a Sandwich Tern fly down the estuary again at 18:15. That's about all I can add for yesterday.

Yet Another LRP

LRP, BHM, 05/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Apart from Swallows and Phylloscs, I couldn't see much about yesterday but got a nice surprise in the form of a new Little Ringed Plover on Black Hole Marsh. No DSLR but I took this bit of phonescoped video towards dusk which isn't too bad. If you want to see my proper LRP shots, scroll back a few posts to my ones from Lesvos!

More Nestbuilding

Blackbird, Seaton ( Copyright T D Wright )

Blackbird, Seaton ( Copyright T D Wright )

The Blackbirds are at it and the Mallards already have ducklings on Black Hole Marsh! The Kestrels at Seaton Marshes must be ready to rear as they were mating yesterday. I tried to phonescope them but was just too late...                                                                                                                            

Kestrels, Seaton, 05/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Sparrowhawk Shots

Chaffinch, Borrow Pit, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

That bright green rump really stands out this time of year. He needs to watch out for this fella though...        

Sparrowhawk, Seaton Marshes, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Sparrowhawk, Seaton Marshes, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Sparrowhawk, Seaton Marshes, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Backlit I'm afraid but I couldn't do anything about that without flushing him. My best SparHawk pics so far though...

A Sandwich is Better than Nothing

I couldn't summon up the enthusiasm to cycle over to Beer for the Ring Ouzel Phil Abbott found yesterday but well done to him. I got as far as Tower Hide though - albeit without my DSLR - and was satisfied with my first Sandwich Tern of the Spring. I grabbed this video clip through the scope before it flew off and a couple of people saw it at least, including 2 in the hide who'd never seen one! Nice... Anyhow, Saturday proved that it's often productive to be active late in the day as I picked up a Marsh Harrier from the bike passing over Tower Hide and dropping into Axe Marsh reedbed. I'm told it's still around today. Earlier, I'd enjoyed a superb gaggle of Willow Warblers at Borrow Pit...                                                                    

Willow Warbler, Borrow Pit, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Willow Warbler, Borrow Pit, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Willow Warbler, Borrow Pit, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Nice view of primary projection in above pic.                                                                                         

Willow Warbler, Borrow Pit, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Willow Warbler, Borrow Pit, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Willow Warbler, Borrow Pit, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Willow Warbler, Borrow Pit, 02/04/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

And nice big bill on this one. More please!