White Wagtail

Just a quick update to say that last evening(2nd) there was a classic 1stWinter White Wagtail among all the Pieds from Island Hide. Also Little Stint, 2 Ruff, Knot and LRP. Peregrine, Barn Owl and 2 Kingfishers at least from Tower. Seawatch today I think...

Garganey & Glow Worms

Just to let people know that the glorious juv Turnstone ( see Sue Smith's Bicycle Birder on the Axe blog ) was not a fluke, I've since spotted a Garganey briefly on BHM and a Glow Worm whilst cycling home in the dark last night. I'm on a roll!

Stringer's Shearwaters

The 20th August 2016 will remain a special date for Seaton seawatchers for many years to come. Not only were several Cory's Shearwaters seen between 8am and 9:30am but this was followed by a remarkable midday and evening passage of Stringer's Shearwater Calonectris Stringerensis. Amazingly, both 'morphs' of Stringer's were passing Seaton on a regular basis. Most of them were the larger, Gannet-sized variant Calonectris Stringerensis Bassana of which 1,752 were counted. Smaller in numbers and smaller in size was the Fulmar-sized Calonectris Stringerensis Glacialis of which a mere 114 were seen. I unfortunately failed to see any Cory's but the vast number of Stringer's was a joy to see. The species is named after legendary Westcountry ornithologist Mr. I.B.Stringer who also gave us the diminutive morph of Goshawk Accipiter Stringerensis, which has since been re-classified as 'just a Sparrowhawk'. Here's to you, Mr. Stringer!

Little Owls

Little Owl, Lesvos, April 2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Little Owl, Lesvos, April 2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Little Owl, Lesvos, April 2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

I've been enjoying 3 species of owl around Colyton recently. I had a Barn Owl fly in front of me cycling along Cownhayne Lane the other night; plus a pair of silhouetted Tawnies whilst walking in the dark as one does. The Little Owls have been about too, although difficult to photograph. So I'm using them as an excuse to post these previously unseen pics from last year's Greek birdfest!

Black Vultures

Black Vulture, Monfrague, May '16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Black Vulture, Monfrague, May '16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Oh No! It's seen us! Run for your lives...but seriously, why do they call them Cinereous Vultures these days? Black Vulture is much more helpful and a much better name.

Griffon Flight Shots

Griffon Vulture, Spain, May '16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Griffon Vulture, Spain, May '16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Sometimes the Vultures came so close that I ought to have reduced the magnification a bit. Better image quality would have been the result - but I find these wing-clipping frame-fillers quite amusing at times. They're just so monstrous it's funny, especially to a British birder that doesn't get to see them very often...

Spanish Imperial Eagles

Spanish Imperial Eagle, Extremadura, May '16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Spanish Imperial Eagle, Extremadura, May '16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Spanish Imperial Eagle & Griffon Vulture, Extremadura, May '16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Monfrague was also where I photographed S.I.Eagles. I saw them out on the plains too - on a rainy day I watched 2 adults lift off and give a display of synchronised flying after seeing off a Black Kite which tried to mob one of them. Majestic stuff. This immature bird in Monfrague was easier to photograph as it kept coming back to spar with the Griffons and called loudly as it approached. Its tail was incomplete but it was still a magnificent sight. But look how massive those Vultures are!