Sandwich Terns

Just a quick update to say that 2 Sandwich Terns were feeding close in off WestWalk at lunchtime today. Also 2 Swallows flew over the bowling club. Last evening, I had 2 Wheatears in the ploughed field along Cownhayne Lane plus a single Greylag on Bridge Marsh at dusk. Here's a picture of me feeling the worse for wear this morning after yesterday's cycling acrobatics...                      

Nasal Roadrash, 13/04/17 (Copyright T D Wright)

As you can see, I landed on my face. Not a pretty sight but couldn't resist sharing this with you all. Back to the bird pics next time.

Spoonbills & stuff

Wheatear, Seaton Marshes, April 2017(Copyright T D Wright)

Wheatear,Seaton Marshes, April 2017(Copyright T D Wright)

The rusty roller/trailer has been a good Wheatear perch for many years now. Since I last posted I've had several new migrants for the year but couldn't waste limited computing time blogging them all. I usually message people to get any news out so blogging seems superfluous sometimes. I've got Swallows over Colyton now plus all 6 Cattle Egrets at Road Green Farm. I've seen and heard my first 2 Whimbrel of the Spring (estuary/ColyCommon) and am hearing Willow Warbler song at various locations. Tuesday evening I paid a late visit to BHM and was stunned to look through the screen and see 2 Spoonbill feeding there. I moved to the Island hide to find that others were already watching/photographing them. My camera was with me so I tried a couple of shots...             

Spoonbills, BHM, 11/04/17 (Copyright T D Wright)

Spoonbills, BHM, 11/04/17(Copyright T D Wright)

A Pintail was on BHM as was the Knot but darkness was approaching so that's all  I managed to see. Today, I just had a personal disaster by crashing my bicycle and damaging myself but - far worse - damaging my scope & tripod! I've a horrible feeling they can't be repaired so I'm looking for a cheap/ 2nd Hand tripod and a genius who can fix a Kowa telescope when it's been broken in two! Any suggestions?

Waders About

Greenshank, BHM, 07/04/17 (Copyright T D Wright)

L.R.P., BHM, 06/04/17 (Copyright T D Wright)

Little Ringed Plover, BHM, 06/04/17 (Copyright T D Wright)

A late visit to BHM on Thursday saw a new LRP by Island hide. Looking North, I saw another 2 at the same time showing their bright yellow eye-rings off so at least 3. On Friday, all 3 were missing but 2 Ringed Plover had replaced them. Also fresh-in were 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, one in near summer plumage. The Greenshank and Knot were still present, and a pair of Peregrines skimmed the top of Tower hide to entertain us. I forgot to mention on my last post that I had 2 Common Sandpiper together from SM hide on Wednesday.So, lots of waders now that BHM has some mud exposed but not a hirundine to be seen the last 2 evenings.That will change soon...

Another Quickie

I'm in Axminster today but amazingly was stopped in my tracks at Lyme Close by that old friend, the song of your actual Willow Warbler mate. Spring is great!

Wheatear at last!

Thanks to IM for providing the wheels to get me up Beer Head at 8:30 this morning. The Northerly 'wind' I spoke of yesterday was more of a gentle zephyr so no major fall of birds. For Beer head, the date is just ever-so-slightly early too. Even though one can see Portland from it the birds making landfall there rarely visit us. I think Sunday onwards ought to produce more variety. Having said all that, I did see a single Wheatear which Ian picked up as I unpacked my scope so I pointed it at the 'Bird on a Wire' as it afforded us prolonged views with the Sun behind us. It was all downhill from there - or possibly slightly undulating - as we noted a dearth of phylloscs or hirundines. We did see and hear about 8 Blackcaps and enjoyed several Stonechat and other resident birds, plus some friendly dogs. It will all happen soon, Igor, soon...

Borrowed Egrets

Pintails, BHM, 30/03/17(Copyright T D Wright)

Pintails, BHM, 30/03/17 (Copyright T D Wright)

Managed to get all 4 drake Pintails in one frame before they left. Had to share that with somebody. After I'd already posted yesterday I walked around Borrow Pit and, at 5pm, saw 3 Cattle Egrets fly over toward the estuary. I know people are getting bored with hearing about them but it was just the location that made this interesting. I know they've been roosting at this site but dusk is now at 8pm. I'm expecting them to be gone quite soon...unless they decide to breed! Today I popped down to BHM at lunchtime which now has more mud exposed. All I could see however were the Knot, Grey Plover and the usual Blackwits & Redshanks. The wind here is now Northerly though, so tonight or tomorrow I'm expecting a migrant or two.

Colyton Update

Just when I thought they might have dispersed I checked Colcombe farm (viewed from public footpath) and counted 5 Cattle Egrets along with 12 Littles at 3pm Sunday afternoon. So they're still around, as are Little Owl and Dipper whose precise location I shan't blog.