In typical Phil Abbott fashion, despite it being what I can only describe as the worst winter on patch in my time here for both birds and weather, he still makes as much effort as ever and was duly rewarded with the patches second ever Green-winged Teal! A smart drake on Bridge Marsh on Saturday 19th Dec.
Unlike the first one (a short staying drake on Colyford Marsh on 29th Jan 2013) this one is lingering, although it is often invisible, I dipped it four times before seeing it this morning.
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| Not exactly a top quality photo! |
Really pleased Ian Mc has seen it, he was off patch on the day of the first bird with no sign of it by the time he was home.
This will probably be my last post before Christmas, so I'd like to take this opportunity to wish ALL my readers a....
VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!
Steve, I'm going over to broadsands on Thursday with a friend who is keen but a relatively new birder. We are after 5 grebes, 3 divers in a day with YBW, Firecrest etc thrown in for good measure. Any advice specific directions re Broadsands appreciated. Have a good new year and do more birding. My vicarious birding suffers when you, Gavin and Jayne T do less. John O'SULLIVAN
ReplyDeleteHi John. Torbay is on fire at the moment, with Brixham Harbour being a place where you will see GN Divers exceptionally well. YBW, Firecrest will be easy (behind the Broadsands carpark)but you may well find BT Diver, RN Grebe and Slav tricky as there only seems to be 1 or 2 of these species in the bay and they are not being seen daily.
ReplyDeleteJust type in 'Broadsands carpark' in to Google and it will come up. From here for your best chance of grebes and divers walk from the beach up the path and around to the first small headland. You can see a lot of sea here so it will take some scanning. May be worth trying nearby Goodrington Sands as well and don't forget Brixham Harbour. Good luck!
DeleteThanks for advice, much appreciated
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