Rose-coloured Starling, Little Stint and Black Redstarts

Am pleased to report the Rose-coloured Starling is still in the area, although I haven't had chance to catch up with it again myself.  It is spending most of its time (during daylight hours at least) just north of the patch in Whitford, with one report from Colyton as well.  I don't think it is being looked for as much in the evenings now but am sure it is still roosting on patch within the Starling roost in the vicinity of Colyford Common, as it was for the first few days of its time here.

Tim C took several photos of it when he saw it on Colyford Common, on the evening of the day I first found it in Seaton.  Tim has kindly allowed me to post his photos here, so please find below two of them...

Such a striking bird even in gloomy light!

Like chalk and cheese!

 

And Mike B has also let me share one of his photos, taken in Whitford last week...

(c) Mike Blaver

 

Thankyou Tim and Mike!

A Little Stint found this morning on Black Hole Marsh meant I had to take a slight detour to work... well you just never know when it comes to late autumn peeps!  However the finder was dead right with their identification as this bird was still in mostly juvenile plumage so the 'tramlines' on its back were really noticeable - helpful in ruling anything rarer out!  I only had distant views but good to see it nonetheless. 

Otherwise for me it's basically been all about Black Redstarts!  There are at least three lingering around the east side of Seaton, spending much of their time on the new Seaton Quay site which is right next to my work...

All three look like this, first-winter birds.  Am confident this one is a male due to noticeable wing patches

 

There still seems to be quite a few Chiffchaff about, which gives me hope for more Yellow-broweds or something rarer.  I had at least eight around Stafford Marsh a couple of mornings ago, with several still along my route to work as well.  It's definitely a fairly good autumn for Goldcrest too, or better than the last few autumns at least.  Redwings are now a daily occurrence mostly in small numbers, but am yet to see a Fieldfare.

Seems like the vismig season has ground to a halt, after probably the best ever autumn for Wood Pigeon passage. This lingering solid grey cloud and easterly airflow is not encouraging anything to move at all in the mornings, well not here anyway.