Garden Birding

Although we have been in the new house for over a month now, up until today I haven't really had chance to stop and take some time to see what I can see with a telescope from the garden.  So I was pleased to have about half an hour late this afternoon with the scope in the driveway, and added ten new species to the house list.

Different parts of the house/garden offer views of slightly different parts of the river valley (all north of Coronation Corner), but the driveway offers the broadest views and includes parts of Colyford, Bridge and Axe Marshes.

I have roughly annotated this map with what parts of the river valley I can see from where I was stood this afternoon...

Can think of several Axe rarities that would have been viewable from my then future driveway! 

 

Yesterday night's rain produced the expected flooding in the valley, which meant this afternoon I could see much more water from the house than I'd usually be able to. Yes it is about a mile and half away but that is what a zoom lens is for right!?

The highlight was watching a hunting Barn Owl for at least five minutes just before 5pm, going back and forth over a reedbed below Stedcome House. Not really a surprise seeing as though there seem to be a few about in the Axe valley this winter, and yes of course it was distant but still good to see. A Barn Owl from the garden is never to sniffed at - no matter how far away it is!

 

On the flood water I added Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal and Curlew, and although there was nothing in with the Lapwings that I could see on the ground, the Black Hole Marsh Lapwing flock took to the air several times and revealed some new species, including a single Golden Plover, half a dozen Black-tailed Godwits and three Dunlin.  It was also interesting to see, several times, a striking Lapwing with what looked like white-tipped wings, so presumably suffering some sort of partial leucism.  I hope to get some better views of it but has anyone else locally seen it?

 

The final two new house ticks were with the gull flocks flying down the valley.  Common Gull was one and I saw over a hundred of these, along with two adult Mediterranean Gulls. I was hoping to add Cattle Egret as it got darker, however I got on to the biggest flock of pre roosting egrets too late to do anything with so missed that one today.

As ever, thanks for reading. Especially as I appreciate that only I really care about what I can see from my garden!