December Highlights

Thought it was about time I wrote something down about the snippets of interest I have mustered over the last few weeks...

Who doesn't love a goose at Christmas!? I had 13!  Since Christmas Eve there has been a sizeable influx of grey geese across the UK, thanks to cold north easterly winds and the drop in temperatures in eastern Europe.  Looking at BirdGuides it's mostly White-fronts and Beans, but mid morning on Christmas Day I could see small black and white heads poking up from the long grass on Colyford Marsh, not grey ones...

Look along the near edge of the flock

 

At first I could only see nine Barnacle Geese, but later the whole flock showed itself better and contained 13 birds.  A fabulous sight and presumably as good as Barnacle Geese could ever get here - most records relate to 'feral' birds mixed up with the local Canada Geese.  Interestingly, other than when I first found them, this flock do seem to be staying separate from the local Canada Geese, although they have been mingling with up to five Dark-bellied Brent Geese which are notable in themselves here mid-winter.

How much better does Bridge Marsh look with this flock on it!

 

A closer look at some of the Barnacle Geese in the gloom of post-sunset on Christmas Day

 

The Dark-bellied Brents

 

All 13 Barnacle Geese were still present today, but I haven't seen the Brents for a couple of days now. And still no grey geese which is disappointing, although hopefully that will change as there are still plenty at large in the UK and we have more cold weather to come apparently.

Moving to a species that is associated more with warmth, I think I set a new Axe record count a few weeks back, if not, it was certainly a new high count for me.  22 Cattle Egret flew out of Seaton Marshes roost on 11th Dec, with 21 the following morning.  They've been feeding out of the valley which is quite unusual, just to the west of Seaton either side of the A3052.

In Seaton, the area around the Bowling Green is still a hive of activity.  The two Lesser Whitethroats remain (and I have started composing my blog post on these now as I have managed enough photos), as well as the odd Blackcap and up to five Black Redstarts.  The latter often not really behaving like stereotypical Black Reds - perching deep in trees and feeding on berries...

This male is one of the birds that have been regular by the Bowling Club

 

Often found partially obscured deep in a tree!

 

These berries are what is attracting all the birds to this area

Only occasionally does it remember it's a Black Redstart and sits out in the open

 

Gull-wise, the best for me recently has been this (slightly ugly but not ugly enough to not have) third-winter Caspian Gull. It showed really well on the Lower Axe for several hours on the morning of 15th Dec.  Closer scrutiny of the pictures showed it to be the same bird that Gav found and I later saw on the Axe on 27th Nov...

Slightly darker mantle and different head and bill shape visible here, but structure wise it isn't classic

 

Eye looks pale-ish too which is also not ideal

A pretty perfect wing pattern though, with a mirror on p9 and some black on p4

 

And this well-marked and advanced first-winter Caspian Gull on the lower Estuary last thing today...

Back left - almost as white breasted and headed as the adult Herring Gull in front!  

Such a well advanced bird with plenty of clean grey on top and the older generation feathers all looking very worn and faded now

 

The below gull was another interesting looking thing.  It's overall darkness, structure, and massive Glaucous-like beak had me desperately trying to capture a spread-tail shot in case it was an American Herring Gull.  Unfortunately I didn't manage too, but I don't think it was one. Probably just a big bulky (and possibly a bit Northern?) Herring Gull.

Although it has quite well marked underparts, they were a dark coffee colour, but certainly not smooth brown like our 2020 American Herring.

 

And finally - I really hope all you lovely readers had a wonderful Christmas!  Can't really believe it is already all over, but considering how quickly this year has gone it will soon be around again...