Two Storms Later

Well since the cold weather left us (and the rumoured even colder weather failed to arrive) we've been visited by Goretti and Chandra, with very little calm weather in between.  It's basically always been dull, wet and windy even outside of the named storms and the multiple weather warnings.

Looking north from Axmouth.  So much local flooding today, with many roads inpassable

 

With a bit more wind today water would have come over Coronation Corner

 

I've (over?)covered the Little Gull in yesterday's post, so it's time for all the other bits and bobs that I've seen. And I may as well start with gulls...

Huge numbers of gulls have been brought in by these storms, with incredible numbers over the sea and on the Estuary. It's been so much fun going through them, and it's been good to see such high numbers of Common Gulls.  Mediterranean Gulls have been well represented too, with several over the sea shortly before I counted 44 on the lower Estuary on the evening of 23rd.  There were 27 on the lower Estuary on 26th too (all adults except two first-winters and one second-winter), including multiple colour-ringed birds... 

Clearly very sleepy with all the feeding and flying they're doing!  Five adults pictured here, two colour-ringed

I wish all colour-rings were this easy to read! 

In with the large gulls I have managed to pull out two first-winter Caspian Gulls, although both were distant so photos are pretty poor...

This Casp on 23rd helpfully waved as I took the photo!

This Casp the following morning on Colyford Marsh may not have waved but it was one of only eight gulls so it couldn't really hide itself!

I also found this brute late afternoon yesterday (26th) and I am pretty sure it's a third-winter argentatus Scandinavian Herring Gull.  Tricky to be sure because it's not a full adult, but build and mantle colour seems to support my conclusion...

Left hand bird.  It's a poor photo but I've included it as it shows mantle shade well.

A hefty beast

Massive square head and a very thick beak - looks like a bird that can endure life in the Scandinavian region!

Another mantle comparison shot

Other birds of note that I've seen around the river recently include a vocal Golden Plover flying around in the mist over Seaton on 19th and seven Gadwall on Bridge Marsh on 25th when a storm-driven Great Crested Grebe was bobbing about on the Estuary.  The Avocet flock has dropped down to seven birds, but great to see most are still with us, and our wintering Greenshank numbers have doubled to two birds.

Great-crested Grebe

Both Greenshank together

 

Was nice to see the Avocets feeding, they're usually asleep when I see them!

 

Away from the river I have managed to see a Firecrest at Seaton Hole and have finally come across some patch Dippers. They have been elusive since the start of the year, but I was pleased to see two on the Coly just north of Colyton on 24th...

A patch Dipper finally

Am sure there's a few bits I've missed but I feel like this covers all my most notable sightings.  

Anyone reading this who has been troubled by the recent floods, I wish you all the best.  Hopefully we've seen the back of the worst of it and can look forward to the season hopefully moving on. Take care all.