A Frustrating Week

Well this has been an extremely frustrating week for me birding-wise.  I will start with what I haven't seen...

The big news was the presence of the Axe's first Tundra Bean Goose in 21 years, which dropped in briefly on Colyford Common yesterday afternoon.  Found independently by Phil A and Susie J, with Ian Mc being the only other birder who caught up with it (I think) before it flew off north all on its own, whilst all it's Canada cousins continued to graze on the marsh.  I couldn't get there until near sunset as I was at work, and having not heard that it had flown off I just thought I was going to see it, as any odd geese here, once down with the Canada flock, generally go on to remain for the day.  

So a real shame I missed it however am so pleased for the Axe.  We completely missed out on any grey geese during the Dec '25 grey goose influx (just the Barnacle flock - which was still great!), and in recent weeks there's been a smaller influx into UK, with both the Otter and Exe Estuary recording Tundra Beans.  Hopefully there are more to follow, that everyone will get to see.

Thanks to Susie J for these two ultra gripping photos...

Classic Bean head and bill right there, a great pic (c) Susie J

Even see leg colour here! (c) Susie J

There's also been a couple of Bearded Tits around, a species I haven't seen on patch for about eight years.  One was first reported during last weekend by visiting birders, with a pair finally been pinned down on Colyford Common late afternoon Wednesday/early Thursday by Susie J, Tim C and Clive.  

We've also had singles of Tufted Duck, Mandarin, Knot, Lesser Whitethroat (again near the Seaton clock tower) and three Avocet.  And yes, we are still on the list of birds I haven't seen!

Adding to my frustrations has been reading about the amount of quality birds that are still arriving on the east coast, whilst the south west of the UK remains a really poor relation when it comes to scarce and rare birds.  It is something we have to get used to living down here I know, but for some reason these last few weeks have been particularly hard to stomach.  

Anyway, enough of the moaning as it's finally time for what I have seen.  

It was nice to come across our first Black Redstart of the autumn on Thursday morning, a species that has had a shockingly poor autumn so far.  In most years they are usually present pretty much daily from mid/late October right through to early spring.

It might be somewhat late, but this Black Redstart looked gorgeous in the early morning light

Also on Thursday morning it was good to see a flock of 16 Common Scoter looking very settled and feeding well out in the bay off Seaton.  Overhead in the clear skies, plenty of late and sizeable Wood Pigeon and Stock Dove flocks were flying over east/north east.  On the Estuary a Greenshank looks to be wintering with us as I am seeing it frequently and the Marsh Harrier roost remains too, as well as a Starling roost which is rapidly building in numbers.

Wednesday night is worth a quick mention, as after dark when the rain fell there was an impressive thrush passage over Seaton. Constant flocks of Redwing and a few Song Thrush calling from above.

Today, Jess and I did a 7+ mile walk though the patch, from Seaton to Colyton (via the Wetlands) and back to Seaton again via Holyford Woods.   A really lovely morning to be out, and birds were really active feeding in our first frost of the autumn.  The highlights were a wonderfully approachable flock of 12 Siskins at Colyford, several Chiffchaffs dotted around mostly in Long-tailed Tit flocks, plenty of Redwing, fewer Fieldfare and a Marsh Tit.  

A female Siskin munching on some catkins

Highly frustratingly (clearly my word of the post!) at one point during the walk a lone immature swan sp. flew distantly south east, soon dropping down in the Bridge Marsh area.  It looked good for a Whooper to me but there was no further sign of it so presumably I was mistaken.  

I think the last thing I have to mention is the gorgeous couple of Firecrest in Axmouth churchyard at the start of the week.   Yes they were great to see, but I will be honest they didn't feel like a suitable reward for the amount of time I've spent looking for a wing-barred phyllosc!  

Am hoping to do a bit better this weekend/next week.  You'll read about whether I do or not on here, so be sure to pop back soon for my next post.