Dartmoor Day

Will post a local update in the next day or two, but in the meantime here's a few pics from a stunning family day trip to Dartmoor yesterday...

At least four Crossbills spent lunchtime with us, along with numerous Siskins, a couple of Dipper and a Wheatear.   Had one of those moments too of really appreciating a common bird. We all go nuts for spring Yellow Wagtails, especially the colourful headed varieties. But have you looked closely at at Grey Wagtail lately? Stunning...

What's The Date?

Well we have just passed the mid September mark - and to be honest I simply can't believe it. After the wet summer we've experienced I always thought this was going to be a poor autumn, but my God September (so far) has proved dreadful!

Yesterday I led an outing for the East Devon Branch of the DBWPS around Beer Head. The bushes were quiet with just eight Blackcaps, three Chiffchaffs, a Whitethroat and a Goldcrest - and overhead was really quiet with just a couple of small Meadow Pipit and hirundine flocks over west. The highlight was easily a smart Whinchat by the coastguard look out, with about ten Wheatear.

This morning I've had a good look about the Estuary - and have finally seen the Curlew Sandpiper on Black Hole Marsh first found by Phil on Sunday morning. It was with 15 Dunlin, two Common Sands but little else. Other parts of the valley showed 37 Blackwits, seven Ringed Plover, three Greenshank (Colyford Marsh) and three Wigeon.

For some reason I photographed this Grey Wagtail - and looking at Karen's blog it must be something in the air at the moment!

We will get Citrine one day I'm sure...

Afterwards, and considering the tidal state (high) I though I'd count the roosting waders on the beach. It was dead easy - there were none! Overhead a few more Meadow Pipits were on the move though.

I don't think this weather is helping the birding situation at the moment, a bit of rain wouldn't go amiss - I have had enough of this...

..though I think I am the only person in Seaton who thinks this!

Fire-crested Wren

Yesterday I ended my post with the caption 'Woodlarks are fast becoming my favourite bird'. Well my all time favourite bird reinstated itself back on top today! A visit to Branscombe Sewage Works this morning rewarded me with superb views of this cracking Firecrest...

Not the Hume's I was after - but I don't mind because Firecrest are fab!

Also here were two Chiffchaff, plenty of Goldcrests and two Treecreepers amongst the usual selection of sewage work loving birds...

A Grey Wag

A look along the Estuary this afternoon showed we are up to six Barwits. Although to all readers of this blog this probably means nothing, to us these Barwits are very notable! Bar-tailed Godwits are not usual winter residents on the Axe, they can best be described as regular but not numerous spring and autumn passage visitors and very rare and irregular winter visitors. We have had between four and six here now for the past couple of months - very exciting for the Axe birder!

Also on the Estuary were three Med Gulls (2 ads and a second winter) and 68 Canada Geese, including this slightly odd plumaged bird that has been around for a few weeks...

I'm pretty sure I've seen this bird in previous winters too

On Seaton Marshes I noted two female Shoveler, and the Wheatear remains - meaning today becomes my new latest ever date for this species...

It certainly looks Greenlandy to me - but why isn't it a rare one!!!??

I finished by birding day at Seaton Hole today, where eight Great Crested Grebes were on the sea, and a female Black Redstart was on rocks to the east...

It wasn't an approachable one though!

I forgot to mention in yesterday's post, that whilst at Seaton Hole yesterday, two Brent Geese flew west.

So although we are stuck in a mild spell with apparently very little happening - I've still managed to have an enjoyable birding day on patch :-)