Monday 19 March 2018

Corn Bunting

 
This Golden Plover tumbled out of the sky and landed on the beach just feet in front of me. It was the only one I saw this morning, but I found a couple more on Orcombe Point this afternoon. The only other species noted on the narrow strip of sand that wasn't snow-covered, were a single Fieldfare, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Stonechat and a Meadow Pipit.
 
Quite unbelievably it was another 'snow day' today so, with the college closed, I set about covering some ground in Exmouth. I did a three hour walk from 6 'til 9am, covering the estuary, the beach and Orcombe Point in a big loop.
The scenery was beautiful but I was surprised at just how few birds were around. Fieldfares and Redwings passed overhead in reasonable numbers, mostly heading north -west, but otherwise I only logged 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat, a couple Skylark and a single Golden Plover. Thirty-six Common Gull were off Mudbank and Orcombe produced singles of Kestrel, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk. I got back for breakfast, relieved not to have seen many struggling birds but somewhat perplexed at just how little was around.
Once home the sun came out and a rapid thawing of snow began. This meant that this afternoon I was able to get the car out, so I nipped back up to Orcombe. A very obliging Golden Plover was feeding around the Geoneedle, and another was in the field above the orchid field. I reached the dung heap and found 3 or 4 Meadow Pipit and a couple Rock Pipit on it, but the wind was blasting directly into my face so it was very uncomfortable viewing. I locked on to what I assumed was a Meadow Pipit, back on to me on one of the mounds, when it was joined by a Rock Pipit. It was clear that the apparent 'mipit' was bigger than the Rock Pipit, so I looked at it harder. The wind was making my eyes water so I tried to adjust my position in the gateway, but as I did so the bird took off and flew past me. It was obviously way too bulky for a Meadow Pipit and I realised I was probably looking at a Corn Bunting.
It flew across the lane and appeared to come down on the other side of the hedge, so I edged in to the field, and was relieved to find it perched up on the sunny side of the hedgerow. Relief!
Soon it flew back across the lane and shortly afterwards I relocated it back on the dung, where it remained until I left. This is my third one on Orcombe Point, which almost qualifies it as a 'prime site', such is its rarity in the county. The previous records were November 17th 2007 and November 14th 2010 (Maisie's birthday). Both previous records were in the top fields, as was today's bird, but that was back in the day when the farmer left stubble over winter.
I was chuffed that Spencer, Andy Bond and Dave Stone were able to connect. The warmth of the dung no doubt helping to keep the bird 'insitu' for a while. 


 

The Geoneedle this afternoon - after a lot of snow thaw.

 
The snow was still deep in places this afternoon, despite the thaw. I was knee-deep in it at times this morning, necessitating the emptying of wellies at one point. 


Corn Bunting - remarkably Meadow Pipit-like at times - or is it just me?

 
 
I'm really pleased with this shot. I photographed my first one on Orcombe, back in November 2007, but it was a blurry 'blob' and barely recognisable. My second evaded all my photography attempts and departed a bit prematurely too.
 

This Golden Plover was feeding around the Geoneedle.

 
 
This one was in the field above the orchid field.
 

Exmouth seafront.


Exmouth beach - mostly covered in snow.

 
Orcombe point from Exmouth beach.

10 comments:

  1. Nice shots mate , love the Exmouth front one .

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    1. Thanks Dave. Good to see you and Andy today. Enjoyed your shots too.

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  2. Hey that photo of the bunting turned out great mate. Thanks again for the text.

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    1. Thanks Spencer. Chuffed you were able to see it.

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  3. Some nice photos there Matt and a very nice find too. Is that the first in devon since the Otter bird in Dec 2014? I had a half hearted look on the top fields today, but maybe I should have looked a bit harder!

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    1. Thanks Chris - not sure - none seen in 2015 or 2016 according to Devon Birds reports. Can't recall any being seen in Devon last year but I'm so 'cocooned' in Exmouth that I'm half oblivious to what's happening elsewhere in the county! Gripped by your 'spotshank' - hasn't been one on the Exe yet this year and its been a long time since I've seen one in Exmouth. Cheers. Matt

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  4. Glad of that new camera Matt so I could at least see it second hand. Unfortunately work didn’t stop for me! �� Next time ...

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    1. Hi Nick - still there today if you get the chance.....

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  5. Hi Matt. That is a very enjoyable posting and bunting pics. It is amazing how corn bunting can morph appearance at times. I had a spot shank at Exminster Marshes during the early March snow, which Mark Bailey reliably informed me was first for 2018 in Devon- which still seems hard to believe.

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    1. Thanks James. Hadn't realised you had one on Exminster marshes. Apologies. Yes they seem to be worryingly thin on the ground. Hopefully a temporary blip! Great to hear from you. All the best. Matt

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