Pintail - Mudbank
Two quick looks off Mudbank today (one before work and one after) produced some surprisingly good birds. This morning produced a juvenile Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 6 Knot, 1 Redshank, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Kingfisher, c50+ Wigeon, 1 Pintail and c150/200+ Teal.
An Osprey was fishing off Mudbank at 1705 and it caused havoc amongst the various duck flocks, but thanks to a c100+ Teal flock becoming airborne I was able to pick out a Garganey - the light grey forewing standing out a mile amongst the dark of the Teal. Otherwise off there - 2 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 1 Common Tern, c10/20+ Sandwich Tern, 7 Pintail and c30+ Wigeon.
Still at least 25 Yellow Wagtails in with cattle on Orcombe. Three Chiffchaff and a flock of c20+ Meadow Pipits were also noted, but very little else on a lightning-quick whiz round the top fields this afternoon. On the beach was a small wader flock comprising 10 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling and a Ringed Plover.
Nice one with the Garganey Matt - Guess you don't see them too regularly on the patch!
ReplyDeleteHi Chris - very occasional off Mudbank (last one 8/10/16) and have had a couple spring migrants sat on the sea off the seafront. Always a really good Exmouth bird and a personal favourite. See you had a nice early Firecrest. Wonder if it's a local one? All the best. Matt
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