Golden Plovers

Golden Plovers - Orcombe Point

 

I didn't make it out until late afternoon after work yesterday, but the fields at the top of Gore Lane were jam-packed with birds escaping from the snow-covered hills - chiefly hundreds of Redwings and Fieldfares, but also 8+ Golden Plover and c200+ Lapwing alongside the 300+ Linnet flock and c100+ Skylark.

It was bitterly cold up there at dawn this morning but again alive with birds with several hundred Redwing, smaller numbers of Fieldfare, 125+ Golden Plover and c4/500+ Lapwing. On the dung heap were c5/10+ Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit and a Grey Wagtail. A Peregrine was causing havoc up there amongst everything and at least one Bullfinch was knocking around. On Maer Rocks - 5 Purple Sandpipers.

I had a bit of time out before and after work on Tuesday logging 4 Red-throated Diver, 51 Brent Goose, 4 Great Crested Grebe, c12+ Common Scoter, 3 Pintail, 1 Fulmar, 4 Purple Sandpiper and c150+ Gannet off Maer Rocks.

Lapwings - not sure about numbers on or over Orcombe this morning but estimated 4/500+ birds. Flocks were moving north by the time I'd popped down to Maer Rocks.

 

One of eight or nine Golden Plover in the top fields late yesterday afternoon.

 

Langstone Rock from Exmouth seafront late yesterday afternoon.