Lu, Maisie and I walked the dog this morning. We did a loop from Bystock Pool, up through the reserve, on to Lympstone Common and around the edge of Blackhill Quarry, before dropping down across East Budleigh Common, back on to Bystock. Very little seen but two Ring-necked Ducks, on the main quarry pool, were a lovely surprise and the first self-found since the female I had on Newcross Pond, Kingsteignton, way back in December 1996.
Earlier, a sea-watch from the raised beach huts, from 0725 - 0840, produced 24 Kittiwakes, c30/40+ Gannets, 4 Common Gulls, 1 Velvet Scoter, 3 Great Northern Divers, 2 Common Scoters, 5 Red-throated Divers, 1 diver sp, 3+ Great Crested Grebes, just 3 auk sp and a Peregrine which headed south, across the bay. On Maer Rocks later - 4 Purple Sandpipers, 5 Turnstones and a Little Egret.
Yesterday, off Mudbank - 2 Goldeneye (male and female), the Spoonbill and 1 Greenshank.
The Velvet Scoter was off Maer Rocks this morning, before taking off towards the Warren.
The Spoonbill was back off Mudbank, late yesterday afternoon.
Drake Wigeon close off Mudbank yesterday.
Great birding Matt, those ring necked ducks are fab.
ReplyDeleteHi Tom - they're smart aren't they. Glad you caught up with them. All the best. Matt
ReplyDeleteWell found Matt. They are smart darks. Been a real bumper season for them. I think Bird Guides said there 55 of them around the country last week & remember seeing a photo in South Wales of 6 together. Remember finding a couple on my 40th birthday on Scilly some years back. Just before Xmas went to see the returning female just outside London at Reigate, that's still present.
ReplyDeleteThough I suspect all these birds will head north as the days lengthen I do wonder if a pair might possibly stay & breed. Last London bird I saw was a smart drake at Brent Res.
Hi Neil - yes exceptional numbers this year. Enjoyed watching them but would dearly love to have got them on the Exmouth patch. They're probably under a mile outside the boundary. A breeding record would be quite something. Have never really considered it possible but I guess it is. Good to hear from you, as always. All the best. Matt.
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