This male Stonechat is still wintering at the Imperial recreation ground.
Large numbers of auks and good numbers of both Kittiwake and Gannet were streaming into the bay first thing, following strong overnight winds. I gave it a little time but only managed to record 2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Common Scoters and 4 Curlew in addition to the aforementioned species. Otherwise in Exmouth - first-winter Mediterranean Gull on the Duckpond (and presumably the same bird off the seafront), another Great Northern Diver off Warren Point, 3 Little Egrets and a hunting Peregrine in Maer Valley, and 6 Pintail off Mudbank.
This afternoon we took Joel to Heavitree Social Club, in Exeter, for a football match against a Pinhoe team. While he was warming up, Lu and I walked down to the end of Ludwell Valley Park where a Siberian Chiffchaff performed well and 2 Green Sandpipers fed quietly in the brook.
This first-winter Mediterranean Gull may well have been the bird seen a short while later off the seafront. There are very few around at the moment.
Siberian Chiffchaff - Ludwell Valley Park. Waiting for kick-off occasionally has its perks!
One of two Green Sandpipers in the brook, at one end of Ludwell Valley Park.
That tristis is a little cracker, Matt. I've struggled to find Sibe Chiffs these last two winters, with just a couple of not-very-satisfying encounters. I'm very envious! 😄
ReplyDeleteHi Gav - a fellow tristis fan! I used to see them lots when I regularly birded Countess Wear but since restricting myself to Exmouth I've seen far fewer. Last winter's Orcombe Point bird was my first in years. Yesterday's Ludwell bird showed exceptionally well for a good ten minutes but, as is the norm, never called. Great to hear from you. Matt
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