Early Marsh Orchids

Won't be long now before theses Early Marsh Orchids are blooming...

It feels like spring migration is well and truly over in this neck of the woods. Off Mudbank today - just 12 Bar-tailed Godwits and 8+ Whimbrel.

15/5 - 5 Dunlin, 15 Sanderling, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Grey Herons and the leucistic Herring Gull again.

On the 13/5 - an early morning sea-watch from the raised beach huts produced 8 Great Northern Divers, 5 Sandwich Terns, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Red-throated Diver and 2 lingering Arctic Skuas.

A few strolls on local heathland, over the past week, have provided some nice sightings...

Red Kites

This pair of Red Kites was heading west over Exmouth at 0950 this morning. Lu and I were walking down to the seafront and I stopped to look at the handful of gulls in the recycling centre. One of them tilted its head to look up and I followed its gaze skywards...

This afternoon Lu and I went for a lengthy stroll on the commons where a further three Red Kites were seen over Woodbury Common and another over Bicton Common. Off Mudbank early on - 12 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Dunlin, 13 Whimbrel, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Turnstone and a Mallard. Also a Whitethroat back on territory there. The Cuckoo was again singing this morning - over on Withycombe Raleigh Common.

 Adela reamurella - Green Longhorn. Lovely to see these 'lekking' in the sunshine.

Nightjars, Spot Fly

As I got out of the car, first thing this morning, I could hear a Spotted Flycatcher calling - my first in Exmouth this year and a bird back on its regular territory beside Bystock Pool. Whilst trying (unsuccessfully) to photograph it I picked up this day-roosting Nightjar - high up in a pine, so very difficult to photograph. Also at Bystock this morning - 1 Cuckoo calling, 8 Tufted Ducks, 1 Moorhen, 15 drake Mallard, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Stock Dove, 1 singing Willow Warbler and 1 singing Firecrest amongst the commoner stuff.

Not a lot else today but a Red Kite low east over Orcombe at around 3pm and a female Kestrel hunting the top fields.

On the 8th - 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat and a flock of c50+ Linnets being harangued by a Sparrowhawk. The Reed Warbler was still singing from West Lodge reedbed.

On the 7th - off Mudbank - 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 37 Whimbrel.

The Tufted Ducks seem to be enjoying Bystock pool this year. Eight birds again this morning (5 males, 3 females). Fifteen mallard too.

The Terrapins were removed from Bystock pool a while back but at least one has since been introduced.

Nightjar - day-roosting male - Bicton Common. Good to locate a Tree Pipit on territory nearby. Lets hope it breeds successfully. There should be loads up on the pebbled heaths but most years I don't see any. No shortage of Meadow Pipits up there though.

My first Heath Spotted Orchids of the year. A little earlier than I usually see them.

My initial view of Tuesday's Black-tailed Godwit in terribly harsh light. It's elegant silhouette suggested Black-tailed Godwit but I had to wait for it to move to confirm. Its shape made me wonder if 'limosa' should be considered, and once in better light its light orange colouration raised my interest a bit more. Assuming it's in first-summer plumage I don't think there's any sure way of telling.

Garden Warblers

One of two Garden Warblers feeding quietly together at the top end of Bystock reserve this morning.

Orcombe Point first thing - fog and a cold northerly breeze - 1 singing Lesser Whitethroat, 5 singing Whitethroats, 7 singing Blackcaps and 9 singing Chiffchaffs. The two Red-legged Partridges are still there but no young in tow yet. Two Whimbrel were on the beach by the lifeboat station. Off Mudbank this afternoon - 67+ Whimbrel (an increase), 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Dunlin (plus more small waders on Cockle Sands) and a flock of 11 Swifts east just before 4pm. A Reed Warbler is singing in West Lodge reedbed for its third day at least.

Bystock - 8 Tufted Ducks (5 drakes, 3 females), 3 singing Firecrests, 2 singing Willow Warblers and 2 Garden Warblers. I'm sure I'd have seen more stuff if I'd covered the whole reserve.

Yesterday - very little but 1 Wheatear and a singing Sedge Warbler on Orcombe Point were noteworthy. Five Black-headed Gulls flew past the point and headed towards the river. Mudbank - 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, c25 Whimbrel, 18 Dunlin and 3 Sandwich Terns.

Whimbrel - numbers up on yesterday.

Bar-tailed Godwit.

Avocet

Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel - Mudbank.

An Avocet was on Cockle Sands this afternoon as the tide dropped. Also off there - c25 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 16+ Common Gulls, 4 Dunlin and 6 Great Crested Grebes.

Sea

A 'Pebbled Heath' Little Ringed Plover.

The wind has switched round to a brisk south-westerly so I had a look off Maer Rocks - three looks in fact. Two hour-long watches early on and just 20 minutes late pm. Totals included 2 Arctic Skuas (a dark bird east and a lingering pale phase, seen several times. Also - reasonable numbers of Gannet, Kittiwake and auk sp, along with 5 Great Northern Divers, 6 Red-throated Divers, 4 diver sp, 7 Fulmars, 9 Common Scoters, 67+ Manx Shearwaters, 3 Whimbrel and 10 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. At least 24 Whimbrel were off Mudbank on the dropping tide but very little else.

I saw my first Swift of the year from the back garden yesterday, and off Mudbank - 6 Eider (two fine drakes and four females) and 5 Cattle Egrets (in flight over Starcross). An early morning scoot round Orcombe was disappointing with a lingering (and singing) Garden Warbler, 1 Wheatear and a fly-over Whimbrel the only notable records.

Nuthatch - Bystock. Five Tufted Ducks (including two pairs) still on the pool plus 1 singing Firecrest and 4 Swallows on a very brief visit today. Yesterday - 2 singing Firecrests and a Yellowhammer of note.

More Migrants

Male Whinchat - Orcombe Point.

With rain and a north-easterly breeze it was a no-brainer to bird Orcombe first thing. Bit cold though! Not quite the numbers I was hoping for but some nice variety. Two visits (dawn and early pm) produced 1 Whinchat, at least 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Hobby, 4 Willow Warblers, 3+ Wheatears, c10 Swallows, 1 House Martin, 2+ Sand Martins (my first this year in Exmouth), 7 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats and c40 Linnets. Also - 1 Fulmar, 4 Shelduck and 2 Sandwich Terns. In Sandy Bay - a singing Reed Warbler, 4 Swallows and 2 Willow Warblers.
Off Mudbank - 1 first-summer Mediterranean Gull and 6 Great Crested Grebes. Nearby the male Reed Bunting still singing from West Lodge reedbed. 
Bystock - 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Firecrests, singing, 1 Jay and a Grasshopper Warbler (meadow). This afternoon - a Cuckoo - audible from Withycombe Raleigh Common but singing on East Budleigh Common. Many thanks to both Chris and Paul for the texts. 

First-summer Mediterranean Gull. My first for a few weeks.

Green-veined White. Lots of Orange-tips on the wing today too.

Finally the Whitethroat numbers are building! Six singing on Orcombe this morning. More to come...

Common Tern, Canary

Whimbrel - one of c40 off Mudbank today. Would normally expect to see more than double that number at this time of year.

Mudbank today - 8 Knot, 30 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank, c40 Whimbrel and 4 Great Crested Grebes. Nearby, on Bull Hill as the tide dropped - 53+ Sandwich Terns and 1 Common Tern.

Bystock reserve - 5 Tufted Ducks (3 males, 2 females), 1 Moorhen, 1 Crossbill (over the meadow), 15 drake Mallards and 1 Wheatear (meadow). Good to hear a Tree Pipit in full flow in exactly the same spot as last year - just outside the meadow (and therefore outside Exmouth), on East Budleigh Common.

Yesterday - Orcombe Point, late afternoon - 10 Swallows, 7 Wheatears, 1 Willow Warbler and the 2 Red-legged Partridges. Off Mudbank - c45 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits and c10+ Sandwich Terns.

23/4 - Mudbank - 20+ Sandwich Terns, 48 Whimbrel, 3 Mute Swans and an escaped Canary!

Initially picked by its annoyingly Serin-like trill, this Canary was feeding by the viewing screen on Tuesday afternoon.

Orcombe Migrants

The first of today's Whinchats, taken in dull, early morning light.

Good by Orcombe standards today - cool and overcast with less wind than yesterday - 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Snipe, 2 Whinchats, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (a reeling bird that actually showed itself briefly), 2 Wheatears, at least 1 Redstart, just 1 Whitethroat, 13+ Chiffchaffs (but no Willow Warblers), 4+ Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Swallows and 1 Sedge Warbler. Also - a singing male Cirl Bunting still on territory, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine and 2 Shelduck.

Mudbank on the incoming tide this afternoon - 58 Whimbrel, 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, c20 Sandwich Terns, 5 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Common Gull.

This fine male Redstart was on the far side of the massive cattle field. A laughable record shot but at least you can see what it is - my first this year captured for posterity!

Even today's Wheatears refused to come any closer.

An afternoon stroll around Bystock, in the rain - 5 Tufted Ducks, 4 Canada Geese, 1 Moorhen, 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Nuthatches, 3+ Siskins and a pair of Firecrests.

Lesser Whitethroats, Red Kite

Two Lesser Whitethroats today - both singing males - the first along the cycle track between West Lodge and Courtlands, the second on Orcombe Point. Additional Orcombe records - 3 Willow Warblers, 3+ Wheatears, 8 House Martins, 9+ Swallows, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Little Egret, 5+ Blackcaps, 2 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel and 8+ Chiffchaffs.

A Red Kite flew east over Halsdon Farm (viewed from the back garden) at 1225pm. Also - a single House Martin and a couple Swallows.

White-tailed Eagle

Was sat chatting to Glyn when I picked up a White-tailed Eagle, way upriver, towards or over Topsham at 1530. It was relatively low but gained height quite quickly and headed downriver. It was extremely high and being mobbed by another raptor (possibly a Gos) when I lost it in the brilliant blue sky. It was heading west/southwest by then. In view for about 15 minutes in total and looking distinctly brownish on the upperparts, so perhaps an older bird? Otherwise off there - 19+ Whimbrel and earlier this morning - 20 Brent Geese - very distant but probably 8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 12 Dark-bellied birds. Really nice to meet Dan and his parents this afternoon.
Orcombe was disappointingly quiet yet again but 2 Whitethroats and a Willow Warbler of note in crystal clear conditions.
A mid-morning look at Orcombe yesterday produced 10+ 'Greenland' Wheatears, 6 Shelduck, 2 Bullfinches and a Willow Warbler. Off Mudbank - c20 Whimbrel late on.

Yellow Wagtail

I found this Tawny Pinion next to a light in the Bristol Schools camp this morning. Not an uncommon species but only the second one I've seen.

Highlight on Orcombe Point this morning was my first Yellow Wagtail of the year. It was feeding on the main dung heap before flying off high west. Also this morning - 1 Whitethroat, 7+ Wheatear, 1 Swallow, 8+ Blackcaps, 1+ Willow Warbler and 2 or 3 Collared Doves. The two resident Red-legged Partridges are still sneaking around the top fields.
Off Mudbank - 7 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, at least 19 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Knot, 7 Whimbrel, 1 Redshank and the returning leucistic Herring Gull.
Yesterday - c40/50 Sandwich Terns on Cockle Sands and a whiz round Bystock produced 7 Tufted Ducks, 1 Moorhen, 2 Siskins and a Firecrest.

One of six (3 pairs) of Shelduck in the main top field today.

Green-winged Orchid. One of several hundred spikes now in flower.

One of at least 7 Wheatear today.

 The leucistic Herring Gull made an unwelcome return today - off Mudbank on the dropping tide.

Two of seven Tufted Ducks on Bystock yesterday.

Red Sword-grass

Red Sword-grass. A huge thanks to Nick who trapped this beauty in his Budleigh garden last night. A new one for both of us and one I've always hoped to see but never really expected to see.

Orcombe this morning - 7 Blackcaps, 12+ Chiffchaffs, 1 Swallow, 1 Stock Dove and 4 Willow Warblers. There appeared to be a light west-bound passage of Linnets and Goldfinches but no counts were made. A Wheatear was on the beach first thing and 3 'Greenland' Wheatears were on the Maer this afternoon - a nice bonus on a lovely spring stroll with Lu. 

Off Mudbank - c50 Sandwich Terns, 21 Bar-tailed Godwits and 4 Knot.

This whopping great 'leucorhoa'' Wheatear was one of three together on the Maer this afternoon.

Bits and Bobs

Little Egret - Mudbank.

Mudbank today, on the dropping tide - c70 Sandwich Terns, 7 or 8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Shelduck, 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Grey Plover, 5 Knot, 2 Redshank, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Black-headed Gull, 14+ Common Gulls, 1 Blackcap and 1 Willow Warbler. On Orcombe Point - just 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Swallows, 5 Blackcaps, 9 Chiffchaffs and a pair of Cirl Buntings.

A few Willow Warblers were singing along the cycle track to Topsham and in Topsham - the Black-throated Diver and a Marsh Harrier. Both Willow Warbler and Reed Warbler were in song there. I spent this afternoon with Chris on the Lower Otter Restoration Project. Wonderful to catch up as always but not too much about. Little Ringed Plover, Goosander, Greenshank, Redshank, Willow Warbler and a handful of House Martins the highlights.

Whimbrel - Mudbank. One of six off there today.

LRP - LORP.

Drake Goosander - river Otter.

Orange-tip. Saw Holly Blues today too.

I cycled to Topsham this morning for this Black-throated Diver that is currently languishing off the recreation ground. An odd record anywhere on the river but particularly strange this far upstream.