Ruff

 

Ruff - Imperial recreation ground.

Two Ruff were found on the Imperial rugby ground this morning, and what were presumably the same two birds were relocated on Warren View playing fields at the back of our house, a bit later on. Ruff is a tricky bird to get in Exmouth. I've had passage birds in the autumn but I believe these are the first I've had in winter. Also on the rugby pitches and adjacent recreational area - 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Mistle Thrush and numbers of Lapwing, Golden Plover, Fieldfare and Redwing.

Great to see the birds feeding actively on the snow-free grass. No doubt they'll be on their way any minute, just as long as they've got their energy levels back to where they should be.

Other bits and bobs from today included a Skylark on the cricket pitch (with 17 Golden Plover), a single flock of 12 Great Crested Grebe off the Imperial, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit east past Maer Rocks and the Eider off the Grove with 2 Great Northern Divers.
This evening, a quick look at the lower part of the estuary revealed the Long-tailed Duck, a first-winter Mediterranean Gull and c40+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

 

 

Mistle Thrush - one of two birds seen this morning. The other was with a big thrush flock in the grounds of the Imperial Hotel.

 

 

One of a number of Golden Plovers still hanging around. This one was near the leisure centre.