Thursday 25 October 2018

R-c Pochard Returns


Orcombe was a bit better than yesterday but still hard going. Most notably there was an increase in Blackbirds with 14+ recorded. The Skylark flock in the top fields has increased to c45+ birds and a Grey Heron over was a bit unusual. Also recorded - 1 Redwing, 4+ Song Thrush, 2+ Goldcrest, 2+ Chiffchaff, 2+ Redpoll, c50+ Chaffinch, 8+ Goldfinch, c20+ Meadow Pipit, 3+ Reed Bunting, 9+ Siskin, 10+ Pied wagtail, c400+ Woodpigeon, 3+ Stock Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Snipe, 1 Coal Tit and 2 Collared Dove.
A/the drake Red-crested Pochard was again present, albeit distantly, off Mudbank today and a family group of Pale-bellied Brent Geese comprised two adults and 3 juveniles. Otherwise numbers of Dark-bellied Brent Goose must be up around the 5/600+ mark with a number of juveniles noted today. The Black-tailed Godwit flock was made up of at least 130 birds today.


The exceptionally confiding Kestrel continues to frequent the top fields. Didn't see the second bird today though.

2 comments:

  1. I saw the pale bellied Brents in the duck pond off the lorry park on Tuesday and didn't have the confidence to be certain about them but now you have recorded them feel happy with id. Quill by the way is John W. Quill is my Exmouth Shanty Man name.

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  2. Hi John - many thanks for your comment. I still haven't got to grips with exactly how many Pale-bellied Brents are in the flock but I'm pretty certain there's more than just the five. I've been searching for the returning Black Brant but no luck as yet. All the best. Matt

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