Friday 14 August 2020

Garganey

 
A Garganey off Mudbank was today's star bird. They've been pretty much annual in Exmouth the last few years, but only in the autumn. Also off there today - 265+ Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 1 Redshank, 2 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper. Lovely to meet Bay for the first time today.
Orcombe was quiet but 2 Tree Pipit, 22 House Martin and a juvenile Willow Warbler were logged.
Mothing was washed out in torrential overnight rain.

 

Tree Pipit - one of two on Orcombe Point today. This stunning juvenile posed for a little while.



Ring-necked Parakeet - Exmouth cricket pitch. One of two together. I'm regularly seeing parakeets around the Maer at the moment. Early mornings are best.

2 comments:

  1. Very smart Tree Pipit Matt! Shame you don't get Garganey in the spring when they look wonderful.

    I have a roost of over 1000 Ring-necked Parakeets about a mile from home- quite impressive as they leave. Just glad I don't live next to it!

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  2. Hi Neil - thank you. Have had a couple spring Garganey resting on the sea off the seafront but that's very much the exception rather than the norm. The big late summer build-up of moulting Mallard does the trick in attracting other species, and when the Wigeon arrive in numbers they draw in other species too. Garganey is a real red letter bird for me. Just love 'em! As for the parakeets there are still only small numbers (max nine I think) but if they've bred successfully this year that'll go up. Glad you live a distance away from the roost! All the best. Matt

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