Purple Sand and Yank Wigeon

The first returning Purple Sandpiper was back on Maer Rocks this afternoon. Earlier a Great Skua off there and a passage of Kittiwakes but nothing more unusual.

On Orcombe - 4 Stonechat and at least one adult Mediterranean Gull. Late this afternoon the drake American Wigeon was again off Mudbank with a large Wigeon and Pintail flock. Otherwise a lone Shoveler, adult Mediterranean Gull and at least 4 Pale-bellied Brent Goose.

American Wigeon

Another wet and gloomy late October day, but brightened by the discovery of this male American Wigeon off Mudbank, emerging from eclipse plumage. I first clapped eyes on it off Mudbank, around 1440 and it remained until sometime after 1515, when it took off and flew towards the Warren, apparently flushed by a couple in brightly coloured jackets that popped up beside the viewing screen.

The last one off here was a first-winter drake in October 2016, that individual went on to winter at the north end of the Exe. I wouldn't be too surprised if this one does the same - see here.

Day Out

Lesser Yellowlegs - Aveton Gifford

A day of strong winds and heavy downpours but good to get out of Exmouth for a few bits and pieces. First stop was South Efford Marsh (never been there before) for the long-staying Lesser Yellowlegs - a species I've not seen in a long while. Good but brief views before the heavens opened. Two Fieldfare and Kingfisher there too.

I then decided to bird Slapton. Haven't been there since 2018. Lovely to bump into Alan Searle and the returning Ring-necked Duck. Also there - 33+ Tufted Duck, c30/40+ Greenfinch, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Stonechat and 4+ Cetti's Warbler.

Later on I tried Dawlish Warren for Lee's Baird's Sandpiper but no joy. Good to see drake Eider, Merlin, Little Stint, an apparent 3w Yellow-legged Gull, 34 Ringed Plover, small numbers of Sanderling and good numbers of Turnstone,  Dunlin and Grey Plover.

Yellow-horned Poppy - a new flower for me and not one I was expecting today.

Drake Ring-necked Duck - Slapton - Torcross end.

Mediterranean Gull - second-winter above and first-winter below.

Sea Campion

I enjoyed walking the length of Slapton Sands this morning. In the distance is Start Point.

Drake Eider - Dawlish Warren.

Little Stint - juvenile - Dawlish Warren. Haven't seen one of these for years.

Waders

Two of four Greenshank - Mudbank - an increase!

Four Greenshank, 22 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1 Whimbrel off Mudbank today, along with the usual other stuff. 

Earlier, on Orcombe, counts of overhead stuff included 120+ Chaffinch, at least 1 Brambling, c50 Jackdaw, 30 Skylark and 2 Swallow. Otherwise just 10 Stonechat and 2 Snipe.

One of 7 Bar-tailed Godwit off Mudbank.

Redshank - one of 22.

 Male Crossbill. One of 24 on Woodbury Common this afternoon. Also 4 Dartford Warbler, 3 Redpoll, 1 Reed Bunting and a Yellowhammer.

2cy Gull sp

Interesting gull on Exmouth beach briefly this evening. Presumably just a 2cy Lesser Black-back (lots around today) but heavily-streaked head (probably not enough of a 'hood'), pale iris, dark body and 'shin pads' apparently rare in combination on this species? Stocky build got me thinking of 'Azorean' Yellow-legged Gull but not sure whether it's worth considering?

Another SEO

At least one, possibly two Short-eared Owls on Orcombe today.

Counts today included 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Brambling, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Snipe, 7 Stonechat, 3 Redpoll, 1 Swallow, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Mallard, 35+ Skylark, 4 Goldcrest, 4 Coal Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 17 Curlew, 1+ Jay, 6 Starling, 90+ Chaffinch, c30/40+ Pied Wagtail, 5 Blackbird, 7 Song Thrush, 4+ Siskin, 3 Grey Wagtail and numbers of Goldfinch and Meadow Pipit.

Coal Tit - Orcombe Point.

Mediterranean Gulls on the Imperial rugby pitch - Tuesday.

Chiffchaff - Orcombe Point.

Woodlark

This short-tailed 'blob' is a Woodlark heading south-east, over the water treatment works, towards Sandy Bay - my first in Exmouth since March 2nd 2018, when the big freeze dropped five on Exmouth beach.

Today's Orcombe totals, in a light easterly, included 1 male Cirl Bunting, 1 Woodlark, 5 Redwing, 115+ Jackdaw, 45+ Pied Wagtail, 15+ Blackbird, 14 Chiffchaff, 30+ Robin, c160 Linnet, 85+ Goldfinch, 35+ Chaffinch, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Redpoll, 15+ Siskin, 2+ Reed Bunting, 1 Curlew, 2 Little Egret, 4 Brent Goose, 7 Swallow, 1+ Bullfinch, 10+ Stock Dove, c20/30+ Woodpigeon, 25 Starling, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4+ Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Common Scoter, a few Skylark and several Meadow Pipits.

This male and a female Kestrel are regularly seen hunting Orcombe at the moment.

At least 30 Robins recorded on Orcombe this morning.

Wigeon. I didn't time the tides right today but c300 Pintail and a small number of Teal were with big numbers of Wigeon and Brent Geese this morning.

SEO

A busy week at work but good to get out this evening. A quick race around the usual spots produced Short-eared Owl, c10 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, 50/60+ Goldfinch, 40+ Linnet, c20+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Stock Dove, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, several Blackbird and Robin and a fly-over Grey Heron.

Yesterday evening - 3 Stonechat, 15+ Greenfinch, 1 Blackcap, 1 Snipe and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

14/10 - Yellowhammer, 17 Starling and 1 Coal Tit.

Meadow Pipit

Several Blackbirds were quietly gorging on berries this evening. This one a first-winter male.

The farmer has smashed up the hedges with his flail but this Robin sang defiantly this evening.

Wednesday's Yellowhammer was mobile.

Pre-work

Reed Bunting - Orcombe Point.

A quick whiz round Orcombe, pre-work, produced a juvenile female Merlin, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Snipe, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 9 Chaffinch, 20+ Goldfinch, 2 Redpoll, 5 Goldcrest, 3 Siskin, 9+ Chiffchaff, 45+ Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackcap, 5 Stonechat and 1 Coal Tit. Plenty of Meadow Pipits too but I didn't count them.

Sandwich Tern - Mudbank. Pintail below.