Saturday 7 May 2022

Serin Downy E

Whimbrels - Maer Rocks.

A Serin flew west over Orcombe Point at 0630 this morning - calling continuously and low enough to glimpse its lemony rump. Otherwise just 1 Wheatear and a couple Shelducks
Off Maer Rocks - 4 Whimbrel, 1 Red-throated Diver, 14 Sanderling (arriving 'in-off'), 6 wader sp, 5 Sandwich Terns and 1 Turnstone.
A Red Kite crossed the river at 0945 and ended up landing in a field with a load of gulls, behind a tractor, just north of Starcross. Also off Mudbank - 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Sanderlings, 60 Whimbrel, 23 Bar-tailed Godwits 2 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Sand Martin and a flock of c100 small waders on Cockle Sands, that looked to be a mix of Dunlin and Sanderling.
A quick look at Withycombe Raleigh Common, on 5/5, produced 1 Red Kite (distant towards Yettington), 1 Crossbill over and Bystock/East Budleigh Common's Cuckoo calling.



Sandwich Tern - Maer Rocks.

Part of a sixty-strong flock of Whimbrels roosting off Mudbank over the high tide.

Bar-tailed Godwit - one of 23 seen off Mudbank today.


Downy Emerald - Bystock.

Large Red Damselfly.


Holly Blue.


Broad-bodied Chaser.


The first Heath Spotted Orchids are flowering on East Budleigh Common.

3 comments:

  1. Great Serin sighting Matt, also we would love to see the Heath Spotted Orchids on East Budleigh Common. Have you got any specific site guidance you could help us with?
    Regards John

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  2. Hi John - I photographed this one on the wide track at the bottom end of east Budleigh Common - the one that runs parallel to the edge of Bystock. The vast majority are yet to flower but give it a week or two and there will be plenty to see. Heath Spotted Orchids are common up on the pebbled heaths. The Common Spotted Orchids won't be long either (best spot is the entrance to Blackhill Quarry) and in a couple weeks the Early Marsh Orchids will be out. Exciting times! Good luck and please don't hesitate to contact me if you need further info. All the best. Matt

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    Replies
    1. That's great, many thanks Matt. We'll check them out over the coming weeks . The Green-winged Orchids on Orcombe Point were tremendous, so thanks for the heads up on those as well. Regards John

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