Thursday 5 January 2023

Cirls


I saw Ravens pretty much everywhere I went today - this one was on Orcombe Point.

Two Cirl Buntings on Orcombe this morning - frequenting the edges of the dung field. Also - 2 Stonechats, 9 Linnet, 3 Song Thrushes and 12 Lapwing.
Off Mudbank - the female Scaup, 2 Goldeneyes (male and female), 57 Mallard, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Greenshank, 27 Wigeon, 10 Redshank, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (red-ringed), 5 Mute Swans, 70 Shelduck, 27 Canada Geese, 17 Common Gulls, 11+ Grey Plovers, 5 Knot and 10 Great Crested Grebes.
The wintering Common Sandpiper was again in the brook, below Phear Park, along with a Redshank and a Kingfisher. Single Mistle Thrushes were noted on the Imperial rugby ground and in hotel grounds along the seafront.


Cirl Bunting - Orcombe Point. The second individual is pictured below.


A dozen Lapwing on Orcombe Point was a surprise - they're normally a species that only shows up during cold weather.

Two Mute Swans were off the seafront, feeding at the edge of the slipway.

Common Sandpiper - Phear Park.

2 comments:

  1. What a bill on the Raven! Good to see they're doing well down there. I missed one in Richmond Park on Friday where they are fairly regular now & possibly bred last year.

    Nice to see the Cirl Bunting which I can only dream of here! I notice there's a popular bird on Portland at the moment.

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  2. Hi Neil - yep, they've got a smart male Cirl on Portland. We're totally spoiled for them in this neck of the woods but they're definitely creeping eastwards. They used to be very scarce this side of the Exe but not any more. Ravens are an even more common sight but close views never fail to impress! Hope you're keeping well. Best wishes. Matt.

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