I was really pleased to finally clap eyes on the Red-necked Grebe today. It was visible from the seafront, shortly after midday. Unfortunately it was always distant but I'm not complaining. My last in Exmouth was in February 2020 - the bird that wintered off Shelly Beach. Also off there - c10 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Common Scoters.
Orcombe Point was predictably quiet - just 3 Chiffchaffs logged but really nice to catch up with Dave Boult.
Mudbank counts included c450 Dunlin, c100 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 96 Wigeon, 2 Greenshank, c160 Curlew, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers and the female Scaup.
The Scaup had earlier been off Sowden Lane with 4 Red-breasted Mergansers and 15 Great Crested Grebes. It was great to bump into Tim and Carolyn.
A late look off Mudbank yesterday revealed my first 3 Shovelers of the year - 2 drakes and a female. Also off there - 100+ Wigeon, 57 Shelduck, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and 10 Great Crested Grebes. The Cattle Egret flock, on the wreck across the river, numbered just 11 birds.
Good to see you too Matt and thanks for the scope views of the distant Scaup.
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome Tim. Really lovely to see you both. Matt.
ReplyDelete