Saturday 4 March 2023

Red-necked Grebe


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.

2 comments:

  1. Good to see you too Matt and thanks for the scope views of the distant Scaup.

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  2. You're more than welcome Tim. Really lovely to see you both. Matt.

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