Crossbills, Goosanders

Male Ring-necked Parakeet - Maer Valley.

Mudbank today - 20 Teal, c115 Mallard, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, c45 Pintail, c45 Wigeon, 7 Sanderling, 92 Grey Plovers, 1 Knot, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 13+ Ringed Plovers, c175 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 17+ Great Crested Grebes, c55 Redshank, 6 Greenshank and 1 Kingfisher. Three Egyptian Geese were flying around Powderham Park.

Orcombe Point this afternoon - 1 Great Northern Diver (Sandy Bay), 7+ Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 8 Rock Pipits (on dung heap), 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Stonechats, up to 15 Snipe, c20 Meadow Pipits, 20+ Skylarks and 1 Sparrowhawk. Nearby - Five Ring-necked Parakeets in Maer Valley.

Lu and I had a long walk on the pebbled heaths this morning with 9 male Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe and 2 Goosanders noted on Blackhill Quarry, and 3 Crossbills and a Redpoll nearby near Four Firs.

Yesterday - 2 Lapwings on Cockle Sands and 2 Fieldfares and a Mistle Thrush on the archery club playing fields. Nearby on Squabmoor reservoir - 5 Goosanders, 9 Tufted Ducks, 2 Teal and 6 Moorhens.

One of three Crossbills in the usual spot on Woodbury Common this morning. This fine male was in song.

Goosanders - Squabmoor Reservoir.