Diabolical conditions today but braved a couple minutes looking off Mudbank before dark. A first-winter Caspian Gull made getting soaked just about worthwhile. Risked ruining the camera to get this dreadful shot. It's the bird just right of the Great Black-back. You'll have to take my word for it!
A wander round some Exmouth heathland yesterday produced 3+ Cirl Buntings, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Dartford Warbler, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Mudbank - 1 Whimbrel, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Wigeon, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 40+ Grey Plovers, 83 Redshank, 18+ Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Firecrest and high numbers of Dunlin (not counted) with a few Knot amongst them.
A female Cirl Bunting was briefly at West Lodge with 3+ Redwings.
Dartford Warbler.
I checked the Exmouth heathland for Yellowhammers (they're usually back on territories before the end of February) but was surprised to find at least 2 singing male Cirl Buntings (plus a female). Just the one Yellowhammer was seen but it was a calling, not singing individual. I really hope the Cirls don't ultimately drive the Yellowhammers out but I suspect this is the way it's heading...
It has been a very lean season for winter thrushes locally. This single Fieldfare was all I could muster from the normally productive archery club playing fields. Two Mistle Thrushes were present but not a single Redwing.
One of at least three Redwings at West Lodge.
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