Brambling, Woodlark

Brambling - Orcombe Point.

A bird-filled walk on Orcombe from 0700 'til 0925 this morning. Totals included 1 Woodlark, 1 Brambling, 2 Egyptian Geese (west at 0735), 1 Redpoll, 2+ Reed Buntings, 1 Firecrest, 9 Fieldfares, 3+ Redwings, 225+ Stock Doves, c7000+ Woodpigeons, 8 Song Thrushes, 15+ Blackbirds, 5+ Siskins, 12+ Pied Wagtails, 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 11+ Meadow Pipits, 4 Stonechats, c30+ Chaffinches, c70+ Starlings, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Cirl Buntings, 11 Jackdaws, 1 Rook, 1 Snipe, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and the Red-legged Partridge.

At least 650 Dark-bellied Brent Geese were counted from the Imperial rec and 5 Mistle Thrushes flew over eastwards. Nearby off Mudbank - 34 Great Crested Grebes, 41 Shelduck, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Sanderling, 8 Greenshank, 15 Ringed Plovers, 7 Teal and 1 Mediterranean Gull were the only things counted. Ten Cattle Egrets were in a cattle field  somewhere behind Starcross.

Yesterday on Orcombe - 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Redwings, 21+ Greenfinches, 8+ Siskins, c9000 Woodpigeons, 3 Reed Buntings, c25 Chaffinches, c110 Stock Doves, 10+ Pied Wagtails, 5 Song Thrushes, c70+ Goldfinches, 5 Jackdaws, 33+ Skylarks over, 3+ Cirl Buntings, 8+ Blackbirds, 2 Bullfinches, c30 Starlings. Off Mudbank - c45 Turnstones, 6 Greenshank, 1 Teal, 27 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Shoveler, 28 Skylarks (low west across river), 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Siskin and 1 Goshawk. At least 14 Cattle Egrets were with cattle somewhere behind Starcross. 

The back-end of this morning's Egyptian Geese west past Orcombe.

My first Fieldfares of the autumn (in Exmouth) involved 9 birds this morning. 

This flock of 31 Stock Doves was part of a movement of at least 225 birds this morning though I'm certain I missed a load in the bigger Woodpigeon flocks.

Adult Mediterranean Gull - Mudbank.

Pied Wagtail - dung heap.

Black Swan - Mudbank 27/10.

Ringed Plover - Duckpond.

YLG

Mediterranean Gull - off Mudbank yesterday.

Two days of pretty awful weather. Strong westerlies are always very challenging in Exmouth. A sub-adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the Imperial rugby ground and 2 Firecrests were in the hedgerow by the dung heap. On the dung heap itself - 4 Rock Pipits and a Grey Wagtail.

Mudbank - c120 Redshank and 31+ Great Crested Grebes.

Yesterday was pretty much rained off but 5 Common Scoters were off Orcombe and a Snipe was flushed from one of the top fields. The three Eiders were off the seafront and a Mediterranean Gull was off Mudbank.

 Grey Wagtail - dung heap.

GNDs

Spotted Redshank - Mudbank yesterday.

A fifty minute look at the sea from the raised beach huts this morning produced a fair few Gannets, Kittiwakes and auks moving west following last night's storm Austen winds. Also - 9 Great Northern Divers, 4 Common Scoters, 2 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler and 2 Curlew. A male Cirl Bunting was on the Imperial recreation ground (hopefully set to winter) and off Mudbank - 1 Spotted Redshank, 10+ Greenshank, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 27 Knot and 17+ Common Gulls. High numbers of Brents, Wigeon and Black-tailed Godwits amongst the many species not counted in gale-force winds.

Yesterday - 650+ Woodpigeons, 7 Chiffchaffs and 1 Firecrest the only 'noteworthies' on a quick Orcombe look and off Mudbank - c140 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 12+ Greenshank, 13 Ringed Plovers, 2 Shoveler, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, and 2 Kingfishers. A quick look at Blackhill Quarry produced 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2+ Little Grebes, 1 Moorhen and 2 Coot.

Black-tailed Godwit - Mudbank 22/10.

Two Spot Reds!

Two Spotted Redshanks (front two) off Mudbank late this afternoon. Distant and totally unprecedented!

Mudbank - 27 Knot, 18 Ringed Plovers, 7+ Dunlin, 145+ Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank and an adult Mediterranean Gull. Very tricky viewing conditions this afternoon so very little counted. A strong westerly blasting across the river and heavy showers.

Orcombe blown out earlier. One Firecrest and a couple Turnstones the only thing of any note.

Five of twenty-seven Knot.

The first Mediterranean Gull I've seen for a while.

Gadwall Flock

Cirl Bunting pair - Orcombe.

Damp on Orcombe this morning. Counts included 5 Redpolls, 3 Siskins, 1 Jay, c40 Robins, 16+ Blackbirds, 4 Stonechats, 15+ Chiffchaffs, 13+ Song Thrushes, 4+ Redwings, 8 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 1 Curlew and 10 Starlings.

Mudbank - 9 Gadwall (a really good Exmouth count), c775 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 19 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 105+ Turnstones, c120+ Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Grey Plover, 1 drake Shoveler, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Knot. Large numbers of Wigeon, Black-tailed Godwit etc not counted.

Yesterday's Orcombe tally was disappointing with just 2250+ Woodpigeons, 1 Turnstone, 1 Little Egret, 13 Siskins and the Red-legged Partridge.

Off Mudbank - 1 Spotted Redshank, 115+ Redshank, c85 Turnstones, 40 Dunlin, the drake Shoveler and 15 Knot. Nothing else counted.

Prob RTP, RK,GWEs

Woodpigeons.

An absolutely glorious morning on the patch with clear skies and a decidedly chilly and fresh north-easterly. Orcombe from 0725 'til 1005 - 1 probable Red-throated Pipit west at 0820 (called twice 'pzsss' sounding perfect to my ear but there's no way I'll be submitting anything on such a brief and unsatisfactory encounter), 18000+ Woodpigeons, up to 4 Reed Buntings, 1 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 3+ Redwings (my first of the autumn), 1 Redpoll, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 hirundine sp, 3 Starlings, 1 Jay, 4+ Siskins, just 10 Pied Wagtails, only c20+ Meadow Pipits, c10 Chaffinches, 15+ Goldfinches, 11+ Chiffchaffs, 13+ Blackbirds, 6+ Song Thrushes, 2 Stonechats, 2 Peregrines, several Skylarks and Linnets, 3 Goldcrests and 2 Cirl Buntings.

Mudbank over the high tide - 2 Great Egrets upriver at 1155, 1 Red Kite at 1132 (unusual October record), 2 Goshawks (each up to inspect a separate high-flying corvid flock), 510+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 or 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, good numbers of Wigeon, Pintail, Black-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher, 2 Shoveler, 205+ Curlew, 6 Teal, 2 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, 2 Knot, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Greenshank, c50 Redshank, 45+ Turnstones, 30 Mute Swans, 62 Shelduck and 5 Lapwing upriver.

This Peregrine pair spent a lot of time flying up towards passing Woodpigeon flocks but I never once saw them attempt a kill.

A late House Martin over the top fields.

Swallow.

Continuing a good run of Shoveler records - this female was off Mudbank along with yesterday's male still.

Overhead Stuff

Drake Shoveler - Mudbank.

Orcombe from 0730 'til 0940 - 11500+ Woodpigeons, 1+ Swallow, 1 Jay, 7 Reed Buntings, 1+ Golden Plover, 1+ Bullfinch, 1 Redpoll, c40+ Goldfinches, 20+ Meadow Pipits, c25 Pied Wagtails, c30+ Chaffinches, 12+ Greenfinches, 13+ Blackbirds, 9+ Song Thrushes, 8+ Chiffchaffs, 4+ Siskins, 1 Goldcrest, 1 singing male Cirl Bunting, 1 Firecrest, 2 Peregrines, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 50+ Linnets and 1 Stonechat. Also lots of Skylarks airborne/milling around but difficult to count properly and plenty of mixed finch/pipit flocks that were largely quiet and therefore impossible to quantify.

Mudbank on the dropping tide. Large numbers of Wigeon, Pintail and Mallard not counted but c430+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese counted along with 1 drake Shoveler, c90 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, c80 Turnstones, c540 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 90 Little Egrets, 2 Sandwich Terns and 1 Firecrest.

This juvenile Gannet was off Orcombe Point a couple days ago. Not looking in the best of health.

First Bramblings

One of three Jays recorded on Orcombe this morning.

A lovely calm and bright morning on Orcombe with some bits and pieces overhead. Between 0725 and 1010 - 3500 Woodpigeons, 80+ Meadow Pipits, c50 Chaffinches, 2 Bramblings, c40 Pied Wagtails, 2 Reed Buntings, 16+ Siskins, 3 Jays, 17+ Greenfinches, 80+ Goldfinches, c100+ Skylarks, c3/400+ Linnets, 9+ Stock Doves, 15+ Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes, 1 Coal Tit, 2+ Cirl Buntings, 2 Firecrests, just 5+ Chiffchaffs, up to 9 Stonechats, up to 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 6 Starlings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1+ Goldcrest, c20 Jackdaws and c20 Magpies.

Mudbank - 1 Osprey, 9 Mute Swans, 1 Black Swan, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, c145+ Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Knot, 2+ Turnstones, 25+ Redshank, c350 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Sandwich Terns and at least 10 Skylarks west across the river. 

Yesterday off Mudbank - 28 Great Crested Grebes, 350+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 drake Shoveler, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 9 Grey Plovers, 1 Black Swan, 5 Mute Swans and a juvenile Osprey.

I'm still seeing plenty of Clouded Yellows on Orcombe, a significant proportion of which are the pale 'helice' form like this one pictured above.

Woodpigeons

c1000 Woodpigeons logged over Orcombe this morning.

Orcombe from 0725 - c20 Chiffchaffs, 4 Firecrests, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Tree Pipit, 11+ Siskins, 1+ Reed Bunting, 34+ Pied Wagtails, c60 Chaffinches,  6 Stonechats, c80+ Meadow Pipits, 34 Skylarks (plus c60+ on the deck), c50 Goldfinches, 18+ Greenfinches, c150+ Linnets, up to 5 Cirl Buntings, c20+ Blackbirds, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1+ Coal Tit, 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Stock Doves and the Cetti's Warbler still.

Mudbank - c320 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, c4/500+ Black-tailed Godwits, 50+ Turnstones, c40 Teal, 14 Mute Swans, 1 Black Swan, 14 Skylarks over, 25 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Grey Plover and 4 Greenshank. Redshank, Wigeon, Pintail etc not counted.

Black Swan off Mudbank.

 Male Blackcap - Orcombe.

V Brief Casp

First-winter Caspian Gull - only seen for a few seconds this afternoon before disappearing. Viewing conditions rubbish in a strong westerly coming straight across the river. Otherwise the Dark-bellied Brent Goose flock numbered c260 birds on Cockle Sands, along with 10 Grey Plovers. Nothing else counted today.

Golden Plovers

Heard calling long before I managed to locate them - 2 Golden Plovers on Orcombe Point this morning. The second, more golden bird pictured below.

Orcombe early on - 2 Golden Plovers (my first of the autumn), 1 Yellow Wagtail, 42+ Pied Wagtails, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Firecrest,  9 Swallows, 3+ Song Thrushes, 1 Blackcap, just 6 Chiffchaffs, the long-staying Cetti's Warbler, c30+ Meadow Pipits, 1 Stonechat, 2 Kestrels, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Grey Wagtail and c30+ Goldfinches. 

Mudbank - 1 drake Mandarin, 1 female Gadwall, 1 drake Shoveler, c185 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 1 or possibly 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese the only things noted amongst good numbers of the usual stuff. 

 The drake Mandarin was again off Mudbank this afternoon.

GWE

Great White Egret heading east this afternoon. Photographed from the back garden thanks to a message from Lee after it had gone north over the Warren. My first in Exmouth this year and only the twelfth one I've seen in the parish.

Orcombe - 2 Cattle Egrets, 1 Siskin, 5 Stonechats and 12 Chiffchaffs.

Mudbank - 5 Shovelers, 4 Knot, 1 Spotted Redshank, c135 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover and c185 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. High numbers of Black-tailed Godwits again but I didn't count them.

One of five Shovelers off Mudbank.

One of two Cattle Egrets on Orcombe this afternoon. I scope them regularly across the other side of the river but today's birds are the first I've seen actually within the Exmouth parish boundary this year.

SEO

Poor visibility in mist this morning but Orcombe still produced 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Snipe, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Jay, 4 Song Thrushes, up to 22 Swallows, 1 Stock Dove, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Grey Wagtails and 15+ Chiffchaffs.

Mudbank - good wader numbers included 1 Spotted Redshank, 8 Greenshank, c90 Redshank, c480 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 22 Turnstones, 2 Knot and 3 Grey Plovers. Also off there - 1 Kingfisher, 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose still and 152 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Other wildfowl not counted.

Yesterday off Mudbank - c175 Brent Geese, 1 Knot, 68 Redshank and 2 Whimbrel.

Not much on Orcombe but the first Redpoll of the autumn flew west as did 2 Siskins.

Arctic Tern

Mudbank - 1 juvenile Arctic Tern with 4 Sandwich Terns on the dropping tide. Also 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose still with 109 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Little else counted but lots off birds on the estuary including 48 Redshank and c170 Teal. A fly-over Reed Bunting is a good record for Mudbank.

Orcombe was disappointing in benign conditions first thing. Just 3 Grey Wagtails, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 21 alba wagtails, 1 Goldcrest, 7 Chiffchaffs, a singing male Cirl Bunting, 8 Goldfinches, 2 Swallows, 9 Chaffinches and c180 Meadow Pipits.

Orcombe Casp

First-winter Caspian Gull - the 19th I've found in Exmouth but the first I've ever seen on Orcombe Point.

Orcombe from 0705 - 9am - 1 Caspian Gull, 1 Siskin, 300+ Meadow Pipits, just 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Whitethroat, 10 Ravens, 1 Stonechat, 26+ alba wagtails and 3 Grey Wagtails.

Mudbank - 105 Brent Geese (looked to be all Dark-bellied but suspect the Pale-bellied Brent was hiding amongst them), 2 juvenile Ospreys (one resting on Cockle Sands), 33 Redshank, c115 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Goshawk over woodland on the opposite side of the river.

Yesterday morning on Orcombe - 1 Jay, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Yellow Wagtail (with tail), 2 Swallows, 14 Chiffchaffs, c90+ Meadow Pipits, 5 Blackcaps, 1 Cirl Bunting, 2 Stonechats, 11 alba wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails, 17+ Chaffinches, 2 Goldcrests, c4/500+ Linnets, c25 Goldfinches and the singing Cetti's Warbler still.

Davidstow Buff-breasts

Twenty-six years since I last saw a Buff-breasted Sandpiper and I've never photographed one, so I headed up to north Cornwall today.  It was well worth the drive, which took little over an hour, as four juvenile birds showed beautifully. Done the Davidstow airfield way - strictly from the car. A bit of a trip down memory lane as my first ever was a juvenile, also on Davidstow airfield, on September 18th 1992. Next was a juvenile at Abberton reservoir, Essex on September 15th 1996 on a trip with Kev Rylands. Last ones - 2 juveniles on Prawle airfields on September 17th 2000 - found by Pat Mayer if my memory serves me correctly. I've not even tried for one since, which is a bit nuts as they're truly wonderful waders!

Three juveniles together. A fourth bird was watched on its own (single photo below) prior to seeing this trio which were with a group of c10 Ringed Plovers.

First bird seen on its own.

Ringed Plovers...