It had been three years since we last spent a New Years Day birding in Devon, so Mr Hill, Bevan and myself made the journey down to start 2018 with a good day out. The last time we birded that area there were 5 of us as Mr Hogan and Mr Gaze (remember him? small chap, big smile, bad puns.) came along for a jolly.
Approaching our first stop at Broadsands, the rain started. pulling into the car park, we opted for coffee in the car, before wandering round to pick up the main target here - the Cirl Buntings, feeding in the car park. A quick sea watch in the rain didn't produce much, but with the rain easing and visibility improving, we got the scopes out and set up under a shelter, that also gave a slightly elevated position. We quickly found the our first Great northern Diver, before Martin found one closer in the bay. Several Great Crested Grebes, Razorbills and Guillemots were quickly found along with Gannets Fulmars and Kittiwakes. I briefly got onto a Black-throated Diver, but it dived and I couldn't relocate, never mind get anyone else on to it. A single Black-necked Grebe was found, albeit distantly.
With the rain having ceased, we took a walk round the car park but failed to locate the wintering Firecrest, before we set of to Dawlish Warren.
We stopped at Starcross for a quick look for the resident Slav' Grebe. The tide was well out and the steps down from the railway crossing were rather slippy, as Phil found out to his cost as ended up sat on his arse at the foot of the steps. Fortunately, no permanent damage. The Slav' was found along with a few commoner waders and lots of Brent's.
At Dawlish we had a couple of showers, but most of the time it was dry with some periods of bright sunshine. Sea watching wasn't great but Martin found a Pom Skua, with Phil relocating it, or another later on, whilst I found a small group of Common Scoter and 3 Eider. A walk round the wood/ponds produced a Chiffy, but little else of note.
Next up was Matford Marsh to look for the American Wigeon that was wintering in the area. The yank, however couldn't be located - even when a fox flushed the feeding flock onto the pool. 3 Green Sands were reasonable compensation.
Final stop was Bowling Green Marsh, where Black 'wits were harder work than expected and a single Ruff showed briefly.
Overall a good start to the birding year with over 80 species logged.
Approaching our first stop at Broadsands, the rain started. pulling into the car park, we opted for coffee in the car, before wandering round to pick up the main target here - the Cirl Buntings, feeding in the car park. A quick sea watch in the rain didn't produce much, but with the rain easing and visibility improving, we got the scopes out and set up under a shelter, that also gave a slightly elevated position. We quickly found the our first Great northern Diver, before Martin found one closer in the bay. Several Great Crested Grebes, Razorbills and Guillemots were quickly found along with Gannets Fulmars and Kittiwakes. I briefly got onto a Black-throated Diver, but it dived and I couldn't relocate, never mind get anyone else on to it. A single Black-necked Grebe was found, albeit distantly.
With the rain having ceased, we took a walk round the car park but failed to locate the wintering Firecrest, before we set of to Dawlish Warren.
We stopped at Starcross for a quick look for the resident Slav' Grebe. The tide was well out and the steps down from the railway crossing were rather slippy, as Phil found out to his cost as ended up sat on his arse at the foot of the steps. Fortunately, no permanent damage. The Slav' was found along with a few commoner waders and lots of Brent's.
At Dawlish we had a couple of showers, but most of the time it was dry with some periods of bright sunshine. Sea watching wasn't great but Martin found a Pom Skua, with Phil relocating it, or another later on, whilst I found a small group of Common Scoter and 3 Eider. A walk round the wood/ponds produced a Chiffy, but little else of note.
Next up was Matford Marsh to look for the American Wigeon that was wintering in the area. The yank, however couldn't be located - even when a fox flushed the feeding flock onto the pool. 3 Green Sands were reasonable compensation.
Final stop was Bowling Green Marsh, where Black 'wits were harder work than expected and a single Ruff showed briefly.
Overall a good start to the birding year with over 80 species logged.
Good Write up Martin and boy was i relieved phil did not have my scope and i have never seen a Leica scope so bulllet proof and my total with one only heard only was 85 .
ReplyDeleteGood trip lads miss going to Devon with you all, happy new year.
ReplyDeleteYes Rob you and your bad jokes were missed too.
ReplyDelete