Devon/Exeter RFI Quickee

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

I am in Devon this week with work based out of Exeter;

What's the best way to use the time is I have roghly one day of free time? Any goodies about at the moment? Cirl Bunting would be a lifer if there are any good sites. Would also love to photo otter - who wouldn't! Any other good places to try and get piccies?

Thanks!

(please PM if you prefer)

[Conorbirda2]

I am in Devon this week with work based out of Exeter;

What's the best way to use the time is I have roghly one day of free time? Any goodies about at the moment? Cirl Bunting would be a lifer if there are any good sites. Would also love to photo otter - who wouldn't! Any other good places to try and get piccies?

Thanks!

(please PM if you prefer)

Bowling green marsh at Topsham is a good start. The LB Dowitcher is still there i think. Then theres Dawlish Warren? A bit further on theres Yarner Woods, excellent for Lesser Pecker. (ive never failed there yet). The only place i know thats reliable for Cirls is Prawle Point. Its a good drive rom Exeter. Im sure there are some closer but cant remember where at the mo. You might be as well posting this thread again on the Devon Birding thread (see local patch thread). Hope this helps.

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Bowling green marsh at Topsham is a good start. The LB Dowitcher is still there i think. Then theres Dawlish Warren? A bit further on theres Yarner Woods, excellent for Lesser Pecker. (ive never failed there yet). The only place i know thats reliable for Cirls is Prawle Point. Its a good drive rom Exeter. Im sure there are some closer but cant remember where at the mo. You might be as well posting this thread again on the Devon Birding thread (see local patch thread). Hope this helps.

Thanks Paul. Lesser Pecker wold be nice so will have a look in. I posted on the Devon site and have been PM'ed a potential Cirl spot so fingers crossed. The forecast isn't great for this week, but fingers crossed I have a bunting friendly day.

[Conorbirda2]

Thanks Paul. Lesser Pecker wold be nice so will have a look in. I posted on the Devon site and have been PM'ed a potential Cirl spot so fingers crossed. The forecast isn't great for this week, but fingers crossed I have a bunting friendly day.

No probs. They are pretty helpful on that thread. Good luck with the Cirls. They are nice birds. (especially now they are back in Cornwall)

[Terry Smith]

Long-billed Dowitcher still at Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham today by all accounts, and at least one Spotted Redshank, Marcus. There is a female Scaup at Stover Country Park lake near Newton Abbot, which is quite scarce in Devon, had this myself early pm. There has been a Surf Scoter (fw female type) off Exmouth/Dawlish Warren, with at least one Velvet Scoter. A Cattle Egret is wintering at Otterton (can give precise directions if requested!), and another wandering from one side of the Exe to the other, between Powderham and Lympstone. A Lapland Bunting was present at Orcombe Point, near Exmouth, but hasn't been reported for a few days. There are usually a couple of Cirl Buntings knocking around the setaside fields at Exminster village, where there are also a few Woodlarks. (Again please ask for more details).

Terry

[halftwo]

Hi Marcus,
I've seen Otters at Slapton Ley (swimming under the bridge where the minor road to Slapton crosses the Ley.) Not guaranteed by any means, but winter's best for them.(& dawn too)
Other goodies possible there are Marsh harrier, Cetti's, Firecrest, plus ducks, inc. Scaup on the Ley. There were Grey plovers on the beach, Red-throated divers off it, etc.
A bit of a drive from Exeter again, though.
I found the local birding websites useful.
Let us know how you get on.

[Gavin Haig]

Hi Marcus - have sent you a PM

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Many thanks Gavin (and the other PM'ers!)

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Thanks for all the help on the recent trip to Devon. A full trip report is on my blog

http://www.freewebs.com/ebirder/blog.htm

Thank you all so much!