Backwater Birding - Seaton, Devon (1 Viewer)

[picknage]

hi all, nice to meet some of you over the last few days, and great to see 2 of the 3 little species on the estuary yesterday.

now for another belated post of a hoopoe! sorry if people already know.

my flatmate told me last night that a hoopoe had been visiting his garden in beer since sometime on the weekend til at least monday. not seen since then and he forgot to tell me earlier! it was in a garden near the top of the hill as you head towards seaton (between the steep and not so steep roads if that makes sense!). his dad got some photos so i will try to post some soon, and if it turns back up ill see if it will be alright if people go to see it. hopefully one will go to the marshes one day....

steve, my time is up now but ill send u my number tomorrow,

good birding,

nick page

 

[Roger Boswell]

Hi, what a morning for colourful birds at Seaton! All are 'null points', but make Gulls look monochrome in comparison.

First there was a Swallow that I first saw on the gate as you approached the hide. Could not get a decent image against the light, but as I approached it flew off and alighted behind me on the metal railings. It allowed me to approach even closer until the final images were taken at just over 10ft. It then flew off, taking flies from the drainage ditches.

Next a pair of Pheasants appeared beneath the bird table - the male was stunning in the bright sun.

Then the Egyptian Geese came over from S2 and swam in the water behind the bird table. After mating, the Gander does an animated display, flicking one wing up and down a few times - colours fantastic.

Even the Shelducks added to the display - seeing off everything that approached and giving superb flying displays.

 

[Hawfinch John]

Went to Axe Cliff early afternoon. Chiffchaff, whitethroats and linnets all singing plus a pair of bullfinches. Also a pair of goldfinches picking apart a fluffy ball in a bush (caterpillars 'nest'?). Then to the river for common sandpiper below the bridge, 2 whimbrel from Coronation Corner and the pair of egyptian geese on the west bank almost opposite the hide.

 

[Fraser Rush]

Greetings all, long time no post - far too much time pushing pens and bits of paper around my desk and not enough time on site.

Colyford Common looking gorgeous this morning in the fab weather (though one could get a bit fed up with yet more northerly winds).

Pleased to see the four Greylags found by Ian shortly before 10:00. After a pleasant stroll around the reserve with our new grazier and a welcome group of cattle monitoring volunteers, back to the hide for brief conferrence and behold, the Greylags have acquired a couple of smaller chums - two Barnacle Geese. First spotted (by me at least) at 11:00 - does that get me any points Steve ? If so, look out, I'm close on your tail. You may think your lead is unassailable but I'm just getting into my stride - I'm planning another find in the Autumn and possibly one for the Winter; then I might catch you up

Only other thing of note was a mildly impressive mini-fall of House Martins - over forty of them heading up-river.

 

[KarenWoolley]

I haven't had much time birding today a quick visit to the beach with the dog at lunchtime produced just two Bar-Tailed Godwits flying past close inshore, 3 points Steve? (better than none).

Whilst making a quick visit to the Farm Gate to have a look at the Greylag Geese reported earlier in the day, I was surprised to see they had been joined by two Barnacle Geese, which it transpires were also around this AM. Sorry if I texted anyone who already knew but I didn't!

Steve joined me and we watched them take off circle the common then head off, probably out to sea. We lost sight of them anyway.

We then lamented the gripping news about the Hoopoe, the less said the better!!:-C

Any look on your search Bun?

Tomorrow I have to go to the stables at Beer to pay my livery bill and will ask if it has been seen there. I'll also have a look around their fields. You never know!!

 

[Roger Boswell]

Greetings all, long time no post - far too much time pushing pens and bits of paper around my desk and not enough time on site.

Colyford Common looking gorgeous this morning in the fab weather (though one could get a bit fed up with yet more northerly winds).

Pleased to see the four Greylags found by Ian shortly before 10:00. After a pleasant stroll around the reserve with our new grazier and a welcome group of cattle monitoring volunteers, back to the hide for brief conferrence and behold, the Greylags have acquired a couple of smaller chums - two Barnacle Geese. First spotted (by me at least) at 11:00 - does that get me any points Steve ? If so, look out, I'm close on your tail. You may think your lead is unassailable but I'm just getting into my stride - I'm planning another find in the Autumn and possibly one for the Winter; then I might catch you up

Only other thing of note was a mildly impressive mini-fall of House Martins - over forty of them heading up-river.

I think these were the 2 Barnacle Geese flying over the Seaton Hide earlt this morning.

Roger

 

[Steve Waite]

I think these were the 2 Barnacle Geese flying over the Seaton Hide earlt this morning.

Roger

Oh - that's harsh!!! Fraze, I was just chalking the points up on the board....where's my damp cloth gone? Roger - your first Bonanza points!!!

Yep - joined Karen at the farm gate in my lunch break to see the Geese...if only it was mid Feb with 2 inches of Snow it would have looked so right.....but early May!!??? A great sight though, especially in flight! Seen nothing else today really.
Had nothing more at Colyford Common last night than Gav did, but for a single Snipe - an interesting May record!!!

As for the Bonanza points for the Hoopoe they have been awarded to the finder, but the finder has also been deducted 10,000 points for failing to alert the local birders.....not soon enough anyway! Nick - thanks for posting, and telling me all about it at work.....sickening....the THIRD year in a row this has happened to us!!!!

Bun, I know what part of Beer needs litter picking tomorrow....think it's an all day job too...

 

[bun]

Had a good search around all the horse fields, stables and peoples lawns in the area of the Hoopoe sighting with no luck - and managed to track down the man who had it in his mediterranean styled garden on the 26th of april (last thursday) on the left hand side of New Road going into Beer, said it was there most of the day and even kept returning when flushed - he said he managed a few photo,s and will get in touch when he develops them ( he seemed really chuffed!! and to think i drove past his garden twice that day!!) also another man i spoke to thinks he may have had it in his garden as recently as monday in the same road....but i cant help but to think its another one thats slipped through the net......did see 3 wheatear and a out of place looking whimbrel though feeding amongst the Horses, which goes to show to anything can turn up almost anywhere!

 

[Roger Boswell]

Now I realise they were Barnacle Geese, here are two more images as they flew over Seaton hide at 10:13 yesterday.

Roger

 

[Steve Waite]

Some nice pics there Roger.

Windy one this morning....and I'm pleased to say that today is my last day of work for a week!!! Cooooool! And what's also great is that it looks good for seawatching Mon/Tues.... Bring on those Poms!!!

This morning the Goose flock was still on Colyford Marsh - a few Canadas and our Egyptian Geese were also on show here, making four species of Geese - on 4th May!!! That's anti-global warming!!!! Also a Lapwing but no sign of last nights drake Garganey.

A half hour seawatch was rather quiet - quite a few distant Auks moving to and fro, plus a few Gannets. Arriving in of the sea were 2 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew and 2 Wheatears. I then had a gander over Seaton Marshes, 3 Wheatears here were obviously Greenlands, the male was a real big boy! And that's that. Bring on my final shift!!!!

 

[Ranger James]

Great morning for birds, shabby for weather unfortunately.

Spent a few hours in Holyford Woods early this am, deafening noise from all the regular woodland birds, but nice to see a pair of mistle thrushes nest building. Then managed a quick nip down to Colyford Common before a meeting at the Grammar School.

4 whimbrel feeding at the southern end, three dunlin and little stint on the scrape and all the geese that were seen yesterday. Swift overhead was nice.

Hard luck Fraser, I'm sure a debate will now ensue, so I am going to diplomatically retreat...

James

 

[Steve Waite]

Hi all!

Nice sunny day today...but still no Black Kites yet.

Quiet today really - nothing much of note on the river, no Geese (note the passage of Barnacle Geese up the east coast today???), just a few Whimbrel and this Wheatear on Colyford Common.

Beer Head was also rather quiet - 1 Yellow Wag and 5 Willow Warblers.

I see there is a possible Iberian Chiff just east of here at West Bay...wouldn't mind going to see it if it is one and if it stays.....

 

[Gavin Haig]

Yesterday when I cranked up my aged computer monitor it made some interesting noises - 'ffssshhh....fzzzzzz', and than a sharp little 'pfft', followed by silence, blankness and a burning smell. So a visit to the Honiton Argos became part of today's agenda. Replacing a 15" CRT monitor with a 19" flat jobbie is like walking out from a cave into glaring sunshine - I need shades to use this thing! The downside is the discovery that I have been viciously over-sharpening my photos. Oops. They USED to look ok.......|=)|

Very little birding for me over the last couple of days - too much work - but I did see the 4 Greylags yesterday, having a wash-and-brush-up on the estuary.

Managed to get out around 4 or so this afternoon, and had a nice walk on Beer Head. Next to no birds (as expected) but the scenery........... There were actually 2 Wheatears present, which had slight leanings towards 'Greenland' plumage wise, but their stance! Like little Meercats, stretching as tall as possible! Interestingly, one looked a little larger and brighter. Be nice to see them side by side with a March bird.

Then on to Colyford Common, via the river. 5 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper on the estuary, with the odd Whimbrel. Karen joins me in the Colyford Common hide, where I pick up a Wheatear out on the marsh. I'm just directing Karen onto it when a bright, buttercup-yellow blob appears in the grass. Got to be a Yellow Wag, surely - my first this year. Scope on it, and it's a male Blue-headed! Brilliant! Phil arrives and glimpses it as it disappears into the tussocks. We hot-foot to the viewing platform for the no doubt much better views we shall have there.......and never see it again. Hence no texts, folks. Most disappointing. Still, I see that 22 Bonanza points* are due. |=)| A flock of 14 Dunlin wheels in to the scrape, and another 2 are still on the river. The wind is chilly, and SW, and gets us talking about skuas and stuff. Tomorrow.......

*Why am I still bothering with Bonanza points when Steve has just delivered such a merciless double-whammy that the whole thing has become even more one-sided (if that's possible)?? Because I'm an eternal optimist, and you just never know......

EDIT - PS. Forgot to mention - some very nice photos, chaps. Particularly like your Swallow and Barnacles, Roger, and the Wheatear, Steve.

 

[James McCarthy]

Do I get points for a Turnstone at Seaton Hole yesterday along with 3 Common scoter (2 drakes & a duck)? Left the kids to scamble after the wader but to no avail, it didnt join a larger flock complete with a Purp...one day!

 

[Gavin Haig]

Like moths to a flame, a few of us were drawn to the seafront VERY early this morning by the merest hint of an onshore breeze. Seawatching this spring simply hasn't happened, so we sat there in foolish optimism - for quite a long time - willing ANYTHING to fly past. The rewards? Gannet 20/7 (W/E), Common Scoter 11/12, Sandwich Tern 3, Whimbrel 21/3, Manxie 5/1, Razorbill 4/5, Red-throated Diver /1, Kittiwake 1/4, plus the first Sanderlings of the year (7W) and the 2 Egyptian Geese (!) headed W towards Seaton Hole, close in. The diagnostic laughter of Pomarine Skuas could sometimes be heard from the horizon.

Out again late this evening, and 14 Dunlin were split between the river and the Colyford scrape. Oh, and the 4 Greylags were out on Colyford Marsh, pretending to look alert and interesting.

 

[KarenWoolley]

Like moths to a flame, a few of us were drawn to the seafront VERY early this morning by the merest hint of an onshore breeze. .

24 hour forecast: from 18.00

Wind - Southwest 4 or 5, increasing 6 or 7, perhaps gale 8 later!!|;|

More than a mere hint tomorrow???


I was pretty sure I saw a Ring Ouzel this morning near Coles Mill on the edge of Colyton. It was on the pavement as I drove past. When I clocked it I quickly reversed the car for a better look but it flew into Coles Mill and out of view.

If it wasn't a Ring Ouzel it must have been a partially albinistic blackbird with a white breastband? There was no white anywhere else!

 

[Steve Waite]

Hi all,

No seawatching for me this morning. First time for yesterdays report:
With no wind at dawn, I went up to Beer Head. First bird I clapped eyes on was a cracking male Whinchat, nice, the second, a Wheatear....and then I saw naff all else except for 3 Whimbrel in/off!!! A few glances at the sea showed 3 Common Scoters east and 3 Sandwich Terns west. With the southerley wind, more Gulls were about, with 25 Lesser Black-backs including at least 1 intermedius, also counted 12 Whimbrel on the river.

Today, only had an hour out - and saw little. This evening 12 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover were on the rising tide.

 

[Gavin Haig]

Quite a brisk SW this morning coaxed four of us down to the seawatching shelter. There was enough passage to keep us interested too - by 09:20 the following were in my notebook: Gannet 12/5 (W/E), Manxie 183, Sandwich Tern 4, diver sp. 1, Great Northern Diver 2, plus 1 on the sea, Whimbrel 18/1, Kittiwake 22, Common Tern 7, Razorbill 2, Common Scoter 4, Dunlin 60. At about 07:15 Ian M called 'skua', and a dark phase Arctic hove into view. It must have known someone in the shelter had never seen a skua before, because it came closer and closer and then plonked on the sea to be grilled. When it had heard sufficient oohs and aahs it took off and came closer still. Phil had warned Karen that her first skua would probably be distant and unsatisfying. This bird virtually hung in the air, showed us its long, pointy central tail feathers, held still while we counted its white primary shafts, took a bow, and powered off. Brilliant!

Later in the day I had a couple of brief looks at the estuary - a Kittiwake was unusual; 2 (out of 16) LBB Gulls looked good for adult intermedius, plus the white Iceland Gull was at Coronation Corner. It really is snow-white too, apart from some dusky smudging on its belly.

As it was still windy this evening (although round to the W now - or even WNW) I couldn't resist another look at the sea. An hour produced 69 Manxies (all but 3 heading E, strangely), Kittiwake 1/2, Gannet 5/12, Whimbrel 17, Sandwich Tern /2.

Finally, the 4 Greylags and 2 Egyptian Geese were at Colyford Marsh, and 5 Whimbrel, 12 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover were on the river.

 

[Roger Boswell]

Can anyone tell me when the Purple Sandpipers should be setting off? I was surprised to see 12 of them sheltering on the Cobb wall this morning.

Returning home up the Lim there were 2 Grey Wagtails, a Dipper and some young Robins. Further up a Jay, with bill full of nesting material, was being chased by two Blackbirds.

Roger

 

[KarenWoolley]

My first ever Arctic Skua this morning was superb, It was as good and as close a view as I could have wished for. Absolutely Brilliant!|=)|

This evening I saw 4 Greylags (the ones from Colyford?) at 6.20 flying off northwards. I eventually lost them over the top of Shute Hill.