Ring Ouzel

There's been a Ring Ouzel at Bystock for a few days, which is actually on my 'patch', so yesterday I decided it was about time I made the effort to go & look for it. It turned out to be quite a social visit as when I arrived fellow Devon Birders Jonathan & Carol were there already, and Carol's husband Dave joined us a bit later having gone home for his camera. The Ring Ouzel was in the meadow just opposite the car park, ferreting about in the grass. The only other Ring Ouzel I've seen in the UK was last April, when I had a fleeting glimpse of one flying between bushes at Portland. This was so much better! I decided to get the Canon from the van & try for a photo as the bird was quite close, at which point someone sounded their horn in the lane & the Ouzel flew down to the bottom of the meadow. Although we had great views, it never came quite as close again, so I only managed the usual distant record shots. I couldn't even try for a digiscoped shot as I'd forgotten my Lumix. At least I can prove I saw it.

Also present were 2 Mistle Thrushes, Song Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Wheatear & Stonechat.

Proof!

Size comparison with Mistle Thrush

Pied-billed Grebe

On Saturday we'd planned a trip to Shepton Mallet so that Simon could go to the Classic bike show at the Bath & West Showground.  I hadn't decided what I'd do whilst he was in there until I checked Birdguides just before we left home. A Pied-billed Grebe had appeared at Ham Wall RSPB 30 mins away from the show, so that was my day sorted as it's a bird I've only ever seen in the USA. I dropped Simon off & headed to the reserve, making my way straight to the 2nd viewing platform. There were quite a few people there but the Grebe had disappeared behind the reeds just before I arrived. It was a lovely morning & I was in no hurry, so I was quite happy to wait. It was only about 15 minutes before the Pied-billed Grebe appeared & gave us excellent views, coming in close to the viewing platform. I'd forgotten my camera so couldn't even try for a record shot, but at least I had my phone with me.

My first Twitch of 2013....I feel better for a 'fix'!

There was also a Great White Egret visible from the 1st viewing platform. Last year we made a special trip on 17th Feb for the Great White Egret, not knowing that I'd be seeing loads during the year.

I've been out on my patch quite a bit recently, although I haven't seen a lot. Trips to the Otter Estuary,  Exmouth front, Orcombe Point & Sandy Bay have increased my Patch List to a still measly 59.

I've started...

I've finally managed to get myself into gear & been out & about with the scope. I spent an hour at Exmouth front on Friday morning, although I didn't see anything of note. Before I left I had a wander around the bushes on The Maer (a small common behind Exmouth sea front), there's always lots of activity there and I'm hoping that if I check it often enough I may actually find something good!

The Maer

Yesterday I went down to the Exmouth docks development. I was hoping to find the Black Redstart that was mentioned on Birdguides a while ago. There were 9 Red-breasted Mergansers on the estuary, so at least I added to my Patch List. I felt I bit suspicious milling the flats with my bins! On my second lap, I was walking along the path beside the estuary when a heard snatches of the PA from the Stuart Line bird cruise which had just set off, to the effect that it's worth checking the docks for Black Redstart. At that exact moment a lovely adult male Black Redstart landed on the wall just ahead of me! I only had my little Lumix camera with me, but I was about to take a record shot when another birder appeared around the corner & frightened it off. It didn't go far, flitting between the roofs of Windward & Leeward Court, but it was now too high for even a record shot. It's exactly the same place that I found my Black Redstart last year, so maybe it's the same individual.

Leeward & Windward Ct. The Black Redstart has expensive taste!

The Stuart Line bird cruise 

Late in the afternoon I walked up to Sandy Bay but there were just 3 Great Crested Grebes for me to focus my bins on.  I don't remember seeing any reports from there - whether this is because it doesn't get checked much or nothing interesting stops, I don't know.  I'll hopefully find out this year!

My Patch List is now on 47, having added Pied Wagtail, Great-black Backed Gull, Starling, Red-breasted Merganser & Black Redstart. That shows how little I've been out!!

Budleigh & beyond

Yesterday was the DBWPS meeting at the Otter Estuary. We were showered on just after we arrived but after that it wasn't bad, just a bit windy.

When we were there in November, there was a large tree wedged in the White Bridge which has now been removed, although the bridge hasn't been repaired yet. The footpath to the coast that was partially washed away in the floods has been repaired, although the path is closed North of the bridge for works.

White Bridge in need of repair

There were reasonable numbers of Wigeon & Teal in the scrapes, along with quite a few Curlew, about 50 Snipe, a couple of Lapwings & Redshanks & a Knot.

Down at the front the only birds to be seen were 2 Brent Geese on the sea & a couple of Oystercatchers & a Turnstone on the rocks. It was difficult to look through the scopes as we were battered from behind by a strong wind. Jonathan's scope got blown over in the wind & broke in half! Luckily it turned out not to be as catastrophic as it at first appeared. The scope has a 'stay-on' cover &  presumably, over time, the front half had become unscrewed & falling over was just the last straw. When it was screwed back together, it worked perfectly!

Walking back along the rear of the reserve

A Chiffchaff was very obliging in the same spot as last year.

We followed the path North of South Farm Road for a little way, but it was very boggy & we didn't find anything. Time for lunch, then a few of us headed off to Ladram Bay sewage works. Us birders go to all the nicest places! It was really windy standing on the cliff edge, so I hung on tight to my scope. There were 19 Red-throated Divers in the bay, which I thought was Ladram Bay, but when I looked it up later it's actually Chiselbury Bay. I've never seen that many divers together before. There was also one Great Crested Grebe & a Guillemot on the water & a few Fulmars flying close to the cliff.

Looking East towards Ladram Bay

A windy sea watch

We checked out the bushes around the sewage works, but the only thing that moved was a Dunnock.
Another good day out & we didn't even freeze! I had 40 species on my list, 19 of which are going on my Patch List as I've finally managed to define my Patch for the year. I've drawn a 5km radius around home which takes in the bottom of the Otter Estuary, so the morning session was putting birds on the List, which is still truly pathetic at 42! I must admit that I haven't actually put in any effort yet, but that's about to change!

My Patch