Stepping back in time a week [or so...], I had Business up Exeter way on two days, and it would have been wrong not to get some birding in after I'd done What Was Needed.
[Note that 'after', btw. I'm not that deranged Yet]
Both days ended up at Exminster, though the first was very sunny and the second rather, er, not.
Lunch at a sunny but very cold Dart's Farm blind [you need four walls and a roof for a hide.] started with a Little Egret and a Kingfisher by the fishponds [not seen a LE there before], and goodly numbers of Brents at nice close range. I am a big Brent fan, they're nice geese [unlike frickin' Canadas...]
Also, and birding-wise most interesting in view [after I'd been through the Wigeon and Teal];
Colour-ringed Curlew
This was wandering about, one of a handful, and was Metal left tibia, Dark Blue right tibia, Red right tarsus [slipped down to 'ankle', possibly originally tibia too?] . I cannot find any program with this on any of three sites I looked at...??
Much more fun was what a Crow flushed [by trying to land on it] from near left; Jack Snipe!! It zipped around into cover in that typical low ziggy flight and vanished. On the off chance, I gave all even slightly wet bits a very close grilling, and caught something in the near open,
"Bugger, I thought the fence
would save me from the autofocus..."
Regular flavour Snipe :D
Heading to Exminster in hope of a nice Shorty, I defied the [ok now rather receded] flood waters.
The tide was not high..
I got no owls, despite staying to dark, but hey worth a try.
Second go started with lunch at Powderham Marsh. I was well-equipped with wellies and bumbleshoot, though only really needed the latter, as it was far less underwatery than I expected on past experience.!
Chief excitement
Can you see them?
Here's one a little closer,
Marsh Harrier!
Four at once. Four.
Now, up on the Levels that's not such a big deal, but in Devon...!!!!!!!
Mature adult female, younger adult female, 2cy male, and a juv.
Not much else on there, most exciting bird not a raptor was
Aaaargh.....
[Don't mention they breed in this country now, don't mention they breed in this country now...]
Oh dear.
Here's something else,
It's always a Buzzard
[taking the winter off from
being an Osprey.. ;) ]
Heading on to Exminster - in between some impressive downpours - I again found [though with less surprise] no owls. Lots of ducks and waders, though.
A selection on the Exe
Just a part of the 1000+ flock of Golden Plover there, which then took off
Count them I dare you
And flew off in a stream far too long to get in one shot. Here's a bit,
Closer to and very if briefly obliging,
Kingfisher on Turf Lock
Sunset
Ok, so no owls of any form, but a couple of nice encounters. Ok, a couple of brilliant encounters :D
Be Seeing You...
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