Best of the rest in Devon

River Dart in Dartmouth

It would be rude to not take a walk up on Berry Head when down in Devon and it was great to see a Gannet flying very close to the edge of the cliffs. Around 300-500 Guillemots had returned to the cliffs and there was a small number of shags. I also found a pair of Rock Pipits towards the far end of the rock face. At the second  attempt of walking the perimeter fields I located a Cirl Bunting taking cover from the wind (must say I did find the dogs not on leads annoying). On the plus side the car park machine was not working enabling a free for all rampage for parking.

From there we headed down into Brixham harbour for a cup of tea at the breakwater car park before walking along to see the flock of resident Purple Sandpiper and Turnstones. These are difficult birds to see but I find this location one of the most reliable in the country.

Finally, on the journey back home we stopped at RSPB Bowling Green Marsh to get some great views of a Spotted Redshank that was feeding in the estuary. 

Despite the chest infection and not being able to walk as far as I would normally we all had a good Easter break. 

East Devon birding

Exmouth

New hide at Bowling Green Marsh (Topsham)

 Curlew Sandpiper

  Curlew Sandpiper with Redshanks

Black Hole Marsh - Axe Valley Wetlands

                                         Estuary - Axe Estuary Wetlands

 Greenshank

 Ruff

 Little Egret

 Wheatear

 Curlew

 Godwits

Sidmouth

With two days annual leave to use up before the end of September I was able to take up the offer to stay in Sidmouth, Devon with parents on the sea front. With a Wryneck reported the days previous on the cliffs above the town I headed there in more hope than expectation. A local photographer kindly showed me the place it had been showing however the clear night had proven to much of a draw for the bird as despite a hunt high and low the bird had gone. I did see a late Sandwich Tern pass below whilst Swallows were preparing for the long flight ahead. I then made the 15 minute drive to Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham where their new hide had been opened. A few of the locals were moaning about the glass on one side of the hide however it looked like a great facility for local wildlife watchers. The hide windows opened two ways which will benefit all when the hide gets busy. With high tide passed sightings were limited to 3 Ruff, a flock of Godwits, Grey Heron and Black-headed Gulls. Down at the estuary view point there was a Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, Redshanks and more Godwits. After a lunch time stop in Sidmouth I opted to Axe Estuary Marshes by Seaton. The Axe Estuary Wetlands is a nature reserves managed by East Devon District Council on the lower Axe. The District Council has a long term ambition to create a single nature reserve stretching from Seaton to Colyford, which will bring environmental, social and economic benefits to the area.  Currently the District Council owns three reserves on the Axe, Seaton Marshes, Colyford Common and Black Hole Marsh. These reserves are a rich mosaic of saltmarsh and freshwater grazing marsh, ponds, reedbed, ditches and saline lagoon. To park you needed to pass through the cemetery which was a first. The signage throughout the whole reserve was excellent. 

The water level was higher than expected however there was some great views of a close Ruff , Little Egret and Greenshank. I did pick up a resting Wheatear opposite the hide. Over at the Estuary a flock of returning Wigeon flew past whilst a large flock of Gulls were trying to get any food they could. A Redshank and Lapwing both fed close to the hide on the edge of the river. Other note sightings included Kingfisher and Curlew. 

Overall a superb reserve !

Ross's Gull is star attraction at Topsham

 Black Tailed Godwits

 Greenshanks

 Little Egret

 Estuary

 RSPB Bowling Green viewpoint

Ross's Gull

Ten days off work allowed me to grab a bit of birding time ahead of the youngest lads festival of cricket at Kings College, Taunton. I'd booked a pelagic sea cruise on the Sunday so I broke up the journey with a Devon stay over. This gave me chance to visit the excellent RSPB Bowling Green Marsh in Topsham.

I arrived a couple hours after high tide due to some serious M5 traffic but there were still large numbers of Black-Tailed Godwits and an endless number of Little Egrets. The reserves marsh was currently being replaced so viewing was limited so I headed down to the viewing platform that looked over the River Clyst. The estuary held good numbers of Greenshank, Whimbrel and Curlews.

I then headed round the strangely named "Goats path" to the mouth of the River Axe before scanning for the reported Ross's Gull. Without any luck I continued to work up river until I located the bird sat under the M5 bridge, a good 40 minute walk. This little gem was very similar to a Little Gull in size and was certainly well off course considering it should be in north America or the arctic. A lifer for me and a great start to the weekend.