Sunday 16 October 2016

A Turtle Dove and more

Having never actually seen a turtle dove in the wild I was delighted to see this one and so close to home too.  Presumably the same one as was originally found by Tim Wright.  Its so sad to think I may never see another of these beautiful birds with so few left but who knows what the future may hold.  Lets just hope things can change for them.






And here is another first.  Ring ouzels have always eluded me so when Ian M found 3/4 up Beer Head I had to try yet again.  Luck was with me this time and after 15 minutes or so a stunning male came up through the vegetation below and sat out in the open.  Unfortunately not being too good at heights, (a bit of an understatement), it took me a while to let go of the post I was clinging on to so I could use my camera, by which time it had flown a lot further toward the sea.   It might be a poor picture but I was delighted to have seen it.


Back on the river yesterday this unfortunate distant gull stood out from amongst all the rest.


Black Hole Marsh yesterday still had a little stint, 4 dunlin, a ruff and 2 common sandpipers plus a curlew sandpiper still on the river.  Our extremely tame friendly robin has gone from this


to this


and now this week has transformed into this.  Absolutely beautiful.



Steves barnacle goose is still present on the river or on Colyford Common.


The little grebes are increasing in numbers now.  There were 5 together on BHM near the Tower and 3 on the river in front yesterday.


Away from here at Bicton Gardens last week this young little grebe was strangely out of place.  It was diving on the ornamental pond by the fountain despite there being people around.  I only had a nikon superzoom with me at the time but it came out OK.


Back on Seaton Marshes this week there were hundreds of starlings passing through


and plenty of meadow pipits


Kingfishers are mostly distant this year but I rather like this one


And finally this beautiful showy buzzard which didn't remain hidden for long








Saturday 1 October 2016

Dragonflies, Portland and Seaton Marshes

Having gone far quieter on the Wetlands since the last posting I've been trying my hand at a few dragonflies.






There have been several small coppers on the marshes


and I was amazed to see this one suddenly being attacked by a spider.   


I was delighted to find this wasp spider at Portland as I'd never seen one before  


and also at Portland it was nice to see the Obs Quarry wryneck


Back at Seaton on Colyford Common a whinchat


the buzzard on his favourite wire


one of 2 stonechats on Seaton Marshes yesterday morning


and finally 1 of 2 grey plovers with 2 bar tailed godwits that were present on Black Hole Marsh on late wednesday afternoon