Friday, 24 April 2015

American Wigeon...

Here's a couple of photos of the drake American Wigeon in fading light at Holywell Pond on Wednesday...

At Chevington last night, I saw my first Reed and Sedge Warblers of the year as well as a dark morph Arctic Skua offshore.

PWC 15
Species: 122
Points: 155

120. Sedge Warbler
121. Reed Warbler
122. Arctic Skua 



American Wigeon

Sunday, 12 April 2015

Back to patch...

I had quite a successful return to my patch at Chevington over the weekend...

On Saturday the Great White Egret was showing quite well on the west side of the North Pool. My second 3-pointer of the year for Patchwork Challenge. A few Swallows, 3 Pintail and 7 Red-breasted Merganser were also present with 3+ Sandwich Terns offshore.

I finally added Bearded Tit to the patch list with brief view of a male in flight on Sunday. Nice to see after six years spent trying! A Barn Owl was nearby and 2 Pintail remained along with 4 Red-breasted Mergansers. There were good numbers of hirundines about as well.

Also on Saturday, a Little Ringed Plover and a White Wagtail were at the north end of Cresswell Pond, with a Wheatear at Snab Point on Sunday.

PWC 15
Species: 114
Points: 148


Great White Egret

Devon Sound Recordings (including Penduline Tits)

Penduline Tits, Darts Farm, calls and song. Note this is a quiet recording, because I have had to remove some of the wind noise. The bird sounds haven't changed.


Cirl Bunting, Strete, song


Cirl Bunting, Prawle Point, calls


Cetti's Warbler, Slapton Ley, song

Devon, April 2015

Here's some of my highlights from an enjoyable week spent in Devon (excluding the Peduline Tits)...

Cirl Buntings





Cetti's Warblers



Black-tailed Godwits


Peregrine


Stonechat


Bee Fly (?)


ISS (with Iridum Flare from Irdium satellite 54 on the left in the first photo)






Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Penduline Tits in Devon...

I got lucky and saw the two brilliant Penduline Tits on their last day at RSPB Darts Farm. They showed absolutely brilliantly, down to just a few metres and were quite vocal, both calling and singing. I'll try and add a windy sound recording in the next few days. Here's quite a few photos...























Penduline Tits