Microbirdology

While in Devon, I took the opportunity to visit Lyme Regis, just along the coast from Seaton, to look for the Black Redstart apparently resident, for a few months, by the Marine Theatre. The female bird was very obliging and appeared almost immediate.  It is easy to see a physical similarity with the Robin.

  Visited RSPB Ham Wall for the second time. It’s a huge wetland reserve that really deserves a full day’s visit, preferably when they open the shop up for hot drinks.   Huge numbers of waterfowl on the lakes. Garganay and a Lesser Scaup were reported but not seen by me on the day.   I did get some nice shots of Reed buntings and a GWE flying overhead.  

Bowling Green Marsh was busy at high tide on a gloomy, rainy day. Waterfowl and waders in abundance.   Two Spoonbill were sleeping on the marsh but at a considerable distance from the hide. The Godwits were feisty, getting ready for the breeding season.   Very pleased to see at least five Snipe feeding in the open. They are normally rather shy birds.

The Isabelline Warbler was showing well when I visited on the 11th and 13th January.  On both days it was in the same area and was largely unflustered by the attention it was getting.  One of the local birders commented that it did not look particularly 'well'. It was seen on the 14th January but I don't think it has been sighted since. It is a bird that normally winters in much hotter regions, so Colyford may have been a real challenge. Plenty of Meadow pipits and Stonechats also on show for the casual birder. There were reports of Rock and Water pipits on Colyford common as well. There was plenty of wind and rain in the area in mid-January. The wind had an interesting impact on usually sleek appearence of this Little egret at Colyton. The River Coly was full and running fast through Colyton.  This Coromorant was coasting with the rapid flow, diving regularly, as the Coly headed towards its confluence with the River Axe. The Black Hole Marsh itself in Seaton Wetlands has...