Devon Birding Weekend 30th of May – 1st
of June 2014.
Species seen 83.
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Steve & Gary looking
for Stonechats |
Last weekend I went with two of my birding friends Gary and Steve
(both Brandon Marsh regulars) to North Devon to explore and enjoy the birds and
wildlife of the West Country.
Friday.
Early Friday night we arrived at our hotel in Ilfracombe, we
quickly dropped off some of our gear then we headed off to Braunton village.
Taking the single track road that runs to the sand dunes we used the small
private toll road to make our way to Crow Point. The weather was still sunny
and as such later produced a superb sunset over Braunton Burrows.
Using my local knowledge of the area soon had us catching
sight of a juvenile Common Crane that has been in the area for over a week
know. Seen also were, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Canada Goose (with chicks)
Moorhen, Gadwall, Mallard, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Buzzard, Curlew, whimbrel,
Black-Tailed Godwit, Black headed gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull,
Woodpigeon, Swift, Rook, Carrion Crow, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Wren,
Whitethroat, Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Linnet,
Mute Swan (with chicks) and House Sparrow. This was a good start to our birding
weekend, which was then finished with fish and chips.
Saturday.
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Looking for Cetaceans |
Today’s birding destination was Lundy Island. Gary and Steve
have heard many of my stories of the visits to the Island and therefore were
looking forward to seeing it for themselves. Arriving in Bideford at 07.15am it
already felt warm and I was optimistic for a fabulous day of weather and the
day didn’t disappoint as the sun shone all day with the temperature in the
70’s. After we boarded the MS Oldenburg I left them to enjoy the crossing, as
today I was MARINElife’s Lundy Wildlife Officer on board to assist the passengers
with cetacean and bird sightings. I made my way up on to the bridge to meet
Jerry the ship’s captain and after collecting the essential items for the trip
(MARINElife leaflets, binoculars and my camera) I proceeded to start my tour
around the upper and lower decks introducing myself to the passengers. Many of
them were very interested in MARINElife and the work that the
charity does.
The outward passage gave me an opportunity to point out
three Harbour Porpoise off the starboard side, quickly followed by four common
Dolphin off the port side; these were followed later by a pod of a further
twelve Dolphin. Birds of note were Manx Shearwater gliding effortlessly over
the water, a diving Gannet and many Guillemot and Razorbill rafting as the ship
passed them by. The usual gulls were seen along with Kittiwake and Fulmar.
+of+IMG_8794.JPG) |
Common Dolphin in the distance |
As the Oldenburg made its way slowly towards the landing bay
I had sight of a distant black and white bird resting on the rocks, the
binoculars soon confirmed it was a Black Guillemot and a great start to the
island’s bird list. Soon everyone disembarked and began to make their way up to
the higher levels. With the MARINElife duties complete until the return journey
I caught up with my two friends on the jetty. Our planned route was to take in
the southern coastal footpaths along and past the old battery and then on
towards halfway wall and lunch overlooking Jenny’s cove. Here I met assistant
warden Chloe who was helping many of the visitors with locating the Puffins.
After lunch; we made my way back to the jetty in time for a round the island
trip aboard the Oldenburg.
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Puffin & Razorbill © Steve Nikols |
Birds of note were Woodchat Shrike, Water Pipit, Rock Pipit, Raven, Black Guillemot, Puffin and a possible yet to be confirmed sighting of a Short Toed Lark in amongst the Skylarks?
 |
Woodchat Shrike © Steve Nikols |
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Wheatear © Steve Nikols |
Whilst walking back the island’s Sika Deer were running
around in many directions. Other animals observed were the usual sheep, also
seen were Lundy ponies and wild goats.
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Razorbill & Guillemot |
The around the island tour was made even more interesting as
we had a commentary by local guide Simon. Many of the ledges were covered in
Guillemot, Razorbill and a few Puffin, the rocks had Kittiwake and Shag and all
the usual gulls were observed. Grey Seals were sighted both in the water and on
the rocks, as we approached Jenny’s Cove the whole area had a good number of
Guillemot and Razorbill rafting and to everyone’s delight I soon had some of
the passengers along with some of the ships company on to Lundy’s famous
Puffins. These small birds are always a pleasure to see either on the water or
on land. Sadly all my photos were either too far away or blurred!
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Grey Seal |
The crossing back to Bideford was
calm again with the same birds being seen along the way.
Upon leaving the ship we made our
way to Woolacombe for some dinner and a few alcoholic beverages.
Sunday.
An early hearty cooked breakfast
is always a great way to start any days birding, we left the hotel and made our
way to Woolacombe bay in search of Stonechat. These are seen every time I visit
the area and normally present good opportunities for close up photographs.
Sadly there were none to be seen (Probably nesting) and we left after seeing
just a handful of common birds!
Moving on through Barnstaple to
the small village of Yelland we spent three hours exploring the RSPB Isley
Marsh area. This has different types of habitat, marshland, meadow, trees and
bushes and the estuary which always ensures a good mix of birds. We proceeded
to make our way around this diverse area that offers on one, side the usual
meadow and woodland birds and on the other waders and sea birds. The morning
provided a few good year ticks for my friends before we set off to Exeter in
the south of Devon.
Birds seen at Isley Marsh were,
Grey Heron, Little Egret, Kestrel, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel,
Curlew, Sanderling, Dunlin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw,
Raven, Skylark, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Cetti’s Warbler, Wren, Willow Warbler,
Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch,
Goldfinch, Linnet and Buzzard.
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Skylark at Yelland |
After an hour of travelling we
arrived at Topsham to begin the walk down to the RSPB’s Bowling Green Marsh
reserve. The place was very busy with birders and twitchers looking for a
reported Ross’s Gull, upon arriving in the hide we chatted with a few people
and found out that it was around however over by the Exeter station. A quick
drive to the station provided our trio with life ticks! Imagine this, a row of
birders all looking through scopes at the Ross’s Gull from the stations
platform, then slowly a train approached and stopped at the platform blocking
the view, we all thought it was highly amusing. The train soon left and we were
able to view the distant bird again for some time.
In the early evening we left
Devon for our return journey back to Rugby, the in-car conversation was about,
nothing other than birds and birding. Steve had his lists and created a full
list for everyone so we can all look back on a truly great weekend which
included a quite a few years’ ticks and one life tick for us all.