Let it Snow

A trip to Weymouth with Miriam today saw us arrive at Lodmoor around 11.30am. We took a brief walk along the path to the viewing shelter but there were few birds on view. We then crossed the road and walked along the front with me stopping and checking the sea every so often but again it was very quiet and the bitter wind soon had us making our way back to the car.
I then decided to try Sandsfoot Castle as it would be more sheltered. We parked up and walked up to the gardens and as it was lunchtime decided to have something to eat at the small cafe there.
I checked my phone for bird sightings and saw that two Velvet Scoters had been seen earlier in the day from here. I then checked Twitter and saw that one of my birding pals Tim, had reported them. I gave him a call to see if he was still in the area but he was already back home.
He did give me valuable information though as to where and what to look for and after getting Miriam a slice of flapjack and another coffee I headed off down to the castle to scan the bay.
I saw the Great Northern Diver straight away and then the Scoters. Scanning around I also saw one of the Black-Necked Grebes that Tim had said was present.
I got back to Miriam just as she was finishing her coffee and then we set out for Ferrybridge and the Snow Bunting that Tim had advised me was so easy to see it would be shame to miss it.
I parked the car and left Mir listening to radio whilst I checked out the area the bird was last seen. It was ridiculously easy and I almost walked right passed it by scanning too far away and not right under my feet. It was a brilliantly confiding bird and allowed me to get quite close.

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)

We now decided to head for home after what had been an eventful couple of hours.
My year list now stands at 90 which is the highest total I've managed this early in the year since 2008 and has already included some cracking birds like Hawfinch,Waxwing and Rose Coloured Starling.

Duck Season Again

No time this week to post any blog entries so I'll wrap it all up in one go. Monday saw the Jockeys take on our neighbours from the bottom alley The Club Jokers who also make up half of the Hustlers team.
I had an absolute 'mare' and ended up scoring only 29 which included a duck and a 2. Needless to say we lost.
On Tuesday it was back to the Club League and our match with the Young Guns. We started well and were 15 pins up but were pegged back on the second hand to a lead of 4 pins. We eventually ran out winners by 26 though and took the points 13-3. Totally different night for me as I didn't miss much and scored a respectable 58.
Ale on for both nights was The Reverend James, a traditional and full bodied ale at 4.5%.
On Thursday I along with Andy R and Tony received a text from Andy J with an invite to an impromptu tasting session as he had the first samples of the new Stocklinch Brewery ale. This was Scallion's Ketch, a best bitter at 4.2% and we all gave it the 'thumbs up' as a good new addition to the brewery's offerings.
On Friday I mentioned to Andy G about going over to Hawkridge Reservoir, just north of Taunton to see the over wintering Ring Necked Duck for our year lists.

Centre Bird-Ring Necked Duck(Aythya collaris)

Having connected with the bird quickly we made a snap decision to drive up to Stockland Reach and see if the Temminck's Stint was showing. It wasn't and after a long and muddy walk we were back in the car and heading down the A38 to Bathpool and the flock of Waxwings that have taken up residence in Dyer's Lane.
We were luckier here as the birds were in a tree just above our heads as we got out of the car. The light was going fast though and my pic's were not the best. Soon after the whole flock suddenly flew out of sight so we packed up and headed for home.

Birding/Shopping Trip No.3

Another shopping trip with a 'birdy' twist today. As soon as I saw a tweet this morning from Andy saying that there were Hawfinches in the church yard at Norton-Sub-Hamden a hastily arranged shopping trip was conceived and 25 minutes later I had joined the small crowd watching these heavyweights of the finch family.
There were around 7 birds showing when I arrived although later arrivals to see them counted over 10 individuals. The light was too poor for any decent photo opportunities so I just enjoyed the spectacle of seeing these great birds so close to home before leaving to pick up some shopping in Crewkerne.

Premier Birding

January the first is always the cue for birders who year list to wipe the slate clean and get started on their new tally's. Yesterday was the first time that I had managed to get out birding with the usual gang since 2010 and I was also able stay out for most of the day.
The early plans had been to go to Dawlish Warren and work back but due to a mix up in communication I was the only one to arrive at the reserve at 8am.
I had a 20 minute walk and a look out over the sea before arranging to meet the others at Topsham. Scanning the flat calm sea I picked out three Grebes but as I had forgotten to bring my 'scope I was unsure as to the species, eventually settling for Red-Necked due the size and shape.
On my way back to Topsham I was driving through Starcross when this took my eye....

Bar Headed Goose

Not 'tickable' but an interesting sighting all the same.
I arrived at Topsham but the lane was 'chocca' with parked cars so I parked in the road and walked back. I spotted a Mistle Thrush high in a tree and then found a Water Rail, which I was watching when the guys all appeared, coming back from the viewing platform. Having said our 'Happy New Years etc we made our back to the cars pausing to see the Long-Tailed Duck in one of its brief periods above the water. There were also a good number of Avocet's and commoner waders and wildfowl and my day total was now up to 42 species.
We now all made our way back to the Exeter Services to try for the Waxwings. The guys had been here earlier in the day without luck, but this time the birds were just where they should be.

Waxwing

Next it was back to Exminster and a Rose-Coloured Starling that had been in the area for a few days. Again it was a job to park in the narrow lane by the Church and Tim who had arrived before us was nowhere to be seen. We were just walking up towards the Church when I got a call from him to say he was at the Churchyard and there was no sign of the bird. At the same moment a call went up that the Rosy was right above our heads on the telephone wires and relaying the message to Tim we all got great views.

Rose-Coloured Starling

We now moved on to a regular Jan 1 site for Cirl Buntings and were lucky to connect with them as soon as we arrived. We also lucked upon a flock of around twenty Bramblings here as well as the usual Yellowhammers,Chaffinches and Reed Buntings.

Premier Birding

Some of the guys now said goodbye and headed for home and the rest made our way to Dawlish Warren, the second visit of the day for me. The car park was now fit to burst, very different from the couple of cars that were there earlier in the day.
We headed straight for the pool behind the visitor centre to try and connect with the Black-Necked Grebe that has taken up residence. We had to wait for a bit before it revealed itself and it didn't stay in one place for very long.

Black-Necked Grebe

There were reports of an unseasonal Serin in with the Greenfinch flock and we gave it good go but were out of luck on this occasion. A quick sea watch produced a Slavonian Grebe and my day total now was 64.
We started to make our way home but stopped at Cockwood Station car park to pick up Spotted Redshank and Ringed Plover, I also added Red Breasted Merganser having missed them earlier in the day.
I now said my goodbyes to the guys and started for home intending to call in at Axmouth Football Club and see the Bewick Swans that have been there since Boxing Day. I could see them without getting out of the car and also saw Tim and Dave just leaving as they had left Cockwood before me.
I met them again at Coronation Corner where we added Mediterranean Gull and Common Gull. This left me with a day total of 78, quite respectable and my best new year tally for several years.