I headed off to the River Plym and Saltram on a bright and cold day but the tide was high and so the highlights along the river were 6 turnstone roosting on the water ski pontoon by the recycling centre and around 100 dunlin roosting on the foreshore below Blagdons boatyard.
I managed to find 4 snipe and a Jack snipe, the views of the Jack snipe were not as good as those before Christmas though - it flushed at the last minute and flew off silently and low over the ground before disappearing behind some small trees but its small size was instantly noticeable after having already seen the snipe to compare with it.
I had a look for treecreepers in the woodland but with no luck, my eyes were just too tired, but I did find a nuthatch and 2 goldcrest amongst the usual woodland birds, while out in the grassy fields I found 2 mistle thrush, redwings and Canada geese but there was no sign of the cattle egrets.
Best bird though was a woodcock which flew amongst the trees while I was searching for treecreepers, I think it had been flushed from the woodland floor by dogs - it flew over my head and through the trees before flying off along the woodland edge by the grassy field and out of sight. Very nice to see, my first sighting of one in Plymouth.
I headed off back home on the bus before walking over to Ford Park Cemetery for a look around. Two female blackcaps feeding on ivy berries with blackbirds were a nice find and I easily found 2 ring necked parakeets feeding on the bird feeders while a third bird called nearby, they were quite tame as they munched away on peanuts.
Ring Necked Parakeet
Ring Necked Parakeet
Ring Necked (or Rose Ringed) Parakeet
Ring Necked Parakeet
I wandered around amongst the tombstones and I eventually found a male black redstart which gave some great views, a very smart looking bird, and a nice end to a Plymouth birding day.
Black Redstart
Black Redstart
Black Redstart
Black Redstart
Black Redstart
Hi Stuart! I'm a student at Plymouth University studying photography and I'm currently working on a project looking at the wild parakeets living in Plymouth. I was wondering if you had any information for me on where I would most likely find them and what time of day is best to go looking for them. I'd be grateful for any information you could give me. Thanks, Liz E.
ReplyDeleteHi Lizzie
ReplyDeleteThe parakeets can be surprisingly elusive for a noisy and brightly coloured bird. I have found Ford Park Cemetery the most reliable place, there are bird feeders in the trees at the back of the cemetery which attract a range of birds including the parakeets. If you enter the cemetery at the main entrance on Ford Park Road and walk right through to the back fencing and you should find them.
Another good spot are the allotments along Perverell Park Road where there also a few bird feeders.
Anytime of day is good to look for them, cold weather makes them easier to see.
Good luck!
Stuart