Muddy Walks

The weather continues to be relentless in bringing yet more wind and rain and bird watching opportunities have remained limited but with a night shift looming on Monday 2nd March I decided to brave the strong winds and squally showers and have a quick morning walk along the River Plym. It was wet and muddy underfoot and I got soaked by the showers but I did manage to see a few Redwings feeding on ivy berries, a pair of Bullfinch, 2 Jay, 4 Stock Dove and a skulking female Blackcap in Saltram Park and on the Plym on the high tide there were a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers and 2 male Goosanders. I also managed to find a single Jack Snipe on my wanderings along with 9 distant Roe Deer.

Wednesday 4th March and we visited Saltram House on another grey, wet and windy day with the highlight being the elusive female Red-crested Pochard finally giving itself up as it tarted around at point blank range on the stable pond by the cafe - presumably it is the same bird that has been seen on and off on the Plym for the last couple of years that I have continuously dipped and which has also been reported from Burrator Reservoir (where I did manage to see it on one occassion) and Portworthy Dam.

Thursday 5th March was dry but cloudy and breezy and we visited the National Trust estate at Parke near Bovey Tracy, our first visit there, and after lunch in the cafe we had a muddy walk around the woodland and along the very swollen river where the only birds of note were a showy pair of Mistle Thrush feeding in the fields and a fly over Raven.

Friday 6th March and we drove out to Lopwell Dam for a walk but the paths were a complete mudfest and it was showery and breezy yet again and so we didn't walk far. Along the river 4 Common Sandpipers were seen along with 2 pairs of Grey Wagtails and there were lots of beautiful daffodils in flower. In between the showers a male Sparrowhawk and 6+Buzzards displayed overhead but the highlight were 30+ Ravens croaking and tumbling together over the trees in a mass display.

Daffodils, Lopwell

Daffodils, Lopwell

And with a feeling of deja vu on Monday 9th March I decided to have a walk along the River Plym again before yet another dreaded night shift, setting out early at 9am in order to be back home before the forecasted rain and wind rolled in.

I had left my camera at home on my visit to Saltram House on the 4th March and so I wanted to return to the stable pond to try and get some photos of the Red-crested Pochard and I wasn't disappointed as it showed very well. Initially it was asleep amongst the assorted Mallards before waking up to feed on grain being thrown into the water by Yummy Mummies with kids although it was quite wary and wouldn't come close to people. It was interesting to watch it dive for the sunken grain while the Mallards and 3 pairs of Mandarin Ducks dabbled for the grain on the surface instead.

Mandarin and Red-crested Pochard, Saltram

Mallard and Red-crested Pochard, Saltram

Mandarin and Red-crested Pochard, Saltram

Red-crested Pochard, Saltram

Red-crested Pochard, Saltram

Red-crested Pochard, Saltram

Red-crested Pochard, Saltram

Mandarin, Saltram

Mandarin, Saltram

In Saltram Woods a pair of Ring-necked Parakeets showed very well low down in a tree as they excavated a nest hole while another bird was heard screeching nearby, and the Woods also held a few skittish Redwings feeding on ivy berries, a singing Mistle Thrush, a showy Jay, a Nuthatch, at least 3 Stock Doves and a singing Goldcrest.

Ring-necked Parakeet , Saltram

Ring-necked Parakeet, Saltram

Along the River Plym I found 3 Greenshank, a pair of Goosander, 5 Mute Swans and a Common Sandpiper along with all the usuals - Redshank, Common Gull, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Mallard, etc.

Goosander, River Plym

Common Sandpiper, River Plym

Primrose and Daffodil were flowering and I found some pretty looking Scarlet Elf Cup fungus on a dead log along with an unknown fungus species and despite the weather it was feeling, dare I say it, a little Spring like - thank goodness although I hope the weather soon dries up a bit. And I managed to get back home before it started to rain yet again!

Scarlet Elf Cup, Saltram

Fungus, Saltram

Amarylis Flowers in my Living Room