Goosanders and Grebes

A quick walk around Plymouth Hoe on Thursday 23rd November was Purple Sandpiper-less but there were 15 Turnstones feeding together on the rocks below the Pier One cafe, I think the highest count I have had here before. Even better was a smart male Black Redstart feeding on the rooftops at nearby Rusty Anchor but unfortunately mobile and distant.

Saturday 25th November was cold, still and mostly sunny as I headed out to the River Plym for a walk. I started at Laira Bridge on the low tide and finished at Marsh Mills on the incoming tide and despite the cool temperatures I managed to see 2 Red Admirals and a Common Darter which was a surprise.

Common Darter

There were 26 Turnstone and a Common Sandpiper feeding on the seaweed along the shoreline at Laira Bridge, later there was a Turnstone on Blaxton Meadow and a Common Sandpiper along the river nearby. Other waders were seen feeding out on the mudflats but by the time I reached Blaxton Meadow they were heading in to roost on the incoming tide with 26 Curlew, 17 Oystercatcher, 3 Snipe, 8 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit noted amongst the Redshank and Dunlins. The Wigeon flock was also present on the Meadow but before I could count them they all flew off, never to return, but there must have been 30+ present.

There were also Goosanders busily diving for fish along the river on the low tide, spread out and difficult to count as they spent very little time at the surface but by the time I reached Marsh Mills they had flocked together at the gas pipe to rest on the small piece of beach not covered by the tide and there were a total of 4 males and 5 females present.

Goosanders (6 of 9 present)

A Great Crested Grebe, Mallards, Shelducks and 6 Little Grebe were also seen along the river and around the Park 2 Coal Tit, 4 Song Thrush and 3+ Ring-necked Parakeets were of note. 

Great Crested Grebe (as seen from above The Amphitheatre)

Mallard

Chelson Meadow was actually a bit more productive than usual with a Buzzard, a Kestrel and a female Sparrowhawk seen along with a pair of Stonechat, 3 Stock Dove over heading east, a Mistle Thrush, a Chiffchaff (heard), 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Snipe and 8 Roe Deer.

Roe Deer (1 of 8 present)