Stover and Wembury

Monday 26th February was dry and sunny and so we decided to head out and make the most of the day despite the strong wind blowing from the north east. With everywhere being waterlogged and muddy we chose to visit Stover Lake where the footpaths were more likely to be passable and we also wanted to see how the improvement works are progressing since our last visit over a year ago.

On arriving at Stover there was some further clearing work going on where a dense stand of conifer trees had been removed previously but not much else seemed to have changed, however there are plans afoot with the lake due to be dredged very soon.

It was very busy around the lake and in the surrounding woods but despite a lot of disturbance I managed to see some good birds, I guess the wildlife is used to all the dogs and people wandering around.

The feeders at the walkway were busy with birds and amongst the Blue, Great and Coal Tits, Nuthatches and Chaffinches was a very confiding Marsh Tit which regularly flew in to snatch seeds put out onto the wooden posts. A further 2 Marsh Tits were also seen on our walk, both quite confiding and again coming in to feed on seeds put out onto wooden posts and fencing.

Marsh Tit

Marsh Tit

Marsh Tit

A Siskin was heard calling overhead and later 4 birds were seen feeding in a stand of short Alders right by the side of the footpath.

Siskin

Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, Tufted Ducks and Mute Swans were seen out on the lake and with them were 2 summer plumaged Great Crested Grebes, a pair of Mandarin Duck and 7 pairs of Wigeon.

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck

Mute Swan

Tuesday 27th February was cold and grey but windless and so I headed out to Wembury for a morning walk. The sun did appear from behind the clouds occassionally and when it did it felt noticeably warmer but it still felt quite chilly.

A Great Northern Diver on the sea off The Point was a nice find although it remained distant while 2 Firecrests feeding together in the bushes along the footpath near the sewage pipe showed very nicely. A female Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards and 2 Ravens were seen overhead with one of the Ravens briefly settling on the clifftop.

The tide was heading out when I arrived and along the beach the Redshank was still present with 12 Turnstone, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Mallards (1 female) and the usual Oystercatchers. The usual Rock Pipits were present too along with Pied Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail and 4 Chiffchaff.

A Cirl Bunting was singing away in the horsefield hedgerow with a second male at The Point heard only. At least 4 pairs of Stonechat were present along the footpath, Skylarks were singing away overhead and there were 3 Roe Deer feeding out in the open on the hillside above the wheatfield.

Stonechat

Roe Deer