The Christmas madness is now in full swing but as per last year it is all pretty much just happening around me as I impatiently wait for it to all be over and the New Year to begin. That's not to say that we aren't indulging in Christmassy things and so it was that we headed off to Saltram on Wednesday 11th December for a walk around the estate, some refreshments in the cafe and a look at the Christmas lights display in Saltram House.
It's been a few weeks now since I've done any proper birding so it was nice to be out and about with my binoculars around my neck again. Bird wise it was all much the same but no less enjoyable for it with the highlight being a Great Northern Diver busily diving away out on the river off the Amphitheatre before seeming to just disappear. Later it (or another) was seen downriver near Laira Bridge. Also seen along the river were 3 Common Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, a female Goosander and a Shag with a male and 2 female Goosander also present on Blagdons Meadow, busily diving away in the small pool by the sluices despite the tide not yet being high enough to enter through the gates. A Turnstone was also seen on Blagdons Meadow amongst the usual waders and there had been a noticeable increase in Dunlin numbers since my last visit.
Around the Park 5 skittish Redwings were seen along with a Kestrel, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Stock Dove, around 50 Meadow Pipits feeding almost hidden in the long grass near the Wet Wood, Mandarin Ducks, 2 male Pheasant and the usual noisy Ring-necked Parakeets. Sadly there were quite a few trees down or damaged around the Park following Storm Darragh last weekend.
After a cup of tea and a slice of cake in the very busy cafe we headed into Saltram House where the Christmas lights were very good, much better than last years display, and it all looked very festive in a very beautiful setting.
There had been news of a Velvet Scoter at Warleigh Point in Plymouth while we were away on holiday in Germany, an interesting record of a bird I've not seen in the Plymouth area before and a bird I also don't see very often. It was found on the 3rd December and was still present the next day and then there was the usual radio silence until 10th December when it was reported again and my interest was repiqued. Further reports came through but it wasn't until Saturday 14th December that I finally had some free time to go and look for it.
It was a sunny day for a change as I headed out on the bus to Tamerton Foliot, it felt cold especially when rain showers rattled through on the strong breeze but it was pleasant when out of the wind. As I walked out to Warleigh Point from the bus stop in Tamerton Foliot village there were small birds feeding in the sheltered hedges with 2 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Coal Tit, a Song Thrush and a female Bullfinch seen amongst the Blue Tit, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, and Great Tit also present. A Buzzard was heard mewing overhead and a Grey Wagtail was seen feeding around a large puddle in the road before flying off.
It was breezey at the exposed Point and my eyes kept watering in the cold wind but I quickly found the female type Velvet Scoter feeding out in the main river channel of The Tamar, it was distant but scope views were very good as it regularly dived away and brought up Crabs to the surface to eat. A surprise sight was a female Common Scoter loosely associating with it too and making it a 2 Scoter day, a very rare event in Plymouth.
Avocets, Great Crested Grebes and Black-tailed Gowits were also of note amongst the usual ducks and waders but there was no sign of yesterday's reported Barnacle Geese amongst the Canada Goose flock in the nearby fields.
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