On arriving I had a quick scan about with my binoculars and immediately picked up a Slavonian Grebe along the shoreline just as it dived underwater. I set my scope up for a better look but couldn't refind it although I did pick up a Little Grebe and then a Black-necked Grebe in the same area. I began to doubt myself before eventually refinding the Slavonian Grebe, I had a few more brief views of it between dives before it just disappeared as Slavonian (and Red-necked) Grebes often do here at St.Johns Lake and I never saw it again.
The Black-necked Grebe continued to give some nice views though but again spent very little time at the surface between dives as it covered quite a large area and was difficult to keep track of. The Little Grebe was eventually joined by another and a Great Northern Diver appeared briefly but I spent some time watching 3 Common Scoter which had been asleep out on the water before waking up to feed on Crabs. One bird was a female but the other two were immature males, one with black and brown plumage and an area of yellow developing on the top of its bill and the other with no yellow on the bill and more female type plumage but with darker feathering appearing on the face and back.
I then walked over to nearby Chapeldown Road where I found another Little Grebe and another Black-necked Grebe along with 5 Great Crested Grebes but there was no sign of the Red-necked Grebe so I had to make do with a 4 Grebe day. I also picked up another small Grebe diving away over on the opposite shore, distant views only even with my scope and in choppy waters but either my 3rd Black-necked Grebe of the day (at least 4 have been present here this winter) or the elusive Slavonian Grebe. Needless to say I soon lost track of it and I never saw it again.
Across the mudflats the usual Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Teal, Grey Plover, Wigeon and Shelduck were noted along with a Little Egret and Common Gulls while Turnstones and 3 Ringed Plover were feeding on the seaweed covered shore in front of me. To round off my short visit I found another Great Northern Diver feeding by the Torpoint Ferry as I headed home, a nice end to a very cold birding visit.
Great Northern Diver
It was milder and there were occassional sunny spells on Sunday 16th February as I headed out to The Plym for a walk but it was still cold in the strong easterly breeze. I had hoped to be up and out early but after a family meal and drinks the previous day I had trouble getting started and I didn't arrive at Longbridge until around 9:30am where it was already busy with walkers and dogs.
Snowdrops at Saltram
High tide was at around 8:00am and with it being a spring tide Blaxton Meadow was a lake with no mud on show at all and so Curlews and 15 Oystercatchers were roosting on the islands in front of the hide and Redshanks were roosting along the embankment at the back with 8 Greenshank, at least 6 Dunlin and a Snipe. Also present amongst the usuals were 14 Common Gulls (12 adults, 2 1st winters) and 2 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls plus a female Teal was found feeding in amongst the Wigeon. A surprise sighting was of 2 Collared Doves feeding together along the waters edge at the back of the Meadow.
Wigeon
Redshank
Out on the river there were 2 pairs of Goosanders, a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, a Mute Swan, a Little Grebe and 2 Shags but there was no sign of the recent Great Northern Divers.
The view from above The Amphitheatre
Around The Park the highlights were 2 Skylark, a pair of Stonechat, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Bullfinch (2 males), 2 Greenfinch and 4 Roe Deer. The female Red-crested Pochard was still present on the duck pond with the Mandarin Ducks and the 2 Stock Dove were still present eating grain on the pond side.
Good to see some repair work being done to the fencing at the Wet Wood to keep the numerous dogs out
Mute Swan - maybe one of 2024's cygnets?
Corky Bark on Field Elm
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