More Ouzels

Thursday 15th October was bright and sunny, ideal for my planned birdy day out with my mate Mavis to the Avon Dam to look for Ring Ouzels. Reports had dried up after last weeks flurry of sightings but 6 had been reported as present the previous day so we kept our fingers crossed on the drive to the Shipley Bridge car park.

The river level was much lower than it was on lasts weeks visit and as a result it was a much quieter walk without the roar of the water and there was no water flowing over the Dam either. A tractor and a digger were trundling back and forth along the path with loads of gravel which were being dumped into the river, apparently to provide areas for fish to spawn as the gravel gets dispersed downstream by the winter floods.

On walking up the valley to the first bridge there were a group of birders/toggers scanning the hillsides and we quickly found a couple of Ring Ouzels perched up in the tree tops but they were distant and flighty. Eventually we managed to get some decent views of at least 4 birds but probably more were present as they were very flighty and very skulky in the cover of holly and rhododendron bushes. 

Ring Ouzels

Ring Ouzel

We carried on up the valley and as we neared the Dam a group of 5 Ring Ouzels flew over and landed in the bushes inside the quarry and we were able to get some good views of them feeding on berries before they disappeared into cover.

Ring Ouzels

Heading back down the valley to the first bridge and birders/toggers were still present and watching Ouzels and it was here that we had our best views of 2 birds scoffing down rowan berries in a tree near to the path before disappearing into cover with at least another 2 birds present nearby

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

After watching the Ouzels for a while a Sparrowhawk was picked up rocketing down the hillside towards us, dispersing all the birds in all directions. Fortunately it failed to make a kill (this time) but with the birds spooked and time moving on it was time to head homewards.

A very enjoyable day out as always and in lovely weather with Chiffchaff, Raven, Peregrine, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Kestrel and Buzzard also noted along with a Small Copper and a few Red Admirals. And certainly the best views of Ring Ouzels I've ever had at the Avon Dam. 

Ouzels, Skuas and Choughs

Thursday 8th October was grey and wet on awakening but the forecast was for the rain to clear mid morning and so we headed off to the Avon Dam for a walk as the path is tarmac and mud free and Ring Ouzels had been reported there the previous day. 

On arriving the rain had indeed stopped and as we walked up the valley towards the Dam we met many happy birders walking back down to the car park who had seen up to 12 Ring Ouzels. 

As we arrived at the area where the Ouzels had been seen I eventually found an adult male sat in a tree but distant and obscured by branches. A second male was sitting in a neighbouring tree and eventually came right out into the open before dropping down onto the ground. A female was then found in another tree just as 10 Mistle Thrush exploded out of it and flew off north with the Ouzel joining them. Not the best views but nice to see them all the same. 

Walking back to the car and another male was seen feeding in a rowan tree close to the footpath before flying off and then a juvenile bird was seen with Blackbirds feeding in a rowan tree by the footpath before it too disappeared into cover. 

Ring Ouzel, Avon Dam

Ring Ouzel

Other birds of note were a Green Woodpecker, a Raven, 2 Goldcrest, a Redwing, a Kestrel and 2 Buzzard before we retired to nearby Ashburton for tea and cake. 

Friday 9th October was grey and breezy and with my new tripod having arrived in the post I was keen to go and try it out and so I headed off to Wembury for a walk. 

The tide was high and roosting out on the rocks with the Oystercatchers were 2 Little Egret, 7 Curlew and a single Bar-tailed Godwit with 2 1st winter Mediterranean Gulls. 

Curlew, Wembury

Bar-tailed Godwit

Along the footpath Stonechat, Cirl Buntings and a female Blackcap were seen along with a Redwing and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying over the valley to the beach. 

Stonechat

Cirl Bunting

Robin 

Gannets were flying around and diving offshore along with Kittiwakes and 4 Common Scoter were seen flying west. A distant small and dark Skua Sp. was briefly seen chasing a Kittiwake before it disappeared amongst the waves and I also had a brief view of a pale phase adult Arctic Skua closer in before it too was lost from sight. I then picked up 2 birds flying fast and low over the water towards the shore and at first I thought they were some kind of wader but as they flew nearer they began to chase after a group of 4 feeding Kittiwake and revealed themselves to be 2 adult pale phase Arctic Skua. After harrasing the Kittiwakes and getting a regurgitated meal from them they flew quickly back out to sea and were lost to sight but great to see, thankfully I had my telescope with me otherwise I probably wouldn't have picked them up at all.

2 Common Lizard, a Knot Grass caterpillar, a Dark Bush Cricket, a Speckled Wood and a brief view of a Grass Snake disappearing into the bracken were also seen. 

Common Lizard

Common Lizard

Knot Grass Caterpillar

Dark Bush Cricket

Saturday 10th October and I finally made the trip down to Porthgwarra in Cornwall, somewhere I have wanted to visit for some time now. I wanted to do a bit of a reccey of the area in the hope of maybe getting down there next year for some seawatching and I also hoped to see some Chough which are present along the coast here and also a Turtle Dove being seen around a farm nearby

I started off at Ardensaweth Farm where the Turtle Dove had been reported but there was no sign of it amongst the 20+ Collared Dove feeding around the buildings and so I carried on to the Coastguard Lookout on the coast. 

Arriving on the clifftops at Porthgwarra and I immediately found 2 Chough busily feeding on the short turf with Jackdaws and despite being neurotic and flighty they allowed very close approach and very good views. One bird was unringed and occassionally begged for food from the other ringed bird, presumably a young bird with an adult?

Chough, Porthgwarra

Choughs

Another 2 ringed birds flew in to join them and then another 2 birds appeared, one landed and was unringed but I couldn't see the legs of the other bird as it flew overhead. All of the Choughs then took to the air together and flew off noisily along the coast and out of sight  - lovely birds in a wonderful setting, I only wish I wasn't suffering from a banging headache at the time which put a bit of a crimp on my enjoyment of them.

Porthgwarra

Porthgwarra

I had planned to walk along the coast to Porthcurno but decided to retrace my steps and head back to Ardensaweth Farm to look again for the Turtle Dove and on arriving at the farm buildings I immediately found it feeding on top of a haystack before it flew onto the barn roof to rest and preen with the Collared Dove. After a while it flew down to the ground to feed amongst the Collared Doves before it wandered off out of sight- a lovely bird and one I haven't seen well for many years now. I hope it successfully migrates and returns next year as unfortunately Turtle Dove seems to be rapidly becoming the European equivalent of the North American Passenger Pigeon and we all know how that ended.

Turtle Dove with Collared Dove, Ardensaweth Farm

Turtle Dove

Turtle Dove

And so our holiday-less holiday ends, the weather was disappointing (it could have been worse but it also could have been better) but we had a good time and I saw some good birds. Back to work and reality now, I will miss all the sleep I have been able to get but my liver could do with a rest after all the booze I've consumed!

A Soggy Trip to France and Ring Ouzels

Our annual ferry trip to France was a go this year after last year's last minute cancellation courtesy of Storm Callum but the weather wasn't particularly great and it was a wet and soggy trip.

It was raining as we sailed from Plymouth to Roscoff at 22:00hrs on Friday 11th October and it did not stop raining until we sailed back from Roscoff to Plymouth at 09:30hrs on Sunday 13th October! As a result there was little of wildlife interest seen in France with the highlight being a grey wagtail flying over while wandering around Morlaix but at least the rain stopped for the return ferry crossing and I did get to see some good birds and cetaceans as we sailed across the English Channel.

I broke the crossing down into 3 watching shifts - 09:30 to 10:30, 10:45 to 11:45 and 12:00 to 13:45 - with refreshments and warming up sessions in between. The first shift was the most productive as usual and as we sailed past all the rocky islets just offshore from Roscoff a few gannets began to appear. These were soon joined by a small pod of common dolphins leaping towards the front of the boat to bow ride before I lost sight of them and shortly afterwards a sooty shearwater was picked up low over the water heading west. Later another sooty shearwater was picked up flying east and I also saw a great skua flying past the ferry along with 3 guillemots flying west and a meadow pipit flying north before it was time to take my first break.

Photo of a Photo of a Common Dolphin

The second shift was quieter with the usual gannets flying around, brief views of common dolphins being very secretive at the surface and showing brief flashes of their fins, 2 more single great skuas flying past the ferry, 3 meadow pipits together flying north and a grey wagtail flying north and briefly pitching down on the deck of the ferry.

Explorer of the Seas

The last shift was more interesting again as the Devon coastline began to appear. A large pod of common dolphins were seen leaping out of the water as they passed the back of the ferry and the pod included quite a few small calfs. 2 more great skuas were seen, 1 resting on the sea and 1 harrying Gannets near The Eddystone lighthouse. A juvenile kittiwake was also noted along with 2 adult birds, 2 guillemots were seen sat on the sea with a group of 9 seen later flying east and 2 Sandwich Terns flew past as we entered Plymouth Sound.

And so a pretty good ferry crossing for wildlife sightings and a great short trip away to France as always despite the wet weather.

Wednesday 16th October was a planned birdy day with Mavis but without any definite plans. We eventually plumped for a visit to the Avon Dam on Dartmoor as the footpath being tarmac would at least be dry following all the heavy rain we have had recently.

It was cloudy with occasional sunny spells and just a brief shower and we had a great walk. A pair of stonechat, 2 kestrels, a goldcrest with a flock of long-tailed tits and blue tits and a few bullfinch were all noted and quite a few red admirals were seen mostly heading west.

The highlight though were the ring ouzels which we were hoping to see following reports of birds being seen on Lundy and in Starehole Valley the previous day.

We stopped for coffee and biscuits at the first bridge as the path leaves the trees and continues across the open moor but after a few minutes a small flock of thrushes appeared in a nearby rowan tree and amongst the blackbird, song thrush, mistle thrush and a redwing were 10 ring ouzels.

 Ring Ouzel

Magpie and Ring Ouzel

Coffee was quickly abandoned but the ouzels were very skittish and flighty and quickly moved off but we were pleased to see them. However more ouzels were soon picked up flying around the hillside and perching in trees and it was difficult to ascertain the exact number present. Most were female and juvenile birds with just a few males present but they were great to see and hear.

Ring Ouzel

We carried on up the valley and eventually enjoyed our coffee break and on reaching the Avon Dam the water was flowing over it and it was looking very beautiful in the sunshine and blue skies.

 Avon Dam

Avon Dam

Walking back down the valley and we again found the ring ouzels in the same area as earlier. They were still skittish, mobile and distant but at one point we had 16 birds flying together overhead and with more birds present in the trees and bushes (another birder we met had counted at least 30 birds). They were becoming more flighty and skittish and eventually they all flew off over the hills never to be seen again but we were very pleased to have caught up with them on what had been a very enjoyable walk.

 Ring Ouzel

 Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzels in the Mist - Again

Friday 14th October and with reports of ring ouzels at the Avon Dam it was time to head out there for a look. It was a grey and overcast day but as we walked up to the Avon Dam from the car park at Shipley Bridge it became increasingly misty.

A dipper showed very well along the stream and a great spotted woodpecker called noisely from a pine tree but kept itself hidden. As we crossed the small bridge over the stream as the path headed up onto the Moor I noticed some thrushes feeding in the trees on the right and a scan through my binoculars revealed at least 4 ring ouzels amongst redwings, mistle thrushes, song thrushes and blackbirds but they were all very nervous and flighty and after grabbing a beakful of rowan berries they were flying off or diving into cover.

Ring Ouzel

Mistle Thrush and Ring Ouzel

Heading up along the path to the Dam it became increasingly misty with the views becoming increasingly obscured but I did find a male kestrel perched in a tree. Arriving at the quarry and there were 3 birders with massive camera lenses pointing at the bushes and as we got nearer to them 10+ ring ouzels flew out of the quarry bushes and across the valley before diving into the cover of the rowan trees, giving their distinctive "tac" calls as they went. Again they were nervous and flighty, grabbing at the rowan berries before disappearing into cover or flying down to the ground and disappearing amongst the bracken and were a mix of adults and juveniles but it was difficult to assess exact numbers as they were so flighty and the mist was hampering viewing.

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzels

Ring Ouzel

Heading back to the car and the 4+ birds I had seen earlier by the small bridge were still present so I would guess there were at least 14+ birds present in the area, it was just a shame that the views were distant and not great in the mist, the same issue I had on my visit in October 2014.

Blackbird and Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Heading home via Ashburton for lunch and the rain began to fall, at least it had been dry on our walk, and as we drove along the A38 near Smithaleigh I saw a dead barn owl by the roadside, a sad sight and one that I have seen here before a few years ago.

Ring Ouzels in The Mist and a Lesser Yellowlegs in Cornwall

Thursday 30th October and we headed off to Shipley Bridge for a walk up to the Avon Dam where there have been recent reports of ring ouzels. It was half term but a grey and cloudy day so it wasn't as busy as I expected but walking up to the Avon Dam and it became very moist and misty and dull, not great for birding, but in the gloom I did see a goldcrest amongst a feeding flock of blue tits and long tailed tits, and a nice pair of bullfinches.

A distinct call heard in the mist had me quickly searching around and I managed to just about see a ring ouzel flying in to a hawthorn bush before 3 flew out of it and off in to the mist - not great views but a year tick none the less (number 199). Walking further up the valley and the distinct call was heard again and 6 ring ouzels were seen flying up over the bracken before landing in a tree on the hillside. Eventually 2 birds flew down towards the footpath, a male and a juvenile, giving some nice views as they fed on hawthorn haws before flying back up the hillside. The birds were very mobile and flighty and vocal and joined by a few redwings and blackbirds, the most I saw at any one time were 6 but there must have been more than this present with at least 2 juveniles. Lovely birds and the most I have seen together despite the poor visibility although annoyingly the weather cleared by the time we got back to the car. 

 

Ring Ouzel, Avon Dam - photo courtesy of Devon Birds Website ( I forgot my camera!)

Saturday 1st November and I headed off to Hayle in Cornwall on the train (half the price on a Saturday compared to a week day ticket). The viaduct at Hayle is being closed for maintenance work on the 8th to 23rd November and travelling arrangements will be a lot more complicated with trains stopping and starting at Truro and so it seemed a good day to go and have a look for the recently reported lesser yellowlegs. It arrived after my visit on the 16th October (when I saw the whooper swan), having arrived after the remnants of Hurricane Gonzales swept across the Atlantic on the 20th.

It has been showing on Copperhouse Creek in Hayle, somewhere I haven't visited for ages as I usually visit the Carnsew Pool, Ryans Field and the Hayle Estuary when I go birding here. I soon found it on the incoming tide feeding with a redshank but by the time I had got my telescope set up it had flown off! I soon refound it feeding with a group of around 20 redshanks when it was surprisingly easy to lose sight of despite its smaller size, more delicate and tapered build and obviously yellow legs - my third lesser yellowlegs and year tick number 200. I had some nice scope views but with the distance and light my photos weren't that great.

 Lesser Yellowlegs (centre), Copperhouse Creek

 Lesser Yellowlegs (left)

 Lesser Yellowlegs (upper right)

 Lesser Yellowlegs (upper middle)

Lesser Yellowlegs (right)



With the tide coming in and rain forecasted for later in the day I headed off to Penzance on the train for a look around. I walked out along the seawall path which has now reopened to have a look around the Sainsburys area for the rose coloured starling but drew a blank despite it being seen daily since my visit on the 16th. I had a scan offshore in the strengthening wind and there were large numbers of gannets diving for fish, mostly adults and with a few birds quite close to shore. A few kittiwakes were also seen with herring and great black backed gulls and a Sandwich tern. A nice surprise was a male eider, presumably the male that over wintered last year, and a female common scoter with both birds close to shore and enjoying the more sheltered waters provided by the harbour quay.

Heading home and the train was delayed due to a technical fault and it was also busy with lots of families heading home after spending half term in Cornwall but at least I arrived home before the rain did.