The "Dirty" High eventually became a "Clean" one and the sun finally appeared from behind the gloom. It was mild when the sun shone and there was still very little breeze but the nights were chilly in clear skies which made for a refreshing change, it actually feels much more autumnal now.
I caught the bus out to The Plym again on Wednesday 13th November, it was a gorgeous day although I didn't head out until gone 11am. The tide was low but beginning to head in as I walked from Marsh Mills to Blaxton Meadow and I noted a Common Sandpiper and 5 Little Grebe along the way.
It was pretty much empty of birds on Blaxton Meadow on the low tide and there was no sign of the 5 Brent Geese from Monday (although they had still been present on the Tuesday) so I headed up to Saltram House to look for the Black Redstart.
I had remembered to take my National Trust membership card with me this time and so was able to enter the gardens, I set myself up in position in front of the house and scanned the rooftops where I quickly picked up the Black Redstart dashing about after insects in the warm sunshine. I enjoyed some nice views of it and was very surprised when it was joined by another bird although they were not happy about the other one being nearby and regularly chased after each other. A few Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail were also chasing after insects across the rooftops too but they seemed to tolerate the Black Redstarts presence.
It was business as usual elsewhere around the Park with a Green Woodpecker, a Jay, 3 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 2 Stonechat, a Stock Dove and a Coal Tit of note. A Rabbit, a Grey Squirrel and 3 Roe Deer were also seen but despite the warm conditions no butterflies were found this time. There was also no sign of the Wood Duck on the duck pond either.
I then headed back to Blaxton Meadow for the incoming tide, the water levels were rising and birds were coming in to roost. The 5 Brent Geese were now present out on the Meadow and were busily feeding away and never staying still for very long. Again they were noticeably more wary when they saw any dogs nearby and at one point flew out onto the river before returning to feed on the Meadow.
Also of note here were a pair of Wigeon, 43 Curlew (with the yellow leg-flag bird present among them), 19 Dunlin, 9 Greenshank and 4 Common Gull amongst all the usual birds present.
It was back to the clag on Thursday 14th November, I had planned to catch the 7:07am bus to Wembury for a walk but it left early and I missed it despite being at the bus stop a few minutes earlier than it's scheduled time! Instead we headed up to Burrator Reservoir for a walk, it was cool, overcast but dry and it wasn't too busy either, maybe the clag was keeping people away.
Not much was seen on our walk around the reservoir but the highlight were Crossbills heard calling in the top of the pine trees with some nice views had of an immature male bird when it briefly flew into the top of a bare tree before flying back into the pines.
Siskins were also heard along with a Green and a Great Spotted Woodpecker and the resident White Goose was seen hanging out with 17 Canada Geese before we headed back to Yelverton for a Dartmoor Swirl and a coffee for lunch.
I headed out to Wembury on Friday 15th November on what was again a beautiful sunny day. I caught the 7:07am bus, this time I was at the bus stop earlier than yesterday but I only just caught it! I asked the driver if the timetable had changed and he confirmed it had, the bus now leaves Royal Parade at 7:00am and not 7:05am although the Citybus website hasn't been updated since the timetable changed on the 4th of November!
On arriving at Wembury I walked down to the church and managed to pick out a Firecrest, Great Tits, a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, Blue Tits and 3 Long-tailed Tits feeding in the gardens along the way. The views were poor though in the gloomy half-light and they were very active and mobile amongst the branches of the bushes hampering viewing.
From the church there was very little to see other than a flock of around 100 Starling flying west. A few Woodpigeon, Chaffinch and Skylark flew over too but again seemingly local birds and not migrating ones.
Offshore a few Gannets were picked up along with 8 Kittiwake but the views were distant. Cormorants, Herring Gulls, Shags and Great Black-backed Gulls showed a bit closer to shore and there was just 1 Black-headed Gull along the beach with Mallards, Oystercatchers, a Little Egret and 2 Curlew.
Around 8 mobile and flighty Turnstone were feeding amongst the rocks on the dropping tide and amongst them was a very nice Purple Sandpiper which I nearly overlooked as it slept amongst the rocks before it woke up and joined them to feed. Eventually they all flew off further out on to the rocks and I lost track of them all.
The Mistle Thrush was seen again in flight at The Point, Cirl Buntings, Stonechats and Linnets showed well along the coast path, a Grey Wagtail was seen along the beach with Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Rock Pipits, 3 Stock Dove flew over heading west, 3 Feral Pigeons flew over heading east and a Kestrel hovered overhead. A Coal Tit and 3 Song Thrush were also of note and at least 4 flitty Red Admiral were enjoying the sunshine and the last of the Ivy flowers.
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