31st October 2015

Arrived at Exmouth at about 11:00 this morning. Had to wait for an hour but finally had close views of the Serin, however it was almost always in under cover.

 

A really terrible picture of the Serin.

An even worse picture of the Serin showing the yellow-green rump.

A quick scan from Imperial Road produced a couple Pale-Bellied Brent Geese and a Peregrine but nothing else of interest.

25th October 2015

As we left the house this morning, I had 2 flyover Skylarks (quite a scarce bird in Yeovil). Headed to Blagdon Lake first, and after we had picked up some Permits from Woodford Lodge we went to the hide at the Top End. I couldn't pick out the temminck's stint but did have 2 Great White Egrets, a Pintail and a group of Barnacle Geese. We moved further up the lake towards Wookie Point to scan the mud but still no luck, though there were lots of Wheatear and many Jays.

We rushed off to Brean Down after the news broke of a Pallas's Warbler, which showed almost as soon as we arrived at the Farm Entrance. Although others apparently had great views, I only managed to see it when it flitted about and flew between the trees. It certainly proved itself to be a far more mobile species than Yellow-Browed! We also saw singles of Short-Eared Owl, Siskin and Blackcap, 2 Peregrines and 3 Ravens.

22nd October 2015

My luck with Yeovil Listing continued today. Had a flyover Lesser Redpoll over Thatcham Park, yet another Yeovil Tick; Commuting through this road seems to be paying off!

14th October 2015

Again, didn't do any proper birding today, but 3 calling Skylarks over Thatcham Park were an overdue Yeovil tick for me!

12th October 2015

Didn't do any birding today, but got 2 Yeovil year ticks: a Hobby over Thatcham Close midday and, surprisingly, a lone Golden Plover flew south over Larkhill late afternoon.

10th October 2015

Went back to Exmouth this morning. This time I watched from imperial road on the outgoing tide, but apparently missed the cackling goose by about 30 seconds in the bay as most of the geese flew further up the estuary! Scanning the now distant flock failed to locate it, but I did find the adult Black Brant. Eventually the whole flock flew up and moved further up the estuary out of sight. Shortly after, I scanned the Brent and Canada Geese still in the bay, and there was the RIDGWAY'S CACKLING GOOSE just in front of me! It must have flown back with some brents when the large flock flew up.

RIDGWAY'S CACKLING GOOSE

It was good to get to grips with this species first hand even though it probably isn't tickable. Further scanning produced a 1st winter Pale-Bellied Brent Goose and 5 Pintail in the bay, a Great Black-Backed Gull and a Peregrine perched on a patch of grass in the middle of the estuary.

Pale-Bellied Brent Goose

Pintail

A quick look off Topshom Quey produced little more than a Kingfisher and 2 Grey Herons.

4th October 2015

Watched Yeovil Openspace 0800 to 1100hrs. Weather and visability were rubbish, so only managed singles of Siskin and Grey Wagtail, 2 Blackcaps, 3 each of Chiffchaff and Goldcrest and 5 flyover Meadow Pipits.

2nd October 2015

Went to Exmouth this evening, but poor light and a low tide mean't we couldn't locate the ridgway's cackling goose amongst the Dark-Bellied Brent Geese. Only species of any interest was a Kingfisher.