Another Glossy Ibis on patch is something I've been expecting for a while given the number that have been in the UK over the last few weeks, so it was nice to hear that Viv had spotted 3 on Friday 14th. I popped down as quickly as possible but missed them by 2 minutes; apparently they'd flown high and west, normally a bad sign here.
However, roll on the following morning and I got another chance as Bun spotted 3 on Bridge Marsh! I hurried down but again they weren't there, but I did later see them distantly in flight, and then tracked them down to a field north of Bridge Marsh & the A3052. Not particularly close (they gave spectacular views both before and after, I hear), but great to see nonetheless. I also had a Greylag Goose on Bridge Marsh, my first of the year.
Here's a pic of 2 of the 3 ibises, at a range of 150-200ft, so not too bad.
Sunday 16th arrives and I popped down to Seaton Marshes for a look around and sure enough the 3 Glossy Ibises were still there. A bit later I spotted another one flying in from the south, and after double checking the other 3 were all still together, could confirm that this was indeed a 4th bird.
Also of note were 2 Red Kites low over Colyton on Friday 14th, my first January sightings on patch as far as I can remember.
More pics as well as some video of the ibises to come once I've had time to sort them out!
The strong start to the year continues! The 3 White-fronted Geese were still present on the 3rd, and I had a couple of Cattle Egrets on the estuary briefly before they flew north. It was nice to see a Brent Goose on Bridge Marsh on the 7th as well.
The first week in January also provided some clear skies, albeit briefly. Still, I made the most of them. Images taken with my wildlife camera gear and a tracking mount. No fancy astro cameras, no telescopes (yet).
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| Horsehead & Flame Nebulae |
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| Messier 33 |
What a fantastic start to the year for patch birding! Both getting out in nature and spending time at home over the last few days has really put perspective on things that I SHOULD be doing. I'm determined to work less this year. If I stop work now, I've done more hours than a 50 year old working in full-time employment since they were 18. This is at 30 years old. Genuinely, no exaggeration. To say I have been drained both mentally and physically is an understatement. Cue the violins...
An afternoon trip to Seaton Marshes was very productive, with a Pochard and Tufted Duck being watched by Phil Abbott when I arrived. Bun found them earlier in the day apparently! This is the 1st Pochard that's been here at a time when I wasn't working (violins again), so I was pleased to finally see one locally. Also locally scarce but not really a surprise given the numbers about at the moment were 3 White-fronted Geese on Bridge Marsh.
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| Pochard and Tufted Duck |
A rare, brief & somewhat uninspiring blog post! I'd love to say this is the beginning of a resurgence of this blog, but the chances are slim... I have a lot to post from 2021 but that will more than likely stay on the hard drives!
It was nice to get out on patch for a few hours this afternoon. Not much of interest seen, but it was relieving to be back out with the bins and camera after an extremely testing 2021.
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| Pintail at Seaton Marshes 01-01-2022 |
And what absolutely stonkers they were! I've seen quite a few Cattle Egrets now, 15 ish on patch in the last 12 months alone without making any specific effort for them or going to see any found by anyone else. These most recent 2 were definitely the best looking though, both in full breeding plumage.
27th May
This post is primarily just a diary entry so I can easily find the info again later! There would have been many more Red Kites than this but my viewing area was poor for an hour or so after seeing the first ones, until I was able to move. A few passed over Colyton but most seemed to follow the usual route over Colyford/Seaton.
An evening visit to Seaton yielded my only Osprey of the year (so far), shortly followed by 3 Cattle Egrets which flew high for a while before landing on Sheep's Marsh.
