Local Birds in January...part 1

The 'Three Counties' area has had some good birds already this year and Dave Helliar has been making the most of his time in seeing them plus some of the more regular but good-to-see species too.

First up, the recent Cattle egret near Chard - Dave got this excellent photo of it in perfect light.

Cattle Egret nr Chard

This first group were all from 3 January in Devon.

Barnacle Goose, Exminster Marsh, Devon

Bonaparte's Gull, Exmouth, Devon
This adult has been returning for several years now
though much more difficult to catch up with these days.

Common Snipe, Goosemoor, Topsham

American Wigeon,, Matford Pools, Exeter

From 5 January we have the Rose-coloured Starling that has been around the Weymouth/Dorchester area for some time now.

Rose-coloured Starling, Dorchester

Rose-coloured Starling, Dorchester

Bearded Reedling, Radipole Lake, Weymouth

Bearded Reedling, Radipole Lake, Weymouth

Eider, Portland Harbour

 And finally from 14 January...

Dipper, Somerset

Mediterranean Gull

Waxwings - part of a group of nine near Topsham, Devon

Waxwing, Topsham, Devon

Thanks to Dave for supplying his photos and the month isn't over yet. Hoping for some waxwings even closer to home, like this one just outside my house from 2013.