Ring-necked Ducks, Chard Reservoir Nature Reserve 14th December 2011

Two cracking drakes found by Kevin Harris

Spotted Sandpiper, Lyme Regis, Devon

Sitting with Purple Sandpipers off the end of the Cobb (too far for photos), however good close views of Black Redstart (slightly odd looking individual with orange wash to the underside - eastern poss?) and Rock Pipit below the museum.

Snow Bunting, Seaton, Devon.

At times, too close to focus - within 18 inches at one point!

Pied Wheatear, Oldury Yacht Club, Glouscestershire

Well, just outside the three counties but a lovely little bird...

Chard Farm, 25th October

1 x male merlin hunting linnet
1 x raven
1 x 1st winter wheatear
1 x sparrowhawk
3 x buzzard
120+ linnet

Great Grey Shrike - Smeatharpe airfield

One showing well today on the old airfield - not close enough to photograph though. Seen chasing after two wheatear.

More Meds! Chard Res Nature Reserve, 16th October 2011

Two 1st winter birds present on 16th October, one photographed before and another with more dark smudging behind the eye.

Peregrine Falcon, Chard Res Nature Reserve 15th October

Juvenile female (judging by the large size of this bird), flew in and circled the SW corner of the res before landing briefly in a tree opposite the hide. Harrassed it then flew another circuit of the SW corner before departing straight out through the north end of the res.

1st Winter Med Gull, Chard Res Nature Reserve

Spoonbill at Chard Res Nature Reserve

Juv spoonbill dropped in today whilst Andy Grinter and myself were watching an adult winter med on the res - great surprise! Also 2 green sand, a kingfisher and an ssp intermedius lesser black-backed gull.

Hoopoe at Stonebarrow, Dorset 1st October 2011

Black-tailed Godwits, River Axe, Seaton, Devon

Didn't know about the semi-p which had been discovered on the other side of the river at BHM while I was taking these!!

A few more pictures

I couldn't resist going back to get a few more images of the Grey Phalarope the following day and had to snap the Sabine's again too.

Sabines Gull and Grey Phalarope at Exmouth, Devon

Juv Sabines Gull - 1 of 3 showing very well on the beach at Exmouth

Grey Phalarope - swimming with the Sabines, what a great day!

Chard Res. Nature Reserve

Quick visit between 10:15-10:45 today after the strong winds and rain - surprisingly little about.

Large flock of hirundines (circa 150 birds) including at least 25 sand martin
21 Tufted duck
50+ black headed gull
2 lesser black-backed gull
1 goldcrest

Blackhole Marsh, Seaton, Devon

Nice collection of migrant waders heading through Blackhole Marsh at the moment including:

1 curlew sand
1 little stint
3 ruff
2 knot
3 greenshank

Chard Res. Nature Reserve, 06:00

1 Kingfisher
1 Shellduck - juv
7 Cormorant
1 GS Wood
2 Buzzard
32 GC Grebe
4 Shoveler
3 Tufted duck
3 LBB Gull
50+ Herring Gull
12 BH Gull

Common Sandpipers, Chard Res

Brief visit - couple of very obliging Common Sandpipers next to the hide today.

Also 1 kingfisher, 9+ tufted duck, 1 shoveler, 2 heron, 1+ reed warbler plus all the usual suspects.

2nd Summer Glaucous Gull, Budleigh Salterton, Devon

A little further afield, the second summer Glaucous was showing very well on the beach at Budleigh - not another sole looking at it.