Ahh a day off. I took my boy to Little Bradley Ponds near Bovey Tracey this afternoon. As you can see the weather was with us.

A single Mallard slept on the jetty as Great Tits, Longtailed and blues called and sang. The bullrushes were split open and the boy loved pulling the seeds out and throwing them in the air, the wind carried them across the pond and they glowed like stars as they went. On the far end i disturbed a couple of Redwing, I waited ages and traveled miles to find one and they are on my doorstep!

As I turned the car around I noticed a Buzzard in a nearby tree, good views.

AM

Well how cold was it this morning, as I left the house today it was 1.5c. Even with my new gloves on it was Baltic. I didn't have much time so I went down to Passage House to see what was around.

As soon as I got out of the car I could hear a Reed Bunting calling in the reeds opposite and manage to get a few snaps in between the shivering of hands. I scanned the gulls but only found Blackheads, Common, Greater Black Back and Herrings.

I decided to have a walk along the tow path towards the A380 flyover and spotted a Stonechat on the other bank, flying and landing on a dumped chair( AHHHHHH ). I don't know why but I looked behind me and saw a mid size white duck flying my way and from GISS I id'd it as an adult male Eider, which was odd cos I have never seen one this far up river. Now I see these duck alot at the warren so I'm pretty confident with the id.

I then packed up and made my way to where I thought it was heading. But I couldn't find it.

PM

I had a quick look in again at the Passage. I only found 4 Redshanks but around 50+ Pied Wagtails flying into roost in the reeds. Great common bird.

Well it seem to be getting lighter earlier this time of year, when Iwoke up at 0700 the sky was just waking up. I drove to the warren and walked down through the car park which I don't normally do, I would usually go to Langstone. When I got to the entrance of the reserve a number of Long Tailed Tits were feeding on bugs on one of the signs, it was nice to watch. In the trees a Song Thrush was singing it heart out but no-one replied.

As I walked to the main pond a Greater Spotted Woodpecker called and flew passed me, this is not a common bird at the warren so it was nice to see. On the pond 4 Canada geese were noisily sitting on the water. It was lovely and sunny and I thought something (Firecrest) might be in the trees around the pond but again nothing. From the back of the pond I looked over the railway salt marsh and counted 82 Redshank and there was also lots of gulls but they were on the water so I was unable to id any med gulls:(

I knew that a Cetti's Warbler around Greenland lake, as I heard one on Sunday. At last it showed:) I carried on walking towards the rune ridge to see the bight and the sea. I didn't get any time to look at the sea because there was so many birds in the bight. Icounted 54 ringed plovers, 300+ Grey Plover and 1000+ Dunlin. I also found an Avocet in the bight, see photo. There was also a Whimbrel feeding, my first for the year, with Blackwits.

I had a quick look on the beach and found a oiled Blackhead, cleaning itself. the poor thing probably won't make it. I learnt that once ingestested it will burn from the inside out. As I faced out to sea, one of the coastguards spotter planes flew over very low, trying to see the pollution from the Napoli. In the marrum grass Skylarks were calling and flying up into the air, hoovering and singing. If there is any bird that reminds me on summer days, it's this one:)

Well I had to get to work so I walked back along by the dune pond and heard a call that I know and love, a male Stonchat was sat on a gorse bush trying to guide me toward it and away from his old lady. I watched for a minute or 2 and got my scope on him( pretty bird). They both flew off but something else was in the bush......... a Dartford warbler (yes). I didn't get one on site last year so this was a bonus.

Well as you can guess I was very happy and left site with a grin on my face.