Patch birding and visit to Seaton Marshes

Yesterday's patch birding turned up the 1st Redstart of the year. A stunning 1st year male along the fenceline and blackthorn hedge. This is the exact same spot where I had 2 Redstart's last year and the previous 3 years before (roughly around same dates). This is the 16th site record and a good omen for future birds on the patch. The Redstart remained very elusive concealed in the dense vegetation. Also present was a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Willow Warbler. A late evening walk yesterday evening and the Redstart was still present but very elusive. only other note was increased number of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs and a single Stock Dove on the farm.

Willow Warbler

A visit to Seaton Marshes today turned up some nice Autumn passage waders of interest. Sightings of note include 2 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 8+ Common Sandpipers, 25 Dunlin, 18 Ringed Plover, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Kingfisher, 2 Water Rail and a single Reed Warbler from the Island Hide, A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was a nice find along the Axe river late afternoon with several Great Black-backed Gulls.

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Redshank

Juvenile Ringed Plover

Little Egret taking off