One of the biggest problems with being a skint birder is that you can't travel anywhere to find new birds to report or comment on. Without the money for a car, even popping across to the Exe Estuary becomes a major expedition involving several buses or trains and more time spent travelling than birding. Thus, it befalls the birder bereft of money to either be very quiet on social media or to repeatedly mention the same overwintering birds which have been present on his doorstep for months now.
Therefore, I can confirm that the 4 Cattle Egrets which have been passing over Colyton at dusk as per usual are my biggest birding thrill so far this year. I did take a walk along to Seaton Hole for the male Black Redstart one day - and I don't want to devalue a beautiful bird - but we did have quite a few in the Autumn and, anyway, I didn't find this one and had already seen many photographs of it. So I knew exactly what to expect. Which spoils my fun a little these days (I suppose I'm becoming a grumpy old birder; sorry about that).
On a more positive note, a nice surprise this week was the intervention of Mike Hill who saw me at the bus stop, took pity on me and gave me a lift as far as Hillymead. Cheers, Mike & Cherry! As I was right by the entrance to Seaton Marshes there it would've been rude not to visit the hide on my way into town, wouldn't it? Well, that's my opinion so I re-acquainted myself with the Bar-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank and a couple of Dunlin from there. As I've recently been to Specsavers I also saw Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, Curlews, Oystercatchers and a Stonechat. The seafront has produced Common Scoter, GC Grebes, Gannets and a Razorbill.
Apart from the usual raptor species and riverine birds, I suppose that's about it for 2020 so far. If I can find my way to a spot where anything more interesting occurs, I may post again soon. Otherwise, it could be a month or two! Roll on Spring, eh?
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