Fowlmere - a Miscellany from Bees to Cockerel

A mixed bag of snaps from Fowlmere including a bee swarm in a willow - in fact there were two swarms in the same tree. A very confiding warbler allowed some good shots - although it didn't sing, I am sure this was a Willow Warbler with the pronounced eye stripe and supercilium and the paler legs  (compare to photo of a know Chiffchaff). I also managed a photographic glimpse of a Cetti's Warbler as it hopped around the undergrowth while the Long-tailed Tit happily displayed. As usual the only abundant birds were Grey Lag Geese with a few Canada Geese looking great among the emerging reeds and two very noisy cockerels.

 

Confusion on Warblers - Solved!!

A Bank Holiday walk around Paxton Pits this afternoon was rewarded with these great images of a warbler feeding its nestlings with a great variety of flying insects. I was sure that it was a Willow Warbler but everyone who looked said eye-stripe therefore Sedge Warbler. However, I am not convinced as there is no streaking on back or breast. I will post it on the bird ID Forum that I subscribe to so more to follow.

It is a Willow Warbler - identified on the Bird ID site.

Birds around Exeter

We went for a walk round Aylesbeare Common looking for Dartford Warblers. Very few birds around but a male Yellow Hammer performed well and also a Willow Warbler



We then went to Ladram Bay, a cove with red sandstone cliffs and standing pillars, which were dominated by Herring Gulls. One of them caught and consumed a crab watched by a hopeful pair.