Laughing Gull - Slapton Ley, Devon

Setting off at a slightly ridiculous hour, me and Carl made the 5-hour journey down to Devon today, hoping to connect with some of the long-staying rarities. The weather forecast actually didn't look too bad - some light rain in the morning followed by sun in the afternoon.

However, upon arrival at the first site, Slapton Ley, it became clear that the weather was *slightly* worse than expected! Sideways wind and driving rain greeted us at the car park at first light. Thankfully, there were plenty of gulls around - Black-Headed, Herring, Great Black-Backed, Lesser Black-Backed and even a Kittiwake. Then, another gull flew in, which even from a distance looked different. As it came nearer, it became obvious that it was the Laughing Gull. This American species looked very different to our native gulls - surprisingly long winged and more buoyant in flight. The bird showed extremely well, flying metres overhead and resting on the beach a few metres away. Unfortunately, all my images from the day were wiped by camera, which might have been something to do with the soaking it received!

Next, we moved down the road to Beesands Ley, hoping to end my poor record with American ducks with the returning Ring-Necked Duck. However, as we arrived the heavens opened and one of the heaviest downpours I can ever remember started. We scanned the small lake from the safety of the hide, but it soon became obvious that the bird wasn't there. A Great Egret was some consolation. We later found out that the Ring-Necked Duck was seen on nearby Slapton Ley in the morning.

Our next stop was Broadsands, in Labrador Bay. The south coast of Devon is the stronghold for Cirl Bunting in Britain, and at this site they are fed at the back of a gravel car park. I've seen this species a few times in Cornwall, but still enjoyed views of 6-8 birds (males and females) coming to seed along with Chaffinch and House Sparrow.

Rain followed us to Colyfold Common, and by this point I hadn't been so wet since a nightmare-inducing boat trip to Lundy last Autumn! Thankfully, the Isabelline Wheatear showed really well. Having already seen the north Wales bird last November, it wasn't a lifer but I really enjoyed watching it move around the flooded Common. Unfortunately, the Eastern Yellow Wagtail didn't show that day, clearly it had more sense than me!

Our final stop was a brief one at Shapwick Heath in Somerset, for an American Wigeon. Keeping up the trend of missing American Ducks, we weren't able to find it in the failing light amongst the hundreds of Wigeon. We did see two Marsh Harriers and plenty of ducks including Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Pochard.

Overall a really enjoyable, if slightly tiring, day - unfortunately we missed a few birds but still ended with nearly 70 species and a lifer.

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