In my role as another set of eyes I accompanied Graham to a surprisingly sunny and pleasant Brixham for a days birding. Well it's something to do until the return of the Dragon!
I usually operate inland so under Graham's patient tutelage I am getting better with these birds but the coastal mob defeat me. I thought Dragons & Damsels could be awkward to tell apart but Gulls and Divers are in a different league!
The downside to the better weather was that the various rare Divers had mostly left the sheltered harbour and headed out to sea. We resorted to our usual plan - luck!
Whilst answering a call of nature away from the prying eyes of the numerous scopes on the breakwater I noticed a bird out in the surf and drew Graham's attention to it and after much scoping it was revealed as the Slavonian Grebe. I then followed that up shortly afterwards with a request along the lines of "What is that scruffy looking black and white bird over there" it was a Black Guillemot and Graham commented "You will probably never see another one." this is true and even if I did I probably would not recognise it again!
In all my notebook reveals a total of 24 birds including several lifers and a better understanding of what I am looking at.
Nice surroundings, good weather, a hot peppery pasty and a patient tutor, all in all a good day.
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