My very good birding mate and partner in crime Steve Bool and myself haven't been on a road trip in a while, so when Steve discovered that a Wryneck had turned up in Devon we both decided to get down there to take a look.
The Wryneck has bred in Scotland in open park like woodland but with hardly any records in recent years it's now considered a rare passage migrant. The Wryneck gets it's name because of the birds ability to twist it's neck around and it's cryptic plumage is like tree bark which can make it look virtually invisible whilst at rest in a tree. Another non interesting fact is that Steve and myself have never seen one so this would be a lifer for both of us.
This particular bird had already been there for three days so we were feeling a bit anxious hoping that it would still be there. After setting off at 5am we arrived at an area where the bird had been reported called Turf Locke at about 7.20am. A stunning location with a canal that ran opposite an estuary with mudflats and a beautiful pub.
There were a few birders already there and when one of them told us it was showing really well on the floor near the pub we were both relieved and excited. Walking to where the birders were gathered we spotted it there it was our first Wryneck it had only taken us 61 years to see one but it was well worth it "what a bird".
![]() |
our first wryneck |
I started taking pictures and Steve set up his scope to get some video footage.
![]() |
what a bird |
Here's one of Steve's video clips of the Wryneck.
The bird Started moving around the location but still staying fairly close giving me a good chance of getting photographs of the bird on different perches in between it going to the floor to feed.
Here's another of Steve's excellent video clips.
After spending some time with the Wryneck we decided to take a look at what else was about.
![]() |
black tailed godwit |
![]() |
and another |
![]() |
redshank |
At the side of the canal in the reeds we could hear Cettis Warblers calling but no picture I'm afraid.
All in all an excellent trip to see what maybe (who knows) the only Wryneck we’ll ever see. Taken a long time but worth every minute.
ReplyDelete