Snow Buntings at Budleigh Salterton

I get a message that there are two Snow Buntings on Budleigh Salterton beach. I’ve never seen them before so I’d love to see them and get some photographs if the weather is good.

They’re hidden in the deep pebbles of the spit at the end of the beach. They’re such delightful birds.

We’re in a small crowd of people. There are birders, who have come to observe and marvel at a natural wonder, a tiny bird which has flown from the Arctic Circle to spend our winter in less bitter weather. They’re content to sit and enjoy their company, with views through their scopes and high-powered binoculars. Their conversation is all about when they last had a record of them, what sex and age they might be, and the beauty of their plumage and habits.

Then there are photographers, intent on getting the best photo possible for their social media channels, dedicated to getting as close as possible and potentially disturbing the birds’ natural behaviour just for ‘that shot’. Their conversation is about consumer equipment, lens length, trading in and grey imports.

Then there are members of the public, small family groups and dog walkers who wonder what is going on and are thrilled to see something unusual and full of questions of people with scopes, binoculars and cameras with long lenses.

As someone who counts himself as a birder with a camera I don’t quite fit in the groups. I have no interest in discussing consumer equipment with bird photographers while I’m out in nature. And the last thing I want to do is disturb birds which have flown such a distance and are clearly hungry and in need of refuelling. I stick to the path, hide myself behind some vegetation, use the longest lens I have and wait in case they come to me.

And they do.

Lovely, aren’t they?

I’m watching this one intently and curious about its behaviour. It’s glancing skywards and hopping in a more agitated way. It’s only later when a fellow birder asks me whether I saw the Kestrel hovering that I understand why.

They are fast when they decide to skip from one nook and cranny containing minute seeds to another.

They also like to have a quick wing stretch on the pebbles which shows their white wings beautifully.

I’m delighted with my photographs from lying on the pebbles at a distance.

They’ve been a pleasure to witness. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing them with me, virtually.

More Snow Buntings