Blog

03 October 2025

Lanacombe beach

Down south again on some personal stuff and paid a visit to Lannacombe Beach which I have often said is one of my favorites.

Plenty of Mermaid purses, several Nursehound egg cases also Spotted Ray, Thornback and Small-eyed Ray.

Some nice variety of Seaweed, not a subject I know a lot about but some great colours, only otherthing was Cuttlefish Bones and no shells to speak of.

Nice a quiet as I was the only human there.

30 September 2025

Dartmoor

Went up on Dartmoor today having a couple of hours free and the weather was looking good, lots of others seemed to have agreed with me as there was walking and cycling groups everywhere and looking like all seniors so not sure if it was some event?

Anyway back to the wildlife with good selection of birds, lots of Pied Wagtails, Chaffinch and Starlings with Buzzard, Meadow Pipit, Magpies, Jackdaws, Raven, Carrion Crows, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Great and Blue Tits and Woodpigeon.

23 September 2025

Out and about

Obvious Autumn is here, Fungi appearing as well as berries, nuts and brown leaves.

Not seen any Swallows, Martins or Swifts in a while although the odd one has been seen by others.

Ospreys are moving through, Waders are turning Grey and the feel that winter is coming, looking forward to it, especially as my work rota has been re organized freeing up more time, looking forward to the odd storm and doing more beachcombing, happy days!

20 September 2025

South Devon

Went down to South Devon to see a few people and managed to visit a few places inbetween.

First stop was one of my favourate beaches, Lannacombe which faces south. Always a good place to pick up Egg cases and today was no different with some good examples of Nursehound.

Had a quick look around both Beesands and Slapton Leys, not that much to see, shocked about how much Reeds have been allowed to grow, not sure who supposed to deal with that but they need to do something! pics to follow

19 September 2025

Powderham to Turf

Walked up to Turf from Powderham this afternoon, few hours off, the sun shining and there had been some good sightings here this last couple of days.

The tide was right out on my upward journey but was on the turn so on my downward journey hopefully the waders would be closer, on the upward journey there was 4 Juv/female Wheatears on the sea wall, probably feeding up before the journey south. Plenty of other small birds around such as Pied Wagtails, Rock Pipit, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Robin and Wren.

Didn't see anything rare as such but plenty of things to see, Godwits, Curlew, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Oystercatchers, Red and Greenshanks, Little Egrets, Grey Heron, Cormorants, Black and Mute Swans, All the usual Gulls and a Osprey in the distance that I could see in my bins.

Lots of nice humans around with the exception of one know it all birder!

16 September 2025

Dartmoor

All the usual stuff about but noticeable difference in temperature here compared with Dawlish, defiantly a lot colder!

Plenty of berries about and leaves falling.

Also notable birds starting to flock such as Chaffinch, Starling and Pied Wagtail.

Must admit looking forward to winter and what it will bring.

11 September 2025

Bowling Green Marsh

Went today to catch the early high tide, quiet at first with me and just one other until the Exeter Birding group turned up and the hide was full, glad I got there early!

Unfortunately the sun was in your eyes and making photography difficult as it was just silhouettes.

Did see some good stuff though with Curlew, Godwits, Knot, Ruff, Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshanks, Lapwing and a surprise for here a Turnstone!

Other water birds, the usual Gulls, Teal, Widgeon, Shoveler, Mallard, Grey heron, Little Egret, Moorhen, Shelduck, Canada Geese,, Sand Martins.

Other birds, Wood pigeon, Stock Dove, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Robin, Blue Tit and on leaving a Sparrowhawk completed a good morning out. pics to come

09 September 2025

Powderham to Turf

I had a bit of time this morning and decided to walk up to Turf, the timing wasnt great because the tide was in and very high so no mud banks available in the time i was here.

There was though a few waders on the sea wall but always being moved on by humans walking the footpath, in these small groups of birds there was Dunlin, Ringed Plover and a Little Stint, plenty of the usual Gulls, Cormorants, Mute Swans and I heard a Tern but couldn't see it.

There was also a large flock 100+ birds of Starlings enjoying the Blackberries.

Also here there was guys doing drilling, apparently they are going to move the sea wall and allow the fields to flood?

06 September 2025

Yarner and Dartmoor

Started off today at Yarner to see if the feeders were up but no, a bit early.

Some action on the Reservoir with lots of female ducks, mainly Mallard but a couple of Mandarin.

Not many other birds seen, Blackbird, Woodpigeon Wren, Robin and a Spotted Flycatcher which was nice to see.

Autumn coming with Berries and nuts about as well as a few Butterflies in the sun such as red Admiral and Large White. Noticed the wardens had been hard at work and plenty of Bat and Rodent nest Boxes.

Usual route around Dartmoor and all the usual stuff with Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Raven, Magpie, Rook, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Robin, Chaffinch, Buzzard, Kestrel and groups of House Martins and Swallows hawking close to trees and water.

04 September 2025

Bat Detector

Yesterday after work I went to the RSPB shop at Darts Farm and bought a Bat Detector, its a Magenta Bat5 and cost me £120 not including batteries, 4 x AAA, another £14 but think its going to be worth it!

I went to the rd by Powderham at dawn and could already see some Bats flying, I got a range of Frequency's but after chatting with some people who know more than me I need to get sound right, so clearly need to learn more and get out to keep trying. Must admit I enjoyed it!

Also could hear other stuff like Owls so plenty to look into.

Sunday 7th I went back to Powderham for several reasons, one being trying out the detector along the footpath by the River Kenn which was successful, got some good call of Pips flying around. Probably the last time for a while as the weather looks crap and the Bats staying in the warm and dont blame them!

© Simon Thurgood 2025
Images on this website may not be put as any part of any collection without any prior written permission.