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Blog
19 May 2026
Out and about
The weather not the best but trying to make the most of my weeks holiday so this morning I went to Exminster Marshes solely to walk by the canal to see and hear the birds. The afternoon as it was supposed to be clearer and a bit of sun to go to Stover to see if any Dragonflies about.
Exminster was better than I expected with Swifts, Sand and House Martins and Swallows flying around the bushes and canal hawking for flies.
Around the bushes Sedge, Reed and Cettis Warblers in full song joined by Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap, Robin, Wren and Dunnock, also saw Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow. I didn't pay much attention to the fields and sure I missed stuff.
At Stover it was a bit cold and no real sign of many insects except the odd Bumble Bee.
A few Birds about with Mallard, Mallard X, Mandarin, Tufted, Widgeon, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Great, Blue and Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Dunnock, Robin, Chaffinch and Great-spotted Woodpecker.
12 May 2026
Butterflies at Giants Hill
Sunshine and some time off means its chasing Butterfly time and a trip to Dorset and Giants Hill at Cerne Abbas!
Really good session with 10 species found, good numbers of Duke of Burgundy, Marsh Frit, Dingy and Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green V. White and Holly Blue.
So with a Painted Lady I saw at work at the Warren that makes 18 so far-Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Duke of Burgundy, Marsh Fritillary, PB Fritillary, Painted Lady, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Comma, Small Copper and Holy Blue.
Met lots of nice humans as well today and got talking to a few about Small 
Tortoiseshells, apparently very few about as they have been infected with a parasite? well worth the trip!
11 May 2026
Dartmoor Birds
Had a couple of visits to Dartmoor trying to focus on the birds, plenty to see, especially from the bins but not close enough for the camera.
Lots of Swallows and House Martins about, nice to see them using the concrete nests at Challocombe Farm, also saw Redstart here as well as Willow Warbler, Bullfinch, Chiffchaff amongst the regulars.
Up the valley plenty of Wheatears but couldn't find a Whinchat which was frustrating as I know they are there as I had seen them before.
Lots of Ravens about, displays etc, a Buzzards but no other Raptors seen.
Visited Yarner, more Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers and the nesting Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers which I had a small visit, like Emsworthy with the Cuckoos iam sure it will turn into a circus!
Heard a few Cuckoos around various places as well as Skylarks, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes.
Met a few nice humans which is also a plus!
03 May 2026
Summer Migrants
Been out a few times but the weather has been against me and my camera.
Have been able though to get a few more for the list, in and around Dawlish have seen Swallow, House Martin and today a couple of Swifts from the Sainsbury car park.
Also on Dartmoor while trying to get some pics of Tree Pipit today I could hear the reeling of a Grasshopper Warbler.
So with other new ones that makes 125 species so far this year.
On the Mammal front sadly seen 2 x Hedgehogs, my first of the year and run over, also 2x grey Squirrel dead on the rd, sad start to May!
01 May 2026
Mammals for March and April
On the live front some of these are signs such as Mole hills, increase number of Rats close to where I live, 27 where running around the bins!! A wood Mouse in Yarner, 7 Fallow Deer,the joy at seeing a Badger late at night, a Fox, loads of Grey Squirrels around Yarner and Holden, 12+ Rabbits at the back of Sainsburys in Dawlish was great to see.
29 April 2026
Butterflies again
Had the afternoon off and went to the warren to see what butterflies where about, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Orange Tip and a new one for the year a Small Copper.
Thats 12 so far-Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, PB Fritillary, Comma, Small Copper and Holy Blue.
Great to catch up with Steve one of the Rangers.
27 April 2026
Butterflies
Went to Holden Friday afternoon in the sun to see if the Pearled Bordered are out and there was loads of them, great to see.
Unfortunately I bumped into a couple of other Butterfly watchers that were rude and arrogant, get them everywhere but not expecting it here!
Thats 11 so far-Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, PB Fritillary, Comma and Holy Blue.
20 April 2026
Large Red Damsel
My first Dragonfly or Damselfly of the year is a Large Red Damsel Fly at Exminster Marshes.
Also recording in my own sweet way what I see this year, hopefully many!
20 April 2026
Out and about
Over the weekend the weather was a bit changeable but managed to visit Exminster, Aylesbere and Seaton Marshes with the Grandkids.
All the usual stuff with some new Summer Migrants, Whitethroat, Sedge, Reed and Cuckoos, the Sand Martins at Seaton put on a good show but sadly no camera as too busy looking after my Grandkids.
At Aylesbere good views of Yellowhammers and Dartford Warblers, always great to see.
At Exminster in the Discovery area there was Reed, Sedge and Cettis Warblers all singing at the same time, fantastic sound!
On the Mammal front saw my first live Fox, crossing the road close to Seaton Marshes which gave the Grandkids a treat as well!
20 April 2026
Butterflies
In the sun away from any cold wind I found Butterflies, 2 new ones with Small White and Red Admiral which makes 10 seen and the list is Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood,, Comma and Holy Blue.
Managed to get a good shot of a Holly Blue this weekend with its wings open.
© Simon Thurgood 2026
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