Blog

06 May 2025

Seaton Wetlands

There had been reports of a pair of Black winged Stilts at Seaton so traveled over hoping that they had stayed which they had and since my visit it has been announced that they have been seen mating, so hopefully they will breed here.

They put on quite a show both being close and far being mobile around the whole site.

They seemed to be in close contact with the Black-tailed Godwits which were also onsite, as well as Oystercatchers, single Dunlin Curlew and Greenshank. Other birds seen were Sand Martins, Blackbird, House Sparrows, Reed Warblers, Cetti Warblers,Robin, Wood and Feral Pigeons, Carrion Crows, Magpie, Moorhen, Shelduck and Mallard.

Saw 3 Raptors, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite and Buzzard all in flight, around the river there was Black-headed, Herring and both Great and Lesser black Backed Gulls, Cormorant, Little Egret and Mute Swans.

Great to see the Sand Martins in the nest Boxes and Swifts had also been reported using their boxes as well.

Met lots of humans and all seemed happy enough, great day out!

03 May 2025

Cuckoos on Dartmor

There seems to be plenty of Cuckoos on Dartmoor this year.

I haven't been to the circus that is Emsworthy yet but might visit soon.

This bird was further into the moor and heard several more so looks like a good year.

02 May 2025

Whinchats

Went up on Dartmoor today and the Whinchats have finally arrived back on the moor, this is my 3rd visit this year looking for them and they are a bit late compared with previous years.

Good to see them, 3 in total, 2 paired up and a single male.

29 April 2025

Chasing Butterflies

Went out on all the usual places today across Dartmoor and local such as the Warren, saw plenty of Butterflies including 2 new species for this year Large White and Small Copper.

What was great to see was the number of Pearl-bordered Fritillary, this one was taken at Dunsford on the path sucking up minerals.

Plenty of White sp Butterflies and Peacocks but also seen Speckled Wood and Red Admirals but NO Small Tortoiseshells yet?

So the total so far is 11, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Copper and Comma.

20 April 2025

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Managed to get out this afternoon in some sun and went up to the Butterfly Walk at Holden, there had been some Pearl-boarded Fritillarys seen over the last couple of days.

Sure enough found them and they started to fly around me and it took some time for one to settle to get a picture and it was worth it.

That makes 9, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Comma.

08 April 2025

Out and about

While on the hunt for Butterflies found plenty of birds, my first Swallow of the year brought a smile to my face.

Plenty of Pied Wagtails about and a nice singing Siskin at Dunsford was again a nice surprise. Plenty of Skylarks, Willow Warbler, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock and Song Thrush in full song.

Plus all the usual stuff and not many humans about which was a surprise, it being Easter School holidays?

Really a great day out on Dartmoor.

08 April 2025

Chasing Butterflies

Visited a few places today on the look out for some new species for the year, visited Aish Tor, Dunsford Meadows and Holden Butterfly Walk.

While seen quite a few out in the sun, no new species, did notice a lot of work has gone into both Aish Tor and Holden, nice to see and about time, lets hope it brings some results!

06 April 2025

Butterflies makes 7

Have been looking in several places this last couple of days, sunny but a cold wind in the air. Nevertheless Ive managed a few more species.

Places visited have been RSPB Exminster and Powderham Marshes, Dunstone Meadow, Dawlish warren and a few back lanes/hedgerows.

Seen plenty of Peacocks, a few Small White, Comma, Brimstone, Orange Tip and single Green-veined White and a single Red Admiral from before.

05 April 2025

Dawlish Warren

On a visit to the Warren looking for Butterflies it was a pleasure to see a couple of favorites.

In the sun, the Dawlish Sand Crocus where out in force and great to see them.

Also in good numbers were some Cirl Buntings, 10 years ago I don't think you would have seen them here but the species has gone from strength to strength, great to see!

25 March 2025

Just managed 3

Its been hard work to get to 3 species of butterflies for this year.

Red Admiral, Peacock and Comma so far, other friends have got 5&6 but hopefully with a bit of luck with good weather and time off the number will go up

© Simon Thurgood 2025
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