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Blog
10 April 2026
Dartmoor
The weather not really Butterfly chasing weather as it was cold and windy so I went up on Dartmoor to look for some summer migrants that had started to arrive.
First stop was a early call to Yarner that didn't disappoint, then to Emsmorthy, Soussons and around Challacombe Farm and around the roads in between.
Glad I went early to Yarner, so much bird song, birds in the tops of trees that needed my bins, plenty to see but frustratingly mobile and too distant for a pic, several Pied Flycatchers and a couple of Redstarts, Blue, Great, Coal and Marsh Tits, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wren, Nuthatch, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, GSWoodpecker, Woodpigeon,Siskin, Goldcrest and Chaffinch.I popped over the road to Tremblebere to see both Raven and Buzzard with a Willow Warbler in the bushes, great to hear!
Emsworthy which was bloody cold in the wind but still managed to see M&F Redstarts, very mobile and not hanging around, really difficult to get a shot.
On route to Soussons a few Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, a couple of Bullfinch, House Sparrows, Jackdaws, Raven, Carrion Crows, Woodpigeons and Stock Doves.
Not a lot at Soussons, no sign of Crossbills and not much at Challacombe except a couple of Wheatear along the road with Stonechats.
Cold but good day! Bird count up to 114.
On the mammal front sadly 1 dead Fallow Deer and 2 Grey Squirrel with numerous live squirrels, I noted a couple collecting nest material at Yarner.
07 April 2026
Butterflies
Although the weather has been changeable Ive had a good couple of days with the Butterflies, especially around both Powderham and Exminster Marshes.
Plenty of Peacocks around and some now looking a little worn.
New ones are Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Large White, Green-veined White (coupling) and Orange tip, with the already seen Brimstone, Comma and Peacock makes 8 species seen.
This is up on last year at this time which shouldn't be surprising as it was awful this time last year.
Did meet lots of nice humans about, must because of the sunshine!
31 March 2026
Birds
Went to Holden as there had been several Yellowhammers at the feeders and sure enough there they were also a female Brambling which was another new one which was a nice treat!
Also seen countless Siskin, Great, Blue and Coal Tits, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin and all the other usual stuff.
Went to Powderham Marshes looking for Butterflies and saw a few Chiffchaff, Wren, Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Grey heron to name a few, still not seen any Swallow yet.
31 March 2026
Butterflies
28 March 2026
Merlin
Heard a Merlin had been around Exminster Marshes for a few days, seen close to the corners but when I went last evening no sign so back to the car.
On the way back just checking the Pylons for the Peregrines and noticed a small falcon, sure enough a Merlin!
Didn't stay that long before dropping down and flying off at ground level away from me.
That makes the bird count 107
On the Mammal front saw my first live Badger in nearly 2 years, coming home late and one on the verge close to Dawlish, it scurried off when I slowed down to watch, fantastic sight!
Sadly one also dead since my last count as well as a couple of Grey Squirrels.
27 March 2026
Seaton Wetlands
Went over to Seaton Wetlands to have a look around, heard the Sand Martins had arrived as well as 4 x Avocets might be here for the summer.
Well the weather was not summer, drizzle and damp, no good for photos but plenty to see.
The Martins were there, hawking around the edge of trees, pointless getting the camera out but great to watch.
The Avocets were on the main lagoon with Shield Duck, Teal, Mallard, Godwits, Oystercatchers and Curlew. Also seen were Herring, Black -headed, lesser and Great blacked Backed Gulls, Gadwall, Redshank, Carrion Crows, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits, Wren and Magpie.
Lots of flowers starting to come out, regardless of the weather spring is here!
Met lots of nice humans which was a bonus!
22 March 2026
Out and about
Had a few days off and its sun shining! Been about, mostly on Dartmoor looking and trying to get some pics of Wheatear, I first saw them Friday in the valley just up from Challacombe Farm by the rd but it wasn't until early Sunday morning that I managed to get a pic.
Also looking out for Martins and Swallows as they had been seen but no sighting by me as yet.
On the Mammal front 3 dead Badgers since my last write up as well as 2Grey Squirrels and a Rat, on the live front 1x Fallow Deer, loads of Grey Squirrels and plenty of Mole action with fresh tunnels showing crossing footpaths.
21 March 2026
3 Up
Yesterday, the sun was shinning and the butterflies where out, lots Brimstone, Comma and Peacocks, great to see!
17 March 2026
Out and about
Been out quite a bit, to LORP, Dartmoor and around the area driving through work etc, nothing new on the bird front except for a sleeping Spoonbill at LORP, been up on Dartmoor looking for early migrants such as Wheatear but none seen as yet but wont be long. All the winter thrushes have gone and even the moor is starting to move into Spring/Summer.
Driving around on the roads has been depressing on the Mammal front, the dead get moved quickly but seen 2x Fox, 3x Badger, 2 x Rabbit, 1 x Hare and numerous Grey Squirrels dead and a Wood Mouse, loads of Grey Squirrels and Rabbits, Mole Hills and signs of Deer but no live or dead ones, could be to do with the lighter evenings?
04 March 2026
Mammals for January and Febuary
Since keeping note of sightings both dead and alive its quite depressing, still only seen dead Badger and Fox with 5 dead Badger, 2 Fox, 12 Fallow Deer, 1 Roe Deer, 5 Grey Squirrel and 1 Rabbit.
On the Alive front, countless Fallow Deer, Grey Squirrels, Rabbits running around and signs of, 20+ Grey Seals at Brixham, Mole Hills and a Bank Vole.
All the deer both alive and dead seen around Holden Forest area.
© Simon Thurgood 2026
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