Blog

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.

03 March 2026

Yarner Woods

Went for a walk around Yarner today, nice and fresh, no rain but still a bit overcast, warm enough not to wear a coat but not for any Butterflies or Bees to be out.

Went to see if any Woodpeckers about, Yarner has all 3 species to the UK but I didn't see or hear any of them which was a surprise. Also surprised to see the feeders still up and full of feed but very few birds about them.

Did see quite a few birds in the trees including a new one for the year a few Redpoll also Blue, Coal, Great, Long-tailed and Marsh Tits, Robin, Blackbirds, Chaffinch and quite a few Goldcrests. A pair of Mallards on the lake. Raven and Buzzard overhead as well as flyover Herring Gulls and Woodpigeon. No wild flowers at all that I could see but a few on Tremblebere.

Plenty of Grey Squirrels about a Wood Mouse with a obvious death wish out in the open on the path.

Met a few nice humans so a good session.

24 February 2026

Dawlish Warren

Went to the Warren today as it wasn't raining and the tide was on its way out, part was to se the damage caused by the storms which was a lot and quite shocking, I haven't been here in a while and was really shocked.

The other reason was to collect some shells for my Grandkids to see and as you can see by the picture there was a lot and they both enjoyed going through them.

23 February 2026

Out and about

Had a good few days out and about, Aylsbere, Dunsford Woods, Yarner, Dartmoor and Dawlish Beach.

The weather at times wasn't the best but other times when the sun came out brought some warmth and my first Butterflies and Bumble Bees. Plenty signs of Spring with Catkins and Wild Daffodils at Dunsford.

A bit of frustration with birds seen and heard but at a distance such as Yellowhammers at Alysbere, a Dartford Warbler just sat up in front of me and down as again as quick, no time for a pic.

Also frustration at Dunsford with all the dogs running around, nobody takes any notice of the signs and nobody to police it.

Lots of good stuff though watching a pair of Treecreepers in my bins at Dunsford and Crossbills at Aylsebere, listening to a Dipper calling at Dunsford on the river and finding loads of stuff on the beach such as Mermaids Purses, Shells and Worms was very worthwhile.

Seen plenty of Squirrels both dead and alive, sadly another dead Badger, plenty of Rabbit signs, poo and digging, Mole hills in several places.

With new species such as Linnet, Green Woodpecker, Dunsford Warbler, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Crossbill and Yellowhammer seen this weekend the numbers are up to 102.

22 February 2026

My first Butterflies of the year

While at Dusford Woods entrance I noticed 2 Brimstones in the copse opposite, that cheered me up after all this rain.

Last year was the worst year for me with Butterflies and hopefully its going to be better this year!

17 February 2026

Stover

Went to Stover today, it had actually stopped raining and there had been some sightings of Gooseanders and I was also hoping to see some Mandarin Ducks which had been absent for a while.

On my arrival and walking to the Lakes edge, loads of kids,families etc and realised it was half term so thought this should be fun but to be honest all the humans I met and talked to where lovely!

All the feeding had brought in Mallards, Mallard X, Tufted, Mute Swans, Moorhen and Coots. No sign of any Mandarin's at this point but you could see the Gooseanders x3 sat asleep in the middle of the lake, I walked around trying to get a better view and managed to get some sort of picture from the hide.

Walking around plenty to see as everyone was feeding the birds with Robin, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Woodpigeon, Great, Blue and Coal Tits and a GSW I didn't look at the feeding station as it was packed with humans, on the lake did see some Widgeon, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Canada Geese, Herring, Black-headed and a single Lesser-black Backed Gull.

Bumped into a couple of Warders who said they had seen 1x Mandarin at the back of the Island, in the winter if the water Ices over they fly over the rd to Trago to the ponds there which apparently don't Ice over?

So I went back and looked and there they were 4 stunning males in amongst the undergrowth, unfortunately I was unable to get a decent pick but great to see!

16 February 2026

Out and about

This last week or two have tried to get out but the weather has defeated me on several occasions.

Wanted to get down on the beach after storms but life has got in the way, when I did get down to Dawlish beach I found several Egg casings from Snails and Rays, Spotted, Thornback and Undulated Rays. Shame I could get down more.

Did a visit to Exminster Marshes and with wellies on walked to the Discovery area, with the sun out plenty of Bird Song, great to hear 2 new ones for the year with Cettis Warbler and Skylarks.The rest of the Marshes was flooded with the rd to Turfs closed due to the water, hopefully will we able to get down there soon.

Unfortunately come across more dead Mammals by the road with Badger, Fallow Deer and Grey Squirrel. On the live front a new one for the year with what looking like a Bank Vole run in front of the car, Fallow Deer and a few Squirrel.

03 February 2026

Brixham Harbour

Managed a visit to Brixham Harbour today after a night shift and in between the showers.

An hour well spent with 50+ Great-northern Divers, Black-throated Diver, Shags, Cormorants, Mute Swans, Herring, Caspian, Great-blacked Backed and Black-headed Gulls.

Plenty of Grey Seals laid up and swimming.

Plenty of humans about, a few bird watching and a few interested spectators asking questions, all pleasant and in good cheer!

Numbers slowly creeping up! Now at 91

31 January 2026

Cattle Egrets

With this wet weather the marsh area behind Cockwood Harbour flooded and last Tuesday the over wintering Cattle Egrets, over 100 of them were in this area, also Grey Heron, Mallard and the Electric Blue of a Kingfisher, fantastic sight, all of it.

Also seen this week while out in the work car a flock of Goldfinches and a covey of 8 Red-legged Partridge which was nice to see.

On the Mammal front more dead animals on the road, as fast as they clean them up more appear, 1 x Fox, 3x Fallow Deer and numerous Grey Squirrels. On the live front seen a couple of small herds of Fallow Deer probably totaling 30 animals around Holden, lots of Squirrels and 3 x Rabbits at the back of Sainsburys which was nice to watch!

25 January 2026

Stormy weather

This last couple of days the weather has not been the best for bird watching and photography. I have this week off and planning to get out and visit places but this last couple of days its been a waist of time because of Storm Ingrid.

After doing the school run with my grandkids I went to Labrador Bay and Aylesbeare Common. Looking for Cirl Buntings and Dartford Warbler, well I found some Cirl Buntings but no Dartfords.

Did get lucky after seeing a notification that Little Gulls were at Teignmouth and for once in my life I was in the right place without any planning!

There was a few in the surf with Black-headed and Herring Gulls as well as a Juvenile Kittiwake. Had difficulty getting a picture as the camera kept focusing on the waves but out of about 50 managed 1 in full focus.

Sadly back to work tomorrow and the weather is bound to be better!

Now up to 86

© Simon Thurgood 2026
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