Blog

26 August 2025

Hiya

Hi all, been away from here in a while, nothing wrong other than trying to sort my computer out and trying to make a decision about this computer. Should I fix the problem and upgrade it or buy a new one?

I took it to Teign Geeks, they said it needed a new RAM and a total bill to upgrade to windows 11 would cost £110, defiantly cheaper than a new one and I wouldn't have to transfer everything, no brainer!

There has been an issue with the picture library as the 11 does it different so still getting my head around that!

I have still been going out, on Dartmoor a lot, along the River Otter looking for Beaver, plenty of signs but no actual sightings and tonight down by the Brook looking for Bats for the Devon Survey coming up, sadly only saw one and not sure what it was, there used to be loads here!

29 July 2025

Dunsford Woods

After a night shift I went for a nice walk along the River Teign at Steps Bridge into Dunsford Woods.

The river was down to a level I hadn't seen in a long time, the water was very clear and in the pools you could see plenty of fish fry but I couldn't tell you what species they were. A few trees had fallen across the river causing the odd dam which I expect will move when the river has more water moving.

Saw Dipper and Grey Wagtail but very little else on the bird front, little or no bird song, but I suppose its that time of year.

Did see quite a few Grey Squirrels after the Hazel Nuts as well as half eaten nuts around the Dormice Boxes in the wooded area.

Only a Gatekeeper was seen on the Butterfly front and a Toad hopped in front of me was a different and funny couple of minutes.

Apart from a few free running dogs a lovely walk!

26 July 2025

Dartmoor

Supposed to be a nice day today but when I got on the Moor it was raining and mist was around, but after awhile thankfully it lifted and sun appeared.

In turn this brought out insects and loads of small birds, especially around an area of Xmas Trees. Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Blue and Great Tits, Robin, Dunnock, Pied and Grey Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, Yellow Hammers, Stonechats, Reed Buntings, Martins and Swallows, Blackbirds, Linnet, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven and a couple of Buzzard completed the day.

Very few humans about so had the place to myself.

25 July 2025

Seaton Marshes

Went to Seaton Marshes today after reports about Waders which there was plenty.

Lots like the Godwits were still in Summer plumage looking stunning! Also seen were Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Little Ringed Plover, Common and Wood Sandpiper, Mallard, Moorhen and chicks, Grey Heron, all the usual Gulls, Water Rail seen and heard, Cettis and Reed Warblers, Blackcaps, Robin, Blackbird, Reed Buntings, Sand Martins and Swallows, Great-spotted Woodpecker, House Sparrow, Woodpigeon and Magpie.

Lots of friendly humans about which made a good day out even better!

22 July 2025

Around the fields

With harvest on the go the countryside has a new feel to it although in previous years there has been quite a few Corvids, Woodpigeons and Pheasants on the stubble but not this year? Perhaps the ground is too hard and nothing to find??

A few Fallow Deer about as well as Butterflies, mainly White sp and Gatekeepers.

Seen a mixture of small birds with Chaffinch, Blackbirds, Robin, Yellowhammer and Swallows and Martins hawking over the fields.

A couple of Buzzards but that's all on the Raptor front.

Some trees look a little stressed with all the heat and leaves dropped so looking forward to the Autumn and see what that brings.

13 July 2025

Dartmoor

As it was going to be hot today I started early and even though early at around 9am it was starting to get hot.

A few birds about and most had lost their Breeding plumage and were looking quite dull, plenty of young birds about especially Stonechats.

Did my normal round and saw all the usual stuff you would expect for this time of year, the only raptor seen was a lone Buzzard soaring in the sky, with the heat and Thermals I thought I would see more.

Went for a walk in Soussons but that was very quiet except for some Ravens making a racket, a few Butterflies and Dragons flying around.

By midday time to leave as everything had gone in the shade, cant blame them!

08 July 2025

Yarner and Ashclyst Forset

I have been doing a bit of walking around the countryside and as normal for this time of year not a lot going on.

Well except on the insect front, the birds are still bringing up this years crop but everything will be on the move again soon.

Had two lovely walks around Yarner and Ashclyst Forests and lots to see, apart from the Butterflies and other insects it was great to see a good mix of Mammals, Rabbit, Grey Squirrel, Fox, Roe and Fallow Deer.

Really impressed at Yarner with the Reservoir and the artificial Islands that have been there a few years now and look excellent with the planting, attracting lots of insects such as Dragonflies, saw a few Emperors, Darters and others.

Plenty of Wood Ants and Butterflies, the most notable was a new one for the year, a Silver Washed Fritillary, in fact several, beautiful insect!

Also seen a few Hornets and many Bees, Hoverflies and beetles.

To Ashclyst Forest and a lovely walk with Butterflies everywhere, 2 new ones for the year with Ringlet and Gatekeeper, 2 proper woodland species!

Also seen Red and White Admirals, Holly Blue, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and many White Sp including a few Large White plus more Silver Washed Fritillary.

So a good couple of sessions and that makes the total so far is 37, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Wall, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Dark green Frit, Duke of Burgundy Frit, Glanville Frit, Heath Frit, High Brown Frit, Marsh Frit, Silver washed Frit, Small Pearl-bordered Frit, Pearl-bordered Frit, Small Copper, Brown Argos, Large and Small Skippers, Ludworth Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Adonis Blue and Comma.

15 June 2025

The Great Plantation

Went today to "The Great Plantation" at Liverton to see what woodland species of Butterflies I could find.

I knew that White Admirals had been seen but also looking for some Hairstreaks.

Did see a 2 x White Admirals who wouldnt sit still for a pic but did see a couple of Dark Green Frits, Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown and Speckled Woods.

So a good session and that makes the total so far is 34, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Meadow Brown, Wall, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Dark green Frit, Duke of Burgundy Frit, Glanville Frit, Heath Frit, High Brown Frit, Marsh Frit, Small Pearl-bordered Frit, Pearl-bordered Frit, Small Copper, Brown Argos, Large and Small Skippers, Ludworth Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Adonis Blue and Comma.

10 June 2025

Aish Torr

Managed to get up to Aish Tor this afternoon after work, the cloud was starting to come in and I was lucky enough to see 3 new species of Butterfly before it got too dark and cold.

Saw quite a few High Browns who I was able to positively ID after seeing their underneath and a single Dark Green Fritillary.

While I was looking, another new one for this year decided to fly to me and land at my feet, a Meadow Brown which was great if not unexpected!

So the total so far is 33, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Meadow Brown, Wall, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Dark green Frit, Duke of Burgundy Frit, Glanville Frit, Heath Frit, High Brown Frit, Marsh Frit, Small Pearl-bordered Frit, Pearl-bordered Frit, Small Copper, Brown Argos, Large and Small Skippers, Ludworth Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Adonis Blue and Comma.

05 June 2025

Swifts, Martins and Swallows around Dawlish.

I have been on several walks around Dawlish and while its great to see about 6 Swifts have nested in the Strand Church and sounds successful as you can hear them from the main street, not one Martin or Swallow seen around town.

You used to see them hawking over the brook but none this year and house Martins were seen nesting in the housing estate by the side of Sainsburys but Ive seen none this year.

Have seen a few down at the Warren and all seen down at Exminster Marshes so they are around just seem to have given Dawlish a miss this year!

© Simon Thurgood 2025
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