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Blog
16 January 2025
L.O.R.P and Aylesbere
This morning was very foggy and took some time to clear, I first went to L.O.R.P in Budliegh and walked the pebble ridge, could hear some birds over the estuary but couldn't see anything. Did see some small birds that turned out to be Rock Pipits and then a white flash which turned out to be a Snow Bunting, last time I visited there was 2 but today I could only find one.
It sat nicely for me while I took some pics, very obliging!
Then off to Aylesbere to find some Dartfords which I did, lots of calls and some birds darting about the bushes and not hanging around for a pic, great to see them though.
Also loads of Wrens and singles of Robin, Stonechat and Dunnock.
15 January 2025
Exminster Marshes
Started early today and arrived at the Marshes at day break, well no sun to see due to the mist and fog, could hear lots and the odd Duck in the scrapes.
I did a circular walk from the carpark to Turf and back via the field and back path.
Along the Canal and apart from a couple of Fishermen very little to see.
Sat myself down at Turf and slowly the mist went leaving views of the estuary with the tide out, a couple of Avocets and Redshanks close by with Curlew, Oystercatcher, Godwits, 
Greenshanks, Dunlin, 200+ Golden Plovers on the mud banks as well as Shelducks, Brent Geese, Mute Swans, Little Egrets and Cormorants also seen on the Estuary. All the usual Gulls with Mallard and Teal on the River.
Ducks on the Marsh were Widgeon, Teal, Mallard and Shoveler, there could have been more but couldn't see because of the mist.
Plenty of Canada Geese on the fields with Lapwing and Grey Plover being put up by a Marsh Harrier doing a couple of passes.
Great to see a small flock of Bullfinch, 8 in total, biggest number together I've seen in a long time, also Blue, Great and a flock of Long-tailed Tits, Cettis Warbler, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Water Rail, Green Woodpecker, House Sparrow, Starling, Reed Bunting, Magpie, Carrion Crow and Jackdaw all added to a great day out.
Also met some pleasant bunch of humans
14 January 2025
White tailed Eagle
A juvenile White-tailed Eagle had been seen at Powderham sat on a tree and I was lucky for a change to find it still there.
I went down the side along the public footpath which goes parallel to the River Kenn to get some great views.
It was being harassed by all the other birds and did while I was there do a lap to get away from a pair of Ravens and settled in another tree but continued to be given a hard time by all.
Apparently left just after me but has been seen around here before, so we might see him again sometime soon.
10 January 2025
Brixham
Typically when Iam working and the weather is good a Red-necked Grebe swims into Brixham harbour giving excellent views by the "Golden Hind" so thought I would try this morning as I had a few hours before work.
Sadly no joy, but did see a good number of Great-northern Divers, stunning birds.
But guess what once I got back to Dawlish it had re appeared in the area I was earlier, typical!
07 January 2025
Dartmoor
After a heavy snow i went up on Dartmoor, stayed away from Haytor and went via Mortonhamstead and towards Princetown, road passable but couldn't get onto the side rds which is where I wanted to be.
Picture taken by the Pub looking back to Morton and I was the only human to be seen, a rare sight!
Didn't stay long as not much about.
02 January 2025
Brixham, Beesands and Slapton
At Brixham it moved from sunny to cloudy with some cold wind and the sea on the other side of the Breakwater was choppy so I personally found it difficult to see anything.
In the harbour it was calm and things like Great northern Divers were easy to see as well as Cormorants, Mute Swans and Seals, the usual Turnstones around the edges with Purple Sandpipers at the end of the Breakwater, also out here there was a lone Guillemot.
Around the rocks, Rock Pipit and Pied Wagtails, as normal here plenty of Gulls around the Trawlers, others saw some Med Gulls but I was unable to Id any.
Off to South Devon and first stop Beesands Ley and I didn't think that many Ducks about with Tufted being the main ones, 3 Teal and 7 Gadwalls and the single Ring-necked on the far side. Grey Heron, Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Coot, Moorhen and Little Grebe the other birds on the water. Magpie, Carrion Crow, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, great Tit and Wood pigeon and Gulls the other birds seen.
It was getting dark so not much chance of seeing anything at Slapton but did stop and go to the dipping station to see the reported Red necked Grebe at a distance which finished the day.
Seen plenty of birders, Richie and Mike L where good to see.
29 December 2024
Dartmoor
Went up on Dartmoor today, the weather was crap, fog and the odd shower. But this weather can be good for viewing birds on the ground but not much for photography!
Saw plenty of birds on the ground , especially in a large field close to Soussons wood with good numbers of Starling, Fieldfare, Redwing with smaller numbers of Blackbird, Mistle and Song Thrush. A good 500 + birds here!
Corvids, Woodpigeons, Herring Gulls all seen on the ground with a fly over Grey Heron and Great-spotted Woodpecker, on the hedges, fences and side of road saw Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Great Tit, Robin, Stonechat, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and a Female Sparrowhawk looking for lunch.
15 December 2024
Powderham to Turf and back
Nice day today so walked up the Exe, sadly the tide was right out so nothing that close, but managed to pick up quite a bit with my bins.
Nice to see the Brent Geese among the ever increasing numbers of Canada Geese, Mute Swans and a single Black Swan.
Shelduck, Teal, Widgeon and Mallard seen close to the Turf with Avocet, Curlew, Godwits, Redshank, Oystercatchers and Dunlin seen in various numbers.
Jackdaw, Carrion Crow and Rook, Magpie and single Jay seen around the church. Little Egret, Grey Heron and Cormarant seen around the estuary with Herring, Black-headed and Great-black Backed Gulls.
Around the path and field edges Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Dunnock,Chaffinch, Rock Pipit, Stonechat and Pied Wagtails.
Very few humans about for such a lovely day?
14 December 2024
Dartmoor
Had a quickish visit to Dartmoor today starting off at Yarner.
Apart from all the normal stuff around the feeders there was little else. No Siskins or Redpolls seen also no Woodpeckers seen or heard of any species.
A few humans about, all with dogs, some off the lead some on, interesting a lot of signs taken down??
Around Dartmoor it was the same, very quiet and little to see.
03 December 2024
Out and about
Went around a few inland water bodies today, Beesands, Slapton Leys and Stover Lake.
Plenty of stuff to see, Beesands the busiest by far for the size of water, large numbers of Tufted Duck, Coot and Mute Swans with Gadwall and a couple of Mallard. The Ring-necked Duck was on the far side and never came close to the hide, a few Moorhen, Great crested and Little Grebes, noisy Water Rail in the reeds and Canada Geese in the back Field. Lots of Gulls with Herring Gull being the biggest number. Other birds seen on the path were Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Great and Blue Tits, Goldcrest, Wren, Blackbird, Carrion Crow and Magpies.
Good to see a small flock of Greenfinch, havnt seen these in a while. In the back field Rabbits also seen which was nice as not seen this mammal in a while.
Slapton Ley was quiet and nothing new here except a Cettis Warbler otherwise very little to see.
Off to Stover where it looks as the work on the lake has finished but more to be done on the outside. Saw the stunning male Pochard as well as Widgeon, Mandarin, Tufted and Mallard, all the usual birds around the feeders and plenty of fat Grey Squirrels, the sign of over feeding.
A few friendly humans about and a most enjoyable day
© Simon Thurgood 2025
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