Blog

27 December 2025

Dartmoor

went up on the moor today, again looking for Redwing, thought the cold weather might have driven them there but NO, none seen or Fieldfare.

It was clear but very cold, no birds flying as such, lots of stuff around the hedges and trees, nothing on the fields while I was there, all staying out of the biting wind.

Did see Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, House Sparrow, Great and Blue Tits, Woodpigeon, Starling, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Carrion Crow, Raven, Jackdaw, Jay and Magpie. A couple of Buzzard in Trees and a lonely looking Herring Gull stood by himself looking lost!

A few well dressed humans walking around, nice trip around the moor. (Pic to follow)

24 December 2025

Out and about

Spent this last couple of weeks visiting places in between work, poor weather and my grandkids. Some for a short period as I was determined to get out, the shortened days didn't help ether.

I visited Dartmoor, Yarner, Parke, Stover, Beesands, Slapton and Brixham Harbour.

Yarner was very quiet on the Sunday afternoon as the feeders were nearly empty just saw a couple of Coal Tits, Stover had more of the usual stuff but didn't see any Mandarin Ducks, first time for years.

Beesands Ley was empty, where have all the Ducks gone? Slapton was a quick visit due to time constraints but that was busier, all the usual stuff here at the Torcross end of the Ley.

Spent time on the Moor and Parke looking for Redwings but failed to see any.

Best session was at Brixham Harbour, it was cold and rough so plenty in the harbour and the best being Great-northan Divers, counted 13 of them.

Merry Xmas to you all and hopefully a good 2026

03 December 2025

Looking for Redwings

Again up on the Moor, Redwings had been seen and I ventured in a few other places and they again have eluded me!

I did see plenty of other Birds, a good wide range with Blackbird, Song and Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Wren, Reed Bunting, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Rook, Magpie, Jay, Stonechat,Great and Blue Tits, Several Buzzard and Kestrel hunting.

Not many humans about but still one who cant reverse!

02 December 2025

Dorset

As normal when I visit my brother in Yeovil I stop off at Radapol in Weymouth to see the Bearded Tits, unfortunatly they wernt to be seen and according to others they hadn't been seen in a couple of weeks, this was put down to the weather and it was believed the birds were at the base of the reed beds away from the wind.

The main path was good but many of the side paths were flooded so you couldn't get to certain areas, still managed several distant views of marsh Harriers quartering across the reed beds.

You could hear several Cettis Warblers and see Blackbirds, Robin, Wren, Great and Blue Tits, Woodpigeons, Carrion Crows, Cormorants, big raft of Coots, Moorhen, Grey Heron, sound of Water Rail, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted, Mute Swan and plenty of Gulls but couldn't see any Med Gulls.

Also stopped off at Maiden Castle to see what farm birds were about but due to a lot of disturbance as they were replacing fencing not a lot to see.

Further up the road a couple of Red Kites were good to see.

30 November 2025

Looking for Brents

Had a couple of hours and relised I hadn't seen any Brent Geese yet, reports that they were back on the Exe.

As it was high tide it would be ideal to see them on the fields and in previous years, Starcross golf course was a favorite for them but today there was only 2 and distant, a few Canada Geese, singles of Curlew, Godwit and a Lapwing and that was it?

Had a look in Cockwood harbour and plenty of Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gull, Little Egret and some Redshank.

25 November 2025

Dartmoor

Been up to Dartmoor another couple of times since my last Blog entry looking for Redwing, they apparently have been seen by others but sadly not me!

Getting cold on the moor and with none to few insects about, birds like Meadow Pipits where scarce. Berries still about and flocks of Starling and Fieldfares in good numbers with Blackbird, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Great and Blue Tits, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch and Wren around these trees and bushes.

Around the water, Pied and Grey Wagtails, Grey Heron and Moorhen all seen, a couple of Herring Gulls on one of the fields with Rooks, Carrion Crows, Raven, Magpie and Jays all seen.

Several Buzzards and Kestrels all seen hunting.

Might need to look in new areas but determined to find some Redwing!

18 November 2025

Dartmoor

Have been several times to Dartmoor, the weather and my dodgy knee has made me use my car which has been quite successful.

Yarner has put its feeders up for the winter and plenty members of the Tit family including Marsh Tit although nothing other than Tits, not cold enough?

On the Moor had some great views of lots of Birds including a Flock of about 100 Golden Plovers at Blackslade Down, I could see them flying around as I passed Emsworthy and luckily they touched down in front of me, great views.

Other flocks included Starling, Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Jackdaws and Carrion Crows. Singles of Grey Heron and Great-spotted Woodpecker.

Several Blackbirds, Mistle Thrushes, Robin, Great and Blue Tits, Dunnock, wren, Raven, Magpie, Jay and Woodpigeons.

Several Buzzards seen of various colours and a couple of Kestrels hunting.

Plenty of Berries about and the leaves dropping at speed, winter is defiantly on its way, still not seen any Redwings though?

08 November 2025

Wot no camera!

While at work today, out in the car park with someone I support I could see a fast moving bird come in my direction and flew to my left and followed Shutterton Lane.

A Swift sp, there had been reports of Palid Swifts close by and while not 100% pretty sure it was and typically no camera!

26 October 2025

damage to the enviroment

On Dartmoor this last couple of days, sadly Ive seen a few examples of humans being totally selfish, apart from Fly tipping, dog bags and litter, dog owners allowing there pets to run free in reserves with big sign asking people not to do that, not surprised anymore just disappointed!

25 October 2025

Out and about

Day started early, plan was to look around the River Exe, first stop was Cockwood Steps, the tide was high and the surface water was choppy, only birds seen was a couple of Mute Swans and Cormorants sat on boats. In Cockwood Harbour just a few Black-headed Gulls. The Golf course at Starcross which is now closed for the winter had a100+ Canada Geese on it but didn't see anything else which was a surprise. Up to the River Kenn outflow and nothing on the river at all, decided to go to Exminster Marshes to look in the pools but to my surprise were dry and not a duck in sight?

So a change of plan, decided to go back up to Dartmoor but stop off on route several places, going through the back lanes, the farmers have started the autumn cultivation with fields being sown with crops. Surprised to see and hear a Skylark also Meadow Pipits, Linnets, Chaffinch, Blackbirds, Kestrel, pair of Raven, 100+ Rooks, Carrion crows and Jackdaws, Woodpigeons, Magpies, Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges seen before Holden.

On the road through Holden plenty of Grey Squirrels and Fallow Deer, very lucky not to get hit by cars.

Once on Dartmoor went to Dunsford Woods to look for Dippers on the River Teign which I was lucky to see as well as a couple of Mallard as well as Goldcreast, Long-tailed and Coal Tits, Blackbird, Robin and Wren. Didn't stay long as getting wound up by free running Dogs!

Drove up to Mortenhamstead to see 200+ Rooks in the sky making a racket, once on Dartmoor saw several Buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay, several flocks of Chaffinch, Stonechat, Small flock of Fieldfare close to Soussons and to my surprise a Wheatear, thought they would have gone by now?

© Simon Thurgood 2025
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