Blog

27 November 2022

Beach combing at Langston Rock

Spent a few hours on the Dawlish side of Langstone Rock today, plenty to see here on the tide line.

As I have said before the Tide action here, Long Shore Drift and the Breakwater sees lots of stuff stuck on this part of the beach as you can see by the pictures.

Managed to find some Goose Barnicals on some drift wood, picture top left.

Top right sees some Egg casings, first two on the left are Thornback Rays and the third is an Undulate Ray, on the far Right is a Small-spotted Catshark.

2nd Left from the Top sees a collection of Turban Top Shells.

2nd Right from Top sees Pelicans Foot, Auger Shells and Netted Dog Whelks.

I found plenty of Dead Crabs and parts of and a few small Hermit Crabs but the picture on the 3rd from Top Left shows quite a big specimen in a Common Whelk Shell.

Plenty of other shells such as this Spiny Cockle, 3rd on the Right. Loads of Slipper Shells as well as Scallops, Mussels, Razor Shells and Cuttle Fish.

Good session and probably could have found more if I had more time.

19 November 2022

Out and About

Did a bit of a ride around today involving the fields/hedgerows at the back of Starcross and Kenton, Exminster Marshes and the River Exe.

The weather continues to be good but there is a chill in the air and being November thats how it should be!

Seen a few raptors today with several Buzzard, Kestrels, Sparrowhawk and a Short-eared Owl giving distant but good views on Exminster Marshes.

The Marshes are starting to fill up with water and water birds with numbers of Ducks slowly rising with Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Mallard seen.

Plenty of Waders sen on the Marsh as well as the River with Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and my first Avocets of the year.

Brent and Canada Geese in several places as well as Shelduck, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron Cormorant, Mute Swan and Little Egret.

Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Cettis Warbler, Stonechat, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Starling, House Sparrow and Meadow Pipit all seen.

A few friendly humans about!

18 November 2022

Dartmoor

Had a good session on Dartmoor this morning, weather was good and the sun was out but low which caused a few issues trying to take pictures of wildlife on the floor.

Did see some stunning wildlife today, saw a Merlin close to the Pub on the high moor, unfortunately it didn't land. A few Buzzards about, one very pale, couple of Kestrel and the best on the photo front a couple of Red Kite close to Challacombe Cross.

Plenty of Thrushes with Fieldfare, Redwing, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Herring gull, Raven, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Woodpigeon and Stock Dove.

Not many humans about and didn't see any Mammals of any sort.

15 November 2022

Undulate Ray Egg Case

A bit rough on the sea front today with the waves crashing against the new sea wall.

Took the opportunity to see what was washed up, lots of Cuttlefish Bones, Sea Weed and all the usual stuff but also managed to find this egg case close to the breakwater on the main Dawlish beach.

Its a "Undulate Ray " which has similar shape to a "Spotted Ray "but larger and sometimes there is fibres on the side which helps it anchor in place which is shown in the picture.

Looking forward to more rough weather to see what comes in!

11 November 2022

Out and About

After having breakfast at Holden Grill ( very nice too! ) I spent time around the lanes at the back of Kenton, Starcross and Exminster.

Autumn colours with the trees and plenty of nuts in the way of Acorns and Sweet Chestnuts on the floor for the many Squirrels seen, also saw a few wild Fallow Deer and a fleeting glimpse of a Fox. The Fallow Deer at Powderham were on full show with some of the Stags looking magnificent!

Several flocks of small birds, many mixed species with Linnet, Chaffinch and Greenfinch together around the hedges and fields, popped into Exminster Marshes and a Tit flock around the back path. Lots of birds around the fields and hedges with Woodpigeon, Stockdove, Jackdaw, Magpies, Rook, Carrion Crow, fly over Raven, Buzzard, Kestrel, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Wren, Pheasants everywhere!

Looked in on the River Exe in several places, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Moorhen, Mallard, teal and Wigeon, Shelduck, Grey Heron, Little Egrets, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Godwits, Cormorants and Lapwings.

Good day out even if the weather was not great for taking pics!

04 November 2022

Dartmoor

Went up to Dartmoor today, the weather was great but defiantly Autumn with the many of the trees bare and a lot colder than the coast.

Plenty of Thrushes with Redwings being the biggest in numbers where I was, good numbers of Fieldfare and lots of Mistle Thrushes, some in a mixed flock and others by themselves, also Song Thrushes seen in several places but always by themselves.

Corvids in good numbers with flocks of Jackdaws on the pastures with the odd Rook, Carrion Crows about as well as very vocal Ravens in the air. Groups of Magpies on the fields and several Jays seen around the trees and hedges.

Was hoping to see my favorite bird the Merlin after seeing it on my last visit but Raptors a bit sparce today with only one Buzzard seen.

Lots of other stuff seen, all very "busy ", probably taking advantage of the good weather and eating as much food as possible. Flocks of Starling, Linnet, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and House Sparrows with singles of Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Great and Blue Tit, Stonechat, Wren, Great Spotted Woodpecker. Several Woodpigeon and a couple of Rock Dove.

20-30 Herring Gulls sat on pasture not doing a lot!

I popped into Soussons Forest to see if any Crossbills about, not seen any for a while here but lucky to see a small flock of 20+ flying around being very vocal but sadly none sat close to me for a pic, several Siskin as well high in the trees.

I also took the opportunity to look for some mammal stuff but didn't find or see anything.

Very few humans about but those I met where all in good cheer!

© Simon Thurgood 2024
Images on this website may not be put as any part of any collection without any prior written permission.