Blog

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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