[Simon Thurgood Images] [Simon Thurgood Images]


Blog

28 February 2016

Dartmoor

On a very sunny day I went up to Dartmoor, very sunny but also very windy in places sending a cold chill right through me! I had a walk in several places and most places were blown out.

Plenty of Corvides in the fields with Rooks, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies and a couple of Ravens that flew over. Also a couple of Buzzards seen both on bushes and loafing around in the sky.

Several Stonechats seen on the Gorse with Robins, Great and Blue Tits, Wrens, Dunnock and Blackbirds.

Other than that very quiet on the bird front. Plenty of happy humans about either Walking, Running, Cycling, Horse riding or driving around, Dartmoor's roads was full of them!



18 February 2016

Birding around Darts Farm and Topsham

Parked up at Darts Farm on a beautiful start to the day, plenty of birds singing with Robin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit Wren, Dunnock, Magpie, Herring and Black-headed Gull with a few Carrion crows flying over.

Down the cycle track with Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Blue, Great and Long Tailed Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Starling, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and a Buzzard loafing around in the sky.

In the Creek there was several Redshank and one Greenshank, Goosemoor on the way through though was empty of birds.

Along the road there was plenty of birds especially around the feeders behind the hide with House Sparrow, Blue, Great, Coal and Long tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Woodpigeon, Collard Dove, Wren, robin, Blackbird and a Jackdaw.

The reserve because of the tide wasn't that busy but plenty of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Shelduck, Mallard, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, Moorhen, Lapwing, Greylag, Canada and Brent Geese, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Magpie, Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon.

From the platform there was Avocet, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Dunlin and Shelduck with Black-headed and Herring Gulls.

The Goat walk was quiet as there was plenty of disturbance due to on-going work to the path. On to Topsham for a cup o char and a Bacon Sarnie. Plenty of House Sparrows about with the odd Jackdaw.

On the way back the tide was coming in and Goosemoor had quite a few more birds in with 20+ Redshank, Curlew and a Little Egret.

Great to see David B and a few other birders I hadn't seen in a while, plenty of people about and all behaving themselves.



15 February 2016

Holden Forest Park

Not been here for some time and at first was shocked by the changes and not seen so many people, first thought was to turn around but glad I didn't!

The car park was nearly full because of half term and lots of excited kids running around on bikes of allsorts, great atmosphere about the place. They must have made a fortune on the car parks at £4 a shout!

Made my way to the back of the rangers hut were the feeding stations are and was just bowled over by the number and diversity of birds. Next door they were giving lessons on "Segway's" but the birds took no notice of the noise, excited kids running around, bikes, horses and the odd dog!

Song Thrush, Coal, Blue and Great Tits, Robin, Nuthatch, Siskins, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Dunnock and the only skittish bird was a male Brambling that just flew in and out. Great site!!

I then went for a walk on one of the trails "Tree Trail" which is about 3 miles long and was at times a bit steep but rewarding with the views and being amongst the trees, saw a few Ravens, Mistle Thrushes, Wren, Robins, Blackbirds, Blue and Great Tits.

Also heard the excited shrill of excited children in the trees having a go at "Go Ape". I know some people wont approve but it was so good to see parents out with the kids in the big outdoors instead of being in front of a screen. Nearly got wiped out by a couple of mountain bikers, but that was my fault for not being on the right track and everybody saw the funny side of it!

Must try out some of the other tracks soon and recommend the place!



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