Blog

30 May 2017

Wood White

I went to Meeth Quarry today with the sole purpose of seeing a Wood White, it is a butterfly I had seen before but could never get one to settle. I wasn't sure about the weather today but off I went, the weather actually played a major part in my success because it was dull they weren't flying all over the place and the 6 that I saw sat nicely.

Did bump into a local expert who directed me to were most of them were, you just have to be careful and look were you are putting those size nines!

Lots of birds about, all that you would expect in woodland glades.

Well worth the journey!

21 May 2017

Chasing Butterflies

Managed to get out today for a short time, I went up to the Butterfly walk at Exeter Forest. Nice amount of sun, but was a bit windy and many butterflies were staying close to the ground, many of them had damaged wings which was a result of the previous last weeks bad weather.

Saw plenty of Pearl-Boarded and Small PB Fritillaries and several trying to mate, Brimstone, Peacock, White sp on the wing, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady and a Dingy Skipper.

Also saw a Adder, Dragonfly Sp possibly a Skimmer and several different types of interesting Bumble Bees (must get better at taking pics of these!)

There was an organised group who came to see the butterflies as well as a few other individuals who clearly were experts, I try hard on these occasions not to show my self up and say very little. Nice to meet everybody and must get up there again sometime!

09 May 2017

Grasshopper Warbler

Had a good couple of sessions listening and getting the occasional glimpse of these birds.

With a bit of research and a lot of help from friends I finally managed to get some pictures. They were on a typical habitat you would expect of Moor and scrub in Devon, I did also find a bird that was slightly different in colour which threw me a bit but all added to the fun.

I was worried that I wouldn't be able to hear the high pitched call but I managed ok, it was though still difficult to pin down. Only when a bird moved did I stand a chance of getting a picture.

Did see and hear plenty of other birds, several Cuckoos, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, sound of a Tawny Owl, Reed Bunting, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Lesser Redpoll and Carrion Crow.

Really enjoyed this challenging and rewarding day out.

01 May 2017

Around the Exe

Spent time around the River Exe today, starting off at Dawlish Warren which was rather wet when I arrived, plenty of birds around looking a little bedraggled in the rain. Still in good voice though!

A few Whitethroats about, the first I've seen this year also saw Stonechat, Linnet, Chiffchaff, Robin, Blackbird, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit, Swallow, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow. On the pond there was Canada Geese, Mallard and Moorhen. Plenty of birds on the golf course, especially around the flooded tees with good numbers of Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Shelduck, Canada Geese and a few Whimbrel. There was Whimbrel all over the reserve, in front of the hide and on the beach and several flying around.

Out to sea there was Cormorant and some Great Crested Grebes with Herring and Black-headed Gulls flying around, a few Turnstones on the sea defences. Thought it was a bit quiet out to sea.

In front of the hide there was Curlew, Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Brent Geese, Whimbrel, Cormorants, Great-black Backed, Herring and Black-headed Gulls and a Sandwich Tern.

Not that many people about but good to see Lee for a quick chat!

Then off to Darts Farm in Topsham to have a look around the reserve. Darts Farm was packed with shoppers and only just got a parking place. Down the cycle path saw Magpie, Blackbird, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Robin, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Dunlin and a very smart looking male Sparrowhawk which might account for a lack of birds!

Goosemoor was full of water and plenty of birds on the far bank with Godwits sp, Curlew, Knott, Greenshank, Redshank, Shelduck, Mallard, Little Egret, fly over Jay, Woodpigeon, Swallows and Sand Martins with Cettis Warbler and Magpie in the bushes next to path. Sounded like Sedge and Reed Warblers in the reeds.

Along the road there was Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin, Goldfinch, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Wren and House Sparrow. At the platform the tide was almost out and plenty of birds flying past to go down the river and you could see large flocks of waders doing ariel dancing further down the estuary, did see Godwits of both types, Curlew, Greenshanks, Shelducks and Little Egrets.

In the reserve I saw Moorhen, Coot, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Mute Swan, Shoveler, Tufted duck, Teal, Widgeon, Mallard, Both Godwits, Ruff, Knott, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Buzzard, Blackbird, Robin, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail, Starling, Cettis, Sedge Warbler, Swallows, Wren and a couple of Fox's sunning themselves by the hedge.

Lots of humans about of all shapes and sizes, all seem to be happy on this bank holiday, especially when the sun came out!!

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