Blog

22 September 2022

Topsham

Spent a great session around Bowling Green Marsh and surrounding areas, timed it for high Tide although the tide wasn't that high, Goosemoor was empty of water and very few birds, a few Greenshank and a little Egret.

A few Waders on the River Clyst including a Juvenile Ruff by the Bridge, lots of Birds though between the Reserve and the viewing platform, especially a good selection of Waders with Curlew, Godwits, Oystercatchers, Knot, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Common and Curlew Sandpipers, Green and Redshanks, Snipe and Lapwing.

Plenty of Ducks as well, many still in Eclipse with Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck, Mallard and Mallard cross all seen. Other water based birds with Canada geese, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant and Spoonbill.

Other birds seen, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Robin, Woodpigion, Herring, Black-headed, Lesser and Great-black Backed Gulls and a hunting Kestrel.

The hide full of humans, didn't know anyone but all very friendly and good company.

21 September 2022

Tale of two woods

Spent some time at two woods on Dartmoor today, Dunsford woods which is in a valley with the River Teign running through it and a mostly Deciduous and Soussons on the Moor itself and mostly Pine trees.

Dunsford was gently changing colour with brown and tan leaves starting to appear, the River Teign was down to a trickle in places as the water level was so low and defiantly warmer here than Soussons as a colder Northerly wind seems to be blowing.

Sadly more humans with free running dogs here at Dunsford who are ignoring the signs and No sign of any wardens from DWT to police the place, a Spaniel jumped into the river after a couple of Mallard with what seemed the owners permission, she hadn't seen me at first and looked embarrassed when she saw my disgust!

At Soussons I had the place to myself which was great, although cold there was places above some water in the ditches where it was still warm enough for a Migrant Hawker to be on the hunt and there was a couple of worn Speckled Wood.

Both had the same species of Birds with Blue, Coal, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Robin, Blackbird, Wren and Dunnock. Dunsford had some water based birds with Kingfisher, Goosander, Mallard and Grey Wagtail and Soussons had Siskin and fly over Raven and Buzzard.

On the whole an enjoyable day out!

18 September 2022

Dartmoor

Today I went up on Dartmoor for a few hours, I've been having a few issues with my knee so after a good walk yesterday I have been suffering the after effects!

So Bird watching from the car which does have its positive points, provided you can stop!

Apart from a few Swallows no Summer Migrants to be seen and wont be long before the winter migrants arrive, although it doesn't look like there will be much in the way of berries for them!

Some of the hedges along the roads did seem quite busy with feeding birds and while parked up a small flock of Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits with at least one Goldcrest was working a length of untidy hedge/trees. Also saw Robin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Woodpigeon and Magpie.

All the usual birds on the moor with Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Carrion Crow and Raven.

Did see a few Buzzard, Hunting Kestrel and a Grey Heron fly over.

Not many humans about which was a surprise as it was a Sunday and good weather?

17 September 2022

Powderham to the Marshes and back

Nice fresh start to the day, picked up some bacon butties and news paper to go with my flask of tea and headed for Powderham Church where I sat under a very noisy Rookery to have my breakfast.

Walked past the church where the sound of bird song was interrupted by the gun fire from Lymstone Royal Marine Training barracks on the other side of the River Exe.

Really clear, beautiful day and the reason for spending some time here is several reports of Ospreys which I never caught up with but through the day people were putting up sightings but I was typically in the wrong place!

I did see a lot of other stuff and wader numbers seem to be picking up with Dunlin, Godwits, Oystercatchers, Curlew and Ringed Plover. Other water birds included Mallard, Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Little Egrets, Grey Heron, Cormorants, Kingfishers and Black-headed, Herring and Great-black Backed Gulls.

Good number of Sandwich Terns catching fish close to Turf before they make their journey south.

Around the fields, hedges and trees plenty to see with several small flocks of Tits including Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Robin, Blackbird, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Wren, Cettis Warbler, Pied Wagtail, Stonechat, Linnet, Carrion Crow, Rook, jackdaw, Magpie and 100+ Starling around Turf.

A few butterflies still about with Red Admiral, Spotted Wood and Small White.

Humans out enjoying the sun and everybody happy!

07 September 2022

Dartmoor

Early doors on Dartmoor today, rain and wind horizontal so did the rounds in my car, there was some sun in between the angry grey clouds.

These Bee Hives on the high moor were taking a beating and lucky that they were tied down, bees collecting from Heather and Gorse to make Honey, expect them to be moved for the winter.

All the animals on the moor just sat in shelter so not expecting much to see but to my surprise there was, noticeable birds in small flocks, Gold and Chaffinch, Jackdaws and Herring Gulls. Plenty of birds in the hedges when I parked up, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits.

Autumn definitely here with winter not far behind!

03 September 2022

Beesands and Slapton Leys

Saturday saw me travel south to have a look around Slapton and Beesands Leys before the rain and bad weather came in. When I got to Slapton there was very little to see and so travelled to Beesands which was completely different!

Plenty of Ducks, many in Eclipse and a good variety of species, I saw Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwell, Tufted and Pintail, another birder in the hide said there had been both Teal and Wigeon there as well in twos and threes.

Plenty of Mute Swans and Cygnets, Coots, Moorhens, Grey Herons and Gulls. Plenty of Swallows, House and Sand Martins catching flies over the water competing with Fish that where leaping out of the water.

Other birds seen were Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Buzzard, Wren, Robin, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Blackbird and what I think was a Juv Cettis Warbler (see Pic )

Also saw a few very smart Migrant Hawkers and a few well worn Speckled Wood Butterflies.

Nice to meet a Local Birder whos name escapes me, but great company he was!

© Simon Thurgood 2024
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