Blog

21 April 2024

Dartmoor

This last 3 days I have spent on Dartmoor, mostly on the Eastern side visiting Yarner, Emsworthy Mire, Soussons, Challacombe and Warren Farms, Steps Bridge and many places in between.

Friday was windy and cold, Saturday and Sunday were Sunny but still cold in the wind. It is notable how far behind the moor is compared to the coast as many Trees and Shrubs still not in leaf with the exception on Steps Bridge in the woods were Bluebells, Wild Garlic, Yellow Rattle and Wood Anemones where out in bloom.

Plenty of Summer Migrants arriving with Pied Flycatchers at Yarner, Redstarts in several places, Whinchats in their usual haunt, Swallows in good numbers but no sign of any Martins yet. Willow Warblers in good numbers in several places, several Cuckoos heard and one seen at Emsworthy Mire, the local Meadow Pipits were not as pleased to see it as I was and gave it a hard time forcing it off its perch. Wheatears seen in many places especially in the valley up from Challacombe. I went looking for Tree Pipit at Yarner, but none seen, but a single bird was seen just past Soussons by the Farm entrance.

Another notable traveller was a White Stork, I was at Challacombe looking through my bins at a Redstart when I heard a noise above and there was the Stork turning in the air and by the time I had picked my camera up, it had drifted over the hill towards the South West, a bit frustrating but still great to see it.

Good selection of Raptors with several Buzzard, couple of Kestrel, Male Sparrowhawk and a Goshawk put in an appearance and looking through my bins had its dinner in its claws!

Other birds seen were Great, Blue, Coal, Marsh and Long-tailed Tits, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Siskin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Redpoll, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow, Blackcap, Pied and Grey Wagtails, Pheasant, Grey Heron, Mallard and ducklings, Woodpigeon, Stock and Collard Doves. Raven, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Jays.

At Yarner Lesser and Greater-spotted Woodpeckers and I heard a Green Woodpecker calling at Soussons.

While sat down watching the Whinchats I realised a pair of Chaffinch was building a nest almost next to me and not paying me any attention at all, just carried on, amazing looking nest!

On the Mammal front I saw both Fallow and Roe Deer, the Roe Stag was quite un fazed by my presence and let me take a few pics before walking off, also a few Grey Squirrels.

Didn't see any Butterflies, too cold but some Bees, Flies and hoverflies about as well as a Common Lizard sunning himself at Soussons.

Plenty of Humans about, great to see all the youngsters training for the 10 Tors and great to see so many happy people, not going to talk about dog walkers, Photographers with no common sense and speeding drivers!

12 April 2024

Exminster Marsh

While on the hunt for butterflies along the back path to the Turf at Exminster Marshes, plenty of Birds and other insects to see, not forgetting all the bushes and trees coming into leaf and the odd flower.

Sedge and Cettis Warblers in full song mode but difficult to see with all the leaves coming out, Skylarks joining in overhead. Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Wren and Dunnock blasting out the odd note, all great to hear.

Lapwings quiet on the way down where chasing off Crows and Gulls on the way back, other birds seen Great, Long-tailed and Blue Tits, Woodpigeons, Buzzard and Raven.

Only duck seen was some Mallard, a few Canada Geese and good numbers of Mute Swan otherwise quiet on the water front.

Quite a few Damselflies, Ladybirds, Hoverflies, Honey, Carder and Bumble Bees, Spiders and Shield Bugs to be seen.

Great to stop and have a chat with the wardens and volunteers to see what is going on.

Happy Days!!

12 April 2024

Chasing Butterflies

The suns out so off to find some Butterflies, experience has shown me that at this time of year Exminster Marshes along the back path and the " Discoverey Area " are good place to start, Cuckoo Flowers are out which are a fav of the Orange Tip and plenty where seen, also a Holly Blue flew by me and sadly carried on so no pics.

I found a pair of Green-veined Whites coupled which made it 3 new ones for me this year. Also seen Peacock, Brimstone and Speckled Wood.

This makes 7 species seen so far- Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Peacock, Comma.

09 April 2024

Seaton Wetlands

Spent a lovely few hours at Seaton Wetlands today, for a change it wasn't raining on my day off, was very windy though.

The Sand Martins had returned to the nest boxes that are close to the centre, the Wardens were saying the boxes had been there for 12 years and this was only the 2nd time it had been used, it is thought because there historic nesting site on the River Axe had been washed away they had found a new site, let's hope it continues.

They have a Swift Tower with boxes on which has been used this last two years but no sign yet although it's a bit early. Also in a different box is a pair of Kestrels which can be seen on camera from the visitor centre, 3 eggs so positive signs.

Also the Avocets are back who nested there last year for the first time and can be seen from the Island Hide.

He tide was in and high, only a single Godwit and a couple of Oystercatchers around, as normal good numbers of Shelduck and a Mute Swan on a nest.

Met lots of nice humans which is always a plus!

05 April 2024

Dartmoor

In between the rain and wind spent several hours on Dartmoor this week, time spent at Yarner, Soussons, Challacombe Farm, Bellever Forest and plenty of places in between sat in my car while it rained!

One of those places, I sat next to a small bridge over what I know as "Walla Brook" plenty to see here while sat in my car in the rain, best being a pair of Goosanders, Grey Heron, Pair of Mallards and a Grey Wagtail.

All the usual stuff seen, more Wheatears arriving especially just up from Challacombe Farm. Plenty of Ravens about, playing and displaying in the wind, great to watch.

Plenty of Buzzards about, Goshawk seen in several locations at a distance, but very little else on the Raptor front.

Saw and heard a Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, they are starting to nest but alarmingly a GSW had its head in the hole today so I hope its not chased off, only time will tell.

Several Crossbills, Redpolls, Siskins seen amongst the usual members of the Tit family, Robins, Blackbirds, Dunnock, Wren, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Mistle and Song Thrushes, Grey and Pied Wagtails, Yellowhammers, Stonechats, Wood pigeons, Collard and Stock Doves, House Sparrows, Starlings, Magpie Jay, Jackdaws, Rooks, Carrion Crows and Herring Gulls.

Some Trees trying to come into leaf but very little to see on the insect front.

Plenty of very nice humans about, but also a couple of dick heads who don't know how to drive on the moor, saw the sad site of a Ewe dead on the side of the road, no excuse for it!

26 March 2024

Wheatears are back on Dartmoor!

Well after several visits I managed to find a few Wheatears, all Male and all looking very smart considering they have just arrived.

All very busy and mobile, lucky to get a pic!

Plenty of other birds about and at this time of year plenty of courtship, defending territory and displaying and on a lovely sunny day just great to sit back and watch!

Shame about the idiots in their cars today, speeding cars everywhere!

26 March 2024

Harvest Mouse Nest

While walking around Powderham Marsh on the 17th March, looking for things I came across this nest, fairly sure it was a HM nest, I sent pictures to the Harvest Mouse Project officer for Devon Sarah B who confirmed it was.

They had been doing some work here and some of the grass had been cut and moved making it more visable.

Great find and another one to go on the recording list!

24 March 2024

Up to 4!

Today i went for a walk along the back path at Exminster marshes and also the parallel path on Powderham Marsh, both good for Butterflies at this time of year as they are out of the cold wind and a bit of a sun trap.

Managed to see a couple of Comma, several Peacock and a single Speckled Wood making it 4 species so far which is a bit grim!

On the Bird front it was great to see and hear Sand Martins over the railway line.

22 March 2024

Dartmoor

I have been a couple of times this week to Dartmoor to look for some Wheatear, there have been several sightings on the coast and the odd one on the moor so hoped to see them in their usual spots on the moor, unfortunately none had arrived yet but Iam sure it won't be long.

I did go around a few other places while there such as Soussons, Yarner and Challacombe, plenty to see with all the usual suspects. At Soussons they have been harvesting a large area of Conifer Trees so it will be interesting to see what turns up in this more open environment.

While at Yarner on lookout for Woodpeckers I only saw and heard Great-spotted so it was a bit quiet on that front, good numbers of lesser Redpoll and Siskin about.

While on the moor several displaying Raven and Buzzards in the air.

Very few humans about which was a surprise.

17 March 2024

Powderham marsh

Spent this morning at RSPB Powderham Marsh, very wet under foot and wellies very much needed, although in the sun nice and warm out of the breeze.

Spring very much in view with wild flowers in bloom, insects out and like London Buses, you don't see any for ages and 3 come at once! Not seen any Butterflies this year and then 3 around me, 2 Peacocks and 1 Brimstone that wouldn't settle. Also Bumble Bees, Honey Bees, Hoverflies, Flies, Beetles, Ladybirds and a Crane Fly all seen.

I found 2 eggs on the path that had been evicted from the nest of a Wood Pigeon in the tree above, you can see the nest and the Pigeons head.

Flock of Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Skylark, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Stonechat, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits, I did see some LTTs carrying nesting material and many birds as pairs. Canada Geese, Mallard and Carrion Crows all seen.

I was the only human about so was a really chilled out couple of hours.I dont think many people know of this reserve and most go over the bridge to Exminster marshes instead.

© Simon Thurgood 2024
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