Blog

29 July 2025

Dunsford Woods

After a night shift I went for a nice walk along the River Teign at Steps Bridge into Dunsford Woods.

The river was down to a level I hadn't seen in a long time, the water was very clear and in the pools you could see plenty of fish fry but I couldn't tell you what species they were. A few trees had fallen across the river causing the odd dam which I expect will move when the river has more water moving.

Saw Dipper and Grey Wagtail but very little else on the bird front, little or no bird song, but I suppose its that time of year.

Did see quite a few Grey Squirrels after the Hazel Nuts as well as half eaten nuts around the Dormice Boxes in the wooded area.

Only a Gatekeeper was seen on the Butterfly front and a Toad hopped in front of me was a different and funny couple of minutes.

Apart from a few free running dogs a lovely walk!

26 July 2025

Dartmoor

Txt and pics to follow

25 July 2025

Seaton Marshes

Txt and pics to follow

22 July 2025

Around the fields

Pictures and txt to follow

13 July 2025

Dartmoor

As it was going to be hot today I started early and even though early at around 9am it was starting to get hot.

A few birds about and most had lost their Breeding plumage and were looking quite dull, plenty of young birds about especially Stonechats.

Did my normal round and saw all the usual stuff you would expect for this time of year, the only raptor seen was a lone Buzzard soaring in the sky, with the heat and Thermals I thought I would see more.

Went for a walk in Soussons but that was very quiet except for some Ravens making a racket, a few Butterflies and Dragons flying around.

By midday time to leave as everything had gone in the shade, cant blame them!

08 July 2025

Yarner and Ashclyst Forset

I have been doing a bit of walking around the countryside and as normal for this time of year not a lot going on.

Well except on the insect front, the birds are still bringing up this years crop but everything will be on the move again soon.

Had two lovely walks around Yarner and Ashclyst Forests and lots to see, apart from the Butterflies and other insects it was great to see a good mix of Mammals, Rabbit, Grey Squirrel, Fox, Roe and Fallow Deer.

Really impressed at Yarner with the Reservoir and the artificial Islands that have been there a few years now and look excellent with the planting, attracting lots of insects such as Dragonflies, saw a few Emperors, Darters and others.

Plenty of Wood Ants and Butterflies, the most notable was a new one for the year, a Silver Washed Fritillary, in fact several, beautiful insect!

Also seen a few Hornets and many Bees, Hoverflies and beetles.

To Ashclyst Forest and a lovely walk with Butterflies everywhere, 2 new ones for the year with Ringlet and Gatekeeper, 2 proper woodland species!

Also seen Red and White Admirals, Holly Blue, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and many White Sp including a few Large White plus more Silver Washed Fritillary.

So a good couple of sessions and that makes the total so far is 37, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Wall, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Dark green Frit, Duke of Burgundy Frit, Glanville Frit, Heath Frit, High Brown Frit, Marsh Frit, Silver washed Frit, Small Pearl-bordered Frit, Pearl-bordered Frit, Small Copper, Brown Argos, Large and Small Skippers, Ludworth Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Adonis Blue and Comma.

15 June 2025

The Great Plantation

Went today to "The Great Plantation" at Liverton to see what woodland species of Butterflies I could find.

I knew that White Admirals had been seen but also looking for some Hairstreaks.

Did see a 2 x White Admirals who wouldnt sit still for a pic but did see a couple of Dark Green Frits, Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown and Speckled Woods.

So a good session and that makes the total so far is 34, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Meadow Brown, Wall, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Dark green Frit, Duke of Burgundy Frit, Glanville Frit, Heath Frit, High Brown Frit, Marsh Frit, Small Pearl-bordered Frit, Pearl-bordered Frit, Small Copper, Brown Argos, Large and Small Skippers, Ludworth Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Adonis Blue and Comma.

10 June 2025

Aish Torr

Managed to get up to Aish Tor this afternoon after work, the cloud was starting to come in and I was lucky enough to see 3 new species of Butterfly before it got too dark and cold.

Saw quite a few High Browns who I was able to positively ID after seeing their underneath and a single Dark Green Fritillary.

While I was looking, another new one for this year decided to fly to me and land at my feet, a Meadow Brown which was great if not unexpected!

So the total so far is 33, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Meadow Brown, Wall, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Dark green Frit, Duke of Burgundy Frit, Glanville Frit, Heath Frit, High Brown Frit, Marsh Frit, Small Pearl-bordered Frit, Pearl-bordered Frit, Small Copper, Brown Argos, Large and Small Skippers, Ludworth Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Adonis Blue and Comma.

05 June 2025

Swifts, Martins and Swallows around Dawlish.

I have been on several walks around Dawlish and while its great to see about 6 Swifts have nested in the Strand Church and sounds successful as you can hear them from the main street, not one Martin or Swallow seen around town.

You used to see them hawking over the brook but none this year and house Martins were seen nesting in the housing estate by the side of Sainsburys but Ive seen none this year.

Have seen a few down at the Warren and all seen down at Exminster Marshes so they are around just seem to have given Dawlish a miss this year!

23 May 2025

Heath Fritillarys

Unfortunately because of the failure of the heath Frits at Lydford , I had to go a little further to Greenscombe Woods in Cornwall to see them, Luckily they are doing well here.

So the total so far is 30, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Wall, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Duke of Burgundy Frit, Glanville Frit, Heath Frit, Marsh Frit, Small Pearl-bordered Frit, Pearl-bordered Frit, Small Copper, Brown Argos, Large and Small Skippers, Ludworth Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Adonis Blue and Comma.

© Simon Thurgood 2025
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