Blog

01 May 2026

Mammals for March and April

Will do the depressing side of this first, these are the numbers of dead animals I have seen on the roads driving around while at work etc- 11 Badger, 2 Fox,11 Grey Squirrel, 3 Rabbit, 2 Hare, 1 Fallow Deer and 1 Red Deer seen on the due carriage way at Tiverton.

On the live front some of these are signs such as Mole hills, increase number of Rats close to where I live, 27 where running around the bins!! A wood Mouse in Yarner, 7 Fallow Deer,the joy at seeing a Badger late at night, a Fox, loads of Grey Squirrels around Yarner and Holden, 12+ Rabbits at the back of Sainsburys in Dawlish was great to see.

29 April 2026

Butterflies again

Had the afternoon off and went to the warren to see what butterflies where about, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Orange Tip and a new one for the year a Small Copper.

Thats 12 so far-Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, PB Fritillary, Comma, Small Copper and Holy Blue.

Great to catch up with Steve one of the Rangers.

27 April 2026

Butterflies

Went to Holden Friday afternoon in the sun to see if the Pearled Bordered are out and there was loads of them, great to see.

Unfortunately I bumped into a couple of other Butterfly watchers that were rude and arrogant, get them everywhere but not expecting it here!

Thats 11 so far-Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, PB Fritillary, Comma and Holy Blue.

20 April 2026

Large Red Damsel

My first Dragonfly or Damselfly of the year is a Large Red Damsel Fly at Exminster Marshes.

Also recording in my own sweet way what I see this year, hopefully many!

20 April 2026

Out and about

Over the weekend the weather was a bit changeable but managed to visit Exminster, Aylesbere and Seaton Marshes with the Grandkids.

All the usual stuff with some new Summer Migrants, Whitethroat, Sedge, Reed and Cuckoos, the Sand Martins at Seaton put on a good show but sadly no camera as too busy looking after my Grandkids.

At Aylesbere good views of Yellowhammers and Dartford Warblers, always great to see.

At Exminster in the Discovery area there was Reed, Sedge and Cettis Warblers all singing at the same time, fantastic sound!

On the Mammal front saw my first live Fox, crossing the road close to Seaton Marshes which gave the Grandkids a treat as well!

20 April 2026

Butterflies

In the sun away from any cold wind I found Butterflies, 2 new ones with Small White and Red Admiral which makes 10 seen and the list is Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood,, Comma and Holy Blue.

Managed to get a good shot of a Holly Blue this weekend with its wings open.

10 April 2026

Dartmoor

The weather not really Butterfly chasing weather as it was cold and windy so I went up on Dartmoor to look for some summer migrants that had started to arrive.

First stop was a early call to Yarner that didn't disappoint, then to Emsmorthy, Soussons and around Challacombe Farm and around the roads in between.

Glad I went early to Yarner, so much bird song, birds in the tops of trees that needed my bins, plenty to see but frustratingly mobile and too distant for a pic, several Pied Flycatchers and a couple of Redstarts, Blue, Great, Coal and Marsh Tits, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wren, Nuthatch, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, GSWoodpecker, Woodpigeon,Siskin, Goldcrest and Chaffinch.I popped over the road to Tremblebere to see both Raven and Buzzard with a Willow Warbler in the bushes, great to hear!

Emsworthy which was bloody cold in the wind but still managed to see M&F Redstarts, very mobile and not hanging around, really difficult to get a shot.

On route to Soussons a few Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, a couple of Bullfinch, House Sparrows, Jackdaws, Raven, Carrion Crows, Woodpigeons and Stock Doves.

Not a lot at Soussons, no sign of Crossbills and not much at Challacombe except a couple of Wheatear along the road with Stonechats.

Cold but good day! Bird count up to 114.

On the mammal front sadly 1 dead Fallow Deer and 2 Grey Squirrel with numerous live squirrels, I noted a couple collecting nest material at Yarner.

07 April 2026

Butterflies

Although the weather has been changeable Ive had a good couple of days with the Butterflies, especially around both Powderham and Exminster Marshes.

Plenty of Peacocks around and some now looking a little worn.

New ones are Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Large White, Green-veined White (coupling) and Orange tip, with the already seen Brimstone, Comma and Peacock makes 8 species seen.

This is up on last year at this time which shouldn't be surprising as it was awful this time last year.

Did meet lots of nice humans about, must because of the sunshine!

31 March 2026

Birds

Went to Holden as there had been several Yellowhammers at the feeders and sure enough there they were also a female Brambling which was another new one which was a nice treat!

Also seen countless Siskin, Great, Blue and Coal Tits, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin and all the other usual stuff.

Went to Powderham Marshes looking for Butterflies and saw a few Chiffchaff, Wren, Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen, Grey heron to name a few, still not seen any Swallow yet.

31 March 2026

Butterflies

Went to Powderham Marsh today as I know at this time of year its a good place for Butterflies and wasn't disappointed. At least 15 Peacocks seen, a couple of Comma and 2 very fresh male Orange Tip, just found there wings and wasn't going to stop for nobody so no chance of a picture, so that makes 4 so far!

© Simon Thurgood 2026
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