Blog

17 April 2021

Green-veined White

Found this Male Green Veined White at Exminster Marshes.

Again a butterfly found on Dandelions which shows the importance of this plant to insects in the early part of the year.

17 April 2021

Whinchats

On Dartmoor today found two rather flighty Whinchats, both males in their usual nesting areas.

Plenty of Wheatears, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks but sadly no sound of any Cuckoos or sight of any Redstarts although both have been seen on Dartmoor today

15 April 2021

Yarner

Went to Yarner this morning which was quite busy with humans of all sorts, some with dogs attached and some annoyingly free running, some people cant read!

Also annoyingly the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have moved from their tree they were making hole in, but why am I surprised? I shouldn't be as groups of humans stood at the bottom of the tree looking up, some with Bins, some with Cameras and others just looking.

They have moved to the top and the humans have moved as well but hopefully where they are now they wont be disturbed, I didn't join the group and away from the madding crowd I was joined by the Female LSW who even gave me a tune as well, beautiful birds even better when you have them to yourselves!

Also on show was several Pied Flycatchers who looked very smart also singing away. lots of Bird Song, just a joy to listen to!

15 April 2021

Small Copper

Went to Dawlish Warren this afternoon looking for a Small Copper, I have been several times after it had been seen a few days ago but the weather hadn't been the best. Phil C text me to say they were showing well and off I went. In the end I found Three.

That makes 7 with Peacock, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Comma and Large White.

14 April 2021

Peregrines at Exminster Marshes

Its been noticeable the extra activity of the Peregrines at Exminster and hunting from the Pylons, couple of days ago I saw one rob a Crow of a Slow Worm on the ground. Several other sightings of them on and flying from the Pylons, have been told they are the birds from the Church in Exeter but not sure how they know that?

Today there was two birds, the bigger bird pushed off the smaller one off the Pylon, the smaller one ( Pic on left ) has a white breast while the other has markings up to the neck and a lot bigger.

Is it male and female or Adult and Juvenile?

14 April 2021

Large White

Originally thought this was a Small White due to its size but its turned out to be a female Large White.

It was on a path at Exminster Marshes. Did see Orange tip, Speckled Wood, Peacock and Comma as well along the back path, but Butterflies a bit slow so far this year

07 April 2021

Pintail

Walking around Exminster Marshes today and to my surprise there is still a pair of Pintail.

I might be wrong but normally arnt they moved on by now?

They both looked stunning and did the characteristic tails up like no other!

06 April 2021

Dartmoor

Went up to Dartmoor today which was windy and cold, intermittent showers, hail, snow and sun.

I visited Yarner, Trendlebere, Emsworthy Mire, Soussons, Challacombe Farm, and the high Moor.

Soussons was a waste of time because the wind was blowing the trees around, Yarner was good as it was in the shelter, good views of the Lesser-spotted Woodpecker as well as the Greater-spotted Woodpecker, Good views of Pied Flycatchers but sadly distant.

The High Moors held the best views of Birds as due to the wind they were all on the ground, many Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Stonechats and Wheatears. The later in good numbers on the rd up from Challacombe farm.

Many Corvids on the floor, especially Jackdaws but also Rook, Carrion Crow and Ravens, Magpies and a solitary Jay also seen.

Several Buzzards seen sat down out of the wind as well as Woodpigeon, Blackbirds, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail and House Sparrow.

Good to meet David Bailey who was taking shots of the LSW at Yarner. I would recommend you visit his blog https://www.thehallofeinar.com/

03 April 2021

5 up

Managed to find another 2 new butterflies for the year!

A female Orange Tip on some Periwinkle, found this on a country lane at the back of Kenton, flower and Butterfly looked stunning in the sun.

The Comma was one of two seen at Dawlish Warren by the entrance bushes.

02 April 2021

Under a Rock

While doing some Beach combing on Dawlish Warren Beach I picked up a rock and found all sorts of goodies!

Apart from Shore Crabs there was a Worm Pipefish,see top left picture. Five-bearded Rockling with the Crab, top right picture.

The fast moving Butterfish which I put into a pot so I could take a picture, stunning looking fish.

Its amazing what you can find out there, I like to go in an area about 2/3rds down the beach in a flat area, lots of flat stones from buildings which are easy to lift up.

I also found plenty of other interesting stuff such as Green Sea Urchins that where alive that normally would be washed up dead. This an area that just keeps giving!

02 April 2021

That makes it 3

Its a bit slow on the Butterfly front this year but made it to 3 with a Speckled Wood, in fact like London Busses, you dont see any for ages and then 3 came along together!

This time last year I had 5, one of them was the Large Tort at Portland which due to lockdown i have missed this year.

So that is Peacock, Brimstone and Speckled Wood, long way to go yet!

© Simon Thurgood 2021
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