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!

© Simon Thurgood 2024
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