My last Devon post :-

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You cannot go to Devon without seeing Branscombe (a pretty little village with lots of flowers and birds!), after which we went to Beer; then Seaton (where we should have gone with friends a few weeks ago, but I was working, and hopefully we will do that soon). Seaton was great. The hide is perfect for an all round view and great for seeing Kingfishers. We then went to Powderham, Cockwood and then finished the evening at Dawlish Warren. It was a beautiful evening and having chased a Kingfisher around the pool, and then a Wheatear around the beach we decided we were too tired to go looking for waders (although it would have been a perfect time as the tide was low and the light was fabulous). Instead, we sat on the beach and watched the sun set. These are the last of my pics (I think!)...

Wheatear on the beach at Dawlish Warren...


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Robin at Seaton...

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Robin at Dawlish Warren...

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Carrion Crow - Dawlish Warren...

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Stonechat (It was acting very strange - I thought it may be a Whitchat at first)...

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Llamas (I think). We passed a gateway and I spotted them and summoned the Abbot to turn the car around and go back :-)

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Dragon Fly at Seaton...

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I think this may be the result of a hatched Moth or Butterfly. Spotted at Dawlish Warren. I do find some strange things - I was intrigued by it :-)

It suddenly hit me this morning... Winter is definitely on its way. My hands were stiff and there was no way I would be sitting outside to watch the birds with my cup of tea. Back door open (but just as bad) I switched on the PC (as I find I am doing more in the mornings lately). Steve Rogers had posted some lovely pictures (as always), but I took more time to read the blog than usual and realised something else... I MUST learn to use this camera properly!

A few more from Tuesday...


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Another quick post as I have to prioritise membership work as opposed to sorting out my pictures from the day. My day list for Butterflies seems to be increasing with the warm weather (8 today), but the bird day list is declining at 39!
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A delightful place to pose for a piccie...
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Rook
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Not my best Wheatear, but I do like these lively birds and cannot resist taking lots of pics!
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I wish I could have done this one more justice, but I think the car was still moving (that's my excuse anyway!)...
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Wall Brown

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Not sure which Grasshopper or Cricket this is. By the way it was hopping around I would go for Groundhopper!... He was livlier than the company he was keeping... In a churchyard!
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Red Admiral (I think)
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Another Silver Y - There seems to be a lot of these about at the moment...
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Spider - I just don't have the time to ID!
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Trevose Head, Sunday

Juvenile Wheatear (I hope) !
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Mission Accomplished...

Not long got back, so another rush job! I went out this morning with a species target of 50 for the day and as you will see from the heading… I made it with more to spare! However, I have two “dunnos”! Well, I think I know, but they may both be life ticks so I am playing my cards close until I get a definite ID!

I am having serious problems with my camera trigger finger! Reynaud’s; The finger has been frozen, completely numb and very painful all day. It has been a nightmare using the camera. Don’t know how I will type at work on Monday if it doesn’t improve, as I'm struggling now!

Covered many miles and many areas today. One place was Bossiney where we walked up the cliffs. The Abbot being some way behind, I settled near the edge of the cliff in the grass, amongst the wild flowers and Butterflies; I lay back and looked up at the House Martins flitting above me… it was heavenly! I am grateful to live in such a beautiful County, and I will try to remember this when I am sitting in my office on Tuesday!

My pics:-

Raptor in trouble... It was difficult to watch! Not good shots with the distance, heat haze and my minimal capabilities, but you can get the picture :- ) -


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Not sure what this is yet... Not had time to ID!

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A thrill for me… I’ve seen one Wheatear before, and I’ve secretly been waiting desperately to see one again. There were two :- ) Took me ages to get my finger to work though!
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Again, I still need to ID this one...

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My day list:-

1. Little Grebe
2. Shag
3. Cormorant
4. Little Egret
5. Heron
6. Mute Swan
7. Canada Goose + Goslings
8. Mallard
9. Fulmar
10. Guillemot
11. Buzzard
12. Kestrel
13. Pheasant
14. Moorhen
15. Coot
16. Turnstone
17. First Dunno yet!
18. Herring Gull
19. Lesser Black Backed Gull
20. Greater Black Backed Gull
21. F Pigeon
22. Woodpigeon
23. Collared Dove
24. Cuckoo (heard & hunted for a glimpse, to no avail!)
25. Swift
26. Skylark
27. House Martin
28. Swallow
29. Second Dunno yet!
30. Pied Wagtail
31. Wheatear
32. Wren
33. Dunnock
34. Robin
35. Stonechat
36. Song Thrush
37. Blackbird
38. Whitethroat
39. Sedge Warbler (heard)
40. Chiffchaff
41. Coal Tit
42. Great Tit
43. Blue Tit
44. Magpie
45. Jackdaw
46. Rook
47. Carrion Crow
48. Raven
49. Starling
50. House Sparrow
51. Chaffinch
52. Goldfinch
53. Greenfinch
54. Linnet