29.07.07

Well it was nice to get out this morning, I went to Bowling Green Marsh in Topsham. Unfortunately the kids decided last night to trash the public hide down there(bastards).

Green and Redshank, Blackwit, Dunlin , Grey Plover and Common Sands were all present this morning in front of the hide and on the River Clyst from the viewing platform.

In the evening I meet up with some friends at the warren and found a Med Gull, Arctic Skuas, Gannet, Common and Sarnie Terns amongst other common birds there.

12.07.07

I managed a couple of hours at stover cp today with my son. It was quite a good time to see butterflies. As you can see from the photos we found Marbled Whites, Silver Washed Fritillary, Gatekeepers and the surprise of the day a Large Tortoiseshell all in the same area.

We also found a Grass Snake egg( hatched)

09.07.07

I think this is my 50th post.

I went to Dartmoor this afternoon, around the Warren House Inn area. The first bird of the trip was a stunning Dartford Warbler. Then I saw a bird flying over head, it was a Curlew!! Other birds to note were Sky and Wood lark. Swallow, Kestral, Buzzard, Raven but no Ring Ouzel.

I must find one before they migrate.

03.07.07 & 04.07.07

I managed to get a bit of time on Tuesday and went up to Saddle Tor to see what was around. Skylarks were singing in between the rain showers. As I walked from Saddle Tor towards Haytor i heard the chat of the Whinchat and they were close, they were also joined by a Reed Bunting, odd I thought. There were plenty of Wheatears but no Ring Ouzels.

Wednesday brought much the same weather but I had to get to the warren. There was the normal birds around. As I didn't have much time, I walked towards the bight and as I got closer the gulls went up and hovering over the bight was an Osprey, my first for the year and the first for the year at the warren. YEAH. It stayed around for about 10 mins, fishing, catching a huge fish before flying towards Starcross. I have never seen an Osprey fish before, what a treat.