Day trip to Slapton and Start Point

Eight hardy birdwatchers gathered at a car park close to Slapton, our numbers perhaps reduced by the poor weather forecast. Good views of a flock of linnets were seen as we walked down to the wind-swept beach. There, we saw a pair of resting whimbrel and we were joined by one more group member. Several shag and a couple of guillemot were seen fishing in the sea.

Walking on past a small pool and then along the public footpath at the side of Slapton Ley, we heard many singing Cetti’s warblers. The group were pleased to be able to hear and eventually see a reed warbler further along the path. There were many birds on and around the water, including several tufted duck, a pair of mute swan with six cygnets and a grey heron. The highlight however was the sight of a pair of courting great crested grebe. It was delightful privilege to see the birds swim parallel to each other, wag heads in unison and eventually present weeds to each other in that is known as the “weed dance”. On the walk through woods and fields back to the cars, a great spotted woodpecker, long-tailed tit and many chiffchaff were seen.

After lunch at Torcross, the group drove to Start Point, where we enjoyed a rather wet and windy walk down to the lighthouse, along the coast path and back across the fields. Several pied-wagtail and meadow pipit, along with a few stonechat were seen in the fields. Looking out to sea, shags and distant gannets could be seen flying low over the surf. One of the group noticed and then rescued an angle shades moth from the path and placed it safely in the weeds by the wall. After rounding the headland, a couple of oystercatcher were spotted on a small beach below and a group of 10 or more grey seals were seen basking on the rocks.

Thanks to Richard Swinbank and Cat Holt for leading another enjoyable wildlife walk and to Cat for taking some great photos. 

Mark Barron

60 species identified (H denotes heard-only): Pheasant, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall , Mallard, Tufted Duck, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Moorhen, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Guillemot, Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Cetti’s Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Warbler (H), Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Wren, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Stonechat, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch.