Wednesday 26th May: Off the moor to Labrador Bay

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 The weather was much improved today, so we decided to head off the moor to Labrador Bay, a small RSPB site renowned for Cirl Bunting. We had swotted up on the song the previous evening, and as a result we were tuned in and almost immediately heard a bird singing and were quickly able to locate it perched on the nearby hedgerow. 


Cirl Bunting

A Devon speciality, this was a lifer for Sue and Andy, although Tim and I had previously encountered them walking the South West Coast Path. 

Whilst there, we also managed excellent views of a Spotted Flycatcher.

Spotted Flycatcher

Meanwhile over the sea, a few Fulmar were soaring, although too far away for photos. Next we headed to Dawlish Warren. Unfortunately the tide was wrong for good wader views, but we did manage to locate a singing Greenfinch at the car park as well as Linnets, Pipits, Skylark, Stonechat and an obliging Reed Warbler which chuntered its monotonous song and showed well as it climbed a reed in a small marshy area. We managed just a few Ringed Plover as we scanned across the golf course from the beach, but due to storm damage the bird hide and this promising area were not accessible.

In the afternoon, following a picnic on the beach, we returned to the moor, taking a track which is familiar to Tim and I which descends to a valley opposite the Warren House Inn. Here we managed to locate a Tree Pipit distinguished by its call, and several Willow Warblers. I pointed out an area which I said was good for Whinchat and Wheatear, but initially we appeared to be out of luck. However, as we set out to return along the path, perhaps with a different light catching the birds, I initially spotted a stunning male Wheatear, which posed really well on a tussock of grass, then just to make sure we’d all got sight of it, flashed its white rump as it flew. As we continued to scan the area, we noticed two birds perched on top of the gorse. On moving nearer we were able to confirm these were indeed Whinchat. Also of note were a distant Cuckoo seen on a small tree, as well as several others heard calling from different parts of the valley, and a brief glimpse of a cronking Raven at the edge of the pine forest.

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