Nottingham RSPB
local group

Return of the Twitch

By custom, I start the species list for these trips as soon as I leave home, so the list was already looking healthy as we headed out on the A453.

I think that for some these holidays only really start when the first Buzzard is seen and this year we had to wait until we were crossing Worcestershire before the familiar cry "Buzzard on the right" was heard.

A stop at Strensham services enabled us to enjoy a late breakfast and stretch our legs. Our stop was enlivened by a group of Rotherham fans on their way to see their relegated team play the last game of the season though their jokes were perhaps not suitable for a family magazine!

As in 2003 our first 'birding' stop was at Exe Marshes. The weather was beautiful and sunny and the first birds to catch our attention were a pair of Peregrine Falcons perched on an electricity pylon. That dashing little falcon the Hobby also put in an appearance, whilst among the smaller birds patience was rewarded with brief views of Cetti's Warbler, singing its explosive song from a hawthorn. Other warblers such as Reed and Sedge Warbler were singing and we finally spotted a Chiff Chaff despite the ability of these warblers to hide behind a leaf.

Waders were in short supply with only Little Egret, Redshank, Curlew and Lapwing being reported.

The local pub closed its doors almost as we approached (perhaps no coincidence!) though two of our number were alarmed to be using the toilets when the lights went out.

Back on the coach we went on to the Exmouth View at Babbacombe where we renewed acquaintance with Milka and David who had looked after us so well on our previous visit. After a brief stroll it was time for dinner where our waitresses, from Bulgaria, Ecuador and South Korea looked after us very well. Later there was due to be some entertainment at the hotel and many of the group stayed to enjoy it. Some of us preferred the local pubs and chose the Buccaneer. Unfortunately a group from the 'louder is better' school came on so we left, passing two of the worlds oldest groupies who proved to be the grandmothers of two of the group members.

The following day we were up and about early and, after a hearty breakfast, set of for Slapton Ley. This is a lagoon separated by a shingle bar from the sea and some of the practices for the D-Day landings took place there. Our arrival was less dramatic but we were soon birding and that delicate member of the gull family the Kittiwake was one of our first sightings. Swallows and Sand Martins hawked over the water whilst a Stonechat chipped away from the top of the gorse. On the seaward side Sandwich Terns, Gannets and Razorbills were seen.

As we walked beside the lagoon there seemed to be a Whitethroat on every bush and across the lagoon a Common Sandpiper was picking its way along a narrow beach. At the far end of the lagoon a Blackcap and a very obliging Cettis Warbler were seen in the bushes but of most interest were the enormous number of fish packed close together in the outlet stream. They were all coarse fish though I'm not sufficiently knowledgeable to say what species were involved. Some of us took a walk through the woods on the far side of the lagoon where, as well as Willow Warbler and Long Tailed Tit we had time to admire a fine wood carving of some of the plants and birds of the area. When we returned some members reported the sight of a Marsh Harrier and, as we walked along the shingle we saw Common Terns.

After a brief stop for refreshment we boarded the coach for the return journey.

That evening, well fed once more, we had a walk and Keith Holland and I saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying along the cliff top.

That evening the young woman providing the evenings entertainment proved expert on getting audience participation and an impromptu orchestra was formed with people on maracas, castanets and a variety of other percussion instruments. The sight of the group leader in a grass skirt was too much for some but those not of a nervous disposition can view the evidence below!

After The Watching
6:49pm, 5th May 2007
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Brokeback Mountain 2
8:42pm, 6th May 2007
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See You Jimmy
9:08pm, 6th May 2007
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Leading By Example
9:21pm, 6th May 2007
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All Fun
9:19pm, 6th May 2007
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Driver Rob
8:42pm, 6th May 2007
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'Purple' Hayes
9:10pm, 6th May 2007
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David And Staff
9:54pm, 6th May 2007
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Paul's T-Shirt
6:58am, 6th May 2007
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Outings Organiser
8:42pm, 6th May 2007
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Morning After
2:54pm, 6th May 2007
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The next day was cool and showery for the trip to Berry Head, a new venue for many of us. The coach parked near the harbour which gave us the chance to extend our wader list with Turnstone. Lorna's sudden decision to stage a lie down protest took us all by surprise but she was unhurt and we all made it up the steep hill to the reserve, one or two vowing to diet once they returned home!

Gannets were flying offshore and we had a brief view of a Raven. On the cliff top is a large fortification, as well as a lighthouse and a café. We were more interested in visiting the small RSPB Guillemot watching site and in asking the warden if there were any Cirl Buntings about.

He said that a pair nested just below us close to the cliff edge and a couple of minutes later I spotted the male bunting, its handsome black and yellow facial pattern and black bib reminding me of a Shore Lark. The female appeared, not as strongly marked but still a fine sight, especially those for whom this was a lifer. Our attention was so taken up that we almost missed a flight of whimbrel as they passed overhead. We wandered among the paths that covered the headland, spotting Blackcap and Bullfinch whilst searching in vain for an elusive Lesser Whitethroat. In the woodland we came across some fine Early Purple Orchids and looked for more Cirl Buntings.

As we left Berry Head the going was much easier on the way back to Brixham and some of the group spotted a Rock Pipit by the shore.

That evening the entertainment at the hotel was more sedate than that of the previous night whilst the 'pub' group found a pleasant watering hole at the Dolphin.

It's always sad to leave a holiday and David, Milka and the girls had made us very welcome but after breakfast we boarded the coach for the journey home. We had not finished birding however and were soon at our last port of call, Aylesbeare Common, a heath and woodland reserve to the east of Exeter. Here we hoped to see Dartford Warbler but the weather, though dry, was windy and the birds would be keeping low. As the trip list was still rather limited I encouraged the group by inventing a new rule for the sweepstake which said that, in the event of no one having the winning ticket for the number of species seen, I kept the stakes! This produced a flurry of activity but at first a fine male Stonechat was the only bird to show. Persistence paid and we at last saw the grey back, strawberry breast and cocked tail of the Dartford Warbler. The group had spread out over the common and woodland and the species list began to swell. Coal tit, Goldcrest, Tree Creeper and Yellowhammer were among my contributions whilst other groups added Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, Lesser Redpoll and Whinchat. Those who had missed the Dartford Warbler earlier were rewarded with a sighting as we gathered before returning to the coach.

Rob drove us back to Nottingham; the only outstanding duty was to present Christine Fordham with the sweepstake prize. Christine had won it on our last visit to Babbacombe. What does she know that we don't?

In addition to Dave, Rob and Jill thanks have to go to Jan Goodwin for all the work she puts in in organizing the holiday and the venues we visit. Ninety three species seen and thirty seven birders who can't wait for next year!