A walk in the East Devon Pebble-bed Heaths is always a pleasure. Add in a beautiful,
sunny, dry and still day in the middle of spring and it becomes a real treat. A dozen
members and their friends, from all over the county, and beyond (Somerset), had this
experience on Thursday.
In the morning we went to the Hawkerland Valley and in the afternoon (following a
packed lunch at Joney’s Cross) to the RSPB reserve at Aylesbeare Common.
We kept (mostly) to the paths on the “dry” heath. Following the heavy rain of the
previous week we had to be content to view the “wet” heathland from adjacent areas.
Early clear sightings of four crossbills encouraged us and this was followed by good
views and songs of tree pipits and yellowhammers, among others. Dartford warblers,
however, eluded us until nearly lunchtime.
We positively identified 36 species – both by sight and by sound; (see below). A few,
however, remained in the probable or possible group because of mere glimpses or just
a note or two of distant song : e.g. firecrest, redpoll, grasshopper warbler and
skylark; … maybe next year perhaps!
Species list for 24/04/25 :
Blackbird, blackcap, blue tit, buzzard, carrion crow, chaffinch, chiffchaff, coal tit,
crossbill, dartford warbler, dunnock, goldcrest, goldfinch, great spotted woodpecker,
great tit, green woodpecker, greenfinch, herring gull, jay, linnet, long-tailed tit,
mallard, mistle thrush, nuthatch, pheasant, raven, robin, siskin, song thrush,
stonechat, swallow, tree pipit, willow warbler, wood pigeon, wren, yellowhammer.
Report by Richard Hudson
Photos by Tom Misselbrook
