A lovely night sleeping in the tent on a public footpath near to Labrador Bay, the new RSPB reserve specially for cirl buntings. Frost and sunrise, a beautiful combination which meant that there was blue sky and no wind as I opened up the front.
Packed up and at the reserve for 7.30am. Now this is more like it. Birding in the early morning and as I walked towards the right hand [south] cereal field, a cirl bunting was singing. Settled down on some large logs cut down as part of the management work here and soon had very close views of a pair. Bird 145 on the year list.
Walked around the same field and down the cliff path to a viewpoint where 3 gannets, a fulmar, 2 shags and a great northern diver [146] were the only things on a mill pond sea. A lovely trail of sea fog was entering the bay via the Exe Estuary and a kittiwake flew past with a few herring gulls.
Cycled down the Newton Abbot and had new brake pads fitted at Halford's and stocked up on hot X buns at Tescos. A very helpful security guard here. Thanks.
Yesterday had the disappointment of first, not being able to count the views that I had of the surf scoter at Dawlish Warren. Too far out and the waves obscuring the bird for long periods. There were a number of common scoter but I was in need of a good 'scope to nail it. Hope I don't live to regret the dip.
Second, gutted over the Villa losing to ... well that other team in the final yesterday. Thanks to the pub in Dawlish Warren for the shandies and the match TV.
Now on my way, on this beautiful sunny, windless day, to Bellever Youth Hostel on Dartmoor.
One thought - how do mergansers find their food in the soup that is the Exe Estuary water?
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