Trip reports
Prawle Point - 10 October 2007
Thursday, 18 October 2007
Unfortunately, this was not the case on this day, but there is always the thrill of exceptional views of cirl buntings in this their main stronghold in south England.
The large patch of scrub behind the first field below the car park is a magnet for birds, and the group spent the time watching, among others, cirl buntings sitting on top of shrubs. Indeed, one colourful male with black head stripes, was singing away in the bright sunshine. At one point, it's nearest relative, a yellowhammer, appeared nearby and comparisons were easy.
Plenty of other small birds were present, including goldfinch, greenfinch, song thrush, chaffinch, blue and great tits, and some linnets.
Plenty of swallows and martins were swooping overhead, and on the walls and gorse, wheatear and stonechat were spotted.
Birds of prey included buzzard, kestrel and sparrowhawk, while out at sea there was a constant passage of passing gannets.
Several different species of gulls were noted, plus cormorant and shag, and when the party reached the furthermost point of their walk, little egret, curlew, oystercatcher, turnstone and grey plover were found on the small patch of sandy beach.
Other species seen included rock pipit, meadow pipit, pied wagtail and some very vocal ravens circling overhead during most of the walk.
Scanning the low cliffs behind the fields, at one point a fox was seen stretched out in the sunshine, making the most of a sheltered sunny spot.