North Devon

A couple of nights under canvas at our favorite north Devon campsite, which hovers over rolling hills down to a steep cliff and ultimately the rocky beach, and the bird life did not disappoint.

My target species was a grasshopper warbler - last year I managed to get a good close up, but this time round all I could experience was the drifting sound of its reeling song.  Some compensation came in the form of numerous chirpy wheatears - several of which were quite confiding - hopping between grassy mounds and sheep poop after insects.  These were accompanied by the ever present stonechats, calling frequently but also singing - something that I'd not noticed before,

Away from the cliff edges and short grass, where the valley flattens out and reeds take hold on boggy ground, a (ringed) sedge warbler vigorously defended its territory.  Numerous whitethroats scratched out their song, perched upon the gorse and hawthorn, where the woodbine flowers were starting to burst open and foxgloves spikes enticed many a bumble bee to clamber into their long pink flowers.

The occasional willow warbler and blackbird were also holding territories, along with linnets and goldfinches.  A fulmar passed overhead and a possible peregrine made an appearance.

Although overcast I did catch a few images:

sedge warbler with leg ring

whitethroat

whitethroat

willow warbler

willow warbler