Friends

I haven't done much birding recently as we were enjoying a long weekend with friends Elizabeth & Alistair. We had a lovely 8 mile walk on Dartmoor on Monday, starting at Bennett's Cross. I took the bins (of course) but the best I found were a couple of Tree Pipits & a Redpoll. I also found a damselfly which I think is a female Beautiful Demoiselle - a new one for me.

Fantastic views looking North across the moor

Beautiful Damselfly (I think!)

Elizabeth & Alistair headed back to Northants yesterday, so I went to explore the RSPB & Devon Wildlife Trust reserves at Venn Ottery. I've never been before & was impressed by the views walking into the RSPB reserve (photo at the top of the post). As I walked down the hill I had nice views of Tree Pipits & could hear plenty of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs & Yellowhammers. I could also hear singing which I didn't recognise, but as I couldn't find the source I have no idea what it was. Oh for an expert!

As far as other wildlife goes, I only saw a Red Admiral & a White of some sort which I didn't manage to get close enough to ID.

Red Admiral

I walked down to the DWT reserve which can only be accessed from the RSPB one. There was no map & no obvious path. I didn't get far as there was a boggy section blocking any route across. It was an interesting habitat, although there wasn't very much in the way of wildlife.

Venn Ottery DWT Reserve

Heath Spotted Orchid

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary....my first

I also saw a very washed out Peacock butterfly, a few Speckled Woods, and a small blue damselfly that I can't identify from a bad photo. I saw plenty of Yellowhammers, Willow Warblers & Chiffchaffs and  realised at one stage that I was being watched through the vegetation.....

Having a sneaky peak

A very pleasant afternoon in the sun!