Bill Coulson
@devonshirenature.bsky.social
Birding, Bees, Insects, Plants, Cetaceans, Nature
South Devon. U.K. Mostly using Canon R7 and RF100-500 lens
South Devon. U.K. Mostly using Canon R7 and RF100-500 lens
Curlews feeding in the soft soil of fields near Bowling Green Marsh yesterday. This one throwing back and swallowing a small earthworm.
Out on the mudbanks in a receding tide at least 200 Avocets
sweeping their bills left and right, picking up tiny shrimps and marine worms.
Out on the mudbanks in a receding tide at least 200 Avocets
sweeping their bills left and right, picking up tiny shrimps and marine worms.
November 26, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Curlews feeding in the soft soil of fields near Bowling Green Marsh yesterday. This one throwing back and swallowing a small earthworm.
Out on the mudbanks in a receding tide at least 200 Avocets
sweeping their bills left and right, picking up tiny shrimps and marine worms.
Out on the mudbanks in a receding tide at least 200 Avocets
sweeping their bills left and right, picking up tiny shrimps and marine worms.
Red-throated Diver some way off Broadsands this afternoon.
Distinctive slender up-turned bill. Not quite in full winter plumage yet.
I took pic 2 at the end of Nov. last year and the bird was much closer. Its latin name Gavia stellata alluding to its white/star speckled back in winter plumage.
Distinctive slender up-turned bill. Not quite in full winter plumage yet.
I took pic 2 at the end of Nov. last year and the bird was much closer. Its latin name Gavia stellata alluding to its white/star speckled back in winter plumage.
November 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Red-throated Diver some way off Broadsands this afternoon.
Distinctive slender up-turned bill. Not quite in full winter plumage yet.
I took pic 2 at the end of Nov. last year and the bird was much closer. Its latin name Gavia stellata alluding to its white/star speckled back in winter plumage.
Distinctive slender up-turned bill. Not quite in full winter plumage yet.
I took pic 2 at the end of Nov. last year and the bird was much closer. Its latin name Gavia stellata alluding to its white/star speckled back in winter plumage.
Snipe well hidden at Clennon Lakes, Paignton this morning.
November 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Snipe well hidden at Clennon Lakes, Paignton this morning.
Broadsands this morning, one Great Northern Diver and one Great Crested Grebe out in the bay.
A Grey Heron landing close to the beach.
A Grey Heron landing close to the beach.
November 18, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Broadsands this morning, one Great Northern Diver and one Great Crested Grebe out in the bay.
A Grey Heron landing close to the beach.
A Grey Heron landing close to the beach.
Headstarted Curlew C5 , released Peppering, W. Sussex 24/7/24. Next sighted 6/10/25 on the R. Dart and reported to Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Bird seen on an Osprey Cruise @clennonvalley.bsky.social.
Thanks Bleddyn Thomas of GWCT for info and link:
www.birdguides.com/news/headsta...
Bird seen on an Osprey Cruise @clennonvalley.bsky.social.
Thanks Bleddyn Thomas of GWCT for info and link:
www.birdguides.com/news/headsta...
November 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Headstarted Curlew C5 , released Peppering, W. Sussex 24/7/24. Next sighted 6/10/25 on the R. Dart and reported to Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.
Bird seen on an Osprey Cruise @clennonvalley.bsky.social.
Thanks Bleddyn Thomas of GWCT for info and link:
www.birdguides.com/news/headsta...
Bird seen on an Osprey Cruise @clennonvalley.bsky.social.
Thanks Bleddyn Thomas of GWCT for info and link:
www.birdguides.com/news/headsta...
Berry Head NNR nearly always comes up with something interesting even on a grey day:
Goldcrest, one of several down in the quarry.
A large pod of Common Dolphins passing the headland and moving south at speed. Pic 4 shows a mother and calf.
Goldcrest, one of several down in the quarry.
A large pod of Common Dolphins passing the headland and moving south at speed. Pic 4 shows a mother and calf.
November 11, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Berry Head NNR nearly always comes up with something interesting even on a grey day:
Goldcrest, one of several down in the quarry.
A large pod of Common Dolphins passing the headland and moving south at speed. Pic 4 shows a mother and calf.
Goldcrest, one of several down in the quarry.
A large pod of Common Dolphins passing the headland and moving south at speed. Pic 4 shows a mother and calf.
This young Sparrowhawk flew the length of the big quarry at Berry Head. Flying along the rockface it lunged at a little bird but failed to catch it.
It flew up to a perch just 10 metres from where I stood and stayed some minutes looking for more ambush opportunities!
It flew up to a perch just 10 metres from where I stood and stayed some minutes looking for more ambush opportunities!
November 9, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This young Sparrowhawk flew the length of the big quarry at Berry Head. Flying along the rockface it lunged at a little bird but failed to catch it.
It flew up to a perch just 10 metres from where I stood and stayed some minutes looking for more ambush opportunities!
It flew up to a perch just 10 metres from where I stood and stayed some minutes looking for more ambush opportunities!
A Sycamore Aphid Drepanosiphum platanoides sheltered and comfortable under a Common Bonnet Mycena galericulata yesterday at Slapton Ley NNR.
In the trees above are predators actively searching for aphids like this one. Firecrests, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs etc She had best stay down where she is!
In the trees above are predators actively searching for aphids like this one. Firecrests, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs etc She had best stay down where she is!
November 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
A Sycamore Aphid Drepanosiphum platanoides sheltered and comfortable under a Common Bonnet Mycena galericulata yesterday at Slapton Ley NNR.
In the trees above are predators actively searching for aphids like this one. Firecrests, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs etc She had best stay down where she is!
In the trees above are predators actively searching for aphids like this one. Firecrests, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs etc She had best stay down where she is!
Firecrest, one of three at Slapton Ley NNR yesterday. All were feeding actively, as was this Chiffchaff in the willows finding insects under the leaves.
On the beach - one of a pair of Sanderling down by the water's edge, and in the fenced area a very late-leaving Wheatear.
On the beach - one of a pair of Sanderling down by the water's edge, and in the fenced area a very late-leaving Wheatear.
November 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Firecrest, one of three at Slapton Ley NNR yesterday. All were feeding actively, as was this Chiffchaff in the willows finding insects under the leaves.
On the beach - one of a pair of Sanderling down by the water's edge, and in the fenced area a very late-leaving Wheatear.
On the beach - one of a pair of Sanderling down by the water's edge, and in the fenced area a very late-leaving Wheatear.
Two Grey Seals hauled out on rocks just below the road to the quarry at Berry Head. The pale seal looks as if it has had a neck wound, now healed. It also looks as if it may well be blind in one eye.
The dark seal just looked relaxed.
The dark seal just looked relaxed.
November 3, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Two Grey Seals hauled out on rocks just below the road to the quarry at Berry Head. The pale seal looks as if it has had a neck wound, now healed. It also looks as if it may well be blind in one eye.
The dark seal just looked relaxed.
The dark seal just looked relaxed.
Gannets diving for small fish in Torbay yesterday morning. Maybe a 1000 or more Gannets feeding.
Sorry about the camera shake!
Sorry about the camera shake!
November 2, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Gannets diving for small fish in Torbay yesterday morning. Maybe a 1000 or more Gannets feeding.
Sorry about the camera shake!
Sorry about the camera shake!
Common Dolphins feeding energetically off Berry Head yesterday afternoon. Torbay was full of fish and shots 1 + 2 show a dolphin lungeing at Garfish. This one was too fast!
November 2, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Common Dolphins feeding energetically off Berry Head yesterday afternoon. Torbay was full of fish and shots 1 + 2 show a dolphin lungeing at Garfish. This one was too fast!
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna right under the cliff at Berry Head this afternoon. I've never seen one so close-in. Doesn't come any more exciting than this.....
October 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna right under the cliff at Berry Head this afternoon. I've never seen one so close-in. Doesn't come any more exciting than this.....
Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria at Slapton Ley NNR yesterday. A handsome chunky hoverfly in hornet colours, common enough.
Its appearance is a bit late at the end of October but presumably brought out by the sun.
Its appearance is a bit late at the end of October but presumably brought out by the sun.
October 28, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria at Slapton Ley NNR yesterday. A handsome chunky hoverfly in hornet colours, common enough.
Its appearance is a bit late at the end of October but presumably brought out by the sun.
Its appearance is a bit late at the end of October but presumably brought out by the sun.
Harbour Porpoises still playful off Berry Head.
Peregrine Falcon doing some aerobatics.
Earthtongues now appearing. Coloquially known as "dead man's fingers" I think these are Geoglossum cookeanum.
Peregrine Falcon doing some aerobatics.
Earthtongues now appearing. Coloquially known as "dead man's fingers" I think these are Geoglossum cookeanum.
October 26, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Harbour Porpoises still playful off Berry Head.
Peregrine Falcon doing some aerobatics.
Earthtongues now appearing. Coloquially known as "dead man's fingers" I think these are Geoglossum cookeanum.
Peregrine Falcon doing some aerobatics.
Earthtongues now appearing. Coloquially known as "dead man's fingers" I think these are Geoglossum cookeanum.
Some of the birds seen yesterday at Berry Head:
Male Cirl Bunting singing.
Female Bullfinch.
One of half a dozen Common Gulls over the sea.
Flock of Feral Doves also flying out over the sea.
Male Cirl Bunting singing.
Female Bullfinch.
One of half a dozen Common Gulls over the sea.
Flock of Feral Doves also flying out over the sea.
October 25, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Some of the birds seen yesterday at Berry Head:
Male Cirl Bunting singing.
Female Bullfinch.
One of half a dozen Common Gulls over the sea.
Flock of Feral Doves also flying out over the sea.
Male Cirl Bunting singing.
Female Bullfinch.
One of half a dozen Common Gulls over the sea.
Flock of Feral Doves also flying out over the sea.
Male Harbour Porpoise in false-mating with a female. This was happening all day at Berry Head. Males always come up under females on her left hand side. Mating season in UK is Apr-Sept and this male is clearly not equipped to consummate so what's it all about? What's being communicated?
October 24, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Male Harbour Porpoise in false-mating with a female. This was happening all day at Berry Head. Males always come up under females on her left hand side. Mating season in UK is Apr-Sept and this male is clearly not equipped to consummate so what's it all about? What's being communicated?
Emsworthy Mire NR yesterday morning and sightings of Ring Ouzels and a flock of maybe 100+ Fieldfares intent on stripping a large Hawthorn of its berries. Intermingled amongst them were a small flock of Starlings. Glossy beauties!
October 23, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Emsworthy Mire NR yesterday morning and sightings of Ring Ouzels and a flock of maybe 100+ Fieldfares intent on stripping a large Hawthorn of its berries. Intermingled amongst them were a small flock of Starlings. Glossy beauties!
The rare Red Cage Fungus Clathrus rubra in the woods at Berry Head. It grows into a cage shape up to 9cms w x 12cms h.
has no stalk and in a few days will collapse in on itself.
Thanks Mike L. for the heads up.
has no stalk and in a few days will collapse in on itself.
Thanks Mike L. for the heads up.
October 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The rare Red Cage Fungus Clathrus rubra in the woods at Berry Head. It grows into a cage shape up to 9cms w x 12cms h.
has no stalk and in a few days will collapse in on itself.
Thanks Mike L. for the heads up.
has no stalk and in a few days will collapse in on itself.
Thanks Mike L. for the heads up.
The lovely, cold, blue, fish-finding eye of one of the Gannets diving off Berry Head yesterday. They call loudly when they spot fish and dive . Within minutes greater numbers of Gannets can arrive.
October 21, 2025 at 6:59 AM
The lovely, cold, blue, fish-finding eye of one of the Gannets diving off Berry Head yesterday. They call loudly when they spot fish and dive . Within minutes greater numbers of Gannets can arrive.
We walked up from Powderham to the Turf Hotel on a grey and windy morning.
Amongst the birdlife was this Kestrel on a wire, lots of Curlew out on the banks and six Black-tailed Godwits below the Turf lock.
Amongst the birdlife was this Kestrel on a wire, lots of Curlew out on the banks and six Black-tailed Godwits below the Turf lock.
October 19, 2025 at 10:37 AM
We walked up from Powderham to the Turf Hotel on a grey and windy morning.
Amongst the birdlife was this Kestrel on a wire, lots of Curlew out on the banks and six Black-tailed Godwits below the Turf lock.
Amongst the birdlife was this Kestrel on a wire, lots of Curlew out on the banks and six Black-tailed Godwits below the Turf lock.
Common Dolphin breaching in a choppy sea off Berry Head, Brixham yesterday.
October 18, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Common Dolphin breaching in a choppy sea off Berry Head, Brixham yesterday.
In a strong easterly wind this morning the Berry Head Guillemot colony was packed to the rafters.
October 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
In a strong easterly wind this morning the Berry Head Guillemot colony was packed to the rafters.
Great sequence of two shots from Bob Cunningham showing a wounded Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. The third shot is one I took nearly a week earlier in the same area of what is clearly the same tuna. It is returning to this same area to catch Garfish.
Likely damage from a boat propeller?
Likely damage from a boat propeller?
October 12, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Great sequence of two shots from Bob Cunningham showing a wounded Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. The third shot is one I took nearly a week earlier in the same area of what is clearly the same tuna. It is returning to this same area to catch Garfish.
Likely damage from a boat propeller?
Likely damage from a boat propeller?
A Red-throated Diver passed Berry Head this morning heading due south.
Several Clouded Yellows seen in the quarry at Berry Head, also this morning.
Several Clouded Yellows seen in the quarry at Berry Head, also this morning.
October 7, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A Red-throated Diver passed Berry Head this morning heading due south.
Several Clouded Yellows seen in the quarry at Berry Head, also this morning.
Several Clouded Yellows seen in the quarry at Berry Head, also this morning.