March 8 - 14 Sat - Fri
Group Size: 8
Starting Point: Exeter
Based: Totnes 3 nights, Marazion 3 nights
Walking: Easy
Description :
The south-west peninsula is the mildest region of the UK and, as such, hosts an extremely appetising range of birdlife throughout the year. Our visit to the counties of Cornwall and Devon takes place when spring is well under way and migrants are arriving, but with a great many wintering birds - especially waders and waterfowl - still very much in evidence: all three divers, five species of grebe, Brent Geese, and ducks that may include one or two out-of-the-ordinary (Garganey, American Wigeon or Ring-necked Duck). Wheatears, Sand Martins and warblers are among incoming migrant passerines, with outside possibility of a Hoopoe.
Little Egrets and Avocets one may take for granted, with Mediterranean, Little and even Ring-billed Gulls on the cards, and every chance of a Spoonbill.
And then there are the residents of which Cirl Bunting occurs nowhere else in the UK, and Cetti's and Dartford Warblers are well established. Peregrines are common, Merlins and Hen Harriers occur in moorlands, and Goshawks are highly possible.
'Incidentals' are too numerous to list, but Dipper, Kingfisher, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Black Redstart, Firecrest and Chough are among them.
Sites targeted for visits include Dawlish Warren, Slapton Ley, Prawle Point, Haldon Woods, Dartmoor, The Lizard and Marazion Marsh.
Our bird search embraces a wonderful blend of habitats, including heather moorland, fast-flowing hill streams, marshes, wooded valleys, hedged fields and estuaries, and features some of the finest coastal scenery that Britain has to offer.
As on all our tours we shall not disregard mammals or other wildlife, and shall contrive to stop at some of the many sites of cultural and historic interest.
Itinerary
Days 1 - 3 Sat - Mon...09:30 Rendezvous:
Departing Exeter we check locations along the Exe Estuary where waterfowl and waders including Brent Goose, Bar and Black-tailed Godwits, Avocet, Grey Plover and Little Egret prime the tour. Divers, grebes and sea ducks are scoped around the estuary mouth. Dawlish Warren, a sand spit projecting east across the Exe Estuary, and Torbay are among top sites visited.
A visit to coniferous forest ensures views of Buzzards performing territorial display flight, with serious chance of seeing a Goshawk. Small passerines include Willow Tit, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Crossbill and, most notably, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
Wetlands at Slapton Ley add more waterfowl to the tally, plus likelihood of our first Mediterranean or Little Gulls.
At Prawle Point Cirl Buntings are top of the list, with Gannet, Kittiwake and auks spotted out to sea.
Days 4 - 6 Tue - Thu:
Transfer to our next base touches on Dartmoor, where Hen Harrier, Merlin and Red Grouse are on the agenda. Dartford Warbler is looked for in lower heathland.
Two full days enable us to explore the Lynher Estuary, Lizard Peninsula, Mount's Bay and Marazion Marsh, plus other top birding sites, which, between them, should yield a rewarding tally of birds in a collective mixture of wonderful surroundings.
Day 7 Fri:
After a final birdwatch in the vicinity of our base we duly head back to Exeter, where the tour finishes mid-afternoon.
Cost: £860...includes:
Six nights dinner, b&b in twin rooms en suite; lunches; all excursions including transfers to and from transport terminals in Exeter.