Birds In The Bay

Thurlestone Bay is a bird-rich area of the South Hams part of Devon; the South West Coast Path follows the coastline from which you can visit our › two Bird Reserves and explore the beaches and, at low tide, the rocks.

By Mike Passman of Thurlestone Bay Birds

Having been birdwatching in this area for more than 20 years since retiring and now living overlooking Thurlestone Marsh, I have also highlighted some of the exciting birds you could encounter during the Autumn and Winter months. Parking facilities at our starting point is the National Trust car park at South Milton Sands with a capacity for 200+ vehicles - charges are free if you are a National Trust Member or £6 per day if not (reduced to £3 from 1st November). Adjacent is the Beach House Cafe and one of the few public toilet facilities available. The car park is adjacent to the Devon Bird reserve of South Huish Marsh - it is one of the few freshwater lakes along the South Devon Coast. It is probably the third most important site in Devon for migrating birds and winter waterfowl visitors.

During the Autumn and Winter months, you can encounter the following species - Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Water Rail, Little Egret, Heron, Water Pipit, Snipe and Jack Snipe. Passage waders recorded in the Autumn are Dunlin, Black-Tailed Godwit, Ruff, Curlew, Sandpiper, Little Stint, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Redshank. If Europe experiences a severe cold snap, birds will migrate to the Marsh, which is rarely completely frozen over. New arrivals can include - Golden Plover, Lapwing, White-fronted Goose, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull. In the Autumn of 2021, there were 3 records of Pectoral Sandpiper (a wader that breeds in North America) and a Spotted Crake - only the second record in over 20 years. On this part of the coastline is an extensive beach with some rocks to investigate at low tide - very popular with kite and windsurfers, bodyboarding and Kayaks. It is also one of the three dog-friendly beaches along this part of the Coast. Offshore you can encounter flocks of Gannet - a magnificent sight when diving from up to 20 feet into a shoal of Mackerel. Mediterranean gulls can be found amongst black-headed gulls' flocks on the rocks. Autumn passage finds flocks of common scoter flying through the bay and many Razorbill and Guillemot.

In 2021 the highlight were flocks of Balearic Shearwater; a new record day total of 500 were recorded. In Winter, you may see Red-Throated, Black-Throated and Great Northern Divers and small numbers of Brent Geese on the sea. Waders on the rocks or beaches can include ringed plover, oystercatcher, Dunlin, Sanderling and Turnstone. In the Winter, occasional visitors are Black Redstarts amongst the resident Rock Pipits. Walking towards >

Waders & Rock Pits at South Milton Sands 18 Sept 2020 - taken by Mike Passman

Bantham, you will cross a wooden footbridge across the water flowing out of South Milton Ley - if the sand bar has blocked the outflow, the water builds up, and when it breaks through, the sand can be up to 8 feet high. Crossing the bridge, you will see an extensive Reed bed to your right. This is the South Milton Bird Reserve owned and managed by Devon Birds. The reed beds extend inland for approx a mile - there is a permissive public footpath around the reserve; if you have the time, it is well worth a detour from the coast path.

This reserve is one of the main breeding grounds for warblers in Devon - Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler. In Autumn, birds returning to their wintering quarters in southern Europe and Africa are caught and ringed by a BTO qualified (British Trust for Ornithology) and authorised ringer - Cettis Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, willow warbler, along with occasionally spotted Flycatcher, Goldcrest and Firecrest. It is also one of the main wintering sites for Chiffchaff which number up to 50, and the scarce Siberian Chiffchaff. Cold winter weather will see a big increase in Finches, Reed Bunting, Song Thrush, Redwings and Fieldfare. Distances travelled are difficult to appreciate - some of these birds travel almost 4000km (crossing the Sahara Desert) and then return to breed again at the ley, all without sat nav! Returning to our walk, the next beach reached is Leasfoot Beach. A remarkable fact for birds on this site occurred on 8th November 2015, when a male Desert Wheatear was found - this stayed on this beach until early March 2016. On 9th November 2021, a female Desert Wheatear was found. These birds breed in North Africa, and as their name implies, they frequent deserts. This year's arrival is only the second record in 2021 throughout the United Kingdom. Continuing along the coast path with Thurlestone golf course adjacent to the path, you can encounter in Autumn - Wheatear, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Whitethroat and Stonechat. In October 2018, a rare visitor was an Isabelline Shrike, a bird that breeds in Asia and winters in the Middle East. You will reach a point overlooking Bigbury Bay - in the morning sun, the view of the iconic Burgh Island Hotel and the bay will remain with you for some time. Here you choose paths, continue on and down the hill to Bigbury Bay or turn right and follow the path around the outside of Thurlestone golf course. This will eventually lead you to Thurlestone Church and the village, where you will find both the village shop and the local pub, The Village Inn, where you can sit down to a welcome drink and delicious food. The return route to the national trust car park is to walk to the golf club and return along the coastal path. I hope this article provides some insight into what you can see both birds and the beautiful devon coastline whilst taking in the wonderful sea air - your lungs will appreciate it. If you want to find out more about the birds that are recorded, visit our website, it is updated daily. thurlestonebaybirds.co.uk

Desert Wheatear on Leasfoot Beach Thurlestone 10 Nov 2021 taken by Mike Passman