Humpback Whale And Desert Wheatear

Great day yesterday whale watching at Slapton and a visit to Thurlestone for the desert wheatear.  I have never actually seen any kind of whale before so to see a humpback close into the shore was really exciting.  We watched the whale for several hours as it swam back and forth across the bay following shoals of fish.   It really was a wonderful sight.  Shame some idiots had to keep speeding after it in a boat every time it surfaced.  I believe today police have said anyone seen going anywhere near it in a boat will be prosecuted and the area is now being patrolled by fisheries vesssels.   Such a shame its necessary.  Anyway there were many people watching and enjoying it from the car park and along the shore when we arrived.  Everybody was so excited to be seeing it and there was a great friendly atmosphere.

Before Slapton we had made a quick visit to Thurlestone to see the long staying desert wheatear which  I hadn't yet seen and is beginning to look rather smart.  As we got towards the beach it flew straight across in front of us so there was no problem locating it.  It was quite mobile but came quite close and was constantly singing.  Sad to think it won't find a mate there.

 Back to Slapton and there were plenty of gannets diving in the bay for fish

and a black necked grebe was swimming and diving reasonably close in to the shore.  Not a great picture of either though I'm afraid.

Waxwings, Cattle Egrets And More.

Due to knee problems and having been unable to get out for a bit I was delighted when I was offered a lift to see the A38 waxwings.  Unfortunately it was very overcast for photos but it was great to get to see them.   

Having tried many times to see the Colyton cattle egrets without success a friend took me up to the private Colcombe Road where we had permission to park in the driveway of one of the bungalows from where they were regularly showing well.   By this time there were 4 though they were never close enough to get all 4 in the same frame.

I had more luck with this yellow browed warbler at Topshm rec than I've had with any of our local patch ones.

I'm beginning to get out a bit more again now so here are a few more photos of some of our more common species

This shag was on Exmouth sea front last week

There were at least 2 goldcrests on BHM this afternoon

A little egret on the river that never did manage to get this meal down.

And lastly a bunny