Totnes & District

Report - 089 - 28/06/18

The RSPB established Labrador Bay as a reserve, in 2008, with the predominant aim to preserve the Cirl Bunting, a specie that had suffered serious decline.
Much of the reserve, which is about 1.5 miles out of Shaldon going towards Torbay, is a working farm, with cattle, sheep and horses grazing the steep meadows and crops growing on the less steep fields. The reserve overlooks Lyme Bay and offers outstanding views, with Portland Bill visible at times, despite being over 50 miles away. On our visit, (20th June) there was a distant haze, but the weather was warm and calm. The sea was almost like a mill pond but in various shades of blue; most beautiful. A dozen of us met in the car park, paid our parking fees, resisted the temptation to purchase an ice-cream from the parked van, instead read the various information boards, before passing through a gate and assembling at the top of a field looking out to sea. A short walk on a narrow path through a meadow of maturing grasses, punctuated with creeping and spear thistles and Oxford ragwort. The few butterflies were elusive, although small coppers hedge and meadow browns were seen. Passing through two gates and a small herd of bullocks, we were rewarded with a fine sight of a male Cirl bunting sitting on top of an elder bush and a less colourful female just below it. Sparrow, Chaffinch, Great tit and Blackbird were seen but not some of the other birds the site is known for - Peregrines, Skylarks, Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Gannets out at sea. I did see a pair of high-flying Cormorants. We had managed good views of our prime objective and the views across the bay were stunning, so the visit was very much worthwhile.
Next month’s outing is on Wed 18th July to Andrews Wood - The is a small sign to the car park of the reserve on the right near the top of the hill travelling from California Cross towards Loddiswell.. Meet at 10.0.am.
I believe that at the moment the Butterfly Orchids at Orley Common, Ipplepen are exceptionally good, and at Buckfastleigh, by the small park, where the River Mardle goes under the B3380 ( the road alongside the A38 the close to the entrance to Buckfastleigh Station) between 9.45 and 10.00pm hundreds of Greater Horseshow bats may be seen flying under the River Mardle road bridge.
Four members enjoyed a light meal at Cafe-Ode - at the top of the big Shaldon Carpark, with views over the Teign estuary to Teignmoth and beyond. A lovely end to the visit.

NB The last one if you have not previously requested to remain on my list. Wassail Terry