DEVON COLETON FISHACRE
Coastal birding with a unique target bird
The lagoon tempts in a good range of species: Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Warbler have both bred here recently. The surrounding coastline offers spectacularly scenic birding and the farmland adjacent to the Trust’s Coleton Fishacre is home to a good number of Cirl Buntings, found only on this south-west coast. The area offers many choices of inland paths, depending on your preference for distance.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 Woodhuish Lane, approaching the bird hide, runs through farmland and scrub to Man Sands. Along the hedgerows look for Long-tailed and other tits, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Dunnock to name but a few. Once the hide is reached the expectation changes. Depending on the season look for Gadwall on the lagoon, plus Grey Heron, Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Snipe, Shoveler and various Gulls. Water Rail is a possibility. In early 2020 a rare Bluewinged Teal was recorded here.
2 The coast path heading south is steeply undulating but worth the effort. Rocky cliffs offer good perching for Peregrine. Delightful Oystercatchers will be heard and seen. Also look out for Fulmar, Kittiwake, Shag and Cormorant. Gannet are likely after stormy weather. 3 Stonechat make the most of abundant Gorse perches and Sky Larks fill the sky with the song. Scrub and farmland adjacent to the path is home to Chiffchaff, Chaffinch and Rook. Follow the coast path south for a majestic tree-covered section outside the gardens of Coleton Fishacre – look out for Crossbill – before turning inland on permissive paths.
4 The path between the coast and Coleton Camp (site of a former WWII radar station) offers some excellent sightings. Both Barn and Tawny Owls breed hereabouts. Look out for Whinchat in summer and try not to trip over Cirl Buntings. The rough pasture adjacent to the path, as well as the hedgerow, was full of them – a flock of around a dozen feeding among Chaffinch. There are plentiful Swallows in summer.