Bill Coulson
@devonshirenature.bsky.social
Birding, Bees, Insects, Plants, Cetaceans, Nature
South Devon. U.K. Mostly using Canon R7 and RF100-500 lens
South Devon. U.K. Mostly using Canon R7 and RF100-500 lens
Berry Head NNR nearly always comes up with something interesting even on a grey day:
Goldcrest, one of several down in the quarry.
A large pod of Common Dolphins passing the headland and moving south at speed. Pic 4 shows a mother and calf.
Goldcrest, one of several down in the quarry.
A large pod of Common Dolphins passing the headland and moving south at speed. Pic 4 shows a mother and calf.
November 11, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Berry Head NNR nearly always comes up with something interesting even on a grey day:
Goldcrest, one of several down in the quarry.
A large pod of Common Dolphins passing the headland and moving south at speed. Pic 4 shows a mother and calf.
Goldcrest, one of several down in the quarry.
A large pod of Common Dolphins passing the headland and moving south at speed. Pic 4 shows a mother and calf.
This young Sparrowhawk flew the length of the big quarry at Berry Head. Flying along the rockface it lunged at a little bird but failed to catch it.
It flew up to a perch just 10 metres from where I stood and stayed some minutes looking for more ambush opportunities!
It flew up to a perch just 10 metres from where I stood and stayed some minutes looking for more ambush opportunities!
November 9, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This young Sparrowhawk flew the length of the big quarry at Berry Head. Flying along the rockface it lunged at a little bird but failed to catch it.
It flew up to a perch just 10 metres from where I stood and stayed some minutes looking for more ambush opportunities!
It flew up to a perch just 10 metres from where I stood and stayed some minutes looking for more ambush opportunities!
A Sycamore Aphid Drepanosiphum platanoides sheltered and comfortable under a Common Bonnet Mycena galericulata yesterday at Slapton Ley NNR.
In the trees above are predators actively searching for aphids like this one. Firecrests, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs etc She had best stay down where she is!
In the trees above are predators actively searching for aphids like this one. Firecrests, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs etc She had best stay down where she is!
November 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
A Sycamore Aphid Drepanosiphum platanoides sheltered and comfortable under a Common Bonnet Mycena galericulata yesterday at Slapton Ley NNR.
In the trees above are predators actively searching for aphids like this one. Firecrests, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs etc She had best stay down where she is!
In the trees above are predators actively searching for aphids like this one. Firecrests, Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs etc She had best stay down where she is!
Firecrest, one of three at Slapton Ley NNR yesterday. All were feeding actively, as was this Chiffchaff in the willows finding insects under the leaves.
On the beach - one of a pair of Sanderling down by the water's edge, and in the fenced area a very late-leaving Wheatear.
On the beach - one of a pair of Sanderling down by the water's edge, and in the fenced area a very late-leaving Wheatear.
November 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Firecrest, one of three at Slapton Ley NNR yesterday. All were feeding actively, as was this Chiffchaff in the willows finding insects under the leaves.
On the beach - one of a pair of Sanderling down by the water's edge, and in the fenced area a very late-leaving Wheatear.
On the beach - one of a pair of Sanderling down by the water's edge, and in the fenced area a very late-leaving Wheatear.
Two Grey Seals hauled out on rocks just below the road to the quarry at Berry Head. The pale seal looks as if it has had a neck wound, now healed. It also looks as if it may well be blind in one eye.
The dark seal just looked relaxed.
The dark seal just looked relaxed.
November 3, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Two Grey Seals hauled out on rocks just below the road to the quarry at Berry Head. The pale seal looks as if it has had a neck wound, now healed. It also looks as if it may well be blind in one eye.
The dark seal just looked relaxed.
The dark seal just looked relaxed.
Gannets diving for small fish in Torbay yesterday morning. Maybe a 1000 or more Gannets feeding.
Sorry about the camera shake!
Sorry about the camera shake!
November 2, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Gannets diving for small fish in Torbay yesterday morning. Maybe a 1000 or more Gannets feeding.
Sorry about the camera shake!
Sorry about the camera shake!
Common Dolphins feeding energetically off Berry Head yesterday afternoon. Torbay was full of fish and shots 1 + 2 show a dolphin lungeing at Garfish. This one was too fast!
November 2, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Common Dolphins feeding energetically off Berry Head yesterday afternoon. Torbay was full of fish and shots 1 + 2 show a dolphin lungeing at Garfish. This one was too fast!
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna right under the cliff at Berry Head this afternoon. I've never seen one so close-in. Doesn't come any more exciting than this.....
October 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna right under the cliff at Berry Head this afternoon. I've never seen one so close-in. Doesn't come any more exciting than this.....
Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria at Slapton Ley NNR yesterday. A handsome chunky hoverfly in hornet colours, common enough.
Its appearance is a bit late at the end of October but presumably brought out by the sun.
Its appearance is a bit late at the end of October but presumably brought out by the sun.
October 28, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria at Slapton Ley NNR yesterday. A handsome chunky hoverfly in hornet colours, common enough.
Its appearance is a bit late at the end of October but presumably brought out by the sun.
Its appearance is a bit late at the end of October but presumably brought out by the sun.
Harbour Porpoises still playful off Berry Head.
Peregrine Falcon doing some aerobatics.
Earthtongues now appearing. Coloquially known as "dead man's fingers" I think these are Geoglossum cookeanum.
Peregrine Falcon doing some aerobatics.
Earthtongues now appearing. Coloquially known as "dead man's fingers" I think these are Geoglossum cookeanum.
October 26, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Harbour Porpoises still playful off Berry Head.
Peregrine Falcon doing some aerobatics.
Earthtongues now appearing. Coloquially known as "dead man's fingers" I think these are Geoglossum cookeanum.
Peregrine Falcon doing some aerobatics.
Earthtongues now appearing. Coloquially known as "dead man's fingers" I think these are Geoglossum cookeanum.
Some of the birds seen yesterday at Berry Head:
Male Cirl Bunting singing.
Female Bullfinch.
One of half a dozen Common Gulls over the sea.
Flock of Feral Doves also flying out over the sea.
Male Cirl Bunting singing.
Female Bullfinch.
One of half a dozen Common Gulls over the sea.
Flock of Feral Doves also flying out over the sea.
October 25, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Some of the birds seen yesterday at Berry Head:
Male Cirl Bunting singing.
Female Bullfinch.
One of half a dozen Common Gulls over the sea.
Flock of Feral Doves also flying out over the sea.
Male Cirl Bunting singing.
Female Bullfinch.
One of half a dozen Common Gulls over the sea.
Flock of Feral Doves also flying out over the sea.
Male Harbour Porpoise in false-mating with a female. This was happening all day at Berry Head. Males always come up under females on her left hand side. Mating season in UK is Apr-Sept and this male is clearly not equipped to consummate so what's it all about? What's being communicated?
October 24, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Male Harbour Porpoise in false-mating with a female. This was happening all day at Berry Head. Males always come up under females on her left hand side. Mating season in UK is Apr-Sept and this male is clearly not equipped to consummate so what's it all about? What's being communicated?
Emsworthy Mire NR yesterday morning and sightings of Ring Ouzels and a flock of maybe 100+ Fieldfares intent on stripping a large Hawthorn of its berries. Intermingled amongst them were a small flock of Starlings. Glossy beauties!
October 23, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Emsworthy Mire NR yesterday morning and sightings of Ring Ouzels and a flock of maybe 100+ Fieldfares intent on stripping a large Hawthorn of its berries. Intermingled amongst them were a small flock of Starlings. Glossy beauties!
The rare Red Cage Fungus Clathrus rubra in the woods at Berry Head. It grows into a cage shape up to 9cms w x 12cms h.
has no stalk and in a few days will collapse in on itself.
Thanks Mike L. for the heads up.
has no stalk and in a few days will collapse in on itself.
Thanks Mike L. for the heads up.
October 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The rare Red Cage Fungus Clathrus rubra in the woods at Berry Head. It grows into a cage shape up to 9cms w x 12cms h.
has no stalk and in a few days will collapse in on itself.
Thanks Mike L. for the heads up.
has no stalk and in a few days will collapse in on itself.
Thanks Mike L. for the heads up.
The lovely, cold, blue, fish-finding eye of one of the Gannets diving off Berry Head yesterday. They call loudly when they spot fish and dive . Within minutes greater numbers of Gannets can arrive.
October 21, 2025 at 6:59 AM
The lovely, cold, blue, fish-finding eye of one of the Gannets diving off Berry Head yesterday. They call loudly when they spot fish and dive . Within minutes greater numbers of Gannets can arrive.
We walked up from Powderham to the Turf Hotel on a grey and windy morning.
Amongst the birdlife was this Kestrel on a wire, lots of Curlew out on the banks and six Black-tailed Godwits below the Turf lock.
Amongst the birdlife was this Kestrel on a wire, lots of Curlew out on the banks and six Black-tailed Godwits below the Turf lock.
October 19, 2025 at 10:37 AM
We walked up from Powderham to the Turf Hotel on a grey and windy morning.
Amongst the birdlife was this Kestrel on a wire, lots of Curlew out on the banks and six Black-tailed Godwits below the Turf lock.
Amongst the birdlife was this Kestrel on a wire, lots of Curlew out on the banks and six Black-tailed Godwits below the Turf lock.
Common Dolphin breaching in a choppy sea off Berry Head, Brixham yesterday.
October 18, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Common Dolphin breaching in a choppy sea off Berry Head, Brixham yesterday.
In a strong easterly wind this morning the Berry Head Guillemot colony was packed to the rafters.
October 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
In a strong easterly wind this morning the Berry Head Guillemot colony was packed to the rafters.
Great sequence of two shots from Bob Cunningham showing a wounded Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. The third shot is one I took nearly a week earlier in the same area of what is clearly the same tuna. It is returning to this same area to catch Garfish.
Likely damage from a boat propeller?
Likely damage from a boat propeller?
October 12, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Great sequence of two shots from Bob Cunningham showing a wounded Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. The third shot is one I took nearly a week earlier in the same area of what is clearly the same tuna. It is returning to this same area to catch Garfish.
Likely damage from a boat propeller?
Likely damage from a boat propeller?
A Red-throated Diver passed Berry Head this morning heading due south.
Several Clouded Yellows seen in the quarry at Berry Head, also this morning.
Several Clouded Yellows seen in the quarry at Berry Head, also this morning.
October 7, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A Red-throated Diver passed Berry Head this morning heading due south.
Several Clouded Yellows seen in the quarry at Berry Head, also this morning.
Several Clouded Yellows seen in the quarry at Berry Head, also this morning.
River Dart cruise on African Queen. Guide Mike Langman. @clennonvalley.bsky.social
Yellow Flagged Curlew C5 over a red band on left leg. On right leg is an orange (?) ring. I'll do a bit of digging, it may be a headstarted bird.
2. Peregrine overhead.
3 + 4. Lots of Buzzards over the river.
Yellow Flagged Curlew C5 over a red band on left leg. On right leg is an orange (?) ring. I'll do a bit of digging, it may be a headstarted bird.
2. Peregrine overhead.
3 + 4. Lots of Buzzards over the river.
October 7, 2025 at 6:47 AM
River Dart cruise on African Queen. Guide Mike Langman. @clennonvalley.bsky.social
Yellow Flagged Curlew C5 over a red band on left leg. On right leg is an orange (?) ring. I'll do a bit of digging, it may be a headstarted bird.
2. Peregrine overhead.
3 + 4. Lots of Buzzards over the river.
Yellow Flagged Curlew C5 over a red band on left leg. On right leg is an orange (?) ring. I'll do a bit of digging, it may be a headstarted bird.
2. Peregrine overhead.
3 + 4. Lots of Buzzards over the river.
Osprey, a juvenile, with a freshly caught Mullet seen over the River Dart yesterday on a great cruise on the African Queen from Kingswear/ Dartmouth.
Guide Mike Langman @clennonvalley.bsky.social
Guide Mike Langman @clennonvalley.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Osprey, a juvenile, with a freshly caught Mullet seen over the River Dart yesterday on a great cruise on the African Queen from Kingswear/ Dartmouth.
Guide Mike Langman @clennonvalley.bsky.social
Guide Mike Langman @clennonvalley.bsky.social
Wigeon flying south as it passed Berry Head. Heading where?
An adult Mediterranean Gull looking pristine white as it also passed Berry Head this morning.
An adult Mediterranean Gull looking pristine white as it also passed Berry Head this morning.
October 2, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Wigeon flying south as it passed Berry Head. Heading where?
An adult Mediterranean Gull looking pristine white as it also passed Berry Head this morning.
An adult Mediterranean Gull looking pristine white as it also passed Berry Head this morning.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna coming in close to our South Devon coasts. The reason is garfish, which can be seen in blind panic as these monsters chase in behind them. The unlucky one in pic 3 caught by its tail!
October 1, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna coming in close to our South Devon coasts. The reason is garfish, which can be seen in blind panic as these monsters chase in behind them. The unlucky one in pic 3 caught by its tail!
Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea a territorial male checking us out over the pond at Bovey Heath. A mosaic of stunning colours, easily recognised with its distinctive forward facing "headlights" on the front of its thorax.
September 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea a territorial male checking us out over the pond at Bovey Heath. A mosaic of stunning colours, easily recognised with its distinctive forward facing "headlights" on the front of its thorax.