Thursday 14th February

Due to the significant erosion at Dawlish Warren, Teignbridge District Council is advising extreme caution when visiting. The dune path between groyne 10 – 18 is unsafe and a section of this path is completely closed with no access. Access to Warren Point and the bird hide is only possible via the beach with the risk of being cut off for a period either side of each high tide. The only access, up and back down, to these areas is along the beach at lower states of tide.

A misty start clearing to bright sunshine saw clear signs of Spring with birdsong across the site including several Skylark and a Cirl Bunting. On the Main Pond the Little Grebe and up to six Shoveler were also displaying. Elsewhere five Gadwall, the first of the year, flew south offshore, the Velvet Scoter was off John's Watch, two Redwing were in Dead Dolphin Wood and two Siskin were in the Entrance Bushes.

Little Grebe - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: Despite warmer weather there was little insect activity with only a couple of Buff tailed Bumblebee and Honey Bee on the flowering Gorse, but a few overwintering Seven-spot Ladybird were coaxed out of hibernation. Disappointingly still no butterflies reported this year.

Seven-spot Ladybird - Alan Keatley