Slapton Ley

Had a trip to Slapton Ley Saturday morning. Very bleak, overcast day with a moderate ENE wind . Had a look at the sea from the midway car park and in 20 minutes saw single flocks of 15 Common Scoter and 10 Brent Geese head north. The storm damage of recent years has left its mark on the car park, and if you shot out of your car quickly to chase after something on the beach you could have a you've been framed moment thanks to the undercut.

Looking across the reedbeds behind Ireland Bay towards the remains of Ireland Farm which I think was destroyed during
D-Day practises in 1944. I have been in there a few times and its the only place I've been in and felt the hairs on  my neck
   stand on end. On Saturday I was told its haunted, didn't know that  !                                                                                        

The Boardwalk below Southgrounds Farm at Slapton Ley. Cuts through a wonderful bit of habitat which promises all sorts. Siberian Chiffchaff on Saturday, hopefully wintering.                                                                                                               

Took a walk around Ireland Bay where there have been good numbers of wildfowl so far this autumn. Selected counts included single Shelduck, 2 Shovelers, 2 Wigeons, 76 Gadwalls, 78 Tufted Ducks, male Goldeneye, 3 Little Grebes and 50 Coots ( a large raft of c180 Coots were further south on the Lower Ley ). The fact that no Pochard were seen is extremely worrying, a decline reflected at many other sites. The little wooden angled walkway as you reach Ireland Bay  is a great place to view the wildfowl, well worth keeping an eye on this winter. Moving on to the boardwalk towards Deer Bridge there was a flock of Long-tailed Tits with a few Crests and Chiffchaffs. They were hard to get a look at but one Chiff  briefly glimpsed was quite brown with jet black legs and looked a good candidate for Siberian Chiffchaff. I lost it but soon heard a couple flat bullfinch like call notes as the birds moved on. It was getting time to backtrack and head home and on the way I bumped into Mike Langman by the quarry admiring the illustrations on the interpretation boards. His radar ears then picked up another Sib Chiff calling from some willows in reeds near the causeway. It was keeping out of sight but maybe a visit on a sunnier day will bring it out on show.