Latest Nature News at Dittiscombe

Startling Starlings make a great show!

November is the month that groups of Starlings start to gather in South Devon, attracted by the warmer temperatures and finding night roosts in the reeds at Slapton Ley. Numbers are still quite small, but by the end of the month there will be hundreds of thousands coming in at dusk to land at the reedbeds near the beach at Slapton Sands.

Last night a relatively small number came in, making lovely patterns in the sky before landing. As numbers get larger we often see them flying low across the valley at Dittiscombe at dawn, making their way to the towns for daytime pickings. Their wings make the most incredible woosh as they fly across us - enough to take your breath away!

A visit to Slapton Sands beach at dusk offers plenty of interest, not only with the Starling displays but with the gathering of Seagulls on the foreshore, and the busy antics of the Coots on the freshwater ley.  Smaller birds such as Stonechats sing loudly from the highest reed just before the sun sets, and Pied Wagtails make their bobbing flights over the scrub looking for a tasty snack before retiring to bed!

If you would like to know more about the wildlife in South Devon or if you would like to join in with an event while you are visiting us please check the following websites:

www.slnnr.org.uk

www.southdevonaonb.org.uk

www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk

www.devonwildlifetrust.org