Spent the last week holidaying in Devon with Mrs Sull so birding opportunities were limited. However, managed to negotiate a walk around Yarner Wood RSPB reserve. Our cottage was close to Aylesbeare common so also paid this site several visits.
Aylesbeare common
Managed by the RSPB, this is an area of lowland heath consisting of bracken and gorse and an ideal habitat for nightjars and Dartford warblers. On my first visit, I bumped into a fellow Oxfordshire birder, Jeremy, who I had previously met twitching the Spotted sandpiper in Hampshire. Within a few minutes we had noted a hobby, cuckoo, single dartford warbler and yellowhammer. The churring of several nightjars began as darkness approached, followed by great views of birds hovering and darting about (reminiscent of a very large hummingbird), wing clapping, and making their frog-like call. By the time we left, we had seen at least 6 individuals and heard more. Subsequent visits were made at various times of the day for the Dartford's but the best was at dusk, when several birds were singing including a couple showing well at the top of gorse bushes.
Yarner Wood
Mixed woodland on the slopes of Dartmoor with well marked trails and a large number of nest boxes. Pied Flycatchers were numerous, and with a bit of searching found 2 Redstarts. Wood Warblers were common and vocal, although only managed a fleeting glimpse of one. Unfortunately, did not hear or see any lesser spotted woodpeckers.
Male Pied flycatcher at Yarner woodDuring a walk along the Jurassic coast watched the impressive site of a Peregrine falcon attempting to take a pigeon out at sea. Close-up views of sanderlings in summer plumage and rock pipits at Lyme Regis were enjoyed whilst fossil hunting. I took photos of two individual rock pipits that show variation within the species.
Rock pipit showing black legs 
Rock pipit showing unusually light legs
Confiding sanderling on Lyme Regis fossil beach 
.JPG)
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