Bolt Head and Soar - Autumn on the South Devon Coast (Day Trip)

Summary

Join Andy Smith for some autumn bird migration along the spectacular and beautiful south Devon coast around Bolt Head and Soar. This area, like the nearby headlands of Prawle Point and Berry Head, can be very productive for migrants at this time of year. The open fields support large flocks of Skylark and Meadow Pipit, and often Yellow Wagtail and Northern Wheatear, whilst the valley at Soar sometimes holds huge numbers of Swallows and martins. All of these in turn attract the attention of Sparrowhawks and the occasional Hobby or Merlin. Ring Ouzels are regularly seen on the rocky outcrops in late September through to October and hedgerows and scrub hide migrant warblers, flycatchers and chats. A good search often turns up something of note alongside the regular Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs. In recent years, the area as a whole has hosted a number of notable birds including Dotterel, Wryneck, Tawny Pipit, Ortolan Bunting and Western Bonelli’s Warbler, whilst Yellow-browed Warblers and Firecrests occur regularly in October.

Migrants aside, we’ll keep an eye out too for the local residents such as Peregrine, Raven and Cirl Bunting (which has its stronghold in the UK along the south Devon coast), plus any late butterflies or dragonflies and interesting plants such as Autumn Lady's Tresses which occur here in large numbers. Towards the end of the afternoon, we will relocate by car to nearby South Huish Marsh for a chance of more wetland and coastal birds.     

This Day Trip can be combined for our Slapton Ley Day Trip, which operates the following day.

• A number of migrant species including Whinchats, Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails
• Ring Ouzels in late September
• Stunning coastal scenery
• A long list of rare birds have been found in recent autumns
• Led by expert birdwatcher, Andy Smith