Spring Migration at Prawle Point, Devon (Day Trip)

Summary

Prawle Point, the southernmost point of the Devon mainland, has an enviable reputation as a migration watchpoint in both spring and autumn and has turned up some truly remarkable records over the years. It’s also a very scenic area with a rugged and beautiful coastline and an attractive hinterland of farmland, scrub, copses and quiet laneways. Join Andy Smith for a day exploring this lovely little piece of England. As we walk along the coast we’ll look out for a variety of migrant chats, warblers, pipits and other birds and keep our eyes open for raptors like Hobbies and Ospreys coming in from France. Along the low-lying stretches of shore the local Oystercatchers may well be joined by parties of migrant Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwits and out to sea we have the chance of seeing passing Manx Shearwaters, Divers, Common Scoters, Terns and, with luck, a Skua or two.

The resident birds deserve some attention too. Peregrines breed locally and are never far away, Buzzards and Ravens are common, Stonechats seem to be on every gorse clump and  Prawle is one of the great strongholds of the very localised Cirl Bunting. At this time of year the strikingly marked males will be singing their simple rattling song from the hedgerows and scrub. The area is also good for early spring butterflies and other insects like Green Tiger Beetle and Oil Beetles, and there’s always a chance of a Common Lizard or even an Adder basking in a quiet, sheltered, sunny spot. 

We aim to walk about 7 miles in total at a gentle pace along sturdy coastal paths, although some may be steep in sections.