Patch Birding - Cranbrook, Devon, UK

So this week began as the previous one ended, still at the in laws in the West Midlands for the easter weekend. As nice as that was I was looking forward to getting back home after 4 nights away. I returned home and back to the patch on Monday evening. Tuesday was a rare day where my daughter had a day at nursery, I was off work, and the weather was absolutely stunning (although the breeze picked up a little). As such I headed out for my away trip of the week on Tuesday, heading down to Otterton and doing a 6.5 mile loop. This took in the Otter, a section of the Lower Otter Nature Reserve, and then a section of the Southwest Coast Path towards Ladram Bay. I just really enjoyed this walk, so lots of bird life, and even saw (while confidently identifying) my first Northern Fulmer . Northern Fulmer photographed from Stantyway Farm, Southwest Coast Path, East Devon. Much to my delight, I also then got out on the patch on the Tuesday afternoon with the dog. Heading around the Rockbeare sect...

Due to work early in the week, and then heading away on the Thursday evening for the Easter Weekend with the in-laws, this was my quietest week visiting the patch to date. With just one loop around the Rockbeare part on Tuesday 31 March, and then a short loop (post night shift pre school pickup) with the dog around the Cranbrook Ecology Park area on Thursday 02 April. Not too much unusual to report this week, other than the weather being lovely on both days. Highlights on the 31 March walk were the best views of Stock Dove I've had this year with a pair feeding together in a weedy field (it has since been ploughed), and the best views / photos of Common Chiffchaff I've got so far. Chiffchaff are mostly migrants, heading down to France and Iberia during UK winters, being an early returner in the spring, but many UK Chiffchaff no longer bother to migrate over the sea, with the milder winters in recent years allowing some to remain in the UK throughout winter, and we have a small...