Week 15 - 05 - 11 April 2026 (Swallow and Barn Owl)

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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 section on a wonderful warm and sunny afternoon. After seeing a few Barn Swallows earlier in the day along the coast path, I caught my first 6 on the patch for 2026. This took me to 53 species for the year. I also tracked a Raven across the sky which carried food to a nest in the tall pines on the northern end of Gribble Lane, I can't believe they have chicks yet, so I wonder if it was some sort of offering for the female on the nest?

I got out twice on the patch on the Saturday 11 April. Once around Cranbrook in the early morning, where nothing overly unusual was seen, aside from a Green Woodpecker. But on the Saturday evening, I went out at sunset to Southbrook Lane for attempt number 3-4 at seeing the Barn Owls this year. 

I arrived about 20 mins post sunset, and by chance met Niall (a photographer who has been following the Owls for the last 2 years). He had a thermal infrared imaging scope, and was able to direct me to the male Owl in the dark barn eves, which I could gather enough light through my 8x42 binoculars to see pretty clearly. I was just chatting to Niall when the male then took off and flew north, past us and up onto a nearby pylon, with us then seeing it once more before it become too dark. I was very impressed with the IR scope though, it was amazing for seeing the owl, and plenty of other birds roosting in the trees, and mammals on the ground.

Niall watches the owls here regularly, and told me that there have been a pair on / in the nest box, and recently the female has been spending a lot of time in the box. The suspicion is see may be sitting on eggs, which is great news to have owls breeding so close by. This took me to 54 species for the patch by the end of the week, which feels like pretty good going within just a mile of my suburban housing estate home. 😁




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