Black Swans, ducks and geese in Dawlish - 16th March 2026

I was staying in Sandy Bay and walked down the hill to the bus stop for Exmouth.  I was a little early so wandered around the village for a short while.  This thatched cottage (actually a cafe) was for sale.

I went on the train to Dawlish, where I found some Chinese Water geese on the brook

and some hybrid geese - maybe Snow/Greylag mix or similar????

Dawlish is famous for its captive Black Swans, so I was not surprised to see the wonderful exterior of the public toilets!!!!

One of the Black Swans was asleep on a nest

I came across four Black Swans on the footpath at the edge of the brook

Another Black Swan was guarding a second nest in Dawlish

Three Muscovy ducks were resting on a pebbly island in the middle of the brook - I expect these were captive too at one time (or escapees).  I gather most of the captive wildfowl in Dawlish recently contracted bird flu and their wildfowl collection was closed down.

Hybrid Mallard on the brook

Two Black Swans near the weir - one showing off its pinioned wing

 

Birds, sheep, flowers, Lindisfarne castle, priory and Emmanuel Daymark - a walk round Holy Island - 19th June 2024

I visited Holy Island by bus and began my walk at the harbour where a Pied Wagtail was perching on top of a boat hut

Ruins of the Priory

Poppies in a field in front of the Priory

Flowers growing in front of one of the houses in the village

Viper's Bugloss on the path towards Lindisfarne castle

Valerian growing below the castle wall

Swallow perching on top of the National Trust hut at the entrance to the castle

Shorn sheep!

Lindisfarne Castle

Eider ducks in the sea at the edge of the island

Close view of a Swallow perching on a branch in front of the viewing window in the bird hide

Mute Swans and nine large cygnets on the lagoon in front of the bird hide

Adult and juvenile Swallows perching on the roof of the bird hide

The bird hide

Reed Warbler in reeds on the path leading from the bird hide

plus a Sedge Warbler

Male Reed Bunting singing while perching on top of a shrub near the bird hide

Emmanuel Daymark at the far end of Holy Island

Common Spot and Pyramidal Orchids growing wild in the grassland

Chinese Water Geese in the farmyard at the edge of the village

Lindisfarne Castle viewed from the village

Wren singing from a bare branch on tree near the village

I arrived on Holy Island by bus from Berwick-upon-Tweed at about 10.30 and had lots of time to walk round the island as, due to the tide times, the return journey was not until 17.00.  I was very glad it was a lovely sunny day and I was able to really enjoy my visit there.