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

 

Wildlife and beautiful Autumn scenery in Battersea Park on 28th October 2025

I began my walk in the Herb Garden where I came across some strange dangling flowers

The gardener was taking a well-earned rest!

I then went across to the Old English Garden where a lovely red rose was still flowering

This waterlily bud looked very "alien"

There were some beautiful Autumn leaves near the edge of the lake

Pair of Gadwall on the lake

I loved these Larch seeds and feathery leaves

Lots of red berries near the path round the lake

There is only one pair of Mute Swans that live in the park and I found them at the edge of the lake

Male Northern Shoveler cruising across the lake

Dark red berries on this shrub with leaves overhanging the lake

Lovely Autumn views across the lake

Male Tufted duck on a bad hair day!

Juvenile and adult Moorhens - the juvenile was stretching its wing and seems to be larger than the adult!

Grey Heron enjoying a coffee on a table outside the cafe

Time for the Grey Heron to move on

There were barriers all round the interior of the park in readiness for this weekend's fireworks disply

and, finally, I came across a Rose-ringed Parakeet feasting on Yew berries

 

Mandarin ducks, Coot fight and other birds in Battersea Park - 25th January 2025

I went for another walk in Battersea Park towards the end of January and saw lots of Mandarin ducks

Tufted ducks passed by the island in the centre of the lake

A Cormorant was viewing the lake from the top of a tree

A pair of Northern Shovelers were shovelling together

I was photographing a Magpie that was standing at the base of a tree

...when it suddenly took flight!

As I approached the bridge over the lake, I could hear a loud commotion

A pair of Coots were fighting, egged on by, presumably, a female Coot

The drowning Coot eventually managed to escape and swam away - followed by the other two birds!

I discovered a little Wren in a quiet corner of the park

Grey Squirrel walking along the fence outside the Old English Garden

The first Snowdrops had appeared

Rose-ringed Parakeet on a branch on the path outside the Old English Garden

The chimneys of Battersea Power Station in the distance

Little Grebe on the lake

....with a pair of Gadwalls and two Moorhens

Close-up views of a male Northern Shoveler with blue reflections in the water

...his partner - female Northern Shoveler

The only pair of Mute Swans in Battersea Park with lots of Black-headed gulls and ducks