A wet day in Chittlehampton.

Tuesday 27th May 2025.

The view from our garden.

Sadly, it was going to be a very wet day and so, there wasn't much time to do any birding as such, only from the patio doors overlooking the garden and beyond. I did have a wet walk with the dogs early in the evening, which got us out and about. I never put the Moth Box on overnight due to the poor weather last night, but I am going to risk it tonight as the weather is meant to improve overnight and into tomorrow.

Chittlehampton, Devon:

A soaked Robin still managed to find some food in our garden.

From the garden, there were a few of the common garden birds seen, despite the windy and wet conditions where Robins, Blackbirds, Goldfinches and Blue Tits all put in an appearance, while overhead, the Swifts were in good numbers hawking low over the trees. Becky wanted lunch out of the house and so we took a drive through the country to the Quince Honey Farm near South Molton where they had a terrific cafeteria and a delicious lunch was had.

Above and below, Rooks and Jackdaws get ready to settle down for the night.

This evening, I took the dogs up to the road for their usual walk as the run had eased up a bit. There were a few notable sightings that included a pair of Siskins that showed well this time, perching up in a tree along the main village road. A lone Swallow flew over and several more Swifts were seen in the darkening sky. An area of grass by the main road held a few Blackbirds and at least a dozen House Sparrows searching for food as I managed to grab a few photos. As I write this, it is starting to head towards dusk and the Corvids are arriving. It's still drizzling but the news is that tomorrow is looking a lot brighter and drier. Happy days.

Above and below, Swifts flew low over the trees from the garden.

Above, House Sparrows and a Blackbird searching for food. Below, one of my favourite views here in the village, the Barns to the west of the village.

Above, a rather damp yet beautiful Foxglove on the side of the road while walking the dogs.

Birding pal Geoff Farwell went to a very windy Farlington Marshes where he had sightings of a Cattle Egret, 40 Avocets (9 on nests), Lapwing with 4 chicks, 2 Ravens, 4 Common Whitethroats and 8 Bar-tailed Godwits. It looked to be a very quiet day in Hampshire yesterday, so nothing to write about there. Over the weekend, Geoff found a Turtle Dove on his travels, but I will not tell anyone where just in case I get moaned at again!

The view from patio windows in the rain.