Another trip over to Appledore.

Thursday 28th August 2025.

Dawn over out Cottage this morning.

Our penultimate full day here in North Devon and sadly, the heavens did open as promised by the Met Office. Therefore, no Moth Box overnight, but I did manage a walk with the dogs after breakfast between rain showers. I’m not complaining about the weather as the ground and plants here most certainly need it and desperately by the look of it.

Above, I took an early morning walk with the dogs, but it had to be quick as the rain was coming. Below, one of several Swallows passing across the fields.

Our Buddy checking out (safely I might add) the Sheep. I do believe he has never ever seen one before!

The dogs were very good and obedient while off the lead, which is very encouraging, as I walked around the perimeter of the main field and then onto the neighbouring field, hoping there might be an interesting migrant bird around. I read this morning that there was a Wryneck found at Hayling Oysterbeds and to be honest, I was hoping I might stumble upon one here around the gardens and fields. Nope! The best I could muster this morning were a couple of calling Chiffchaffs in the hedgerows and small flocks of Swallows passing low over the fields. A flock of 7 Pied Wagtails perched up on overhead wires distantly and another couple flew off over the fields and a pair of Goldfinches also flew over the field.

Above, Sloe berries were abundant in the hedgerows. Below, easily the most commonest moth was the Common Grass-moths. This one was in Cottage where I released it later in the evening.

Above, looking north from Appledore Quay over to Instow.

This afternoon, Becky and I took another drive over Appledore and to have a spot of lunch. The weather was still a bit showery throughout the afternoon, but there was a lot of sunshine to take a walk along the promenade. Of note, an adult Mediterranean Gull flew over our heads and several Swallows flew low over the road. We had lunch in the Seagate Hotel of which we had possibly the best Haddock and Chips in a very long time. Washed down with a pint of Neck Oil, what's not to love! So, that was our last full day in this superb part of the Devon countryside; the only downside was the stupid Sat Nav in our car that took us down the narrowest country lanes to save a couple of minutes. Scary stuff! Again, I am not going to put the Moth Box on for a final time due to more heavy overnight rain coming our way.