Seaton Tramway

Seaton Tramway, 5th March 2005 by Ann Crawford

We went on the tram, minus the usual impedimenta of children and grandchildren, and we had the opportunity to stop at various places along the route, rather than missing things as it kept going. It was a lovely day, if cold, but that was no problem as we were warmly dressed for the occasion. It was nice to see different people out on a field trip, and I hope that they will come again. The guide was very good and told us a lot about the development of the area, past and future, as well as the birds. A total of 54 were seen by the group, I managed 45 missing such birds as the Robin and the Great Tit!

For me, the bird of the day was the Common Sandpiper; I love Sandpipers, they are delicate waders. It is normally a summer visitor, but apparently this one has decided to forego a holiday in South Africa or India, and stay here. It was on the edge of a rivulet, hunting for beetles and small crustaceans in the sand. It is brown above and white below, with wing bars that are evident in flight. It has a very distinct way of bobbing and wagging its tail as it walks.

There were lots of Redshanks around. On the way up, when the tide was out they were in singles, but on the way down, with a higher tide they were grouping. The sun shone on their red legs so that they were easy to identify. There must have been nearly 100 Curlew, in groups on the fields and singly near the river. It was good to see so many as they are getting rarer, and I believe they have left Dartmoor altogether.

There were lots of Fieldfares and redwings, still here, but must be preparing to leave soon. They were mostly on the ground together, so it was good to be able to compare the size, shape and colour. At the top of the tramway there were several Song Thrushes, in the trees near the houses.

I do find the fact that Pied Wagtails frequent sewerage works disturbing. They are such neat smart birds, that it does not fit! There were several round the one there. I suppose that there are lots of flies and insects for them to feed on.

In total 54 species were seen

Birds seen, in BOU order or alphabetic order

BOU order

Mute Swan

Shelduck

Wigeon

Teal

Mallard

Pintail

Shoveler

Pheasant

Little Grebe

Cormorant

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Sparrowhawk

Buzzard

Moorhen

Oystercatcher

Lapwing

Snipe

Black-tailed Godwit

Curlew

Redshank

Common Sandpiper

Black-headed Gull

Common Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Wood Pigeon

Collared Dove

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Meadow Pipit

Grey Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Wren

Dunnock

Robin

Blackbird

Fieldfare

Song Thrush

Redwing

Chiffchaff

Goldcrest

Long-tailed Tit

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Jay

Magpie

Jackdaw

Rook

Carrion Crow

Starling

House Sparrow

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Reed Bunting

Alphabetic order