DESPITE it being the quietest time of the year for birdwatching, seven members of Taunton RSPB local group amassed a fine tally of over 40 species during a field trip to Budleigh Salterton recently.

On another of those hot, sticky days, it was nice to have a cooling breeze, and even with a hazy outlook several good species were spotted out to sea, including some majestic gannets, three Sandwich terns and a flock of about fifteen common scoters. Great black-back, lesser black-back, herring and black-headed gulls were numerous and cormorants and shags were also seen.

The walk up the River Otter is always very enjoyable and usually produces some worthwhile birds. In this case, a single whimbrel probed the muddy bank among at least eight little egrets and other species seen on the river included mallard, heron and shelduck The well-grown thorny hedges and the reedbeds along the path were quiet as is usual at this time of year, but a reed warbler still attempted to break into song, as did a chiffchaff. However, most species were identified by sight. These included swallow, house martin, wren, blackbird, green woodpecker and many carrion crows and woodpigeons.

Walking down the other side of the river, a cock stonechat was found on the bracken on the edge of the cliffs as the party made its way to their favourite lunch spot. Sitting on the edge of the red sandstone cliffs overlooking the expanse of Lyme Bay affords a good view of any birds that happen to pass by.

Shags, cormorants, gulls and fulmars were flying in and out of the cove, and other species seen included a single oystercatcher and one rock pipit, but best sighting was of another group of thirty-plus common scoter flying in formation low across the flat sea.

Added interest during the walk was the unusually large number of butterfly species. Our resident expert Keith Gould led us through the identification process, explaining how to distinguish similar species and males from females. He said that the hot weather had made this the best year for butterflies for a very long time.

A visit to Aylesbeare Common followed when yellowhammer, meadow pipit and buzzard were added to the bird list, but again butterflies were numerous, including graylings and a magnificent silver-washed fritillary. Highlight was the close views of our largest dragonfly, the Emperor and a golden ringed dragonfly plus many darters, skimmers and damsels.

Diary date: Tuesday, August 8. Robber's Bridge. Meet at map ref SS821465, 10am. Led by Colin Sampson (Taunton 330447