South Devon - Berry Head's Natural History (Day Trip)

Summary

Torbay resident naturalist Mike Langman will take you on a guided natural history exploration of Berry Head’s (SSSI & National Nature Reserve) very best natural history – birds, botany, fish, insects and heritage plus its 400 million-year-old geology. 

Following a short health and safety briefing Mike will talk you through the itinerary for the day, which may vary slightly depending on weather conditions. A typical day will include a walk through the meadow and scrubby areas, which are good for Cirl Buntings, in search of migrants whilst keeping an ear and eye on the sky for any visible migration. Typically birds passing overhead include winter thrushes, skylark, pipits, and finches sometimes including Brambling, Siskins or a Redpoll. Eventually we’ll arrive on the headland walking to the old coast guard station and lighthouse. From here we’ll scan the sea for any passing seabirds or cetaceans Berry Head has an excellent reputation for sightings of Common Dolphins, and Harbour Porpoises. The isolated scrub on the headland can hold resting or sheltering migrant birds, typically Goldcrest, Chiffchaffs and perhaps Firecrest or even something rarer. The grassy open areas at the head are best for any late wheatears or pipits. Walking back via the southern slopes of the northern headland we’ll look out for resident Stonechat, mobile tit flocks and thrushes. The blackthorn and hawthorn covered slopes regularly hide Ring Ouzel during the autumn.

There is an opportunity for a coffee stop at the Guardhouse Café while we look south toward the high cliffs, which during the summer hold England’s largest south Coast breeding colony. Surprisingly many of the guillemots return to the cliffs from mid-autumn to rest and roost on the cliffs for the winter - sometimes over 1,000 can be seen early in the mornings with smaller numbers coming and going through the day.  

Given the right condition we’ll drop down into the lower quarry via the old service road. Here there may be more migrant birds in the scrub filled lower dell, or passing seabirds at the seawatch point. This is always the best place for closer views of seabirds and cetaceans. Given the right conditions there may still be skuas and sheawaters mixing with more numerous Kittiwakes, auks and Gannets.  You’ll learn a little about Berry Head’s fascinating geological history and see evidence of its beginnings 400 million years ago.

We may spend our lunch break at the head seawatching while we eat.

Heading back up to the top of the headland we will search for more bird migration activity and eventually drop down to Brixham Breakwater. The harbour can be good for early wintering Divers and holds one of Torbay’s last wintering sites for Purple sandpipers which are usually accompanied by Turnstones and Rock Pipits. The working fishing port attracts many types of gulls including Mediterranean Gull, and Grey Seals.

We will finish our day with a slow walk back up to Berry Head via the woodlands. These mostly sycamore woodlands are a favourite haunt for hungry warblers, tits and perhaps a late flycatcher. We may finish with a final look over at the Guillemot colony as birds will be coming back to roost during the late afternoon before heading back to the car park and toilets.

Sturdy walking boots or trainers are advised, binoculars are essential and telescopes are advised for the seabirds.  

The day will include approximately 3-4 miles of walking on mostly good paths but occasionally coming off these in search of some of the best natural history. The headland is mostly flat to moderate inclines but there is one steep road into and out of the quarry.

• Seawatching may produce shearwaters, terns, skuas & gannets
• Study the south coast's largest, bustling Guillemot colony
• Common Dolphins and Harbour Porpoise regularly seen
• Cirl Buntings on the headland meadows
• Butterflies including the local Small Blue, and migrant species
• Look for seasonal orchids and special flora such as the rare White Rock-rose
• Visible migration of birds of prey, swallows, martins and Swifts possible
• Search the scrub for migrants which may include flycatchers or scarcer warblers
• Led by expert Mike Langman who has been birding this area for more than 45 years