Purple Sandpipers at Brixham Breakwater
I’ve lived in Devon for thirty years and yet hardly ever been to Brixham. It’s meant to be beautiful. It’s just that it’s at the end of a nightmare road, there’s limited public transport and no rail service. Having said that, there’s a new road now so the journey time should be a lot better. It’s just a shame about the Site of Special Scientific Interest it destroyed.
Here’s my first mobile phone shot on arriving. Pretty, isn’t it?
Walking along the breakwater which protects the outer harbour I see the silhouette of a woman lacing up her boots.
Down on the rocks of the breakwater are a handful of Purple Sandpipers:
I’ve seen one before in full breeding plumage on North Ronaldsay:
The entire UK breeding population is between one and three pairs. There are plenty more here at this time of year, all around the UK’s coasts, including in Devon.
It’s turned into quite a dull day so, despite getting nice and close, the light’s not great:
Brixham; I like it. I’m coming back here.
And parking’s only £1.50 all day at the Breakwater Beach car park. That’s a result.
More Brixham
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Common Guillemots on the turn This is a Common Guillemot in its non-breeding plumage. Some of them, however, are getting frisky. This one is in… read more
Blubber The pontoons in Brixham harbour are the dry dock for up to forty Grey Seals, Halichoerus grypus, at the moment.… read more
Cormorant in Brixham Harbour The colours of Brixham boats reflected in the water of the harbour make a superb backdrop to the bird life… read more
Balearic Shearwaters and Common Dolphins We're out on a wildlife cruise from Brixham, guided by Mike Langman and skippered by Dave Saunders on board the… read more
An open mouth I find the shape of this gull's open mouth fascinating. It's rare to see the fully open mouth from the… read more
Ledge nesting How do you land on a narrow ledge, high above the sea, in a stiff wind, which is already full… read more
