The common chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List with a stable population trend. It can inhabit inland wetlands, forest, savannah and shrubland. It has an enormous range encompassing Europe, huge swathes of Asia and parts of Africa. There are five subspecies. It is both a partial migrant and a long distance migrant. Most of the UK chiffchaffs are migrants that appear very early in the spring and summer. They spend the winters in warmer regions of their range. This species is mostly insectivorous but will also eat other arthropods, seeds, berries and molluscs. It lays five or six eggs in a ball of dry vegetation on the ground within thick shrubbery.

I heard and saw my first #common #chiffchaff of the year today! 2nd March 2026 at #Exminster #Marshes #Devon #photography #photo #bird #birds #UK #UKbirding

Little egret (Egretta garzetta) walking across mudflats in search of food (which can consist of mainly small fish, but also invertebrates, crustaceans, molluscs, arachnids and amphibians; and will also take small birds and reptiles on occasion . It is classed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red list globally but with a decreasing population trend. It inhabits brackish, saline and freshwater areas. It has a very large range that encompasses parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. It is a partial migrant, with the most northerly populations moving further south to breed. They form very large colonies when nesting. The species is threatened by wetland drainage, contamination of habitat, and disease such as avian influenza.

@alan678.bsky.social #Little #egret at #RSPB #Exminster #Marshes #BirdOfTheDay #PerfectLighting today. 2nd March 2026. #light #bird #birds #herons #ukbirding #Devon #elegant 🪶 #photography #photos #photographs

The Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) is classed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List with a stable population trend. This is a wading bird and is migratory; it winters in Africa, Southern Asia and Australia and breeds in Asian and Northern Europe. In the winter its habitat is freshwater and coastal wetlands. It breeds on moors and peatlands. In the UK it is on the Amber Red list.

@alan678.bsky.social
#BirdOfTheDay #BirdInTheirElement Here is a #photograph from early last year (February) at #Exminster #marshes where I saw a wild #greenshank on #mudflats. #UKbirding #photos #birdphotos #wild #element #photographs #photography 🪶

The Eurasian curlew is Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List with a decreasing population trend. Causes of its decline include factors such as moorland and marsh loss, high predation rates on chicks and eggs, climate change and more. It is the largest wading bird in Europe. It is native to large ranges of Europe, Asia, and Africa. They are migratory and are found on wetlands and estuaries in the winter and moorland in the summer. The species consumes small invertebrates. The Northern lapwing (also known as the 'peewit') is classed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List with a decreasing population trend. It is on the UK Red List. This species has a large range encompassing Europe, parts of Asia and Northern Africa. The majority of the global population are migratory but some are sedentary. Its habitat includes wet meadows and grasslands, moorland and swamps at low altitude (<1000m). It can also be terrestrial as well as using freshwater and saltwater. They breed between March and June on arable grassland and has declined in the UK by 55% due to reduction in this type of habitat. They feed on invertebrates.

@alan678.bsky.social #BirdOfTheDay #BirdInTheirElement Here is a #photograph from early last year (February) at #Exminster #marshes where I saw a #lapwing and a #curlew together. I l personally like this #photo. #photography #birds #bird 🪶 #ukbirding #wildlife #wildifephotography #in #situ #natural

The redshank is distinguished by its long bright orange legs.This species has a very large range in Europe, Asia, Africa and even non breeding in small areas in Australia. Northern populations tend to migrate. It is classed as globally Least Concern but with a decreasing population trend and is an Amber listed bird in the UK due to large declines in numbers caused by habitat loss and climate change. It will nest grasses in salt and freshwater marshlands and eats invertebrates by probing their bills into muddy substrates.

@alan678.bsky.social #BirdOfTheDay #WingsOverWater here are #redshanks taking to #flight at the #RSPB #Exminster #Marshes. #Devon #birds #bird #photography #wildlifephotography #ukphotography 🪶 #BirdsSeen2026 #UKbirds

A HGV drives along the wide road approaching Exminster village. A cycle path sign can be seen on the opposite pavement/shared cycle path when the pavement on the nearside ends abruptly in grass.

Do you live, work or travel in #Exminster?
DCC/Parish Council are looking for feedback on proposals to make travel by foot, wheels & bike safer/easier.
eg a new walking/cycling crossing across Main Rd (pictured) on E2 cycle route.
Share your views here:
www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/...

New Leaf tent at the Toby Buckland Garden Festival in previous years.

New Leaf birdhouse and woodworks on display at the Toby Buckland Garden Festival.

Our New Leaf #VocationalRehabilitation Service based in #Exminster will be at Toby's Garden Festival at Powderham Castle today and tomorrow from 10am-5pm. Some lovely #woodwork, beautiful #plants and products will be on sale from our friendly team. Learn more: tobygardenfest.co.uk #gardening #Exeter

Greenshank. RSPB Exminster Marshes. 03.02.2025. #greenshank #Exminster #marshes #photography #ThePhotoHour #birds #bird 🪶

Avocets. RSPB Exminster Marshes. 03.02.2025. #avocets #Exminster #birds #bird 🪶 #photography #ThePhotoHour

Redshanks. RSPB Exminster Marshes. 03.02.2025. #birds #bird #photography 🪶 #redshanks #Exminster

A computer screen displays the "Exminster Environment Action Plan" webpage. The page features a shamrock with eco-friendly icons and a text bubble highlighting efforts to address environmental impact. The bottom of the screen reads "Connecting Communities One Click at a Time" with aDoddle.org logo.

If you're near #Exminster & want to get involved in tackling some of the challenges of #ClimateChange and its impacts on our natural environment, then check out the amazing work Exminster Environment Action Plan are doing for their #Community.

Read more: adoddle.org/app/projects...

VE Day (8th May 1945) celebration in the village of #Exminster, Devon. Green arrow: Jean Slack née Rockett; Red arrow: Josephine ?? (evacuee from London).

📷: VE Day (8th May 1945) celebration in the village of #Exminster, Devon.
My late mother, Jean Slack née Rockett (green ➔) was able to inform me of numerous names of those in this photo including Josephine ??? (red ➔) who she said was an evacuee from London.
I know no more than this unfortunately.

Poinsettias in a greenhouse

New Leaf are selling Poinsettias for a recommended donation of 50p this week before they close at 3pm on Friday 20 December for the festive season. Please do visit their site in #Exminster near #Exeter to choose your flowers. #poinsettia #flowers #festiveflowers #vocationalrehabilitation #nhs

Young oak tree grown at home from an acorn

Small oak tree grown at home from acorn and planted today in public open space in memory of another grandmother 💚

#exminster #devon

Child and pregnant woman knocked off bikes at 'accident blackspot' Drivers are said to be distracted as they emerge onto a busy road

A poorly written report from #DevonUK Live provokes acres of hate against cyclists on their Fb page:
"Why is a pregnant woman riding a bike on a busy road?"
"...(cyclists) are sanctimonious, irresponsible and selfish whilst others are downright dangerous and illegal"
#bikeped #Exminster

Milbury Lane, Exminster One-Place Study. Image: An extract from an old, large scale Ordnance Survey map showing the northern part of the village of Exminster, including St Martin's Church, the village school, a house named The Limes, the Vicarage, a few other houses, and of course Milbury Lane. The lane snakes across the map extract from the main village road, near the bottom left corner, up to the top right corner. There is a row of houses at the WEstern end of the lane close to village, and few others elsewhere along the lane. Field boundaries, trees, and a footpath are also marked on the map, with three streams on the Eastern side heading off this extract. Two colours have been added to the map: buff for the roads, and pink for the buildings. One-Place Studies, where family history and local history unite.

Completing our round-up of recently registered #OnePlaceStudies on #OnePlaceWednesday by returning to #Devon. Milbury Lane in #Exminster, a small area of the present-day village with evidence of early settlement, is the #StreetStudy of Sally Macdougall.

https://www.one-place-studies.org/falstone/