I had the opportunity for another trip out to Dartmoor today and I jumped at the chance, I thought it would be good to check on the Meadow Pipits nest ( discovered the other day), at the very least. Firstly though, I went to Challacombe farm because it is a great place for a variety of species and there is always a photo opportunity. It turned out to be a good choice because species seen were varied and interesting including my first Spotted Flycatcher for over 25 years as well as only my second ever Redpoll. I know that all those "twitchers" out there will be surprised that these two, not uncommon species have eluded me over the years, but I haven't really been looking and I tend to concentrate on single species and not "hunt around" for birds to add to my list so to speak.  Absolutely not meant to be a criticism, it's just my style.  I did enjoy the Spotted Flycatcher and watched it of and on for ages. At one time it was quite close to me but I didn't manage a good photo and I try not to include pictures on the blog that do not do justice to my high standards!

These newly fledged Swallows were very interesting and, of course as you can see, accommodating. How could you not like Swallows? They were perched on a wire fence on the hill, behind the farm, after being bred in the stables and out buildings below. The parents were hawking over the fields as the youngsters waited to be fed on the nearby fence line. All the while Cuckoos were calling nearby and I half expected a close up but as usual, it didn't happen!

Swallows are common birds all over the world including the Americas (where they are called Barn Swallows) and Australia. I have been lucky enough to see them in both those countries as well as South East Asia whee, onboard a Royal Navy ship HMS Invincible I rescued several that had made their way on board during the migration. Exhausted, I fed them sugurred water to revive them which did the trick in the short term. We also unfortunately had a Japanese Sparrowhawk on board that caught and ate the odd one or two, all the tine, miles out at sea.