AN excited bird watcher recorded a purple heron – never seen at Dawlish Warren – last week. Ranger Dale Cooper said: 'One of the joys of the Warren is you never know what's coming next. Only last week an excited bird watcher sent lunchtime sandwiches flying when he phoned to report a Purple Heron winging its way over the visitor centre, a bird never before recorded at the reserve.' Coastal sites like Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve are first landfall for tired birds after long cross-channel flights, providing a vital 're-fuelling area' for those travelling on to other parts of the UK. This influx of birds has brought the year's species tally to 137 and although the majority are familiar favourites like swallow, house martin and yellow wagtail, there have been some big surprises. This weekend Teignbridge rangers are holding a dawn chorus walk. You can join the rangers on Sunday, at 5.30am at the reserve's visitor centre. The walk will last around two hours, some of which will be on soft sand. Booking is essential. Call 01626 863980 for more information and to reserve your place.
