The SWCP by the Erme Estuary
Following the road down the East side of the Erme Estuary past the village of Kingston we came to a dead end and parked the car. From there, we walked ahead and just before the small beach turned left off the path and joined the SWCP.
Walking along the wooded section it then opened up along the headland. After about 30mins walking we arrived at an area between Muxham Point and Fennycombe Point. We were walking along there when we spotted a Peregrine flying about 50 feet away over the sea and parallel to us on the path. It swept along and was soon out of sight around the headland but gave us a great view and we were thrilled. Thinking that was all we would experience we carried on.
Then, around 2 or 3 minutes later, it re-appeared behind us over the fields. It stopped in mid-air and hovered, holding it's wings straight out. It was quite gusty and the falcon manoeuvred 'on the spot' mainly by adjusting its tail
feathers. It then proceed to entertain us with a wonderful display of flying and hovering for around 5 minutes or more, all within 100 feet or so. Through the binoculars it was a magnificent sight and looked to be a tiercel or male Peregrine. It put up quite a few herring gulls during this time and they seemed quite anxious, understandably.
Eventually the peregrine flew off inland working its way across the fields
evidently hunting but without catching anything. This was a brilliant sighting of my favourite British bird and means we will be back along this lovely stretch of coastal path quite often in future to catch more sightings.
The coastal views are pretty good as well! Well recommended.
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