Natural History
Birds
Brixham is rich in birds all the year round, more so in the summer and during the passage migration season. Below is a selection of those that you might encounter during your stay at Rockrose.
The Herring gull
This is the ubiquitous "Seagull" seen in Brixham which deserves a special feature on this page! They nest on the cliffs and many of the building and houses, particularly those close to the harbour. They can be very noisy and messy, territorial in their breeding season and aggressive if they perceive a threat to their nest, eggs and young. Notwithstanding these traits, they are graceful in flight, riding the wind and the adults are striking in their pure white plumage in full sunlight. They take several years to mature into adults and can live for over 20 years. Naturally, they feed on fish and scavenge the shoreline for other sealife, dead or alive. Brixham's gulls have, to a degree, become used to suplementing their diet on human food; they won't think twice at stealing your take-away or ice cream if you're not vigilant! Please do not feed the gulls at Landscove or around the harbour, as this instills a dependance on humans.
A typical adult: pale grey back, black wing tips, yellow beak with red spot and pink legs
A juvenile in its final moult
A first year juvenille
Freshly hatched gulls; keep well clear; the adults will fearsly protect young in or fresh out of the nest if they think they're under threat
Herring gulls typically lay up to 4 eggs in a shallow, solid nest made of rooty clumps of vegetation
This bird is one of several that nest on Landscove cottages
Most use the cliffs or rooftops in town!
Gulls can be very artistic!
The Cirl bunting is a UK rarity seen and heard frequently on Berry Head in the summer. They can sometimes be mistaken for yellow hammers but sadly, these birds are seen less often now (audio)
Shags & Cormorants can be seen all year round often diving for fish in the harbour. Nests can be seen on Berry Head, underscored by white staining on the cliffs
The Peregrine falcon is often seen around the coast, especially in the remoter areas south of Sharkham Point
Hundreds of penguin-like Guillimots can be seen on the sheer cliffs to the south of the Guardhouse Cafe on Berry Head. They appear in March and stay for a month or two
A striking bird, the Oyster Catcher is noted for its distinct black and white plumage, orange beak and red eye. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks away from the more populated areas and noted for its piping call and rapid wing beating flight
The Great black-backed gull has become very common in Brixham over the last few decades. It is one of the largest of gulls and is a voracious predator; unguarded herring gull eggs or chicks are easy prey!
Turnstones are frequently seen running around the harbourside and breakwater in small flocks. They are incredibly tame for a bird that elewhere would quickly take flight at the sight of a distant human
The Cirl bunting is a rarity seen and heard frequently on Berry Head in the summer. They can sometimes be mistaken for yellow hammers but sadly, these birds are seen less often now
Mammals
Sadly, apart from roadkill, land mammals often go unnoticed. With patience and detective work you can seek them out. Look for signs of their presence such as tracks, burrows, droppings and signs of their feeding. If you are lucky, you might see the living thing; rabbits, fox and deer are the most likely encounters, but badgers too can sometimes be seen.
The Greater Horseshoe Bat is a Berry Head rarity. These endangered insect-eating mammals have a long history of living in the natural caves in the vacinity. The local Torbay Coast and Countyside Trust offer regular organised walks to watch and listen to these very special animals
Dolphins & Porpoises are regularly seen off Berry Head, the breakwater and nearby coastline. They can sometimes enter the inner harbour
The Common Seal is another regular visitor to the waterfronts of Brixham and is frequently seen in the harbour. It is a large, unpredictable top predator and has the teeth and jaws to prove it. If you encounter one (kayak, dingy or paddle board), steer clear and don't attempt to interact with it!
Stoat and Weasels are very elusive but can sometimes be seen if you 'catch' them unaware, like this stoat foraging on the seashore close to Scabbacombe
Roe Deer resting in the field close to Berry Head car park
Insects
Along with other insects, many of our British butterflies have been recorded around Brixham. These are perhaps the most noticeable of our insects. Look out for these, especially during the summer months!
The Wall Brown frequently seen along Brixham's southern coastline
The Greyling is often found on the slopes on the south side of Berry Head
The Jersey Tiger Moth can sometimes be seen on a coastal walk
The 5-Spot Burnet Moth seen in the long grasses sometimes along with its cocoon
Humming-bird Hawk Moths are sometimes common in "good years" and are often seen feeding on the flowers of the red valerian plant
The Bloody-nosed Beetle is usually seen trundling along the paths and in the adjacent grasslands
The Oil Beetle is a large, less common species sometimes seen around the Brixham area
The Orange Tip is one of the first butterflies to be seen in spring/early summer; females lacks the orange wing tips
Bloody-nosed Beetles are commonly seen roaming the coastal footpaths. If distrubed, they will often exude a bright red fluid as a deterrent!
Reptiles and Amphibians
Elusive to say the least! Some of the coastal areas provide ideal habitat for reptiles. Amphibians are more likely to eminate from wildlife garden ponds as there are few natural sites in Brixham itself.
Adders are common around the coast and can be seen on Berry Head. Do not disturb and keep your dog and children away! They have a poisonous bite!
The harmless Slow Worm is actually a legless lizard and is relatively common in Brixham
The Common Lizard can be seen in the area if you know where to look for it
Grass Snakes are sometimes seen
Seashore Life
Whether you're young or older, the seashore is an amazing habitat with lots of interesting creatures and plants to discover. Check the local tides and get yourself down to a beach and explore. At low tide, rocky shores provide many opportunities to find a wide range of inhabitants. Look under stones (putting them back in the same place), amongst long seaweeds at the water's edge and in rockpools. Sandy shores are more challenging as most of the creatures live under the sand. Look on the surface for signs of what lies beneath or look in any rocky areas for other intertidal wildlife. The strandline, where debris is washed ashore, can be a great source of animal and plant remains of those that live in the sand or further out to sea.
Rocky Shore
The Common Limpet is seen anywhere it can get a grip on the rocks
Sandy Shore
Strandline
To get an idea of what's out there beyond the tidal zone, take a look at the flotsam and jetsam in the strandline!
Geology
Most of Brixham is essentially sitting on a large block of limestone with new red sandstone to the north and slates to the south. Berry Head is a classic 'wave cut platform' produced back in the $$ Period, some $$ years ago. Small fossils are commonly found in the limestone and the slates. The limestone has been extensivley quarried in Brixham in the past both for building matierial and for producing lime. It is also the source of many natural caverns in the area; Kent's Cavern in Torquay is a tourist attraction but sadly, Brixham Cavern closed to visitors many years back. There are also iron deposits in the area which have been excavated previously not just for the ore but for the red ocre used in dyes and paints.
At Shoalstone beach, you can see remnants of incursions of sandstone into the underlying limestone
Rockfalls are common in some areas; these are at the northern end of St Mary's Bay
A chunk of haemotite, a type of iron ore, found near St Mary's Bay
Crinoid fossils are often found at St Mary's Bay. These are the remnants of the stems of fan-shaped corals
Plants
Such a general term that can include "flowers", bushes, trees, ferns, mosses, fungi and seaweeds!
The White Rockrose is a Berry Head rarity, typically flowering in April and May
Cyclamen can be seen growing wild in the woods behind the Berry Head Hotel
Red Campion, a common plant seen in the hedgerows and along the footpaths
Bee Orchid, along with the more common Pyramidal Orchid, can be seen on the southern slopes of Berry Head
The very rare Small Hare's Ear is almost uniquely present within the Berry Head Nature reserve. It is a small plant with tiny flowers best looked for in June
The Honewort is another rare plant but could be considered locally abundant on parts of Berry Head
Ox Eye Daisies provide a spectacular sight when in full bloom in May/June
Valerian is a common lime-loving plant and comes in 3 distinct colours: bright pink, pale pink and white
Hart's Tongue fern
Butcher's Broom