Devon Birds Programme for 2016

Containing List of Council Members and Officers Programme of Branch and Society Meetings

Society information and Subscription renewal details

Whinchats Holne Moor - John Walters

SOCIETY MEETINGS All Birds’ Members are welcome to any branch meeting.

Field Meetings may be cancelled in the event of bad weather. If in doubt please contact the appropriate organiser.

Organisers and Leaders of Field Meetings need to take all possible precautions to ensure that the area to be visited is safe, and that there are no hazards that could possibly lead to accidents. If possible, the route should be walked beforehand and any problems reported to the appropriate authority.

Anyone planning to attend a Field Meeting should ensure that they dress appropriately, and should ensure that they are aware of the terrain and conditions that will be experienced. Some of the routes can be quite strenuous; therefore, if anyone has any concerns regarding their ability to handle the conditions, they should make contact with the organiser prior to the date.

The annual programme of Society Meetings is available on our website at www.devonbirds.org under News/Programme and under Branch Events. Changes or updates to the Programme will be announced in the Harrier and under Society News on the website.

INDOORS Wed 23 March Annual General Meeting 7.00pm at The Court Hotel, nr Kenn, EX6 7UX Followed by a talk by Mark Avery

OUTDOORS Society Annual Trip to Lundy Sunday 8th May 2016 Sailing from at 8.30am Tickets available from the Website www.devonbirds.org or from Mark Humfrey Tel.No: 01271 344556 2

FIELD MEETINGS

Please read these notes before attending Field meetings Meetings may be cancelled in bad weather; if in doubt, please contact the appropriate organizer. Members should have a degree of fitness as the terrain may sometimes be rough and any member with any medical condition which might affect them during the field trip is asked to mention this in confidence to the fieldtrip leader. For your own comfort and safety if you are joining a walk please make sure that you wear walking boots or stout shoes and check whether a drink and packed lunch is required and don't forget your waterproofs.

PLYMOUTH BRANCH Meetings may continue into the afternoon so please bring lunch. Boots are recommended. For details please contact Lesley Goonesekera – 01548 856011, the day before as often out evenings. Toilets should be near meeting place unless specified. Jan 5 Tues 10.00 Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham meet Holman Way Car Park SX968881 Feb 4 Thurs 10.00 West Charleton Marsh meet at sewage works Marsh Lane. SX753426 Mar 5 Sat 10.00 Torcross & Slapton Ley meet at 10.00am at tank car park but don’t pay for parking until you have conferred with leader SX824424 Apr 21 Thurs 10.00 Yarner Wood meet at Trendlebere Down 0.3 miles past entrance to Yarner Wood. SX783795 May 12 Thurs 10.30 Challacombe Farm meet at Bennett’s Cross SX679815 Jun 16 Thurs 21.00 Cann Woods SX547597 – For Nightjars meet at car park by road - please bring a torch. (No toilets) No July Meeting Aug 20 Sat 09.00 9.00am at Harbour for a three hour boat trip in Lyme Bay with Nigel Smallbones @ £25.00 pp contact Liz Harris 01752 789594 NB Limited places Sep 4 Sun 10.00 Thurlestone park in top car park of golf club & meet in top car park overlooking sea (different car park where you pay at top of the cliff) SX676419 Oct 13 Thurs 09.30 Soar parking in NT car park (near airfield) walk to Starehole Valley SX713375 Nov 19 Sat 09.00 Warren meet at far end of car park. SX980787 Dec 10 Sat 09.30 China Fleet Club meet at far right car park SX429604

3

EAST DEVON BRANCH

Enquiries to: Jonathan Ruscoe E-mail : [email protected] Tel: 01404 822689, mob 07921 259396 or Ian Pullan (Branch Sec.) 01404 811322. Some events are given as *AM ‘morning only’. Otherwise assume all day or may continue into the afternoon if members decide on the day, so if wishing to stay, please bring packed lunch. It may be appropriate to carry lunch on some longer walks so please bring a rucksack. There is no need to book on any event other than Christmas lunch. HT/LT = high/low tides In the event of a fieldtrip being cancelled notice of this will be posted on Devon Birds website in Sightings Jan 11 Mon 9.30 Black Hole Marsh, Seaton- meet at car park adjacent to *AM cemetery at SY249914 (HT 08.06) B.O Jan 29 Fri 9.30 Steart Marshes Reserve, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), Stert Drove, Bridgwater, Somerset. Meet at car park (toilets) at map ref: ST274458. (TA5 2PU). (HT 10.09). I.P/J.R Feb 13 Sat 9.30 Powderham Church at map ref: SX971843. ( HT. 10.24 ) G.G *AM Feb 23 Tues 19.30 Branch AGM. At the Blue Ball Inn, Sidford, . EX10 9QL. Guest speaker Cath Jeffs (RSPB)”Saving Devon’s Special Bird- The Cirl Bunting a conservation success story”. Mar 4 Fri 9.30 , . Meet at car park at map ref: SX646788 J.R Mar 21 Mon 9.30 Ferry Bridge, Weymouth Dorset. Meet at car park at map ref: SY668756. (LT. 11.20). B.O. Apr 8 Fri 9.30 Otter Estuary. Meet at White Bridge, South Farm Road, *AM at map ref: SY076830 (HT 09.50) C.T/ J.R. Apr 18 Mon 9.30 Greylake, Somerset Levels. Meet at RSPB reserve car park at: ST399346. I.P May 6 Fri 9.30 Offwell Woods, Nr for woodland birds *AM identification...beginners (and experienced) alike. Meet at Offwell village car park at map ref: SY196996. C.R./J.R May 16 Mon 9.30 Challacombe Farm, Dartmoor. Meet at roadside at entrance to farm at SX695795. J.R May 26 Thurs 9.30 Ham Wall, Somerset Levels. Meet at ‘new’car park at map ref: ST449396. I.P Jun 10 Fri 9.30 Hisley Woods Reserve, (Nr Lustleigh) at map ref: SX789801 *AM (Drakeford Bridge car park). Take to Manaton road and 100 m before Yarner Woods turn right at sign for Lustleigh. (DO NOT approach through Lustleigh village as lane is very narrow). J.R Jun 18 Sat 9.30 Venford Reservoir, Dartmoor. Meet at car park north of dam at map ref: SX685712. J.M 4

July 1 Fri 21.00 9.00pm Hawkerland Common for Nightjars. Meet at Joney’s Cross car park at map ref: SY056897. J.R July 18 Mon 9.30 Powderham Marshes/ Exminster. Meet at Exminster *AM Marshes (RSPB car park) at map ref: SX953872 (LT 11.02) G.G Aug 12 Fri 9.30 Black Hole Marsh, Seaton Wetlands. Meet at car park *AM adjacent to cemetery at: SY248914. (HT 12.03) B.O Sept 2 Fri 9.30 Soar, Nr Bolt Head, S Devon. Meet at car park at map ref: SX712375. J.R Sept 12 Mon 9.30 Beer Head Meet at end of lane at: SY224886 I.W/J.R *AM Oct 3 Mon 9.30 Shipley Bridge, Nr South Brent. Meet at car park at: SX680628. J.R Oct 22 Sat 9.30 Exminster Marshes. Meet at RSPB car park at map ref: *AM SX953872. (HT 10.50) G.G Nov 7 Mon 9.30 Darts Farm, Topsham. Meet at lower end car park at *AM SX976883 (HT 10.17). C.R Nov 25 Fri 9.30 Stover Country Park. (Meet at Pay and Display car park) at: *AM SX832749. J.R Dec 12 Mon 9.30 Escot Park, Talaton. Meet at car park at SY080979. Field meeting followed by Christmas lunch, or just lunch if you wish. (Lunch at 12.30). Essential to book lunch with Sheila Sherburn by end of Nov … [email protected] or tel. 01395 445130. Pay at end of meal.

TAW & TORRIDGE BRANCH Enquiries to: Jackie Bosley, Tel: 01237 470089 E-mail: [email protected] or Norman Briden Tel 01271 371072 Bring lunch as meetings continue into afternoon Jan 17 Sun 10:00 Hartland Point – Joint meeting with . Meet at Blagdon Farm car park (charge) SS235277. Followed by Bude, meet at Canal car park (charge) SS205075 Leader: Norman Briden Feb 7 Sun 10:00 Exe Guided Birdwatching Cruise Booking essential, Contact: email Jackie Bosley or tel 01237 470089 for details

Mar 12 Sat 10:00 Godborough Devon Birds Reserve Meet: SS435274 Leader: Philip Marlow Apr 17 Sun 10:00 Cloutsham / Horner Wood & Chetsford Water. Meet picnic c/p SS897431 (near the ford) Leader: Norman Briden 5

May 11 Wed 10:00 Woody Bay / Shallowford Meet: NT c/p SS676486 Leader: Jackie B/Maria F Jun 26 Sun 21:00 Hartland Forest - Nightjars - Meet Welsford Moor forest track SS278208, 1 mile south of Baxworthy Cross on A39. Leader: Roger Doble No meetings in July No meetings in August Sep 15 Thur 10:00 Tamar Lakes- meet in Upper Lake c/p (charge) SS288117 Leader: Andy Cudmore Oct 19 Wed 10:00 Skern/Northam Burrows & Isley Marsh. Meet along old tip road SS451305 Leader: Norman Briden Nov 16 Wed 10:00 Somerset Levels - Meet RSPB Grey Lake reserve c/p ST398347 then on to Shapwick/Ham Wall - Ashcott Corner RSPB new c/p ST449397 Leader: Jackie B/Maria F Dec 11 Sun 10:00 to Ashford - meet Leisure Centre c/p SS559325. Carry lunch or visit Garden Centre Café where hot food is available. Leader: Norman Briden

SOUTH DEVON BRANCH Enquiries to: Bob Bailey 01803605765 or [email protected] Jan 24 Sun 09:30 Divers & Grebes in Meet Broadsands Car Park at 9.30am Leader: Mike Langman May 21 Sat 07:00 CANCELLED

Check our website regularly at www.devonbirds.org  For news of recent bird sightings  Latest Society news and information  Check the programme of events under News/branch events  Report your cuckoo sightings during the season on our interactive map

6

MID DEVON BRANCH Enquiries to: Annabelle Strickland, 22 Cherry Tree Close, Exeter, Devon EX4 5AT Tel: 01392 439685 or Mobile: 07557 736456 Email: [email protected] Some walks may continue into the afternoon so please bring a packed lunch if you wish to stay Jan No Meetings

Feb 23 Tues 09.30 Tottiford Reservoirs. Meet at Tottiford car park (near bridge over dam) - SX811826. Leader: Annabelle Strickland. Mar 15 Tues 09.30 Steps Bridge – meet at car park SX802882 Leader: Tim Channon Mar 29 Tues 09.30 Soussons / Challacombe. Meet at Bennetts Cross car park - SX680817. Leader: Annabelle Strickland. Apr 12 Tues 09.30 – Ruby Trail – meet at Market car park (not in town car park) SS538045 Leader: Digby Greenhill Apr 26 Tues 09.30 Yarner/Trendlebere. Meet in layby - SX784794. Leader Leader: Annabelle Strickland Apr 30 Sat 05.30 Belstone –Dawn Chorus. Meet Belstone village hall car park SX621938. (donation of £2 for walk and £5 for walk and breakfast). Leader: Chris Walpole May 10 Tues 09.30 Throwleigh Common & Shilstone Tor, Dartmoor. Meet in layby - SX659914. Leader: Mary Wallis May 17 Tues 09.30 Meldon – meet at car park (near viaduct) SX561918. Joined by Leader: Roger Jewell May 28 Sat 09.00 Belstone – meet at Belstone village hall car park SX621938 Leader: Chris Walpole May 31 Tues 09.30 Whitchurch Down/Pew Tor. Meet roadside car park - SX505736. Leader David Thomas. Jun 5 Sun 09.30 Rothamstead Research Centre at North Wyke – meet in visitors car park SX660984 Jerry Tallowin Jun 7 Tues 09.30 Bramford Speke. Meet at green triangle outside St Peters Church Cemetery, parking in road - SX927982. Leader Annabelle Strickland. Jun 14 Tues 09.30 Fernworthy Reservoir. Initially meet at car park (pay & display) - SX669839 prior to continuing to park in layby near hide. Leader Roger Jewell. Jun 28 Tues 09.30 Bellever – meet at car park (pay & display) SX656773 Leader: Mary Wallis July 12 Tues 09.30 Meeth Quarry. Meet at Nature Reserve car park – SS539084. Leader Digby Greenhill. 7

Aug No Meetings Sept 13 Tues 09.30 Aish Ridge / Didworthy. Meet South Brent Car Park (free), off Vicarage Road - SX697603. Leader John Strickland. Oct 18 Tues 09.30 Ham Wall, Somerset RSPB new Car Park - ST449397. Possibly led by Ranger £3pp along routes not normally open to public. To be booked beforehand with Annabelle Strickland. Nov 15 Tues 9.30 Roadford – meet lay by near hide SX435930 Digby Greenhill Dec 6 Tues 10.00 Walk and Christmas Lunch

If you wish to share a walk in your locality and help the Mid-Devon Branch to maintain a variety of field meetings or have any suggestions, please let Annabelle know (contact details above). INDOOR MEETINGS All Devon Birds’ members are welcome at any meeting organised by the Society or its branches. Many meetings are free or require only a nominal charge to cover hire costs and refreshments. Non-members are also welcome. Indoor meetings may charge an admission fee. Every attempt has been made to make this clear in each entry. If in doubt, please contact the event organiser.

TAW/TORRIDGE GROUP Enquiries to: Vicky Hassell, Barnside, Buckland Brewer, , Devon EX39 5NF Tel: 01237 452167 E-mail: [email protected] Held at The Castle Centre, Barnstaple on the second Tuesday during the winter months commencing at 7.30pm. Admission: £3.00 including refreshments. Everyone welcome Jan 12 Tues Around the Bottom of the World Colin & Patricia Humphrey Feb 9 Tues The Wildlife and changes on Braunton Burrows John Breeds Mar 8 Tues AGM – followed by: Madagascar Birds and Wildlife Ian Gasper Apr 12 Tues Making even more space for Nature - a parable from Chernobyl Prof Sir John Lawton NO MEETINGS May, June, July & August Sep 13 Tues Chobe and Okavango feast or famine Gill & Philip Marlow Oct 11 Tues Shore Birds, Sea Birds and Cetaceans in Monterey Dave Smallshire Nov 8 Tues Mandarins, Admirals and Dead Men's Fingers - recent wildlife highlights John Walters Dec 13 Tues Members’ Evening – short presentations, quiz etc

8

PLYMOUTH BRANCH

Enquiries to: Liz Harris Tel: 01752 789594 Email: [email protected] . Meetings held at Spurgeon Hall, Mutley Baptist Church, Mutley Plain, Plymouth PL4 6LB at 7.30pm. Refreshments provided. Everyone welcome. Feb 1 Mon ‘‘Birds around the Exe Estuary’ Dave Smallshire, ecologist and author on British Dragonflies Apr 11 Mon ‘Restoring the balance’ David Ramsden, Head of Conservation for the Barn Owl Trust Jun 13 Mon ‘RSPB projects for priority birds in Devon with a focus on Dartmoor’ Helen Booker, Senior Conservation Officer for RSPB Sept 12 Mon ‘Facts about birds’ Dave Scott, artist, photographer and licensed bird ringer Nov 14 Mon AGM, followed by: ‘Garden birds are woodland birds’ Peter Goodfellow, former Chairman of Devon Birds and author.

SOUTH DEVON BRANCH Enquiries to: Martin Lees Tel: 01803 852067. Meetings held at Court Farm Inn, Abbotskerswell TQ12 5PG commencing at 7.30pm in the upstairs room. There is an opportunity to have a drink or a meal before the meeting. Jan 18 Mon Identifying Birds Mike Langman

Feb 15 Mon Rocky Mountains in Summer Robin Shute

Mar 21 Mon Birds around the Exe Estuary Dave Smallshire

Apr18 Mon Birds & Beasts of Washington State and Vancouver - Nick D'Argonne

May 16 Mon The Industrial History and Nesting birds of Druid Wood – Paul Heatley & Mike Goss

Jun 20 Mon Nest Recording in Devon Mark Lawrence

Jul 18 Mon A Life with Birds Dave Scott

Aug 15 Mon Desert Birds and Endemics on Fuerteventura Chris Proctor

Sep19 Mon Peregrines - A New Era Nick Dixon

Oct 17 Mon How to Build a Bird Tim Clyburn

Nov 21 Mon The Birds of New Zealand Martin Lees

9

COUNCIL MEMBERS President Vacant Chairman George Harris, 6 Clonway, Yelverton PL20 6EG Tel: 01822 853785 Email: [email protected] Vice Chairman Kevin Cox, Brook Manor, , Devon TQ11 0HR Tel: 01364 644214 Email: [email protected] Secretary Mike Daniels, 16 Erme Drive, , PL21 9BN Tel: 01752 690278 Email: [email protected] Treasurer Roger Little, Pendragon, Cornworthy, TQ9 7ES Tel: 01803 732776 Email: [email protected] Conservation Officer - Vacant County Recorder Steve Waite, 46 Primrose Way, Seaton EX12 2XQ Tel: 01297 792339 Mobile: 07875 068112 Email: [email protected] Membership Vacant Publishing Group Mike Lock, Glen Fern, Whitford Rd Musbury, EX13 7AP Tel: 01297 551556 Email: [email protected] Fieldwork Officer Stella Beavan, The Hayes, Zeal Monachorum, , EX17 6DF & BTO Rep Tel: 07710 879277 Email: [email protected] East Devon Colin Randall, 16 The Rosemullion, Cliff Road, Budleigh Salterton, Branch Devon EX9 6LA Tel: 01395 444302 Email: [email protected] Plymouth Branch Liz Harris, 43 Torr Lane, Hartley, Plymouth PL3 5PA Tel: 01752 789594 Email: [email protected] South Devon Mike Goss, 59 Clobells, South Brent, Devon TQ10 9JL Branch Tel: 01364 72539 Email: [email protected] Taw/Torridge Vacant Branch Ordinary Member Jon Avon, 41 Exeter Rd, , TQ12 3HU Tel: 01626 352541 Email: [email protected] Ordinary member Vacant Ordinary Member Ann Willcocks, Meads Farm, Harford, Ivybridge PL21 0JQ Tel: 01752 892312 Email: [email protected] Ordinary Member Jerry Tallowin, Furze, Shelley Road, South Zeal, EX20 2PH Tel: 01837 840032 Email: [email protected]

10

SOCIETY OFFICERS & BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES Asst Julia Harris, 6 Clonway, Yelverton PL20 6EG Recorder/Data Tel: 01822 853785 Email: [email protected] Manager *** send bird records to [email protected] *** Ringing Secretary Nik Ward Tel: 01392424270 Email: Nicholas [email protected] Archivist Mike Tyler, The Acorn, Shute Road, Kilmington, Axminster Devon EX13 7ST Tel: 01297 34958 Email: [email protected] “Harrier” Editor Kevin Cox, - see under Council members Membership Tel: 01822 853785 Email:[email protected] Queries

Conservation Officers East Ray Hamilton, Lawn Cottage, Church Road, Colaton Raleigh EX10 0LF Tel: 011395 567158 Email: [email protected] North Jon Turner, Broadlands, Lower Park Road, Braunton EX33 2LF Tel: 01271 815180 Email: [email protected] South Nick Townsend, Collacott Barn, South Milton, TQ7 3JG Tel: 01548 560243 Email: [email protected] Branch Representatives East Colin Randall - see under Council Members Mid-Devon Annabelle Strickland, 22 Cherry Tree Close, Exeter EX4 5AT Tel: 01392 439685 Email: [email protected] Mobile: 07557 736456 Plymouth Liz Harris – see under Council Members South Mike Goss - see under Council Members Taw & Torridge c/o Karen Sims 3 Church View Court, Stoke Rivers, Barnstaple EX32 7LD Tel: 01598 710273 Email: [email protected]

 Enter any unusual sightings on our News Blog on the website  Please remember to send in your records regularly even if you have posted on the Blog.  Remember to renew your membership or sign up for a Direct Debit to save the hassle of remembering.

11

COUNCIL MEETINGS 2016

All meetings will be held at the Exeter Court Hotel at 7.00pm Wednesday 13th January 2016 Wednesday 13th April 2016 Wednesday 13th July 2016 Wednesday 12th October 2016

SUBSCRIPTIONS

 All Membership Subscriptions are due on 1st January annually and can be paid online or to the Treasurer (page 10). Please ensure you pay before the end of February to avoid your Membership lapsing. Adult UK Membership £18.00.  Consider paying by Direct Debit to avoid the risk of missing the payment, details on website or from Treasurer.  Also if you are a UK tax payer please consider completing a form for Gift Aid, it costs you nothing but gives us an extra 25% on top of your membership fee - again forms available from Treasurer.

SOCIETY LIABILITY

The Society cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to belongings of Members or visitors, or for any accident to any Member or visitor attending Society or Branch Meetings.

SOCIETY PATRONS

E & JW Glendinning Lord Clinton, Clinton Devon Estates Michelmore Hughes Sibelco UK Ltd

12