The Harrier

The Bird Watching and Preservation Society Newsletter: October 2011 No5

SOUTH HUISH RESERVE – IMPORTANT NOTICE

The main news concerning this currently DBWPS managed site is that the landowner has now ceded ownership of this reserve over to the National Trust (NT). For the time being the DBWPS will continue to manage the reserve as previously agreed. Discussions are due to take place with the NT over future management strategies. Also decisions affecting division of payments, i.e. who pays for what and how much, management decision making and day to day responsibilities etc are still to be made. Hopefully the DBWPS will continue to be involved in running the reserve, with birds and the existing management plan (or similar) as the priority. This is NOT a foregone conclusion and will depend on the outcome of detailed negotiations and guarantees affecting both organisations and their respective aims and objectives to mutual satisfaction and benefit. The final outcome of these, as yet unscheduled, talks will of course be reported to the DBWPS membership soonest. A flock of ten short staying Green Sandpipers were present at the end of July and a Wood Sandpiper at the beginning of August. Vic Tucker

VACANCY – CAN YOU HELP ? Having now been the Hon. Secretary for the Society for some 13 years it is time to step down and for someone else to take over the role. A replacement must be found and I must make it clear I will not be seeking re-election at the AGM 2012. The position is not as arduous as it used to be with most correspondence and other matters being dealt with by e-mail and/or telephone. There are 4 Council meetings per year as well as the AGM when Minutes have to be recorded. There are also 4/5 meetings of the Executive Committee which are held between Council meetings and again a record is kept of the matters discussed This is an essential job within the Society and if you are interested please get in touch, and if necessary discuss what is involved. Please contact – Mike Tyler (Chairman) Tel: 01297 34958 [email protected] OR Joy Vaughan (Hon. Sec.) Tel: 01837 53360 [email protected]

1 DEVON BIRDS RECORDS COMMITTEE

After serving as a member of the Committee Perry Sanders will be standing down at the end of December 2011. Perry, from West , , has been an active member of the Committee and will be missed for his expertise in bird identification, his knowledge of birds and birders in the , and last but no means least - his good humour! The Society would like to thank him for his contribution over the past five years and wish him well in the future. A formal application to fill the vacancy has been received from Alan Doidge, from , which is supported by members of the Committee. Alan has been an active birdwatcher in Devon for 26 years and has supplied the DBWPS with records for at least 20 years. He has a wide interest in birds, and spends many hours a week in the field mostly around the South Hams. He has found many scarce and rare birds, with the ’91 Bobolink at Soar being his best find – the first British mainland record. Alan’s knowledge of the South Hams makes him an ideal replacement for Perry. Unless the County Recorder receives any other applications before 20 th October 2011, Alan will be formally elected to fill the vacancy for a five-year period. For more information and/or an application form please contact: Steve Waite, County Recorder, 38 Durley Road, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2HW Tel: 01297 20326 E-mail: [email protected]

CONSERVATION OFFICER (SOUTH)

Council have agreed that Nick Townsend should be appointed the Conservation Officer for the South of the County to replace Jim who did sterling work for many years at the Reserve and other areas. Nick’s contact details are – N.R. Townsend, Collacott Barn, South Milton, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 3JG. Tel: 01548 560243. E-mail: [email protected] If you have any queries please contact Nick and I am sure that he will endeavour to deal with these as necessary. Joy Vaughan (Hon. Secretary)

ANNUAL DRAW - REMINDER The draw will take place on Tuesday 8 th November 2011 at the Taw & Torridge Branch Indoor Meeting in Barnstaple. 1st Prize £200 2nd Prize Book donated by a member – Birds & Animals 3rd Prize Framed Hand-embroidered Redwing 4th Prize Framed Hand-embroidered Dartford Warbler 5th Prize Framed Hand-embroidered Greenfinch 6th Prize 2 Tickets for Lundy Trip 2012 Please ensure that all counterfoils and cheques are returned by 31 st October 2011 to – Hon. Secretary – Joy Vaughan, 28 Fern Meadow, , EX20 1PB 2 SOUTH MILTON LEY _ SPRING AND SUMMER NEWS

Two new breeding species were added to the reserve list this year! Shelduck and Kestrel (in a nestbox). Unfortunately both ended in failure. The Kestrels eggs were predated, possibly by grey squirrel and the four ducklings probably succumbed to Mink – strongly suspected of being present. Both predators are classed as feral vermin. Notoriously difficult to prove breeding as all nesting finches are, it is however highly likely that Bullfinch bred; this would also be a first for the reserve. Only a few years ago suitable breeding habitat didn’t exist. Last year Whitethroat bred for the first time at the Ley, though usually present in adjacent farmland. This year three pairs bred; the above habitat comment applies. A Tawny Owl using an old crows nest reared a chick. Excellent March and April weather encouraged early breeding for Redstarts and migrants alike. Resident Cetti’s Warblers fledged young at least three weeks earlier than normal – likewise migrant Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Sedge and Reed Warbler successfully fledged early broods, allowing plenty of time for another brood to be raised. Another bumper breeding season is hopefully in prospect for most species as long as the weather is clement at critical periods. ‘Our’ Songthrushes are finding plenty of snails, as shown by their anvils, they should be OK during this driest of springs for over 20 years and warmest ever recorded April. Not so for Blackbirds so heavily dependent on earthworms, their initial breeding attempts produced drastically reduced success rates. There are always winners and losers. Overall virtually every other breeding species at the reserve have done well – including scarcer Stonechats. Several sightings of Hares could mean they too are breeding within grassland areas. Yet another welcome addition to the expanding reserve list. Ringing began in earnest in July with a much higher than normally expected passage warbler presence. This must be due to their markedly early first brood fledging, thence commencing their (yearlings) first ever south-bound journey via your reserve.

A large (A0 sized) eye-catching screen printed information board with artwork by the Society’s own Mike Langman set in a specially built stone plinth is located beside the seaward public footpath, illustrating some typical birds and animals of the reserve, and was unveiled, in good weather, in front of invited guests on 6 th August. Hopefully generating interest for the general public and offer welcome publicity for the society in general and highlighting important conservation work undertaken at the Ley in particular. Now that the reed dwelling warblers breeding season has ended major ditching works has taken place, partly as demanded by our riperion ownership and responsibility. Over a 350metre length it links into last years ditching operation. For sound environmental reasons no major disruption over too great an area is ever undertaken at once. An area of invasive weeds has also been cleared to allow 70 Alder and Birch trees to be planted in the dormant season. Both operations require the use of heavy

3 excavators. Our new maturing hedges are for the first time full of fruit: hawthorn, wild rose and crab apples – our best year to date. Further plantings of Elderberry, Blackthorn and large areas of Blackberry bushes also form a huge food resource, not only for large numbers of birds, but also a diverse range of wildlife, including rare Harvest Mice. Funding approval for an exciting and ambitious new project – a reinforced, recycled plastic boardwalk was recently given the go-ahead by DBWPS council members. It will run through the main reed bed approximately half way up the length of the Ley, where currently no access exists. Among several important uses it will form an interesting circular walk. A life of at least 50 years is envisaged and should be virtually maintenance free. Quality and strength also exceeds any wood and is now the preferred material for organisations like RSPB undertaking similar works. Further information will of course be given via ‘The Harrier’ when there is more to report. Approximate ringing totals (to mid September) of the migratory species passing through SML are given below. Many resident birds were also ringed,

Grasshopper Warbler 22 This is a record county ringing total. Cetti’s Warbler 19 SML record total Whitethroat 79 SML record total Garden Warbler 21 SML record total Blackcap 180 SML record total Sedge Warbler 930 SML record total There were also two French ringed controls and three UK ringed controls Reed Warbler 385 SML record total Also four controls from Slapton Chiffchaff 360 Willow Warbler 470 Although half of last years exceptional total this is still the second highest total for SML Yellow Wagtail 21 Swallow 200+ Reed Bunting 100. Lesser Whitethroat 1 Redstart 1 Pied Flycatcher 1 Whinchat 1 Aquatic Warbler 1 Keeping the SML flag flying for this globally rare species. It was ringed on 3 rd September. Wryneck 1 Ringed on 16th September. It was the first ever to be ringed at SML Vic Tucker

4 SAD NEWS

We have been advised that Elaine Hurrell sadly passed away recently. She had not been too well in recent months, but was well known in the south of the County for her work with wildlife and Pied Flycatchers over many years, and in particular her work with dormice. She had been involved with the monitoring of Andrews Wood for a considerable number of years. She has written books on the subject and will be a considerable loss to the conservation of wildlife in the area. Elaine had been a member of the Society for many years and we send our condolences to the family at this sad time. Joy Vaughan (Hon. Secretary)

BUCKFASTLEIGH OTTER TAKES HERON.

I visited the Otter sanctuary at with family in early August and the guy feeding the otters mentioned that one of them had caught a misguided Heron which had dropped into the enclosures a couple of days previously. The otter grabbed the Heron by the legs as it tried to fly off and subsequently ate it! He also commented that this wasn't the first time and that gulls were often taken. Dennis Elphick

TELESCOPE – FREE TO A GOOD HOME!

Mrs Jean Surgey, widow of the late Edwin Surgey, of Broadhempston, near wishes to offer her husband’s telescope, plus cover, eyepiece and tripod, to a member who will cherish it. She has also asked that a donation be made to DBWPS, in lieu of payment. Telescope : Opticron Imagic with an 80mm objective lens, complete with a black padded fabric soft-cover. Eyepiece : Opticron HDF 27 x WW HR80. Tripod : Velbon mini-pro. In the first instance, please pass your requests to Paul Stubbs before 23 rd October. He can be contacted on 01822 890520 or [email protected] All appropriate requests will be passed to Mrs Surgey, who will make the final decision. The lucky member will be informed and may collect the equipment from Mrs Surgey.

5 THE WAY AHEAD

I have been editor of the Harrier for six months now. This is my third Harrier and I have kept the format the same as it has been for many years. However I have been thinking about what changes could be made to the newsletter to make it more interesting and informative to members. I have some ideas for changes on both the content and format of the Harrier. For example the DBWPS has 16 reserves that it either owns, leases or manages. There could be reports from the reserves that include birds seen, conservation activities planned or completed and any special events that occur. The specialist groups e.g. the Devon Atlas could have more space and be able to use more diagrams and pictures to explain their activities. But I don’t have all the ideas; therefore I would like to hear from you, the membership, about what you would like to see in the Harrier. Try and ‘think outside of the box’ e.g. don’t be constrained by the current Harrier format. It could be a larger size, use colour printing and include pictures and photos of birds and member events. I have heard through the grapevine that some of you think the Harrier is predictable and that you hardly ever look at it. Well, fair enough, if you don’t like it come up with ideas to make it more interesting to more of the members. The newsletter will still be the vehicle that the DBWPS management committee uses to inform the membership of anything it needs to. The economics of any changes would also need evaluating but printing technology has moved on a lot over the past few years. It is your society and I want to produce a newsletter that reflects the majority of your views and wishes. Therefore please put your thinking caps on and let me have your ideas. They would need an ornithological and Devon connection but don’t worry if they sound too outlandish – confidentially will be respected. My contact details are on the last page. Jack Aldous

SOCIETY EXCURSION to LUNDY 2012 Has been arranged for SUNDAY 27 th MAY 2012. Sailing from at 09.30 Tickets - £27.00 Children (under 16) £16.00 An application form will be enclosed with a future edition of the Harrier

Direct Debits are here and are good for YOU and for the Society!

Join the other 188 members who get their Harrier by e-mail and save the Society money. Contact Paul Stubbs on 01822 890520 or [email protected]

6 DIARY DATES

Field Meetings EAST DEVON 1st Oct (Sa) 9.30am Axe Estuary and Reserves – meet Colyford Memorial Hall c/p SY247923 (BL) 18th Oct (Tu) 9.30am Exminster Marshes – meet RSPB c/p SX954872. Morning only. (BO) 3rd Nov (Th) 10.00am Chew Valley Lake – meet Harriots Bridge ST569580 (DC) 20th Nov (Su) 10.00am Fremington Creek – meet layby on main road SS520324 Joint Meeting with Taw & Torridge Branch 30th Nov (W) 9.30am Dawlish Warren, Labrador Bay – meet reserve end of car park SX980785 (DJ)

PLYMOUTH 14th Oct 9.30am Soar-meet c/p SX713375. For Ring Ouzel. 4th Nov 10.00am China Fleet Club/Kingsmill Lake – meet far c/p SX428602. For Avocets and Spotted Redshank.

TAW &TORRIDGE 9th Oct 10.00am Skern SS451306 – meet c/p end of tip road. Leader: Maria Fernandes 20th Nov 10.00am Fremington Creek SS520324 – meet at lay-by on main road. Leader: Norman Briden. 2.00pm IsleyMarsh SS483323 – meet at Old Yelland Power Station. Joint meeting with East Devon Group

Indoor Meetings SOUTH DEVON Held at Court Farm Inn, Abbotskerswell at 7.30pm 17th October Birds and other Wildlife in Ethiopia Dave Smallshire 21st November Birds in Africa Ian Gasper

TAW & TORRIDGE 11th October English Wildlife – Autumn and Winter David Kjaer. An illustrated talk by a lifelong birdwatcher, naturalist and professional photographer 8th November Farmland Birds in the South West Felicity Clark (RSPB)

All Members are welcome at any meeting organized by the Society or branches. Field Meetings may be cancelled in bad weather, if in doubt, please contact the organiser – details in the Programme.

7

The Devon Atlas

www.devonatlas.co.uk

The first of November is the start of the DEVON Atlas Project. We shall inherit a great start with four years of BTO records providing good information which is being used at the 10k level but with the help of members over the next two years we would like to turn it into solid detailed information at tetrad (2k x 2k square) level that can be used for a full Devon Atlas covering both the winter and breeding periods. Devon has never had such an Atlas and it means continuing with the survey work to cover all the Devon tetrads.

So we really need your help! Some of you have been carrying out Timed Tetrad Visit (TTV) work and know what is involved and we would like you to continue please. The BTO site is still available for us to use so please sign up and select the tetrads you would like to cover so that you are ready to start at the beginning of November. For members who are new to surveying work - a TTV involves just four visits a year of one or two hours each. Perhaps you would like to speak to someone in your area to explain more about what is involved and help you select tetrads. If you live in North Devon contact Paul Madgett Tel: 01271 812617 email: [email protected] South Devon/Dartmoor - Julia Harris 01822 853785 email: [email protected] The rest of Devon - Roger Little 01803 732776 email: [email protected]

Some members have turned Survey work into a fun day out with friends by choosing tetrads further afield, travelling together taking a tetrad each and being dropped off then meeting up after a couple of hours either to cover a further tetrad each or to spend the rest of the day birding in an area new to them or having a well earned bite to eat in a local pub!There are tetrads on the Devon/Cornwall border which could mean doing your survey work and then perhaps carrying on down to Cornwall. Or covering tetrads in mid Devon and then carrying on to the North or South Coast. 8 Every bird counts in Atlas survey work. For example SX74 tetrad Z is an area east of East Allington. According to our current records this tetrad does not have Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Starling, Jackdaw, Rook, Greenfinch to name but a few - I Do Not Believe It! SX48 tetrad Z is just West of apparently there are only two birds in that tetrad - Buzzard and Jay! Individual records are entered as ‘Roving records’ and are really important in filling in those gaps. Come on everyone - you can all help just get in touch! Below are the latest maps showing that there are quite a lot of tetrads still to do. So choose your tetrads go to the website to book them and let’s start making these maps black!

Wintering TTV coverage Breeding TTV coverage

Bird Notes

9 Bird Notes Most of these records are unchecked and as yet unauthenticated. Birds present for more than one day are only mentioned on their first day. For the very latest Devon bird news visit: http://devonbirdnews.blogspot.com Please send your bird sightings to either:

County Recorder Data Manager Steve Waite Julia Harris 38 Durley Road, Seaton, Devon, EX12 6 Clonway, Yelverton, Devon, PL20 2HW 6EG T: 01297 20326 T: 01822 853785 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

August 1 Osprey Warleigh Point; Wood Sandpiper Marsh; Pomarine Skua and Slavonian Grebe (still) Dawlish Warren. 2 Kentish Plover Dawlish Warren; Glaucous Gull (still) Budleigh; Little Ringed Plover Skern. 3 Black Kite (still) Kennerleigh. 4 Ruff Bowling Green Marsh. 5 Roseate Tern Dawlish Warren. 6 Pectoral Sandpiper Black Hole Marsh; Little Ringed Plover Point. 7 Cory’s Shearwater Start Point; Wood Sandpiper Bowling Green Marsh; Balearic Shearwater (6) Berry Head. 8 Little Ringed Plover Dawlish Warren 10 Wood Sandpiper Colyford Marsh; Marsh Harrier West Charleton Marsh; Bearded Tit (2 still) Bowling Green Marsh; Tree Sparrow Cullompton. 11 Great Shearwater and Balearic Shearwater (11) Start Point; Spotted Redshank Bowling Green Marsh. 13 Little Stint and Wood Sandpiper (6) Black Hole Marsh 16 Pomarine Skua (53), Balearic Shearwater (66), Arctic Skua (31) and Great Skua (21) Berry Head; Osprey Exe Estuary; Little Stint . 17 Aquatic Warbler and Wood Sandpiper Exminster Marshes; Wryneck West Down. 18 Cory’s Shearwater at sea nr. Lundy. 19 Black Tern Tamar Lakes; Ruff (3) and Avocet (3) Bowling Green Marsh. 20 Melodious Warbler Slapton Ley; Bittern Bowling Green Marsh; Little Stint Instow; Great Northern Diver and Spotted Redshank Dawlish Warren; Little 10 Tern (5) Exmouth. 21 Melodious Warbler Prawle Point; Mediterranean Gull (123) Taw Estuary; Pied Flycatcher (3) Start Point. 22 Osprey Thurlestone; Tree Pipit (12) Beer. 23 Wood Sandpiper Thurlestone. 24 Little Stint Dawlish Warren. 25 Aquatic Warbler Dawlish Warren; Sooty Shearwater and Black Tern Berry Head; Arctic Tern (5) Kingsbridge Estuary. 26 Bittern Bradiford Water; Great Shearwater (2) at sea; Curlew Sandpiper (4) and Ruff (7) Bowling Green Marsh. 27 Osprey and Black Tern Exmouth; Cory’s Shearwater at sea nr. Plymouth; Wryneck Colyford. 29 Bonaparte’s Gull Dawlish Warren; Osprey ; Little Stint Otter Estuary; Wryneck Kenton. 31 Osprey (2) Erme Estuary and (2) Haldon Hill; Yellow Wagtail (70) Beer Head.

September 1 Wryneck Dawlish Warren and Rousdon; Sooty Shearwater (2) Thurlestone; Garganey Double Locks Wetland; Black Tern, Curlew Sandpiper (3) and Little Stint (2) Bowling Green Marsh. 2 Buff-breasted Sandpiper Lundy; Wryneck Wembury Point and Slapton Ley. 3 Spotted Sandpiper Plym Estuary; Aquatic Warbler South Milton Ley; Cattle Egret Bowling Green Marsh; Wryneck Soar; Little Gull (2) Warleigh Point; Balearic Shearwater (110) Start Point; Pomarine Skua (2) and Black Tern Prawle Point. 4 Wryneck Budleigh, Prawle Point (2) and Hawkerland; Pied Flycatcher (3) Sharkham Point. 5 Dotterel Salcombe; Long-tailed Skua, Pomarine Skua (5), Arctic Skua (49), Balearic Shearwater (49) and Arctic Tern (5) Dawlish Warren. 6 Great Shearwater , Sooty Shearwater (9), Balearic Shearwater (304), Storm Petrel (50) Berry Head; Great Shearwater (3), Balearic Shearwater (238) and Storm Petrel (105) Start Point; Storm Petrel (258) Prawle Point. 7 Curlew Sandpiper Wembury Point, Skern, Seaton Marshes and Turf Lock. 8 Curlew Sandpiper (9) Exe Estuary; Whinchat (8) Smeatharpe. 9 Buff-breasted Sandpiper Dawlish Warren; Wryneck Ashburton; Balearic Shearwater (48) Berry Head. 10 Balearic Shearwater (316), Sabine’s Gull and Grey Phalarope Orcombe Point; 11 Long-tailed Skua Budleigh. 11 Buff-breasted Sandpiper Froward Point; Black Tern and Little Tern (4) Northam Burrows; Sabine’s Gull and Pomarine Skua (4) Dawlish Warren. 12 Long-tailed Skua , Pomarine Skua (4), Balearic Shearwater (230) Dawlish Warren; Osprey West Hill; Grey Phalarope South Milton Ley; Spotted Redshank Bowling Green Marsh. 14 Pectoral Sandpiper Bowling Green Marsh. 15 Wryneck Hartland Point; Ring Ouzel (3) Prawle Point; Grey Phalarope (2) Tamar Lakes, Erme Estuary and Venford Reservoir. 16 Wryneck South Milton and Newton Abbot; Black Tern (8) Tamar Lakes and (3) Dawlish Warren; Sabine’s Gull , Balearic Shearwater (117), Pomarine Skua and Storm Petrel (30) Berry Head. 17 Spoonbill Kingsbridge Estuary. 18 Buff-breasted Sandpiper Soar; Pomarine Skua (18) Berry Head; Black Tern Wrafton Pond. 19 Spoonbill Exminster Marshes. 20 Sabine’s Gull (2) and Grey Phalarope Exmouth; Pomarine Skua (2), Arctic Skua (16), Great Skua (16) Start Point. 21 Sabine’s Gull (3) Exmouth; Ruff (2), Curlew Sandpiper (2) and Little Stint Pottington. 22 Wryneck East Prawle; Garganey and Bearded Tit (2) Bowling Green Marsh. 23 Pale-bellied Brent Goose (8) Dawlish Warren; Wryneck and Firecrest Soar. 24 Semipalmated Sandpiper Black Hole Marsh ; Quail Orcombe Point. 25 Rose-coloured Starling Lundy; Sabine’s Gull Berry Head and Start Point; Osprey Kingsbridge Estuary; Short-eared Owl Beer. 26 Red-backed Shrike Sharkham Point. 27 Wryneck Start Point and Staddon Heights; Marsh Harrier Axe Estuary. 28 Great White Egret (2) and Spoonbill Axe Estuary; Montagu’s Harrier Bolberry Down; Wryneck Kingsbridge; Quail Newton Abbot. 29 Spoonbill Exe Estuary; Honey Buzzard Brixham; Osprey Axe Estuary; Hen Harrier Dartmoor; Wryneck , Thurlestone, Hope Cove and (2) Scabbacombe Head. 30 Little Bunting Lundy.

Articles for the December Harrier should be submitted by 30 th November 2011 to Jack Aldous Email: [email protected] 3 Cox Tor Close, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6BH Tel: 01822 854483

The DBWPS is a Registered Charity No.228966 12 THE BIRDS OF DEVON MEMBERS CHRISTMAS OFFER – FREE DELIVERY

It is now almost a year since our highly successful book The Birds of Devon was first published. Many of our members already have a copy, but we are giving an opportunity to those who have not, to buy at a discounted price with free delivery. The cover price of the book is £45, but with Christmas approaching, it is maybe time to treat yourself or get a present for a friend. Please complete and send to: DBWPS, West Torridge, Limers Lane, Northam, Bideford, Devon Please order …….. copy/copies of The Birds of Devon @ £35 = £…………… Please enclose a cheque payable to DBWPS Or Please charge my VISA/Mastercard no………………………………………… 3 digit security no…….. Expiry date…………….. Valid from………... Name on card…………………………….. Signature…………………………………………………….. Name………………………………………………………………………… Address……………………………………………………………………….………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… Postcode………………………Telephone………………………………. Please advise if delivery is to an address other than that above, or if there are any special instructions.

13