www.devonbirds.org

The Devon Birds newsletter Oct-Dec 2016

A round-up of Devon Birds’ news stories from the last three months

October 2016 about the matter and we intend to accept that offer. Since the letter was written it now appears Bird of the month that four further licences have been applied for. This might not constitute a 'flood of applications' as suggested in the original letter to Natural England but it is a worrying trend. Much of the documentation for the granting of this licence has now been published by Natural England, though heavily redacted so it is impossible to discover even the region where the Buzzards are being destroyed. We are not alone in our opposition to this decision. You might like to read a piece by the RSPB's Conservation Director, Martin Harper, who also condemns this and calls it 'a perversion of the licensing system'. If you feel strongly about this, please write independently to Andrew Sells or John Holmes at Natural

Dalmatian Pelican – taken by Phil Naylor on 5th England. Better still both - their addresses are October on the respective letters.

After spending three months wandering around Cornwall, including teasing us on the far side of the Tamar, the Dalmatian Pelican finally saw sense and crossed the border into Devon. Most recently it was seen on the Taw/Torridge estuary around Crow Point and Fremington. The nearest breeding Dalmatian Pelicans are found in Greece and Bulgaria though the greatest concentrations of the birds, classified as Vulnerable, are in the former countries of the Soviet Union. Fossil records show that pelicans bred in the UK until they became extinct here around two thousand years ago. What are the chances that this bird will be joined by a mate? Probably very slim, unfortunately. Sadly, for those who missed it, the Pelican has returned to Cornwall.

Natural England replies to Buzzard letter In August, Devon Birds' Chairman Kevin Cox wrote a letter to Andrew Sells, NE's Chief Executive, to express concern about the fact that Natural England had granted a licence for the control of up to ten Buzzard in order to protect pheasant poults, which following a judicial review are now classed as 'livestock'. We have now received a letter from John Holmes, Natural England's Area Manager in reply. This is reproduced in full below. The letter does not answer in full all the questions that we asked but we acknowledge the fact that Mr Holmes has offered to speak to Council

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. interesting migrants especially in the rougher coastal areas. The farmer is keen to improve the habitat for wildlife and so he is about to start planting new broadleaf woodland, hundreds of metres of new hedges, scattered copses and plant wild bird cover for winter feeding. To see the positive effects of this work, he would like to have a baseline survey completed now. If you would like more information about the survey or to register your interest in taking part, please email [email protected] or call 01364 644214. Even if you can’t make all four dates, you will still be welcome to join us.

Willow Tit Survey 2017

Our Willow Tits are in trouble. The national decline between 1995 and 2010 is estimated at 79 per cent. The new Devon Bird Atlas shows a collapse in range: the number of tetrads for which breeding was confirmed or probable was just 31, down from 166 in the Devon Tetrad Volunteers wanted for Atlas 1977-85. Willow Tits are notoriously difficult to South Devon survey survey. They can be secretive and the habitat they occupy, wet scrubby woodland, is often Devon Birds has been invited to do a full bird inaccessible. Plus, they can be very tricky to survey of a 1200 acre farm on the South Devon differentiate from Marsh Tits in the field, coast next year and we’re looking to recruit except by call. volunteers to join a team willing to spend four Devon Birds, in partnership with Devon days next year birdwatching and recording. Wildlife Trust and the Devon Biodiversity Dates have yet to be agreed but the four days Records Centre, carried out a successful survey are likely to be in January, March, April and for Willow Tits in February/March this year. early June. The good news is that the birds were recorded

in 12 tetrads where it was thought they had disappeared. Most of the tetrads surveyed this year were in Mid and East Devon. In 2017, we will shift our attention to North Devon plus a couple of tetrads in the south. The survey is mostly done using playback of the Willow Tit call as the birds can be very responsive if they are around. Full training will be offered to those who are new to the survey at the Devon Wildlife Trust Meeth reserve on Saturday 14 January 2017.

If you would like to find out more or to Carswell Farm is a fully organic dairy farm that help by surveying a tetrad, please contact either sits in the beautiful area between Noss Mayo Kevin Cox on 01364 644214 and Mothecombe. It has a range of habitats, ([email protected]) or Emily including meadows, hedgerows, woods, copses, Stallworthy at Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 scrub and coastal strip. The birding should be 279244 ([email protected]). exciting – as well as Cirl Buntings and other farmland birds, there is a good chance of some

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Botswana, Svalbard, Morocco, Mongolia and The Holne Moor Bird the UK: www.dascottartist.com

Study

Dave with Steppe Eagle chicks in Mongolia As a side-line he takes photographs, but what photos. This practice requires patient observation in all conditions and temperatures. Wherever his travels take him his enduring passion is finding and photographing birds’ nests, and where possible ringing the young. The stresses of their environment have led to the some of the most beautiful eggs, and ingenious nest-building behaviour. The techniques are wonderfully adapted to the rigours of the habitats, from the Arctic to African deserts. However, everywhere he travels he encounters man’s destructive influences. His studies of the effects of hundreds of miles of poorly designed overhead power lines in Mongolia has shown that they are killing hundreds of birds of prey; and led to international meetings to try to find some solution. Meanwhile on our own moors he has seen increased leisure use, by walkers, dogs and mountain bikers, give rise to disturbance that has driven away most of Dartmoor’s nesting The Dartmoor Upland Bird Nest Group has waders and many other birds. Constant activity been monitoring the breeding of birds on Holne can scare the parent from the nest exposing Moor for the last nine years. The team puts in young or eggs to chilling or the ever-present an incredible number of hours in all weathers attention of crows and other predators; while on the moor, finding nests, ringing birds and an inquisitive dog can eat a brood of skylarks monitoring the diet and foraging behaviour of without the owner noticing. Unfortunately this Meadow Pipits and Cuckoos. can be made worse by the thoughtless actions You can find more information on the of over-enthusiastic bird photographers.” website: www.dartmoornests.org Devon Birds supported the work of the Group in 2016 with a £2000 grant that November 2016 contributed towards the costs of equipment and transport. New County Recorder &

Plymouth Branch Talk – Membership Secretary Devon Birds is pleased to announce that Kevin 12 September 2016 Rylands has agreed to accept the position of Douglas Herdson writes: “A good crowd County Recorder for Devon. turned up at the Spurgeon Hall in Mutley to Kevin's day job is working for the RSPB in hear a fascinating talk by Dave Scott. the South-West as a Conservation Officer. Dave is a photographer, falconer, ringer When not at work, he spends much of his time and runs a bird rehabilitation sanctuary, but his birding at Dawlish Warren and he runs the principal occupation is as a wildlife artist. website www.dawlishwarren.co.uk. He is Hence he began by showing photos of some of acknowledged to be one of Devon's top birders his impressive paintings from his travels in so we're delighted that he takes over as County Recorder as well as chairing the Devon Birds Records Committee. And Kevin's knowledge

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extends well beyond birds – he is an all-round naturalist with a wide-ranging enthusiasm for Haldon & Hatherleigh all forms of wildlife. Surveys - can you help?

One of the heathland restoration areas in Haldon Forest Kevin Rylands, County Recorder Devon Birds is looking for volunteers to help Devon Birds Council is also pleased to with another two surveys in 2017. Haldon welcome Shaw Edwards as Membership Forest is a 3500 acre conifer and broadleaf Secretary. Shaw is a Devonian and life-long woodland on the western edge of Exeter, birder who lives in Moreleigh in South Devon. dissected by the A38. The Forestry Shaw's passion for birds and conservation Commission, which owns and manages the site, combined with his extensive business has approached Devon Birds about the experience make him a great addition to possibility of carrying out a bird survey in a Council. His role will be to ensure that we are number of key areas of the forest, particularly doing all we can to look after existing members those parts where the conifer has been removed as well as to spread the word about Devon and heathland restoration is underway. Birds to help us recruit new ones. Shaw has also Haldon is a fascinating site with good offered to run a number of field meetings for populations of a diverse range of birds and the South Devon Branch next year, so please improving biodiversity. However, the bird come along and meet him. records are patchy and so it is difficult for the Both Kevin and Shaw have been co- FC to know how quickly the habitat opted onto Council until they can be elected improvements are taking effect. Have officially at the AGM in March. Woodlark numbers improved? Are there Dartford Warblers? And are Turtle Doves still present? These are just some of the questions that a survey at Haldon can try to answer. And the good news about Haldon is that it's easily accessible from most of Devon so travelling time should be limited for most surveyors. If you'd like to find out more, please phone Kevin Cox on 01364 644214 or email [email protected]

The second survey is at Hatherleigh Moor. Digby Greenhill writes: Mid-Devon Birds has agreed to complete a full survey of the beautiful 450 acres of Hatherleigh Moor next year to create a baseline for future detailed observations. We are planning four mornings in 2017 birdwatching and recording with the help of as many volunteers as possible. There will be at least three groups of four birders. If you are interested please note the following dates, 4th April, 18th July, 26th September & 5th December, all are on Tuesdays starting at 9am. Hatherleigh Moor faces the northern edge of Dartmoor and is an open stretch of mostly grazed, unimproved grassland with willow dominated springs and water courses, together with fenced off patches of culm grassland. Shaw Edwards, Membership Secretary Previously this habitat was popular with Curlew, now sadly lost, but with a healthy population of Skylarks.

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Parts are remarkably flower-rich. Cuckoo that the number of pairs of Cirls now stands at pass through but no longer stay to breed. 1078. Natural England & DWT are taking an interest Cath Jeffs, the RSPB’s Cirl Bunting Project in improving habitats and enhancing the manager, said: “Cirl Buntings need real farmers wildlife of the moor in conjunction with growing real crops, and Cirl-friendly farmers Hatherleigh Moor Management Committee. It don’t just help these birds but many other is hoped that a programme of improvements species too. For example, more than a quarter will roll out next year. of the farms involved in the project now have If you are interested in volunteering or nationally important assemblages of rare plants. require more information please register your “Cirls are a very special bird for the South interest by emailing [email protected], West because this is where the story began and Annabelle Strickland on without a lot of hard work by a lot of people [email protected] or Jerry Tallowin over the last 25 years, this is where it could [email protected]. have ended.” Let us hope that any changes to agri- environment support for farmers continues to Good news for Cirls recognise the work that nature-friendly farmers do and their importance for the continued 25 years ago it looked as though the Cirl survival of some of our rarest birds. Bunting was about to go extinct in the UK. Numbers had declined rapidly since the war to the point where only 118 pairs were found, all New Birds of Plymouth in South Devon. Since then, the RSPB has worked alongside farmers, land owners and published conservationists to turn around the fortunes of our county's special bird. The first challenge was to identify the reasons for the decline and then to tackle them.

Cirl Bunting by Roger Backway It was discovered that Cirls need unmanaged hedgerows for nesting, a good supply of seed, especially in the winter and grasshoppers to feed their chicks. Agricultural intensification Devon Birds has just published Vic meant that hedgerows were either taken out or Tucker's authoritative new Birds of Plymouth - cut too frequently, arable crops were planted in Additions, revisions and updates: 1995-2015. the autumn so there was no winter stubble and As the name suggests, this is the seed left on the ground and the field margins, updated version of Vic's original Birds of full of insects, were ploughed up. Plymouth that was published in 1995. There is With the RSPB's support, a growing almost no duplicated material in the two books number of farmers in South Devon began to so they are best read together for a manage their land both for food production comprehensive view of Plymouth's birds since and Cirl Buntings. And the Cirl Buntings 1950. started to come back to the point where it was The new book brings the picture bang possible to carry out a reintroduction up-to-date even featuring a photo of this year's programme for the birds into Cornwall, where Lesser Grey Shrike that stayed for a while at there is now a self-sustaining population of over Jennycliff. The book is a must-buy for anyone 60 pairs. who has the original book and a fascinating This year, for the first time in seven years, read for all birders with an interest in the state the RSPB, with funding of £5000 from Devon of birds in Devon's largest city. Birds, carried out a comprehensive survey of The new book is available from the Cirl Buntings in all known and likely areas. Devon Birds Shop, priced £8 (if you collect) Last week, the RSPB was delighted to announce £10 (including p&p). There is also a special offer for anyone who would like to buy both books - £10 (collect), £13 (including p&p).

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New Wardens for the Devon Egg Collector Exe & Pebblebed Convicted Heaths A retired solicitor, William Beaton, 73, of Colin Randall writes: Burrator Road, Dousland was fined £4700 after Devon Birds welcomes the news that the SE he was caught with an illegal collection of 435 Devon Habitat Regulations Partnership has eggs that he had amassed over a number of recruited two full-time wardens for the Exe years. He had already been convicted earlier in Estuary, Dawlish Warren and the Pebblebed the year of a similar offence in Orkney. Heaths. Funded by three local authorities, their In his mitigating statement to Plymouth role will be to mitigate possible damage Magistrates' Court, he wrote: "I'm guilty of resulting from the increased use of these very collecting wild birds' eggs and having a special areas from the increased populations collection of the same. I am sorry for that but nearby. there are collectors and collectors. I'm going to try and say a few things which show I am not the worst of the worst or the baddest of the bad." You can judge whether you agree with that by taking a look at the photograph that appeared on the BBC website. It shows that Mr Beaton collected a Cirl Bunting egg from South Milton, quite possibly from the Devon Birds reserve there, a Ring Ouzel egg from Headland Warren, where the birds no longer nest, and a number of other eggs from near his home in Yelverton.

Dartford Warbler on the East Devon Heaths by Coliin Scott James Chubb, the Countryside Team Leader for East Devon DC, says: “I am really excited about how this project will develop over the coming years, with an initial three year period funded securely. For the SPA sites, I am glad that the birds on the estuary and heathlands will have these two officers overseeing their protection from disturbance from any user." The officers’ time will be spread over a vast area and so a strategic approach to engagement with all user groups will be key to Buzzard Update the success of this initiative and all the actions of the new officers will be guided by the SPA/SAC Disturbance Study compiled some years ago by Footprint Ecology. While the officers will carry powers of enforcement relating to Local Authority Byelaws, it is expected that in the first instance on the Estuary and Pebblebeds, their role will be one of education and engagement with current users to encourage responsible use of the protected sites and to make sure everyone knows where they stand on sites which have a historical assumption of being unrestricted (even when this hasn’t been the case).

Buzzard at Stover Country Park by John Lee

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Natural England issued the latest update on volunteer organisation and, like you, I'd much their grant of a number of licences for the rather be birdwatching than chasing payments! 'control' of Buzzards to protect pheasant A form can be downloaded poults. You can read the full update at: www.devonbirds.org/membership The link here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/buz is at the bottom of the web page. If you'd prefer zard-licensing-applications but the key fact is I can send you a copy of the Direct Debit form that four licences were issued, granting to complete and return to me. permission for the killing of up to 26 Buzzards, though in the end only 11 birds were destroyed. Roger Little, Devon Birds Treasurer, All the licences have now expired so if you find Pendragon, Cornworthy, Totnes TQ9 7ES any evidence that Buzzards are being persecuted, it is certainly illegal and it should be reported to the police. Devon Birds AGM 2017 The clearest indictment of these licences The 2017 Devon Birds AGM will be held at the came from Martin Harper, RSPB's Exeter Court Hotel in Kennford EX6 7UX at Conservation Director in his recent blog: 7pm on Wednesday 22 March. We're delighted "Natural England has issued three further to announce that the guest speaker will be licences for killing of buzzards to protect Derek Gow. Derek has a farm in West Devon pheasants for shooting. but he is best known for his ecological Their announcement says that these consultancy that specialises in ethical wildlife licences were issued for the killing of up to 26 mitigation, breeding, reintroduction and buzzards, with 11 buzzards having been killed. translocation of protected British mammals, As I have written previously the RSPB believes focusing specifically on the water vole. that killing of a recovering bird of prey to Derek has bred thousands of water voles protect an introduced gamebird for the benefit over the last ten years and he and his team have of commercial interest is wrong. been at the forefront of reversing the decline of The fact these licences have been issued without this charismatic small mammal. He is also any public knowledge, let alone scrutiny, only involved in the Devon beaver reintroduction makes things worse. Transparency is vital if the programme and the latest beavers to be public is to have any confidence in the reintroduced to the River Otter came from system. I don't blame Natural England - they him. are operating within the rules that they have His latest project is a White Stork been given. What we need is a public debate reintroduction that will shortly take place on about how killing buzzards to protect the Knepp Estate in Sussex. He will tell us more commercial shooting of a non-native gamebird about this on the night. How long before White can ever be acceptable. Storks are back in Devon? In my view, the legal framework is broken and Derek will talk about the ethics and the onus must be on Defra to fix it." mechanics of bird and mammal reintroductions. John Holmes, SW Area Manager for But he will also highlight how even small Natural England, has kindly agreed to talk mammals like water voles can restore to Devon Birds Council at our January meeting ecosystems back to health and life and bring when I am sure this issue will be raised. We will back lost species naturally. give Devon Birds members a full update after Derek is a charismatic speaker and his the meeting but if you have any questions on talk will be fascinating and challenging. An this or other matters concerning NE that you unmissable event. would like Council to put to John, please email them to [email protected]

December 2016 Time to Renew! It's that time of year again - your Devon Birds annual subscription is due on 1st January. The membership fee remains the same at £18 or, to look at it another way, just £1.50 a month. Your continued support is vital to help us continue running the reserves and supporting bird conservation work across the county. It also helps keep our admin costs and time to a minimum if you can pay promptly so we don't have to send out reminders. If you haven't set up a Direct Debit, please can you pay online or send a cheque to me at the address below. Alternatively, please can I encourage you to consider setting up a Direct Derek Gow and a beaver. Derek's on the left. Debit for future years - it really helps keep our costs and admin time down. We're a totally

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Time to send in your Book for Lundy 2016 records Tickets for the annual trip to Lundy are selling fast and numbers are restricted to 150. Tickets Please send in your records for 2016 as soon as cost £32 for adults and £16 for children under possible. All records are required to be 16 and the boat boards from Bideford at 8am, submitted by 31 January 2017 to ensure that returning at 8pm. It’s a great day out with they can be included in the 2016 Devon Bird guaranteed Puffins. Tickets from Mark Report. If you have any questions, please Humfrey on 01271 344556. contact Julia Harris on 01822 853785. ______Thanks to Roger Walter of Torrington who donated his £75 raffle win to Devon Birds to help with the printing costs for this Harrier digest. Forthcoming Events Jan 6 09:30–13:00 East Devon Field Darts Farm, Clyst St George. Meet at lower car park SX977883, includes walk to Bowling Green Marsh Jan 8 10:00–14:00 Plymouth Field West Charleton Marsh - meet at sewage works Marsh Lane SX752424 (Lesley Goonesekera 01548 856011) Jan 8 10:00–14:00 Taw & Torridge Field Hartland Point. Meet at car park, Blagdon Farm (charge) SS235277 (Norman Briden) Jan 10 19:30–21:30 Taw & Torridge Indoor Better Birding. Speaker - Mike Langman. The Castle Centre, Barnstaple, EX31 1DR Jan 16 09:30–14:30 East Devon Field Blackhole Marsh, Seaton. Meet at Reserve car park through cemetary SY248914 Jan 16 19:30–21:30 South Devon Indoor Tracking Devons Birds (Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, Wood Warblers and Whinchats) : Dr Malcolm Burgess. Court Farm Inn, Abbotskerswell, TQ12 5PG Jan 17 09:30–16:00 Mid Devon Field Tottiford Reservoir and adjacent woodland. Meet at car park SX811826 (by dam). PM - Hangingstone Rock (Annabelle Strickland) Jan 24 10:00–13:00 South Devon Field Coast path walk at Thurlestone led by Shaw Edwards. Meet at Thurlestone car park Feb 4 09:30–13:00 East Devon Field Powderham Church to Turf. Meet at roadside at church SX971843 Feb 9 10:00–15:00 Plymouth Field Broadsands. Meet at car park SX896572. Possibly on to Brixham/Berry Head (Doug Herdson 01752405155 Feb 13 19:30–21:30 Plymouth Indoor Raptor Rescue: Steve Hopper, Falconer and photographer. Mutley Baptist Church, Plymouth, PL4 6LB Feb 14 19:30–21:30 Taw & Torridge Indoor Tracking Devon's Birds - Spotted & Pied Flycatchers, Wood Warblers and Whinchats. Speaker - Dr Malcolm Burgess. The Castle Centre, Barnstaple, EX31 1DR Feb 19 10:00–13:00 South Devon Field Coast path walk at Thurlestone led by Shaw Edwards. Meet at Thurlestone car park Feb 19 10:00–15:00 Taw & Torridge Field Darts Farm and Bowling Green Marsh SX976883 (Norman Briden) Feb 20 19:30–21:30 South Devon Indoor Birds of Berry Head : Mike Langman. Court Farm Inn, Abbotskerswell, TQ12 5PG Feb 21 19:30–22:00 East Devon Indoor Branch AGM. Function room at Blue Ball Inn, Sidford EX10 9QL. Speaker: Dr Richard Swinbank Sri Lanka: Jewel of the Indian Ocean Feb 27 09:30–13:00 East Devon Field Otter Estuary, Budleigh Salterton. Meet at roadside at Whitebridge on Home Farm Road SY074830 Mar 5 10:00–15:00 Taw & Torridge Field Skern/Northam Burrows. Followed by Isley Marsh pm SS451305 (Jackie & Maria) Mar 6 10:00–14:30 Plymouth Field Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham. Meet at Holman Way car park SX968881 (John O'Connell-Davidson 01752668448) Mar 10 09:30–13:00 East Devon Field Exminster Marshes. Meet at RSPB car park SX953872 Mar 14 19:30–21:30 Taw & Torridge Indoor Tawny Owls - 10 years together. Speaker - Stephen Powles. The Castle Centre, Barnstaple, EX31 1DR Mar 20 19:30–21:30 South Devon Indoor Birds of Austria (The 'Flat Bit') : Dave Smallshire. Court Farm Inn, Abbotskerswell, TQ12 5PG Mar 21 09:30–14:00 Mid Devon Field Steps Bridge-riverside walk. Meet at car park - SX802882 (Tim Channon) Mar 22 19.00-21.30 Devon Birds AGM Followed by talk by Derek Gow. Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford EX6 7UX Mar 27 09:30–13:00 East Devon Field Dawlish Warren. Meet at far end of car park (Pay & Display) SX980787

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