EXETER AND DISTRICT

LOCAL GROUP

The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home.

The RSPB is a registered charity: in and Wales no. 207076; in Scotland no.SC037654

Editorial Has it really been 3½ years since I started this editorial lark? It doesn’t seem much more than … ooh about 3. Anyway, long enough to take on board some genuine reader input. So there’s a bit of a change of format in this issue – a slight variation in the running order. Those of you who need some suggestions about how to satisfy your birding desires in the near future won’t have to scroll right to the end – you’ll find details of forthcoming events right after the Group Leader’s report. That doesn’t mean that past events are being ignored – contributions from our voluntary scribes are still a valued part of the mix, but now they take the form of a rear-guard unit, putting all those future events into context by describing all the top class events of the recent past. Another bit of reader reaction concerned the cost of delivery of the Newsletter in its paper form, volunteering to reduce our printing/potage expenses just a little by embracing the electronic world and “download” it from “the Web”. If you think this sounds like a good idea then why not let Liz Saunders add you to her e-mail list so that she can notify you when it’s available from our website (http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/exeter/news). Or you could check the site yourself spasmodically “just in case”. It will never rival News24 but I do try to post items of local birding interest as and when they come my way, making them more immediately available than from the Newsletter. John Parker th *** If you want to see your stuff in print then get it to me by 11 January *** e-mail: [email protected] or post: John Parker, 2 St Sevan Way Exmouth, EX8 5RE

…and some words from our Group Leader There is a quarterly newsletter produced by the team at the Lodge to update local group committees on events, campaigns, news etc. In the issue that has just arrived there is a response from Mike Clarke, Chief Executive, to the criticism that many charities including the RSPB have come under lately. Mike has written a blog ‘charity fundraising and the loyalty of our members’ which I commend to you. He concludes his statement by saying ‘We are up for the challenge, we have a strategy and we are organised. And, we will need the help, energy and commitment to look after the RSPB’s reputation- so we remain in the strongest position to save nature’. I know many of you volunteer and through that get the opportunity to speak up for the charity, but even those who don’t can still help, please do! This morning the sun is pouring through the window even though it is very end of September. This week I am going up to the Lancashire coast and the Lake District (hope the weather lasts!) to see some of the early migrants who have arrived. For me this is the best time of the year. By the time this Newsletter comes out we will have had the AGM and a new treasurer will have been elected. Chris Steel has served in that post for 8 years, has been very committed and has done a superb job for which we are very grateful. Perhaps he will now have more time to follow his ‘beloved’ Exeter City. Roger Tucker

Exeter and District Local Group Newsletter No. 162 Winter 2015 Page 2 of 14

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Indoor Meetings

All meetings start at 7.30 pm in the United Reform Church Hall, Southernhay, Exeter Members – £3.50 : Non-members – £4.00

* * * A late change to our programme for the November event * * *

 Tuesday 10th November 2015 : “The Wildlife of Stover Country Park Local Nature Reserve” by John Avon An insider’s description of what you can expect to see at one of our local gems.

 Tuesday 1st December 2015 : “Exploring Ethiopia” by Oliver Smart Following nearly a month in this ancient land, Oliver tells the story of the diverse wildlife to be found in Ethiopia. With high altitudes, culture, people and landscapes to add to the mix this is not just a place for the hardy traveller but can be enjoyed by anyone interested in fascinating wildlife and history.

 Tuesday 12th January 2016 : “Somerset’s Coast – A Living Landscape” by Nigel Phillips Nigel is Chair of the Somerset Wildlife Trust Marine Awareness Campaign & will talk about wildlife in the Severn Estuary. Somerset has 73km of coastline which Nigel believes is teeming with wildlife. The Severn estuary is actually one of the largest in the UK and Nigel will tell us about wildlife found both above and below water. The Somerset coast has the second highest tidal range in the world, leading to mud flats that attract huge numbers of resident and migrating birds. Furthermore, over 100 species of fish have been recorded in the Severn estuary and these are a hugely important food source.

 Tuesday 9th February 2016 : “A New Approach To Bird Identification” by Terry Bond Prepare to be informed, surprised and entertained by Terry Bond's slant on bird identification. An illustrated - interactive talk that will challenge everyone’s bird recognition skills. At the end of the evening you will approach bird watching in a new light. Carolyn Channing

INDOOR MEETINGS: BRING AND BUY TABLE; USED POSTAGE STAMPS

Members attending our indoor meetings may be aware that I attempt to run a Bring & Buy stall! When it started many years ago, this was well supported by both donors and purchasers. Sadly, it has gradually ceased to attract donations. Before I give up on the stall, I would like to ask members if they could possibly donate a small item of home-made or home produced goodies. A pot of jam or chutney; some fruit or veg. from your garden; baked goods - little cakes or buns - are the sort of things I would like to be able to offer on the table. The costs of speakers and hall rental continue to rise and even a few pounds helps in covering these costs. And of course any surplus made on the meetings adds to the contributions which the Group makes to the RSPB. I do hope to receive a few items for sale and look forward to the stall being active again.

giving nature a home

Exeter and District Local Group Newsletter No. 162 Winter 2015 Page 3 of 14

Also … a reminder that I collect used stamps, the proceeds of which assist in the work to save albatrosses from being caught and drowned on fishing lines in the Southern Oceans. As you will be aware, this campaign is having much success in reducing the numbers of birds killed and your stamps can help. Please remove stamps from the envelope carefully, and if you can do this with scissors leaving a border of not more than 1/4 inch I will be delighted! I trim and sort the stamps into categories and trimming a large number of stamps takes ages! Pat Thomson

Christmas Fayre

st Saturday 21 November, 10.00 am – 12.00 noon in the Social Area of St Margaret's Church, Topsham

Yes, here we go again for our annual Fayre! This is an important fundraising event for the RSPB – so do please help if you possibly can, by donating goods: If you have any unwanted items – books, CDs, DVDs, bric-a-brac, toiletries, costume jewellery, toys, puzzles etc. – do please donate them for us to sell. We also need jams, chutneys, cakes etc. for our home-made produce stall – always a favourite. There will also be  stalls selling RSPB sales goods and bird food,  a raffle  refreshments We’ll have access to the Social Area of the church on Friday 20 November between 4.00pm and 5.00pm in order to set up everything, so you can drop off stuff then, or bring it on the Saturday morning (we will be there from 9.00am). Call Liz (on 01392 832080) for further information, or if help is needed to collect items. We would love to see you on the day so do come along if you can; it’s a great venue for a browse round our stalls, a cuppa and a chat! Liz Saunders

Outdoor Trips

For outdoor meetings, weatherproof clothing and waterproof footwear are recommended. Barn Owl = car share meeting point, SX 962928

Wed 4th Nov 2015 : a morning trip to … Otter Estuary A morning walk by the River Otter, looking for gulls, other seabirds, ducks and waders. We’ll also walk up the river and look for birds on the adjacent fields and woodland. In autumn 2014 we were lucky enough to find a Grey Phalarope. Meet: 9.30 am at Lime Kiln car park, Budleigh Salterton (SY073820). Car park charge, or possible free parking in nearby roads. Toilets 100m from car park

Saturday 15th November 2015 : a day trip to … Isley Marsh and Fremington A full-day trip to look for waders, ducks and other wintering birds around the Taw-Torridge estuary. We’ll visit the RSPB’s Isley Marsh reserve in the morning, moving on to Fremington in the afternoon. Meet: 8.30 am at the Barn Owl (SX962928) or 9.45 am at the access point to the Tarka Trail at Yelland (SS483322) Toilets and refreshments in cafe at Fremington Bring lunch

giving nature a home

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Wednesday 16th December 2015 : a morning trip to … Broadsands A morning visit to Broadsands, hoping to see grebes and divers if the weather is favourable, plus winter visitors and the local Cirl Buntings. The trees at Broadsands can also be a good place to see Goldcrests and warblers including Chiffchaffs and the occasional Yellow-browed Warbler. Meet: 9.30 am at Broadsands car park (SX896572). Car park charge. Toilets on the sea front

Saturday 3rd January 2016 : a morning trip to … Bowling Green Marsh If you compile a year-list of the birds that you see, Bowling Green Marsh is an excellent place to start. We expect to see Avocets and other wintering waders from the hide and viewing platform, plus a good range of other birds in the hedges, on the fields and on the river. Meet: 9.30 am at Holman Way Car Park, Topsham (SX968881). Car park charge. Please do not park on the approach road to Bowling Green. Toilets on the Quay

   An addition to our advertised programme   

Sunday 31st January 2016 : a day trip to … Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath In this all-day visit we will visit the RSPB Ham Wall reserve and the neighbouring Shapwick Heath. We will be able to visit the new Avalon hide at Ham Wall, and we hope to be lucky enough to see Marsh Harriers, Great White Egrets and Bitterns. Meet: 8.30 am at the Barn Owl (SX962928) or 9.45 am at the new Ham Wall car park (ST449396) The new toilets at Ham Wall should be open Bring lunch

I have a mailing list for e-mail reminders and updates about the outdoor meeting programme. If you would like me to include you in this list, please e-mail me at [email protected]

Birdwatching trip to Norfolk As advertised in the last issue, our next extended bird-watching trip will be to north Norfolk, from Monday 18th to Friday 22nd January 2016. We will be paying a return visit to Briarfields Hotel in Titchwell, which is very close to the RSPB reserve. It is also an ideal base for exploring other sites such as Cley, Holkham and Sculthorpe Moor. By going in mid-winter, we should see some species of birds (such as Pink-footed Goose, Hen Harrier and Snow Bunting) that are rare in . The cost, for 4 nights with dinner, bed and breakfast, will be £304 per person sharing a double or twin room, or £390 for single occupancy. By the time you read this newsletter, I will have sent off the deposits to the hotel. But we should still be able to fit in a few more people. Please contact me if you are interested; my phone number is 01404 813666 and my email address is [email protected]. Details, with a booking form, have also been posted on the News section of the website (September archive).

Richard Swinbank

giving nature a home

Exeter and District Local Group Newsletter No. 162 Winter 2015 Page 5 of 14

Wake up with Nature The RSPB are inviting the public to join them on a special, one-off, Dawn Avocet Cruise along the Exe Estuary on Saturday 5 December, departing at 7.30 am from Topsham

Morwenna Alldis, spokesperson for the RSPB South West said: “For me there’s no better way to start the day than by waking up with and tuning into nature. So often when we open our eyes our list of daily chores and worries flood in and begin to bog us down. But getting outside first thing and grounding yourself in nature is a real tonic for the mind and body.” The RSPB’s Dawn Cruise enables visitors to watch the Exe Estuary waking up. At this time of year the Exe is in its prime, with over twenty thousand wintering birds enjoying the estuary’s mudflats and feasting on the mud’s rich crop of plants and creepy crawlies. Visitors will be in good hands too, joined by some of the RSPB’s wildlife experts who will provide an inspiring commentary along the journey and reveal exactly why the Exe Estuary is one of the world’s greatest wetlands. After the cruise, shipmates can enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast at The Globe Hotel in Topsham. Along with the magnificent memories from the morning this will more than make up for the early start, but …

***** Booking is Essential ***** With a passenger limit of 40 people, book your place early to avoid disappointment.

Prices (including breakfast): Adult RSPB member £20 Adult non-member £23 Wildlife Explorer member £10 Child non-member £12 For more information about this event and to book please visit: https://rspbdawncruise.eventbrite.co.uk Or call: 01392 432691

NEWS AND INFORMATION

Exe Estuary Reserves – selected musings from the residential volunteers (from http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/e/exminsterpowderham/index.aspx)  7 Aug 2015 8:37am : Jay’s first blog Good morning from the Exe Estuary! My name is Justine (Jay) and I can’t believe my 2nd week here as the new residential volunteer is coming to a close; boy, doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun. The absolute highlight so far was seeing my very first Grass snake. Laura and I walked over to the Powderham viewing platform for what we expected to be one of the last Lapwing surveys of the season, as most of the chicks had fledged. We didn’t expect to see 3 new fluffy little chicks bumbling about! They are very late in the season, but a 2nd brood isn’t uncommon. Much of the rest of my time here has been getting the hang of a hammer, mending fences to keep the grazing cows away from the water pipes and gates that connect the ditches. I’ve learnt an incredible amount in the past week or so, and the nails are going in a bit straighter already. I can’t wait to see what the next six months will bring.  7 Aug 2015 5:20pm, PhillC : Where does the time go? Any dry day now and we’re out on the fields with the weed-wiper – an ingenious piece of kit that allows us to carefully and selectively apply herbicides to specific plants. We are targeting the coarse grass and Soft Rush that the cows do not eat. If left unchecked they would take over the reserve, reducing the variety of flowers and insects and ultimately ruin the wet grassland habitat for the wintering waders and wildfowl. The next stage will be cutting and baling of the excess grass.

giving nature a home

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 21 Aug 2015 4:34pm, Jay : Rain and Shine As cutting and baling begins the volunteers have to keep up with the mowing and trim the ditch edges – clearing surplus reeds and areas of grass the mower can’t reach. Tuesday saw a full day of glorious sunshine, and lots of welly-clad little ones joined us for a Pond Dipping afternoon by the Discovery Area. The best find of the day was definitely the Great diving beetles carefully scooped up in the nets. Amazingly we managed to collect both male and female. Other highlights included a Grass snake, Slow-worm, and Common lizard found under the reptile sheets, and a huge array of invertebrates.  4 Sep 2015 5:51pm, Laura : Ditch Games Trimming the ditch edges has continued, with one person down the bank and close to the mud with an oversized strimmer and another following behind with a rake and a strong back. We were greatly assisted in this undertaking by the work party volunteers, who made a tiring activity so much fun. We may not have a tent, but star bakers brought delights for us to look forward to at tea break. However, the greatest performances, as usual, came from the wildlife – gaggles of geese embarking on their migration; flocks of sparrows and finches being predated by sparrow hawks; common lizards on the Turf path; grass snakes and slow worms under the corrugated iron sheets; and although they’re coming to the end of their season, butterflies have still been bringing flurries of colour to the reserve.  11 Sep 2015 4:08pm, Jay : Last of the summer sun A brief hiatus from ditch edging this week, as Tom, Phill, and I headed over to Bowling Green marsh to get acquainted with the thick, black, estuary mud that was blocking the outfall – digging out the mud to clear the sluice and creating a pathway for the water to travel back down to the estuary.  18 Sep 2015 11:38am, PhillC : News Flash: Exe Estuary Weather, Birds, Wildlife and Mud One of the last grass management activities has been the mowing of the grass in the Discovery Area, with the cuttings being built into an impressive pile as a habitat for snakes and lizards. There’s an ongoing battle with the estuary mud deposits which appear to be slowing the drainage of water from the lagoon in front of the Bowling Green hide. Despite digging out drainage channels and establishing a good flow of water from the reserve, the water levels do not seem to be draining as quickly as we hoped. The investigation and work continues. We’ve also been working on maintenance to the hide itself. Some visitors may have had a shock when peering out the windows to see one of us staring back at them as we sand, clean and varnish the window frames to help preserve them.  2 Oct 2015 1:01pm, Jay : Feeding up and heading out This week has been a great time for bat watching, particularly Common and Soprano pipistrelles. With the end of the mating season drawing in, and colder weather on the horizon, they’re preparing to hibernate. This makes mild mornings and evenings of great importance to them to eat as much as possible, to store up important fat reserves, and find good places for the upcoming hibernation period. The Bowling Green hide has received a second lick of varnish, and is looking very smart for those birders arriving to enjoy the multitude of waders, as well as Yellow and Grey wagtails being spotted about. On Exminster marshes, the Thursday volunteers have been hard at work removing brambles and thistles along the ditch edges. Altough blackberries provide great nutrition for certain birds on the reserve, such as the Wren, if left unchecked they encroach on the open grassland space and block off access to the soft mud on ditch edges necessary for the incoming geese and waders to feed.

Aylesbeare Reserves Autumn has definitely arrived, with rose hips red in the hedges and blackberries dripping off the brambles: plenty of wild food for the birds – at the moment. But we’re beginning to hear them more around the yard and on the commons as the moult finishes and the birds become more obvious. Nuthatches have been very visible over the last week or two, which reminds me that it will soon be time to fill the bird-feeders. I enjoy watching the small birds on our peanut feeder outside the office window and observing the pecking order: the nuthatches see off the blue and great tits, as they are a bit bigger, but everything scatters when the great spotted woodpecker arrives! Once the autumn harvest of seeds and berries starts to be used up, the birds will all be back in your garden. So dust off your feeders (if you haven’t been feeding all summer) and stock up on seed – our shop at Darts Farm can supply your every need. The blackbirds have moved on from my gooseberries to my grapes – I doubt if I will get a taste of a ripe one this year at all!

giving nature a home

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July was a peak time of year for our dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies. Arguably our most fussy resident is the Southern damselfly. Its rather specific habitat requirements consist of slow-moving, base-rich runnels and streams within acid heathland areas, which means that we are able to accommodate one of the few small colonies found in the UK. They can also be found on two other sites across the Pebblebed heaths – at Colaton Raleigh Common, which is under the fine management of the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust and on the Devon Wildlife Trust side of Venn Ottery Common. They can be distinguished from azure damselflies by their dainty, less meaningful flight as well as the distinct mercury mark on the second abdominal segment which supposedly resembles the winged-helmet of Mercury, the Roman deity. By August it’s clear that they’ve had an exceptional year – nearly 200 picked up on one count! There have also been plenty of butterflies around the reserve: it seems to have been a good year for fritillaries – silver-wash and dark green have been seen very frequently, and the silver-studded blues are still hanging on, though not in the sort of numbers that could be described as a colony. Following the National Vegetation Classification re-survey of the main reserve a couple of years ago, carried out by an expert consultant, we (staff and volunteers) have been getting to grips with the system ourselves to document the habitats on Venn Ottery Common – I have never had so many ticks to remove as when we worked in the mires and bogs at the bottom of the hill! However, in terms of results - no real surprises in terms of the habitats, but some nice records of individual species which really highlight the differences between Venn Ottery and Aylesbeare/. The Venn Ottery bogs contain good numbers of bog pimpernel (Anagallis tenella), bulbous rush (Juncus bulbosus) and oval sedge (Carex leporine) which are much rarer on the other commons. The link field has been very floriferous this summer, which drifts of yellow common fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) and masses of eyebright (Euphrasia sp) down in the grass, along with our best show of southern marsh orchids (Dactylorhiza praetermissa). And fluttering amongst that a thriving colony of marbled white butterflies. There have been lots of cows out on the heath grazing, though not quite as many as we would like. Our Dartmoor and Exmoor pony empire has expanded to include Trinity Hill nature reserve, which is being grazed for the first time for 40 years! We are also supplying ponies to the Stockland Turbaries to keep those fascinating habitats in good condition. The ponies and cows graze in different ways and on different areas, so it is important to have both for the good of the habitats.    Back in the 1950s a bank of trees was planted on Venn Ottery Hill as a screen for future quarrying operations. Last year we were engaged by the quarry company to fell those trees so that they could complete those quarrying operations. (It has to be said that there was a degree of offset on that payment though. On the day that the railway line was washed away at Dawlish we were raking through the ground litter to make sure there was no evidence of dormice, so that the quarrying could continue, and some of us haven’t been the same since!) Those trees were carefully removed from the site and the bark peeled away before being taken to another (this time disused) quarry, where they were lovingly transformed into the shell of a log cabin. Then the individual components were carefully labelled before the cabin was dismantled and moved to its final location – where it will become a new office and residential volunteer accommodation for Aylesbeare reserve staff, to replace buildings that are decidedly no longer fit for purpose. What with reuse of local timber, photovoltaic cells on the roof, rainwater capture (for flushing toilets, etc.), a bio-mass boiler to heat the building and an enthusiastic volunteer labour force, the project is coming in about as “green” and cheap as it’s possible to make it – and no more rental costs for the residential volunteer’s accommodation in future. There’s still a lot to do (mainly for that enthusiastic volunteer labour force) but once we get the building watertight we can all take a step back - and spend a bit more time managing the heath for a while.

Nicky Hewitt (Administrator)

giving nature a home

Exeter and District Local Group Newsletter No. 162 Winter 2015 Page 8 of 14

RSPB Autumn/Christmas Sales Catalogue 2015

Cards, calendars, diaries, gifts…… Please remember you can place an order for anything from the current sales catalogue with me. You will save yourself postage and packing costs, and all purchases benefit the work of the RSPB. Please have a look (if you need a copy let me know, but you can also view the entire catalogue online – and then order through me!). When your order has arrived I will contact you to arrange collection and you then pay on receipt, by cash or cheque (the latter to be made payable to ‘Exeter RSPB Group). Order by: phone (01392 258786), e-mail ([email protected]) (please note the underscore after ‘csteel’) or post (12, St Loyes Rd, Heavitree, EXETER, EX2 5HL) I look forward to hearing from you! Marilyn Steel

Items of Interest – some snippets you may have missed

 Storm petrels make a comeback in West Country On a recent monitoring visit to St Agnes and Gugh, the Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery team were thrilled to hear the call of storm petrel chicks — the first to hatch on the islands in living memory. Storm petrels are tiny seabirds about the size of a sparrow that spend most of their lives at sea. They nest in burrows and are extremely rare breeding birds in England — confined entirely to the West Country. Up until last year, the only place they nested was on a few outer rocks and islands in the Isles of Scilly. This year though, thanks to a highly successful partnership project between the RSPB, Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Natural England and Duchy of Cornwall, the birds have been found nesting on St Agnes and Gugh. This is following the removal of rats, which prey on chicks, from the islands. Storm petrels have also nested successfully on Lundy for a second year, where rats were removed ten years ago by the RSPB, Landmark Trust, National Trust and Natural England. The Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project and the Lundy Seabird Recovery Project are part of a global effort to restore island seabird populations. As well as storm petrel, the work has benefited Manx shearwater, guillemot and puffin. On Lundy, puffin numbers have increased from 13 in 2000 to 80 in 2013, and shearwaters have gone from 328 occupied burrows to 3,451 in the same period. On the Isles of Scilly last year, Manx shearwater bred successfully on St Agnes and Gugh for the first time in living memory.  Record breaking year for avocets The avocet, a bird once close to extinction in the UK, and the charity’s emblem, has enjoyed a record breaking year, with SW estuaries now home to an internationally important winter population. Avocets returned to Minsmere in Suffolk in 1947, after an absence of more than 100 years, and numbers have continued to grow across the UK. As the breeding population increased, both in the UK and Western Europe, south west estuaries, particularly the Tamar, Exe and Poole Harbour, increased in their importance as winter refuges for the birds. Last year the Exe estuary had its highest number of avocets ever, with more than 700 birds present between October and March. Further to the east, Poole Harbour is now home to a flock of 2,000 avocets in the cold months, and increase from just 25 individuals 30 years ago. This represents 40% of the total; UK wintering population.

giving nature a home

Exeter and District Local Group Newsletter No. 162 Winter 2015 Page 9 of 14

 Breeding Bird Survey results for 2014 The Breeding Bird Survey is a UK-wide project by the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the RSPB, aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species. It involves around 2,600 participants who survey more than 3,600 sites across the UK, enabling us to monitor the population changes of over 100 bird species. Knowing just how bird populations are changing is fundamental to bird conservation. The report from last year’s survey contains trends of widespread bird species over the period from 1994 to 2014. These trends are the key indicators needed for assessments featured in publications such as last year's State of Nature report, our annual State of the UK's Birds report, Wild Bird Indicators and Birds of Conservation Concern's red, amber and green lists. Short-term respite The latest results bring some short-term positive news for a suite of both migratory and resident species against a backdrop of long-term declines for many long-distance migrants in particular. Lesser whitethroat (+34%), whitethroat (+18%), tree pipit (+31%), willow warbler (+6%) and the familiar cuckoo (+27%) are among the long-distance species whose numbers increased between 2013 and 2014. Wetter conditions on the African wintering grounds may have contributed to this short-term respite, as science has shown that the survival of some migratory species is thought to be influenced by rainfall levels in the Sahel, just south of the Sahara. Long-term declines Despite the favourable short-term trends revealed in the BBS report, the long-term trends for many of the UK's migratory species are not so positive. Between 1995 and 2013, cuckoo declined by 46%, spotted flycatcher by 47%, whinchat by 54%, wood warbler by 58%, pied flycatcher by 60% and, shockingly, turtle dove by 91%, with large decreases also found in several other species. Many factors throughout the migration route and on the wintering grounds could be playing a part in the alarming decline of long-distance migrants. Wintering grounds are likely to be affected by wetland loss & degradation and the clearance of wooded savannah, and the loss of migration stop- over sites, as well as hunting and trapping along the way, may compound the problem for some species.  Good year for Chesil Beach little terns Wildlife conservationists studying rare little terns nesting on Chesil Beach have discovered that two of the nesting colony residents are now 15 and 16 years old, and during their annual African migrations have notched up over 100,000km each. The discovery was made during the fitting of new colour rings to the Chesil little terns in conjunction with the EU LIFE Little Tern Project. Thalassa McMurdo Hamilton, Little Tern Project Officer said; “Steve Hales, a local bird ringer, carried out the colour ringing with Luke Phillips of RSPB. As the ringing got underway we noticed some of the adults were glinting silver on their legs – they already had a metal ring on – and luckily, we managed to catch a few of these. We excitedly wrote down the ring number and Steve went home to check the BTO records to see how old they were. A few hours later he revealed that he had ringed these birds at Chesil Beach in 1999 and 2000 – making them 15 and 16 years old!” Thalassa added “I was amazed to discover that these birds are returning to where they were first reared and still breeding after 16 years. They are such small birds – an adult weighs the same as a tennis ball – and deal with lots of stress during chick rearing, so I couldn’t believe they were so old. They are much tougher than we think.” “Being able to identify individuals at a colony has huge benefits to this species, the second rarest breeding seabird in the UK. It allows conservationists to understand the movement of little terns between different colonies, how faithful they are to their breeding colonies and, moreover, we can learn more about adult and juvenile survival. These questions remain largely unanswered and so armed with this information we will be better able to conserve this species. “We’ve made a great start in 2015 and we will hopefully ring many more over the next few years, and gain an insight into these tough little terns, at the only colony in the southwest of England.

giving nature a home

Exeter and District Local Group Newsletter No. 162 Winter 2015 Page 10 of 14

The Chesil Beach terns have had another good summer, with thirty-four youngsters (from 33 pairs of terns) now flying south to West Africa. Throughout the 2000s the colony declined from 81 pairs in 2000 to none in 2009. Predation and disturbance were particular problems. Since then the colony has been protected by a new style of fence, predators have been deterred and volunteer wardens work shifts to help minimise disturbance. Work has also been done to improve the attractiveness of the beach to these diminutive seabirds. 

Congratulations to the following winners for the last few months. July August September Mr and Mrs Swain Mrs J M Burdett Mrs J M Burdett Mr and Mrs Parker Mr C Farlow and Mr and Mrs Eldridge Mr and Mrs Callaway Ms R Sanders Mr B Jones Ms J Spencer Mr and Mrs H Clews Mrs J M Burdett Mrs P Ingram

Not already in the Club? Like the chance to be a winner, as well as give just a little bit more to the RSPB? Then contact Liz Saunders (see details below) – she’d love to hear from you.

LOOKING BACK ON SOME OF OUR TALKS AND TRIPS

Thursday 11th June : an evening trip to Stover Country Park, nightjar walk Eight of us met Richard in the car park at Stover Country Park at 20.30hrs. It was fingers crossed for the weather, as heavy rain showers were forecast. Jon Avon, Head Ranger at Stover and former Chair of Devon Birds was going to lead us around. He introduced himself, gave some interesting facts about the park and then talked about what we were hoping see and hear. Stover Country Park was originally part of the landscaped estate of Stover House that was built in 1777 by the first James Templer. It extends over approximately 114 acres and consists of a variety of habitats: woodland, heathland, lake, marsh and grassland. We walked slowly anti-clockwise round the 10 acre lake, with Jon giving an excellent commentary about Stover. He explained that there was an ongoing problem with the ecosystem of the lake. It was once covered in waterlilies, and some of us remembered that time! Jon explained that five years ago the waterlilies started to disappear, and the water supply to the lake resulted in the lake silting up. He said that the only solution could be to dredge the lake. Jon also explained how important it was to manage the trees surrounding the lake and keep them cut back. On the lake we saw a pair of Mute Swans with their charming cygnets, (the first to breed successfully) a pair of Great Crested Grebe with their last remaining juvenile, looking very healthy, and a proud female Mallard with her ducklings. About half way around the lake we then walked down "The Drive". Suddenly we heard our first "churring" at 21.30hrs and some heard wing clapping. Stopping and looking into the heathland area we saw 3 Nightjars fly over making a "kwick" single note call. The churring continued from the males, varying in both pitch and volume. The males like to churr from prominent branches and their shape on the branch is unmistakable when picked out against the night sky. Nightjars make the long journey from Africa in May, the males arriving first. Their arrival coincides with the increase of the moth population - moths and insects being their main food. Jon explained that he saw the first male Nightjar on the 3rd May and the females arrived 10 days later. He believed them to be nest building at the time of our visit. Jon explained that a lot of work had been done at Stover to provide the ideal habitat for the Nightjars. Rhododendrons had been cleared, so allowing heather and the heathland to become established with

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Exeter and District Local Group Newsletter No. 162 Winter 2015 Page 11 of 14 sufficient cover. There are no footpaths crossing these heathland areas in order to try and protect the Nightjars and maintain their habitat. The Nightjars success depends on the management of the reserve to provide a suitable habitat for their breeding and feeding and they have bred successfully at Stover since 1987. Whilst standing on the outskirts of one of the heathland areas 2 Nightjars flew low just over our heads, it was amazing with them so close. They like to swoop and flap around their territory, investigating observers. Further churring Nightjars were heard around us and when a probable fifth one was heard churring Jon was really pleased as it would be the most ever reported at Stover. Seeing and hearing the Nightjars at Stover was amazing and made the evening memorable for us all, and we hardly noticed the light rain that was falling. As we walked back to the lake side the rain got heavier. We stood by the lake for a short time as Jon explained that there were 11 different species of bats around Stover but we had brief sightings of just two bats as the rain became heavy, and we decided to go back to our cars. A big thank you to Jon who with his enthusiasm, knowledge and expertise made this a very enjoyable evening, interesting and informative. Summer would not be the same without the Nightjar. Thanks also to Richard for organising this walk. Cilla Ingram

Saturday 11th July : a morning trip to Venn Ottery Common Twelve of us met up at Venn Ottery Common, a reserve that the RSPB took over in 2004, the only freehold ownership in . Toby Taylor, the warden, had kindly agreed to take us round. The RSPB reserve is close to the Devon Wildlife Trust reserve and covers about 60 acres which includes the fields that join the two reserves. There is a great diversity of habitat, including wet and dry heathland and woodland. Over the summer the site is grazed by 6 Galloway cows and there are also ponies at various times of the year. Across the road is an Aggregates Industries quarry, and when it closes next year the RSPB hope to take on the restoration project. The quarry site would provide a link between Venn Ottery and the RSPB Aylesbeare reserve. We could hear Yellowhammers and, as we walked down to the woodland, one was spotted. There are 50 dormice boxes in the wood, and surveys are done which show that 2 or 3 are occupied over the breeding season. As we came into the more open areas there were lots of butterflies including Green Hairstreak, Grayling, Ringlet and Small Skipper. Several Stonechats were seen perched up on top of the gorse and some Long-tailed Tits flew past. We entered the DWT site and after walking through a somewhat boggy area we reached the part that is being managed to encourage the Southern Damselfly. Some of the runnels have been dammed to give standing and slow moving water, which the damselflies like. The Southern Damselfly has quite specific needs including a neutral water supply; although the ground is acidic there is a clay area through which the water flows and its alkaline nature neutralises the water. The Damselflies were reintroduced from Dorset a few years ago. We got very close views of several Southern Damselflies and also a stunning Golden-ringed Dragonfly. As we walked back to our cars a Raven flew over. It was a most interesting morning and I certainly learned a lot about the reserves. A big thank you to Toby for showing us round. Melanie Parker

Sunday 16th August : a morning trip to Blackhole Marsh and Colyford Common On a sunny morning 16 group members met with our guide and field trip leader Don Cotton, a local birder familiar to the area. As we arrived it was "déjà vu" for some of us because, as on our last visit, the car park was virtually full and the overflow one in use. Last year it was a special "Wet and Wild festival" but what was it this year? Don explained that a "twitch" was on! A vagrant visitor to Europe that breeds in either North America or North East Siberia - the Baird's Sandpiper - had been seen and positively identified the day before. The Island Hide was full of birders and photographers, many of whom had travelled long distances and had been sat for many hours, hoping to see the visitor. Don gave us an overview of the area, explaining what birds we were expected to see - of course the Baird's Sandpiper was our No. 1 Target Bird! He explained that the main footpath to the Island Hide had been covered in tarmac and a new visitor centre, nearing completion, was situated between the

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Exeter and District Local Group Newsletter No. 162 Winter 2015 Page 12 of 14 car park and Island Hide. He explained that both Shelduck and Oystercatchers had experienced a good breeding season and the local Barn Owls were seen regularly, late afternoon and early evening. We walked to the viewing platform that overlooked the lake and fields, from where we had distant views of a Little Ringed Plover underneath the bridge to the Island Hide and good views of Ruff, Lapwing, Shelduck and Mallard. A Pheasant was heard calling and Carrion Crows and Wood Pigeons seen over the field area. As we walked towards the Island Hide two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, easily identified by their red vents and white wing patches, were seen in a dead tree - they seemed to be having a fight making a lot of noise; initially the characteristic short sharp "kick" but as they became more agitated a very fast series of thick voiced chattering notes "chrett, chrett ..." We stood for a while watching and listening to this fascinating spectacle, trying to work just what was happening. Then they both flew away. We didn't visit the Island Hide due to the large number of birders and photographers already in residence - not a good idea for even more to enter! So instead we all looked carefully around the hide area. We saw Grey Heron and a number of waders including Ringed Plover, Dunlin, the robust Green Sandpiper with its white rump and greyish green legs, several Common Sandpipers habitually bobbing their rear bodies and Redshank. A Reed Warbler was heard then seen clearly in the reeds beside the path and Water Rail was heard but not seen. Walking on to the Education Centre we saw a Kestrel with its moustachial stripe, long wings and tail, sitting on an overhead cable. It suddenly took flight and could later be seen hovering, hopefully, over its prey. Green and Goldfinches were also seen in this area and a Chiffchaff was calling in the reed bed. Sand Martins had not nested in the specially built bank but it had been taken over by Wasps. On our way to Colyford Hide we saw a pair of Buzzards high up in the sky enjoying the thermals, and a flock of Swallows flying gracefully and hunting for insects. As the group approached the hide several of us were talking about the Kingfisher when suddenly we saw the unmistakable iridescent blue streak, flying straight, fast and low over the canal, calling as it went. The hide proved very productive for sightings - Teal, Canada Geese, Little Egrets and Grey Heron and a good number of waders including Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Curlew, Ruff, Green Sandpiper and a Greenshank being chased by a Carrion Crow were seen plus Rooks and Jackdaws in surrounding fields. Walking back, just past the entrance to the Island Hide and in a dead tree, we saw probably the star bird of the day, a delightful Spotted Flycatcher. It was sitting upright, with its dark bill and "peppercorn" eyes, on an exposed branch, flicking its tail and watching for flying insects. We all stood watching it, time after time, making a short quick flight to snap up its prey, returning either to the same branch or a new one. Don was really pleased to see this bird at the Axe Wetlands. On the way to the Tower Hide I met a birder who had been in the hide for about 5 hours hoping to see the Baird's Sandpiper, but he and many other birders left disappointed. New birds seen from the Tower Hide included the Little Grebe and a flock of about 40 Black-tailed Godwits in a variety of plumage shades. On the river Mute Swans and Herring, Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gulls were identified. A Wood Sandpiper had been seen the previous day from the Island Hide but it remained elusive, probably frightened deep into the reeds by the number of people around. We didn't see the Baird's Sandpiper either but we did have a great morning birding, and five different butterflies were also identified. I would like to say a big thank you to Don, who led this field trip. His excellent local and birding knowledge made this a very enjoyable and unforgettable morning. Cilla Ingram

Sunday 5th September : a morning trip to Dawlish Warren It was a funny day weather wise, as at times we needed fleeces, other times a raincoat and at other times tee shirts, but 21 of us coped with this. To start with we went to the sea wall to look at the sea, which was flat and pretty birdless - the odd Cormorant and many Herring Gulls. We then went to the wood, and at first it seemed nothing was around, but then a Treecreeper was sighted, creeping up a tree trunk. They look rather like little mice with a brown back, but if one is climbing up a narrow trunk on the far side it looks as though a small white bird is there, as it has a white belly. It also has a stiff tail, which seem to help them climb and keep their balance. They have a slender curved bill. They have a high call. I think everyone heard it as at times it was mostly on our side of the trunk. Then we saw a very busy Goldcrest or two, never keeping still, hunting for small insects and spiders on the

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Exeter and District Local Group Newsletter No. 162 Winter 2015 Page 13 of 14 leaves. They are usually high in the canopy but this pair were quite low and so easy to see. We then progressed past the flat area, where there was very little except some Linnets on the scrubby bushes beside the golf course. There was the odd Wheatear hopping along the ground and some were on bushes. Then to the shore where there were a lot of waders, the star being a little Stint among the Ringed Plovers. There was a small group of Sanderling running around the shoreline. There was also a flock of Dunlin. From the hide there was very little to be seen, except Oystercatchers, and there were a lot of them. On the way we saw a Kestrel being mobbed by a Gull. Then the return trip; we looked down onto the beach and it would seem that the flock of waders had moved over and we got far better views. The little group of about 6 Sanderling flew along beside us and there was a small group of Turnstones digging around, more than the single one we saw on the other side. We continued on our way, and got excellent views of a Whinchat on a dead tree. Then we got back to the car park, having had a good day’s birding. Thank you Richard for keeping us informed. Ann Crawford

Sunday 13th September : a day trip to Soar and South Huish This week’s event started at the National Trust car park near Middle Soar. To start the walk off well we had great panoramic views all-round. The sun was shining and there was a bit of a stiff breeze but we were all looking forward to our circular walk around the fields and coastal footpath. We weren't disappointed - before we even left the car park at least 6 wheatears were viewed close by. Swallows flew past us, sometimes too close for comfort, as they seemed to be on a feeding frenzy getting ready for their migration back to warmer climates. After this summer, I think I might join them. We carried on down the footpath to the sound of Skylarks and the sight of a Meadow Pipit playing hide and seek in a ploughed field and more Swallows taking a rest on the wire fence behind. As we arrived at East Soar farm we spotted Crows and Jackdaws in the field with some Goldfinches enjoying free seed around a chicken coop. As we walked past a dense group of willows we briefly heard what might have been a Yellow-browed Warbler, but we couldn’t see it. Around the back of the trees was a group of warblers, mainly Chiffchaffs, sheltering from the wind. On down Starehole valley towards the coast path, there were Speckled Wood and Red Admiral butterflies enjoying the sun and nectar. We climbed the coast path up to Bolt Head and a short tea break, with views of the rugged cliffs and sea. Distant Herring Gulls were resting on the water and Gannets were diving for fish. We then made our way back to the parking area, and we spotted a pair of Whinchats on the fence, which finished our mornings walk beautifully. After lunch, most of the group continued on to South Huish Marsh. From the car park, we couldn’t see much on the marsh, apart from a couple of Black-tailed Godwits. But from a slightly higher vantage point we spotted a small flock of Yellow Wagtails, which had eluded us this morning at Soar – they were feeding on insects disturbed by a group of grazing ponies at the back of the marsh. We then moved on to the bottom end of South Milton Ley, where we added Rock Pipit, Dunlin and Dunnock to the day’s list. As the sky looked rather threatening, we decided against walking any further and called it a day – a pretty successful day’s birding. Richard Winfield (with additions by Richard Swinbank)

Saturday 3rd October : a morning trip to Exminster Marshes It was a very murky morning when 27 of us assembled in the car park. We set off up the road, but we really could only see the birds in the bushes either side of the road, there were tits, Robins and Blackbirds. On looking into the fields we managed a Pheasant, some Canada Geese and some ducks on a pool. They were grey shapes to me, and really I had no idea what they were, but Richard was very skilled in recognizing the shapes and identified Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, and a few Mallards. There were a few visible waders further up the road; the mist was thinning by then so it was a little easier. There were Lapwing, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, and a flock of Dunlin flew by as well. We walked along the towpath. We could hardly see the lagoon from the viewing platform and there were great discussions as to what was there. By the time we got to Turf locks, the mist was clearing and we got a good view of a Kingfisher flying over the canal at the lock, and there was by now enough light

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Exeter and District Local Group Newsletter No. 162 Winter 2015 Page 14 of 14 for it to look blue not grey. There was a Blackcap in some bushes. A Chiffchaff was also heard. There were a lot of little birds around but one really had to hunt for them. Walking across the field, it was much brighter and things got quite exciting overhead. A Peregrine flew by, then we saw the falcon being bombarded by a Crow (or Rook), so we were treated to a wonderful aerial display. We saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker in a large Oak Tree, though it was doing its best to hide from us. The Crows were keeping busy, and we started to realize that it wasn’t a Peregrine being mobbed – that had long gone – but it was a Hobby (confirmed with the help of a photo by Tom Wallis). Then they were mobbing a Sparrowhawk too, although they didn’t bother with three Buzzards that were soaring majestically. So the walk back to the car park was all very exciting and fascinating – the Hobby was still being mobbed when we got back to our cars. We really got some excellent views and admired the acrobatic skills of both the raptors and the crows. There were a few Swallows and House Martins overhead as well, the last before going to sunnier climes. Thank you Richard for your help and identification skills. Ann Crawford

GROUP CONTACTS

Leader: Membership: Indoor Meetings: Roger Tucker (01392 860518) Liz Saunders (01392 832080) Carolyn Channing (01884 242288) Treasurer: RSPB Sales: Field Trips: ??? ??? (??? ???) Marilyn Steel (01392 258786) Richard Swinbank (01404 813666) Secretary: Newsletter: Displays: Loran Waite (01392 874192) John Parker (01395 264527) Martin Chambers (01392 860627) Website address www.rspb.org.uk/groups/exeter

giving nature a home