SMADD Survey – a new DBWPS project open to all members
DBWPS has launched a new survey – Summer Migrant Arrivals and Departures in Devon (SMADD). The survey begins in July and to get the best results we need as many members as possible to take part.
Full details can be found in the latest edition of the Harrier newsletter or here on the website. A SMADD recording form has been sent to every member with the Harrier and is also available as a downloadable file in both Excel and as a PDF.
Persecution of rare or scarce breeding birds
Rare birds still persecuted in Devon
With the breeding season well underway we are now getting into the period where in previous years there have been incidents of raptor persecution at their breeding sites. Although some people think this does not happen in Devon, unfortunately it still does. The rather grim picture below shows a poisoned Peregrine on top of the poison-laced pigeon that killed it. The loss of this adult resulted in the young starving to death in the nest on this occasion.
Poisoned Peregrine – Devon – © Mark Darlaston
Contribute a story to devonbirds.org
Do you have a story or news item about birds or birdwatching in Devon that you would like to share with readers of devonbirds.org? You can email text and photos to us here and either Tim Davis or Tim Jones, the website editors, will be in touch. News from Devon Birds Branches and Reserves especially welcome!
Birds of the Bay – Torquay, Monday 6 July
29 June 2009
DBWPS members may be interested in attending the 'Birds of the Bay' event at Living Coasts in Torquay on Monday 6 July. The event is being run in conjunction with the London Camera Exchange. Among the local birdwatching experts on hand will be Devon County Recorder, Mike Langman. See the poster for further details.
Second-calendar year Hobby
29 June 2009
There are often reports of second-calendar year (2cy) Hobbies in Devon, although basing identification on a slight brownish tinge to the uppers may not rule out adults, which can show this feature when well lit. You really need a good underside view such as this shot, taken by Mark Darlaston.
More Mediterranean Gulls at Broadsands
23 June 2009
Further to Chris Proctor's excellent comparative shot of Mediterranean Gull and Black-headed Gull at Broadsands, here is a series of five images taken on the same day, 20 June 2009.
Mediterranean Gull at Broadsands
23 June 2009
Chris Proctor took this fantastic comparative shot of a 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull and adult Black Headed Gull at Broadsands on 20 June.
Red Kite influxes – an update
12 June 2009
In Devon Birds (Vol. 62 No.1), Mark Darlaston reported on Red Kite influxes and wing-tagged codes. Here, he gives an update on the influxes in both 2008 and 2009.
Blackbird taking Palmate Newt
12 June 2009
During the recent spell of hot weather, Mark Darlaston and Adele Rennells noticed a male Blackbird visiting their Buckfastleigh garden pond and catching adult Palmate Newts – a practice Mark managed to capture in this photo.
June 'Harrier' now available…
10 June 2009
The June issue of The Harrier, DBWPS's two-monthly newsletter is now available to Society members. To access the downloadable pdf, login entering your Username and Password, and then click here to access 'The Harrier 2009'.
Cuckoo on Dartmoor
9 June 2009
During the first week of June, Charles Fleming spent a lot of time watching Cuckoos on Dartmoor, learning much about their behaviour and eventually capturing this excellent photo.
Swifts in Exeter – nest records please!
19 May 2009
Ralph Mackridge, Project Manager for Exeter Wild City, has contacted Devon Birds seeking information about Swifts in Exeter.
Ralph writes: “The Exeter Wild City project aims to enhance the biodiversity of the city and engage residents and visitors in that process. There are a number of major projects that are currently in development under the EWC banner. To add to our list of projects I'm very taken with the idea of developing a project about Swifts in the city. Swifts are charismatic birds whose behaviour and life cycle are ideal for creating a sense of wonder and concern among people – and there are a lot of things that can be done to increase and protect their nesting sites in the city.”
Pink-footed Goose on Lundy
18 May 2009
A Pink-footed Goose on Lundy on 15 May is the 10th record for the island but the first ever in spring. The goose was first seen on Pondsbury by James Leonard, who managed to take this photograph of the bird in the Tillage Field a day later.
A new bird hide for Upper Tamar Lake
14 May 2009
In September 2007, Harvey Kendall, DBWPS’s former Membership Secretary, sought permission from the Council of the Society to explore the possibility of establishing a hide at the popular birding venue of Upper Tamar Lake. Harvey’s idea finally came to fruition last October, when the new hide was opened.
Exmoor Moorland Breeding Bird Survey 2008
14 May 2009
During the spring and summer of 2008, a breeding bird survey, funded by the Exmoor National Park, Natural England and South West Water, was carried out on moorlands within Exmoor National Park.
The main objective was to provide current data on the breeding populations of moorland birds, and put these into both a national and regional context. The survey also aimed to highlight trends in species abundance and distribution since previous surveys in 1978, 1992/93 and 2002, and investigate habitat associations relating to these trends.