Roger Smaldon, Dartmoor Study Group – November 2007

Dartmoor is special in many ways. Ornithologically, it has many features that make it different from other upland areas of Britain. It may lack the sheer number of species found in the grander mountainous uplands of the north, but it does have a certain mix of lowland heath species and upland species that is unique in these islands.

The Dartmoor Study Group was formed in 1991 by a few like-minded individuals who wished to gather more information on the birdlife of Dartmoor. It was apparent at the time that there were large gaps in our knowledge of even the commoner birds on the moor. Their numbers, distribution and required habitat all needed further research.

To counteract this lack of facts it was decided that the Group should collect all records possible from walkers and visitors to the moor, as well as the records of the few active birdwatchers and interested residents. Having a small group dedicated to a single aim allowed us to also organise coordinated efforts at various locations to assess numbers of certain species. This was the first time that this had been attempted on the moor.

Our first fieldwork was a coordinated count of the reservoir sites to establish the number of roosting Goosanders in winter.

At first the information gained was passed to members via a quarterly Newsletter, but by 1996 the amount of information had grown sufficiently for us to publish an annual Dartmoor Bird Report. This has continued, getting larger each year, ever since. The latest issue is over 100+ pages and contains coloured photographs. The Newsletters are still published to give members news of rarer sightings, and keep them up to date on Group news, etc.

Membership at present stands at over 40. Not all members wish to participate in all Group activities, but we do stress that if members have records, no matter how insignificant they may feel they are, they are submitted for inclusion in the Newsletters and/or Annual Report. Even a few records can be of great worth when placed with others to build into a larger picture.

As numbers joining the Group increased, so did our ability to tackle more and varied fieldwork. Since the mid 1990s we have carried out survey work on breeding Nightjars, largely in plantation areas, during the winter monthly counts of roosting Hen Harriers, and intensive study of a particular area of the moor for breeding Whinchats and Stonechats. Other work has been covering the moor for the BTO Dartford Warbler Survey, and taking part in their wintering Golden Plover and Lapwing Survey.

Since our inception certain habitats on the moor have changed considerably. Much of the large plantation areas have been clear-felled, and some replanted, opening up areas to different species of birds, and increasing or decreasing numbers of others. The decrease in livestock on much of the moor has altered many areas of grassland. The result of this decrease has been a much longer sward in many areas, and although this may be of benefit to certain species, it has certainly been to the detriment of others. With this in mind a sample survey of breeding Wheatear numbers was carried out during the spring and summer of 2007. One of the great benefits of a dedicated group is their ability to note habitat changes and their effects.

Most of our efforts are obviously put to fieldwork, but we also have a quarterly indoor meeting which allows members to chat about sightings and recent events, and to get ideas for future fieldwork, etc.

The current yearly subscription is £8 payable in January of each year. This entitles the member, or members sharing the same publications, to the annual Dartmoor Bird Report, the quarterly Newsletters, participation in Group surveys, etc.

We are a friendly and informal group always looking for active members, which hopefully may include you.

Useful information:

For anyone planning to do a spot of birdwatching on Dartmoor, there are specific areas that are used by the military and access may be restricted. Please check the Dartmoor Ranges website for details.