Mike Langman – 14 January 2009

A flashing number on my answer machine caught my attention. It was Colin Bath (a local birdwatcher) who, in a short panicked message, said: “I can't get you on your mobile – there's a Penduline at Clennon Valley.”

Rushing to grab my optics, I scanned the valley from my house. I could see Colin through the trees around the ponds. Within five minutes I was standing next to Colin watching a fine male Penduline Tit. We watched the bird for about 30 minutes as it ripped apart reed stems searching for grubs.

If reports that the male Penduline Tit seen at Slapton in early January had a ring on its leg were correct, then this was a different bird, as there was no metal ring on either leg. (UPDATE 23 Jan: County Recorder Mike Langman reports confirmation that the Slapton bird was NOT ringed, meaning that there can be no certainty that more than one bird was involved. Tim Jones, website editor.)

This would be only the 4th record for Devon, and amazingly the second at Clennon Valley. The second bird recorded in Devon – at Slapton from 22 December 2003 to 9 March 2004 – moved to Clennon Valley on 21 March 2004 and stayed for two days, highlighting the importance of pockets of scarce habitats for all migrating birds.

Penduline Tit at Clennon Valley – © Mike Langman – 14 January 2009

Penduline Tit at Clennon Valley – © Mike Langman – 16 January 2009

Penduline Tit at Clennon Valley – © Mike Langman – 16 January 2009

Penduline Tit at Clennon Valley – © Dave Land – 15 January 2009

Penduline Tit at Clennon Valley – © Chris Proctor – 23 January 2009