Falconidae
Gyr Falcon at Saunton Sands
18 March 2010
The morning of Thursday 18 March proved a very rewarding one for Robert Jutsum. Whilst walking on Saunton Sands, hoping to see some spring migrants such as Sand Martin and Wheatear, he spotted a Gyr Falcon resting on the sand. This is the first record since 1998 for Devon.
Peregrine on the Taw Estuary
11 September 2009
Roy Churchill, out and about again with his camera, reported very few birds about in the Caenmouth–Yelland section today – but then he saw why!
Peregrines in 2009 – shot, poisoned and trapped
8 July 2009
An RSPB press release reports that 2009 looks like being one of the worst on record for crimes against Peregrines. The organisation has been flooded with reports of birds being poisoned, trapped and shot and of their chicks being taken from the nest.
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.