The second meeting of the Plymouth Branch was held on Monday 10 June at Spurgeon Hall, Mutley Baptist Church attended by 41 people. The move to the larger hall certainly allowed for more comfort and easier parking.
George Harris, our chairman, reminded us to look at the website to follow the migration of the four Dartmoor cuckoos on their return journey to Africa. The were caught and fitted with monitoring tags in May this year and are currently being tracked zigzagging across the moor. The devices were sponsored by Devon Birds and DNP and will give information of the cuckoos’ route and time of their migration south later.
The speaker for the evening was Dave Norman, co-author of Where to Watch Birds in Devon & Cornwall & Isles of Scilly”. Using his extensive knowledge gathered over 50 years of birding he encouraged us to:”Expand our birdwatching horizons by exploring sites in the area”. He described helpful viewing points on estuaries and coastal habitats of the South and North Devon coast as well as parts of Dartmoor, as described in his essential book. Dave’s excellent photographic skills were used to highlight well known seasonal species of birdlife as well as rarities. Dave commented that time spent at migrant landing points, particularly very early in the morning, can result in abundant numbers of unexpected birdlife.
The next meeting will be on Mon 9 Sept with Josh Marshall describing “Fighting Wildlife Crime in Devon and Cyprus”.
