Devon Birds – Events

Flat level walking.
Look for Marsh Harrier and other raptors, Cetti’s Warbler, Kingfisher waders and migrants.

Meet at Velator Quay carpark. SS484355.

Leader: James Bracher

We will meet at the car park at SX 748 761 before embarking on our approximately 4km walk around the Devon Wildlife Trust Reserve where we hope to encounter a number of thrush species.  These include winter visitors such as Fieldfare, Redwing and flocks of Mistle Thrush together with perhaps Ring Ouzel, our only summer visiting thrush, which is a regular autumn passage migrant.  The latter use this site as a feeding stop off as they move down from upland areas in the north, before heading to the Atlas Mountains in north west Africa for the winter.

With the effects of climate change becoming more noticeable the timing of visits to see these birds is becoming more problematic.  In 2023 Ring Ouzel seemed to arrive early and stay later at a number of Dartmoor sites.   In 2024 there were fewer sightings at what had been key locations the previous year, perhaps due to a lack of berries.  In 2025 we missed them at this location by a day!

We will be on the look out for many other species including Raptors, Golden Plover, Meadow Pipit and Green Woodpecker.

For further information please contact the event leader Chris Marcol 07976 359647

Roy Leigh has been monitoring owls for over 30 years. His talk will cover the introduction of the Little Owl into the UK, its ecology, the current status and the monitoring network he has established to champion the owls’ cause and understand its decline. Roy will share the latest updates in Little Owl conservation and his work with NGOs to establish a conservation plan.

The Courtenay Centre, Newton Abbot TQ12 2QA

Suggested donation for entry £3 Members £4 Non-Members, to include refreshments

Meet at small car park at SX748761 on B3387 (Hay Tor to Widecombe road).  AM only.

We will hold a short AGM at the start of the evening so that we can spend the majority of the meeting hearing from our guest speaker, Aaron Boughtflower.

Having spent all of his working life, over 23 years to date, working with birding organisations and conservation, Aaron is ideally placed to share his thoughts and provoke ours on the key question ‘Forestry England A Conservation Organisation for Wildlife and Birdlife?’

Starting out as a National Trust warden focusing on Little Terns, Aaron went on to be employed by the BTO and RSPB which included time working on reserves and this was followed with some independent ornithological consultancy in West Africa.

Birds are Aaron’s main focus however, in his own words, he is interested in too many things, bats, adders, Lepidoptera, to name a few. As an ecologist working for Forestry England since 2019, Aaron’s ‘office’ covers Cornwall and West Devon and whereas he is often working with woodland species, Forestry England manage a diverse array of habitats including heathland, bog, mire/peatland restoration, watercourses and fish passage and grazing for wildlife.

He is responsible for advising on all forest operations on his patch from an ecology / wildlife point of view in terms of best practice, the legalities etc. He is also involved with wider projects such as landscape scale and partnership working with other landowners and stakeholders involving reintroductions and rewilding. His work is not just confined to this area of the South West as he regularly makes forays nationally across the Forestry England estate.

We hope that you will join us for this exploration of the conservation and ecological work of Forestry England and how this is balanced and dealt with in terms of a working landscape.

Meetings are held in the Spurgeon Hall of Mutley Baptist Church on Mutley Plain PL4 6LB and start promptly at 7.30 pm.

Suggested donation £5.00 

Refreshments are available.

There is a public car park opposite the church hall entrance.  Please note that parking arrangements have changed in recent months.  Charges apply 24 hours a day, however the first 2 hours are free.  Please check the signs on each level carefully for more detailed information.  Parking is available at specific times on neighbouring roads, e.g. Napier Terrace and Gordon Terrace.  Always consult the on street parking signs for information about restrictions.

The hall is up a flight of stairs. Easier access via 6 stairs is available but please contact Liz Harris 07812 135891  elizmharris@yahoo.com in advance.

Meet at roadside at SX971843. AM only

High tide at 08.00

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

John Walters is a life-long naturalist and ecologist who studies the natural world through field sketching, photography and video. In this presentation he travels to Vienna, Austria to see the amazing variety of wildlife that is found within the city and surrounding countryside. From Wallcreepers to Chamois at the eastern edge of the Alps, and Field Hamsters to Black Woodpeckers in the city itself. He also explores the largest Steppe Lake in central Europe – the Neusiedlersee with Penduline Tits, Bee-eaters, Savi’s Warblers and Pygmy Cormorants.

The Courtenay Centre, Newton Abbot TQ12 2QA

Suggested donation for entry £3 Members £4 Non-Members, to include refreshments

A mix of wildfowl, waders and other birds. Meet in the RSPB car park (no charges) on Station Road (over the hump-back bridge past the Swan’s Nest Inn), Grid ref: SX953873. Bring a packed lunch. Leader: Nick Armstrong.

For all events – for more information and/or to let us know you will be attending, contact tom.misselbrook@devonbirds.org We encourage car sharing as far as possible.

PLEASE NOTE THE NEW VENUE, DATE AND TIME FOR THIS EVENT

We will meet on Marine Drive, Hannafore near the HM Coastguard building at SX 255 523.  There is parking on this no through road and toilets nearby.

Our approximately 3km walk will be along the path that runs parallel to the shore in search of gulls, divers and grebes while also keeping a watchful eye on the scrub at the top of the shore for pipts, warblers and crests. We will venture along the South West Coast Path to gain views across to Looe Island, a Cornwall Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve.    (High tide is at approximately 14:30.)

You are advised to bring wellies as some sections of the coast path can be very muddy at this time of year.

For further information please contact the event leader Rob Massey 07506 282775

Meet at Otter Estuary Car Park on South Farm Road  (Pay n. display). (Low tide at 13.00). AM only.

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet just over the bridge from Burrows Lane. SS451305
Look out for Peregrine, Snow Bunting, Gulls, Waders, plovers and possibly wintering Black Redstart.

Leader: James Bracher

PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE AND START TIME (AS SHOWN ABOVE)

We will meet at Marine Drive, Torpoint SX 438 547. From here we will walk round to Chapeldown Road, to scan St John’s Lake for waders on the exposed foreshore.  (High tide expected at 16:33).

We will then relocate to Wacker Quay which is about 4 miles along the A374 where we will walk along the River Lynher (approximately 4km). The car park and path can be very muddy so it is advisable to bring wellies. This second venue will provide opportunities to observe further species of wader such as Avocet, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwit. We may be fortunate enough to see Spoonbill which are occasional visitors.  The numerous seed and fat ball feeders will allow us to watch a wide range of small woodland birds at close range.

To end the day there will be the opportunity to return to Marine Drive to see what the incoming tide brings with it, hopefully an array of divers, ducks and grebes.

For further information please contact the event leader Mary Johnson 07891 844516

A walk followed by Christmas lunch and a short branch AGM. Details to be finalised – watch this space!

Meet at car park at SY082981. AM only

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

All are welcome. Tea/coffee and biscuits provided, possibly even a cracker. £3 for members, £4 none members.

Fremington Parish Hall, EX31 3BG

Meet at end of main car park at SX980787.  (Pay n. display fee). (High tide 08.26). AM only.

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at car park (through cemetery) at SY248914.  (High tide at 08.51) AM only.

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at roadside at SX971843. (HIGH Tide at 07.43)

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at Otter Estuary Car Park on South Farm Road  (Pay n. display). (Low tide at 09.59). Late start to make best use of tide

AM only.

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at car park before bridge at SX743900. AM/PM. Walk route will be down river of bridge.

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at RSPB car park at SX954872.  Later start to take advantage of the tide

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at car park uphill west of the bridge at SX802883

AM only

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

All are welcome. Tea/coffee and biscuits provided. £3 for members, £4 none members.

Fremington Parish Hall, EX31 3BG

Meet at second car park on right of downs (signed as ‘Middle’ car park) at SX781796. AM-PM.  Note earlier start

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

All day. Meet at RSPB car park.

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at roadside at ‘Ephraims Pinch’ at SX676785 for entry to southern boundary of forest.  AM/PM.  Note earlier start  (Visit Challacombe Farm PM).

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet in car park north of dam at SX685712. AM/PM.  Note earlier start

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at car park at SY040847 (approach via Bystock Ponds road). Bring torch. Finish about 23.00hrs

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Details to be advised. please keep checkingf or durther details.

The trip will take palce if there are some intersting sightings around.

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at SW Coastal Path car park    SX 940561   AM Only

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Park on rough ground opposite farm at SY08938483

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at car park (through cemetery) at SY248914.  High tide at 08.17  AM only.  Note Friday date, for favourable tide.

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at end of main car park at SX980787.  (Pay n. display fee). AM only.   Note Saturday date

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at small car park at SX748761 on B3387 (Hay Tor to Widecombe road).  AM only.

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at Otter Estuary Car Park on South Farm Road  (Pay n. display). (High tide at 07.58). AM only.

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

All day. Meet at RSPB car park.  ST 449396 Car sharing recommended. Starting late and staying till dusk for Starling roost

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196

Meet at roadside at SX971843. (HIGH Tide at 08.41)   AM only

If you have a query, please contact Alex Parsons at

alex.parsons@devonbirds.org

or on  07968648196