Devon Birds – Events

Meet Lime Kiln Car Park on sea front. (Pay and display). SY072820

(HIGH tide at 10.00).

AM only.

Castle Centre Barnstaple start 19:30

Invasive non-native species; The devastating side effect of globalization on St Helena Island and the UK

Entry – Members £3 (£4 non-members)

Refreshments

Crossing into Cornwall, we’ll meet just before Trewornan Bridge on the B3314, at SW 987 742, where there are 2 lay-byes. From the raised hide we will have a wide view over Walmsley Sanctuary, which at this time holds a wide variety of geese and ducks, often including uncommon species such as White-fronted or Bean Geese or Ring-necked Duck. Waders too should be plentiful, often with several hundred Golden Plover performing their aerial spectacle. Taking advice from the reserve warden we may go on to Chapel Amble, at the northern end of the sanctuary, if there is any unusual interest there. To finish the day, we’ll head back to Wadebridge, (park at Piggy Lane carpark – charges apply) for a walk (5km round trip) along the River Camel still searching for gulls and waders as we go. Small numbers of Whooper Swans have regularly wintered.

For further information please contact the event leader Mary Johnson 07891844516

For event poster click here

WWT Poster for February Talk

Jackie has worked at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust for 7 years and has taken a passionate interest in the Trusts’ work to save both wetland species and the habitats that they depend on for their survival. She now volunteers to give talks about the Trust’s work – including on Bewick’s swans, Madagascar Pochard, Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Curlew. These very varied species give an insight into the Trusts’ work at home and around the world.

Members £3 Non-Members £4 Entry fee includes refreshments

Meet at Upper Lake Carpark.

Currently (October 2022) work has closed the Lower Lake footpath. If still closed in 2023 then trip will be cancelled.

Please keep an eye on website nearer the day.

Target species – Willow Tit, Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper, Merlin and Hen Harrier

Leader – Kevin Wigley

kevinwigley2959@gmail.com

Meet at car park before bridge at SX743900.

AM/PM.

Walk route will be down river of bridge.

There will be a brief Branch AGM before the start of the talk.

Castle Centre Barnstaple start 19:30

Entry £3 (£4 non-members)

Refreshments

The day’s birdwatching will start when we meet at the Holman Way pay and display car park in Topsham, at SX 968 881.  From here we will walk down to Topsham Quay which will give us views in both directions along the River Exe.  We hope to see a wide variety of ducks and waders with the possibility of a Marsh Harrier quartering over Exminster Marsh on the opposite bank.  We’ll continue along the Goat Walk and round to the raised platform affording views across the River Clyst at its confluence with the Exe.  The paths, ditches and mature hedgerows provide food and shelter for a wide variety of birds including Water Rail, Cetti’s Warblers and early spring migrants such as Chiffchaff.  Large numbers of waders will be expected to flock on to the scrape in front of the RSPB Bowling Green Marsh hide at high tide and so we hope to get excellent views of all the waterfowl using this area, including a passing kingfisher or two.  In total the walk will be approximately 4km.

For further information please contact the event leaders Kev and Jacki Solman 07812 805668

Mike Langman is a well known artist and presenter whose presentational skills are well matched by his artistic prowess. In this talk, Mike takes a look at the changing status and our understanding of some of the birds recorded in Devon over the last 5 decades. From Egrets to Crests to Sparrows and Buntings, even Shelduck and Guillemot plus many more.

Members £3 Non-Members £4 Entry fee includes refreshments

Meet at car park in forest at SX998993.

AM only.

Meet at Woody Bay Carpark (free)

Walking boots essential as lower path uneven and there is a brook to cross.

Intention is to walk the circular route along the lower path to Headon Mouth then up and back on the top path.

If heavy rain has swelled the brook we will walk the top path only.

About 4/5 miles.

Target species – Peregrine, Raven, Stonechat and breeding seabirds.

Leader – Kevin Wigley

email@kevinwigley.co.uk

Talk at The Castle Centre Barnstaple to start at 19:30

Refreshments

Entry £3 £4 non members

Aylesbeare Common for heathland species including Dartford Warbler and Yellowhammer, butterflies and dragonflies.

Meet at Joney’s Cross car park on opposite side of the Reserve entrance at SY056897.

Leader: Mary Johnson Tel: 07891844516

Meet at RSPB car park at SX953872.

(High tide 12.00)

AM only.

Natalie Holt manages the Exe Estuary Reserves for the RSPB and in this talk, she will give an insight into how Exminster Marshes is managed to benefit its wildlife.

Members £3 Non-Members £4 Entry fee includes refreshments

We will explore some of the many paths that run through this part of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve.  The woodland valley, with its mix of coniferous and deciduous trees, including ancient oaks and an understorey of holly provide ideal habitats for many woodland species. We will search here for early arriving Pied and Spotted Flycatchers and Redstarts that take advantage of the many nestboxes. In addition, the surrounding moorland provides opportunities to see a variety of heathland birds.

We will meet at the Trendlebere car park SX781792.  The walk will be approximately 4km with some steeper sections.

For further information please contact the event leader John O’Connell-Davidson 07885 536218.

Meet at woodland car park off B3192 at SX902791.

AM only.

Cuckoo and dipper walk (approximately 5 hours – 4.8 miles)

Meet at 10am Exmoor National Park car park (Ashcombe), Simonsbath  (charge £3 all day)

Target species – Cuckoo, Dipper, Grey Wagtail & Whinchat

Booking essential

Leader – Steve Skirth

steveskirth@gmail.com

Islay Marsh & Taw Banks

Meet for 9am start at Instow lay-by

Walk down the Tarka trail to Taw Banks and back around Islay Marsh

Target species – Singing warblers, Whitethroat, Sedge and Willow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Reed. With a possibility of Cetti’s

Leader: Martin Unwin & Mandy Yates

unwinmart@hotmail.com

51.060002 , -4.1720420

Meet in car park north of dam at SX685712.

AM/PM.

Details to be announced. As this is a private property, pre-booking will be required. Please contact Alex Parsons by email to book.

Meet at clearing near large shed at west end of reservoir at SX660837 (Not main car park/toilets).

AM-PM.

Swifts in Chagford (nest box cameras)–

meet in front of St. Michael’s Church, Chagford.

A visit to see the very successful nest box scheme set up by Nick Baker.

Booking essential

Leader: Steve Skirth (steveskirth@gmail.com)

Meet at car park at SY040847 (approach via Bystock Ponds road).

Bring torch.

Finish about 23.00hrs

Meet on forest track (Grid reference SS277208) for 20:00 start

Target species – singing Tree Pipit and displaying Nightjar

Leader – Martin Unwin & Mandy Yates

unwinmart@hotmail.com

Meet at end of main car park at SX980787. (Pay and display).

(LOW tide 09.00).

AM only

Meet at roadside at SX971843.

(HIGH Tide at 12.00).

Meet at Velator Quay Carpark with a walk down the river to Horsey Island on the rising tide.

Target species- Returning/migrating waders in summer plumage and migrating raptors.

Leader – Kevin Wigley

kevinwigley2959@gmail.com

Roger is a retired Senior Lecturer from Bristol University. He is a well known speaker in the South Devon area. His illustrated talk will focus on what makes estuaries special, how they “work” as habitats and the key roles of all animals including birds, in this ecosystem.

Members £3 Non-Members £4 Entry fee includes refreshments

Meet at car park at: SX680628.

Carry lunch

AM/PM.

Meet at small car park at SX744760 on B3387 (Hay Tor to Widecombe road).

AM only.

Charles Tyler is a Professor of Environmental Biology at Exeter University. He has a deep passion for wildlife and has written many articles in the Scientific Press. This talk will focus on his long-term interest in the birds of Dartmoor.

Members £3 Non-Members £4 Entry fee includes refreshments

Meet at the Skeren (Grid reference SS419313) for 14:00 start

High tide is 17:37 (6.2 meters)

Walk out to 8th golf tee on the Golf Course

Target species- Snow Bunting, late Wheatear, Larks & Pipits, Waders, wildfowl

Gull species including Mediterranean

Leader – Martin Unwin & Mandy Yates

unwinmart@hotmail.com

Meet at car park (through cemetery) at SY248914.

(LOW tide at 13.00)

AM only.

I can’t confirm this one best I advise members verbally in the new year!

Dates may change 14, 21 or 28th dependant on tide times

Tide times dependant

Waders on the Pill (Fremington Creek).

Meet at Fremington Quay car park

Target species – Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Kingfisher & Glossy Ibis

51.0812780736724, -4.118215366016117

Leader: Steve Skirth (steveskirth@gmail.com)

Meet at RSPB car park at SX953872.

(HIGH tide 08.00)

AM only.

Rupert’s presentation is about all the incredible wildlife he has seen from his kayak over the last 20 years paddling over 30,000 miles around the coast of Devon and Cornwall. It features some incredible photographs and tales of birds, cetaceans and even land-based animals. 

Members £3 Non-Members £4 Entry fee includes refreshments

Meet at Lime Kiln Car park on sea front. Pay and  display.

( Low tide at 12.00) .

AM only.

Meet at Barnstaple long stay carpark (Grid reference SS559326) for 10:00 start (£1.70 all day)

Walk from Barnstaple Old Bridge on the trail towards Ashford    Garden Centre and beyond, time permitting.

Target species – Close views of Herring, Black-headed and possible Lesser Balck-backed Gull in different plumage (from 1cy to adult)

Variety of waders and possible wintering Common Sandpiper and Kingfisher

Leader – Martin Unwin and Mandy Yates

unwinmart@hotmail.com

Meet at car park at SY082981.

AM only.