If you saw any of the records below please submit a description to the County Recorder Recorder@DevonBirds.org to ensure they make the official record. Many thanks.

In the light of the continuing Covid19 restrictions on the number of people gathering together, and the need for social distancing, it has been agreed that there will be no Devon Birds meetings or events organised until 19th July 2021, when Government restrictions are planned to be lifted. If there is any Government announcement that necessitates a change to this date an update will be posted.

Please think very carefully before posting any information on scarce or rare breeding species both here and elsewhere online.

A list of ‘at risk’ species in the county can be found here. Please note that Wood Warbler should now also be treated as on the list. All species included need to be protected - many receive full legal protection under Schedule 1 and/or are rare in the county and may be vulnerable to persecution/disturbance. It is an offence to intentionally disturb any of the Schedule 1 species during the breeding season without a valid licence. This also applies to anyone taking photographs of these species at or near the nest or whilst feeding dependant young.

Some species may be found breeding at numerous locations however please keep information on these species limited to well-known sites (e.g. Labrador Bay for Cirl Bunting, Aylesbeare Common for Dartford Warbler). Others may be found as obvious migrants and as such can also be posted eg coastal Ring Ouzel and passage waders, or raptors eg Little Ringed Plover, Red Kite or Marsh Harrier.

If you have any doubts and think there is a chance there may be breeding, either because of the habitat or behaviour of the bird(s) then do not post, but please submit your records to the County Recorder and the RSPB.

Please be aware that egg collecting and other forms of persecution remain very real hazards for some of Devon’s birds.

Posts which breach these guidelines are likely to be not admitted / removed althogether, rather than edited.  

If you follow our Blog but are not currently a member of Devon Birds please consider joining Devon Birds to help with the upkeep of running the website and this service as well as our valuable conservation work.

A small selection of common spring moths from last night.

Early Grey.                       Common Quaker                           A richly coloured Red Chestnut

Small, about a foot long, and very brightly coloured grass snake moving through the vegetation on bank of Scratchyface Lane.

First time I've witnessed a Bee-fly flicking it's eggs into a Solitary bees nest. You can see the eggs at the back of the Bee-fly. First she would have covered them in mud to give them some weight.

 
Bombylius major                           Bombylius major

Around and near the garden

Walnut Orb Spider    Common Lizard (earliest seen)          Roe Deer

A very fresh Yellow Barred Brindle.  Quite early for this species.

Yellow Barred Brindle .

Excellent views of a pristine Painted Lady at Musbury yesterday.Must have come in on these southerly winds. Sorry - no photo. 

Woodmouse with a taste for suet pellets making an early start on the ground feeder this morning. 2 Swallows flew over on 6th and a single on the 7th April

Woodmouse