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Devon Birds
Branch Events▸Programme & Instructions
Please note that unfortunately all South Devon Branch indoor meetings have been suspended until further notice, due to the current high COVID-19 case numbers.
Devon Birds and its branches hold a number of meetings throughout the year. These include indoor and outdoor Society and branch events, as well as meetings and events held in association with other groups and organisations.
A complete meetings chart for all branches is shown below.
All Devon members are welcome at any meeting organised by the Society or its branches. Many meetings are free or require only a nominal charge to cover hire costs and refreshments. Non-members are also welcome. Other meetings, such as Council meetings, may be restricted, while some, mostly those held in association with other organisations, may charge an admission fee. Every attempt has been made to make this clear in each entry. If in doubt, please contact the event organiser. Contact details are available in the Programme. An email to info@devonbirds.org will normally bring a quick response from the appropriate officer.
Field meetings may be cancelled in bad weather; if in doubt, please contact the appropriate organiser.
Organisers and leaders of field meetings will take all possible precautions to ensure that the area to be visited is safe and that there are no hazards that could possibly lead to accidents. Where possible, organisers will have walked the route beforehand and will have reported any problems to the appropriate authority.
Members should have a degree of fitness as the terrain may sometimes be rough and any member with any medical condition which might affect them during the field trip is asked to mention this in confidence to the fieldtrip leader. For your own comfort and safety if you are joining a walk please make sure that you wear walking boots or stout shoes and check whether a drink and packed lunch is required and don't forget your waterproofs.
Full Programme
2022 | ||||
| Feb 2 | 15:00 – 18:00 | Mid Devon Field | Bursdon Moor, Torridge for possible moorland raptors commonly seen in the late afternoon. Park at the edge of the road by the cattle grid, past Bursdon Moor Cross, at SS265204. Leader: Nick Armstrong | Map |
| Feb 3 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Dawlish Warren. Meet at end of main car park at SX980787. (Pay & display fee) AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Feb 15 | 09:30 – 15:00 | Mid Devon Field | Slapton Ley for wildfowl and more. Meet at the side of the A379 at Torcross Chapel, Torcross at SX820422, TQ7 2TG. Bring packed lunch. Leader; Doug Herdson | Map |
| Feb 21 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Otter estuary, Budleigh Salterton. Meet at Lime Kiln car park, Budleigh Salterton. (Pay & display fee) AM only . Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Feb 22 | 10:00 – 16:00 | Taw & Torridge Field | Tamar Lakes & Bursdon Moor (assuming Harriers at roost). 10 am Meet at Upper Tamar Lake (charge at Upper - free at bottom). SS291113.2pm Lower Tamar Lake. Leader: Kevin Wigley (email@kevinwigley.co.uk) | Map |
| Feb 24 | 09:00 – 14:30 | Plymouth Field | Walmsley Sanctuary and Wadebridge for wildfowl and waders. Meet just before the bridge at SW987742 where there are 2 laybys on the B3314. Leaders: Phil & Jill Stevens Tel:07967282521 | Map |
| Mar 8 | 09:30 – 13:30 | Taw & Torridge Field | Horsey Island. 9.30 am park at the White House. SS469330. Leader: Steve Skirth (steveskirth@gmail.com) | Map |
| Mar 16 | 09:30 – 15:00 | Mid Devon Field | Exminster Marshes. From A379 take Station Road past the Swans Nest Inn and over the hump-backed bridge to the RSPB car park on the right, at SX953871. Bring a packed lunch. Leader: Nick Armstrong | Map |
| Mar 21 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Exminster Marshes. Meet at RSPB car park at SX954872. AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Mar 26 | 09:00 – 13:00 | Plymouth Field | Saltram and Blaxton Meadow. An introduction for birdwatching for all. Identification for the less experienced and knowledgable. Identification of migrants and resident birds. Meet at the Blaxton viewing station. Leader: Liz Harris Tel:07812135891 | Map |
| Mar 31 | 09:30 – 14:30 | Mid Devon Field | Starting at Fatherford on the East Okement river at SX603948, between Okehampton and Belstone. We will walk through Halstock Wood on to east Hill, returning close to the railway line from just east of Okehampton. Meet at the car park. Leader: Chris Walpole. | Map |
| Apr 7 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Mamhead, Dawlish. Meet at car park at SX920807. AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Apr 8 | 09:00 – 14:00 | Plymouth Field | Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham for Spring migrants. Meet at Holman Way car park SX968881. Leader: John O'Connell-Davidson Tel: 07885536218 | Map |
| Apr 9 | 10:00 – 14:00 | Mid Devon Field | Devon Birds Easter Holiday Family Event at Meeth Quarry Reserve. Devon Birds and Devon Wildlife Trust will offer two guided walks, one for teenagers and one for young children. We will explore the Reserve and identify the birds. Bring a packed lunch. Morning snacks and cold drinks will be provided. Meet in the DWT car park at Meeth Quarry at SS539084. Leader: Digby Greenhill | Map |
| Apr 12 | 09:00 – 15:00 | Mid Devon Field | Aylesbeare Common and adjacent woodlands. Meet at Joneys Cross car park, Aylesbeare, off the A3502 opposite RSPB Aylesbeare Reserve, at SY057897. Leader: Tim Hubbard | Map |
| Apr 25 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Aylesbeare Common. Meet at Joney's Cross car park at SY057897 (opposite entrance to RSPB Aylesbeare on A3052). AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Apr 26 | 09:15 – 14:00 | Taw & Torridge Field | Simonsbath to Cow Castle. 9.15am meet at Barnstaple Leisure Centre car park (Pay to park & car share) or ENP Simons bath car park (donation) at 10 am. SS773394. Leader: Steve Skirth (steveskirth@gmail.com) | Map |
| May 5 | 09:30 – 15:30 | East Devon Field | Trendlebere Down - Yarner Wood Reserve. Meet at second car park on right of downs (signed as 'Middle' car park) at SX781796.AM-PM. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| May 9 | 08:30 – 11:30 | South Devon Field | Birdwatching Walk - Identifying common birds by song and call. Challacombe Down. Leaders: Nick & Sara D'Agorne. Nick & Sara D'Agorne use bird sound more frequently than sight to identify the birds they see. They will lead you on a tour of a well known Dartmoor walking and birding location, giving you an insight into bird identification through calls and song. Email Jeff Hacon jeff.hacon@devonbirds.org by 6th May for further details. | Map |
| May 9 | 09:00 – 15:00 | Mid Devon Field | Venford Reservoir. Meet at Venford Dam car park, the second car park beyond the dam, at SX688708. Morning walk. Leader: Ian Gasper | Map |
| May 12 | 09:30 – 14:00 | Mid Devon Field | East Anstey Common/Whiterocks Down, Exmoor. Moorland and woodland birds. Park on the side of the road south of Whiterocks Down, between Five Cross Ways and Venford, East Anstey Common at SS869290. Bring a packed lunch. Leader: Paul Pratley | Map |
| May 16 | 09:00 – 14:00 | Plymouth Field | Venford Reservoir for woodland migrants. Meet at the car park at 685712. (Please note steep walking in & out of the valley). Leader: Liz Harris Tel: 07812135891 | Map |
| May 18 | 09:00 – 14:00 | Mid Devon Field | Meldon Quarry area, meeting at Quarry car park at SX567922. Variable habitat of woodland, river, moorland and quarry. Interesting for the birds, butterflies and bluebells. Pied and Spotted Flycatchers are likely, Cuckoo possible. Leader: Annabelle Strickland | Map |
| May 23 | 09:30 – 15:30 | East Devon Field | Soussons Down Plantation, Dartmoor. Meet at roadside at Ephraims Pinch at SX676785 for entry to soutern boundary of forest. AM/PM. (Visit Challacombe Farm PM). Pre-booking required. | Map |
| May 25 | 09:00 – 14:00 | Taw & Torridge Field | Malmesmead to Brendon Common. 9am meet at Barnstaple Leisure Centre car park to car share (parking fee) or 10 am at Malmesmead NT car park (parking fee). SS791478. Leader John Towers (johndtowers@gmail.com Tel.01598710273) | Map |
| May 26 | 09:30 – 14:30 | Plymouth Field | Ham Wall Reserve, Somerset for wetland species. Meet at Ham Wall RSPB car park Ashcott Road at ST449396. Leader: Doug Herdson Tel: 01752405155/07910078599 | Map |
| May 31 | 09:00 – 14:00 | Mid Devon Field | Challacombe Farm and Soussons forest. Meet outside the drive to Challacombe farm and park on the grass verge at SX695795. Leader: Roger Jewell | Map |
| Jun 8 | 20:45 – 22:30 | Plymouth Field | Cann Woods for Nightjar. Meet at car park at SX547596. (Bring a torch and a Bat detector if you have one) Leader: Chris Marcol Tel:07976359647 | Map |
| Jun 9 | 09:30 – 15:30 | East Devon Field | Ham Wall, Somerset. Meet at large car park (Pay & Display) at ST449396. AM/PM. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Jun 9 | 09:30 – 15:30 | Mid Devon Field | Laughter Hole Farm. Open meadowland and woodland birds. Park at the side of the road off B3357 at Dunnabridge Pound Farm, Dartmoor Forest at SX641746. Bring packed lunch. Leader: Helen Allin | Map |
| Jun 21 | 09:30 – 15:30 | Mid Devon Field | Baronsdown Wood & Wildlife Sanctuary, high above the Exe Valley, just inside West Somerset. A walk through the wood should yield Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, etc. Meet alongside the entrance track at SS937287. Bring a packed lunch. Leader: Paul Tillsley | Map |
| Jun 22 | 10:00 – 15:00 | Taw & Torridge Field | Hakeford Forest School, Chelfham. Meet at Forest School car park at 10 am SS613354 or meet at 9.45am at Barnstaple Leisure Centre car park to car share (parking fee). Leader: Stuart Young (hakefordwoods@gmail.com) | Map |
| Jun 26 | 21:00 – 22:30 | Taw & Torridge Field | Hartland Forest or Powler's Piece area for Nightjar. Area to be surveyed, more details nearer the date. Leader: Roger Doble (rdoble47@gmail.com) | Map |
| Jun 27 | 21:30 – 23:00 | East Devon Field | Nightjar evening. Wheathill Plantation/East Budleigh common. Meet at car park at SY041841 (approach via Bystock Ponds road). Bring torch. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Jul 4 | 10:00 – 14:30 | Plymouth Field | Aylesbeare Common for heathland species including Dartford warbler, butterflies and dragonflies. Meet at Joney's Cross car park on opposite side of the Reserve entrance at SY056897. Leader: John O'Connell-Davidson Tel: 07885536218 | Map |
| Jul 7 | 09:30 – 15:30 | East Devon Field | Venford Reservoir, Holne. Meet at car park at SX685712. AM/PM. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Jul 7 | 20:45 – 22:30 | Plymouth Field | Cann Woods for Nightjar. A second visit with possible juveniles and adults on the wing. Meet at car park at SX547596. (Bring a torch and a Bat detector if you have one) Leader: Chris Marcol Tel:07976359647 | Map |
| Jul 10 | 18:30 – 22:30 | Mid Devon Field | An evening walk to see and hear Nightjars in Cookworthy Forest. Also the possibility of Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Crossbill, Siskin, deer etc. Plan on a walk in the general area before settling at a vantage point to view the Nightjars. The entrance to the forest is situated just north of Halwill Junction on the A3079. Meet at the car park and picnic area at SS417016. Leader: John Laws and Nick Armstrong | Map |
| Jul 12 | 09:00 – 14:00 | Taw & Torridge Field | Meeth Quarry for woodland birds, butterflies and dragonflies. 9am meet at Barnstaple Leisure Centre car park to car share (parking fee) or 10 am meet at Meeth Quarry DWT car park. SS539085. Leader: Kevin Wigley (email@kevinwigley.co.uk) | Map |
| Jul 18 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Exminster Marshes. Meet at RSPB car park at SX954872. AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Aug 19 | 16:30 – 19:30 | South Devon Field | Birdwatching Walk - Sea watching at Berry Head. Leader Mike Langman. Mike is an experienced 'sea watcher' and he will lead the group, supporting the identification of the birds and other wildlife observed from this well-known viewing point. Email Jeff Hacon jeff.hacon@devonbirds.org by 16th August for further details. | Map |
| Aug 20 | 09:30 – 13:00 | Plymouth Field | Saltram and Blaxton Meadow. Identification for the less experienced and knowledgable birdwatchers of early autumn migrants and resident birds. Meet at the Blaxton viewing station. Leader: John Lloyd Tel: 07811232206 | Map |
| Sep 8 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Dawlish Warren. Meet at end of main car park at SX980787. (Pay & display fee) AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Sep 15 | 08:30 – 14:00 | Plymouth Field | Seaton Wetlands for wetland birds. Car parking through Seaton Cemetery at SY248914. Leader: John O'Connell-Davidson Tel: 07885536218 | Map |
| Sep 20 | 09:30 – 15:30 | Mid Devon Field | Northam Burrows Country Park, Northam, Bideford. In Northam take Broad Lane to Burrows Lane and enter Northam Burrows Country Park. Park on the side of the road after crossing the small bridge over the Pill at SS451304. Bring packed lunch. Leader: Rich Hudson/Nick Armstrong | Map |
| Sep 26 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Mutters Moor, Sidmouth. Meet at Peak Hill car park at SY109872. AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Oct 6 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Blackhole Marsh, Seaton. Meet at car park (through cemetary) at SY248914. AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Oct 17 | 10:00 – 14:00 | Plymouth Field | Soar & Starehole Valley for passage migrants. Meet in the NT car park (near airfield) at SX713375. Leaders: Kev & Jacki Solman Tel: 07812805668 | Map |
| Oct 22 | 10:00 – 14:00 | Taw & Torridge Field | Northam Burrows and the Skern. Meet at 10 am on the Tip Road. SS449313. Leader: Steve Skirth (steveskirth@gmail.com) | Map |
| Oct 24 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Emsworthy Gate Reserve. (Nr Saddle Tor, Dartmoor). Meet at small car park at SX744760 on B3387 (Haytor to Widecombe Road). AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Oct 27 | 09:30 – 15:30 | Mid Devon Field | Fernworthy Reservoir and Plantation. Plan on morning and afternoon walks around the reservoir and forestry plantation. Crossbill, Siskin, Willow Tit possible. Bring packed lunch. Meet at the car park (pay & display) at SX669838. Leader : Helen Allin | Map |
| Nov 2 | 09:30 – 14:30 | Mid Devon Field | Dawlish Warren. Meet at the first car park (pay & display) on the right at the mini rounabout before the tunnel entrance at SX978785. Leader: Nick Armstrong | Map |
| Nov 2 | 10:30 – 14:00 | Plymouth Field | West Charleton Marsh for wetland and wildfowl. Meet in Marsh Lane, West Charleton at SX752426. (Can be very muddy footpath). Leader: John Lloyd Tel: 07811232206 | Map |
| Nov 10 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Powderham Church - Turf. Meet at roadside near church at SX971843. AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Nov 16 | 10:00 – 13:30 | Mid Devon Field | Roadford Resevoir. Meet at the layby near the hide at SX435930. An interesting mix of dabbling and diving ducks, the odd wader or two and the possibility of something unusual. Leader: Digby Greenhill | Map |
| Nov 28 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Parke, Nr Bovey Tracey. Meet at Nat. Park HQ car park at SX971843. AM only. Pre-booking required. | Map |
| Nov 29 | 10:00 – 14:30 | Taw & Torridge Field | Fremington Creek. Meet at 10.00 am at Fremington Quay car park. SS517334. Leader: Steve Skirth (steveskirth@gmail.com) | Map |
| Dec 3 | 10:00 – 14:00 | Plymouth Field | St John's Lake & River Lynher for waders & gulls. Meet on Marine Drive in Torpoint at SX438547. Move to Wacker Quay later for a walk along the Lynher and back to St John's Lake for high water. (Possible muddy walk along the river bank) Leader: Doug Herdson Tel: 01752405155/07910078599 | Map |
| Dec 7 | 09:00 – 15:30 | Mid Devon Field | Exminster Marshes and Mid Devon Branch Christmas Lunch. Expect a mix of waterfowl, waders and other birds. From A379 take Station Road past the Swans Nest Inn and over the hump-backed bridge to the RSPB car park on the right at SX953872. Christmas Lunch will be at the Swans Nest Inn. Leader: Nick Armstrong. Confirmation for lunch must be received by 30th October 2022. | Map |
| Dec 13 | 08:00 – 15:00 | Taw & Torridge Field | Exe Estuary, BGM, Goat Walk and Powderham. SX971876. Meet at 8am at Barnstaple Leisure Centre car park, car share (parking fee). Tide time dependent. Leader: Kevin Wigley (email@kevinwigley.co.uk) | Map |
| Dec 15 | 09:30 – 13:00 | East Devon Field | Escot Park, Talaton. Meet at car park at SY082981. Pre-booking required. | Map |
Add these events to your calendar — Devon Birds | East Devon Field | East Devon Indoor | Mid Devon Field | Mid Devon Indoor | Plymouth Field | Plymouth Indoor | South Devon Field | | Taw & Torridge Field | Taw & Torridge Indoor