www.devonbirds.org

The Devon Birds newsletter February 2016

WelcomeSpotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler – three key species for geolocator research funded by Devon

Birds this year. (Photos: Pat Mayer,Carole Bowden, Gray Clements )

It is quite a time since the last Harrier and my apologies for our failure to get out the December copy. In our defence it has been an extremely busy period for all the volunteers with the November Conference and then the work to complete the Devon Bird Atlas, organise the launch, the marketing and the distribution.

It was just beginning to quieten down a bit and then membership renewal, data collection for 2015 DBR and the AGM come along! I’m not complaining, the Conference and the Atlas have been high profile events and we have been able to get across our message to a wide audience that many of Devon’s birds are in trouble.

We are not sitting on or hands on this; in 2016, we hope to catch the Pied Flycatchers fitted with Geolocators in 2015 as they return from Africa. Also 20 Wood Warblers and 20 Spotted Flycatchers are being fitted with geolocators in 2016 and Ring Ouzel monitoring on Dartmoor will continue to name just some of our conservation activities.

Our reserves are also receiving closer scrutiny to ensure that they are creating good habitat for some of the red and amber-listed Devon birds showing significant declines.

The AGM is approaching and I will be standing down as Chairman, but expect to stay on in a supporting role. It has been a busy, challenging but overall enjoyable five years. Kevin Cox is prepared to stand for Chair and has my and Council’s full support.

There are still many challenges for Devon Birds to address as the information in the new Atlas demonstrates. We expect to work in partnership with the other like-minded charities in Devon to achieve a bigger impact on the current and future bird conservation issues.

George Harris, Chairman

news

The Atlas has landed On Friday 29 January, at Stover Country Park near Newton Abbot, the new Devon

Bird Atlas was launched. After eight years of planning, research, fieldwork, validation, commissioning, writing, designing, mapping and much else, the most important book to have been published on Devon’s birds for almost three decades, has arrived to great acclaim.

The launch was a very well-attended event with the visitors’ centre at Stover packed to capacity. George Harris, Devon Birds’ Chairman, welcomed the audience made up of Devon Birds’ members and representatives of many other local and national conservation organisations. He then introduced the speakers, starting with Stella Beavan and Mike Lock, the joint editors of the Atlas. Mike spoke eloquently about the monumental challenge that he, Stella and the Atlas team had faced and how pleased they were with the result.

The Atlas was warmly welcomed by Neil Parish MP, who spoke of his passion for the environment in general (he is Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee at Westminster) and for birds in particular. He was followed by Councillor Christine Channon, Chair of Devon County Council, a keen birdwatcher herself. She was delighted that DCC had sponsored the Atlas and that a free copy would be presented to every secondary school, university, college and main library in the county.

Tom Stratton from the Duchy of Cornwall welcomed the Atlas, which has a foreword by HRH Prince Charles, and expressed his hope that it would help in the battle to reverse the declines of many of our birds. The final speaker was Nik Ward from Natural England and a former Council member of Devon Birds.

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton, is presented with a copy of the new Devon Bird Atlas by joint editors,

Stella Beavan and Mike Lock at the launch event at Stover Country Park.

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news Devon Bird Atlas 2007-2013

Colin Randall writes: From all I had heard, I knew this was going to be a stylish book, but in terms of scope, detail, layout, illustrations, this would be a remarkable publication from a national publishing house; from a County Bird Society this is extraordinary.

The national Atlas came out 2 years ago and this loses nothing in comparison. Our Atlas shows the spread and often the relative numbers of 364 species that occurred in Devon over the period, separating them into winter and breeding season presence. In addition, and crucially, by means of clear maps it compares the data with the first Atlas, edited by Humphrey Sitters, covering breeding birds from 1977–1985. Thus it scores highly over most County Atlases, which do not have an historical Atlas with which to make comparisons.

As opposed to anecdotal and often false comments made by everybody from various media outlets with vested interests to him/her next door, at last we have real scientific evidence of how “our” birds are faring. The answer? Well, not good – 68 species have shown a significant loss, or disappeared as breeding species, as opposed to only 23 species that have arrived or become more widespread. We now know what is happening – the next huge task is to do something about it. Well done all concerned for the 1.1M records, and especially the editors Stella Beavan and Mike Lock.

Meanwhile – buy it, put it on your birthday list, get it somehow; if that fails, Devon Libraries have copies – but you will then want to get your own!

The Cuckoo spread from the new

Atlas showing just how

significantly the species has

declined since the Sitters Atlas

from the 1980s

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news

Devon Birds AGM EXETER COURT HOTEL, KENNFORD, EXETER EX6 7UX

NOTE CHANGE OF DATE: 23 MARCH 2016, 7pm

We look forward to welcoming all members of Devon Birds to this year’s Annual General Meeting.

The event will take place at the Exeter Court Hotel at Kennford, which is just off the A38 on the westbound carriageway. Directions can be found on the hotel’s website here: http://www.exetercourthotel.co.uk/location

Please note that the meeting is now on Wednesday 23 March, a day later than previously announced in the October Harrier.

The AGM is the ideal opportunity to hear from the Chair and Council about the work of the Society over the last twelve months and to find out about plans for the coming year. The Treasurer will also give an overview of the accounts and the Society’s current financial position.

George Harris, Devon Birds’ Chairman, is stepping down this year so we hope that as many members as possible turn up to thank him for all his hard work and dedication to the Society.

Following formal proceedings, we are delighted to announce that Dr Mark Avery will be giving this year’s H G Hurrell Lecture. Mark was formerly Conservation Director of the RSPB since when he has become just as well-known as an author, blogger and campaigner. A life-long birder, Mark is also a passionate and knowledgeable conservationist; his book, Fighting for Birds is a good introduction to many of the nature conservation battles he’s been involved in

over the last 25 years. For the past few years, he has been leading the fight against the illegal persecution of Hen Harriers, most of which takes place on or around grouse moors. His most recent book, Inglorious, documents that struggle as well as highlighting many of the other negative consequences of moorland management for driven grouse shooting, including burning on deep peat, increased flood risk, indiscriminate use of lead shot, and the wholesale slaughter of mountain hares.

Mark has also written about the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, with a heartfelt plea that we don’t let the Turtle Dove go the same way.

Mark is a passionate and engaging speaker and his talk is certain to be lively

and controversial – one not to miss. See page 16 for more on the AGM

Dr Mark Avery – fighting for birds.

5

news Willow Tit Survey

The Devon Tetrad Atlas 1977-85 showed Willow Tits to be present in 226 tetrads. The current Atlas shows a shocking collapse in range, down to just 55 tetrads during the breeding season. Willow Tits are sedentary birds so they have not just gone elsewhere; the decline in Devon reflects the reduction in numbers across the country. The birds are difficult to locate and identify, especially as part of a general survey. It was decided, therefore, to carry out a special two-year survey to see if the birds are still present in any of the former territories but had been overlooked during the Atlas fieldwork. Devon Birds, Devon Wildlife Trust,

Devon Biodiversity Records Centre and RSPB, have come together to agree a methodology for surveying all the sites in which Willow Tits were formerly present. Two training days were held, one at Meeth and the other at Woodah Farm at which over thirty Devon Birds volunteers were shown how to locate the birds using playback. Surveys will take place in February and March.

Is that a Willow Tit I hear? It is. This is classic Willow Tit habitat at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Meeth Quarry reserve and

the birds were good enough to put in an appearance for us.

The elusive Willow Tit (photo: Ashley Banwell)

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news

SUNDAY 8th MAY Sailing from Ilfracombe this year due to tide times on the

M.S. OLDENBURG Boarding at Ilfracombe from 8.00am Sailing from Ilfracombe at 8.30am Returning to Ilfracombe c 8.00pm Bar and buffet available on board

Everyone is welcome, birdwatchers or those who would just like a peaceful day on this beautiful Island. We also hope to include a sail around the Island to see the

seabirds and seals When purchasing tickets please provide full name and gender of ALL passengers;

this is a steamship requirement

Adults £29, Children (under 16) £16 Tickets available through Devon Birds online Shop

or from: Mark Humfrey, Morada, St John’s Lane, Barnstaple EX32 9DD Tel. 01271 344556

All applications must be clearly marked ‘Lundy Trip’ and include an SAE please. Cheques made payable to Devon Birds.

Please do not leave it until too late as we need to know the approximate numbers sailing at least a month in advance so that the company can organise the appropriate size of the crew. Last year some were disappointed as

the maximum numbers were set before some tried to book at the last minute.

Tim White has taken an extraordinary photograph of the Green-winged Teal that is still to be seen at Black Hole Marsh, part of the Seaton Wetlands in East Devon.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

DAY TRIP TO LUNDY 2016

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around the regions

Seaton Marshes

EAST DEVON BRANCH 24 members attended the first fieldtrip of the year led by Bob Olliver. Black Hole Marsh contained too much water for waders and the fields and Common were water-logged but accessible via the new cylceway and boardwalks. The group split up as the morning progressed to allow for our numbers! Main interest was from four Chiffchaff, three Mediterranean Gulls (with a fourth viewed on estuary from Tower Hide), a few Common Gulls, and a large flock of Lapwing (?>500) on the Common at a distance, plus a single Gadwall. Kingfisher, Stonechats, Kestrel, two Little Grebe, small number of Black-tailed Godwits, plus Sparrowhawk and five Buzzard together scoped over hills to east, plus a Barn Owl seen by some near an owl box. A few who stayed on in the afternoon saw the elusive Glossy Ibis. A good start to 2016. Jonathan Ruscoe

OBITUARY: DAVE JENKS We are sad to report that Dave Jenks of Watcombe, Torquay passed away on 8th February 2016. Dave was a long-standing member of the Society and undertook the roles of Membership Secretary and Society Archivist as well serving as a Council Member during the 1990s. During his retirement, Dave’s interest in birds was pursued through ringing and, in particular, in his garden – the results of which he published in a paper summarising 25 years of ringing in his garden in Watcombe. This work was presented to Torquay Natural History Museum and stands as an ornithological reference for many years to come. Dave also researched and wrote the History of Devonshire Ornithology, which is an interesting and thorough account of how the Society was started and evolved. A full obituary will follow later. Jon Avon

Fursdon Estate

MID-DEVON BRANCH Devon Birds was asked by Devon Wildlife Trust if we could organise a bird survey on the 750-acre Fursdon Estate at Cadbury near Exeter, owned by the Lord Lieutenant and his wife, David and Catriona Fursdon. In October 2015 a group of eight volunteers from the Mid-Devon Branch assembled in the Coach House at Fursdon for an initial planning meeting with the owners of the Estate and a DWT representative followed by a short recce. Subsequently, two winter surveys have been conducted with a team of 17 members on the November survey and 10 members on the February survey. These members were from various Devon Birds Branches. As well as a long list of common birds, the team recorded Woodlark on the first visit and Woodcock on the second. There was also evidence of Barn Owls having nested previously on site. A pair of Kestrels was also seen on the second survey. Both could be encouraged to breed with the provision of nest boxes. Two more surveys are planned, one in April and the second in June. Please get in touch on 01392 439685 if you would like to be involved. Annabelle Strickland

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special places

The stunning view from the Devon Birds’ reserve just opposite the car park at Prawle. The site is worth visiting at any time of year, especially for Cirl Buntings, but Prawle really comes alive during the spring and autumn migration. Just about anything can turn up then.

Why I love: Prawle Pat Mayer shares his passion for a very special place on the South Devon coast. And he’s seen some great birds there too.

I first visited Prawle almost 40 years ago, little knowing then that (after my wife!) it would become the all-consuming passion of my life. Like all relationships, it has its ups and downs, and yes, I often question my sanity! Why spend all my available birding time at Prawle when frequently I know of 'nice' or rare birds a short drive away? The answer quite simply is that they are not mine, I didn't find or identify them, but mostly, they are not at Prawle!

So why Prawle? It all began with a short spring holiday to Portland Bill with the YOC. Here I got my first taste of migration in action, and I was hooked. At every opportunity I was cycling backwards and forwards to Hopes Nose – the nearest headland to my Kingskerswell home. I learned a lot during this period, but needed somewhere 'bigger' that had more potential for finding rare birds. Thanks largely to the fantastic efforts of the late Dave Norman, and John Nicholls, Prawle was well and truly on the map as a magnet for rare and scarce migrants by this time, and I joined a small but dedicated team of regular watchers. Over the years, I have built up decent British and Devon lists, but it was always Prawle where I wanted to be, adding to the knowledge and understanding of the area, recording its ups and downs, and building up a comprehensive data

9

special places

bank that would become a permanent snapshot of my time there. These days I rarely bird anywhere else.

What makes Prawle so good? First and foremost, it is geographical position. Headlands will always attract migrant birds, and as long as there is cover to provide food and safety, winds that blow seabirds close to land, and open skies to fly through, then there will always be birds to see. There is no specific habitat at Prawle, the area basically being the sea and shore (mainly rocky), coastal valleys and scrub, farmland with drystone walls and hedgerows, the village, and of course, the sky! The recording area is quite large, extending from Moorsands in the west, as far as Maelcombe House to the east, and inland north of East Prawle village. The area boasts a list of 277 species, of which almost 100 have been recorded on the society's small reserve, opposite the car-park at Prawle Point. Arguably Prawle's most famous bird – the 1995 Chestnut-sided Warbler occurred here, and others on the reserve list include Red-eyed Vireo, Olive-backed Pipit, Bluethroat and Sardinian Warbler, while Wryneck, Golden Oriole, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Radde's, Icterine, Melodious, Pallas's and Yellow-browed Warbler have all been found on more than one occasion. Indeed, the latter is now just about annual here.

The car-park/reserve area is where most visits begin, and offers a good opportunity to see most of the commoner migrant species. The reserve is open to Devon Bird members only, via a combination lock, but others can see most of the

best areas from the road. Below the car-park, the coast path eastward offers the best chance to see Prawle's speciality – the Cirl Bunting. They are currently enjoying a very successful period, and large groups anywhere along this stretch as far as Maelcombe House.

Pigs Nose Valley, accessed from the sharp bend on the road from East Prawle to East Portlemouth,

Prawle’s best known resident, the Cirl Bunting (all photos: Pat Mayer)

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special places

Yellow-browed Warbler is just about annual here now.

is another excellent area. The society has a small reserve in the upper section of the valley, known as Merrymoor Lane. This consists of a narrow strip of mainly Willow, Hazel and Alder. 18 species breed, or have bred in this area. There is no access, which allows the birds to enjoy the area largely undisturbed, but the adjacent bridlepath affords the patient birder every chance to see anything that might be lurking within. Star birds recorded here include Red-eyed Vireo, Golden Oriole, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Pallas's and Yellow-browed Warbler.

There have been many changes over the last 40 years. Species such as Cuckoo, Turtle Dove and Lesser Whitethroat, that were once easily seen every year are now less than annual, while others, such as Little Egret, Mediterranean Gull and Yellow-browed Warbler have become the norm. Prawle no longer enjoys a monopoly on rare birds, as other sites all along the South Devon coast have proved to be just as good with regular coverage, and we are

largely overshadowed by Berry Head when it comes to seabirds. It is also true to say that numbers of common migrants are declining, seemingly year on year, but the scarcities are still there to be found. Anything is possible at Prawle, which for me remains one of the main attractions. There are still many gaps to be filled – Pallid Harrier, Subalpine Warbler and Red-flanked Bluetail are all firmly in my sights. I may not have

another 40 years left, but as long as I am fit and able, I will be looking!

This Squacco Heron spent more than a week on the rocky shore at

Prawle in May 2015, so anything is possible

Pied Flycatchers are regular passage migrants

11

SPECIES NOTES

Black Brant appears to be over wintering at Exminster marshes and Exmouth area

Ridgway's Cackling Goose

present since mid Sept in Exmouth area last reported Matford Pools 9 Jan.

American Wigeon Bowling Green Marsh 11 Dec Exminster marshes on 20 Dec still present in area into Jan

Smew female Lower Tamar Lake 30 Nov

Bittern various sightings during period at Slapton and Beesands also one over Fleet Mill, Totnes on 2 Dec

Cattle Egrets 3 at South Efford Marsh on 11 Nov moving to Teigngrace on 13th where they remained on 8th Dec two were still present. On 28th and 29th Dec 1 on Exminster Marshes and 1 reported at Horsey Island on 29th.

Glossy Ibis 2 early Oct at Seaton Marshes until early Nov, then 1 seen occasionally into Jan. Another/same bird at S Huish Marsh on 18th Nov, moved between here and occasionally S Efford Marsh until mid Jan at least.

Red Kite 2 flying nr Tiverton on 4 Dec and 1 over Newton Abbot on 12 Dec

Bonaparte’s Gull Adult off Shelley Beach, Exmouth on 29 Dec remaining until 15th Jan; presumably the same adult relocated to Teignmouth seafront

Little Gull Plymouth 16 Dec, 1stw off Exmouth on 18th and Wembury on 31st, one or two seen off Exmouth during first week in Jan

Ring-billed Gull 1 reported Broadsands 26 Nov

Glaucous Gull 1 off Sidmouth seafront 9 Jan and 1stw on 13/ 14 Jan at Dawlish Warren.

BIRD OF THE MONTH

YOUR BIRD SIGHTINGSMost of these records are unchecked and as yet unauthenticated. For the very latest Devon bird news visit: http://birdnews.devonbirds.org

County Recorder Steve Waite 46 Primrose Way, Seaton, EX12 2XQ T: 07875 068112 E: recorder@devonbirds.org

Data Manager Julia Harris 6 Clonway, Yelverton, PL20 6EG T: 01822 853785 E: recorder@devonbirds.org

Black Redstart In Devon, the Black Redstart is usually seen along the South Coast in winter, although it does appear in river valleys, on house tops, and on large buildings – all of which emulate its cliff-loving nature. That’s why it became known as the bomb-site bird, as, courtesy of the Luftwaffe, it became a regular breeder in the UK from 1942 onwards in London and other cities. It now breeds erratically but regularly in small numbers on sites such as Dungeness Power Station, Clare College Cambridge, and, according to the Devon Atlas, on one occasion on a large warehouse on our own patch. (Photo: Margaret Mackintosh)

bird notes

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bird notes

SPECIES NOTES

Caspian Gull 1stw at Dawlish Warren on 6 Nov, col ringed bird on Axe Est on 9th, 2nd winter at Broadsands on 11th and one reported at Seaton on 14

Little Auk After stormy weather on 19 Nov Robin Khan spotted a bird by the side of the roundabout at Clyst St Mary. He stopped the car and went back to the bird which was still alive and turned out to be a Little Auk!! He took it to Exmouth and it flew out to sea unharmed. Also 1 off Oreston 5 Dec, off Thurlestone on 6th and 1 at Shoalstone

Woodpigeons Large numbers moving mid Nov with even bigger flocks on 21st

Great Grey Shrike 1 at Dawlish on 23 Oct; on 25th 1 each at Prawle and Emsworthy Dartmoor . 1 Soussons on 20 Nov - 23 Dec. 1 Woodbury Common 5th Jan

Firecrest Many sightings from mid September into Jan from both North and South Devon and two at Broadsands throughout

Pallas’s Warbler 31 Oct N Hallsands

Yellow-browed Warbler

Many reports all along the S coast from mid Sep onwards with a long staying well viewed bird at Broadsands until beginning of Jan

Aberrant Robin Still on the Tarka Trail late Nov – singing in Jan

Serin Exmouth 4 Nov

Little Bunting At Darts Farm on 13 and 14th Dec but rather elusive

The grey Robin found on the Tarka Trail near Chivenor - a report in the local paper quoted Hein van Grouw, senior curator at the Natural History Museum in Tring, saying: “The pale colour of this robin is the result of a mutation which causes the dilution of both pigments, eumelanin and phaeomelanin.” So, now we know! Information courtesy of John Walters’s website- www.johnwalters.co.uk (photo: Martin Bond)

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Nest finding on Dartmoor helping towards upland bird conservation

A group of Devon Birds members has started a crowdfunding campaign to

raise money to support their study of Dartmoor birds. The Dartmoor Upland Bird Nest Group (www.dartmoornests.org) has been studying nests of ground-nesting birds on Dartmoor for the past eight years, and has collected nest record data for over 1300 nests.

Although the main focus is on Meadow Pipits, Cuckoos, Stonechats and Whinchats, they have monitored nests of over 30 species, building an extensive dataset on the breeding of our Dartmoor birds. Their fieldwork has been volunteer-run for the last eight years, but as their work has been expanding rapidly in recent years, the group is hoping to raise £6000 to cover part of the fieldwork costs to be able to continue and expand their work. Devon Birds is supporting the work and has made a grant towards the appeal but more is still needed to hit the target.

The aim of the group is to help bird conservation and scientific study by building an understanding of breeding success and breeding requirements. All their nest records are submitted to the BTO, nestlings are ringed, and the data is used by the group’s two PhD researchers from the University of Exeter. Sara Zonneveld, one of the researchers, said “The volunteers on our project are incredibly skilled and dedicated, and their work is essential for our scientific studies on ground-nesting birds at the University of Exeter. We hope that through this crowdfunding campaign, we will be able to continue the success of this valuable project on our fantastic Dartmoor bird community.”

To find out more, please visit the Dartmoor Upland Bird Nest Group’s crowdfunding website at https://exeter.hubbub.net/p/dartmoornests. A donation of just £5 allows the volunteers to ring 20 nestlings. The website also offers a range of rewards to thank you for your donations.

Cuckoo, one of the birds

being studied by the

Dartmoor Upland Bird

Nest Group. To find out

more about the

fascinating ecology of

the Cuckoo, there is a

free lecture by Professor

Nick Davies at Plymouth

University called

Cuckoo: Cheating by

Nature on 9 March at

6pm :

http://bit.ly/1Tx99xl

(photo: Charles Tyler)

bird notes

14

bird notes

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Text and illustrations by Mike Langman

Black-tailed Godwit

Many birders struggle with winter Godwits that are not in flight but they each have a very different look even before the plumage differences can be picked out.

Bar-tailed Godwit

A larger, more uniform plumaged bird. Longer legged – even when wading in water the bare leg above the tarsus or ‘knee’ joint is much longer than in Bar-tailed. Bill slightly longer, in proportion, straighter and orangey at the base. The white supercilium is strongest in front of the eye with very little above and behind the eye. In flight: Striking black and white wings white above tail restricted to rump and lower back only. Tail has thick black band near to the tip.

Smaller more streaky bird. Shorter legged particularly above the tarsus ‘knee’ joint. Bill slightly upturned and more pinkie at base. The white supercilium extends above and behind the eye. In flight: Lacks the contrasting black and white wings of the Black- tailed Godwit with white up between the rear of the wings and a dull barred tail.

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what’s on

FIELD MEETINGS

4 Mar Fri 9.30 Postbridge, Dartmoor meet car park SX646788 East Devon

5 Mar Sat 10.00

Torcross & Slapton Ley meet Tank Car park (Don't pay car park until spoken to leader) SX824424 Plymouth

12 Mar Sat 10.00

Godborough - Devon Birds Reserve meet SS435274 Leader: Philip Marlow Taw & Torridge

15 Mar Tues 9.30 Steps Bridge – meet at car park SX802882. Leader: Tim Channon Mid Devon

21 Mar Mon 9.30

Ferry Bridge, Weymouth Dorset. Meet at car park at map ref: SY668756. (LT. 11.20) East Devon

29 Mar Tues 9.30

Soussons/Challacombe. Meet at Bennetts Cross car park. SX680817. Leader: Annabelle Strickland Mid Devon

8 Apr Fri 9.30

Otter Estuary. Meet at White Bridge, South Farm Road, Budleigh Salterton at map ref: SY076830 (HT 09.50) C.T/ J.R. East Devon

12 Apr Tue 9.30

Hatherleigh – Ruby Trail – meet at Market car park (not in town car park) SS538045. Leader: Digby Greenhill. Mid Devon

17 Apr Sun 10.00

Cloutsham / Horner Wood & Chetsford Water. Meet picnic c/p SS897431 (near the ford) Leader: Norman Briden Taw & Torridge

18 Apr Mon 9.30

Greylake, Somerset Levels. Meet at RSPB reserve car park at: ST399346 East Devon

21 Apr Thur 10.00

Yarner Wood meet at Trendlebere Down 0.3 miles past entrance to Yarner Wood. SX783795 Plymouth

26 Apr Tue 9.30

Yarner/Trendlebere. Meet in layby - SX784794. Leader: Annabelle Strickland Mid Devon

what’s on

INDOOR MEETINGS

8 Mar Tues 19.30

AGM - followed by : Madagascar Birds & Wildlife - Ian Gasper (£3 inc refreshments) The Castle Centre, Barnstaple

Taw & Torridge

21 Mar Mon 19.30

Birds Around the Exe Estuary - Dave Smallshire. Court Farm Inn, Abbotskerswell

South Devon

23 Mar Wed 19.00

Devon Birds Annual General Meeting Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford EX6 7UX. Guest speaker: Dr Mark Avery

Devon Birds

11 Apr Mon 19.30

Restoring the balance, David Ramsden, Head of Conservation for the Barn Owl Trust. Spurgeon Hall, Mutley Baptist Church, Mutley Plain, Plymouth

Plymouth

12 Apr Tue 7.30 pm

Making even more space for Nature - a parable from Chernobyl (£3 inc refreshments) Prof Sir John Lawton. The Castle Centre, Barnstaple

Taw & Torridge

18 Apr Mon 19.30

Birds & Beasts of Washington State and Vancouver - Nick D'Argonne. Court Farm Inn, Abbotskerswell

South Devon

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts 2015 will be sent out to all members for whom we have an email address. Anyone wanting a paper copy of the Report and Accounts should contact the Secretary, Mike Daniels tel: 01752 690278 or by email: nellmegfly@gmail.com

Under the Constitution the following sitting and new members have been proposed and seconded to be elected at the AGM.

Proposed Seconded Chairman K Cox G Harris R Little Vice-chair G Harris K Cox R Little Conservation Officer J Tallowin G Harris S Beavan Ordinary Member N Hewitt K Cox M Lock Ordinary Member A Colston K Cox M Daniels Branch Member (South Devon) M Goss A Willcocks S Beavan Branch Member (East Devon) C Randall R Little J Avon Branch Member (Plymouth) L Harris M Lock J Tallowin

AND FINALLY... Don’t forget that 2016 subcriptions were due on 1st Jan. Have you paid yet?