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The Harrier The Devon BirdWatching & Preservation Society Newsletter: April 2013 No2

Annual General Meeting Saturday 25th May 2013

at The Kenn Centre, Kennford

Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, EX6 7UE at 2.30pm

AGENDA

Apologies Minutes of the 2012 Annual General Meeting

Matters Arising from the Minutes Chairman’s Report Secretary’s Report Treasurer’s Report Election of Officers

Election of Council Members

There will be a break for tea/coffee followed by an illustrated talk by Prof Charles Tyler of Exeter University - entitled

“Dartmoor’s Birds and Seasons” Charles spends much of his spare time following his hobby of photography and will

present some stunning wildlife images

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SAT 25 MAY Over the last few years the size of the AGM document has grown to 32 pages and the cost of production and postage now exceeds £600. Council members felt it would be sensible to send this document by email to all those members with that facility and to invite members who wish to have a paper copy to contact the Secretary Mike Daniels. Tel No. 01822890899 or Email nellmegfly@btinternet.com We will of course produce sufficient copies for all those attending the AGM at the Kenn Centre in Exeter on 25 May. Council members will be reviewing the Governance of Devon Birds over the coming year to decide what is necessary and appropriate to include in the AGM document.

CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS I remember two months ago, at the end of January, writing that the weather had turned mild and sunny and virtually all the snow on Dartmoor had gone following heavy rain. By the time you read this the weather may have changed again but we had the coldest Easter on record and at the time the forecasters were unable to tell us when it would end. It took its toll on the migrants such as Chiffchaffs who crossed the Channel only to find that the cold weather was keeping insect activity to the minimum and plant life on hold. Many members commented about seeing Chiffchaffs on the ground - this was a very sad sign, they were desperately trying to forage for any food available and time will tell what effect this cold start has had although a neighbour did tell me that they had found several small birds dead on the allotments. The weather has now started to warm up a little and we will see if there is any truth in the saying “that the weather always pays its debts”. I look forward to that happening soon. Since January I’m pleased to report, as you may already have seen on the website, that Mid Devon Field meetings got off to an excellent start on 5th March with a visit to Eggesford Forest. Julia and I joined 20 others and enjoyed a pleasant walk with good company and a good selection of birds. It happened to be one of the few warm sunny days and we all picnicked in the wood and most of the group continued on a second walk after lunch. On Monday 25 March the Plymouth Branch re-launched their Indoor Meetings with an excellent very well attended opening event supported by Mike Langman, written up by Liz Harris elsewhere in this Harrier, and also on the Website.

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The AGM Agenda on 25th May forms the front page of this Harrier and at the Council Meeting on 15 April two new potential Council Members joined the Meeting. Josh Marshall who is a Wildlife Crime Police Officer as part of his police role has been working very successfully to reduce wildlife crime against raptors across Devon and will be a very valuable addition to Council as will Roger Little who has been a very effective member of the Devon Atlas team over the last two years. For the last year we have worked without a Vice Chairman and I am very pleased that Kevin Cox, already on Council will, subject to approval at the AGM, take on this role. We will be saying a big thank you to Roger Doble and to Paul Stubbs who will be standing down after many years of excellent work on Council. Roger came to Council as Treasurer and then Chairman for three years before taking on Publicity and Promotion where he provided valuable support to Mike Tyler for the production, marketing and sale of the Birds of Devon. Paul took on the Treasurer role from Roger and then added and computerized the Membership activity and did much valuable work in these areas. We are very fortunate that Roger Little is very well qualified for the Treasurer role and will for the time being support membership as well, although it is Council’s wish to separate these two important roles. Nigel Hewitt is also due to stand down having completed his three year term and has offered to still attend Council to maintain good links with the RSPB where he is a very active volunteer. Thank you Nigel. .Under the Constitution the following sitting members have to be re-elected at the AGM Vice Chairman Kevin Cox P S Waite S M Daniels Secretary Mike Daniels P G Harris S J Avon Treasurer Roger Little P G Harris S S Beavan Membership Sec Roger Little P S Waite S K Cox County Recorder Steve Waite P M Lock S J Avon Publications Rep Mike Lock P S Waite S K Cox Fieldwork Officer Stella Beavan P G Harris S M Lock Ordinary Member Jon Avon P K Cox S G Harris Ordinary Member Josh Marshall P S Waite S M Daniels Ordinary Member Nik Ward P S Waite S S Beavan All other Council Members from the branches are willing to continue on Council for another year George

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"ANNEKE" THE DUTCH BITTERN RETURNS TO SLAPTON LEY N NR WINTER 2012/13

In The Harrier April 2012, I wrote about "Anneke" the Bittern. "Anneke" was tagged in 2011 as a young bird with a data-logger and colour rings in N Holland and was at Slapton Ley from 5th Dec 2011 until 29th Feb 2012 having come via Bolton, N Wales and Angelsey. On 21st March 2013, the Slapton RGI received an e-mail from Mark Collier in Holland to say that "Anneke" had returned to Slapton this winter (2012-13) and was first recorded on 27th November. However, she had taken a more direct route via N France having left the N Holland breeding grounds on exactly the same date (22nd Oct) in autumn 2012 as in autumn 2011. In 2011, her route from Holland to Slapton was probably that of juvenile dispersal - wide-ranging and looking for a suitable wintering site. Her more direct route in autumn 2012 suggests she had found Slapton Ley to be a very favourable wintering site! After spending most of the 2012-13 winter at Slapton, "Anneke" was recorded back on the breeding grounds in N Holland on 21st March 2013 and the updated information from the data-logger was read as she passed close to one of the antenna base stations. Unfortunately, there is no information regarding her return route from Slapton although it seems likely that it was similar to that in 2012. Her 2011/12 and 2012/13 tracks can be found at http://www.roerdomp.info followed by clicking on "Anneke" (green) on the right hand side. Data from each registration can then be obtained by clicking on the Bittern icon at each location. During November 2012, there were three records of single birds (the first on the12th) before "Anneke" returned to Slapton on 27th. This suggests there were two birds present after "Anneke" returned. There were then two more records in November followed by a further five dates in December, two dates in January 2013; three dates in February and the last on 14th March. On 3rd February 2013, a fully visible bird was photographed. It had no colour rings and was obviously a second individual. (A bird, possibly from Slapton, was also recorded at Beesands on 9th Dec 2012.) Further details from the data-logger during her return to Slapton in autumn 2012, show "Anneke" took a 400km sea crossing and flew at heights ranging from a few metres to more than 1500m. Mark Collier has promised to keep us informed of "Anneke's" future movements particularly when she leaves N Holland in autumn 2013 - providing the data-logger remains operative! Dennis Elphick, Slapton Ringing Group

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SOUTH MILTON LEY WINTER NEWS Exceptionally wet and windy weather for much of the winter meant little general activity took place. A very cold windy February prolonged the general doom and gloom feelings for many of us. Such conditions precluded any significant ringing, however a Belgian ringed chiffchaff was re-caught on 29th November; there are as yet, however, no Belgian details. This is the first foreign ringed chiffchaff to be controlled at the Ley. About 12 chiffchaffs have wintered successfully. Nick Townsend (conservation officer) and I met an officer from English Nature to discuss the complex new requirements to enable our entry into the Higher Level Stewardship scheme. Its more stringent requirements than its predecessor are not easily attained. Fortunately we ticked all the right boxes enabling payments to be made. These payments more than cover all our substantial contractors bills for general maintenance and also go some way to help pay for other costly works we incur every year. A whole day was taken up with the lady from English Nature, mostly with the very exacting paperwork, it also included a site visit around the reserve. It was heartening to be told she was impressed by the level of our management including so many habitat types benefiting a large wildlife range. One of our members, Tony Skyrme, an ex chippy, volunteered to make (for free) nest boxes for the Ley. These have all been erected at the Ley. The BTO design suggests car inner tube for the roof hinge. None was available, so Tony cut up rubber from the legs of old wellies. How’s that for lateral thinking! Hope the birds will be impressed. By the time you are reading this spring will have begun to be sprung. Let’s hope for all our sakes, I include the wildlife in this, that we are in for a far better Spring-Summer than last year’s disastrous affair. Best of birding. Vic Tucker

SOUTH HUISH WINTER NEWS The prolonged heavy winter rains caused the meadows to flood uncontrollably on several occasions, at times overtopping our five barred gates! Levels didn’t really fall until the onset of drier weather in February, finally reinstating the shallow marshy environs we actually intend here. Probably because there was a vast amount of very wet habitat everywhere else, this marsh was not such a wildfowl draw this winter, however a selection of common ducks were present with over 100 snipe. An unexpected but welcome spoonbill visited on the 20th February – but it didn’t linger.

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Another site meeting took place in early March, this time with the National Trust, the new landlords of the site. Several important management and procedural topics were discussed prior to our legal agreement in signing up to a ten year management lease over the marsh. Late news: a little ringed plover and a Marsh Harrier, probably the Slapton one, who was plucking and eating a duck, were both present on the 16th March Hopefully this spring will produce some interesting – even rare sightings. A pratincole would be nice. Any of the three species would do! Vic Tucker

EXCELLENT START FOR PLYMOUTH BRANCH INDOOR MEETING On the evening of Monday 25 March 53 members and non members gathered at the Hyde Park Social Club to relaunch the Plymouth Indoor Meeting activity after a gap of several years. They were welcomed by Liz Harris and then George Harris, Chairman of Devon Birds, who described where some of the energies of Devon Birds were being directed. He mentioned the completion of the Devon Bird Atlas as well as projects to support Cuckoo, Pied Flycatcher and Ring Ouzel conservation. Liz then introduced Mike Langman,.the well known Devon Birds member, illustrator and naturalist who got everyone involved in a fun and practical talk entitled "Make a Note of It". The talk tested the audience on their observation skills and Mike gave sound advice on making notes on the bird shape, head size, wing length, beak size and feather patterns whilst observing the bird's behaviour. By knowing our common birds in detail we are more likely to pick up similar but rarer species. This hands-on talk was well suited to the audience who ranged across the whole spectrum of birding skills. Mike was very warmly applauded for his contribution to their first Plymouth Branch Indoor meeting. After such a successful meeting Liz has now arranged a follow up meeting on Monday 10th June at 7.30pm with Dave Norman giving a talk entitled 'Expand your Birdwatching horizons by exploring sites in the area'. Dave Norman is co-author of 'Where to watch birds in Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly'. This will take place at Mutley Baptist Hall in the Spurgeon Hall, Mutley Plain, Plymouth PL4 6LB.

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PLYM PEREGRINES This year’s peregrine watch, based on the viaduct overlooking the old Plymbridge quarry just to the north of Plymouth, has been running for about four weeks now. The male and female birds look to be the same pair as last year. They have been observed mating and the female has been sitting on the nest almost continuously recently, so it looks like they already have eggs. They are using the old ravens nest again after a break of two years. This is an important site where peregrines can be observed through all stages of the breeding cycle. There isn’t a comparable site in Devon. People come from far and wide to see the birds. New volunteers are always welcome to help keep a 24 hour watch on the birds as some years ago they were poisoned. If you are interested, shifts are for two hours, contact one of the on site National Trust rangers. They are Pete Davies on 07812974505 or Greg Milne on 07928596589. This is my fifth year of being a volunteer and I have quite enjoyed it, numerous other species are observed in the surrounding woods and, if you do enough hours, you will get free NT membership. Jack Aldous

BOOK NOW FOR THE LUNDY TRIP - 12 TH MAY

The Lundy trip will take place on Sunday 12th May 2013, sailing from Bideford Quay at 7.30 am, and the plan is to sail around the island before landing to look for Lundy's Puffins, various seabirds, dolphins and seals. Come along and enjoy a day out on this special island in the height of the migration season. May is the month when anything could turn up. Last year in May there were sightings of Osprey, Red-rumped Swallow, Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Short-toed Lark, SubAlpine Warbler - who knows what will turn up this year.

The MV Oldenburgh will return to Bideford about 19.30 pm.

This trip is open to non-members too.

Adults £28.00. Children (under 16 on day of travel) £16

Buy your tickets online in The Shop or from Mark Humfrey:cheques made payable to DBWPS should be sent with a list of the full names of all passengers (this is a Steamship Health & Safety requirement of sailing) and your contact details together with an SAE to Mr MA Humfrey, Morada, St John's Lane, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 9DD tel: 01271 344556.

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INVESTIGATING THE DECLINE OF WOOD WARBLERS IN DEVON

Since 2009, the RSPB has been carrying out research into the decline of Wood Warbler populations in the UK. Initially working in one of the species main strongholds in mid-Wales, from 2012 we shifted emphasis to other regions -including Devon. The rationale behind this shift is that although the population in Wales has declined, by around 20% since the 1980s, the Wood warbler population in Devon has fared even worse, declining by almost 70% over the same period. If factors operating on the breeding grounds are driving these population declines, then we are more likely to identify this in an area where birds have declined more severely. In 2012 a total of 135 Wood Warbler nests were monitored in woodlands across Dartmoor. Of these 38 were predated of which 19 could be attributed to actual predators through the use of nest cameras (6 Jay, 4 Buzzard, 4 Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey squirrel, 1 mouse, 1 rat and 1 Weasel). These predators are similar to what predated nests found in Wales, where jay was also the main predator. On Dartmoor in 2012 many nests were lost due to the terrible weather we all experienced which caused high rates of nest failure through starvation and desertion. Unfortunately comparisons of nest mortality, one of several possible drivers of the decline, between Devon and Wales were confounded by this. Work in Devon will be repeated in the same Dartmoor woodlands in 2013, and this work should enlighten us on whether poor nest survival is contributing to the species decline. We will also continue to collect data on invertebrate prey abundance, and predation, for comparison with equivalent data collected in Wales. Now this is where you can help! As part of our work in 2012, 69 adult Wood Warblers (42 males and 27 females) and 191 nestlings that fledged were fitted with unique combinations of colour rings, and we hope to confirm that some of these return to Dartmoor woods in 2013. This will help us determine survival and recruitment rates, and the degree of site fidelity from one year to the next. Throughout their European breeding range Wood Warblers typically show very low site fidelity, although return rates of birds are higher in the west of their range. As Wood Warbler distribution in Devon has contracted to relatively small areas of Dartmoor and Exmoor we are hopeful that we can locate these returning birds – with your help. A small number of Wood Warblers were colour ringed at East Dartmoor NNR in 2011 (19 adults and 37 young) and some of these did return to various Dartmoor woods to breed in 2012. So we do expect a significant number of returning Wood warblers this spring to be colour ringed. To help us we would be very grateful to learn of any sightings of colour ringed Wood Warblers from birders out in the regions woodlands this spring and summer. The Wood Warblers were ringed with a colour ring above a standard BTO numbered metal ring on the bird’s left leg, and two colour rings on the bird’s right leg. If you see one of these birds, please contact me with

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details of what you saw, when and where. In return we should hopefully be able to give you some history of the bird concerned. I look forward to hearing from you, and let’s hope for a better summer! Malcolm Burgess Tel: 07816584083 Email: malcolm.burgess@rspb.org.uk

Drawings by John Walters

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DIARY DATES

FIELD MEETINGS

EAST DEVON BRANCH Wed. 8th May 09.30am

Yarner Woods and Park Meet Trendlebeare c/p SX783795. J.R

Thu. 16th May 10.00am

Fernworthy Dartmoor Meet main cp DJ

Thu. 23rd May 10.00am.

Venford Reservoir. Joint meeting with the Taw and Torridge group Meet North cp SX686713 JM

Tue 4th June 10.00am.

Shapwick Heath. Somerset Levels Meet Ashcrott corner ST448396

Mon. 17h June 10.00am

Meldon Quarry Meet car park SX561918 A.W.

PLYMOUTH BRANCH

Sat. 11th May 10.30am

Dartmoor. Meet Bennetts Cross c/p SX680817. Walk to Challacombe (toilets at Postbridge.) For Redstart and Cuckoo

Sat. 29rh Jun. 20.30am

Stover Country Park SX831751. Meet by toilets – please bring a torch and ‘mosi’ treatment. For Nightjars.

TAW & TORRIDGE BRANCH

Sun. 12th May Lundy Island (DBWPS Trip) Thu. 23rd May 10.00am

Venford Reservoir Meet north c/p SX686713. Joint meeting with the East Devon group. For car sharing meet Barnstaple Leisure Centre far end c/p (charge) 8.00am SS559326

Sun. 9th Jun 10.00am

Cloutsham/Horner Wood Meet at picnic c/p SS897431. Leader Norman Briden

Sun. 30th Jun 21.00pm

Hartland Forest – Nightjars- Welsford Moor SS278211. Leader Roger Doble.

MID DEVON BRANCH

Thu. 23rd May 10.00am

NE Dartmoor SX659914 – Meet before Moor Farm (grassy area with plenty of space) for Moorland species – Leader: Mary Wallis.

Thu. 30th May 21.00pm

Winkleigh Woods – SS650081 for Nightjars Parking in layby beside the woods, space is limited to six cars so please car share if possible. Leader: Peter Howard

Sun. 9th Jun 09.30am

Rothamsted Research Centre at North Wyke SX660984 Leader: Jerry Tallowin. Meet in Visitors Car Park

Wed. 26th Jun 10.00am

Grand Western Canal – Meet Sampford Peverell car park ST033143 Reed/Sedge Warblers & Dragonflies – Leader - Ray Jones

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INDOOR MEETINGS

SOUTH DEVON BRANCH Mon. 20th May 07.30pm.

Birding around California. Dave Norman

Mon. 17th Jun. 07.30pm

A lone birders trip to Nepal. John O’Connell Davidson.

TAW & TORRIDGE BRANCH

May & June NO MEETINGS

PLYMOUTH GROUP Mon.10th Jun. 07.30 pm

'Expand your Birdwatching horizons by exploring sites in the area'. Dave Norman NOTE! The meeting is in the Spurgeon Hall, Mutley Baptist Hall, Mutley Plain , Plymouth PL4 6LB. Access to the Hall is from Reception and is at the Mutley Plain end of Napier Street. Parking is available directly opposite and is free in the evening. Refreshments are provided. As the Hall is up one flight of stairs access is also possible from Houndiscombe Road via 3 steps.

All Members are welcome at any meeting organized by the Society or branches. Field Meetings may be cancelled in bad weather, if in doubt, please contact the organiser – details in the Programme.

Day trip to Lundy – Sunday 12th May 2013 Sailing from Bideford at 7.30am prompt

Boarding from 7.00am Returning to Bideford at 7.30pm approx Tickets available from: Mark Humfrey

Morada, St John’s Lane, Barnstaple , Devon EX32 9DD Tel No. 01271344556

Adults : £28 Children (under 16) : £16 Please use the booking form enclosed with this Harrier

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The Devon

Atlas

www.devonatlas.co.uk

DEVON ATLAS VALIDATION UPDATE Data Entry. Now we’re approaching the exciting final stages of data gathering, the Devon Atlas Committee is already discussing the crucial task of converting your hard won data into meaningful maps, that together will comprise the body of the final publication. However, none of that can happen until you have your precious data safely entered onto the database and they have gone through the all-important validation. With something like 750,000 Devon records already installed and validated you can begin to appreciate the sheer volume of work facing us. You can hopefully also understand why we need to avoid any last minute flood of data entry that could have been dealt with now, rather than after the closing date for fieldwork. We need to avoid your precious data not finding its way into the atlas simply because you did not enter in time. If you have any Devon Atlas field data you have not entered then please do so now, and make a point of entering any additional data as soon as you possibly can. Your help with this would be greatly valued.

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Breeding Code Issues. We have until the end of July to obtain that proof of breeding we’ve been seeking. But a quick reminder on the use and meaning of some codes might be helpful. Use of the breeding code ‘P’ is meant to establish the presence of a mated pair, but proof of sexual ‘bonding’ is often surprisingly difficult, and if present perhaps takes us into another category, e.g. nest building. Certainly the presence of two birds in close proximity is not necessarily proof of a ‘pair’. There’s also confusion over use of the ‘H’, or habitat code, and ‘T’ for territory. Habitat is more flexible, providing you know the required habitat choice for each species; but keep in mind many species, e.g. Dunnock, spend their entire life in suitable breeding habitat. Use of Territory requires some level of proof the bird was actually holding (or defending) a defined area of suitable habitat. Typically this is demonstrated by the same bird singing in the same place on more than one visit, or several birds singing at each other on the same visit. ‘Habitat’ and ‘territory’ are not interchangeable. Note, too, that ‘N’, for ‘bird visiting probable nest’ does not amount to proved breeding, whereas ‘ON’, for ‘occupied nest’ does. You should also keep in mind that any guess as to which code to use often shows up very obviously during validation, and possibly results in the record being queried. As a general rule unless you specialize in breeding birds, record only what you see; a Carrion Crow may be sitting on a nest, but does that prove the presence of eggs? But do please record it – and enter it! Peter Robinson Devon Atlas Validator – pjrobinson2@aol.com Contact us at: www.devonatlas.co.uk or in North Devon: Paul Madgett, madgett@baggypoint.org.uk Tel: 01271812617 South Devon: Julia Harris, clonwayteam@btopenworld.com Tel: 01822853785 East Devon: Roger Little, roglizzie@btinternet.com Tel: 01803732776

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BIRD NOTES We hope you enjoy this new look bird notes. Instead of presenting it by date, we have decided to list the rare/scarcer birds sited in Devon, with a summary for each species. Much like a scaled down version of the systematic list in the annual Bird Report. Most of these records are unchecked and as yet unauthenticated. Birds present for more than one day are only mentioned on their first day. For the very latest Devon bird news visit: http://birdnews.devonbirds.org Please send your bird sightings to either:

County Recorder Steve Waite

46 Primrose Way, Seaton, EX12 2XQ T: 07875068112

E: recorder@devonbirds.org

Data Manager Julia Harris

6 Clonway, Yelverton, PL20 6EG T: 01822 853785

E: recorder@devonbirds.org

February and March 2013

Bewick’s Swan A first-winter on Thurlestone Marsh briefly 5 Feb. Barnacle Goose One with Canada Geese at Totness 2 March.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose

Up to 1000 on the Exe, 250 on the Taw and 150 on the Kingsbridge. Smaller numbers elsewhere.

Pale-bellied Brent Goose

One past Prawle Point with two Dark-bellied 17 Feb and one on the Exe 23 Feb.

American Wigeon A drake on Exe Estuary (often Bowling Green Marsh) from 16 Feb. Garganey Drakes on Exminster Marshes 27 Mar and Axe Estuary 29 Mar.

Ring-necked Duck Three; with the male and fem at Slapton Ley throughout and another fem at Hennock Reservoirs from 2 Feb until 11 Mar at least.

Scaup Up to two at Slapton Ley and an obliging male at Newton Abbot at Decoy Lake from 25 Mar.

Eider The fem off Baggy Point attracted a male from 20 Feb, also a pair east past Prawle Point 15 Mar.

Long-tailed Duck The first-winter remained on the Exe Estuary throughout. Velvet Scoter One reported past Teignmouth 20 Mar and two off Dawlish Warren

25 Mar. Goldeneye Highest counts were 12 on the Exe and at Slapton Ley in Feb.

Smew Two drakes on Roadford Reservoir until at least 8 Mar, with a fem 6 and 7 Mar. Also a fem on Exminster Marshes 9-12 Feb.

Red-throated Diver No counts of over ten! Black-throated

Diver Singles in Torbay 11-16 Feb and 16 Mar, one in Thurlestone Bay 3 Mar, one Dawlish Warren 2-6 Feb and 8 Mar, two off Otterton 8 Feb and Prawle 15 Mar and another single past Prawle 30 Mar.

Great Northern Diver

42 off Branscombe 13 Mar by far the highest count, otherwise 1-7 reported at many south coast localities.

Manx Shearwater One past Prawle Point 15 Mar with four the next day were the first on the spring.

Balearic Shearwater One off Prawle Point 16 and 17 Feb. Bittern Singles at Roadford Reservoir 8 Feb, Braunton 16 Feb and Sherpa

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Marsh 16 Mar. Spoonbill Away from the Taw (where up to six seen), one on Axe Estuary from

5 Mar, one Exminster Marshes 13 Mar then two from 15 Mar and three 29 Mar, one Kingsbridge Estuary 23 Mar and two Otter Estuary and Thurlestone Marsh 25 Mar with a third at latter site 31 Mar.

Red-necked Grebe One in Torbay from 7 Feb with two on 17 Feb. One Dawlish Warren 16 Mar.

Slavonian Grebe 1-3 seen at Dawlish Warren, Exmouth, Exe Estuary, Torbay, Wembury, Slapton and Kingsbridge Estuary.

Black-necked Grebe Three at Slapton Ley and up to five in Torbay with three Dawlish Warren 2 Mar and singles here on 4, 9 and 28 Mar.

Red Kite Singles over Ashburton 22 Feb and Plymouth 1 Mar. Marsh Harrier One on Otter Estuary 23 Mar, male at Exminster Marshes 8-12 Mar,

with a fem-type here from 23 Mar. Male Axe Estuary 28 Mar with prob same bird over Downend the next day (wing tagged).

Hen Harrier Away from the usual sites, ringtails were seen on Axe Estuary 2 Feb and Exminster Marshes on several dates.

Osprey Singles over Seaton 24, 25 and 28 Mar, with another over Dawlish Warren 25 Mar.

Merlin At least two on Exminster Marshes throughout, with others seen at Southleigh, Paignton, Starcross, Thurlestone, South Brent, Crow Point, Dawlish Warren and on Dartmoor.

Stone Curlew Singles at Exmouth 24 Mar, Dawlish Warren 26 Mar and Soar 20 Mar.

Little Ringed Plover The first were three on Otter 12 Mar, then an incredible arrival with birds lingering at many sites especially on south coast. Peak count 23 on Axe on 28 Mar, with other high counts of 11+ Exe Estuary 29 Mar, eight Thurlestone 26 Mar, six Aveton Gifford 25 Mar.

Curlew Sandpiper One remained at Bowling Green Marsh throughout. Purple Sandpiper Six at Sidmouth 6 Mar the highest count.

Ruff Two on Axe from 8 Mar, with singles also noted on Exminster Marshes and South Huish Marsh.

Jack Snipe Highest count five at Venn Ottery 5 Mar. Spotted Redshank Singles noted throughout on Exe Estuary and Fremington Pill with

further singles on Axe16 Mar. Lesser Yellowlegs One remained in Ernesettle Creek throughout.

Little Gull Singles at Dawlish Warren 17 Feb and 24 Mar and another at Teignmouth also 24 Mar.

Yellow-legged Gull Singles on Teign Estuary 22 Feb and Exmouth 21 Mar. Caspian Gull One on Exe Estuary at Topsham 6 Feb. Iceland Gull One at Stokeinteignhead 26 Feb - 1 Mar.

Glaucous Gull Singles at Prawle Point (16 Feb-3 Mar), Plymouth (10 Feb) and Clovelly (24 Mar). Also a possible south down Exe Estuary 9 Mar.

Sandwich Tern One on Exe Estuary 18 Feb probably an over-wintering bird. Migrants appeared from 10 Mar with two Exmouth and good numbers about from 20 Mar due to the weather conditions.

Common Tern Singles Thurlestone Bay 21 and 29 Mar and Exmouth 22 Mar. Puffin Two past Prawle Point 15 Mar with small numbers arriving on Lundy

around the same date. Cuckoo Early single reported at West Putford 29 Mar.

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Short-eared Owl One at Dawlish Warren 23 Mar. Chough One on Lundy throughout.

Sand Martin First ones were three over Thurlestone Marsh 9 Mar. Swallow First one over Brixham 19 Mar.

House Martin One over South Huish Marsh 23 Mar. Chiffchaff Incredible influx from 23 Mar with thousands making landfall over

the next few days mostly on south coast, many obviously struggling to find food.

Willow Warbler First one at Thurlestone 13 Mar, with surprising few since! Waxwing Good numbers remain throughout, with the biggest single flock (c51

birds) at Chudleigh and then Exeter. Other birds noted at Bovey Tracey, Colyford, Topsham, Exminster, Teignmouth and Sampford Perevell.

Rose-coloured Starling

One at Exminster throughout, turning pinker as the year goes on.

Ring Ouzel Singles at Orcombe Point, Hope’s Nose, Shaldon and Exminster Marshes 23 Mar the first ones, then seen at Beer Head (two), nr Yarner Woods (six), Stoke Woods (three), Staddon Heights (two), Plymouth (two), Newton Abbot Racecourse (one), Bystock (one) and Prawle Point (one) over the following week.

Bluethroat A stunning White-spotted male at Prawle Point 30 Mar. Black Redstart At least 63 reported in the last ten days of Mar at various sites.

Biggest count was 12 at Start Point 30 Mar. Wheatear First one reported at Dawlish Warren 5 Mar. Next birds were on 9

Mar with the main influx from mid-month with peak count of 65+ at Dawlish Warren 23 Mar. First Dartmoor birds reported on 24 Mar.

Water Pipit Singles at Prawle Point, Turf Lock, Thurlestone Marsh and Axe Estuary, two Dawlish Warren during Feb and four Aveton Gifford on 6 Mar.

Tree Pipit One on Seaton Marshes on 28 Mar. Brambling Biggest single flock was 26 near Dawlish on 27 Feb. 12 in Exwick

and eight in Exminster during Mar also notable counts.

Articles for the June Harrier should be submitted by 31st May 2013 to the editor: Jack Aldous Email: coxtor@hotmail.co.uk

3 Cox Tor Close, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6BH Tel: 01822 854483

The DBWPS is a Registered Charity No.228966