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The Harrier The Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society Newsletter: June 2013 No3

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

It is the middle of the year and in the last few weeks here on Dartmoor warmer weather has finally arrived with trees bursting into leaf, some insects starting to appear and the much delayed migrant birds are now nesting with mixed results. We are told it was the coldest spring since 1962 and our own birding trips onto the moor in May can vouch for that, requiring full winter kit to combat the biting North wind. In spite of the very cold weather the cuckoos arrived in April and the satellite tagging of four cuckoos went ahead in mid May. Four males named, Dart, Ryder, Tor and Whortle , jointly funded by Devon Birds and Dartmoor National Park were caught over two days and fitted with tailor-made satellite tags to track their movements on Dartmoor, and in a few weeks time their migration routes to Africa. Visit our website and read all about it under Society News. Click on the names of each Cuckoo and you can zoom the map in and see just how much of Dartmoor they have already covered. One has already been to Plymouth Sound and back! Also on Dartmoor the monitoring of Ring Ouzel activity is well underway although numbers and breeding success rate appear extremely low mainly due to disturbance and predation. The Pied Flycatcher project is proceeding although they too were late arriving and they continue to be monitored throughout Devon. Malcolm Burgess will report fully on these birds in a later Journal. The final breeding timed tetrad visits (TTVs) are taking place now in the last 150-200 tetrads. My thanks again to everyone who has helped to give us 100% coverage of Devon’s 1800+ tetrads. Stella Beavan’s Atlas team are now signing up authors and planning the production and sponsorship of the Devon Atlas book which will probably be on sale in late 2014 or early 2015. However, we would still welcome evidence of breeding. Also records of crepuscular species (owls, nightjars etc). Now and in the next few weeks you may well see Dunnock, House Sparrows visiting nests, or young birds coming to your feeders with the adults (Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Gt Spotted Woodpecker etc). Please let us know. Either email your sightings to Julia (clonwayteam@btopenworld.com with your postcode or grid ref) or write or phone (01822 853785) and she will make sure that they are recorded. Or if you are familiar with the BTO website you can enter them direct yourself.

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Our AGM was held on 25 May at the Kenn Centre where following the formal AGM 55 members were given an excellent presentation of “Dartmoor’s Birds & Seasons” by Prof Charles Tyler of Exeter University. Charles is a brilliant photographer as well as extremely knowledgeable of the birds, plants and wildlife he captures and his illustrated talk was very much appreciated by all present. During the formal part of the AGM two new Council members, Roger Little and Josh Marshall were voted onto Council. Josh is a full-time Police Officer and Wildlife Crime Officer and is an active birder and you will have seen his article in the recent April Journal when he travelled to Cyprus in 2012 to support the protection of migrating birds. Roger has taken on the Treasurer and Membership roles for Devon Birds as well as supporting the Atlas and many other surveys. He too has spent time in Malta and Cyprus helping to stop the illegal shooting and trapping of birds. I look forward to working with Roger and Josh to develop our conservation activities further. Roger as Treasurer and Membership Secretary can be contacted on email: roglizzie@btinternet.com or tel: 01803 732776.

PLYMOUTH INDOOR MEETING 10 JUNE The second meeting of the Plymouth Branch was held on Monday 10 June at Spurgeon Hall, Mutley Baptist Church attended by 41 people. The move to the larger hall certainly allowed for more comfort and easier parking. George Harris, our chairman, reminded us to look at the website to follow the migration of the four Dartmoor cuckoos on their return journey to Africa. They were caught and fitted with monitoring tags in May this year and are currently being tracked zigzagging across the moor. The devices were sponsored by Devon Birds and DNP and will give information of the Cuckoos' route and time of their migration south later. The speaker for the evening was Dave Norman, co-author of Where to Watch Birds in Devon & Cornwall & Isles of Scilly". Using his extensive knowledge gathered over 50 years of birding he encouraged us to:"Expand our birdwatching horizons by exploring sites in the area". He described helpful viewing points on estuaries and coastal habitats of the South and North Devon coast as well as parts of Dartmoor, as described in his essential book. Dave's excellent photographic skills were used to highlight well known seasonal species of birdlife as well as rarities. Dave commented that time spent at migrant landing points, particularly very early in the morning, can result in abundant numbers of unexpected birdlife. The next meeting will be on Mon 9 Sept with Josh Marshall describing "Fighting Wildlife Crime in Devon and Cyprus".

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TO CATCH A CUCKOO… OR FOUR (PRESS RELEASE)

Spring has returned to Dartmoor, and with it, one of the season’s most evocative sounds: the call of the cuckoo. Sadly, in most areas of the UK, the cuckoo population is in decline. To help find out more about this enigmatic bird in order to try and halt this decline, Dartmoor National Park Authority and Devon Birds have teamed up to fund the satellite tagging of four Dartmoor cuckoos. Despite the cuckoo being one of Devon’s most iconic birds, very little is actually known about it, and the reasons for its decline are unclear. So, before steps can start to be taken to conserve this enigmatic bird, more is needed to be learnt about its ecology. In Devon, the cuckoo is now rare across much of the county, but the population on Dartmoor has remained stable. To get a better picture of the movements of Dartmoor’s cuckoos on their incredible migration, small numbers of birds are being fitted with satellite receivers so their journeys and behaviours can be followed closely. The tagging is part of a national project, managed by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) that has been running since 2011. In mid May, the BTO’s specially licensed cuckoo-catcher came to Dartmoor to put satellite tags on four cuckoos that DNPA ecologists had identified with the assistance of local birders. “Catching cuckoos involves some field craft!” explained Naomi Barker, Ecologist for DNPA and Devon Birds member. “Once a cuckoo’s song-post has been identified, one needs to put up special cuckoo-catching nets around it; ideally this needs to be done first thing in the morning before the cuckoo wakes up. Within the netting area a decoy cuckoo is erected and then a cuckoo tape-lure is played to attract the target cuckoo into the net.” The team managed to catch the four targeted cuckoos in two days. They were all healthy and large enough to have a tag fitted. “This exciting project looks to address a worrying decline in a much-loved Devon bird,” said George Harris, Chairman of Devon Birds. “But more than that, it is an international investigation at the forefront of modern ecology and one we are proud to be involved with. While efforts are being made to protect cuckoo habitat here on the moor, getting a better understanding of their worldwide life history is necessary if we are ever to answer this very big conservation question.” Only male cuckoos are tagged, as female cuckoos are smaller and the tags may be too heavy for them. The males are all still on Dartmoor, but are expected to leave for Africa in June or July. Each cuckoo was named so it could be identified individually as part of the project. It was felt that names with a Dartmoor connection were appropriate for this investigation hence the team came up with: Dart, Whortle, Tor and Ryder. You can follow them on their travels through Britain, Europe and Africa. To find out more visit out website and read the articles on the Society News section where you can click on links that take you to each cuckoo’s position.

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Malcolm Burgess with radio tagged Cuckoo. Photo Charles Tyler

MID DEVON FIELD MEETING AT NORTH WYKE The weather continued to be kind for the group of 18 who met at North Wyke on Sunday 9 June, part of the Rothamsted Research Centre. The walk started around the historic manor house of North Wyke with Swift, House Sparrow and several other species, including bats nesting in the old dovecotes and crevices. It was also pleasing to see House Martin nesting against the eves. An active pair of spotted flycatchers were found to be using a gap in the woodwork at one end of the building for their nest. Under Jerry Tallowin's guidance we then proceeded to investigate the grounds and then down through several experimental fields. The Centre is an independent scientific research institute and the longest running agricultural research station in the world. Jerry explained some of the projects being carried out at the centre as we moved from one area to another and would interrupt himself with "can you hear that Goldcrest? or Nuthatch calling!" We passed through woodland hearing Willow Warbler and several other species, close to where the Great Spot had been feeding young days before which had now fledged. Jerry showed us an area of woodland that had been planted solely with different types of willow which were now very established and providing good habitat. We also visited an area with two ponds with several species of Dragonfly zooming around and nearby a Reed Bunting had a nest. With the sun now hot on our backs we explored the wild flower hay meadows alongside the River Taw where Dipper and Kingfisher are seen regularly and we wandered around the two small nature conservation areas which had excellent mixed hedgerows before making our way back up to the wonderful setting of the old Manor where we picnicked in the grounds as the Swifts flew around us. After lunch Jerry rounded off the meeting by ringing a brood of BlueTit pulli for the group. A very interesting and enjoyable outing with good company.

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COLOUR RINGING IN DEVON Bird ringing started in Britain and Ireland in 1909. Initially there were schemes which combined under the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) in 1937. Since 1909 some 900,000 birds have been ringed each year by 2600 ringers. The British Ringing scheme is organized by the BTO who have their offices in Thetford, Norfolk. Ringing birds involves fitting a very light metal ring to the bird’s leg. Each ring has a unique number and address marked on it so if the ring or bird is recovered at a later date then the BTO can establish how old the bird is, how far it has travelled and when there are more recoveries, migration patterns to or from particular breeding or wintering areas. Colour ringing, allowing individual birds can be recognised in the field, has helped uncover many interesting life stories. This additional layer of knowledge helps provide a better understanding of birdr ecology and, in turn, the information can be used to identify and implement conservation measures to help manage their populations. Although colour ringing has been around for a long time, it has become increasingly popular over the last 30 years and is now a commonly used method of monitoring bird populations. The main advantage is that once a colour ring or marker has been fitted, the bird can be identified in the field without the need to retrap it. In general, many more sightings of colour ringed birds are generated each year than of those bearing only a metal ring. . So which species are colour ringed? Colour rings can be applied to many species, including both passerines and non-passerines, but probably the most suitable are birds with long legs, or legs that can be seen when the bird is perched. Waders and gulls are particularly suited to colour ringing; their habitat means that their legs are usually easy to see. Many sightings have been reported to the Ringing Secretary over the last few years, especially from the Channel Island Ringing Scheme, where many large gulls have been ringed whilst breeding on the Islands. At Dawlish Warren, ringing of waders, especially Oystercatchers, was carried out in the 1980s. Oystercatchers were colour ringed. This allowed researchers to identify different feeding mechanisms, and showed how the population used the estuary; this, in turn, has enabled conservation measures to be put in place. Passerines as small as Firecrests and Chiffchaff can be fitted with colour rings, but in the field careful scrutiny is needed to be able to read the colour combinations. In Devon, Chiffchaffs have shown winter site fidelity to places such as South Milton Ley, while Blackcaps fitted with colour rings have revealed that the British wintering population comes from central Europe. This may point to a change in migration and survival strategy possibly in response to climate change. The BTO is encouraging ringers to undertake species-specific projects and to use colour ringing to enhance the research. The Retrapping Adults for Survival (RAS) project was started in 1999 and is now a national standardised ringing programme. During a breeding season ringers attempt to catch or re-sight at least 50 adult birds of

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a single species in a well-defined study area. If, for example, 50 individuals are ringed with 50 different colour combinations then field work is more focused. The project is therefore more efficient and effective in the study of birds and the data gathered is useful to determine adult survival rates. The RAS Scheme is particularly useful as it targets and identifies those species not widely covered by other national projects. What are colour rings made of? Colour rings can be made of two types of material. Plastic split rings are cheap and easy to fit but are probably best used for short term projects such as those on Pied/White Wagtails whilst Darvic (PVC sheeting) are more durable and will last for much longer and therefore can be used on a wider range of species such as Mute Swan that live in or forage in aquatic habitats or are exposed to hot sunny conditions. In addition to colour rings, other markers such as neck collars (for geese and swans), leg flags (for long-legged wading birds) and wing tags (for birds of prey) are also used on certain species. How to report colour rings and other marks: There are various websites which will tell you what information to record and how to report it. http://blx1.bto.org/euring/lang/pages/colourform.jsp?coord=sightings@waderstudygroup.org This article is available on our website and the links are there ready to click on and take you to the place where you can record the information. Another link on our website: (How to report a colour ringed bird seen in Devon) http://blx1.bto.org/euring/lang/pages/rings.jsp?country=EN Or you can use the following website to identify different projects going on across Europe: http://www.cr-birding.org/ If you do see and report a colour ringed bird direct online, please remember to let the Devon Bird Recorder (recorder@devonbirds.org) or Mr S D Waite, 46 Primrose Way, Seaton, EX12 2XQ or the Ringing Secretary know the results as the details will only be sent to you by the ringer or ringing organisation! There are ten colour ringing project currently running in Devon but remember that there are hundreds of projects running across the country and in Europe so when out looking at birds don’t forget to check out their legs and please report any colour rings you see to the BTO and to Steve Waite our County Recorder. Remember: Record all rings and other markers in a set order (top to bottom) and which leg they are on.

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Below are some of the colour-ringing schemes current in Devon:

Species Location Ringer Shelduck Axe estuary Axe Estuary Ringing Group Barn Owl Entire County Barn Owl Trust Wood Warbler Woodlands mostly on

Dartmoor M Burgess

Blackcap Tipton St John I A Stanbridge Dipper Rivers Avon, Erme,

Plym, Dart, Yealm R Short

Ring Ouzel Various sites on Dartmoor

N Ward/N Baker

Redstart Three sites on Dartmoor R Short Pied Flycatcher Yarner M Burgess (One coloured metal

ring) Pied Wagtail Slapton Ley D Elphick (final year 2012 but

potential for sightings still) Rock Pipit Sites along the South

Devon coast D Scott

Yellowhammer Three sites in South Devon

R Short

BAMBOOS AND STARLINGS A few thousand Starlings roosted in South Brent during the 2012/13 winter. Although there was one major site, at least six others were used in and around the village, all in garden bamboos. Bamboo roosting is not restricted to Brent, and we’ve heard of similar roosts in Ivybridge and near Soussons, as well as odd references further afield, including North America. However, there is no mention of the habit in Devon Bird Reports, so it is unclear how widespread it is and when it started. The adoption of bamboos seems to have occurred fairly recently, probably in the last 10 years, so could be on the increase. We would be grateful to receive any past records of bamboo roosting by Starlings in Devon, and any that occur from now on (although the main interest is in winter roosts, local birds may start to roost soon after breeding). The essential information is where and when (years and months), but any additional information on numbers of birds, behaviour, height and area of bamboo and general habitat will be welcome. Mike Goss and Peter Reay peter.p.j.reay@btinternet.com, 01364 73293 or Crooked Fir, Moorland Park, South Brent TQ10 9AS.

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THE LUNDY TRIP 2013 On Sunday May 12th 161 people plus crew set sail from Bideford in the M.S.Oldenburg at 0730 precisely. As far as I know, no-one was left behind although two people cut things fairly fine, arriving after the gangway had been raised! The day was grey and dull, with a brisk westerly wind that made the outward crossing a bit uncomfortable for some. Birds began to appear soon after we crossed the bar; Guillemots, Razorbills and Manx Shearwaters were the commonest species seen, but there were also a few Kittiwakes, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Gannets, and a Great Skua. Some also saw Storm Petrels. Before we landed, a cruise along the eastern shore gave excellent views of auks and Fulmars, as well as a few seals. Sadly the wind also brought the clouds down over the island so that the western side and the plateau were for most of the day shrouded in mist. In spite of this a number of people managed to see two Dotterel not far from the farm, and some lucky souls were on the western cliffs when the fog cleared allowing them a view of about 12 Puffins in addition to the other cliff-nesting birds. Skylarks were singing on the plateau in spite of the mist, and a single rather dark Wheatear was seen.

Small migrants were hard to find, with the Millcombe Valley and the east side receiving most attention. Resident species on the east side included Wren, Dunnock and Stonechat. In the Millcombe Valley, a Phylloscopus warbler with markedly yellow underparts divided opinion – perhaps a Wood Warbler− and a tristis-type Chiffchaff was photographed. White and Pied Wagtails were seen, as well as a Goldcrest, a Sedge Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher and a single female Redstart. Possibly the most interesting sighting of the day was a Magpie – a rare visitor to the island.

The weather encouraged rather more people than usual to visit the Museum and the Church (which is, rather incongrously, home to a display on the geology of the island). The Marisco Tavern also did brisk business.

Not surprisingly, there were no laggards at embarkation; we were watched from the cliff-top by the Peregrine that had overseen our arrival, and the short wait to sail was enlivened by a group of Gannets diving in the bay. The journey back, with a following wind, was kinder on the stomach than the outward one, and a similar assortment of birds gave diversion, with a possible Arctic Skua and a brief sighting of a dolphin or two as bonuses. An excellent raffle was held. The whole day went extremely smoothly thanks to the organisation by Mark Humfrey to whom heartfelt thanks are due from all who took part. Mike Lock

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TAW/TORRIDGE FIELD TRIP - CLOUTSHAM/HORNER WOOD 9 J UNE You know you’re having a good day’s birding, when sitting on a grassy knoll on a warm sunny day, eating lunch in good company, with magnificent views all around and a Red Kite flies past. So it was for our June field meeting to the heart of Exmoor. Eight of us set off along East Water into Horner Wood, bird sound filled the air, Chiffchaff, Wren and two Blackcap were clearly trying to out sing each other! A pair of Marsh Tit were soon spotted busily gathering food for their nestlings. Continuing along the valley, the trees, resplendent in their fresh green livery made the sighting of our target bird, Wood Warbler, more difficult, but at least 2 male birds teased us with their calls, it’s good to know they are there. A Dipper was seen by some of the group flying down stream, and Goldcrest and Treecreeper flitted around in the trees. Above the tree canopy a soaring Buzzard and a group of Swifts were feasting on insects. Climbing steeply to the top of the hill, the views opened up giving panoramic vistas of Porlock Vale and the Welsh coast. Walking along the ridge, towards our lunch spot, a Great spotted Woodpecker was active round a nest hole, probably feeding young, and near by a pair of Redstart were busily carrying food to their nest site. The laughing yaffle of a Green Woodpecker was heard as was the melancholy song of the Willow Warbler. After a well deserved lunch, we descended back to our cars, stopping to watch a pair of Pied Flycatchers coming and going to their nest with food, seemingly unconcerned by our presence. We then drove a short distance to walk along Chetsford Water to look for Whinchat, one was soon seen, then another singing from the top of a Hawthorn. In the open moorland landscape, Skylark were singing overhead and Meadow Pipits active in the tussocks as a Cuckoo flew past surveying possible nest sites. Further down the valley by the stream a Reed Bunting, and then three Lesser Redpoll were heard overhead and settled nearby in gorse giving us good views. Another good day’s birding, total species seen 40. Maria

REQUEST FOR ITEMS FOR THE SOCIETY ARCHIVES On taking over the role of Archivist I have noted that there are a few gaps, which perhaps members may be able to help. The items required to complete two areas of our archives are as follows: Programme Cards: Years 1970 and 1988 Books published by the Society: The Birds of Lundy by J. N. Dymond 1980 Atlas of Breeding Birds in Devon edited by H Sitters 1974 Tetrad Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Devon edited by H Sitters 1988 A donation of any of the above items would gratefully received and collection can be arranged. Please telephone 01297 34958 or e-mail: mwtyler2@googlemail.com Mike Tyler Archivist

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DIARY DATES

FIELD MEETINGS

EAST DEVON BRANCH 10th July (W). 8.30pm. Mutters Moor for Nightjars - Meet Peak Hill C/P

SY108873 D.J. 10th Aug (Sa) 9.30am. Dawlish Warren (morning only) -Meet reserve end of car

park. SX980785. I.P. PLYMOUTH BRANCH July No meeting 29th Aug (Th)10.00am Wembury meet NT cp 518484 For migrants TAW & TORRIDGE BRANCH July/August No meetings

MID DEVON BRANCH 1st Aug 10:00am Witheridge Moor – Meet Witheridge Moor Cross

SS859150 for Tree/Meadow Pipits, Skylarks & Butterflies Leader – Ray Jones

INDOOR MEETINGS SOUTH DEVON BRANCH 15th July Fighting Wildlife Crime in Devon & Cyprus Josh Marshall 19th August A week in a South African game Lodge Martin Lees TAW & TORRIDGE BRANCH July and August No meetings 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 and on the DBWPS website..

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The Devon

Atlas

www.devonatlas.co.uk

What is Breeding Where? The Last Chance

As our chairman, George Harris, says in his introduction we have complete coverage of all our tetrads for timed tetrad visits (TTVs). However what we are missing are records of breeding birds. Looking at our provisional maps and comparing them to the maps in the Sitters Atlas there looks to have been a huge decline in many species. Whilst this may well be so we are anxious to ensure, as far as possible that it is a genuine decline and not just a lack of recording. So, for this last month or so please record as many species breeding as you can. The maps show the comparison between our provisional map of Tawny Owl and the Sitters map. Surely that can’t be a true reflection – can it? So if you know of any breeding records of any species please do let us know. TTVs cannot record species such as owls and your input is invaluable. Now and in the next few weeks you may well see Dunnock, House Sparrows visiting nests, or young birds coming to your feeders with the adults (Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker etc.). Or whilst you are out and about you may notice something. Don’t assume someone else has recorded it. Please let us know. Either email your sightings to Julia Harris (clonwayteam@btopenworld. com) with your postcode or grid ref or write or phone (01822 853785) and she will make sure that they are recorded. Or if you are familiar with the BTO website you can enter them direct yourself.

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Sitters’ map

Provisional map 2013

Stella Beavan (stella@treedown.eclipse.co.uk)

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BIRD NOTES 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 April and May 2013

Barnacle Goose Singles (of dubious origins!) at Exminster and South Huish

Marshes during May. Pale-bellied Brent

Goose Far lighter spring passage than recent years, with 114 at Dawlish Warren and Exe Est 28 Apr the highest count.

Mandarin Regularly encountered at Yarner Wood throughout. American Wigeon Drake on Exe Est last reported on 13 Apr.

Garganey Single drakes at Slapton 6 and 15 Apr, Wistlandpound Res 3 May, Wrafton Pond 9 May, Bowling Green Marsh 22 May and pairs at Axe Est 1 May and Thurlestone 7 May.

Ring-necked Duck Both remained at Slapton into early Apr with the drake reported until 13 Apr.

Scaup A single drake up until mid Apr At Decoy and Stover Lake, drake Slapton 11 Apr, fem Taw Est 12 May and up to 7 Exe Est 10-29 May.

Eider Just one reported with a drake past Berry Head 19 May. Long-tailed Duck The wintering Exe Est bird remained into early May.

Velvet Scoter Only records from Seaton with one west 16 Apr and a male often close in 27 Apr – 16 May.

Smew 2 at Trenchford Reservoir 4 Apr. Red-throated Diver An odd record of one on canal at Exminster Marshes 9 and 10

Apr. Black-throated Diver Only the odd single bird reported from various south coast sites.

Great Northern Diver

Some large counts including 41 past Prawle Point 15 May with 20 here 11 May, 20+ off Otterton 6 May and 26 off Dawlish Warren 26 Apr.

Balearic Shearwater One flew west past Thurlestone Bay 13 May. Manx Shearwater Slow start to the spring for this species, and highest count 653

past Hartland Point 18Apr. Storm Petrel A small influx mid May with 9 off Prawle Point 15 May the

highest count.

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Gannet A very unusual record of one at Roadford Reservoir 12 May. Night Heron A sub adult at Dartington from 24 Apr and still reported mid

May. Great White Egret One Exminster Marshes 24 Apr.

Black Stork Two seen at almost the same time on 6 May; one flying into Devon from Hawkchurch (nr Axminster) and another at North Molton.

Spoonbill Singles seen at Thurlestone, Kingsbridge, Axe Est, Otter Est and Wrafton Ponds during early and mid Apr. 3 were at Exminster on 3 Apr.

Slavonian Grebe One again summering on the Exe Est and a single at Slapton Ley 25 Apr – 3 May.

Black-necked Grebe One at Slapton Ley 11 Apr. Honey Buzzard One over Exmouth 31 May.

Red Kite Another good spring influx for this species with main influxes in late Apr and mid to late May, although others in between. Numbers hard to estimate due to certain duplication in individuals.

Marsh Harrier Single migrants seen Exe Est 9, 24, 25 and 26 Apr, Axe Est 25 Apr and Berry Head 26 Apr.

Hen Harrier Males over Turf 18 May, Teignmouth 30 May and a ring-tail past Prawle Point 7 May.

Montagu’s Harrier Females over Seaton 26 Apr and Dawlish Warren the following day.

Osprey Approx. 12 reported mostly in Apr and most along the south coast. Last spring record being one 15 May Bowling Green Marsh.

Hobby First migrant reported over Seaton 16 Apr. Crane Singles over Cadover Bridge 27 Apr and Burrator 6 May. A

Somerset reintroduction bird on Axe Est 3 May. Stone Curlew The excellent spring for this species continued with one on Exe

Est at Exmouth 2 Apr, one Frogmore 4 Apr and another at Dawlish Warren 6 Apr.

Little Ringed Plover The excellent spring for this species lasted into the first few days of Apr with high counts on 12 Axe Est and 6 Otter Est 1st and 7 Bideford 3rd.

Dotterel Two on Lundy 14 May. Temminck’s Stint One at Dawlish Warren during the evening of 22 May. Curlew Sandpiper Wintering bird still at Bowling Green Marsh 1 Apr, with spring

birds at Dawlish Warren 5 and 15 May and Axe Est from 23 May.

Jack Snipe Singles at Bowling Green Marsh 5 Apr, Teign Est 6 Apr, Taw Est 13Apr and Aveton Gifford and Black Tor 16 Apr.

Spotted Redshank One on Exe Est in summer plumage for most of Apr. Lesser Yellowlegs The wintering bird in Plymouth last seen 19 Apr.

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Wood Sandpiper Singles on Otter Scrapes 25 Apr, Powderham Marsh 28 Apr and Black Hole Marsh 8 May.

Arctic Skua Only ones and twos seen, a very poor spring for this species. Pomarine Skua Mostly ones and twos noted except five past Thurlestone Bay 11

May. Long-tailed Skua A breeding plumage adult on Lundy 16 Apr was a bit of a

surprise! Great Skua Like Arctic Skua no decent counts made with just ones and twos

noted. Bonaparte’s Gull A near adult on Exe Est 2-15 May appeared to be same bird

present at end of 2012 at Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth. Little Gull Up to 4 lingering on Exe Est in Apr and May although often 1-2

seen, plus one in Thurlestone Bay 14 Apr. Yellow-legged Gull Singles at Dawlish Warren 1st Apr, Axe Est 10 Apr and Bideford

14 Apr. Caspian Gull First-summer Axe Est 9 Apr.

Glaucous Gull First-winter Axe Est 1st Apr and one at Slapton Ley then past Start Point 5 May.

Little Tern Highest count 12 on Exe Est 12 May where this species regularly seen (and Dawlish Warren) during Apr and May. Singles also at Thurlestone Bay and Skern 26 Apr.

Roseate Tern An incredible spring with 20 at Dawlish Warren 13 and 14 May. Away from Dawlish/Exmouth; 2 Berry Head 9 May, one Prawle Point 15 May and one Wembury 27 May.

Arctic Tern First reported at Dawlish Warren 17 Apr, with several reported from here and Exmouth over the next few weeks. Seen in small numbers at other south coast sites and on north coast 6 at Skern on 18 Apr and small numbers (up to 12) at Lundy around similar time.

Puffin On Lundy c70 counted early May. Away from Lundy highest count 13 past Berry Head 27 May, with more reported here and off Prawle on other dates. 2 off Otterton 6 May notable.

Cuckoo A special mention for four trapped, ringed and fitted with satellite trackers on Dartmoor.

Turtle Dove Two lots of two migrants seen; Kingswear 11 May and Dawlish Warren 22 May.

Long-eared Owl Singles at Berry Head 11 Apr and Dawlish Warren 19 Apr. Short-eared Owl Migrants seen Lundy 19 Apr, Otter Est 18 May and Bolt Head 28

May. Nightjar No reports of this species until May, with first on 4 May.

Swift First migrant reported at Exminster Marshes on 15 Apr. Hoopoe 5 records off singles; Dawlish Warren 1 and 2 Apr, Soar Mill

Cove 18 Apr, Torbay 25 Apr, Newton Ferrers 2 May and Lundy 7 May.

Wryneck Singles at Rousdon mid Apr and Bovey Tracey 26 Apr.

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Golden Oriole Singles at Prawle 21 Apr and 14 May and Lundy 23 Apr. Woodchat Shrike A fem at Aveton Gifford 18 Apr.

Firecrest Small numbers of migrants noted up until mid Apr, but only ones and twos.

Short-toed Lark One briefly at Dawlish Warren 25 May. Red-rumped

Swallow Two singles reported but neither lingered; Crediton 16 Apr and Hallsands 2 May.

Wood Warbler Main arrival to breeding sites not until early May, very late. Grasshopper

Warbler First reeling birds reported on 15 Apr at Beer Head and Exminster Marshes.

Savi’s Warbler A male at Mansands 30 May. Waxwing 41 at Topsham until 3 Apr. 2 at Bovey Tracey until 6 Apr and 20

in Exeter until 10 Apr. Rose-coloured

Starling One remained in Exminster (turning increasingly pink) until 23 Apr.

Ring Ouzel The popular Bystock migrant remained until 9 Apr, with the last spring migrant reported at Berry Head 16 Apr.

Bluethroat Devon second spring Bluethroat for 2013 was at Start Point 6 Apr.

Common Redstart First spring migrant reported at Dartmouth 3 Apr. Whinchat First ones reported were at Prawle on 21 Apr.

Pied Flycatcher First birds reported back on Dartmoor from 14 Apr, about two weeks later than most recent years.

Tree Sparrow Singles between Kingswear and Brixham 12 May and at Prawle Point 17 May.

Yellow Wagtail Non-flavissima birds included male Blue-headed Wagtails flava at Lundy, Exminster and (3) Thurlestone Marsh. A very attractive Ashy-headed-type Wagtail cinereocapilla was at Skern 21-23 Apr, although debate continues about its purity.

Richard’s Pipit One at Bolt Head 16 May. Water Pipit 5 remained at Aveton Gifford until 12 Apr with others noted at

Thurlestone Marsh, Wembury, (2) Axe Est and (3) Wrafton. Brambling Last ones reported were in Princetown 25 Apr. Hawfinch One in Lustleigh (Dartmoor) 11 and 12Apr.

Articles for the August Harrier should be submitted by 31st July 2013 to the

editor: Jack Aldous Email: coxtor@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 01822 854483 Address: 3 Cox Tor Close, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6BH

The DBWPS is a Registered Charity No.228966