birds

Rare bird comes to RAMM

Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted: Sat, 09/16/2017 - 10:02am

An unusual North American joins the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery’s collections.

Underweight but with no sign of predation, a sora rail (Porzana carolina) was found on RSPB’s Exminster Marsh on a cold morning in October 2016. The little bird was dead: a sad end for the second recorded sora rail to visit Devon. It is 20th recorded sighting for the UK.

The sora rail was found by RSPB’s Exe Estuary Site Manager, Peter Otley, during a regular high-tide bird count. There are 5 species of rail living in the UK: coots and moorhens are very common, the corncrake,...

Big Wild Sleep Out - at RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve

Event Date: 
01/09/2017 - 10:00am to 02/09/2017 - 10:00am
Venue: 
RSPB Aylesbeare Common, Exmouth Road, Aylesbeare, Devon, EX5 2JS

Due to public demand, we are pleased to add another date option for you to join us for your Big Wild Sleepout: - Friday 1st September - 10 am Saturday 2nd September.

You could win a £50 Rohan voucher - simply book on and we'll pick a winner.

Join us for an exlusive night under the stars at Aylesbeare Common. Camping is not usually allowed on Aylesbeare or anywhere on the Pebblebed Heaths in order to protect the important wildlife there.

This is an exclusive opportunity to experience this special place in the company of our friendly knowledgeable RSPB staff and...

Rare pied flycatchers make home at National Trust’s Lydford Gorge

Authored by News Desk
Posted: Mon, 07/03/2017 - 11:26am

A rare pair of RSPB red-listed pied flycatchers have been spotted by thrilled bird watchers making their home in specially made bird boxes. The birds have been nesting near the bird hide at the National Trust’s Lydford Gorge on Dartmoor. Migrating from sub-Saharan Africa, usually in the Congo basin, the pied flycatchers move to the coast of West Africa in the spring, before returning to the UK. It’s believed the pair has adopted a nest at Lydford due to work done by National Trust ranger’s to manage the habitat for them. The birds tend to like mature woodland, similar to that at Lydford...

RSPB - East Devon Heath Week 2017

Event Date: 
24/07/2017 - 12:00am to 28/07/2017 - 12:00am
Venue: 
RSPB Aylesbeare Common, Exmouth Road, Aylesbeare, Devon, EX5 2JS

Pond dipping and tractor ride at Aylesbeare Common

Monday 24 July: 10am-11.30am; Noon-1.30 pm; 2pm-3.30pm

Friday 28 July: 11am-12.30pm.

Child £3 (must be accompanied by adult). No charge for adult accompanying child.

Venn Ottery nature reserve's Open Day - Monday 24 July

Time: 2pm-4pm

Price: Free, donations welcomed.

Heath and Quarry walks - Thursday 27 July

Time: 10am-noon; 2pm-4 pm Price: Free, donations welcomed.

Darties at Dawn - Friday 28 July

Time: 6.30am-9am

Price: Adult member £8, non-member...

Learn about the birds in East Devon

East Devon District Council’s Countryside team is running a number of events over the summer which gives people the chance to learn more about some of the birds you can see locally.

The events include ‘Close encounters of the bird kind’ on Saturday 17 June at Seaton Wetlands. During the morning you will learn about the birds found at Seaton Wetlands and have the chance to see them up close as they are ringed for monitoring. Spaces can be booked online at wildeastdevon.co.uk

The Countryside rangers will be running two ‘Nightjar night walks’ at Trinity Hill Local Nature...

Big Wild Sleepout at RSPB Aylesbeare Nature Reserve

Event Date: 
28/07/2017 - 5:00pm
Venue: 
RSPB Aylesbeare Common, Exmouth Road, Aylesbeare, Devon, EX5 2JS

Join us for an exclusive night under the stars at RSPB Aylesbeare Common. Camping is not usually allowed on Aylesbeare or anywhere on the Pebblebed Heaths in order to protect the important wildlife there.

This is an exclusive opportunity to experience this special place in the company of our friendly knowledgeable wardens. Have fun and get closer to nature while supporting the work of the RSPB.

Just put up your tent and we will do the rest. This event includes guided activities, an evening meal, a cosy campfire, and of course, camping out at Aylesbeare.

On Saturday...

Devon Birds launches photo contest

Authored by Inga Page
Posted: Tue, 06/06/2017 - 3:39pm

Devon Birds is providing a great opportunity for amateur photographers with the launch of a new photo competition this Summer which is open to the general public.

Devon Birds is a charity which supports the study and conservation of wild birds.

Amateur photographers are invited to submit their bird photographs which must have been taken in Devon, and the winning entries will be displayed at Torre Abbey in the autumn.

Prize-winning photographers will be invited to receive their awards at an evening event in Torre Abbey in October. Details on how to enter the...

Nightjar walk at RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve

Event Date: 
08/06/2017 - 9:15pm to 30/06/2017 - 11:00pm
Venue: 
RSPB Aylesbeare Common, Exmouth Road, Aylesbeare, Devon, EX5 2JS

Thursday 25 May to Friday 30 June Selected dates and times.

Payable on the day at the start of the event. Booking essential Join knowledgeable Toby Taylor, Site Manager, RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve, to track down the mysterious night creatures of the reserve.

We’ll listen for the evocative haunting churr of the nightjar. Find out some of the folklore associated with these birds and why their old folk names include scissor grinder, goat sucker and fern owl.

A great night to enjoy - two hours made up of walking, stopping, watching, listening and chatting.

...

RSPB - Exminster Marshes dragonfly walk

Event Date: 
10/06/2017 - 10:00am to 12:30pm
Venue: 
RSPB Exminster and Powderham Marshes, Station Rd, Exeter, Devon, EX6 8DZ

Saturday 10 June 10 am-12.30 pm Price: RSPB and BDS Members £6, non-members £8 Booking essential Join local dragonfly expert, Dave Smallshire, to explore the marshes to look for rarities including the hairy dragonfly and scarce chaser. Dave is co-author of the highly-acclaimed field guide, 'Britain's Dragonflies' and is the county recorder of the British Dragonfly Society. The dragonflies you can expect to see: broad bodied chaser, emperors, keeled skimmer, southern hawker, golden ringed and common darter. We should also see some damselflies - azures, blue-tailed and beautiful demoiselle....

What's that bird? 5 August

Event Date: 
05/08/2017 - 11:00am to 1:00pm
Venue: 
Tower Hide, Seaton Wetlands, Colyford Road, Seaton, EX12 2SP

Whatever your experience come along and improve your bird identification skills

An informal drop-in session to improve your bird identification skills.

Whatever your level of knowledge come along and enjoy an afternoons birdwatching with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced volunteer guide.

Meet in the Tower Hide at Seaton Wetlands.

Telescopes and binoculars are available for use in the hide free of charge during the session.

More info: http://eastdevon.gov.uk/countryside/countryside-events/august-2017/whats...

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