Quicklinks on this site
Bird RecordsSubmit your records using MS Excel and follow the instruction on the spreadsheet. Submit your records using a printable PDF file and follow the instruction on the form for posting. |
Rarities Forms For Devon County rarities use this For National rarities use the BBRC Rarity Form and please send a copy to the County Recorder |
Bird News
For the very latest Bird News
For the very latest up to date Bird News we recommend that you visit Devon Bird News for a comprehensive list of recent sightings within Devon.
Please remember that any reports submitted to the Devon Bird News site should also be copied to our own County Recorder, Steve Waite, and Assistant County Recorder/Data Manager, Julia Harris through Recorder to ensure that the record is included in the county database.
BTO Atlas & Devon Atlas
Devon Atlas News
The BTO Atlas project, which has been running since 2007 will end this year (2011).
However, DBWPS has initiated a Devon Atlas Project that will continue to run until 2013 and will eventually lead to the publication of an Devon Atlas, as Volume 2 of the Birds of Devon published last year (2010).
The Devon Atlas Group can be found on its own web site at Devon Atlas web site. .
The Devon Atlas Group can be contacted devon.atlas@devonbirds.org
Macaronesian Shearwater on Lundy 2010
From a Short Note appearing in Devon Birds Journal Vol.64 No.2, August 2011, this sound file will enable you to listen to the call of the Macaronesian Shearwater among the many of Manx Shearwaters.
Birds Of Devon
The Birds Of Devon Book - New Publication
DBWPS is proud to announce the publication of a new Devon avifauna, The Birds of Devon by Mike Tyler in November 2010.
It is now some 40 years since the last Devon avifauna by Robert Moore in 1969. The new book, published by the DBWPS and written by the society’s current chairman, Mike Tyler, has involved many members of the society and is based upon three years of detailed research using all of the society databases of bird records.
New County Recorder
1 October 2010
Steve Waite has taken over from Mike Langman as County Recorder.
Steve is well known to many members, particularly in East Devon, and takes over with immediate effect. All records will now go to Steve automatically when sent to the County Recorder by email
Mike Langman has now worked as County Recorder twice in recent years is now retiring from the DBWPS Council but will continue to act as Art Editor for the Publishing Group, working on the pictures and drawings that will be used in the Devon Birds Journal, including the Devon Bird Report.
Speaking at the September Council meeting, Mike Tyler, Chairman of the Society, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for the huge contribution that Mike had made to the success of the Recorders role and the society in recent years, on behalf of the council and the membership in general.
Steve will also take on the role of Devon Rare Breeding Bird Recorder which has recently been handled seperately by Mark Darlaston.
Buzzard
What's that Raptor?
Mike Langman and Mark Darlaston
“I’ve seen an osprey on a post at the bottom of a field.”
“There’s been an eagle on a Dartmoor tor…”
“I saw a Rough-legged Buzzard hovering over the marshes.”
“The Goshawk was sat in a tree beside the road.”
“It was a Honey-buzzard because it had a long closed tail.”
Breeding Bird Arrivals & Departures - 2010
Following on from the 2009 SMADD survey, Peter Dare has decided to continue with a further pilot for 2010. The survey will now be known simply as Breeding Bird Arrival & Departures or BBAD.
This year two pilot survey has a revised recording form which can be downloaded in either Excel or PDF formats.
Gyr Falcon at Saunton Sands
18 March 2010
The morning of Thursday 18 March proved a very rewarding one for Robert Jutsum. Whilst walking on Saunton Sands, hoping to see some spring migrants such as Sand Martin and Wheatear, he spotted a Gyr Falcon resting on the sand. This is the first record since 1998 for Devon.
January Whitethroat
17 January 2010
A January whitethroat caught on Sunday 17 January by Jon Avon is causing considerable interest.
Leach's Petrel found on Dartmoor
Rob Harrison - 8 January 2010
A bird buried in a garden on 3 December and first thought to be a Storm Petrel has now proved to be a Leach's Petrel that died after being recovered from Roborough Down on Dartmoor.
Disturbance to Stressed Birds in Harsh Winter Weather
8 January 2010
Heidi Mellan, WeBS Counter Network Organiser, has issued advise to WeBS counters about disturbance to waterbirds in harsh winter conditions.
This is in advance of the next WeBS date (17th January) and it was felt best to bring the BTO article to everyones attention.
Rail and Jack Snipe on the Otter Estuary
9 January 2010
Chris Townend photographed two interesting visitors on the Otter Estuary on 9 January. A scarce Devon visitor was a Jack Snipe and Chris managed to get two very good photographs.
The second was a very unusual photographic record of a Water Rail drowning a Meadow Pipit and then eating it.
Winter Bird Feeding
Jon Avon - January 2010
Feeding birds is essential to their survival as the ongoing cold weather continues. Please do you what you can while the freeze continues.