North Devon Wildlife through the window. Seasonal photos of the birds in my garden

Well what a year. Stormy times, supermoons, lockdowns and Covid19 restrictions meant that I didn’t get to visit some of our favourite locations and all the events were cancelled for the year. Luckily for me I love my small messy garden and the bees, birds and butterflies love it too. 

The natural world did not take a break and continued as usual with the regular birds on and below the feeder. For the first time I enjoyed watching a couple of Siskins which stayed in the garden for a couple of months, I do hope they return and nest here. January 20/21 2020 a fleeting visit from some Long Tail Tits and wonder of wonders they returned with a flurry of snow on 23^rd January 2021. 

I had started putting out Niger Seed for the Goldfinches, which they enjoyed, I then added Sunflower Hearts to the menu, they loved those even more and continue to devour messily on a daily basis.  They have dominated the feeders throughout the year and it looks as though this year will be the same, I counted 11 yesterday, I am hoping they stay around for the Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend. The Sunflower Hearts are popular with most of the birds and probably why the Siskins visited. 

As usual the Swifts and Swallows arrived in the Spring, spotted the first Swallow flying aloft 17^th April, watched them gather on the wire above the garden on the 17^th September, the next day they were gone. Finally snatched a shot of the elusive Great Spotted Woodpecker in June, they are regulars in the garden but pretty much peck and go a bit like the Wrens. Sadly I only saw one Greenfinch a juvenile, I miss the House Martins that once used to build their nests in the corners of the windows beneath the roof.

I have watched as usual as the birds sing out, nest and raise their fledglings. Here are just some of the photos from 2020.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Photo credit Pat Adams

 Sparrow Fledglings - Photo credit Pat Adams

Male and Female Siskin. Photo credit Pat Adams

North Devon Birdwatching through the window. Photo credit Pat Adams

Birds in my garden 2020

Blackbird

Blue Tit

Chaffinch

Coal Tit

Dove

Dunnock

Goldfinch

Great Tit

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Robin

Sparrow

Starling

Wood Pigeon

Wren

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is from 29th-31st January 2021. They are counting on you to count the birds in your garden Click here to find out more

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Pat Adams' North Devon Focus. A North Devon Coast & Country Chronical

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Hello December. Robin's Winter song on lockdown Day 253

It's the first day of December, Covid19 Lockdown Day 253 not the brightest of times as we are in our second lockdown since March but there have been some fantastic skies, vibrant sunsets and awesome cloud formations.  Thank goodness for nature bringing us some joy in these difficult times.

Local walks and beaches have been heaving over the Summer so most days I have been restricted to watching the wildlife through my window and the garden.

Our resident hedgehogs have not visited for over a week, I have still left water at the door just in case. I am happy to say we have had hedgehogs in the garden for over twenty years and for the past couple of years have had a Trail Cam to capture their nocturnal pursuits. 

I could hear the Robin singing his heart out, but couldn't see him.....you've got to love nature's way of  hiding in plain sight.

North Devon Focus. Looking back on a colourful 2018

NORTH DEVON COAST AND COUNTRY CHRONICLE 2018.
A colourful reminder of the year around the Bideford Bay area and Exmoor.
Looking forward to a bright and beautiful 2019 on the North Devon Coast. Thanks for visiting and following.

Endangered plant discovered for first time in 40 years on a farm in North Devon

A rare and endangered plant has been discovered on a farm in North Devon.

The plant, known as Three-lobed Water-crowfoot, was discovered by the conservation charity, Devon Wildlife Trust, on a routine survey of a farm near Dunsdon, Holsworthy. Its exact location is being kept a secret.

The plant is classed as ‘endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation Nature and appears on its ‘red-list’.

It is thought that this is the first record of the plant, which is a member of the buttercup family, in Devon for 40 years.

The Three-lobed Water-crowfoot plant, which lives in wet ground, was spotted by Devon Wildlife Trust’s Kate Langdon.

Kate is part of Devon Wildlife Trust’s Working Wetlands team, Kate said:

“For many years I have been on the lookout for this rare plant and always make a point of checking wet gateways, small pools and old vehicle ruts (all places the plant favours) in the vain hope I would find. And there it was in-front of my eyes, it really was a heart-stopping moment. I couldn’t believe it, all those years of searching had finally paid off. I was thrilled to bits.”

Kate was taking part in a survey of local Culm grasslands being undertaken by the charity’s Upstream Thinking project. The project works with local landowners to help improve water for local people and wildlife.

Three-lobed water crowfoot (small round leaved plant in picture). Photo copyright Kate Langdon (All rights reserved)

Has Santa’s beard been found in North Devon?

If Father Christmas appears beardless in our skies this Christmas then he could do worse than to visit North Devon to reclaim his famous white facial fuzz.

The discovery of a rare and weird looking fungus has led to it being nicknamed ‘Santa’s beard’ by amazed staff at the wildlife conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust. The fungus, which is more usually known by its scientific name Hericium erinaceus and by other names including hedgehog fungus and lion’s mane fungus, has been spotted near the village of Thornbury, in North Devon. The fungus is rarely seen in the UK and it’s thought to be only the second sighting of it in Devon, and only the 215th time it has been recorded in the UK since 1923.

The white, football-sized mass was spotted growing from the trunk of a tree by Meg Galley-Taylor as she drove along a road close to her North Devon home. Meg said:

“People call me ‘Curious Meg’ so of course I spotted the fungus! It is large, white and very conspicuous. I had no idea what it was but I knew I had never seen anything like it before.”

After returning with binoculars and her camera, Meg set about researching the strange object, trying to find out just what it was. Meg said:
 

“In the end I posted the picture on-line and then I started to get a response. At that point I thought, oh wow, this is seriously rare.”
 

Meg also reported her sighting to leading conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust. The Trust’s Steve Hussey said:
 

“This fungus is usually spotted in North American and Asia but has occurred in the South West of England only rarely before. We’re so pleased that Meg managed to spot it and tell us about it. Fungi come in wondrous and fascinating forms, but this is one of the most unusual we’ve ever seen.”
 

“Its weird shape and shaggy appearance, combined with the Christmas spirit here in the office, to make us wonder if the fungus could be part of the Santa Claus story? If the great man does appear without his beard this Christmas then we will know where to send him to look for it: it’ll be hanging on a tree in North Devon.”

Santa's Beard (Hedgehog Fungus) Photo copyright Meg Galley-Taylor (All Rights Reserved

Charity hopes to open 'Nature School'

A local conservation charity has announced that it hopes to open Devon's first 'Nature School'.

Devon Wildlife Trust wants to open the Nature School as a combined nursery and primary school aimed at children aged 3 to 11 years using the free school model widely adopted elsewhere. The Nature School would be a 'mainstream' school, open to all, following the National Curriculum, but one which the charity says would put outdoor learning and the natural environment at the heart of a high quality education for local children.

Okehampton has been put forward as the proposed location for the school. The town has been identified by Devon County Council as an area where there is an urgent need for more primary school places to be provided. If the Trust's proposals are successful the Nature School would occupy new premises to be built on the north-east outskirts of the town close to Crediton Road.

Devon Wildlife Trust is now talking to local authorities, people and schools in the West Devon market town to gauge their support for the proposal. The Trust's Chief Executive Harry Barton said:

"We are seeking support from members of the community across Okehampton, in particular from parents whose children would be eligible to attend primary school in 2018 or 2019 and who live in the Okehampton area or nearby."

As part of this conversation the charity is holding a Nature School consultation day. Staff from Devon Wildlife Trust will be on hand at the Ockment Centre<http://www.ockmentcentre.org/>, North Street, Okehampton between 2pm and 7pm on Friday 24th February to discuss the proposals and answer questions. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Devon Wildlife Trust has established a long track record of working with young people since its foundation in 1962. Now the charity is keen to extend this work deepening the positive link between young people the natural world. Harry Barton explained:

"Each year Devon Wildlife Trust supports many thousands of school children to learn through nature. Our plan to open a Nature School is rooted in our experience that children thrive, are happier and their attainment improves when their learning is linked closely to the natural world around them. The positive feedback we receive from the teachers, students and parents we work with is supported by an impressive body of independent research. Ofsted has also reported that learning outside the classroom contributes significantly to raising standards and improving pupils' personal, social and emotional development."

Harry Barton added:

"We hope that Okehampton will become the first community in Devon to benefit from a Nature School. The town has a fascinating history and is surrounded by wonderful countryside, with rivers, parklands and woodlands, and all within a stone's throw of Dartmoor National Park.  I can't think of a better place for a Nature School, and I really look forward to working with teachers and the local community to make it a success."

"Our intention is not to compete with other schools. At Okehampton there is a need for more primary school places which we can help address. We want to work alongside existing local schools and become part of a thriving school community delivering high quality education."

Devon Wildlife Trust's plan for a Nature School is one of four being proposed by Wildlife Trust's in England. The others include schools at Chippenham in Wiltshire, Nuneaton in Warwickshire and Smethwick in Birmingham.

The Okehampton Nature School is still at the planning stage and success will be subject to an application to the Department of Education (DofE). This application is planned for spring 2017 with a scheduled school opening estimated as early as 2018.

However, plans for the Nature School will only proceed if Devon Wildlife Trust can demonstrate strong local support. So, as part of its application process, the charity is now asking the public for its backing.

People who wish to register their support for plans to establish Devon's first Nature School can do so at a dedicated website www.natureschools.org.uk/devon.html

People with questions about Devon Wildlife Trust's Nature School plans are being urged to email contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org & ;mailto:contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org using the message title 'Nature Schools'

Children working with Devon Wildlife Trust in an outdoor learning environment. Photo copyright Charlie Tyjas (All Rights Reserved)

My Garden Today. Looking back and looking forward to an EVENTful Year

New resolutions and revolutions as the circle of life begins for another year in my North Devon Coast and Chronicle. It’s a fairly damp start but I have already seen Snowdrops rising, Pussy Willow and even a Daffodil and Marsh Marigold in bloom and to brighten the gloom a Song Thrush rested a while in the Apple tree today. 

The garden birds have been darting and dashing to and fro, a female Blackbird was singing atop the hedgerow yesterday and there was a cacophony coming from the privet in the front garden, a permanent roost for our local Sparrows. In addition to our regular visitors I was thrilled to see my first Firecrest and a Nuthatch. 

A bonny male Bullfinch brought New Year greetings on the 1^st January 2016. Had to rescue a wee mouse from a wee house after he got himself trapped behind a suet ball in the bird feeder. February saw a couple of Red-legged Partridge on the field, it was, though, a good idea for the rest of the birds to take shelter as Henry and Imogen stormed in with eighty miles an hour winds. On 15^th March Philip the Pheasant took up residence in the garden, returning each day for a drink of water. His mate Phyllis then did a recky of the site, supposedly to see if he’d chosen a decent spot for nesting. 

Marvin, the amorous Blue Tit returned to do his soulful dance on 5^th April. It was wonderful to see the return of the Swallows on the 23^rd and to catch sight of Mrs Tiggy and her little one at the front door at the end of April, there was also hale and snow flurries at that time so I hope they hadn’t come out too early.  We also welcomed a new “friend” in April a very cocky Spring Chicken who scurried about, pecking away in the front garden for a few days. I got up early at the end of April to listen and record the Dawn Chorus. Not quite as tuneful as I’d hoped but that’s nature for you. 

I was sitting quietly in the back garden at the beginning of May when a very noisy big yellow bird suddenly rose up from behind the hedgerow. Reminded me of watching Airwolf. It was in fact the “Linesman for the County”. I think we made a connection. Later on about 200 crows descended on the newly harvested field.   

Also had some magic moments while out walking, I watched as a deer galloped through the Bluebell woods at “Hart”land Abbey, and, as well as hearing the Skylarks as they hovered above us on Northam Burrows,  I also finally got a decent pic. Heard the screaming Swifts aloft in July and the 3^rd brood of fledgling Sparrows emerged in my garden. 

I said farewell to the House Martins and Swallows as they gathered on the wire mid-August. October had a close encounter with a Servil at Tamar Otter Sanctuary, watched a Dipper dancing across the stones on Exmoor’s River Barle and recorded an Egret a Cormorant and a Heron down the beach at Sandymere.  November took pics of inanimate but lifelike big birds and other critters at the Rosemoor Garden’s Winter Sculpture Exhibition in Torrington. Returned in December to walk off all that Xmas fayre and recorded two Redwings. 

New Year’s Eve day enjoyed a bracing walk and watched the teeny Sanderlings tripping the light fantastic across the sand and surf at Westward Ho! Today (1st January 2017) the soggy damp day was brightened by the return of the Song Thrush in the Apple tree, hopefully he is now a regular.

There were some out of this world sunsets, sunrises and super moons in 2016 including a Strawberry Moon on the longest day, the 20th June.  I spotted an amazing low-lying red moon out my window at 4.30am on the 8^th July. There was a Harvest Moon on the 17^th September, got shots of the Supermoon (Hunters Moon) on the 15^th, 16^th and 17^th October and finally there was another Supermoon on 14 November and again on 14 December! Also out of this world was Major Tim Peake, the first British Astronaut to walk in space. He made his historic Space Walk Live on the 15^th January 2016. What an eventful year, round and around, resolutions and revolutions, looking forward to an EVENTful 2017 in North Devon, hope you are too. (Article P. Adams 1st January 2017) 

P.S  The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is from 28th-30th January this year.

Tap here to Sign Up for the Big Garden Birdwatch 2017
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My Big Garden Birdwatch 30th/31st Januaary 2016  

3 Blackbirds 2M 1F - 6 Blue Tits

2 Doves -  3 Chaffinch 2M 1F

1Sparrow -  2 Robin

2 Starlings - 1 Willow Tit - 1 Wood Pigeon

Watch Marvin's Little Spring Bounce

Queens Birthday Honours 2016. Major Peake, The UK's first official astronaut, was on the International Space Station when he received the news he would become a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to space research and scientific education. Wikepedia Stub - Tim Peake

Wikepedia Stub - Airwolf . An 80s action-espionage television series with Stringfellow Hawke, a pilot who has to retrieve the helicopter named Airwolf from the hands of its creator Dr. Moffet with the help from his friends, while going through a series of adventures.

Charity re-homes reptiles

More than 200 reptiles including slow worms and grass snakes have been given a new place to live. Their new home includes bespoke sleeping quarters and the run of one of Devon's most beautiful nature reserves.
The reptiles have been removed from Palm Cross, near Modbury, which is the site of a proposed new development by national house building company Bloor Homes.

The animals are being given a fresh start in life by Devon Wildlife Trust at the charity's Andrew's Wood nature reserve, near Loddiswell. The Trust's Jackie Gage explained:

'We were very pleased to be able to provide these reptiles with a new start. We recognise the need for providing homes for people but wildlife doesn't have to be the loser. Andrew's Wood's 50 hectares of wildflower meadows, ponds and woodland already offer a rich variety of plants and animals a haven in which to flourish. These slow worms and grass snakes are going to a good place.'
In preparation for their arrival Devon Wildlife Trust has been busy building six 'hibernacula' - special winter homes in which the reptiles can sit out the cold winter months ahead in a safe and frost free underground home. Funding for the hibernacula has come from Bloor Homes. Jackie explained:

'A lack of hibernation places is a real problem for reptiles. The hibernacula we've built are basically holes in the ground a metre deep and two metres wide. We've positioned them on sunny south facing slopes. We've filled them with stones for drainage, then logs and larger rocks to create crevices and cavities. On top we've piled sticks, bracken and turfs to offer snug insulation, making sure we've left enough entrance and exit holes for the reptiles to come and go.'

The planned housing development is proposed at Palm Cross in Modbury by Bloor Homes. The company's Land Director Isaac Kibblewhite said:

'As a responsible housebuilder, we do everything we can to ensure that we create a positive difference in the areas we build. This includes making contributions to help the ongoing welfare of the local wildlife and on this occasion we're delighted to assist in translocating reptiles to a new home.'

The reptiles are being captured and moved to their new home by experienced and licenced professionals from Exeter-based EAD Ecology. Associate Director, Ross Bower, explained the process which his team is undertaking:

'Slow worms are legally protected so EAD Ecology is working with Bloor Homes and Devon Wildlife Trust to ensure that none are harmed as a result of the development. We have set out a grid of 'felts', which are squares of roofing felt, in areas where they are likely to occur in the site. The felts warm up more quickly than the surrounding areas during the day, and because slow worms are cold-blooded they are attracted to the warmth. We undertake regular checks under the felts and carefully collect any slow worms that are there, which we then take to their new home at Andrew's Wood. This is part of a range of measures that EAD Ecology and Bloor Homes are implementing to ensure that the development is as wildlife-friendly as possible; a number of the new buildings will include bird and bat boxes and there will be a new wetland area, wildflower meadow, woodland and hedgerow planting within public open space in the site.' 

The trapping and moving of the reptiles from the donor to receptor sites should be completed by the end of September - in good time for the slow worms and grass snakes to find their new winter quarters. 

Devon Wildlife Trust's Andrew's Wood nature reserve is near the village of Loddiswell in the South Hams. It's free to enter and offers the chance to take walks through a wonderful part of Devon's countryside.

'Slow worms are one of the reptile species being found a new home at Devon Wildlife Trust's Andrew's Wood Nature Reserve, near Loddiswell' 
Photo copyright Michael Symes - All rights reserved