BNA Devon

The Taw and Exmoor branch had a successful outing on Jan 14th to the Seaton Wetlands Reserves. Some 45 species seen including a bar headed goose showing well grazing with the Canada geese. Otherwise just the usual suspects including a couple of good sightings of a kingfisher.

After an early rainstorm the Taw and Exmoor branch had an excellent outing to the Topsham area in glorious sunshine yesterday. Beautiful kingfisher, Marsh harrier and several hundred avocets among the 48 bird species seen.

The Taw and Exmoor branch recently had a successful walk on the marshland behind the pebble ridge between Porlock Weir and the picture postcard village of Bossington.Birds , butterflies, dragonflies and some 65 flowers.All followed by a cream tea before the rain came

The Taw and Exmoor branch had a super walk on Sunday on Braunton Burrows led by John Breeds.22 birds, 82 flowers including sand pansy and bog pimpernel, 9 butterflies, 3 dragonflies and several crickets, wasps, bees and spiders.

18 members of the Taw and Exmoor branch this year went to Cornwall for their five day trip.92 flowers inc. several orchids, only 49 birds, 13 butterflies inc. two fritillaries and 11 odonata. Brilliant weather, nice hotel with a heated pool, good meals and good company.

Fantastic outing this Sunday by the Taw and Exmoor branch up on Exmoor. Besides the red deer we had 35 birds including redstart, spotted flycatcher, whinchat, hen harrier and a pair of ring ousels. Cuckoo also heard.

Excellent indoor meeting last night run by the Taw and Exmoor branch with a talk by Rick Minter on”Britain’s Big Cats”. Could have gone on all night if we had let him.

Excellent recent trip with a good attendance to Topsham and around with 55 bird species seen plus some fallow deer at Powderham.

The Taw and Exmoor branch of the BNA had an excellent trip to the Exe estuary last Sunday. Over 50 different bird species including avocet and marsh harrier

John Willatts took us on a fungus foray at Arlington on Sunday. An excellent turnout kept him very busy identifying lots of fungi of various shapes and sizes. The biggest surprise however was to find a pipistrelle bat out during the day sunbathing in the lovely Autumnal sunshine.

Superb weather for the trip to Lundy on August 7th. 37 birds including manx shearwaters, Kittiwake and wheatear. 30 flowers including the endemic Lundy cabbage plus several butterflies and moths. On the boat trip, grey seals, dolphins and a distant osprey.

A rewarding trip to Lustleigh on July 17th. 53 flowers,13 birds but 14 butterflies including a white admiral. Unusual but nevertheless an enjoyable cream tea afterwards.

19 members enjoyed a 5 day trip to Dorset a couple of weeks ago. 104 flowers, 64 birds, 28 moths but only 9 butterflies. Good food, super weather and lovely countryside.

Another very well attended outing on March 20th this time to Fremington Quay and the surrounding countryside. We saw four of the early butterflies,36 birds including the glossy ibises, early chiffchaffs and willow warblers plus a dozen or so flowers.

The first indoor meeting for two years was well attended to hear a fascinating talk on "The Birds of Lundy" by Tim Jones. Successful book stall and sale of nest boxes although still have some left. Next outing March 20th to Fremington Pill

Another super bird watching trip to the Topsham area produced 62 species plus a fox patrolling the Bowling Green Marsh reserve.

We had a coach trip to Slimbridge. With a 55 seater coach then unless you sat next to a friend or partner then you could have a double seat to yourself.The usual selection of ducks, geese and swans were there including the Bewick's. Views of a Ross's goose were the highlight

The Taw and Exmoor branch of the BNA had very interesting trip to Upcott Grange Farm on September 26th which specialises in breeding rare animals for future release.Includes water voles, polecats, water buffalo,storks and cranes. Not for release were lynx, heck cattle and mouflon

Interesting outing on 15th August to the DWT reserve at Meeth.Poor weather limited the butterflies and dragonflies etc but some 45 flowers were identified and even 13 birds were seen or heard. swallows appeared whilst enjoying a another nice cream tea

The Taw and Exmoor branch of the BNA had a successful outing on July 25th to Countisbury.Sightings included red deer, Exmoor ponies,40 flowers, 20 birds and 7 butterflies including a dark green fritillary followed by a superb cream tea.