Nature Notes for July 2011

Nature Notes - July 2011

There are two species of bird that are still resident in reasonable numbers in Devon which are often overlooked by the more casual birdwatcher, namely marsh tit and willow tit.

Superficially similar to the more familiar coal tit, they are both larger, browner and without the white nape. On plumage, they are quite difficult to tell apart having a general grey brown colour, black bib and black cap.

Somewhere between great tit and blue tit in size, the marsh tit has a glossy black cap, smaller bib and “grubbier” cheeks; willow tit has a dull black cap and a pale panel on the wings formed from lighter secondary feathers although this can sometimes be hard to see in the field. Their voices are distinctly different, however, marsh tit often betraying its presence with its loud and explosive “pitcuh” call whereas the willow tit has a much drawn out and quieter “zi zi taah taah” call.

For a good field description of them both see the 2nd Edition of the Collins Field Guide by Svensson, Mullarney and Zetterstrom.

The marsh tit is the more numerous and widespread bird, breeding in broad leaved woodlands typically those on the edge of Dartmoor but is also found across the rest of Devon in suitable habitat. In winter it will visit feeders in gardens.

According to the 2009 Devon Bird Report (available from Devon Bird and Wildlife Preservation Society), the breeding population was 10,000 pairs but this will have declined significantly in recent years following the national trend. Yarner Woods approaching Dartmoor

and Ladys Wood near South Brent are good places to see them.

Willow tit, on the other hand, is much scarcer; numbers were already low before the recent significant decline of 68% (Devon Bird Report 2009) probably leaving no more than 200 to 350 pairs in Devon. Liking damp scrub or damp woodland for breeding, they are confined to North Devon. The Devon Wildlife Trust reserve of Dunsdon at the top of the Tamar Valley is a known haunt and it is probably these birds that visit the feeders at the Upper and Lower Tamar lakes in winter.

What to look for in July

Now is a good time to visit the cliffs at Berry Head where the Guillemots and Razorbills will

be busily feeding young. They will be nearly all gone by the end of the month. Swifts should be in good numbers above Slapton Ley as they start to gather before heading south again – an early migrant, alot will depart in July and most will have left by early August.

Given good weather, the second brood of common blue butterflies should be flying; they are widespread being present from the coast to woodlands and parks wherever their food plants (white clover, restharrow, and trefoil species) are present. The delightful Golden ringed dragonfly can also be found near woodland or acid streams – it is relatively common in Devon but curiously absent in other parts of the country.

First Published July 2011 By The Dart

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