SML

BTO, Devon Birds and Portland Bird Observatory member. Now retired and having a good time. Dedicated to conservation at South Milton Ley Nature Reserve.

[SML @SMLBirder]

For regular bird ringing, biodiversity and conservation news from South Milton Ley Nature Reserve and SSSI in South Devon visit my blog at: https://t.co/3wtUwj9zX6

[SML @SMLBirder]

I recently switched from X to Bluesky. My account on X, will be largely inactive from now on. Escape the algorithms, ads and trolls and join me @smlbirder.bsky.social

[SML @SMLBirder]

On a dreary, overcast morning at SML, extracting 13 clingy, aggressive, biting Blue Tits on the 1st net round was a painful start to the days’ ringing. However, I ended up catching 52 birds, dominated by 25 Chiffchaffs with 3 Firecrests as a colourful bonus. #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

I have been updating some checklists. South Milton Ley (reedbed) and South Huish Marsh (coastal grazing marsh) reserves are just 300 metres apart on the south Devon Coast. Both are owned or managed by @DevonBirds and now have a combined bird list of 258 species between them.

[SML @SMLBirder]

I have just updated the South Huish Nature Reserve bird list, which now stands at 217 species. The latest addition was a Serin in March 2024. Photo from @ironfists67

[SML @SMLBirder]

Caught way more falling leaves than birds at South Milton Ley today. 3 nets are out action due to a rotten bridge and no access. Despite this the final total was 41 birds including 15 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest and 3 Firecrest. #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

It's disappointing that Yellow-browed Warblers seem to have avoided mainland Devon and South Milton Ley so far this autumn! #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

Just 34 birds of 13 species ringed at SML yesterday after a late start due to an alarm clock failure. Mostly Chiffchaffs but also the first Goldcrest and Firecrests of the autumn, 2 Cetti’s Warblers and this beautiful 2nd year male sparrowhawk. #birdringing #britishbirds

[SML @SMLBirder]

Borderline weather yesterday. Dodging thunderstorms in a fresh NE breeze. Quality rather than quantity. 28 birds trapped including Snipe, Grey Wagtail and Cetti’s Warbler. Also 20 Chiffchaffs but, strangely, no Blackcaps. #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

Despite far from ideal conditions on the 14h September, with the temperature falling to 9C and a nearly full moon, @dartangler and @AndyTrout3 managed to trap two new moth species for the reserve, Frosted Orange and Radford’s Flame Shoulder.

[SML @SMLBirder]

An interesting ringing session with Dr Paul Salaman, a global conservationist who has helped to protect 40 million acres in 60 countries. With a link to SML, I was able to show his family the ringing process. In return he will send me 6k drone footage of the reserve. #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

A migration free zone at SML yesterday. Only 25 new birds ringed in 6 hours and just 4 trapped in the reed bed. 1st Tree Pipit of the autumn. Spent a very muddy day cutting back willows encroaching on the marsh net rides. #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

Details received of a female Reed Warbler. First ringed as an adult at SML in June 2018 and re-trapped this autumn on 16th August, 2247 days later. It must have successfully crossed the Sahara at least 14 times. No mean feat for a bird weighing an average of 11g. #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

Drone footage of South Milton Ley, the second largest reedbed in Devon, travelling eastwards up the narrow valley from the coast to my ringing station by the sewage works. Taken in 2021 by Dr. Paul Salaman, President at https://t.co/CQqFlQEuiB #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

Great news! A plan to reverse the impact of ditching in 1994 and to increase water flow into the eastern reedbed at South Milton Ley has been approved in principal by Devon Birds Council. The plan is to complete the scheme before winter 2025/26. #birdringing #reservemanagement

[SML @SMLBirder]

South Milton Ley Nature Reserve ringing recovery: A Sedge Warbler ringed on Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire on 18th July 2024 was controlled at SML 6 days later on 24th July. 188km movement #birdringing #migration

[SML @SMLBirder]

One of my best nets is currently out of action whilst phosphate reduction equipment is being installed at the STW. Thundery showers overnight also seemed to have slowed migration to a trickle. Just 29 birds of 8 species in 6 hours. 21 of these were warblers. #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

A slow and gloomy start yesterday. Just 3 birds in the 1st two hours. It picked up though with the first Willow Warblers, Whitethroat and Reed Bunting of the autumn. Final total 47 birds including a UK control Chiffchaff and a fledgeling Cetti’s Warbler. #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

@ralphpsamuels It's a male Lesser Kestrel. Pale claws and no moustachial stripe are diagnostic.

[SML @SMLBirder]

Mid July produced 52 birds of 12 species. Almost all were local breeders with 11 each of Wren and Blue Tit – always a joy to extract from mist nets (not)! No evidence of passage yet. Photo shows washed bird bags drying in my garden. A clean bag for every new bird. #birdringing

[SML @SMLBirder]

My first session at SML this July. 42 birds of 11 species caught. 6 ads and 36 juvs. Recent wet weather has resulted in exceptional reed growth. It has impacted the birds too with several young Reed Warblers having fault bars in their tails. #birdringing