devonbirds
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Annual Report &
Accounts
Year Ending
31 December 2024

Annual General Meeting
th
Saturday 29 March 2025
In the Kennford & Exmlnster Suite at the Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford, Exeter
EX6 7UX at 3.(Klpm
genda
Arx)logies
Minute5 of the 2024 Annual General Meetlng
Matters arislngfrom the Minutes
ChaSrman's Report
Secretarfs Report
Treasurer's Report
Electh)n of Offlcers:
Proposed
seconded
Chairman
Vacanc¥
Secretary
T Uttln8
M Daniels
C Randall
Plymouth Branch Rep
L Harrls
N D'Agorne
Tuttlng
South Devon Branch Rep
N D'Agorne T Lltting
L Harrls
Recorder
M Overy
C Randall
F Freshney
Ordlnary Member
F Freshney C Randall
A Collick
Ordinary Member
Ecuff
C Randall
N D'Agorne
Election of Audltorllndependent Examiner-Thomas We5tcott
There will be a breakfor tea/coffee followed by a talk by David Ramsden, Barn Owl Trust
entitled "Climate and Ecological CrlsisP What's all the fuss about?"

Devon Birds
The Soclety is registered with the Charty Commission of En8land and Wales Ino 11916471
and is governed by its Constitution. The address of the Hon. Secretary is 16 Em)e Drive.
Ivybridge. Devon PL219BN.
Name5 marked with * denote charity Trustees during the year.
Vacant
President
MrRG Burton
Chairman
Mr C Randall
Vlce Chalrman
MrMTDaniels*
Secretary
Ms A Collicktr
Treasurer
Vacant
County Recorder
MrTUtting'
Promotions & Engagement Secretary
Vacant
Publishing Group Representative
Mr C Randall •
East Devon Branch Repre5entatrve
Mr N D'Agorne'
South Devon Branth Representative
MrR Turner
Taw & Torrldge Branch Rep
Mrs L Harri5
Pfymouth Branch RepresentatNe
Mr T Misselbrook.
Mid Devon Branch RepresentstNe
Ms F Freshney
Ordinary Member
Iresigned April 20241
Bankers.
CAF {Charitie5 Aid Foundation). 25 Klngs Hill Avenue, Kings Hlll. West Malling,
Kent ME19 4TA
Independent Examlner. Thomas We5tcott. 47 Boutport Street. Barnstaple, Devon EX31 ISQ
The objects of the Society are contalned in its Constitution, which Is published and a Copy
available to all Members via the website.
A review of activities and achievements during the year is contained in the Society's Officers,
Reports.

Devon Birds
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 23 March 20Z4 at
the Exeter Court Hotel at 3pm
The Chairman welcomed the 40 people present.
l. Apologies. AFdogies had been received from 17 members.
2. Mlnutes ofthe 2023 Annual General Meetwy. The Minutes of the Meetlng were
accepted as a true record. PrO￿sed by T Utting. Seconded by G Burton.
Unanimously approved.
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes. There were no matters arising from the Minutes.
4. Chairman's Report. The Chairman opened his report by ststing that Devon Blrds is a
Soclety for all, and tt attempts to satisfy all requirements from the garden
birdwatcher to the birding expert. The Chairman rekK>rted on some key events
during the year. The Chalman noted that a nurnber of oflicers and trustees had left.
namely N Arm5tron& R Sims, A Colston and M Lock. He added thatthis is not
unusual for a voluntary Society, and he rep)rted that Devon Blrds remains in good
health and in a strong posfcion. The Chairman reported that the County Recorder. K
Ryland5. left earller In the yearfor personal reasons and ha5 not been replaced, to
date. He also rep)rted that the lease at South Huish has now expired and is unlikely
to be renewed by the National Trust. who are currentty revlewingthe way forward.
The Chairman reported that progres5 ori the Devon Birds Strategy had slowed.
Initiatives on Reserves and habitst were ￿Ing delivered but the other sections we
struggllng wlth a lack of volunteer inpuL There is currently a review of the Reserves
being undertaken with a view to entering Into a partnership with the Devon Wildllfe
Trust. The bird hldes are also being looked at as they are difficult to manage and are
not located on Devon Birds larnd.
Devon Birds has provided ongoing support for M Burgess and his work wrth Pied
Flycatthers. ALSO, the Society has provided assistance to the Barn Owl Trust and Is
currently helping to fund work with Swlfts, particulady providing nest knxes in
churches.
Communicatlons have changed, particularlywlth the new website which can easily
be accessed by member5 and Branch Representatives. Following the retirement of M
Lock a rewew of publications has been carried out and the publication of the Devon
Birds j￿rnal has ceased. Iterns previously published in the Jourrsals wlll now be
published on the website and in the Newsletter.
5. Se¢retarfs ReporL The Secretary wa5 planning to stand down thls year after 12
yearf5 Service. He has agreed to remain in post for another 12 month5 to provide
some contlnuity as the Chairman and Treasurer are standing down. A volunteerto
take his place would be greatly appreciated. The Annual Daytrlp to Lundy in 2023

was cancelled due to problems with the boat. Tickets for the 2024 trip are selling
well.
6. Treasurerfs ReporL In the absente of the Treasurer the Chairnian reviewed the
published, audited accounts. There were no questlons. Acceptsnce of the account5
was proposed by M Overy, seconded by N D'Agome. Approved by the meeting.
7. Elertlon of Offlcers.
Chairman -vacancy. The Secretary reported that no volunteers had come forward to
fill thls vacancy. Council will therefore operate wlth a nominated Chairman for each
meetlng untll a volunteer is identified and co-opted on to Council until the next
AGM. The Secretary clarified that the ConstitutK)n allowed for thls ongoing situation.
Treasurer. The Secretary reported that a volunteer, A Collick. had now come
forward. The nomination was proposed by M Overy, seconded by J O'connell-
Davidson and approved by the meeting.
The election of the Secretary* M Daniels and Mid Devon Branch Rep, T Mlsselbrcxjk
had been published In advance. Approved by the meeting.
8. Electlon of Audltor/lndependent Examlner- Thomas Westcott. Approved by the
meeting.
The meeting closed at 3.25pm.
Following a break for tea and coffee there was a talk by K Cox and J Horn titled 'Swifts in
Devon..

Chairmarfs Report 2024
This year has been a good one for Devon Bird5 in some ways. but less easy in others.
Firstty, Councll made the decision in principle to work with the Devon Wildlrfe Trust in
managing our reSe￿e5, primarily the three bi88er ones of Godborough, Bracliford and South
Mllton Ley. It had become Increasingly clear that the demands on the one hand of
professional and up-to-date conservation needs, and on the other that of carin8 property for
the volunteers who work on those reserves were simply not possible or prattical for an
organisation like DBS, whlch ha5 no paid 5tsff. Our volunteers contlnue to do magnificent
and committed worl but &( many of us have disccNered in other Wal￿ of life, the
requirements of Health and Safety, while the object of much derision amongst many people,
are actually about caring for one's people and ensuring that they are not hurt or running
unnecessary risks. We were falling to meet legal. insurance and moral ￿andardS in our
work, thraugh nobodvs fault, but just because of the way things are expected to be run in
the 2151 century.
The result is that. hopeful￿ by the date of thls AGM in March, a proper legal
agreement will have been agreed. This will be for 5 years in the first instance, with break
clauses if either side is unhappy, and will re4uire an annual payment from D8s roughly
according lo our annual costs of running those reserves in-house.
The smaller reserves are not part of this agreement, as they add little to
conservation measures across the countyi and we are considering their future, which may
well include their sale or disposal.
The other major project Is the Swrft Boxes irt Churches project, to whlch D8s has
comrnitted a further £75,000 over 5 years. Thls is being run by a Working Group. chaired by
a member of Councll, and involves installing breeding cabinets in church towers acr055
Devon. The complexfcies of bespoke construttion and Installatlon are daunting, but getting
each local church to gain permisslon and then enthusiastically backthe projett has been
met with great enthusiasm. Public meetings have also been held, attended by up to 100
people of all ages, engendering great interest and spilling over into individuals installing
their own boxe5. and seeing the wlder environmental pirture, from other blrds at risk to the
lack of insects and flower5. 1 must mentlon the extraordinary professionalism of Jerry Hom,
our constructor. who does most of the day-to-day work on the project. even persuading
Exeter Cathedral to install 128 chambers- surely some sort of recordl
We are also very grateful to the Devon Environment Foundation, who backed the
project last year with a generous grant, and have indicated their cornrnitment by offering
further grants and assistan￿. Other donations have been re¢eived or are being sought from
other sources to broaden the scope still further.

Council held a day workshop ear￿ in the year wtth an outside con5ultsnt. which was
helpful in clarfylng our future, although we Still struggle without a Chair, and we could also
find a rnembership secretary very helpful. a5 this is a task which the Treasurer and other5 do
not really need on top of their other roles. Our grateful thanks to our new Treasurer.
Amanda Collick, who guides us through ourfinances wlth a light touth, and to all members
of Council. new or long-standin& who help DBS to tick along. In partKular, for many of our
members, Mike Daniels Is the main point of contact as Secretary for 12 years. but he ri8htly
feels it is time to Step down at this AGM. We shall all miss his devotion to the Soclety, hls
efficiency, knowledge, unfiappable nature and hi5 way of keeping the show on the road.
Thank you. Mike-we shall be for ever grateful.
Thanks to so marny others, from reseNe volunteers to those who subrnit records.
duly collated by Martin Overy for the Annual Report: in which task he Is asslsted by manv
unseen section writers and others. The branches fulfil a vital role In our k￿lety, and those
who keep their meetings rnnningi indwr or outdoor, are invaluable. Thanks to all these.
and manyothers.
On a personal note, I was asked to stand as Vice-chair. and15aid it was on condition
that I did not become Chair. Unfortunately, in the absen￿ of an elected Chair. I have had,
with others (thanks to everyone!) to take on More than I can manage for a h05t of reasorts,
so I shall be stepping down from that role in the next 12 months, so by the next AGM, we
shall need tofind a Chalr, and preferably 500ner.
Finall¥- my reflection on this last couple of year5 is that I think Devon Birds needs to
declde whether It's just a club for people who like watching birds- laudable in itself - or Is it
to play a significant role in conservation across the County? If we are to be relevant in an
age wlth an unprecedented climate emergency and huge habltat and species loss. I belleve
we need to think hard about our priorities as a Society. We have been trying to do this, and
just need to take the next stèp.
Colin Rondoll fvice-cholr)

Se¢retarfs Report
Four Council Meetings were held during 2024, all were face to face meetings. Exeojtive
Meetings were held as required uslng Google.
Following the disappointing cancellation of the OayTrip to Lundy In 2023, a very successful
trip was run in 2024, in good weather, with 147 passengers. The 2025 DayTrip to Lundy has
been arranged for Sunday 18th May. Tickets are now on sale from the Shop on the Website.
It is very disappointing to report that there are 5tlll vacancies for Council Membersrrrustees.
There seems to be a reluctance for people to volunteer to assist the Society. Not sure why?
Volunteers can put in as much effort and time as they feel comfortable with. There are onlv
four Council Meetings per year.
This Is my last AGM, I would like to wish the Society good wishes forthe future.
Mike Daniels (Secretary)
Treasurerfs Report
Devon Birds is funded (Subscriptions, Donations and Legaclesl by bird lovers who expect
their gift to be used carefully and wisely in accordance with the D8 constitution and
regulatory authorty requirements. The trustees have made the decision to utilise some of
the rese￿eS to further the aims of the charity. Hence the deficit forthe last two years and
planned deficit for 2025. During 2024 the charity ha5 designated £75,000 to the Swift Boxes
in Churches projert. The charity, being mlndful of Charty Commission guldance, aims tr)
maKirnise the use of avallable funds for the benefit of the charitable objectives. The aim is to
have unrestricted reseNes, equivalent to at least three months. running costs. The total
unrestricted reserves at 310ecember 2024 was £132,317, which the trustees consider
acceptable.
Amanda Colllck (Treasurerl

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent exarninerfs
report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the truste951
mgmbgrs of
Devon Birds
On accounts for the year
ended
31 December 2024
Charlty no
(If any)
1191647
Sel out on pages
I report to the trustees on my exarnination of the accounts of the above
charity I'the Trust'} for Ihe year ended 3111212024.
Responslbllities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation
basis of report of the accounts in a¢xordance with Ihe requirements of the Charities Act
2011 {Ihe Act.).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carrEd out
under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I
have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145{51{b} of the Act.
I have (x)mpleted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have
come to my attention in conneclion with the examination which gives me
cause to believe that in. any material respect..
accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of
the Act or
the acxounts do not accord wth the accounting records
Independent
examiner's statement
I have no concerns and have come auoss no other matters in connection
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable
proper understanding of the accounls to be reached.
Signed:
Date:
Q¥ILFI 2
Name:
Catherine Williams FCA DChA
Relgvant professional
qualification(s) or body
(If any)..
Address:
47 Boutport St
Barnstaple
EX31 1SQ
Section B
Disclosure
Only complele if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32,
Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for
examiners).

Glve here brfef d&tails of
any Items that the
oxaminer wl$hes to
dls¢loso.

CHARITY (OlthlMISSION
FOR E￿LAND IND WALE5
Devon Birds
119164T
Receipts and payments accounts
CC16a
For the peritsd
from
T¢4
1 Janua
2024
31 DgrBmbor2024
Section A Receipts and pa
ments
Unre51rlct•d
funds
t•thk n•Af•At
RoStriGt•d
fvnds
Endowment
funds
Total funds
Last ￿ar
to thv n•ir•¥t£
to tho Ib&ar•Jt£
loth• nMreJt£
4thÈ near￿1£
1 Recei
Mèmberahip Subscript￿Tr$
Donatiolls. Patrons and L8gaue8
Sundry sa￿$ and events
othèr Incoming f8soulC&S
Inveskn9DI iwome
241.403
24,403
26.272
9,216
032
11.519
3,938
1938
3,347
Sub total(Gmss incoma for
AR)
44,754
1,446
48,ZO0
A2 Assot and Investment sales,
1580 table).
Sub total
44.754
1N6
200
42,8fj8
A3Pa
onts
10.787
17,8d6
17.8Tr3
I￿￿7
1$,0$5
18,640
12.K1
Conseryalionexpertses
Othwcos
41.197
Sub total
46236
11,197
B7,433
47.131
A4 A8Sat and Invo8tment
urchaBeB.
588 tak￿e
Sub total
46,236
41,197
87,433
47.136
Not of r6celptsNpayments)
AS Transfer5 be￿88n fund8
Ae ¢ash funds last yoar •nd
Cash funds thls year gnd
11,4821
75,877
208.799
131,440
139.7511
75,877
23,002
$9.126
141333
14,2681
231.801
190.56B
236,069
231,801

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unr85trlcted
funds
to n•ar•gt£
Restrlcted fund&
Endowment
fvnds
Categories
Detalls
ton￿restE
B1 Cash funds
Bank Cuwenl8￿othts
2.531
CAF O¥posilaCco￿I
59.128
Virgin InstsntAccfj¥¥
Totsl Cash funds
131,HO
5P,128
4¢y>JuNlg11 0
Unrestrlcted
fund8
Rwlrict•d lunds
Endowmont
fund5
to n•Broit£
Detail
ton￿rg￿£
Fund ts>whlch
ass¢r ￿ttsn
Unr•Btrt¢i•d
Cumnt
Detai18
M&G Invostrr*nts
42$3
4600
Fund tgwhl¢h
asset Lylon
Curr•nt¥*lu•
IONI
Details
SDUth hlllton Ley
CDxtlaptloMII
5&B
B4 Assets rètslnad for the
charltrfs own usè
Pr￿*
Unr•5trth1
ix)rough
Unre8trK
45,984
BrJdrfo
UntystrKt9d
17,OOU
Fund to whl¢h
Detalls
knouTht du• lo&d¢￿all
BS Llabllltles
Sbned ty onè or￿￿ Injsttes on
behHlf of all t￿ trust888
&gnatur8
Print Name
Date of
roval
Amanda Collick
Colin Randall
1910312025
1910312025

21. P•Btrtct•d funds
11 94iP(r
'RnJng kknjse C*urt
Total
8￿bIf011￿lI2o24
FWIS
4.7EnA) 5.07T.86 13,063.70 6S65&C6
1.446.(M)
1,446.rKJ
877.00
75,WO.W 75,8TT.00
8,156￿0 34.600.00 877M 6.206.50 S￿77.86 88.083.70 142,981.Q6
O.CK) 87T.(D 21K).00
40.120.￿ 41.197.00
0.00
a,1¥6￿0 U,S00.00 0￿0 8,006.50 S.077.86 47.943.70 101.78Q06
8nts
B41•nc• ¢rf31M212034
IP68*1£81561
Iknd1£345001.-E￿ISlI(￿]a
Fund5[0￿￿1
Fundytot*wton rMTtKX)rl(xzt￿￿
FurKJsto bewl on WAding[￿churCh*Vllh&ffi
Lw
iftsaid
vitrtcfftt￿nwor
thurth gfftAft$
Devon Blrds Reserves
SoLrth Milton Lev
The reedbed has not ftooded over the 2024125 winter a5 the South Mitton Sandbank has not
been 35 high as In the last few years. Signific3ntW more water has however flowed into the
lower part of the Reserve from the stream below the SWW treatment plant. This beneflt Is
the result of the decision in 2021 to postpone desiltlng the stream below ihe Ex)ardwalk. Any
stream flows above bank level pass into the reedbed but the tracks around the around the
Reserve have not been afferted. The impacts of not desilting the stream will be monitored
to detemiine when. if ever. any de5ilting work is required.
While carrying out remedial work, the opportunity was tsken to raise the dam in the ditch on
the South Side above the public footpath by the treatment plant. Thls has resulted in more
water being diverted into the upper part of the reedbed. A scheme is under development to
dlvert MO￿ water Into thSs dltch from the stream on the North side of the Reserve.
Routine maSntenance including grass cuttln& minor repairs and tree surgery continued. The
benefits of annual reedcvts are being re-3ssè5sed to determlne ff. where and when they
should resume.

South West Waterfs ISWWI progress with identifying and reducing overflows ha5 been
disaprKJinting. An additional stormwater storage tank was commissioned in April 2024, and
this ha5 redU￿d the frequency of overflows. It doe5 not however address the fundamental
problem of excessive flows entering the treatment plant. 5WW are being urged to complete
their investigatlons and remedial work.
Mike Passman's daily blog Ihtt
thurle5toneba
provides a comprehensive
record of the species seen In the area- 166 in total for 2024, well down on the total of 176 in
2023. The low total was attrlbuted to fewer birdwatchers visiting the area and there being
fewer birds around {winter 2024125 has been very disappointingl.
Alan Pomroy continued to lead the fin8ing efforts at SoLrth Milton, but disturban￿ from
works at the treatment plant and higher water levels at Marsh Ride reduced the number and
length of ringing nets. Despite thi5. 1134 birds were processed including 291 wintering
Chiffthaffs. Flrecrest numbers continued to increase Ito 17 in 20241.
South Huish Meadowlands
Lease
The National Trust continues to debate their conseThation objectNes for their land in the
South Huish area and Devon Bird5 Potential long-lerm involvement. Due to the continuing
delays, the National Trust offered a second one-year license for Devon Birds to continue
managing the wetland until October 2025. Devon Birds Is pre55ing the National Trust for a
long-term lease as the current arrangement is unsatisfactory.
Re5torotion work
With imprt)ved control of water levels on completion of the initial restoratlon work In October
2023, the rneadowlands dried out sufficientty over summer 2024 to undertake the final stsge
of the restoratlon work In September 2024. The work was funded by the National Trust and
managed by Devon Birds, and included replacement of the weir on the first scrape and
remedial WO￿ lo the ditch furthest from the sea. Full control of water levels has been
restored, and the meadowlands were rarely flooded over the 2024125 wlnter and the floods
have 500n di55ipated Ithe rate is limited by the capacrf(y of the ourfall under the dunes).
For the ffirsl lime in Ihfee years, the Highland Cattle wer8 able to graze th8 meadowlands
beyond the scrapes over the summer {Ihey had been loo wet in previously}.
Birdlife
'rd numbers and $pecies have been well down overthe winter 2024125, initially no doubt due
lo distulDance of th8 restoration work bul later due to Ihe poor weather and fewer
bithalchers.

Beesands Hide
Wddicombe Ley is watched from the hide by a few r￿ular binh•Rtchers. with many more
watching when a rarity isfound. During the summer holidays, numbers areboosted by visitc¥s.
Access Ic+ the hrde is via a track maintained by Devon Birds. The wocxJ8n ramp into the h￿e
is about 30 ygars old and had to be repaired on several occa3i9ns. Reg￿ttabty al the end of
January, Devon Birds decidgd the ramp was no longer safe. At the time of wriknng. a proposal
for replat8ment of the ramp ￿ under consideration by Devon Birds Council.
Prawle Point Reserve
The reserve is watched and maintained by a small group d dedicated Devon Birds members
bul few other5.
Pig Nose Valley Res8rve188esands Ley Hidelwest Ch9rfeton Bird Hide
Nothing to reporL
Nick Townsend
Conservation Officer (South)
BRADIFORD RESERVE
Bradiford ReseNe continues to benefit our wildllfe with mlnimal maintenance. low vlsitor
impad & the use of Ilmited stock grazing to control vegetatlon to benefit wildflower5 &
Invertebrates.
AcrivrriES- JULY TO DECEMBER 2024
July- another se55ion to control the Himalayan Balsam.
August- pulled the Ragwort. Several sessions cutting back new Bramble growth around the
dumps of scrnb, overhanglng hedges and tree5 and burning the brash.
September- checked our boundary fenclng. Cattle commenceErazln& they stayed on untll
earty November. Set up the 4-day Bat Recorder.
November- set up my trailcam to confirm the Otter is still crosslng the Reserve via his well-
worn trail. Caught 2 Otters on the camera this timel Otter was recorded 5 nights out of 12
crossing the Reserve. Other regulars- pair of Red Fox, several Grey Rabblt and 3 Roe Deer.
Badger recorded on camera for the first time.

31# Decemberl!) Fencing contractor installed 40 new fence posts round the woodland
clumps & boundary fence to replace those rotted out over time. Need to keep these fence5
Secure to prevent grazlng stock damage to the young trees. (And escapesll
BIRD RECORDS FOR 2024
Autumn and Wintering species include regular Herring Gull roost,. Great Black-backed &
Black-headed Gulls: 81ack-tailed Godwit: Lapwin& Redshank,. Greenshank,. Snipe* Curlew:
Green and Common Sandpiper,. Oystercatcher: Canada Geese,. pair of Mute Swan,. Shelduck,.
Mallard: Teal: Water Rail.
Three Cattle Egrets were regulars during the late Autumn
Fer1￿.
Sprlng & Summer- both Reed and Sedge Warblers and Reed Bunting bred. Also Blackcap,
Chiffchaff. Willow Warbler. Song Thrush & House Sparrows occupied territories. Peregrine,
Buzzard, Sparrowhawk & Kestrel were recorded. Grey Heron, Little Egret & Kingfisher are
regula￿.
WORK PLAN 2025
lanuarylFebruary- Volunteers have tompleted stapling the new fence p05ts. Finlsh burning
the brash from last Autumn cutting. Depending on the ground condition5 the farmer may
graze sheep on the Reserve until early February. Iys all very wet at presentl
3￿h April 09-30- Devon Birds guided walk over the Reserve.
Continue Bat Survey rf are stlll dolng these.
Summer- continue Himalayan Balsarn and Bramble controls. Check tree growth. coppicin
hedge & fence security & tske appropriate actions.
September/November- dlscuss cattle grazing pL8n with the farmer. The grazlng routlne
continues to prcKluce good wildflower and grassland habitat for invertebrates & controls
vegetatlon growth.
We l¢Jok forward to further developments regarding the proposed a550ciations wlth Devon
Wildlife TrusL
Tim Smlth

GIX)BOROUGH
Another year of progress as the site o)ntlnues to develop its range of habltats. The plttu
below demonstrates the wide range of habitsts from woodland to grazed grassland wlth
almost everything In between, whlch is invaluable gNen the development all ar￿Jnd. It is
also Important to wekome a confirniation of Devon Birds commitment to the site and the
innings of a fruitful officlal link with Dwf, we already have strong unofficial links.
Fencing off the a￿a around the bottom pond proved very successful. the whole area was
allve with Invertebrates all sumrner. As a result, a larger area has been fen￿d off above the
top pcmd. Large patches of grass were cleared to make rough banks and flowers from
around the site have been transplanted and seed, garnered trom ver8es, and NT,
sown.
A further sertw)n of the cross-ridge dyke wa5 cleared and we are now off the At Risk
Register. Plan5 forfurther clearance have been formulated with DCC and there is a real
P055ibility of a geophysical survey near the mound to try and flmi up on the extent. date
and purpjse of the earthworks. A record has been located of an ancienL polshed axe head
being found on the site but nobo￿ knows where it is today. If anyone knows of any
descendants of Major B.W.Ha5well coukl they let us know as It was meant to be in his
Possession in 1977.

Our Autumn work programme went well and the path5 were in pristine condltion, ès can be
seen in the photo above, after the chipping week which cleared lots of dead wood. After
Stomi Bert there no damage and all looked OK for the winter. However, it was not to be,
Storni Darragh struckfrom an unusual directM)n w￿h prolonged ferocity. We lost a number
of small and large trees but none hlt anythlng signrficant The felling of the leaning ash arhj
willow tree5 by the sheds in Spring proved to be a very wlse (kclslon, as that was the area
where there was most damage. The real disaster wa5 the loss of 0Urshe￿er which was
rl)ped out of the ground and deposlted on its roof, the same fate as some stables in nearby
r￿Ids. The damage to the shelter will necessitate a complete rebuild and you on see how
the volunteers miss the shelter.
Before the Storn)
Afterthe Storm
Plannin8 Rebuild
Blrd rfnging on the site remains a valuable actlvlty and thanks 80 to Rory and hls helpers
who have added 5igntfTrntlyto our knowledge of the slte and confirmed a number of
observatlon5. Monthty Surv￿ led by Mandy and Sue have given us a much better grasp of
the blrd populatlon aeross the year. aided by the invaluable sightings board In the shelter.
Flower. butteth, bee and odonata surveys were all completed.
Looking ahead to 2025 we have all the usual maintenanceta5ks and we aim to produce a
long term management plan for the slte. We have been lucky enough to be given trees by
Devon Treescape and the National Trust. including a lot of wild pears and crab apples. These
wlll be planted in a deslgnated orchard area and in areas where we have ash trees shrwding
symptoms of ash dieback.
I must end by thanking all those who have given upthelr tlme to ke?p Godbcrough a real
Nature Refuge In the middle of the hou5elyJilding exploslon )11 around the s1ts- your efforts
are muth appreclated by everyone within the area and are illustrated below.

Gorse clearfng January
Deeron a cokl morning
Clearirvdthe castle mound
aeared cross-ridge dyke
Clearin8 Mlddle Pond by hand New flowering plant areas
Philip Marlow

Trustees, Annual Report for the period
Perlod stsrt date
Pewlod end date
Da
Monih
Month
From
YJ24
12
To
arity name
Devon Birds
Othw names dwrlty Is known by
Reglstered Charity number IIFany)
1191647
tharity's wincipjl addre55
I Colleton c￿S¢ent
Exeter
Devon
Postcode
EX2 4DG
Namesofthe tharlty trustees who man•theth
Trustsena
Cfft¥lllanvl
DAte5artqd whde
olp*s¢)nlor bodyl•ThlW
1PPDknttrLthel￿¥ny)
MrT Misselbrook
Apwbnted 23 march '24
Appointed 23 March '24
Mlss A CollKk
Treasurer
Mr C Randall
Vlce-chairman
MrA Uttlng
Ms F Freshney
Mr M Cpniels
Communicatiors Officer
Secretary
Mrs E Harrls
Mr N D'Agorne
MrRG Burton
Fieskned 23 March'24
io
Mr S Churchlev
Resigned 23 March'24

li
Names of the tnAsteeslor tharlty, If ary. Iforexam￿e. any cistodlanlrustee51
Dale5aCted H notlorwholeyear
Name
Names and addresses of ad¥lsets {Optional Inforniatjonl
Plldress
Type of adviser
Independent
Examiner
We5tcotL5
47 Boutport Street Bamstsple, Devon EX31 ISQ
Name of thlef execut1￿ or names of 5onior staff members {Optlonal Informatitinl
Dexrlptlon of the ¢harlWs trusts
Type of governing document
CorL£lltution dated 5 October 2020, whlch Is published and a copy available to all
Members via the webslte.
the charity is ¢onstituled
Charitable Incorporated Organisation ICIOI
Trustee selectknn rnethods
Appointed by members or the charity trustees.
Additlonal 80vWna￿e issues (Oplh>ial knfgmth)

You may thoose to include
additional information, where
relevanL aboLrt'.
The charity has branches for different area5 of Devon.. East Devorn Mid Devon,
South Devon. p￿rno1rth, Taw & Torridge. each Or￿n1${n8 lo¢al events and talk5.
policies and procedures adopted
for the indurtion and training of
trustees-
Tru
Sma
ntain a risk register. which Is revlewed on a regularbasis.
the charity's organisational
structure and any wider network
with which the charlty work5,.
relationship with any related
partie5:
trustees, consideration of major
rlsks and the syslem and
Pro￿dU￿ to manage them.
Section C
Objectives and activities
To advance education for the publlc benefit in the study of birds and to
promote thelrcowrvation by..
Publishin8 an annual report of blrd specles within the County of
Devon,.
Promoting a wider Inte￿t in Ixrd5 and their habitats, SCIen￿ and
conservation,.
Enwura8ing and promoting an Interest In blrds: for people of all
levels of experience,.
Organising a programrne of field and indoor meètings to Èducate
and Inform members and the wider publlc:
Prornoting a continuing improvement in the submission, collation,
publication and a¢￿$ to ornithological records and studies;
Managlng 3 network of reserves in the county for the prvteLtlon
and ConServat￿n of birds and asSoc￿ted wildllfe,.
Supporting research and rnaki￿ grants to other organi5ations in
furtherano of the purpose.
Summary ofthe objects of the
tharity set out in its governlng
document
Ivrl

The artMtle5 undertsken tythe tharity tolurther Its purposes forihe publlc
nefit
A varied pro8ramme of field and indoor meeting5 took place in each of thè
branche5 to educate and infomi members and the wider public about birds and
their conservation.
A selection of reserves and hides are Maintsin￿ by volunteers for the benefit
of members and the widèr community to encourage and promote an interell In
birds, their habltsts 3nd con5ervatlon.
Publlshed the annual report of bird speaes reported within Devon. for the
intwest of our rnembers and the scient5fic community.
Summary of the maln actlvltles
undertaken forthe publlc bgngfit
Sn relatlon to these objert5
Ilncludewithin this section the
5tstutory detlaratlon that trustees
have had regard to the Buldanc•
Issued tylhe Charity Commission
on PU￿1£ bonetitl
Promoted a wider inte￿1 In Bird5 by publicising the activities of other
organisation5 in our newsletter and on our webslte. Examples thi5year Include
the D3rt blrds sighting initiative, updates on the Otter estuary work and
publi¢islng the work of Barn Ch¥1 Trust Sn respect of Little Owt.
The tru5tee5 confirm that they have complled wlth the requirements olsection
17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit 8uidanre
published by the Charity Commission for EnBland and Wales.

Aldltlonal detsllsof objerti¥es arKI activltles (Optlonal infomiatioTr}
We aregrateful for311 our volunteers. Includingthe branch committees for
organising and ensuring there 15 a range of activlties for our members, as well
as our reseTve managers and volunteers for ensuringthat pra￿e, South Huish,
Beesands. South Milton, Godborough. Bradiford and Slapton are all managed In
an environmentslly consdous way maklng the re5erve5 a haven forall wildllfe.
induding bird5.
You may choose to includefurther
ststsments, where relevant. about..
poliry on grantrnakin&
policy programme relatsd
investmentr,
contribution made bv
volunteers.

S￿￿m￿Y ofthe maln
achlevemtrts ofth¢ fharltyduth
theyear
South Dwon Brdnch
In January. Rlck Lockwood 8ave a talk about a malor project that will providè
long-term improvements for wldlife, the Lower Otter Restoration Project. This
was attendÈd by 50 members and non-members.
A birdw3tchlng walk around the Otter followlng the talk was a150 led by Alck
and attended by 10 members.
In February 52 members and non-members attended a presentation on
Challacombe Fami. presented by Mark Owen and Nlk Ward.
In March, 37 Members and non.nEmbers attended a presentation by Peter
Reay. enfjded On My Door5tep-Starlin8s. G005anders, Stonechats and the
South Brent Parish Survey.
In Aprll, 35 members and rKin-members attended a preSents￿On, dellvered by
Dave Scott, entitled Blrds of the Arctlc Circle.
In Maythe Branch held a walk around Challacombe Farm and Challacombe
Down. wrÉh 12 members taklng part. It was led by the Farm owner, Mark Owen
and Rin8ing Secretary, Nik Ward.
In September. 34 members and non-member5 attended a p￿sen￿tIOn,
delivered bythe Branch secretary, Jeff Haton, highllghtlng Jeffs vlsit to Kenya.
In October lan Gasper p￿nted a talk about how IMrd5 behave. This was
attended by 44 members and non-MeM￿rs.
In November, 45 membets and non-members attended a p￿sentatIon byjohn
W31ters. about the Birds. Beasts and of Devon.

Mid De¥on Branch
Indoor meetinBS of 2024 Included Martln Overy tslking about The Devon Birds
Annual Report- how it is put together and how important your records are, as
well as AndyGray talking about'changing farmlng practices,. Andy is a farmer
from the Crediton area wr(h a comrnitment to innovatlve and sustslnable
farming pract1￿ that benefit the environmen¢ promwe acce55ibilty to quality
food and inspire future farmers.
The branch held 20 walk5 overthe year. with attendaft￿ of between 6 and 25
people. A particular highllght was a close slghtSng of a Honey Buzzard on
Dartmoor Sn June. A walk from Powderham toTurf Lock in January on what was
Cold, but beautrfulFy dear morn1r￿. A visit to Molland Common vhth plenty of
sun and good clear views and six raptor species and perfect weather madè for
some happy blrders. Avlslt to Meeth Quary Reserve took despf(e some
stron8 winds and a few showers.
A day without raln In Aprfl 2024 was a bit of a luxury for Devon Birds members
at Hawkedand Valley and Ayle5beare Common. part of the Pebblebed Heaths
SSSI. In Maythere were vistt5 tt> Ea5tAnstey Common. Exmoor. and
ChallatombÈ, Dartmoor. Berry head was vislted in lune, wfth DolphSns in
addition to birds. Julysaw the branch visltSng Mardon Down in Dartmoor to
look for Ni8htjars. bats and moth5 as well as a ￿51t to Cookworthy Forest.
Augusvs wsit was to Meshaw Moor and Leigh Bridge. A field visit to Northam
Burrows took place In September. ￿l$lts to R￿ldford Lake and Exminster
Marshes took pla￿ In Novemberznd a visitto Dawllsh Warren took place in
De￿Mber.
Ptymouth Branth
CuT￿nt￿ our membership in the PL area compfSses of 235 households of the
1372 Mem1￿r5 of Devon 8ird5 IDBI. The Committee of 11 puttogether a
programme of 4 indoor meetirEs held at Mutley Baptist Church and 15 outdoor
meetings throughoutthe year.
Thejanuary talk was bythe Nature Recovery Officer of Devon WildlrfeTrust
(D￿1. Erni￿4 Cuff, who described the reintroduction of the Pine Martln to the

woodlands of Dartmoor and Exmoor. In April Mark Owen's presentation
detailed the landstape management work that 15 being undertaken to improve
the ecolo8y of Challacombe Fann on Dartmoor. We were able to See some of
these char8es when he led a guided Msit for the 8roup in May. In September
and November respectively, two presentations on conservation project5 were
given. The firsi b¥Jon Avon. who is involved in thg 5 year Dartmoor Cudew
Recovery Project and Ajistair Whybrow, an enthuslast for Swift5. who has
erected many nest boxe5 in churth towers around Kingste￿nton.
The purthase of a loudspeaker and microphone $￿teM by the Branch has
improved the eXperIen￿ for those attendingour indoor rneetings.
Our outdoor pro8ramme stsrted wlth coastal visits to Broadsands and
Brlxham and later in the year to Wembury, Soar and Slapton Ley. Four
estuarlne venue5 included trlps tothe River Exe and R5PB Reserve at
BovAlng Green Marsh, to the Rivercamel and Walmsley Reserve In Cornwall, to
Seaton Wetlands on the the and also Torpoint and the River Lynher. Duringthe
summer, suitsble sltes on Dartmoor wère selected to observe mlgrants and
resident bird5 in the WODdlands of Yarner3nd near Venford Reservoir. The
a￿a$ of Challacombe Farm, Cadover Brldge. Clearbrook and Em5WOrthy D
Reserve acted as valuable venues to see heath and moorland blrds. Our evenir
sit to Cann Woods in search of Nlghtjars is bewming less successful as the
vegetation increases In helght.
Conditions for outdoor bird watching events proved challenging during 2024
due to weL cold weathèr. The number of those participating in each vlsirvarted
betwÈènlO and 28 overtheyear. We have become adept at divlding into
smallergroups as required.
The National Trust Imn at Saltram allowed the Branch to hold an aftemoon
meeting to encourage the passing publi¢to usè the telescopes and blnoculars
centred onto the scrape at Blaxton Meadow. In additlon to sharing our intEYest
in local birdlrfe it provlded an opportunity to promote the w¢yk of Devon &rds.
Two surveys on blrdllfe have been carrled out at Tothill Park, a popular park in
the ¢ity. Advlce wa5 given on thè suitablility of the posltloning of nest boxes.

The third and final survey ot the year was completed by several tsam5 at the NT
8u¢kland Abbeyestate. The aim was to establish a base line of bird speoes
around the 8rounds. as work contSnues to improve the ecologyfor wildllfe.
East De¥on Brar
The branth owJnised about 20 walks In the year atvarious places around the
County. wlth one further afield. Attendance varied between about 5 and 20
people, comprislng perhaps 40+ different indiwlduals. Two Wal￿ were cancelled
due to bad weather conditions. Reports for most were pla￿d on the Society
website.
The subcommittee that runs these adiwties comprises S people. who are
electedlrè-èlected annually.
l)evon Blrd5 Swlft Box Prole£t
It is common knowledge that Swifts IApu5 apu51 are decllnlng across Prfltaln at
an alarming rate, about 50% in 25 years. and Devon is no different. Whi15t the
causes undoubtedlylndude1055 of insects and problems In their winter range,
the Increasi￿ shorta8e of nest sites is one that we can remedy. Churches are
great for this project. as many have towers which RSve height lack of
dlsturbance, 3nd some permanente Iso rrany house are"tidled by owners,
thus rem￿ng access for swifts).
To that end, Devon Bird5 Coun¢ll agreed to put fund5 towards the Swift Box
Project. whith include5 installing nest boxes in churches ind some publlctslks
to engage the vAder community.
Atotal of32 boxes have been installed to date, with rfy3ny churches on the
waitinB list to have boxes instslled.
Exmtsor National pa￿ A￿hOrIty Moorland Breedlrq 81rd Sury
Oevon Birds contributed fundingtoward5 an Exmoor National Park Authoritv
Inltl3ted survey in 2024. 3 repeat of surveys conducted in 2008 and 2014 by the
RSPB. The results wll provlde upto date information on the staius and

dlstribLbiion of Exmoor'5 moorland birds, support landowners and land
managers transitioning into new agri*nvironment scheme5 including
Landscape Recovery. Inforni Local Naturè Recoverystrategies and contribute tL)
the programme of SSSI conditlon assessments. As of March 2025, the IISPB
written-report ￿ nearing completion.
Pied Fly¢atther Researrh
Devon Birds contracted ornithologists Malcolm Burgess IPiedAy Netr￿rk
manager) and Fraser Bell to undertake a research projert lookingto gain
understanding of how migratory songblrds cr05s the Sahara Desert in sprlng
and auturnn. Sophistitatal muti-sensor ts8s were fitted on Pled flycatchers
recording temperature. light levels and alr pressure, enablhng accurate
estimation of the altltude of fli8ht. The tran>Saharan mlgration is thought to be
a Si8nifi¢ant constraint to annual survival of migrants. Malcolm and Fraser are
cuirenuywriting a paper for publication In ajoumal.
Section E
Financial review
Devon Birds Is funded (Subscriptions, Donations and Legacies) by bird lovers
who expect thelr gift to be used carefvlly and wisely In accordance wlth the OB
constitutlon and regulatory authority requirements.
Brlef statement of the tharftys
pollryon reseNes
The trustees have made the decision to utili5e some of the reserves to further
the aims of the chaTity. Hence the deficit forthe last trloyears and planned
deficit for 2025.
Durlng 2024 the chaTity has designated £75,000 tothe Swift Boxes In Churches
projecL

The tharity. being mindlul of Charfty Commi55ion guidan￿. aims to maximlse
the use of available funds for the benefit of the charitable objectfves. Thè aim 15
to have unrestricted reSe￿e$. equiwalentto at least three mnth5' runnlng
costs. The total unrÈstri¢ted reserves at 31 Decernber 2024 was £132,317,
which the trustees consider acceptable.
Detalls of anylunds materlally In
defkit
NIA
Furtherfinanclal r&rfvbV details (Optlonal Informatlonl
Vou may choose to include
Jdltional infomiation. where
relevant about..
the charWs principal sources
of funds lincludlng any
fundr3i51ngl;
how expenditure has
supportèd the key objectlvès of
the charity-
investment poliry and
objective5 Induding anyethical
irve51ment polky •Jopted.
Section F
Other optional information
Section G
Declaration
The trustees dedare that they have approved the trustees, report above.
Si8ned on behalf of the charity4s trustees
SIgna￿re(SI
Full nafflelsl
Amanda Collick
Colin Randall

Posltlon le8Se¢retary. Chair. etcl
Treasurer
vi￿£haIrMan
2910312025