Bird-spotters flock to see American visitor in Exeter

HUNDREDS of birdwatchers from around Britain homed in on one of the boggiest parts of Exeter – to see a robin.

But this was no ordinary red-breasted bird.

It was an American robin, of a type not seen on these shores for nearly 30 years.

A member of the thrush family, the large songbird was a long way from home after being blown thousand of miles off course. It ended up among the red berries growing in the midst of the picturesque Exminster Marshes.

The rain-swept marsh land proved a home from home after the bird travelled over the Atlantic. And word soon got out that it was in town.


It is thought to be the first American Robin to come to Devon since 1982.

Word of sightings quickly spread among the close-knit bird watching fraternity and hundreds flocked from all over the country to catch a glimpse of the rare visitor.

Excitement was high at times as the bird-watchers, loaded with cameras, tripods, binoculars, telescopes and even sound recording gear, tripped over themselves to get the best views.

Though common in North America, there have been only 24 recorded sightings of the bird in the UK since 1950.

Tony Whitehead, RSPB Press Officer in Exeter, said: "It's quite a rare bird, but when they do turn up Devon and Cornwall are the two places that have the majority of records for the American Robin."

The male seen in Exeter over the weekend is thought to have been swept over to England by the same Atlantic storms that brought torrential rain down on the heads of the bird-watchers.

Mr Whitehead said: "They are migrant birds and fly from North America down to South America in winter. Some get caught up in tropical storms or weather systems and get hurled across the Atlantic."

So far it's been a good year for America in Devon as the robin is the third stateside visitor, with birders spotting an American Golden Plover and Carolina Wood Duck recently.


By Rebecca Lomax

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Bird-spotters-flock-American-visitor/article-2896910-detail/article.html

Bird-spotters flock to see American visitor in Exeter

HUNDREDS of birdwatchers from around Britain homed in on one of the boggiest parts of Exeter – to see a robin.

But this was no ordinary red-breasted bird.

It was an American robin, of a type not seen on these shores for nearly 30 years.

A member of the thrush family, the large songbird was a long way from home after being blown thousand of miles off course. It ended up among the red berries growing in the midst of the picturesque Exminster Marshes.

The rain-swept marsh land proved a home from home after the bird travelled over the Atlantic. And word soon got out that it was in town.


It is thought to be the first American Robin to come to Devon since 1982.

Word of sightings quickly spread among the close-knit bird watching fraternity and hundreds flocked from all over the country to catch a glimpse of the rare visitor.

Excitement was high at times as the bird-watchers, loaded with cameras, tripods, binoculars, telescopes and even sound recording gear, tripped over themselves to get the best views.

Though common in North America, there have been only 24 recorded sightings of the bird in the UK since 1950.

Tony Whitehead, RSPB Press Officer in Exeter, said: "It's quite a rare bird, but when they do turn up Devon and Cornwall are the two places that have the majority of records for the American Robin."

The male seen in Exeter over the weekend is thought to have been swept over to England by the same Atlantic storms that brought torrential rain down on the heads of the bird-watchers.

Mr Whitehead said: "They are migrant birds and fly from North America down to South America in winter. Some get caught up in tropical storms or weather systems and get hurled across the Atlantic."

So far it's been a good year for America in Devon as the robin is the third stateside visitor, with birders spotting an American Golden Plover and Carolina Wood Duck recently.


By Rebecca Lomax

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Bird-spotters-flock-American-visitor/article-2896910-detail/article.html

Bereaved swans inseparable after their blind date

TWO lonely swans who had both lost their mates have found love again.

The pair have settled down to a new life together at a small holding at West Anstey, thanks to the match-making efforts of Diana Lewis from the North Devon Animal Ambulance (NDAA).
Usually, swans mate for life so it was hit-or-miss whether or not the two would take to each other.

But, after a cautious introduction, nature took its course and the new couple are now inseparable.

Their happy ending came about through coincidence.

A couple near South Molton rang to say their cob was so distraught at the death of his mate, they were going to return him to a swan sanctuary upcountry and asked Diana for a swan carrier.

By coincidence, the NDAA had also learned that a couple from West Anstey were looking for a mate for a lonely female swan on their smallholding.

Diana played cupid and brought them both together for a first date to see if each could find love again.

She said: "It was quite a magical thing to watch. They were very wary at first and circled around for some time, getting slowly closer and closer.

"In the end they came out onto the bank and sat down together. It was really very sweet and very rewarding because both of them deserved a new and happy future together."

Liz Sharpe and her husband John run the smallholding in West Anstey where the birds have settled; it has two lakes for wildfowl.

Liz said they were getting on very well and had become inseparable.

She added: "If he had arrived earlier we would have possibly had some cygnets but it was just a little bit late in the season. We are optimistic we might get some cygnets next year."

http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/Bereaved-swans-inseparable-blind-date/article-1085031-detail/article.html