European stonechat perching on a fern branch against clear background, UK. Birds in parks and meadows.
Bellever Bird Surveys May/June 2023

Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust: Bellever Moorland
Bird Survey. Visit 1 2023

SURVEYS COMPLETED BY – Jude Dinham-Price

Species Codes: Meadow pipit (MP), Linnet (LI), Stonechat (SC), Whinchat (WC), Reed Bunting (RB), Tree Pipit (TP), Willow Warbler (WW), Grasshopper Warbler (GH), Cuckoo (CK), Carrion Crow (C), Kestrel (K), Whitethroat (WH), Wheatear (W), Dartford Warbler (DW), Redstart (RT). Added this year: Raven (RN), Hen Harrier (HH), Sparrowhawk (SP), Chiffchaff (CC). Behaviour codes: P: Present in breeding season N: Visiting probable nest site A: Agitated behaviour B: Carrying nest material FL: Recently fledged young FY: Carrying food for young S: Male singing P: Pair in suitable habitat T: Territorial behaviour.

 

Visit Species Code Male, Female, Pair, Juvenile, Unsexed or count Behaviour Code Notes
01/05/2023

 

HH 1F PRESENT – Hunting A ringtail observed hunting the western flank of Bellever Tor. First sighting here during the last three years especially late for Dartmoor
01/05/2023

 

SC 6P+4F+2M=18 N,A,FL,S,P,T Good population of Stonechat again this year.  However close relative the winchat was missing this year perhaps due to similar reasons to tree pipit slow migration and unfavourable weather
01/05/2023

 

TP 1M however 3 were heard just outside the immediate survey area in the clear fell regions to the west of the survey site S Far fewer Tree pipit this year potentially due to weather conditions or slow migration this year. Hopefully more will be found on the second visit
30/05/2023

 

MP 11 S,T,FY Lots of meadow pipit in preferable tree habitat this year. The habitat north of Bellever Tor seems to be most favourable to the Meadow pipit due to their preference of more open ground with fewer trees and dense scrub
30/05/2023

 

S 3M S,T Similar territories to last year with a further male observed to the North of the Tor
30/05/2023

 

WW 13M + 1 confirmed pair = 15

 

S,P Good number of this species on site and some could have been missed.  Likes Moorland fringe habitat with a preference to broadleaved trees which are increasing on site
30/05/2023 LI 2 PRESENT Flyover by pair
01/05/2023

 

C 5 PRESENT Active pairs on site
01/05/2023

 

CK 4 PRESENT Great view of four cuckoos covering most of the heath on Bellever Tor, territorial disputes between two males were observed for 15 minutes
01/05/2023

 

RT 3M S Three birds seen on site boundary to the west in the conifers.  Favours woodland and Moorland fringe habitat.  Increasing nationwide
01/05/2023

 

GH 2M S First confirmed sighting of two separate males over the last three years both reeling from western gorse to the eastern edge of the site
01/05/2023

 

CC 5M S Decided to start recording this species on site. Seemed to be marginally higher numbers this year and occupy a similar niche to willow warbler so competition may arise due to upslope shift
01/05/2023

 

RN 1 C 1 calling from tree at North end of site
01/05/2023

 

SP 1 PRESENT – hunting Not a specific moorland species but a good indicator of prey availability in the form of moorland passerines

SECOND VISIT – Jude Dinham-Price

15/06/2023 WC Pair A,FY Same location to where a male was singing last year
15/06/2023 SC 6P+1F+4fL=13 Adults and four fledglings N,A,FL,S,P,T Good population of Stonechat again this year in the usual territories. Souh of Bellever is optimal
15/06/2023 TP 9M+1+1FL=11 adults and 1 fledgling

However heard 1 just outside the immediate survey area in the clear fell regions to the west of the survey site per usual

S Far fewer tree pipit during early visit but more in the second visit.  Potentially slow migration. Potential fledging in Laughter Tor transect and female near nest on Lakehead Hill
15/06/2023 MP 7P+3FL S,T,FY Lots of meadow pipit in preferable tree habitat this year. The habitat north of Bellever Tor seems to be most favourable to the Meadow pipit due to their preference of more open ground with fewer trees and dense scrub
15/06/2023 S 1P+1MS S.T,N Similar territories to last year wih a probable nest near to Bellever Tor
15/06/2023 WW 8M+2P=12 S,P Good number of this species on site and some could have been missed.  Likes Moorland fringe habitat with a preference to broadleaved trees which are increasing on site. Fewer in late visit due to nesting or loss of passage birds
15/06/2023 LI Pair PRESENT Flyover by pair
15/06/2023 CK 1 PRESENT, T Active male on site near Bellever
15/06/2023 CC 3M S Decided to start recording this species on site. Seemed to be marginally higher numbers this year and occupy a similar niche to willow warbler so competition may arise due to upslope shift
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