High Tide 3.84m @ 07:24, Sunrise 07:09, Team meet time 05:20
The Oystercatchers at Dawlish Warren have become increasingly difficult to catch over the past few years. This is principally due to the flock no longer roosting in the recharge area due to a change in beach profile. The flock now roosts almost exclusively on finger point itself, a much more complex site to cannon-net on. Birds can approach a possible net set from all directions; the mix of species and numbers is less predictable, and the site covers on some of our workable high tide series. After recces last winter and another in October, the group leaders formed a plan to catch on finger point in October, which sadly had to be cancelled due to weather, but we were back there in early November for an attempt.
Robin, Lizzie and others recce'd the site at dawn on Saturday, 2nd November, finding a mixed flock of ~1500 waders, including Curlew, Oystercatchers, Dunlin and Redshank. The latter two species were unexpected and had only started to use the warren a week or so previously. They were informed later by Lee Collins, our resident resighter. This meant the original plan to catch a nicely separate flock of Oystercatchers along the tide edge, as had been the case in previous recces, needed to be altered. The decision was made to set a half-net (12.5m x 13.5m) along the fence line, firing down the length of the sandy spit itself. At low tide, Caius, the new Teignbridge Assistant Warden, kindly helped the setting team get the kit to the point and set the net. After setting, the team enjoyed the standard DCWRG pre-cannon-netting carvery at the Swans Nest before heading back to their respective beds for a very early start in the morning. On the morning of the catch, the team gathered in the dark and got into position on the point. As the sun rose, Lizzie and Robin could see that the Oystercatchers were standing nicely in front of the net as hoped, but unfortunately, there were a few birds too close to the net, so it was not safe to take a catch. This was the case as the tide kept rising with birds moving around on the point, and unfortunately, there was never a safe point to catch or enough birds in the catch area. A lot was learnt about the bird's behaviour that morning, and the team feels it is a hopeful option for a good catch in the future.
The DCWRG committee thanks all the members who attended the catch: Lizzie and Robin for their efforts to plan, recce, and lead the attempt; Dawlish Warren Golf Club for access, and Stephen and Caius at Teignbridge Council for their advice on the site, permission, and help with kit.
Written by: Ryan Burrell and Lizzie Grayshon
A happy team after a morning out on the Warren despite no catch being taken.