Devon Dates...

[John_Baker]

A couple of diary dates for those in Devon in August, plus some other bits...

Dawlish/Torbay/Dartmouth
· Thursday August 20th Dawlish Carnival Airshow – this is a really great event and is very well supported, the event normally starts at around 12:30 - Further details... - you can see some of our previous attempts - AP link - We normally try to get together in the morning and do another area, last year we had a great trip to the Butterfly Farm at Buckfast.
· Wednesday August 26th Torbay Airshow 6:00 pm – this is another nice display by the Reds, good views from the harbour and across the bay to Brixham and Berry Head - couple of pics - AP link
· Monday August 24th Corbyn Head Fireworks
· End of August Dartmouth Airshow (27/28/29) - most of the main flying events take place on the Saturday, last year was not great, due to low cloud

Plymouth
· 11/12 August - British Fireworks Championships Finals – not been to this before, but always looks totally amazing on TV - Further details – I think Colin (Badgerman) went last year, I seem to remember it rained!!!

Other items
I will post the Devon dates for the British Dragonfly Society (BDS) field trips when they are available. These are amazing events, normally lead by a local expert; they are great for “bug nuts” or those just wanting to learn a little more about the subjects. At one event last year I was able to photograph 18 different species of dragons and damsels. The BDS Dragonfly Week will run from Saturday May 23rd to Sunday May 31st - web page - not a lot of details at the moment...

We still have a free visit to Becky Falls at some stage, I am waiting to see what the BDS is doing before I book a date for that – will possibly be in late May, current thoughts are half day on the Becky Falls/Moor followed by a visit to Stover or one of the lakes at Bovey Tracey.

Feel free to add other dates/details...

[Badgerman]

Plymouth
· 11/12 August - British Fireworks Championships Finals – not been to this before, but always looks totally amazing on TV - Further details – I think Colin (Badgerman) went last year, I seem to remember it rained!!!

A great event over two nights and one I go to every year, If you like huge firework displays then you will love these shows.

Here is one of the shots I took last year, my first attempt at photographing fireworks.



The rain actually held off until the last display was over, then the clouds opened up....we were very lucky weather wise.

Looking forward to the Becky Falls meet John and hope others can make it too.

[John_Baker]

Colin that is a great iconic shot and not a badger in sight - that would make a nice postcard!!!

Another event to add to the above the Lands End Trial on 10/11 April – This is another of the classic Motor Cycle Club events and has been run since 1908, when the run went from London to Lands End and back! More details - www.themotorcyclingclub.org.uk - This year there are 561 entrants made up of both motorcycles and cars – the site above lists the 4 x famous viewing spots – Darracott , Hoskin, Crackington and Blue Hills – with full details of parking and access. Plus the various routes with some great locations along the North Cornwall coast.

You can see some of the shots from the Exeter Trial...
I have a car full of people for the Saturday, we will be starting at Hoskin (Bodmin) entrants going through from 9:05 to 14:37 and then move down to Blue Hill (St Agnes) which should be busy from 11:10 to 16:42 – should be a fun day out!!!

A couple more events for you Zapcat Racing will be back in Watergate Bay (Near Newquay) on 13th & 14th June and the 25th & 26th September - details...

[Badgerman]

Colin that is a great iconic shot and not a badger in sight - that would make a nice postcard!!!

Thank you John, I might take a look at that idea....will try a card version first to see what it looks like.

[Nod]

I was in Exeter yesterday and was handed a list of hillclimbing events for Wiscombe Park. The dates are as follows.
April 25/25
May 9/10
May 16/17
July 25/26
September 5/6
September 12/13
More details (like what's likely to be racing) available at www.wiscombepark.co.uk . AFAIK, the VSCC will be there on 10th May - so will I!

[aiwa_yamaha]

I should be popping along to some events. I'll go with what ever is decided.

[bob58]

quite happy to go with the flow, although may bank holiday weekend could be bit tricky for me

look forward to another meet

[John_Baker]

Finally got through the diary dates…
I will post some more details when they are available. These are a great opportunity to learn more about these wonderful creatures.
• Saturday 23 May – Stover Lake – BDS Lead Dave Smallshire - Target: Hairy & Downy Emerald dragons
• Sunday 31 May – Countess Wear and Exminster Marshes – BDS Lead Dave Smallshire - Target: Red-eye, White-leg, banded demo, hairy, emperor, black-tailed skimmer and scarce chaser
• Sunday 21 June – Axe Valley and Lower Bruckland Ponds - BDS Lead Dave Smallshire - Target: scarce chaser, white-leg, red-veined darter, red-eyed and small red-eye
• Sunday 5 July – Lower Tamar Valley - BDS Lead Dave Smallshire - Target: white-leg, banded demo, plus?
• Sunday 26 July – Smallhanger, SW Dartmoor - BDS Lead Dave Smallshire - Target: small-red, blue-tailed, common hawker, keeled skimmer, black darter, red-veined darter and fairy shrimp?

[OneTen]

Great stuff John. I've just completed my membership application and hope to attend as many of these events as I can.

[John_Baker]

Fully agree it is only £15 and worth every penny…

[John_Baker]

Dave Smallshire (BDS expert & author of numerous dragonfly books) will be leading a British Dragonfly Society walk around Stover lake, the event is open to members of the public – hopefully the sun will be shining – please PM if you are interested in attending!!
Extract: from BDS site... A walk around the lake and its accompanying ponds, looking in particular for Hairy Dragonfly and Downy Emerald. There will be a focus on finding evidence of breeding, so we will be looking for emerging dragonflies and their exuviae. If weather dictates some time indoors, there will be a session on identifying larvae and exuviae as well as an update on Key Species and Key Sites in the county, and an Atlas update.
Meet : 10:00 a.m. at the visitor centre (SX833751; entrance off A382 to Newton Abbot, 300m from A38, 10 miles from M5), finishing at 4:00 p.m.
Bring lunch (drinks provided), wellies and close-focus binoculars. Pay and display car park.

This is a great opportunity to get really close to some dragonflies/damsels and get an understanding of them and their environment...

[Steve52]

Why do all these events come up when I'm on call for work. grrrrrrrr

[John_Baker]

Quick plug...
British Dragonfly Society meet Sunday 26 July - Smallhanger, SW Dartmoor, Devon
Leader/Contact: Dave Smallshire Tel: 01626 853393
Aim: A wide range of species at this threatened site, including Small Red and Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies, Common Hawker, Keeled Skimmer, Black Darter and maybe Red-veined Darter and Fairy Shrimp.
Meet: 10:00 a.m. by the ford at Drakeland Corner (SX572589), finishing early afternoon.
Requirements: Wellies and lunch recommended.

[OneTen]

I'm very interested in this one John, as I was in the last two that I couldn't make.

[John_Baker]

This is the last Devon one of the year – I am meeting up with Adrian Harris at Trago and then car sharing, not sure of timings – location is outskirts of Plymouth – would be good to catch up with you - Location 'ish...