A NEW group for keen twitchers and bird enthusiasts has been set up in mid Devon.

Devon Birds has launched a new mid Devon group to help people interested in birds and bird watching to discover the wealth of bird life found in the area.

The group will cover from Tiverton to the Cornish border, and their first field meeting in February saw 20 people explore Eggesford Forest.

One of the new group's first participants Mary Wallis said: 'It is nice to see something going on in your locality and to get the chance to meet other birders in your own area.

'I have often felt there is so much experience and knowledge out there, but without the efforts of becoming a group, it can be difficult to tap into that — I personally love learning from others and sharing the joy of different sightings, so for me this is an exciting opportunity.

'I for one know there is so much out there to see that I am unaware of, and a lot of local knowledge and expertise that I can tap into, and this is an opportunity to do that. It makes me a happy bird watcher.'

With a busy diary of trips and guided walks planned for 2013, further details can be found under the news section on http://www.devonbirds.org">www.devonbirds.org