If the party has magic items yes it will detect them, but when you use your action to look around you will see the magic aura as listed in the Detect Magic so yes a caster using it has to use an action to spot said items or creatures or effects.
Can Detect magic see Wildshape?
Wild Shape is a magical effect: Starting at 2nd Level, you can use your action to magically assume the shape of a beast that you have seen before. therefore it can be detected by Detect Magic, which unambiguously states the following: For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you.
How does DND detect the presence of magic?
A creature that can see invisible objects sees the sensor as a luminous orb…” “…you sense the presence of magic within 30ft of you. …you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any…”
How does the Detect Magic work in RuneScape?
For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any. Do I have to tell them it’s illusion magic? How does this work?
How does the detect magic spell detect prepared spells?
For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any. (emphasis mine)
How does detect magic allow detection of scrying?
Some of them have access to Detect Magic. If he scrys on them while they’re using Detect Magic, will they be able to see the invisible sensor from scrying, or otherwise detect a divination aura? “…The spell creates an invisible sensor within 10ft of the target. A creature that can see invisible objects sees the sensor as a luminous orb…”
