Places to visit

Blog post: A Belated 2 week Birthday for the Chicks!

Vicki Smith — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Well the little chicks are now over a week old so everyone is desperately waiting for them to show us their fluffy white faces, it wont be long until we get the book of baby names out. Still Mr and Mrs Peregrine have been very attentive and have given us some fantastic displays carrying lots of food. Our only question is why are they circling the nest for minutes at a time before taking the food in for those hungry chicks? You'd think when carrying an entire pigeon they can't wait to put it down.
During this week Mr and Mrs Peregrine have once again had to defend their patch from intruders which just goes to show its not easy being a bird of prey.

In other news, our kingfisher has been spotted several times over the last week and so we have our fingers strongly crossed for some successful broods this year to make up for the rotten luck they had last year!

Our species list has some fantastic new species to add this week, Cuckoo (heard), Little Egret, Mistle Thrust and Black Cap.

Sorry its not a very long post this week but we hope to make up for it next week. A big thank you for checking out our blog and my fantastic Residential Volunteers of the past 2 weeks Anne and Ralf. Good luck to you both.

Blog post: Is it spring yet?

Doug Radford — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:41:00 GMT

I found myself asking this question yesterday as I put on my woolly hat and scarf before meeting the volunteers for the weekly work party. The main task was putting the finishing touches to the new kingfisher nesting bank at Spring Hide, the culmination of several month's work by Richard H and various vols. It looks brilliant, but will the kingfishers think so? It may be too late this year, although there is an outside chance of occupation - kingfishers can raise three broods in a season, and at least one has been seen on the reserve in the last week.

The birds must have been asking themselves the same question during yesterday's storm that had us running for cover from the 1cm diameter hailstones. Many species have arrived at Fowlmere later than usual, such as chiffchaff, swallow, blackcap and swift, but my impression is that individuals of several species are still arriving. Fowlmere has been one of the best places in Britain to see turtle doves in recent years, so we were getting worried about their non-appearance a week ago, but this week there have been at least two 'singing' in the scrub near Drewer Hide. There was also a cuckoo singing last weekend. On the debit side, we have not recorded a grasshopper warbler yet. Indeed, there were no records at all last year, which was a big disappointment after the three pairs in 2011. I hope we haven't lost them forever.

Other birds have been just getting on with it. There are several broods of mallards and greylag geese, and one of the latter has been patiently incubating in full view of the visitors in Spring Hide while ignoring the antics of the builders a few feet away. Someone even witnessed the spectacle of it scaring off an otter that approached too close to its nest. The mute swans hatched 7 cygnets on 14th May, an event we were actually able to witness from Reedbed Hide. The mother was clearly fascinated by what was happening in the nest, and every so often half an egg shell appeared at the margin and another little grey head was seen bobbing up and down beneath her. We also have a pair of lapwings again, incubating their eggs surrounded by fast-growing reeds. In that setting their chances of survival are high, at least to hatching, which I anticipate will be in the first week of June.

Let's be fair - the weather hasn't been all bad, and on the warmish sunny days the thrushes and warblers are delightful as they sing their hearts out, and 2 hobbies have been hunting over the reedbed. Furthermore, the barn owls can now be seen every day through the entrance of their nest box, where we assume they have eggs.

As ever, I shall try to post on the blog more frequently, but it all depends on how many other jobs come my way...

Blog post: Good birds to brighten a wet Friday

Heather Chantler — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:50:00 GMT

The weather may still be rather unseasonal but we were treated to a flurry of good birds this morning. A red-rumped swallow showed well in front of Hanson Hide on the ARC site during the morning and a spotted flycatcher was seen there as well. Just off the reserve a bee-eater was seen feeding over the Long Pits before flying off high towards the Dungeness Point. The bittern has continued to boom all week and can be heard from the viewing ramp overlooking Hookers Pit where cuckoos have been putting in an appearance as well. The weather forecast for the weekend looks to be improving so let's all hope we see some sun and some good birds!

Blog post: Recent Sightings at RSPB Ham Wall 24.05.2013

Stephen Couch — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:44:00 GMT

We've experienced a range of weather this week on the reserve with cold winds, calm sunny spells, rain & hail. It's confusing for us so imagine how it is for the resident wildlife, nest building, incubating eggs or rearing young.

It's been an interesting week again though with the tail end of the migration of birds still passing through the reserve. Great numbers of Swift have been seen on a daily basis this week often joined by Swallows and House Martins and a few Sand Martin. The area in front of the 2nd viewing platform was particularly active this morning with good numbers swooping low over the water catching flies.

Hobbies too, were seen in abundance over the weekend with 35+ reported from Shapwick Heath & 17+ from Ham Wall. The numbers have certainly dropped off though but they can still be seen daily. The large numbers have arrived just in time to co-incide with an emergence of 4 Spot Dragonflies and Damselflies (mostly Blue Tailed and Azure). Beyond Loxtons screen has been a good bet this week.

The tree line at Loxtons has been a good place for Cuckoos also although, alas, none were seen on the Cuckoo Quest walk this morning - there's no guarantees with this pesky wildlife. Cuckoos are still on site and can be heard daily if not seen - John Crispin captured this shot this week:

Waltons has yielded plenty of Great White Egret activity this week - must be a good feeding area here for them and Little Egrets seem abundant on the reserve this week. In front of the 3rd screen at Waltons is a favoured feeding site for at least one individual, who can frequently be seen feeding there. Grey Herons also enjoy feeding within Waltons so there must be a good fish population in here at present. Of course it's also packed with Marsh Frogs too - you can hear them croaking away. There's a great chorus - particularly when the sun is shining.

Sticking with the heron theme - Bitterns have certainly been more active this week and even showed for the BBC TV cameras this week as they broadcast live from Ham Wall after the launch of the State of Nature report which the RSPB have been heavily involved in. It was great to see the reserve on the national news. Catch it on BBC i-player (BBC 1 news on Wednesday at both 1pm and 6pm bulletins)

They have also been seen in interesting interactions with Marsh Harrier on a couple of occasions this week as seen below - see also previous blog!

Several flights have been seen in front of the 1st platform - 12 in about an hour and a half on Weds when the BBC filmed and Thursday too from several areas of the reserve - looks like feeding activity of hatched birds is picking up.

In front of the 2nd platform this week (bit quieter now) - 13 Black Tailed Godwits on Thurs (seen there today too), Redshank, Lapwing, Canada Geese with young, Great Crested Grebes, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Garganey - once again out in the open. One also flew in front of the 1st platform on Wednesday.

Loxtons screen is still open although the whole of Loxtons loop is still not. The last piece of flooded path is still just under water - just 2 or 3 inches now, but it's coming down slowly. In front of the screen a pair of Great Crested Grebes are proudly showing off their new addition, pictured below:

Also the usual hoards of Cormorants on the old tern rafts and a few Tufted Duck, Pochard but a nice regular booming Bittern nearby. A fair few flights from Bitterns too along with occasional visits from Great White Egrets too and Kingfisher seen perched up in front this week too.

Kingfisher was also seen on the Warbler Workout walk this week - which was pleasing. Several sightings facing left of the rail bridge as you enter the reserve. Several Warblers were identified during the walk - plenty of Blackcaps, Garden Warbler near the first platform for a nice comparison, nice loud Cettis Warblers and Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler by the main entrance and plenty of Reed Warblers in the reedbeds. Participants on the walk also heard Cuckoo and had good sightings of Jay.

Also this week: both Red Kite & Peregrine seen last weekend, 20 Greylag Geese flying over the reserve this afternoon, 2 Shelduck in Garleys (the newly restored area beyond the 2nd platform) most days this week, Bearded Tits heard pinging from a few locations around the reserve but unfortunately not in public access areas (the best bet would probably be to walk the grassy footpath that goes in front of the platforms on a sunny still day and keep your ears open), Great Spotted Woodpecker flying along the footpath this morning, Snipe from the top of the reserve, Buzzards and Sparrowhawk from 2nd platform.

I'll leave you with another shot of the Loxtons Great Crested Grebes - have a great weekend!

Blog post: Everybody Needs Good Neighbours! Bittern v Marsh Harrier

Stephen Couch — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:56:00 GMT

We've had some great sightings of Bitterns and Marsh Harriers on the reserve lately - particularly from the 1st viewing platform. It would appear however, that they are not always as pleased to see each other.

A Bittern obviously came a little too close for the Marsh Harriers liking and was told about it in no uncertain terms. 2 Marsh Harriers dive bombed the Bittern and these shots were captured by John Crispin below:

Great Photos (thanks John) showing some really interesting behaviour - this happened on both Tuesday and Wednesday this week!

Blog post: Reminder - Avalon Marshes Open Day - Sunday 26th May

Stephen Couch — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:49:00 GMT

Together with all the partners in the Avalon Marshes we are holding our annual Avalon Marshes Open Day on Sunday 26th May from 10am til 4pm to celebrate what we all do for nature in this inspiring mosaic of reedbeds, open water, woodland & meadow within a working farming landscape.

There will be lots of displays & information for adults showcasing our current and future activities & for children: games, trailer rides into Shapwick Heath Reserve, pond dipping, badge making, nest box making, butterfly crafts & the chance to meet the local sheep.

Somerset crafts will be open selling beautiful art work, Eco Bites provides refreshments & you can even buy RSPB’s own peat-free compost.

The main partners are RSPB, Natural England, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Hawk & Owl Trust, Somerset County Council & the Avalon Marshes Landscape Partnership and will all be represented on the day!

It's all happening at The Avalon Marshes Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay, Somerset BA6 9TT.

Everyone Welcome - Free Admission

Blog post: Where to enjoy a cappuffinccino

Maria Prchlik — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:20:00 GMT

Over the Bank Holiday, half-term week and possibly beyond, you can sit back and relax with a cappuffunccino in Bridlington at the cafes, pubs and bars listed below:

Bull and Sun, Baylegate, Old Town, Bridlington

Coffee Coast, South Cliff Road, Bridlington

Dolphin Café, Prince Street, Bridlington

Dolphin Restaurant, Prince Street, Bridlington

Expanse Hotel, North Marine Drive, Bridlington

Georgian Rooms, High Street, Old Town, Bridlington

Goldings, Manor Street, Bridlington

Jerome’s/ Pavillion Bar, Royal Prince’s Parade, Bridlington

The Lounge, King Street, Bridlington

The Lobster Pot, Kingsgate, Bridlington

Macy’s, Promenade, Bridlington

Marina Café, Bridlington

The Martonian, Sheeprake Lane, Bridlington

Marton Manor Farm Tearooms, Sewerby, Bridlington

Notarini’s, Prince Street, Bridlington

Thornton’s Chocolates Coffee Shop, Chapel Street, Bridlington

Rag’s, The Harbour, Bridlington

Richard Burton Tearoom and Gallery, Buckton

Richie’s, South Beach, Bridlington

Rowan Tree, Regent Terrace, Bridlington

RSPB Bempton Cliffs, between Bridlington and Filey

Sandown, Cliff Street, Bridlington

The Spa, Bridlington

Sewerby Hall, Clock Café, Bridlington

Tea and Thyme, Prospect Street, Bridlington

Topham’s, Cross Street, Bridlington

Waterfront, North Marine Drive, Bridlington (TBC)

Wetherspoon’s ‘Prior John’, Promenade, Bridlington

Blog post: Bottom of the charts? 50,000 thoughts? Why is it not the longest running Chart Topper?

Jarrod Sneyd, Site Manager — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:01:00 GMT

If I asked you how many things you think about every day – you may have between 20,000 and 50,000 thoughts!

What we need to know is how we put nature in your top 10 thoughts?

What we need to know is what would make you want to do something with nature or to make a difference to nature?

And so, my next thought , of my 50,000 or so today is .........

If we made a pie chart to represent the different things that make for a balanced, healthy human being, a large chunk of that pie chart would be taken up by:

1. Healthy food

2. Good quality water

3. Good physical health

4. Good mental health

These all contribute to a balanced body and hopefully to a happy life. That’s a large chunk of the pie chart that makes us who we are! A good deal of those four elements come about through having a healthy environment. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the wind that blows through our hair, the waves that crash on our beaches.................................................... Our physical and mental sustenance!

Counting nature is a way to measure the health of our environment. It’s one in the same.

Well, what is the State of Nature?

On Wednesday, a report called the ‘State of Nature’ was published by lots of organisations including the RSPB.

Frankly it's not a great story - ok there are some things doing well in our countryside. However, on the whole it's a disaster! 60% of animals and plants that have been monitored are in decline, and more than 1 in 10 are under threat of disappearing.

It has too many statistics for my brain to absorb - but there are some shockers. Here's one - in the last 10 years over 72% of butterflies have declined, including common 'garden' butterflies that have declined by 24% in that time.

So, what should you and I do with those statistics? What does it mean?

Will you have forgotten by tomorrow? Will the big press push today leave an impression beyond this week?

On Wednesday a few folks from different conservation organisations, including myself, chatted to Karen Bradley, our local MP - so that she knows just how important the changes to nature are. She was very interested and hopefully will not forget so quickly.

So, for YOU, Karen, Guy Corbett-Marshall (my colleague at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust), me. . . .

This is a call to action!

I'll be honest though I'm not quite sure what the action is - mainly because I think it needs to be more radical than we are used to. We're watching as things disappear all around us - and the majority of us are not seeing the writing on the wall.

Apologies for bombarding you with questions - but please bear with me............

What does nature mean to YOU?
Do YOU recognise it's value to us all?
Do YOU know what impact managing our environment can have on the quality of our water, for example?
Could there may be a time when there aren't enough bees to pollinate our crops?
Do YOU have kids that rarely, if ever, play out in the countryside.

Why would all this be forgotten tomorrow?

Why do we walk past green fields without any flowers or insects and not wonder why? And do we really think that it’s all ok?

Are we walking blindly in to a world that’s less healthy and less happy?

After lots of technical breakthroughs and increased lifespans – are we now actually going too far??

What do YOU think?

So - I can help you, help me, help you..........

Come and enjoy a wildlife oasis at Coombes - and tell us what you think - how do we get nature in to the Top 10 Charts of thought. Or send me an e-mail to share with my colleagues - at jarrod.sneyd@rspb.org.uk

If you are reading this – you’ve already elevated nature to be quite high in your thought chart – so it might be useful to ask a friend with less interest – and ask them some questions (perhaps you shouldn't bombard in quite the same way I have!)

Cheers

Jarrod

For more information visit RSPB Conservation Director Martin Harper's blog at: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/martinharper/default.aspx

Coombes Valley Site Manager Jarrod Sneyd, Karen Bradley MP for Staffordshire Moorlands, Guy Corbett-Marshall, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Dr Sarah Henshall, Lead Ecologist from Buglife - embracing the State of Nature Report.

Blog post: Cappuffinccino Town

Maria Prchlik — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:00:00 GMT

It’s been a crazy few weeks on the marketing front at the reserve. And it all started with a chance discovery - a stencil made by Richard Burton for his tearoom/gallery that he used to create a chocolate puffin silhouette on cappuccinos.

It proved to be an important moment - the birth of the 'cappuffinccino'.

Then came the idea to use cappuffinccinos to celebrate the return of the bird to Bempton Cliffs after the dreadful number of puffin deaths at the end of March and beginning of April.

Could the whole of the town be persuaded to serve cappuffinccinos in a bid to welcome them home? There was only one way to find out: visit as many cafes, coffee shops and bars as possible to explain it.

Several days and two blisters later, dozens had signed up to serve cappuffinccinos.

Then came the really hard work: stencil cutting and laminating into the early hours of the morning; mad dashes to deliver them along with assorted leaflets and signs; not to mention a photo shoot that turned one of our cliff-edge viewpoints into an al fresco cappuffinccino café.

There’s also been a pronunciation issue to resolve. Just how do you say the name? (Ask your waiter or waitress confidently for a ca-puffin-chino).

But finally, the brilliant baristas and bar staff of Brid have their stencils at the ready and are good to go.

So over the late Spring bank holiday weekend (from 24 May) and the following half-term week, hundreds upon hundreds of frothy coffees bearing a chocolate puffin will be sipped all over town. In small cafes, in large restaurants, in hotels and in bars, from the south beach to the north.

And they're already proving to be a talking point. But then that’s the whole idea - to spark converstions with the thousands of visitors who come to the seaside about the wonders of Bempton Cliffs – especially the puffins who make their home here during the breeding season.

All we need now are customers.

Avril cutting out in the early hours of the morning (for which she received The Order of the Puffin)

The RSPB's Chris and Janey, with Richard Burton, drinking cappuffinccinos for the press.

A perfect cappuffinccino

A list of everyone serving cappuffinccinos will appear here soon. One will also be available in the reserve’s visitor centre and at Bridlington Tourist Information centre…whose staff are also creating a cappuffinccino-inspired window display. So if you're planning a trip to Bridlington, check out the cappuffinccino 'directory' first.

Blog post: Sixty per cent of UK species in decline, groundbreaking study finds

Paul Bennett — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:57:00 GMT

UK nature is in trouble – that is the conclusion of a groundbreaking report published today by a coalition of leading conservation and research organisations.

Scientists working side-by-side from 25 wildlife organisations have compiled a stock take of our native species – the first of its kind in the UK. The report reveals that 60% of the species studied have declined over recent decades. More than one in ten of all the species assessed are under threat of disappearing from our shores altogether.

Erin McDaid, Communications Manager for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said: “Whilst our wildlife is clearly in trouble and needs help there are still things to be positive about and which can give us hope for the future. A great example is the return of the otter.

“After an absence of many decades we now have otters back at our Attenborough nature reserve and evidence of otters can be found on other wetland sites in the county. There are even glimmers of hope for threatened species such as the water vole which still have strongholds in Nottinghamshire such as along the River Idle.”

RSPB Beckingham Marshes is another success story in the making, a partnership project recreating 90 hectares of wet grassland on former arable land near the River Trent. This now rare habitat in Nottinghamshire is home to lapwings, water voles, smooth newts and dragonflies.

The incredibly special site lies within an area known as Trent Vale where the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and the Canal and Rivers Trust work with other partners, including Natural England, Environment Agency, RSPB and local communities.

Carl Cornish, spokesperson for the RSPB says: “It’s a uplifting feeling for me to walk through the entrance gate at Beckingham Marshes and step back in time to a lost landscape. The reserve has put back the a habitat that was once a common feature of the Trent Valley landscape – grazing cattle, singing skylarks, tumbling lapwings, dashing hares, the flash of a dragonfly – magical.”

The State of Nature report will be launched by Sir David Attenborough and UK conservation charities at the Natural History Museum in London this evening (Wednesday, May 22), while simultaneous events will be held in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

Sir David Attenborough said: “This groundbreaking report shows that our species are in trouble, with many declining at a worrying rate. However, we have in this country a network of passionate conservation groups supported by millions of people who love wildlife. The experts have come together today to highlight the amazing nature we have around us and to ensure that it remains here for generations to come.”

Dr Mark Eaton, a lead author on the report, said: “This report reveals that the UK’s nature is in trouble - overall we are losing wildlife at an alarming rate.

“These declines are happening across all countries and UK Overseas Territories, habitats and species groups, although it is probably greatest amongst insects, such as our moths, butterflies and beetles. Other once common species like the lesser spotted woodpecker, barbastelle bat and hedgehog are vanishing before our eyes.

“Reliable data on these species goes back just fifty years, at most, but we know that there has been a historical pattern of loss in the UK going back even further. Threats including sweeping habitat loss, changes to the way we manage our countryside, and the more recent impact of climate change, have had a major impact on our wildlife, and they are not going away.

“None of this work would have been possible without the army of volunteer wildlife enthusiasts who spend their spare time surveying species and recording their findings. Our knowledge of nature in the UK would be significantly poorer without these unsung heroes. And that knowledge is the most essential tool that conservationists have.”

Blog post: Local Children Give Nature a Home

Paul Bennett — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:51:00 GMT

I visited Beckingham Primary School this Tuesday and ran a session with each of the four classes. The children carried out a 'Bird Friendly Schools' survey of the garden that they will help to develop and then made some pine cone feeders for the birds that they hope to attract there.

They are currently learning all about birds and other wildlife at school and some of them have been busy building some very nicely decorated nest boxes. The image below shows some of the fruits of their labours.

Blog post: Mystery Wild Sounds: 7 Hides for 7 Mothers

Becky Austin — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:28:00 GMT

The penultimate wild sounds challenge has arrived just in time for the bank holiday weekend, with fun and enjoyment for all at Blacktoft Sands with plenty of species to see (and hear of course).

It's been a blustery couple of days on the reserve ( as demonstrated by this weeks mystery clips- they are authentic if nothing else!) but the birds have continued to put on a great show with a number of busy parents from a several species being seen gathering food around site and several of our waterfowl with youngsters in tow. The very vocal Avocets are still sitting on nests at Marshland, Marsh Harriers are performing well around the reserve with the fantastic vocal backings of the warblers heard from the trailside paths.

On site over the last few days was a Little Egret enjoying the comforts of Ousefleet lagoon and a lone Turnstone was seen from the Xerox hide. The Water Vole family have also continued to entertain intermittently from the reception hide and the Barn Owl has put in an appearance late in the day

Putting together Mystery Wild Sounds has been an ear opening experience in recording the clips and I imagine quite a comical one to watch for any onlookers who have witnessed our recording attempts as we lean as close as we can to buzzing bee’s or tiptoe closer to singing birds. Hopefully you have been enjoying listening to them as much as we have enjoyed recording them.

I’ve certainly learnt a lot and realised how much I can potentially miss if I’m not using my ears as well as my eyes. Picking up on Bearded tits amongst the vast expanse of reed can be a tricky thing but your not likely to mistake or miss the ‘ping ping ping’ as these speedy socialites flit amongst the reed.

Sound is also a fantastic thing to enjoy in regard to our more elusive species, there is nothing quite like sitting in one of the hides on an evening and enjoying the eerie booming of the Bittern or the pig like screeching of the Water Rail.

Next week will see the grand finale of our weekly Mystery Wild Sounds, so expect a big finish. We may occasionally post a special edition of Wild Sounds in the coming months, so keep your eyes ( and ears) open!

Not wanting to disappoint, here’s your next audible instalment... Happy listening!

(Please visit the site to view this file)

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Blog post: Recent Sightings 23rd May 2013

Suzanne — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:42:00 GMT

23rd May

Little Gull 1 Unimproved Fields

22nd May

Hobby 1 Unimproved Fields
Lapwing: 100% hatching success of nests inside the electric fence!

Little Tern 5 Eastern Quarters Spit

21st May

Brent Goose 30 Eastern Quarters Spit
Garganey 1 Unimproved Fields
Common Tern 16 Tollesbury Channel
Common Sandpiper 2 Bale
Wood Sandpiper 1 Bale
Bar-tailed Godwit 148 Salcott Channel
Black-tailed Godwit 55 Unimproved Fields
Whimbrel 1 Salcott Channel
Turtle Dove 1 Car Park
Cuckoo 3 Reedbed, Crescent, Copse
Swifts, Swallows, House Martins >100 Joyce’s Head
18th May
Curlew Sandpiper 1 Bale

Red Kite 1 Eastern Quarters Spit

Blog post: Swift, Swallow and house martin...

Mary — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:28:00 GMT

Swift, swallow and house martin were in abundance over Burrowes pit in the showery weather today. Other sightings included cuckoo, spotted flycatcher in the willow trail at ARC, hobby at Makepeace hide and two little gull at Denge Marsh.

Photo: Empid Flies

Tom — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:21:00 GMT

A pair of empid flies mating whilst the female is eating. Taken by Gareth Christian in the Reserve carpark (22/05/2013).

Forum post: Re: Keststrels - Life in the box 2013

mims — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:28:00 GMT

14.27 Here is Mrs sitting pretty

Blog post: Dungeness and the very blustery day!

Heather Chantler — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:52:00 GMT

What do you do if your Wildlife Explorer group meets at a very windy place?

Make kites, of course!

Whilst the Marsh Harrier team were off surveying breeding bitterns and harriers, the Purple Heron team got down to making Fish Kites. Using wire, sticks, string and crepe paper they produced some amazing kites: colourfully decorated and carefully constructed. They were then off to a suitably windy place to fly them..which they all did beautifully.

Our next meeting will be our annual trip out. On Saturday 22 June 2013 we will be meeting at Bedgebury Pinetum for a day out exploring trees and woodlands. If you are aged 7 to 16 years old and you would like to join us please contact Heather Chantler ( RSPB Dungeness Wildlife Explorer leader) for details on 01797 320588.

Blog post: Would you like to join our team?

Holly B — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:40:00 GMT

The RSPB shop at Carsington Water is looking to expand our team of dedicated retail volunteers to give more support in the shop throughout the week.

You'll ensure that all visitors to the shop have a pleasurable and interesting time! We need you to approach customers and engage them in conversation, whether it's to offer them help or advice, or just to have a chat. You never know where a conversation may lead; you may end up selling a pair of binoculars or even signing up a new RSPB member!

Memberships are really important to the RSPB and we'd like you to help us to promote the work that we do, encourage membership, and help us to reach our membership targets. We also need help with maintaining the retail displays, operating the till and dealing with customer transactions and enquiries.

We'll give you all the training you need, and you will be a part of a friendly and knowledgable team. If you want to know more, please follow the link below, or copy and paste it into your web browser.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering/6649-monday-volunteer-retail-assistant

Help us to save nature in an enjoyable and rewarding way!

Blog post: Save £10 when you buy two 12.75kg sacks.....

Mary — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:39:00 GMT

Pop in to the RSPB Dungeness shop and save £10 when you buy any two single 12.75 kg sacks of selected bird seed and seed mixes.

Offer ends 4 June 2013, subject to availability. Offer excludes 12.75kg Premium peanuts, Buggy nibbles and High energy sprinkles.

The shop at RSPB Dungeness is open from 10am to 5pm every day.

Blog post: A fydd y trydydd cyw? Will there be a third chick?

Bethan Lloyd RSPB — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:13:00 GMT

Yn anffodus, mae'n edrych fel mai ‘mond 2 o'r 3 wy sy’n mynd i ddeor eleni. Serch hynny, mae'r ddau gyw sydd wedi deor yn ymddangos yn hynod o gryf ac iach, gyda'r rhieni yn eu bwydo yn rheolaidd.

Bu problemau gyda'r brain eleni gan eu bod yn nythu mewn coeden gyfagos er mawr gofid i’r Gweilch.

Rydym yn falch o ddweud ein bod Cornchwiglod yn nythu eto yn y cae gyferbyn â'r Ganolfan Ymwelwyr. Mae'r adar ffermdir eiconig yma mewn trafferthion mawr yma yng Nghymru. Yn ystod y degawdau diwethaf rydyn ni wedi colli dros dri chwarter o’r bobglogaeth sy’n nythu yma, ac mae'n aderyn y mae'r RSPB yn ymchwilio ffyrdd y gallwn greu dyfodol mwy sicr iddo fel y gall pob un ohonom fwynhau clywed ei alwad hudol unwaith eto led led y wlad.

Ymlith yr adar eraill a welwyd ar y safle yn ystod yr wythnos oedd: Corhedydd y Waun, Clochdar y Cerrig a Thinwen y Garn, gyda Barcud yn gwneud campau acrobatig uwchben y ganolfan.

Unfortunately it looks like only 2 of the 3 eggs will hatch this year. However, the two chicks that have hatched appear extremely strong and healthy, with the parents feeding them at regular intervals.

There have been problems with the crows this year as they are nesting in a nearby tree to the obvious objections of the Osprey.

We’re delighted to say that we have Lapwings nesting again in the field opposite the Visitor Centre. This iconic farmland bird is in serious trouble here in Wales. We’ve lost over three quarters of our breeding population in recent decades and it is a species that the RSPB is investigating ways in which we can turn around its fortunes so that we can all enjoy hearing it’s wonderful call again across the country.

Amongst the other birds seen at the site this week were: Meadow Pipit, Stonechat and Wheatear, with the Kite giving a wonderful aerial display above the centre.