News archive

September 2009

Saturday, 19 September 2009

The Whats and Whys of a Local RSPB Group

So, you are a member of the RSPB. Congratulations, you are a member of the largest wildlife conservation organisation in the world. But why should you also be a member of a Local Group, what can it offer you that you cannot get from being a straight forward RSPB member? Well, I cannot speak for all the many RSPB Local Groups, but I can explain our roll in the Chelmsford & Central Essex Group.

Firstly, since we started, 33 years ago, we have raised over £280,000 for the RSPB, to help wildlife causes both in the UK and abroad, money which is invaluable for the work of the RSPB because, for every £1 we raise, the RSPB could receive up to £100 in matched funding.

Secondly, we have a series of aims, some of which we have met, but several we have not, due to a lack of volunteers. Our Aims are:-
A. Local involvement- To provide our members with information and news on bird watching events in our area, providing information on the best places to see birds and giving guided walks to help members improve their bird watching skills.
B. Fund raising and Recruitment- To create fundraising opportunities, using these as a means of recruiting new members to the RSPB.
C. Helping the disabled- To provide bird watching opportunities for the disabled and to find places where they can enjoy birds from the car or wheel chair.
D. Helping the Elderly- To bring the enjoyment of watching birds into their lives by providing feeding stations and nest boxes at Nursing and Retirement Homes.
E. Education- To work closely with schools to introduce them into the world of birds by advising them on the creation of feeding stations and nest boxes sites.

I wonder if I have sparked some interest, if so, you may ask "OK, but how do I become a member and what will I get for my money" That's easy, we have two types of membership:-

E-MAIL MEMBER- Our Newsletters, events diaries and other information will be sent to you by E-mail and there will be NO CHARGE.

POSTAL MEMBER- Everything will be posted to you and there will be an annual subscription of £5 PER HOUSEHOLD.

And what will you get in return? Newsletters at least twice a year, events diaries, news of what's on, where good birds have been seen, information about special events and outings and, very importantly, the opportunity for you to have your say on the running of the Group.

Want to be a member? Then phone or e-mail our Membership Co-ordinator
Barry Martin- 01245 401297 barry@martinbarry.orangehome.co.uk
or me, the Group Leader.
Mike Logan Wood- 01621 892045
mike.lw@tiscali.co.uk

Saturday, 19 September 2009

Migrants on the Move

On Sunday the 13th September we held our annual autumn pilgrimage to the Promenade Park at Maldon to enjoy a bit of bird watching but with the opportunity to show birds to those hardy soles who spurned the bitter NW wind which was our lot for the day.

We were helped by RSPB staff from Old Hall and from Watt Tyler Park and had a battery of 12 telescopes trained on the unsuspecting birds.

In all a total of 38 different species were identified, including many migrants. Parties of swallows, house martins and a sand martin or two passed over us, with a solitary common tern reminding us of our "glorious" summer. Black tailed godwit, redshank and golden plover were back in good numbers and solitary sanderling and knot were identified.

Little egret are now so common that they may have become just a run of the mill bird, but we enjoyed the thrill of a party of 7 feeding together. The rarest bird seen was a yellow legged herring gull, just as we were packing up.

All in all, another enjoyable day, meeting many nice members of the public, but I do have to admit that it was nice to get out of that wind.
MLW

Saturday, 19 September 2009

25 Years at Old Hall Marshes

In 1984, the RSPB bought the freehold of Old Hall Marshes for £780,000. This was then the largest investment that the Society had made. The problem then was how to fund this purchase so, in 1985 the RSPB set up the Eric Morcambe Memorial fund in memory of that famous comedian, who was a very keen bird watcher. His wife Joan was deeply involved and many celebrities helped to create many wonderful money raising functions, to the effect that, in1988, their target of £1.5 million was achieved. This helped to fund, not only the purchase of the property, but the cost of transforming the 1,134 acres of partly drained farmland into the wild life paradise that it is today.

At this time, this group decided to donate all funds raised in 1986/1987 to Old Hall and this was used in a wide assortment of projects from purchasing machinery and livestock to financing an Aerial Photographic Survey, a water quality research programme and to bridge building.

This was all celebrated at Old Hall on Saturday 12th September, when members and staff met on a glorious afternoon for a guided walk of the Reserve followed by tea and home made cakes. The day was capped by the sight of a small party of Spoonbills- a typical Old hall surprise.

If you have not yet paid a visit to this charismatic reserve then why not ring the Reserve on 01621 869015 and obtain a permit. 1,000's of Brent Geese, Wigeon and many other ducks and waders will soon be flocking there. A spectacle too good to miss.
MLW

Tuesday, 8 September 2009

A SPECIAL BANK HOLIDAY

For nine years we have enjoyed the pleasure of being invited to the wonderful Glen Chantry Gardens at Wickham Bishops, by the owners, Wol and Sue Staines on the afternoon of the August Bank Holiday. This year was for the last time as Wol and Sue are retiring and closing their gardens to the public.

These glorious gardens have been praised on TV, radio and in the National Press and have been appreciated by the RHS who gave them the title of "Recommended Garden". This Bank Holiday was therefore the last opportunity for the many friends and lovers of the gardens to say their farewells and a total of 806 appreciative people passed through the gates.

The car park was almost overflowing and we were able to serve afternoon teas and homemade cakes to the value of £964.60- incredible.

The result of our efforts is that we raised the princely sum of £4,706.19 for the RSPB, which includes a sponsorship of £750 from Barclays Bank. It also increased the amount that we have raised at the nine events we have held at Glen Chantry to the amazing sum of £19,225.05.

This is testament to a very hard working and dedicated team and to the hard work and generosity of Wol & Sue Staines, to whom we are extremely grateful. We offer them our very best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

Next year we have been invited to another garden in Wickham Bishops, at Wickham Place Farm by the kind invitation of Judith and Terry Wilson. We will be there on Sunday 16th May to provide our usual service but also to enjoy their magnificent wisteria which will be in full bloom.

Mike Logan Wood
Group Leader