Trip reports

Report on Indoor Meeting - The Birds of Holy Island - a talk by Ian Kerr.

Tuesday, 9 September 2008

The chair introduced Ian Kerr, ornithologist and speaker at this evenings meeting. Ian gave an interesting talk which covered the history, habitats, seasons and flora and fauna of Holy Island and this was backed up with photographic slides. This was of particular interest as the local group was to pay its annual visit to the island in October. We were all reminded of the dangers of trying to cross to this island at the wrong times when it is so easy to be caught by the tide.
Man has been making use of the island and surrounding area for at least 10,000years when Britain was still linked to the continent. At a late stage in this period we know that St. Cuthbert would regularly retreat to the Farne Islands to meditate. The protection he is said to have given the Eider Ducks (Cuddy's Ducks) is well known and earned him the title as the first conservationist. It seems some current research has found this story to go back no further than Victorian times. Could it be that this story has grown simply from Victorian myth? It seems likely that use of the birds for 'the pot' has been carried out over the centuries and a small amount of shooting does still take place. Of course shooting was also practiced in more recent times by ornithologists and others who were collecting birds for scientific purposes. Members were shown a photo of a traditional Holy Island punt with sizable mounted gun. Today the Island is perhaps better known for its drawing of birdwatchers especially at times of bird migration. Ian touched upon some of the wonders of migration and especially the long distances that recent research has shown is flown by Godwits on migration.
Member were shown photographs of the island throughout the seasons, and yes it can and occasionally does snow heavily on the island, and the sea can freeze up too, as we saw. Particular attention was paid to some of the birds that we could see on our fieldtrip in October. Attention was also given to some of the flora on the island and in particular the orchids for which the island is well known. We were all reminded of the endemic Lindisfarne Orchid. Apparently not a spectacular orchid nor is it an easy one to find. (This won't prevent the group leader's attempts to find it however). Butterflies too were considered and the mention of the Dark-green Fritillary had one or two members paying special attention. Butterfly numbers have been changing, likely due, at least in part, to climate change.
Questions were taken before Brian thanked Ian Kerr for his interesting and thought provoking presentation.
The meeting drew to a close with Brian thanking members present and reminding them that the next indoor meeting will be held on 18th November and will include a talk by David Mitchell, ecologist, as well as it being the Local Group's AGM.

Brian Moorhead