News archive
January 2011
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Walk at Cheshunt Gravel Pits
It was a rather overcast day but the rain stayed away as we set off north along the River Lee Navigation and then towards Hooks Marsh . The duck highlights were:-
Goosander - 1 fly over male, then 2 preening females (with clear views of their orange legs)
Smew - 2 red-headed females initially then later we saw a lovely male 'White Nun'
Goldeneye - 2 males and 1 female on Friday Lake
At Hall Marsh scrape, two Stock Doves were walking around with two Woodpigeons so Roy was able to point out the distinguishing features as Stock doves are often overlooked.
We walked a little way up Fishers Green Lane as Roy had seen a Pink-Footed Goose there with a flock of Greylags - sure enough he soon spotted it. In addition there were a couple of Egyptian Geese. Also around the fields, there were Fieldfares, Redwings and a Great Spotted Woodpecker - not to mention the cows who seemed interested in a little people spotting (see my photo!).
I had to head off home then but the rest of the group set off to the Bittern Information Point to eat their packed lunches and hope for a view of the elusive Bittern. I don't know if they were successful but I was very happy with further excellent views of the male Smew (definitely my favourite winter duck) as I returned to the car park near Cheshunt station.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
DE-H's talk; AGM report; Download programme for 2011 Tuesday Indoor Meetings
Daniel's enthusiasm is infectious and he kept us all entertained with descriptions of the highlights of Redbridge's birding year.
He is currently producing his "Redbridge Birdwatching 2010 yearbook" and handed out a few pages to everyone as a taster of what is to come.
He is also organising a House Sparrow Census during January to April 2011 and is urging as many people as possible to send in local reports. Please click on the link below for his Redbridge Birdwatching site for more information.
You can also view, print and download this year's programme of talks by clicking on the "Download file" link below.
There was a tea & biscuits break before our short AGM. During this break there was a surprise additional attraction - photos (and video for those lucky enough to see it) taken by John Snow of those charismatic birds, waxwings. When he arrived at this school this morning, he was greeted by nearly 100 waxwings feeding on the white rowan berries in the school grounds!
After tea, we held our AGM and Jan, our treasurer, kindly provided the following report.
The Second AGM of the North East London Group was held on Tuesday 11th January 2011. Short up-dates were given for the year ending 31st March 2010, and a brief outline of our financial situation, which is relatively healthy for such a new group.
The Committee was re-elected en bloc. [Ed: As always, we would be delighted if anyone else felt able to offer their help to the Committee!]
It was also announced that with regret, we will have to increase our entrance fee for the indoor meetings, from February 2011, to help cover the costs of paying for our speakers. Till now, we have been lucky enough to have some interesting speakers from the RSPB, who have not charged for their time, we must now fledge, and forage in pastures new.
We will charge £2 for RSPB members, and £2.50 for non-members, but will not make a charge for schoolchildren. We feel that is still good value for money for what will be some interesting evenings to come this year.
The Committee would like to thank John Snow for the use of the school free of charge and record special thanks to the caretaker.
And of course, our thanks to you reading this - all our supporters and we look forward to another successful year.