News archive

March 2009

Monday, 30 March 2009

Strange Spring Happenings in a Local Garden.....

Strange Spring Happenings in a Local Garden.....

A member living in Horsell described how his neighbour told a bizarre story about frog spawn at the end of March 2009.
They put in a pond last year so this year was the first time they had frog spawn and they had lots of it, so far so good. She went out to feed the birds one day last week and saw a Blue Tit having a bath in the pond or so she thought. When she went nearer it didn't fly off which is when she realised it was stuck in the frog spawn. As she lifted it out it became clear it was standing on another Blue Tit that had got stuck and sadly drowned. Over the following two days two more Blue Tits got stuck but fortunately they were rescued. At that point she moved the spawn to save the birds.
Has anyone else heard of this extraordinary happening elsewhere?

Wednesday, 25 March 2009

Indoor Meeting - The World of Insects

John Tyler's talk provided a fascinating insight into how this most successful group of invertebrates has adapted to its environment. For there are approximately five million different species of insect, and what appeared to me so clever, so captivating, is that their seemingly endless variety of form has resulted not only in functional adaptation but also in such beauty. And if biodiversity is the key to survival, then insects have it in abundance. For proof, look at the variation in legs. We saw that the sturdy legs of the lowly Dung beetle are ideally suited to its burrowing lifestyle - a development in marked contrast to the slim legs of the scurrying Tiger beetle. The same goes for antennae and wings. Too many examples to mention them all, but compare the extremely long antennae of the male Long Horned moth (used for display purposes) with the almost complete lack of antennae in dragonflies. Compare too the small wings of the Devil's coach horse beetle which fit into short cases allowing the body to twist and turn in enclosed spaces with the much larger wings of Ringlet butterflies, the patterns on which are used for recognition. The development of a chrysalis allowing larva and adult to lead a completely different way of life was another major breakthrough in insect evolution. We saw pictures of a predatory shield bug which can feed on ladybirds; we marvelled at moths whose thick coats can absorb the sound waves of marauding bats and thus escape detection; and we saw examples of the exquisite camouflage so typical of the Insectivora.
In spite of their evolutionary advantages however insects, like some other life forms, are threatened by the loss of rich meadow habitats. Bees in particular are suffering from pollutants in pollen. A sobering thought to end an interesting and, at times, quite amazing presentation.

Brian Shreeve

Wednesday, 4 March 2009

New to Bird watching?

Now that Spring is nearly here come and enjoy birds with the North-West Surrey RSPB Group.

The North-West Surrey RSPB Group would like to invite local people of all ages and ability to come and visit our group. It is ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy birds and learn more about them. We are a very friendly group. We have monthly talks and various outdoor trips to cater for all beginners and levels of bird watchers.

Please check the website for all details.

Wednesday, 4 March 2009

Come and join our March Events

North West Surrey RSPB Local Group welcomes you all to come and join our monthly events. If you like them you are welcome to join our small but very friendly group. See the website for details.

Wednesday March 11th .

WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes (finish by 15:30).

.Mid-morning until mid-afternoon. Wildfowl and early migrants. We will cover about a mile and a half around the site. Meet in car park at 10:00 or at reception at 10:10. GR: TQ 228 770. WWT members bring membership card.

Wednesday March 25th.

The world of Insects by John Tyler.

A look at the fascinating and intriguing diversity of the insect world.

Sunday 29th March.

Dungeness, ARC Pits & RSPB Reserve.

A full day by car. An early spring visit for migrants and seabirds. Meet at the station car park by the old lighthouse at 09.00 GR: TR 088 169. Early risers at
"The Patch" at 08.00. Late risers can meet at the ARC Pits car park at 11.00, opposite the entrance to the main RSPB reserve. Main reserve in the afternoon
meeting at GR: TR 062 196.

For any more information about these events please check our events page or use our "contact us" page.