News
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
September news
Thanks to everyone's fundraising efforts, we have been able to donate £1,000 towards the RSPB's Reedbed project.
Reedbeds are wetlands dominated by common reed. They naturally dry out over time as they are colonised by bushes and trees; however, drainage and water abstraction have hastened this process, leading to a decline in this habitat. Reedbeds are a priority for the RSPB as they are amongst the most important habitats for birds in the UK, supporting species of high conservation concern such as the bittern. Land management to both restore degraded reedbeds and to create large new wet reedbeds is the focus of the RSPB's work for this habitat. In our region we have RSPB Lakenheath Fen - this reserve is one of several fenland sites where the aim is to re-create extensive wetland following massive habitat loss since the mid 17th century. The site is able to accommodate a healthy population of characteristic bird species such as bittern, bearded tit, marsh harrier, lapwing and other flora and fauna. Golden orioles have been seen and heard regularly in the woods.
Group Secretary:
We are very pleased to announce that we have a new group secretary, Douglas Smallwood, who kindly volunteered for this post and takes up his position from October.
New Programme:
Our new programme began with a car trip to Bradwell on Sea, Essex on September 20th, led by Mike Oakland. Bird species recorded during the outing included a peregrine, spotted flycatcher, little egrets and several wheatears, a full list is on our trip report page.
On the same day, group leader Terry Smith, his wife Ann and 100 Club organiser, Geoff Brown, were at the Boys Scout fete at Deaconsfield, Broxbourne. They handed out well over 100 stickers to the children, and raised over £100 for RSPB funds and met some of our local members who were enjoying a warm, sunny day out.
At our first meeting of the season, we welcomed back David Cottridge, well known photographer, tour leader and lecturer, who gave us an excellent presentation on 'Strangers in our Land' - an entertaining look at vagrant birds and the weather conditions that cause them to stray off course. He also gave us close ups of the birdwatchers watching the birds!
100 Club
This months winners: 1st prize, (£16) Mrs Vera Reeves and 2nd prize, (£8) Emily Betts.
The total amount raised by the 100 Club since we began is now well over £2,000. Why not join our club, or perhaps take up another number? Membership is open to anyone aged 18 or over, half of the money received is paid as prizes and the rest is donated to the RSPB. The cost is £12 plus £2 joining fee (pro-rata) for the first full year, then £12, paid by standing order, for subsequent years. (If you join from October, the cost will be £8.00 - £6 plus £2 joining fee)
If you would like to join, please contact Geoff Brown, on 01992 468031 or by e-mail at se_herts_rspb@yahoo.co.uk - he will gladly forward the forms to you.
Quiz
Our General Knowledge Quiz will be held on January 31st 2009, tickets will be available from our October meeting, £60 for a table up to 8 people, includes supper but bring along your own drinks. Further details from Phil Blatcher on 01992 441024 or email: se_herts_rspb@yahoo.co.uk
We look forward to seeing you at one of our coming events, check out the events pages for more details.