News archive
December 2005
Friday, 23 December 2005
December 2005 round-up!
Our meetings have been very well attended, our speakers have been both entertaining and informative, and we have received good feedback from our audience. Thanks to Anne and Terry Betts for organising the quiz at our Christmas meeting, and to all who provided the food for the supper.
The two coach trips went well, a lovely sunny day at Dunwich and Benacre Broad, but sadly, a foggy one at Slimbridge! You can see a full list of species seen in the October and November news archives.
We have 5 more coach trips in the remaining part of our programme and don't forget, you can book for any coach trip now with Barrie Stockwell on 01992 584133.
Our car trips have been to Oare Marsh, Kent and to Lackford Lakes, Suffolk. Both were well attended, see the September and December news archives for more details.
Fundraising has gone well, over £600 raised at the Bazaar and the 100 Club is on schedule to raise another £500 plus by the end of our financial year. Don't forget, you can join the 100 Club by contacting Margaret Hodge on 01279 832904.
Our Grand Christmas Draw has raised £1,300.46 this year. Thanks go to all who bought tickets and to Rosemary Bell and Paul Coppi for their hard work in organising this. The draw was made at our December 20th meeting, winners were:-
1st L Whatling, Waltham Cross
2nd Mrs Plumb, Stanstead Abbotts
3rd Mrs R White, Waltham Cross
Other prizes went to Mrs K James of Waltham Cross, Gilmartin, Weston of Hertford, G J Page of Ware, C Stubbs of Hertford, C Saban of Hertford, Ms C Akers of Waltham Abbey, Mr & Mrs Ronald of Hertford, Mrs G Earle of Ware and Mr D Buck of Turnford, Cheshunt.
Thanks to everyone's effort with the fundraising, we have been able to donate a further £2,100.71 to the RSPB, for the following:-
£860 to the Lodge, for sleepovers etc to give children an inspirational encounter with birds
£843 towards the RSPB stand at the Game Fair to help raise the profile of the RSPB in farming communities and to promote sympathetic land management
£397.71 (plus RSPB Sales profits of a further £369.29) to Rye Meads towards the costs of demonstrating Rye Meads to other conservation and education groups, especially with regard to environmental education and with reed beds.
January 23rd is the date for our 2 cookery demonstration and meals, full details and tickets, £25 for either session, available from Angela Dobson on 01279 842197.
February 11th sees our annual general knowledge quiz, a few tickets are still available from Phil Blatcher on 01992 441024, Tickets cost £52 for a table of 8.
March 11th is the date for our Race Night, at the Village Hall, Much Hadham. Tickets, £7.50 inc food (bring your own drinks) will be available at the January meeting or direct from Angela Dobson on 01279 842197
April 28/29th is our 24 hour sponsored birdwatch, details from Phil Blatcher 01992 441024. Last time we held this event, we raised £1,153.
We hope to see even more of you at our events next year, and would like to wish everybody a Happy Christmas and a very prosperous New Year!
Sunday, 11 December 2005
Report of Car Trip to Lackford Lakes (SWT) & West Stowe Country Park
Total number of species seen: 54
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander (12), Kestrel, Pheasant, Water Rail (H), Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Reed Bunting.
Many thanks to Derrick Ling for organising this car trip.
Sunday, 4 December 2005
Local walk at Fishers Green
A total of 51 species were seen, with good views of Smew, Goldeneye, Fieldfare, Kestrel and Ruddy Duck. One Brambling flew over.
Species seen: Little Grebe, Gt Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveller, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Smew, Ruddy Duck, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black Headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long Tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch and Black Swan.