News archive

January 2006

Monday, 23 January 2006

Cup of tea

Cookery Demo

A new fundraising venture, courtesy of Dobsons of Cheshunt, who kindly gave us the use of their showrooms for a cookery demonstration by Neff. This was a joint event with the local hospice.

The food was very good and £700 was raised for the RSPB's funds.

Many thanks to Angela and Tim Dobson for all their hard work in setting this event up for the group.

Sunday, 15 January 2006

Male merlin perched on mossy hummock, Shetland Isles

Car Trip to Harty Ferry & RSPB Elmley

16 of us met up for this car trip to the Isle of Sheppey, on an overcast but dry day, with a cool breeze.

It proved to be a very good raptor day with 7 raptor species identified at Harty Ferry, and 2 Short Eared Owls at Elmley. One Sparrowhawk was seen from a car as well.

Thanks to Mick Oakland for organising this trip.

Highlights:

Raptors: Hen & Marsh Harriers, Common & Rough-legged Buzzards, Kestrel, Merlin & Peregrine.

Wildfowl: Swans - Mute & Bewick, Geese - Greylag & Canada Ducks - Shelduck, Pintail, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Red-Breasted Merganser

Waders: Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed plover, Golden plover, Grey plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Spotted & Common Redshank, Curlew, Black-tailed & Bar-tailed Godwit, & Turnstone

Other species included: Red-legged Partridge, Stonechat, Corn Bunting & Short Eared Owl

Total number of species seen: 69

Mammals: Rabbit


Monday, 2 January 2006

Redshank perched on post

Car Trip to Abberton and Tollesbury

Our annual festive trip began with a misty morning, then turned overcast but bright and dry for the rest of the day. 27 were on the trip, including 4 people who had seen this outing listed in Birdwatching magazine. Phil Blatcher led the walk in place of Derrick Ling, who was recovering from a heavy cold.

Highlights at Abberton: Little stint (3), Whooper swan (8), Red Crested Pochard (1??), Pintail (c.40), Goosander (4), Treecreeper (1), and at Tollesbury: Great northern diver (1), Black throated diver (1), Red throated diver (1), Slavonian grebe (4-5), Eider(1??), Red-breasted merganser (6), Knot (c.500), Sparrowhawk (1), Marsh harrier (1), Rock pipit (2), Stonechat (1).

Also seen:

Geese: Greylag, Brent, Barnacle, Canada, Egyptian.

Duck: Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye, Ruddy duck.

Waders: Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed plover, Golden plover, Grey plover, Turnstone, Lapwing, Dunlin, Sanderling, Redshank, Curlew, Black-tailed godwit, Bar-tailed godwit, Snipe.

Other species: Little grebe, Stock dove, Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song thrush, Reed Bunting and Jay.

Total number of species seen: 91

Mammals: Common seal.