News archive
February 2006
Sunday, 26 February 2006
Beached Bird Survey 2006
It is important to establish baseline counts for seabird mortality and monitor typical levels of oil contamination. If an extreme weather event or oil spill were to cause significant extra mortality, it is only possible to demonstrate the scale of this by comparison to the usual picture. Consequently surveys have been undertaken most years since 1966.
Our allotted stretch of coast is at Tollesbury in Essex, along the Blackwater estuary. This is a delightful place to watch birds and the survey provides an excuse for a day out. Seven people joined in this year. We met up at Abberton reservoir before moving to Tollesbury.
The list below shows it to have been a splendid day's birdwatching. There were more birds seen on the Christmas trip; whether this was down to more observers or the liquid lunch is a matter for speculation. We have tended to see more raptors in February than December. We saw both species of harrier this time, but had no luck with owls.
The survey itself produced four beached birds. Typically we find between nought and a dozen, although we did encounter a hundred dead redshanks one year.
The survey provides valuable conservation data and is a good day out. No expertise is required in order to come out with us; you can participate in the survey or not as you wish. Please join us and help the Society in its vital conservation work.
If you would like details of the 2007 survey, on 4th March, please contact Ted Bell at a group event or on 01920 467809.
BEACHED (DEAD) BIRDS:
Teal, Wigeon, Oystercatcher, Black-Headed Gull.
LIVE BIRDS SEEN:
Red-Throated Diver, Great Crested Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Greylag, White-Fronted, Brent, Canada & Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goosander, Red Breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Goldeneye, Sparrowhawk (3), Marsh Harrier (1), Hen Harrier (1), Kestrel, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed, Golden, Grey Plover, Turnstone, Lapwing, Dunlin, Knot, Redshank, Curlew, Black & Bar Tailed Godwit, Snipe, Black-Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Great Black-Backed Gull, Common Gull, Guillemot, Stock & Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Stonechat, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song & Mistle Thrush, Long-Tailed, Great & Blue Tit, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, House Sparrow, Starling, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw TOTAL = 82 SPECIES
OTHER WILDLIFE SEEN:
Hare, Rabbit.
Saturday, 18 February 2006
Coach Trip to Holkham & Titchwell
Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Fulmar, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan*, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Egyptian Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Eider, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard*, Kestrel, Peregrine, Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover ('000s), Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ruff, Snipe, Woodcock, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great black-backed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Great spotted Woodpecker*, Skylark, Shorelark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Snow Bunting, Reed Bunting
*Seen from coach by several observers.
Mammals (all seen from coach) : Fallow Deer, Hare, Rabbit
Our thanks to Derrick Ling for leading this outing.
Saturday, 11 February 2006
Annual Quiz
We have raised a total of £890 this year. Our quizmaster, Ed Hughes, has sent his thanks for a good evening and has offered to help again next year.
So, make a note for next year - 3rd February 2007 is the date! Tickets should be available from Phil Blatcher from the October 2006 meeting.
Sunday, 5 February 2006
Local walk at Amwell and along the New River Path
The weather was dry, sunny and mild - one of the best days by far that we have had for quite a while.
31 people were on the walk, making it one of our most popular walks this season.
As we assembled, a Nuthatch was calling but we did not see it. At the end of the walk a Bittern, in the reeds to the left of the hide seen from the high point, was viewed through a telescope by all present. Two Little Egrets were also seen.
Ducks: Teal, Smew (1), Gadwall, Pochard, Goldeneye (12), Wigeon, Shoveler, Mallard & Shelduck(1).
Other species seen included: Little (6) and Great Crested Grebe, Lapwing (c150),Snipe (1), Song & Mistle Thrush.
Total species: 47
Thanks to Phil Blatcher for leading this walk.