News archive

March 2006

Sunday, 19 March 2006

Curlew standing on weed, County Cork, Ireland

Coach trip to Pagham Harbour

Thanks to Mick Oakland for leading this outing, a total of 20 people went on the coach, on a sunny cloudless day but with a cold northerly wind which kept the temperatures low.

Highlights were Dartford Warbler, Barn Owl, 3/4 Spotted Redshank and several Mediterranean Gulls. We missed out on Cattle Egrets, as they were 3 or 4 mile away and too difficult to get to. Unfortunately no migrants were seen, perhaps due to the recent cold weather holding things back.

73 Species were seen:

Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit,
Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Dartford Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting.

Other wildlife seen:

Squirrel, Rabbit, Hare, Roe Deer

Saturday, 11 March 2006

RSPB membership pack

Race Night at Much Hadham village hall

Our first ever Race night, organised by Angela Dobson, with her husband Tim, was very successful, raising £652 for the RSPB.

Over 60 people took part, it was great fun, thanks to all who helped on the evening. Angela won fame by being the fastest `jockey' on the night.

We hope to have another race night in the near future - check your programme!

Sunday, 5 March 2006

Male lapwing in breeding habitat

Morning walk at Hanningfield Reservoir

Todays walk was led by Derrick Ling. The weather was sunny with some cloud and a cold and predominantly northerly wind. 17 people met up for this very pleasant walk around an area of scrub, woodland, open fields and of course, the reservoir.

Species seen:

Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye, Goosander, Smew, Ruddy Duck, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Golden Plover (seen from picnic area at end of walk), Redshank, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren (H), Chaffinch, Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Siskins (small flock seen in car park trees at end of walk)

Total: 48 species