News archive

June 2006

Friday, 30 June 2006

Robin sitting in grass

Report of evening walk at RSPB Rye Meads

Derrick Ling led the last walk of the present season at RSPB Rye Meads on a dry, warm clear evening.

28 people turned up, including 4 people on their first walk with us.

33 Bird species were seen:

Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Turtle Dove, Collard Dove, Swift, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Warbler, Robin (H), Blackbird, Song Thrush (H), Blue Tit, Wren (H), Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow

Thanks to Derrick for leading this walk.

Saturday, 24 June 2006

Coal tit perched on bramble bush

Strumpshaw Fen coach trip

Todays trip was led by Terry Smith, we split into 4 groups, other leaders were: Derrick Ling, Mick Oakland, Ted Bell and Russell Wood.

We started our journey in light rain but it was dry on arrival. We had a few brief showers during morning, it then became warm and sunny. Ideal butterfly weather!

Number attending: 43 - plus we were joined by John Garbutt, who moved to Suffolk recently.

67 Bird Species seen: Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Bittern, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Hobby, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Swift, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Bearded Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, and Reed Bunting.

10 Butterflies: Swallowtail, Brimstone, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Essex Skipper, Large Skipper and Large White.

5 Dragonflies: Emperor Dragonfly, Norfolk Hawker, Black Tailed Skimmer, 4 Spot Chaser, Southern Hawker.

5 Damselflies: Banded Demoiselle, Common Blue, Blue Tailed, Large Red and Red-eyed.

Plus: Common Lizard, Common Frog, Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Grey Squirrel and Chinese Water Deer and fawn.

Sunday, 4 June 2006

Adult and child birdwatching

Local Walk at LVRPA Gunpowder Park

On our first visit to this site, 14 people enjoyed a pleasant walk on a warm and sunny morning. Thanks to Mick Oakland who led this walk.

June can be a quiet bird watching month but the group managed to see 46 species during the walk.

Species List:

Little grebe, cormorant, mute swan, Canada goose, mallard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, moorhen, coot, black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, common tern, woodpigeon, collared dove, cuckoo, swift, green woodpecker, skylark, sand martin, swallow, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, robin, nightingale, blackbird, song thrush, sedge warbler, reed warbler, garden warbler, lesser whitethroat, whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, willow warbler, blue tit, magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, jay, starling, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch and reed bunting.

Other wildlife:

Small White and small Tortoiseshell butterflies.
Emperor Dragonfly, Banded Demoiselle and Common Blue damselflies.
Rabbit
Common and Mirror Carp.