News archive
November 2008
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
November News round-up
Our monthly walk on 2nd was around the Amwell Gravel Pits area, led by Phil Blatcher. 16 members joined the walk and saw 55sp including a yellow-legged gull, nuthatch, grey wagtail and water rails. (The first bittern of the winter was reported from Amwell on 16th, on the pool near the water vole viewpoint, on 26th, one was seen from the viewpoint in reeds to the right of White Hide.)
Phil also led the coach trip on 9th, joined by 20 members, to RSPB Ouse Washes & WWT Welney, 60sp were seen, including whooper swans, barn owl, marsh harriers and tree sparrows. Full reports of both these trips are on our trip report pages.
RSPB Rye Meads was the venue once again for our 'Meet your group' day on 19th. We raised £177 from various sales tables and sold a further £114 of RSPB Sales goods. The weather could have been kinder but visitors still had good views of a kingfisher from the Draper hide, which brightened their day. We hope to repeat this event in 2009.
On 19th, we had our monthly morning walk to find out more about the local birds in our area, led by Terry Smith, at Hall Marsh scrape & Bowyers Water. 11 supporters joined this walk, 44sp were seen, including kingfishers, a male goldeneye, redwings, siskins and a bullfinch was heard calling but we were unable to locate it. A peacock butterfly and a common darter were surprising finds. A full report of this walk is on our trip report pages. Contact us above for details of these Wednesday monthly walks led by Terry. (A bittern was reported coming into roost in the reedbeds at 70 Acre lake last week)
Our meeting on 25th featured a presentation on Conservation in the Falkland Islands, by Becky Ingham, former Director of Falkland Islands Conservation. One of our most interesting talks, with plenty of background detail about the islands history, geology and of course, the wildlife. Lovely photos of penguins and other wildlife.
Have a look at the Falkland Conservation website at: http://www.falklandsconservation.com and learn more about Oliver, the oiled King Penguin, and his jumper!
Many thanks to everyone who supported our Bring 'n Buy tables at the meeting..
100 Club
Our 100 Club winners for November were: 1st Mike Oakland 2nd: Ted Bell.
The total amount raised by the 100 Club since we began is now well over £2,000. Why not join our club, or perhaps take up another number? Membership is open to anyone aged 18 or over, half of the money received is paid as prizes and the rest is donated to the RSPB. The cost is £12 plus £2 joining fee (pro-rata) for the first full year, then £12, paid by standing order, for subsequent years. (If you join from December, the cost will be £6.00 - £4 plus £2 joining fee) If you would like to join, please contact Geoff Brown, on 01992 468031 or by e-mail at the 'Contact Us' link above, he will gladly forward the details to you.
Quiz
Our popular General Knowledge Quiz will be held on January 31st 2009, (no bird questions!), tickets are on sale now, £60 for a table up to 8 people, includes supper BUT bring along your own drinks. Over half the tables have been sold already so book asap .Further details from Phil Blatcher on 01992 441024 or by email at the 'Contact Us' link above.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our coming events, do check out the events pages for more details.
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Meet the Group at RSPB Rye Meads
Our free tea and coffee was a hit and Ted's terrific Tombola was very popular. Here is a photo of Holly Bayford, a Wildlife Explorer member, winning on the Tombola. Holly had a lovely time, her Mum tells us that they often visit the reserve and they were at the Feed The Birds event, making bird cakes, very messy but good fun!
Visitors were able to watch video films of the birds at Rye Meads and further afield during the day. The star bird of the day was a Kingfisher, seen perching and fishing during the day from the Moorhen hide.
We hope to repeat the event in 2009.
RSPB CARDS AND CALENDARS
We still have a small supply of Christmas cards and calendars etc for sale, so we will be at the Bittern Information Point, Fishers Green, Stubbins Hall Lane, off Crooked Mile, B194 (OS 166 TL377032) on Sunday, 23rd November with our sales table. Come along and have a look - who knows - there may even be a chance of a bittern!!! Last weekend a water rail was seen in front of the hide and little grebe.