News archive
June 2009
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
June Round up
On 10th, group leader Terry Smith led a walk at Fishers Green for birds, plants and general wildlife. 17 joined the walk, 49sp were seen or heard including nightingales, cuckoo and a surprise spot, an oystercatcher. A Bee Orchid was found in 'The Taste of The Wild' area amongst many other wild plants.
Terry also led the walk on 13th June at Fishers Green, with leaders from the Rye Meads Reserve WEX group, 36sp were seen or heard including nightingales, great crested grebes with young. Many orchids were found, and common newts, beetles and many wild plants were admired by the youngsters.
On the same day, Barrie Stockwell led the re-arranged car trip to the Brecks, with excellent views of golden orioles, hobbies, bittern, garganey and our best views ever of nightjars.
At the group meeting on the 30th, a new speaker, Andy Sands, took us on a 'British Safari', showing us the many plants, amazing insects, mammals and birds to be found in our isles. His presentation included bird calls, including his favourite species, golden plovers in the Pennines. An excellent talk by Andy.
100 CLUB
Our 6 monthly 100 Club winners for June were:-1st Russell Wood 2nd Rosie Bell. Don't forget to contact Geoff Brown if you would like to join our fundraising club, using the 'contact us' link above. (If you would like to join from our July draw, the cost is £11 - that is £9 plus a one-off £2 admin charge) Last season a total of £535 was raised by club members.
LOCAL BIRDS
Another warbler was the star bird for June, a Marsh Warbler was found at Amwell. Check out our link to the East London Birders forum website for up to date bird news.
At Rye Meads Reserve there is now a pair of kingfishers! Early in the season there was a pair, but the female left. They are currently exploring and excavating the bank, mating, & taking fish in and out of the bank. If you wanted to see the kingfishers, now would be a good time to visit. Keep your fingers crossed, they might breed!
A wood sandpiper was seen really well from the Draper hide on Saturday 27, Sunday 28 and Monday 29 June. 5 green sandpipers, lapwing, little ringed plovers and lots of wildfowl have been the highlights from the Draper hide recently.
COMING EVENTS:
Our final event of this season is the evening stroll around Rye Meads, on 3rd July, led by Derrick Ling, meeting at the visitor centre by 7.15. Gates will be closed at 7.15 and will not be unlocked until the end of the walk - so be early!!
HOLIDAY NEWS
There are still a few vacancies for both the N Norfolk weekend, 23-25 Oct 2009 and the Romania trip, 25 April-5th May 2010. For more details, contact Phil Blatcher on 01992 441024.
STORT VALLEY GROUP QUIZ
The Stort Valley RSPB Local Group have a Quiz night on September 19th, at the Charis Centre, Water Lane, Bishop's Stortford, (next to the Waitrose car park). Tickets are £8.50 each, including either a Fish & Chips or Chicken & Chips supper. Bring your own drinks. Please send remittance & stamped SAE to Pat Crosby, 261 Stansted Rd., Bishop's Stortford, Herts CM23 2BT.
See our events listings for more details of all our coming events. We are in the process of finalising our new programme.
We hope to see you at one of our events soon. Have a good Summer.