News archive
December 2010
Sunday, 19 December 2010
December Round up
FUNDRAISING
Thanks to everyone who supported our Grand Christmas Draw, our main winners were: 1st Mrs G Earle, 2nd Mrs S Cadle, 3rd Jack Sharman.
We hope to make a profit of £700 plus this year.
6 MONTHLY 100 CLUB DRAW
Congratulations to our 6 monthly 100 Club winners for October - 1st Mr Arthur Southwell, 2nd Mrs Valerie Cornhill
Do 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 January draw, the cost is £5 - (that is £3 plus a one-off £2 admin charge) Club members have raised well over £3,200 towards important RSPB projects since the club was formed.
E-NEWSLETTER
Due to the very bad weather we had to cancel our car trip this month, but we were able to advise all our E Newsletter subscribers in advance. So, for really up to date news of the group and the RSPB, subscribe to our free monthly E-Newsletter. Please send your details to us, using the 'Contact us' link above, subject title 'E-Newsletter' and we'll put you on the mailing list. Geoff Brown is the editor and would be pleased to receive your photo's for inclusion..
DECEMBER EVENTS
Barrie led the walk at RSPB Fowlmere on a cold morning, the car trip to Tring Reservoirs had to be cancelled due to the bad weather, a good call as over 4ins snow fell that morning!
The Christmas Group meeting was well supported, Ted Bell gave an excellent presentation on 'Botswana', from lions to hippo's via many birds, some familiar species and some exotic ones. Geoff Brown set a general quiz, which proved very popular, a reindeer was promised for the winner - it turned out to be made of chocolate! Everyone brought along food to share for the buffet. Cold drinks, including beer and wine, were available. Annie Sadler from the RSPB Eastern Region office presented long service badges to Barrie Stockwell (5 years) and to Rosie Bell (20 years). A very successful evening.
LOCAL BIRDS
Bitterns have been seen regularly at Amwell and Rye Meads. At Fishers Green 5 came into the reedbeds outside the Bittern hide to roost one evening!. Smew, goosander & goldeneye are now at most of our local sites. A raven was spotted over Waltham Abbey during the month. over 150 waxwings have been seen regularly at Cheshunt, near the Co-Op.
Remember, you can keep updated with news of local sites by visiting our 'Links' page. Have a look at the Herts Bird Club or East London Birders Forum or the LVRPA websites for details of bird sightings in our area.
COMING EVENTS IN 2011
2nd January is our annual trip to Abberton & Tollesbury, led by Phil Blatcher. On 23rd we have another car trip to the Isle of Sheppey, led by Derrick Ling, BUT please remember, do check with Barrie Stockwell before joining these trips because if the weather is very bad they could be cancelled so please check first. More details on the events page.
Our group meeting is on 25th January, we welcome back Andy Sands with his talk on 'the influence of Man on British Wildlife'.
There are still a few tables left for the Annual General Knowledge Quiz on February 5th, tickets are £64 for a table of up to 8, cold supper included, BUT bring your own drinks! Telephone Phil Blatcher to book your place, full details on the 'Events' page.
Hope to meet you at one of our events soon in 2011,
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, have a look at the website below - Bird is the word!
Terry Smith, Group Leader
Saturday, 18 December 2010
CANCELLED: Car Trip To Tring Reservoir
Monday, 6 December 2010
November round-up
MONTHLY 100 CLUB DRAW
Congratulations to our monthly 100 Club winners for October - 1st Mrs Mills, 2nd Mike Oakland
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 January draw, the cost is £5 - (that is £3 plus a one-off £2 admin charge) Club members have raised over £3,200 towards RSPB projects since the club was formed.
November events
John Murray led the morning walk at a new venue, Holyfield & Langridge, Fishers Green area on 7th and Barrie Stockwell led the coach trip to RSPB Ouse Washes & WWT Welney on 28th. Full report on our Trip Report pages.
On 14th we held our 5th 'Meet your local group' event at Rye Meads, & yes- it rained! Thanks to everyone who helped on the day.
The very bad weather prevented our speaker Paul Hale joining us on 30th, but Ted Bell stepped in to give us his very interesting presentation of 'Skokholm'. The Wildlife trust for South & West Wales may be opening the island to visitors in 2011. Paul is being re-booked for next season, without snow.
LOCAL BIRDS
Bitterns have been seen at Amwell & Fishers Green, plus goosander from the Grebe hide. Amwell has had some interesting gulls in the roost such as yellow legged gull. The winter visitors have arrived!
Remember, you can keep updated with news of local sites by visiting our 'Links' page. Have a look at the Herts Bird Club or East London Birders Forum websites for details of bird sightings in our area.
We always know when the weather is really bad - we have several reed buntings visiting our garden, normally they come in around January so November is very early for them!
FUNDRAISING
Our Grand Christmas Draw will be made at the group meeting. Don't forget to return them by 14th December, to Rosie Bell, address is on the ticket. Good Luck!
E-NEWSLETTER
For really up to date news of the group and the RSPB, subscribe to our free monthly E-Newsletter. Please send your details to us, using the 'Contact us' link above, subject title 'E-Newsletter' and we'll put you on the mailing list. Geoff Brown is the editor.
COMING EVENTS IN DECEMBER
At our Christmas group meeting on 14th, Ted Bell will show us his short presentation on 'Botswana'. We will have quizzes, raffles & a buffet, bring along something to share - not too much, though!!
Sat 18th is our car trip to Tring Reservoirs, led by Phil Blatcher. Meet by 10am at Wilstone Reservoir car park, BUT please remember, do check with Barrie Stockwell before joining the trip as if the weather is very bad it could be cancelled so check first. Details on the events page.
Hope to meet you at one of our events soon,
Terry Smith, Group Leader