Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society

Author Archive

Our first indoor meeting since 20th May brings Sam Phillips of the Norwich Bat Group to tell us all about bats.  He will also give us a demonstration of his bat detector (hopefully outside the hall!)

This is something different to look forward to.

High tide at Snettisham is at 0945 so we intend getting in position in/around Rotary Hide about 0900. Read the rest of this entry »

Thursday 26th August 7.30-9.30pm Sparham Old School Room

Saturday 28th August 9am-12noon Salthouse & Kelling Quags area (Cley if time permits)

The Workshop will focus on how to identify the commoner species found in Norfolk & the UK. Read the rest of this entry »

Members may be interested to learn that the Society is supporting a new initiative to study Marsh and Willow Tits in the Wensum Valley. The study is being led by the Norfolk Ornithologists Association and will last for five years. Read the rest of this entry »

Be part of the Big Butterfly Count 24th July – 1st August

Butterflies are disappearing at an alarming rate. Their decline reveals the poor health of our environment. Take part in this nationwide survey and help Butterfly Conservation revive the countryside. Read the rest of this entry »

Sunday 27th June – The Length of the Valley – Part 1, Sculthorpe Moor & Great Ryburgh

On what promised and proved to be a sweltering hot day 19 members gathered in the car park at Sculthorpe Moor HOT (Hawk and Owl Trust) Reserve.  After putting on the suncream and paying our donations we set off.  Even before we got to the boardwalks a Barn Owl was spotted flying, with prey in its talons, towards Sculthorpe village to where it presumably has young in the nest.  Read the rest of this entry »

Twenty members enjoyed a convivial evening at the Marsham Arms before progressing on to Marsham Heath towards dusk to view the summering Nightjars that have become established there over recent years. Read the rest of this entry »

Our Annual trip to Minsmere for a full days birdwatching and where anything can turn up at this premier site.

Bring packed lunch and stout footwear. R.S.P.B. Members please remember to bring your cards.

We plan to visit all the hides and possibly the heath, returning to the cars for lunch. Exact format to be decided on the day by our Event leader, Colin Fenn.

Meet at Longwater Retail Park, Longwater Lane. We leave there at 0830 hrs. Please meet and park in the middle area opposite Staples. Do not park at Sainsburys. Contact Colin to confirm attendance or complete attendance sheet at any of our events.

Please let Colin know if you intend travelling directly from your home to Minsmere. We plan to arrive at Minsmere car park for a start just before 10.00 hrs.

Our annual summer social event is a Barbecue at Weston Longville Village Hall and the Taverham Scouts Leaders have kindly offered to organize this again. Join us from 19.30hrs. with hot food being served from 20.00. The cost will be £7 per person payable at the door.

Please would you bring a plate of either salad /savoury nibbles OR sweet to share (enough for about five people). Lin Pateman will be co-ordinating the event so please call her soon to let her know a) that you plan to attend and b) what food you will be bringing or to get inspiration from her for what you might bring.

You should also bring your own drinks and crockery/cutlery (and please take them home with you too!). A picnic blanket and/or chairs may prove useful as you may wish to sit outside if we are blessed with a lovely summer’s evening. Car parking will be on the adjacent football field leaving the usual car park free for us to sit/wander. Tea, coffee and squash will be provided on the night as usual. The hall will be open for us to use as necessary and a slide show may be on the cards. This event proved very popular last year so please contact Lin to make your booking. You can pay for your tickets on the night but we need to know numbers as soon as possible so the right amount of food can be ordered. There will be a raffle as usual and raffle prizes are more than welcome.

Member’s trip to Scotland – Monday 10th May to Saturday 15th May 2010

We all arrived at Grantown during Monday afternoon and after settling in and a meal decided to make an early start next morning for the RSPB site at Loch Garten.

We arrived at the visitor centre at 05.15 to find a considerable queue already forming, all hoping for views of capercaillie which after a hesitant start finally obliged. However whilst waiting we were able to watch the Osprey activity around the nest and also Red Squirrels and Redstart in the surrounding woods. What better way to start a holiday? Read the rest of this entry »