Author Archive
Big Butterfly Count 24th July – 1st August
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.
“The Big Butterfly Count is about more than just counting butterflies – we’ll be taking the pulse of nature.” Sir David Attenborough, Butterfly Conservation President.
Download an identification chart, spend 15 minutes in the sunshine and log your sightings at www.bigbutterflycount.org
Sunday 30th. May – Dawn Chorus (& Bacon Butties) at Sparham Pools
Twenty-nine members met in the car park of the NWT Sparham Pools Nature Reserve in the early morning light surrounded by the sound of bird song. Setting off we appreciated the fine tone of a singing Garden Warbler, which remained in full cover as we passed by. Further along the path we stood to listen to a Blackcap and were able to distinguish the delicate differences between its song and that of the very similar Garden Warbler. The remarkable song of a diminutive Wren came drifting through the early morning air. Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday July 15th. – Members’ Summer Social BBQ
Our annual summer social event is a Barbecue at Weston Longville Village Hall and the Taverham Scouts 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. Read the rest of this entry »
Sunday 27th June – The Length of the Valley Part 1
This is the first in a series that will take us along the Wensum Valley from West to East. It won’t necessarily follow the river closely, but it will stay in our reporting area and hopefully introduce you to places you may not have been before. This first trip will concentrate on Sculthorpe Moor and the Great Ryburgh area, including the Raptor Watch Point. Read the rest of this entry »
Saturday 24th April – Field Trip to East Norfolk
What a treat to arrive at Horsey Mill and to see the newly returned Swallows flying about the car park, deciding whether or not to nest under the thatched roof of the toilets. Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday 17th. June – Nightjar Evening at Marsham Heath
Our nightjar evening will follow the usual format. Those who would like to have a bit of a social and have a meal will meet at the Marsham Arms at 7:00pm ish so we can all sit down and order our meals at 7:30ish. If you would just like to have a drink you can join us at any time in the evening. We will aim to finish our meals etc. so we can leave the Marsham Arms no later than 9:20pm and arrive at Marsham Heath by 9:30 in time to catch the nightjars coming out.
Please let me know if you would like directions or more information and also numbers so I can inform the landlord. by 10th. June latest as nothing is pre-ordered. Contact me (Josh Leeder.)on 01603 872660 .
Don’t forget your gnat repellent and appropriate clothing for the weather. Also a torch is useful for finding your way back to the car.
N.B. Nightjars are sensitive to noise and we will only enjoy close views if the birds are not disturbed. As responsible birdwatchers we must set the standard and if any other groups on the heath are not so responsible a polite word may be necessary.
Sunday 30th. May – Dawn Chorus(& Bacon Butties) at Sparham Pools
Join us for our annual Dawn Chorus event at NWT Sparham Pools. We meet for a 04.15 start and finish around 08.00. Bacon Butties are available at the end to all those who booked them. Please add your name to the Attendance Sheet with your order at the next indoor meeting or contact our event Leader, Alwyn Jackson. Please note that parking in the reserve is limited, so please park tidily . There is also room for a few cars just along the main road near the bridge.
Thursday 20th. May – The Wildlife of Kenya
Our speaker for this evening’s indoor meeting is Dr Kevin Elsby ARPS. A lifelong interest in birds and all things natural. A busy local GP he has, over the past 10 years or so, started to take what began as a hobby more seriously. “I started just wanting to take pictures of birds but, over the years, my interest in wildlife has expanded into just about everything,” When not working as a GP, Kevin spends his time travelling the world, taking photographs and leading tours for a UK based wildlife holiday company. He also gives lectures to UK wildlife and photography groups, and on-board cruise ships whose destinations have included the Amazon, South Georgia and the Galapagos Islands. Read the rest of this entry »
Sunday 28th March – Lynford Arboretum
The carpark was filling up rapidly as we arrived at Lynford and a later count revealed 34 members had turned out for this popular walk. The weather was fine but cool. We set off past the Arboretum, ears and eyes on alert and the list soon began to mount. Our target birds were Hawfinch,Crossbill and Firecrest but anything could turn up. Read the rest of this entry »
Thursday 15th April – Patagonia: In Darwin’s Footsteps
Following our (short) AGM, Peter Lambley OBE is our speaker for this month’s indoor event. Peter, who is a member of our Society, is an experienced naturalist. His C.V is impressive. He spent his early working life looking after the Natural History collection at the Castle Museum followed by four years in Papua New Guinea and then 15 years at English Nature in Norfolk. As he explains “I am really a Botanist but have a general interest in natural history and like travelling.” His talk is based on his trip to Patagonia which was his first to South America.
I feel an interesting talk coming on!