Newsletter April 2004
Personally, I don’t know where this last three months has gone. No sooner is one Newsletter published than I seem to start on the next, reflecting upon the events of the last three months.
THANKS
Again, many thanks to all of those involved in the organising and leading trips and meetings and again to those who have been kind enough to look after the catering arrangements at our indoor meetings. Also to those who have submitted articles for this Newsletter
FIELD MEETINGS
Since the date of the January Newsletter we have again had some enjoyable field meetings despite once more encountering some unfortunate weather conditions.
Our first event was the WVBS Bird Race 2004.
The WVBS Bird Race took place on Saturday 3rd January with 4 teams entering on the day and a 5th team doing it on the Friday as they were unable to participate on the Saturday. We all met at the Bridge Inn, Lenwade afterwards to share experiences.
In total 86 species were recorded. Two teams recorded 70 species, followed by 69, 64 and 59. This was a brilliant effort on everybody’s part and well done to you all.
Highlights included:
A Bittern at Sculthorpe Moor (their first ever record), Bewick’s Swan – 3 over Hoe and a single at Lyng, Goldeneye at Swanton Morley and Sennowe, Smew at Swanton Morley. Swanton Morley also produced Kingfisher, Snipe, Redshank and Green Sandpiper. Grey Partridge were only found NW of Gt. Ryburgh. Golden Plover were only found by 1 team – at Hoe and Elsing.
All teams got Barn Owl but Little Owl proved elusive on the Saturday but 1 was recorded on Friday. Green Woodpecker was at Hoe and Sculthorpe – the latter only being seen by 1 of my team so we could not count it, damn. Grey Wagtails were recorded at West Raynham, Bintree Mill and Bylaugh Sewerage Works. The latter also held a wintering Chiffchaff. Both Marsh and Willow Tits were at Sculthorpe Moor and Marsh was also recorded at Swanton Morley.
In the Finch family 6 Brambling were recorded at Broom Hill, Siskin were at Fustyweed and Sculthorpe Mill (80-100) where there were also 4 Redpoll.
The most important thing was that everyone who took part thoroughly enjoyed the day, in many cases going to places they had never or rarely visited before. The overwhelming view of the participants was that they would like to repeat it so we will organise another in May. Watch out for details.
Our next field meeting was a joint field meeting with Narvos on Saturday 7th February and was a half-day meeting at Sparham Pools Nature Reserve. This was lead by Alwyn Jackson. Again. Ray reports as follows: -
Eighteen members from WVBS and Narvos met in the car park at Sparham Pools on a bright but very windy morning. Alwyn gave a brief history of the reserve before setting off around the southern edge, along the river and back by the northern edge. Normally we are restricted to the periphery of the lake but the owner, Charles Sayer (a keen birder) had given us permission to go over his adjoining land.
Greylag Goose, Coot, Great crested Grebe, Mute Swan and Cormorant were soon seen as were Goosander, for which Sparham is well know, and we eventually had a maximum count of twelve. But the passerines (small perching birds) were keeping their heads down in the gale. Starling, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits Robin and Wren were evident but the usually present Marsh Tit and Treecreeper managed to totally elude us. A Grey Wagtail, which nests on the nearby mill, foraged around the edge of a new pit and possibly the same bird was seen again on the edge of another pit. Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Teal and Wigeon were seen by all, but the highlight was a female Scaup which is a rare winter visitor to the valley. As we squelched along the flooded riverbank three Common Snipe were put up.
In total thirty-nine species were seen including the five common gulls plus Egyptian Goose, Skylark and Goldfinch.
Everyone enjoyed the morning and Alwyn did well to find as many birds on a very challenging day. His timing was also good as it poured down not long after we’d finished.
Thank you to all who attended and Alwyn for leading it.
On 8th March Charles and Fran Neale kindly led a meeting at Snettisham. Our Vice Chairman Ray Gribble penned the following report: -
The object of the day was to enjoy the spectacle of 10,000’s of the waders that winter on the Wash wheeling around as they are forced up off the Wash by the incoming Spring tide. It should be mentioned at this point that Snettisham can be a very bleak place when the weather is against you.
We set off from home in a nasty drizzle, with me wondering whether I should have stayed indoors and watched the rugby on TV with a warming dram or two, instead of getting soaked. Fortunately by the time 19 members gathered in the RSPB car park at Snettisham at 1:15pm the precipitation had stopped even though the sky was not much brighter. While some people who had not eaten lunch had a quick picnic the others had a stroll and found Barn Owl quartering some rough ground. Fortunately another, or possibly the same bird, was seen by everyone at the far end of the reserve later in the day.
Walking south alongside the pits we saw many of the more common water birds, e.g. Greylag and Canada Geese, Mallard, Moorhen & Coot. At the end of the first pit was a female Goldeneye followed by several more on the far pits including some spectacular drakes. On reaching the shore there were many waders within viewing distance of the bank. The sharing of telescopes helped the leaders point out the salient features of the birds as they probed the mud for food. In about twenty minutes a good number of wader species were added to the trip list – Dunlin (100s), Knot (1000s), Redshank (10s), Bar-tailed (50-100) and Black-tailed (50), Godwits, Ringed Plover (10), Curlew (10), Golden (500) and Grey (10, Plovers, Oystercatcher (100s) and Avocets (60). Large numbers of Shelduck and Teal were also out on the mud flats.
On to the most southerly pit and into the first hid just in time to avoid a soaking as a shower moved in. Excellent timing Charles!! We soon added Gadwall, Pochard, Wigeon and Turnstone from the hide. At the next hide an adult Mediterranean Gull was found among the hordes of noisy Black-headed Gulls. While walking to the final hid a female Marsh Harrier flew over our heads and out over the Wash. This was followed a little later by a Little Egret flying northeast, presumably to roost.
Time was pressing now so we headed back by the shore as the light faded, but still appreciating the masses of Knot, Dunlin and other waders wheeling around in their 10,000s as the tide was coming rapidly in, covering the mud and preventing them feeding. Some of us, including our leader, had to leave at this point while others continued to enjoy the spectacle, because spectacle it truly is. I was about 200 metres from the car when the heavens opened. Good timing again Charles. I trust those who stayed did not get too soaked.
In total 46 species were recorded. Very good for the limited range of habitat.
Many thanks to Charles and Fran for leading an excellent trip.
Our next field meetings are Sunday April 4th, visiting Waxham Horsey and Winterton. Meet at Sainsbury’s car park, Longwater, Norwich to depart at 8:30am. This is led by Ray Gribble. On May 1st there will be a dawn chorus at Sparham Pools Nature Reserve meeting in the Reserve car park at 4:15am. This will be concluded by bacon butties. On 3rd June there will be an evening field meeting at West Raynham meeting at 7pm on the grass verge 600 meters east of West Raynham on the East Raynham Road, map reference TF876254, leader Alwyn Jackson. This will be followed on June 17th by an evening field meeting in the Brecks meeting at Swaffham Market Place at 7pm. Leader Ray Gribble.
On Sunday June 27th the intention is that we have a field meeting at Benton Cliffs or Mindsmere. The venue depends upon members’ level of interest.
INDOOR MEETINGS
In January we had a marvellous talk by Dr. Ian Burrows who gave an illustrated talk entitled “Papua New Guinea – A Naturalists Paradise”. A splendid talk and some splendid slides.
On 19th February Chris Knights (Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2003) again gave an illustrated talk, which revolved around Chris’ and adjoining farmland in the Breckland area. Chris’ farm now is the breading site for a very large percentage of the British Breading Stone Curlews. Again, a wonderful talk with some wonderful slides.
On March 18th our AGM was held. Basically the Committee remains the same with the exception that Charles Neale and Liz Waller voluntarily resigned owing to pressure of other commitments. Josh Leeder was elected to be a new member of the Committee. After getting through the business part of the evening, Allan Hale kindly gave a presentation about bird migration through Senegal. Again, some wonderful slides with some wonderful anecdotes.
Our next indoor meeting will be on April 15th. I shall be showing some very poor slides of some excellent birds in some wonderful places.
On May 20th Peter Ransom will be giving a talk about “Birds and other wildlife of East Anglia”. There will be no indoor meeting in June.
E-GROUP
This has proved to be most popular. For those who want to join contact Ray Gribble by telephone 01603 872709, or email him at h.gribble@ntlworld.com. The email group “address” is WensumvalleyBS@yahoogroups.com.
BIRD SIGHTINGS
Please keep the sightings coming. Don’t forget, send them to Bill Shepherd at Billshepherd@onetel.net.uk. If you can’t contact Bill you can always contact any Committee member who will always pass your sightings on to Bill. Bill has kindly penned the following report for December 2003, and January & February 2004:-
December is always a quiet month for birding, but Christmas cam early for Bob Bradley when he found a Bittern in a small reed bed at Sparham Pools on the 22nd. The local grape fine got to work and I dare say that this reed bed became the most watched in the area. It paid off on the 29th when Jane and Bill Shepherd saw the bird feeding early a.m. Sparham Pools contributed to many of the records for December. A pair of Goldeneye were there on the 30th, the Goosander flock peaked at 11 on the 13th and Pochard numbers rose to 52 on the 29th. Sparrowhawks were reported from Fustyweed, Lenwade and Little Ryburgh, a flock of c300 Rooks were reported from Taverham on the 14th and 58 Starlings reported from the same site on the 10th. The first Brambling report came from Twyford on the 7th.
Early January saw the first Bird Race organised by the Club and due to the inability of one team to find a Redwing, two teams shared first place. The complete list of birds seen by the teams has been published so I shall only pick out some of the more interesting species. Bittern again featured. One was flushed form the riverbank at Sculthorpe Moor and a Bewick Swan was found at Lyng with about 100-150 Mute Swans. Bob Bradley struck again in January by finding a female Scaup at Three Bridges Pond Elsing (the recorder went to check on the following day and found a male with the female).
A Smew was seen at Sparham Pool and Swanton Morley Pits on the 2nd. A Peregrine Falcon was spotted in Lyng Easthaugh area on the 24th. Records from Sennow Park on the 25th also produced 1 Goshawk, 2 Sparrowhawk and 1 Common Buzzard. This species was also seen at South Raynham and 12 Grey Partridge were seen at West Raynham. A Water Rail was seen at Sparham Pools on the 4th. Old Costessey produced the only record so far of a Woodcock on the 29th. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen feeding on peanuts in a Lyng Garden on the 29th. Sightings of Kingfisher were reported from Mill Street, Swanton Morley, Taverham and Worthing. A male Stonechat was seen from the bridge at Mill Street on the 2nd and 4th. A female over-wintering Blackcap was feeding on peanuts at Mill Street on the 10th and a Chiffchaff found at Bylaugh on the 14th. Both Marsh Tit and Willow Tit were seen at Sculthorpe Moor on the 2nd. Siskin numbers increased to about 60 at Lenwade and 75 at Sparham Pools during the month.
In February about 150 Bewick Swans flew northeast over Sparham Pool on the 16th and the flock of Pochard reduced to 29 by the end of the month. 2 Common Buzzard were reported over Lyng on the 14th and 4 at Sennow Park on the 28th. Snipe were reported from Old Costessey for most of the month, with the greatest number 20 on the 23rd. 2 Green Sandpipers were seen at Sparham Pool on the 14th, Barn Owls were reported from many sites during the month, a male Stonechat was at Old Costessey on the 23rd. The flock of Fieldfare at Fustyweed increased by c70 by the end of the month with c30 Redwing at the same site. There were 7 Brambling at Twyford on the 11th. Sparham Pool was again best for Siskin with c40 there on the 13th. Common Redpoll were reported at Lenwade, 2 on the 13th and 7 on the 22nd.
Bill Shepherd
Recorder
Thanks very much for that Bill
MEMBERSHIP
Don’t forget – do please bring along your friends. We like to think we’re friendly people, willing to help in any way we can, and basically intent on enjoying our birdwatching wherever it might be.
WHAT’S ABOUT
Well, at the moment the Winter Thrushes, Finches, Geese and Ducks will be travelling north again and their places will be taken by our summer visitors. At the time of writing this some have already arrived in the form of Chiffchaff. Reports of early Swallows, Sandmartins and Housemartins on the south coast in February! April should bring birds here in abundance. Look out not only for Chiffchaff but also Willow Warblers, Swallows, Sand Martins among the more obvious. Late April will start bringing in some of the later arrivals, the most obvious perhaps being Swifts. On the coast Wheatears should be pretty obvious. It is all beginning to happen out there so get out and enjoy it!
Our outdoor meeting to Waxham Horsey and Winterton should be excellent from an incoming migrant point of view.
WHAT DO OTHER PEOPLE DO
I thought the following might be of interest and amusement. It was sent to me by Colin Wright who in turn received it from a birding friend of his down in Cheltenham: -
“I am in the middle of a big gull study at the moment. Gloucester wants to get rid of its roof nesting gulls, so has organised a massive scare at the rubbish tip in March. There are going to be falcons, propane explosive devices like the farmers’ use, pyrotechnics and distress calls. The gulls are going to be so panic stricken that they are going to all fly away and never return. That’s what the councillors think anyway. We’ve been engaged to find out what happens. Personally I believe that we shall quickly discover who does night duty among the people that live close to the tip, but it will be an interesting exercise in showing how council taxpayers money is wasted. We are hoping to catch some gulls tomorrow with a cannon net and ring them. All good fun!”
BREEDING NIGHTJARS
The BTO are conducting a National Breeding Nightjar 2004. Volunteers are required to help the survey. It will involve two evening visits to record Churring males in the period from end of May to mid-July in calm and warm (hopefully) weather conditions.
Survey areas will be identified by the BTO and recording cards produced for each survey site. Additional survey data will include some habitat data for sites.Full details of the survey methods will be with the survey card. No previous experience is necessary, just a good ear for Churring Nightjars. Anyone interested should please contact Ian Henderson or Greg Conway at BTO on 01842 750050 or Nick Gibbons at The Forestry Commission on 01842 816019.
BTO MIGRATION WATCH
Have you ever though about where the first Swallow of the spring is recorded, where the next ones are and the pattern of arrival across the country? Migration Watch is an exciting web-based project designed to answer exactly these kinds of questions.
The idea is simple; you make a note of the birds you see each day, either out birdwatching, from the office or the garden and enter your daily observations on a simple to use web page. Every night the Migration Watch computer at BTO headquarters will look at all the records submitted that day and observers across the country and will produce up-to-date maps showing the arrival and spread of summer migrants throughout Britain and Ireland.
Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts of all abilities can take part in Migration Watch. If large numbers of volunteers join in the project then a large amount of unique and fascinating information will be gathered. The project will focus primarily on summer visitors and passage migrants but the BTO will also be interested to know when the last Redwings, Fieldfares and Bramblings are seen.
Taking part in Migration Watch is easy. Just log on to www.bto.org/migwatch for more information.
Well I think that’s it for now folks. Do enjoy your birdwatching. Do send those articles in please. I look forward to seeing you at the next meetings.
David Pelling