AUTUMN 2017 NEWSLETTER No 62

East Local Group NEWSLETTER

LEADER’S BLOG events seem to be becoming fishing. more extreme and recurrent by Did you get out and enjoy Giving Nature a Home is just the year. Those recent hurricanes Nature this summer? Did you as important in your garden or caused devastation unseen see a turtle dove, a nightingale local area. If you are concerned before in the Caribbean and the or a swift? Probably not, as about birds in particular and southern United States but some numbers of these long-distance the environment generally have of the islands badly affected fall travellers from Africa are falling you encouraged friends and under British jurisdiction. Global precipitately. Some good news family to take up the cause? We warming affects us all and we for now for nightingales is that are constantly looking for new should continue to press for more the plans to build houses on one members and people willing to not less international cooperation of their largest breeding sites at speak up for Nature. Politicians and action now and post-Brexit. Lodge Hill, Medway have been and governments will have to Birdlife International is one of withdrawn. We must remain listen to us and modify their those organisations to which vigilant but are you happy that actions accordingly if we speak the RSPB is affiliated and which 800,000 songbirds are wisely, loud and often being illegally killed on a enough. But they need to British military base on be constantly reminded of Cyprus every autumn? the long-term implications Could it be that hunting of environmental and mist-netting in the degradation and species Mediterranean area is loss and not just make having a long-term effect short-term gestures to on the number of birds curry electoral advantage migrating to these islands so it’s even more important generally? These and to engage and enthuse the many other concerns young for the long haul. require organisations like We’ve just set out our new the RSPB to speak out programme of talks and and seek to influence seeks to encourage responsible outings for next year. I hope there governments and attitudes around conservation work around the is something which attracts you the globe to take Nature seriously, globe. The amount of plastics to participate. And as our skies fill not just for conservation reasons floating around the oceans with returning geese and ducks but because a sustainable regard represents an immediate and why not get ready to get out and for a healthy environment is surely long-term threat to many of our about and enjoy those crisp winter essential alongside the need seabirds and can only be tackled days watching these birds. to feed and house the world’s by nations getting together if there growing population. John Lawrence ( Group Leader) is a will. The RSPB can be proud Birds do not acknowledge national of its work showing how it can TWITCHING OR LOCAL boundaries. So why should we be done through collaborations BIRDING ignore the effect of climate change like the Albatross Task force in (think again America about the reducing the unwanted by-catch As I have commented in past Paris undertakings) as weather of such iconic birds from long-line Newsletters, like many other birdwatchers. I get the biggest Anyway, enough of my remaining equestrian water jump. This was kick or rush of adrenaline on birding vice, I shall return to the the first time I had encountered finding ‘my own’ rare or unusual local patch and briefly illustrate this species in the area since 3 bird on my local patch. I have of how interesting that can prove in birds were found on Riddlesdown course, on occasions in the past, say a 6 months period, if you put in 2000. This was a significant find gone on the so called twitches the necessary time and dedication as I believe it’s been several years for rare birds, but the enthusiasm in. I am fortunate to be in contact now since any have been seen in for such trips has long since with a few birding friends who the County, although it is still just waned for me. The one exception also watch ‘my patch’ on about ‘hanging on’ in neighbouring however is when I still rush off occasions, and this is very useful Kent. Willow warblers, once such down to Shellness Point in the in immediately sharing information a common breeder in my local Autumn, when wind conditions (invariably by text or e-mail) on area, is now only encountered are promising, in the hope of what’s been about. as a passage migrant. It has of a really lively day sea- course declined markedly watching. Good days can be in the south and is amber spectacular with hundreds listed as a result. It was of skuas passing by often therefore encouraging very close in, not to mention to find a singing male the odd shearwaters, petrels at Blanchman’s Farm and rare gulls such as Warlingham holding Sabine’s. It’s not always like territory for much of that however, since sea- May and early June. watching can turn out just Unfortunately breeding to be that on occasions, wasn’t confirmed. like the 14th September this A walk along Butterfly year when Brian Hobley and Walk is always worthwhile I both thought conditions for the view south were promising but ended over the Marden Park up spending several hours valley Woldingham, as just looking at waves and This Spring things got off to a immortalised so famously in the the remnants of Pier promising start when Andrew words of the 17th Century diarist and Towers on the and Sue Broomfield had a male John Evelyn where he describes horizon. Despite such blank days ring ouzel (photo above) in their in flowing terms the estate of Sir we are never put off, and will be Warlingham garden on 30th Robert Clayton: ‘Is in such solitude down there ‘back on duty’ so to march. The same day 3 adders among hills,as,being not above speak as soon as wind direction were sunning themselves off long 16 miles from seems looks promising (i.e. anything in Hill Woldingham in the company of almost incredible’. Unfortunately the northerly quarter). Correctly several beautiful green hairstreak there were very few butterflies at identifying distant birds at sea is butterflies. Wendy Bainbridge all neither common or otherwise by no means easy, but there’s a discovered a female redstart when I walked there on 5th great amount of satisfaction when below Nore Hill on 2nd of April June, and even less birdlife, but they eventually move in closer to and it was still there the following I found 30 bee orchids, and its shore and you know whether or day. On the 5th a migrant yellow classification within the Surrey not your initial ‘shout’ was right wagtail was picked up on call Hills Area of Outstanding Natural or not. In this connection it’s flying over Nore Hill. The 10th Beauty has fortunately preserved great to have experts and fellow April proved a very good day, for posterity that same incredible enthusiasts with you, not only with 6 wheatears on the downs view. for the extra pairs of eyes to pick in the Warren Barn Woldingham up passing birds, but to be able On 15th July I found myself on area. One of these birds at Bushy to discuss identification features Nore Hill Chelsham amongst Bank was in company with the on particularly difficult sightings, clouds of the magnificent chalk hill second ring ouzel of the Spring, and to join in the special sea blue butterflies. What was even but most exciting of all was the watchers camaraderie and banter more amazing was the density of discovery nearby of a single corn when things go quiet, which they cinnabar caterpillars munching bunting which dropped in briefly inevitably will for periods, even on through ragwort in an adjacent for a drink at Rodney Fuller’s spectacularly good days. field at High Breach. In no time at all the flower heads had been The first returning wheatear was yellow wagtail on my patch are completely consumed, and I spotted on Nore Hill on 16th invariably flyovers only when anticipate that the vast majority of August, but it was on 31st of the they are picked up by their these insects accordingly starved month that we had a significant distinctive call. It was therefore and thus didn’t make it to the moth migrant ‘fall’ after a very wet a very pleasant surprise when I stage. Cuckoos no longer stay to night. In the thorn bushes around discovered 4 of these elegant birds breed here and are now extremely the Civil Aviation twin towers at feeding on the ground amongst a rare even passing through, but High Breach, Chelsham there herd of Longhorn cattle at Warren John Gill found a juvenile at this were: 6 wheatears, including one Barn farm on 13th September. location in late August and with individual of the larger more upright They no longer breed here and this their food preference for large Greenland race, 3 very smart is only the third occasion I have caterpillars (they can eat up to whinchats, 4 stonechats (not the ever found them on the ground in 100 at one sitting), it’s not difficult local breeders), lesser and common the area. to fathom out what had attracted whitethroats, a single turtle dove, On 28th September there was a the bird here. Earlier hobby hawking in the year John insects over High Gill had reported Breach Chelsham, regularly seeing and a few days stonechats in the later John Gill had Washponds area a brief view of a Chesham and asked merlin here. Then if I thought they on 1st October might be breeding. I sat on a bench I told him that they for half an hour last bred some 50 on the high point years ago at nearby of Riddlesdown Worms Heath and whilst my labrador George made that I had only ever seen them in a spotted flycatcher and circa 25 acquaintance with several other the Winter months or on Spring or chiffchaff/willow warblers, with canines in the immediate vicinity. Autumn passage through the area. the vast majority being the former Just in this short period I estimated John’s suspicions however were species judging by wing length, a minimum of 150 house martins eventually confirmed when 2 adults call or constant tail depressing. passed through high above me and 2 juveniles were spotted in I bumped into Jack Barnes later in a westerly direction and I sadly August, and they are still in the area that morning at Nore Hill where we reflected how Winter would soon as I write. observed a very high hobby flying be upon us. north. On learning of the birds I had Ray Baker who lives ‘on site’ at seen earlier Jack said he would pay In this snapshot of local patch Watercolours Merstham, and who a visit himself that afternoon. This watching I have only highlighted has the Holmthorpe complex proved really fortuitous since Jack the more interesting observations Redhill on his doorstep as his contacted me later to describe a and trust it gives readers a feel local patch, saw a female brown small skulking bird he had flushed for how exciting regular watching hairstreak butterfly there on 1st from the rank grass at Washponds. can prove. The downland area August. It was third time lucky for He wasn’t certain of its identity, so I describe is also of course the me when I eventually found one I visited early the next morning and best place locally by far to see at Spynes Mere on 11th August, fortunately found and got just good birds of prey which I have often and I even managed a photograph enough brief views to confirm its commented on in these pages. as it sunned itself on a young oak. identity as a grasshopper warbler Indicative of this is the fact that I Whilst I have found the diminutive (photo above). When these birds visited two preferred slopes this white eggs of this butterfly on are clearly in view holding territory morning (Bushey Bank and Nore blackthorn much closer to home and giving their unique ‘reeling’ Hill), and observed no less than 6 at Riddlesdown I have yet to see song they are easy to identify. red kites, 11 buzzards, a peregrine any adult butterflies there. The very When seen only briefly and silently falcon and a raven - surely not half next day Ray counted no less than skulking amongst thick grass bad for a local patch! 39 Willow Emerald dragonflies at things are far more tricky. the same location; an amazing tally Brian Thomas of an uncommon species. Encounters with the beautiful FIELD TRIPS 2018 (with Leader) Jan 14 Sheppey (Brian Hobley 01883 625404) May 31 1/2 day Warnham, meet Blindley Heath pond 9 a.m (Richard Lowe 01342 835354). Feb 18 Pagham and The Burgh (Brian Thomas 01883 623149) Jun 17 Grove Ferry (Brian Hobley) Mar 18 Dungeness (John Lawrence 01737 Jun 8+22 Nightjars (Richard Lowe) Meet Long car 553316) park 8pm (south of Wych Cross) Apr 15 Broadwater Warren and Hartfield (Brian Jul 15 Mystery trip (John Lawrence) Hobley) Aug 12 Medmerry (Richard Lowe) Apr 18 Half day Old Lodge Ashdown Forest Sep 16 Reculver and Oare (Brian Thomas) (meet OL car park TV 470305 at 9am) (Brian Thomas) Oct 14 St Margaret’s at Cliffe (Brian Thomas) May 13 Minsmere: Coach pick up Godstone Nov 18 Pulborough and the Burgh (Richard Lowe) 7.30am sharp. Dec 16 Shellness and Elmley (John Lawrence)

EVENING MEETINGS 2018

10 Jan Rick and Elis Simpson: “Wader Quest” 13 Jun Jonathan Forgham: “The birds of Southern A personal insight into the problems facing Sri Lanka” Enjoy the unique wildlife and wader conservation world-wide. outstanding scenery of this attractive holiday destination. 14 Feb Des Sussex: “Reptiles and Amphibians” Get to know all about our native species, 11 Jul Penny Williams: “My year as a BTO their lives and habitats. Regional Rep for Surrey” How to combine an interest in bird, butterfly and reptile 14 Mar Chris Collins: “The birds of the Ross Sea, surveys, conservation work and holidays. sub-Antarctic Islands and Southern Ocean” Introducing the birds encountered from the Aug Summer break less well-visited New Zealand side. 12 Sep Brian Gallop: “2 weeks in Ireland” 11 Apr AGM - followed by our special guest Learn about the wildlife and attractions of speaker Euan Dunn, Head of Marine Policy this neglected area on our doorstep. at RSPB HQ, who will be telling us about: 10 Oct Brian Pettit: “A Falklands Island Odyssey” “Puffins in simmering seas” - how warming Marvel at the birds and scenery of these of the seas is disrupting the food chain of windswept distant islands. this our favourite seabird and others. 14 Nov Adrian Thomas: “Homes for Wildlife” 9 May Glenn Duggan: “Birding in Gambia and the How to make your backyard wildlife- Sine-Saloum Delta, Senegal”. friendly based on personal experience. What this winter destination with over 540 species offers, sponsored by Gambia 12 Dec Christmas Meeting – festive fare and Experience. members tales/photographs.

Field trips start from Godstone Green Car Park at 8.00 am, the indoor meetings and on the website: unless otherwise stated. Part day trips – see above for www.eastsurreyrspb.co.uk. There is no group time and place. For details of coach trips contact Richard subscription, new visitors are always welcome. Lowe (01342 835354) Group Leader: John Lawrence (01737 553316). Warm waterproof clothing & stout footwear should be Newsletter Editor: Brian Thomas (01883 623149) worn. Bring a packed lunch for day trips. No dogs. RSPB is a registered charity: England and Wales no. Alterations to some of the proposed venues may be 207076, Scotland no. SC037654 necessary at the last minute. If you would like to receive this publication by e-mail NOTE: If going direct to venue please notify leader at contact the Editor, Brian Thomas (e-mail: brianjthomas47@ least 24 hours in advance in case of changes. gmail.com). Publications sent Indoor Meetings will be held at the White Hart Barn, by e-mail will be in glorious Godstone in 2018 starting at 8.00 pm. colour. Admission £3.00 for adults, £1.00 for fledglings. Other events arranged during the year are advertised at