FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHANGE OF VENUE FOR INDOOR MEETINGS FROM DECEMBER 2016, and about receiving this magazine—Please see pages 10 and 28

Summer Birds! The barn swallows and pied wagtail were photographed by Allan Baldry and the long-eared owlets by Barry Hall

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: and Wales—No. 207076, Scotland No. SC037654 GROUP LEADER’S REPORT from Chris Courtney

s our summer season begins to fade our group programme of indoor talks, A we once again start to look forward to with a fine selection of quality speakers the onset of all that lovely autumn colour. as you have come to expect. Beginning, Over the next weeks the chlorophyll in most topically, with the perennially the leaves will no longer be replenished, fascinating theme of unravelling the as the daylight and warmth diminishes, mysteries of bird migration with Leuin leaving behind the carotene, which now Evans of the BTO. We continue with a appears in tones of yellow. The dissection of the birder him/herself with anthocyanins which, depending upon the an examination of the ‘Birding Bug’ in acidity of the tree’s sap, produce shades October, while in November (in a of red orange and purple. Nature is departure from the published wonderful! But it can of course be programme) we look forward to enjoyed simply on an aesthetic level welcoming the RSPB’s Area without the need for a degree in Manager and friend of the Group, chemistry! Ben McFarland.

Likewise at this time, we start to look out Ben has been very supportive of our for passage migrants as they once again Swifts ‘n’ Sparrows project, but will also head south for the winter, as whinchats, be giving us a privileged insight into the warblers and wheatears, redstarts, latest conservation initiatives and wrynecks and ring ouzels all start priorities of the RSPB in our region, turning up at local migration spots such which will also be a great opportunity for as Landguard. However, despite not members to ask questions about our being coastal, Ipswich, being positioned local reserves and RSPB policies. on the Gipping and the , is situated along a natural migration flyway, December brings me on to an important so our parks and riverside areas are all announcement, as after careful worth keeping a keen eye on as they will consideration your committee has turn up a smattering of migrants, decided that due to changes being including occasional waders along the applied to next year’s contractual Gipping while overhead honey buzzards arrangements for hiring the hall at have been recorded during September Sidegate School, it is with great regret over the town. that we have had to find a new venue for our indoor talks. Please see page ten for Without doubt, one of the most wonderful further information. The arrangements things about being a birder is that birds offered by the school were non- can and do turn up absolutely anywhere negotiable, and I think you will agree, at any time. Personally, I am always, on would have rendered practically some level, tuned in to the natural world, impossible the future planning of our with at least a part of my brain (much to indoor annual programme. the frequent consternation and annoyance of my wife) automatically The committee and Judy Cook in tuned in the attempt to identify every particular set about an exhaustive search avian sight and sound I encounter! September also sees the resumption of (Continued on page 3)

2 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 (Continued from page 2) House sparrow. PictureLesser—Liz whitethroat. Cutting Picture—Chris Courtney for new premises, with availability, appropriate catering, audio-visual facilities, sufficient capacity, convenient location and parking and all at an affordable cost! Fulfilling these criteria proved to be no easy task, as in addition we also wanted to try to retain the same second Thursday in the month and also not to move too far, so as to minimise the disruption to our members.

Happily, I am pleased to announce that as from December this year our new home will be the hall adjoining St Andrew’s Church in Rushmere. There is Redstart. Picture— a large, suitably lit car park with disabled Chris Courtney spaces at the front of the church. The hall is smaller than our current venue so we will be a little cosier on the occasions of our more popular meetings.

It is a really lovely space, so I do hope you will be able to embrace this necessary change as a positive one, following our many happy years at Sidegate as we now head into a new phase in our continuing story. I was much heartened upon making a ‘recce’ visit with other committee members back at the start of May, when exploring the churchyard I spotted a beautiful dancing male orange-tipped butterfly, followed shortly after by the rattling song of a lesser whitethroat, coming from the bottom hedgerow. I took these signs to facility on our website and specify be a good omen! whether you are offering or requiring a ride and we will add you to the list. In view of this move, we will be trying to encourage car-sharing where possible Finally, many thanks to everyone who and to help link up those with cars and helped with our Swifts ’n’ Sparrows spare seats with those needing transport. surveys. The sparrow questionnaire continues running till the end of the year, We will be putting up a list at the next few so look out for a full report in the January meetings for those offering and requiring edition of the magazine. lifts. Alternatively, please send through your contact details via the ‘Contact Us’ Happy autumn birding,

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A SEABIRD CRUISE AROUND BRITAIN’S SMALLER ISLANDS (Pt. 2) from Richard Stewart ontinuing our May 2015 voyage the buzzard mobbed by crows, and one of C next venue should have been Rathlin our leaders regaled us with two verses of Island, but more stormy weather meant The Mountains of Mourne. The Giant's that our journey, and that of the regular Causeway was next, admittedly ferry, had to be cancelled. Inch Wildfowl impressive but too full of visitors striking Reserve in County Donegal was the peculiar poses to get 'selfies.' inland substitute. From higher ground Consequently when they climbed to the near the entrance we looked over a large tops of the basalt pillars, guards in bright stretch of water, with grassy areas and orange jackets vigorously blew on reedbeds. whistles to tell Redshank, Puffins. Picture—Barry Hall them to get tufted duck, down, as a black-tailed strong wind godwits and could have about 50 mute blown them into swans were the sea below. observed and We just sat in a later three sheltered corner whooper and watched the swans, a few antics as there staying to breed. was little wildlife Along a around: a few sheltered lower primroses, path there were early purple many singing orchids and a song thrushes kestrel trying to and willow hover. warblers, plus swallows, dunnock, chaffinch, woodpigeon, wren, Iona has, for well over a thousand years, blackcap, sedge warbler, long-tailed been an island of spiritual retreat and tits, reed bunting and goldcrest. settlement. In sunny weather we opted Sandwich terns were seen distantly but for the morning service in the Abbey, with the best 'spot' was from Tready Hide. My the floral display composed entirely of the wife Marie stayed there because her toe island's wild flowers. En route we heard a was still painful and she and a few others corncrake in a boggy part of a field but saw an otter. A second mammal, the just couldn't see it. Perversely the other brown hare, was observed running group had good views of one in the front across a field and a few butterflies garden of an unoccupied cottage, with emerged in sudden sunshine, with an one person getting video footage. orange tip egg being found on lady's However our walk to the beach included smock. Our short time meant most of this a superb male hen harrier being mobbed extensive reserve wasn't explored. The by crows, then six whimbrel, a great return journey gave views of a common (Continued on page 5)

4 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 (Continued from page 4) ground level as these magical birds called to each other, flew in with food for northern diver off the rocks plus dunlin, their young, pulled up further nesting ringed plover, meadow pipit, a calling material or continued digging their cuckoo, hooded crow, turnstone, nesting tunnels, some with very dirty common gull, starlings and plenty of breasts. Such was this seabird house sparrows. A pair of wheatears preoccupation that we had no time to and a small flock of greylag geese visit the 'black houses' where the former completed the list of sightings. It was of residents lived until 1857. course disappointing not to see a corncrake but thankfully Iona's birds are Saint Kilda was next, the main reason for now thriving. Corncrake numbers were our being on this cruise, but that was so as low as two breeding pairs in the early exciting and memorable that it needs a 1990s but have now risen to between separate article. To be continued…… twenty and thirty pairs.

Fingal's Cave was next, passed with appropriate music on board and sighting Birketts Solicitors of three black guillemots plus two 'bonxies' (great skuas). Lunga was Tel: 01473 232300 next, the largest of the Treshnish Islands, and as we waited for our leaders to find Sponsors of an Indoor meeting the best landing point one vigilant birdwatcher located two large but distant birds, which turned out to be the first golden eagles of our cruise. Large rafts of birds were offshore, mainly puffins. We were told later that they go to the sea Fynn Valley Golf Club to escape predators but return to the island when visitors arrive, as their Tel: 01473 785267 presence dissuades predating birds. It was a scramble to land, then a climb Sponsors of an indoor meeting over boulders onto the main path. It was certainly worth it as here puffins can be seen at very close range - probably many of the television programmes about puffins are made here. En route Magazine Printers & we passed bright carpets of primroses Sponsors: and celandines, very noisy nesting shags objecting to our close presence Sharward Services Ltd, plus nesting razorbills, guillemots (including the bridled form), fulmars, PO Box 1053, kittiwakes and two croaking ravens. Ipswich IP1 9YL However the nesting puffins were Tel: 0147 212113 undoubtedly the main attraction and Website: sharward.co.uk most photographers were flat out at

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A SPANISH SPRING from Patricia Hall

tephen Marginson, in his recent short-toed, lesser short-toed, thekla, S article for this magazine, commented crested and calandra). Tawny pipits on the current absence of squashed were also seen, perfectly camouflaged insects on the front of cars compared with against the sandy soil and dry grasses, some years ago. This was certainly not and quails were heard. These areas the case during our travels in the were also good for rollers and in some Extremadura region of Spain this spring. areas nest boxes had been attached to Vehicles were liberally spattered with telegraph poles to provide nest sites. As squashed insects and windscreens you would expect in southern Europe, needed frequent washing. Lots of insects white storks were nesting in every meant lots of birds so we were not to be available suitable (and not so suitable), disappointed with our visit. spot their huge nests also providing refuge for house and Spanish Our visit started in the countryside around sparrows. Overhead were barn and red the city of Trujillo famous for being the -rumped swallows, swifts and house birthplace of Francisco Pizarro – the martins, and corn buntings sang from conquistador. Although much of the land every available perch. Another bird which has been cultivated there are still large was ever present was the zitting areas of steppe and dehesa; a landscape cisticola (fan-tailed warbler) which were of pasture, usually grazed by cattle or found in varying habitats and sometimes pigs, and planted with trees, mainly singing from a perch instead of in flight. evergreen oaks (holm and cork). One of One always has to look upwards in Spain the target birds of these wide horizons was the heaviest flying bird in Europe - Serin the great bustard, and many of these were seen. Mature males can weigh up to 16kg with a 190cm wingspan and are 30 per cent larger than the females. The display of the male has been described as a ‘foam bath’ with the bird turning his plumage ‘inside out’ showing the white underfeathers with the head and neck withdrawn onto his back. The little bustard, although occupying the same habitat, was harder to find and after much searching we were only able to find two males with their striking black and white neck feathers. As the name suggests these birds are much smaller, and they favour the cover that long grass gives, which of course makes detection difficult unless they call or fly. The grasslands were also good for larks and we were able to find six species (wood, greater (Continued on page 7)

6 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 (Continued from page 6) flying below you. According to the information board there were 80 pairs of as it is one of the best countries in griffon vultures with smaller numbers of Europe to see raptors. We were able to cinereous and Egyptian nesting at that see three species of vulture: griffon, site. Also mentioned were a pair of cinereous (black) and Egyptian and five peregrine falcons (we were able to spot species of eagle: Iberian (Spanish) those) and Iberian Imperial eagle. It Imperial, Bonnelli’s, booted (dark and was not difficult to find the eagles’ nest light phase), short-toed and golden. (just look for the telescopes and big Kites were plentiful, mostly black with a lenses) but tantalisingly only the head of few red but only a brief glimpse, whilst the parent bird sitting on the nest was travelling along the motorway, of a black- visible. We were informed that the other winged (black-shouldered) kite. We parent returned at 50 minute intervals but also saw a single honey buzzard and the that afternoon it had clearly had to travel occasional common buzzard. A brief further to find food. We were lucky to see glimpse of a buzzard-type bird, too far one of these magnificent birds flying out away for field markings, was identified by on the steppe, quite a distance from our leader on flight alone as a long- Monfragüe, so probably part of a different legged buzzard. The wide open spaces pair. These eagles are very rare (just are particularly favoured by Montagu’s over 600 adult birds) and only found in harriers and we saw a small number of central and southern Spain. The these. However whilst watching the information board did promise an eagle aerial displays of the female and smaller owl but that was a bird for another day. male they were joined by a third bird – Around the watchpoints were blue rock another male. It only occurred to us thrushes, choughs, crag martins and afterwards that the third bird was different rock buntings and the bridges over the with broader wings. We had fallen into gorges were homes for house martins the trap of seeing what we expected to and Alpine swifts. We also found a see – Montagu’s harriers, and skulking subalpine warbler in the scrub overlooking what we did not expect to opposite the picnic site. see – a male hen harrier. Kestrels both common and lesser were seen hunting Most days before breakfast we went out over the fields, but no visit is complete at first light to see what birds were around without a trip to Trujillo itself, and to the our hotel. In addition to the usual garden bullring to see the lesser kestrels birds, a nightingale sang in the Judas nesting in its roof and also in the roofs all tree by the gate, but even with no leaves over town. yet it was not easy to see. Golden orioles sang in nearby woodland but oh One site is a ‘must’ for visitors to so difficult to spot, hoopoes called before Extremadura – Monfragüe National Park. first light, bee-eaters swooped overhead, This is a rugged upland area split by Iberian (azure-winged) magpies, deep river gorges overlooked by rocky serins, white wagtails and black crags. This is where the vultures nest redstarts frequented the garden and the and it is possible to climb up to the first of the warblers were beginning to various viewpoints to be on the same sing (Sardinian, garden and blackcap). level as the nests and to see the birds (Continued on page 8)

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(Continued from page 7) Bee-eater Starlings in this part of Spain are a different species to the UK – spotless starlings with glossy black plumage. On some days after breakfast we visited the next village for picnic supplies. Whilst our guides visited the baker the rest of us drifted into the local park and after a lot of searching (and it was a very small park) found the daytime roost of a Scops owl. There was not enough accommodation in our hotel for all our party, so our local leader Laura stayed in the village and was kept awake each night by this bird. In the village house martins and swifts were breeding, both common and pallid. In the bright Mediterranean sunshine it was easy to spot the differences between the swift species, but on a cloudier morning not so easy.

As you would expect in inland areas large bodies of water were uncommon, although there were some lakes and family of slightly older long-eared owlets reservoirs. Naturally enough we found were pointed out by our local guide in a some water birds in or near these. All road-side hedge having been found by a three species of egret were present birding group the previous week. (cattle, little and great white) as well as grey, squacco and purple herons, One larger stretch of water visited was spoonbills and a few cormorants. Other Arracampo Lake, which incorporates a waders were scarce, mainly black- nature reserve with hides. The lake owes winged stilts with a couple of sightings its existence to a nuclear power station, of common sandpipers. On the water the water used for cooling like . was the occasional little grebe, quite a The water was fringed with a single lot of great crested grebes, coots, species of reedmace, which gave it a shelducks, gadwalls and the ubiquitous totally different appearance from Suffolk mallard. One stop at the picnic site wetlands where the dominant species is beside some water produced an unusual Phragmites. We hoped for lots of find. The group leaders were about to set warblers singing but it was eerily silent. up lunch on a picnic table when they A reed warbler was heard as well as a looked upward, staring down at them couple of great reed warblers but not were three well-grown long-eared seen. A penduline tit proved elusive as owlets who had not yet left the nest. The well. However, the Savi’s warblers picnic was relocated and we watched the made up for it on the other side of the owlets from a safe distance. Another (Continued on page 9)

8 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 (Continued from page 8) whitethroats, Bonnelli’s warblers (which were everywhere) and both road in a small reedbed with several birds treecreeperSnipe. and short-toed singing and showing well. One big treecreeper.Picture—Barry HallAgain you see what you difference from home is the behaviour of expect to see. I assumed that in Cetti’s warblers. Here they were very southern Europe the short-toed easy to see – singing right out in the treecreeper would be the only species open. Being so far from the sea there present, however in some areas they can were no gulls but several gull-billed occur together. terns were present. Arracampo is a good site for purple swamp-hens (purple On another day we set off to explore the gallinules) which breed there and purple higher ground above the tree line. En herons, which nest in the reedbed, route we saw (Spanish) yellow wagtails unlike the grey heron which nests in in the wet meadows and an Accipter sp. trees. A few little bitterns were seen but which after great debate between our did not show for very long. Just a short leaders was deemed to be a male drive around the corner was a small pool goshawk. Setting off to walk to still choked with water crowfoot with an higher ground we explored the rocky amazing selection of birds in such a tiny slopes. Some bushes well above the tree space: red-crested pochards, cattle and line produced bluethroats and the rocky great white egrets, common valley, northern wheatear, rock thrush sandpiper, black-winged stilts, northern lapwing and collared Pair of lesser kestrels (with lizard) pratincole.

Soon it was time to put the warm sunny days of the Spanish plains behind us and head for the cold frosty mornings and snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Gredos, where the trees had still to burst into leave and many of the flowers were still in bud.

Our hotel was not so rural, located in the centre of the village, but birds were still around particularly at first light. Black redstarts, serins, rock and cirl buntings, rock sparrows, white wagtails, short-toed treecreeper, red-rumped swallows and firecrest were all seen around the village. Walks in the woodlands also produced crossbills, nuthatches, goldcrests (paradoxically more difficult to find than firecrests), golden oriole (heard but not seen) pied flycatcher, common (Continued on page 10)

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(Continued from page 9) uniformlyRobin in full black. spring Unfortunately song. I was on myPicture own— andBarry it Halldid not appear again! and water pipit. As expected rock buntings were frequent sightings. Whilst The Gredos range is a favoured habitat walking back alone I saw a black and of the ibex, a species of wild goat and white bird, with the characteristic tale these were seen on the high crags pattern of a wheatear, fly between the overlooking the valley. rocks. The only black and white wheatear to be found in Spain is the Although we did not see any ‘new’ birds black wheatear. Our leaders said this during this trip we saw many that we had species had not been seen at this site not seen for some time, all in a fairly before and reminded me that the local compact area of the country. northern wheatears are quite dark. However I was confident this bird was (Photographs accompanying this article and on the following page were taken by Barry Hall)

We are on the move…………………..

Members will recall the problems Ipswich Local Group experienced last December when our long-standing booking of Sidegate School hall was cancelled at very short notice. This was followed by the school now not accepting bookings over the time scale we require (one year) reserving the right to cancel at fairly short notice (3 months) and accepting no bookings at all for the month of December. The committee therefore unanimously agreed to look for another venue. Unfortunately with the criteria required the choice was limited to just one:-

Rushmere St. Andrew Church Hall, The Street, Rushmere St. Andrew, IP5 1HD

The hall is smaller but is licenced to seat 100, has a kitchen, ‘adult’ size chairs, plenty of parking, is available on the second Thursday of the month and, although just out of Ipswich, fairly close to our previous ‘home.’ This move will enable us to continue to offer a planned programme of talks over the year (including the Christmas social evening). The new hall is more expensive and we may have to purchase newer AV equipment, but these problems should be easy to overcome.

More importantly we do acknowledge that the new venue might not be so easy for some members to reach. Therefore if you would like the offer of a lift, or could offer someone else one, please get in touch with any committee member, look out for the car sharing list at committee meetings or get in touch via the website.

This change will take effect from the December 2016 indoor meeting.

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1. & 2. Griffon vulture 3. Blue rock thrush 4. Firecrest 5. Serin 6. Roller

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NEWS FROM RSPB RESERVES from Isabel Morgan

little of your time can go a long way. A Do you have a little spare time to help make a big difference to wildlife? The RSPB Stour reserve team protect and look after over 100ha of nature reserves in Suffolk and North Essex, ranging from the ancient woodland of Wolves Wood near Ipswich, Cattawade Marsh, a wader haven just outside Manningtree, Stour Wood near Wrabness and Flatford Wildlife Garden.

The reserve team is made up of just five staff and a group of dedicated volunteers. Without this valuable gift of time from volunteers we would be unable to carry out much of the work on the reserves. RSPB volunteers come from all different walks of life with different skills and experience but between them they Brushcutter work at Wolves Wood – give hundreds of hours to help protect RSPB volunteers can learn new skills. wildlife and connect people to nature.

Winter working - volunteer work Got a few hours spare? party members at Wolves Wood Volunteers are needed to help patrol Wolves Wood, near Ipswich and Stour Woods, near Wrabness. It’s a great excuse to get out in to the countryside for a walk and directly help look after a couple of special reserves.

Got a day or two free? Flatford Wildlife Garden has volunteering opportunities in the Visitor Welcome Team . You’ll be inspiring visitors to give nature a home in their own gardens and to support the RSPBs work through membership and donations.

If you fancy getting your hands dirty Flatford Wildlife Garden also has space in the Gardening Volunteer Team who keep the garden in top condition. (Continued on page 13)

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Horticultural experience isn’t essential but you’ll need to be reasonably fit and mobile.

Got some carpentry experience that you’re willing to share? We’ve got a well equipped workshop in Brantham and are currently looking for a skilled carpentry volunteer to help with tasks around the reserves from RSPB volunteer gardeners at Flatford Wildlife Garden. small maintenance jobs to big projects. How do I get involved ? For more general information have a look Got time for a big commitment? here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/joinandhelp/ A volunteer co-ordinator is needed to volunteering help expand and support the volunteer teams at the Stour Estuary reserves. Ready to start? Volunteers are hugely important to what Please contact: Isabel Morgan, Warden we do and you’ll be at the heart of it. It’s a Stour Estuary at RSPB Stour Estuary, big job and a big time commitment but Unit 1, Brantham Mill Industrial Estate, we’re sure the right person is out there Bergholt Road, Brantham, Manningtree, somewhere. Essex CO11 1QT Tel 01206 391153 E Mail: [email protected]

A W Hart—Builders Collins Waste Solutions

Tel: 01473 680017 Tel: 01473 327596

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Ipswich Microwave Bypass Nurseries Centre

Tel: 01473 310604 [email protected]

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TRIP REPORTS

Levington Creek—13.3.16 (SM) for this walk. Early arrivals at Bourne Park Over a dozen group members met at saw mistle thrush, green woodpecker Creek to view the birds at high and common buzzard from the car park. tide. As we met up in the car park Blackcap and chiffchaff were also heard siskins, common buzzard and great- in the nearby hedgerows. We set off spotted woodpecker were all noted in through Bourne Park reedbeds. A sedge the surrounding trees and over the fields. warbler was heard but not seen in the Moving down to the creek the tide was cool conditions. Little egret and the usual coming in fast. Teal and wigeons were gulls were also noted along with the ever seen, along with redshanks and present marauding crows. As we moved oystercatchers. The hundreds of into Ashground Plantation conditions lapwings which have wintered here had became very tricky as the water levels in all departed for their breeding grounds. Belstead Brook were very high. This area On the saltings over 800 knot were was largely birdfree with only a few of the gathered making a spectacular sight and resident birds such as robin, dunnock sound as they moved towards us with the and blue tit being heard. Spring Wood tide. With them were good numbers of was next which was carpeted in dunlin and grey plover. Over 400 bluebells, which were at their very best golden plover were also present, many in the sunlight without the tree canopy. coming into their very smart summer Spring was slow coming this year with plumage with black bibs. Due to the most plants and trees being around two easterly winds the tide was a high one weeks later than normal. Other flowers with the saltings being covered. The knot noted, typical of ancient woodland, and dunlin moved off, presenting a included yellow archangel, wood superb sight as they glistened in the anemone and wood spurge. Again bird sunlight. The golden plover stayed and life was very quiet except for the resident excellent views were had of these birds songsters such as song thrush, as they wheeled overhead with their blackbird and robin. We returned via golden plumage picking up the sunlight. Kiln Lane Meadow and then took the top Brent geese moved across from Shotley path back to the car park to avoid the and we were able to watch them at close Belstead Brook path. Not a great morning quarters. The best was to come though. for birds, but everyone enjoyed the walk Several of the group picked up a skylark in this important area of Ipswich for in beautiful song together with a meadow wildlife, arriving back before yet more rain pipit, when both were ambushed by a fell. merlin. The two birds escaped the attack and the merlin disappeared as quickly as Dawn Chorus Walk—Millennium & it had arrived. A spectacular end to a fine Spring Woods, & Kiln Meadow— afternoon's bird watching. 30.4.16 (CC) A first for the group running this dawn Bourne Park, Spring Wood and Kiln chorus field trip jointly with Ipswich Lane LNR—16.4.16 (SM) Wildlife Group. This fabulous mosaic of A bright morning after torrential rain on habitats right on the south western the Friday before the walk meant perimeter of Ipswich is an area that still conditions underfoot were wet and muddy (Continued on page 15)

14 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 (Continued from page 14) Common whitethroat. Picture—Barry Hall remains undiscovered by many of the town's residents.

Starting at 4.30 a.m. the thought did cross my mind as I rose at 3.30 a.m. whether I would be having a dawn chorus experience all on my own, but fortunately three group members turned out for the early start, plus another gentleman who arrived for the later alternative start-time of 5.30 a.m.. He had travelled from having seen the event listed on the International Dawn Chorus Day website, where I had also registered the event in celebration of this power lines. Looking back through the trees a beautiful silvery moon could be wonderful seasonal natural phenomenon. seen high in the still dark sky, while over Even as I arrived, driving along Bobbits to the east a distinct red glow of predawn Lane I heard some strains of a lit up this decidedly chilly early morning. nightingale singing in the hedgerow Cold enough to steam your breath and to along the lane. Later, whilst gathering warrant a woolly hat and gloves despite it together in the car park in the pre-dawn being Mayday the following day! gloaming, the air soon filled with a glorious symphony of a dozen or more A few notes from both great and blue individual song thrushes, robins and tits started up and further chiffchaffs wrens along with occasional blackbirds and blackcaps began to sing in earnest. and further bursts of a full-throated As we came down along the track, nightingale from further along the lane. entering Kiln Meadow we heard the first These species truly dominated the first scratchy notes of common whitethroat half hour, as we ventured along the singing from the far side of a bramble track way towards the bridge thicket as skeins of mist rose from the over the A14, before dropping down the meadow and the water meadows the steps into the edge of Millennium Wood other side of the lane. The nightingale and through Spring Wood. More song ushered further bursts of song as we thrushes were evident throughout the returned towards our starting point in woods, here far outnumbering time for the second start time. blackbirds, as quite clearly this area is a Repeating our steps along Thorington great stronghold for this sadly red-listed Lane we spotted a pair of lovely species. A few brief notes of chiffchaff bullfinches quietly feeding on new buds and blackcap were noted and the latter's in a tree half hidden at the back of the pure silvery notes became more evident hedgerow. Other than a lot more warbler as we reached the far side of Spring song and tit activity the total volume of Wood and came out along the path song, although still beautiful, was through the hazel coppice under the (Continued on page 16)

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(Continued from page 15) Springs SWT—4.5.16 (SM) Members met on a pleasant summery noticeably diminished in comparison to evening at this amazing Suffolk Wildlife the crescendo of song thrushes, wrens Trust reserve situated just outside the and robins to be heard between 4.30 village of Newbourne. The reserve is and 5.00 a.m. The increasing light from based round the springs which come up the now risen sun did enable us to now from the underlying chalk giving a very fully appreciate the gorgeous carpets of pure and clear water supply. Over the bluebells in Spring Wood as further centuries this water has been used for examples of all the original species were the market gardening industry in the area heard and seen again as well as good and for human consumption. The springs numbers of singing chaffinches. and stream running through the area provide a variety of wetland habitats This time emerging out once again onto along with major areas of wood and scrub Kiln Meadow more common habitats. There are also areas of meadow whitethroats were now singing and other and open sandy grassland. This mosaic birds such as four little egrets, a grey of habitats provides homes for a wide heron, corvids, cormorants, herring range of insects, flowers and birds. The and lesser black-backed gulls could be nightingales, swallows and cuckoo seen flying overhead towards their were the highlights for most. The morning feeding grounds. The laughing Nightingales and cuckoo were not seen yaffle of a green woodpecker was heard but were very much in evidence from several times and looking over the wet their songs and call. Warblers noted meadows we added moorhen, mallard, alongside the usual woodland birds reed bunting and the first strains of included chiffchaff, blackcap, common several reed warblers. Finally after and lesser whitethroat. Good views unsuccessfully attempting to get a view of were had of green woodpeckers and the singing nightingale we did also hear skylarks were heard over the nearby the strident rattle of a lesser whitethroat fields. The number of male chaffinches which also gave us the briefest back-end in song was also noticeable, this being views as it headed deeper into the thicket one of our most colourful birds when in of its favourite blackthorn. fine spring plumage. Flowers noted included bluebell, primrose, lesser One species absent I had expected to stitchwort, lesser celandine and encounter had been willow warbler, but I ground ivy. Altogether an enjoyable have been informed they have now evening on one of the first warm evenings arrived, no doubt delayed by the rather of summer. cold spring. Rushmere Common—11.5.16 (SM) Thanks ever so much to the intrepid four A good number of our loyal field trip who braved the early morning start. I am supporters turned up for the annual sure all would agree, with some 30 summer wander round Rushmere species in all, it was an experience well Common on the east side of Ipswich. The worth getting out of bed for, at least once evening was sunny and pleasant but a year! cooled off later on. The area is common land, most of which is leased out to (Continued on page 17)

16 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 (Continued from page 16) Barn swallow. Picture—Alan Baldry

Rushmere Golf Club. There are a wide range of habitats from heather heath, gorse thickets, oak woodland, meadow and grass golf course areas. Birdlife was not abundant but a good range of the common woodland species were seen and heard, including chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch and house sparrow along the areas bordered with housing. Noisy young starlings were also noticeable by their presence. Song thrush and blackbirds provided good examples of the marvellous bird song that can be heard in these areas at this time of the year. Summer visitors they are inhabited by the nightjars and included swift, blackcap, chiffchaff and other specialist birds using this habitat. a garden warbler, which was first heard The nightjars were spectacular this year and then seen, one of the brownest of with one watched and heard churring on the 'little brown jobs.' Nightingales were a treetop for over five minutes only about heard singing from the gorse thickets and 20ft away. This was a male bird and the both common and lesser whitethroat white wing spots were noted when it took were seen and heard with their very to flight, darting quickly around the heath, different song patterns. Flowers noted catching the many moths and insects that included bluebell, stitchwort, garlic were in abundance on this evening. mustard, red campion and, much to the Possibly two more males were heard and delight of many, the cowslips were still seen flying and wing clapping. The out on the cowslip meadow. There are evening belonged to these superb birds extensive walks across Rushmere Heath of the dusk and dawn as they churred which can be continued to and wing clapped around the heath. Heath, Foxhall Woods and Purdis Heath. Other highlights included a woodlark in An extremely important piece of habitat full song for some time, yellowhammer right on the edge of urban Ipswich. and the chuddling of Dartford warblers although none were actually seen. At the Nightjar Walk, Upper car park we were serenaded by singing Common—14.6.16 (SM) blackcap, blackbird, coal tit, goldcrest As dusk fell the sound of churring and chaffinch. Two imposters were two nightjars broke the silence of Hollesley Osprey VSTOL aircraft from the USAF Heath on a calm still evening. In the Air Base at Mildenhall using the ex-RAF background tawny owls hooted and the Woodbridge Air Base as a training area. occasional burst of song from a robin or The aircraft made several treetop level Dartford warbler was heard. The passes over the group before clearing off Sandling Heaths are a unique and rare back to Mildenhall before dusk fell, habitat of lowland heath and have a leaving the heath to the nightjars and character and atmosphere of their own, tawny owls. particularly on a summer evening when (Continued on page 18)

17 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016

(Continued from page 17) along and hopefully next year we will get a repeat of the 2015 weather when the Landguard—29.6.16 (SM) temperature was a sublime 28o C.

With winds gusting to gale force eight Key to authors: SM—Stephen along the coast and frequent blustery Marginson, CC—Chris Courtney showers, this was not the evening for an exploration of Landguard. However, two hardy souls turned up and we had a short walk round the northern end of the reserve in the wild conditions. A few SALES OFFICER VACANCY swifts were noted drifting south but otherwise birds were keeping well under Do you enjoy meeting the public whilst cover. Good numbers of starlings were raising funds for the RSPB? noted including many juveniles. The number of starlings increases through The group is looking for someone to take July and August at Landguard before up the post of Sales Officer, which will they disperse in the autumn. Flocks can involve ordering goods of your choice reach an impressive size with miniature from RSPB sources and running a stall murmurations being noted before dusk. at our events. Earlier in the day, when the sun was out, I had noted groups of juvenile linnets, For more details, please contact Judy house sparrows and pied wagtails Cook at any meeting or on 01473 feeding out on the grasslands with a 682239. kestrel keeping close watch on things.

However, it is at this time of the year that Landguard becomes a colourful place with a mass of wild flowers in full bloom. Landguard is a vegetated spit which is a Fenn Wright rare habitat in the UK. It therefore has the Estate Agents flora to match. Viper’s bugloss, yellow horned poppy, greater mullein and Tel: 01473 261090 several types of hawkweed, willow herb and mallow inhabit the more densely Sponsors of an indoor meeting vegetated areas of the reserve. Out on the open grass the birds-foot trefoil, common centaury, yellow rock rose, lady's bedstraw and St. John’s wort make a great blaze of colour amongst the many flowers to be found. On the shingle Alder Carr Farm sea kale can be found along with the nationally rare sea pea. All these Tel: 01449 720820 flowering plants attract good numbers of butterflies and moths but with gale force Sponsors of an indoor meeting winds these were non-existent on the night. Thanks to those who did come

18 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 LAKENHEATH FEN NEWS from Katherine Puttick

big sunny hello from Pair ‘A‘ with twins in flight A Lakenheath Fen! The skies are blue and the sun is shining, and all the wildlife seems to have gone into hiding!! This is in complete contrast to the weather in June, which was wet and miserable. Not quite the wettest month since we began recording rainfall here, but certainly the wettest out of the last six years, with 113mm of rain falling throughout the month (the wettest June was in 2009 when 131mm fell!). It looks like July is heading to be one of the driest! from nine nests, with another three nests to go. With the smaller reedbed birds, The several heavy downpours in June bearded tits have done really well. Total have caused some problems for our number of nests is unknown, but there resident wildlife, bitterns in particular. It certainly seem to be lots of family parties wasn’t so much a problem of rising water whizzing around the reedbed at the levels (they’ve only come up a few moment. The grit tray at New Fen north is centimetres as boards were removed to proving particularly popular! In contrast allow a bit more flexibility), more the reed warblers don’t seem to have had sheer amount of water falling. One of our such a good year, possibly due to the known bittern nests was located, shortly torrential downpours. Our regular bird after one of these downpours, and ringer has caught very few juveniles unfortunately the nest with its three chicks within his constant effort ringing site, were under water. Really disappointing. compared to lots of young sedge However, we have a possible three nests warblers, which were perhaps at a more still going, so fingers crossed for them! advanced stage when the rain hit. Despite the weather, the cranes have Kingfishers have done really well, and fared well, with one of our pairs (known can currently be seen pretty much as Pair ‘A’) fledging twins for the second everywhere on site at the moment! year in a row! They finally took to the skies just under two weeks ago, after 13 Reserve management weeks of being on the ground! The other Just before the survey season kicked off, pair (Little and Large) are lagging behind we put our carpentry skills to good use a bit, as their first attempt failed at the with the construction of some raised egg stage. They now have one rapidly seats for reed bed monitoring work, growing youngster, which hopefully will particularly for bitterns and marsh fledge in the next four weeks or so. harriers. The very flat ground isn’t great Marsh harriers continue to do well, with for getting an overview of the reedbeds, about the same number of nests as last meaning pinpointing of nests can be quite year. So far 20 youngsters have fledged (Continued on page 20)

19 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016

(Continued from page 19) closer to kingfishers and other secretive reed bed birds.

Wildlife sightings Birdy highlight of March/April was arrival of a willow tit from 23 March to 3 April, very much a county rarity these days. Our local ringer Simon managed to catch it, helpfully ringing it on its left leg (marsh tits ringed on the right) making ID much easier. Up to three garganey were seen on the washland through March and April along with pintail, pochard, little egret, great white egret, redshank, common tern and common sandpiper. Both wheatear and whinchat were seen on 7 April, hours apart in exactly the same place causing some confusion – but definitely two very different birds! Other good records in April were avocet (10th), Volunteers Rob, Roger and Phil and Warden th Emma with one of the new high seats. black tailed godwit (28 ), spoonbill (22nd), spotted redshank (17th). Bird problematic. However, with our lovely highlights in May and June have been new seats that should be a thing of the few and far between, with the only past. A bit of willow weaving was in order notables being the occasional white to try and restore Frederick the willow stork and red kite. A great white egret dragon, who for quite a while has not has also been seen in the last week or looked dragon-like! He has had a bit of two. TLC and been turned into a willow tunnel! Plans are still afoot however to restore his An unexpected bonus at the end of May dragon-like credentials – watch this was being able to watch the process of space. emperor and four-spotted chaser

A bit more carpentry was in order to construct a dragonfly watching platform. This was an idea from dragonfly expert, Ruary Mackenzie Dodds, who has run a few dragonfly courses on the reserve. He suggested constructing a platform much like a short piece of boardwalk out over a ditch, so that visitors can get closer to the dragonfly action (without getting their feet wet!). We liked the idea and have begun creating one near New Fen Viewpoint. It’s a bit of a work in progress and we hope to have it finished in the autumn. Willow Tit We also hope it will be good for getting (Continued on page 21)

20 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 (Continued from page 20) Just hanging around! dragonflies emerging from the pond bed beside the visitor centre. The pond bed is now two years old, so must have attracted adult emperors as soon as it was filled with water (or we imported some eggs or larva on the vegetation we introduced, all from other parts of the reserve). Some fantastic photo opportunities of a process you don’t see every day. Hope to see you on the reserve soon!

Picture credits: Crane flight by Dave Rogers, high seat and emerging dragonfly by Katherine Puttick, willow tit by Ian

NEWS FROM RSPB RESERVE from Ian Barthorpe ne comment we hear regularly from frequent as fledged young are pushed off O visitors in mid July is ‘it's quiet.’ their parents' territories farther upstream. Indeed it is, in the sense that most birds But, of course, Minsmere is about much have stopped singing and the reserve more than birds, and those same woods can be eerily silent at times. But in terms and reedbeds that may be referred to as of things to see, it's far from quiet, though quiet are, in fact, teeming with insect life, you may have to change your focus a so now is the time to look down and little. focus up close and discover a whole new world of wildlife. Some insects are easier Mid-summer is always a trickier time for to spot and identify than others - watching woodland and reedbed birds as butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies they hide away to moult following a hectic are much easier than bees, hoverflies or breeding season, though the usual parasitic flies for example. But it's worth suspects will still be present if you're the effort. patient enough. Family parties of tits and finches move through the woods in Yesterday I set myself the challenge of foraging parties, while reed and sedge finding three of Minsmere's special warblers and bearded tits flit from reed summer butterflies. The first was the tiny to reed in search of insects. Bitterns can silver-studded blue, a heathland be harder to spot among tall thick reeds, species that only occurs in a handful of but may still be seen flying from one parts of the UK where suitable habitat feeding pool to another. Marsh harriers exists. At Minsmere they can be found are a bit easier, with many youngsters around the northern part of the reserve learning how to hunt for themselves, and on Heath, so I stopped for a kingfisher sightings become more (Continued on page 22)

21 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016

(Continued from page 21) Scrape, especially East Hide. With migration well underway it's difficult to quick walk on my way in. The flowering predict exactly which species might be bell heather and wood sage looked present, but they could include up to nine gorgeous and was clearly popular with species of gull, four terns and up to 20 honeybees, hoverflies and commoner types of wader. As an indication of this butterflies such as gatekeeper and variety, the counts on East Scrape this ringlet, and after a few minutes I spotted morning included: 208 avocets, three a tiny brown butterfly - a female silver- little ringed plovers, one ringed plover, studded blue. Two delicate males three golden plovers, 24 lapwings, quickly followed. Target one achieved. seven knot, two little stints, one sanderling, 75+ dunlins, eight ruffs, Over lunch I headed to Canopy Hide in 325 black-tailed godwits, two curlews, search of target number two - purple 23 spotted redshanks, two redshanks, hairstreak. This can be a difficult butterfly one greenshank, one green sandpiper, to find as they tend to remain high in the two common sandpipers and a oak canopy, necessitating neck strain turnstone, plus a few oystercatchers, from peering upwards. A visit to Canopy while curlew sandpiper and whimbrel Hide makes seeing them easier as you have also been reported in recent days. are actually up in the canopy. Even then, Add in one or two little, Arctic and they are well camouflaged against the Sandwich terns, several little gulls, leaves, but with some patience I Mediterranean gulls and kittiwakes and managed to locate two of these lovely there's plenty to challenge your ID. Also butterflies, along with a couple of of interest on the Scrape are large commas, several brown hawker numbers of little egrets and grey dragonflies and common darters. herons. Target number three can sometimes be Reproduced (with permission) from Ian’s seen from Canopy Hide too, but I didn't blog posted on 20 July. see one there, so instead I walked along the Woodland Trail through clouds ♂Pied flycatcher. of common darters, brown hawkers Picture—Barry Hall and a beautiful hoverfly called Voluncella zonaria and soon enough I spotted a stunning white admiral sunning itself on the path. This was my twelfth species of butterfly for the day, with little effort. A short walk on Sunday morning had revealed a similar number of dragonfly and damselfly species as well as our fascinating array of mining bees and digger wasps along the North Wall, confirming how varied the insect life is at present. Of course, there are also birds to be seen, and for this the best place is the

22 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 Some additional pictures… 2

1

3

1. Nesting griffon vultures. 2. Whinchat in the hand. 3. ♂Honey Buzzard. 4. Nightjar taken on Stephen’s walk.

Picture credits—1. Barry Hall, 2-4. Chris Courtney 4

Would you like to see your name here?

To find out how to sponsor our Newsletter or an indoor meeting please contact:

Chris Courtney. 01473 423213

23 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016

SIGHTINGS IN LATE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER FROM BIRDLINE EAST ANGLIA

Species Location with date in brackets April Subalpine warbler species Smear (12) Spotted crake Reydon Smear (23) Savi’s warbler Minsmere (f12) Yellow-browed warbler Long Melford (24) Red-rumped swallow North Warren (o18) Purple heron Hollesley (30) Lesser yellowlegs Carlton Marshes (u3) Cattle egret (u3) Boyton (7&22) Great grey shrikes (23) Westleton Heath (25) Rough-legged buzzard (o16) Pied flycatcher Landguard NR (13) Willow tit Lakenheath Fen RSPB (u3) Red-necked grebe (spl) Alton Water (u5) Great northern divers (↑2) Alton Water (u24) ♀Long-tailed duck Lackford Lake SWT (u28) Iceland gull Minsmere RSPB (u14) Hooded crow Benacre (3) Common swift (6) Black redstarts (↑8) Landguard NR May Laughing gull Lantern Marsh on Orfordness NT (30) ♀Red-footed falcon Upper Hollesley Common (23-27) Black-crowned night heron Long Melford CP (6) Greenish warbler Gunton (31) Savi’s warbler Minsmere

Black-winged stilt Minsmere RSPB (20) continued on pg. 25

24 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 Roseate tern Minsmere RSPB (13&29) Purple heron Minsmere RSPB (28-30) ♂Long-tailed duck (spl) Minsmere RSPB (f23) ♀Long-tailed duck Lackford Lake SWT (u7) Purple heron Kingsfleet (23) Roseate tern Off Landguard (20) Temminck’s stints (↑4) (5-7) Grey-headed wagtail Southwold (8-9) Temminck’s stints (2) SWT (17) Temminck’s stint Ferry (25) Carlton Marshes (29) Bee-eater (o22) Hoopoe (1) (4) Serin Landguard NR (5 &17) Port of Felixstowe (19) Pied flycatcher Corton (10-11) Spotted crake Reydon Smear (u2) Glossy ibis North Warren (17) Hollesley (19 & 21) Glossy ibis (2) Nunnery Lakes (20) (31) Cattle egret Sizewell (o18) Pipps Ford (19) Honey buzzard Pipps Ford (o12) June ♂Blue-winged teal Carlton Marshes (6-7) Greenish warbler Gunton (1-3) Whiskered tern Trimley Marshes SWT (7-8) Little bittern Trimley Marshes SWT (8-9) Montagu’s harrier Kingsfleet (13-14) ♀Bluethroat Lowestoft (26) Marsh warblers Felixstowe (4), NR (7-13), Lowestoft (12) Red-backed shrikes Upper Hollesley Common (5), Hen Reedbeds NR (6), Hollesley (7)

♂Kentish plover Landguard NR (2) continued on pg. 26

25 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016

Roseate terns Landguard NR (4), Minsmere RSPB (3-4 & 27) Serin Landguard NR (7,15,26 & 30) Fieldfare Landguard NR (16-17) Purple Heron Minsmere RSPB (u6) Long-tailed duck Minsmere RSPB (u1) Bee-eater Minsmere RSPB (7) Red-footed falcon Walberswick (7) Bee-eater Walberswick (7) Glossy ibis (↑2) Mickle Mere, Thetford, Sapiston Cattle egret Tendring Hall Park (2) Abbreviations: ↑ up to, o – over, u – until, spl – summer plumage, f - from

For the latest bird news please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245 from a landline or mobile cost 65p per minute plus telephone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia, for enquiries please call 0330 333 6946 or 0794 133 3970. www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk twitter.com/BirdlineEAnglia facebook.com/robin.chittenden.7

Swap, Donate or Buy? Don’t forget the next plant stall is at our October indoor meeting when you can:-  Swap—bring along a plant (or seeds) and take home a different one.  Donate a plant (or seeds) for someone else to take home.  Buy a plant (or seeds) that someone has donated.

Plants should have a proven benefit for wildlife. At our last ‘Swap’ some members expressed an interest in primroses. These have now reached weed status in my garden and are even now ‘invading’ the road outside my house. If you would like some please let me know well before the October meeting so I can pot up some for you.

All money received will go towards RSPB conservation projects.

26 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 What’s On—Dates for your diary for September & beyond For details of how to find out more about these events please see separate entry or contact organiser of event; details will also appear on website. (Walk leaders/organisers initials will appear after entry and their contact details appear at the end of the diary) …………..continued on next page

Date Event Time Meeting Place 10 Sept. Field Meeting—RSPB Hollesley Marsh 10.00 a.m. ‘New’ car park, & possibly Shingle Street for autumn Woodbridge Walk waders & migrants. 3hrs. 2miles. CC near prison com- plex, TM370448. 13 Sept. Midweek Walk—Holywells Park 10.00 a.m. Meet at Stable (including Conservation Area). KR Block off Cliff Lane, TM176432. 13 Oct. Indoor Meeting—‘The Birdwatching 7.30 p.m. Sidegate Lane Bug,’ Richard Pople, long time birder School & traveller.

Sponsored by Birketts Solicitors 16 Oct. Field Meeting— & River Alde for 10.00 a.m. Iken Cliff car waders, wildfowl & autumn birds. park,TM398562. 3hrs. 4miles. SM 18 Oct. Midweek Walk—Pipers Vale. KR 10.00 a.m. Car park at Vale entrance, TM178419. 10 Nov. Indoor Meeting—’Springwatch, Surge 7.30 p.m. Sidegate Lane Tide and Sizewell C’, challenges, School changes and opportunities,’ Ben McFarland, RSPB’s Suffolk Area Manager.

Sponsored by Alder Carr Farm, 12 Nov. Field Meeting—Shotley & Erwarton 9.00 a.m. Bristol Arms, Bay for winter birds. 3hrs. 5miles. Shotley, SM TM245336. 15 Nov. Midweek Walk—Bourne Bridge area 10.00 a.m Bourne Park car & park. KR park (Bourne Bridge entrance), TM161419

27 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016

More dates for your diary

4 Dec. Field Meeting—Freston & River 10.00 a.m. Layby on Freston Orwell for waders & wildfowl. 2hrs. Hill on B1456, 2miles. SM TM175400.

8 Dec. Indoor Meeting—Christmas Social 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. Evening with ‘bring & share’ finger Andrew Church buffet, plus ‘A Magical Mystery Hall, The Street, Tour’, Tim Kenny, group member, Rushmere St. world traveller & birder. Andrew.

Sponsored by Ipswich Microwave Centre 13 Dec. Midweek Walk—Christchurch Park. 10.00 a.m. Soane Street KR entrance. TM165448 Jan Indoor Meeting 7.30 p.m. Rushmere St. Andrew Church Hall, The Street, Rushmere St. Andrew.

Walk leader’s or event organiser’s contact details:- (SM) Stephen Marginson [email protected] 01473 258791 (CC) Chris Courtney  [email protected] 01473 423213 (KR) Kathy Reynolds 01473 714839 (MC) Mick Cook 01473 682239 (TK) Tim Kenny 01394 809236

Important information about receiving the magazine ………

Do you receive our electronic edition of the Orwell Observer, or do not but are able to do so? Because of the restrictions imposed by printing and posting sometimes the magazine is smaller than it needs to be. The editor often has to limit the amount of material included and often holds over articles or spreads them over two issues. With the longer gaps between editions (i.e. April and September) this is not always appropriate. With space limited there is often a difficult choice with photographs as well.

From this edition the electronic version may contain extra ‘bonus’ material. This is of course dependent on how much material the editor receives. Members who receive a paper edition but can accept it electronically are strongly advised to switch.

28 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016 If you need to get in touch please Orwell Observer contact: Editor—Patricia Hall. RSPB HQ, Tel: 01473 328121 The Lodge, Sandy, Beds, SG19 2DL e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01767 680551. Please:-  Submit articles via e-mail in MS Word or RSPB Publisher. Or if not using MS please Eastern England Regional Office, submit files with a .doc, .docx or .pub file Stalham House, 65 Thorpe Road, ending. Norwich, NR1 1UD  Articles can also be posted to 24 Denmark Tel: 01603 661662 Gardens, Holbrook, IP9 2BG (handwritten,

memory stick or floppy disc all accepted), RSPB Local Group, or given to the editor at an indoor or field Leader—Chris Courtney. meeting. Tel: 01473 423213  Anything which is not completely your own For more news & information log on to the work (including photographs) may be sub- group website on: ject to copyright. It is therefore your www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ipswich responsibility to obtain the necessary Or find us on Twitter: @IpswichRSPB and on permission and acknowledge accordingly. Facebook: RSPB Ipswich Local Group  Respect the deadline which is:-

To receive your copy of the Local Wildlife 19 November , 2016

News, go to:- Thank you. http://www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways/category/lwn/

ORWELL OBSERVER

We are still having to post on average about 30 magazines each time. Whilst the committee accept that some will need posting our aim is to reduce this to the absolute minimum so that we can spend our money more wisely. You can help by:-  Agreeing to receive your full-colour (and probably bigger) magazine via e-mail either to read on screen or print off yourself.  Collecting your magazine at the indoor meeting or alternatively arranging for a friend to collect it for you.  Agreeing to deliver a few magazines in your neighbourhood. We post most magazines to IP4 post code.

Thank you to those who do help in the ways described above, we just need a few more willing hands!! For offers of help or further information please contact the editor.

29 ORWELL OBSERVER September 2016