RSPB Croydon Local Group

NEWSLETTER - AUTUMN 2017

RSPB Croydon Local Group Information GROUP LEADER: MEMBERSHIP: John Davis Tel: 020 8640 4578 Derek Lea Tel: 020 8660 2722 Chestnut Cottage, 9 Cricket Green, Mitcham, CR4 4LB 21 Russell Hill, Purley, CR8 2JB E-mail: [email protected] RSPB CATALOGUE SALES: COMMITTEE SECRETARY: Gill Jones Tel: 020 8777 3572 Margaret Greenfield 155 Shirley Church Road, Shirley, Croydon, CR0 5AJ

TREASURER: NUTS & SEEDS SALES: Katharine Nolan Tel: 07530 054921 Michael Bishopp Tel: 020 8407 1257 94 Mayfield Road, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 0BF NEWSLETTER EDITOR & ENVIRONMENT: John Birkett COMMITTEE MEMBER: 24 Briton Hill Road, Sanderstead, Surrey, CR2 0JL Sheila Mason Tel: 020 8777 9370 E-mail: [email protected] 5 Freshfields, Shirley, Croydon, CR0 7QS

We hold monthly meetings at Whitgift Sports Club, The Clubhouse, Croham Manor Road, South Croydon, CR2 7BG We have a series of talks available to give to local organisations (see page 5 for details) Further information about the RSPB Croydon Local Group can be found on our website: http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/croydon

Editor’s Piece Welcome to the RSPB Croydon’s Local Group newsletter for readily dismissed; a garden for wildlife does not have to be a 2017. You can read our Group Leader, John Davis’s account of ‘wild’ garden. Good gardens will have a range of habitats – the successes and problems for the Group. Please pay heed woodland, scrub, meadow and wetland (in other words trees, to his request for more help in running the Group and its shrubs, grass and water features) along with flowers. You activities, for instance Quiz Night, which the committee has don’t need to have everything overgrown with brambles and agreed to organise this year following Diane’s decision to nettles. If you have ever been to Great Dixter in Sussex that is stand down after more than 20 successful years. Then there a good wildlife garden and when I went recently there was a is Valerie’s article about the value of keeping wildlife records. golden-ringed dragonfly resting in one of the herbaceous This can show how nature changes over the years, and it is borders. not all bad news. Combining these two themes is the Big Some simple tips for your gardens include providing lots of Croydon Birdwatch. The results of the 2017 event are given different plants; they can provide pollen and nectar for here and show how it is possible to help the Group and raise pollinators and food, such as berries, for birds. Providing a funds while adding to our knowledge of the avifauna of water feature, even a small pond, can attract amphibians and Croydon. Why not take part next year or at least sponsor one mine has seen over 15 southern hawker dragonflies emerge of the teams? And it is never too late to start participating in this year. Having a chemical curfew; a green woodpecker is a our ongoing survey of Croydon’s birds. You could also come natural ant killer and likewise a song thrush eats slugs and along to one of our monthly talks or go out birdwatching with snails. Providing suitable homes for wildlife, not just bird the Group. Your attendance would be most welcome, boxes, but also homes for insects and even a hedgehog hostel especially if you are willing to drive and take passengers on could be a lifeline. And don’t forget to provide suitable our outings! supplementary food. Now I would like to try to persuade you to make your garden Valerie Woodley sent me this tip for attracting bullfinches to a haven for wildlife. Adrian Thomas’s talk to the Group on the garden:- grow the shrub ‘Amelanchier’, also known as Gardening for Wildlife and Chris Packham’s tv programme ‘snowy mespil’ or ‘June-berry’. Bullfinches rarely visit her about wildlife in gardens were timely reminders about the garden, but in harsh winters they turn up on spindle and then importance of our own patches of ground in the greater in June/July they feed on the June-berries. scheme of things. Our gardens are places where we can do something to help wildlife; and even better if we can John Birkett - e-mail: [email protected] persuade our neighbours to do the same. One myth can be

Please note that the views expressed in this newsletter are not specifically endorsed by the RSPB or the Croydon Local Group.

RSPB Croydon Local Group Newsletter, Autumn 2017 – page 1

Group Leader’s Piece DIMINISHING RETURNS This year more than any, the group’s extended committee quizzes. Despite our recruiting efforts, nobody has come deserves particular credit. You may be surprised at the forward to pick up the reins. However, your committee amount of effort each member devotes to the RSPB. Gill feels that the event is too good, and too popular to give up Jones, Sheila Mason and their team continue to promote – everyone who attends seems to enjoy the evening, even the Society at a number of local outdoor fairs. The those who take winning the quiz so seriously. It remains feedback from these events is extremely useful, although one of the best value charity quizzes in the London area, in any unannounced attendance of the RSPB membership no small part because of the excellence of our quizmaster, agency at the same fair rather undermines our efforts. Mark Cooper. We also feel our format is better than more John Birkett and Derek Lea have taken on the running of avaricious groups that charge more per ticket yet also run the group website and ironed out many glitches. The site a bar for extra profit. So we shall attempt to do what has proved very fruitful in aiding group recognition and everyone despises – run the event by committee! Details problem solving for Croydon locals. It’s amazing that, to for 2018 appear in this newsletter and, of course, on our some, we are seen as a bird hospital, as signed-up webpages. members of the cat protection league (how dare birds Another of our unsung heroes is Diane’s husband, Roger, share garden space with these loving furry critters!), or as who, for at least twenty years has handled the recycling of an avian encyclopaedia for identification at the end of a aluminium. This is an activity in which all of you could telephone. John Parish, Sarita Fonseca and Derek Lea have participate to the benefit of Society funds. Just gather up recruited an accomplished team to help them run the aluminium cans and packaging for Roger to crush and take popular field trips, with attending numbers holding up to the metal merchant. Given that Roger undertook major well. Their expertise is also most welcome when less back surgery this year, we are extremely grateful that he experienced members attend these excursions, and for continues to volunteer his time. As you see from the reporting total trip sightings. John Birkett continues to help annual revenue account, it is really worth continuing – the Pat Webster and John Lawrence run the “outside talks” to only recycling product that remains viable. groups that seek an in-house presentation on birds. Donations from such events are a welcome boost to our I chaired the General Meeting in August which was held in Society donation efforts. The Bishopps give up part of their the afternoon preceding the AGM. Here I was pleased to house in order to service bird food needs to our members. be able to thank another patron, Valerie Woodley, who Sad to say that, mainly because of economics, sales have produces an array of greetings cards for sale at every RSPB reduced year-on-year, yet Michael and Don strive to offer Croydon Group talk, with all proceeds going to the the full range of goods available from the RSPB stock, and Society. Her sales have generated an impressive sum, and re-bag nuts and seeds into quantity sizes that appeal to her work is really appreciated. those whose birds have fickle appetites. But, as revealed at the AGM by Katharine, the figures Since abandoning the Autumn Fair, John Birkett’s initiative, show, for all our efforts, end results have diminished. Big Croydon Bird Watch, has bolstered the group’s ability There are limits to the amount of time each committee to realise its budget target. The 2017 revamp proved members can devote to volunteering. 2018 may be a successful, but, for it to continue, it needs to grow by watershed, as continued participation of the existing having a greater number of participating individuals or committee is in doubt. I am delighted that they were all teams. John puts in an extraordinary amount of time and willing to remain in post for another year, but the future effort setting the event up, so please make it worth his may not be as bright. while by joining in the 2018 event. I was delighted to For all the gloom, we are most happy that the RSPB liaison present John with one of the prizes at our AGM, as he from HQ has really improved, thanks in the main to Hugo identified most species in this year’s competition. Nicola Blomfield, who took over as our Local Groups Officer last Hunt and Gill Flinn were tireless in achieving top prize for year. His input has been refreshing, and given much best sponsorship. needed extra impetus to the Croydon Group. Diane Tarran’s farewell Quiz Night proved very successful, I reiterate my plea from last year - we need new ideas, and despite being forced to reduce the number of tickets new people to promote them. Please offer to give us an available because of the hall health & safety restrictions. It extra hand. was a sell-out, and raised a healthy amount. As reported last year, this was Diane’s swansong after 23 years of RSPB John Davis - Tel: 020 8640 4578

Recycling Aluminium cans are dealt with by Roger Tarran and may be taken to the monthly meetings or to his home address (64 Purley Downs Road, South Croydon, CR2 ORA), but please telephone first on 020 8660 2664. Postage Stamps (sorted into British (UK) and Foreign (including Isle of Man, Guernsey & Jersey), coins (pre-1947 British) and inkjet cartridges (Hewlett-Packard and Canon) can all be taken to the monthly meetings.

RSPB Croydon Local Group Newsletter, Autumn 2017 – page 2

From Basking Lizards to Mewing Buzzards (or The Importance of Keeping Nature Records)

In my childhood in the 1940s and 1950s when I lived in the more thrilling was same house as now, I recall that, in the summer months, I the sight of a silver- quite often saw lizards basking on the garden’s low stone washed fritillary in walls. The only ’lizard’ I occasionally see nowadays is the the summer of 2013. legless lizard or slow worm on the compost heap. Although In my youth sightings the family cat caught a few lizards (some of which my of this beautiful, mother managed to rescue and put in a safe place behind large butterfly were the shed to recover) I don’t think the cat was to blame for restricted to holiday Silver-washed fritillary their demise! Changes in the countryside just beyond the by Valerie Woodley expeditions in the garden probably account for their disappearance as what West Country. was once open chalk downland has, over the years, Holidays in the South West and in Wales were also the only become woodland with tall trees which block much of the occasions when we heard ‘mewing’ overhead and looked sunlight and warmth required by lizards. This same up to watch soaring buzzards, always an exciting addition woodland with its dense undergrowth has brought other to our bird list. Never did I imagine that these raptors wildlife never seen in my youth; roe deer are now frequent would spread to Surrey, let alone be seen from my own garden visitors, nimbly leaping over fences to wander garden as has happened this year! In fact, while I was about the garden helping themselves to flowering plants writing this article, right on cue, a buzzard soared over the and shrubs; tulips, roses and geraniums seem to be valley mobbed by noisy crows which alerted me to its especial favourites! Many woodland birds have also presence. become regular visitors – jays, magpies, woodpigeons, crows, nuthatches and great spotted woodpeckers. I hope this will spur you on to keep your own records and notes, not only of birds, but also of other wildlife, in There have been changes too in the butterfly population. keeping with the RSPB’s more inclusive theme of “Giving Once common small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies Nature a Home”. have become rare sightings whereas speckled wood and orange tip now thrive in the more wooded landscape. Even Valerie Woodley

Message from Diane to Those Who Enjoy Our Quizzes I would like to thank all the good folk who have come to our RSPB Quizzes over the past 20 odd years and helped us raise more than £20,000 for RSPB. As most of you will remember, I gave notice that our Quiz in March this year was to be my final quiz night. Our Quiz Master for the past 6 years, Mark Cooper, is happy to set the questions and run the evening for us. Our group members are very good at volunteering, and readily come forward to set up the hall before the event, and even more people muck in at the end to clear the hall and leave it as we found it. I will be very happy to offer help and tips to whoever agrees to take on this event. It is very rewarding to see so many people enjoying themselves, and it raises a good sum of money for the RSPB. Please don’t leave it to someone else! Diane Tarran

rd Our Annual Quiz Night with Fish and Chip Supper will be on Saturday 3 March 2018 After Diane had sent this message, your committee decided to organize the next quiz while looking for someone to take over future events. Members will be informed if someone volunteers to help this time, but for the time being if you want more information or to book tickets please see a member of the committee at meetings or contact our Group Leader, John Davis.

We are returning to All Saints Church Hall, Onslow Gardens, meeting at the Whitgift Sports Clubhouse, Croham Manor Sanderstead, 19:00 for a prompt start at 19:15, with the same Road, South Croydon, CR2 7BG, and at subsequent RSPB popular Quiz Master, Mark Cooper and his team of markers. Croydon Local Group meetings, (usually sold out by the February meeting). The quiz will follow the usual format - tables of eight comprising full teams or made up of individuals. Alternative We have undertaken to prepare the hall ourselves in advance suppers (vegetarian or chicken) are available, but only if of the quiz, and to dismantle everything at the end of the ordered in advance. As for last year the number of people we event, returning the hall, toilets etc. to the condition in which are allowed to accommodate is 152, so early booking is we found them and would really appreciate help on the night. essential to secure your place/table. If you are able and willing to assist in either setting-up or cleaning up afterwards, please make it known at the time of Tickets are £15.00 each, covering the quiz costs and supper– booking your tickets. you are encouraged to bring your own nibbles, drinks and glasses. Tickets will be on sale from the December 2017

RSPB Croydon Local Group Newsletter, Autumn 2017 – page 3

The Big Croydon Bird Watch: Results for 2017 2017 saw ‘The Big Croydon Bird Watch, when we asked again to John Birkett, who will be people to raise a team of up to four people to help us with a celebrating with a few beers (to spot check on Croydon’s birds. Also to get family, friends and aid his recovery after his long work colleagues to sponsor them (either for a set amount or hours in the field). for so much per species), spend up to 24 hours birdwatching The more important result related at either a single location or going round a variety of sites to the main aim of raising money within the Croydon boundary, collect the money and give it to for the RSPB. The prize for the the Group. There were two awards; one for the team raising team raising the most in the most in sponsorship and one for the team recording the sponsorship was vouchers to the most species during their Big Day. value of £20 and was won by the In the end we had eleven entries. They spent their time in Riddlesdown Recorders (for the different ways so there are no excuses for not doing second time in three years) who something next year! managed to raise a total of £220. Congratulations to Gill Flinn and Nicola Hunt for their efforts Among the teams and events were: (and I understand the vouchers may be converted into  A Dawn Chorus at Kings Wood. Participants were asked chocolates). Here achievement was marred slightly by Gill for a donation. apparently failing to spot a tree root and damaging her hand  Croydon Birder. An individual who spent 15 hours this requiring a visit to A&E. Note to future participants – please year going round much of Croydon. watch where you are going; we want everyone to finish their  Dodgy Tickers. Visited 8 sites during the day. big day in one piece!  Barnfield Starlings. A couple who watched their garden and at least 4 other sites.  Riddlesdown Recorders. A team of two who spent their time visiting Riddlesdown, South Norwood Country Park, South Norwood Lake and King’s Wood.  Miller. Watched at Millers Pond and Birch Wood.  Pittville Gardener. Carried out a birdwatch from his kitchen window.  Queens Road Cemetery. Spent two hours watching birds in the cemetery.  Lakesider. Spent about 5 hours at South Norwood Lake.  Nigel Harris. Visited 9 sites during an 11 hour day.  Carol Birkett. Visited multiple sites over 11 hours. A total of 70 species was recorded by the different teams. The one obvious absentee from all lists was sparrowhawk, although it and several other species were known to be in Croydon during May. The overall total could have been nearer The Riddlesdown Recorders 75. Between them the participants raised a grand total of I would like to thank all those individuals who took part, for £730.80. their dedication to the cause and ability to extract sums of money from their acquaintances. The invitation to participate The Croydon Challenge Trophy for recording the most species in next year’s Big Croydon Birdwatch (which will take place in was won by the Croydon Birder who recorded 64 species May 2018) will go out in the New Year, but pencil it into your during the day (sadly 5 short of last year’s winning total). In diaries and start planning now. joint second place with 58 species were The Dodgy Tickers and Carol Birkett. Congratulations are therefore due once

From the archive – this was in a 1986 issue of our newsletter in an article about a Bird Race!

RSPB Croydon Local Group Newsletter, Autumn 2017 – page 4

Bird Talks for Local Organisations

We have a series of high quality digital presentations (including birdsong) with the following titles:-  ‘Garden Birds’ (Birds commonly seen in our gardens) - ¾ hour.  ‘Local Birds’ (Includes garden birds, but with additional species seen in open spaces) - 1 hour.  ‘Countryside Birds’ (Birds and their specific habitats) - 1 hour.  ‘Visiting Birds’ (Our summer & winter visitors) -1 hour.

 ‘What is Happening to Croydon’s Birds?’ (Recent changes in status of some of Croydon’s birds) – ¾ hour.  ‘Gardens 4 Birds’ (How to make our gardens more attractive for birds) – ¾ hour.  ‘Introducing Birds’ (Specially designed for school classes and youth organisations) – ½ hour. The approximate length of these talks is indicated above, but can be tailored to requirements. Other talks are available and we may be able to prepare a bespoke talk for specific requirements. We do not charge a set fee, but request a donation which goes towards protecting birds and improving their habitats. We also suggest a small contribution towards the speakers’ travel expenses. If you are interested in booking one of our talks, please telephone.

Pat Webster - Tel 020 8668 5073

Ordering from the RSPB Catalogues

If you wish to order anything from the RSPB catalogues, Payment can be made in cash or by cheque (made payable especially for Christmas, please look through them and to RSPB Sales Ltd.) place your orders with Gill Jones, so saving yourselves If you want a current catalogue, please call 0345 034 7733. hassle and postage. Please order early - particularly calendars, diaries and crackers. When your goods are ready, they can be collected from a Group meeting, from Gill Jones or other arrangements can be made.

As well as taking orders from the catalogues, Gill also attends various events through the year where supplies of some of the RSPB goods are available for sale. The next will be Guide & Brownies Fair, St Paul's URC, Croham Park Avenue, South Croydon on Saturday 11th November 10am-noon. Future events will be posted on our website as News items entitled ’Meet the Group’. Gill Jones - 155 Shirley Church Road, Shirley, Croydon, CR0 5AJ (Tel: 020 8777 3572)

RSPB Seeds & Peanuts RSPB nuts and seeds can be bought at meetings or from our house. We can deliver reasonably sized orders. Prices correct at time of writing, but may change at short notice and can be checked before buying, either on the Group’s website or by telephoning us (see contact details below). PLEASE NOTE that when telephoning us can you please let the ‘phone ring for a while as we may not be able to answer it immediately. We can supply the following in pack sizes as shown. The prices shown here are correct at the time of printing, but can change at short notice; please check before purchasing. As the plastic bags we use for our 2.5Kg packs cost us 3½p each, we would appreciate your returning them when convenient. 500g 2.5Kg 12.75Kg We can also supply 500ml Suet & Chopped Peanut Hanging Bird Cakes with raisins, insects or mealworms depending on Table mix £0.80 £4.00 £20.00 availability in single (£3.50) or triple (£9.25) packs and packs Sunflower hearts £1.40 £6.70 £34.00 of 5 High Energy Suet balls with sunflower seeds and cereals (£1.00). Black sunflower seed £0.90 £4.40 £22.00 No-mess sunflower mix £1.30 £6.50 £33.00 Feeder seed £0.90 £4.50 £22.50 Feeder seed extra £1.10 £5.40 £27.00 Nyjer seed £1.25 £6.10 £31.00

Premium peanuts £1.50 £7.25 £37.50 Michael Bishopp - 94 Mayfield Road, South Croydon, CR2 0BF (Tel: 020 8407 1257)

RSPB Croydon Local Group Newsletter, Autumn 2017 – page 5

Bird Walks on the Edge (of Croydon) Details of some good birdwatching sites in Croydon are given Although it may not have any water a Guillemot was rescued on our website, but here are a couple of suggestions around from Roundshaw Downs on September 30 1998! (Ed) the peripheries of Croydon that may be of interest. Please 2. The Wandle in Croydon. (John Birkett) send us your suggestions for local walks. The River Wandle first appears above ground in the recently 1. Roundshaw Downs. (Derek Lea) restored Wandle Park, which can be accessed from Wandle Roundshaw Downs Local Nature Reserve is 38 hectares of Park tram stop. It has a small pond and a large grassy area. unimproved chalk grassland in the London Borough of Sutton The river has already been colonised by grey wagtail. The field but adjoining the Borough of Croydon. The original boundary is often good for mistle thrush and redwings may be present can still be seen in some places. Historically it was crossed by in winter. Wildfowl here have included Canada and Egyptian a Roman road that ran down to Portslade near Brighton, but it geese, mallard, a little grebe and breeding moorhens. A red- became well known when it was made the site of the first legged partridge took up temporary residence for a few weeks international airport in London and familiar names such as and kingfisher has been recorded. Amy Johnson and Charles Lindbergh were associated with it. A short walk away, across Purley Way, is the quiet haven of However, in 1946 Heathrow took over as London’s main Waddon Ponds. This is a great place throughout the year for airport and Croydon Airport was eventually closed in 1959 wildfowl. Little grebes breed here every year, a pair of mute with Roundshaw Downs LNR being formally declared in 1993. swans moved in and has bred in the past couple of years, The views across Croydon and London are spectacular. The while tufted ducks have been resident for years and finally arch at Wembley Stadium can easily be spotted as well as bred two years ago. And you never know what else may drop planes taking off from Heathrow. in; scaup, mandarin, shoveler and teal have all been seen. The site can be easily accessed from all sides, e.g. Purley Way, Kingfishers and grey wagtails are regular and common Plough Lane, Forresters Drive, Mollinson Drive. It is crossed by sandpipers are seen on passage. Gulls are common and, when several footpaths, much used by dog-walkers and the like. perched up on posts in the water, may show off their ‘bling’. Part of the original Croydon Airport runway is still used by One regular black-headed gull was ringed in Denmark and model aircraft enthusiasts and at times you may think you returns every July, departing again in March. have spotted an unusual new bird! In 2012 two paddocks were created to allow cattle (5 Sussex bullocks) to graze for part of each year. This helps some of the rare chalk-grassland plant species to grow and keeps the scrub habitat in good condition for birds, invertebrates and small mammals. One rare plant growing on the site is the greater yellow rattle (Rhinanthus angustifolius), while the bird population includes several breeding pairs of skylarks. As is the case elsewhere these are often heard before they are seen.

In 12 or so years of occasional visits I have seen 55 species of birds on the site, including blackcap, chiffchaff, goldcrest, To find out more about the Wandle, you could read the book linnet, meadow pipit, stonechat, wheatear, whinchat and “River Wandle Companion and Wandle Trail Guide“ by Bob whitethroat, which is not bad for a site with no water. Steel and Derek Coleman.

Group Membership

The Group was originally established in 1973 and initially Your personal details will not be shared with any other we considered all RSPB members living in our Croydon area parties and will only be used to contact you about matters to automatically be members of the local group. We now the Croydon Local Group considers you should be made ask interested parties (whether members of the RSPB or aware of. Once you have signed up, please do not forget to not) to register with the Croydon Local Group. It costs tell us if your contact details change or you would like to nothing – all you have to do is give your name, address and change the method of receiving the Newsletter or if you no contact details to the Group Leader (John Davis) or longer wish to receive the Newsletter. The Newsletter is Membership Coordinator (Derek Lea). Please tell us how also posted on the Group’s website you wish to receive the Newsletter, the choices being: (www.rspb.org.uk/groups/croydon) as soon as it is  an electronic copy sent to you by email published.  a printed copy which you will pick up at a Group

meeting  a printed copy to be posted or delivered to your address.

RSPB Croydon Local Group Newsletter, Autumn 2017 – page 6

RSPB Croydon Local Group Programme 2017/2018

Indoor Meetings & Events Our monthly meetings are open to everyone, not just RSPB members. Admission: £4.00 (includes tea/coffee). They are held at Whitgift Sports Club, The Clubhouse, Croham Manor Road, South Croydon, CR2 7BG between 2pm-4pm and again between 8pm-10pm. describe his experiences and the overall concept of Worldwide Green Birding, including the personalities and their achievements. 9th April 2018 - “Tropical Queensland”. David Boag has a wish list for wherever he travels. That for Queensland was remarkably long. He was desperate to see a kookaburra. Then, what about platypus or koala? And of course wallaby and kangaroo. Above all the Queensland tropical rainforest is about trees. Come along and share his experiences on this trip to Tropical Queensland. . 14th May 2018 - “Morocco”. Colin Wilson started birdwatching when in his twenties and is currently a bird ringer. Now retired, this former Chairman of the Reading Ornithological Club is still involved with them, running an annual Photographic Competition and leading fieldtrips including some abroad, including one to

We meet here Morocco. Today we shall see the exotic charm of this wonderful Buses 64 and 433 country through the eyes of an experienced birder. stop in Croham Road 9th July 2018 - “Operation Turtle Dove”. Turtle doves are the fastest-declining bird in the UK, facing a range of threats across their flyway including hunting, disease and habitat loss on wintering & breeding grounds. Current research shows the main 9th October 2017 – “Birds in Art”. Jackie Gardner, as a part-time factor driving the decline is a reduction in nesting attempts during education officer at Gloucestershire's Nature in Art, has been able their breeding season. Nicole Khan from the RSPB will show us to indulge her love of wildlife art. The first part of this how Operation Turtle Dove aims to reverse that. presentation looks at the changing trends in the depiction of 13th August 2018 - Group AGM and talk from Group list. birds. The second part relates to Jackie’s personal long-term th interests in birdwatching and painting. 10 September 2018 - “Around the World in 80 Minutes”. th Phileas Fogg went “Around the World in Eighty Days”, but in his 13 November 2017 – “Finland”. In the past Jennie Hibbert has lecture, Chris Collins will spend just 80 minutes travelling around regaled us with tales of struggling into the middle of her local the world visiting places such as Antarctica, Papua New Guinea, river with camera and gear at the dead of night and then New Caledonia, Pitcairn Island and Guyana with stunning shots of transporting us to Japan in the cold grip of winter. Now we have the incredible birdlife which inhabit these remote locations. thawed out Jennie will take us to visit Finland. During her visit the th temperature sunk to -27C, so the images she brought back to 8 October 2018. In a departure for the Croydon Group, we will show the group will undoubtedly set us up for winter! be having two different lectures. Why not come to both!

11th December 2017 – “Essex & Suffolk Estuary Wildlife & Afternoon - “Hungary - A Jewel of Europe”. Mary Braddock looks Habitat”. Alex Bass’s talk explores various estuaries, Heybridge at the floodplains of the great River Tisza, and the birds & wildlife Basin, Hamford Water, The Stour, Flatford, Snape Maltings, Iken that these wetlands support. The specialties of the Plains and Cliffs, Orford Ness and Hen Reedbeds. You may need no second surrounding woodlands make for a varied and fascinating talk invite to make a day trip to these wonderful areas. There will be about this land-locked country, a passion for Mary. seasonal fayre, courtesy of members, served during the interval. Evening - “Rolf Gets Rattled”. This is Rolf Williams’s talk on 8th January 2018 - “Filey Bay”. We were very pleased when Mark encounters with venomous snakes. A personal discovery of Pearson, an ornithologist based at Filey Bird Observatory, agreed snakes takes us to Australia, South Africa, and to the Mojave to talk to us about Arrivals & Departures at this North Yorkshire Desert in search of the USA’s most venomous. Share in some haven where migration never stops. Mark is a busy man indeed close encounters as he introduces these much maligned reptiles. and it will be worth coming along to hear about his birding idyll. 12th November 2018 - “A Year on my Local Patch”. Mote Park 12th February 2018 - “A Year with the BTO”. Penny Williams is near Maidstone, Kent is the theme for Simon Ginnaw’s talk in the BTO Regional Representative for Surrey. As well as bird which he will transport us through the seasons in his local park surveys, Penny carries out butterfly and reptile surveys and helps accompanied by birdsong and music. From birds, bats, foxes, and with conservation work on Chobham Common. She will describe reptiles, discover the secret lives of our best loved wildlife. a year in the life of a regional rep and the surveys that the BTO 10th December 2018 - “Local Government Ecologist”. Iain carries out. As well as giving a presentation of survey techniques, Boulton works for the London Borough of Lambeth as a Parks Penny will include wetland bird identification. Compliance Officer, but his remit covers ecology, planning, 12th March 2018 - “Green Birding”. Gary Prescott, known as the volunteering & community development as well as special parks Biking Birder, has cycled to all the RSPB and WWT reserves. In and wildlife projects. Come and hear how this Local Government 2016 he broke the European Green Birding record when Ecologist uses his interests in his day job. Seasonal fayre, courtesy recording 318 different species in the year. All of this was done to of members, will be served during the interval. raise funds for the RSPB and the WWT, among others. He will

RSPB Croydon Local Group Newsletter, Autumn 2017 – page 7

Field Outings 2017/2018 Guided visits to the premier birding sites of south-east England (many of them also excellent for butterflies and dragonflies during the summer months). All outings will be in shared cars unless stated otherwise and willingness by drivers to share their vehicles with other participants will be greatly appreciated. Everyone is welcome! Note: Entrance fees are chargeable at sites marked * and at some RSPB Reserves for non-members. Weekend outings start from near the bend by Leafy Way on the northern section of Park Hill Rise, East Croydon, at 08:00 unless otherwise specified. Contact John Parish for more info on 020 8681 7475 (or 07887 565191 on outing days only). Midweek outings are normally on the third Tuesday of the month (but check below), starting at the venue at 10:15, although for most of them someone will be in the car park at Tesco Purley Extra near the recycling bins and furthest from the store itself at about 09:00 to arrange car sharing if necessary. Details about meeting points and of leaders and contacts for individual outings will be given on our website - http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/croydon/events/. Postcode; OS refs & co-ordinates that can be used with satnav are given below for meeting points at venues, those for Tesco are postcode CR8 2HA; co-ordinates for entrance; 51.337108,-0.115782. Any changes relating to outings will be shown on our website and this may be at short notice. September, 2017 June, 2018 Sat 23rd – Beachy Head, East Sussex Sat 9th - Lakenheath & Weeting Heath*, Suffolk/Norfolk. NB this is a 7.30 start (not 8am) October, 2017 th Wednesday 20 - Farnham Heath RSPB, Surrey. [Parking at Rural Sat 7th - Hayling Island & Pagham Harbour (east side), W Sussex Life Centre - GU10 2DL, SU859433, 51.18243, -0.77239]. Please Tues 17th - Nutfield Marsh & Holmethorpe [Mercers Country note that this is a Wednesday not a Tuesday. Park car park, RH1 4EU; TQ299517; 51.250123, -0.139397] rd Sat 23 - Springhead Hill & Waltham Brooks, West Sussex Sun 22nd - Isle of Sheppey, Kent July, 2018 November, 2017 th th Sat 7 - Thursley Common, Surrey Sat 4 - Foreness & Reculver, Kent th Tues 17 - Oare Marshes, Kent [ME13 0QD; TR013647; Tues 21st - London Wetland Centre, Barn Elms WWT* [SW13 51.346065, 0.889172] 9WT; TQ227767; 51.47718,-0.23522] st Sat 21 - Borden & Iping Common, West Sussex Sun 19th - Farlington Marshes, Hants August, 2018 December, 2017 th nd Sun 5 - Cliffe Pools, Kent Sat 2 - Pegwell Bay & Grove Ferry, Kent th th Sat 18 - Titchfield Haven* & Farlington Marshes, Hants Tues 19 - Beddington Park & Farmlands [SM6 7DJ; TQ287652; st Tues 21 - Venue to be confirmed 51.370446, -0.152535] Sat 16th – Swanbourne Lake & Burpham, West Sussex September, 2018 Sat 1st - Dungeness, Kent January, 2018 th th Sat 15 - Beachy Head, East Sussex Sun 7 - Shellness, Isle of Sheppey, Kent th Tues 18 - Rye Harbour NR, East Sussex [TN31 7TT; TQ942190; Tues 16th - Rainham Marsh RSPB, Essex [RM19 1SZ; TQ552792; 50.937061, 0.762827] 51.49040, 0.23413] th Sat 29 - Oare Marshes, Kent Sat 20th - Pagham Harbour, West Sussex October, 2018 February, 2018 th rd Sat 13 - Hayling Island & Pagham Harbour (east side), W Sussex Sat 3 - Rye Harbour, East Sussex th Tues 16 - Leechpool and Warnham LNR*, West Sussex. Sat 17th - Burton Mill & West Dean Woods, West Sussex th [Leechpool, Harwood Road, Horsham.51.069464, -0.298270] Tues 20 - Sevenoaks Wildlife Trust*, Kent [TN13 3DH; th Sun 28 - Isle of Sheppey, Kent TQ520565; 51.286112, 0.180967] November, 2018 March, 2018 th th Sat 10 - Foreness & Reculver, Kent Sun 4 - Lee Valley, Herts/Essex th Tues 20 - Cliffe Pools, RSPB & Northward Hill, RSPB, Kent. Sun 18th - Dungeness, Kent th [Cliffe car park TQ722757, 51.45404, 0.47706] Tues 20 - Pulborough Brooks RSPB, West Sussex [RH20 2EL; th Sun 25 - Farlington Marshes, Hants TQ058164; 50.93729, -0.49562] Sat 31st - Motney Hill & Cliffe Pools, Kent December, 2018 Sat 8th - Pegwell Bay & Grove Ferry, Kent April, 2018 th th Sat 15 - Swanbourne Lake & Burpham, West Sussex Sat 14 - Vange, Bowers & West Canvey Marshes, Essex th Tues 18 - Beddington & Xmas Party [SM6 7DJ; TQ287652; Tues 17th - Medmerry. [Meet at Pagham Harbour visitor centre - 51.370446, -0.152535] PO20 7NE, SZ857966, 50.763115, -0.785525] th Sat 28 - Fingringhoe Wick* & Abberton Reservoir*, Essex Other Events May, 2018 rd th Saturday 3 March 2018 - Quiz Night with a Fish & Chip Supper Sat12 - Seaford Head & Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex th at All Saints’ Parish Church Hall, Sanderstead at 19:00 for 19:15 Tues 15 - Dungeness, Kent [RSPB reserve TN29 9PN, TR062197, start, tickets £15.00. 50.93980, 0.93364] th May 2018. Choose your own date during May to participate in Sun 27 - Stodmarsh, Kent the Big Croydon Birdwatch 2018.

 Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and ground conditions. Avoid bright or white clothing.  Bring a packed lunch and drinks.  Bring RSPB or other membership cards as appropriate when visiting reserves.  Make a contribution to driver’s costs on car outings and avoid muddying cars on wet days.  Making a noise and not keeping together increases disturbance.

RSPB Croydon Local Group Newsletter 2017 – page 8

CROYDON BIRD SURVEY CROYDON BIRD SURVEY

YEAR: YEAR: LOCATION : LOCATION :

MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN MONTH JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Grey Heron Grey Heron Canada Goose Canada Goose Sparrow haw k * Sparrow haw k * Kestrel * Kestrel * Black-headed gull Black-headed gull Feral pigeon Feral pigeon Woodpigeon Woodpigeon Collared dove Collared dove Ring-necked parakeet Ring-necked parakeet Sw ift * Sw ift * Green Woodpecker Green Woodpecker Great-Spotted Wood'r Great-Spotted Wood'r Sw allow Sw allow House Martin * House Martin * Pied Wagtail Pied Wagtail Wren Wren Dunnock Dunnock Robin Robin Blackbird * Blackbird * Fieldfare Fieldfare Song Thrush * Song Thrush * Redw ing Redw ing Mistle Thrush Mistle Thrush Blackcap * Blackcap * Chiffchaff Chiffchaff Goldcrest Goldcrest Long-tailed Tit Long-tailed Tit Coal Tit Coal Tit Blue Tit * Blue Tit * Great Tit Great Tit Nuthatch Nuthatch Treecreeper Treecreeper Jay Jay Magpie * Magpie * Jackdaw Jackdaw Carrion Crow * Carrion Crow * Starling Starling House Sparrow * House Sparrow * Chaffinch Chaffinch Greenfinch * Greenfinch * Goldfinch Goldfinch Siskin Siskin Bullfinch Bullfinch

Name : Name : Address : Address :

Postcode : Tel : Postcode : Tel : Email address : Email address : 6 figure OS map reference for your garden : 6 figure OS map reference for your garden : # Return completed form to John Birkett, 24 Briton Hill Road, Return completed form to John Birkett, 24 Briton Hill Road, Sanderstead, Surrey, CR2 0JL. Sanderstead, Surrey, CR2 0JL. Or e-mail to [email protected] Or e-mail to [email protected]

Current news about birds in Croydon is on the Croydon Birders website: http://croydon-birders.wikia.com/wiki/Latest_News

The Croydon Bird Survey

We have been running our survey since 1995 to monitor the status of birds in the Croydon area. If you take an interest in the birds visiting (and flying over) your garden or local open space you can take part in the survey. Even a list of birds seen when looking out of the kitchen window while washing up or seen on a walk to the local shops is of value to us. The results are collated and published in an annual report which is available to purchase at our meetings and other events. When first started it primarily collected information about garden birds, but has now been extended to include information from open spaces in the Croydon area. While we would prefer the records to be submitted on the proper form (one for each site) a list on a sheet of paper or e-mail will do, so long as we can identify which month(s) the records relate to for each species. Some basic instructions for completion of the Survey Form  Include all species you have identified that have been seen/heard in/from (or flying over) the garden or open space.  Simply tick the appropriate box to record the presence of a species in a given month (although we would appreciate additional information as given below, that is not essential).  Additional species seen/heard can be written on the form after the listed species.  Remember to put your name and address at the bottom of the form.  When recording birds in your own garden you only need to write 'GARDEN' as the location at the top of the form, otherwise give the name of the open space.  Return the completed form to John Birkett either at a Group meeting or by post to 24 Briton Hill Road, Sanderstead, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 0JL. Or you can email a copy to [email protected] Optional additional information The following are useful, but not essential, details that can help us monitor species more closely if you wish to include them.  Approximate counts of the maximum number of birds (of the same species) seen together at any one time during the month.  A note of any breeding activity (eg nest building, occupied nests, recently fledged young or number of territories).  For less common species a note of number, sex and exact date would be of value.  Further contact information (eg telephone number and email) is useful if we need to contact you about any interesting sightings. We will not share your personal contact details with any other organisations and (unless you have signed up to become a member of the Group) we will only contact you in connection with the survey. Information supplied for our survey may be shared with the London Natural History Society and Surrey Bird Club. Most of this is summarised, but some individual records (usually of less common species or interesting activity) may be submitted with the observer’s name but NOT their address or other contact details. Unless you state otherwise, by participating in our survey you are agreeing to this information being passed on.

Beddington Farmlands News New sightings this year have included the first cattle egret stonechat (2), nine new Cetti’s warbler, ring-necked since Beddington records began in 1919 and an adult parakeet (3), 50+ reed warbler (including retraps from Sabine’s gull in full summer plumage which attracted 2015 & 2016). observers from all over London & Surrey. Red kite & There is a proposed development of a new wet grassland buzzards have made regular appearances probably area, potentially including piping warm water from the attracted by the landfill & the usual hordes of gulls. incinerator process to maintain a wet & ice free area. This Tree sparrows have had yet another dismal year with only would attract lapwing, snipe and ducks even in the worst seven nests – most were abandoned before completion – weather conditions. A shipping container has been with just five nestlings ringed. delivered for prospective use as a hide here. The Ringing group has so far ringed 380 new birds this year Mike Netherwood including little ringed plover (1), Dartford warbler (1),

Environment News Unfortunately, for various reasons there will not be a Norwood CP all year, but failed to attract a mate. 2016 also separate 2016 Croydon Bird Report, instead we plan to saw the first attempts by Egyptian geese to breed in have a joint report for 2016 & 2017 ready in 2018. Croydon; two broods hatched but unfortunately none of There is space here for just a couple of highlights for 2016. the young survived to fledge. Hot on the heels of last year’s first ever yellow-browed warbler in Croydon one stayed around for a few days in a John Birkett Forestdale garden and the Cetti’s warbler stayed at South

Current news about birds in Croydon is on the Croydon Birders website: http://croydon-birders.wikia.com/wiki/Latest_News