newsletter NO 97 WINTER 2019 The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home.

Newsletter Editor: Linda Tagg 3, Carpenter Way, Potters Bar, EN6 5PZ Tel: 01707 656715 email: [email protected]

GROUP LEADER’S COMMENTS Ian Sharp

In Welcome to the winter newsletter which as always contains many interesting articles. In May we had a guided break in Northumberland and by the time this newsletter is this published we will have had another guided break in Portland Bill. In between we had Issue summer which seemed to pass quicker than ever this year. I hope you enjoyed yours. You can read a brief report of the

Northumberland trip on pages 8 & 9. News Group Leader’s Comments……....1 Celebrating 50 years of local groups In the summer newsletter I mentioned that Group Activities this year we are celebrating 50 years of local Coach Outings……………..….…...3 groups. On Sunday 29 September the four Group Holiday Northumberland..8 groups local to this area: South East Herts, Local Bird Report………………….6 North East , North West London and Contributions Potters Bar & Barnets, together organised a Celebrating 50years of Local Groups at Rye Meads Some Nature Notes……………..2 family orientated day of activities at Rye Save Beane Marshes…………….2 Meads. Our contribution was a children’s quiz and a cake stall plus volunteering in the …………...…….10 car park and hides. Unfortunately the weather was poor so despite the event being Barnet & Enfield Swift Group..10 well advertised the turnout was low. Nevertheless, there was an excellent atmosphere and we raised £90 on the cake stall. My thanks go to the Notices members who supported the event and all those who Local Group Website…………….12 made cakes and jars of jam and chutney. All money raised Newsletter Copy Date………...…12 at the event will go towards building the new Kingfisher Data Protection ………..…………12 hide at Rye Meads. 100 Club & Application Form…..12 Forthcoming Events & Keeping in Volunteering awards Touch……………….……………..12 We all know that any successful group relies on willing volunteers to take on a range of roles. We should never Advertisements take their contributions for granted. Within the last year Minuteman Press….………….…...5 three members received awards. Last newsletter we Covers Outdoor Store…….……...11 reported Pam Wright (10years) and Joy Rowley (5years). More recently, John Rowley, who maintains the eNews

Group Website: John Rowley Receives his Swift and website, received his 5year Swift Award. As well as www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ Award his headline role, like Pam and Joy, he supports group pottersbarandbarnet or just search for activities in many other ways too. Potters Bar and Barnet RSPB I would also like to thank Lesley Causton who has organised our quizzes for several years and has recently decided to stand down. I am delighted that Gina Palazzetti has The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a agreed to take on this role. Lesley is still treasurer for the group, a role which seems to registered charity: come with many headaches. Lesley has been able to donate £5000 to RSPB from the and Wales no. 207076, money raised over the last year. It is great to know that all the activities we enjoy also Scotland no. SC037654 contribute to supporting RSPB with many of their projects.

Any advertisements enclosed with I hope you all have a good Christmas and New Year and I look forward to seeing you this newsletter are not specifically at our regular Wednesday and Friday meetings over the winter. Remember, we endorsed by the RSPB or the Potters don’t have specific membership of the local group. We welcome everyone, Bar & Barnet Local Group members and non-members of RSPB alike.

SOME NATURE NOTES by Derek Baker and stayed still for a while, it was so peaceful. Then I noticed a wren foraging among some dead wood on the ground. As I Derek has been kind enough to share his notes from walks in watched another flew in. Eventually I counted possibly six to some of our local open spaces. eight birds, all unaware of me. One came very close, then grounds 31 March joined the group and started feeding another - so it I was lucky with tree creepers again today - a sighting as I was a family. A robin joined them for a moment. reached the , also several more familiar garden birds. Later a song thrush singing from a nearby bush and, 12 July still in sight as it flew into a tree’s upper branches above me, Wimbledon men’s semi-final day and very warm; I rather it continued loudly with a most lovely recital; people walked expected the birds would be in hiding, and yes, all seemed past but none looked up. I moved on and could still hear its rather quiet. To escape the heat, I found the woodland walk. song for quite some time. A sign of movement and, through the glasses, a sighting of a A wren amongst the shrubbery by the path: a glimpse of tail, nuthatch for a little while before it flew. On the reservoirs a glimpse of head, but never the full bird! Near Myddleton there were the usual suspects: lesser black-backed gulls, House, two long-tailed tits. Later on my route a little egret. tufted ducks, a heron and many cormorants, while on the I walk Forty Hall regularly but not often seen so many birds. other side of the reserve, a song thrush, and a young robin. A lone greenfinch tried the empty feeders. I stopped again on Gillespie Park 6 April the woodland path for a while. In the trees, a flock of house This small reserve, close to Arsenal station is not usually very sparrows and a party of tits- mostly blue tit and great tit. A good for birds, but today I found small bird in a nearby tree, flicking its way round the blackbird, robin and a variety of branches, was my first unaided sighting of a goldcrest. tits. Most pleasing, however, was a mistle thrush, which I identified 13 September for the first time without help. It First a walk in the Paddock, trying to ignore the noise from was high in a bush, light brown nearby building work. Birds twittering but little showing. On with extremely dark spotting all my own advice, I stopped walking and stood still and quiet. over its front. Soon long-tailed tits flew into a tree above. They took no Wild Hedgerow: Dan Powell RSPB Green parakeets hogged the notice of me and carried on, about six of them. I tried the feeders, the smaller birds came now and again, including same tactic again and was successful, spotting blackbird, wren greenfinch, until the parakeets bullied their way back. and a jay with a berry in its beak. Nearby and alerted by the song, I was able to catch a quick By the North Reservoir a young starling peeping from a bush, view of a blackcap and further on a pair of jays on the path and flocks of goldfinches. On the water, coot and herring ahead. gull; and a grey wagtail next to the water. By the South Reservoir, not much, but keeping still for a while I was lucky 11 June with a great spotted woodpecker. I wandered into one of the wooded areas on a makeshift path

SAVE BEANE MARSHES This conservation campaign near has been brought to our attention by Elaine Eyles.

Beane Marshes is an area close to Hertford North station. The is a chalk river and this mineral rich waterway and its adjacent reedy marsh provide an important habitat for a range of fish, insects, mammals and wild flowers. It was only last June, that local residents discovered that some of the land by the river was coming up for auction, and a number got together to try and protect it from development and save it for the community. The core of the group is four local residents and they set up a company: Beane Marshes Conservation Group Ltd. Through support and fundraising from their community, and a crowd funding campaign, they have already raised enough money, (of the total required), to negotiate the land’s withdrawal from auction to purchase it for the community, and to put down the necessary deposit. The total fund needed is estimated to be £165,000, and so far about £100,000 has been raised. They have recently succeeded in setting up a charity- “Save Beane Marshes” which will help with fundraising by giving access to grants and Gift Aid. Herts and Wildlife Trust (HMWT) are involved and are interested in the site; they have agreed in principle to take on the management once the land is purchased. For those interested to know more, there is a well organised web site: www.savebeanemarshes.org.uk with information about the scheme, contact details, updates, and links to their Facebook page. There is also a link to a new YouTube video, narrated by Dr Tom Day of HMWT, which explains why the Beane Marsh is so important. You can also access the video directly through the link: https://youtu.be/DZwmmkrFXW0 .

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SUNDAY COACH OUTINGS by Elaine Eyles Summer Mid-week outings: Joy Rowley, Jenny Arnold, Gillian Barlow & Elaine Eyles. Photograph Wicken Fen: Bruce Bennett Titchwell Marsh RSPB Sunday 14 April of natural coastal habitats. The main route alongside the Palm Sunday and an early morning start in crisp cold weather. shingle beach towards Dunwich provides a splendid panorama Along the journey were signs of new spring growth in the of the coastline, which on this day was enhanced by quite hedgerows and countryside, and the bright yellow of rape spectacular cloud formations. Walking southwards along the fields in flower. As we neared the coast, the landscape was of shore there are specialised plants such as yellow horned- heathland and the flat fields of Norfolk; and a brief sighting of poppies, sea campion, sea holly, sea pea, sea kale, rest harrow, some red-legged partridge. saw thistle, cotton thistle, and biting stonecrop. At the reserve our time was spent walking through the woodland area, skirting reedbeds to view the marshes (both Behind the beach is an fresh water and saltmarsh). The more determined crossed the extensive marshy hinterland dunes and ventured onto the beach. However, with the strong with reedbed areas to explore. cold easterly wind, it felt more like winter than spring and a The channels of the Dunwich brief afternoon shower added to the chill. The cosy visitor river flow through the marsh centre and the reserve hides kept us from getting our ears and and reeds; there we found Marsh Harrier: L Bunyan RSPB Images fingers too cold. For one of our party, this was their first visit to male reed buntings, a few this part of England, so we hope it was a pleasant introduction dragonflies and mute swans. The Dunwich river found its despite the weather. present route, running parallel to the coast to Walberswick, after storm surges in the fourteenth century destroyed and Apart from the dunes, the trails are easy to walk. The beach silted the harbour at Dunwich. was almost empty of people, with a constant series of white- water crests breaking onto the shore. Few birds except A popular choice for a shorter walk begins and ends at sanderling and oystercatcher. Numerous brent geese were on Walberswick village. This circular route up the river Blyth takes the saltmarsh, west of the West Bank path; and Sandwich terns in the heath and marshes. Along the river there are always on an island in the freshwater marsh. The most pleasing families fishing for crabs. For those not wishing to walk as far as sighting for the group was the water rail. This bird regularly the Bailey bridge to cross to Southwold, there is the ferry—an foraged in a favoured ditch running alongside the willow carr open rowing boat at cost of £1 each way. Whilst in the village near the visitor centre, so there was a “Where’s Wally” search we noticed house sparrows were quite at home under the older throughout the day. Once found it was close enough to red/brown curved ceramic roof tiles that they were able to photograph. access. One house with a garden feeder had nearly all the most common small garden birds; plus a jackdaw using it - quite Altogether 75 species of birds seen. Some of the highlights in no unusual. particular order: ruff, curlew, In all 53 species of birds were seen, amongst those we were and redshank, various gulls pleased to find were meadow pipit, lapwing, skylark, redshank, and terns (seven species reed warbler, house martins and swallows - two of which between them), meadow pipit, landed on a wooden bridge close by and posed. In the far swallow, shoveler, jackdaw, distance a marsh harrier. marsh harrier, blackcap, greenfinch, dunnock, and Although there are no hides, there is a choice of tearooms and brambling. visitor craft shops to rest in - a real incentive to get round the Brent Goose: C Gomersall RSPB Images paths. Walberswick National Nature Reserve Sunday 9 June RSPB Pulborough Brooks or Parham House and Garden Apparently a change in the jet stream was the cause of the Wednesday 19 June unseasonably windy day on our visit to Walberswick. This RSPB Pulborough Brooks ( Joy Rowley) Suffolk coastal village is located on a spur of high ground, close Some of the group enjoyed a peaceful walk around this reserve to the natural haven of the River Blyth. The beach huts and finding many colourful wild flowers and sometimes numerous boat sheds alongside the Blyth are up on stilts, one showing the meadow brown butterflies. Birds were heard rather than seen, heights the water reached in the last three major floods to hit including cuckoo and a few notes from a nightingale. Sightings the area. (The worst in 1953, the most recent 2013). Some of redshank, Egyptian goose, shelduck, reed bunting, finches properties now have extra walls and metal flood gates to and great spotted woodpecker and, for a lucky couple, a spotted combat future tidal surges. flycatcher. Brown hares were glimpsed lying low in a grassy The coastal area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural area. continued over Beauty (AONB) and is a lovely place to walk with several miles 3

Parham House and Garden (by Jenny Arnold) pochard, and green woodpecker. The 12 butterfly species Nearby Parham House is a unique Tudor building of great included brown argus, small copper, gatekeeper, comma, and charm. Once part of a huge estate, it was bought by the Palmer peacock. There were numerous dragon and damsel flies eg family at the dissolution of the monasteries, and its beauty and emperor, four-spotted chaser. Lucky ones saw a common lizard peace have changed little over the centuries. Still a family home, and muntjac deer, and a hare on the journey. Those with interest it houses an amazing collection of historic portraits and in wild flowers were not short of specimens to identify. furniture, and boasts the longest long gallery in Britain. Miserden Gardens Wednesday 3 July (by Elaine Eyles) The herbaceous garden featured scented roses inter-planted with A scenic excursion through the Chilterns to Miserden, near salvias, poppies, and nepeta, the latter covered in bees. Stroud on a lovely Burgundy coloured poppies and scabious contrasted with pale summer’s day. A long trip blue iris and sunshine yellow achillea. but well worth it. The vegetable garden was a model of order with rows of Building at Miserden began vegetables and salad looking healthy and hearty. in 1620 by Sir William In the humid atmosphere, the scents of roses, orange blossom Sandy, but the house and and borders of thyme made for a heady perfume, contributing to gardens took on much of the sensory delights of a glorious garden. their present form while in

the later ownership of the Lackford Lakes Sunday 21 July View of Miserden Gardens Wills family (of tobacco fame), The lakes are a series of ex-gravel pits set alongside the river when rebuilding under the guidance of Edwin Lutyens, after a Lark, which flows north-west past Barton Mills, through the fens fire in 1919. The house and gardens are part of the still privately to join the river Great Ouse. owned estate of 850 acres which includes woodland, farmland, The Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s visitor centre is very well organised and the attractive village built in local stone. and welcoming and we surprised ourselves (and them) by The tranquil terraced garden was designed in the seventeenth arriving just as they were opening up at 10 am. century. The walled garden includes the topiary yew walk The centre doubles as a hide and, in addition to the picture designed by Lutyens and features magnificently wide and windows downstairs, it has a gallery overlooking a pond. colourful, mixed borders, planted to be viewed from both sides, Within five minutes of our arrival a kingfisher had landed on a and brimming with roses, clematis, shrubs, and herbaceous post and we saw marsh tit on the feeder. The kingfisher came plants. A stone-built open summerhouse, built in 2000, blends back regularly, one time holding a chunky fish. The feeder with completely with the historic setting. An ancient mulberry tree many visiting birds was an attraction for a sparrowhawk who believed planted in 1620, a massive sycamore growing through was successful on one occasion. A swift box installed on the an old wall; and a rill with fountain, all add to the atmosphere. building has a live black and white camera feed to a screen in the Steps down from the garden lead to an arboretum of mature centre. trees. The group thoroughly enjoyed the reserve, taking in all the Outside the attractive 1920’s greenhouses there was a good array routes. A new circular two mile walk round the recently of plants for sale and the café, inside a converted greenhouse, acquired Sayer’s Breck is accessed from the public footpath to was perfect for snacks, tea and cake. The shaded outside seating the local church. You walk around the perimeter of the was welcome. Many of the group came away with plants. undisturbed meadow, which at this time was Quebec House and Emmett’s Garden Wednesday 14 August covered in a sea of yellow (by Gill Barlow) flowers; a few Canada Despite an exceedingly wet day, all day, our mid-August coach geese were resting. A outing into Kent was most enjoyable. The first stop (and out of lovely outlook for nearby the rain!) was Quebec House in Westerham, the childhood home houses in Lackford village. of General James Wolfe. Our group had a most interesting guide The rest of the reserve is who brought General Wolfe’s story to life including his victory easily accessible and now Spotted Flycatcher: A Hay RSPB Images in Canada at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham against the has more all-weather paths, walks with views through the lakes, French, which enabled the British to take control of Canada. with woodland beyond. The summer route gave new views of Tragically Wolfe lost his life at the battle. the carr woodland. The multitude of mute swans on the sailing From Westerham we continued on to Emmetts Garden at Ide lake seemed unfazed by the boats. Eight hides overlook the Hill. smaller lakes. There was plenty of time to relax at the centre’s This Edwardian hill top garden has an abundance of plants, plus picnic tables, partake of hot drinks in china mugs, and cool woodland to wander through and an Italianate rose garden. down with quality ice cream. There are various areas where restoration is underway which will show the vision of the former owner, Frederick Lubbock. Some of the 51 bird species seen were kestrel, hobby, spotted Finding the tea room in the old stables proved a welcome respite flycatcher, wren, great crested grebe, Egyptian geese, gadwall, from the rain. Continued over 4

Wicken Fen Sunday 8 September beautifully clear. We saw A group of 26 enjoyed our visit to this rare fen landscape with small shoals of fish, swarms the option of a guided boat trip along Wicken Lode. The of mayfly on the surface while National Trust have been caring for Wicken since 1899 and its a constant multitude of habitats have been carefully managed and improved and are dragonflies accompanied us. now home to over 9000 species—an array of plants, birds and The local swan family did not insects. Wild herds of breeding Konik ponies and Highland mind us too much, just hissed. cattle, are free to wander. Some walked on the other Wicken Fen includes the remaining ancient Sedge Fen, adjoined side of Wicken Lode and The Wind Pump Wicken Fen by Wicken Poors’ Fen, St Edmunds Fen, Baker’s Fen and reached the two hides Burwell Fen. The whole area is 785 acres. You can hire a bike, overlooking The Mere. Others visited the original fen cottage and even cycle all the way to Anglesey Abbey. All trails are and workshop that the National Trust maintain. Very low colour-coded with signage; information boards and a visitor ceilings and all laid out as it would have been in early twentieth leaflet indicate approximate walking times. century. A small building is devoted to dragonflies—to date 24 The summer route was open with an easy path and a pleasant species recorded at Wicken. stroll past the last working wooden wind pump and a small Altogether 49 bird species on our tick-list including a pair of bird hide. On the far sides of Sedge Fen there is a tower hide kestrel, marsh harrier, teal, bullfinch, linnet, common snipe, and an old tower from which The Mere could be seen. house martins, spotted flycatcher, jay, greenfinch, willow The electric boat trip was 50 minutes and travelled through the warbler and chiffchaff. Bird of the day was an osprey. Amongst narrow channel as far the junction with Burwell Lode and back. the wildlife: a grass snake swimming and a common lizard; nine The Lodes feed into the river Cam. Our guide explained the butterfly species including comma, red admiral, green-veined history of the landscape and answered questions as we went white, and brimstone. Just five dragon/damsel flies identified, along. The water, around four feet deep in places, was including brown hawker, emperor, and ruddy darter.

We are indebted to our printer Minuteman Press who has kindly printed this edition without charge.

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LOCAL BIRD REPORT from Philip Brown

As you can see from the map our local area is divided into 4 sections. Each area has a corresponding column on the table which lists the species observed. The areas are split east to west by the M25 motorway, north to south by the A1 (M), and bordered to the south by the A406 and to the west by the M1 motorway. The border to the north is OS TL15 and to the west is OS TL40.

Key AM Amwell HPR Hillfield Park Reservoir HW Heartwood Forest KGV King George V Reservoir RM Rye Meads TH Tyttenhanger TP Trent Park

The species listed do not include many of the more common birds as it is a selected list, and the lack of a cross in the column may just be that the area or bird has been under recorded. This is particularly true of zone B. This report covers the period from 1 April to 30 September 2019.

As usual, there have been a variety of unusual species reported from around the area. Amwell has had a great white egret, a cattle egret, a spoonbill (sighted from 1 – 17 May), red-breasted merganser, osprey, merlin, knot, up to five whimbrels, and Arctic terns. King George V Reservoir had two great white egrets, Arctic, little and black terns, a ring ouzel, and also had a number of late sightings of common scoter, red-breasted merganser, smew and goosander. Tyttenhanger also had a cattle egret, plus a curlew sandpiper, garganey, and up to 23 tree sparrows in its colony. Rye Meads’ visitors included spotted redshank and curlew. There were occasional sightings of a marsh harrier and regular sightings of both male and female garganey. Panshanger Park had a woodlark, its own osprey sightings and a pair of ravens. The first reported cuckoo was seen at Essendon on 19 April, with further sightings at Fisher’s Green and Panshanger Park within the next two days. Other locations with cuckoos were Hilfield Park, Amwell, Rye Meads (up to three), Tyttenhanger and Ellenbrook Fields. Locally, Trent Park sightings have included hobby, common sandpiper, kingfishers, skylarks, stonechats, spotted flycatchers and yellowhammers. Totteridge has had peregrines, little and tawny owls, yellow wagtails, tree pipits, redstarts, whinchats, wheatears, spotted and pied flycatchers and up to three firecrests.

My thanks go to everyone who has contributed reports for this item. Please keep sending your reports to Philip Brown, Tel: 020 8441 3830; email: [email protected]

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SPECIES AREA NOTES SPECIES AREA NOTES A B C D A B C D LITTLE GREBE X X X MEDITERRANEAN GULL X Amwell, Rye Meads BLACK-NECKED GREBE X X Hilfield Park Reservoir (10 on 21 Apr), KGV LITTLE GULL X X X KGV (5 on 1 Apr), Hilfield Park, Amwell, Rye Meads BITTERN X Amwell 10 Apr & 8 Sep YELLOW-LEGGED GULL X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell GANNET X Woods 30 Sep CASPIAN GULL X X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, KGV GREAT WHITE EGRET X X Amwell 16 May, 2 at KGV 22 Sep SANDWICH TERN X Amwell 8 Apr LITTLE EGRET X X X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, Trent Park, COMMON TERN X X X X Most - KGV (60 on 9 May) CATTLE EGRET X X Rye Meads 1 Apr, Amwell 9 Apr, Tyttenhanger 20 Sep ARCTIC TERN X X X Hilfield Park, Amwell, KGV WHITE STORK X Over Finchley & Southgate, April LITTLE TERN X King George V Res 23 Apr SPOONBILL X Amwell 1 to 17 April BLACK TERN X X X X Hilfield Park (20 on 8May), KGV (3 on 19Apr, 4 on 7May) BARNACLE GOOSE X X Tyttenhanger, Aldenham CP RING-NECKED PARAKEET X X X X EGYPTIAN GOOSE X X X CUCKOO X X X X Essendon 19 Apr, Fishers Green, Rye Meads, Trent Park SHELDUCK X X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, Rye Meads, Sewardstone BARN OWL X X Heartwood Forest, Willows Farm, Amwell MANDARIN X X X Oakmere Park, Trent Park, Fir &Pond Woods LITTLE OWL X X X Willows Farm, Heartwood Frst, Oak Hill Wds, Totteridge WIGEON X Rye Meads TAWNY OWL X X Wild Hill, Totteridge GADWALL X X X X SHORT-EARED OWL X Heartwood Forest 17 Apr TEAL X X X X SWIFT X X X X First - 24 Apr Tyttenhanger; Last - 12 Sep Tyttenhanger GARGANEY X X Tyttenhanger from 21 Aug, Rye Meads, Panshanger Pk KINGFISHER X X X Watercress LNR, Rye Meads, Trent Park, Enfield Lock SHOVELER X X X LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER X X Ware, Finchley Nurseries, Trent Park 22 Sep POCHARD X X WOODLARK X Panshanger Park 25 Sep FERRUGINOUS DUCK X Hadley Common 16 May SKYLARK X X X X Tyttenhanger, Elstree A'drome, Trent Prk, Gunpowder Prk RING-NECKED DUCK X 70 Acres Lake 2 to 15 June SWALLOW X X X X COMMON SCOTER X X X Amwell3 & KGV8 on 9Apr, Courser's Rd GPs 26Jun SAND MARTIN X X X X Last - 10 Sep - Tyttenhanger GOLDENEYE X X KGV (20 on 10 April), Hilfield Park HOUSE MARTIN X X X X First - 3 Apr - Amwell SMEW X X Bowyers Water 23 April & 17 May, KGV TREE PIPIT X X X X Totteridge 19 Apr&1 May, Rye Meads16 Aug, Hilfield8Sep RED-BREASTED MERGANSER X X Amwell 9 April, KGV 10 April MEADOW PIPIT X X X GOOSANDER X X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, KGV WATER PIPIT X KIng George V Res 5 & 8 Apr QUAIL X heard at Brookman's Park 19-21 July ROCK PIPIT X King George V Res 8 Apr RED KITE X X X X YELLOW WAGTAIL X X X Redbournbury, Kings Meads, Totteridge, KGV MARSH HARRIER X X Tyttenhanger 1 Apr, Rye Meads 28 Apr, 22 Jun, 24 Aug GREY WAGTAIL X X X X GOSHAWK X Broxbourne Woods 15 Sep WHITE WAGTAIL X Amwell 14 Sep SPARROWHAWK X X X NIGHTINGALE X X Southgate 18 Apr, Glen Faba 19 Apr, Fisher's Grn (up to 4) COMMON BUZZARD X X X X BLACK REDSTART X X Enfield 27 Jun, Verulanium Park 28 Jun OSPREY X X X Tyttenhanger, Panshanger Pk, Amwell, REDSTART X X X Redbourn, North Mymms Prk, Elstree A'drome, Totteridge KESTREL X X X X WHINCHAT X X X Tyttenhanger, Rye Meads, West End, KGV MERLIN X Amwell 17 April STONECHAT X X X Heartwood Forest, Colney Heath, Rye Meads, KGV HOBBY X X X X Tyttenhanger, Panshanger Park, Rye Meads, Trent Park WHEATEAR X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield Park, Amwell, Totteridge PEREGRINE X X X X Welwyn GC, Hilfield Pk, Rye Meads, Totteridge RING OUZEL X X X Redbournbury, Welham Green, Totteridge, Sewardstone WATER RAIL X X Ellenbrook Fields, Tyttenhanger, Panshanger Park FIELDFARE X X X Last - 1 May - KGV CRANE X 3 at Tyttenhanger 1 April REDWING X X Last - 22 Apr - Tyttenhanger; First - 1 Oct Tyttenhanger OYSTERCATCHER X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield Pk, Amwell, Stanstead Abb Lks CETTI'S WARBLER X X X X STONE CURLEW X King George V Res 27-28 June GRASSHOPPER WARBLER X X Ellenbrook Fields, Shafford Farm, Rye Meads, Amwell AVOCET X X X Hilfield Pk 6 Apr, KGV 22 Apr, Amwell 30 Apr & 17 Jul REED WARBLER X X X Tyttenhanger, Ellenbrook Fields, Amwell, Fisher's Grn LITTLE RINGED PLOVER X X Tyttenhanger, Panshanger Park, Amwell SEDGE WARBLER X X X Shafford Farm, Amwell, Rye Meads, RINGED PLOVER X X Amwell 8 May & 11 Aug, KGV 11 Aug LESSER WHITETHROAT X X X X Tyttenhanger, Brimsdown, Totteridge GOLDEN PLOVER X X Amwell (16 on 13 April), Tyttenhanger 22 & 30 Sep WHITETHROAT X X X X GREY PLOVER X Rye Meads 8 May GARDEN WARBLER X X X Tyttenhanger, Bowyers Wtr, Amwell, Sewardstone Marsh LAPWING X X X BLACKCAP X X X X SANDERLING X King George V Res 28 July CHIFFCHAFF X X X X LITTLE STINT X King George V Res 8 Sep WILLOW WARBLER X X X X DUNLIN X X Amwell (3 on 9 Apr & 8 May, 28 Jul), KGV FIRECREST X X Broxbourne GP, Totteridge (up to 3) KNOT X Amwell 8 May SPOTTED FLYCATCHER X X X X Arkley, Totteridge, Trent Park, Essendon CURLEW SANDPIPER X Tyttenhanger 24 June PIED FLYCATCHER X X X X Hall Marsh 12 Aug, Balls Wd 25 Aug, Elstree, Totteridge SNIPE X X Tyttenhanger, Rye Meads MARSH TIT X X The Commons WGC, Shafford Farm, Amwell BLACK-TAILED GODWIT X X Tyttenhanger 15 Apr, Amwell & Rye Meads 10 May NUTHATCH X X X X BAR-TAILED GODWIT X Rye Meads (116 over on 20 Apr), Amwell 25 Apr TREECREEPER X X X WHIMBREL X X KGV 22 Apr, Amwell (5 on 25 Apr), Rye Meads (3 on 8 May) RAVEN X X X Redbournbury, Panshanger Park, Amwell, Totteridge CURLEW X Rye Meads 20 Sep TREE SPARROW X Tyttenhanger (Max of 23 on 23 Aug) SPOTTED REDSHANK X Rye Meads 29 June BRAMBLING X X Amwell - 7 on 2 Apr & 9 Apr, Hilfield Park REDSHANK X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield Park, Amwell, Rye Meads SISKIN X X Symondshyde, Panshanger Park GREENSHANK X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, Rye Meads LINNET X X X X Willows Farm, Heartwood Forest, Brimsdown, SANDPIPER X X X Lemsford Springs, Panshanger Park, Rye Meads LESSER REDPOLL X Heartwood Forest, Tyttenhanger COMMON SANDPIPER X X X X Lemsford Springs, Amwell, Rye Meads, KGV BULLFINCH X X X X Bowyers Wtr, Sewardstone Marsh, Totteridge, Essendon TURNSTONE X KGV 15 May & 4 June YELLOWHAMMER X X X Redbournbury - 36 on 11 Apr, Essendon, Trent Park

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Group Holiday Northumberland 19-23 May 2019 By Ian Sharp Contributors: Jenny Arnold, Gill Barlow, Elaine Eyles & Marion Farr Photographs: Bruce Bennett Sketches: Angela Hutchings

On Sunday 19 May, 34 members set out for a five day coach trip to Northumberland. We were staying at the Bamburgh Castle Inn in Seahouses, a coastal fishing village on the Northumbrian coast. The hotel is in a prime position overlooking the harbour with views of the Farne Islands and Bamburgh Castle. The area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), famed for its golden beaches, rocky coves and coastal castles. During our stay members had the opportunity to see purple sandpiper on the rocky shore, eider ducks aplenty in the harbour and along the coast, and in the evenings, scanning out to sea, a few witnessed passing bottlenose dolphins. As the daily reports below will describe, we had excellent birding during the week Bamburgh Inn & Harbour Seahouses with 104 species identified, covering a wide range of habitats. Day 1 Sunday 19 May Our journey northward up the A1 gave us the ever changing landscape of England. The countryside was at its best, and further north we noticed more insects appearing on the coach windscreen, indicating they were more abundant here. Our lunch stop and afternoon were spent in Saltholme RSPB reserve, a calm oasis created just ten years ago in the heart of industrial Teesside. A variety of habitats have evolved well: reedbeds, open pools, scrapes, wet grassland and meadow. Next to the visitor centre a lovely little walled garden has been planted up for wildlife. From the centre we were able to stroll round the lake and part of the Kestrel Trail with another path to The Pools Hide. There were several hides and a viewing screen. Birds seen included great crested grebe, oystercatcher, stock dove, redshank and an avocet. Best bird: patience was rewarded for the few who saw it, a Temminck’s stint. Day 2 Monday 20 May We woke to a dull day but this did not dispirit us at all. Our destination for the morning was Bamburgh, so off we went by coach in the very capable hands of our driver Przemek (pronounced Shemek). On the way we pulled into a long lay-by to stop at Budle Bay. The tide was far out and at first glance the shore seemed empty but the longer we looked the more birds we found, including shelduck, curlew, grey plover, house martins dipping down for mud; a meadow pipit and a linnet in the grassy bank just below our feet. Bamburgh is a very pleasant, attractive village dominated by the castle. No time to go round that. Many of us chose to look round the peaceful church of St. Aidan and visit the memorial to Grace Darling in the churchyard, and the family grave nearby. Opposite the church was the museum, telling the story of the heroic rescue she and her father undertook to save some of the passengers from the shipwrecked "Forfarshire", destroyed in a severe storm in 1838. A few found time for a brief walk down to the beach and dunes. After lunch the weather was brighter, and it was time to board the boat at Seahouses for our trip round the Farne Islands. The sea was so calm that we were able to get in close to the rocks where thousands of birds were nesting - guillemots, razorbills, shags, puffins and gulls. We landed on Little Farne to walk round on the boardwalk. Birds were nesting almost under our feet and we all wore our hats against the dive-bombing of the Arctic terns. There was a good colony of Arctic terns and the comical puffins waddled about in and out of their burrows. So many birds both on the rocks and in the surrounding waters. It Arctic Tern with Egg, Little Farne was noisy, it was smelly, but WHAT A TRIP! An excellent start to what would prove to be a very enjoyable holiday. Day 3 Tuesday 21 May Today we met Martin Kitching (Director and Senior Guide of Northern Experience Wildlife Tours) with two colleagues, Tom and Sarah, who would be our bird guides for the next two days. Martin joined us in the coach and shared some interesting information about the local area as we drove south to Druridge Bay, where we would be spending the day exploring several sites. continued over

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On the way, the coach pulled into a lay-by alongside the River Coquet below Warkworth castle. Through the coach windows we had sightings of common gull, heron, eider and shelduck. A little further on we reached the top of Druridge Bay and Hauxley, once an open cast coal mine, but subsequently converted to a nature reserve run by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. Whilst still in the carpark, we were delighted by a red squirrel on a feeder. Walking through the eco-friendly visitor centre (built out of straw bales), our first find was a fascinating 4000 year old Bronze Age cist, a type of stone-lined coffin, excavated from its original location where it was incorporated into a cairn, and repositioned beside the visitor Bridled Guillemot, Farne Islands centre. The walk took us round the lake, the path lined with mature trees and shrubs. Sightings included willow warbler, a willow tit on a feeder in front of a hide, brimstone moth, and on the lake, Sandwich and common tern. A short drive down the road to Druridge Bay Country Park. We walked from the carpark along a path behind the dunes dividing us from the sea, with scrub on either side. Perfect for stonechat but unfortunately the stonechat had other ideas that day. The hide by the lake however, gave us sightings of many mute swans and surprisingly a single whooper swan which tantalisingly disappeared behind some reeds soon after a few of us spotted it. Our final destination of the day was further south, Bedlington Country Park, with a walk along the banks of the River Blyth, in the hope of seeing little dipper. The birdsong coming from the trees on the riverbank was literally music to our ears, and there were sightings of a mistle thrush on the grass, a jay, a lesser spotted woodpecker, and a sparrowhawk being mobbed. And yes, we were rewarded at the end of our walk with excellent views of little dipper, displaying very clearly on the bank opposite us and in no hurry to fly off, despite the noise we were making. In all it was an excellent contrast to the previous day, experiencing varied habitats with many Northern Marsh Orchid, Lindisfarne points of interest.

Day 4 Wednesday 22 May The destination, with our guides, was Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island because of its associations with early Christianity. We heard many anecdotes from Martin about the numbers of tourists stranded every year by the tide on the causeway to the island. Too many risk driving into the sea rather than spending a night on the island. We stopped in a lay-by on the causeway to scan the mudflats and saw many waders in the distance, the most common being ringed plover. Several people were trudging across the mudflats, barefoot with boots held high, on the Pilgrim’s Way which is demarcated by tall poles. Lindisfarne is the destination of St Cuthbert’s Way, a 100km route from Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders. Once on the island itself, we scanned the harbour and found grey plover in spectacular summer plumage, their upperparts richly black-flecked silver-grey separated by a broad white margin from their black face, throat, breast and belly. A brisk walk past the streams of visitors took us to the walled garden, designed by Gertrude Jekyll and featuring spectacular orange marigolds, wallflowers and paper white narcissi. After splitting into three groups, our guide took my party through the dunes on the north-east end of the island. The flora here included the rare insectivorous butterwort, which has a small blue flower; its leaves, the margins of which can roll inward to trap and digest insects, are in a starfish-like basal rosette. Northern marsh orchids splashed deep purple among the grass. We reached a secluded bay and through the scope we spotted the rare little tern, with its yellow bill and neatly folded small wings, nestling in the shingle. Leaving in good time before the incoming tide, we bade farewell to our guides and drove back down the glorious Northumberland coast to Seahouses. Day 5 Thursday 23 May Some of the Group by Lindisfarne Harbour Time to leave the Northumberland coast. Before breakfast several walked the nearby cliff top to try and catch a last glimpse of purple sandpiper and the eider with her chicks. To break the journey south, we stopped off in Yorkshire at Old Moor RSPB reserve in the Dearne Valley near Barnsley. These flooded mine workings are now home to a huge variety of birds including bittern, kingfisher and bullfinch. The latter, both male and female, visiting the feeders for us all to observe this increasingly rare bird at close quarters. A lovely and colourful end to our trip.

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Pymmes Brook: Caring For and Improving our Rivers by Elaine Eyles

The water quality in our streams and rivers makes all the difference to its wildlife. Sadly river pollution incidents are still increasing and in 2019 the Environment Agency reported that most of the water companies look set to fail 2020 pollution targets. The surface water sewer system carries run-off from roofs, driveways and roads directly to rivers and streams. Whereas the foul water sewers take the effluent from sinks, toilets, washing machines etc to a sewage works for treatment. It is shocking to learn that across the Thames region up to 1 in 10 houses have appliances misconnected to the surface water system, in some areas as high as 1 in 3. Every householder is responsible to ensure their connections are installed correctly! Stream: Dan Powell RSPB Plastic is now found in water systems everywhere and having a detrimental effect on wildlife by entanglement and ingestion; plastic micro-particles can be ingested by the smallest forms of life. General rubbish is also a danger, as well as an eyesore and restricting water flow. Picking up litter near street drains and by riverbank is a real help. Blocked street drain grills (eg from leaf fall) should be reported to the council. Many of us will be familiar with Pymmes Brook. It flows from Jack’s Lake in , through , Brunswick Open Space, Arnos Park, Tile Kiln Lane Open Space and finally before it enters the near Lock. (Pymmes Park was once part of the estate of William Pymme and who built a mansion there in 1327). Unfortunately the brook is highly polluted due to misconnected plumbing, agricultural run-off, oils and heavy metals from road run-off. Welcome news then to learn about some local groups and residents now working to improve the situation. The Pymmes BrookERS (The Pymmes Brook Restorers) This is a group of Enfield residents, working with Councils, Thames21 and communities in the river’s catchment area to improve Pymmes (and Salmons) Brook. Their aim: to install wetlands to clean the water naturally and so reduce flood risk, increase biodiversity, and improve our open spaces. In conjunction with Thames21, using modelling software, 18 new areas have been identified where wetland would radically transform the health of the brooks. One area, in Broomfield Park Enfield, was completed this August. There, Pymmes BrookERS and volunteers undertook mass-planting of a new marsh, designed to reduce pollution and to protect the park from water-logging. The group also organise volunteer clean up sessions. This summer I joined two organised clean up events in Oak Hill Park, clearing flood debris from the brook and its banks, removing several stands of invasive Himalayan balsam and collecting general litter from the bank. Experienced leaders dug out larger objects (a bicycle, a street sign, and more!). We were given a Health and Safety briefing beforehand, and all kit was supplied. Just bring your wellies and wear old clothes. There was even free tea/coffee and biscuits! Regular maintenance sessions will be required. The group has a Facebook page where information and pictures of their work, details of forthcoming events (like clean up sessions) can be found; or just google Pymmes BrookERS. New members and volunteers very welcome. (LWT) and a new local wetland in . Oak Hill Woods Local Nature Reserve in Oak Hill Park is managed by LWT. A small tributary to Pymmes Brook flows through the wood and used to exit through pipework into the brook. An ambitious project was completed this spring to restore the connection via a natural channel over the flood plain to the brook. A wetlands area was landscaped alongside the new channel with marginal planting and shallow scrape to reduce flooding. Once established it should improve the quality of the water entering the brook, absorb excess water, and provide habitats for aquatic plants and creatures. The woods and parkland host a wide range of wildlife and it will be interesting to see what the new wetland area and a cleaner brook attract.

Barnet and Enfield Swifts Group by Helen Shore I always feel sad when I realise that the swifts have departed us for Africa but look forward to their return to breed here next spring. However, we have lost half our swifts in the last 20 years due to loss of their nesting sites! On this, they need our help and one way of helping, is to install a swift brick or nest box on your house. Please look at the Swift Conservation website www.swift-conservation.org or speak to me (Helen Shore) on 07790 851701 about specific nest boxes for your house.

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OUR LOCAL GROUP WEBSITE NEWSLETTER COPY DATE www.rspb.org.uk/groups/pottersbarandbarnet or search for Many thanks to all our contributors for their much Potters Bar and Barnet RSPB. valued input to this newsletter. I will be delighted to You will find lots of information about the Group’s activities receive your articles, notices, news items, including our outings booking form and meetings programme. photographs, correspondence. (Click on News and then News Archive - January2020) [email protected] This newsletter can also be viewed there with the added bonus that Closing date for copy for our next edition will be all the photographs are in colour. Friday 10 April 2020

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND KEEPING IN TOUCH Newcomers are always very welcome at the Group meetings and coach outings. You don’t need to be experienced. Information is in your programme, but here is a taster of events in the New Year 2020. Wed 8 Jan "Butterflies of Britain and Europe"-speaker Roger Gibbons of the Herts & Middlesex branch of Butterfly Conservation and of the Butterfly Conservation European Group. Fri 16 Jan “National Parks of the USA”-speaker Chris Ward on some of the iconic National Parks such as the Rocky Mountains and more. Extraordinary landscapes of Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Sun 26 Jan Coach outing to Marston Vale Country Park, . 225 hectares open to the public, plus the Wetlands Nature Reserve, and the Forest Centre with excellent café and facilities if the weather is bad. Wed 19 Feb Coach outing to Hever Castle. Anne Boleyn’s home and snowdrops! If you would like to receive the monthly update by email, or your newsletter and programmes by email, please email to [email protected] with your request, name and postcode. (You can always unsubscribe if it does not suit you). John Rowley Website Editor

100 Club The 100 Club is raising around £800 a year and this all goes straight to RSPB. It is an easy, low-cost way of fund-raising. However, we do need more members to maintain such a healthy contribution. Membership has been falling. We are now down to 86 members from a peak of 95. For anyone who doesn’t know, the 100 Club works by members subscribing to one or more of 100 numbers. A subscription costs £12 per number per year. There is a monthly draw with prizes of £25 and £10 and an extra prize of £50 in June and December. The remaining funds are donated to RSPB. If you are interested in joining there is an application form below and we are usually at the Friday meeting. If you already have a number, why not subscribe to a second? Thanks and good luck to those who already support the 100 Club. Chris & Ron Youthed

Potters Bar & Barnet RSPB Local Group 100 CLUB

I wish to subscribe to ____ numbers in the 100 Club. I enclose a cheque for £______.made payable to Potters Bar & Barnet RSPB 100 Club. Name:______

Address:______

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Please return to: Chris and Ron Youthed, 29 Allandale Crescent, Potters Bar, EN6 2JZ Phone: 01707 656796 email: [email protected]

DATA PROTECTION This newsletter is delivered by Potters Bar and Barnets Local Group, if you would like to update how you hear from us or should you no longer wish to receive this or other communications, please contact the editor.

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