RSPB SOUTH LOCAL GROUP NEWSLETTER No 58 January 2011

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no.SC037654

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GROUP LEADERS COLUMN

By the time this newsletter reaches you we will have had our last meeting in the town hall and returned to St Georges Church hall Fordington. This venue has free parking but this is limited to 20-30 vehicles. Please share cars wherever possible. After the first two meetings at St Georges in 2010 there were complaints of speaker inaudibility. The group has now bought a loudspeaker system to eliminate this problem in future. The speaker at the first 2011 meeting will be John Wyatt who will talk on ‘Pharaohs Birds’

I am pleased to announce an additional indoor meeting in a new venue and at a new time. The committee have been conscious for some time that many group members in Weymouth no longer attend indoor meetings. We have therefore arranged a meeting in the village hall at Preston at 2.30 pm on Friday March 4 th . Group member Don Cotton will talk on ‘Garden Birds’. If this meeting is successful we would hope to have several additional meetings in the Weymouth area in future years. I hope many of you will come along and support this innovation. Full details are on page 12

The Field Trips programme this year has, mostly, run to plan but unfortunately the 5 th December meeting at Studland was cancelled. The trip leader, Phil Standfield, felt that road conditions were likely to be treacherous. The decision to cancel was taken during the evening of Friday 3 rd December. Stan managed to inform most of likely participants whose E-mail addresses he had but some members turned up to find no trip leader. If you participate in our field trips and have E-mail please let Phil Standfield or Mary Robins have your E-mail address. If you wish contact Phil (for weekend trips) or Mary (for midweek trips) their telephone numbers are on page 13. If they are unavailable try the group leader.

The 2011 Group Holiday will take place in Kent based in New Romney 25 th -29 th September. Details are on page 14

At the 2011 Annual General Meeting on April 14 th I will ask if any one wishes to join the committee. Two members will leave the committee at the this AGM You do not have to be an expert birder to join the committee the chief requirements are, a broad agreement with the aims of the RSPB, ability to work harmoniously with others and to attend 6 committee meetings (First Thursday of the odd months in Preston, Wyke Regis, Portesham or Dorchester) and the Annual General Meeting (usually third Thursday in April at St Georges Hall). Committee members must be members of the RSPB and the group. Anyone interested let me or any member of the committee know preferably before the March 3 rd committee meeting or volunteer at the Annual General Meeting.

New Years Day. I spent the first part of the morning traipsing round the ASDA car park in Weymouth looking for some Waxwings which had been seen there the day before. I had no luck and went on to assist at the Radipole Lake visitor centre where, every New Year’s day, they compile a list of the birds seen in Dorset that day. By closing time the list stood at 94. While out birding I heard Woodpigeons singing and saw early courtship behaviour from Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe and Herring Gull. Winter has come, this time with a vengeance, but Spring is not far behind!

I hope to see many of you at the meetings in 2011

Andrew Parsons

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FIELD TRIP REPORTS

KEYHAVEN 26 th September 2010

Our first meeting of the 2010/2011 programme saw nine members including one new member Neil, meet up at Keyhaven on a windy but sunny Sunday morning. This was the first time we had visited here in September but we have decided to visit certain places at different times than normal to try to see a wide range of birds. As we were getting ready to set off we had Turnstones on the harbour wall just in front of us. We set off along the seawall and the Knot tide was starting to come in although there was not too much mud anyway. We stopped and scanned the mud and grass opposite us where we saw Redshank, Knot, Black-Tailed Godwits and Grey Plover. Some of the Grey Plover were still in their summer plumage which was nice to see. As we made our way along the seawall we saw Rock and Meadow Pipits we also had a distant fly over from a Glossy Ibis. There were good numbers of Wheatear’s around. Grey Plover As we sat on the seawall for dinner which meant we were out of the wind and in the warm sun, we were able to scan the Solent for ducks but there weren’t any, then some Dunlin and Ringed Plover landed just in front of us on the shingle, Kate then found a Curlew Sandpiper in amongst them. Whilst having dinner some other birders (there were two coaches of birders) found a Kingfisher. We were told by some of the birders that along the seawall at Pennington Marsh were Black Tern, Ruff, and Whinchat, so we walked along to where a lot of birds were standing and were shown where the Black Tern was sat on the mud . We saw the Ruff but not the Whinchat, the Tern took off and flew above us. Black Tern We then made our way back to the Pier and then walked back along the normal path back towards the cars. We also saw a Green woodpecker . A very good day was had by all with about fifty species seen.

A Report by Stan

BLASHFORD LAKES 22 nd October 2010

Thirteen members met at the visitor centre for the second visit of 2010. We decided to visit at the end Nuthatch of October to try to find a different range of birds than we had seen in January. On the feeders in front of the centre we had various tits and a Nuthatch. We then slowly made our way along the path towards Ivy lake north hide, along the way we had Goldfinches, Greenfinches what turned out to be the first of many Jay’s and also lots of Meadow Pipits. The view from the hide was awkward due to the light reflecting on to the water but we had sightings of amongst others. Gadwall, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, lots of Coot A Kingfisher was then found on a piece of reed right in front of us, we were then able to watch it move a short distance away and have very close views. We then made our way to the Woodland hide where in the winter there are lots of birds on the feeders, but as it was still early in the year there was hardly any birds around the feeders. So we made our way to ivy lake south hide where the sun was out and the view was very nicely lit up by the sun. There were quite a few Little Grebes and Great Crested Grebes from the hide along with Tufted Duck, Shoveler and many Cormorants. We then made our way along the path back to the visitor centre and over to the Tern hide where we had our dinner looking over Ibsley Water.

As we had our dinner we had a very heavy storm move through with thunder, lightning and hailstones. By the time we had finished dinner the storm had passed through and had been replaced by sun and blue skies. From the Tern hide we could see Goosander, Wigeon, and we had a Buzzard with prey on the ground which somehow at first was thought to be a Peregrine. Some people had a Common Sandpiper. We then made our way back over the road and along the woodland path to Rockford Lake, Anne found a distant Green Sandpiper we also had the usual ducks. We then crossed the road to follow the path round to the farthest hide the Lapwing Hide, from the hide we had the same birds as from the Tern hide as well as a Peregrine we then made our way back to the Goosander Hide. Apart from Goosanders there was not much else to be seen. So we made our way back to the cars.

It was interesting to see the difference in bird species and numbers compared with our January visit. Although not as good as January we still had a good day at a reserve that is worth a visit at any time Goosander of the year. We had around 47 species.

Report by Stan

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RADIPOLE LAKE AND LODMOOR 10th Nov 2010

Six members met at the Radipole lake Visitor Centre for a trip around the Weymouth Wetlands Reserves. From the bridge we had good views of the numerous Snipe which were feeding in the bottom of the reeds close to many roosting Teal. There were two Black-tailed Godwits feeding behind the island. There were many Black Headed Gulls vigorously bathing in the fresher water plus a few roosting Common Gulls and a single Mediterranean Gull. As we walked along the newly surfaced path away from the visitor centre we heard Water Rail and watched a hovering Kestrel. We listened without success for calling Cettis Warblers at the start of the buddleia loop and carried on around the loop. At the top of the loop we were pleased to see the reported family of two cygnets and adult Whooper Swans which were showing well. We were lucky as they had moved onto the Fleet later in day. From the viewing shelter we saw plenty of Pochard, Gadwall and Shelduck plus several Cormorants and Great Crested Grebes. We could also see the result of the recent restoration work including the fish gates which will prevent large carp from entering the newly opened up ditches which held Grey Heron and Canada Geese. On the way back to the concrete bridge Bearded Tits were heard but unfortunately none were seen. Several Reed Buntings were in the bushes near to the metal Water Rail gate and from the north hide we saw Stonechat, Wren and at last a Cettis Warbler was heard. We then made our way back to the Visitor Centre for lunch before moving on to Lodmoor.

We started to walk down Beachdown Way and were immediately rewarded with a party of Long Tailed Tits together with a few Blue and Great Tits. Dunnock and Greenfinches were on the path whilst a few Tufted Ducks were seen from the bridge. In the hump area there were many Black-tailed Godwits and Dunlin plus some Lapwings. A group of birds in the grass were identified by Cliff Rogers as a Water Pipit and three Meadow Pipits. These were later confirmed as the first Water Pipits reported this year. As we walked on to the viewing shelter a Merlin was spotted on a bramble patch and at the shelter we saw a few Wigeon and Shoveler, Canada Geese and Mallard and to round off the day a Kingfisher flew past to Long Tailed Tit provide a bright end to a good trip.

Chris

Kingfisher

PORTLAND 13th October 2010

Eleven members and two visiting birders from the West Midlands met at 10.00 at . This location was chosen as high tide at Portland that day was 0942 and the wader feeding area by the Centre, the usual start point, would be underwater, also the car park at Portland Castle is free! Reconnaissance the previous day and earlier that morning had produced two possible sites for Yellow Browed Warbler. The nearest was the gardens of Portland Castle. These produced Great Spotted Woodpecker and Chiffchaff. We then relocated to the second site near the car park at the southern end of in Easton. Goldfinch, a late Swallow, Kestrel and Whitethroat were seen but no YBW and visit to the ruined church overlooking was similarly unproductive. A further move was made to the Southwell Business Park and the party walked along the track through the top fields to the bird observatory. Stonechat, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, 2 ♂Blackcaps, Redstart (not seen by all), Kestrel, Linnet, Buzzard and Pheasant were seen. Lunch was taken at the Bird Observatory. The return, partly via a different route, to the Business Park produced another Buzzard, Goldcrest, Stock Dove and a Dartford Warbler which was seen by all except the trip leader! The last bird of the trip was a Wheatear.

The trip officially finished at about 16.00 but some participants subsequently visited Priory Corner and the Chesil Beach Centre. Ring Ousel and Mediterranean Gull were seen. Whitethroat

Andrew Parsons

Ring Ousel

RIVER AXE & SEATON MARSHES 21/11/2010

Long tail tits were in the trees as 6 members arrived for our annual trip at Seaton. crossing the road to the river bank good views of little grebe and a common sandpiper were had for our list. . Lapwing We then set off alongside the river to Coronation Corner at Axmouth village with good views of little grebe, dunlin, 20 black-tail godwits, wigeon, curlew, redshanks, lapwings, little egrets and the usual variety of gulls. However, some members were excited by the sight of a kingfisher by the hide on a rail which was seen in the same area last year.. Then after a hot drink we walked to the sea view point over Lyme Bay passing the harbour we were disappointed that no sign of a black redstart and a calm sea produced only gulls however as we walked back a kingfisher hovered over the bank and we followed the bird up to the marina. Lunch was taken on the sea front and it was noted that car parking charges have now been introduced. The leader then took the party to Blackhole Marsh Reserve to see all the new developments since our last visit and the new hide was a vast improvement and sitting inside we watched a kingfisher sitting on a wire providing a chance to photograph it. We then walked on the new trail which led to the hide at Colyford Common and what an improvement here with the new extension giving much better views of the scrape and marsh. Good number of teal,, shelduck., curlew, wigeon, grey heron and canada geese were seen and Henry found a snipe to show us. We walked back to the cars and recorded kestrel goldfinches, chaffinches and great spotted woodpecker a second for the day and we recorded 41 species for this visit.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Don Cotton

4 WEYMOUTH WETLANDS NEWS

Winter arrived with a bang and even balmy Weymouth wasn’t immune to the snow that blanketed the country. A three inch carpet covered Radipole Lake – literally in places as 75% of the lake was frozen in the first week of December. This weather promoted huge bird movements with skylarks heading west at a rate of 1000’s per hour at its peak and we also had wood- lark on and over both reserves. Lapwing were similarly numerous on passage and numbered 500+ foraging and resting on Lodmoor’s saltmarsh interspersed with the occasional, once prolific, golden plover. Duck numbers were large and varied, concentrated mainly in and around the remaining ice free pools. Counts of pochard, tufty and gadwall exceeded 250, wigeon 50 on the reserve with many more overhead, 40 or so of both shoveler and shelduck. Scarcities such as scaup numbered 16 on Lodmoor, goosan- der 8 with single smew and red-breasted merganser making up the numbers. The first gold- eneye of the winter arrived a day or two later adding to an already impressive wildfowl assem- blage. Red-breasted goose and a drake mandarin added - albeit briefly - a flash of exotic col- our. More permanent was the family of 4 whooper swans that remained for a month from mid- October. Bittern are currently being sighted with unprecedented regularity and speculation is that there could be 4 or 5 individuals between the two reserves. We are just commencing supplementary Whooper Swan feeding of these precious birds for the second successive winter, due to ice denying feeding opportunities. We are hopeful of capturing some footage of them gulping down sprats with our motion activated cameras. Journeys to and from north hide in fading light have had an almost tangible ‘ottery’ feel to them, with loud splashes, bubble trails and wake added to the daily spraint, prints and occasional disembowelled fish. None however were sighted until Nick and new volunteer Bob Ford happened upon one on the fist Sunday in December and watched it going about its graceful business for 20 bewitching minutes. A few days later Will (our new residential volunteer) and I saw no fewer than three otters together at virtually point blank range, most likely to be a mother with two cubs. It is difficult to find words to describe such a transcendental experience on our own patch but satisfaction doesn’t come close. This chill has temporarily curtailed management works as with so many birds dependant on the site for refuge and rest the sound of revving chainsaws would be far too great a disturbance at this time. Before the freeze we were getting on well with scrub work at the top of Radipole and pollarding some of the willows around the newly resurfaced paths. The restoration of Radipole is now completed and looking tremendous to us and demonstratively of immediate value to wild- life, which surely will only increase as the vegetation re-establishes over springs and summers to come. Rather than waffle on here can I direct you to our blog (address below) which contains a number of pre and post restoration shots to show the great changes the site has experienced over the past 18 months. Whilst on the subject, the blog is a great one stop shop to see what’s going on, on a day to day basis from wildlife sightings to management practices - replete with pretty pictures! Encouragingly bittern are roosting within the recently enhanced compartments, each of which now boast small islands of wet reed surrounded by deep moats that mimic favoured breeding areas elsewhere so we are quietly confident of developments in that area over the next few years. Anne and I have commenced electro-fishing in recent weeks and early indications suggest that we currently boast sufficient fish biomass within the ‘new’ ditches to facilitate breeding bittern and now – thanks to graded ditch edges these fish are ‘available’ regardless of water levels. It is pleasing to note that bearded tit numbers, so denuded on Radipole after last winters cold Bittern and floods have rebounded after this autumns eruption. Although present virtually anywhere at anytime on the reserve it is apparent that they are favouring the reed within the restored areas which offers more of the reed edge that they so favour. We have had a tremendous passage of waders through autumn with no fewer than 30 species noted between the two re- serves with semi-palmated sandpiper and long-billed dowitcher being the great rarities of the year to date. Other birds of note were glossy ibis on Lodmoor followed by a second some months later on Radipole. We have had several great white egrets on both sites in the past couple of months, spoonbills and a ‘tame’ merlin (on the cormorant posts, VC, viewing shel- ter and sand martin wall). On the mammal front we have had virtually daily stoat sightings on both reserves and for a while very reliable weasel on Radipole.

Thanks as always for your support. Nick Quintrell (Assistant Warden- Weymouth Wetlands) PS To keep up to date on the goings-on on Weymouth Wetlands then visit our blog at: www.rspb.org.uk/weymouthwetlandsblog

5 GEORGE ROBSON

Members will be sad to learn of the death in July 2010 of George Robson. I am sure all will join with me in this expression of sympathy to Jean. Jean and George, keen bird watchers, have been members of the group for many years and regular sup- porters of Field Trips and Indoor meetings. In recent years they have collected and sorted stamps for the RSPB Save the Al- batross Campaign. Jean intends to continue with this work.

Andrew Parsons

NOTICES

INDOOR MEETING LOCATION The permanent location for Indoor meetings is now in the St George’s Church Hall, Fordington.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL - If there is a membership application form included with this newsletter our records indicate that you have not renewed for 2010/2011. If it is your intention to renew your membership please return the form with the subscription to Chris Wyeth. Remember without members the group cannot continue.

PLANT SALE Our annual plant sale will be on Sat 7th May in the United Reform Church Hall, Dorchester . This is one of our main fund raising events and to make it successful we need plenty of plants , bric-a-brac and books. Please bring along any of these items that you can spare or contact any committee member if you have would like them picked up.

WILD ABOUT WEYMOUTH AND PORTLAND

Tom Clarke has recently been appointed to work alongside us as part of the lottery funded Access to Nature project called ‘Wild about Weymouth and Portland’ which has a broad remit to engage, enthuse and educate various groups within the com- munity and encourage greater participation in volunteering and use and appreciation of our green spaces. The RSPB are working in partnership with organisations including DWT, W&PBC, DCC over the next three years and, in addition to the above, one key outcome will be the realisation of a 2012 legacy trail linking all the various nature reserves and important wild- life sites from Littlemoor to the north and to the south – and all in good time for the Olympics. Although it is very early days there are some fantastic ideas on the table and abundant enthusiasm and knowhow to see them succeed.

The partnership will work together to achieve the aims of the project through the following activities:

• The Legacy Trail will be the backbone of access to nature in Weymouth and Portland. Starting at Littlemoor and fin- ishing at Portland Bill and taking in the wealth of outstanding natural features to be found in the area and providing a link to the wider countryside, South Dorset Ridgeway and AONB.

• Community Matters is a programme of community-based activities designed to raise awareness, knowledge and un- derstanding of the value of their natural environment amongst people from all parts of the community.

• No Barriers will establish three major new access initiatives at Lorton and Lodmoor, The Urban Wetland Centre and The Portland Quarry Park.

• Get Stuck In will create hundreds of volunteering opportunities, enabling local people to play an active role in con- serving and enhancing the natural environment of Weymouth and Portland.

• Birds for All – the area has the potential to become the South West’s premier bird watching destination. We aim to raise the profile of the area through the provision of enhanced publicity and literature and support for tourism providers and participation opportunities for local people.

• Hold the Front Page – we will regularly communicate with the public through a variety of media and work closely with local media outlets.

6 THREE BAYS AND A GULF

In September last year Kate and I visited the North coast of Normandy and Southern Brittany ending up just south of St Nazaire on the Isle of Noirmoutier. We had never had time to birdwatch in this area before as our many previous visits had been with our family. But this time after an early ferry from Dover to Calais we took a leisurely drive through the many coastal towns to a campsite close to a very good reserve at Parc du Marquenterre in the Somme Bay.

The following morning we headed for the reserve which had just opened for the day. There were many buses full of schoolchildren in the car park and we thought that it would be crowded but this proved not to be the case as they were taken on a special route by the information wardens. The reserve caters for anyone interested in nature, from hardcore birders to the many people who just come for a pleasant day out. It is even possible to ride in a horse drawn wagon around the park. There are 14 hides around a network of paths and we were provided with a map detailing routes for varying levels of fitness and enthusiasm. This is a big reserve and it took us most of the day to go around.

As soon as we entered the park we were greeted by good views of a Bittern flying over the reeds and in a nearby pool we could see many White Storks, Spoonbills, Great and Little Egrets and a single Common Crane. The crane however proved to be a long term resident and not connected to the flocks of Cranes which would soon be migrating through here. All of these breed here and there was a very large viewing shelter strategically placed to provide close views of their nest site. A spring visit is needed. From the hides we could see numbers of common waders and ducks as well as Greylag and Canada Geese. For the finale we were treated to views of a Black-crowned Night Heron which was part of a re-introduction program. The next day it rained hard and we spent much of the day sea-watching through our windscreen! This was not all bad as we could see common seals, small warders and terns whist keeping warm and dry.

After a couple of days moved to a small campsite on the bay of Mont St Michel, an area often overlooked by British birders. We decided to walk to the shore through polders of reclaimed land and then follow the footpath GR34 along the dyke to the Mont St Michel. In the polders we were treated to a fantastic display of aerobatics by a pair of Hobbies followed by close views of Marsh Harriers quartering the vegetable fields, but best of all were the Swallowtail Butterflies which seemed to follow us along the path. When we reached the coast we were a little disappointed to find that expected mud-flats had been flooded to encourage ducks into the area for the start of the hunting season, but there was still plenty to see both on the path and over the newly flooded areas. The highlights of these were a ring tailed Hen Harrier, Black Terns and Both Great and Little Egrets over the water and Whinchat, Stonechat and Wheatears toying with us as we walked along. Again we were treated to Swallowtail Butterflies even though it was quite windy. After a long day’s walking we enjoyed some good food in the excellent restaurant next to the campsite.

Next stop was in the south of Brittany on the Golf du Morbihan. Another excellent area for birding and being flat, made for easy cycling and walking. Before booking in to our campsite near to Sarzeau we stopped at a promising looking area of mudflats and saltpans. We were immediately surprised to see the numbers of Sacred Ibises in the area. We later learned that there were over 3000 of these large birds now settled in Western France, all of which are descended from escapees from a zoo in Brittany which had imported them from Kenya. Some migrant passerines were still passing through but the hoped for waders had all departed. We spotted a large flock of small birds on the footpath around the saline which we identified as Twite; a species which we were more used to seeing in Winter. The campsite was in an old orchard and the trees were full of birds including Pied flycatcher, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. The following morning we set off along the superb network of cycle tracks towards a reserve which had been recommended to us. We had deviated from the cycle path into the centre of Sarzeau to purchase some bread for lunch and as we set off again we noticed that the road was lined with men in day-glow coats waving at us. We were on the route of a professional cycle race around Brittany and were being advised to get back on the cycle track as the peleton raced past us! We got to the reserve at Le Duer where there were two three storey hides overlooking the mudflats and some more salt pans. We could see 200 + Black-tailed plus a few Bar-tailed Godwits, 20+ of both Redshanks and Greenshanks, 100+ Little Egrets, 30+ Curlews, a Common Sandpiper, a Water Rail and many Sacred Ibises. We cycled on to a viewpoint overlooking the lovely golf of Morbihan, ate lunch, then made our way back to our campsite all in perfect weather.

The following day we took a country cycle track towards the Atlantic coast to look for migrant passerines. After a few miles we came across a field boundary hedge which was teeming with birds. There were Yellow Wagtails, Redstarts, Whinchats and three Kestrels. After watching these sought after birds for a while we cycled on to the ct the coastal village of Saint Jacques where there were 100+ Turnstones on the beach together with several Wheatears and Pied Wagtails. There was a small harbour and we sat on a wall watching Sandwich Terns fishing and Rock Pipits working the walls. Life doesn’t get much better than this, but before heading back to our campsite we ate a nice lunch in the harbour restaurant to round off a wonderful few days in this special area.

The weather remained sunny and warm as we crossed the magnificent bridge over the Loire River in St Nazaire towards our next stopover on the Isle of Noirmoutier. Our campsite was within 50 metres of a reserve called the Marais de Mullenbourg but we decided to postpone a visit until the morning when the light would be better. But, as the light faded we heard a loud, raucous noise coming from the direction of the reserve and on enquiring, were told that it was a large roost of Egrets and Sacred Ibises. This was too good to miss, so we set out to investigate. There were hundreds of birds in the trees and they were still arriving –an amazing site and sound. A morning visit to the reserve revealed many Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey Plovers, Avocets, Redshank, Dunlin and Whiskered Terns. Some strange looking large raptors caused an id problem as they had large areas of white on their heads and neck but after conferring with other birders the decision was that they were Honey Buzzards. As the tide went out the local, amateur shellfish gatherers began to arrive in their dozens all equipped with special rake and sieve. The professional producers were also harvesting huge ropes of mussels and cages of oysters. Tourism forms the major part of the economy of Noirmoutier but there were still some traditional salt workings and the next day we set off for a tour of these salines. The route took us to the western tip of the island along another good cycle path from which we were soon were getting good views of birds including both Great and Little Egrets and both Green and Common Sandpipers and a few Whiskered Terns. Our return journey took us through picturesque coastal villages with beautiful beaches, all practically deserted as most houses were either holiday rentals or second homes. Although it was sunny and warm the campsite was closing for the winter and we had to get back to the north coast and our ferry home after a very enjoyable holiday.

Chris Wyeth

RSPB WELCOMES SEVERN BARAGE DECISION

The RSPB has welcomed the Government’s decision to abandon plans to build the Severn Barrage.

Mark Robins, senior policy officer for the RSPB in the South West said: “Climate change threatens an environmental catastrophe for humans and wildlife. Harnessing the huge tidal power of the Severn has to be right, but it cannot be right to trash the natural environ- ment in the process.

“A barrage like the one proposed between Cardiff and Weston-super-Mare would not only destroy huge areas of estuary marsh and mudflats used by 69,000 birds each winter and block the migration routes of countless fish, but, as confirmed by this report, it would dramatically increase risk of flooding to residential properties.

"The Government study needed to demonstrate that a big barrage could form a cost effective part of a radical plan to tackle climate change. It is clear today that a barrage does not make economic sense.

"It's a great shame that we have been fixated on outdated environmentally destructive technology. We have consistently called for investment in more innovative and potentially less destructive schemes on the Severn which take environmental considerations into account in their design.

“The Government has signalled it will be prepared to review this decision if the strategic context changes. We now want the Govern- ment to announce that only truly sustainable solutions which respect the estuary, its people and its wildlife will be considered in the future.

"Such an announcement would provide a clear signal to the engineering community and provide some much-needed incentives for the development of these technologies for use not just in the Severn but also in estuaries around the UK and elsewhere.

"It would also mean that if the situation changes and this or a future government decides to reopen the debate about how to harness tidal power from the Severn, then it will not have to rely on outdated, environmentally destructive technologies.

"The UK could and should be a world leader in sustainable tidal power if the investment and the will could be found."

WINTER CRUISES ON THE RIVER EXE TO SEE HUNDREDS OF AVOCETS

The RSPB are running wildlife cruises from November through to March 2011, giving people the chance to see these beautiful birds, with their startling black and white plumage, at close quarters. The cruises are run as part of the RSPB’s Date with Nature programme of activities, which aim to get people away from their TVs and sofas and out and about watching wildlife. Sarah Webb, Date with Nature Project Coordinator for the south west said: ‘Despite being in the very depths of winter, the avocet cruises are regarded by many as a highlight in the year. And it’s great to get out there on the estuary watching these birds at first hand.’ The Exe estuary is internationally important as an over-wintering site for an estimated 20,000 wading birds. Apart from avocets, up- wards of forty other bird species from far and wide have been seen, including black-tailed godwits from Iceland, dark-bellied brent geese from Siberia and waders from Scandinavia. ‘Over the years we have taken many thousands of people on cruises, some of whom travel from all over the country to be here. It makes a fascinating trip and certainly gives a different perspective to one of the most beautiful areas of Devon.’ All profits from the Avocet cruises go towards RSPB conservation projects. Early booking is advised, as the trips are extremely popu- lar. To book tickets call the RSPB south west regional office on 01392 432691. For details, including times and departure points visit www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/sites/avocet

8 A SUMMER TO REMEMBER

Conservationists are celebrating the successful breeding of a pair of Red-backed Shrikes, despite the attentions of con- victed egg collectors visiting the breeding site. This is the first successful nesting in England since 1992, when the last pair bred in East Anglia. The birds, at a secret location on Dartmoor, have been under close watch since May to guarantee their safety. RSPB staff and volunteers from the Dartmoor Study Group and Devon Bird Watching & Preser- vation Society spent more 2,600 hours on site, working around the clock. The protection scheme has also been supported by the Forestry Commission, Natural England, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and Dartmoor National Park Authority. The watch proved completely justified as a number of convicted egg collectors visited the site during the operation.

Kevin Rylands, from the RSPB, said: "We were delighted with the first sightings of the pair in May, but even more delighted when they settled down to nest. Although it's been hard work, the efforts of all our staff and volunteers have really paid off and we have three youngsters flitting about the site." He added: "Surveys have shown that Dartmoor holds a wealth of species previously widespread in low- land areas such as Cuckoo and Whinchat. The shrikes will have arrived on spring migration and found the site to their liking. The extent of habitat and numbers of large insects on the moor have no doubt contributed to the success of this nest."

Ben Philipps, from Forestry Commission England, said: "It's been great to help keep these birds safe from the criminal ac- tivities of egg thieves. We're also pleased that the shrikes have chosen an area on Dartmoor we have improved for native wildlife over the past 10 years by increasing the diversity of the habitats."

Roger Smaldon, one of the team of dedicated volunteers, commented: "The last recorded breeding on Dartmoor was near Meldon Reservoir in 1970, so this nesting attempt was far from expected, especially when the national picture of nesting has been totally negative for the past two decades. It means a great deal to be part of the team monitoring this success, and in these days when so many species are under threat, it is a privilege to be a part of this positive happening."

The breeding of the red-backed shrikes on Dartmoor crowns what has been a remarkable summer for rare and new breed- ing bird species in Britain, especially for long-legged water birds.

• Purple herons, more colourful but much shyer cousins of our own grey herons, bred successfully for the first time ever in Britain at the RSPB reserve in Dungeness in Kent. (They had tried and failed at Minsmere in Suffolk in 2007). The Dungeness birds have raised two chicks.

• Little bitterns, small members of the heron family, bred in Somerset, for only the second recorded time in Britain (the first occasion was in Yorkshire in 1984). These elusive birds nested at Ham Wall nature reserve and raised at least one chick.

• Spoonbills, large white wading birds with flat, "spatulate" bills, bred as a group at the Holkham National Nature Re- serve in Norfolk, establishing the first colony of the birds in Britain for at least 300 years. Although there have been four cases of single pairs breeding, there has never been a group in modern times; at least six pairs nested, produc- ing at least six young.

• The current total of 136 breeding pairs of stone curlew exceeds the previous best by some 13 pairs. Perhaps more important this year was the range expansion onto the Marlborough Downs, the next large area of chalk north of Salisbury Plain. This was the first confirmed breeding there since 1976. A brilliant year for Nick Adams and his team in Wiltshire

• When the last three little terms fledged in the first week of August at the small Chesil beach colony, that made 9 young in total and was the officially the best productivity for these birds at that site on record. Credit to all involved, but especially to John Dadds and the team who spent the summer on the ground making sure that this happened.

• 21 cranes were transported safely to the secret Somerset release enclosure during the first week in August and set- tled in well. They were then given the freedom to explore through the soft release method a couple of weeks later, still in the company of their pseudo ‘parents’ and all continues to go well. The birds are now making ever more bold ventures into the surrounding wetlands. All part of the Great Crane Project which the RSPB, along with our partner colleagues at WWT, Pensthorpe and Viridor are thrilled with this outcome for the first seasons’ work – well done to all concerned

• Not forgetting that Marsh Harriers bred on the Weymouth reserves for the second year running.

CROSSWORD No. 27 By Ge off Facer Answer on Page 14

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Across 1 Feather part after projection to use in machinery. (8) 5 Back service, one a long way off. (4) 9 Contest sub-species. (4) 10 South American species found in sand Brit., kicked up. (8)

11 Birdsong food. (5) 12 Save cot perhaps for Yorkshire breeders. (7) 13 Rainforest species! (8,5) 18 Ostrich creates riot thus, genetically. (8) 19 Young hawk is part of motley assortment. (4) 20 Somewhat soiled about one to worship. (7) 21 Ovenbird! (5) 22 See 16 down. 23 Wintry precipitation on woodland floor. (8)

Down 2. Rag a man about 10 across perhaps. (7)

3. Naturalist famous for his lager, we hear. (7) 4. Supporter follow farm animal, crazy one to fancy flier. (7,6) 6 Abstain in favour of animal. (7) 7 Impedes sister in disturbed rest. (7) 8 Soak up some kebabs or bay leaves. (6) 13 Stroke odd pugs securing victory. (7) 14 Night hunter to impede present learner. (4,3) 15 Involve headless chicken and last batsmen. (6) 16 & Diamonds set down before fielder drops unknown seabird. 22 (7,4) 17 On A1, blood spilled, a devil of a game. (7)

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FIELD TRIP PROGRAMME FOR 2011

2011

Sat Jan 22 nd Middlebere & Arne 10am meet at lane leading to NT cottages SY963854 Leader Phil Standfield

Weds Feb 9 th Ferrybridge & 10am meet Ferrybridge car park SY668754 Leader Andrew Parsons

Sat Feb 19 th New Forest 10am meet at Bolderwood Farm car park SZ243084 Leader Phil Standfield

Weds Mar 9 th Upton CP 10am meet car park SY992928 Leader Malcom Dowty

Sat Mar 26 th Hengistbury Head (for early migrants) 10am meet at carpark SZ163911 Leader TBC

Weds Apr 6 th Durlston CP Swanage 10am meet car park SZ032773 Leader TBC

Sat Apr 30th Somerset Levels (meet Ashcott corner) 9.30 Natural England car park at ( St 450398 (off B 3151) Leader Phil Standfield

Weds May 11 th Martin Down 10am meet car park SU037200 Leader Mary Robins

Sat May 21 st Yarner Wood near Bovey Tracey 9.30 meet car park SX786789 Leader Don Cotton

Weds Jun 15th Oakers Wood for nightjars. Meet with torch in car park Sy811912 at 9pm. Leader tbc

Sat Sept 17th Winspit 10am meet Worth Matravers car park SY974777 Leader Phil Standfield

All field trips start at the advertised time and most are all day unless otherwise stated Please bring food and drink if you require refreshment and make sure you wear/bring suitable clothing & footwear Stan can be contacted on 07840610098 about WEEKEND trips evenings only Mary can be contacted on 01305 871408 about MID WEEK trips evenings preferred

TRIPS WILL ONLY BE CANCELLED IF WEATHER CONDITIONS WOULD MAKE IT DANGEROUS TO PROCEED (eg SNOW ,ICE OR FOG) . PLEASE RING EITHER MARY OR STAN ON THE ABOVE NUMBERS BEFORE YOU SET OUT IF YOU THINK THAT THE TRIP MAY NOT GO AHEAD.

ADDITIONAL EVENT

Saturday May 7th - Plant sale in the United Reform Church Hall , Dorchester

INDOORS MEETINGS PROGRAMME 2011

2011 Indoor Meetings will take place in St George’s Church Hall

Fordington, Dorchester DT1 1LB

Thurs 20 th Jan. 2011 John Wyatt – Pharaoh’s Birds

A brand new lecture from John Wyatt, who you may recall last talked to us about Oman. Now he is coming back to give what promises to be a most fascinating look at the bird life of the Nile region.

Thurs 17 th Feb. 2011 Damon Bridge – The Great Crane Project – Re-introduction of the Common Crane onto the Somerset Levels

In February we will be thinking of the future, especially the prospects for the return of Cranes to the Somerset Levels. Come along to hear about the progress on this exciting RSPB project. Imagine the day when migrating Cranes will once again fill our skies!

Thurs 17 th Mar. 2011 Paul Stanbury - Western Canada – Wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest

Paul Stanbury, the Operations Manager at Naturetrek, will take us to the Great Bear Rainforest in Canada.

Thurs 14 th Apr. 2011 AGM Followed by Tony Whitehead – 101 Things you didn’t know about Garden Birds

If you are able to offer a lift to indoor meetings please tick the box on the membership application

Friday 4th March 2011 Afternoon meeting at Preston Village Hall at 2.30 pm . Group member Don Cotton will talk on ‘Garden Birds’

From Weymouth take the A353 in the direction of Wareham. From Chalbury Roundabout continue for 500 metres towards Osmington , Preston Village Hall is on the right just before Halstock Close.

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COMMITTEE

Group Leader: Andrew Parsons, 15 Kellaway Terrace, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 0HW Tel: 01305 772678

Treasurer: John York

Press and Publicity Officer: Sue Hampson, 22, Vespasian Way, Castle Park, Dorchester, Dorset. DT1 2RD Tel: 01305 265882

Membership Secretary: Chris Wyeth, 25 Westhill Road, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset. DT4 9NB Tel: 01305 771197

Field Trip Leader: Phil Standfield, 16 Middlemarsh Street, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3GD Tel: 07840610098

Assistant Field Trip Leader: Mary Robins, 8 New Road, Portesham, DT3 4HD

Indoor Meetings Secretary: Bruce Painting, 18 The Woodpeckers, Broadwey, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 5RS Tel: 01305 816360

Newsletter Editor: Chris Wyeth

Events Coordinator: Charmian Jones, 13 Lynmoor Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 7TW Tel: 01305 839649

Minutes Secretary: Mary Robins, 8 New Road, Portesham, DT3 4HD

Committee Members:

Sue Gannaway, 51 Coburg Road, Dorchster, DT1 2HN

Don Cotton, 14 St Mary's Close, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5BW Tel: 01297 33021

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GROUP HOLIDAY 2011

The 2011 Group Holiday will be in Kent, based in New Romney and run for 5 nights from 25 th -29 th September

Transport will be by private car throughout arriving afternoon/evening Sunday 25 th and leaving New Romney on Friday morning 30 th September. Please indicate on the attached form if you are able to offer a lift.

It will also be possible to be met at the local station.

It is hoped to visit the following areas:-

Dungeness including Dungeness RSPB and possibly the bird observatory . Dungeness's position, jutting into the English Channel, makes it ideally placed to watch for migrant birds arriving or departing, with wheatears, swallows, martins and warblers regularly seen

Stour Valley including Grove Ferry and Stodmarsh NNR An internationally-important mixture of reed beds, fens, ditches, wet grassland and open water.

Rye Bay (Sussex) Rye Harbour Nature Reserve lies within a large triangle of land extending south from Rye, along the River Rother, past Rye Har- bour to the sea, westward to Winchelsea Beach and northwards along the River Brede.

Oare Marshes The reserve supports an exciting and diverse range of birds. Among breeding species found here are avocet, redshank, snipe, lap- wing, water rail, bearded reedling, common tern and garganey. Migrating species - black-tailed godwit, ruff, little stint, curlew sandpiper and whimbrel. Overwintering - Brent goose, dunlin, curlew, wigeon, merlin, hen harrier, short-eared owl, bittern and twite

and possibly Isle of Sheppey.

This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change.

Provisional arrangements have been made with a New Romney B&B to accommodate up to 12 people. This establishment could also provide an evening meal for up to 20 Monday-Thursday. They have recommended a second establishment which could accommodate up to 8. This means a maximum of 20 for the trip.

A form is provided to enable intending participants to register their interest. We will send out full details of the accommodation and booking arrangements to intending participants by letter or electronically in late January early February.

Andrew Parsons

Solution to Crossword

C A M S H A F T A F A R N T A A O E R A C E A N T B I R D S

G L T S B I T R I L L A V O C E T S A E I R A T U M B R E L L A B I R D S P A N P C I S T R U T H I O E Y A S W N A G L B I D O L I S E C A P O N N W L O N L G U L L S N O W D R O P

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South Dorset RSPB Group Holiday

New Romney Kent 25 th -29 th September 2011

I/we wish to participate in the Group Holiday.Signature(s)…………………

Name (s) ……………………..……………………………..

Address………..……………………………………………..

……………………………………………………….

………………………………………Postcode……………….

Telephone Home………………….Mobile……………… e-mail ……………………………………………….

No in party from above address……..

Transport—Delete as appropriate

I will be taking my car and have spare places.

I will make my own way to New Romney but require transport to the sites

I will need transport to and from Dorset and to the sites

Leaders. I have knowledge of the sites shown below and would be prepared to lead/ assist on the visit to these sites.

Site 1……………………………… Site 2…………………………………..

Site 3……………………………… Site 4…………………………………..

Send completed form to : Chris Wyeth, 25 Westhill Road, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9NB

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