newsletter NO 94 SUMMER 2018

Newsletter Editor: Linda Tagg 3, Carpenter Way, Potters Bar, EN6 5PZ Tel: 01707 656 715 email: [email protected]

GROUP LEADER’S COMMENTS by Ian Sharp

Welcome to the 2018 Summer Newsletter. I am drafting this article on a damp, cool In April day and the thought of warm dry summer weather seems a long way off. this Despite the poor winter weather, there were several successful trips organised Issue by the Outings Team, including a day News trip to the Paxton Pits, with predictions Group Leader’s Comments……....1 of heavy snow. Despite the wintry Obituary (Angela Cotton)….…...... 2 conditions, the group had a number of Forthcoming Events & Keeping in good sightings, including a large mixed Touch……………….……………..10 flock of thrushes. 100 Club & Application Form…..12 Everyone packed their thermals for the Find the Bird. Paxton Pits in the Snow Group Activities long February weekend in Somerset but Local Outing Reports………...…...2 were pleasantly surprised to find it was sunny and (relatively) mild. Good birding Coach Outings……………..….…...3 weather. Another very successful trip and I hope the Outings Team can continue to Local Bird Report………………….6 arrange good weather for the next planned three-night stay in Suffolk in October! Group Holiday, Somerset………...8 Another winter highlight has been the regular (for some) sightings of hawfinches. Notices Frustrating for those, like me, who didn’t manage to see any. Hopefully, they will Annual General Meeting………....5 continue to over-winter in in good numbers next winter. Local Group Website…………….12 Our Monthly e-news………….…..5 We were very sorry to hear that Angela Cotton passed away in December. Angela Newsletter Copy Date………...…12 accompanied by her faithful Labrador was a regular at the Friday evening meetings, Quiz Night..……………………....10 helping with the 100 Club draw. Both have been missed. Quiz Booking Form……………...12 In March we had another very successful quiz night, thanks to the organisational Photographic Competition…...…..2 skills of Lesley Causton our treasurer, ably supported by Gill Barlow and her team Data Protection ………..…………12 who made sure we were fed. The quizzes are always well attended which shows Advertisements how much people enjoy them. They also help generate funds for RSPB with this Minuteman Press….………….…...5 one raising the grand sum of £743.00. That brought our group’s total 2017/2018 Covers Outdoor Store…….……...11 donations to the RSPB to £5200. Many members deserve credit for helping us contribute so much to support the Society’s work. Group Website: www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ Elsewhere in the newsletter (page 5) you will see an “advert” for the e-news. John pottersbarandbarnet or just search Rowley does an amazing job preparing this and distributing it by email to everyone for Potters Bar and Barnet RSPB who has signed up for it and given him their email address. It is a great way of keeping up to date with what is going on and upcoming events. If you don’t The Royal Society already receive it I strongly recommend you get on the email distribution list. for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: As always, we have a very interesting autumn programme so if you don’t already England and Wales no. 207076, do so, why not come along to either a Wednesday afternoon or Friday evening Scotland no. SC037654 meeting (or both, as many members do). We are a friendly group and always pleased to see new faces. Any advertisements enclosed with this newsletter are not specifically I hope you all have a good summer and, ever the optimist, I am looking forward to endorsed by the RSPB or the Potters warm, dry sunny days and long balmy evenings. Bar & Barnet Local Group

Local outing reports: by Mark and Cilla Mead 4 February A group of us went to Bramfield Woods. The irdsb seen 3 December (2017) included: yellow hammer, hawfinch, and brambling. Two people went to Tyttenhanger. 4 March Birds seen: kingfisher, redwing, Today four people came redpoll, tree sparrow. along. The big freeze was over and finally the wind 7 January Redwing (RSPB Images) was calm. We decided to Six of us on this outing to Stockers Lake. The weather was visit Amwell for a morning’s very cold, but excellent array of birds-48 species, bird watching and were Male Pintail Drinking (RSPB Images) including red kite, sparrowhawk, siskin, ring-necked very pleased and lucky to parakeet. see 50 species with good views of red kite, sparrowhawk, several pintails (all males) and a wonderful view of the bittern. A really nice morning.

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION - 2018 Come and share your wild life images from 2018 with the group at our Christmas Meeting. 1. The subject to be broadly about wildlife and the world around us. 2. The photographs can be in colour or black and white. 3. The photographs should be no bigger than 10” x 8” and no smaller than 6” x 4”. 4. The photographs can be mounted or unmounted; please provide a caption for the front. 5. You may enter as many photographs as you wish. 6. Please put your name, address and telephone number on the back. Photos will be displayed and voted on by everyone at the Christmas social meeting on Fri 14 Dec at Tilbury Hall, Potters Bar 7:45 pm. You can collect your prints at the end of the meeting. Come along and have a chat and refreshments. Closing date for entries: 16 NOVEMBER 2018 (the Friday evening meeting).

Obituary Angela Cotton 20 August 1948 – 23 December 2017 Angela moved to Potters Bar shortly after retiring from her job as an NHS physiotherapist. She was not one to sit around at home and soon joined local groups and became an active member of the United Reformed Church. Before long she was a familiar sight in Darkes Lane always with her guide dog, first Connie then Jess. I first met Angela at a Pilates group then a few days later I spotted her and Connie getting off the Dial-A-Ride bus at Tilbury Hall for one of our Friday evening meetings. We soon discovered a shared passion for the Archers so we just had to become friends. Angela was a great supporter of the RSPB, a regular at our Friday meetings, donating numerous raffle prizes and always organising a quiz table. She also attended her old Enfield Local Group’s monthly meetings. Angela loved animals and supported many charities particularly her beloved Guide Dogs for the Blind for whom she did her share of tin rattling, she also gave talks to schoolchildren. The dog was, of course, always a great attraction. Despite having no sight Angela led a busy, active life – travelling, cooking, shopping, knitting, socialising and entertaining her huge circle of friends. She was also visiting her mother in a care home, she died only 15 months ago only 8 days short of her 103rd birthday. Angela’s memorial service was packed and the tributes paid were testament to what a generous, kind, thoughtful person she was. However, she was also strong and forceful particularly where the rights of the visually-impaired were involved. Heaven help a taxi driver or shopkeeper who refused to accept her dog. Luckily these occasions were rare, Angela brought out the best in people. I only knew Angela for 7 years but wish it had been a lot longer. A remarkable lady who will be greatly missed. Chris Youthed

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COACH OUTINGS by Elaine Eyles

Photographs Joy and John Rowley

Welney WWT Sunday 12 November On this particular day the skies were very overcast with a Our group came dressed for the cold snap which light drizzle and misty Remembrance Sunday had to offer us. As our coach conditions; the Thames was at travelled through the countryside, the trees and roadside high water - everything was shrubs were lovely in their autumn colours. very grey! Cold northerly winds, clear visibility, interspersed with The QE11 bridge did come into bright sunshine, we arrived to a warm welcome in the nicely view eventually, and the heated visitor centre with the café and the main observatory. railway was about as far as one It was tempting to remain there and look over the fens and could see. the main lagoon. There was plenty to see too: lots of tree The quiet was broken only by Lapwing over Rainham Marshes sparrows taking turns to use the feeders and, on the water, lots of house sparrows wigeon, pochard and black-tailed godwits. twittering outside the centre taking turns to visit the feeders. To have a chance of seeing more species we set off to visit the other hides, which were rather draughty and noisy due Very few visitors or locals about apart from us. With to the strong wind, contrasting with the more sheltered patience and to some extent luck, there were birds to be pathway behind the banks of the Washes. The water levels found. Between the 32 of us 61 species were seen, mostly had been raised and created ideal conditions for the ducks, just the briefest of sightings. By going either clockwise or geese and wading birds, but many were tucked up to escape anticlockwise round the reserve each person gets a different the wind. count. For example: on the marsh a large flock of lapwing A marsh harrier was around and from time to time the sky on a few occasions; a sprinkling of ducks e.g. shoveler, was filled with clouds of birds set off by its presence. We pintail; a few waders: curlew, golden plover, black-tailed watched the start of the swan feed before leaving. This was godwits; and above, marsh harrier and sparrowhawk. mainly the whooper swans as the Bewick’s were on the far Birds around the woodland zone: goldcrest, firecrest, side and had not yet arrived in numbers. goldfinch, bullfinch, Total bird count for the day 49 species including the great greenfinch, wren, great white egret, kingfisher, redwing, pintail, curlew, lapwing, spotted woodpecker, and rook, kestrel, pied wagtail. A stoat was seen dashing along even a barn owl. Alongside the bank. As we were leaving, a gang of up to ten pied the Thames: ducks and a wagtails were gathered on the bank of the 100 foot drain. stonechat posed for us on a At sunset on the journey home a shout of “barn owl!” meant post. that a few on the right side of the coach glimpsed the white Once back in Barnet we wings of the bird as we whizzed by. Members Enjoy Christmas Dinner joined with the day’s “non- birding” contingent at Old Fold Golf Club for the Group Rainham Marshes RSPB and Christmas Social Christmas dinner and the traditional extended raffle. It was Sunday 3 December good to be amongst friends and enjoy a good meal.

After a short zip Paxton Pits Sunday 21 January round the M25 and a Approximately 2 miles from St Neots station, Paxton Pits refuel at the visitor takes its name from Little Paxton and “the pits”, the water centre café, with its filled old gravel extraction holes. This reserve is bounded by views of the reserve, the Great River Ouse and has surrounding habitats of we took up the meadow, scrub and pockets of woodland. challenge to “find Our day was made easier by the reintroduction of our the birds” in the popular pickup point at New Barnet cinema. allotted time. The Visitor Centre RSPB Rainham Marshes Continued over

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Dave’s coach was really warm and so by arrival we were week’s “Beastly” cold and snowy weather. ready for all the expected weather: cold, rain, sleet/snow, As usual the visitor centre was very welcoming and with slush. But even with wellie boots and our full wet gear we lovely things in the shop. The staff were on hand to show a did not venture as far as we usually would. variety of moths (in little jars) which had been caught overnight. It was very interesting to see these up close to and A fallen tree had blocked the only path to part of the southern learn their differences. Of course they were to be released section, the visibility poor and much reduced over the lakes; once night returned. binoculars were no help. The falling sleet/snow laid and icy puddles on the main road/gravel paths slowed our walking. We go to Pulborough The covering meant we left footprints in the snow and as the for its variety of weather showed no signs of abating, we decided to leave habitats within the earlier than originally planned. Wetland and Wooded The sanctuary of the visitor centre was very enticing with its Heathland trails. A few personal service of hot drinks and packet soup, table seating little signs of growth and the warm radiators. A large covered tray seed feeder were evident, close to the window attracted a steady stream of birds; and a indicating that maybe Pulborough Brooks RSPB Reserve selection of second-hand books for sale provided interest. Spring is just around the The centre is run by corner. Wildlife: deer, brimstone and peacock butterflies, volunteers who give rabbit; and adder (of which more later). their time generously; as Amongst the 66 species of birds seen in the five hours we a group we left a much had, there was a large flock of linnets, sightings of peregrine, appreciated donation. sparrowhawk, buzzard, marsh harrier, kestrel and red kite. An array of ducks: including shoveler, pochard, teal; black- Our total bird count for tailed godwit and a variety of gulls. Harder to spot: the day 47 species. chiffchaff, nuthatch, greenfinch, wren; and somewhere out on Of the birds seen the the open heathland, we were told, were wood larks. The pair most numerous were a of larks are now being protected by the RSPB by restricting Male Bullfinch (RSPB Images) meadow full of redwings access to the area to help foraging (estimated 80-100 birds), with a sprinkling of the birds should they fieldfares. Some ducks on the Heronry south lake included decide to nest. The staff shoveler, wigeon, and tufted duck. The feeders next to the are excited about the Hayden Hide had collared dove, dunnock, coat tit and long- prospect of these birds tailed tits. Great spotted woodpecker (male and female) and returning to the reserve. the surprise appearance of a passing swimming mink, a first A few members did hear time sighting for those lucky ones. Also a kingfisher was the birds calling so that’s spotted on the reserve; it is almost guaranteed apparently at a good start for us. Paxton Pits. View over Pulborough Brooks RSPB Reserve There is now a new compact kingfisher hide/watch point On the Wetland Trail which some visited – very nice. path, with a new rustic fence to discourage us from But for most the highlight of the day was close sighting of disturbing the area, the adder was a beauty. Stretched out on bullfinches. Patience was rewarded at two locations where the bracken basking in the warm, limited sun, it was active, at these birds were known to be feeding. Very close to the one point sliding through to a new position. It was a visitor centre were two males and a female in low trees, photographer’s dream specimen, at a rough estimate 3-4 feet beautiful. long. Something we were pleased to see and highlight of the Tip: In the spring Paxton Pits is worth a visit when they day for some. have nightingales and lots more- it will be busy as many travel miles to hear their singing. Future trips We are now looking forward to the rest of our 2018 outings Pulborough Brooks RSPB Sunday 11 March programme Why not join us? Remember it’s not just looking After a multi shades of grey start, our outing turned out to be at birds; there’s a wealth of wildlife to experience and rainless, windless and a good day to look back on. It was only opportunities to make new friends. the muddy paths in places which hinted at the previous

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Notice of Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Potters Bar & Barnets RSPB Local Group will be held at Tilbury Hall, United Reformed Church, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar at 7.30pm on Friday 21 September 2018 for the purpose of the following: 1. Approval of the minutes of the 2017 Annual General Meeting 2. Matters arising 3. Group Leader’s report 4. Treasurer’s report 5. Election of Officers and Committee 6. Appointment of Independent Examiner 7. 100 Club report 8. Any other business 1 June 2018

Our monthly e-news We would love to stay in touch with more of you by e-mail, giving local bird news, information about what is coming up locally and what the group has been doing. Why not try it; you can always cancel if it does not suit you. You will not get bombarded with emails, just one a month. Email [email protected] to ask to be on the list. John Rowley Website Editor

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 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 October 2017 to 31 March 2018.

The main feature over the last 6 months has been the number of hawfinches wintering, particularly around the Broxbourne Woods area. The first major report was of a roost of over 70 in Wood on 17 November, further mass sightings being 38 at Wormley West End on 2 February, 52 at Wormley Wood on 16 February and over 90 there on 25 February. Elsewhere there was a flock of up to 30 at Garden Wood, Tyttenhanger and 35 near Laurel Farm, Totteridge on 22 March. Other than hawfinch, the Broxbourne Woods area also saw three parrot crossbills for around 2 months from 18 December, plus sightings of lesser spotted woodpecker, brambling and marsh tit. King George V Reservoir, as usual, recorded a number of rarer species with great northern diver, scaup, smew, red -breasted merganser, Slavonian and black-necked grebes, spoonbill, avocet, grey plover, grey phalarope and water and rock pipits featuring. Further up the Lea valley, visitors to Rye Meads have included black-tailed godwit, curlew, spotted redshank and great grey shrike, while Amwell saw pink-footed goose, bittern, great white egret, spotted crake, woodcock, kittiwake, barn owl and yellow-browed warbler. Elsewhere Tyttenhanger recorded red-necked grebe, great white egret, spotted crake, little stint and black redstart, while saw whooper swan, common scoter, Iceland gull and kittiwake. Locally, a flock of up to 25 goosanders was at Trent Park, which also had sightings of hawfinch, firecrest, woodcock and raven. Totteridge had a garganey at Darlands Lake and sightings of merlin, wheatear and firecrest. hawfinch, firecrest, woodcock and sparrowhawk have been reported from local gardens. My thanks go to everyone who has contributed reports for this item. Please keep sending your reports to Philip Brown, Tel: 020 8441 3830, E-Mail: [email protected]

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SPECIES AREA NOTES SPECIES AREA NOTES A B C D A B C D

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER X King George V Reservoir 25 Nov, 13 Dec COM M ON SANDPIPER X X Rye M eads, KGV

LITTLE GREBE X X X X GREY PHALAROPE X King George V Res in Sept

RED-NECKED GREBE X Tyttenhanger 21 Oct M EDITERRANEAN GULL X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield Pk, Fishers Green, Pymmes Pk

BLACK-NECKED GREBE X X X Hilfield Pk Res, Holyfield Lake, KGV LITTLE GULL X X Rye M eads 18 M ar, KGV 22 M ar

SLAVONIAN GREBE X King George V Reservoir YELLOW-LEGGED GULL X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield Pk, Amwell, KGV

BITTERN X Stanstead Abbots Lakes, Amwell, Fishers Green CASPIAN GULL X X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, KGV

LITTLE EGRET X X X ICELAND GULL X Hilfield Pk 29 Dec

GREAT WHITE EGRET X X X Tyttenhanger, Panshanger Pk, Fishers Green, KGV GLAUCOUS GULL X flew over Broxbourne 1 Jan

SPOONBILL X X 3 at South M imms 26 M ar, KGV KITTIWAKE X X X Amwell 17 M ar, Hilfield Pk and Tyttenhanger 31 M ar

WHOOPER SWAN X X 9 at Hilfield Pk Res 19 Nov, Stanstead Abbots Lakes STOCK DOVE X X X X

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE X X Amwell, Holyfield Hall Farm, Sewardstone M arsh RING-NECKED PARAKEET X X X X Over 300 roost at Stanborough Lakes in Dec WHITE-FRONTED X X GOOSE Glen Faba M ONK PARAKEET Borehamwood 23 Nov BARNACLE GOOSE X X Tyttenhanger, Aldenham Country Pk BARN OWL X X X Frogmore Lakes, South M imms, Amwell, Totteridge

EGYPTIAN GOOSE X X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, Oak Hill Pk, Grovelands Pk LITTLE OWL X X X Willows Farm, Stanstead Abbots, Oak Hill Pk 16 Oct

SHELDUCK X X Hilfield Pk, Rye M eads, Kings M eads TAWNY OWL X X Wildhill, Trent Pk, Totteridge

M ANDARIN X X X X most - 87 at Grovelands Pk, Trent Pk SHORT-EARED OWL X Rammey M arsh Tyttenhanger, Rye M eads, Dollis Brook, X X X KINGFISHER X X X WIGEON Totteridge Ponds LESSER-SPOTTED X X X X X X X Heartwood Forest, Danemead Wood, West Finchley GADWALL WOODPECKER TEAL X X X SKYLARK X X Tyttenhanger, Gunpowder Pk, Trent Pk Last 28 Oct Amwell; 1st 27 M ar Amwell & X X X X X PINTAIL Amwell, KGV SWALLOW Stanborough Lakes GARGANEY X Darlands Lake from 14 M ar SAND M ARTIN X Last 15 Sep Tyttenhanger; 1st 16 M ar Tyttenhanger

SHOVELER X X X X HOUSE M ARTIN X X Last 9 Oct M ill Hill

POCHARD X X X X M EADOW PIPIT X X X Willows Farm, Rye M eads, Gunpowder Pk

SCAUP X King George V Reservoir WATER PIPIT X X Rye M eads 30 Oct & 26 Feb, KGV 9 M ar

COM M ON SCOTER X Hilfield Pk Res 14 Dec onwards ROCK PIPIT X X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell, KGV

GOLDENEYE X X X Hilfield Pk Res, Amwell, KGV (30 on 6 Jan) YELLOW WAGTAIL X King George V Res 1 Oct

SM EW X X Amwell, Friday Lake, KGV GREY WAGTAIL X X X X RED-BREASTED X X M ERGANSER King George V Res 6 M ar BLACK REDSTART Tyttenhanger 16-17 Dec GOOSANDER X X X Turnford Lakes, KGV, Trent Pk (max 25) WHINCHAT X Kings M eads Heartwood Forest, Rye M eads, Kings M eads, X STONECHAT X X X GREY PARTRIDGE Redbournbury Gunpowder Pk RED KITE X X X X 10 over Prae Wood nr St Albans 14 M ar WHEATEAR X X X Heartwood Forest, Hilfield Pk, Totteridge

M ARSH HARRIER X X Holyfield Lake, over M ill Hill FIELDFARE X X X X

SPARROWHAWK X X X REDWING X X X X

COM M ON BUZZARD X X X X CETTI's WARBLER X X X

OSPREY X over Welwyn Garden City 26 M ar REED WARBLER X Amwell 12 Oct

KESTREL X X X X LESSER WHITETHROAT X Totteridge

M ERLIN X KGV 2 Nov, Sewardstone 31 M ar BLACKCAP X X X X YELLOW-BROWED East End Green 12 Oct, Amwell 17 Oct, HOBBY X X X X Amwell, Ridgeway M ill Hill WARBLER West End, M ill Hill PEREGRINE X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield Pk, Rye M eads, Totteridge CHIFFCHAFF X X X X

WATER RAIL X X X X Tyttenhanger, Bricket Wood, Fishers Grn, Sewardstone FIRECREST X X X SherrardsPk Wood, Fisher's Green, Trent Pk, Barnet

SPOTTED CRAKE X X Tyttenhanger, Amwell BEARDED TIT X Amwell 12&13 Oct

OYSTERCATCHER X X X Tyttenhanger, Rye M eads, Holyfield Lake, KGV M ARSH TIT X X Commons LNR (Welwyn), Wormley Wood, Amwell

AVOCET X King George V 26 M ar NUTHATCH X X X X

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER X X Tyttenhanger 9 M ar, Rye M eads 17 M ar TREECREEPER X X X

GOLDEN PLOVER X X X Redbournbury, Shenley, Amwell GREAT GREY SHRIKE X Rye M eads 11 Nov

GREY PLOVER X King George V Res 8 Oct RAVEN X X X X Tyttenhanger, Bricket Wood, Amwell, Grovelands Pk

LAPWING X X X TREE SPARROW X 16 at Tyttenhanger on 10 M ar

LITTLE STINT X Tyttenhanger 8 Oct BRAM BLING X X X Willows Farm, 10 at Wormley Wood 26 Feb, Totteridge

DUNLIN X X X X Tyttenhanger, Hilfield Pk, Amwell, KGV SISKIN X X X , Amwell, Trent Pk

RUFF X Pattypool M eads 5 M ar LINNET X X X Tyttenhanger, Rye M eads, Brimsdown

JACK SNIPE X X Kings M eads, Sewardstone M arsh LESSER REDPOLL X X X Heartwood Forest, Amwell, Totteridge

COM M ON SNIPE X X X Tyttenhanger, Kings M eads, Rye M eads PARROT CROSSBILL X 3 at Broxbourne Woods from 18 Dec

WOODCOCK X X X X Garden Wood, (5 on 23 Feb) Trent Pk BULLFINCH X X Broxbourne Woods, Trent Pk, Totteridge BLACK-TAILED Garden Wood, Wormley Wood, Danemead Wood, X HAWFINCH X X X X GODWIT Rye M eads 8 M ar Totteridge CURLEW X Rye M eads 11 M ar SNOW BUNTING X Totteridge 50 at Redbournbury 3 Jan, X YELLOWHAM M ER X X SPOTTED REDSHANK Rye M eads 11 M ar 30 at Heartwood Forest 2 M ar REDSHANK X X Tyttenhanger 26 M ar, Amwell 6 M ar, Hall M arsh REED BUNTING X X X

GREEN SANDPIPER X X X X Lemsford Springs, M unden Est, Rye M eads, KGV

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Group Holiday Spring 2018: Slimbridge and the Somerset Levels by Andrew Hutchings

Photographs Joy & John Rowley and Andrew Hutchings

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre This year’s annual trip took us off to the West Country, travelling to Somerset and Gloucestershire. The weekend weather forecast was for some bitterly cold temperatures and some snow…..undaunted, 28 members set off, under the auspices of Dave Collins, our driver.

Friday 23 February Our first stop was the delightful National Trust property of Tyntesfield, near Bristol, where many of us took advantage of the extensive grounds to stretch our legs. The house was the family home of the Gibbs family, who made their huge wealth from the importation of guano from South America, which lead to William being immortalised in the Victorian music hall ditty: “William Gibbs made his dibs, selling the turds of foreign birds” The house was open to the public, and the Chapel, purpose built to the Gibbs family’s design, was particularity beautiful. The catering facilities allowed us to have a good meal too.

National Trust Property Tyntesfield Upon leaving Tyntesfield it was but a short drive to our hotel in Clevedon, where we registered and unpacked, before meeting in the bar, prior to having dinner.

Saturday 24 February After a hearty breakfast we all set off to the Slimbridge Wildlife and Wetlands Centre in Gloucestershire. With temperatures nearly above zero we had all dressed to keep out the cold, but the weather was amazingly sunny and clear, allowing some beautiful views of the wildlife. The waders were in preponderance, with sightings of avocet, golden plover, lapwing, little stint and WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre dunlin, as well as common snipe and woodcock. On the duck front we spotted shelduck, wigeon, gadwall, teal, mallard, pintail, shoveler & pochard. Other birds spotted during the day were little grebe, cormorant, mute and Bewick swans, together with white-fronted, greylag, Canada and barnacle geese. Other members spotted water rail, moorhen and coot, as well as curlew, redshank and common sandpiper. From the gull family we saw black-headed, common and lesser-backed gulls, and we may (possibly…) have seen a pigeon (or 12!) The centre had an excellent restaurant Avocets at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre where we could warm up after walking around in the cold, which was most appreciated!

Sunday 25 February After breakfast we had an opportunity to explore the town of Clevedon. Although it was still very cold the morning was again bright and sunny and many of us ventured along Clevedon Pier, described by the poet John Betjeman as “the most beautiful pier in England” and which was well worth exploring. Built by a local philanthropist, to encourage the population of Bristol to “take the air”, it certainly allowed us to do just that! (The weather must have been warming up, as I had an ice cream!)

Recognise Anyone on Clevedon Pier? Continued Over 8

We left the hotel at 12 noon, clutching our packed lunch bags, to travel to Ham Wall, a RSPB reserve on the Somerset Levels. The area had been used to extract peat for many years and although the process has ceased there is still evidence of this, with extensive reed plantations now growing in the former excavations. The area is close to Glastonbury and the marsh areas are known as the Avalon Marshes. The birds were more heron-orientated here, with little egret, great white egret and grey heron being seen, together with sparrowhawk, mute swan, marsh harrier, and common buzzard. Water rail, moorhen and coot also made an appearance, together with oystercatcher, lapwing and common snipe. Other sightings were shelduck, wigeon, gadwall and teal, as well as mallard, pintail, shoveler and pochard. Numerous claims were made to have heard the ever elusive bittern, which the RSPB have made strenuous efforts to re-introduce to this reserve…. but I don’t think anyone saw one! Curlew and redshank were seen, though, as well as numerous gulls, including black- Members Make the Murmuration Walk headed, herring and the great black-backed gull. Pigeons, both wood and feral, together with a collared dove or two also appeared. This area was once served by the Somerset and Dorset Railway, which later became part of the Western region of British Railways. Services ceased as part of the Beeching proposals on 7 March 1966. The track bed makes a beautiful walk through the area while exploring the wildlife and the Railway Arms made a suitable “watering hole” too!

The starling murmurations were the principal reason for our visiting the area and at about 4:30-5pm the sun began to set. Throughout the afternoon there had been clear skies - ideal for bird spotting and as the sun went down the temperature dropped sharply, so it became very cold, very quickly. Most of us walked along the canal towpath for about 2 miles to watch huge flocks of starlings flying in patterns. Although the murmuration was quite some distance from where we were, it was possible to see some spectacular flights. We returned to a lovely warm coach by about 6:30 pm and then relaxed as Dave manoeuvred his coach along some very narrow lanes before returning to the hotel by about 7:30, for a well-deserved dinner.

Monday 26th February The last day and so our the journey home. After checking out, we travelled to Newark Park, near Wooton-Under-Edge, where we had the opportunity to explore the house and grounds. Coffee was on offer (and given the sub-zero temperatures, most appreciated!). The story of the house owner’s wife, and her son who was killed when he was shot down in the First World War by the infamous German fighter pilot Baron Von Richthofen over Belgium, was particularly interesting. Reading the ACTUAL telegram she received was sadly poignant, to say the least. After re-joining the coach we continued on to the Halfway Inn, in Newbury, for lunch…..and WHAT a lunch it was! Clearly a restaurant that Snowdrops at Newark Park does not wish its patrons to leave feeling hungry, the portions were huge and everyone seemed to be seriously impressed with both the quality and the quantity of food on offer. The whole ambiance of the place was excellent and made a great finale to our trip!

La Grande Festa!!

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AN EXTRAORDINARY SIGHTING by Lesley Causton On the 5 December, I had one of those Victor Meldrew moments i.e. I don’t believe it!!! At the rear of my garden is an old yew tree and I spied an odd looking bird perched on one of the outer branches. I grabbed the binoculars and found myself looking at a hawfinch, no, I didn’t believe it, but fortunately another RSPB member was at my house and was able to confirm what I had seen. This was the day after a significant birthday – what a present! I managed to find my camera and shot off fourteen photographs of varying quality, never expecting to see the bird again. But, it did turn up again and again, and again, in fact I saw it on 20 occasions, the latest on 31 March. When it first arrived it was busily eating the fruit from the yew tree, occasionally it changed its perch to a goat willow where I saw it busily preening, lifting up one wing, then the other. On colder days it liked to join a couple of woodpigeons which were perched in an ash tree. They all appeared to be warming up in the early morning sun. On one occasion I was busily looking at the hawfinch when two little egrets flew through my view. What a morning. I was telling a friend about the bird and he reported that he had seen seven hawfinches at Darland’s Lake and some other bird watchers had reported to him that they had seen forty six hawfinches at the same spot. Lesley’s Hawfinch in the Yew Tree Amazing, amazing, amazing. I wonder what next winter will bring?!?

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 September. Sun 9 Sep Coach outing to Walton on the Naze (the Naze peninsular). Wed 12 Sep Floral South Africa-The Cape to Namaqualand and the Orange River During Spring: Ann Johnson and John Wallington. Excellent photographs from a stunning area of natural beauty. Fri 21 Sep AGM/Birds of the Camargue: Jonathan Forgham. An illustrated talk about this fascinating area. 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.

QUIZ EVENING

FRIDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2018 Tilbury Hall, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 1BZ 7.00pm for 7.30pm

TICKETS £10 per person to include a cold supper Please bring your own drinks, nibbles and glasses Tickets application form on the back of this newsletter Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope for return of tickets

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COVER

THE OUTDOOR STORE

52-54 HIGH STREET, BARNET, EN5 5SJ

Telephone: 020 8440 5775

At COVER you will find a large range of clothing and

equipment suitable for all your outdoor requirements

ALWAYS GREAT VALUE & DISCOUNT PRICES

You are welcome to come in and see our exciting summer range of men’s and women’s outdoor clothing and footwear.

We also stock an extensive range of camping and travel equipment

We take a pride in giving our customers a warm welcome with helpful advice if required.

We are open Monday to Saturday 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

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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 - January2018) [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 12 October 2018

100 Club Another donation of £400 was made in April to the RSPB, this makes a total of £2000 in two and a half years. 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 £20 and £10 and an extra prize of £50 in June and December. The remaining funds, after minimal expenses, are donated to the RSPB. There are only 9 spare numbers before we reach our target of 100. Why not take out a subscription – you could be one of the lucky ones and you would be helping the RSPB. There is an application form below, or we are usually at the Friday evening meetings so you can speak to us there. Many thanks, 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______

______

Phone______Email______

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

Ticket Booking Form for Autumn Quiz Evening on 9 November 2018

Name:...... No of Tickets Required: ……………………………...

Address:......

……………………………………………………………………………………... Tel. No: ……………………………………………………

Email: ......

Cheques, for £10 per person, to be made payable to Potters Bar & Barnet RSPB Group. Please enclose a stamped ad- dressed envelope for return of tickets. Hand the form to a committee member at any meeting or coach outing or send to Lesley Causton, 57 Lakeside Crescent, East Barnet, EN4 8QH.

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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