Basingstoke Local Group Annual General Meeting

BBAASSIINNGGSSTTOOKKEE LLOOCCAALL GGRROOUUPP

APRIL 2015 NEWSLETTER

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/basingstoke

Contents:

 From The Group Leader

 Notices

 Annual General Meeting

 What’s Happening?

 April’s Outdoor Meeting

 Evening Walks’ Programme

 May’s Outdoor Meeting

 March’s Outdoor Meeting

 Namibia

 Local Wildlife News

 Quiz Page

 And Finally!

Charity registered in England and Wales no. 207076 From The Group Leader

Welcome to the spring migration, birds, butterflies, moths and people included, migrating that is!

I sit here the day before the Indoor Meeting trying to once again collate the Newsletter, another month having seemingly sped by and nothing apparently achieved – as usual the early and initial work on the Newsletter being nugatory, everything else stopping this coming to a timely conclusion, no matter how hard one tries to keep up with this, and everything else!

So, with this in mind I ask you is it worth it? not the Newsletter, but the thought, effort, money and so on that’s put in to trying to stop the increasing ‘demands’ on wildlife, both within Britain and further afield that many of us try to help with, in no matter how small a way. The recent failure of the Maltese to stop the hunting of birds in spring a prime example of this – by the time you read this, if I complete it of course, the ‘hunters’ on Malta will have already started executing the latest migrants trying to wing their way north to their summering, and therefore breeding, grounds. Quotas of 11,000 Turtle Dove and 5,000 Quail have been set, although this is contrary to EU law! These figures sound colossal, perhaps titanic being a better word in the case of the dove as we are I’m sure all too aware of their continued decline in to oblivion, at least locally – it’ll perhaps now mean a trip to Martin Down NNR to ensure securing them within Hampshire this year whilst in Berkshire the story’s far, far worse, this now a bird that will need a twitch, or several as many have already found, to even hear one, let alone see one. With further regard to the EU and bird ‘conservation’ I’ve included something about a favourite holiday destination as “And Finally!” this month.

Closer to home a Ruddy Duck was reported from an RSPB Reserve in Northern Ireland, and the mailings soon headed my way! As this is ‘Britain’ were the RSPB treating this bird like the more local birds used for, very poor, ‘target practice’, were these being targeted when found in Eire, where they might well be true Nearctic vagrants, and so on. The stirring of the typing fingers in to action re. this particular stifftail soon shifted to other birds perceived as not-so-native with Ring-necked and Monk Parakeet, Lady Amherst’s, Golden and the more usually encountered ‘Ring-necked’ Pheasant as well as Crane, Capercaillie, White- tailed Sea-eagle, Little Owl, Mandarin, Goshawk, Eagle Owl, Egyptian and Canada Goose being amongst those ‘spoken’ of, and what might just become of their British populations in the future.

On a more positive note it appears that our interaction with one tribe of birds, the gulls, does benefit them – it having been proven that landfill sites are crucial to the health and success in breeding of these. Oh, I forgot, landfill sites; they’re being filled in, covered up and going out of circulation aren’t they!

So, what do you think? What’s ‘rattled your cage’ this month and what should we try to do in the future?

Peter E. Hutchins Notices

House Martin Surveying

During June and July surveying of House Martins throughout Britain will be taking place. If you’d be interested in helping with this, just two visits to check for nesting activity being needed over this period, please do make the Group Leader or the B.T.O aware of your interest. Both will then be happy to supply you with further details of the surveying and the areas still in need of surveyors.

Stockbridge Down Surveying

During the spring further surveying of the birds on / about the National Trust site at Stockbridge Down will be taking place. Yet again a small team has been assembled to carry out this work, but any help with this would be more than appreciated, even if only on an ad hoc basis. if you don’t feel able to contribute but find yourself wandering over the down in the coming months do please make a note of that which you find and pass it on the Group Leader; who’ll one again be co-ordinating the collation of all records received over this period, whether from surveyors or other less anticipated visitors. If you’ve not visited this site previously it’s definitely worth a detour, especially as the butterflies there are often unmatched elsewhere locally and the flowers of the open chalk downland are sure to more than brighten your day.

Brian’s Bees

The honey that was on sale at recent Indoor Meetings will hopefully continue to be available for some time yet! Thank you to all those that purchased this locally sourced product, and to all those that do you in the future! Please do remember when considering to source honey in the future that this both locally produced, some of you may even know the bees, and that a donation to the Group is made on each purchase!

Local Group Website

The Local Group website continues to be worked upon by our trusted band of computer- literates, well Tim. Carr, so if you haven't been to the site for a while, why not take a look and tell us what you think. Any thoughts on what we should, or should not, include within the site will always be appreciated, this then helping to make the site more relevant to current group members, and helping to get across the right message to potential members.

Link: http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/basingstoke/

The continuing and ever-increasing work on the website has seen your Local Group website become the 2nd most visited in Britain in the past; an exceptional rise in the use of this and something to be justifiably pleased with – there are people out there interested in the Local Group and what it’s doing! 

Newsletter Mailings

Do we have your email address? If not, please do pass it on so that the Group can communicate with you in a more environmentally sensitive manner! The monthly Newsletter being an example of this, saving resources, money and time by being mailed to you, rather than hard copies being created and perhaps only sitting partially read until the next one appears. With regard to this, it’s hoped that the lack of hard copy recently will be resolved in the very near future!

Bird Food

We are happy to supply any bird food to you at any time, just call on 01256 – 770831, 07895 – 388378 or mail us on [email protected] and we will arrange delivery to you. If you have any requirements that are not listed, please do let us know and we will ensure that they are available when you, or your birds, need them.

Bird Food Pricelist:

The below are examples of just a few of the items that we can supply. Please do enquire after anything else and we will provide you with a cost, time of delivery etc. As both of us are currently working in / about Basingstoke delivery can be expected to be completed within a day of an order being received – can you get that service anywhere else? Prices vary according to the seasonality of the foods, where we are able to source them from, and so on, but a few for reference are:

Wild bird Mix 40p/lb. or 88p/kg

Peanuts £1/lb. or £2.20/kg

Black Sunflowers £1/lb or £2.20/kg

Sunflower Hearts £1.10/lb or £2.42/kg

Niger £1/lb or £2.20/kg

Fat Squares £1 each

Fat Pecker Balls 25p each

Also available are a range of birdboxes and feeders.

A variety of items will be available at most Indoor Meetings but if there is something ‘missing’ that you want, please do let us know.

Peter & Alison

Annual General Meeting

THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS BASINGSTOKE LOCAL GROUP ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The thirty-sixth Annual General Meeting of the Basingstoke Local Group of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds will take place on Wednesday 20th May 2015 at The Barn, Church Cottage, Church Street, Basingstoke at 7.45pm.

AGENDA

1. Chairman’s Introduction 2. Apologies for Absence 3. Minutes of the thirty-fifth Annual General Meeting 4. Matters Arising 5. Chairman’s Report 6. Treasurer’s Report 7. Appropriation of Surplus 8. Elections 9. Any Other Business

Nominations for the Committee, together with the names of the proposer and seconder, should be given to the Secretary by Tuesday 28th April 2015.

Geoff Sharp Secretary

What’s Happening?

A few of the forthcoming local events that will hopefully help keep you entertained as the days continue to disappear under darkness:

Hampshire & Isle Of Wight Wildlife Trust http://www.hwt.org.uk/

Bluebells At Hannington

Bluebells – Chris Bean

Date 26th April

Time 10:30am to 1:00pm

Join us for a walk over the Downs at Hannington to look at the Bluebells.

Meet at 'Michaels Field' off Ibworth Lane, Hannington, NW of Basingstoke, RG26 5TZ; Map reference SU 542 554

Basingstoke Wildlife Watch

Date 26th April

Time 05:30am to ‘mid-morning’

Early Birds Dawn Chorus – birds and breakfast!

In conjunction with Overton Biodiversity Society.

Fun wildlife-themed and outdoor activities for children aged 5 - 15 years.

Wildlife Watch events are for families and young people that want to get out and about and more involved with nature. The activities are based mostly outdoors, in natural surroundings. Please make sure you come prepared with a waterproof coat and some wellies.

For further details, please contact:

Clare Lloyd Williams 01256 782665

Woodlands In Spring

Date 2nd May

Time 09:30am to 12:30pm

Woodlands come alive in spring and are rich and diverse habitats for wildlife. On our Woodlands in spring course we will discuss the history and the management of ancient woodland and look at some of the species, including carpets of Hampshire’s famous bluebells, associated with this special habitat.

In relaxed morning of discussions, observations and practising wildlife identification using FSC guides you will learn basic skills in:

 Tree identification  Wildflower/ancient woodland indicator identification  Wildlife identification  Basic woodland management  Basic woodland ecology overview

At the end of the morning you will have gained enough knowledge to identify common species of plants and animals found in woodlands and enrich your spring woodland walks.

Our Woodland in spring course will include an approximately 3 mile walk on public footpaths alongside Harewood Forest.

Is this course for me? This course is suitable for anyone interested in exploring Hampshire’s woodlands and would like to understand basic woodland wildlife species and ecology.

We will be meeting at Wherwell village playing fields car park, Longparish Road, Wherwell, SP11 7JP which has free parking you can use.

What do I need to bring?

 Appropriate clothing for walking outside for the weather on the day  Comfortable and sturdy walking boots,  Binoculars may be useful if you have them  Refreshments

Tutor Susan Simmonds – Assistant Education Officer

Susan has a lifelong passion for wildlife and graduated in Environmental Science, she has worked and volunteered in the conservation sector for over 15 years. Susan has previously worked as a sessional lecturer on the BTEC National Diploma course in Countryside Management and currently covers a number of degree sessions at Sparsholt College. Susan has a Certificate to teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS) and enjoys teaching her skills through courses like plant species identification and mammal tracks and signs to others. She has a desire to make a difference and to play a part in conserving our natural world and believes that she can do that through further study and ultimately through lecturing and research. She loves species identification and regularly teaches wildflower identification; water vole survey techniques and more recently river fly surveying. Susan has worked closely with a local primary school to assist them in using their outdoor environment. As the chairperson for the school’s Woodland Committee she has written a management plan for the site and oversees its management. You can hear Susan several times a month in a slot on BBC Radio Wiltshire on Sunday lunchtimes, where she speaks about seasonal aspects of the countryside.

Please note that we will only refund your payment if we cancel the course or if you cancel your place at least 2 weeks before the start of the course.

For more information please email [email protected] or call us on 01489 774406

Greywell Walk - Spring Flowers

Water Avens – Steve Page

Date 10th May

Time 2:30pm to 4:30pm

A walk to see flowers in spring.

Join us for a walk around Greywell Moors led by Peter Vaughan. Wellingtons or boots may be needed. Park on left hand side of approach road to pumping station (not blocking gates) or in lay by on Deptford Lane opposite pumping station at entrance to reserve.

Meet at Greywell Moors, Deptford Lane, Greywell; Map reference SU 722 512

Orchids At Headley Gravel Pits

Date 14th May

Time 7:30pm to 9:00pm

A visit to one of the Trust's smaller reserves to see the rare Green-winged Orchids which should be at their best in time for this visit.

Park in lay-by on A339 or, if full, on Ashford Hill Road. Entrance via track on the western side of A339 approximately 150m north of the turning to Ashford Hill Road, look for Trust sign on verge; Map reference SU 512 626

Please note that all the events noted above may be filmed and photographed for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's fundraising and publicity purposes. If you have any concerns, please speak to a member of staff.

Overton Biodiversity Society http://www.overton-biodiversity.org/

Dawn Chorus and …….. Breakfast!!!

Date 26th April

Time 05:30am

A walk about the Parish to see what birds, both resident and migratory, are in song with the opportunity to listen and learn as the walk progresses. This leisurely early morning ‘ramble’ will be followed by a home-cooked breakfast in the Community Centre, not to be missed!

Booking necessary for this so as to be able to cater, literally, for all comers.

Overton Community Centre, Winchester Street, Overton.

For further information please contact:

Ken or Jane on 01256 – 771121 or email [email protected]

Local Opportunities for Conservation Volunteering

Are you interested in your local environment? Do you have a passion for conservation and wildlife? If yes, try the following the site to check on what’s happening locally that you could become involved in.

http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2BEA9CA3-DD29-414A-AAE4- 0F8A916F61E4/0/Conservationworkparties.pdf

There are opportunities for you as an individual, a family or a social group to join the groups of volunteers already working in the following areas:

Black Dam Ponds and Crabtree Plantation Mill Field Local Nature Reserve Chineham Oakley Cliddesden Old Down, Kempshott Glebe Gardens, Victory Park and King Overton George Vth Playing Fields (Brookvale) Popley Kempshott South View

April’s Outdoor Meeting

Isle of Portland: 19th.

For this Outdoor Meeting please meet at Portland Bill for a 10:00 start (SY 677 685, OS Landranger map 194; DT5 2JT). This is just north of the newer lighthouse, not the Old Light, the Bird Observatory, off the minor road that runs south from Southwell, at the junction by the Eight Kings P.H.

 For further details of the starting point, to offer or request a lift etc. please contact a Committee Member prior to the weekend of the outing.

The RAC Route Planner gives a distance of 97.51 miles between Basingstoke and the meeting point, the AA site 97.1; a travelling time of 134 and 120 minutes being quoted by these sites; this via the M3. As always, it’s best to leave ample time to reach the site for the start time, so please do bear this in mind when deciding on when to leave.

 The monthly Outdoor Meeting this month takes in the recording area of Portland Bird Observatory, surely one of the best 'patches' in the south of Britain, if not Britain full stop!

The timing of the visit, in the peak of spring passage, should help ensure that a busy and varied day of birding is achieved. Both migrants and residents will be available to be seen, as the excerpt from the Obs. website for the same date in 2014 shows: 19th April “Another clear but conspicuously chilly dawn brought another decent little arrival of migrants, with the Observatory garden being today's favoured location. Whilst numbers were a fair bit lower than those logged yesterday there was still plenty enough to keep bank holiday weekend visitors entertained, with totals from the Bill area that included 200 Willow Warblers, 40 Blackcaps, 30 Chiffchaffs, 25 Wheatears, 8 Redstarts, 5 Yellow Wagtails and singles of Common Buzzard (an incoming migrant), Common Sandpiper, Whinchat, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher; another 3 Pied Flycatchers, along with a single Ring Ouzel, were the best of the scarcer migrants elsewhere, whilst the mix of 52 Ringed Plovers and Dunlin at Ferrybridge were welcome evidence of wader passage picking up. The shift in wind direction towards the east hadn't gone quite far enough to perk up sea passage, with 59 Common Scoter, 21 Whimbrel, 17 Dunlin, 9 Sandwich Terns, 4 Red-throated Divers, a Red-breasted Merganser and an Arctic Skua the only rewards from watches at the Bill”

It might be assumed that should such birding be provided for those attending that they will return home happy.

Leaving the car park southwards time will be spent about the Bill itself, looking for breeding auks and Rock Pipits, Raven and Peregrine whilst looking out to sea for the likes of Gannet and Kittiwake passing by, as well as shearwaters, skuas, grebes and divers. Fulmar may be lingering in the updraft off the Bill whilst looking further afield might just be rewarded with a cetacean or two. The Bill being the most southerly point of The Isle of

Portland is the first landfall for many migrants and every scrap of scrub will need to be scoured, just in case!

Moving away from the Bill towards the Observatory the Hut Fields and adjacent scrub will be walked, further migrants joining with expected passerine residents - chats, warblers and flycatchers may be amongst the vegetation, hirundines moving overhead. Nearby the Obs. Quarry will be investigated for Little Owl and further migrants in the dense bramble cover.

The Obs. itself will hopefully be visited, the patio on its' southern side of a good elevation for looking out over much of the Bill area, as well as the vegetation and pool-filled and migrant trapping gardens. For those interested in more than birds the produce from the previous nights' moth trapping may be available, migrants also a possibility here.

The scrub about the Obs. will provide further sites to search for passage birds, the fields flanking these good places to search for resident Linnet and other finch and whatever migrants may be accompanying them, even if only briefly. Another resident of these fields is the extravagantly coloured Wasp Spider, butterflies, moths and other invertebrates sure to be disturbed as the Group moves from site to site.

The Obs.!

To the north-east of the Obs. thick and spiny scrub at Culverwell, a further migrant trap, will be watched for evidence of those birds that prefer to loiter deep within cover, Lesser Whitethroat perhaps amongst these. The fields adjacent to this regularly attract migrant pipits, larks, wagtails and, we can but hope, Hoopoe!

The fence lines offers chats and flycatchers perches from which to flit, the denser areas of flowers sites for finches, buntings and warblers to feed on both their gramivorous and insectivorous diets.

Moving through the Top Fields with continued searching for migrants the West Cliffs will be approached, the possibility of Peregrine and Raven increasing as we do so. Here auks nest and the Group may well witness many of these moving to and from their feeding areas, further seabirds being seen as the open waters west of the Isle are scanned.

Heading back towards the Bill the Strip Fields and Crown Estate Field inland of the cliffs should provide further migrants, residents and, weather permitting, lepidoptera on the wing. The fencing about the MoD- type buildings passed on heading south can again attract fly-catching species, these also needing to be looked for overhead - nobody wants to miss that Bee-eater do they!

 The current car parking charges at Portland Bill are:

1 hour: 50p 2 hours: £1.50 4 hours: £3 12 hours: £5 24 hours: £6 (for those wanting to make the most of their trip to darkest Dorset!)

 The walk will last to at least early afternoon. For those wishing to make the most of the day away from Hampshire further birding will take place after lunch, both about the Isle at sites such as Cheane Weares, Wall Lizard being regular here, The Verne, Portland Harbour and The Fleet and the RSPB reserves at Radipole Lake and Lodmoor. For those wishing to a further walk will take place after lunch, this under the HOS banner.

More updated information on the site, the wildlife present and places to visit on the journey home, such as those already mentioned will be available closer to the day of the trip, and during the outing itself. If you have any queries, no matter what, please ensure that these are addressed as soon as is possible.

Evening Walks’ Programme

During May and June there will, once again, be a series of walks led by Members of the Local Group and other local wildlife-related organisations during the evenings.

All walks will be ‘local’ and should hopefully encourage you, and others, to both take a look at a new or not recently visited area of interest and make the most of those leading, their knowledge of the area and its’ wildlife more than a key part of the walk.

Please find below the current Programme:

START MAP REFERENCE OF CONTACT DATE DAY TIME SITE MEETING PLACE MEETING PLACE LEADER DETAILS 5th Off Silchester Road, opposite SU 623 602 – OS May Tuesday 18:30 Pamber Forest Frog Lane, Little London Landranger 185 Doug Kelson 07786 - 647784 13th SU 587 342 – OS Old Alresford Village Hall May Wednesday 18:30 The Alresfords Landranger 185 Peter E. Hutchins 07895 - 388378 19th Old Down Hall, Off Old SU 600 489 – OS Paul Beevers / May Tuesday 18:30 Old Down Kempshott Lane Landranger 185 Deborah Gillingham 01256 - 475944 27th In the Osborn Way Industrial SU 725 537 – OS May Wednesday 18:30 Bartley Heath Estate, Hook Landranger 186 Lydia Knight 01256 - 334316 3rd Crookham and At the entrance to Crookham SU 520 646 – OS June Wednesday 18:30 Greenham Commons Common, on Old Thornford Road Landranger 174 Richard Gilham 07884 - 044544 10th SU 534 499 – OS At Ashe Church June Wednesday 18:30 The Test Landranger 185 Peter E. Hutchins 07895 - 388378 17th The car park north of Larkwhistle SU 445 448 – OS June Wednesday 18:30 Longparish Farm landranger 185 Geoff. Sharp 01256 - 470286 24th At the crossroads east of Newton SU 416 405 – OS June Wednesday 18:30 Bransbury Common Stacey Landranger 185 Doug Kelson 07786 - 647784 30th The Kennet & Avon SU 602 671 – OS The Aldermaston Wharf car park June Tuesday 18:30 Canal Landranger 174 Peter E. Hutchins 07895 - 388378

If you have any queries about the above please contact either the scheduled Leader noted or the Group Leader.

Please do make the most of this Programme as it’s sure to both take you somewhere new and show you something new, and you can guarantee that the Leaders will have plenty to offer!

May’s Outdoor Meeting

Acres Down: 24th.

For this Outdoor Meeting please meet in the Wick Wood car park for a 10:00 start (SU 267 096, OS Landranger map 195; SO43 7GE). This is off the minor road between Newtown and Emery Down, west of the crossroads which takes you to the Acres Down Farm campsite and Acres Down House. This road can be accessed off the A31 at Stoney Cross or A337 at Shave Wood.

 For further details of the starting point, to offer or request a lift etc. please contact a Committee Member prior to the weekend of the outing.

The RAC Route Planner gives a distance of 41.82 miles between Basingstoke and the meeting point, the AA site 40.1; a travelling time of 43 and 52 minutes being quoted by these sites; this via the M3. As always, it’s best to leave ample time to reach the site for the start, so please do bear this in mind when deciding on when to leave.

 The monthly Outdoor Meeting in May takes in wood and heathland towards the north- west of The New Forest National Park, an area explored by Members of the Local Group but sure to be new for many, as may be both birds and other wildlife to be looked and hopefully encountered there.

The initial wait and walk about the car parking area and adjacent woodland should provide more than ample hints of the recently returned migrants – Redstart, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Cuckoo possibilities without even moving from the start point.

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus A stunning ‘robin’ that should be both heard and seen during the outing

On moving in to Wick Wood further evidence of both resident and migratory species should be added, woodpeckers, Nuthatch and Treecreeper amongst the former, further warblers and chats amongst the latter – the Robin-like call of Hawfinch will be worth listening for, as will the high-pitched tones of the Firecrest; for those that can still hear things of this nature of course!

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Another notable that will hopefully entertain with its’ song that literally has the bird shaking with ‘passion’ – likened to ‘a spinning coin on a marble slab’

The wetter areas, such as Bagshot Gutter, may harbour Grey Wagtail and other birds moving down to both drink and bathe. Though cicada are now no longer to be heard here other invertebrates will make their presence felt, in the nicest possible way! Butterflies, day- flying moths and Southern Wood Ant amongst that likely to be seen, the latter perhaps in their mountain-like ‘nests’.

Woodlark Lullula arborea Their hiccoughing calls and song overhead are far more likely than Skylark in this area

On eventually moving out of the woodland the more open spaces broken up by Gorse scrub provide a warmer habitat, reptiles therefore will join the likes of Dartford Warbler, Stonechat, Tree and Meadow Pipit whilst the thermals off the west-facing slopes of Acres Down provide lift for raptors. Time will be spent looking out over Holmhill Inclosure, Portuguese Fireplace (!) and Wood Crates for these, the perhaps expected Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Hobby perhaps being displaced in the order of merit by both Goshawk and Honey-buzzard. a ‘rest’ on the hillside whilst watching the skies could provide anything overhead, a Bee-eater found by one Basingstoke birder there last spring!

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis A majestic species, though not the favourite of all forest dwellers!

Once all present have had their fill of both raptors and other birds overhead, the invertebrate, reptile and other residents of the open heath where we’re settled further searching of the heath to the south will commence, before heading back via the cooler woodland in pursuit of further perceived New Forest species that we’ve been unable to locate or are of particular interest to those present.

 Please be prepared for slightly more rugged terrain than on most recent Outdoor Meetings, the more clement, hopefully, weather and the possibility of some ‘waiting’, used to locate raptors etc.

Also …. look where you’re walking!!!

Adder Vipera berus

 The walk will last to at least early afternoon. For those wishing to make the most of the day in the National Park information will be available re. that to be seen, where to see it and sites of interest perhaps to take in on returning to the north of the county.

If you have any queries, no matter what, please ensure that these are addressed as soon as is possible.

March’s Outdoor Meeting

Fleet Pond: 22nd.

Six attended on a cool but brightening 'early spring' morning, the wait in the car park prior to commencing the walk allowing the first birds of the Meeting to be added, a Great Spotted Woodpecker atop a Silver Birch, a singing Robin atop Gorse, Blue Tit foraging in the still to be leafed trees and singing Dunnock included in this.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major

The area about the car park, like many of the habitats later visited, had obvious conservation work in progress, the scrub now removed and allowing, perhaps, for more open habitat species to make progress as the spring also progresses; one of the 'mole hills' adjacent to the ever-widening track to the pond being used by a warming Small Tortoiseshell.

Long-tailed Tit and Woodpigeon were added in flanking trees on heading towards the pond, from where the sound of Black-headed Gull became ever more obvious, the clearance of

trees and scrub allowing for glimpses of the pond and the mobile white larid shapes. On the pond coming properly in to view further white shapes were seen, a gathering of Mute Swan on the far side making the most of the offerings from other site users, the gulls also very active about this possibly superfluous but readily obtainable food source. Canada Geese, Mallard and Great Crested Grebe were less actively involved with visitors, the latter now in their breeding finery.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Stunningly marked, but much undervalued

Away from the water House Sparrow, Wren and Treecreeper could be heard, the latter two species in song, as were many birds noted during the walk. Moorhen and Coot joined the birds off the viewpoint whilst distantly Pied Wagtail and Lapwing were to be seen about one of the many recently installed 'islands'; the wader an unexpected addition for the day. A white-headed Canada Goose, with its' more normally plumaged partner, roused discussion whereas the loafing pair of Egyptian Geese were quickly noted, seen, added and ignored.

Heading along the northern side of the pond Greenfinch were calling, a Cormorant heading off to the west and a stop on a fishing jetty provided 'preeping' Teal, again distantly. The hybrid-type goose sailed past and further Cormorant were seen out on the tangle of tree towards Sandy Bay; a regular and expected sighting. The Firecrest found in song was less so, this vocal bird being in conifers north of the railway line and evading all attempts to see it, though it continued in song as members of the Group crossed the lines to get closer, Teal then being seen about the pond north of the lines, Blue and Great Tit mobile in the Ivy- covered trees where a Blackbird also fed.

Further west still Feral Pigeon lined up along the tops of the industrial estate buildings, Wren called, Chaffinch sung and a prospecting White-tailed Bumble-bee became the second readily seen invertebrate of the outing.

Looking back eastwards over the pond saw further Great Crested Grebe low in the water, Lapwing aerially contorting themselves over the islands, where Black-headed Gull already appeared to be well in situ; there seeming to be little hope of Common Tern being allowed to set up homes here on their return from sunnier climes.

The jetty off Chestnut Grove had Mute Swan, vocal Coot, Mallard and the pair of Egyptian Geese in attendance, though none had their hunger eased by donations from Local Group Members! A, the only one noted, Reed Bunting flew over the pond and path-flanking birches and Alder where little else stirred. A pair of Lapwing flew low over the pond's surface but never made it to the side they were being viewed from, diverting to the reedier edges to the south.

Moving off towards the south-western corner of the pond a Goldcrest was found in song - a nice comparison for the earlier and all too elusive Firecrest. The short detour in to the woodland saw more conservation work in progress, the 'Skunk Cabbage Pond' now having been cleared of this invasive, albeit spectacular, species as well as much other vegetation that used to stifle the pond. The remaining trees however provided the first Nuthatch of the outing, two being seen together initially before a third bird joined them and instigated much chasing about the almost glowing birch - yes, it was sunny!

Nuthatch Sitta europaea

Magpie were also vocal here, small gatherings being noted further along the pond-flanking path and in adjacent gardens.

The site of the now removed woodland 'jetty' had been all but hidden by invading vegetation, the canopy however still without leaf and allowing the viewing of the first Grey

Squirrel of the outing. This lack of leaf was also advantageous as a Stock Dove flew in, the iridescent colouration on the rear of its' neck glistening in the sun. This bird was joined by another and just for a short time the original bird was seen displaying, blowing its' neck up and bobbing to the presumed Mrs. Stock Dove. An adult Grey Heron flew past, heading towards the heronry that was to be seen later. Robin were again evident on the southern side, dropping in and out of the adjacent gardens, as did singing Dunnock, the aforementioned Magpie and the almost ever present Woodpigeon. A residential aerial held three Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove however not being seen or heard during the walk! A Goldfinch sat high in coniferous canopy where Coal, Great and Blue Tit foraged.

Turning back northwards the wetter areas crossed on moving from one area of woodland to another added a further sign of spring, frog spawn being seen close to the path; as yet just black 'dots' in a clear jelly.

Common Frog Rana temporia Well, almost!

A sub-adult Grey Heron was feeding in previously conservation worked areas, spider webs being seen glistening over the closer rough grasses as the breeze made flying conditions for spiderlings acceptable.

Approaching Sandy Bay the heronry was closer to hand and half-a-dozen nests could be seen to be occupied, adult birds moving to and from them regularly. This heronry is one of few in the north-east of the county and so more important than perhaps might have been

thought. The pair of Egyptian Geese were to be seen sailing along the eastern edge reedbeds, a Little Egret feeding closer to the 'beach' contrasting strongly with the still dead- looking reeds.

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca An ever-increasing ‘delight’ on local waters

Little Egret Egretta garzetta Another almost to be expected species about local waters

A drake Teal was distant, closer birds only being heard as they remained in or behind further reeds. A pair of vocal Carrion Crow, the most frequently recorded corvid about the pond at present, in Silver Birch eventually got the courage to join us on the sands, dropping down to scavenge that which had been left by the ever-increasing number of visitors to the pond.

Red Kite Milvus milvus Is it possible to complete an outing in the north of the county without seeing these?

Moving back in to the woodland further invertebrates were encountered in the form of several colonies of mining bees, one having a not so welcome visitation from a presumed larger parasitic bee, and a seething mass of Southern Wood Ant - the latter in such numbers that quiet allowed the movement of them in the low vegetation to be heard!

Southern Wood Ant Formica rufa

All images in the above report gratefully received from Doug. Kelson.

The 'list':

Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit

Buzzard Goldfinch Moorhen Canada Goose Great Crested Grebe Mute Swan Carrion Crow Great Spotted Nuthatch Chaffinch Woodpecker Pied Wagtail Chiffchaff Great Tit Red Kite Coal Tit Green Woodpecker Reed Bunting Coot Greenfinch Robin Cormorant House Sparrow Stock Dove Dunnock Jackdaw Teal Egyptian Goose Lesser Black-backed Gull Treecreeper Feral Pigeon Long-tailed Tit Woodpigeon Firecrest Magpie Wren Goldcrest Mallard

Later:

Cetti's Warbler Common Gull Grey Wagtail

Namibia

4,875km. along roads and rough tracks of sub-Saharan Namibia and Botswana seems as though it could be a gruelling trip but it was endlessly fascinating, hugely rewarding and actually pretty comfortable, with the added bonuses of good leadership and pleasant companions.

If you look at a map of Namibia, the letter “O” is everywhere and I guarantee that there will be plenty of similar exclamations when the birds and other wildlife and scenery of the country are experienced. Twice the area of France and with a population of around 3 million; lots of room for wildlife, still. Much of the land is too dry for agriculture though there are extensive wetlands, especially in the north, around the Okavango River delta and this has meant that much wildlife still survives. Here is found the highest concentration of endemic birds in Africa. There is plenty of woodland as well as true and ancient desert containing spectacular dunes which roll to meet the swell of the ocean. The cool Benguela current surges up from the southern Atlantic, northward along the coast and the nutrient-rich water sustains a marvellous array of sea-birds and mammals. Frequently, the landscape is breath-takingly beautiful. I took the opportunity to visit and tour in October/November 2006 and the memory is still bright and crisp.

Our party arrived in the morning and began birding in the airport at Windhoek. Our attention kept straying from the words of the tour-leaders, Derek Scott and Steve Braine, as South African Cliff Swallows visited nests on the terminal buildings and Rock Martins,

Little Swifts and White-rumped Swifts chased flies above us while Southern Grey-headed Sparrows and Cape Turtle Doves foraged in the flower beds.

We soon headed north into the open bush–country south of Otjiwarongo, (plenty of “O’s” and “Oh’s!” along the way) stopping occasionally to build our bird lists with the likes of Tawny Eagle and two other species of eagle, Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk; two kinds of vulture and several other birds of prey.

Tawny Eagle Southern Pale Chanting-goshawk

Along the roadside, we passed occasional trees bearing what looked like untidy haystacks; a couple adorned telephone/power-line posts. They were the communal nests of the House Sparrow-like Sociable Weavers. Hundreds of pairs may share the building of these nests and each has its own “apartment” within it. Sometimes there may be uninvited guests such as Pygmy Falcons squatting in the structure.

Most of the landscape was vast stretches of classic African bush but the strong fencing along long portions of the roads was a sign that most of this countryside was, in fact, ranch- land. Certainly, there were cattle here and there but, at least along much of our route, large areas were used for game farming. Herds of antelope, gazelle, Warthogs and the like are contained in natural conditions on these huge holdings and are culled for meat and other products. Hunters can pay substantial amounts of cash for the opportunity to shoot this game. Of course, predators such as lions and leopards which might prey on the game are not welcome. I understand that the wild animals which are adapted to live in this region of Africa are more efficient converters of the natural vegetation to protein than cattle, which require good, well-watered grass (rare in much of Namibia) and protection from endemic diseases to thrive in this environment. Wild game can cope with the conditions more successfully. This has meant that most of the landscape still looks much as it has for thousands of years and the bird-life is abundant and varied. Whatever one’s views on hunting, this does mean that much wild game and habitat is preserved. One of the down- sides though is that some ranchers are running herds of animals which are not endemics, for example, White-tailed Gnus, Nyala and Sable Antelope from other African regions. As with

the situation in parts of the U.K. where introduced Sika Deer are interbreeding with Red Deer or the worry that Ruddy Ducks will endanger the purity of the Spanish population of White-headed Duck, hybridisation is a concern to conservationists. Another danger is the possibility that these introduced species will establish themselves in the “true” wild, with unknown consequences.

We enjoyed a break at a German coffee-house (a reminder of a colonial past) in Okahadja and found both greater and Lesser Striped Swallows, Bradfield’s Swifts and the slim African Palm Swifts visiting their nests in nearby palms. Further roadside birding along the way enabled us to swell our lists with the chicken-like Swainson’s Spurfowl and Red-billed Francolin. There was the huge and stately Kori Bustard (which shares the title of the world’s heaviest flying bird) and Monteiro’s, Damara and Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills competed for our attention with the long-tailed and long-billed Violet Woodhoopoe, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, the stubby Long-billed Crombec, cryptically-coloured Marico Flycatcher, Desert Cisticola, and Scaly-feathered Finch, the familiar-looking Great Sparrow, Black-chested Prinia, gleaming Burchell’s Starling and the vivid Crimson-breasted Shrike.

Mount Etjo Safari Lodge, our destination, is established in hilly bush-country beside a large dam which had attracted a good selection of waterfowl and other birds. We eagerly set about looking for them from within the gardens of the Lodge. Most obvious were the Great White Pelicans, the magnificently ugly Marabou Storks and the more elegant Yellow-billed Storks, a few African Spoonbills and many Egyptian Geese and Red-billed Ducks. Around the margins we found several wader species; Black-winged Stilts, migrant Wood Sandpipers, Greenshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ruff and Common Sandpiper. African waders were represented by Three-banded Plover (a little like Ringed) and Blacksmith Lapwing. Dabchicks cruised and dived around a couple of dozing Hippo’s and we had close views of migrant Alpine Swifts skimming low to drink from the dam-water. That night, we could hear lions roaring from a reserve a couple of miles away.

Kori Bustard African Spoonbill Lappet-faced and White-backed Vulture

Our first full day’s birding was in one of the game ranches which was stocked with Impala, Eland, Gemsbok (pronounced “Hemsbok”), Greater Kudu, Warthog, Giraffe etc. The archetypical African savanna scene, in fact; “wild” Africa but with out-of-range Roan Antelope to remind us that it was not quite natural Africa. The lions we had heard in the night were part of a pride “maintained” in a semi-wild condition. Some of our party were taken to watch the lions being fed that evening but I elected to wait for the chance to see “genuine” wild lions later in the trip. In this area were able to get out of the vehicles and walk; much needed exercise after the extended bum-numbing imposed by the previous day’s travelling. By a substantial waterhole we heard the evocative descending whistle of the African Fish-eagle. For me, a definitive and evocative cry of Africa. From my childhood, that call has featured prominently on the soundtrack of most films about African wildlife (and most wild-life films seemed to be about Africa) and to hear and then see the bird is always special. South African Shelduck shared the pool with the Red-billed Ducks and waders. In the surrounding bush we were delighted to search out such gems as Rosy- faced Lovebirds, Acacia Pied Barbet, the quietly attractive Short-toed Rock-thrush, Purple Rollers, which hid the startling blue of their wings until they swooped to a new perch or onto prey, several Sunbird species (those Old World near-counterparts of the New World’s Hummingbirds) and wren-like Grey-backed Eremomela and Burnt-necked Eremomela ( I love the sound of some bird-names…. once I’ve mastered the art of saying them).

Ostrich Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Lesser-masked Weaver Female on eggs Male

A tussock of burnt-looking vegetation sprouted a head which gave us the hint that, in fact, we’d found a female Ostrich brooding eggs. A pair of Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters dashed from their perches to catch dragonflies and we enjoyed the antics of a male Lesser-masked Weaver as he pushed new bits of green grass into his nest then hung beneath it fluttering and singing a scratchy song. The huge forms of Lappet-faced Vultures hulked amongst African White-backed Vultures in Acacia crowns and we identified a couple of Wahlberg’s Eagles soaring over the plains.

We explored an area of rocky semi-desert scrub and found a charming pair of Cardinal Woodpeckers excavating a nest-hole. The male’s neat red crest stuck up in punkish-fashion.

A tumble of scrub-punctuated boulders was home for a shy, near-endemic Rockrunner or Damara Rockjumper which eventually showed itself well.

Cardinal Woodpecker Rockrunner White-tailed Shrike Male with red crest

In the same area we also found the lively and attractive White-tailed Shrike, another near- endemic, which glared fiercely and scolded at us from the thorns.

The next Morning we decamped for a long road-journey, north-east, to Rundu. The roads, however, were good and interest was sustained with plenty of en-route birding. Northern Black Korhaan and Red-crested Korhaans (Bustards). Lilac-breasted Rollers, larks, hirundines and several kinds of starling. There were two species of Hornbill, the brilliant red of Crimson-breasted Shrike, and the White-crested Helmetshrike, Raptors included at least 20 Black-shouldered Kites, the powerful Martial Eagle, Brown Snake Eagles, the scarce Black-chested Snake Eagle and the tilting, almost tail-less flying shapes of several Bateleurs seeking snakes to snack on. In fact, one of the few snakes I saw on this trip was a probable Puff-adder hanging from the claws of a Bateleur. At the roadside and further off in the bush we spotted the occasional group of graceful Impala, a few giant Eland and the dainty Steenbok (or Steinbok) amongst other ungulates. I was pleased to see a low-slung Slender Mongoose running about with almost snake-like sinuosity. Chacma Baboons were frequent and, as we progressed northwards they became darker, almost black in hue.

A re-fuelling halt allowed us the opportunity to stretch our legs and get good views of three kinds of hirundine; Greater and Lesser Striped Swallows, drinking from puddles and Rock Martins resting on a roof. Above the pumps several Little Swifts were on their nests in the shade and tiny, Budgie-tailed Namaqua Doves stirred the sand for seeds, nearby. These birds, unusually, amongst doves and pigeons, show marked sexual dimorphism, the females lacking the strong black markings of the males.

Namaqua Dove Rock Martin Male

Another break, at Roy’s Camp, north east of Grootfontein allowed us to refresh ourselves and do a little birding on foot in the surrounding scrub. This produced excellent views of a group of Black-faced Babblers near the restaurant. There were about five of them, all ferrying food from the leaf-litter to a single nest; “helpers” to the breeding pair. A nesting Groundscraper Thrush was brooding quietly, unworried by the coming and going of customers nearby. A black Fork-tailed Drongo launched itself at flying insects and a smallish brown and white shrike with a broad white supercilium was our first Brubru of the trip.

Groundscraper Thrush Black-faced Babbler

By late afternoon, the Acacia-dominated scrub had changed to the taller but fairly open Miombo woodland which typifies the better-watered north-eastern border-region of Namibia, The leaves of the Miombo trees are bifurcated so that they approximate the shape of an antelope’s hoof-print. A foray into this habitat revealed that the “soil” seemed to be almost pure, grey-white sand. Small trails and excavations showed that there was much small life to be found on and in it, such as an attractive species of Agama lizard which posed for a few moments before diving into a small tunnel. Giant Millipedes, some

significantly longer than the average new pencil, were frequent, gliding through the loose leaf-litter. This was fairly plentiful because we were there near the end of the dry season and many trees were sparsely-foliaged to cope with the drought by reducing the amount of transpiration through their leaves. The time of day, late afternoon, meant that the woods were fairly quiet but we managed to find a good selection of birds there.

Agama Lizard sp. Giant Millipede Dark Chanting-goshawk

Notable were Dark Chanting-goshawk, (lacks white rump of Pale Chanting-goshawk) Kurrichane Thrush, the delightfully named but plain-coloured; Tinkling Cisticola (is that an annoying infection?) and a Neddicky (another Cisticola, named after its song). Southern Black Flycatcher, Red-headed Weaver, Fawn-coloured Lark, Yellow-throated Canary were seen and a beautiful Golden-breasted Bunting sang from a tree.

It was nearing sunset by the time we reached our destination, a lodge on the banks of the Okavango River and the promise of a beer and the exploration of a new habitat the following day.

Doug. Kelson

Local Wildlife News

The following ‘highlights’ reports received over the earliest part of the ‘spring’. If you’ve anything further to add, please feel free to let us know at any time. All reports will be appreciated, whether they relate to birds or any other form of local wildlife. Also, as they say, this is “Just the tip of the iceberg” – there’s a great deal more out there to be found, especially as we head towards what’s perceived as the start of the spring and the busiest of the migration seasons.

Badger – one ‘local’ sett remained active, three residents being seen post-dusk on 14th.

Badger Meles meles Doug. Kelson

Black Redstart – a female graced rooftops in Whitchurch for just one day, 4th, with another found at Ashley Warren on 7th. Cetti's Warbler – the male at the Filtration Pools, Overton remained on territory, albeit without a ‘friend’. Cowslip – one of the more anticipated flowers to brighten chalk-based areas was seen in good numbers, as were many dandelions, Marsh Marigold adorning wetter areas – it’s that ‘golden’ time for year for plants!

Cowslip Primula veris Beacon Hill Doug. Kelson

Dunlin – one appeared in Eastrop Park on 15th, amongst the many, many hundreds of holiday-makers. At one point it was seen almost to be swept up, unintentionally, in one child’s pond-dipping net! Glow Worm – an unexpected find was of several larvae, especially as they were in very close proximity to several Slow-worm.

Glow Worm Lampyris noctiluca Crookham Common Doug. Kelson If you’ve yet to see these well look out for news on a Glow Worm Evening to be run by Overton Biodiversity Society; an annual event that always brightens an evening!

Little Egret – eight roosted at The Mill Field LNR the evening before the March Indoor Meeting. Local birds were about to at least the day before the April Indoor Meeting, the last recorded being at The Source of The Test. Prior to this birds were also seen about The Test in Overton and Laverstoke. Long-eared Owl – one was seen at Ashley Warren early in April. Osprey – one moved north over The Mill Field LNR on 25th, a further two possibles being seen a little further afield about the southern Berkshire gravel pits. Palmate Newt – along with Smooth Newt these were seen at several local watery areas, often ‘floating’ near the surface of the water and giving excellent views. Red Kite – yes, they’re still about – but does anybody even notice them nowadays? Ring Ouzel – a peak of four on Beacon Hill was appreciated by several locals but paled in to insignificance compared to the 52 on Combe Gibbett late on 13th, ‘only’ 14 being seen there early the following morning.

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus (x4!) Beacon Hill Doug. Kelson

Short-eared Owl – the find of the early spring, as yet, was of tree-roosting birds, at least eight, perhaps ten or more, being seen regularly north of Overton to at last early April. Slow-worm – these, along with Common Lizard, Grass Snake and Adder were seen on local grass and healthland.

Slow-worm Anguis fragilis (x5!) Crookham Common Doug. Kelson “I turned over a bit of rubbish and found a large male Slow-worm. I started to photograph him then noticed this larval Glow-worm. Then I found another. Meanwhile the Slow-worm legged it. So: Slow-worm; Glow-worm; no worm”

Small Tortoiseshell – not that notable perhaps, but I just wanted to include the following image! Also on the wing locally were Brimstone, Orange-tip, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Holly Blue, Small and Green-veined White.

Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae Beacon Hill Doug. Kelson

Further afield an almost lingering Scarce / Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell at Pulborough Brooks was seen by two locals – their first ‘tick’ of the year; the RSPB strikes again! Soprano Pipistrelle – the first local bat of the year was at The Mill Field LNR the evening prior to the March Indoor Meeting. Stone-curlew – they’re back! At least one bird has been seen on a regular Borough site. Swallow – the first locally were three north-east through the town on 17th. Wryneck – the umpteenth in recent years was seen at The Mill Field LNR, albeit just early morning and by one observer – this being about his 8th on site!

Migrants noted in the Borough to date have included: Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Swallow, Osprey, Wryneck, Willow Warbler, Stone-curlew, Black Redstart, Wheatear, Sand Martin, Tree Pipit and Ring Ouzel with wintering Short- eared Owl, Fieldfare and Redwing still lingering to early in April.

As always, thank you to all those that have contributed to this report; if I have missed anything, please do let me know and be sure to keep me updated as we head yet further in to the winter. If you find anything you consider particularly notable, or you would like an update on what is happening locally, please do feel free to contact me at any time. I can assure you that you will always get a favourable response! 07895 – 388378 is the hot line, well my mobile number anyway! 

Quiz ‘Page’

Leading in to the spring proper here’s an easy warbler worrier for you!

There are a number of Passeriformes (perching birds) called 'warblers'. They are not particularly closely related, but share some characteristics, such as being fairly small, vocal and insectivorous. They tend to be more easily heard than seen. Identification can be difficult and may be made on the basis of song alone.

Cetti's Warbler Marsh Warbler Garden Warbler Willow Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers Binomial: Phylloscopus trochilus Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Status: Breeding Summer Visitor Very common and widespread. Its song is a simple repetitive descending whistle, while the contact call is a disyllabic 'hoo- eet'. It is greenish brown above and off-white to yellowish below.

Blackcap Cetti's Warbler Sedge Warbler Garden Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers Binomial: Sylvia borin Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Status: Breeding Summer Visitor A very plain bird with no distinguishing features (a feature in itself!). Especially likes coppiced woodland. Sometimes seen in farmland hedgerows. Its song is a pleasant chattering with many clearer notes like a blackbird.

Wood Warbler Cetti's Warbler Sedge Warbler Eurasian Reed Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers Binomial: Cettia cetti Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Status: Resident Breeding Species It is one of the UK's most recent colonists, first breeding here in 1973. Likes damp areas close to wetlands. A skulking bird and can prove very difficult to see. Named after an Italian zoologist.

Wood Warbler Marsh Warbler Dartford Warbler Eurasian Reed Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers Binomial: Acrocephalus palustris Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Status: Breeding Summer Visitor It is notable for incorporating striking imitations of a wide variety of other birds into its song. The UK population of this warbler has fallen and is now of serious conservation concern.

Blackcap Wood Warbler Cetti's Warbler Eurasian Reed Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers Binomial: Acrocephalus scirpaceus Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sylviidae Status: Breeding Summer Visitor In the summer, can be looked for in reedbeds in lowland central and southern England and Wales. Sings from within the reedbed rather than from a perch, so often heard rather than seen.

Blackcap Marsh Warbler Dartford Warbler Grasshopper Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers Binomial: Locustella naevia Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Status: Breeding Summer Visitor It creeps through grass and low foliage. A skulking species which is very difficult to see. The song is a monotonous mechanical insect-like reeling, often given at dusk. It winters from Africa to India.

Blackcap Sedge Warbler

Willow Warbler Dartford Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers Binomial: Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Status: Breeding Summer Visitor It is a summer visitor, and winters in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. The song is varied, rushed and chattering, with sweeter phrases and some mimicry. This warbler is mostly insectivorous.

Blackcap Marsh Warbler Garden Warbler Dartford Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers Binomial: Sylvia undata Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Status: Resident Breeding Species This long-tailed warbler has suffered in the past from severe winters. Its population crashed to a few pairs in the 1960s, since when it has gradually recovered, increasing in both numbers and range.

Blackcap Wood Warbler Cetti's Warbler Eurasian Reed Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers Binomial: Sylvia atricapilla Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Status: Resident Breeding Species & Summer Visitor The alarm call, 'tacc', sounds like two pebbles striking one another. Its song is a rich and varied warble, starting with a chattering and finishing with a flourish of flute-like notes.

10.

Blackcap Wood Warbler Cetti's Warbler Eurasian Reed Warbler

Group: Old World Warblers Binomial: Phylloscopus sibilatrix Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae Status: Breeding Summer Visitor

This warbler is strongly migratory and the entire population winters in tropical Africa. This is a bird of open but shady mature woodlands, such as beech, with some sparse ground cover for nesting.

And from March, the visitants from the south were as follows:

1. This one might look like it’s got suntan lines! Wheatear. 2. From another planet, lacking in eyes but not determination, well, grit at least! Sand Martin. 3. The most repetitive of incoming songsters. Chiffchaff. 4. One of these was found in the Bahamas in November 2014! Cuckoo. 5. Bug-eyed wanderer of farmland. Stone-curlew. 6. A fluting acro. Reed Warbler. 7. No rats follow this popular puddle potterer. Common Sandpiper. 8. A mouthful of migrant! Swallow. 9. The diminutive of a disk-like legume aficionado. Little Ringed Plover. 10. Seen as it sallies forth. Spotted Flycatcher. 11. A waxen gullet? Whitethroat. 12. A strange quirk places this with a spatulate name! Garganey. 13. Beret-wearing bird? Blackcap. 14. What birds are the B.T.O. asking you to help with surveying this year? House Martin. 15. The forest flautist? Wood Warbler. 16. Pie-grièche écorcheur, or so the French would have us believe! Red-backed Shrike. 17. A successful sentence, or two. Whinchat. 18. Superiority with a capital S, this before battle, in thickening mist. Sedge Warbler. 19. An almost instantaneous insectivore! Swift. 20. A riverside growing but hazy diva. Willow Warbler.

And Finally!

Migrant Songbirds Slaughtered On Industrial Scale On MoD Base

900,000 songbirds killed on Autumn migration at British military base in Cyprus

The numbers of trapped songbirds illegally killed on a British military base in Cyprus last autumn reached an estimated 900,000 birds - the highest level recorded in 12 years, according to the latest RSPB-funded research of trapping activity on the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, close to the tourist hotspot of Ayia Napa.

Following the dramatic increase in bird deaths, the RSPB and BirdLife Cyprus – the RSPB’s BirdLife International partner on the island - are urging the Base Area authorities to continue the positive start made late last year to clamp down on the illegal trappers by removing the planted scrub, which the trappers use as cover for their illegal activities while on the military base. The acacia scrub also attracts vast numbers of migrating songbirds, moving between Europe and Africa each autumn. Small-scale trapping of songbirds for human consumption on Cyprus was practiced for many centuries, but it has been illegal on the island for 40 years, when it was outlawed in 1974. Unfortunately, organised crime now seems to be driving this illegal activity which is thought to be worth millions of Euros every autumn from the songbirds the trappers kill on British Ministry of Defence (MoD) land and then sell to consume illegally in the Republic. BirdLife Cyprus and the RSPB have been monitoring illegal songbird trapping activity on the British military base at Dhekelia since 2002. The figures for last autumn reveal that 2014 was the worst year on record, by far, with an estimated 900,000 birds being killed. This is equivalent to almost 15,000 songbirds a day during the September-October period. The latest figures are now three times higher than when the monitoring started in 2002.

Comparative figures for the Republic of Cyprus reveal that illegal bird trapping is still a considerable issue, but the figures have reduced since 2002. This is probably because of the more extensive areas of illegally-planted avenues of acacia scrub which have been allowed to be grown by criminals on MoD land. This illegal bird-killing infrastructure is used by the trappers as cover to attract the birds and to set their nets. Dr Tim Stowe is the RSPB’s International Director. He said: “The report highlights the illegal trapping of songbirds on the British military base has escalated and we are urging the Ministry of Defence and the Base Area authorities to resolve it before this autumn’s migration. Such extensive illegal activity requires all the Cyprus authorities to work together to combat it, and the Base Areas’ contribution should be zero-tolerance towards illegal bird trapping. “We were pleased that the Base Area authorities have started to remove acacia scrub last December. We believe the scale of illegal trapping requires continuing and sustained action, and we’ll continue to offer our support.” The RSPB welcomes the signing by the Base Area authorities of a Cyprus Strategic Action Plan on illegal bird trapping.

BirdLife Cyprus and the RSPB believe that the Sovereign Base Area authorities should now develop a plan to remove all the illegally-planted and non-native avenues of acacia on MoD land as rapidly as possible. Dr Clairie Papazoglou is the Executive Director of BirdLife Cyprus. She said: “Acacia isn’t a native plant in Cyprus, so the planting of extensive stands of this shrub by the trappers is a highly visible symbol of their flagrant disregard for anti-trapping laws. In fact, you can see these plantations from space. By removing the acacia, the Sovereign Base Area authorities would send a clear signal that they will not tolerate the slaughter of birds on British bases.” The songbirds are trapped to provide the main ingredient for the local and expensive delicacy of ambelopoulia, where a plate of songbirds, such as Blackcaps or Robins, is served to restaurant diners. The illegality of the practice and the high profits are attracting the attention of organised crime gangs.

Although 'traditional' trapping methods such as lime-sticks are still used the mist nets are taking the slaughter to another level © RSPB Images

Today, most trappers will use long lines of nearly invisible netting, known as mist nets. They attract birds into them on an industrial-scale by playing birdsong to lure them in. Traditionally, trappers had relied solely on lime-sticks, where stems of pomegranate are coated in a locally-manufactured ‘lime’ and are then placed in trees and bushes. Passing birds become stuck on the lime-coated sticks where they fall easy prey to trappers. Whilst lime-sticks are still used in many areas, mist-netting between planted avenues of acacia has now taken the slaughter to a whole new level. Since 2002, the monitoring program has recorded over 150 different bird species which have become trapped in nets or on lime-sticks. Cyprus has two songbirds found nowhere else in the world: the Cyprus warbler and the Cyprus Wheatear. Both of these songbirds are impacted by illegal trapping.