246 HOC NEWS August quarterly bulletin for herefordshire birdwatchers 2018
Tawny Owl Survey page 10
Curlew recovery project page 11
HOC indoor meetings page 13
Snippet 17: Robins - A population crash Sparrowhawkof byMickColquhoun
page 18 Photo Editorial by Nicky Davies Hello again from a very hot and uncomfortable Editorial Towers! Despite the heat this summer, members have been extremely busy volunteering with projects, surveys and watching the fate of our feathered friends. For many birds, it appears that the extended hot and dry season is having a detrimental impact. Insects are not surviving or readily available to breeding birds, the essential component to starting off in life for many species. Wetlands are drying up, small mammals are struggling to survive and heat exhaustion is taking its toll - this doesn't look good… HOC recognises that without the extremely valuable effort put in by our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to provide so much support for both our breeding and visiting birds. Thank you. And whilst on the subject of volunteers, there are opportunities to get involved in HOC’s activities. Interested in surveying for Tawny Owls, Sand Martins, Swifts or Curlews? For more information, there are more details throughout this newsletter with contact details. If you have a willingness to assist in the engine powerhouse of HOC, there is a vacancy for someone to take over the reins from our one and only Jim Wilkinson who after many years, needs a break and can be unleashed to go on long birding holidays and get involved in practical works at some of our valued sites across the County. Robert Taylor has provided an article on the series of Herefordshire Birding Sites (page 4) and is asking if anybody would like to contribute to compiling information on a list of sites. Talking of which, Mervyn Davies has provided information on Site 45 - a personal favourite of mine - the River Wye at Winforton, maybe I shouldn't have published this, I want it all to myself! Chris Robinson has summarised the Nest Recording Scheme training day - thank you to all who took part and Herefordshire can now boast that it has 12 more trained and competent nest recorders. It looks as though it was a great day and much was learnt. The beloved Robins are back. Guy Woodford has provided another intimate observation on these birds and how they have fared over the brutal winter months. Remember that the closing date for submissions for the next edition of HOC news is 14th October. Please add this date to your diaries. Submissions dates are the same every year. They are as follows; 14th January, 14th April, 14th July, 14th October Finally, If you have any queries about submitting information, please contact me on (07855 126642) or email at [email protected] Happy birding Nicky
www.herefordshirebirds.org Ringed Plover. By Nick Pegler 2 Contents
Editorial 2 Herefordshire Birding Sites 4 Sand Martin Project 5 Treasurer wanted 5 What’s in a Name? 6 Nest Recording Training Day 7 Birding Spot Highlight - River Wye, Winforton 8 Tawny Owl Survey 10 Curlew Recovery Project Update 11 HOC Field Meetings 12 HOC Indoor Meeting Dates 13 HOC Field Meeting Reports 14 Event Notice 17 Robins - 17. A population Crash 18 Swift Survey - Help Required 19 Advertising/Submissions/Contacts 20
3 www.herefordshirebirds.org
Common Sandpiper Picture taken by Nick Peg;er Herefordshire birding sites by Robert Taylor
This edition of the Newsletter includes the ninth and latest birding spot highlight, Winforton, River Wye written by Mervyn Davies. The aim is to produce similar articles for all forty-five sites of ornithological interest in Herefordshire. Writers have been identified for a further fifteen sites and these will be published in due course. This, however, leaves twenty-five sites for which we are seeking writers. The sites are: Bircher Common; Bunch of Carrots, River Wye; Coneygree Wood, Ledbury; Harley’s Mountain; Haugh Wood; Holme Lacey, River Wye; Hergest Ridge; High Vinnals; Leominster by-pass; Letton Lakes; Lyepole, River Lugg; Mary Knoll Valley; Mahon Gravel Pits; Midsummer Hill & Hollybush; Milton Cross & Shobdon Industrial Estate; Sellack, River Wye; Shobdon Court Pools; Kinnersley; Wapley Hill; Wigmore Rools and Wilton, River Wye. If one or more of these sites are on your ‘patch’ would you be able to help us complete the set? We can supply you with a blank template into which all the necessary information can be added and will provide any help needed to complete the template. Alternatively, you could provide the necessary information and we will complete the templates. It would be really good if we could complete the work on all sites by the end of this year, so that the articles can be loaded onto the Club’s new website which is scheduled for launch early in 2019. If you can help, please contact Robert Taylor at [email protected] or on 01989 730537.
Dipper. By Thomas Winstone
www.herefordshirebirds.org 4 Sand Martin Project By Andrew Strong
Two beautiful early June mornings on the River Wye and 88 Sand Martins caught for ringing. Of those caught, 28 had been previously, all at the same site. Analysing this data provides important information about our local colony. Last year one of the birds caught on the Wye had been ringed in France, giving details of its route between Herefordshire and their wintering grounds in the Sahel region of Africa (from Senegal eastwards). This year we caught a bird that we had ringed in 2014. It was an adult then and therefore has travelled between here and Africa at least ten times, a total distance of over 40,000 (forty thousand) kilometres. All on a diet of insects and without a satnav. 2018 saw Sand Martins, and other hirundines, arrive much later than usual. Also, various locations across the UK are reporting colonies being much smaller. Whilst the reason for this has yet to be established and could be due to factors anywhere, in either their wintering grounds or on their migration route, the data we are collecting will help show any local changes and effects. High rainfall in the UK in June has been shown to have a negative impact on Sand Martin colonies as they struggle to feed young. This year rainfall has been far below the average and may help balance things, but stressed birds arriving later have smaller broods, so it’s a complicated situation. Steph Tyler continues to be a vital part of the ringing team, and this year students from Cardiff University Ornithological Society were invited to attend. The students greatly appreciated the opportunity to assist with our fieldwork and showed that there are young ornithologists keen to be involved in club activities when given the chance. Further updates will appear as this project progresses. Andrew Strong and Dan Webb
Treasurer wanted!! by Jim Wilkinson ….not the best headline perhaps. The money is all still there so don’t worry but I do intend relinquishing the post at the next AGM in March 2019. The time is right for a new appointment so it would be good to find someone who could work alongside me for the remainder of my term. Over the last few years, with the progress of technology, the Treasurer’s role has become much simpler. It is a job for which you would need to be comfortable with spreadsheets and online banking but nothing very complicated. The busiest period is in January when subscriptions are due with most being paid by Standing Order direct into our account. There are bills to pay throughout the year but in 2016/17 I wrote 11 cheques all year. All other bills were paid on line which makes it much easier than when I started. HOC cannot function without a Treasurer so, if you might be interested in taking on the role and making your contribution to the future of the club, please get in touch with me. My contact details are on the back page.
5 www.herefordshirebirds.org What’s in a name? Number 3 by Robert Taylor The old English name for this bird was Hragra, still preserved in in Shetland as Hegrie and Hegril’s Skip. In Suffolk it is sometimes called Frank after its call. This species was often used as prey for hawking – ‘a marvellous and delectable pastime’ according to Harting writing in the Ornithology of Shakespeare in 1871. There is a print from 1799 in the British Museum showing a group of men on horseback riding in a line across grassy hills, with three riders in the foreground, the one in the centre pointing with his whip towards two hawks preparing to attack the species in question. However, the prey often escaped by flying high and avoiding conflict with the hawks. It was due to hawking that the species was accorded a reputation for cowardice, and the exiled French noble Robert of Artois who presented Edward III with a dish of these birds roasted, signifying that they were cowardly birds for the cowardly king who did not invade France, made a play on this. The dish may have had the desired effect, as Edward III subsequently did invade France, leading to the Hundred Years War! In past times, this species was thought to have sympathy with the moon, and in Angus in Scotland, the species was believed to wax and wane with the moon, being plump when the moon is full and lean at the crescent. Old medicine too, took account of lunar cycles and recipes often often prescribe the picking of a herb only when the moon was at its fullest. In the north of Ireland, the fat of this species when killed at full moon was believed to be a remedy for rheumatism. Other local names, such as Longnix in Cheshire and Joan-na-ma-crank in Cumberland and my observations of them hunting moorhen chicks on the pond in my garden provide further clues to the species. The scientific name of Ardea cinerea, with cinerae meaning ash-grey, provides the final clue. Answer on page 19
www.herefordshirebirds.org 6 Nest recording training day by Chris Robinson May 12th was the day set for the nest finders training day and a total of twelve people assembled at the village hall in Sellack for a day of tuition in the art of nest finding and recording. We were under the guidance of two experienced trainers recruited from across the border, Jerry Lewis from Gwent and Dan Jenkin-Jones from Glamorgan as well as our own Dan Webb also an experienced nest finder in his own right. The aim of the day was to acquaint people with basic nest finding techniques and to explain the process of submitting the information collected to the BTO Nest Record Scheme (NRS). From data such as the dates of nest building, egg laying and hatching; the number of eggs laid and hatched and the number of young surviving to fledging BTO can build up a picture of how successful (or otherwise) breeding is for any particular species over time. After a short introductory session in the hall we split into two groups and armed with the two “tools of the trade” we’d been told to bring (a stout stick and a mirror on a stick) we set out along the nearby lanes and fields to find our first nests. In this we were only moderately successful but nests were found including Whitethroat, Chaffinch and Blackbird. After lunch we moved to nearby Pengethley Park where the hope was that we might find a Linnet’s nest in the gorse there. That proved to be elusive too but it really didn’t matter - we were learning so much as we went along about the nesting habits of different birds and we had Moorhen and Song Thrush nests as compensation. After a return to the hall for a refreshing cup of tea and a session going over the submission process we all returned home to practice our new craft and since then over 200 nest records have been submitted to the NRS by members of the group. We have also set up a Herefordshire Nest Finders group on WhatsApp which has proved a great success in keeping each other up to date on progress and findings.
Some of the nest finders ready for action in the car park
Many thanks to Andrew Strong for managing the organisation of the day and, of course to Dan J-J, Jerry and Dan W. for teaching us so much. www.herefordshirebirds.org 7 Herefordshire Birding Spot Highlight - Site 45. Winforton, River Wye by Mervyn Davies Overview
This is a picturesque point on the River Wye, accessed from Winforton and opposite Castleton and Merbach Hill, where the river meanders through the wide floodplain between Whitney-on-Wye and Bredwardine. It is an important habitat for waterbirds and waders, as well as summer migrants.
Directions, parking, access times and other facilities
Map reference: SO 293462;
Postcode: HR3 6EF
Vehicular access: Follow the A438 from Willersley towards Hay-on-Wye, on reaching Winforton village pass The Sun Inn on right and take next left turn signed ‘Bakers Lane leading to The Vineyards’. Continue down this lane taking the unsurfaced road straight ahead, proceed for 400 m to a wider area of the lane near a gateway (SO 295465) and park up.
Access by foot: Walk down Bakers Lane and follow the footpath around to the riverside at SO 293462. Note: there is a footpath to the south alongside the river, but there is no access beyond the fisherman’s hut to the west.
Other facilities: Refreshments and toilets are available at: The Sun Inn, Winforton HR3 6EA - http://thesuninnwinforton.co.uk/ or The Tram Inn, Eardisley, HR3 6PG
Maps: Ordnance Survey Explorer 201 & Landranger 149
Birds to see
Resident Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Goosander, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Little Grebe Winter Whooper and Bewick’s Swans, Lapwing Summer Sand Martin (colony on opposite bank) and other hirundines, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Yellow Wagtail, Redstart, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Tree Sparrow (occasionally) Spring / Autumn Wheatear is a regular spring and autumn passage species, Curlew on spring passage
www.herefordshirebirds.org 8 Resources http://www.eardisleygroupcommunity.co.uk/index.aspx This site provides descriptions of three villages in the area: Eardisley, Whitney-on-Wye and Winforton giving a bit of history and a quick modern view of each. http://www.hay-on-wye.co.uk/bookshops/default.asp An overview of Hay-on-Wye bookshops http://lettoncourtfishery.com/ Fishing at Letton Court Nearby sites Merbach Hill; Letton Lakes; The Sturts HWT Kinnersley; Hergest Ridge; Bradnor Hill NT
www.herefordshirebirds.org 9 Forthcoming Tawny Owl Survey by Chris Robinson This year BTO are carrying out a national Tawny Owl survey which will take place in the period between mid-August and mid-October. It will be a repeat of the surveys carried out in 1989 and 2005 and the same survey areas as before are being targeted. The survey is based on a random selection of 10km squares in Britain where Tawny Owls might occur and within each square a sample of 60% of the possible 25 tetrads (2km squares) within it need to be visited to check for presence of Tawny Owls. Herefordshire has three such 10km squares so we therefore have 45 tetrads which are up for survey and these are designated as priority 1. The remaining 30 are priority 2 and can be surveyed if we have time and/or enough surveyors. Priority 1 tetrads were covered in the previous surveys so will provide the most useful data if they can be resurveyed and are therefore the ones we need to cover first. Our three Herefordshire 10km squares are fairly widespread and at least one is in an area of relatively low birder density so I am looking for anyone who might be prepared to help especially if they are able to travel a short distance from their home. The survey itself is really straightforward – just visit your tetrad during the two hours after sunset at any time during the 3 month survey period, stand for 20 minutes at or near the centre of it and record any Tawny Owls you see or hear calling. A second visit is required, ideally within two but no longer than four weeks after that. By the time you read this the Tawny Owl survey section of the BTO website will be fully up and running. There you can find out more about the survey and sign up for a tetrad. Alternatively look at the map below to see where the priority tetrads are and contact me. As a guide, SO35 (top western square) has Lyonshall roughly at its centre, SO65 (top eastern square) has Bromyard at its centre and SO62 (bottom eastern square) has Ross-on-Wye on its western edge. Chris Robinson [email protected] Tel 01981 510360
www.herefordshirebirds.org 10 Herefordshire Curlew Recovery Project by Chris Robinson
You will have seen from previous editions of the newsletter that two years ago we embarked upon a campaign to first identify where Curlew were still breeding in the county and then, if possible, to try to help their recovery. As is now well known this bird is one of the fastest, if not the fastest, declining species in the UK. This year we have been very busy and our small team is gradually understanding more about the habits of this rather enigmatic bird. From the beginning we were members of the Lowland Curlew Forum (see http://www.curlewcall.org/) and it has been really useful working with some of the other counties and statutory bodies to share knowledge and experience. Brief highlights for the year so far are:- 1. We found 3 nests. 2. We had at least another 2 sites which raised young, one of which fledged 2 young. 3. Our early searches and slightly increased workforce have identified at least 6 new probable (in one case definite) breeding sites. 4. In addition we now realise that at some sites where last year we assumed there was only 1 pair of birds there are in reality 2 or even 3 pairs in reasonably close proximity. This would explain the somewhat scattered distribution of our previous and historical records from certain parts of the county. There are undoubtedly more Curlews breeding (or attempting to) in the county than our previous records suggested. 5. We have established good working relationships with several landowners who are all very keen to protect “their” Curlew. 6. We erected signs asking walkers to keep dogs on leads at all entrances to Sink Green Farm, Hampton Meadows and Upper Lugg Meadows. Overall compliance with these is unknown but the latter site is a major attraction for the dog walking fraternity and this is presumed to be a major reason why Curlews do not nest there. There was bad news too which I won’t go into here (nest predation being a major problem) but we will be developing plans and strategies for next year which will hopefully help alleviate some of it. One thing that is very apparent however is that we will need more field workers. Finding and monitoring Curlews is time consuming but very rewarding work but anyone with a pair of binoculars can do it so you don’t need to be an expert! There will be little to do before next spring but please get in touch now if you’d like to help. Chris Robinson Email: [email protected] Tel: 01981 510360
White violets - a sign of the arrival of spring! Picture by Nicky Davies
www.herefordshirebirds.org 11 HOC Field Meetings: July - December 2018 Wigmore Rolls (Joint HOC walk with Butterfly Conservation) July 31st, Tuesday Meet at the site entrance on the minor road leading west from Wigmore village (SO 397:688) at 10.30am for a morning walk. Please car-share if possible as parking is limited. We will be following reasonably good forest tracks, but the site is steep in places. Approaching from the south on the A4110, turn left on the minor road opposite the school in Wigmore. Follow this for approx 1 mile and park on the right in small lay-by, where Forestry Commission steel barrier can be seen.10.30am - 1pm, a slightly later start will hopefully mean that we're more likely to actually see some butterflies.
Leader: Rhona Goddard, Butterfly Conservation Wood white Project officer. Email: rgoddard@butterfly-conservation.org (tel: 01746 762364 or mobile: 07903 038261) Bunch of Carrots, Hampton Bishop - am only September 6th Thursday Meet at lay–by near Bunch of Carrots Inn at Hampton Bishop (SO 550:382) at 9.30am for a walk along the river Wye heading downstream. Waterproof footwear essential, easy walking with no excessive gradients. Noted for a good cross section of birds and a few rarities! We will finish at Mordiford Bridge where some of the cars can be parked in advance to ferry people back to Hampton Bishop. No dogs please.
Leader: Gerald Parker (tel: 01432 760023)
Upton Warren Worcestershire, B61 7ET September 27th Thursday There is limited parking so meet in the Webbs of Wychbold Garden Centre car park across from the reserve at 9.15am - as close to the exit as is sensible. (Take Junction 5 off the M5 onto the A38 and follow the brown signs to Webbs). Car share to go to The Moors in the morning - (freshwater pools) and subsequently to The Flashes (saline pools) after lunch, we should see lots of wildfowl and wetland birds from the various hides. For information about the site including direction of how to get there, check out, www.worcestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/reserves/upton-warren.If you are a Wildlife Trust member, please bring your membership card with you, if you are not a member you will need to purchase a day- pass (currently, £3) from the sailing centre cafe, this can be done after our visit to The Moors if necessary. There are toilets either at Webbs or at the Sailing Club Cafe.
Leader: Sue Griffin (tel: 07572 308056)
Wapley Hill November 8th Thursday Meet at 9.30 am in the car park (SO 359:622). Walk through the wood looking for winter finches and possible marsh and willow tits. Lunch in cars then pm to Shobdon Lakes meeting at SO 401:629 for a short walk. No dogs.
Leader: John Pullen (tel: 01600 750266)
Bodenham Lake and Wellington Gravel Pits December 9th Thursday Meet at 10am at the Bodenham Lake car park (SO 529:512) HR1 3JT For a visit to the hides and a look at the ongoing project work, then on to Wellington gravel pits. Wildfowl and other wetland birds will be the focus of the day. Please bring a packed lunch, nearest toilets Queenswood. No dogs please.
Leader: Trevor Hulme (tel: 016432 882071)
Bar-tailed Godwit by Nick Pegler
12 www.herefordshirebirds.org HOC Indoor meeting speakers for the autumn Every 2nd Thursday in the month. Held at the Holmer Parish Centre (SO505:423) Holmer, Hereford. On the A49, Leominster Road, just north of ‘The Starting Gate Inn’ roundabout and on left by Holmer Parish Church; car park and other facilities. All meetings are on Thursdays at 7.30pm. A fee of £2 per member, £3 per non-member, includes refreshments
Date Speaker Subject
13th September Baz Hughes Spoonbill Sandpipers
11th October Steve Roberts Goshawks
8th November Denise Foster Swifts
13th December Keith Offord Magical Merlins
10th January 2019 Dominic Couzens Bird behaviour
FRIDAY (not Thursday) 15th February Tim Birkhead Dr Walker Memorial Lecture -“Francis 2019 Willughby - the First True Ornithologist" (To be held at Bartestree Village Hall due to large numbers of interested attendees)
Sanderlings. By Nick Pegler
www.herefordshirebirds.org 13 HOC Field Meeting Reports RSPB Ham Wall 14th May 2018 Leader: Trevor Hulme It was a lovely sunny day as we assembled at the RSPB car park on the Somerset levels. A Bittern boomed in the background and a Great White Egret did a fly over, so the signs augured well. Seventeen HOC members and two guests from Yorkshire set off over the canal, glimpsing our first Marsh Harrier of the day as we crossed the bridge. The first section of path was quite sheltered and sunny and produced what was for many, the first dragonflies of the year, with four spotted chaser and hairy dragonfly both showing well. Bursts of song from whitethroat and willow warbler were joined by Cetti's Warbler which accompanied us for much of the day. A Cuckoo was heard in the distance. The full sweep of the marshes then came into view. Lapwing, Reed and Sedge Warbler were calling and there were Pochard and Little Egret among the commoner species on the channels dividing the reeds. A nice bonus was a Barn Owl spotted perched outside a nest box in the distance, but a few folk managed to get ‘scopes on it before it retreated. A few towards the front of the group also managed a fleeting view of a distant pair of Bittern on the wing. Next we made our way to the impressive Avalon hide, which affords great views over the marshes and Glastonbury Tor beyond. Here there were more distant views of Marsh Harrier and egrets along with soaring Swifts and a selection of wildfowl. We searched the path leading from the hide for Garganey and Bearded Tit but these elusive species remained just that. Shortly we made a lunch stop on one of the open viewing platforms. This also produced the first Hobbies of the day, clearly late risers as these great birds were numerous for the rest of our visit, with up to six seen at a time. Swallows appeared and another Bittern also favoured us with a fly past. After lunch we slowly made our way around Loxton and Walton Heath Marshes on the south side of the reserve. These don't have the extensive views of the north side, but you feel properly immersed in the marsh. Better views of Harrier and some close views of Great White Egrets, Reed Bunting and for a few Garden Warblers. It was also a day for Brimstone butterflies which seemed to be everywhere along these trails, joined by the occasional Peacock, Tortoiseshell and Orange Tip. Our last stop at Ham Wall was at the well placed hide in the middle of Walton Heath marsh which offers 360 degree views over the reed beds and open water. As well as the by now familiar Bittern and Great White sightings, a pair of Grey Herons with well grown young, nesting amongst the reeds, provided some entertainment. Finally we ventured over the road into the adjacent Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve and made our way along the disused railway line to the tower hide. This overlooks a wader flash which contained a group of Black Tailed Godwits resplendent in their colourful summer plumage. A nearby Great Crested Grebe with small young riding on it's back, was a delightful sight. And so back to our vehicles with a pair of Ravens taking the day’s bird species total to 54. Our thanks to Gerald Parker for keeping the bird list for the day. Wormelow Bird Identification 31st May 2018 Leaders: John Pullen and Tony Eveleigh The rain increased as thirteen of us met to walk to the Mynde paying particular attention to bird song. As we waited in the cars a Wood Pigeon sheltered in an elder tree, Blackbirds sang while one picked up food off the ground and a Great Tit “teachered” away. The cacophony of song increased as the rain eased; our first sound differentiation was between Swallow and House Martin, Blackcap and Chiffchaff sang strongly and a Goldcrest struggled to make its song heard as Goldfinch and Greenfinch songs
www.herefordshirebirds.org 14 were distinguished, all before leaving the parking place. A Buzzard sheltered under oak bows, Crows fed in a wheat field and a few saw or heard a Yellowhammer. We stopped on the edge of the wood with Skylarks singing and soaring above, to decipher Blackcap and Garden Warbler song. Coal Tit and Chaffinch were also in full melody. Our next view was over the Mynde Lake where Canada Goose, Greylag, Coot, Moorhen and Mallard all had young while Tufted Duck and Little Grebe were also seen. Over the house screamed Swifts along with more House Martins and Swallows. We were looking for Spotted Flycatchers but instead we saw a Mistle Thrush feeding on the base of an oak tree, nearby a Pied Wagtail and climbing the tree a Nuthatch. We did find two Spotted Flycatchers high up in a dead branch of an oak tree then returned to head back. On the way we found Stock Doves and a Red Kite. Another Spotted Flycatcher was seen as we approached the car park. A total of 48 species were noted. Many thanks to all those who supported the meeting when the weather at first seemed unhelpful. Forest of Dean evening meeting 14th June 2018 Leader: Nick Smith A group of nine people met on a pleasant, sunny and warm summer evening at RSPB Nagshead reserve. This field trip was on two locations, initially exploring the reserve and later moving to Crabtree Hill, near Speech House. The RSPB reserve is well known for its summer woodland species, but the evening was rather quiet and very few birds were calling to alert us of their presence! But we had a few keen listeners amongst us, so very little went unheard; Siskin, Goldcrest, Coal Tit and Greenfinch in the tops of conifers were recorded. We saw or heard the usual tit species and a few warblers including Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Good views were had of Treecreeper, Chaffinch, Song Thrush and Blackbird throughout the woodland. From the main pool hide, two male Redstart entertained us as they fed, but no Pied Flycatchers were to be found and all the nest boxes appeared to be empty. We left Nagshead around 8.30 p.m. and moved onto our main location for the evening at Speech House, where another two members joined us. The evening performance of the star species meant a walk through the forest trying to avoid the many small froglets crossing the forest-stoned road, but we finally arrived at Crabtree Hill. Already other groups of birders had gathered within this large clearing of heather, gorse, and scrub in the centre of the forest. We had good views of Tree Pipit, Stonechat and Willow Warbler and several flypasts by Woodcock roding. Fallow deer, wild boar and bats were seen at dusk. The first few calls of the Nightjar were heard about 9.35pm. and before long several birds were seen in flight and also calling from nearby trees. Up to a possible four birds gave a spectacular display of calls and flights, and apart from the biting insects it was a very enjoyable evening. I would like to thank all that came. The species total recorded for both sites was 31. Devereaux Wootton Farm (HOC contribution to Herefordshire Walking Festival). 21st June 2018 Leaders: Phil and Chris Williams Patrick Wrixon kindly gave us permission to visit his farm and led this year’s walk. During the walk he provided us all with an interesting insight into the challenges and pleasures of using this land for farming whilst providing a variety of habitats for wildlife. Seven members of the public attended this meeting via the Walking Festival and we were joined by nine HOC members, including our very welcome experts John Pullen, Gerald Parker and John Davies.
15 www.herefordshirebirds.org The weather was fine and sunny for this visit. However a brisk northerly wind was blowing, which did not auger well for spotting small birds. We started by walking up to the top of the hill on the opposite side of the road from the farm buildings. Some of the birds heard in the hedges included Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Mistle Thrush. While enjoying the view from the top we saw Swallow, Jay, Red Kite and Buzzard. The fields that we walked round on the way back to the farm side of the road provided us with sightings of Linnet and Skylark. Passing through the woodland area Goldfinch, Wren and tits were seen. The open field areas and their hedges gave good views of Whitethroat, House Martin and Kestrel. The final area by the orchard yielded Bullfinch, Spotted Flycatcher and Yellowhammer. A total of 36 species were recorded on the day. The grateful thanks of HOC and all present are due to Mr and Mrs Wrixon for their hospitality and time in arranging this visit. Feedback from the festival participants was very positive. Everyone was most appreciative of the information that Patrick gave. Canon Frome Court and the Homend 6th July 2018 Leader: Stephanie Greenwood Ten intrepid birders braved the heat of a July morning to do a 3.5 mile circuit from Canon Frome Court to Homend Park and Stretton Grandison. We got off to a satisfying start with Swifts and House Martins circling above our heads behind the main house, and then a Kingfisher making its appearance on the lake while we were looking at a family of Tufted Ducks. The first one I’ve seen there this year. We were also regaled with stories of local history from Brian Willder who knows the area intimately from when he managed a local farm. And John Davies was true to form identifying many wildflowers and butterflies for us. Along our route we were treated to the song of several Whitethroats, Yellowhammers and Blackcap. But we were surprised not to hear any Chiffchaff. And I was pleased that we encountered a Green Woodpecker en route as this is another bird that I rarely see around the area these days. When we reached the top of the hill in Stretton Grandison we were delighted to discover a couple of trees loaded with cherries at the edge of the wood, which served as a nice snack before continuing on our way. On the invitation of Julian Rutherford, we stopped off towards the end of our circuit for a visit to his garden which is situated on the River Frome by a waterfall. We saw nothing of note at that time (we’d already seen our Kingfisher!) but enjoyed cooling off in the shade before returning to Canon Frome Court. Our total list for the morning was a satisfying 39 species. We ended the walk with welcome refreshment taken in the main house. And all agreed that it would be nice to return around end May or early June next year.
www.herefordshirebirds.org 16 EVENT NOTICE The River Wye Preservation Trust is holding its AGM at the Bunch of Carrots, Hampton Bishop on Nov 22nd 2018. The guest speaker is Professor Steven Ormerod, a national freshwater ecology expert from Cardiff University. His subject title will be the status, trends and future prospects of the birds of the River Wye system. The meeting and talk will be open to the public for a modest fee and prior registration of interest via the RWPT Secretary – Chris Gurney [email protected] Further details to follow.
Mallard with ducklings. By Thomas Winstone
www.herefordshirebirds.org 17 Robins snippet no.17 - A population crash. by Guy Woodford Back in January on my territory to territory I was feeding 20 Robins, some singles but by the end of the month many had paired. Six months later only five of that original number are on the scene. In 18 years of recording the behaviour of the local cohorts I have never known such a dramatic loss. A feature of the winter going back a bit further to early December, two periods of sub-zero temperatures and deep drifting snow. Part of my recording system is a daily checklist which allows me at a glance to know the date when each bird was last seen alive. Only one Robin, “Midway” (mentioned in snippet 12) went during the December snow, last seen on the 8th. Another disappeared mid February and may have simply moved away. The greatest loss took place during the Siberian blast which hit us at the beginning of March, with a second peak in May. One, “Hoverer” (also mentioned in snippet 12) disappeared on May 15th only to reappear on June 14th to pair up with a male who had lost his mate on May 18th but did not send out a clarion call for a replacement until he had finished feeding their fledglings. This was on June 10th when he flew up to various high song posts and sang the fullest of songs and sang almost all day. Most of the disappearing Robins were part of a pair so moving away was not an option. And our patch in a rural parish in east Herefordshire is notably free of cats, the mammal which Chris Mead holds responsible for 22.9% of robin deaths (1984). So other than freezing to death in the two comparatively short blasts from the east, all the pointers are to wild predators, with the Sparrowhawk the number one candidate. My theory, and it is only a theory, is that the predators responded to the effect of the two short periods of snow when rodents and other ground based creatures became out of reach by switching to birds and staying with that preference through May when I lost another four of this year’s contingent (five had not, Hoverer returned). By May the male Sparrowhawk would be taking food back to the nest for the female to distribute to their newly hatched offspring. One of the birds lost in early March was “Topper”, named like so many of my Robins after where first seen and where in his case he for over three years remained at the top of the hill just before our lane dives down to Bishops Frome. Normally Topper remained up there come what may, but when the second cold blast came in March he appeared unexpectedly at the bottom of our drive and in distinct style flew straight in as I opened the car door to feed at the jar of mealworms. Topper, last seen on March 8th had special feather markings. Unique was a single pinhead sized white feather below his right eye, in the lower part of the eye ring, even after each of three moults this albino feather persisted in the same spot. The wing markings of Robins are distinctive but they vary from bird to bird; often they decline with wear and each successive moult. Topper was different: he had the complete panoply of wing markings and he retained them to the end. His ‘medals’, the pale tips to the greater coverts, were orange but much paler than the breast. At his carpel joints there was a stronger orange inside and out: on the upper side were two orange dots, on the underside a small group of orange feathers. Also orange but paler, were the tips of his tertials except that the uppermost tertial had instead a stripe down its length with side branches, a sort of distorted anchor shape. The tips of his secondaries were pale with only the slightest hint of orange. This was a prime example of a robin in full colour. Most robins have less colourful wings and some have no pale wing markings at all. Another male robin, “Highnett" started his adult life with equally strong wing markings but his have declined with time and each subsequent moult. Highnett is one of the five still alive. There have been two other consequences of this local population crash: first - fewer nests, fewer broods, fewer chicks, and second - most of the surviving adults have started to moult two to three weeks earlier than usual.
www.herefordshirebirds.org 18 To expand on the first consequence, usually by this time of the year, late June, early July, during my rounds I meet a fair number of fledglings (four, five or six) and some of them have learned the delights of a free mealworm supply. In my rounds this year not one, a further pointer to an increased level of predation. A population crash caused by the snow … but indirectly. And a theory almost certainly confirmed.
Grey Heron by Nick Pegler
Swifts - Can you help? Some members of the Ledbury Naturalists group have been conducting an informal survey of Swift sites in Ledbury during July. This is to raise awareness of the birds in the town with a view to erect more nest boxes in suitable environments found for 2019. If you would like to contribute to the costs of these boxes please contact the website www.ledburynaturalists.co.uk.
What’s in a name? Answer - Grey Heron
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