RSPB Croydon Local Group Programme - 2017 Indoor Meetings Our monthly meetings are open to everyone, not just RSPB members. Admission: £4.00 (includes tea/coffee). They are held at Whitgift Sports Club, The Clubhouse, Croham Manor Road, South Croydon, CR2 7BG between 2pm-4pm and again between 8pm-10pm. 8th May 2017 - “Reserved for Birds”. We welcome back Brian Nobbs, of the Sevenoaks Local Group, who has entertained us in the past. Today he takes us on a trip around various RSPB reserves in Scotland, Wales and England. Each requires a different management regime to maintain habitat and the RSPB works in conjunction with other organisations to make the most of the land its manage. Brian will give us his personal insight into such important work. 10th July 2017 - “Gardening with Wildlife” by Adrian Thomas. In 2010 Adrian wrote “Gardening for Wildlife” as part of the RSPB book range. There is something uplifting about having butterflies in your flowerbeds, frogs in your water feature and birds in your bushes, knowing that they're here because of you. He busts the myth that wildlife gardens have to be 'wild'. If you love wildlife this talk will help you sow the seeds and reap the rewards. We meet here Buses 64 and 433 stop in Croham Road 14th August 2017 - General Meeting (afternoon) and AGM (evening). These will be accompanied by a talk from the environment committee. 11th September 2017 - “Footloose in Namibia”. It helps to have an expert in your midst. Having been let down by a number of potential speakers, step forward John Lawrence, who is Leader of East Surrey Group. “Footloose in Namibia” promises to be a fun 9th January 2017 - “Russian Far East”. Chris Collins has been packed excursion heading north from Cape Town via the Skeleton working on projects around the world for 10 years. This talk Coast and Etosha National Park. There will be lots to see and promises to give us a comprehensive review of the birds and plenty of anecdotes to keep everyone amused. wildlife of this amazing region covering the Sea of Okhotsk, 9th October 2017 – “Birds in Art”. Jackie Gardner as a part-time Sakhalin Island, the Kamchatka Peninsula and further. Species education officer at Gloucestershire's Nature in Art has been able include Auks, Steller’s Sea-eagle and Siberian Rubythroat as well to indulge her love of wildlife art. Jackie’s wildlife paintings as searching for Spoon-billed Sandpiper. mostly concentrate on British animals and birds. The first part of 13th February 2017 - “Trinidad & Tobago Birding”. Martyn this presentation looks at the changing trends in the depiction of Kenefick is a Board member of Asa Wright Nature Centre birds. The second part relates to Jackie’s personal long-term (AWNC). The AWNC is part of Trinidad’s Arima Valley and boasts interests in birdwatching and painting. 13 species of Hummingbird. A network of trails provide 13th November 2017 – “Finland”. Jennie Hibbert has become a opportunities to see Trogons, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers, favourite with RSPB Croydon audiences since she regaled us with Tanagers and a many other species including Oilbird. tales of struggling into the middle of her local river with camera 13th March 2017 - “Birds Without Borders” We are very pleased and gear at the dead of night and then transporting us to Japan to welcome back Peter Holden, MBE who has been passionate in the cold grip of winter. Now we have thawed out Jennie will about birds and wildlife for as long as he can remember and take us to visit Finland. During her visit the temperature sunk to - devised the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. Today’s talk tells the 27C, so the images she brought back to show the group will story of bird migration – including many of the amazing facts that undoubtedly set us up for winter! we are discovering about their journeys. It will also include some th of the migration strategies of other animals and insects. 11 December 2017 – “Essex & Suffolk Estuary Wildlife & Habitat”. We had hoped to hear Alex Bass’s talk in 2015, but th 10 April 2017 - “Pineapple Peril” by Ann Scott. Many long-term circumstances robbed us of the opportunity. The talk explores Croydon members will recall talks given by the late Bob Scott. His various Estuaries, Heybridge Basin, Hamford Water, The Stour, widow, Ann, created The Bob Scott Memorial Appeal, an amazing Flatford, Snape Maltings, Iken Cliffs, Orford Ness and Hen effort to save Kenyan habitat for migrants and endemic species Reedbeds. Being close to Croydon you may need no second invite like the Sokoke Scops Owl. Hear more about coastal forests of to make a day trip to these wonderful areas. There will be Kenya being destroyed to provide pineapples for the Western seasonal fayre, courtesy of members, served during the interval. World with little thought given to wildlife. Field Outings Guided visits to the premier birding sites of south-east England (many of them also excellent for butterflies and dragonflies during the summer months). All outings will be in shared cars unless stated otherwise and willingness by drivers to share their vehicles with other participants will be greatly appreciated. Everyone is welcome! Note: Entrance fees are chargeable at sites marked * and at some RSPB Reserves for non-members. Weekend outings start from near the bend by Leafy Way on the northern section of Park Hill Rise, East Croydon, at 08:00 unless otherwise specified. Contact John Parish for more info on 020 8681 7475 (or 07887 565191 on outing days only). Midweek outings normally start at the venue at 10:15, although for most of them someone will be in the car park at Tesco Purley Extra near the recycling bins and furthest from the store itself at about 09:00 to arrange car sharing if necessary. Details about meeting points and of leaders and contacts for individual outings will be given on our website - http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/croydon/events/. Postcode; OS refs & co-ordinates that can be used with satnav are given below for meeting points at venues, those for Tesco are postcode CR8 2HA; co-ordinates for entrance; 51.337108,-0.115782. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and ground conditions. Avoid bright or white clothing. Bring a packed lunch and drinks. Bring RSPB or other membership cards as appropriate when visiting reserves. Make a contribution to driver’s costs on car outings and avoid muddying cars on wet days. Making a noise and not keeping together increases disturbance. Any changes relating to outings will be shown on our website and this may be at short notice. January, 2017 July, 2017 Mon 2nd – Shellness, Isle of Sheppey, Kent Sat 1st – Borden & Iping Common, West Sussex Sat 14th – Pagham Harbour RSPB, West Sussex Sat 15th – Springhead Hill & Waltham Brooks, West Sussex Tues 17th - Sevenoaks Wildlife Trust*, Kent [TN13 3DH; Tues 18th – Oare Marshes NR, Kent [ME13 0QD; TR013647; TQ520565; 51.286112, 0.180967] 51.346065, 0.889172] Sat 28th – Rye Harbour, East Sussex Sun 30th – Cliffe Pools RSPB, Kent February, 2017 August, 2017 Sun 12th – Lee Valley, Herts/Essex Sat 12th – Titchfield Haven* & Farlington Marshes, Hants Tues 21st - Rainham Marshes RSPB, Essex [RM19 1SZ; TQ552792; Tues 15th – Leechpool and Warnham LNR*, West Sussex. 51.49040, 0.23413] [Leechpool, Harwood Road, Horsham.52.069464, -0.298270] Sat 25th - Burton Mill & West Dean Woods, West Sussex Sat 26th - Dungeness, Kent March, 2017 September, 2017 Sun 12th - Dungeness, Kent Sat 9th - Oare Marshes, Kent Tues 21st – Pagham Harbour RSPB & Medmerry RSPB, West Tues 19th - Rye Harbour NR, East Sussex [TN31 7TT; TQ942190; Sussex [PO20 7NE, SZ857966, 50.763115, -0.785525] 50.937061, 0.762827] Sat 25th – Motney Hill & Cliffe Pools RSPB, Kent Sat 23rd – Beachy Head, East Sussex April, 2017 October, 2017 Sun 9th – Wat Tyler Country Park & Two Tree Island, Essex Sat 7th - Hayling Island & Pagham Harbour (east side), W Sussex Tues 18th- Pulborough Brooks RSPB, West Sussex [RH20 2EL; Tues 17th - Nutfield Marsh & Holmethorpe [Mercers Country TQ058164; 50.93729, -0.49562] Park car park, RH1 4EU; TQ299517; 51.250123, -0.139397] Sat 22rd – Fingringhoe Wick* & Abberton Reservoir*, Essex Sun 22nd Isle of Sheppey, Kent May, 2017 November, 2017 Sat 6th – Seaford Head & Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex Sat 4th - Foreness & Reculver, Kent Tues 16th – Dungeness, Kent [RSPB reserve TN29 9PN, TR062197, Tues 21st– London Wetland Centre, Barn Elms WWT* [SW13 50.93980, 0.93364] 9WT; TQ227767; 51.47718,-0.23522] Sun 21st - Stodmarsh, Kent Sun 19th - Farlington Marshes, Hants June, 2017 December, 2017 Sat 3rd – Lakenheath RSPB & Weeting Heath*, Norfolk. NB this is Sat 2nd - Pegwell Bay & Grove Ferry, Kent a 7.30 start (not 8am) Tues 19th - Beddington Park & Farmlands [SM6 7DJ; TQ287652; Sat 17th Ashdown Forest & Weirwood Reservoir, East Sussex 51.370446, -0.152535] NB may include a ringing demonstration. Weds 21st – Farnham Heath RSPB, Surrey [Parking at Rural Life Sat 16th – Swanbourne Lake & Burpham, West Sussex Centre - GU10 2DL, SU859433, 51.18243,-0.77239]. Please note that this is a Wednesday not a Tuesday. Other Events Saturday 4th March 2017 - Quiz Night with a Fish & Chip Supper May 2017. Choose your own date during May to participate in at All Saints’ Parish Church Hall, Sanderstead at 19:00 for 19:30 the Big Croydon Birdwatch 2017. start, tickets £12.50. .