& CENTRAL GROUP NEWS

Autumn 2015

The RSPB is a registered charity in England & Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654

BIRDS IN AN ONGAR GARDEN Inspired by Mike Logan Wood’s article in the July issue I thought I might try the same approach with my garden birds. It’s a very different garden, on a 1950s estate on the edge of in the far west of the group’s catchment area. It measures 55 feet by 30 feet but still includes hawthorn, dogwood, honeysuckle, pyracantha and a big rosemary bush which the birds love. There is also a bramble bush, deliberately left to flourish. Dividing the garden from the adjacent recreation field is an overgrown blackthorn hedge. Beyond the rec field is arable land. About half a mile to the east is the River Roding and half a mile to the west is the town. I can see and hear local birds from the garden as well as those within it. Birds we have loved and lost: when we arrived in the 80s you could see bullfinches along the path behind the houses and yellowhammers in the fields down to the river. Turtle doves were regular in season and every April a cuckoo came up the Roding valley from the south. In late summer linnets sang from small ornamental trees on the estate. No longer, although the linnets have been replaced by goldfinches, which is some consolation. We even had a few years when nightingales sang at night across the river somewhere, though they soon moved on. Lapwings displayed over the arable land and partridges called from the standing crop. All gone now! So, what is left to keep me interested? Fortunately, quite a bit. As a fan of the warblers, I am pleased that I have had both blackcaps and whitethroats in the garden and hear them both daily in season. The chiffchaff is our commonest warbler in both spring and autumn, singing in both. In some years a lesser whitethroat sings from the blackthorn hedge for a few days, but does not stay. We hear skylarks over the fields in spring and see pied wagtails on the roof –usually immatures in late summer. Both green and great spotted woodpeckers visit, the yaffles in summer eating ants from the lawn and the great spotted woodpecker in winter, when a male comes to the peanut feeder. He will stay for five minutes or so (a long time for a bird) repelling any other species with a jab of his mighty beak. We see swifts and house martins in summer in “our” bit of sky, swallows less often, usually at migration times. Numbers of all three are noticeably reduced in recent years. There are two small swift colonies within half a mile of us. GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER In winter, the recreation field, which I can see clearly from upstairs, is frequently visited by black- headed and common gulls and more recently by small groups of herring gulls. In harder winters, fieldfares and redwings appear on the field and have even entered the garden. Like most Essex gardens we have dunnocks, robins, great, blue and long-tailed tits, chaffinches, and less often, greenfinches and goldfinches. Occasionally there are wrens, while starlings are regulars, especially small flocks of (mainly) immatures in summer, who work over our untreated lawn like waders on a mudflat. As rural gardens are an important refuge for house sparrows, I feed our local gang (up to thirty birds at full strength) on black sunflower seeds and suet treats and have unintentionally provided nest sites in my roof. The downside of the feeding STARLINGS programme is a group of woodpigeons, up to seven, who haunt

1 the garden and hoover up any spilt seed below the feeder. They also shred some young leaves on my plants. Collared doves are less destructive and much prettier!

COLLARED DOVES Turf wars between rival blackbirds have been an entertaining feature. I have been trying to recognise individuals and watch their behaviour. The demands of a hungry brood mean that a human with suet treats soon becomes a friend and if he’s not in the garden, well, sit on the windowsill and “chook, chook, chook” until he comes out! Unfortunately, blackbirds will drive off the occasional song thrush, but we do hear their song, especially on June evenings when they will sing longer into the twilight than their cousins. Corvids: rooks, jackdaws and crows have all at various times landed to seek food in the garden, but not frequently. Magpies will land more readily than any of the others. Jays are rare, due, I suspect, to the absence of oaks nearby. Among the raptors, we see a few kestrels overhead, occasionally we hear a tawny owl but the new raptor on the block is the buzzard, becoming more common than ever before. Our most regular raptor is the sparrowhawk. When you are nurturing a flock of sparrows and studying blackbirds you are bound to have mixed feelings about sparrowhawks. Like cats and magpies they are persona non grata in my garden and are ordered off the premises if I happen to see them!

THE EDITOR’S CAT IN HER GARDEN, LUCKILY WE LIVE A LONG WAY FROM MARTIN! Counting the birds I have mentioned I find there are 39 species present, while eight have been lost. Of the 39, six have come in during the last thirty years: in order of frequency they are woodpigeon, goldfinch and sparrowhawk, with lesser whitethroat, herring gull and buzzard seen from but not in the garden. How does that compare with your locality? I’m sure the editor would love to hear from you. Martin Longcroft October 2015 Ed – many thanks to Martin for taking the time to write this article for us. He is quite right – the editor would indeed love to hear from you with your contributions to our group newsletter. It doesn’t have to be a long or complicated piece, I am happy to receive any little snippets of interest to our readers. email [email protected]

WOODPIGEON

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THE URBAN BIRDER Don’t forget our special speaker this autumn. David Lindo, well known as “The Urban Birder” is giving our talk on Thursday 12 November 2015 (see diary for more details). Unlike our normal talks, tickets for this event can be purchased in advance. If you have not already bought your ticket, make sure you do so soon. The number of tickets on sale is limited due to the capacity of the venue, and we don’t want you to be disappointed. Tickets are £5 each and can be obtained from the treasurer, Margot Grice, at Dragons, Boyton Cross, , Chelmsford CM1 4LS. Cheques should be made payable to RSPB and please enclose a stamped addressed envelope.

THE RAIN BIRD I spent the first 15 years of my life in Yorkshire and was introduced to birds by my Northumberland born father. I was brought up by him to associate the green woodpecker with rain. If you heard its “yaffle” it was going to rain. This was perhaps because the local name for the bird in his county was “rainfowl”. In Essex it is supposed to be “whetile” although I have never heard this used; “yaffle”, yes. In Suffolk it is called “wood yaffle”.

GREEN WOODPECKER I was very surprised to have found 52 different names for this attractive bird, more than any that I have yet researched, many referring to its call and many to its association with rain, and it is this that is exceptionally interesting. There are several members of the woodpecker family, mainly in Europe and Asia, and all are associated with the forecasting of rain, indeed they are thought to be the mythical “thunderbirds”. In many European countries they are known as the equivalent of the “rain bird”, particularly the black woodpecker. This is the largest of the family, not yet having reached these shores but just across the Channel. Their nickname arose from their association with the oak tree, which is also known as the “thunder tree” because the woodpecker, who loves to nest in them, makes a drum (thunder) roll when he drums in them. The shaking of the drummed branch would shake raindrops from the branch, so the bird was making rain! As well as forecasting rain they are also associated with fertility in farming. Watching them diligently digging after ants could have led Neolithic man into the idea of cultivation!

BLACK WOODPECKER So here we have a beautiful bird, dressed in greens and yellows with a brilliant red head cap, strange clumsy feet, an unusual undulating flight and a striking call. The feet seem to be too far back on its body, and you will notice that it has two toes facing forwards and two backwards, all the same size. Watch a bird land on a tree trunk and you will see that it stalls at the last minute and thrusts its feet forward, causing them all to hit the trunk at the same time, when they are then clinched together to fasten it safely to the trunk. You will also have noticed that it hops clumsily on the grass. Their bills are weaker than other woodpeckers and can therefore only be used on softer, perhaps diseased wood. It does not use its beak to drum as much as other woodpeckers do. Its tongue is

3 extremely long, capable of extending over 10cm (four inches), flat and wide at the tip with enlarged salivary glands to coat the tongue with a sticky secretion to capture ants. It is reported that the population of the green woodpecker is increasing, but moving south-east to East Anglia, declining in Wales and the South-West. I wonder if we are we benefitting here because farming has changed? Farming with livestock has declined, with what grassland that is left now no longer being highly grazed, but declining in quality so becoming much more of interest to ants as a consequence. The green woodpecker is a bird that does not migrate. Of 92 British recoveries, 75 moved 0 to 5km, 11 moved 6 to 15km, 3 moved 16 to 25km and 3 moved further. It is interesting that it hasn’t got to Ireland yet, perhaps due to the fact that it does not have the flying power or confidence to fly the short distance required.

When it comes to nesting, a horizontal entrance hole and a vertical shaft leading to the chamber itself must be excavated. Remembering their softish bills, they must choose a stump which is rotten inside but sound on the outside. Five to seven eggs are laid and both parents incubate them for 18 to 19 days taking it in turn every 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Fledging period is 23 to 27 days. It is estimated that 1.5 million ants are eaten by the young by the time they have left the nest. There is much more to tell – but that’s for another day. Mike Logan Wood August 2015

RSPB GOODS CATALOGUE AND ONLINE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR POSTAGE FREE FOR FULL DETAILS CALL JEAN WILCOX 01245 262452 AND SUPPORT THE CHELMSFORD GROUP Don’t forget to order your Christmas cards, calendars and diaries as these are no longer kept in general stock for the sales table.

OUR LOCAL GROUP WALKS Eight of us started our new season of walks on a sunny morning in September with a visit to the little-known reserve at Wrabness. It is renowned for being good in the spring for migrants but this was an experimental walk to see what it was like during the autumn migration period.

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WHITETHROAT by VIV CONNETT As we stood by the car park a whitethroat gave us excellent views in the bushes and several swallows were flying over, feeding up before their long journey south. We walked down to the hide where a flock of brent geese swam past, and we saw cormorants, little egrets and redshanks. We continued on, with several small birds flitting into the bushes too quickly to be identified, although we could hear robins and blackcaps. Suddenly a common buzzard was wheeling overhead, being mobbed by a carrion crow which certainly didn’t want the raptor in its airspace! We later found a fall of small birds feeding on elderberries, including chiffchaffs, blackcaps, more whitethroats and a small tit flock. We saw 33 species of birds. It was a pleasant walk but with perhaps not as many birds as we had hoped for. We shall try again in the spring! Our October walk at has taken place but the report is not yet completed so that will be in the winter issue. Viv Connett

MIGRATION – OUT OF AFRICA Based on the success of the “Birds of Prey” conference in 2014 the Essex Birdwatching Society will be holding their third Conservation Conference “Migration – Out of Africa” on Saturday 19 March 2016 at Writtle College, Northumberland Lecture Theatre, Lordship Lane Campus, Writtle, CM1 3RP. There is an excellent selection of six speakers arranged, including Professor Ian Newton OBE, to deliver a very interesting set of talks on the subject of bird migration with superb photographs. Tickets are £15.00 each including a light sandwich lunch and already 70 places have been purchased by EBwS members. The theatre capacity is just 100, so if you wish to attend please contact John Sykes by e-mail on [email protected] as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. There will also be interesting exhibits in the foyer, including the BTO, to view before the start, during lunch and afterwards. Please visit the EBwS website for further information www.ebws.org.uk It will be a fantastic day in very comfortable surroundings. See you there. Gerry Johnson, Chairman, EBwS

FUN QUIZ – NAME THE ANIMALS If you've participated in our quizzes, you'll know how absorbing they can be. The latest edition is similar in principle to previous ones, but with a different theme...all about animals. Buy your quiz sheet (£1) at the November talk, or ring Robin (01277 363478) to make arrangements. We hope to exceed last year's profit of over £200, so over to you...

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THE SAVING OF ELEONORA’S FALCON A bit of history We were off to hunt for Eleonora’s falcon, Di and I – not literally, of course, since we were armed only with a notebook, a camera and a rising sense of excitement as we waited at Stansted to board our Easyjet flight to Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia, Italy. My thoughts turned away from the not-so-speedy boarding process and switched to Eleonora. I had not researched the reasons why a rare falcon had become linked to a woman with the splendid name of Eleonora, but I assumed it must have been for a rather special reason and I also thought it must have happened quite a long time ago. I’ve always admired past scientists who have had their names associated with bird species they discovered: Audouin with his gull; Cretzschmar with his bunting; Brunnich with his guillemot, and all the many others. They were ornithological pioneers and their scientific-sounding names somehow seem appropriate both for the high academic status they achieved and for the birds that will forever fly around, unaware of their famous patrons. Cretzschmar’s bunting sounds every bit as attractive and mysterious as the beautiful bird it is. But, what of Eleonora and her falcon! Who was she, and what sort of stuff was she made of to have such a wonderful bird bearing her name? By an amazing coincidence, the lady standing next to us in the queue at Stansted was able to throw some light on the subject of Eleonora and her falcon. It turned out that she (the lady in the queue, not Eleonora) was Lexa Dudley, the author of a romantic novel set in Sardinia entitled “The Whispering Wind”. She had acquired a considerable knowledge of Sardinian history during frequent visits to the island in order to research various subjects for her book and when we told her of our quest to observe and photograph Eleonora’s falcon, Lexa told us that she (Eleonora, not Lexa!) had lived from 1347-1404 and that her actual title was Queen Eleonora of Arborea. Effectively, she was Queen Eleonora of Sardinia due to the fact that her kingdom of Arborea had been victorious in several battles with neighbouring kingdoms. She is considered to have been the most powerful and fair-minded of the Sardinian queens and remains the island’s most highly- regarded heroine. For ornithologists, however, Eleonora will be remembered primarily for instigating what must surely have been one of the earliest and most successful acts of bird conservation. Thus, obviously attracted to the beauty and graceful agility of this little falcon, she decreed that all hunting and persecution of the bird should cease. Her decree was observed and the falcon has survived to carry the name of Eleonora in perpetuity. It is most probably because of her fair-mindedness and strength of character, expressed almost 800 years ago, that birdwatchers today are still able to witness the presence of such a magnificent bird in Sardinia and elsewhere. What a pity it is that present-day politicians and legislators do not possess Eleonora’s power in preventing the persecution of birds and other animals that share our planet!

ELEONORA’S FALCON (pale morph) with thanks to LIPU, CARLOFORTE, SARDINIA 6 Falcon-watching Eleonora’s falcon is a summer visitor to the Mediterranean Basin and north-west Africa, where it nests colonially on precipitous coastal cliffs, mainly on Mediterranean islands. Its breeding season is late, to coincide with the migration of small passerines flying south for the winter. As possible evidence of the evolutionary value of colonial nesting, it has been reported that groups of falcons position themselves to hunt together, just offshore and facing into the wind, at heights varying from near sea level to over 1000m. These hovering groups present a formidable barrier to their passing migrant prey which range in size and variety from willow warbler to hoopoe. All the nesting sites, either on a rock ledge or crevice, face the sea, a fact which makes observation and especially photography of their hunting strategy, difficult and potentially dangerous. Prior to journeying to Sardinia we had established that the offshore island of San Pietro at the south-west point was probably the best place to see Eleonora’s falcon. So after a short Mediterranean birdwatching and paddling holiday at Putzu Idu, a tiny little resort in the middle of the west coast of Sardinia, we headed south and caught the car ferry for a short stay on the island. San Pietro’s seafront town of Carloforte is home for Luciano Durante, the main researcher there for LIPU (the Italian equivalent of, and partner with, the RSPB) and he kindly agreed to meet us at the LIPU base camp and guide us to some key spots from which we might more easily view the falcons. The colonial nesting site is in the westernmost part of the island, a relatively short 30 minute drive from Carloforte. We arrived a few hours before our agreed meeting time and were rewarded by a fantastic display of aerobatic flying by as many as 20-30 of these elegant birds that obviously flew as much for pleasure as for the purpose of hunting. Their soaring, wheeling and diving over the cliff tops was simply breathtaking. Luciano arrived rather late because he had been otherwise engaged in rescuing a flamingo with a damaged wing from a seafront stangi. He is a charming, charismatic man and we spent a marvellous couple of hours in his company enjoying the sights and sounds of Eleonora’s falcon. We peered down through naturally-occurring small gaps in the steep-sided cliffs where Luciano knew the birds were nesting and we had some really good views. The birds appear to be at the extreme end of the scale of nervousness where human beings are concerned, so keeping still and silent was even more necessary than is usual in birdwatching. Luciano told us that the more serious bird photographers who come to San Pietro have to set up intricate camouflaged hideouts in precarious cliffside positions to carry out their work. Even then, some have been known to spend as long as 6 weeks for several years before obtaining the ‘perfect’ picture. Our photographic results, obtained in a non-camouflaged state and over only a 2-hour period, were acceptable as a record of an unforgettable birdwatching experience. However for the truly excellent photographs of difficult subjects like Eleonora’s falcon we have to be grateful to and admire the work of the dedicated photographers. Such pictures as one that adorned a wall at the Lipu base camp at San Pietro, and is reproduced above, require exceptional skill, patience and endurance. Finally, when all possible photographs have been taken, and when Eleonora’s falcons have fed their chicks to maturity, the photographers return to their countries of origin and the falcons fly the 7,500 km to their winter home on Madagascar, off the south-east coast of Africa. Di and I, travelling the mere 1,500 km to the UK, were left to muse that if there was ever to be a competition for bird conservation and their conservators, then this very special falcon, and the otherwise long- forgotten Queen Eleonora of Sardinia, would deservedly be awarded the gold medal. It might well be inscribed with the words ‘Thank you for saving Eleonora’s falcon’. Alan Thorpe August 2015

SOME MORE LOCAL BIRDS Our local group secretary, Janet Hawkes, has some more bird news for us. Earlier in the summer she was most excited to see a red kite flying over her garden in . These birds are now being spotted throughout Essex on a regular basis, so “look up” as David Lindo might say and you could be lucky too. Janet had the soffits and fascias on her house replaced last year and thinking about the RSPB slogan “Give nature a home” she had three RSPB swift boxes put up at the same time. This year a family of sparrows used a box and fledged successfully. Janet is hoping to

7 attract swifts next year and has a CD of swift calls which she will play to encourage them to find her “des res”.

SWIFT

At the end of August we went to Abberton to look for the osprey which had been hanging about the Layer Breton causeway for some considerable time. I had no idea where to start searching but seeing a small knot of determined-looking people with telescopes at the southern end gave me a clue. We joined them and confirmed they were looking for the osprey but they hadn’t seen it yet. A few minutes later and lo and behold, it was up and flying before going to perch in its usual spot. Thanks are due to the kind people who helped us find it, as we could never have done that on our own.

OSPREY They also pointed us in the direction of the great white egret a bit further along the causeway; what a beautiful bird that is. We moved along to the visitor centre where one of the guys we had met earlier pointed out the black terns which were flying over the reservoir, and also picked up a passing peregrine. Aren’t birders helpful people? Finally, something I spotted all by myself – a marsh harrier right over on the far side of the reservoir, living up to its name by harassing a small bird on the water. It was having a real go at it with the small bird defending itself and splashing about. The marsh harrier kept on trying for a good ten minutes or so, circling round and coming back for another try, before giving up and leaving the small bird in peace to count its blessings. Louise Fuller

BRENT GOOSE WATCH AT LEIGH-ON-SEA Earlier in October South Essex RSPB held a brent goose watch at Leigh-on-Sea for three days to see the large conglomeration of birds which gather there as a first stop on their migration before many of them disperse to other parts of the country. We decided to go and have a look. It was a beautiful warm and sunny morning, no wind at all, and the water was flat calm. When we arrived the tide was high and there was already a group of people with binoculars and telescopes gathered on the prom in front of the Peterboat Inn. There was a huge raft of brent geese, numbered by the expert counters at about 6,000, a little way out on the water. For me the best bit is the noise they make, quietly chuntering away; it is such a peaceful sound to listen to. Passing members of the public stopped to look through the telescopes and to talk about these birds which come all the way from Siberia to winter in this country, and it was great to meet people who didn’t have an obvious interest in birds but who wanted to know all about the geese and their lifestyle. 8

BRENT GOOSE There was even a sample of the geese’s favourite food, eel grass, which didn’t look very appetising to me but the geese love it. Every now and then a plane going to Southend airport would spook the birds and they would take off in a huge cloud, returning to the sea further out of sight but gradually drifting back in again. The tide started to fall and we began to see more waders poking about in the mud looking for lunch. At this point we decided it was time for our lunch too so we bought a meal in the pub and ate on the terrace, still watching the wildlife and of course the human life as well. What a fabulous way to spend an autumn morning, in brilliant sunshine, in the company of like- minded people, watching thousands of contented brent geese and listening to them murmuring to themselves. Louise Fuller

FEEDING THE BIRDS THIS WINTER Lots of us like to help the birds through the difficult winter months by putting out food. A recent article in BirdWatching magazine gave advice on what not to feed the garden birds. Top of the list was chips and crisps. The stomachs of most garden birds cannot process salt so these should be avoided (despite gulls’ well-known penchant for stealing chips from unsuspecting diners at the seaside!). Second was bacon rind. This has been a traditional food to put out, but experts now say that animal fat can be a source of long-term health problems in birds. Fat balls are a better source of fat, nutrients and protein. Desiccated coconut is also a no-no. However, fresh coconut hanging in a half-shell is good for the birds. Peanuts are a good source of protein for birds, but they are best put out in a metal mesh feeder so the birds eat them in pieces rather than whole. Never put out salted and/or roasted nuts. Cooked oats, such as porridge, are not advised, although uncooked oats are fine. Enough of the “don’ts” – what do the birds like? Seeds, of course – sunflower (whole or hearts) and nyger, and mixes made up specifically as bird food. Dried mealworms are a great favourite; some people soak them before putting them out but it is not strictly necessary. And don’t forget to make sure there is a supply of clean fresh water, especially if the temperatures drop to freezing. You can obtain bird food from Sylvia Harden, 38 Dorset Road, CM9 6JX.

LONG-TAILED TITS AND A BLUE TIT

9 IT’S IN THE BAG – RSPB TEAMS UP WITH ALDI SUPERMARKETS The Aldi supermarket chain has decided to use the proceeds from the recently-introduced 5p charge for plastic carrier bags to partner the RSPB and help half a million children connect with nature through a variety of national and local outreach projects. During the three-year duration of the scheme, there will be a programme of school visits, activities on nature reserves and the development of free online educational resources. The intention is to leave a long lasting legacy: a generation of children who are connected to nature, benefit from it, value our world and understand enough about it to make a real difference.

SOME RSPB ACHIEVEMENTS FROM THE PAST YEAR In our quest for a World Richer in Nature, we’ve recovered corncrakes and bitterns to record levels; brought Manx shearwaters back to islands where invasive rodents have been eradicated; brought short-haired bumblebees back to breed in the UK and continued to build our Birds without Borders programme to save our rapidly declining migratory species. At the same time as making significant changes to our nature reserve operations, we’ve expanded the RSPB estate at Arne, Havergate Island and Hesketh, and laid the foundations for securing our first ever UKOT (UK Overseas Territories) reserve – in the Cayman Islands. Professor Steve Ormerod, Chairman, RSPB Council

RSPB LOCAL GROUP COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2015/16 Viv Connett Point of Contact & Field 07985 796657 [email protected] Trips Organiser Tim Connett Field Trips Organiser 07913 896020 [email protected] Margot Grice Treasurer/Joint 01245 248651 [email protected] Membership Secretary Janet Hawkes Secretary 01376 512628 [email protected] Louise Fuller Newsletter Editor/Joint 01245 421614 [email protected] Membership Secretary Gerry Johnson Pin Badge Sales Co- 01245 356633 [email protected] ordinator Sue McClellan Meetings (Talks) 01245 471576 [email protected] Secretary Alan Thorpe Committee member 01245 222029 [email protected]

EVENTS DIARY Non-members are welcome at all events. Talks are held at the Northumberland Theatre, Writtle College, Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, CM1 3RP, commencing at 8pm and finishing about 9.50pm, with an interval for refreshments. The lecture theatre is across Lordship Road from the main college building, to the right of the Wilkins tea room, and there is free parking on site. Entry £3.50 adults. No discount for postal group members. Walks are all “own car” outings, suitable for all ages and birding abilities; help with bird ID will be available. They usually last about 2 – 2.5 hours and involve walking some distance, although not at speed. Wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring your own refreshments. Walking boots are advised for our walks as the terrain could be wet and uneven. The sites are often exposed and you may need warm and waterproof clothing, especially for our winter trips. There are no toilet facilities at most of the walk venues. For further details of all events please see our web site www.rspb.org.uk/groups/chelmsford

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NOVEMBER TALK – Thursday 12 URBAN BIRDING with David Lindo. Passionate about birds from a very young age and now a well known TV presenter, radio broadcaster, author, tour leader, naturalist and recent promoter of Britain's emblematic bird, the robin, "The Urban Birder" will present one of his inspirational, illustrated talks. He'll explain how we can Look Up! to enrich our lives. We're aiming for a full house so you're encouraged to book soon to avoid disappointment. Please note tickets for this special talk are priced at £5. Tickets are available by post from the group's treasurer; please call Margot on 01245 248651 or Email [email protected] for details. Tickets will also be available on the door if any seats remain. Seats are not numbered, so you're advised to arrive early to avoid the rush!

WALK – Sunday 15 RSPB RAINHAM MARSHES, New Tank Hill Road (A1090), Purfleet, RM19 1SZ (grid ref. TQ552792, see RSPB website for directions if necessary). Meet in the car park at 10.00am. Please bring RSPB membership cards. Anything could appear on this reserve and if all else fails it has a great café selling yummy cheese scones. Birds of prey and rare birds are regularly seen, and there are also water voles in the ditches. Wellies may be necessary if it has been wet. This walk will be a great introduction to our December talk.

WATER VOLE

DECEMBER TALK – Thursday 10 RSPB RAINHAM MARSHES NATURE RESERVE – SUCCESSES AND DEVELOPMENTS with a member of the Rainham Marshes team, who will update us on this fascinating reserve. They will "walk" us through the reserve's wildlife interest, some recent management successes to improve habitats for breeding birds, and look at plans for the future.

WALK – Sunday 13 OLD HALL MARSHES (RSPB), Old Hall Lane, Tolleshunt D’Arcy, CM9 8TP (grid reference TL 959 122 on Landranger OS map 168). Meet in the car park at 10.00am. The reserve is entered at the western end from the minor road between Tollesbury and Tolleshunt D’Arcy. From the A12 take the B1023, via Tiptree to Tolleshunt D'Arcy. Turn left at village maypole then right into Chapel Road (back road to Tollesbury). After approx 1 mile (1.6 km), turn left into Old Hall Lane. Continue up Old Hall Lane, over speed ramps and through iron gates to cattle grid, then follow signs straight ahead to car park. There is no longer a requirement to display a parking permit when visiting Old Hall Marshes.

11 Looking for anything on the river plus raptors. Last time we visited here in the winter we had a dozen or more waxwings in and around the car park, so who knows what we might see this time. Walking boots at least will be needed. This is a very exposed site on the sea wall so be sure to wear suitable clothing.

WAXWING 2016 JANUARY TALK – Thursday 14 THE WILDLIFE AND HISTORY OF STOW MARIES AERODROME by Russell Savory, Site & Operations Manager, who will entertain and impress us with his stories and wonderful images of the birds and other wildlife that inhabit this fascinating site. Russell's enthusiastic style will keep everyone enthralled as he shares his experiences, including photographing animals at ridiculous times of the day and night. He'll also cover some camera and field craft tips to explain how he captured his amazing shots.

WALK – Sunday 10 WARLEY PLACE (EWT), Great Warley, Brentwood, CM13 3JF (grid reference TQ 583 906). Meet in the car park at 10.00am. The entrance to Warley Place is 2 miles from Brentwood High Street on the B186, i.e. the road leading south out of Brentwood past the railway station. It is on the junction with Warley Road, easily identifiable by the war memorial on an island and the Thatcher’s Arms public house. The entrance is via the gate alongside the Thatcher’s car park. Please drive through and park in the reserve car park, which is a hundred metres along the drive. Do not use the pub car park unless you are intending to go in for a drink or a meal. Amazing gardens known best for the number of overwintering firecrests.

FEBRUARY TALK – Thursday 12 Details TBC, see website for current information

WALK – Sunday 14 SHUT HEATH WOOD (EWT), Great Totham (grid reference TL 853 133, no post code). Meet at 10.00am. Directions – Leave the B1022 at Roundbush Corner, Great Totham, taking Mountains Road. After about 1200m take the first turning on the right (Tiptree Road) and the entrance is about 400m down on the left with double gates at the entrance. This little known EWT reserve is known for all three woodpeckers (Viv and Tim have seen lesser spotted woodpeckers here on a regular basis) plus woodcocks, nuthatches, treecreepers and a resident tawny owl. Very muddy so WELLIES ESSENTIAL.

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