The Bugler WINTER 2017

Comedian and nature enthusiast Bill Bailey made a surprise visit to his native to present the Avalon Project with a National Lottery Award. See full story on pages 2 and 3. Photo: ITV News Westcountry

New viewing platform designs Taking a closer look at the curlew How to catch a crane chick Somerset’s super swifts Breeding bird round-up 2017 Pings looking up for beardies n case you missed the tweets, Facebook posts, TV appear- ances and even adverts in service stations – or anywhere Ielse you might have spotted our smiling faces (but don’t worry: we haven’t let the fame go to our heads) – the Avalon - es won the Best Environment Project for the National Lottery Award 2017 Once again, we would like to thank everyone who voted for us and everyone who helped to deliver the project so successful- ly that we were eligible to win the award – we couldn’t have done it without you – and thank you for And the show bearing with us during the voting process. Wednesday August 23rd was goes on . . . never going to be a completely normal day. We all knew that the o, the HLF-funded Avalon now formed the Avalon Marshes BBC was in the Avalon Marshes Marshes Landscape Partnership. to film footage for a finalist show Partnership Scheme won We meet at least quarterly and reel but little did we know what S the prestigious National Lottery are continuing to capitalise on the would happen next. Award, and the scheme has success of the recent Landscape At lunchtime we were all round- come to an end after many years Partnership Scheme, as well as ed up for an announcement and, Photo credits: Lotto Good Causes Twitter and ITV News Westcountry of fantastic work by staff and considering how best we can carry after several minutes of shuffling volunteers from all the organisa- on working together to make the and wondering what was going tions involved. Avalon Marshes an even better on, Bill Bailey appeared from However, the work does not place for wildlife and heritage. around the corner and proceed- Avalon Marshes scoops best stop there! As part of the legacy And this doesn’t just apply to the ed to announce that the Avalon of the Landscape Partnership Avalon Marshes. Working with Marshes Project had won the Scheme, the partners – RSPB, others across the whole of the category for best HLF Environ- Somerset Wildlife Trust, Natu- and Moors is mental Project Award. environmental project award ral , the Hawk and Owl crucial to achieving our conserva- Before we managed to recov- Trust, South West Heritage tion goals in this amazing area. er from the shocks we had all category. Getting to that point people to learn about and enjoy Trust, Somerset County Council Jane Brookhouse been given, there was a whirl of was testament to the enor- this really special place. Every- and the Environment Agency RSPB Area Reserves Manager, photographs being taken and mous amount of hard work and one in the partnership is thrilled – have agreed to continue to Somerset and Gloucestershire the next thing we knew we were passion from so many people to have won. As well as a shiny work closely together, and have providing the background for the over four years, including the trophy, an appearance at the BBC lunchtime news. After that Avalon Marshes Partnership award show on September 27th it was off to to film the team who co-ordinated all the and fantastic national publicity, planned pond dipping session, activities, all the partners, and the project receives £5000 to now unexpectedly accompa- the many hundreds of committed enable the partnership to give nied by Bill Bailey. The children volunteers who together brought even more nature a home and pond dipping had a great time the partnership’s vision for the help visitors to connect and and managed to catch several Avalon Marshes to life. enjoy this special place. So a water scorpions and dragon- It is not hard to see how big thank you to everyone who fly nymphs, which they were amazing the results have been: voted for us and shared the delighted about showing to Bill. incredible wildlife; the trails and voting link with their contact lists, The project was shortlisted facilities that really do enable friends and families. as one of nine finalists from more people to enjoy all the part- Abbie Thorne 1,300 entries around the UK in ners’ nature reserves; and many Visitor Experience Manager – the Best Environment Project events which have inspired Somerset First view of new platform designs s many of you will be aware, the viewing plat- forms at Ham Wall are subsiding towards the canalA and are in need of replac- ing and some shoring-up work to prevent this happening in future. We’ve begun the process of getting the platforms replaced and have an initial concept Education shelter already home for design that we would like to go forward with from Red Kite. The platforms will sit within the nature - and great place to relax current footprint and look similar to the images on the right. he work on the education The structure that looks like a shelter in the Mini-Marshes giant notice board is actually a area at Ham Wall is now shelter to keep off the sun and complete. The shelter was rain and is something that we Terected by contractors but everything will modify in the final design. else has been done by our amazing The timeline we are working to volunteers. The first task was the is to replace the platforms in the decking, expertly installed in May. summer of 2018 but this entirely The next job was to construct lock- dependent on us being able to able storage benches inside, which line up funding. If we are unsuc- were finished a few weeks ago and I cessful, we will have to look at think you’ll agree they look amazing. other sources of funding for the Volunteers Garry, Reg and Pete W platforms and the replacement have done a fabulous job. As well as Main picture, top: start and finish of the education shelter; above, won’t happen before summer doing the construction, they provid- Wednesday volunteers Alan, Pete and Tom start off the decking; below, storage benches built by Thursday volunteers Gary, Reg 2019. Watch this space for ed us with shopping and kit lists to and Pete W. Photos by Ali Blaney updates about the project. make sure they had what they need- Abbie Thorne ed when the time came, making the Visitor Experience Manager - whole process nicely streamlined. Somerset The bird silhouette holes match the window stickers and really finish the benches off nicely. They also allow Water way to get a privileged tour among the reeds people to see into the benches and The 5th and 6th of August and worry about that aspect. 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3pm, show that, although the benches 2nd and 3rd of September The idea of the event is to with 16 visitors on each trip. are locked, there is nothing of value saw the return of Ham Wall’s get visitors in among the reeds This is an amazing 1,256 inside. This should hopefully prevent ever popular ‘wildlife by canoe’ and we use a small area away participants in total, which anyone breaking into them and caus- weekends. from the main public footpaths means we have to be on the ing unnecessary damage. This is the fourth year we so it really is a privileged tour. ball to keep it running smoothly They are already being used for have run the event and it is Most people enjoy the peace and on time. Unfortunately the storage purposes, plus visitors (and A lot of hard work went into this going from strength to strength and tranquillity as they paddle weather was a bit mixed but a staff and volunteers!) have been shelter and it is already proving and has become one of the around the route and with lot of hardy souls came out on taking the weight of their feet and beneficial to school groups and many highlights of the Somerset the iconic Tor, the final Sunday to brave the making use of the extra seating now other visitors – a huge thank you events programme. complete with ruined church rain and a fun time still seemed available. In early November the final to everyone involved. Also, swal- It is a unique opportunity for towering in the background, to be had by all! task was completed with the addition lows nested in it straight away and visitors to experience Ham Wall you could be forgiven for think- of guttering, which will now stop the Michael Wilson successfully fledged chicks: a home as they never have before. We ing you have travelled back in rain dripping off the front edge of the Somerset Visitor Experience for nature, as well as a great place to use a qualified instructor who time several hundred years. roof. The guttering blends in surpris- Officer relax with a cup of tea in all weathers! supplies the canoes and safety Over two weekends we ran ingly well and adds the finishing Ali Blaney equipment so we don’t have to four tours a day at 10am, touch. Warden, Ham Wall Ever wondered how the catch team manages to bag those wary crane chicks so they can be ringed and Date for your tagged? Here’s Damon Bridge’s step-by-step guide diary – a volunteer social in the New Year. Details First - lie in a coming soon

Looking for that dark, wet field perfect present? Make it snappy for an hour . . . This year we are going to trial hiring out a mobile hide nder the cover of inky six-week-old chick. to take images of woodland pre-dawn darkness, six Text message sent, catch team birds in, well, . . .the woods. hunters walk swiftly and alerted - the wait continues. Anoth- We’ve bought a pop-up silently into position, stop- er text wings its way through the photo hide (essentially a tent Uping to sink low amongst the rushes ether to the team - the birds are with flaps) and have scout- and field-edge vegetation and make walking fast, now around a third ed out a spot in the woods themselves invisible. of the way across the field. The where we can put it up when From a far hill, a single observer, hunters can hear the chick making people hire it for a session. armed with a high-powered tele- its begging ‘wheep’ as it trots along The hide will be available scope, awaits the first glimmer behind its parent. for hire from the 1 October of dawn and for grey ill-defined One hunter lifts their head above until 31 March to prevent shapes to appear down the barrel. the rushes and makes visual volunteer-led and resourced ringing Above, releasing the ringed crane; below, some of the 2017 catch team. disturbance during the breed- 15 long minutes pass in silence. contact. With a shout to the rest of team managed to ring two of the ing season and bookings The trap is set. the team, they spring from cover four chicks produced on the Levels will be taken by via the Ham On the moor, a sedge warbler and run, a full pace towards the and Moors, with all ringed chicks Wall Office. Visitors will be awakes and begins a joyful, but going on to fledge successfully. escorted to and from the somewhat caustic jumble of notes - “The hunters can hear These truly wild, Somerset-reared hide during their visit and will only metres from one of the hidden. the chick making its chicks are now coming into their need to stay inside of the Another 15 minutes pass and a first winter and often remain with hide for the duration of their mallard drake laughs from a rhyne begging ‘wheep’ as it their parents. Keep an eye out for visit. as a couple of young roe bucks trots along behind its any colour ringed cranes with green We hope that those hiring walk nonchalantly by, grazing in parent.” as the lower of the three colours on the hide will get action shots the half light. A sound of slooshing the right leg. of woodland birds - and from a ditch - something swimming, You can find out more about who knows what else might diving, swimming on, a spluttering confused chick. Its alarmed parents this year’s breeding outcomes on decide to wonder past the sneeze - perhaps an otter hunting call and take flight to a nearby the meet the cranes pages of the hide. for breakfast. field but the chick can not - it will great crane project website: www. So, looking for that perfect The lone watcher on the hill can be another two weeks until it can thegreatcraneproject.org.uk Christmas present for the now make out a fuzz of mono- leave the ground. With the chick A massive thank-you to the volun- person that has everything? chrome shapes. Clumps of rushes? now surrounded in the middle of teer team for making this ring- Do they like photography and No, they’re moving. Deer making the field, it is a fairly quick and easy ing programme possible: Alison wildlife? Then look no further! their way across the distant field. process for the hunters to bag their Morgan; Elizabeth Antliff-Clark; Buy them the gift of a visit A few more minutes pass and prize, fit the identifying rings and Shelley Saltman; Annie Pickering; to the new Ham Wall Mobile then - yes - that’s them! Three radio tag and release it back to the Kat Sucheka; Alex Radl - and for Hire a Photography Hide for unmistakable silhouettes, stalking wild. the assistance this year of Richard £65. from the field-corner, pool out in to Measuring how this second Archer and Leah Kelley on loan Abbie Thorne the open meadow. Such graceful generation of cranes fare helps from catching curlews! Visitor Experience but constantly wary birds, four feet us to understand whether the Damon Bridge Manager – Somerset tall, long legs, long necks. A pair reintroduction project has been a RSPB Saving Nature Scheme of cranes and their shorter, darker, success long term. This year, the Programme Manager Pings are Ham Wall breeding bird round-up 2017 t Ham Wall, we monitor birds most likely species. Below is a table showing the birds moni- to breed on the reserve; this includes tored in 2017, numbers recorded and any chang- on the up those associated with reedbed and open es. water as well as those that might use the A huge thank-you to the volunteers who help out woodlandA and hedgerows areas. with surveying. We would never be able to collect for our We only monitor species listed Red or Amber in all this information, that helps guide our conserva- the Birds Of Conservation Concern list annually tion work, without you! beardies and every five years we monitor the green listed wo bearded tit surveys Birds monitored in 2017 were carried out at Ham Species What monitored Totals Difference from previous count Wall, one late Septem- Pochard Territories 43 down 1 Bearded tits photo ©John Crispin ber and one mid Octo- Lapwing Territories 10 up 3 (7 just outside boundary)

Tber. Pinging had been heard amount of pinging action and 100 more than the previous Red Song thrush Territories 8 up 5 all over the reserve prior to the suddenly a flock of 17 bearded highest count from 2012. The September survey and we were tits appeared above the tree total would have been 237 had a Linnet Territories 12 up 8 quietly confident the count could line. A beautiful sight against the hobby not snatched one during Bittern Nesting attempts 9 up 1 (2 just outside boundary) be a high one, with Site Manag- bright blue sky. the survey, witnessed by volun- Fledged nests 6 no change er Steve Hughes holding out for As we all gathered at the end of teer Simon and his daughter! Reed bunting Territories 113 up 26 a count near the 200 mark. the survey to discuss our tran- The October survey unfortu- Garganey Territories 2 up 1 The volunteers and I spread sects (and to enjoy some home- nately proved to be a washout, out across the reserve on an made chocolate cornflake cakes, with un-forecast rain calling an Gadwall Territories 59 up 1 absolutely perfect morning in which were melting in the sun!) early end to the proceedings. A Shoveler Territories 10 up 6 September and got counting. I it quickly became clear it had mere 28 birds were recorded but Teal Territories 0 down 1 was stationed in Godwins, which indeed been a very active day it didn’t matter, the September Greylag Territories 3 down 3 is the newly-acquired section of across the site for bearded tits. survey had been so perfect and land south of Waltons and there- After cross-checking all the we’re all so chuffed with the total Redshank Territories 0 down 1 fore a new addition to surveys locations and timings of sight- that even an unexpected soak- Amber Mallard Territories 78 down 11 this year. At one point, as I ings to avoid double counting, ing couldn’t dampen our spirits. Willow warbler Territories 22 up 5 walked parallel to the southern our final total for the day came in Ali Blaney Kingfisher Territories 2 no change edge of Waltons, I heard a huge at an amazing 236 birds, almost Warden, Ham Wall Marsh harrier Nests 3 no change Mute swan Pairs 18 up 2 Welcome news for fantastic visitor team Dunnock Territories 23 up 2 he other day I was welcome building being manned period last year. Increasing Bearded tit Territories 23 up 17 thinking about when we by staff and volunteers at least membership is extremely impor- Population count (Sep) 236 up 198 Tfirst opened the visitor six days a week, many of these tant to the RSPB and for every Water rail Calling birds 62 down 28 welcome building at Ham Wall are receiving a great welcome to new membership here Ham Wall Little bittern Territories 3 up 3 * and I can’t believe it was nearly the reserve. gets an extra £75. two years ago. In the early days The car park machine has been The success of the visitor oper- Great white egret Nesting attempts 9 up 3 we were just opening at week- in place for a year and hasn’t ation at Ham Wall hasn’t gone No Fledged nests 7 up 2 ends and didn’t have anything come up against any problems. unnoticed and we have been status Cattle egret Nesting attempts 6 First year breeding fancy like teas and coffees or It has been well received by getting very positive respons- Fledged nests 4 First year breeding flapjacks and chocolate brown- many visitors and easily reached es from both the regional and ies. I don’t think we even had the its income target for the year. national offices. * Little bittern: the criteria we use for monitoring Night : bred successfully somewhere on log burner in the first few weeks. Having more people on the None of this could have been and recording little bittern has changed in 2017, the Avalon Marshes, fledging two chicks later Since then the operation has ground and the introduction achieved without the help of a based on methods used on the continent that take photographed on SWR reserve. First expanded and drinks and brown- of car park charges has really fantastic volunteer team, so a into account the secretive nature of the species. confirmed breeding for UK! ies are flying out the door and helped with membership recruit- big thank you goes out to every- the special RSPB coffee is going ment. Since the beginning of the one who has been involved over Cattle egret: bred for the first time ever on Glossy ibis: two were present, in breeding plum- down a treat with our visitors. financial year, we have signed the last couple of years. an RSPB reserve and only second time in UK age, until early May when one disappeared and In the first half of the year the up 146 new members on the Michael Wilson anywhere. Also bred in Cheshire, Wirral and not seen since. reserve received more than reserve; this is an amazing Ham Wall Visitor Experience Dorset this year. Ali Blaney 35,000 visitors and, with the 220% increase for the same Officer Warden, Ham Wall Be at hub of new colonists group ow would you like to be at the hub of one of the most extra-ordi- nary species-focused Hprojects in the UK? Do you have a few hours a week that you could contribute to co-ordinating the efforts of the Avalon Marshes ‘new colonists’ monitoring group - carrying our cutting-edge survey and moni- toring work for the suite of rare am Wall Visitor Garden birds that are making is a project still in the Avalon Marshes their home? progress but we are at See how our visitor Your role in this project would last starting to enjoy the principally be one of commu- Hfruits of our labours. nication, administration and From a very blank space earlier garden is growing management: co-ordinating this year, various groups of the volunteer team, organising volunteers have worked with evening surveys, keeping on top me and the Ham Wall team, of species data, compiling short bringing to the task great skill reports and acting as the go-to and enthusiasm to help build liaison point between RSPB, NE, of the breeding season. fledgling Saving Nature Scheme. our lovely raised bed and install and SWT staff and volunteers. Experience of monitoring and You will be given support and some smart trellising and willow The role can fit around other survey work is an advantage but training by Damon Bridge screens in and around the commitments, with no set times not essential. There would be throughout the year, and work Welcome Centre at Ham Wall. - this is up to you - but it does plenty of opportunity to also be closely with the Ham Wall Benches will appear shortly and require regular involvement, involved in this side of the work, Reserve operational teams. more stone is to be laid in the checking messages, keeping on and a great opportunity to learn If you’re interested, please give circular space which will provide top of datasets etc, amounting from experienced and knowl- Damon a call or get in contact. a pleasant space to sit and enjoy to around three hours per week edgeable volunteers. the flowers and chat to staff and during the spring and summer This role is a pioneering one, [email protected] volunteers at leisure. months and much less outside operating within the RSPB’s 01458 252820 / 07736 633138 With phase one nearly complete, we have moved on to phase two behind the willow Partnership events prove screens and Welcome Building, Main picture, top: raised beds planted up in August as phase one of with a massive clearance of the Ham Wall Visitor Garden nears completion; above, the garden area popular with families nettles and thistles and all things before work started; below, work begins at the end of June. During the summer and autumn our partner- prickly. New wildlife-friendly ship (RSPB and Natural England) programme of plants are waiting in the wings to activities at Ham Wall and NNRs be planted to entice all sorts of have continued to prove popular with families, who winged and four legged crea- have enjoyed Wild Art, pond dipping, exploring the tures to this miniature garden trail and Forest School activities. haven. With flowers and berries My enthusiastic, dedicated and hard working and seeds galore, we hope that team of volunteers have been a huge part of the this will become an additional success of these events; many thanks to you all, delight to enjoy while watching and long may we continue. the birds on the feeders. More Look out for our exciting events coming up next photos to follow in the spring. year, including Wild Days Out on Sunday 22nd Thank you to volunteers and April, Sunday 23rd September and Sunday 4th staff for all your help and support Trish Harper, Administrator (West Sedgemoor with my sabbatical project. November 2018. office), accepts bee boxes kindly donated by Brian Trish Harper – Administrator Sue Habgood White of RSPB South Somerset Local Group for the Visitor Experience Assistant Ham Wall garden (West Sedgemoor office) Taking a closer look at the curlew On West Sedgemoor, we have one of the few growing populations of breeding curlew on lowland wet grassland in the UK. In 2017, RSPB Somerset started looking more closely into why this is in order to inform our land management for curlew and to maybe get an insight into why other lowland populations are failing.

est Sedgemoor in spring and may spend 30 minutes or more pottering early summer is a wonder- about before they settle - there’s no point ful place, full of the sounds in being well-camouflaged if you give the and smells of traditional hay nest location away to an observant carrion Wmeadows and pasture, including display- crow! ing curlew with their array of bubbling In all, we located nine nests, including calls and conspicuous aerial displays. one which was a re-lay by a pair that had Adults are really feisty birds in spring been predated. We also found a curlew and defend their territories vigorously family from another nest site which we against buzzards, grey and carrion hadn’t previously located. 70% of our crows which venture into their airspace. curlew nests were predated between April Their territory fields are often full of bright and June, which is quite a high rate of yellow marsh marigold, the deep purple of loss; however we think that three pairs on From top left, clockwise: taking weight and wing/ southern marsh orchids, with the gentle the north side probably produced one or bill/leg measurements of a 26-day-old curlew pink of frogbit flowers in adjacent ditch- more chicks to the stage where they could chick; a curlew chick hiding in the long grass; a es. West Sedgemoor is fly (fledge), and with up typical curlew nest of four eggs; a male yellow a great place for many “Finding curlew nests to five pairs on the south wagtail on territory - these smart and charismatic breeding birds at this side of the moor, it seems little birds fly from West Africa to be with us every time, including snipe and is time consuming likely that the 15 or so spring; a male reed bunting on territory, one of redshank, reed buntings and requires a lot of pairs on the whole moor our most ubiquitous breeding birds on well-man- aged wet grassland on the Somerset Levels. and large numbers of fieldcraft. We reckon produced eight young (at yellow wagtails, an impor- it took on average 8-9 a conservative estimate): it tant summer visitor to the is very difficult to be abso- most of their time in these same fields, to delay hay cutting until after mid-July, my sabbatical, and we managed to attract Levels. hours to locate each lutely sure once young where there is lots of invertebrate food and this seems to be of critical importance a Masters student from Leeds University From late April onwards nest ” birds have fledged (unless (such as grasshoppers and spiders) and to the attraction of the site for curlew. (Leah Kelly). We also had the support of a we spent many hours you are fortunate enough the grassland is dense enough to provide 2017 was a good year for breeding great ringing team, led by Alison Morgan locating curlew nests on to locate them in a silage cover for the chicks to hide in, but not too cranes on West Sedgemoor, which as our chief ringer and radio tagger, the north side of the moor, weighing and field). This suggests that our curlews dense to make it difficult to move about. produced fledged chicks for the first time. aided by Rich Hearn from WWT and Ed measuring each egg to get an estimate produced over half a chick per pair this Because water levels in the adjacent ditch- This success is probably linked with the Drewitt who provided invaluable support of when they would hatch. This was done year – probably enough to explain why the es are held quite high at this time of year, work we have done to reduce fox preda- in the early stages of radio tagging. Jen so we could return to the nest just as the population is growing, although it wouldn’t the grassland soils remain damp, encour- tion. We are thinking about whether we Smart, Kirsty Brannan, Tony Cross, Harry chicks hatched in order to attach radio take much of a reduction in the number of aging invertebrate abundance and making could extend some of these measures Paget-Wilkes and the West Sedgemoor tags to them. This was done so we could fledged chicks for this population to be in it easier for adults and sometimes the to the north side of the site in 2018 to reserves team were also critical to getting follow them as they explored the grass- trouble. We therefore need to continue the chicks to probe the soil for food, although help reduce curlew nest predation. In the this project off the ground. Our neighbour- lands and see where they fed and whether work to get a longer run of data before we the chicks, with their shorter bills mainly meantime, we will continue to manage our ing farmers on West Sedgemoor were also they survived to become independent from can feel confident that productivity real- take food from the soil surface and from species-rich hay meadows in the tradi- very helpful and allowed us to venture into their parents. Finding curlew nests is time ly is good enough to maintain the West vegetation. Up to the time of fledging, none tional way, work with our tenant farmers their fields to look for nests. Watch this consuming and requires a lot of fieldcraft. Sedgemoor population. of the nest or chick fields had been cut to delay hay cutting until our young curlew space for an update on the 2018 breeding We reckon it took on average 8-9 hours to Interestingly, all our nine nests were for hay – something which would result in have fledged, and holding field water season next autumn. locate each nest – curlew are very, very located in species-rich hay meadows, and a lot of chick deaths. The RSPB on West levels high enough to keep soils damp. Richard Archer careful in how they approach a nest, and the chicks we managed to radio tag spent Sedgemoor works with its tenant farmers Part of the 2017 study was done through Senior Conservation Officer Super swifts Ham Wall Volunteer Andre Blacker explains why the sight of these sophisticated flying machines is one of the highlights of his summer.

ne of the biggest disappoint- ments I have of my comprehen- sive education, if I disregard the persistent bullying and the staff Oapathy, was that we were never taught Latin. I first became aware of Latin when I got my first proper bird book at about the age of eight or nine. Each bird name was followed by another name that was always in two parts, was always written in italics and was always completely unintelligible. Through an arduous process of self-tui- tion these strange italicised words started to gain meaning. I learnt that the words Photos of swifts Pica pica meant eating substances of on the Levels ©John Crispin no nutritional value such as faeces and referred to the magpie’s habit of turn- ing over poo when foraging; I learnt the Erithacus rubecula was a reference to the robin’s red breast; I also learnt that Apus apus (although this is Greek rather than There are about 150 pairs nesting in “These little 40g birds feed in August, will end up in Zaire, part of Somerset. The reasons? Swifts Latin) means without feet! Apus apus is some of the county town’s older buildings; flight (on flying insects), they Tanzania, Zimbabwe or even nest in the small nooks and crannies Manor Road (near Musgrove) is a real hot Mozambique. in our older urban buildings, the very the scientific name of the swift. drink raindrops, they catch nest- In biology, you use it or lose it. spot, with up to 30 swifts regularly seen; Even more remarkable is that the gaps that are lost when those build- In the case of the swift, it has two pairs breed in Priory Avenue; and two ing material blowing in the wind, young swifts that fledged from under ings are restored or converted. become such a sophisticated pairs breed at the Hydrographic Office they sleep in flight, they even the loose tile of a house in Curload These losses are not inevita- flying machine that the need for (one in the air vents). Creech St Michael is mate while flying.” (the next village to me) will fly to ble. One city in our region, Exeter, feet has become largely super- also an important breeding area, with up to sub-Saharan Africa then back has used recommendations in the 2012 fluous. What pass as feet on 12 pairs breeding most years. The high- to Curload, then back to Africa, then back National Planning Policy Framework to (on flying insects), they drink raindrops, the swift are tiny, with small speed antics of swifts, screaming as they to Curload to breed two summers later, make the inclusion of swift nesting sites a they catch nesting material blowing in the sharp claws, their only chase one another over the High Street all without touching down. That is a trip requirement of all future planning applica- wind, they sleep in flight, they even mate ability being to grip vertical are, for me, often the highlight of of well over 300,000 miles, all without tions. while flying. Swifts nesting in the UK have surfaces. summer family shopping expeditions landing. Being long-lived birds, regularly Although only a recommendation, the use even been recorded hunting insects over With an estimated UK population of just to Taunton! living for 20 years, ‘my’ Curload swifts will of the planning process to ‘enhance biodi- the Netherlands. One newly-fledged swift under 100,000 pairs (they pair for life) this If you were to attach the label superhu- clock up more than 3 million miles in their versity’ can be a powerful conservation tool ringed in Oxford was re-caught in Madrid largely urban species is familiar to most man to any bird, in my opinion it would lifetime. in the hands of enlightened authorities. If on the same day! people. In Somerset, many villages have have to be the swift. Swifts are such Unfortunately, they may be super ‘human’ only Taunton Deane took such an enlight- Swifts spend their winter in sub-Saha- small colonies of swifts but probably the specialised flying machines that they only but swift numbers across the UK have fall- ened approach to swift conservation, future ran Africa. Some of our Somerset birds, highest concentrations are found in Taun- need to land, at two years of age, when en by as much as 38% between 1995 and family shopping expeditions may have to leaving the UK in about the third week in ton. nesting. These little 40g birds feed in flight 2010. I am certainly seeing fewer in my involve a trip down the M5 to Exeter! Handy guide to different volunteering roles

Feedback from our recent volunteer survey Contact Michael Wilson – michael.wilson@rspb. suggested that some existing volunteers might org.uk be interested in helping out in other ways too, but Giving visitors an excellent welcome, handling don’t know who to approach. So here is a brief catering sales and making that membership ask overview of different volunteering roles available and who to contact about each: Leading guided walks Contact Michael Wilson - michael.wilson@rspb. Surveying org.uk Contact Ali Blaney – [email protected] Organised group walks that people pay to go Various group surveys are carried out throughout on, eg bespoke birthday walk presents, species the year including: specific or regional group tours. Booming bittern listens: one in March and one in April – very early start! Roving volunteer Weekly bittern flight monitoring: Thursdays April Contact Michael Wilson - michael.wilson@rspb. – July org.uk Bearded tit surveys: September/October Little bittern surveys: evenings in May and June Education groups Nigel receives his puffin long-service award Contact Mary Scott – [email protected] Practical work parties e were delighted to present Nigel Smith and wide, even someone who came especially Contact Steve Couch – stephen.couch@rspb. Events with his Puffin Award on Tuesday 14th from Canada! And some have kept coming back org.uk Contact Sue Habgood – [email protected]. November in front of an eager group of year after year because they’ve enjoyed the visit W Two weekly work parties and one seasonal uk visitors from Ilminster, just before setting out on the so much. monthly weekend work party Delivering children’s events in the school holi- first walk of the 2017 Winter Walks season. His accumulated knowledge about the wildlife Wednesday: weekly days and at weekends e.g. pond dipping, wild Nigel has volunteered at West Sedgemoor for on the reserve is also highly regarded and we are Thursday: weekly art, crafts etc. These could be events open to ten years, leading all the winter Big Wetland Duck delighted to have him as a member of the West Sundays: first weekend of each month from the public or could be private booked birthday Watch walks in all weathers, ably assisted by his Sedgemoor team. September – March parties. lovely wife, Elaine, providing an extremely inform- Thank you Nigel and Elaine. Here’s to the next ative and amiable experience to visitors from far ten years. Welcome building Great ambassador for Who’s who: RSPB staff in Somerset schools scheme Jane Allen: Office Administrator, Ham Wall Steve Hughes: Site Manager, Ham Wall imon Atkinson received his long service Reserve - 01458 860494 award during lunch break while volunteering Ashley Millman: Estate Worker, West Sedgem- Son a Schools on Reserves school day with Richard Archer: Somerset Conservation Officer oor, Swell Wood & Greylake Haygrove year 7 secondary students. Simon started volunteering at Ham Wall in Alison Blaney: Warden, Ham Wall Harry Paget-Wilkes: Site Manager, West July 2012 contributing to bittern and bearded Sedgemoor, Swell Wood & Greylake tit surveys. Then in 2015 he became a learning Damon Bridge: Species Recovery Officer, ‘Saving assistant with the newly-launched Schools on Nature Scheme’ Volunteering Development Project Paul Parmenter: Assistant Warden, West Reserves scheme. As a retired biology teacher, - 01458 254416 Sedgemoor, Swell Wood & Greylake he has the ideal skills for the role and enjoys the continued contact with young people. Jane Brookhouse: Area Manager for Somerset Steve Ross: Warden, West Sedgemoor, Swell Simon has introduced hundreds of school chil- and Gloucestershire Wood & Greylake dren to the brilliant wildlife at Ham Wall, especially the birds. He’s also been a great ambassador for Steve Couch: Assistant Warden, Ham Wall Mary Scott: Learning Officer, Ham Wall the scheme, bringing an A level class from his old school at Kings Bruton to study the Sweet Track Sue Habgood: Visitor Experience Officer, Ham Abbie Thorne: Visitor Experience Manager for meadows on Shapwick Heath. Wall & Avalon Marshes Somerset Thanks Simon – I hope you will be happy to volunteer at Ham Wall for many more years. Trish Harper: Office Administrator - 01458 252805 Michael Wilson: Visitor Experience Officer & Mary Scott, Learning Officer Membership Development Officer RSPB Somerset What’s On? January February Big Wetland Duck Watch Big Wetland Duck Watch Wednesday 10 and Saturday 20 January Saturday 3, 17 and 24 February November 2017-February 2018 West Sedgemoor West Sedgemoor, 10 am-12 pm RSPB members £4; Non RSPB members £6 November December 10 am-12 pm RSPB members £4; Non RSPB members £6 RSPB child members £2; Non RSPB child £3 RSPB child members £2; Non RSPB child £3 Details as November Super Starling Trail Starling Spectacular at Ham Wall Details as November Booking essential Every weekend from 2nd December until 25th Thursday 9 and 23 November Booking essential Email: [email protected] February (apart from 24th December). 2 pm-4 pm Email: [email protected] Tel: 07774 620879 10 am-2:30 pm. RSPB members £4; Non RSPB members £6 Tel: 07774 620879 RSPB child members £2; Non RSPB child £3 £2 per trail (small prize included) Starling Spectacular at Ham Wall Last trail sold and last prize collected 2:30pm Winter is an amazing time of the year on the Starling Spectacular at Ham Wall Special World Wetland Day Walk Avalon Marshes. Join our guided walk leaders as Find the clues, discover the code word and come Friday 2 February, 2 pm-4 pm back to claim your prize. Thursday 11 and 25 January they go in search of some of the fantastic wildlife 2 pm-4 pm RSPB members £4; Non RSPB members £6 No Booking required that makes Ham Wall its home during the winter. Details and charges as November RSPB child members £2; Non RSPB child £3 We’ll be looking out for fishing great white egrets, Booking essential Details as November Starling Spectacular at Ham Wall dabbling ducks, gliding marsh harrier and, of Email: [email protected] Booking essential Thursday 7 and 14 December course, the ever elusive bittern before finishing the Tel: 01458 860494 Email: [email protected] walk by watching starlings streaming out of the sky 2 pm-4 pm Tel: 01458 860494 Details and charges as November into their roost for the night. A mesmerising sight Dawn Explosion at Ham Wall Booking essential Booking essential Sunday 14 and 28 January Dawn Explosion at Ham Wall Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Sunday 11 and 18 February, 7 am-9 am Tel: 01458 860494 7 am-9am Tel: 01458 860494 Details and charges as December RSPB members £4; Non RSPB members £6 Booking essential RSPB child members £2; Non RSPB child £3 Big Wetland Duck Watch Binocular and Telescope Day at Ham Wall Email: [email protected] Details as December Saturday 16 December Saturday 11 and 25 November Tel: 01458 860494 Booking essential Drop in anytime between 10 am and 4 pm West Sedgemoor Email: [email protected] Time for a new pair of binoculars for Christmas? 10 am-12 pm Tel: 01458 860494 Details and charges as November Binocular and Telescope Day at Ham Wall Head down to Ham Wall nature reserve to meet Saturday 27 January knowledgeable experts for advice and information Booking essential Binocular and Telescope Day at Ham Wall Email: [email protected] Drop in anytime between 10 am and 4 pm on the product range. Details as November Saturday 24 February Tel: 07774 620879 Free event Free event Drop in anytime between 10 am and 4 pm Details as November Big Wetland Duck Watch Dawn Explosion at Ham Wall Free event Saturday 25 November Sunday 10 and 17 December West Sedgemoor 7am-9am 10 am-12 pm RSPB members £4; Non RSPB members £6 Directions to our nature reserves in Somerset RSPB members £4; Non RSPB members £6 RSPB child members £2; Non RSPB child £3 RSPB child members £2; Non RSPB child £3 The starling murmurations at the Avalon Marshes Ham Wall Nature Reserve By car: the reserve is on the A361 (Taunton to In the winter tens of thousands of ducks and are a wonder of the natural world, but have you Road Glastonbury road) midway between the villages waders visit the fields at West Sedgemoor. ever wondered what this number of birds look (nr Glastonbury), BA6 9SX of Othery and Greinton. Along with the chance to see hunting marsh like when they wake up. Come along for an early www.rspb.org.uk/greylake harriers and peregrine falcons and perhaps catch morning stroll to the roost site and watch as the By bus: the nearest bus stops are in the villages a glimpse of the Somerset cranes, this all makes whole flock takes to the air – a truly unmissable of Meare and Ashcott. Swell Wood Nature Reserve for an unmissable experience. Join local RSPB experience! By car: Ham Wall is on Ashcott Road, a minor A378 between Curry Rivel and Fivehead guides for a rare opportunity to witness this wildlife Booking essential road that runs between Meare and Ashcott. Just TA3 6PX spectacle. Email: [email protected] over a mile (2 km) south of Meare. Booking essential Tel: 01458 860494 www.rspb.org.uk/hamwall By bus: First Group Somerset & Avon/54 bus Email: [email protected] stop on the A378 at Swell, where the reserve can Tel: 07774 620879 Binocular and Telescope Day at Ham Wall Greylake Nature Reserve be accessed via a stile on to the Scarp Trail. Saturday 9 December A361 between Othery and Greinton By car: Swell Wood can be accessed from the Drop in anytime between 10 am and 4 pm Greylake, TA7 9BP A378 Langport road between the villages Details as November Fivehead and Curry Rivel. Free event By bus: the nearest bus stop is in Othery (no 29) www.rspb.org.uk/swellwood at the London Inn or in Greinton at phone box.