BBAASSIINNGGSSTTOOKKEE LLOOCCAALL GGRROOUUPP

NOVEMBER 2016 NEWSLETTER

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

Contents:

 From The Group Leader

 Notices

 What’s Happening?

 November’s Outdoor Meeting

 December’s Outdoor Meeting

 October’s Outdoor Meeting

 Sri Lanka: Makandawa Forest Reserve

 Local Wildlife News

 Quiz ‘Page’

 And Finally!

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

Welcome to the November Newsletter and, dare I say it, winter.

Although Bonfire Night is now past and pets are once again settled after dark the fireworks are yet to stop! Perhaps not as explosive but just as dazzling are the Waxwing that have appeared locally since the last Newsletter, albeit all arrivals to date seem to have been about as long lasting as a firework! With increasing numbers continuing to move south it’s only a matter of time before some linger. If you are lucky enough to find any, no matter where or when, do please let us know – there are several Members of the Group that have yet to come across these and so it would be good to rectify this in the coming weeks / months.

Even though winter birds such as the Waxwing, Fieldfare and Redwing are now evident there are still ‘summery’ visitors airborne, the butterflies. With this in mind, Red Admiral still being on the wing as I type this, please do take a look at the new publication from Butterfly Conservation that features in ‘Notices’.

With regard to conservation, many of us are now keenly aware of the links between different orders of wildlife and the need to ensure that conservation is not order-blinkered, but takes in to account all that is or could be present, or could return with the appropriate management / conservation. The RSPB is now seen to be much more wildlife focussed, rather than the ‘old’ view of birds, birds and ……. birds! The next time you visit one of the societies’ reserves watch out for non-avian interpretive materials, both within the Information Centres and out on the reserve – are they there? Of course they are! As is all the other wildlife that makes the reserves and Britain so very special for nature – let’s try to keep it that way!

Again with regard to conservation, the Group Leader’s currently discussing the possibility of Naturetrek running a wildlife tour for the Group, hence the question put to those at the October Indoor Meeting. You may think that this has little to do with conservation, but Naturetrek has pledged a donation to the Group for every Member participating in the ‘tour’. Further details of this will be available very soon, but if you’d be interested in coming along with others of the Group, please do seem me ASAP.

Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you at Titchfield Haven NNR this Sunday, or the Christmas ‘do’ in mid-December; both events not to be missed!

Peter E. Hutchins

PS what’s wrong with the Waxwing image above? Notices

Christmas Social Evening

An Evening of fun and frolics!

This will take place on the 16th, will be, as usual, free to attend and will give all those present the opportunity to mingle with the Committee and other Group Members during a very sociable evening. Festive music, a raffle, quizzes and slide presentations will all be part of the evening, as will the ‘buffet’. For those that have not attended previously the latter is a bring something along, share and swap-type feast, with the few remnants available at the end to be taken away by those still in need of sustenance.

If you’ve some slides you’d like to show the Group please make the Committee aware of this so that a provisional running order can be worked upon.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Winter Birding Weekend

The 2017 winter birding weekend for the Local Group will be in Devon, based, as before, at the Passage House Hotel on the banks of the Teign Estuary.

This will be made up of a two night stay, arriving Friday 10th February and leaving on Sunday12th February 2017.

In addition to visiting a selection of the various birding sites and reserves (Topsham, Exminster Marshes, Dawlish Warren, Berry Head, Labrador Bay, Broadsands, Brixham Harbour etc.) a birding cruise on the Exe estuary will be organised on the Friday or Saturday for those who wish to join it.

Full details will be available at the Indoor Meetings.

If you cannot attend the meeting and wish to at go on the weekend please contact me on 01189 700859 or 07779 026915 or [email protected] and I will forward full details.

Gerry Gardner

16 have now been confirmed for the weekend, there however still accommodation available to allow more to join this group, though all places are now filled on the boat.

Intertidal Habitats

A few words with regard to the Group’s donation earlier this year.

The intertidal zone, also known as the littoral zone, in marine aquatic environments is the area of the foreshore and seabed that is exposed to the air at low tide and submerged at high tide, i.e. the area between tide marks.

In the intertidal zone the most common organisms are small and most are relatively uncomplicated organisms. This is for a variety of reasons; firstly the supply of water which marine organisms require to survive is intermittent. Secondly, the wave action around the shore can wash away or dislodge poorly suited or adapted organisms. Thirdly, because of the intertidal zone's high exposure to the sun the temperature range can be extreme from very hot to near freezing in frigid climates (with cold seas). Lastly, the salinity is much higher in the intertidal zone because salt water trapped in rock pools evaporates leaving behind salt deposits. These four factors make the intertidal zone an extreme environment in which to live.

A typical rocky shore can be divided into a spray zone (also known as the Supratidal Zone, which is above the spring high-tide line and is covered by water only during storms, and an intertidal zone, which lies between the high and low tidal extremes. Along most shores, the intertidal zone can be clearly separated into the following subzones: high tide zone, middle tide zone, and low tide zone.

High tide zone (upper mid-littoral)

Purple Barnacles Blue-Green Shoreline Seaweed Crab

The high tide zone is flooded during high tide only, and is a highly saline environment. The abundancy of water is not high enough to sustain large amounts of vegetation, although some do survive in the high tide zone. The predominant organisms in this subregion are anemones, barnacles, brittle stars, chitons, crabs, green algae, isopods, limpets, mussels, sea stars, snails, whelks and some marine vegetation. The high tide zone can also contain rock pools inhabited by small fish and larger seaweeds. Another organism found here is the hermit crab, which because of its portable home in the form of a shell does extremely well as it is sheltered from the high temperature range to an extent and can also carry water with it in its shell. Consequently there is generally a higher population of hermit crabs to common crabs in the high tide zone. Life is much more abundant here than in the spray.

Middle tide zone (lower mid-littoral)

Mussel Bed Sea Urchin Snail Sea Stars and Anemones

The middle tide zone is submerged and flooded for approximately equal periods of time per tide cycle. Consequently temperatures are less extreme due to shorter direct exposure to the sun, and therefore salinity is only marginally higher than ocean levels. However wave action is generally more extreme than the high tide and spray zones. The middle tide zone also has much higher population of marine vegetation, specifically seaweeds. Organisms are also more complex and often larger in size than those found in the high tide and splash zones. Organisms in this area include anemones, barnacles, chitons, crabs, green algae, isopods, limpets, mussels, sea lettuce, sea palms, sea stars, snails, sponges, and whelks. Again rock pools can also provide a habitat for small fish, shrimps, krill, sea urchins and zooplankton. Apart from being more populated, life in the middle tide zone is more diversified than the high tide and splash zones.

Low tide zone (lower littoral)

Anemones Red Algae Dungeness Sea Star and Kelp Crab Sea Urchins

This subregion is mostly submerged - it is only exposed at the point of low tide and for a longer period of time during extremely low tides. This area is teeming with life; the most notable difference with this subregion to the other three is that there is much more marine vegetation, especially seaweeds. There is also a great biodiversity. Organisms in this zone generally are not well adapted to periods of dryness and temperature extremes. Some of the organisms in this area are abalone, anemones, brown seaweed, chitons, crabs, green algae, hydroids, isopods, limpets, mussels, nudibranchs, sculpin, sea cucumber, sea lettuce, sea palms, sea stars, sea urchins, shrimp, snails, sponges, surf grass, tube worms, and whelks. Creatures in this area can grow to larger sizes because there is more energy in the localised ecosystem and because marine vegetation can grow to much greater sizes than in the other three intertidal subregions due to the better water coverage: the water is shallow enough to allow plenty of light to reach the vegetation to allow substantial photosynthetic activity, and the salinity is at almost normal levels. This area is also protected from large predators such as large fish because of the wave action and the water still being relatively shallow.

Stamp Recycling

Please do remember that the Local Group continues to collect, sort and forward used stamps to the Society for conversion in to yet more conservation-minded monies.

The Local Group’s lucky enough to have Eileen Poulter continuing to do this on its’ behalf, so do please keep her busy!

A convenient mnemonic...

Remember Stamps Post to Bedfordshire

Butterfly Walks In Hampshire And The Isle of Wight

Butterfly Conservation Saving butterflies, moths and our environment

A new book detailing 25 walks about the county and island where you’re most likely to bump in to these other airborne beauties.

You can inspect some sample pages from the book here ...

The Press Release about the book is available here ...

To order your copy send a cheque for £7.25 (£6.00 for the guide and £1.25 for postage and packing) made payable to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch Butterfly Conservation, together with your name and postal address to: Kevin Freeborn, c/o Butterfly Conservation, Unit 2, Bull Pens, Manor Farm, Itchen Stoke, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0QT

Copies will also be available for purchase (cash only) from Jayne Chapman on the Wednesday Wanders, and Ashley Whitlock on the branch fieldtrips where he is the walk leader.

Or to buy a copy online click here ...

To report any inaccuracies in the book please email here.

Lodge Hill - The Campaign So Far

Lodge Hill in Kent, the UK's most important site for Nightingales, is threatened by a proposed development of 5,000 houses. Adrian Thomas, our Save Lodge Hill Campaign Manager, explains that if this happens it will set a dangerous precedent for all of our protected nature sites. Read on to find out how you can help stop this: www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/specialplaces/archive/2016/10/12/lodge-hill- the-campaign-so-far.aspx

Meet The Hen Harrier Class Of 2016

Follow the fortunes of ten newly satellite-tagged Hen Harriers as they make their way in the world.

For the second year in a row Hen Harrier chicks across England, Scotland and the Isle of Man have been fitted with satellite tags as part of the part-European-funded Hen Harrier LIFE Project.

The movements of ten of these birds are now being made public through the Hen Harrier LIFE project website where you can read more about the birds themselves, where they came from, how they got their names and track their progress through regularly updated maps: www.rspb.org.uk/henharrierlife

Hen Harrier – Ban Driven Grouse Shooting Debate In The House Of Commons

This has generated a lot of interest and our short response is that “We are committed to grouse shooting licensing. Reform is the way forward for a resolution to illegal hen harrier killings”. Further details can be found in Martin Harper’s blogs: www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/martinharper/default.aspx

A Message From Spurn!

I hope you don't mind me contacting you, I am from Spurn Bird Observatory, situated on the Spurn Peninsula, about 25 miles away from Hull, and am writing to inform your members about the new accommodation available at the Observatory.

The Spurn Bird Observatory was set up in 1946 to monitor the numbers and movements of birds migrating along the Spurn Peninsula. The Spurn Peninsula's unique shape and position on the East Coast means many birds are funnelled along it during their migrations. The whole area is extremely popular with birdwatchers and naturalists, and is famous for being probably the best mainland UK site to observe visible migration, and one of the best places in Britain for birding full stop...

During spring and autumn, huge numbers of birds pass through the Spurn Peninsula on their migration, sometimes in spectacular fashion and with annual 'falls' of birds such as Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers and thrushes during different weeks of autumn. Even during the summer, large numbers of waders and seabirds can be observed and in winter huge flocks of wintering wildfowl join the thousands of Knot, Grey Plover and Dunlin on the Humber mudflats. There's always the opportunity for incredible wildlife encounters.

The Bird Observatory took over an existing property in Kilnsea village in 2015 and renovated it extensively during the winter of 2015/'16, decorating throughout, splitting the bathroom into two rooms and adding a boot room onto the back. After many hours of hard work by many dedicated volunteers it was opened by the BBC "The One Show"'s Mike Dilger on Easter Sunday, 27th March 2016.

We can now offer fresh modern hostel-style accommodation for 13 guests. Our accommodation consists of three bedrooms upstairs, with three single beds in the back room (with views over the large garden) and three single beds and one bunk bed in the two front rooms (with impressive views over the Humber estuary), one downstairs bedroom with two single beds, two bathrooms upstairs each with a toilet/washbasin and shower cubicle, as well as a downstairs toilet, boot room, large modern kitchen/diner and extensive common room with log burner providing, three sofas, free Wi-Fi for guests and a PC free to use.

More information is available on our website: http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk including a daily up-to-date sightings page.

Many local RSPB groups and birding societies visit Spurn annually on coach trips, and we would love to be able to accommodate groups of enthusiastic birders and wildlife lovers in our new Observatory building. Why not make a long weekend coach trip of it with your members? The area has a wild beauty, and with local amenities easily to hand, and a pub serving home cooked food just down the road!

You could join in with seawatching, or recording visible migration of birds, witness bird ringing in action and maybe even get the chance to see a rare bird during your stay! One of the members of our Observatory committee or volunteers would be more than happy to show you around the best areas of Spurn. Please don't hesitate to get in touch for more information.

Jonnie Fisk Spurn Bird Obs

British Birds

We’ve been given a number of copies of British Birds that are no longer of use to the original owner, these covering the years 2001 to 2008; in total 96 issues and the Index for each of the eight years.

If you’d be interested in purchasing any of these please contact the Group Leader. They will also be on sale at the Indoor Meetings, with a price of £1 per issue or £10 for a year, 12 copies and the Index, having been suggested.

As always, any profits gained through the sale of these items will go to the RSPB and its’ continuing work.

Brian’s Bees

The honey that has been on sale at Indoor Meetings is still available! In three varieties! Thank you to all those that purchased this locally sourced product, and to all those that do you in the future! Please do remember when considering to source honey in the future that this is both locally produced, some of you may even know the bees, and that a donation to the Group is made on each purchase!

Local Group Website

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

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

Newsletter Mailings

Do we have your email address? If not, please do pass it on so that the Group can communicate with you in a more environmentally sensitive manner! The monthly Newsletter being an example of this, saving resources, money and time by being mailed to you, rather than hard copies being created and perhaps only sitting partially read until the next one appears. With regard to this, it’s hoped, seemingly never-endingly, that the lack of hard copy will be resolved in the future!

Bird Food

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

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

Wild Bird Mix – Peanuts – Black Sunflowers – Sunflower Hearts – Niger – Fat Squares – Fat Pecker Balls – Birdboxes – Feeders – Wildfowl Food – Bat Boxes – Mealworms – Suet Pellets – Hedgehog Feeders.

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

Peter & Alison

What’s Happening?

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

RSPB

Pull A Pine At Farnham Heath

Date 3rd December

Time 10:00am – 3:00pm

We are inviting you to come and 'pull a pine' at Farnham Heath! It's a great opportunity to help maintain the nature reserve by aiding us in the removal of invasive young pine trees. As an added bonus you can also choose and cut down your own free Christmas tree straight from the heath!

All you need to do is put on some stout shoes, wrap up warm and then head down for as much time as you can manage on the day. All help is greatly appreciated.

Postcode: GU10 2DL

Telephone: 07714 271024

E-mail: [email protected]

Basingstoke Natural History Society [email protected]

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Christmas Party

Date 12th December

Time 20:00pm

United Reformed Church, London Street, Basingstoke

Patricia & Colin Stubbs: 01256 323324; Diane Rampton: 01256 467533 or Nicola Williams: 01256 353194.

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

Working Water Meadows on the Itchen

River Itchen

Elliott Fairs

Date 27th November

Time 10:00am to 1:00pm

Walk along the river bank on a hidden bit of the Itchen. Booking is essential.

Join Roger Harrison and John Clark for a walk along a hidden bit of the Itchen and to see some working water meadows which Roger and Victoria Harrison are managing for their conservation value.

Numbers are limited so booking is essential.

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Wellington boots are essential.

Meet at Itchen Stoke Mill, Ovington (near Alresford), where there is parking on the day

Grid reference SU 564 318).

Roman Walls Winter Walk Silchester Thu, 08/12/2016 - 10:20am - 12:30pm

Brambling

Ian Cameron-Reid

Date 8th December

Time 10:20am to 12:50pm

Work up an appetite for a pub lunch by joining us on a winter walk around Silchester Roman Walls

Join us on a winter morning walk around Silchester Roman Walls and the adjacent area. Bring suitable footwear and binoculars if you have them. Follow the walk with pub lunch if you wish.

Silchester Roman Town Car Park, Wall Lane, Silchester, Hampshire, RG7 2HP

Grid reference SU635628

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Winter Social with Wildlife Photos and Anecdotes

Robin

David Foker

Date 14th December

Time 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Enjoy a fun festive evening sharing your wildlife sightings with the Winchester Local Group

Come and share your own favourite top ten wildlife photos and/or sightings over a glass of mulled wine/soft drink and nibbles. As last year photographic expertise not required – enthusiasm for the content far more important. Equipment provided.

Please contact Anne Ardill beforehand on 01962 881312 or [email protected] to discuss arrangements if showing your photos.

Admission £4 to include light buffet.

Badger Farm Community Centre, Badger Farm Road, Winchester, SO22 4QB

Map reference SU 462 275

Basingstoke Wildlife Watch

Wildlife Watch events are for families and young people that want to get out and about and more involved with nature. The activities are based mostly outdoors, in natural

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surroundings. Please make sure you come prepared with a waterproof coat and some wellies.

Wildlife Watch

T Marshall.

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

Find out more about Wildlife Watch club membership here.

It is usually held on the last Saturday of each month from 2-4pm, unless stated otherwise (places around Basingstoke – please call for locations).

Different places around Basingstoke – please call for directions

Saturday 26th November - Planting an Orchard

Planting an orchard at Park View Infant School.

Please note, under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult.

For further details, please contact:

Clare Lloyd Williams 01256 782665

Please note that all the events noted above may be filmed and photographed for

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Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's fundraising and publicity purposes. If you have any concerns, please speak to a member of staff.

Naturertek www.naturetrek.co.uk

November Roadshow 2016!

White-browed Tit-warbler, Kazakhstan

Naturetrek’s annual Roadshow offers you the chance to come and meet us, discuss your holiday plans, and enjoy a series of illustrated presentations by our top wildlife tour leaders on our most popular wildlife destinations. This year, we will be presenting illustrated talks in November 2016. In order to chat and answer your questions, we are always present 30 minutes before each show and also during a 20-minute coffee break at half-time. Please do join us at one of the shows listed below. Entry is by (free) ticket only.

To register, please email [email protected] (or call us on 01962 733051) to advise us of the number of tickets you require, your address, phone number, and which venue you wish to attend.

Our Programme & Speakers

6.30pm Optional pre-talk chat 7pm Wildlife cruising (Antarctica & Baja California) & Sweden with Paul Stanbury 7.40pm South Africa & Madagascar with David Tattersfield

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8.25pm Coffee break 8.45pm Romania, India & Tanzania with Nick Acheson

The Venue:

Winchester Hotel and Spa, Winchester Wednesday 23rd November (7pm – 9.30pm)

The Oakley Gardening Club.

December 5th

To be confirmed

St. Leonard's Centre, Rectory Road, Oakley.

For further information please contact: Mrs. Joan Crame on 01256 - 780137.

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

Kenyan Wildlife And Development Issues

Date 24th November

Time 7:30pm

An illustrated presentation by Richard Genn of the charity Kenya2020.

Overton Community Centre, Winchester Street, Overton.

Christmas Crafts

Date 26th November

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Overton Wetlands And Woodlands

Date 4th December

Time 2:00pm

Meet in the Overton Hill car park (SU 517 497) for a walk about the parish to locate wintering birds such as wildfowl, thrushes, herons and egrets, buntings and finches, as well as Kingfisher, Water Rail and numerous raptors.

For further information please contact:

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

Local Opportunities for Conservation Volunteering

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

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

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

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

November’s Outdoor Meeting

Titchfield Haven NNR: 20th.

For this Outdoor Meeting please meet in the car park by the Hillhead Sailing Club for a 10.00am start; SU 535 023 (OS Landranger map 196), PO14 3JT (Google map). This is to be found just east of the reserve, on the coastal side of Cliff Road where the sharp hill

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corners take it in to Meon Road. If you're unable to find a space here continue westwards and further free parking is available on the seafront proper.

 For further details of the starting point, to offer or request a lift etc. please contact a Committee Member prior to the weekend of the outing, this so as to allow car-sharing to be organised where possible; it's economically and environmentally far more friendly!

The RAC Route Planner gives a distance of 44.29 miles between Basingstoke and the meeting point, the AA site 44.3; a travelling time of 53 and 52 minutes being quoted by these sites. As always, it’s best to leave ample time to reach the site for the start, so please do bear this in mind when deciding on when to leave.

 This reserve, well visited by the Local Group, will start the ‘winter’ off with an appropriately firework-like birding bang, there sure to be many birds, both resident and migratory, to be found about the reserve and adjacent coastal areas that overlook The Solent and that bird blocker, the Isle of Wight.

Time will be spent looking out over the shore and waters east of the Sailing Club as the attendees group together, the former providing feeding places for waders such as Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Curlew and the ever depressed-looking Grey Plover and gulls, including

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hopefully Mediterranean, whilst the inshore waters could add grebes, lingering seaduck, Eider and Common Scoter, further gulls and waders moving by and perhaps terns feeding on shoaling fish; views out across to the island possible, depending on the weather!

Moving on to the reserve proper the Group will walk the boardwalk northwards on the eastern side, scrub, trees, reedbeds and other vegetation immediately offering both dramatic habitat changes and the birds likely to be associated with them - perhaps even more scrutiny of this needed than normal as an elusive Barred Warbler has been released here, after being trapped and ringed, in recent days. Other warblers are however more likely, Chiffchaff and Blackcap alongside the boardwalk and Cetti's in the reeds, where migrant Reed and Sedge may still be lingering before moving yet further south. These smaller passerines may well be in the company of tits, crests, Treecreeper and Nuthatch as mixed parties forage post- breeding season.

On entering the hides on the eastern side of the river the reserve opens up to us, the open waters attracting wildfowl, Cormorant and the like in to feed, bathe, rest and roost. Kingfisher may use the many 'sticks' set in to the riverbed, or may just flash by, whereas the weather at the time will be more instrumental in the chances of seeing both Bearded Tit and

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Water Rail in and about the reedbeds; a lack of wind and low water level the conditions to be hoped for.

Looking northwards to the 'Frying Pan' could add 'herons', Spoonbill the most notable of these recently, whilst the meadows should add both waders and chats, each fence line and hedgerow needing to be scoured for the latter; Fox a regular visitor to these areas.

Raptors are also regular here with Marsh Harrier, several, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel all possible, Osprey still being on the move south and so always something to be hoped for.

After making the most of the hides the Group will head to the Meon Shore, looking once again out towards the Isle of Wight and the shoreline which will have changed during the time 'inland', perhaps Dark-bellied Brent to be seen flighting by or further Mediterranean Gull joining that feeding on the exposed estuarine areas. The river by the Information

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Centre often holds Grey Mullet, the harbour waders and wildfowl, including Black Swan! Viewing points allow access to the lower reaches of the river where 'rafts' provide resting places for Turnstone, Redshank and gulls, the edges feeding places for waders and rails and the reeds security and food for warbler, chat and tit species.

The walk to the Meon Shore Hide may provide further warbler and chat atop the scrub and Bearded Tit from the viewing platform in the reeds, these 'banjo birds' sure to be a highlight of the day if they're good enough to show well.

From the hide we will overlook the many islands out on the inland water, waders, gulls, wildfowl, rails and herons to be found feeding and roosting here whilst migrating hirundines could once again be obvious as they feed low over the water, raptors, more distantly, again to be looked for, especially on warmer days as they gain height over the reserve.

Avocet now breed here on an annual basis and so these can be hoped for, as is once again the case for Mediterranean Gull. Snipe feed along the edges where Water Rail skulk, Black- tailed Godwit feed about and roost on the islands, their plumage now more muted than in previous months, though still striking when they take to the air.

Continuing westwards the boardwalk may have basking Viviparous Lizard while reeds should again give up the overly chatty Cetti's Warbler, further migrants of this ilk possibly amongst the pathside willow carr.

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A warmer day will allow late butterfly, dragon and damsels on to the wing, especially about the pools created for the latter where the thicker vegetation and the flowers and insects associate with this provide food for the winged 'predators'.

Further viewing from hides on the western side of the reserve will again ensure that all are busy with looking, finding, seeing and enjoying the varied birdlife that the management of this coastal site ensures will be present, wildfowl often a feature here with good numbers close to hand, perhaps inclusive of wintering species such as Pintail and Wigeon. The Teal need further scrutiny as there might just be a Garganey amongst them, by now not in their eclipse plumage!

After completing the 'tour' of the reserve the Group will return to the Information Centre where I'm sure a few will make the most of the displays and, more importantly, the tearoom! For those wishing to lengthen their stay a further walk can be taken after 'lunch' with members of both the Group and HOS.

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 Please be aware that there is an entrance fee to the reserve, this being: £4.00 for adults, £3.75 for concessions and £2.00 for children.

 The walk will last to at least early afternoon. For those wishing to make the most of the day information will be available re. that to be seen, where to see it and sites of interest perhaps to take in on returning homewards; these to include that for Alresford Pond and adjacent areas, Winchester Sewage Farm, Lower Test Marshes, Fishlake Meadows, Stockbridge Down NT, Stockbridge Common and Magdalen Hill Down.

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

December’s Outdoor Meeting

Hosehill Lake LNR: 18th.

 For this outing please meet in The Fox & Hounds PH car park for a 10:00 start (SU 649 698 – O.S Landranger Map 175). This is just south of the roundabout at Sheffield Bottom, on the minor road between Theale and Burghfield.

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

The RAC Route Planner gives a distance of 14.57 miles between Basingstoke and the pub, the AA site 14.6; a travelling time of 30 and 29 minutes being quoted by these sites. As always, it’s best to leave ample time to reach the site for the start time, so please do bear this in mind when deciding on when to leave.

 A site that has been visited previously by the Local Group and one that will hopefully again encourage a few of the Members out, on the last weekend prior to Christmas.

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Winter wildfowl will be sure to be in good supply about the reserve, particularly if conditions on the continent have become less clement, forcing extra birds westwards to the ‘mild’ conditions of Britain. Of the more notable species recorded in recent winters Smew, Red-crested Pochard and Goosander come to mind; the latter often seen overhead as they move to and from the larger gravel pits to the east.

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During the winter a good number of wildfowl species and individuals visit the reserve

The deeper waters attract diving ducks and grebes, there often numbers of Pochard, Tufted Duck and Great Crested Grebe amongst the flocks of dabbling duck, Wigeon the most numerous of the latter. Canada Geese and Greylag use the site to feed, bathe and roost, the latter often involving many birds moving to and from the adjacent pastures where they’ve been feeding during the day. more colourful and as equally vocal are the Egyptian Geese that can often be seen on the more open turf on the south-eastern side of the lake, where lawn-like habitat also encourages other grazers out of the water, if not approached too closely.

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Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus A now familiar bird about the gravel pits of southern Berkshire

The walk about the reserve will be broken up by visits to several man-made viewing points, so as to look out over the open waters and to get views of the reedbeds, where Bittern regularly secret themselves in the winter months.

The scrub and light woodland flanking the water often has wintering Blackcap and Chiffchaff, the latter amongst the mobile tit etc. flocks that lay waste to the local

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invertebrates! Reed Bunting, Cetti’s Warbler and Water Rail all loiter in the reeds, though all are more regularly heard than seen.

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus One of the birds ringed on the reserve - such birds will be looked for during the visit

A number of islands / rafts have been created in recent times and these have given rise to many home-bred Black-headed Gull, many of which return to the site on a seasonal basis. If there are any birds to hand these will be worth checking for rings. Any noted and confirmed will have their details forwarded to the local ringing group and the particulars of the birds seen then highlighted in the January Newsletter.

Overhead wildfowl and gulls can be anticipated as well as Red kite, Buzzard and perhaps both Sparrowhawk and Kestrel; the nearby woodland and hedgerows attracting the former, the rough pasture the latter. Starling moving to and from the more residential areas nearby might just have Waxwing for company, their trilling calls sure to give them away, even if they’re only then seen as Starling-like silhouettes.

The main island’s shoreline is used for roosting and resting by the wildfowl and can attract both herons and waders in to feed, as well as both Grey and Pied Wagtail. A careful search here can add ducks not already seen out on the water whilst the walk about the lake edge will allow viewing of all areas of the island and perhaps add species such as Bullfinch, Goldcrest and Meadow Pipit as they drop on to the island to feed amongst the denser scrub. The scrub overhanging the water can hide Mandarin.

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If time allows the Group will then move over to Theale Main Pit where further wildfowl, gulls and waders will be looked for, as well as the near-resident Peregrine that often sit on the pylons straddling the pit. The more heavily vegetated edges of the pit hold further warblers, crest, tits and Treecreeper in mobile flocks, the scrub a short distance from the pit edge attracting finches, buntings and an occasional chat. Rough but open grassland encourages both Green Woodpecker and Rabbit to feed in the open, the wintering thrushes often joining them after dropping from the poplars along the entrance road.

Finally – don’t forget that RSPB members get a discount in the pub! So, do please remember to take your Membership Card along with you – mine’s a soda and lime ;-)

 Due to the nature of the site much of the walking will be done on grass, which can be expected to be wet at this time of year. Some of the ‘paths’ are on slopes and may therefore be more slippery / less easily managed, again due to the time of year and anticipated weather conditions.

 The Outdoor Meeting will last until the early afternoon with a ‘detour’ to the adjacent Theale Main Pit and canal should the reserve be particularly quiet, or for those that wish to wander a little further from the pub!

More updated information on the site, the wildlife present and places to visit on the journey home, such as Padworth Common, Padworth Lane GP, Paices Hill, Pamber Forest, Morgaston Wood and The Vyne NT will be available closer to the day of the trip, and during the outing itself. If you have any queries, no matter what, please ensure that these are addressed as soon as is possible.

October’s Outdoor Meeting

Shatterford & Bishop’s Dyke: 23rd.

Nine, eventually, attended the first of the ‘winter walks’, this about the heath, bogs and woodland west of Beaulieu Road Station.

The pleasant weather had brought many out in to the forest and the Group were seldom alone for long, walkers, joggers, cyclists, horses and even an occasional birdwatcher being encountered on the circuit south through to west of the Shatterford car park.

About the car park conifers Coal Tit could be heard, but like the also present Goldcrest were often unobtrusive apart from their calls. More obvious were the Chaffinch feeding under the trees and out on the more open grassland parting the ‘woodland’ and heath. Wren and Robin were in song, as were Starling nearby, well, something like that!

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Moving from the cover of the trees the Group moved south parallel to the railway line, where the hedgerow provided Blackbird and Mistle Thrush, the latter however preferring the more mature Silver Birch etc. on which to sit. Away from the line the heath added seemingly self-confident Stonechat, quite willing to sit atop the stands of Gorse, unlike the accompanying Dartford Warblers that spent most of the time deep in the vegetation, occasionally fluttering weakly from one feeding place to the next like soot-covered Long- tailed Tits. Meadow Pipit were also hidden here, until they rose with their insistent ‘sip, sip’ whilst Skylark ‘buzzed’ overhead, just two being seen moving northwards. Distant malformed black bulges became Carrion Crow on optics being used, a Kestrel far more readily identifiable, especially when it lingered with the sun shining directly upon to it; yes, that’s right, sun!

Apart from the aforementioned Skylark little was noted moving over during the walk, Woodpigeon even only being seen in low numbers. No gulls, wildfowl or raptors sullied the autumnal sky as they moved over, this unfortunately noted throughout the walk.

Time spent about the first railway bridge added a Chiffchaff and Bullfinch in the willow and birch carr, further Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Carrion Crow and a Pied Wagtail on the wing and numbers of spleenwort about the brickwork of the bridge, which shook as trains passed underneath!

Maidenhair Spleenwort Thiaspi rotundifolium

One wandering away from the Group found Dartford Warbler and Buzzard about the heath south of the bridge before returning to the party.

Dropping towards Bishop’s Dyke the acidic water either side of the path held bladderwort, a

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plant that has small hollow sacks that actively capture and digest the invertebrates preferring this wetter habitat. More unexpected was the first of a number of Common Darter, one of the commoner dragonfly that can be found in a wide variety of watery habitats.

Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum Often to be seen ‘sunning’ on hand railings and fences on more clement days; this a male

A flock of finch flew in to the near waterborne birch, 19 Lesser Redpoll that bounced in flight amongst the trees set amongst the bog.

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Lesser Redpoll Acanthis cabaret One of the more frequently found finches in the forest – try saying that after a few winter warmers!

Jackdaw were heard, but never seen, whereas the crows put in occasional appearances about the heath and higher areas of vegetation. Watching of the latter was as much to see what they might just pursue across the heath as anything else, if there was indeed any other reason for watching them! However, no Hen Harrier or the like disturbed them.

Moving through the edge of the woodland on the southern side of the bog further Mistle Thrush and Blackbird were found, the latter making the most of the rich Holly berry crop, the former, including a loose group of six, rattling from one area of trees to another, occasionally sitting atop these long enough to be seen.

More distant, but more exciting was a Goshawk, seen high over the forest south-west of the bog, albeit all too briefly for most.

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis The bird seen was unfortunately not quite this close!

Also on the wing on moving towards Denny Forest were the first Siskin and Crossbill of the

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visit, two of the latter ‘Chip, chipping’ overhead. One of the few flooded areas encountered provided an obstacle to some, much to the amusement, muted of course, of others! This having to be crossed, in one way or another, before the woodland could be reached.

More open and permanent water nearby held further Common Darter, as did the sunlit areas of open woodland edge vegetation, brambles and ancient broken wood pieces being favoured for sun-bathing. A Southern Hawker patrolled reedier edges, a Large Red damselfly being seen by just one.

The autumnal woodland was quiet, fungi being far more in evidence than birds, as were both Common wasp and Hornet, several of the latter passing close to the Group as they moved towards the drier woodland west of the starting place.

Bishop’s Dyke Showing the Silver Birch, gone-over Bracken and heather, acidic pools and bog and, more distantly, the woodland which the New Forest NP is justifiably famous for

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Fungi Just a few of those seen!

A Sparrowhawk was another brief visitor to the Group, the Kestrel however seen again on moving back across the heath towards Shatterford, as were further Stonechat and their Dartford Warbler shadows. Linnet were also about the stands of Gorse, Meadow Pipit now feeding in amongst the Chaffinch on reaching the edge of the car park woodland, where Coal Tit were ever more vocal.

As might be anticipated the number of bird species recorded was not high, many of these however being an integral part of the heath biomass or that expected of more open / mature winter woodland and unlikely to be found in other habitats.

The ‘List’!

Blackbird Bullfinch Buzzard Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Coal Tit Crossbill Dartford Warbler Goldcrest Goldfinch Goshawk Green Woodpecker Jackdaw Kestrel Lesser Redpoll Linnet Meadow Pipit Mistle Thrush Pied Wagtail Reed Bunting Robin Siskin Skylark Sparrowhawk Starling Stonechat Treecreeper Woodpigeon Wren

Red Admiral

Common Darter Large Red Damsefly Southern Hawker

Common Wasp Hornet

Plus, of course ….. New Forest Pony

And later!

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Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

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Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus The bird seen in close company with the shrike – being chased by it at one stage!

And even later:

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Devil’s Fingers Clathrus archeri Clathrus archeri, also known as Devil's Fingers, has a gelatinous egg stage, from which the fruitbody arises, its four to eight reddish arms each coated with dark, foul-smelling tissue!

All the fungi and ‘later’ images courtesy of Doug. Kelson

Sri Lanka

Makandawa Forest Reserve.

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We were exploring the Makandawa Forest Reserve, a richly vegetated forest by the Kelani Ganga River, which hurries towards Columbo, to the west. The river itself is attractive for those who enjoy shooting rapids and, just downstream of our location, another form of shooting had taken place when the movie, “Bridge on the River Kwai” was filmed there.

We, though, were stumbling along under the canopy, on stony, steep tracks, varicose-veined with foot-catching tree-roots and roamed by blood-seeking leeches. Being forced, in the close-canopied forest gloom, to pay attention to our footing, though, allowed us to discover things of interest, like the skinny, scuttling Kangaroo Lizard which whisked out of the way, to leap behind a thin stem. From there, it watched us, with bulgy eyes. That was a female; here, made obvious by use of flash-photography but almost impossible to pick out in the dim light, unless she moved. A male was a little easier to see and the long legs and the leaping made the name easy to explain.

Female Kangaroo Lizard Male Kangaroo Lizard Result of leech attack

Our guide, Hetty led us to a “secret” small rice paddy, surrounded by forest, then he abandoned us. He was going off to a known site for Serendib Scops Owl, to check it out while we waited and watched. Amongst other things, we were able to pause and check for leeches, at least one of which had managed to sneak around a leech-sock for a taste of blood.

Here, relaxing (sort of) in bright sunlight, at last, we were able to appreciate some brighter colour, such as a few butterflies, a dragonfly or two and birds.

The first we noticed were common enough, but it's always a little surprising to see Indian Pond Herons transform from streaky, brown birds when not flying, to almost white, as they

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fly. There were two of them, chasing each other over the rice plants. Far-side trees were used as perches by White-breasted and Stork-billed Kingfishers; closer to hand, a familiar Grey Wagtail wagged along a bund (I'm writing this in a wet and chilly February, in England, having just seen several Grey Wagtails a few miles from home; the same species but very different conditions but for their preference for water-side habitat). High above, against a blue sky, a pair of Rufous, or Chestnut-bellied Hawk Eagles wheeled, to be replaced, later, by a Crested Serpent Eagle. The sky did not stay empty for long, after the Serpent Eagle had departed, then it was the turn for a pair of long-winged Black Eagles, which circled high above us before drifting into the heat-hazy distance. That such a variety of eagles and other birds of prey can share the same areas is testament to the richness and diversity the land offers; they all have their own requirements and specialisations. The Chestnut-bellied Hawk Eagle catches many medium-sized birds (it even has a falcon-like black “hooded” head plumage), The prey of Serpent Eagles is easy to guess and the Black Eagle, apart from taking whole nests of chicks, brooding adults and even the eggs, will prey on Giant Squirrels, young monkeys and other tree-dwellers and, sometimes ground-living birds and mammals.

Top: Crested Serpent-eagle Above: Grey Wagtail Black Eagle pair

Crawling down the shady side of a fence post, a large, dark millipede caught our attention. A handsome, glossy, finely-grooved individual, probably Spirostreptus centrurus but, this one just representative of several species we saw in the forest and elsewhere. I remember a flat, rather than cylindrical, black and yellow species and an orange-red cylindrical one, in

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particular.

Giant millipede: Spirostreptus centrurus(?) Green Garden Lizard

Hetty returned, with negative news of the Serendib Scops Owl, so we moved on, back into the forest, where we managed distant views of Alexandrine Parakeets, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Brown Headed Barbet, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Malabar Trogon...the list is considerably longer. We also managed our first glimpse of Purple-faced Langur, a large and lanky, long-tailed, leaf-eating simian.

We came out of the gloom into sunlight, again; a small tea-plantation, or, more accurately, a large tea garden? No, let’s call it an orchard. Not much more than football-pitch size. Bushes up to chest-height, thinly-spaced with an under-story of grasses and flowers. A large, brown snake slithered away from the raised path. It could have been a cobra but, despite searching, we were unable to find it again. The lizard, pictured above, though, ran over the path and into the grass and up a tea bush, where its red head rapidly faded to the green seen in the image. The intense blue of the stripes also faded. I assume it had just been involved in a challenge with one of its own kind; male or female, but, now, the excitement was also fading, with the intensity of the colour. A long-tailed bird flew swiftly over and was seen by only a couple of us; a Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, but more of that species, later.

Re-entry (into the forest) made us examine the ground for uncertain footing and find cryptically-coloured lizards, butterflies and a variety of beautifully-patterned and coloured fungi.

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Fungi on fallen log The Baron

A spread of track-side ferns, rather like our Male Fern, occupied our attention, for a while, as we tried to discern which parts were vegetable, and which were reptile. There was a slender, almost etiolated-looking pointy-nosed Green Vine Snake draped over and through fronds and sliding about them, in search of a lizard. It was often difficult to make out which end was which, but we did, eventually, find its head, adorned with large, pale, oddly goat- like, horizontally-pupiled eyes. These laterally-compressed snakes are “back-fanged”, meaning that venom is produced from short fangs well back in the mouth. Slender-bodied prey, such as frogs and lizards have to be grasped and held before the venom can be deployed; none of that strike, retreat and wait method, used by front-fanged snakes. Vine Snakes rarely bite humans and their venom is relatively mild; I once caught one in Nepal and handled it without it even trying to bite me. Didn't 'arf niff, though! Like our Grass Snake, they emit a defensive odour, when first caught.

Eventually, we came to a village, festooned, as usual, with electric wires but also sporting palms, fruit trees, red bananas, tethered cattle and a variety of habitats typical of human habitation. With the reduction of dense forest, birds became more visible (including a rather fine domestic rooster). There were no sightings of the endemic Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, though, only a few distant “keks!” were heard, echoing from the forest. We didn't stay long, here, this evening but saw plenty of avian activity there, the following morning but, first, we were taken to a site near the River Lounge to see the Chestnut-backed Owlet, pictured in the previous chapter. A real charmer.

From a view-point, overlooking the Kelani River, the movement of leaves overhanging the water caught my attention and, eventually, we were able to make out a pair of the rather beautiful Emerald Doves searching for fruits. This is a very widespread species, found as far away as Australia and on remote islands, where it may have evolved local races. In Sri Lanka, we saw them seldom and usually amongst thick foliage.

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Emerald Dove Small Skink sp.

In the morning, we explored the village we'd walked through the previous evening and found a colourful collection of avian commensals hanging about; literally, in the case of the Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot. This small parrot isn't named for a rather terminal attitude to the punishment of criminals but for its acrobatic abilities when foraging in the slender tips of branches, hanging tit-like from twigs. A Yellow-naped Woodpecker climbed a ladder of criss-crossing palm fronds then tapped its way up tree-trunks; amongst a tangle of wires a Yellow-fronted Barbet, an endemic with a small distribution in southern Sri Lanka, repeated a simple, mellow “poiyook”.

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Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot Yellow-fronted Barbet

We found a couple of Plum-headed Parakeets amongst the leaves of a fruiting tree. Imagine a Ring-necked Parakeet with a mauve head (grey, if female) and you'll get a decent image of this one. A Spot-winged Thrush was elusive in the leaf litter; low, in a bush, we made-out a singing Brown-capped Babbler; another woodpecker was the spectacular Crimson-backed Flame-back, but not seen well, on this occasion. White-bellied Drongos hawked for flying insects or dropped, shrike-like on them; Spotted Doves drank at puddles; a Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike gave us the run-around; as did a Black-capped Bulbul; a tiny, indigo-winged with a primrose-yellow, underside Legge's Flowerpecker pecked flowers to break into nectaries; Common Iora, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Brown Shrike, green Jerdon's Leafbird, Purple-rumped Sunbird and others kept us entertained and interested. Several species of swallow included Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow and the endemic Sri Lanka Swallow, several of which decorated the tiles of a substantial house. A sunny Hooded Oriole chortled its mellow notes from a bare tree.

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Black-hooded Oriole and Sri Lanka Swallow

Some very enjoyable morsels before breakfast. Afterwards, we would be on the road again, this time, heading further inland and to higher hills, to Cocoon Hills, Nuwara Eliya, a long climb to a very different habitat, offering exciting, new possibilities.

If you want to hear, many of the species mentioned in this account, I recommend typing “Xeno-canto”, into whatever search engine you use, followed by the name of the species you are interested in. It is very likely that you will be able to hear the bird of your choice, wherever in the world it might be. Of course, there are many rare and little-known species still to be added but there will be no problem with British birds and I've found every one of the Sri Lankan birds I've tried for, so far. Most of the

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time, contributors have entered multiple examples of the bird's vocalisations, so one can listen to song, contact calls, alarm calls etc.

Doug.

Local Wildlife News

The following ‘highlights’ reports received since the last Indoor Meeting in October. If you’ve anything further to add, please feel free to let us know at any time. All reports will be appreciated, whether they relate to birds or any other form of local wildlife. Also, as they say, this is “Just the tip of the iceberg” – there’s a great deal more out there to be found, especially as the winter visitors continue to stream southwards.

Buzzard – a pale bird in North Waltham initially caused some consternation!

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Buzzard Buteo buteo North Waltham Sally Slater “Hi Peter, I was driving through North Waltham at about 10.30 this morning and saw this bird on a post. Luckily I had a camera and my binocs with me.

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It came down in the field and pulled up a long worm, its talons and beak were yellow. When it flew off its chest and belly appeared white and it had a white rump like a harrier, its wings were mottled. A dark buzzard flew up alongside and was larger”.

Dartford Warbler – two were seen on heathland near Pamber Forest; the first local report of this species for some time.

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata Pamber Forest area Dave. Levy

Fieldfare – the 22nd saw the first larger gatherings noted locally, including a flock off 55+. Fox – further reports were received of individuals both about Basingstoke and in the more rural areas, all too often however of those suffering as the result of road accidents.

Fox Vulpes vulpes

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Titchfield Haven NNR Dave. Levy A little further afield, but perhaps something we can hope for on the visit this month

Fungi – ‘several’ were noted! Images being received of c.50 species for identification from one local! Goldcrest – a ‘stunned’ bird found in Overton thankfully made a full recovery. Grey Partridge – the largest covey noted locally was of seven birds, lingering in fields off Court Drove one early morning. Large Yellow Underwing – a caterpillar of this familiar moth was seen on the move over an Overton pavement on 20th. Little Egret – singletons continued to be seen at a number of sites, often as they headed to as yet unknown roosts. Peregrine – one was active over The Mill Field LNR in the early evening of the September Indoor Meeting. Pintail – a drake was seen on Ewhurst Pond. Red Admiral – the last reported was on 15th with the only other November butterfly being a male Brimstone. Red Kite – the largest gathering noted was of nine, with a further two birds nearby, over Court Drove, Overton. Red-legged Partridge – a new one for the LWN! A total of 72 seen near Bull’s Bushes on 20th was of note, as was the count of 179 Pheasant in the same area! Siskin – these and Lesser Redpoll became ever more obvious, though flock sizes remained small and few were seen to linger. Waxwing – one low over Red Lion Lane, Overton late morning of the 12th was relocated in Woodlands where it lingered atop an acer for a while, before departing to the south.

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Waxwing Bombacilla garrulus Elgin, Morayshire Stewart Woolley One of the most exotic of British birds and all too infrequently seen in the Borough – the singleton seen however paling in to insignificance compared with the 1000+ seen in Elgin on the same day!

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Yellow-browed Warbler – one was seen by two observers, independently, on the day of the September Indoor Meeting at The Mill Field LNR.

Last month Siberian Accentor was noted in Britain for the 1st time. At the time of writing 14 have now been discovered here, with a total of 220+ recorded in Europe! This in comparison with perhaps two or three in a good winter on the Continent!

An interesting extract from Dutch Birding; Siberian Accentor breeds on both sides of the Ural Mountains and beyond in Siberia, mostly north of the Arctic Circle. Its winter grounds are in eastern Asia: from southern Manchuria, Korea and Japan to central China. In autumn, it is also frequently recorded as a straggler in Alaska, USA. In Europe, there were c 32 records up to 2015, of which more than half in Finland and Sweden.

Not quite as notable was this more subtly plumaged late autumn vagrant, again from ‘up north’!

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Daurian Shrike Lanius (isabellinus) isabellinus Girdle Ness, Aberdeenshire Stewart Woolley

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

Quiz ‘Page’

A few literary-based bird questions to start with, knowing that you’ll all have much more time to read in the coming weeks; the days not now allowing many to get out until the weekend, to work in the dark, and to home in the dark for the remainder of the week!

1) In what year was The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe first published? 1839 1841 1843 1845

2) Which fairy story is The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck based on? The Golden Goose

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Little Red Riding Hood The Story of a Mother The Ugly Duckling

3) In Paul Gallico's The Snow Goose, Rhayader lives in the marshlands of which English county? Norfolk Kent Essex Devon

4) Which types of bird grow hostile and attack humans in by Daphne du Maurier's The Birds, later adapted into the 1963 film by Alfred Hitchcock? Seabirds Tropical birds Birds of prey Domesticated birds

5) How many weeks did Jonathan Livingston Seagull top the New York Times bestseller list? 15 weeks 29 weeks 38 weeks 42 weeks

6) Which of the following was the first poetry collection published by Ted Hughes? Cave Birds Crow Birds of a Feather The Hawk in the Rain

7) The Roly-Poly Bird appears in how many of Roald Dahl's books? 2 3 4

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8) What is the name of the protagonist in A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines? Tom Billy Jud Kenny

9) In To Kill A Mockingbird, why does Atticus Finch warn his children that "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird"? Citizens of Maycomb had begun culling mockingbirds The children had accidentally injured a mockingbird The children had found a dead mockingbird The children were going to learn how to shoot birds

10) Which species of hawk does the author of H Is For Hawk challenge herself to train? Goshawk Sharp-shinned hawk Sparrowhawk Red-tailed hawk

And closer to home, some garden bird questions, as it’s that time of year to pay special attention to them!

11) Here’s an easy one to start off with; who’s responsible for all those broken snail shells? a) Blackbird b) Goldfinch c) Thrush

12) We all know that a female Blackbird is brown, but what does a female Goldfinch look like? a) Much the same as the male Goldfinch. b) Like the male, but without his yellow wing bars. c) A drab olive brown bird, like a female sparrow.

13) When do birds make use of nesting boxes?

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a) When they’re nesting! b) In the winter. c) Both (a) and (b)

14) A couple of feeding questions now. Firstly, why are black sunflower seeds best? a) They have more oil content than the stripy kind. b) They have less oil content than the stripy kind. c) Birds see them better.

15) Secondly, why won’t just any old peanuts do for birds? a) Proper “bird” peanuts benefit animal charities. b) Some kinds are harmful to birds. c) Cheap peanuts often exploit growers in developing countries.

16) Which is the smallest bird commonly found in the UK? a) Wren b) Firecrest c) Goldcrest

17) The Robin is a great favourite on snowy Christmas cards, but is it: a) A UK resident? b) A winter visitor? c) Both?

18) What does the male Chaffinch lose in the winter? a) His distinctive grey skull-cap. b) His tail feathers. c) His white wing bars.

19) What’s the most instantly noticeable thing about a Grey Wagtail? a) It doesn’t wag its tail. b) Its chest and underside are a lemon yellow. c) It is actually black and white.

20) Which of these three is a summer visitor to Britain? a) Redstart b) Fieldfare c) Long-tailed Tit

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And from October, further solutions:

Geoff’s bird-based bits!

1) Chess piece Knight 2) Flinch, cower or tremble Quail 3) 1970’s children’s TV show Magpie 4) Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet Nutcracker 5) Robin Hood and his Merry Men 6) Greedy eater Gannet 7) Children’s flying toy Kite 8) As proud as a Peacock 9) renamed local radio station Kestrel FM 10) ahh – it’s that Condor moment 11) Robert Falcon Scott – Antarctic explorer and father of Sir Peter Scott 12) as dead as a Dodo 13) Crane fly or Daddy Long-legs 14) Chinese noblemen Mandarin 15) Pastime: Hobby 16) The Jackdaw of Rheims 17) As bald as a Coot 18) Fairground ride: the Big Dipper 19) once Bittern (!) twice shy 20) john Parrott Snooker player and commentator 21) James Bond film (starring Pierce Brosnan) Goldeneye 22) “and a Partridge in a pear tree” 23) Canary Wharf: office area in east London 24) “On hearing the first Cuckoo in spring”; by Delius 25) War film: Where Eagles Dare 26) “pretty Flamingo”; by Manfred Mann 27) What the Ugly Duckling turned in to? Swan 28) “I, said the Sparrow, with my bow and arrow! 29) Does its beak hold more that its belly can? Pelican 30) “The Lark Ascending”; by Vaughan Williams 31) Florence Nightingale; a Crimean nurse 32) “To kill a Mockingbird”; by harper Lee 33) It buries its head in the sand Ostrich 34) Hit record by Fleetwood Mac Albatross 35) All aboard the Skylark

And Finally!

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Just Out Of interest

“Hello, Peter.

On the 2nd November, 2003 I drove to Blashford and, a little after 15:15, looked at Rockford Lake, from Ivy Lane. I took a few fotos of what was then my first British Great White Egret. I've included 0706 just to show that there were 3 Green Sandpipers scurrying around the egret's feet.

8965 is the same bird (Walter, of course) 13 years later, photographed last Sunday.

Hasn't aged a bit!”

Doug.

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Great White Egret Ardea alba The regularly returning bird – apparently now called ‘Walter’!

Grusome News!

The latest Common Crane survey has revealed a record-breaking 48 pairs across the country in 2016 in a population of 160 birds, the highest number since cranes returned to Britain in 1978.

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Common Crane was once a widespread breeding species before it became extinct through hunting and loss of wetland habitat around the 1600's. Then, in 1978 a small number of wild cranes returned to Britain and established themselves in a small area of the Norfolk Broads, before slowly spreading to other areas of eastern England, benefiting from work to improve their habitat at Lakenheath RSPB, Suffolk, and Nene Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire.

In 2010, the Great Crane Project — a partnership between the RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT) and the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust, funded by Viridor Credits Environmental Company — set out to help this small population of birds. By improving the habitat they once called home and carefully hand-rearing young birds, the project aimed to restore healthy numbers of wild cranes throughout the country starting on the Somerset Levels, at West Sedgemoor RSPB.

The latest survey revealed 48 pairs across Britain in 2016 that raised 14 chicks to fledgling stage — two more than the average for the last five years, during which a fantastic 60 chicks have been raised by wild cranes significantly adding to the country's population.

Cranes, like these at Welney WWT, are becoming an ever-more familiar sight across Britain Jane Rowe

Damon Bridge, RSPB manager of the Great Crane Project, said: "To see [cranes] returning in ever increasing numbers to their former homes after all this time is an amazing spectacle that many more people will be able to enjoy, and a true reflection of how important our wetland habitat is to cranes and many other species."

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The Great Crane Project released 93 birds in the South-West between 2010 and 2014, helping to secure the long-term future of the species here. Since the initial Somerset release, cranes have gone on to successfully raise chicks in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and this year in the Gwent Levels — the first time cranes have nested in Wales for 400 years.

Rebecca Lee, WWT Principal Conservation Breeding Officer, said: "It's a dream come true. We devised the Great Crane Project so that we could kickstart a population of cranes here in the West [Country], in the hope that it would expand in tandem with those that had already settled in the east, and eventually the two would meet.

"It's still early days, but it seems to be happening. Cranes have now bred successfully in England, Scotland and Wales, and we're not far off 50 breeding pairs where just a decade ago there were barely a tenth of that. Cranes are well on track to become a true conservation success story for the UK."

Wild Common Cranes are now breeding in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Yorkshire and East Scotland, alongside the reintroduced populations in Somerset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. The population is now roughly half from the Great Crane Project's reintroductions and half from the natural re-colonisation that has been occurring in the east of England for the last 30 years.

You can find out more about the project and where to see the cranes in the wild at www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk

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