BBAASSIINNGGSSTTOOKKEE LLOOCCAALL GGRROOUUPP

DECEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER

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

Contents:

 From The Group Leader

 Notices

 What’s Happening?

 December’s Outdoor Meeting

 January’s Outdoor Meeting

 November’s Outdoor Meeting

 Namibia: To Hobatere For Mountain Zebras, Mountain Squirrels … And… “Mountain Giraffes”?

 Local Wildlife News

 Quiz Page

 And Finally!

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

Welcome to the December, dare I say Christmas Newsletter!

Now that the winter's truly with us, as those attending recent walks will attest to, it's surely time to once again look forward to the coming year, the meetings to attend, the wildlife to look for and enjoy, both within the presentations and out in the field, and all that the RSPB and Britain can offer. We're all very fortunate in that we live in the latter and that we have the former protecting so many areas, with our help, for wildlife, both for now and, hopefully, the future.

Hopefully, once again, we'll all get the opportunity to make the most of the special sites under the protection of the Society, some of which the Local Group will be visiting, both locally and further afield on forays to Norfolk etc. in the coming year. Yet again earlier this year the Local Group placed a donation with the HQ to help with work on these sites, so if you do visit any of the c.200 reserves please do remember that your generosity continues to help maintain these, and of course the wildlife that flourishes on them; perhaps you paid for those reeds that the ‘pinging’ Bearded Tit you’re trying to watch are remaining all too elusive in!

At the AGM earlier this year the Treasurer, Gerry, explained about changes that we thought ought to be brought in with regard to the annual donation, primarily the way in which such monies would be raised in the future. It’ll be interesting to see how these changes affect the anticipated 2016 donation, which will undoubtedly be discussed at some length both prior to and during the AGM.

Finally, I'd like to wish all of you the very best for the festive season and the coming New Year, when both I and the other Committee Members look forward to seeing and talking with you about all things RSPB and bird-oriented. Have a very relaxed and peaceful Christmas with your families and then get back out birding on New Year's Day!

Peter E. Hutchins Notices

Don. Rossington

It is with regret that I have to inform you of the loss of another Local Group Member, Don. passing away peacefully earlier this month after a lengthy period of debilitating illness.

We pass on our heartfelt condolences to his family.

A long-standing Member, Don. continued to attend and enjoy the Indoor Meetings even after his health started to fail him and he was unable to actively bird.

His funeral will take place in Aldershot on 22nd December.

Evening Walks

It's pleasing to be able to report that up to six people have volunteered to lead in the Evening Walks Programme during May / June 2016. If leading just one apiece this leaves just a few more 'gaps' to be filled, hopefully the coverage of these to be confirmed in the near future and the completed Programme then to be publicised.

If you're yet to 'volunteer' but feel able to do so please do contact a Committee Member as soon as you're able, we'd hate for you to miss the opportunity to do so!

The dates that the Evening Walks will take place on are as follows:

May 3rd, 11th, 17th and 25th.

June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th.

Subscriptions

These are now overdue!

During the 2015 Annual General Meeting the subscription rates were discussed and it was agreed, on response to suggestions from the floor, that this be raised to £15, as highlighted in a mailing to all Members of the Local Group during the 'summer break'.

Please see Gerry Gardner to subscribe once again to your Local Group, bringing any queries relating to this to his attention on doing so, or by contacting him on 01189 – 700859 or [email protected] Please do spread the word about the Local Group, as every person involved adds to that which we can do to both help and enjoy birds, other wildlife and the sites that they so depend upon.

Fair Isle In July

During the summer several locals spent time on Fair Isle, finding the experience perhaps far more rewarding than anticipated, their previous visits always having been in the autumn; the peak time for birds of more note to be recorded about the island.

Due to this it's been proposed that a further visit is made, during summer 2016, to take in the seabird colonies, skua-dotted moors, flower-filled meadows, archaeology, stunning scenery and open spaces where access is unlimited. Activities to be participated in are to include petrel ringing, heligoland trap rounds, wildlife and travel presentations and the daily 'log call' during the evenings, visiting the museum and croft cottage industries, warden guided and other exploratory walks about the island, as well as taking in the wildlife on the way to and from the island.

Accommodation will be in the Bird Observatory, newly built and opened as recently as 2010, with breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening refreshments included within the cost.

If you find the thought of being inches from Puffins, 'encouraged' by Bonxies and Arctic Skua to leave their territories, watching dolphins, whales and seals from the ferry and rafts of thousands of auks from the island, seeing flowering Oyster Plant covering the foreshore and blood-red fields of flowering Sorrel, watching seals loafing on the beaches, being 'sung' to sleep by Storm and Leach's Petrel, encountering south-bound migrants and looking for the Northern Lights attractive, please get in touch for further details.

Peter.

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 during 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 disappear under darkness:

Basingstoke Natural History Society [email protected]

Canadian Bears

Date 12th January

Time 20:00pm

An illustrated presentation by Lee Morgan

United Reformed Church, London Street, Basingstoke

For further information please contact:

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/

Carnivorous Plants in Britain

Edith Reuzeau (2012) under Creative Commons license CC-SA 2.0

Date 9th January

Time 7:15pm to 9:30pm

A talk from Stewart McPherson exploring the natural history of native carnivorous plants.

The ability of some plants to digest animal matter is a bizarre and fascinating adaptation to life in a harsh environment. Carnivorous plants in all their strangeness and beauty are found in many parts of the world, Britain included.

Stewart McPherson is a biologist, explorer, expedition leader, writer and documentary maker. In this talk he explores the natural history of our native plants and their relatives, and the equally intriguing social history of scientists such as Charles Darwin who put together the evidence for carnivory in the face of contemporary scepticism.

The talk will be held in the Stripe Theatre, University of Winchester - please see the University's campus map. The best car park to use is 'B' (the 'Dytche'), the Stripe Theatre is '18'.

Ticket prices

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Pre-booked tickets: Standard: £7 Student: £5

Tickets on the door: Standard: £8 Student: £6

Pre-booked tickets can be collected on the door. If you would prefer your tickets to be posted prior to the event, there will be a fee of £1.

How to book

Bookings can be made by:

Online: Use our online checkout in our shop

Cheque: made payable to "Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust" and sent to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, SO32 2DP. Please mark for the attention of "Sarah Jackson - Flora Group Talk".

Card payment over the phone: call the Wildlife Trust on 01489 774400 and ask to make a payment for the Flora Group carnivorous plants talk.

John Stripe Theatre, University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 4NR

Alresford Winter Bird Walk Sun, 17/01/2016 - 10:00am - 2:00pm

Linda Priestley

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Date 17th January

Time 10:00am to 2:00pm

Winter birding walk of about 4 miles around Alresford.

Join John Clark for a guided walk of about 4 miles in the Alresford area to see winter birds. Bring a snack for a coffee stop.

Meet at the bottom of Broad Street near the old fire station (map ref SU 588 329). Parking in the station car park (SU 588 325) or nearby streets.

An Alphabet of Flowers and Associated Insects Mon, 25/01/2016 - 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Alan Price

Date 25th January

Time 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Flowering plants and their use by insects.

Brian Fletcher will take us through the alphabet in flowers and explain how different insects use flowering plants in a variety of ways. This is a joint meeting with Butterfly Conservation.

Please contact: Anne Ardill on 01962 881312 or 07804 764604 and via [email protected]

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St Barnabas Church Hall, Fromond Road, Weeke, Winchester, SO22 6DS

Map reference SU 465 310

Please note that all the events noted above may be filmed and photographed for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's fundraising and publicity purposes. If you have any concerns, please speak to a member of staff.

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

December’s Outdoor Meeting

th 20 : Longparish.

For this early winter Outdoor Meeting please meet at the grass car parking area at East Aston Common for a 10:00 start (SU 445 448; OS Landranger map 185). This is almost immediately north of Larkwhistle Farm and is accessed off Nun’s Walk, the minor road that runs between Longparish and Tufton.

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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 14.98 miles between Basingstoke and the meeting point, the AA site 15.1; a travelling time of 30 and 30 minutes being quoted by these sites; this via the B3400, Overton and Whitchurch. 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 Outdoor Meeting will take in the birds and other wildlife about the River Test and the associated cressbeds and streams that run through Longparish, as well as the wood and parkland, farmland, paddocks, scrub and gardens that flank the wetter areas.

On meeting, time will be spent looking for birds about the river and the scrub and more mature trees lining both it and the adjacent roads – perhaps Chiffchaff will be

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present in the latter, they’re preference for this habitat during their over-wintering period hopefully to be exploited, both by them and the Group.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Still by far the commonest of the over-wintering warblers, particularly locally

The ‘whinnying’ of Little Grebe may draw our attention back to the river, where both Little Egret and Grey Heron might also be expected at some stage during the walk, and Brown Trout are sure to be seen from the several bridges to be used.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Though no longer in their breeding finery, this species will I’m sure be appreciated

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Cetti’s Warbler may be calling from the reeds where Reed Bunting may be lingering, Moorhen skulking and tits foraging for invertebrates.

The remnants of cress and their gravel-filled beds encourage Green Sandpiper and Teal to over-winter, but disturbance earlier in the day may have already moved these on.

The hedgerows and riverside scrub are sure to hold mobile and mixed parties of birds, perhaps the increasingly rare Lesser Spotted Woodpecker to join the more familiar species; the two larger woodpecker almost guaranteed to be, at least, heard. Blackcap may also be present, their winter ‘squeaky gate’ call perhaps new for some. The more mature standards can play host to both resident and wintering thrushes though the more ornamental shrubs about the village gardens may provide better opportunities to see the latter.

Thrushes may also be out on the more open grassland between the river and village proper, as may game birds, Green Woodpecker and both Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail, crows sure to be in evidence here, as well as heard possibly throughout the walk.

Rougher grassland and stands of poplar, willow and similar west of the village holds Barn Owl, Short-eared also a possibility during the winter months. Snipe can be hidden amongst the tussocky outcrops of sedge, Water Rail a further prospect closer to the river.

The ‘pond’ within the village will be scanned thoroughly as the increased number of wildfowl might just hold something even more wintery, Goosander and Padget’s Pochard among the more unexpected birds noted in recent winters. Tufted Duck will however make up the majority of the diving tribe, Mallard and Gadwall the dabblers, Canada Geese and Greylag the grazers. The open grass about this water often has wagtails, thrushes and corvids in good numbers, in part due to the stock there disturbing prey items.

Further pools will be looked over on returning towards the meeting place, these regularly fished and so often a little quieter for wildlife, though the disused ‘pits’ nearby can produce Little Egret, Grey Heron, further warblers, Roe Deer and Muntjac.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta Long gone are the days of this eye-catching little ‘heron’ being notable, even locally

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Throughout the walk birds are sure to be noted overhead, crows and gulls the most likely as they move to and from feeding areas, thrushes, particularly wintering birds, as they again move to and from the more exposed fields surrounding the village to feed. Raptors in the form of Red Kite and Buzzard will provide no surprises, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk being a little more of note whilst Peregrine and Goshawk always something to keep in mind as soon as disturbances are heard amongst other birds being watched.

Winter Wheat, ‘set-aside’ and farmland fields yet to be prepared for the coming year can add Yellowhammer, as well as their dowdier cousin Reed Bunting, game birds in numbers and feeding parties of pipit, wagtail and Skylark. These smaller birds might just encourage in the rarest of the local wintering raptors, Merlin, to hunt.

A wide range of habitats will be covered during the walk and it’s hoped that this, and some enthusiasm from those attending, will provide both a bird-filled enjoyable pre-Christmas walk.

 Please be aware that it’s now winter, so do come prepared!

 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. A further walk will take place about the area later in the afternoon, this being led for HOS Members but all Local Group Members being more than welcome to come along.

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

January’s Outdoor Meeting

th 24 : Barnes WWT.

For this mid-winter Outdoor Meeting please meet in the Wetlands Centre car park for a 10:00 start (TQ 226 767; OS Landranger map 176). This is off the A306, this most easily accessed by taking the M3, A316 and A307.

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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 42.74 miles between Basingstoke and the meeting point, the AA site 42.8; a travelling time of 63 and 63 minutes being quoted by these sites; this via the M3. 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.

 "A sanctuary for London birds and people" The description Bill Oddie put forward for this site that has been voted the UK’s favourite nature reserve by readers of Countryfile magazine!

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As the site now appears, well for on-the-wing birds at least!

This Outdoor Meeting will take in this inner-London sanctuary, that celebrated its’ 15th anniversary earlier this year.

The 42 hectare site with its’ diverse habitats plays host to many species, birds and other, throughout the year but during the winter months it can come in to its’ own, with migrant / wintering wildfowl and waders, Bittern and others attracting both raptors and less predatory visitors

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Walking the site will allow those attending to see, and photograph should they wish, wildfowl from all parts of the globe, as well as wild birds enticed in by these ‘decoys’, the easy food sources and the aforementioned habitats.

The six hides available allow easy access to many of the wetland areas, where should luck be with the visitor both Bittern and Jack Snipe may be seen, both having been recorded in the earlier part for the winter, even though the real winter weather has yet to drive any numbers of such species in to inland sites.

One of the birds to be hoped for, there having been sightings to mid-December at least

This may well change in the next month or so, winter perhaps arriving in some style and bringing with it numbers of wildfowl from the continent, waders from the nearby estuaries and shores and ‘herons’ from areas where water no longer flows.

Moving from hide to hide time will be spent looking for the species expected about the wetlands, as well as those moving about the flanking vegetation. wintering Blackcap and Chiffchaff are quite likely, though, again, the weather will play an important role in what might be present and therefore looked for. One species that will not need searching for, their calls sure to disturb the relative peace, will be Ring-necked Parakeet. As well as vocalisations their vivid colouration will add something distinctive to the day; no matter what you think of them!

A little to look in to before the Group visit – the differences between our two regular snipe

Though snipe are sure to be seen in the marshier areas further investigation may turn up Meadow Pipit and wagtails, Water Pipit always a possibility, Water Rail also something to look for, perhaps being harassed by the far more readily seen Moorhen along the reed edges.

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Water Vole are here in appreciable numbers and there’s the chance that some may be seen, hopefully by Group members before the likes of Bittern etc.!

The denser vegetation is used for resting, feeding and roosting, mixed parties of insectivores likely to be seen flitting from one area to another in their unceasing search for food items. Further of these will be seen at feeders, as might finches, including Brambling. Larger stands of trees encourage woodpeckers, Nuthatch and Treecreeper in to search for food and provide the crow tribe with vantage points from where sallies will be made to whatever we, or others, drop that might just be palatable.

Although much of the attention of those present will be about the wetlands a look skywards once in a while may well add more, an urban Peregrine perhaps or gulls moving to and from the London area reservoirs, wildfowl whiffling in to the site and Feral Pigeon! What more could you ask for?!

A site with easy access, once you get there, ample birds and other wildlife to keep all occupied all day and with all the facilities that ensure that visits to WWT reserves are that little bit more civilised than many more ‘wild’ sites!

 Please be aware that it’s now winter, so do come prepared! Also, if you’re not a member of the WWT there is an entrance fee to be paid. By booking online you can however save 10% on this, the link for this being: https://wwt.digitickets.co.uk/tickets?branches.branchID=332

 The walk will last to at least early afternoon, lunch then being taken on site, for those that wish to. 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, as well as there being the opportunity to cover the site further.

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

November’s Outdoor Meeting

22nd: West Wittering.

Four members turned up for this walk round the dune system of East Head and along the edge of Chichester Harbour at West Wittering. It was a lovely sunny morning, but with a cold NW breeze keeping the temperature down. After negotiating the multitude of dog walkers near the car park we found ourselves a bit of space where we could check the harbour for our first waders – Oystercatchers, Curlews, Redshanks and a Grey Plover.

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The bushes among the sand dunes provided perches for several Stonechats. Skylarks “chirruped” overhead and dropped down into the saltmarsh and a flock of Linnets flew past. Moving further along the shore brought us to an area where we could set up the telescopes for a prolonged examination of the waders using the mudbanks and tidal channels. This was particularly useful for Jason, who as a new member of the group said that he needed to get to grips with waders in winter plumage. Large numbers of Dunlin were here with Golden Plovers, Grey Plovers, Curlews, Oystercatchers and Redshanks. Brent Geese and Shelducks were also feeding in the beds of eelgrass.

Out in Chichester Harbour at least 6 Great Crested Grebes were sharing the water with dinghies from the local sailing club. The only Red-breasted Merganser of the trip however took to flight and headed off for quieter waters. As we reached the northern tip of the head a Short-eared Owl suddenly appeared from our left but quickly flew back again, disappearing over the crest of the dunes. We scrambled up onto the dunes but there was no sign of the bird. Two men walking a dog came up and said that the owl had dropped into cover in the middle of the dunes. We watched as they walked back through the dunes hoping they would flush the owl, but it did not reappear.

The extra height provided by the dunes gave us an excellent view of the surrounding area, with the spire of Chichester Cathedral, the grandstand of Goodwood racecourse, the Victorian forts on Portsdown Hill and Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower all standing out.

We dropped back down on to the shore and continued our anticlockwise circuit of East Head. Simon was scanning the waters of Chichester Harbour and spotted a duck just offshore. This turned out to be a female Common Scoter, which gave good views as it drifted with the tide. By this time we had turned south down the western side of the head. Suddenly Gerry shouted “Short-eared Owl!” and there was the bird flying over, heading back into the dunes. Once more we scrambled up onto the crest and to our relief the owl was quartering the dunes in slow moth-like flight, giving excellent views. We watched it for some time before it dropped into cover and out of sight.

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*

We returned to the cars and had our sandwiches and hot drinks before setting off for a walk around the eastern edge of the harbour. We firstly headed back through the car park to the entrance road, obtaining close views of the large Brent Goose flock in the field alongside. The local farmer was trundling around in his tractor, putting the geese to flight as they were flushed from one area of the field to another. We scanned the flock for any sign of possible Black Brant but without success!

Turning along the private lane which runs back towards the harbour we checked the bushes for small birds but things were fairly quiet with only a Goldcrest and a few tits being seen.

Coming out onto the harbour we walked along until we could get a clear view over the tidal flats. A flock of waders attracted our attention, and through the ‘scopes we could identify Dunlin, Knot and Bar-tailed Godwits with accompanying Common and Great Black-backed Gulls. In the distance large flocks of waders were constantly in flight as though they had been spooked, but the only raptor we could find was a Kestrel.

We turned back towards the car park, stopping for close views of Greenshank and fishing Little Egrets. Snowhill Marsh, which is separated from the harbour by the seawall, held Teal and Wigeon as well as several Black-tailed Godwits, a Spotted Redshank and a couple of Common Snipe.

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We arrived back at the cars just after 15.00 and as we stood chatting Gerry pointed out our last bird of the day – a winter-plumaged adult Mediterranean Gull which flew over us a couple of times.

All in all an excellent day’s birding with at least 51 species recorded.

Geoff Sharp

* Not Gerry!

Namibia

To Hobatere For Mountain Zebras, Mountain Squirrels … And… “Mountain Giraffes”?

On the road again. Only 500km to go and our group would be in Hobatere, a private reserve on the western edge of Etosha National Park, in Namibia. We had left behind the desert coast around Walvis Bay and Swakopmund and were heading inland and northwards. The countryside was still dry, though not quite the aridity expected. There had been early rains and there was, we were informed, unusually “lush” vegetation. It didn’t seem that way to those of us inexperienced in desert travel; sparse grasses and occasional spiky bushes didn’t seem lush to me, used to the greens of the English scenery.

There were plenty of birds to keep us interested along the way, though. Between Henties Bay and Uis we found a dozen Ludwig’s Bustards, four Double-banded Coursers, thirty Namaqua Sandgrouse, fewer Double-banded Sandgrouse, hundreds of Stark’s Larks, two Gray’s Larks and several Grey-backed Sparrowlarks, very like House Sparrows. In one place there was an unanticipated and extraordinary aggregation of around two hundred long- legged Burchell’s Coursers, in the grassy plain.

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Namaqua Sandgrouse Ludwig’s Bustard A female in “lush” vegetation

We searched around the margins of another dry sand-river in hills north of Uis, trying again to find a Herero Chat but that species eluded us again. Fortunately, the expedition was not without dividends. A Benguela Long-billed Lark, similar to the Hoopoe Lark, was discovered and a Bokmakierie, a kind of bush-shrike, with a strikingly bright yellow, black- banded throat and belly sang its name at us from a thorny Accacia bush. In the shade of another bush a pale Karoo Chat scanned the ground for food and diminutive, long-tailed Namaqua Doves scuffed for seeds, flicking sand and grit left and right with their beaks. Nearby, rocks and impressively-spined Accacias offered protection to several of the common Lark-like Buntings. Like our Corn Buntings, these chunky birds have opted for discretion when it comes to plumage and are, like larks, basically the same colour as the ground they forage on. Inevitably, though, the star of the show was the dramatically posing Spotted Eagle Owl which gave us a ferocious, yellow laser-glare from its rocky retreat. It wasn’t going to back down for anyone, that stare seemed to say, and we left it in shady peace after a few photographs.

As I mentioned above, we were by the bed of a dry river. There were signs that it might reach a metre deep if full but the only indication of its course, from any distance were the scrubby, usually formidably prickly bushes marking its meandering course through the desert. Surviving ripple-marks in its bed suggested that it had run wet, relatively recently. The flowers would have been wonderful.

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Spotted Eagle-owl Karoo Chat Lark-like Bunting

North of the Ugab River we stopped again to look around a modest dam where water had been retained from a now-dry water-course. Here we saw our only Gymnogene (African Harrier Hawk) of the tour as it floated down to drink. These grey hawks specialise in reaching into tree-holes and crevices with their long, “double-jointed” legs to grab any lizards, chicks or large arthropods they can find. On the water were Little Grebe (they get everywhere), South African Shelducks, Southern Pochards, Yellow-billed Ducks, the blue- billed Hottentot Teal, Egyptian Geese, African Jacana and a lone juvenile Greater Flamingo, looking rather lost. There was a constant arrival and departure of small passerines working their way through bushes to drink at the water’s edge, where they might face an unexpected danger from lurking Terrapins. Small, colourful flocks of Red-faced Finches, White- throated Canaries, Blue Waxbills, White-browed Sparrow-Weavers and more joined up in the thorns before making their approaches, wary of ambush.

As we neared Hobatere Lodge, our destination, the landscape became more vegetated and resembled the classic African open bush savanna, though there are steep-sided rocky ravines carved by part-time rivers. Almost immediately, on entering the thirty two-thousand ha reserve we began to see many more game animals. The dewlap-throated Hartman’s Mountain Zebra, on steep, rocky slopes was a new mammal, for most of us.

After arrival at our comfortable thatched chalets in the middle of the bush-country, we had time to relax in a hide overlooking an artificial waterhole where we saw various birds coming to drink and experienced very close views of a huge bull African Elephant. Few of these Namibian elephants have large tusks; mineral deficiencies in their diets mean that they tend to be quite brittle and are usually worn to relatively short stumps as they age. This has meant that tusk-poachers have tended not to target elephants in this area. After dinner we were taken on a night drive to look for owls and nightjars. We were not very successful in that endeavour but we had superb views of a pride of ten lions preparing to hunt, five of the dark-masked, mostly insectivorous Bat-eared Foxes and a grey Cape Fox. My personal

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high-light, though was a close encounter with a charming African Wild Cat, a shorter- furred, longer-legged close relative of the European Wild Cat. This individual sat and blinked calmly at us for a minute before melting away into the undergrowth. From my chalet, that evening, I could hear slightly larger cats; lions moaning in the night. We were warned not to wander around the compound after dark. It was not secured from the surrounding country; a fact we could verify for ourselves from the elephant footprints outside the chalet. Of course I did go outside to sit and watch the colossal African star-scape while listening to an African Scops Owl bleeping somewhere.

The End of the day!

The next day we were to spend exploring Hobatere on foot and in an open-topped vehicle. We started in the compound. Our open-air breakfast was made more enjoyable by the wildlife which showed itself to us. Some of the birds were there for free hand-outs or to drink at the small pool, of course and I noticed that several wore rings. Steve Braine, one of our guides, who runs this lodge with his wife and manages the reserve is one of Namibia’s top birders and, although I didn’t quiz him on it, I suspect that he is responsible for the leg- decorations. Garish, orange-tailed, indigo-bodied Orange-headed Agama lizards found the low walls just right for sunbathing. Partridge-like Red-billed Francolins scurried through the border-plants, red-billed Damara Hornbills came to scavenge scraps with Red-eyed Bulbuls. As so often, on this tour, meal time was enjoyable for the opportunity to see wildlife at close quarters as well as for the food. At least, so far, we hadn’t needed to chase opportunist birds off our plates before they shared our meals too intimately or, as has happened to me elsewhere, knocked over my fruit-juice while enjoying a drink from the glass. Even the Cape Ground Squirrels were content to confine their foraging to flower beds and the hollow-log feeding station.

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Red-billed Francolin Damara Hornbill Red-eyed Bulbul

After breakfast we took a walk through open scrub up the rocky hill behind the lodge. Only a couple of hundred metres from our chalets we were shown the remains of a Gemsbok, a kind of Oryx which had been killed there by lions less than a year before; a powerful reminder that we should take care to follow our guide’s instructions closely.

Remains of the lion’s share

We were reassured that the pride was far-off just then so we should be o.k. but I remembered those roars I’d heard during the night and kept a wary eye open for more than just birds. In the event, the only large mammals we found were indeed large but harmless if not bothered, Impala, a small herd of Greater Kudu and a group of mountaineering Giraffes. The latter animals, usually associated with flat, acacia-sprinkled plains were, here, climbing steep, stone-strewn slopes with apparent ease and by choice because there was plenty of their more familiar habitat around.

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Sure-footed Giraffes Female Greater Kudu

When we returned we boarded the “battle-wagon” for a wider-ranging exploration of the reserve. Two secretary birds were seen, a species I’d dipped on during both of my previous African trips but the single Auger Buzzard I’d seen plenty of before. Two more francolin species were found; Orange River and Hartlaub’s Francolins. There were several Ruppell’s Parrots, Ground-sweeper Thrushes, around thirty brilliantly colourful Madagascar Bee- eaters, a mixed flock of Damara and African Grey Hornbills, Violet Wood-hoopoes, Bare- cheeked Babblers, long-tailed Meve’s Starlings, and, after seeing a mysterious lark disappear into shady undergrowth, a search eventually re-located a lone and disparagingly- named Monotonous Lark.

Orange River Francolin Secretary Bird Madagascar or Olive Bee-eater

The mammal-watching was also exciting; the world’s largest antelope; the Eland, Gemsbok, Springbok, Impala, African Elephant, Hartman’s Mountain and Burchell’s Zebra, Warthog, Cape Ground Squirrel (foraging under their sun-shade tails) Mountain Ground Squirrel

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(very similar but keeping to jumbles of rocks) Rock Dassie or Hyrax, Chacma Baboon as well as many more Giraffe and Greater Kudu…and all before lunch.

Cape Ground Squirrel Under “sunshade” Mountain Ground Squirrel

In the afternoon we were able to take another walk under the shade of substantial trees and visit a pair of the huge, pink eye-lidded Verreaux’s or Milky Eagle Owls at their roost. Our approach, though, was delayed because we had to wait for a herd of around twenty elephants to decide they needed a drink and move from the shade under the owls’ tree. One bull elephant seemed reluctant to challenge a diminutive Springbok and finally turned aside to take a different route.

Springbok Greater Kudu Viewing owls while Elephants move away

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Stand-off at noon Verreaux’s Eagle Owl

Sharing the same tree but keeping a respectable distance from their larger cousins was another pair of owls, tiny in contrast; Pear-Spotted Owlets, similar to Little Owls. A little later, at another site we were led to the roost of a third kind of owl, this time even smaller. Out on the plains we saw several Kori Bustards, mostly resting in the shade during the hottest part of the day, a situation shared by many species of both bird and mammal. A selection of birds seen: a couple of Spotted Dikkops, (nothing stodgy about them) Black Cuckoo, a flock of more than thirty Alpine Swifts, Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters, Rufous- crowned Roller Common Scimitarbill, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Monteiro’s Hornbill, White-throated, Pearl-breasted and Red-breasted Swallows, a flock of about forty House Martins, (interesting because their African wintering areas are very poorly known) Lesser Grey Shrike, the bright-yellow Spectacled Weaver, Black-throated Canary and Golden-breasted bunting. Afoot again, we were led to the roost of an African Scops Owl, possibly the one I had listened to the night before. These tiny owls, very similar to the ones that might be found in southern Europe are very cryptically coloured and this sleepy bird was almost impossible to make-out against the tree-bark behind it, looking exactly like a small stump until the eyes fully opened and it turned its sleepy attention to us. We didn’t disturb it much though and it settled back to dreams of whatever owls dream of as soon as we retreated.

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African Scops Owl Golden-breasted Bunting Spotted Dikkop

Back at the Lodge, we had time to wander around the grounds and watch the Madagascar Bee-eaters, Groundscraper Thrushes, hornbills and other locals. I elected to sit in the hide by the waterhole for a while and observe the comings and goings of thirst-quenching birds. I had great views of Ruppell’s Parrots paddling in the mud, Cinnamon-breasted Buntings with three other species of bunting, Red-faced Finches, several kinds of dove, Go-away Birds and others, while writing my notes.

Ruppell’s Parrot Flap-necked Chameleon

After dark, though, we were taken on another night-drive. This one was even more interesting than the previous night even though we failed to catch-up with the Aardvark after finding its fresh excavations in a huge termite-mound. Top mammals were, again, Bat- eared Foxes and another close encounter with African Wild Cat; this time, a female with her very cute half-grown kitten. There was more, though and four Small-spotted Genets were found in trees and several Springhares bounced in the beam of the spotlight. We saw many of the larger game animals too and had an interesting encounter with a mature male Lion. We were driving very slowly down a narrow ravine in our open-topped vehicle and when

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the light was swung around to our right it revealed the aforesaid beastie at eye-level, just twenty feet away. Steve hit the go-faster pedal at that point.

We illuminated a Rufous-cheeked Nightjar on the track and a Gabar Goshawk on its nest. It sat tight. Another fascinating creature revealed by the spot-light was the Flap-necked Chameleon. Several were found; they show up much better at night when the lamp-light hits them.

Well-pleased with our day we retired for an early start in the morning and the next stage of our tour.

Doug. Kelson

Local Wildlife News

The following ‘highlights’ reports received over the early ‘winter’. 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 ever shorter days mean that so much more activity is concentrated in to even less daytime.

Blackcap – a male visited a garden in central Winklebury with another being seen on feeders in the Viables area. Garden Tiger Moth – a caterpillar, ‘woolly bear’, of this striking species was found in Overton mid-December. Goldeneye – a male on Padworth Lane GP was the first local bird to be reported.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula This drake in its’ territorial / courtship display

Goosander – four redhead were on Padworth Lane GP on 29th.

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Goosander Mergus merganser A ‘redhead’

Kingfisher – a vocal bird was about The Kennet at Padworth Lane GP. More locally birds about The Loddon in Old Basing probably provided the nest opportunity to catch up with this species. Lesser Redpoll – small numbers continued to be recorded, as did Siskin, though a local ringer was known to have ringed a dozen+ in one session. Little Egret – one came up from the 'marsh' at Eastrop on 27th, another being seen flying through Overton late afternoon. Red Kite – these became ever more obvious with birds being seen every day, no matter what the weather conditions, with gatherings of up to nine being recorded. The roost in the Tunworth area was again occupied but no counts have as yet been received from there from Group Members. Ring-necked Duck – a little further afield two immature ducks lingered at Rooksbury Mill LNR for some time; the first multiple occurrence of this Nearctic species in the county and affording many with the opportunity to see this species / plumage 'locally' for the first time.

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Rooksbury Mill LNR, Andover

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Mike. Duffy As usual, not showing the ringed neck! “Light quality no good, but still good to see them”

Small Tortoiseshell – possibly the last butterfly of the year locally was found in Overton, inside flats and therefore presumably looking for a winter roost in which to hibernate. Waxwing – a singleton over The Millfield LNR on 6th was the only local record to date, and one of very few noted this far south in the country as yet. Winter Moth – one of the least inspiring of the macro-moths was reported attracted to lit windows etc. on a number of occasions. Yellow Corydalis – one of the ‘yellow’ flowers still to be seen in bloom, though daffodil were noted in bloom by mid-month!

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 yet further in to the autumn. 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’

For the last month of 2015, a few Christmas-related queries!

1) Because of the colour of their uniforms, which UK bird were Victorian postmen named after, resulting in card illustrations showing these birds delivering letters at Christmas?

2) Prior to the introduction of turkeys to England by French Jesuits in the 16th Century, the head of what animal was sometimes served with mustard at Christmas?

A. pig B. frog C. goose D. deer

3) Reindeer have been a mascot for Christmas since the 17th century poem ‘a visit from St. Nicholas’, but what feature do both male and female reindeer have that makes this species unique among deer?

A. red noses B. antlers C. spotty coats D. they can roar at the same volume

4) Mistletoe is used as decoration during Christmas. How does it grow in the wild?

A. as a tree B. as a bush C. as a parasite on other trees D. in water

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5) In the Twelve Days of Christmas, after the five gold rings come four colly birds (not calling birds as in some later versions), but what species are these?

A. Robin B. Song Thrush C. Blackbird D. "Woodpigeon

These are of things all somehow linked with Christmas.

6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

Unscramble the Christmas word.

11) In a famous Christmas song there are two of these:

EDOVRTLETU

12) A part of the world associated with Christmas:

AAPNDLL

13) A rare heron formerly eaten in the Fens at this time of year:

TRNTEBI

14) A massive piece of festive of wood historically burned in open hearths:

YLLEUOG

15) A UK mammal that hibernates at this time of year:

GHOEHEGD

The November ‘colours’, how did you do?

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Just in case you struggled, even though I doubt this, the birds were, left to right, top to bottom:

Bullfinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Nuthatch

Herring Gull, Avocet, Woodpigeon, Golden Eagle, Wigeon

Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, House Sparrow, Swallow, Jackdaw

Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Blackcap

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Shag, Cuckoo, Grey Wagtail, Greylag, Lapwing

Teal, Moorhen, Pheasant, Common Tern, Curlew

Dipper, Dunnock, Water Rail, Carrion Crow, Long-tailed Tit

Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Ringed Plover, Goldfinch, Kittitwake

Corncrake, Wren, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Oystercatcher

Red Grouse, Meadow Pipit, Wheatear, Turnstone, Stonechat

Bearded Tit, Bittern, Black-headed Gull, Siskin, Barn Owl

And Finally!

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