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CHELMSFORD & CENTRAL ESSEX GROUP NEWS
Summer 2013
The RSPB is a registered charity in England & Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654
RSPB ADVERTS HIT OUR SMALL SCREENS ’t use the breaks as an Those of you who watch the commercial television channels and don ’s advertisements during opportunity to go and make a cup of tea might have seen the RSPB July. The ads were beamed into homes throughout the UK and were expected to reach 85% of the UK population. – The message of the campaign is very simple nature is in trouble, but we can all help by “giving nature ”. As individuals we can start at a basic level by planting bug a home -friendly plants in our gardens and window boxes, and thinking about how we can help wildlife in our immediate environment. We have all already made a contribution by joining the RSPB, and I know many of us support other wildlife and environmental organisations which work in partnership with the RSPB. This partnership working is very important as no single element of nature can exist successfully independently of the others. So although birds will always be at the heart of the RSPB, it recognises that for birds to survive and thrive, it is necessary for them to have food and suitable habitat, and the best way to ensure this is to work with others to achieve common aims.
FOODCHAIN
WRITTLE COLLEGE, HERE WE COME In the last issue of the newsletter Sue McClellan, our Meetings/Talks Secretary, wrote about her search for a new venue for the local group talks, as using the Cramphorn Theatre had become unaffordable. We can now confirm that as from January 2014 the talks will be held in the Northumberland Theatre at Writtle College. This is a lovely lecture theatre with facilities as good as, if not better than, the Cramphorn. An added bonus is free parking. And the icing on the cake is that because the venue is more reasonably priced, we can bring down the entry fee to the £2.50. We will no longer be offering a discount for members who pay to receive a talks to printed copy of the newsletter.
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Postal members subscription The subscription of £5 for postal members is due in September. As from January 2014 postal members will no longer receive a discount on the entry price for our talks, as there will be a new, lower, entry fee for everyone. See the article above for more information. Please send your cheque (having first checked that you do not pay by standing order!) to: Margot Grice Dragons, Boyton Cross Roxwell, Chelmsford Essex CM1 4LS
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES We have to tell you that sadly there will be no more fayres held after December this year as we do not have a volunteer to run them. If you would like to get involved in fundraising and ’s have any new ideas we would be very pleased to hear from you. The committee contact details are on page 7. Do please get in touch if you can help.
GROUP LEADER We are still seeking a Leader for the Group, so if you think this is a role you would be interested in taking on, do please get in touch. Meanwhile we are grateful to Viv Connett, who has been appointed as our “point of contact”. This has enabled us to keep going as a local RSPB group. You can contact Viv if you would like to talk about becoming Group Leader. Contact details for the committee members are towards the end of the newsletter, before the events diary.
OUR LOCAL GROUP WALKS The only walk since the last newsletter was the April Mystery Walk. We decided to go to Fingringhoe Wick on a search for common migrants, especially the nightingale, for which this is one of the best spots in the county. However the weather was chilly and overcast, so although one or two were singing quietly, none were visible. We spent some time in the hide watching a nice assortment of waders, then on our way back to the Visitor Centre we heard a willow warbler; stopping to look for this we saw a common whitethroat and then heard a nightingale singing very close by. Fortunately it was – sitting out in the open so we all obtained good scope views too far away for a photo though! 32 birds were seen and one heard. Viv Connett
FROM THE KRUGER TO THE KAROO For anyone wishing to experience for themselves the South African birds and wildlife shown by John Buckingham at his inspiring talk on 13 December 2012, we would wholeheartedly ’s recommendation of a local tour guide – ’s Cape Tours and Travel – endorse John Crane see www.naturalhistorytours.co.za. Geoff Crane will arrange group tours, self drive and in our case, a fully accompanied tour just for us. We greatly enjoyed our 7 day/6 night tour, designed specifically for us, along the ’s wealth of knowledge and careful Garden Route from Cape Town to East London. Geoff driving meant a relaxed and informative holiday, and included places off the well-beaten tourist trail, such as the spectacular Swartberg Pass and the Spitskop Peak. His superb
2 knowledge of where to look and what to see meant we saw and identified 148 birds and many mammals. David & Winifred Simmonds
TURTLE DOVES WIN HEARTS IN ESSEX Having requested the RSPB Chelmsford & Central Essex Group members to text vote for the Essex ‘Heart of Essex 2013’ Birdwatching Society in the awards via the last newsletter, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Group for their support and inform you of the outcome. All our splendid efforts achieved the desired result and the EBwS was voted one of the top two in the Environmental category to go forward to the final stage. Subsequently we are extremely pleased to advise that the EBwS went on to win this category and received a £1,500 award, which was presented by Simon Burns MP at a ceremony held at Hylands House in Chelmsford on 4th July. The Society would like to thank you all for your support to help with the on-going conservation of turtle doves in Essex, which dovetails with ‘Operation Turtle Dove – ’. saving a bird on the brink I am very excited at what we have started and can now achieve. Thank you. Gerry Johnson, EBwS Chairman
GOOD MORNING MR CADDOW !
OK then, good morning Mr Jackdaw. Caddow is the old East Anglian name for this characterful bird. It was this winter that we saw our first jackdaw in our garden after living here for 26 years or so, and we were immediately transfixed by him and eventually by his mate, who joined him later. ’s attention. They mean It was their cold, ice-blue eyes that immediately held one business, ’nor, I’m in charge and I know exactly as does the whole demeanour of this bird. I am the guv ’m up to. But they do have a warm and mischievous side to them. They can play what I games with berries, steal food from more hesitant rooks and pinch any glistening jewellery that you may leave about the house, if they have a chance, to decorate their nests with.
3 When they fly, they tumble about the sky out of sheer joy of living, most usually when flying in the company of a large flock of rooks and other jackdaws. Some of these flocks can be quite large. 1,000 were seen in a flock in the Lee Valley on 12 January 2010, a further 1,000 at The Hythe on 22 March 2010, and we have seen flocks of 600 or so over Chantry Wood here at Wickham Bishops. – I do not know where our two were nesting. It could be in a hollow tree, an old building or a – speciality in a chimney. A nest is started in the chosen chimney by dropping twigs down it until one or two get wedged, when they can then start to add more until they are satisfied. There are tales of vast nests being created. One in the Bell Tower of Eton College was 10ft high and built in 17 days. Another in Oxenton Church, Gloucestershire was 8ft tall and about as wide. They have been seen carrying sticks 7ft long as building material. When the nest is formed, they line it with assorted feathers and fur, even plucking the hair directly from the backs of deer, sheep or cows. ’s share (80%) They form long, faithful partnerships, with the male taking the lion of the work in looking after the young for the first 10 days or so. They only have one brood of four to six young, with the hen bird brooding from the day the first egg is laid so the young vary in age. “active sharing” where they sh Fledglings engage in are food amongst their peers to create social bonding. ’s in a name? Well, sure enough the “jackdaw” replicates its two main calls. The “jack” What is its main contact call and is very commonly heard and beautifully described in a book I once ….“ – read thus and when the birds are flying in unison the calls spirited, rather light in timbre, – ”. The “daw” is a loud, crisp and clear-cut ricochet beautifully from one bird to another resonant alarm note like a more grating caw of a rook. One last thought. We welcomed our new friends to our garden but beware their appetite. They can demolish a small fat ball in five minutes! Mike Logan Wood July 2013
OWLS, WOODPECKERS AND SHOVELERS I have been transfixed this spring by the progress of the barn owl pair at Blue House Farm (an Essex Wildlife Trust reserve). A video camera is trained on the nest and the pictures can be seen live on the internet. I have watched as the female began laying eggs (she laid four over a period of days), then three of the eggs hatched, and the owlets grew from ungainly and frankly not very attractive tiny creatures into fully fledged owls. There was a plentiful supply of food, and one of the best moments must have been when one of the chicks, about four inches long, swallowed an entire small rodent, about the same size as itself. There were two back feet and a long tail left sticking out of its mouth while it tried to gulp down the body. The mother owl seemed to think the baby had bitten off more than it could chew ’s tail to try and pull it out, but the baby because she yanked on the rodent ’t going to relinquish its meal and wasn eventually it all went down. I have stayed up far too late on many occasions watching their antics.
A trip to Abbotts Hall Farm, another EWT reserve, brought wonderful views of a green woodpecker feeding young. The young birds were hanging out of the hole in the tree, beaks wide open, yelling for more food.
On the same walk we saw a family of shoveler ducks with a brood of ducklings. It was a wonder that the ducklings could swim ’t tip over with their huge beaks. and didn
Louise Fuller
4 BIRDTRACK WEBSITE RELAUNCH BirdTrack is the UK's online bird recording system, run as a partnership between the RSPB, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Birdwatch Ireland, Scottish Ornithologists' Club and the Welsh Ornithological Society. Log, store and manage Thousands of birdwatchers use BirdTrack to log their daily bird sightings, allowing them to store and manage their own records, make them available to local bird clubs, and allow them to be used by the RSPB and various organisations for conservation purposes. As just one example, BirdTrack sightings feed directly into the "recent sightings" page for ’s webpage, helping to attract visitors to our reserves. each reserve on the RSPB Greater prominence BirdTrack has unveiled a newly designed website http://www.birdtrack.net which gives much greater prominence to the records submitted by users. A zoomable map means that users can see what's been reported locally to them and search for records of a particular species across the country. Strict filters, developed with the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, means that users can submit valuable records of rare breeding birds without them being revealed to other users. The interactive graphing tool means that patterns of occurrence can be examined. Soon, it will be possible to examine the arrival of swallows and cuckoos day-by-day. The latest photos in BirdTrack's expanding flickr pool can be viewed, and the competitive birder can see how their year list compares next to those of other 'BirdTrackers.' App appeal Earlier this year BirdTrack launched another innovation: the BirdTrack App for iPhone, following on from the launch of an Android app last year. Both apps enhance BirdTrack's accessibility and appeal to smartphone-using birders. Last month alone, more than 600 BirdTrackers collected records in the field on their smartphones and uploaded them to the system. These developments are helping to make BirdTrack more attractive to both the serious birder but also the more casual birdwatcher.
UPDATE FROM HENDERSON ISLAND In May we heard the very disappointing news that it had been confirmed that rats were still present on Henderson Island, Pitcairn Overseas Territory, where the RSPB undertook a rodent eradication operation last year to save the Henderson petrel from extinction. Much has been underway since then so we wanted to provide an update. Assessments undertaken ², Henderson was the largest tropical or sub At 43km -tropical island ever attempted for a rodent eradication. The RSPB has been determined to learn and share all possible lessons from this cutting-edge operation to inform next steps and advance global island restoration knowledge. Firstly, genetic testing of the rat sample obtained from the island confirmed that the rats were almost certainly survivors, rather than a post-operation re-introduction. Secondly, two independent reviews were commissioned to analyse all aspects of the operation and assess why rats persisted. These concluded that the operation was implemented according to all international best practice and that no definite reason for failure would ever be able to be identified. Food and bait Last year's unseasonal wet weather, which led to much flowering and fruiting and hence more alternative food for the rats, may have been the main cause. On the ground The results of these reviews were taken to the local community to discuss in November, who gave their unanimous support for further work to be undertaken to restore the island. 5 Bird counts were done on Henderson itself at the same time, with all four endemic land bird species reported to be doing well (many having increased significantly in the near-absence of rats). The RSPB is determined to keep going to restore Henderson, and a 6-week research trip to the island next year will help inform next steps. Henderson Island is just one of many habitats of global significance that the RSPB is working to preserve as part of our Saving Nature strategy.
WALLASEA ISLAND WILD COAST PROJECT This is your chance to go and see the progress which has been made at Wallasea Island. There is to be an Open Day on Sunday 29 September, where there will be stalls, displays, activities, bird walks and other attractions. The open day will be a celebration of progress to date and a foretaste of what is to come. Wallasea Island is a gigantic conservation and engineering scheme, as we have heard from speakers at our talks in the past. The aim of the project is to combat the threats from climate change and coastal flooding by recreating the ancient wetland landscape of mudflats and saltmarsh, lagoons and pasture. It will also help to compensate for the loss of such tidal habitats elsewhere in England. Major construction began in earnest in September 2012 when spoil from the Crossrail tunnel excavations started coming on site, and will continue until around 2019. Once completed, the project will provide a haven for a wonderful array of nationally and internationally important wildlife and an amazing place for the local community, and those from further afield, to come and enjoy. Our local group is hoping to have a stall at the event, where we will be selling RSPB sales goods, bird food etc. We will also have information on display and leaflets to hand out. This will be a great opportunity to promote the local group and the cause of the RSPB in general. All members of the public are very welcome to attend the Open Day. In addition, volunteers are required to help with various activities on the day. If you think you can help, please contact Sue McClellan in the first instance (details on page 7). Times are expected to be 11.00am to 4.00pm (to be confirmed).
A visit in September might bring you sightings such as ringed plovers, avocets, redshanks and greenshanks. There is always the possibility of something a bit more unusual like a little stint or a curlew sandpiper. Although obviously there is normally no public access to the construction site, you can walk along the north sea wall and get good views of the work going on, and see the wildlife as well. http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/w/ wallaseaisland/
6 GROUP ACCOUNTS 2012/13 The accounts had not been signed off by the auditor when we held our AGM. This has now been done, and they are reproduced below for your information. Any queries, please contact the treasurer, Margot Grice, on 01245 248651, [email protected] £ £ INCOME EXPENDITURE 2012/13 2011/12 2012/13 2011/12 Balance B/F 1208.59 929.12 Hire of hall / Meetings 1414.53 1355.17 Meetings 1635.50 1762.50 Hire of hall / Fundraising 364.50 416.50 Fundraising Events 2258.35 2285.52 Raffle prizes / tickets 12.00 Raffle 148.00 57.00 Advertising 319.54 224.78 Sale of bird food 265.70 394.70 Speakers 514.00 477.00 Fees / Donations 2417.02 2311.83 Newsletter 107.34 130.31 Non-RSPB sales goods 40.03 57.23 Postage 72.00 581.18 Sponsors Sundries 15.24 Subscriptions 545.00 655.00 Donation to RSPB 4500.00 4044.13
Balance C/F 1214.28 1208.59 TOTAL 8518.19 8452.90 TOTAL 8518.19 8452.90
Balance C/F. Co-op Bank 1168.52 1458.33 Petty Cash 45.76 59.60
Credit from RSPB Sales Ltd. 1,402.41 1,628.62 TOTAL 1214.28 1517.93
2011/12 2012/13 Sales goods 2229.07 Sales goods 1628.62 Sponsorship 226.80 Sponsorship 160.70 Fund raising 4044.13 Fund raising 4500.00 International Projects 6500.00 International Projects 3128.62 Salt Marsh & Coastal Marine 3160.70 6500.00 6500.00 6289.32 6289.32
7 RSPB LOCAL GROUP COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2013/14 Viv Connett Point of Contact & 07985 796657 [email protected] Field Trips Organiser Tim Connett Field Trips Organiser 07913 896020 [email protected] Louise Fuller Newsletter Editor 01245 421614 [email protected] Margot Grice Treasurer 01245 248651 [email protected] Janet Hawkes Secretary 01376 512628 [email protected] Gerry Johnson Pin Badge Sales Co- 01245 356633 [email protected] ordinator Sue McClellan Meetings (Talks) 01245 471576 [email protected] Secretary
EVENTS DIARY Non-members are welcome at all events. Talks are held at the Cramphorn Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, from 8pm-9.45pm with an interval.
Parking in Fairfield Road car park (entrance in nearby Coval Lane, £1 charge). Entry £3.50 adults, £1 children; 50p reduction for postal group members (one per household). Walks are all “own car” outings, suitable for all abilities; help with bird ID will be available. Wear suitable clothing and footwear and bring your own refreshments. There are no toilet facilities at most of the walk venues. For further details of all events please see our web site www.rspb.org.uk/groups/chelmsford
AUGUST Walk – Saturday 10 OLD HALL MARSHES. Meet in the car park at 5.30pm. We are returning for our annual summer evening walk around this “out of the way” reserve. We will be looking for waders in general with a chance of curlew sandpiper, wood sandpiper and maybe a Temminck’s stint. There is also a good chance of raptors such as hobby and peregrine. The reserve is entered at the western end from the minor road between Tollesbury and Tolleshunt D’Arcy. From the A12 take the B1023, via Tiptree to Tolleshunt D'Arcy. Turn left at village maypole then right into Chapel Road (back road to Tollesbury). After approx 1 mile (1.6 km), turn left into Old Hall Lane. Continue up Old Hall Lane, over speed ramps and through iron gates to cattle grid, then follow signs straight ahead to car park (grid reference TL 960 123 on Landranger OS map 168). Walking boots may be required and a jacket is recommended.
SEPTEMBER Talk – Thursday 12 SUFFOLK AND THE BRECKS AT THEIR FINEST by Alex Bass. A new speaker for us, Alex will give an enlightening talk on the history and wildlife of some of the finest bird watching areas in his favourite county, supported by beautiful images, delightful sound effects ... and maybe some poems!
STONE CURLEW
8 Walk – Sunday 15 MINSMERE. Meet in the car park at 10.00am (see RSPB website for directions). You can join us just for the morning or come all day as our walk leaders will stay as long as people want to be there. This is around the beginning of the autumn migration so almost anything is possible but marsh harrier, bittern and bearded tits are all good bets. Walking boots and a jacket may be necessary.
BEARDED TIT
OCTOBER Autumn Fayre – Saturday 5 at The Ingatestone Community Centre, High Street, Ingatestone, from 10am to 1pm with RSPB Sales Goods, Plants, Cakes, Bric-a-Brac, Games, Jigsaws, Knitteds, Books, Bird Food, Tombola etc.
Talk – Thursday 10 HOPE FOR MALTA’S BIRDS? by Robin Potts. Robin will highlight the efforts being made by BirdLife Malta and other conservation organisations in combating the illegal shooting and trapping of migrating birds passing through Malta each spring and autumn. There is a long way to go - but there is hope for the future.
Walk – Sunday 20 MYSTERY WALK AT 10.00am Call Viv on 07985 796657 the evening before between 6.00pm and 9.00pm for location and directions.
NOVEMBER Autumn/Christmas Fayre – Saturday 9 at The Village Hall, The Green, Writtle (by the pond) from 10am to 1pm, with Christmas-themed RSPB Sales Goods, Plants, Cakes, Bric-a-Brac, Games, Jigsaws, Knitteds, Books, Bird Food, Tombola and refreshments etc.
Talk – Thursday 14 LIONS AND TIGERS … AND BIRDS by Tim Loseby. A returning speaker, Tim will talk about endangered & other wildlife of some of India's dramatic jungle habitats.
Walk – Sunday 17 RAINHAM MARSHES. Meet in the car park (see RSPB website for directions if necessary) at 10.00am. We will be taking a leisurely walk around this reserve on the look out for whatever it has to offer. If time permits we may take a wander down to the Stone Barges looking for small waders and rarer gulls. Walking boots and warm waterproof clothing are recommended.
9 Christmas Fayre – Saturday 30 at the Budworth Hall, High Street, Ongar (next door to Sainsburys), from 10am to 1pm. This is our main Christmas event with Christmas themed RSPB Sales Goods, Plants, Cakes, Bric-a-Brac, Games, Jigsaws, Knitteds, Books, Bird Food, Tombola etc.
DECEMBER Talk – Thursday 12 HOUSE MARTINS COME HOME by Martin Tickler. An enthusiastic, self confessed "house martin lunatic", Martin Tickler will share stories of how he's encouraged house martins to nest at his home over the last 30 years. Supported with colourful images, he'll explain how he's supplied artificial nests, mud pies and other paraphernalia to help make these endearing little birds warm and cosy. This looks to be a very inspiring talk, with lots of ideas on how we can adapt our own properties.
Walk – Saturday 21 TOLLESBURY WICK. Meet in the car park in Woodrolfe Road (grid reference TL963 106 on Landranger OS Map 168) at 10.00am. As an alternative to the long walk at Old Hall Marshes this time we are walking round Tollesbury Wick (around 4-5 miles). We will be looking for winter waders and various raptors that may include hen harrier and short eared owl. Walking boots and warm waterproof clothing are recommended as location is very exposed.
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