RSPB SOUTH LOCAL GROUP NEWSLETTER No 71 September 2017

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no.SC037654

The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We also play a leading role in a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.

The RSPB is a member of BirdLife International, a partnership of conservation organisations working to give nature a home around the world. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southdorset

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MESSAGE FROM THE GROUP COMMITTEE

Thank you to all our local group members for supporting the committee through the last year, with a special thank you to those who attended indoor and outdoor events and the Annual General Meeting.

We have had an interesting and wide ranging series of talks this season with virtual visits to Australia, France, Islay, Zimbabwe and reviews of English wildlife and bird adaptations. Luckily in this part of the country the mostly successful Outdoor meetings are only sometimes affected by challenging weather; and some favourite sightings have been a group of determined goosanders being mobbed by gulls as they tried to fish at Ferrybridge, and a colourful crossbill at Wareham Forest being lit up by a fleeting ray of sunshine, a definite “wow” moment. If you miss a meeting or outing then a report is quickly posted on the group website.

There are currently 147 RSPB local groups acting as the face of the organisation in the community, helping to promote their work and giving a reason to be members of the society. The RSPB’s overarching strategy is to Give Nature a Home, all of us can contribute to this in even very small ways, perhaps by thinking of wildlife when you are gardening, or encouraging younger family members and friends to love nature. One activity organised for families is the Big Wild Sleepout held this year in July, details for future such events are on the main RSPB website.

A recent local news item describes a plan to introduce osprey chicks to Arne, we will aim to keep you up to date with the progress of this initiative.

The programme of talks for this season is in this newsletter, we still like to pay for interesting speakers and we manage to make a small profit which is boosted by fundraising events such as the Plant Sale and Weymouth Esplanade stall, so we are able to send funds to the RSPB for their valuable work supporting wildlife and habitats. Your help and donations for these events are welcomed. For the next December meeting we plan another social event and we would like to present a display of some of your natural history photographs for all to admire: a short description of venue and subject would be useful. Hopefully you have enjoyed and recorded your outings and holidays this summer!

If you have any ideas for fundraising or group activities do let the committee know, and we are very pleased to receive nature related articles for the newsletters. Please continue to enjoy and nurture our wildlife and wild places

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Cover Picture : ©Allan Neilson All other pictures ©RSPB Images

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FIELD TRIP REPORTS

22nd February 2017 - Middlebere and Arne

For our annual trip to Middlebere we were lucky to have a dry day prior to Storm Doris; however it was rather windy, keeping the smaller birds under cover. 16 members set off from the cars and were first given excellent views of a male Bullfinch displaying its full breeding plumage, for such a bright bird they can be remarkably difficult to see well. From the viewpoint overlooking Wych Lake we picked out Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal and several gulls, but the most pleasing sight was a large group of Curlew foraging in long grass. These are reported to be drastically dropping in numbers so it was good to see so many. We walked past the barns scanning for potential Barn Owls, the box we saw had no evidence of a resident. The hide was a welcome shelter from the wind and we spent a long time looking for the Yellow-legged Gulls which we had seen on previous visits, but sometimes you have to admit defeat. There was a distant Avocet to add to the list and in the field next to the hide was a large flock of Brent Geese, all were the dark-bellied race and they looked rather unsettled, perhaps they are thinking about the summer in northern parts. A Marsh Harrier floated past on the wind and as we were getting ready to leave Rob found a Spotted Redshank. It kept disappearing as it walked along a deep gully but eventually everyone saw it, an elegant bird with paler plumage and longer bill than the Redshank.

After lunch we gathered again for a walk around Coombe Heath and almost immediately had good views of a Gold- crest. Had the conditions been more benign we might have found a Dartford Warbler, but no sooner than we were settled in the hide than Glynis had found the Spoonbills from a different direction, we all had excellent if rather dis- tant views of the stars of Autumnwatch. From the shelter by the harbour we watched the rising tide bringing in flocks of Dunlin and Redshank, but not disturbing the Black-tailed Godwits. We finished fairly early and some of the group went home via Wareham Forest where they found a Great Grey Shrike and others enjoyed a group of 16 Waxwings in the new plantation at .

In all about 42 species were recorded.

Mary Robins

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Tuesday, 22nd March 2017 Morden Bog

The rain stopped just as the 15 members set off on what proved to be a lovely day out walking along the Sherford and around Morden Bog. Close to Sherford Bridge a singing Mistle Thrush was the first bird seen followed by a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Great and Coal Tits. As we walked slowly parallel to the stream we saw a pair of Long-tailed Tits, a couple of Nuthatches and two Goldcrests feeding, a Green Woodpecker flew off through the trees, we heard a Chiffchaff and had a brief view of Siskin. We noticed a nest high up on a pylon and, whilst contemplating on the possible owners, a pair of Peregrines flew in, circled around the pylon calling to one another and landed close to their nest. Such great views allowed us to identify the larger female from her mate.

We spotted a pair of Linnets and a smart male Stonechat before we crossed the stile and walked to Morden Park Lake. There a female Marsh Harrier was flying around at the back of the lake and four Greylag Geese, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, a pair of Great Crested Grebes doing a bit of courtship displaying and various duck were on the water. Whilst watching the harrier a pair of Buzzards appeared and all three had an aerial raptor-fight.

After leaving the lake we scanned the area for the Great Grey Shrike that had been reported a few days earlier, but without luck. However we saw a Kestel and, near to the derelict decoy house, we had great views of a small group of Crossbills. A brick-red adult male sitting on top of a pine tree looked particularly splendid against the blue sky. We also saw a Siskin in the same tree as the Crossbills. By now stomachs were rumbling so we had our lunch amongst the ruins of the house; very pleasant with a bright sky and surrounded by a host of daffodils, (with due acknowledgement to Wordsworth).

After our lunch break we had a look for the shrike in the area south of the Old Decoy Pond, again without success, but we did see another Green Woodpecker, a couple of Canada Geese, more Stonechats and some Meadow Pipits were flying about. We heard a Woodlark singing in the distance and on the return some of the group saw a Dartford Warbler.

Strangely there was a dearth of birds as we walked back through the heather to our cars until a pair of Ravens put in an appearance and did a bit of tumbling and calling above us. Lastly back at the car park some had a brief view of a Treecreeper making about 40 species recorded for the day.

On the way home six of us stopped off at the gravel pits that were once West Knighton Heath to try and see Woodlark that had eluded us at Morden Bog. Rob turned out to be champion spotter here, first with a pair of Stonechats and a nearby Dartford Warbler, and then he saw a Woodlark flying over, which landed on a nearby fence post giving us great views through our telescopes. A very successful end to the day.

Malcolm

4 25th April 2017 Cogden Beach

The April visit to Cogden Beach near Burton Bradstock has become a popular regular outing. This year 16 members were greeted with a bitterly cold wind and some sunny spells. Our target birds are the incoming migrants mainly Lesser Whitethroat and Whimbrel. There was a Lesser Whitethroat rattling away at the car park, but well hidden and another further down the track towards the sea, again wisely sheltering. As were several other species, but at least the Skylarks were singing beautifully in full sight. At the beach the Thrift was in fine bloom but no seabirds were passing. Turning inland we saw Stonechat and some Wheatears in the first field, also Song Thrushes feeding on the ground. We enjoyed a brilliant display of perfect Cowslips. Once the sun appeared the reed beds were busy with singing Reed Warblers and the monotonous call of the Reed Buntings, both well hidden. The pond area we visit for Marsh Frogs was almost dry and very overgrown, only one was heard. We had almost given up on Whimbrel when one flew overhead and landed in the rough field; when we scanned the area there were five others. As we got closer they gave us really good views despite them being harassed by the crows. Another Lesser Whitethroat sang in the high hedge but refused to show itself. The previous year our path into the wood was blocked by a large group of sturdy cattle, fortunately this year they were elsewhere and the only animal seen here was a very small vole. There were Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Green Woodpecker in the wood, and further on a Grey Heron perched at the very top of a tall pine tree. Again the crows could not leave it alone! Near the end we all enjoyed telescope views of a singing Yellowhammer. A few butterflies were around including Speckled Wood, Wall Brown and Orange Tip.

.In all we saw and heard about 33 bird species which given the very cold conditions was very satisfactory.

Mary Robins.

9th May 2017 - Yarner Wood

It was surprisingly cold with an overcast sky when ten of us met up at the Lower Treadlebere Down car park. Some of the group saw a pair of Bullfinches, a Buzzard and a Treecreeper before we set off. We started walking over the heath and quite soon spotted one of our target birds - a Tree Pipit, which alighted on top of a nearby tree. Other birds seen in this area included a couple of Yellowhammers, Willow Warbler, a pair of Stonechats, Linnets, Whitethroat and Blackcap, and a flushed Roe Deer ran off into the woods. We then walked down to the Visitors' Centre where on the pond a lone male Mandarin Duck was easily seen as well as a Grey Wagtail and some Mallard. There was the usual busy activity on and around the feeders including Siskin, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit and Nuthatch. A Goldcrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were also in the area. From here our walk took us through the woods. Because of the weather conditions, it proved to be hard work finding birds as they were not showing or singing much and most were high up in the canopy. Fewer Pied Flycatchers were seen than expected and most were males with just a single female seen entering a nest box. A singing Redstart couldn't be spotted and the harsh, rattling call from a Mistle Thrush was one of the few other calls we heard. Rather disappointingly we didn't hear, let alone see, any Wood Warblers. After lunch, we returned to the Visitors' Centre where a couple of Bank Voles were underneath the feeders and a Marsh Tit showed well. We continued walking through the woods where at last our searching was rewarded with good sightings of a stunning male Redstart. As we were leaving the woods we spotted another, (or possibly the same), male Redstart and witnessed some avian agro as it chased off a male Pied Flycatcher.

A total of 30 species were noted for the day, not too bad considering the conditions. Just a pity there were no Wood Warblers on the list.

Malcolm

5 Indoor Meeting, 16th March 2017 — David Kjaer: "English Wildlife -Spring and Summer"

Opening with the theme signs of spring, David ranged widely to include amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, all illustrated with photographs of exceptional quality. He began with frogs and toads, emerging early to mate, moving on to species of newt. Next came spring migrant birds such as Wheatears, Blackcaps and Warblers. David also commented on the use of blossoms, catkins and unfurling foliage to enhance photographic composition in spring. We then saw water voles and their predators in close up, distinguishing Stoat from Weasel.

Salisbury Plain, then RSPB Arne were next, both areas rich in wildlife: birds, lizards, slow worms, adders and grass snakes, their markings all seen in detail. Uncommon species included were the Black Adder, Stone Curlew, Grey Partridge and Great Bustard. David then selected Longleat, Langford Lake in Wiltshire, the Somerset Levels and also South Wales to explore the varied birds, wildlife and habitats of these areas. From our own county he included the Bearded Tits of Radipole and the Chalk Hill Blue butterflies. Wiltshire, David's home area, was then chosen for an array of moths, butterflies and dragonflies.

During the presentation, David also commented on the lifespan, breeding and feeding behaviour of many of the species pictured.

So, in conclusion, the excellent photographs of both a range of wildlife and also over 60 species of bird, ensured a fascinating and informative evening for all.

Jan Acres

Following the AGM: Indoor meeting April 20th — The birds of Varanger Fjord Norway

Peter Coe’s talk took us to this remote area of Norway 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The fjord is on a major migration route for thousands of ducks and other species.

There in the Tundra, snow lies until the end of May, so the birds arriving from the south have a short breeding season.

Principally using his 4WD vehicle as a hide, Peter took many superb photographs of birds. Some are familiar in Britain, such as Teal, Goldeneye, Pied Flycatchers, Redwings, Fieldfares; others more rarely seen, such as the Red - necked Phalarope, the stunning Steller’s Eider and the Bluethroat. We saw the Golden Plover in magnificent breeding plumage, as well as Dotterels, Whooper Swans, Snipe and Whimbrel. Pete was able to photograph breeding Capercaillie and Black Grouse, far from Scotland. Also arriving to breed were thousands of Knots, Razorbills, Black Throated Divers, Black Guillemots, Arctic Terns and Skuas.

However, the stars of the show were the male Ruffs, in magnificent breeding plumage, individuals showing colours from a wide spectrum. Quite remarkable! A video showed their energetic displaying behaviour on a communal lek, many males but only one female there. Another excellent video was of a White- tailed Eagle feeding at a seal carcass, on the coast.

Meanwhile further south in pine forest Pete saw Arctic Hare, Red Squirrel, an Elk, plus a possible sighting of a Bear!

Members much enjoyed seeing so many species in a remote area of unpredictable weather. A birdwatcher prepared for such a trip is richly rewarded, and Pete was warmly thanked for the enjoyable evening.

6 MY BIRDING YEAR

The sight, the sound and even the smell of the Gannets, Puffins and Guillemots on Bempton Cliffs in June and July is a great way to start the summer. I have been fortunate to visit several times and it never fails to impress. Take a boat trip from Bridlington along the bottom of the cliffs to really feel yourself among the birds! The end of August /beginning of September the Ospreys can be seen at Arne from the hide on the Raptor trail, stopping for two to three weeks before continuing their journey south. The Turnstones are more numerous again now and can sometimes be heard before they are seen as they turn the pebbles looking for food on the rocks near the Nothe Fort. October and migration is well under way – a visit to Radipole provides all sorts of birds flying overhead, many stopping to feed. There is not much to compare with the sheer numbers of birds visiting over the winter months: a hundred Black Tailed Godwits landing together to feed on the mud at Keyhaven, the Teal and Wigeon at Bowling Green Marsh and Harbour, the Lapwing at Lodmoor, the Brent Geese at Ferrybridge and the Golden Plover at Maiden Castle. The list could go on! The first Swallow or House Martin in March or April is a sure sign of spring. The Swifts (my favourite) arrive a little bit later at the beginning of May. At Portland Bill the Guillemots are back on the ledges preparing to lay their egg on the bare rock. Visit Cogden Beach in early May to spot other migrants including Whimbrel, Wheatear and Whitethroat. The Common Terns are back at Lodmoor and can also be seen fishing in Weymouth Bay. And so the year and cycle begin again with so much to look forward to. The natural world is wonderful and gives us so much pleasure. To quote Simon Barnes from the summer edition of Nature’s Home magazine ‘nature helps us to enjoy life better and to endure it more steadfastly, it also brings us some of the greatest moments of our lives.’

Paula Warren

BEACHED BIRD SURVEY

Over one weekend in February the RSPB carries out an annual Beached Bird Survey, covering as much of the British coastline compatible with the number of available volunteers and obtaining safe access. I was asked to walk the part between the Rodwell Trial north of Smallmouth, along the Portland Harbour edge to the Sailing Academy. You are given a form to record all the dead birds you find, give the species (if you can) and the amount of oiling(if any). You also look for evidence of oil deposits along the way. It was a cold and windy weekend but I found a dry window of weather between heavy showers, the walk is relatively easy and it is very pleasant to see the large numbers of turnstones busy among the pebbles and hear the joyful skylarks in full song. I was happy to report the beach is very clean with no evidence of oil pollution. I reached the last few metres, pleased not to have found a single body but a bit concerned I might have overlooked them. With that thought I spotted a corpse, obviously either Guillemot or Razorbill in very wet, unoiled plumage, but well predated and unfortunately with no head or leg rings. So my form had to say “Auk species”.

It was very satisfying to add my very small piece to the jigsaw of information that builds up a picture of the health of our coastline and especially to see how clean the harbour water is, long may it remain so.

If you would like to take part in the survey I am sure you would be welcomed.

Mary Robins

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OUTDOOR VISIT PROGRAMME 2017 - 2018

Trips start at the advertised time and are all day unless otherwise stated. Please bring refreshments if you re- quire them, and suitable clothing and footwear. Sorry, no dogs please. In the event of adverse weather conditions or forecast please check before setting out that the meeting will go ahead, to avoid unnecessary travel. We aim to advise cancellations on the website http://www.rspb.org.uk/ groups/southdorset. Contact for queries: Mary Robins on 01305 871408

2017

Monday 25 September Keyhaven, near Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire Meet in the lay-by by the sea wall at SZ306917 at 10.00am. Toilets and ample (paid) parking available in public car park nearby (opposite The Gun public house).

Friday 13 October Black Hole Marsh, Seaton, Devon Meet in the car park accessed through the Seaton Cemetery, at 10.00am. SY248914. Toilets available on site. Morning only

Wednesday 22 November Radipole and Lodmoor Meet at car park at Radipole Centre SY676795 at 10.00am for the morning (charges apply) moving on to Lod- moor for the afternoon.

Saturday 9 December Ferrybridge and Portland Meet at the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre car park (charges apply) at 9.30 am SY668755, toilets and refresh- ments available. Exact locations and duration to be decided on the day depending on weather.

2018

Wednesday 31 January Blashford Lakes, Hampshire Meet in Tern Hide Car Park SU151083 at 10.00 am. Donations to Hampshire Wildlife Trust are requested. Toi- lets available in Visitor Centre across the road.

Wednesday 21 February Thorncombe Wood Meet in NT car park at SY726922 at 10.00am. Refreshments and toilets available at Visitor Centre. Morning only.

Thursday 22 March Middlebere and Arne Meet at 10.00am on roadside at end of track leading to NT cottages SY963853, later moving to RSPB Arne (toilets and refreshments available at centre)

Wednesday 25 April Cogden Beach Meet at 10.00am in NT car park for Cogden Beach SY502885 (There is a charge for non NT members). No facilities. For early migrants. Morning only.

Thursday 10 May Somerset Levels - Ham Wall and Greylake Meet at RSPB car park at Ashcott Corner ST449395 at 10.00am. Toilets and teas/coffee available.

Wednesday 23 May Martin Down (near Salisbury) Meet in reserve car park off the A354 at SU037200 at 10.00am. No facilities. To look for migrant birds, flowers and butterflies.

A later trip may be arranged to look for Nightjars and/or Barn Owls; details to follow nearer the time. Leaders for all trips will be either Malcolm Dowty, Don Cotton, Mary Robins or Rob Wilkinson.

INDOOR MEETINGS PROGRAMME FOR 2017/2018

INDOOR MEETINGS ARE HELD AT ST GEORGES HALL, FORDINGTON DT1 1LB Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.45 start. Admission: Group members £3, Visitors £3.50 to include tea/coffee.

2017

21st September Mike Spencer “A Glimpse at the Galapagos” A personal look at one of the top natural World Heritage Sites and Marine Reserves.

19th October Philip Mugridge “Iceland” Land of fire and brilliant birds.

16th November Paul Morton “Birds of charity” Working hard to promote bird conservation, preservation and monitoring in one of the country’s most picturesque locations.

21st December Christmas social evening Please bring a small plate of food to share.

Wildlife Photograph Display – a chance to share your holiday snaps and memories.

At the December Social meeting we plan to display members’ photographs of wildlife subjects and landscape. Please print your entries ( but note - this is not a competition) at maximum size 7in x 5in and hand at the September, October or November meetings. Please include your name and a note of the subject and location. Entries will be returned after Christmas. Thank you!!

2018

18th January Richard Collier “North Bound” A combination of three trips to the Arctic. Starting in Edinburgh and ending in Greenland via the Orkneys, the Shetlands and Svalbard.

15th February Colin Tracy “The Art of Nature Photography” How to make beautiful and artistic nature photographs from the beauty we see around us in Dorset.

15th March Alan & Karen Hocking “5 513 metres to 60 metres” From the high Andes to the largest wetlands in the world.

19th April AGM followed by Members’ Evening To include members own short talks.

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A Nightjar Walk

Two of us set off at 10.00 p.m. one evening in June, in search of Nightjars below the Hardy Monument outside Dorchester. After quite a long wait on the track, twilight deepening, there was action: four birds flew out of the scrub below the pine trees. Two circled us overhead, another perched on a fence post, giving a good silhouette of its elongated shape, and the fourth flew into a nearby tree. Then all flew off uphill into the open scrub. After about ten minutes, our patience was rewarded by a long churrrrring, unmistakeable. We left them to feed on moths, marvel- ling at their navigational skills in arriving here from Africa.

Jan

News from Radipole Lake (July)

This year has seen some successes: two Marsh Harrier nests at Radipole Lake reserve, and two also at Lodmoor. The Common Terns at Lodmoor are also doing well, and are patrolled morning and evening by volunteers. On Chesil Beach the Little Terns are also successfully breeding this year. The Discovery Centre is busy, pond dipping in full swing, and visitors are able to enjoy the replaced North Hide overlooking the lake and the scrape. At the north end of the reserve, ten species of butterfly have been seen.

The Incident of the Mole — Health and Safety Warning

This year I have been giving Nature a Home on my allotment: apart from bee-friendly flowers, a mole (or two?) have been busy tunnelling beneath my beetroot, peas and chard. During the dry spell, my heavy watering (I assume) drove one out of its tunnel on to the surface. Being a curious type, I picked it up for a closer look: Big Mistake! A very painful bite to the bone of my finger was my reward. “Didn’t you know moles are vicious?” said an unsympathetic friend. Well, I do now. Jan

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COMMITTEE

Membership Secretary and Treasurer John York, 28 Verlands Road, Preston, DT3 6BY Tel: 01305 832686

Press and Publicity Sue Hampson, 22 Vespasian Way, Dorchester,DT1 2RD Tel 01305 265882

Indoor Meetings Jane Huff 27 South Court Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2BY

Paula Warren, 10 Airfield Close, Crossways, Dorset, DT2 8TN

Field Trip Contact Mary Robins, 8, New Road, Portesham, Weymouth, DT3 4HD Tel: 01305 871408

Technical matters Kelvin Huff 27 South Court Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2BY

Events Co-ordinator Sue Gannaway, 51 Coburg Road, Dorchester, DT1 2HN Tel: 01305 263273

Newsletter Editor Jan Acres, 9 Woodville Court, Poundbury, DT1 3TJ Tel: 01305 257014

Public contact Nick Tomlinson, Tel: 01305 773502

Newsletter compiler Chris Wyeth (not on committee)

11 SOME OF THE BIRDS SEEN ON PORTLAND

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