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CHELMSFORD & CENTRAL

GROUP NEWS

Autumn 2013 The RSPB is a registered charity in England & Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654

A Message From Viv Connett

On the resignation in April of our former Group Leader, Viv Connett kindly stepped in to assume the role of contact point with RSPB HQ. Without someone fulfilling this function the group is not allowed to continue so Viv is carrying out an essential RSPB CHRISTMAS GOODS function. Below is a message from Viv. Many of you are probably already thinking about your Christmas gift lists (and for We are now into autumn when migration ’t, it’s time to get your those who aren should be in full swing. heads out of the sand! Christmas will be Tim and I have various walks arranged for here before you know it). the rest of the year which (we hope!) will Jean Wilcox runs a great service where enable us to see some good migrants, as she will order your RSPB goods for you long as we get some easterly winds which and will even deliver them to your door at have been very much lacking in the last a date and time most suitable for you. few autumns. This will save you the cost of postage and However, we can only run these walks as make your purchases even better value. – long as there is a Local Group under The service is open to all members, their whose auspices we can run them. As the friends and families, neighbours, work Group has no official leader its future will colleagues. Payment can be made on be in doubt unless some kind soul comes delivery by cash or cheque. forward to take the post. I am acting as To use the service, choose your items the point of contact but as I work full time from the RSPB printed catalogue or sales and have a couple of other volunteering ’t fulfil the Leader role website (www.shopping.rspb.org.uk), note commitments I can the item number, description and price, on the basis it deserves. and call Jean on 01245 262452. Jean will Fortunately we have a very willing and contact you when your order is in to able committee who do most things to ’s satisfaction. arrange delivery. everyone

Is there anyone out there who might like to adopt the role of Group Leader? Best CALLING ALL FACEBOOK FANS suit someone who has recently stopped Our Local Group Facebook page can working or who just has some time on their be found at hands and would like to take on a www.facebook.com/rspbchelmsford worthwhile cause. centralessexgroup In the interim why not come and join us (no spaces) on a walk? Check the website for dates Alex Hickman looks after our and times and we look forward to seeing Facebook page and she would love you. you to have a look and give it a “like”. Alex posts all the news on here so you Viv Connett can keep up with what is going on, and even add your own news and views.

1 ’t do OUR LOCAL GROUP WALKS island in front of the hides but didn In August around a dozen of us met on much except the occasional flap! The Saturday evening for our annual trek usual waterfowl was in abundance and around the lovely Old Hall Marshes there was a brief glimpse of a kingfisher. reserve. The weather was kind to us and it was a very pleasant stroll. We had hoped for some returning waders and a good selection was seen, albeit nothing rare. (Ed: Some of what we saw was quite unusual for me, if not for Viv! including spotted redshank and several whimbrels. There was a lengthy discussion amongst some of the group as to whether one bird was a wood sandpiper, but in the end it ’ was decided it probably wasn t. The factors for and against the identification made enlightening listening.) KINGFISHER We then decided to walk round the Scrape to see if we could find any – interesting waders the best we could find was a green sandpiper but all the time the wind was rising and with rain threatened we decided, after walking all round, to retreat to the tearoom for the obligatory cheese scone and cup of tea. 31 birds were seen.

WHIMBREL Viv Connett We were also treated to the sight of two hares chasing each other around a field which kept us entranced for a while. We ONE WILD DAY AT WALLASEA saw 38 birds and heard a tawny owl, a The Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project bearded tit and a water rail (accurately held its fourth annual open day on Sunday “like a stuck pig”!). described as sounding 29 September, and a very breezy day it As well as birds, there was a good was too. Despite the lack of sunshine, the selection of butterflies, moths and event was very successful, attracting around 1,000 visitors, and raising over dragonflies. £1,000. We ventured out of Essex into Suffolk in Along with over 40 RSPB staff September to visit the RSPB flagship and volunteers, two of our members (Jill reserve at Minsmere. We had a nice Jordan and me) represented the group by sunny day albeit a bit windy. Tim and I selling RSPB goods, displaying started early to see what was about, he information and offering a range of went one way and I went another, with a booklets to take away. We shared a plan to photograph bearded tits. This was marquee with partner organisations just about successfully accomplished as including Crossrail, Essex Beekeepers' the wind was getting up and they were Association and Essex Bat Group, and a very flighty! fun time was had by all. We then Event activities included nest box & bug collected the rest home building, storytelling, face painting of the group and (mums & dads took part too!) and wildlife went to Island gardening advice, and there was plenty to Mere hide where eat and drink. A big hit was the Island three Great Safari where 4 wheel drive vehicles took White Egrets had over 200 visitors (7 at a time) on a 30 been in minute tour of the site, including views of residence for a the unloading pontoons and material few days. They conveyor system. Impressed by the were showing vastness of the area, everyone enjoyed beautifully on the the experience.

2 If you missed the event, you'll have another opportunity next year, by which RSPB GOODS time further tremendous progress will have been made. The project is truly CATALOGUE AND ONLINE remarkable. Read more about it on http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/w/ DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR wallaseaisland/ POSTAGE FREE Sue McClellan FOR FULL DETAILS CALL Jewellery benefits RSPB funds JEAN WILCOX A Local Group member kindly donated some gold jewellery which she no longer 01245 262452 wanted. The jewellery was valued by three different jewellers who offered a AND SUPPORT THE good price. We checked back with the GROUP donor who confirmed that even knowing the valuation she wanted to donate the jewellery and the funds it raised to the

RSPB. We are very grateful to this The old Essex name for this bird is member for her contribution to the funds, “Ringdow”, a play on ring dove. An older all of which go to help birds. “Cushat” from the Saxon. name is Have you any unwanted jewellery or other valuables at home which might help raise They have been known to have young all funds for the RSPB? Please contact our the year round, though they usually have Treasurer, Margot Grice, and she will no more than three broods a year. Their discuss with you how best to proceed. nest is a flimsy affair to start with but it gradually gets bigger after each brood.

“ ” Two eggs are laid, with occasionally one TAKE TWO COWS TAFFY! or three. They like to nest in small “The A little while ago I was giving my talk colonies for a little protection, for they are ” to Burnham Secret Lives of Garden Birds heavily predated upon by jays and grey squirrels, who will take both eggs and W.I. and got to the part where I talked “s ”. about wood pigeons, whereupon I gave young quabs my usual poor imitation of its song. You “CO COOO Co coco”. Doves and pigeons belong to the same know how it goes family and both enjoy two special habits. From the back of the hall came the “Take two cows taffy”. This was As you will appreciate all young birds need response ’s mother explained the call a supply of moisture when on the nest. how this lady This is provided usually by being fed on to her. This is an ancient relic from the insects, slugs, snails, worms and the like. days 400 plus years ago when the Welsh Even if the bird is a seed eater for the rest were offensively considered to be a nation of the year, they have to use this means to of thieves! keep their young alive. But not the dove I began to realise what could be done with and pigeon. A large part of their diet “I LOVE you Betty”. this small phrase. consists of green plant material and this “Please DON’T watch TV”, “A SMALL hot they chew in their gullet then mix with ”. cocoa The list is endless. But listen ’ ’t all again to the woodies song, they aren the same. Some end in three short notes not two. They have a deep and very sexy “ ” almost growled at you. COO-KOOOH Young birds are all over the place as they try to learn the calls. I find them very soothing, although I appreciate that they could be very boring if heard at 4.30 on a lovely sunny morning when a chorus of pigeons repeat their calls to each other. Try and convert them into poetic sentences, it could help! WOOD PIGEON 3 “Pigeon’ water to make a soup, known as s They take quite a long time to drink and ”. Milk This they feed to the young. The need to be on the watch for danger all the “ bill in the milk contains 65-81% water, 13-19% time. So it is a question of protein, 7-13% fat and 1.5% ash, also water, head back and swallow, a quick amylase and invertase, and it is rich in look round for danger, bill in the water ” and so on until they have had vitamins A, B and B2. The young are fed again at 1 hour intervals when very young, enough. But not so for the pigeon and reducing to twice a day by each parent by dove. For them it is a question of fly down – 8-10 days old. to the water, a quick slurp like you and I – There are only two other bird families in and away. No fuss, no danger. No the world which do anything like this. The other bird family in the world does this. penguins do a similar thing but with fish, of But that is not all. They can also be seen course, and flamingos use small shrimps. to fly down to the water and land on it, with The second strange habit is the way they wings outstretched, take a quick drink and drink. Drinking is a very dangerous fly away. No trouble at all. “please watch me do it” occupation for birds. The surroundings to And remember . water are naturally exposed, be it a Mike Logan Wood September 2013 stream, a river, pond, lake or just a puddle.

KESTREL NESTING IN THE CHELMSFORD AREA A few years ago I placed around nine kestrel boxes in the Chelmsford area, they include Danbury, Chelmer tow path, the nature reserve Newland Grove, Galleywood near the common, and just recently I have been working with wildlife friendly land owners, one in Stock, and another at Great Sir Hughes. Every box which has been used, was used the first year it was put up. The last few years have – been very good last year six boxes were used, all with a near 100% success. This year was not so good; I think the cold spring had an effect. Nesting was three to four weeks later than last year and a few boxes were not used, even though kestrels were seen in and around them. Also last year, I was getting four or five chicks leaving the nest, this year it was only two or three leaving, and a few boxes had unhatched eggs. I had five boxes used, plus the nest box on Little Baddow church, plus our tame kestrels in the Little Waltham tree. The fact that my nest boxes have been successful could indicate a loss of suitable nest sites. I only know of one nest in a natural site, that is on a ledge above a hole in an old tree on the Little Waltham Meadows nature reserve. This nest is low down, and the young can be seen from the ground, all the dog walkers stand and watch, this pair of kestrels are so tame, they fly in and feed the young while people stand at the tree. There is also a box which is used most years on the tower of Little Baddow church. I am planning more boxes for next year, and would be pleased for any land owner in the Chelmsford area to contact me if they are happy for a box to be put up on their land. Sadly one of my boxes is up at the fields just behind New Hall school, this land is earmarked for 3600 new houses, so in a couple of years this box may be lost. Steve Baines ’ ’ Ed: Aren t Steve s photos of the young kestrels brilliant? But remember that we must be careful not to disturb nesting birds, so we should observe nests and take photos from a distance. 4 ISLES OF SCILLY SEABIRD Alliance RECOVERY PROJECT GETS The project will be managed by a coalition GREEN LIGHT of groups including RSPB, Isles of Scilly A new 25 year partnership project to Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Duchy of provide a safe future for internationally Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly Area of important seabird populations on the Isles Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) of Scilly has been given the green light partnership and a representative from the with major funding from the Heritage islands, with support from the Isles of Lottery Fund (HLF) and the EU LIFE Scilly Bird Group. programme. Paul St Pierre, Conservation Officer, said “As well as seeking to bolster the Protect and restore population of seabirds, we want our The islands are home to 14 breeding project to involve more people in the species and around 20,000 birds, such as celebration, enjoyment and protection of the storm petrel and Manx shearwater. the islands' seabird heritage. We want this project to help these islands make more of their seabird heritage and strengthen its image as a seabird-friendly destination through the use of media and ” the web. More information can be found by clicking on the following link: http://tinyurl.com/IslesofScillyProject

MANX SHEARWATERS Since 1983 these populations have been in decline and one out of four birds lost. The project has several aims, including the protection and restoration of seabird islands, increasing the number of people actively involved in seabird conservation, and enabling the islands to provide better access and enjoyment for people, which gives income to the islanders to help secure the future of these birds. One of the major threats to the seabirds is predation of eggs and chicks by rats. Work over the last 15 years on the STORM PETREL uninhabited islands has left them rat-free but further work is required.

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] Margot Grice Treasurer 01245 248651 [email protected] Janet Hawkes Secretary 01376 512628 [email protected] Louise Fuller Newsletter Editor 01245 421614 [email protected] Gerry Johnson Pin Badge Sales Co- 01245 356633 [email protected] ordinator Sue McClellan Meetings (Talks) 01245 471576 [email protected] Secretary

5 Walk – Sunday 17 EVENTS DIARY Non-members are welcome at all events. RAINHAM MARSHES. 10.00am. Meet in the car park (see RSPB website for directions if necessary). We will Talks are from 8pm-9.45pm with an interval. be taking a leisurely walk around this reserve on the For the rest of 2013 talks will be held at the lookout for whatever it has to offer. If time permits we Cramphorn Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, may take a wander down to the Stone Barges looking CM1 1JG. Parking in Fairfield Road car park (entrance for small waders and rarer gulls. Walking boots and in nearby Coval Lane, £1 charge). Entry £3.50 adults, warm waterproof clothing are recommended. £1 children; 50p reduction for postal group members (one per household). Christmas Fayre – Saturday 30 Walks are all “own car” outings, suitable for all at the Budworth Hall, High Street, Ongar (next door to abilities; help with bird ID will be available. Wear Sainsburys), from 10am to 1pm. This is our main suitable clothing and footwear and bring your own Christmas event with Christmas themed RSPB Sales refreshments. There are no toilet facilities at most of Goods, Plants, Cakes, Bric-a-Brac, Games, Jigsaws, the walk venues. Knitteds, Books, Bird Food, Tombola etc. For further details of all events please see our web site www.rspb.org.uk/groups/chelmsford DECEMBER

Talk – Thursday 12 OCTOBER HOUSE MARTINS COME HOME by Martin Tickler. An Walk – Sunday 20 enthusiastic, self confessed "house martin lunatic", MYSTERY WALK AT 10.00am Martin Tickler will share stories of how he's Call Viv on 07985 796657 the evening before between encouraged house martins to nest at his home over the 6.00pm and 9.00pm for location and directions. last 30 years. Supported with colourful images, he'll explain how he's supplied artificial nests, mud pies and NOVEMBER other paraphernalia to help make these endearing little Autumn/Christmas Fayre – Saturday 9 birds warm and cosy. This looks to be a very inspiring talk, with lots of ideas on how we can adapt our own at The Village Hall, The Green, Writtle (by the pond) properties. 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 & HOUSE MARTIN other wildlife of some of Walk – Saturday 21 India's dramatic jungle . 10.00am. Meet in the car park in habitats. Woodrolfe Road (grid reference TL963 106 on Landranger OS Map 168). 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.

6 2014 walking boots are recommended as the terrain may be From January 2014, talks will be held in the uneven in places and may be wet. Northumberland Theatre, Writtle College, Lordship PLEASE NOTE THAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD THEN THE Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, CM1 3RR. Free parking. WALK MAY BE CANCELLED SO PLEASE CALL VIV ON Entry £2.50 adults, £1 children. No discount for postal 07985 796657 IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS. group members. Map of Writtle College Campus FEBRUARY http://writtle.ac.uk/pdfs/5/Writtle%20College%20Cam Walk – Sunday 9 pus%20Maps.pdf RAINHAM STONE BARGES. 9.30am. Meet in the car By car: the lecture theatre is on the opposite side of park off Coldharbour Lane (RM13 9YB; grid reference the road to the main college entrance. Turn off 518,802 on Landranger OS Map 177). We will be Lordship Road as though you are going to the tea looking for waders, river birds and gulls as well as rooms. With the tea rooms and shop on your left, park various pipits; meadow, rock and water are all a in the car park on the right. The venue is in the far possibility. The walk will be suitable for all ages. The corner. We will have signs out on Lordship Road to walk will mainly be on tarmac so walking boots will help you find your way. probably not be necessary. By bus: take the no. 45 from Chelmsford and ask to get off at Prestons Garage. Walk down Lordship Road past Prestons, keeping it on your right, and past the doctors’ surgery (about five minutes’ walk). Then directions same as above.

JANUARY Talk – Thursday 9 BIRDS OF SPAIN & HUNGARY. Bill Coster returns to share one of his unusual MEADOW PIPIT presentations, with Talk – Thursday 13 amazing bird images RSPB'S HIDDEN SECRETS. We welcome back Peter from some unspoilt Holden, an enthusiastic and acclaimed speaker, who lands. Great & little will tell us about the many forms of birds and other bustards, and wildlife that can be found on and around our reserves. lammergeier of the We'll see a wide range, from rare hoverflies to Pyrenees, are just some magnificent red deer, and from the Angels’ Wings of the highlights of wild fungus to the Scottish primrose. Peter will Spain. In Hungary, we'll demonstrate how some rare species depend on the see coloured rollers and RSPB for their future in the UK. bee eaters as well as a wealth of forest birds including sparrowhawks GOSHAWK and goshawks.

Walk – Sunday 19 WALLASEA ISLAND. 1.30pm. Meet in the car park at the end of Creeksea Ferry Road (grid reference 945,946 on Landranger OS Map 178). We will be looking for waders and raptors with hen harrier, merlin, short- eared owl, peregrine and common buzzard all a possibility. The walk will be suitable for all ages but RED DEER

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