Wader Quest the Newsletter CONSERVATION
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Volume 4 Issue 2 SUPPORTING July 2017 SHOREBIRD Wader Quest the newsletter CONSERVATION Forthcoming talks: Wader Quest Talking about waders — Rick simpson unless otherwise stated. 05/09/2017 East Lancashire Ornithologists’ Club. 30/10/2017 Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society 05/12/2017 Wigan RSPB local group. (Subject TBA) 11/01/2018 North Bucks local group (Confessions of Bird Guide) 08/02/2018 Wokingham RSPB local group. 16/02/2018 Marylebone Two-banded Plover Charadrius falklandicus — Elis Simpson Birdwatching Society. I have a conviction that our people feel uncomfortable and On another occasion, also in the 01/03/2018 Solihull RSPB local mission is of vital importance to get turned off, but temper that Midlands, one group group. the waders of this world and that with a little mirth and some spontaneously conducted a vote 08/03/2018 Stourbridge RSPB local it is crucial to communicate the wonderful photos and the there and then on joining as Club group. issues surrounding waders and balance works, or at least we Sponsors, which they their conservation to as many hope it does. But you see that is unanimously were in favour of, a 14/03/2018 Watford RSPB local individuals as possible. The more the rub. What works for one humbling experience. group (Confessions of a Bird Guide) people that know about the group may not work for another. We have, since we 05/04/2018 Sheffield RSPB local subject, the greater the number Audiences can surprise started giving talks, spoken to group. of people there are who will you. Sometimes it is hard to raise 2,932 people (yes we count potentially care and the greater a laugh, the group just isn’t on them) and in doing so raised 10/04/2018 Reading RSPB local that number, the more influence your wavelength and you feel £2,208.20 through donations and group. we will collectively be able to that the evening is going to sales, We have also achieved 46 08/05/2018 Lichfield RSPB local exert on decision makers. bomb, but, at the end of the talk sign ups of Friends or Sponsors of group. Apathy, lack of understanding people flock to the table to sign Wader Quest, so we must be and the misconception that we up, make donations and buy doing something right; 06/06/2018 Northamptonshire Bird Club (Plover Lover’s World of can’t change things are the arch merchandising. On other particularly as we often get Delights) enemies of conservation. occasions the talk is received like invited back to talk again! Some of you may be a riotous romp and yet at the end Whatever the outcome, relaxed about, and well-versed the people file out of the door we are always met with warm in, the gentle art of giving talks to with nary a glance backwards in friendship and are really pleased groups, clubs and societies. our direction. You just can’t call when people want to tell us their Inside this issue: Others may tremble at the very it. wader stories and share their thought of standing in front of a Sometimes completely experiences. We never fail to be Talking about waders 1 room full of people, finding the unexpected things happen, for impressed by the number of Wader Quest news 2-3 Technology coming to the aid of whole idea simply terrifying. For instance the leader of a group in genuinely lovely, caring people Spoonie: finding the unknown 4-7 my part I have to say that I look the Midlands, at the end of the there are out there and wonder Latest news from the Russian forward to each and every time I talk suggested a plate should be why it is together we are unable Spoonie headstarting team 7 have the privilege to do so with placed at the exit for donations to exert a greater influence on Breeding waders in Milton Keynes; both excitement and neatly earning Wader Quest an decision makers than those set 2017 8 anticipation. extra eighty odd pounds that it on destruction for their own, Featured wader photo– Black-winged Maybe it is because I am would not have done otherwise. short term, selfish, gain. Lapwing; Melissa Groo 9 an abject show off, desperate to Wader migration through Eilat, Israel 10-11 re-live my pantomime dame Death traps in the Dutch Polders 12-13 years or maybe (and I prefer this Waders in art —Nik Borrow 14-16 explanation) it is because I feel so A visit to the Wirral and Hilbre Island passionately about what we do 16– 19 at Wader Quest. Whatever the Colour ringed Black-tailed Godwits on reason, talking to an audience is the Wirral 20-21 always an important opportunity AWSG Eurasian Whimbrel satellite for us to promote waders and transmitter project; a summary of the northward journey 22-24 their conservation. Delaware Bay; New Jersey 24-26 Elis and I try to make the Wader photo gallery 27 talks we give entertaining. Too Contact details and sponsors 28 much gloom and doom and © Wader Quest 2017. All rights reserved. Page 2 Wader Quest the newsletter Wader Quest news Wader Festivals Wader Quest Trustee, Penny Insole plus Phil so we hope to find out more about what and Gail Pickett, long time supporters of progress has been made with this ambitious This year there will be three wader festivals Wader Quest. project. in the UK, something that we are very proud Jenny Gill will be on hand to tell us of since the very first was initiated after a WIRRAL WADER FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES all about Black-tailed Godwits, another discussion in the Wader Quest office (our species that WWT have been assisting with a living room) wondering why there were no High Tide Wader Watches headstarting project for the UK breeding UK festivals to celebrate our waders as there Hoylake and Red Rocks/West Kiby population this year. are in North America, where shorebird Saturday 12:30—3:00pm In addition we will be giving two festivals are quite common. talks; An Inspiration of Waders and A Deceit Sunday 1:00 –3:30pm of Lapwings . Wirral Wader Festival Live Wader Roost webcam at Wirral Sailing 8th-10th September Centre car park both days SEVERN WADER FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES Guided wildlife Walks The original UK wader festival, excellently High Tide Safari starting 3:00 Saturday or 3:30 Sunday from run by a fantastic team of local people who Saturday 10:30am — Sunday 11:00 am Wirral Sailing Centre car park CH48 0QG took the idea on board and made it their Fee £5.00 own. The tireless work of a small group of Saturday Sunset Walk to Hilbre Island people has resulted in two successful Bird Watching Morning - Wader Special 5:30-8:00 booking essential £3.00 fee festivals already and we a very happy that Saturday, 7:30am - 10am plans for the third year is well under way. [email protected] for details Sunday, 8am – 10:30am Sunday family activities Includes birding and breakfast £15.95 Red rocks reserve 1:00—4:00 Meet the Experts—talks Saturday Severn Wader Festival 2.00pm – An Inspiration of Waders 9th-10th September with Wader Quest 3.00pm – Black-tailed Godwits This year, for the first time, Wader Quest will with Jenny Gill be joining forces with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, to bring you the Severn Sunday Wader Festival which will take place at the 2.00pm – A Deceit of Lapwings WWT wetland reserve in Slimbridge, Glouestershire. with Wader Quest 3.00pm – Spoon-billed Sandpipers with WWT Walney Wader Festival 21st– 22nd October This year the event will start with a Taking place for its second year, the Walney bang on the Friday night with a celebrity talk Wader Festival will be held at the South given by TV presenter and environmentalist Walney Cumbria Wildlife Trust reserve. Iolo Williams who we’re sure you will be There will be wader walks and talks from familiar with from his appearances on Spring Wader Quest, Cumbria Wlidlife Trust and the and Autumn Watch. He will be giving a talk RSPB. Details to be announced. about the Wildlife of the Welsh Coast at 7:30pm on the 8th at Heswall Hall on the Wirral. It will be a ticket only event so do make sure you book in advance. Tickets are available online at CWT and a small number of tickets will also be available locally at Heswall Hall, Gould’s and Lingham’s, well known local vendors of tickets. This year the weekend will be concentrating more on the birding venues with no activities at Thurstaston. However Slimbridge is the home of the we will have Wader Quest personnel at Spoon-billed Sandpiper captive breeding Hoylake and RedRocks helping people to find programme which is where Wader Quest and identify waders with Andrew Whitelee a started out, raising funds for the programme, © Wader Quest 2017. All rights reserved. Volume 4 Issue 2 Page 3 Wader Quest news — cont’d Help us decide? Are you a bird pin badge collector? Do you have the full set of twelve pins from the Wader Quest Collectables range? If not see all our products in the Wader Quest website shop. There are so many wonderful waders to choose from that we cannot decide which pair of species we should produce next, so we are asking for suggestions from you as to which we should do. If there is any species you’d particularly like to see send us an email [email protected] with your idea and we’ll see which are the most Wader Quest Collectable pin badges number 1—4, there are 8 others in the collection popular suggestions.