1 Registered Charity No 207076 THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS

BEXLEY LOCAL GROUP RSPB NEWSLETTER No.76 Autumn & Winter 2016

Dear Member, Welcome to this edition of our newsletter. For some of you this will be the first newsletter that you will have received and maybe wondering why you have received it. We at the Local RSPB Group do not have a

separate membership. If you are a member of the RSPB within our catchment area you are automatically a member of our group. What do we do as a group? We hold regular indoor meetings on a range of topics where you can meet other like minded people who may be Don’t forget our annual able to answer any questions you may have or buy your bird food. We hold regular field trips both locally and distant and we also raise money Autumn Fair for the national RSPB. SATURDAY If you read my annual report you will see that last year was our best for many years in so many 19 November 2016 ways; we had our highest average attendances at our indoor meetings for many a year, our Xmas 10am – 1pm raffle brought in the highest income for years, attendances were up at our two fairs, coach trips were full on most occasions and our 200 club At the Freemantle Hall attracted more members than ever. All this High Street, Bexley. meant that we were able to send over £3000 to the RSPB our highest total for quite some time. RSPB Sales Goods – The challenge for the group is to at least equal Xmas Cards, Calendars, Gifts. that or even better it. How can we do it? By supporting our fund raising efforts such as our

Xmas raffle by selling that extra ticket to a Craft Stalls, Plants, friend or neighbour, joining our 200 club, Bird Feeding Supplies, attending our fairs and quiz nights and White Elephant Stall, continuing to support our field trips. In order to have a successful fair we, as always Cakes & Preserves, need donations of books, white elephant goods, Tombola, Refreshments etc. plants and bottles of any description which we can use in our bottle tombola. If you have any Admission….30p items you wish to donate please contact Stuart Banks on 0208 854 7251 who will make arrangements to collect the items near the date Children Free of the fair.

Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the RSPB 2 Registered Charity No 207076

Although I have thanked people in my annual Working Parties report for their help throughout the year I would Our Group has been providing practical assistance like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the North Kent RSPB reserves for many years, once again for all your help. tackling a variety of practical tasks designed to To some people the word volunteering sends a improve habitats for wildlife including birds and cold shiver down their spines but without water voles. volunteers we would not be able to do all the Work at your own pace, no previous experience things we do. Volunteering for us may only be necessary, tools and instruction provided. two days in a year helping to run a stall at our Meet at Northward Hill RSPB Reserve indoor fairs, delivering our newsletter or even Saturday mornings putting the labels on our newsletters. If you 17 Sep. 16 21 Jan. 17 would like to add your name to our list of volunteers please contact Stuart Banks. 15 Oct. 16 18 Feb. 17 Within this newsletter you will see our 19 Nov. 16 18 Mar. 17 forthcoming field trips for 2017. I would suggest For more details call – you book your seats as soon as possible as I Bob Parker on 01322 665849 expect them to sell out quickly. In addition you will see we are planning a long weekend trip to the Devon area following the QUIZ NIGHT success of our two previous long weekends to AT JOHN FISHER CHURCH HALL Yorkshire and North Wales. These long SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER 7:00 – 10:00 weekends sell out very quickly so if you wish to go please get in contact with Stuart Banks soon. TABLES OF SIX at £5 PER PERSON I would like finally to thank the group for re- The bar will be open. Bring your own nibbles.

electing me as your leader at our AGM. Call STUART BANKS on – 0208 8547251

Happy birding

Stuart Banks

15% discount at Cotswold The national chain of stores selling outdoor clothing, footwear and camping equipment are still offering a 15% discount to members of our Group at all their outlets. Our nearest Cotswold store is at Nugent Shopping Park, Cray Avenue, Orpington.

The full 15% discount is only available to Bexley Local Group RSPB members quoting Account number AF-BRSPB-D5. If you say you are an RSPB member you will only receive 10% discount. You may also order by phone (Tel. 01689 885560) or online at www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

We have specimen catalogues for you to browse at indoor meetings. The level of discount offered depends on the amount of sales against our account number during the year, so do consider taking advantage but DO NOT PASS IT ON TO NON BEXLEY MEMBERS.

Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the RSPB 3 Registered Charity No 207076

BEXLEY BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH 2016

The house sparrow seen in 61.5% of gardens has regained top spot in the 2016 league table from the starling seen in 54.5% of gardens. The wood pigeon has retained third spot while the parakeet has disappeared from the top ten altogether. The newcomer to the top ten at number ten is the carrion crow. The goldfinch and long tailed tit which broke into the national top ten with much publicity appeared just outside the Bexley top ten at 11 in 18.9% of gardens and 13 in 15% of gardens respectively. Other interesting records include lesser spotted woodpecker, bullfinch, siskin, redpoll and pheasant. Unfortunately the number of Bexley participants decreased from 1176 last year to 944 in 2016 a considerable drop from 1785 in 2013. We managed to improve our position to fifth among the Boroughs being beaten by Hillingdon (1131), Croydon (1203), Havering (1323) and Bromley with a massive total of 2027. The total of all the London boroughs was 39963. Our neighbouring county of Kent achieved a total of 15259 (not including Medway with 1533) which is the leading county total outside London. John Turner

Rank 2016 In % of gardens Rank 2015 1 House sparrow 61.5 2 2 Starling 54.5 1 3 Woodpigeon 89.8 3 4 Blue tit 71.5 5 5 Feral pigeon 39.0 4 6 Magpie 65.5 7 7 Blackbird 74.3 6 8 Great tit 52.8 10 9 Robin 80.0 9 10 Carrion crow 34.8 ?

CROSSNESS SPRING REPORT

Spring migration got underway at Nature Reserve, with the first swallow and wheatear of the year arriving on 30th March. Sunday 3rd April saw more early migrants. Our first, and earliest, sedge warbler, was captured as part of the Ringing Group’s bird monitoring activities for the national BTO scheme (our earliest ringing record for sedge warbler prior to this was 13 April in 2009). Along with blackcaps, a willow warbler put in an appearance on the same date, singing in the willow tree near the dipping platform in the Protected Area. The last time we had one this early, was five years ago, when a willow warbler was captured at Crossness on the very same day: 3rd April 2011. Skylarks have been doing display flights over the Cory Fields since March and meadow pipits were displaying over the same fields on 3 April. From late April, ringed plover were nesting on Cory Field North. Little ringed plover were frequently seen on the West Paddock at the start of spring, pheasants were pairing up early and the ‘odd couple’ (Canada goose and greylag goose) claimed their nesting spot on the wader scrape island. House martins were recorded over Crossness Sewage Treatment Works on 6 April and swifts returned at the end of the month. A female ring ouzel and a redstart were recorded on Island Field on 10 April. Other recent appearances at Crossness include some enhancements. We now have an artificial kingfisher bank, a new elevated wildlife viewing screen which overlooks the reed beds in the Protected Area and sand martin nesting barrels on both the nature reserve and Crossness Southern Marsh. Karen Sutton

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 4 Registered Charity No 207076

HALL PLACE AND ROUGH

HALL PLACE is a Grade I listed Tudor mansion, built for a former Lord Mayor of London, Sir John Champneys, in 1537 using second- hand stone probably from dissolved monastic buildings. It was extended in 1653 by Sir Robert Austin using red bricks creating a central courtyard. The barn was built to store grain and flour from Hall Place Mill. In June 2005 Bexley Heritage Trust received a £2 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop and improve the site for the benefit of visitors. This grant enabled the construction of the Riverside Cafe alongside the River Cray, and a new visitor centre. Attached to the visitor centre is the Stables Gallery, another building funded by the grant, which displays works by local artists. Hall Place also has 65 hectares of landscaped gardens and grounds including a topiary lawn, herb garden, tropical garden and long herbaceous cottage garden-styled borders. The Queen's Beasts topiary display was planted in1953 to commemorate the Queen’s coronation. The former walled garden includes a tropical butterfly house, a garden centre, a display of owls at week-ends and a large vegetable garden. Model gardens have been created to show visitors how to make use of space in small urban gardens. An observation hide has been created overlooking the river. Specimen trees in the grounds include an Indian bean tree (Catalpa bignonioides), a redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), and a black poplar (Populus nigra) - planted to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 by the local Mayor and the Deputy Lieutenant Of Bexley. The grounds on the far side of the River Cray are mostly mown grass with mature trees and areas of bushes as well as a rockery, an orchard and an overflow drainage channel for flood water from the River Cray. The river flows through the grounds of Hall Place into the council owned playing fields where large gatherings of gulls may be seen in winter and finally forms the northern boundary of Crayford Rough before flowing through the centre of Crayford. The banks of the river support mature alder trees in the grounds of Hall Place between the bridges where the bird hide may be found. There are feeders sited here where nuthatch, dunnock, tits and finches feed regularly and moorhens scavenge on the ground.

CRAYFORD ROUGH is a 4.2 hectares area of land which is species rich grassland with native hawthorn scrub and some mature trees. It is suitable for insects, butterflies and birds. Crayford Rough links Hall Place, Crayford Town Centre and Crayford railway station for pedestrians. There is a proposal to build on part of this area which would decimate the orchids which grow there.

BIRDS seen in the area include mistle thrush, woodpeckers, goldfinch, chaffinch, three species of tits, grey wagtail, kingfisher and in winter water rail, siskins in the alders, redwing and fieldfare and black- headed , common and herring gulls on the playing fields. Among the mallard, greylag and Canada geese which are fed by the river next to the visitor centre there have been visits from a stray mandarin duck and a barnacle goose. In summer migrants such as willow warbler, blackcap and chiff-chaff have been seen on Crayford Rough.

Hall Place is located just off the A2 at the foot of Gravel Hill 5 miles from Junction two of the M25. It is just a fifteen minute walk from Bexley Rail Station and is well served by local bus routes which include 229, 492, B12 and 132 to the foot of Gravel Hill. There is parking on site and superb facilities. For Crayford Rough the nearest station is Crayford Station, Lower Station Road, Crayford, DA1 3PY, and the site is on bus routes 96, 428 and 492. Car parking can be found nearby in a supermarket car park for two hours or in Hall Place so that a combined walk covering both areas can be achieved.

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 5 Registered Charity No 207076

COACH TRIP REPORTS

NWT Welney Wetland Centre - 24 January 2016

Scanning the pool behind the Visitor Centre onto Lady Fen gave us the first close views of noisy whooper swan families. They are the larger of the yellow billed swan with a greater area of yellow on their bills and longer necks than the Bewick’s swan. The warden pointed out a large 1300 + group of Bewick’s swans feeding in the far distance on Lady Fen. This was where later in the day we had very close views of a hunting short eared owl. Several hares were seen here, with their black ears, feeding on the long tussocky grass of Lady Fen. A couple of shelduck were on the water with lapwing and golden plover roosting on the mud. A couple of stock dove and several pied wagtails were also seen. Below the feeders there was a water rail. Also on the feeders were tree and house sparrows plus goldfinches and reed buntings. A fieldfare flew over and a couple of collared dove were on the telephone wires. Members of the group took advantage of the jewels of the restaurant from full English breakfast to coffee and cakes. Viewing from the balcony gave us good views of the feeders and Lady Fen. Going over the bridge took us to the main congregations of wildfowl. The main heated observatory and side hides gave us very close views again of whooper swans. Large numbers of sleeping pochard together with large groups of wigeon were supplemented with smaller numbers of pintail, tufted duck, gadwall, teal and shoveler. From this and the next hide various groups of waders were seen. This included a tight knit flock of 150+ flying dunlin. On the ground were also large mixed flocks of lapwing and golden plover. Throughout the day large v-shaped flocks of golden plover were seen alongside and separate from the floppy groups of flying lapwing. Smaller groups of black tailed godwits with their long bills were roosting on the muddy areas. In flight you could see their white wing bars. Scattered around the various muddy areas were good numbers of redshank plus one or two ruff. From one of the other hides I managed to see a close knit flying flock of eight ruff. Birds of prey were also present today. The first was a low flying sparrow hawk which flew low across the windows of the Main Observatory. Several marsh harriers were in flight during the day. One or two kestrels were seen as well. Lastly a buzzard was conveniently perched on a post visible from the Friends Hide. It was from this hide that some saw a stonechat as well. Also from this last hide we were able to compare whooper and Bewick’s swans side by side. The differences of size, structure and amount of yellow/black in their bills was clearly seen. During the day mute swan, grey heron and a few little egrets were seen and from the Nelson-Lyle hide a couple of female goldeneye were seen diving. The end of the day saw some of the group watching the swan feed from the main observatory with a running commentary. I spent the rest of the afternoon viewing over the Lady Fen with really good views of a hunting short eared owl which was swooping into the grass for small mammals. Lastly a single pink foot goose flew to join the whooper swans on the water. A total of 66 species were seen today with the highlights being the side by side views of Bewick’s and whooper swans, the hunting short eared owl, the large numbers of different duck species and the wide range of waders and birds of prey. Together with the excellent visitor facilities and the ease of the coach journey the day was entirely satisfactory for the group. Leader George Kalli

Pulborough Brooks RSPB Reserve - 14 February 2016

A stunning buzzard perching on a post met us as the coach entered the reserve car park. It swept across the front of Len’s coach and was yet again another near miss!! The visitor centre opened as we embarked. Most of the group were entertained by the birds on the feeders at the front of the centre. Birds included coal tit, nuthatch, blue and great tit and greenfinch. With blue skies, light cloud and sunshine I scanned the flooded fields at the back of the centre to find a good variety of duck. Splendid male pintail were together with shoveler, wigeon , a few shelduck, teal, gadwall and tufted duck. A close mistle thrush on the ground showed off the large spots on its chest and eight or nine linnets in winter plumage perched on the ground feeding and eventually flew to the near fence. A skylark could be seen up high singing.

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 6 Registered Charity No 207076

Walking past the hedgerows we started the descent down the paths to the Brooks. A couple of song thrush could be heard singing and also the “yaffle” of a green woodpecker. A nuthatch was heard calling and eventually good views were had of it high in a tree. We passed Fattengate’s Courtyard, where in spring excellent views of singing nightingales can be gained, on our way to the path down to the hides and viewpoints. In the fields on the right I found one redwing perching deep inside a hedge. Through the scope its white eye stripe and smudge of red under its wing could be seen. However a few minutes later a large flock of 15+ were clearly seen on the ground and in flight. Their “sip sip” calls were also heard. A really good bird to see! The descent continued downwards with some of the group adding a treecreeper and long tailed tits. Jupp’s View gave us more of the same duck species with large numbers of lapwing mixed in. From Netley’s Hide a couple of black tailed godwits were seen. Gull species included common and lesser black backed gull. An early lunch was taken by all. A very distant short-eared owl flew around and also perched on a post twisting its head nearly full circle. A few people saw a marsh harrier as well. Eventually three well hidden snipe were found amongst some brown wet reeds. The next stop was through the woodland to the Hanger View. More of the same were seen and because of the sharp wind we moved on quickly. Little Hanger hide was fairly quiet. The walk along the Wetland Trail gave ample opportunities for the photographers of excellent close views of a very obliging goldcrest. It kept everyone happy for a good twenty five minutes always being very close. The Winpenny Hide was quiet as well. From here in a distant bare row of trees I managed to scope an immaculate male red chested bullfinch with a female, as always, nearby. Moving closer everyone had excellent views of two male bullfinches and a female. This could be classed as one of the birds of the day. Eventually we pulled ourselves away. West Mead Hide was also quiet. On the climb up the hill back to the centre we heard a greater spotted woodpecker. A few of us went up onto the Heathland but only managed more close views of a goldcrest. Very welcome refreshments were taken in the café. Sixty three species were seen. The atypical birds of the differing habitats were all seen today. For me and most people the large groups of active redwing, the short-eared owl in flight, the close goldcrest and the stunning bright red bullfinch were the highlights today. Pulborough delivered! Leader George Kalli

Minsmere RSPB Reserve - 15 May 2016

As a group we have been visiting the Minsmere reserve for many years and over time we have seen changes, most obviously to the visitor facilities, the café, toilets and hides which are now top-notch. More subtle will be the changes to the birds and the habitat, possibly more chance of buzzard or Cetti’s warbler but less of redstart or spotted flycatcher? Another change that I think may not always be considered would be in our expectations as we become more experienced and knowledgeable. According to the list circulated on the return journey the total species for the day was 99, recorded at various points between Dunwich Heath (Dartford warbler) and Sizewell Power Station (black redstart), while my list was only 56. So was I disappointed? At one time I may have been but not now because for me it isn’t all about ticks or numbers, and there were some birds that made the day special. There were kittiwakes collecting nest material to use off the reserve, the little terns (that I missed at Rye Harbour in April), some very handsome grey plovers in summer plumage, and the hobby that whizzed past the Bittern Hide twice quite close, just moments before I headed back for my last coffee of the day. Also if I have a little group with me I always try to make sure that all get good views of the more “common” birds, including things like reed bunting, reed warbler and sedge warbler and on this day I think all did have that opportunity. When it came to Dartford warbler (always a challenge!) some missed out, but I think we all need something to look forward to. Perhaps on our next Suffolk visit. Leader Tony Banks

Bexley Local RSPB Trip to North Wales – 21 to 24 May 2016

Day One – Draycote Water. The trip to North Wales had been eagerly awaited since the completion of the group trip to Yorkshire in June of 2015. As with the previous year we started out in dry conditions with occasional showers as we drove northwards to our first venue. This is a reservoir managed by Severn Trent Water and has a circular walk of about five miles. On our arrival the first birds seen were three swifts but this did not prepare us for the sight to come. The reservoir came into view and as we moved from the car park, we saw hundreds and hundreds of swifts, house martins, sand martins and swallows flying

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 7 Registered Charity No 207076 around the reservoir feeding on the many insects. In addition there were at least 200 plus great crested grebes with over 50 counted in a single group from the Lookout Hide. The group went their differing ways, some to make the complete circular walk, others to stretch their legs part of the way in order to return for lunch in the restaurant and go out again along the reservoir towards the bird hide. Although it is a reservoir it is surrounded by woodland which gave us good sightings of many woodland birds. In all fifty five species were seen here. We left Draycote Water at three p.m. for the two and a half hour drive to our base which was to be in Ellesmere Port.

Day Two - South Stack and Conwy. We left on Sunday morning in promising sunshine but this proved to be a false dawn, for as we reached the Conwy area the skies emptied and it looked like we were going to have a soaking. However as we started to approach the Isle of Anglesey to visit RSPB South Stack the skies started to brighten and by the time we reached our venue the sun was beginning to shine. By the afternoon shirt sleeves were the order of the day. On reaching RSPB South Stack, a new reserve for the majority of people, some lucky person managed to spot a puffin on the water but it soon disappeared and was not seen again. The cliff top walk gave spectacular views of the cliff faces packed with razorbills, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes whilst many other birds were seen on the heathland. It was whilst we were walking along the cliff top that the target bird for the reserve, a chough, came into view. Some people were very fortunate to have the bird so close they had to move backwards so they could get their cameras to focus on it. Some of our party made the 400 step descent to the lighthouse where they managed to see porpoises. We left at 1.30 for the hour’s drive to RSPB Conwy, another first for many of the group. After the rain at Conwy in the morning it was great to find that when we arrived it was bathed in glorious sunshine. RSPB Conwy has about a two mile walk around the reserve and is great for seeing the wildlife of the estuary and saltmarsh especially at high tide. Unfortunately we visited at low tide!! However despite this we were still able to see quite a number of birds especially the willow warbler. A total of 70 birds were seen at the two venues.

Day Three - Lake Vyrnwy. We arrived after a two hour drive and the views that greeted us were breath-taking. The pictures you may have seen in books do not do them justice. We were met by one of the RSPB staff who gave us a brief history of the reservoir and of the birds we might encounter. There are five different walks and I think all bar one were covered by members of the group. Some of the walks included steep gradients and descents but for those who couldn’t manage the walks there was the Capel Hide where you sat with feeders just inches away from the glass and it was not unusual to have twelve siskins on the feeders at one time. You could also get close up views of coal tits, redpoll, chaffinch, great spotted woodpecker, greenfinch and nuthatch. Those people who had managed to do the walks had seen dipper, pied and spotted flycatcher, redstart, willow warbler and a pair of obliging goldcrest. In all 51 species of bird were seen by the group. The drive back was made interesting for our resident train guru as we were overtaken by a lorry which was carrying a small steam train called VELINHELI. Len our driver tried to overtake the lorry as we were going up a hill so that our train guru could get a better look but thought he had better pull in behind it as there was a tailback gathering behind us.

Day Four - Carsington Water. We arrived with hopes that we might see the great northern diver which had been around for several weeks only to find that he had last been sighted on the previous Saturday. Carsington Water is another reservoir managed by Severn Trent Water and has an eight mile walk around its perimeter but after three days of walking and bird watching no-one made the effort to walk around the whole reservoir. People were content to walk to the nearest hides and back to the visitors centre and walk around Stones Island. In all 46 species of birds were seen. Everyone agreed all the venues we visited were excellent and the weather gods had been extremely kind to us especially in view of the weather forecast prior to leaving. In total 100 species of birds were seen and the most common words at the end were let’s do it again next year!!

Stuart Banks

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 8 Registered Charity No 207076

NEWS FROM DUNGENESS MAY - JUNE Work Programme Our spring and summer work programme will carry out a range of infrastructure repairs and installations. The past months have been filled with early mornings surveying our breeding birds, bitterns and wetland birds. We have lapwing and redshank chicks in the fields we have carefully looked after over the winter. Two booming bitterns have been counted which we hope will lead to successful nests. We also have two marsh harrier nests on the reserve. Our nest boxes are brimming with tree sparrows and the one in the wildlife garden by the visitor centre has been taken up by great tits. We have been grazing and managing our wildflower meadows to enhance the area for bees and other insects. We have put out our floating tern rafts onto Burrowes Pit and Denge Marsh. Because of the loss of the seabird islands at Dungeness we have to provide nesting areas for common terns. These islands are kept covered over the winter to prevent gulls using them and nesting on them and we bring them out when the terns arrive back at Dungeness for the breeding season. We have already seen evidence of terns using them so we hope to see tern chicks sheltering on them. We have been doing work to improve the infrastructure of the reserve as well as making it look its best. We have constructed a new fence in Kenny’s One field, in the centre of the reserve. The new fence enables us to graze this field and we currently have a flock of sheep and lambs in there. We have also welcomed back our herd of cattle on to the reserve, along with several calves. We use rotational grazing to ensure that we provide bumblebee forage throughout the summer, so have been moving the herd regularly. We have recently released short-haired bumblebees on to the reserve for the fifth year in a row. These queen bees are collected in Sweden and, after undergoing a health screening, are released at Dungeness in the hope of re-establishing a breeding population here. These bees were extinct in the UK so we are hoping that by providing lots of wildflower forage for them, we can re-establish them as a breeding species. We have come to the end of our great crested newt surveys and we will now analyse the results to see how the population is changing over time. We have now started our three-yearly medicinal leech surveys in order to assess the population at Dungeness. The leeches are sensitive to movement in the water so are attracted to splashing in the shallow margins of ponds. Once caught, we measure their mouth parts to give us an idea of the age of each leech. We will be surveying all of the Dungeness water bodies over the summer. We have been thinning out the marsh mallow seedlings that we are growing in our greenhouses. This allows more room for the stronger plants to flourish and grow big enough for us to plant them outside. These perennials are the only larval food plant of the marsh mallow moth which is a priority BAP species in the UK. They are only found on a few sites in Kent and East Sussex and we hope that developing a good population of the plant at Dungeness will allow the moth to breed here in the future. Wildlife Highlights Cuckoos have been a regular sound and sight around the reserve. Wheatear and sedge warblers have been seen singing regularly. Swallows and swifts fill the skies and we had 22 hobbies spotted in one day! Many wading birds have been seen with Denge Marsh being a particular hotspot for whimbrel, greenshank, redshank, avocets and ruffs. Bar and black-tailed godwits have been seen from the visitor centre as have common sandpipers, ringed and grey plovers. Recent highlights include a night heron, glaucous gull and spotted redshank. A cattle egret was also seen on the reserve. Many beautiful moth species have arrived. These include the eyed hawk moth, cream spot tiger moth, large yellow underwing and elephant hawk moth. The wildflowers are in their prime with the star plant at the moment being the Nottingham catchfly. These are white, night scented flowers that grow along the shingle around the reserve and have a beautiful perfume in the evenings. They are the perfect food plant for white spot and tawny shears moths . The wildlife garden is a haven for smooth and great crested newts at the moment, and the discovery area is now fully open and teeming with invertebrates and reptiles such as grass snakes and common lizards. Louise Kelly

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 9 Registered Charity No 207076

NEWS FROM THE NORTH KENT RESERVES

Northward Hill & Cliffe Pools The latest surveys for Northward Hill included 31pairs of lapwing – which is our best ever, 35 pairs of redshank, 22 pairs of nightingale and 183 pairs of heron. One turtle dove was seen just down the track from the Northward Hill office in mid - May. At Cliffe Pools the lapwing numbers are up too with 31 pairs recorded recently, along with 34 pairs of redshank. The reserve is looking great and turtle doves have also been spotted here. The oak trees planted in memory of Michael and Carole Winship at Northward Hill have grown considerably in the last few years and the Bexley group ordered a sign labelled ‘Winship Oaks’ which we have erected at the foot of the hill together with the memorial seat. Marie Calvert Blean Woods When the dust settled from this winter’s chain sawing there was still an enormous amount of logs, brash and general chaos left to tidy up. As a result, the first few weeks of March were very busy with the usual log piling and brash clearance. The results are there to see, with shoots on the coppice stools and the ground flora showing the benefits of the warmth and light penetrating the soils. We recently recruited two new Konik ponies! They will live alongside our existing pair to help them munch down on all of the young birch growth invading the heath. These handsome animals act like our own (peaceful) chainsaws by keeping the heath in check and preventing eventual succession into woodland. In the first few weeks we will be keeping a particularly close eye on our new residents to check that they are settling in. Ready for the arrival of our new ponies, the volunteers had done a great job at replacing the corral. It was looking a bit wobbly but is now fantastically solid and is a great example of what we can do with our own timber supplies on the reserve. There is due to be further work on the corral, as we look to design a crush. The ponies are friendly but not quite tame enough to comply with our vet on their annual check up. The crush will help to control the ponies and it means we won’t have to pay for the extra costs of sedation through dart gun every time we need to trim their hooves! We have been surveying our woodland coppice plots for tree ages and species. It took weeks of map reading and measuring distance using metre wheels to cover all 300 half-hectare plots. This information will play an enormous role in setting up the Blean Woods’ coppice plan for the next 18 years, ensuring the more mature areas of coppice, of higher timber value are targeted first and giving younger growth a chance to develop. Our coppicing at Blean Woods is done on rotation to ensure a mosaic of habitats is maintained, with a range of growth stages present throughout the woods. Most coppice plots are done near the extensive path and ride network to provide networks of open space for butterflies, bumblebees and dragonflies. Coppicing really does benefit our woodland wildlife enormously (as you can tell when you walk around the woods and hear so many nightingales) but the majority of Blean is left untouched for high forest specialists, such as our lesser spotted woodpeckers! A project has led to some smart new signs dotted around the reserve. These signs give visitors information on key species and the type of management work carried out throughout the woods. They have been located in some of the busiest areas, where plenty of visitors will be able to read them and begin to get a better understanding of our habitat management. They are designed in such a way that we can easily change and update the information to keep things fresh. In the spring we set our alarm clocks early to achieve our woodland point counts whilst Michael Walter has continued his traditional and enormously valuable variety of woodland surveys. Results and maps are still to be fully analysed. However, we do already know that it has been a good year for nightingale so far, with 49 singing males on site, more than any year since 1990. Territory mapping of nightingale show they do completely rely on the coppice plots cut over the last decade.

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 10 Registered Charity No 207076

In May, Nick, Michael Walter and I went on our first nightjar survey of the season and we are pleased to announce there was one heard! It was still very early in the season so we hope for at least a couple more of these mysterious birds. We are also very excited to announce that we have a new bracken bruiser. It will attach to the quad and is designed to damage the brittle bracken stems without harming any other competing plants. Bracken can dominate and out shade other botanical species so the bruiser will be a useful tool for diversifying the flora of the ride network. There is still a lot of summer maintenance work to do with benches to be replaced, culverts to fix and paths to clear. Seasalter We have been keeping the non-native invasive floating pennywort to a minimum. Through the winter, huge amounts of the plant were removed and the ditches started the season looking incredibly healthy. Unfortunately, it is starting to grow back so it will also be sprayed and mechanically removed this summer. It has been a difficult year for waders at Seasalter. Lapwing favour very wet fields but it has been a struggle to keep the fields wet enough during the warm spring days without disturbing the birds. We have been regularly putting the pumps on, whilst trying to keep the curious cows away and have been piling up muddy barriers on the field edges, so that the fields hold a bit more water. Predators are a big problem and we have been monitoring their activity so that in future years we can develop plans to control their numbers. By next season we hope to have some substantial predator control in place. To further improve our situation next year, we will be investing in better pumps that will be able to pump more water and for a longer amount of time, meaning that lapwing have a wetter habitat with less disturbance from pump maintenance. Despite it being a disappointing year for lapwing pairs (down from 18 last year to 4 this year) we are delighted to announce we have seen chicks! Calculating chick productivity will continue. Andy Poole Great Bells Farm Despite a very challenging winter where we have battled the elements, our breeding wader numbers are up on last year. This means we have seen a year on year increase in breeding birds since we commenced our management of the site. The fairly dry winter experienced on the Isle Sheppey has made water abstraction difficult. We achieved about 35% flooding this year. The continued predator control measures have contributed to our success thus far. We currently have 41 pairs of lapwing and 15 redshanks. Lapwing chicks seem to be everywhere, wherever you look chicks of varying age are evident with their parents alarming above. Avocet and ringed plover are nesting and we are hopeful that with the benefit of the new predator fence around the main marsh they will continue the successful trend set by the lapwing and redshank. Breeding waterfowl numbers are up on last year with plenty of mallard and shelduck nesting in addition to a number of shoveler, pochard, tufted duck and gadwall. Coots are plentiful and a few pairs of greylag geese have raised young. Mute swans are still sitting tight on their nests. We have sighted two black oil beetles and a single Maid of Kent beetle. The presence of both species appears to be an annual event on site. Harty Marshes The dry winter coupled with the complete lack of water abstraction has resulted in very disappointing breeding bird numbers on site. Work is to commence this summer to complete the Knauf development, which was postponed some years ago. We are also beginning to put a hydrology plan together which will result in us being able to maintain a water presence on site. Our grazing regime at Harty, which was set up last year after many challenges is again in place this year using cattle from Burden Brothers. Medway Estuary We continue to survey the estuary every month using a chartered boat from Chatham Maritime and the most recent trip out showed large numbers of terns and Mediterranean gulls in addition to a large population of black headed gulls breeding on the islands. Wintering bird numbers seemed to be down slightly this year, probably because of the mild weather we experienced. Nick May

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 11 Registered Charity No 207076

FRIENDS OF RYE HARBOUR BUY LIME KILN COTTAGE

On a rainy, windy January day, Secretary John Trowell and I met at Treasurer David Powell’s house to sign two historic documents. The first was the purchase of Lime Kiln Cottage from the Environment Agency - we are happy to say it now belongs to the Friends. The second was the agreement of terms under which we would lease the new Visitor Centre, once completed, to Sussex Wildlife Trust. Thanks to the astonishing and quite unexpected generosity of Joy and David Layton’s bequest, we have been able to make a firm commitment to the building project in conjunction with SWT. On February 10th, Trustees of SWT, led by Chair Carole Nicholson, met the Friends’ Committee at Rye Harbour to express their thanks for our contribution. Since some of the trustees weren’t familiar with the reserve we took them down to Lime Kiln where, just in case any did not appreciate the need for its replacement, we crammed the whole group inside until its limitations were plain to all. Outside, the weather was as dramatic as it could be, with a huge high tide gushing through the culvert onto the saltmarsh, white breakers crashing over the harbour arm and twinkling flocks of waders swirling against great dark avenues of cloud. With this spectacle enhanced by a vivid soundscape of bird calls, nobody could doubt the tremendous success that this reserve has proved to be. What next? The Project Board has appointed Nick Cragg of Cragg Management Services as Project Manager. He has produced a plan which sees the new centre opening in spring 2018, assuming that everything goes well. The coming year will be taken up with (amongst many other things) design finalisation, obligatory surveys, planning permission, tendering for and selection of contractors. The second year would be occupied with construction of and equipping the centre. The first conspicuous evidence of progress should be the siting of two portacabins beside the road from the car park to Lime Kiln Cottage which will provide accommodation for office, information and retail functions, staff and volunteers. Planning permission has been applied for, so watch out for their arrival! Cliff Dean, Chair of the Friends. We thank the ‘The Friends of Rye Harbour’ for this extract from their newsletter.

Any advertisements contained within this newsletter are not specifically endorsed by The RSPB or The Bexley Local Group

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 12 Registered Charity No 207076

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR EVENTS

Coach trips leave promptly from outside Library in Townley Road. Please bring suitable clothes and footwear for the expected weather conditions bearing in mind that some destinations will have limited shelter. In most cases it will be necessary to bring food and drink for the day. If in any doubt call the trip leader for information. Once at the venue you are free to do your "own thing" but the leader will be pleased to guide you for all or part of the day and help with bird identification. Beginners to bird watching are especially welcome and sharing of telescopes as well as knowledge is always in evidence. Equipment may be available on loan for the day. (Please call to check). Non-RSPB members are welcome on all trips but a small entrance charge may apply at RSPB reserves. We reserve the right to change the destination of coach trips at short notice because of circumstances beyond our control. Car Trips are open to all, and beginners are especially welcome. Equipment may be available on loan. If the weather is inclement and the trip looks doubtful please ring the named leader to check if it is on. Children and Grandchildren? Although our Group does not have a children’s section we do welcome accompanied young people at all of our events, and half fares are available for under 16’s on our coach trips. Some of the venues for our field trips can be challenging, particularly in the winter, but we can advise on the suitability of each. If you are in any doubt contact the trip leader named in the programme. Indoor Meetings - Our meetings are held at: John Fisher Church Hall, 48 Thanet Road, Bexley DA5 1AP beginning at 7:45p.m. There is limited parking at the hall but the public car park next door is free after 6.00 p.m. Bexley train station is about five minutes walk away and buses serving Bexley are 132, 229, 269, 492, 601, 669, and B12. Doors usually open at 7:15p.m. As well as enjoying the illustrated talk you may purchase raffle tickets, buy bird food and book coach trips. We also maintain a small RSPB sales stall. The atmosphere is friendly and informal with an opportunity to exchange information and seek advice both before the talk and during the interval with tea and biscuits. Admission charges – RSPB Member - £3.50 Non-Member - £4.50 Under 16’s-50p Mobility Impaired Access - As a Group we welcome people of all abilities to our events. At some venues however facilities may be basic or non-existent and access may be difficult or impossible for those who are mobility impaired. If you require further information please call the trip leader. Working Parties - Working parties usually take place on the North Kent RSPB reserves, (mainly Northward Hill) and provide an opportunity to do some worthwhile practical conservation work whilst gaining an insight into the workings of a reserve and some healthy exercise! “Rough” clothes and stout footwear are advised due to the nature of the work. Tools, and instruction in their use, will be provided. The tasks usually run from 9:00 until 12:00 so you may want to bring a drink and snack. We meet at Bromhey Farm. From the A289 take the first road on the left for High Halstow and then left at the church. After about half a mile turn right into Bromhey Farm entrance, which is signposted to Northward Hill. For further information and to confirm the meeting place call Bob Parker on 01322 665849

Please Note - IF YOU RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST EVENT IN THE PROGRAMME PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGIES. WE RELY ON VOLUNTEERS FOR DISTRIBUTION AND CANNOT THEREFORE GUARANTEE DELIVERY WITHIN SET TIME-SCALES. (The Committee)

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Friday 9 September 2016 Birds without Borders Peter Holden MBE This is the story of bird migration with some amazing facts about the journeys. It includes a short film made by Bird Life International and will demonstrate global travel and current conservation issues.

Sunday 18 September 2016 Rutland Water, L & R W T reserve 07:30 - 19:00 At this time of year there may still be osprey over the reservoir and other migratory birds like golden plover could be on the reserve. A number of hides are available and a network of paths will offer scope for exploration. Hot and cold drinks can be had at the visitor centre but you will need to bring food. Entrance £4. Leader – Tony Banks

Tuesday 20 September 2016 Crayford to Thames Road Wetland 09:30 - 13:00 Meet Cray Waterside Gardens Crayford parking is available in The Rise Green Walk – off Crayford Way c10 minutes away. A return walk along the river ending at the reserve where Chris who is volunteer warden will talk about its management and possibly show us grass snakes, common lizards, plants and birdlife. No facilities except in Crayford. Leaders – Chris Rose, Ralph and Brenda Todd

Friday 14 October 2016 Journey to Iceland Ann and Phil Farrer Ann and Phil have travelled to many parts of the world in pursuit of their interest in birds. Tonight’s talk takes us to Iceland, visiting the Shetlands and Faroes and discovering the variety of birds and wildlife there.

Saturday 15 October 2016 Northward Hill RSPB, High Halstow, Kent 09:00 - 13:00 This reserve comprises grazing marsh, woodland and the ground around the farm that includes a scrape and a deeper pool. Meet in the car park by the farm buildings. From High Halstow take Cooling Road towards Cooling and after approximately one mile the reserve is signposted as a right turn. Leader – George Kalli

Thursday 27 October 2016 Danson Park 09:30 - 12:30 Meet in the main car park. Wildfowl should be coming back into good plumage after summer eclipse and early winter thrushes might be arriving. Leaders – Ralph and Brenda Todd

Friday 11 November 2016 101 Things You Never Knew About Garden Birds Chris Ward All those questions we have wondered about our ‘familiar’ garden birds! Which species are the greatest songbirds? Which one has a tongue nearly one-third its body length? The answers will be revealed by Chris illustrated with his photographs.

Sunday 20 November 2016 Sculthorpe Moor (Hawk & Owl Trust Reserve) 07:30 - 19:00 and Holkham, Norfolk Our visit to Sculthorpe will be a first for the Bexley group. The reserve offers easy walking through a varied habitat of woodland, fen and open water where regular feeding attracts brambling and bullfinch among other species. Our second stop will be at Holkham where on our last visit a barn owl was hunting as we got off the coach! Pinkfooted and brent geese should be present in good numbers close to the road and the beach generally offers a small variety of waders with the possibility of sea ducks and divers. Leader – Tony Banks

Tuesday 6 December 2016 Meadows 09:30 - 12:30 Meet at the car park by the old stables off Rectory Lane for a walk through Wood to Five Arches, along the River Cray and back past All Saints Church looking for winter thrushes, finches and wildfowl plus possibility of kingfisher and water rail. Leaders – Ralph and Brenda Todd

Friday 9 December 2016 Birds in a Cage Derek Niemann Derek will tell the true story of four young men held as POWs in Nazi Germany, who kept their sanity by watching birds. They went on to become post-war giants of conservation.

Saturday 17 December 2016 Rainham Marshes RSPB reserve, Essex 09:30 - 13:00 This pre-Christmas visit should coincide with peak numbers of wildfowl and waders on the reserve, a time when peregrines will have more choice in their hunt for food. This might also be a good time to visit the reserve shop and buy gifts for family and friends. Meet in the reserve car park. Leaders - Ralph and Brenda Todd

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 14 Registered Charity No 207076

Friday 13 January 2017 The Story of Hope Farm and RSPB work with Farmland Birds Derek Gruar Hope Farm was purchased by the RSPB in 1999 and Derek will tell us about work to conserve and protect our wildlife and how it can be an increased in our farmlands giving an insight into the work of the RSPB.

22 January 2017 Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve, Lincolnshire 07:00 - 19:00 Frampton Marsh is a wetland reserve which is located on the north coast of the Wash. The reserve is designed to attract the wildlife of the Wash including thousands of wildfowl and waders, raptors like hen harrier, merlin, peregrine and short-eared owl. There are three hides and three kms of paths, some of which might be muddy! The small visitor centre has toilets and a refreshments area selling only hot and cold drinks. Leader – TBA

Friday 10 February 2017 Israel: from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea Colin Kirtland Colin is a keen amateur bird watcher and photographer and a former tour leaders. He will tell us of his journey around Israel sharing not only the bird life but also geographical and human interest.

19 February 2017 Cley, Norfolk Wildlife Trust Reserve 07:30 - 19:00 (Charge for non-NWT members) Humans are well catered for at this Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve. Fortunately the birds also find the reserve attractive so we should find a variety of ducks, geese, waders, plus harriers, bittern, and perhaps some owls. On the sea there may be flocks of scoter and possibly divers and grebes. Leader – TBA

Tuesday 21 February 2017 Crossness Nature Reserve 09.30 - 12.30 Meet within the reserve perimeter off Norman Road North, Belvedere DA17 6JY. With a falling tide we’ll look for wildfowl and waders on the river before visiting the hide within the protected area for views across the scrape and West Paddock. Leaders – Ralph and Brenda Todd

Friday 10 March 2017 Wildlife in Northumberland Glennda Law Glennda is an experienced traveller and has visited many places around the world. Tonight she will be sharing with us her visit to Northumberland. We will be looking at the birds, flowers and scenery.

18 March 2017 Cliftonville, Kent (Post code – CT9 3PP) 09:45 - 13:30 Our target species on this part of the coast will be purple sandpiper but sadly success is not assured. However if we miss out on the sandpipers there should be plenty of other waders to see, and on previous visits we have found geese, sea ducks, divers and gannets. Meet in Palm Bay Avenue (B2051) near Princess Margaret Avenue. Leader – TBA

Friday 21 April 2017 Journey to Chile Jeff Blincow (Please note Good Friday is on the 2nd Friday so the meeting has been put back a week) Jeff has enjoyed bird watching all his life. He has travelled extensively especially in South America and will share with us his experiences of Chile including birds, wildlife and scenery.

23 April 2017 Oare Marshes (KWT), near Faversham. (Post code – ME19 6PE) 09:15 - 13:00 This is a popular destination offering easy viewing of waders and duck especially during migration when stints and curlew sandpiper are regularly seen. Meet in the car park at the end of Harty Ferry Road. Leader – TBA

Friday 12 May 2017 AGM and Social Evening

14 May 2017 Weeting Heath NWT reserve & Lakenheath RSPB reserve, Norfolk 07:00 - 19:00 (Charge at Weeting for non-NWT members) Weeting is a small reserve but we hope that everybody will see the beady-eyed stone curlews that breed there. At the Lakenheath RSPB reserve the extensive reed beds are inhabited by marsh harriers, bitterns and bearded tits, and where cranes have bred. The golden orioles will probably NOT be present. Leader – TBA

Saturday 3 June to 6 June 2017 Group trip to West Country and South Wales (Contact Stuart Banks)

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 15 Registered Charity No 207076

COACH TRIP BOOKING FORM

Formal applications for the autumn/winter trips will be accepted from 1 September 2016. Please call Diane Lelliott on 020 8850 9705 to check availability before posting - 1) A completed form, a photocopy to avoid spoiling your newsletter or letter with full details. 2) A cheque (made payable to RSPB Bexley Local Group). No place is confirmed without payment. 3) A stamped & addressed envelope for the return of tickets to: Diane Lelliott, 51 Holbeach Gardens, , DA15 8QW. Please send me tickets for the following coach trips - (Under 16’s go Half Price!)

Sunday 18 September 2016 Rutland Water, L & R W T Reserve, Rutland ( ) Tickets @ £18 Sunday 20 November 2016 Sculthorpe Moor & Holkham, Norfolk ( ) Tickets @ £18 Sunday 22 January 2017 Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve, Lincolnshire ( ) Tickets @ £18 Sunday 19 February 2017 Cley, Norfolk Wildlife Trust Reserve ( ) Tickets @ £18 Sunday 14 May 2017 Weeting Heath NWT reserve & ( ) Tickets @ £18 Lakenheath RSPB reserve, Norfolk

(Please note – Fares now £18. A small supplement might be applied if costs rise significantly)

Names – OF ALL PASSENGERS please Total - £

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………......

Address.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Post Code……………………………Tel. Home……………………………Mobile……………………………..

200 CLUB

It costs just £12 per annum to join the 200 club. We have a monthly draw where you could win one of the following prizes currently £40, £25, or £15.The 200 Club is one of our most successful fund raisers and to date we have 177 members. Winners will be published in the newsletter and on our website. If you would like to join the 200 Club please complete the form below and return it to me, the promoter: Sandra Sheppard, 4 Dorset Avenue, , Kent DA16 2PX

------Cut------Bexley Local RSPB Group 200 Club Application for New Members

Name…………………………………………Title (Mr. Mrs. Miss. Ms.)………………………………………....

Address...………………………………………………………………………………...Post Code……………….

I wish to apply for ( ) entry/entries to the RSPB Bexley Local Group 200 Club and enclose my cheque for £ (£12 or a multiple thereof).

Cheques should be made payable to RSPB Bexley Local Group.

Signed……………………………………..Date ……………………………………………………………...... ------Cut------

(Complete fully in BLOCK CAPITALS please) The RSPB Bexley Local Group would like to keep your details to send you further information about group activities and the work of the RSPB. If you want to amend or update your details or you do not want us to use them in the way stated please contact me at the above address

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members 16 Registered Charity No 207076

Group Contact Details

Group Leader Working Party Organiser - Bob Parker Membership - Stuart Banks Tel 01322 665849 Mobile 07974309775 Tel 0208 8547251 Mobile 07791473569 [email protected] Draw Promoter & Coach Seat Bookings - Diane Lelliott Tel 0208 8509705 Treasurer and Newsletter Records - Alan Mayes Mobile 07922255133 Fairs Organiser - Roz Nichols Tel 0208 3109097 Minutes Secretary - Rosemarie McLavy [email protected] Tel 01322 401564 [email protected] Non-committee volunteers Group Sales Organiser and Pin Badge Box Coordinator – Linda Blackett Indoor Meeting Organiser – Lorna Kahan Tel 01322 271657 [email protected] Tel 01322 435339 [email protected]

Field Trip and Coach Bookings Organiser - Peanuts & Seeds - Jackie Tappenden Tel 0208 3046306 Mobile 07963 188269 By Committee - Vacancy

200 Club Promoter - Sandra Sheppard Newsletter Production - Steve Ansell Tel 01322 275955 Tel 0208 3037463 [email protected] Trip Leaders - George Kalli Tel 0208 854 8385 Newsletter Editor - John Turner Tony Banks Tel 0208 8593518 Tel 0208 3038930 [email protected] S/E London & North Kent RSPB Rep. - Campaigns Organiser - Martin Burke Ralph Todd Tel 01322 528335 Tel 07886785470 [email protected] [email protected] Newsletter Distribution – Vacancy

200 Club Winners February 2016 1st Anne Halstead, 2nd Eileen Turner, 3rd Jeanna Turner March 2016 1st Mrs E Wraight, 2nd Mrs J Carter, 3rd Chris Askew April 2016 1st Mr G Blackett, 2nd Mrs V Hudson, 3rd Mrs S Banks May 2016 1st Mrs Marion Beach, 2nd Mr Rob Bond, 3rd Miss M Rankin June 2016 1st Mrs Anita Cockrill, 2nd Mr Martin Burke, 3rd Mr Jay Edwards

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 play a leading role in BirdLife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations

Membership of the Bexley Local Group is automatic for RSPB Members