newsletter NO 98 SUMMER 2020 The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Newsletter Editor: Linda Tagg 3, Carpenter Way, Potters Bar, EN6 5PZ Tel: 01707 656715 email: [email protected] GROUP LEADER’S COMMENTS Ian Sharp In Welcome to the summer newsletter, prepared while we are all experiencing lockdown. At the time of writing, we do not know what the next few months will this bring, but hopefully when you get to read this we will have passed the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. Issue Under the current constraints, it is not feasible to provide the usual printed copy, so we are publishing only an online version. I hope this does not exclude many Group Leader’s Comments……....1 members from being able to access it. Considering the circumstances, I think we have been able to put together an interesting edition, for which I thank all the Group Activities contributors, with special thanks to our editor, Linda Tagg. Coach Outings……………..….…...3 Last October, our group enjoyed a successful four-day visit to Portland Bill, and Group Holiday Portland Bill……..8 you will find a report of the trip within these pages. The holiday was arranged by Contributions members of the Outings Team who had also organised a full year of one-day coach Local Bird Report………………….6 trips for 2020 as well as a four-day visit to Anglesey in May. The coronavirus A Local Nature Walk…..…….......10 lockdown means that we have cancelled all Fir and Pond Woods……..….…...11 trips after March through to September, when hopefully, we will be able to continue. This is Notices & Information Forthcoming Events ……………...2 a great shame, both for the Outings Team Local Group Website…………..….1 who go to great effort to organise these trips, Keeping in Touch……………….....2 and also for the members who get so much Local Group AGM…………...……2 enjoyment from them. The trip to Anglesey 100 Club …………………….....…...2 has been postponed rather than abandoned Editor’s Note…………………....…2 and we intend to go there in May 2021. Data Protection ….……..…….……2 Similarly, having worked so hard to arrange Anemones Gobians Wood March 2020 Advertisements talks for our Wednesday and Friday meetings, Minuteman Press….……….….…...5 Joy Rowley and Hilary Sharp have had to cancel all speakers up to the summer recess but as far as I know they have all agreed to come back in 2021. During lockdown, Hilary and I have managed to get out for a local walk most days, Group Website: and have explored many footpaths around Potters Bar, some of which to our shame www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ we didn’t know existed. We are fortunate to have easy access to the old Potters Bar pottersbarandbarnet or just search for golf course, now being left to ‘rewild’, which makes it very pleasant to walk in. Potters Bar and Barnet RSPB From there it is possible to take a circular walk home via Gobions Wood which at The Royal Society the time of writing is carpeted with wood anemone. Needless to say, we always for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a have a pair of binoculars round our necks. registered charity: The lockdown has made things difficult for many people, whether it is problems England and Wales no. 207076, getting shopping, feeling isolated from family and friends or having trips you have Scotland no. SC037654 been looking forward to cancelled. I hope the more extreme restrictions will have Any advertisements enclosed with been lifted long before you read this newsletter and life is beginning to get back to this newsletter are not specifically normal. So, I will say with some trepidation, I hope you have a good summer, and endorsed by the RSPB or the Potters good health to enjoy it. I look forward to seeing you at our monthly meetings Bar & Barnets Local Group when they re-commence after the summer break in September. NOTICES AND INFORMATION FORTHCOMING EVENTS Note: These planned events may be affected by restrictions in place due to coronavirus. Please consult the website or the committee near the time for up to date information. Sun 6 Sep Coach outing to Fingringhoe Wick, Essex Wildlife Trust. A wildlife haven, nature trails, bird hides, picnic area. Wed 9 Sep "West Highland Way"—speaker Stafford Steed of the Potters Bar Photographic Society and lecturer for Photographic Alliance of GB. Wild landscapes of this 90-mile walk in the Scottish Highlands. Fri 18 Sep AGM then “Time out in Trinidad and Tobago”—speaker Ann Scott. Wed 14 Oct “Wild Flowers in the Canadian Rockies”—speaker Dr Brenda Harold. Flowers, some geology and wonderful scenery from this experienced speaker. Fri 16 Oct “Ancient Trees & Woodlands of Britain”—speaker Andy Sands. Sun 18 Oct Coach outing to Rainham Marshes RSPB reserve. Thames estuary, wetland, grazing marsh and a woodland area; a 2.4mile circuit walk on gravel/boardwalk paths; good visitor centre. KEEPING IN TOUCH John Rowley, our Website Editor We have a Facebook Community Group page!—“Potters Bar and Barnets RSPB Local Group”. Please visit and ‘like’ the page. You can post items that may be of interest and respond to posts. Note: the posts will not appear immediately as it is a moderated page. If you would like to receive the monthly update, or your newsletter and programmes routinely by email, please send an email to [email protected] with your request, name and postcode. (You can unsubscribe if it does not suit you). NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 100 CLUB – TEMPORARY SUSPENSION Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of After much consideration it has been decided to the Potters Bar & Barnets RSPB Local Group will be held at temporarily suspend the 100 Club. We rely heavily on Tilbury Hall, United Reformed Church, Darkes Lane, Potters cheques and postal services, creating problems under the Bar at 7.30pm on Friday 18 September 2020 for the purpose coronavirus lockdown restrictions. The March draw was of the following: the last for the time being. During the suspension, members will be contacted as their renewal dates become due to explain the situation. Once 1. Approval of the minutes of the 2019 AGM we can resume, we will ask for renewal payments and dates 2. Matters arising will be adjusted accordingly. 3. Group Leader’s report On a positive note, membership of the 100 Club reached 97 4. Treasurer’s report in March–excellent! This number may drop after the suspension so new members will still be welcome. Contact 5. Election of Officers and Committee us on 01707 656796 or [email protected] to leave 6. Appointment of Independent Examiner your details. 7. 100 Club report We do hope existing members will stick with the 100 Club. 8. Any other business It is a good fund raiser, generating about £800 per year, and 1 June 2020 the RSPB needs every penny. Chris & Ron Youthed EDITOR ‘S NOTE Thank you to all our contributors for their valued input to this newsletter. Despite many cancelled events, we hope to produce another newsletter in the autumn and will keep members informed of the situation nearer the time. Assuming we are able to do so, I will be pleased to receive your articles, and photographs. These should be sent to me at: [email protected] the expected closing date for copy will be Friday 9 October 2020 DATA PROTECTION This newsletter is sent to you by Potters Bar and Barnets Local Group. If you would like to update how you hear from us or should you no longer wish to receive this or other communications, please contact the editor. 2 COACH OUTINGS by Elaine Eyles London Wetland Centre: Sunday 4 November Altogether the group saw 59 species of bird (not counting Our group of 12 birders took this autumn outing to the more exotic coloured and noisy ducks/geese in the Barnes, journeying by minibus. The variety of colours Wetlands of the World). Two raptors — red kite and on the leaves of shrubs and trees was at its peak, some kestrel were seen en route. now fallen. Abberton Reservoir & Group Christmas Gathering. The visitor centre and complex of buildings at the Sunday 1 December 2019 entrance have excellent facilities, including a popular café 30 diners and our Welham Travel driver Dave took a cold with inside and outside seating. There are short but pleasant drive to the Essex Wildlife Trust at interesting talks given around the centre during the day. Abberton. The visitor centre had its shop well stocked Education and conservation are high on their agenda. with nature things ‘birdy’ and gifts for all ages. Most The Big View observatory, on two floors, gives excellent useful approaching Christmas. wide views across the main lake to the grazing marshes All around it was very and the Peacock Tower, with the London skyline beyond. peaceful both for us and the The paths skirt the main lake and around smaller ones. birds who flock to the Six hides overlook the water, while the Peacock Tower sanctuary of the farmland provides 360° views over the scrape, grazing marshes and and the reservoir. Twice we the sheltered lagoon. Other areas include the Wetlands of experienced gentle rain and the World, an otter pen, gardens, Wild Walks and an suitable conditions to form a adventure playground for children. The centre lies under partial rainbow on the a direct landing approach route to Heathrow and aircraft horizon — a lovely sight. noise somewhat obscures birdsong; the northern side of Abberton Reservoir RSPB Reserve Later as we left, we paused on the reserve is quieter.