id24235281 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com CHELMSFORD & CENTRAL ESSEX 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 CHELMSFORD 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 ”.