“The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way”. Cambridge Local Group Newsletter Issue No: 105 September 2013 Contents Page 2 Editor’s notes Brenda Smith 2 Group Leader’s Notes Melvyn Smith Field Trip Reports 3 Dawn chorus Brenda & Melvyn 4 Nene Washes Brenda & Melvyn 5 Lakenheath Fen Rachel Lowry 6 Hickling Broad Brenda & Melvyn 8 Yorkshire weekend Brenda & Melvyn 13 Great Ryburgh and Cley Marshes Brenda & Melvyn 14 Alde Estuary and Minsmere Brenda & Melvyn 16 Garden Warbler 17 In Praise of Predators Colin Kirtland 18 Interview with Ian Barthorpe Lyn Guy News from Local Reserves 20 Fen Drayton Alison Nimmo 21 Lakenheath Fen Katherine Puttick 23 Ouse Fen Chris Hudson 24 Fowlmere Doug Radford 26 Ouse Washes Mike Burdekin Events 27 Field Trips Andrew Camps 27 Group Indoor meetings 28 Cambridgeshire Bird Club indoor meetings The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no SC037654 Cambridge Local Group Newsletter No 105 September 2013 Editor’s Notes Spring was very slow at starting with winter reluctant to let go of its grip, and with the final arrival of the nice weather it made everything late. Migrants were late arriving and even our birds were slow to start breeding. But once the good weather arrived it started to get off the ground very quickly. By July butterflies were everywhere with lots of peacocks and small tortoiseshell, large and small whites, much to Mel’s dismay as they found our cabbage plants irresistible. There were a few painted ladies, red admiral later in the summer and several clouded yellows have been seen. We saw them at Ouse’s washes and Fen Drayton Lakes. The RSPB have a campaign to encourage everyone to provide nature a home, which is what Melvyn and I have done. We have been feeding a hedgehog in our garden so we bought it a home and it has moved in. I have seen it on a few occasions when I have been out in the dark to put the food out for it and on one occasion it was in the home. As well as our field trip reports we have some information on the garden warbler, an interview with Ian Barthorpe and an interesting article in praise of predators. The views held in any article in this newsletter are the authors own views and not necessary those of the RSPB. I look forward to receiving more articles from you the members on any subject that you feel may be of interest to the rest of us. The deadline for the January newsletter is December 31st 2013. Brenda Group Leader’s Notes – September 2013 Welcome back to our autumn/winter season of Indoor Meetings, Fieldtrips and other Events. During the summer, and what a summer, the RSPB up-dated its image with a new logo, launched television advertising campaign (which will be repeated in October), and on the back of the “State of Nature” report, emphasized the need for increased support to mitigate against the appalling declines in most species of wildlife over recent years and decades. In order to “step-up” to the challenges espoused by the RSPB and, reflected in the “State of Nature” report, we need more help on our committee or additional support when we organize events. Therefore, I would ask that you seriously consider getting involved; nature and our environment need all the help we can give! Now, I’ll jump off my soapbox and point to some superb speakers for the lead up to Christmas and further Field Trips, details of which are included elsewhere in this Newsletter. 2 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no SC037654 Cambridge Local Group Newsletter No 105 September 2013 Thanks go to Sandra and Andrew, respectively. Hazel has arranged for ‘Sales Goods’ to be available and remember to place your orders for Christmas. Also, make a note of our Christmas Social which will be held on the 11th December. Looking forward to your continuing support. Melvyn Field Trip Reports Fen Drayton RSPB reserve - Dawn Chorus 4 May No floods to restrict us this year and a good turn-out of fourteen gathered at 5.00 am for this annual group event; some no doubt lured by the thought of bacon and egg butties but, only after a walk around this extensive and varied nature reserve! Our prime aim, of course; to re- acquaint ourselves with the songs of the spring migrants. Virtually the first call was that of the cuckoo; “Shall I call thee bird or just a wandering voice” - Wordsworth. These birds do wander, spending the winter in Africa, but it is only recently that this fact was known; our ancestors thought the cuckoo changed into a sparrowhawk in the winter, which is understandable, as both birds are grey and barred; as with many of “our” wild birds, worryingly reducing in numbers. Perhaps it was the overcast windy day or the ‘spread-out' nature of this reserve but, we were not immediately assaulted by a cacophony of bird song that we have experienced at, for example, Fowlmere. This proved beneficial in that we were readily able to identify individual songs. Whitethroats appeared plentiful; there were several singing. Their song is interesting rather than attractive, it is a variable, hurried, scratchy, jolting rhythm, in short sections. One bird flew up several feet, singing, the song becoming more excitable as it ‘parachuted back down into the bushes. Lesser whitethroat have been seen and heard on the reserve but are not as plentiful and, none were noted this morning. Our next birding conundrum was to identify the songs of blackcap compared with garden warbler. The latter bird was the first of these two to be encountered; the song a steady rhythm of a liquid quality with an even tempo and warbling sound. It is a nondescript bird, your ubiquitous “little brown job” or “LBJ”, and its very lack of features are in itself a feature! Normally, the bird is quite secretive, lurking low in the bushes. However, there are always exceptions and one bird we later encountered, sang heartily from the top of a large willow tree! Blackcaps are easy birds to identify with their black caps, the female’s cap is reddish brown but, to an inexperienced ear, its song can be confused with the garden warbler’s. The 3 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no SC037654 Cambridge Local Group Newsletter No 105 September 2013 blackcap has an almost nightingale quality, it starts hesitantly and then picks up confidence and will sing during the day when other birds are quiet. Around the back of Elney Lake and passing the reedbed on Springhill Lagoon, we heard the noisy, unmusical, chattering and churring, frequently changing pitch, of the reed warbler. Further on there was a song that was louder and stronger, a mixture of varied, fast chattering phrases, interspersed with sweeter-sounding notes and whistles: a sedge warbler. The descending notes of the willow warbler and the monotonous song of the chiffchaff were easier to identify, as well as blackbird, song thrush and tits. From Croucher Hide, avocet, lapwing and oystercatcher were spotted, nesting on the small islands. A pair of great crested grebe entertained briefly, with their synchronous, head shaking display. Near these grebes, we were thrilled to see two black-necked grebes in breeding plumage; lovely birds! There were three graylag geese families with at least twenty one goslings. The appointed “chefs de jour”, departed in advance of the rest of the group, in order to commence preparation of the breakfast. The idea was to allow sufficient time for the remainder of the group to be greeted with hot drinks and tasty breakfast baps! In the event, ominous clouds and spots of rain hastened the remainder to leave the hide soon after; surprising the cooks, who were still setting-up! Teas and coffees were soon available and the fairly short wait for bacon, tomato and egg rolls appeared to be well worthwhile! As we dined, whitethroat, garden warbler and the explosive song of Cetti’s warbler reminded us of the excellent “Dawn Chorus” we had just enjoyed. Brenda and Melvyn Nene Washes evening walk 22 May The Nene Washes extend for 20 kilometres from the west side of Peterborough eastward to Ring’s End (A141 road nr.Guyhirn) and is of national and international importance for seven species of wintering wildfowl and holds some of the country’s highest densities of breeding waders that are associated with wet grassland and fenland habitats. The RSPB reserve covers over 700 acres of the low wash starting east of the B1040 and it is the only one with access via a rough track. This track is best in May with large concentrations of breeding waders, many of them nesting near the track and so it is advisable not to remain in one position for too long to prevent disturbance of the birds on their nests. During the winter months walking down the track causes lots of disturbance and it is recommended to view from the south barrier bank accessed via Eldernell. In the months from February through to June flood conditions dictate numbers of wildlife and passage waders. A good turn-out of seventeen met up with Charlie Kitchin, the warden for the Reserve. It was a fairly clear evening with a light wind as we started our walk but, as we progressed, it 4 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) registered charity in England and Wales no.