__________________________________________________________
RSPB YORK
LOCAL GROUP
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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076,
Scotland no.SCO37654
Joint Leaders: Chris Lloyd and Michael Cruchley
DECEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER
In this issue
funds. Also don’t forget we
re-cycle old mobile phones
and can get unneeded
binoculars, telescopes and
tripods etc. to the Lodge for
refurbishment - their use in
foreign
countries
to
encourage bird watching is
invaluable.
It’s that time of year
Recycling
Note from the Editor
Updates
Leaders’ notes
Our RSPB Awardwinning HFS Garden
Membership renewal
Marston Moor Walk
Norfolk Weekend
Cumbria Red Kites
Saltholme reserve
Local walk and trip
reports
Chris, Michael and all
the members of the
committee wish you and
your families a
Very Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR
Don’t forget to think about
food at this time of year….or
rather, for the birds…! Val
and Larry have a large
selection of bird food for sale
at very competitive prices
and all sales help support
the RSPB. Do have a look
at their selection after the
indoor meetings….
RE-CYCLING INFO
Autumn programme
Day trip venues
Please remember to save
all your Christmas stamps
and please bring them
along to the January
meeting, to aid RSPB
NOTE
EDITOR
FROM
THE
Dear Readers – it’s very
gratifying
to
receive
feedback and the article in
last edition ‘A ‘Glance
Back’ 22 years ago…’
brought back memories for
one
member
who
remembered
the
trip
extremely well – many
thanks!
And the bird’s name was
‘Rookie’!
As usual, my thanks go to
our regular contributors
and further contributions
are always welcome. If you
have any good photos of
birds, plants or scenery
from any field outings with
our group these would be
particularly
helpful
to
illustrate articles, and full
credit will be given of
course.
Peter
This newsletter is co-edited by Peter Reed (01904 492494) and Chris Lloyd. Views expressed or advertisements
contained in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the RSPB or the York Group Committee.
www.yorkrspb.org.uk
Updates:
Bird Atlas - answer to the Puzzle in last newsletter
You may remember this question – which tetrad in the BTO’s recently published Bird Atlas 2007 to
2011, had more visits than any other? The answer, as you all no doubt found on page 92 of the
Bird Atlas, was ……TF74 in Norfolk. This square includes parts of Holme Nature Reserve/Bird
Observatory and our very own Titchwell RSPB reserve. During the five year survey, 227 observers
entered records for this tetrad during the winter period, and 232 for the breeding period.
Bird Atlas team scoops RSPB's most prestigious award
At the recent annual RSPB Members' Day in Birmingham, the RSPB Medal was awarded to the
team behind the Bird Atlas 2007–11 in a special presentation. The RSPB Medal is the society's
most prestigious award, and acknowledges the atlas's role as a valuable resource to everyone
involved in conserving, researching or understanding Britain and Ireland's birds. Over the four years
of fieldwork, online data capture, preparation of maps and data analysis resulted in the publication
of a book on the breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland — Bird Atlas 2007–11, in
November 2013. The Atlas will inform bird conservation and provide an invaluable research
resource for at least the next 20 years and involved the outstanding contribution of over 40,000
volunteers who submitted records into the Atlas.
Atlas work has documented the changes in the breeding-season distribution of birds over the last 20
and 40 years, and changes in winter distributions over the last 30 years. The 20 million records from
the surveys have been made available to RSPB and government agencies, which will use this data
to support conservation action and policy through site and species safeguards, recovery plans and
reserve management.
Adapted by Peter Reed from a BTO/RSPB Press release, Monday 3rd November 2014
Nuthatches increasing around the York area?
There appears to have been a marked increase in sightings of nuthatches around our local area
over the last year or so – the number of records in gardens has increased with one of our local
group member, Pat Adams having regular visits to her feeders during August and September,
continuing into October and November. See her photo below on one
of her peanut feeders.
Other reports have recently come from Dunnington and Strensall
Common. Apparently more gardens are visited by nuthatches during
November than in any other month as they are busy foraging during
the short daylight hours and autumn is the time of juvenile dispersal.
Nuthatches have a patchy distribution across their predominantly
southerly British range, displaying a clear preference for gardens
located close to a suitable breeding habitat, namely deciduous or
mixed woodland. They are remarkably sedentary, rarely moving far
from where they fledged, and so colonise new areas slowly.
The new Bird Atlas shows well the northward expansion and that
breeding birds were reported from 25% more 10-km squares and in
winter up 38% more squares, than in 1988-91.
So let’s get those peanut feeders topped up, and find some more!
Photo copyright Pat Adams, taken on 10th September 2014
Page 2
From the RSPB York Group co-leaders
Welcome to our Winter Newsletter.
We hope that you have had a good years birding, and are
ready for the new year’s winter bird-watching season.
You will find our 2015 Programme of Events enclosed with
this newsletter, containing an interesting selection of walks,
talks and outings, as ever organised by your dedicated committee – we look forward to seeing you.
I hope you will read Michael’s report on pages 4 & 5 about the group’s success at the Harrogate
Autumn Flower Show. I (Chris) cannot offer enough praise to Michael and his team for creating this
masterpiece for Giving Nature a Home. Throughout the three days there was always a few, and
sometimes as many as fifty people looking at a somewhat different type of display spreading the
RSPB’s message “Giving Nature a Home”. Huge determination by Michael and team to make it a
success and no doubt hundreds of volunteer hours were rewarded with the Silver Award –
congratulations to all.
You may have noticed a slight change to the RSPB’s message in reference to Nature rather than
just Birds, but in reality the RSPB was always running Nature Reserves as it is the whole ecology,
food chain and environment that birds rely on. However, many of us will still watch our birds in the
garden and local patch with the greatest of interest as they are an all-year-round regular attraction.
It has been established that the feeding of garden birds all-year-round can be beneficial, but please
remember that cleanliness of feeders and birdbaths is important, as birds do become ill, and
sometimes carry disease, which can easily be spread around at the feeding table. Please ensure
that you clean all your feeders, bird tables and baths regularly with a wild life friendly disinfectant,
thoroughly rinsed off.
Remember to clean out old bedding materials and disinfect any nest boxes you may have, and put
any new boxes up sooner rather than later. New or cleaned boxes need plenty of time to naturalise.
Remember to ensure there is a regular supply of fresh water during the winter particularly if we
have a prolonged cold snap when natural sources are frozen up for days on end, and also if we
have prolonged winter dry spells.
Best wishes to you and your families for an enjoyable festive season and a happy new year.
Chris and Michael
Walk reports continued from page 11
15th November Healaugh
The forecast for mist and fog worried us for this walk which was cancelled two years ago due to
heavy rain. Six members met by the roadside in Healaugh village, suitably equipped to deal with the
wet conditions underfoot after heavy rain a day before the walk.
A local man who stopped for a chat, turned out to be a birder. Although he did most of his birding at
Filey he had an impressive list of birds for his local Healaugh patch over the last 40 years. However
he declined an invitation to join our walk and we headed off out of the village on our way. Just past
the church we stopped to note, fieldfare, great spotted woodpecker and pied wagtail. The walk was
mainly along farm tracks with only one field to cross which, as expected was very wet and even
flooded in places.
We were interested to see newly planted mixed hedging on both sides of the path. This consisted of
hawthorne, hazel, spindle and the odd pear tree. Many young oaks trees were noted as was the
presence of jays, which were heard calling.
The main feature of the walk was the number of bullfinches seen with good views of several males.
Just 22 species were seen plus 2 heard only by the end of the walk.
Ken Searstone
Please remember to reply to the idea of day-time indoor meetings – see enclosed leaflet
Page 3
An Award Winning Garden
It started when we were offered a site for a stand at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show this
year to tell the RSPB “story” of Giving Nature a Home. Obviously we did some good things
because we were immediately invited to design a ‘community garden’ to tell the same story
at the Autumn Show!
After some hesitation, 7 of us sat down and decided to try. The Group committee agreed and
encouraged us. We were offered a grant by the Flower Show that would be paid in two
instalments, one before and one after the Show…but the second payment would depend on
gaining a Silver Award!
We drew up our plan (left). The plan and a diary of the
preparation were needed for the Show’s judges. A leaflet
was designed to be handed out to the public that would
explain our aims. Terry Millet and Peter Reed took
charge of this part of the project.
Our aim was to show that wildlife could be given a home
in an ordinary garden. No need for a wilderness, just
some strategic planting, places where wildlife could
make its home such as a bird box, insect hotel,
hedgehog box, small pond etc.
Pat and Ivan Adams offered a four by four metre
space for us to lay things out. (right)
We decided to use raised beds, it would save us
digging into the Showground – important as the site
had to be left as found. We wanted at least a section
of a fence to site the bird box and insect home, some
trees and a pond.
Sally Hawkswell uses an old seed hopper as a small
pond, and offered it to us – so we had our pond
(below).
Terry Millett, Judith Sutton, Muriel and I offered plants and
the making of the raised beds.
Richard Dean granted us time of one of his staff to advise
us about the best plants we could use, and a discount on
anything he sold that we needed to buy. Other members
of our local group offered help with plants and to build the
garden.
On September 6th some of us were on site ready to
welcome Sally bringing lots of things in her horsebox (and
we could not have managed without it). We
worked in the rain but remained cheerful (right)
and within a couple of hours it was taking shape.
We had hoverflies and bees coming to visit before
we left.
Over the next few days members of the “core
group” visited, tidied and tended. On Thursday, the
final touches were put in place ready for the
judges.
Friday 12th, the day the Show opened to the
public, most of the team arrived to see the Silver
Award Card prominently placed. What a relief!
Page 4
On the three days of the Show hundreds of visitors came to see the garden and almost
without exception praised us -so we were able to
tell the RSPB’s message, “If you build it, they will
come”. On Friday morning, a Red Admiral butterfly
settled on the Award Card – promise fulfilled.
(Photo right – it is real! Ed)
What about after the Show? Most of the garden
now forms the basis of a wildlife garden at
Millthorpe School in York.
The core group? Exhausted but exhilarated!
Michael
Local Group Membership Renewal
Thank you for renewing your membership of the York Group. You will receive your
membership card and programme for 2015 with this copy of the newsletter.
For those of you who haven’t renewed your membership the enclosed newsletter and
programme are complimentary. If you wish to do so, you can pay at the December meeting,
or send the payment to me with a stamped addressed envelope for your membership card. If
you do not include a stamped addressed envelope for your membership card it will be
available from Muriel Cruchley at the next Indoor Meeting.
If you do not wish to renew your membership your details will be removed from the database
at the end of December.
Muriel Cruchley
Advance warning of this event in aid of publicity for the RSPB being led by Barry
Bishop which is likely to be very popular:
Spring Birds of Farm & Field.
Tuesday April 7th 2015
9am till noon
Take a walk on the Battlefield of Marston Moor with Barry Bishop and discover the birds who
visit the moor in Spring and make it their home.
Birds seen have included common buzzard, owls, sparrowhawk, grey heron, lapwing, corn
bunting, tree sparrow, great spotted woodpecker and yellowhammers. We may also see
some winter visitors such as redwing and fieldfare, and possibly some summer visitors such
as whitethroats.
The walk will be followed by refreshments in the Events Barn, and a review talk to discuss
the birds seen.
The walk will follow grass paths but stout shoes are recommended and waterproofs if
necessary. Please bring your own binoculars.
The cost of the event is £3 to cover refreshments etc. and must be booked in advance, by
contacting
Jo Smakman, Marston Grange, Tockwith Road, Long Marston, York. YO26 7PL.
Telephone 01423 358283 or email info@marstongrange.co.uk
Page 5
Group trip to Norfolk September 2014
Friday: Sixteen group members met at the RSPB Frampton Marsh reserve near Boston,
Lincolnshire. A walk down to the seabank revealed close views of the glossy ibis (below),
unfortunately looking into the sun, but not a bad bird to start
the trip list with. We went all around the seabank, with
extensive views on the one side of the very extensive
saltmarsh and distant Wash, and the reserve on the other. The
East Hide was a little disappointing, and no sign of the red
phalarope that had been reported earlier. We then called in at
the Reedbed Hide where there were good numbers of waders
including little stint (right), plovers, knot and ruff, and plenty
Mike Langman (rspb-images.com)
of water birds. The scrapes visible from the usually very productive 360 hide (below) were
dry due to an excavator working earlier in the week,
but we did have distant views of Brent and pinkfooted geese. After lunch, we made our way into
Norfolk to have a look at Hunstanton Cliffs. No
fulmar or late kittiwakes, but a family of 6 grey
partridge wandering across the golf course and
then onto the car park was lovely. Part of the group
was located at the other end of the car park and
saw a few waders on the beach,
Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
together with a man wearing only a thong. Time to
book into our hotel for a lovely evening meal and rest.
Saturday: We set straight off along the North Norfolk coast for our main venue the NWT Cley
reserve. We arrived just as the centre was opening. Coffee, and then straight onto the hides.
Lots of waders and water birds to work through to find the little stints and curlew sandpipers.
A Cetti’s warbler right outside/between the hides enticed us with its startling song and then
good views, followed by a party of bearded tits (below) which came closer and closer in front
of the hide and obliged by giving the best views ever in the early morning sunlight. We
walked out towards the sea; the once maintained
high shingle banks now once and for all levelled by
the storms last December. Good views of hobby, but
little to see on the flat calm sea. Views of golden
plover and stonechat on the way to what is now a
screen replacing the former North Hide washed
away by last year’s storm. Little else to report for the
remainder of the reserve, so we moved on to
Holkham Woods; a change of habitat and birds;
thrushes, green and spotted woodpecker,
Mike Richards (rspb-images.com)
Egyptian geese by the lake, and stags and deer watching us all the time.
Sunday; Straight out to the nearby RSPB Snettisham reserve after breakfast to try and catch
the wader roost at high tide. The reserve had been badly affected by last year’s storms, with
two of the hides totally destroyed and the circular walk link path also washed away making
one very long lagoon. It was high tide already but the sea was flat calm, as such the wader
roost had stayed out on the Wash rather than onto the reserve banks. We viewed the
abundant water birds from the Shore Hide, and there were sightings of marsh harriers
Page 6
across the marsh. Huge flocks of oystercatchers and knot gradually fluttered up and down as
the tide receded. One interesting sight was the almost single file procession of
oystercatchers walking towards the quickly receding shoreline, occasionally turning back,
and then quickly following the fast moving
water’s edge as the tide went out.
We then moved on to the RSPB Titchwell
reserve to find that the boardwalk to the Fen
Hide and beyond was closed for repairs, but at
least the walk to the sea (right) was open (it had
been earlier closed for repair works to the
banks). More views of bearded tits, Cetti’s
warbler heard, curlew sandpiper and many water
birds on the freshwater marsh. Down at the
beach, many waders to work through and eiders
Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
on the sea. On our return, we viewed the feeders just outside the centre to find a brambling,
not a bad bird to finish with.
Although there had been significant migratory movements the previous week, we hit a lull in
the weather, nice and warm for us but very quiet for the birds, coupled with major works
taking place on many reserves. 99 species recorded over the weekend.
Anne Lloyd
The first Red Kites breed in Cumbria since 1807
Exciting news for the Forestry Commission team behind the Grizedale Red Kite
reintroduction project, as they have confirmed that the first chicks are being raised there —
this is the first breeding to be recorded in Cumbria since 1807. The Forestry Commission,
along with a small team of volunteers, have been monitoring progress of the birds released
between 2010 and 2012. This summer a nest was discovered and now, the news that three
chicks have successfully hatched.
Tom Dearnley, Ecologist for the North Forest District at the Forestry Commission, confirmed
the news and said: "This is great news for the birds. We have been monitoring their
movements with FC staff and a superb team of volunteers and it's very satisfying to now
have the first confirmed chicks."
Iain Yoxall, Forestry Commission Wildlife Ranger at Grizedale, led the reintroduction project
and has been working with volunteers in Cumbria to monitor the progress of the 90 kites that
were released. The birds were all wing-tagged, with tags showing that they were part of the
Grizedale project, and a further coloured tag indicating which year they were released. Iain
commented: "We were expecting the birds to be breeding by now and it is hugely rewarding
to see the first confirmed chicks from the project. We have been monitoring the chicks'
progress and were able to ring them
"The buzz of seeing the return to breeding in Cumbria, after over two hundred years, has
given us all a lift and we are looking forward to more 'Happy Returns' from the final batch of
chicks to be released. On behalf of all the Red Kite volunteers, I would like to thank the
Forestry Commission for the opportunity to be involved in this exciting project."
Members of the public have been following the progress of the birds, and adding their own
sightings to the dedicated Grizedale Red Kites Facebook page. Anyone with information to
report can visit the page at www.facebook.com/GrizedaleRedKites.
From a press release from the Forestry Commission July 2014
Page 7
Saltholme Nature Reserve
The following article by Dave Braithwaite (Saltholme Site Manager) is from a RSPB Member’s
Update published in August 2014 and we thought would be of interest to all York LG members:
We opened Saltholme in March 2009 and thought now would be a good time to reflect on
what we have achieved in the last five years.
Awards
Since opening, Saltholme has won a number of awards celebrating its distinctive nature. Three
that stand out are: our top rating on Trip Advisor; Gold in the 2010 Northeast Tourism Awards;
and winning the 2012 National Lottery Awards education category.
Caroline Found with the prestigious and well-earned National Lottery Award
We have been eager to see Saltholme`s land-holding and influence grow in order to support more
wildlife here in Teesside. Since opening, the reserve area has expanded and now encompasses
550ha (almost 1500 acres). This work has been supported by partner organisations and local
industry.
Habitats
As we have made new habitats and improved existing ones, we have enjoyed watching the
wildlife flourish. Water is of course key to ensuring the ecology of the wetland site is able to
develop, and Sabic, a multi-national chemical company with a local base and corporate
membership, have continued to supply pumped groundwater onto site to balance our water
deficit.
Some of the highlights have been the fledging of over 1000 common tern chicks over the five
breeding seasons; the return of otters, water voles, water shrews and harvest mice; the increase
in numbers of wintering birds for which the site is internationally important, including 2500 wigeon
and 1000 curlew.
We now have an open natural landscape
where nature has made its home.
And the illusive and enigmatic bittern, one
of the most threatened species in the UK making it a UK biodiversity action plan
species - now lives in the newly created
reedbeds.
Our first Bittern over Haverton Reedbed
Page 8
Visitors
Over 400,000 visitors have come to Saltholme, surpassing our predictions for the first five years.
In addition, more than 13,500 school children have been enthralled by their lessons in wildlife and
the natural world.
We have continued to develop and refresh the visitor offer and, with help
from local sponsors and industry, have been able to improve the facilities
to allow visitors to get closer to nature. These have included the Jubilee
viewpoint, a viewpoint from where to watch seals; viewing screens; a
fabulous vantage point at Haverton Hill; and a bird hide provided by the
local bird club.
A `welly splash`(right), a fabulous Mad hatters tea party sculpture and a
willow maze have all captured children’s` imaginations and sense of fun.
New land for conservation
Since opening, we have been able to work with others to acquire new and
important land for conservation.
Cowpen Marsh is 90ha and since at least 1990 has steadily dried out. The marsh was the site of
a breeding pair of black-tailed godwits in 1969 and was taken on for a short while by the RSPB
before being run by the Cleveland Wildlife Trust until 1990. ICI, the landowners, had plans to
undertake further salt extraction from the north-eastern part of the site and had been land-filling
the western section since 1962. Despite being a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since
1965, Teesside Development Corporation granted planning permission for the salt winning
operations in November 1991. Fortunately, in the same year, ICI sold off its agriculture division,
which in the north Tees was based at Saltholme farm and included Cowpen Marsh, so the salt
workings never happened. Working with the new landowner, Ineos Chlor, and Natural England
we took over management in 2011 and developed a plan to rewet the site. Impetus, who are the
landfill operators, were able to connect up the surface water run-off from the capped landfill site to
the west and Cowpen Marsh is now very wet again and birds have just enjoyed their best ever
breeding season there in over a decade.
Dorman’s and Port Clarence Pools amount to 70ha of pools, reedbeds and wet grassland.
Access is restricted to both of these areas. Port Clarence Pools having no direct safe access off
the A178 and Dorman`s Pool being along the privately owned Huntsman`s Drive. RSPB members
are however able to access to Dorman`s Pool, where we have reinstated controlled cattle grazing
and water control management to improve the diversity of habitats and wildlife it supports. Air
Products, a company newly moved onto a site next door, have agreed to contribute to the annual
maintenance of this important site.
Saltern Wetlands is a 50ha managed realignment site next to Greatham Creek. Managed
realignment means the seawall has been deliberately breached to allow the sea to spread at high
tide, re-establishing saltmarsh and other intertidal habitats. This is a project led by the
Environment Agency which is planning to hand over management of the site to the RSPB in
autumn this year. The newly realigned seawall has a footpath along its length that provides
excellent viewing over the area.
Teesside Environmental Trust
Working with our partners, Teesside Environmental Trust and many other supporters and
volunteers, we can be justly proud of what we have been able to achieve in five short years. We
have given nature a home, given local people something to be proud of and changed the
perception of Teesside in the minds and hearts of visitors from further afield.
A job well done? Well it has been an excellent beginning and we are looking forward to the next
five years with some exciting new plans in store. Your continued support is critically important in
helping us make the difference for nature in Teesside. Thank you.
Dave Braithwaite (Saltholme Site Manager)
Saltholme contact details: Email: saltholme@rspb.org.uk website: rspb.org.uk/saltholme
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/RSPB-North-East-England-Cumbria
Twitter @RSPBSaltholme
Page 9
Local Walks and Day trip reports
July - November 2014
20th July Welburn Monument.
In 2013 our scheduled evening walk from this location was abandoned due to heavy rain. Today
we had bright sunshine although a chance of a shower was forecast. Our group of 12 negotiated
the tricky first few hundred yards along the road to Whitwell Grange. As we turned onto the
footpath past the farm a couple of “noisy” guard dogs greeted us.
The overhead wires soon occupied our attention as swallows, yellow
hammer, corn bunting and linnet perched in view. Lesser whitethroat was
also seen in the hedgerow.
Reaching “Whitwell Road”, a farm track really, most of the wild flowers
expected were now passed their best. Even so, many meadow brown
and red admiral butterflies could still be seen. Before dropping down
towards Welburn a slight diversion was made to the site of a broad
leaved helleborine (right), a fairly rare orchid of ancient woodland.
After skirting Welburn village we returned up Welburn Bank to re-join the
footpath. A pair of buzzards called as they soared above us. The return
path to the Monument, parallel to the main road was uneventful and we
reached the shelter of our cars before the forecast shower became quite
heavy.
Photo: Peter Reed
In addition to 22 species of bird recorded, Tony Jackson noted the presence of giant bellflower,
enchanter’s nightshade in addition to the helleborine noted above.
17th August Drax Nature Reserve.
It was fine but a bit breezy as a group of 10 assembled at the entrance to this reserve and
everyone checked in with the warden before driving to the car park by the “Skylark” activity centre.
At the edge of the wood near the entrance were a couple of “mangalitza” pigs, which appear to
have woolly coats. Definitely a first! Then, after a brief introduction from Ken the group proceeded
to follow the blue and orange markers into the reserve. Noisy blackbirds indicated the presence of
roosting owl(s) and some of the group saw a tawny owl drift off into the wood. A nearby buddleia
bush was host to several red admiral butterflies on our route towards a sanctuary area for injured
swans and geese.
Emerging from the wood a buzzard was being mobbed by a couple of crows and several
hirundines were seen. The path and climb up, now on the red route, to the ash mound viewing
area was short on bird life but our flower experts were delighted with the species to be seen. On
their behalf Tony Jackson reported the presence of the following; wild carrot, marsh woundwort,
bristly oxtongue, long stalked cranesbill, fleabane, toadflax, dark mullein, hare foot clover,
centaury, betony, hop trefoil and purple loosestrife. This was an enjoyable and interesting walk
even though we only managed to record 15 species of birds.
14th September Strensall Common.
Fifteen members met for a second walk on Strensall Common this year, this time to explore the
area to the north of the York to Scarborough railway line, having walked part of the southern area
in May. We progressed carefully to cross the main road and then the railway line and the walk
started quietly, with not a lot of wildlife to be seen or heard.
As we passed the sewerage treatment plant we scanned for grey wagtail and a couple were
spotted and before entering a wooded margin to the YWT reserve we paused to check a cropped
corn field for partridge. None were seen but a buzzard soared away above the trees and several
mistle thrushes were spotted. Various tits and a treecreeper were noted as we walked the wood. A
bench overlooking the cropped corn field made a makeshift viewing area. A tractor ploughing the
field was attracting many black headed gulls, a kestrel, swallows and house martins. No partridge
or pheasant could be seen, just a passing cormorant.
Before crossing the railway and the main road again the cottage for the manned crossing had bird
feeders which attracted more tits, chaffinch and goldfinch. A tussocked path over the road led us
back to our cars but not before magpie and jay were added to our list to complete a total of 26
species seen and 2 heard (goldcrest and bullfinch).
Page 10
20th September RSPB Blacktoft Sands.
Twelve group members went on our September day trip to Blacktoft .On the way to the visitor
centre, two of us were lucky to see the blackcap amongst all the tree sparrows. We were told to
look out for bearded tits - showing well, a glossy ibis and a recent sighting of red phalarope.
OK, off we go to the Xerox Hide. Lots of teal and a lovely snipe preening at the water’s edge with
four of the Konik ponies grazing right in front of the hide. Next we went to the Marshland hide, a
mixed flock flying over – mostly long tail tits. Again, lots of teal, shoveler, and lapwings, but
amazingly, there must have been 50-60 snipe (everywhere) absolutely wonderful plumage, flying
up, round and back again on to the islands. We then found a water rail skulking in the bottom of the
reeds (as they usually do), and then another water rail giving the best views ever out in the open
for everyone to see, first time for a lucky few. Onto Ousefleet Hide, again, lots of water birds with
wigeon and 4 lovely female pintail right in front of the hide. Whilst we were watching the marsh
harrier, someone shouted “curlew” flying over (a little dark Chris thought!) and away from us, being
mobbed by crows.
After lunch we went to First Hide to the find little except little grebes; then onto Townend Hide to
find the lagoon drained and a large excavator which had been creating more and re-profiling the
existing islands. Not much to see here except pied wagtails. We finally visited Singleton Hide.
Good views again of marsh harrier.
On the way back to the cars, we had decided to call in at North Duffield on the way home, but as
we were getting into the cars, the light drizzle changed to heavy rain, so we decided to call it a day.
We missed the bearded tits and phalarope, but had excellent views of all of the other bird species,
especially the snipe, pintail and water rails – just 38 species in total. Oh, and the “dark curlew” we
saw was actually the glossy ibis!
18th October Terrington Woods
On a bright, sunny morning, rain expected later, 9 members met in the car park by Castle Howard
Lake. The start of the walk produced long tailed tits, blue and coal tits, treecreeper and nuthatch
(heard) but had we peaked too soon?
At this time of year the trees in this wood were resplendent in their autumn foliage and this,
rather than the birds was the highlight of the walk. Marsh tit was noted but nothing was seen of
bullfinch, jay, mistle thrush and chiffchaff encountered on Helen and Ken’s recce walk a week
before. However, as we crossed an open space area between woodland, buzzards were seen in
double figures. Redwing was seen as we returned to the cars after a worthwhile walk in a splendid
wood.
26th October 2014 East Coast trip
The forecast was for strong wind today from a warm south westerly direction. This ruled out Spurn
for the 8 assembled members and, as it was surprisingly not windy in York, we headed off to the
Country Park at Filey.
A walk by the farm field by a mixed hedge produced goldfinch and through a break in the hedge we
scanned a field full of gulls and a marsh harrier was seen being mobbed by a two crows. On
reaching the cliff top the forecast wind was now apparent. We walked left towards Scarborough for
a short distance but soon decided to turn and head for the Brigg. We had a very windy walk to the
end and back without much to see.
Lunch was taken at Filey Dams where we saw the usual selection of ducks and waders. The
resident female sparrowhawk was posing well in a distant tree.
Following birds reported on the “net” we headed off to Flamborough South Bay where a curlew
sandpiper was feeding at the edge of the incoming tide with a group of turnstones. A great
opportunity for close up photography for all in the group.
Next we went to the Lighthouse car park and a walk to the Fog Alarm building where a young
female snowbunting could be seen. Some of our group left for home after this but the remainder
headed off to Grindale where a rough legged buzzard gave good views whilst hovering nearby in
the fading light. A spectacular end to the day after the windblown start.
For the Healaugh walk on 15th November please see page 3.
All reports by Ken Searstone except Blacktoft Sands (Anne Lloyd)
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Winter programme of events – January – April 2015
JANUARY
Sun 18th 10.00am MORNING WALK @ Yearsley Woods. Meet Yearsley to Ampleforth
Road OS Ref 583752 N54.16930957 W-1.10849187
Tue 20th 7.30pm
INDOOR MEETING – Steve Race; Yorkshire Coast Nature.
FEBRUARY
Wed 11th 7.30pm INDOOR MEETING – Jonathan Pomroy; Sketches of Ampleforth and
around.
Sun 15th 10.00am MORNING WALK @ Appleton Roebuck. Meet Roebuck Inn.
OS Ref 553423
N53.873965
W-1.1604021
MARCH
Thur 12th 7.30pm INDOOR MEETING – John Gardner; Wildlife, Wild Places
Sat 14th 10.00am MORNING WALK @ Harewood House.
Entry from Weadley OS Ref 299448 N53.89852885 W-1.54646570,
then to Harewood Yard OS Ref 306448
N53.89848825 W-1.53581335
Fri 27th – Sun 29th RSPB MEMBERS’ WEEKEND at York University.
APRIL
Tue 14th 10.00am MORNING WALK @ Hagg Wood and Hessacar reserve , Dunnington.
Meet Intake Lane OS Ref. 679528 N53.966828
W-0.96646673
Tue 14th 7.30pm
INDOOR MEETING – Ian Robinson; Koko Nor (NW China) and beyond
DAY TRIP VENUES January – April 2015
As noted in last newsletter please book these trips directly with Colin either by telephone (01904
413941), email (rafton29@talktalk.net) or in person at meetings, mentioning if you will like a lift or
are able to provide one. Strong shoes or boots will be required on all the trips as well as a
packed lunch. Please tell Colin as early as possible and note we will never pass on your details
to anyone else.
Sunday 25th January 2015. Local – by car
9am Venue to be decided on the day.
Sunday 22nd February 2015. East Coast – by car
9am
We will start in Filey where we should see a selection of gulls, waders, smaller birds and possibly
divers. After lunch, depending on what is around, we could go to Flamborough or Scarborough.
Saturday 21st March 2015. Spurn – by car
8am
A YWT reserve at the mouth of the Humber, it is a migration point we hope to see waders, gulls
and passerines. But one never knows what will turn up! The last time we were at Spurn we had
barred warbler. We can no longer drive down to the end due to last December's tidal surge.
Sunday 26th April 2015. Potteric Carr – by car
9am
A YWT reserve just off the M18 near Doncaster with woodland, ponds and reedbeds. We should
see a good variety of ducks, geese, waders and smaller birds. There is also a very good cafe on
site. An entrance fee is payable for all non YWT members.
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