CHELMSFORD & CENTRAL ESSEX GROUP NEWS - Summer 2013
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CHELMSFORD &
CENTRAL ESSEX
GROUP NEWS
Summer 2013
The RSPB is a registered charity in England & Wales 207076, in Scotland SC037654
RSPB ADVERTS HIT OUR SMALL SCREENS
Those of you who watch the commercial television channels and don’t use the breaks as an
opportunity to go and make a cup of tea might have seen the RSPB’s advertisements during
July. The ads were beamed into homes throughout the UK and were expected to reach 85%
of the UK population.
The message of the campaign is very simple – nature is in trouble, but we can all help by
“giving nature a home”. As individuals we can start at a basic level by planting bug-friendly
plants in our gardens and window boxes, and thinking about how we can help wildlife in our
immediate environment. We have all already made a contribution by joining the RSPB, and I
know many of us support other wildlife and environmental organisations which work in
partnership with the RSPB. This partnership working is very important as no single element
of nature can exist successfully independently of the others. So although birds will always be
at the heart of the RSPB, it recognises that for birds to survive and thrive, it is necessary for
them to have food and suitable habitat, and the best way to ensure this is to work with others
to achieve common aims.
FOODCHAIN
WRITTLE COLLEGE, HERE WE COME
In the last issue of the newsletter Sue McClellan, our Meetings/Talks Secretary, wrote about
her search for a new venue for the local group talks, as using the Cramphorn Theatre had
become unaffordable.
We can now confirm that as from January 2014 the talks will be held in the Northumberland
Theatre at Writtle College. This is a lovely lecture theatre with facilities as good as, if not
better than, the Cramphorn. An added bonus is free parking. And the icing on the cake is
that because the venue is more reasonably priced, we can bring down the entry fee to the
talks to £2.50. We will no longer be offering a discount for members who pay to receive a
printed copy of the newsletter.
1Postal members subscription
The subscription of £5 for postal members is due in September. As from January
2014 postal members will no longer receive a discount on the entry price for our
talks, as there will be a new, lower, entry fee for everyone. See the article above for
more information.
Please send your cheque (having first checked that you do not pay by standing
order!) to:
Margot Grice
Dragons, Boyton Cross
Roxwell, Chelmsford
Essex CM1 4LS
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES
We have to tell you that sadly there will be no more fayres held after December this year as
we do not have a volunteer to run them. If you would like to get involved in fundraising and
have any new ideas we would be very pleased to hear from you. The committee’s contact
details are on page 7. Do please get in touch if you can help.
GROUP LEADER
We are still seeking a Leader for the Group, so if you think this is a role you would be
interested in taking on, do please get in touch.
Meanwhile we are grateful to Viv Connett, who has been appointed as our “point of
contact”. This has enabled us to keep going as a local RSPB group. You can contact Viv if
you would like to talk about becoming Group Leader.
Contact details for the committee members are towards the end of the newsletter, before
the events diary.
OUR LOCAL GROUP WALKS
The only walk since the last newsletter was the April Mystery Walk. We decided to go to
Fingringhoe Wick on a search for common migrants, especially the nightingale, for which this
is one of the best spots in the county. However the weather was chilly and overcast, so
although one or two were singing quietly, none were visible.
We spent some time in the hide watching a nice assortment of waders, then on our way
back to the Visitor Centre we heard a willow warbler; stopping to look for this we saw a
common whitethroat and then heard a nightingale singing very close by. Fortunately it was
sitting out in the open so we all obtained good scope views – too far away for a photo
though!
32 birds were seen and one heard.
Viv Connett
FROM THE KRUGER TO THE KAROO
For anyone wishing to experience for themselves the South African birds and wildlife shown
by John Buckingham at his inspiring talk on 13 December 2012, we would wholeheartedly
endorse John’s recommendation of a local tour guide – Crane’s Cape Tours and Travel –
see www.naturalhistorytours.co.za.
Geoff Crane will arrange group tours, self drive and in our case, a fully accompanied tour
just for us. We greatly enjoyed our 7 day/6 night tour, designed specifically for us, along the
Garden Route from Cape Town to East London. Geoff’s wealth of knowledge and careful
driving meant a relaxed and informative holiday, and included places off the well-beaten
tourist trail, such as the spectacular Swartberg Pass and the Spitskop Peak. His superb
2knowledge of where to look and what to see meant we saw and identified 148 birds and
many mammals.
David & Winifred Simmonds
TURTLE DOVES WIN HEARTS IN ESSEX
Having requested the RSPB Chelmsford & Central
Essex Group members to text vote for the Essex
Birdwatching Society in the ‘Heart of Essex 2013’
awards via the last newsletter, I would like to take the
opportunity to thank the Group for their support and
inform you of the outcome.
All our splendid efforts achieved the desired result
and the EBwS was voted one of the top two in the
Environmental category to go forward to the final
stage.
Subsequently we are extremely pleased to advise that
the EBwS went on to win this category and received a
£1,500 award, which was presented by Simon Burns
MP at a ceremony held at Hylands House in
Chelmsford on 4th July.
The Society would like to thank you all for your
support to help with the on-going conservation of turtle doves in Essex, which dovetails with
‘Operation Turtle Dove – saving a bird on the brink’.
I am very excited at what we have started and can now achieve.
Thank you.
Gerry Johnson, EBwS Chairman
GOOD MORNING MR CADDOW !
OK then, good morning Mr Jackdaw. Caddow is the old East Anglian name for this
characterful bird. It was this winter that we saw our first jackdaw in our garden after living
here for 26 years or so, and we were immediately transfixed by him and eventually by his
mate, who joined him later.
It was their cold, ice-blue eyes that immediately held one’s attention. They mean business,
as does the whole demeanour of this bird. I am the guv’nor, I’m in charge and I know exactly
what I’m up to. But they do have a warm and mischievous side to them. They can play
games with berries, steal food from more hesitant rooks and pinch any glistening jewellery
that you may leave about the house, if they have a chance, to decorate their nests with.
3When they fly, they tumble about the sky out of sheer joy of living, most usually when flying
in the company of a large flock of rooks and other jackdaws. Some of these flocks can be
quite large. 1,000 were seen in a flock in the Lee Valley on 12 January 2010, a further 1,000
at The Hythe on 22 March 2010, and we have seen flocks of 600 or so over Chantry Wood
here at Wickham Bishops.
I do not know where our two were nesting. It could be in a hollow tree, an old building or – a
speciality – in a chimney. A nest is started in the chosen chimney by dropping twigs down it
until one or two get wedged, when they can then start to add more until they are satisfied.
There are tales of vast nests being created. One in the Bell Tower of Eton College was 10ft
high and built in 17 days. Another in Oxenton Church, Gloucestershire was 8ft tall and about
as wide. They have been seen carrying sticks 7ft long as building material. When the nest is
formed, they line it with assorted feathers and fur, even plucking the hair directly from the
backs of deer, sheep or cows.
They form long, faithful partnerships, with the male taking the lion’s share (80%) of the work
in looking after the young for the first 10 days or so. They only have one brood of four to six
young, with the hen bird brooding from the day the first egg is laid so the young vary in age.
Fledglings engage in “active sharing” where they share food amongst their peers to create
social bonding.
What’s in a name? Well, sure enough the “jackdaw” replicates its two main calls. The “jack”
is its main contact call and is very commonly heard and beautifully described in a book I once
read thus….“and when the birds are flying in unison the calls – spirited, rather light in timbre,
crisp and clear-cut – ricochet beautifully from one bird to another”. The “daw” is a loud,
resonant alarm note like a more grating caw of a rook.
One last thought. We welcomed our new friends to our garden but beware their appetite.
They can demolish a small fat ball in five minutes!
Mike Logan Wood July 2013
OWLS, WOODPECKERS AND SHOVELERS
I have been transfixed this spring by the progress of the barn owl pair at
Blue House Farm (an Essex Wildlife Trust reserve). A video camera is
trained on the nest and the pictures can be seen live on the internet. I have
watched as the female began laying eggs (she laid four over a period of
days), then three of the eggs hatched, and the owlets grew from ungainly
and frankly not very attractive tiny creatures into fully fledged owls. There
was a plentiful supply of food, and one of the best moments must have been
when one of the chicks, about four inches long, swallowed an entire small
rodent, about the same size as itself. There were two back feet and a long
tail left sticking out of its mouth while it tried to gulp down the body. The
mother owl seemed to think the baby had bitten off more than it could chew
because she yanked on the rodent’s tail to try and pull it out, but the baby
wasn’t going to relinquish its meal and eventually it all went down. I have
stayed up far too late on many occasions watching their antics.
A trip to Abbotts Hall Farm, another EWT reserve, brought wonderful
views of a green woodpecker feeding young. The young birds were
hanging out of the hole in the tree, beaks wide open, yelling for more
food.
On the same walk we saw a family of
shoveler ducks with a brood of ducklings. It
was a wonder that the ducklings could swim
and didn’t tip over with their huge beaks.
Louise Fuller
4BIRDTRACK WEBSITE RELAUNCH
BirdTrack is the UK's online bird recording system, run as a partnership between the RSPB,
the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Birdwatch Ireland, Scottish Ornithologists' Club and
the Welsh Ornithological Society.
Log, store and manage
Thousands of birdwatchers use BirdTrack to log their daily bird sightings, allowing them to
store and manage their own records, make them available to local bird clubs, and allow them
to be used by the RSPB and various organisations for conservation purposes.
As just one example, BirdTrack sightings feed directly into the "recent sightings" page for
each reserve on the RSPB’s webpage, helping to attract visitors to our reserves.
Greater prominence
BirdTrack has unveiled a newly designed website http://www.birdtrack.net which gives much
greater prominence to the records submitted by users.
A zoomable map means that users can see what's been reported locally to them and search
for records of a particular species across the country. Strict filters, developed with the Rare
Breeding Birds Panel, means that users can submit valuable records of rare breeding birds
without them being revealed to other users.
The interactive graphing tool means that patterns of occurrence can be examined. Soon, it
will be possible to examine the arrival of swallows and cuckoos day-by-day.
The latest photos in BirdTrack's expanding flickr pool can be viewed, and the competitive
birder can see how their year list compares next to those of other 'BirdTrackers.'
App appeal
Earlier this year BirdTrack launched another innovation: the BirdTrack App for iPhone,
following on from the launch of an Android app last year.
Both apps enhance BirdTrack's accessibility and appeal to smartphone-using birders. Last
month alone, more than 600 BirdTrackers collected records in the field on their smartphones
and uploaded them to the system.
These developments are helping to make BirdTrack more attractive to both the serious
birder but also the more casual birdwatcher.
UPDATE FROM HENDERSON ISLAND
In May we heard the very disappointing news that it had been confirmed that rats were still
present on Henderson Island, Pitcairn Overseas Territory, where the RSPB undertook a
rodent eradication operation last year to save the Henderson petrel from extinction.
Much has been underway since then so we wanted to provide an update.
Assessments undertaken
At 43km², Henderson was the largest tropical or sub-tropical island ever attempted for a
rodent eradication. The RSPB has been determined to learn and share all possible lessons
from this cutting-edge operation to inform next steps and advance global island restoration
knowledge.
Firstly, genetic testing of the rat sample obtained from the island confirmed that the rats were
almost certainly survivors, rather than a post-operation re-introduction.
Secondly, two independent reviews were commissioned to analyse
all aspects of the operation and assess why rats persisted. These
concluded that the operation was implemented according to all
international best practice and that no definite reason for failure
would ever be able to be identified.
Food and bait
Last year's unseasonal wet weather, which led to much flowering
and fruiting and hence more alternative food for the rats, may have
been the main cause.
On the ground
The results of these reviews were taken to the local community to discuss in November, who
gave their unanimous support for further work to be undertaken to restore the island.
5Bird counts were done on Henderson itself at the same time, with all four endemic land bird
species reported to be doing well (many having increased significantly in the near-absence of
rats).
The RSPB is determined to keep going to restore Henderson, and a 6-week research trip to
the island next year will help inform next steps.
Henderson Island is just one of many habitats of global significance that the RSPB is
working to preserve as part of our Saving Nature strategy.
WALLASEA ISLAND WILD COAST PROJECT
This is your chance to go and see the progress which has been made at Wallasea Island.
There is to be an Open Day on Sunday 29 September, where there will be stalls, displays,
activities, bird walks and other attractions. The open day will be a celebration of progress to
date and a foretaste of what is to come.
Wallasea Island is a gigantic conservation and engineering scheme, as we have heard from
speakers at our talks in the past. The aim of the project is to combat the threats from climate
change and coastal flooding by recreating the ancient wetland landscape of mudflats and
saltmarsh, lagoons and pasture. It will also help to compensate for the loss of such tidal
habitats elsewhere in England.
Major construction began in earnest in September 2012 when spoil from the Crossrail tunnel
excavations started coming on site, and will continue until around 2019. Once completed,
the project will provide a haven for a wonderful array of nationally and internationally
important wildlife and an amazing place for the local community, and those from further
afield, to come and enjoy.
Our local group is hoping to have a stall at the event, where we will be selling RSPB sales
goods, bird food etc. We will also have information on display and leaflets to hand out. This
will be a great opportunity to promote the local group and the cause of the RSPB in general.
All members of the public are very welcome to attend the Open Day. In addition, volunteers
are required to help with various activities on the day. If you think you can help, please
contact Sue McClellan in the first instance (details on page 7). Times are expected to be
11.00am to 4.00pm (to be confirmed).
A visit in September might bring you sightings such as ringed plovers, avocets, redshanks
and greenshanks. There is always the possibility of something a bit more unusual like a little
stint or a curlew sandpiper.
Although obviously there is normally no public access to the construction site, you can walk
along the north sea wall and get good views of the work going on, and see the wildlife as
well.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/w/
wallaseaisland/
6GROUP ACCOUNTS 2012/13
The accounts had not been signed off by the auditor when we held our AGM. This has now been done, and they are reproduced below for your
information. Any queries, please contact the treasurer, Margot Grice, on 01245 248651, mandmdragons@tiscali.co.uk
INCOME £ EXPENDITURE £
2012/13 2011/12 2012/13 2011/12
Balance B/F 1208.59 929.12
Hire of hall / Meetings 1414.53 1355.17
Meetings 1635.50 1762.50 Hire of hall / Fundraising 364.50 416.50
Fundraising Events 2258.35 2285.52 Raffle prizes / tickets 12.00
Raffle 148.00 57.00 Advertising 319.54 224.78
Sale of bird food 265.70 394.70 Speakers 514.00 477.00
Fees / Donations 2417.02 2311.83 Newsletter 107.34 130.31
Non-RSPB sales goods 40.03 57.23 Postage 72.00 581.18
Sponsors Sundries 15.24
Subscriptions 545.00 655.00
Donation to RSPB 4500.00 4044.13
Balance C/F 1214.28 1208.59
TOTAL 8518.19 8452.90 TOTAL 8518.19 8452.90
Balance C/F.
Co-op Bank 1168.52 1458.33
Petty Cash 45.76 59.60
Credit from RSPB Sales Ltd. 1,402.41 1,628.62 TOTAL 1214.28 1517.93
2011/12 2012/13
Sales goods 2229.07 Sales goods 1628.62
Sponsorship 226.80 Sponsorship 160.70
Fund raising 4044.13 Fund raising 4500.00
International Projects 6500.00 International Projects 3128.62
Salt Marsh & Coastal Marine 3160.70
6500.00 6500.00 6289.32 6289.32
7RSPB LOCAL GROUP COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2013/14
Viv Connett Point of Contact & 07985 796657 vivconnett@mail.com
Field Trips Organiser
Tim Connett Field Trips Organiser 07913 896020 timconnett@mail.com
Louise Fuller Newsletter Editor 01245 421614 louiserfuller@hotmail.com
Margot Grice Treasurer 01245 248651 mandmdragons@tiscali.co.uk
Janet Hawkes Secretary 01376 512628 janhma@aol.com
Gerry Johnson Pin Badge Sales Co- 01245 356633 gerry2johnson@aol.com
ordinator
Sue McClellan Meetings (Talks) 01245 471576 Sue.robinson@idnet.com
Secretary
EVENTS DIARY
Non-members are welcome at all events.
Talks are held at the Cramphorn Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, from 8pm-9.45pm with an interval.
Parking in Fairfield Road car park (entrance in nearby Coval Lane, £1 charge). Entry £3.50 adults, £1 children; 50p
reduction for postal group members (one per household).
Walks are all “own car” outings, suitable for all abilities; help with bird ID will be available. Wear suitable clothing and
footwear and bring your own refreshments. There are no toilet facilities at most of the walk venues.
For further details of all events please see our web site www.rspb.org.uk/groups/chelmsford
AUGUST
Walk – Saturday 10
OLD HALL MARSHES. Meet in the car park at 5.30pm. We are returning for our annual summer evening walk around
this “out of the way” reserve. We will be looking for waders in general with a chance of curlew sandpiper, wood
sandpiper and maybe a Temminck’s stint. There is also a good chance of raptors such as hobby and peregrine. The
reserve is entered at the western end from the minor road between Tollesbury and Tolleshunt D’Arcy. From the A12
take the B1023, via Tiptree to Tolleshunt D'Arcy. Turn left at village maypole then right into Chapel Road (back road to
Tollesbury). After approx 1 mile (1.6 km), turn left into Old Hall Lane. Continue up Old Hall Lane, over speed ramps
and through iron gates to cattle grid, then follow signs straight ahead to car park (grid reference TL 960 123 on
Landranger OS map 168). Walking boots may be required and a jacket is
recommended.
SEPTEMBER
Talk – Thursday 12
SUFFOLK AND THE BRECKS AT THEIR FINEST by Alex Bass. A new speaker for us, Alex
will give an enlightening talk on the history and wildlife of some of the finest bird
watching areas in his favourite county, supported by beautiful images, delightful sound
effects ... and maybe some poems!
STONE CURLEW
8Walk – Sunday 15
MINSMERE. Meet in the car park at 10.00am (see RSPB website for directions). You
can join us just for the morning or come all day as our walk leaders will stay as long
as people want to be there. This is around the beginning of the autumn migration
so almost anything is possible but marsh harrier, bittern and bearded tits are all
good bets. Walking boots and a jacket may be necessary.
BEARDED TIT
OCTOBER
Autumn Fayre – Saturday 5
at The Ingatestone Community Centre, High Street, Ingatestone, from
10am to 1pm with RSPB Sales Goods, Plants, Cakes, Bric-a-Brac, Games,
Jigsaws, Knitteds, Books, Bird Food, Tombola etc.
Talk – Thursday 10
HOPE FOR MALTA’S BIRDS? by Robin Potts. Robin will highlight the efforts being made by
BirdLife Malta and other conservation organisations in combating the illegal shooting and
trapping of migrating birds passing through Malta each spring and autumn. There is a long way
to go - but there is hope for the future.
Walk – Sunday 20
MYSTERY WALK AT 10.00am
Call Viv on 07985 796657 the evening before between 6.00pm and 9.00pm for location and directions.
NOVEMBER
Autumn/Christmas Fayre – Saturday 9
at The Village Hall, The Green, Writtle (by the pond) from 10am to 1pm, with Christmas-themed RSPB Sales Goods,
Plants, Cakes, Bric-a-Brac, Games, Jigsaws, Knitteds, Books, Bird Food, Tombola and refreshments etc.
Talk – Thursday 14
LIONS AND TIGERS … AND BIRDS by Tim Loseby. A returning speaker, Tim will talk about endangered & other wildlife
of some of India's dramatic jungle habitats.
Walk – Sunday 17
RAINHAM MARSHES. Meet in the car park (see RSPB website for directions if necessary) at 10.00am. We will be taking
a leisurely walk around this reserve on the look out for whatever it has to offer. If time permits we may take a wander
down to the Stone Barges looking for small waders and rarer gulls. Walking boots and warm waterproof clothing are
recommended.
9Christmas Fayre – Saturday 30
at the Budworth Hall, High Street, Ongar (next door to Sainsburys), from 10am to 1pm.
This is our main Christmas event with Christmas themed RSPB Sales Goods, Plants,
Cakes, Bric-a-Brac, Games, Jigsaws, Knitteds, Books, Bird Food, Tombola etc.
DECEMBER
Talk – Thursday 12
HOUSE MARTINS COME HOME by Martin Tickler. An enthusiastic, self confessed
"house martin lunatic", Martin Tickler will share stories of how he's encouraged house martins to nest at his home
over the last 30 years. Supported with colourful images, he'll explain how he's supplied artificial nests, mud pies and
other paraphernalia to help make these endearing little birds warm and cosy. This looks to be a very inspiring talk,
with lots of ideas on how we can adapt our own properties.
Walk – Saturday 21
TOLLESBURY WICK. Meet in the car park in Woodrolfe Road (grid reference TL963 106 on Landranger OS Map 168) at
10.00am. As an alternative to the long walk at Old Hall Marshes this time we are walking round Tollesbury Wick
(around 4-5 miles). We will be looking for winter waders and various raptors that may include hen harrier and short
eared owl. Walking boots and warm waterproof clothing are recommended as location is very exposed.
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