Carsington Bird Club

Eddie Walker

Yesterday (1 October), we heard the sad news that long-time recorder at Carsington Water Eddie Walker had passed away the previous day at his home in Belper, surrounded by his nieces and sister Brenda.

Eddie, who was 79 and had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, leaves behind a considerable legacy to Carsington Bird Club and to birding in general – in Derbyshire and beyond. He was one of the founder members of CBC shortly after the opening of the reservoir (his original membership number was 007!), and was on the club’s first committee in 1992 with responsibility as Recorder, a position he held for very many years before handing over to Roger Carrington after deciding to move to Spain.

A number of “firsts” on site and the detailed records over those first dozen years or so of the reservoir’s existence were largely down to Eddie and his recording team of the day.

He lived in Spain for around 20 years, in the small town of Rafal on the Costa Blanca, but came back for extended breaks in the UK – usually to escape the extreme heat experienced during the Spanish summer. We therefore saw plenty of him during those trips back ‘home’and Carsington remained a cherished spot for him throughout those final 20 years, though he enjoyed going to other sites like Wyver Lane, Ogston, Willington, Old Moor and Blacktoft Sands on a regular basis. Several months ago he sold up in Spain and moved back to England for good.

For those wishing to attend his funeral, we will post the time and date on the website.

News Items

********** Membership News **********

From 1st January 2025, membership joining fees have changed – see link here.

CBC Meeting Schedule for 2025/26 commences in September.

Indoor meetings are held in the Carsington Water Visitor Centre – starting at 19.30h

** SUNDAY, 12 OCTOBER ** – We jump in our cars for a club trip to the RSPB’s excellent reserve at Burton Mere on the Wirral. We aim to arrive at the visitor centre by 10.30am. Contact Chris Lamb (see details at the end of the newsletter) if you wish to come along. A lift could be available for those not wishing to drive.

** TUESDAY, 14 OCTOBER ** – Talk: The British Trust for Ornithology; Jon Potts describes the important work undertaken by the BTO (note that, unusually, this is the second Tuesday of the month).

** TUESDAY, 18 NOVEMBER ** – Talk: India – Land of the Tiger; the ever-entertaining Tony Davison tells us about his trip last year where he encountered a plethora of birdlife … and the iconic Bengal Tiger.

** TUESDAY, 16 DECEMBER ** – Talk: Birds and Islands; David Parkin reprises the presentation on the evolution of birdlife on island that he was due to give us last season before an injury forced him to postpone.

If you need a lift – or for any more information – contact Chris Lamb [ cflamb@yahoo.co.uk ], who will be able to offer help.

Other Activities

– First Sunday of the month – Birdwatching for Beginners – Meet Visitor Centre (10am-12 noon)

Please Note:

Almost invariably held on the first Sunday of the month (meet in the courtyard at 10am – but please book with reception if you intend to come).

Outdoor Activities

For Severn Trent’s spring programme, it’s often sensible to book a place with the visitor centre (on 01629 540696).

Carsington Bird Club

For Sale

Two good pairs of bins both in excellent condition. Contact below if interested.

Carl Zeiss Conquest 8 x 32 binoculars – excellent condition – £495
Carl Zeiss Conquest 10 x 32 binoculars – excellent condition – £ 495 SOLD!!!

Telephone Glyn on 07831 440641

Carsington Bird Club Events Severn Trent Water

Roger Remembered as New Hide Formally Opens..

As part of a formal opening of the new Sheepwash hide at Severn Trent’s Carsington Water, Roger Carrington was honoured for his huge contribution to birding on site and to consistent recording of birdlife at the large reservoir. Roger, who passed away in 2022, was Carsington Bird Club’s Recorder for more than a decade.

A very old picture of Roger with what now, would be called an ‘ancient’ scope…

He spent many happy hours at the previous hide, binoculars and ‘scope at the ready, and on 23 July a ribbon-cutting for its replacement was undertaken by Roger’s widow, Lilian, accompanied by daughter Helen. They were able not only to read the plaque on the door of the hide, describing Roger’s key role, but also enjoy the nearby bench that has been dedicated to Roger’s memory.

When it became clear the old hide had had its day, plans were put in place to design and build a new hide. Though Roger never saw these plans come to fruition, he would have been very happy with the successor – reckoned by birders to be located in the optimum position for scanning much of the reservoir.

Roger served as a core member of the Carsington Bird Club committee, advising on all aspects of birding including breeding surveys, bird boxes and where to locate them, habitat improvements – often working hand-in-glove with the Severn Trent – and editing and producing many of the detailed annual reports that serve as a permanent bird-related history across three decades at what is one of Derbyshire’s top wildlife and public engagement sites.

Many people learned a great deal from Roger, whose calm personality and quiet demeanour encouraged them to ask questions (even obvious ones!) and take on board a little of his large fund of knowledge.