Carsington Bird Club – Page 14 – Carsington Bird Club

CBC Newsletter No. 3 – September 2018

First of all, apologies in advance for this ‘slimline’ newsletter, which reflects how quiet it goes over the late summer both in terms of club events and, perhaps to a lesser extent, the birdlife at the reservoir (as the following reservoir report reflects). We are about to get things moving again, however (see ‘Diary Dates’ below), with the resumption of indoor meetings and another club trip at the end of this month.

We have a complete season of interesting talks and fabulous photos in place for 2018-19, kicking off with local photographer Paul Hobson. Meanwhile, the club outing is a little farther afield this time, to the ever-popular Frampton Marsh which generally guarantees a few surprises and a nice long list of sightings.

Regarding club ‘admin’, we now have our general policy on data privacy posted on the front page of the website; this aims to protect members’ privacy, but if you have any queries or concerns over this document, please contact any of the committee for clarification.

We are also still in need of an auditor for the club’s accounts after being served notice by David Bennett, who audited our books for some years. It would be really good if we could find someone within our own ranks to undertake this important task, which while not time-consuming requires professional expertise.

Gary Atkins

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

There are two key dates for members to note later this month (all of our events for the rest of the year are listed in the ‘What’s On’ section on the next page) —

** TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 ** – Award-winning wildlife photographer Paul Hobson is returning to talk to us on the topic of ‘Coast and Islands’. It’s bound to be an exciting journey …

** SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 ** – For our next club trip we head off to RSPB’s prime reserve at Frampton Marsh (postcode PE20 1AY), which invariably throws up some special species and a healthy list. Meet there at 10.30am. If you intend to come along – particularly if you need a lift – do let Chris Lamb know either by phone on 01629 820890 or by e-mail at cflamb@yahoo.co.uk

WATER BIRD BROODS DIP – BUT OSPREYS AND EGRET CAUSE A FLUTTER

Up to seven Little Egrets have recently been parading around the perimeter of the reservoir, but it was this species’ bigger cousin – a Great White Egret – which caused particular excitement earlier this month. It was first spotted on 1 September but was then seen by many over the next couple of days before moving on.

Ospreys will always be a talking point, even on their return routes to wintering grounds, and there were five sightings in a seven-day period, the last of which on 3 September was seen carrying a fish over nearby Kirk Ireton. Other raptors over the summer included four Red Kite records, a juvenile Marsh Harrier on 4 August, and nimble Hobbys which were spotted twice in June, then three times in August. A Barn Owl thrilled one observer on 7 August at Millfields, where a Tawny Owl was disturbed a couple of weeks later.

Breeding has been mixed, with smaller birds doing well but waterfowl and waders generally producing less broods than usual, with the exception of Great Crested Grebes (8 broods) and Canada Geese. Two pairs of Reed Warblers bred in Brownale Bay, showing how this species is expanding its range on site, two pairs of Sedge Warblers bred on Stones Island and fledged Redstart young were noted in Shiningford Creek.

As would be expected, autumn numbers of waterfowl are on the increase with 563 Coot, 456 Tufted Ducks and 282 Mallard counted during the August WeBS count, 951 Canada Geese noted on 24 August and 409 Teal on 4 September, with double-figure totals of Goosander, Wigeon, Pochard and Shoveler on some days.

Meanwhile up to seven of the scarcer Common Scoter have been recorded in each of the last three months, and a Ruddy Shelduck was an interesting diversion from 22 to 29 August, though considered a likely escapee.

The gull roost has also begun to swell, as 1,600 Lesser Black-backs were counted at the end of August, along with 280 Black-headeds. More unusual gulls in recent months have included a Kittiwake, two Caspian Gulls, up to four Yellow-legs and an adult Mediterranean Gull that was noted on 25 July.

Sixteen wader species helped boost the July total to a site record for that month of 107, and the following month’s 113 – the fourth best August total – was also boosted by wader sightings including some scarce species such as Avocet, Ruff, Wood and Green Sandpipers, Turnstone, Knot, Sanderling, Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit.

Autumn movements are also now evident, with some species moving in, some through and others out, en route for their winter quarters. Earlier this month, 20 Meadow Pipits joined the ever-active Wagtail brigade, which included seven Yellows and as many as 65 Pied and half-a-dozen Grey Wagtails in late August. Hirundines are gathering, too, with 200-strong flocks of Swallows on 26 August and House Martins on 3 September. There have been fewer Sand Martins recorded, but 137 Swifts were counted on 30 June, with the last of this sleek species noted flying through on 23 August.

A site-scarce Green Woodpecker was seen at Millfields on 9 August, Crossbills were recorded over Millfields and Blackwall plantation in each of the last three months, while flocks of 100+ Goldfinches were seen, often on Stones Island.

There are still quite a few of our summer visitors around, too, with 29 Chiffchaffs and 15 Blackcaps counted as recently as 3 September.

“PG LEGACY” NEST BOXES TO BE INSTALLED FOR TREE SPARROWS

A sizeable batch of nest boxes for Tree Sparrows, serving as a legacy to the memory of former Chairman Peter Gibbon, has been completed and delivered. The boxes will soon be installed around the site, following the imminent completion of the current breeding season.

This effort to help consolidate the traditionally robust Tree Sparrow presence follows a survey between Stones Island and Sheepwash to determine numbers, which last year showed a worrying reduction to a maximum of 28 at any one time as against pre-breeding flocks of 40 and 50 at the Wildlife Centre alone in the previous two years.

Some of the new batch of nest boxes will replace existing ones that have fallen into disrepair, others will be located to reflect the subtle changes in location in which the Tree Sparrow population has been monitored. Most of the numbered boxes will carry a “PG” prefix in recognition of Peter’s huge contribution to CBC during his lengthy tenure as Chairman.

WHAT’S ON

After a quiet summer, our programme of indoor talks is just about to get underway, with its usual wide range of subjects and brilliant photographs, and a club trip is also arranged for the end of September. Details:

18 September Talk by Paul Hobson: ‘Coast and Islands’ – Henmore Rm, Visitor Centre (7.30pm)

30 September Trip to Frampton Marsh RSPB reserve, Lincolnshire – Meet 10.30am at reserve – (see earlier notice for details)

16 October Talk (joint with DOS) by Chris Galvin: ‘Around the World in 80 birds’ – Henmore Rm, Visitor Centre (7.30pm)

20 November Talk by our very own Chris Lamb on Oz wildlife – Henmore Rm, Visitor Centre (7.30pm)

18 December Talk by Andrew Parkinson: British Wildlife thru’ the seasons Henmore Rm, Visitor Centre (7.30pm)

Below are events being staged at Carsington Water over the autumn and early winter by Severn Trent Water, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust or New Leaf Catering.

Some incur a charge or require booking, so check with the host organisation for more details (via STW on 01629 540696, DWT on 01773 881188 or New Leaf on 01629 540363):

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

First weekend of month Optics demonstrations – RSPB shop, Visitor Centre (10am-4pm)

Every Tuesday/Sunday Wildlife Centre volunteers on parade – Wildlife Centre (10am-3pm)

Third Saturday monthly Family Forest School (charges apply) – Contact DWT to book

Last Saturday monthly Sheepwash Spinners (wool-craft) – Information at Visitor Centre

17 October Jazz afternoon tea (£18.95pp) – Restaurant (book via New Leaf)

12 December ‘A Capella’ Christmas Lunch (£24.95) – Restaurant (as above)

14 December Lunch and festive jazz afternoon (£24.95) – Restaurant (as above)

Carsington Bird Club

GDPR – General Data Protection Regulations

Please read the important statement below.

Data Privacy Policy

Carsington Bird Club (CBC) respects the privacy of its membership and is committed to protecting any and all personal data held.

Responsibility for overseeing data is taken by the Managing Committee and the Officers of the Club.

Data Held

– Identity Data includes title, first name, last name and user name (if different).

– Contact Data includes postal address, email address, and telephone numbers.

Data is collected when a individual(s) applies for membership of the Club and is amended / updated as necessary, usually on annual renewal.

Name and email address is collected on any individual submitting sightings to the Club’s online website www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk (see also “ Privacy “ statement on CBC’s website).

Use of Personal Data

– As a Register of membership of Carsington Bird Club.

– For Communication purposes which typically involves a regular activity/news Bulletin ?and Annual Report or to contact individuals about their sightings, if required.

– As a Record of subscriptions paid and donations to the Club’s finances.

– The club may use personal information to alert membership to the expiry of subscriptions.

CBC do not use any personal information for marketing, promoting or advertising the Club.

CBC do not sell, share or divulge members personal data with any outside organisation or third party, nor do we share such data within the Club’s membership (other than the Managing Committee) without the express consent of the individual.

Security

All data is stored on private computer equipment which is protected by appropriate security software.

Data Removal

Data is deleted when any individual ceases their Membership of the Club.

Rights

Under the European Union’s General Data Protection Act (GDPR), individuals have a number of important rights.

A summary of your rights in relation to the personal data we hold is given as:

a. The right to be informed..

– A copy of the Club’s Privacy Policy will be provided to individuals at the time we collect their data. ie. On becoming a Member.

b. The right of access

– This gives the individual the right to obtain a copy of their personal data.

c. The right to rectification.

– This gives the individual the right to have inaccurate personal data rectified or ?completed if incomplete.

d. The right to erasure in certain circumstances.

e. The right to complain to the regulatory body.

f. The right to object to processing.

– An individual may be able to limit the way an organisation uses their data.

g. The right to data portability.

h. The right to withdraw consent.

It is suggested that for further information reference should be made to official documentation from the bodies involved, which for the UK is the Information Commissioners Office. https://ico.org.uk

Contact

Any concerns regarding this Policy should be made to one of CBC’s Managing Committee / Officers.

Carsington Bird Club Member Reports News

WARBLERS PUT ON A SHOW … OR MOST OF THEM!

A group of nine assembled at the Visitor Centre at 9am last Sunday (20 May) for the club’s Warbler Walk. As well as the lovely sunny weather, we also benefited from the expertise of Roger Carrington, one of the club’s most experienced recorders at Carsington Water, who led the walk and was able to pick up many of the species we saw simply from their songs and calls.

Setting off from the Visitor Centre towards Stones Island we soon encountered the scratchy song of a Whitethroat, which flew across the path on its song flight and perched obligingly at the top of a bush to give us good views.

Further on we heard the descending trill of a Willow Warbler, which again we managed to see very well as it flitted around the bushes. We then had the challenge of trying to differentiate between the song of a Garden Warbler and a Blackcap, but fortunately the bird obliged by showing itself as a Garden Warbler. We heard the same song a number of times moving around Stones Island before picking up faintly the song of a Sedge Warbler on the edge of Sailing Club Island.

It wasn’t just about warblers of course and as we were walking we did of course see and hear the songs and calls of many ‘non-warblers’ – birds such as Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock and Robin, and we had brief views of a Willow Tit.

Earlier in the morning two Turnstones had been spotted on Sailing Club Island, but had moved on by the time we had got there (shame – as three were seen there the following day!). The water itself was very calm and we saw a number of Mallard families with young chicks, as well as Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Great-Crested Grebes in pairs displaying to each other.

Moving off Stones Island, we walked along Wildlife Centre Creek where we were hoping to catch sight or sound of a Spotted Flycatcher or Lesser Whitethroat, both of which had been seen or heard in that area in the previous 24 hours … but they were not playing ball as we stared into the trees, eyes and ears primed.

Surprisingly it wasn’t until this point that we heard our first Chiffchaff, singing its name at the top of a tree by the path, and Roger strongly suspected we identified a Blackcap, though it remained heard but not seen! Finishing up at the Wildlife Centre we got good close-up views of the usual ducks, geese and gulls to be seen there, as well as a distant Little Grebe.

It was a pleasure to welcome some recently joined members of the club to our walk and we hope everyone who came along enjoyed themselves. A big thank you must go to Roger for all his advice in helping us to identify the warbler songs and calls, as well as passing on some of his tips on where to find the birds around the site.

That time of year – but definitely NOT a warbler!

The species seen during the walk (or, at least, those we could remember!) were: Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Canada Goose, Great Tit, Robin, Wren, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Magpie, Grey Heron, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Willow Warbler, Swallow, Mute Swan, Mallard, Long-tailed Tit, Carrion Crow, Garden Warbler, Gt Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Redshank, Willow Tit, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, Sedge Warbler (heard), Blackcap (heard), Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit, House Martin, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Greylag Goose and Little Grebe

Chris Lamb

Carsington Bird Club Events Member Reports

Spring visitors on show at Carr Vale for CBC visitors

SPRING VISITORS ON SHOW AT CARR VALE FOR CBC VISITORS

Our latest CBC outing took us to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Carr Vale Flash near Bolsover on Sunday 29 April.

It was a slow start to the morning and we thought at first we might see more dogs and horses than birds, but soon we picked up the songs of Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, as well as Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Wrens and Robins.

A single ‘yaffle’ of a Green Woodpecker was heard in the distance, but this proved to be the only time we heard it. Arriving at the lakes we added ducks and geese to the list, and a Great-crested Grebe was seen catching fish. A single Grey Heron flew over, also the only one of the day.

The lookout point at The Mound was a very good place to scan the lakes and a single Oystercatcher was seen in a distant field, along with a couple of Common Terns and handful of Lapwing among the large number of Black-headed Gulls circling above the water. A Reed Warbler was also heard singing but, as is so often the case, not seen.

Great close-up views were, however, to be had at the feeding tables here which attracted two pairs of Bullfinches, with the males looking particularly resplendent, a pair of Reed Buntings, a male Yellowhammer that dropped in briefly and a Willow Tit.

A birder we spoke to earlier in the morning had reported hearing a Lesser Whitethroat at this location and we were fairly sure we heard onemoving away from us. Moving further round the reserve, a Skylark was picked out singing high in the sky, followed by at least 2-3 singing Blackcaps which did offer fleeting views as they flew across the path.

All in all a good morning’s walk with a total of 39 species seen or heard, and the weather stayed fine which was an added bonus.

Following is the full list of species seen:

Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe, Coot, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Skylark, Swallow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Bullfinch .

Chris Lamb.