CBC Newsletters – Page 14 – Carsington Bird Club

Newsletter – No.2 – May 2012

No2 / May 2012

CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS

I have just been reading through some old reports for information about birds seen at Carsington since 1992 and I came across this extract written by Eddie Walker, rounding off his ten year review for the 2001 Report: “What of the future? Will the proposed Osprey platform encourage them to stay and breed in the area? Will the increasing growth of marginal vegetation provide an increase in Snipe and perhaps they will breed again? Will the Phragmites (common reed) bed attract breeding Reed Warblers and Water Rails, perhaps even passing Bearded Tits?” … Well, just how correct was ‘mystic Eddie’?

Last year, after waiting another decade, Reed Warbler bred and, in November 2010, Carsington had its first Bearded Tit record. Despite Eddie’s two correct forecasts, we still await similar good news about either Snipe or Water Rail, which was recorded only once in 2011. Not bad, though – 2-2 on the prediction stakes, with the decider, Osprey, still our big hope for the future!

The 2001 report said ”this summer passage migrant, which for the first time officially returned to breed in England in the Lake District this year, was seen on several dates during both spring and autumn passage …. hopefully, this will continue as the birds increase in breeding numbers inEngland.” Like Eddie ten years ago, here we are holding our breath and waiting with the platforms in place. As I wrote this in early May, two different Ospreys had just flown over Carsington but again failed to stop – whereas a Reed Warbler had returned and was singing in Hopton Arm.

So what will the next ten years bring? We hope the great efforts of the volunteer rangers in putting up a substantial Sand Martin breeding bank (see article later in the newsletter) will be rewarded and prove as successful as the one atPridePark’s ‘Sanctuary’ inDerby. Will Pied Flycatcher breed as well? Or by 2022 will the ever-expanding numbers of Little Egret mean they could be nesting with us?

All three would be very welcome as would the tantalisingly close Mandarin Ducks. Furthermore, what might the 223rd recorded species for Carsington be? Some potential candidates are big and easy to see like Squacco Heron, Glossy Ibis or White Stork – following other species that were exclusively continental birds just a quarter of a century ago. Or maybe it would be something smaller and more local like Ring Ouzel, one of which was recorded for two days inDerby, at the aforementioned Sanctuary, and which I saw some years ago on my school’s playing fields in Chaddesden. Red-rumped Swallows have cropped up at nearby locations like Willington with similar habitat to Carsington. Less likely is another albatross! I’d be interested to hear your predictions!

Back to the present, our beautiful Great Northern Diver seems finally to have left the reservoir, hopefully to return next winter. I wonder where it has gone: there are lots of reports of them around the coast at the moment, including 37 counted at Drummore off the coast ofDumfriesandGalloway, where I stayed at Easter. Here’s hoping ‘our’ diver joins ‘the party’ soon!’

Peter Gibbon

THANKS TO SURVEY RESPONDEES – THUMBS-UP FOR TRIPS

The committee sincerely thanks those several dozen club members (and others) who returned questionnaires seeking their opinions about the club, what it offered, and what they wanted to see more – or less – of in future.

A total of 81 responded to the survey – 26 paper copies and 55 online – with one coming from as far afield as theUnited States. From that we have a clearer picture of the demographics, why some people feel unable to be members, which activities and information people prefer, and what the club does well, and not-so-well.

One activity several people would like to see reinstated is regular club trips – so we are going to try staging one in the autumn (see information at the end of this item).

Another area that attracted a number of comments was the need to promote the club better in order to attract ‘the more basic birdwatcher, rather than ornithologist’ and to publicise events more widely. Suggestions included notices on dedicated boards in hides, where membership forms could also be placed, and using local newspapers or even social media, so the committee needs to consider advertising and communication.

Others raised the philosophy and aims of the club: ‘Is it for conservation and recording birds or for … introducing people, especially youngsters, to the pleasures of birdwatching?’ someone asked. A good question – and one that perhaps we all need to bend our minds to.

Meanwhile, opinions varied on other topics: for example, some people wanted more walks; some wanted none (turn-outs lately have indicated the latter!). All-in-all, it was an educational exercise, and we will try to learn lessons, and to take up some of the positive ideas. Keep an eye on the website, too, for answers to some of the comments and queries raised.

* * * * CLUB TRIP – TO FRAMPTON MARSH, 30 SEPTEMBER 2012 * * * *

After a lengthy absence from the calendar, CBC is planning to stage its first club trip since 2010. The target location for this trip is the excellent RSPB reserve at Frampton Marsh, Lincolnshire, which offers a diversity of migrating species and wildfowl in the early autumn.

The recent survey indicated a continuing desire for trips, from at least a hard core of the membership, so we hope to stage a couple each year. We need to be more flexible about transport – guaranteeing the trip whatever the numbers – so in future we simply want people to initially inform trips organiser Peter Oldfield of their intention to take part, followed by payment in full six weeks before the date of the trip.

Cost will depend on the form of transport, but we would generally expect to keep it in the region of £10-15. For Frampton, contact Peter (c/o his e-mail if possible – peter-oldfield2011@hotmail.co.uk – or by writing to him at Owslow Farm, Carsington, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 4DD) to register your interest.

OSPREYS PASS US BY AGAIN – BUT PLENTY MORE RETURN AND BREED

High expectations have surrounded the numerous visits by Ospreys this spring, but despite sightings of 10 or more birds – the first on 3 April, the most recent on 29 May, with more than one seen together and a couple staying more than one day – all of these spectacular raptors eventually moved on.

Red Kites were seen in large numbers across the county in March, with two at Carsington on the 21^st, while as many as 11 Buzzards have been seen aloft at any one time and Sparrowhawks were seen more than once carrying prey in Hall Wood, so a nest seems likely. Hobbys and Peregrines were each recorded in April and May, and both Little and Tawny Owls were logged on the same day in March.

The other major event in spring is the return of the migrants: who would win the race back? Well, it seems to have been Sand Martins, which were first spotted on 11 March, just a couple of days ahead of Chiffchaffs. Also popping up in March were Wheatear, Blackcap and Swallow, but April as usual was the month when most came back. This year’s migrant cast, in order of appearance, was Willow Warbler, House Martin, Yellow Wagtail, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Swift and, on the last day of the month, Sedge Warbler and Common and Lesser Whitethroats. Spotted Flycatcher did not turn up until May, when a site rare species – the Cuckoo – was heard by several people from Sheepwash Hide.

Since first arriving, sizeable numbers have been logged by people undertaking circular walks. Over 70 Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, and 39 Willow Warblers were noted on single walks, and resident species have also been numerous with Wren (66), Robin (59), Blackbird (73) and Chaffinch (65) the most prominent.

The return of singing Reed Warblers to Hopton reedbed once again holds out hope of breeding. Meanwhile, wildfowl and wader broods have so far emerged from eight Mallard and two Oystercatcher, Redshank, Lapwing and Barnacle Goose nests, though the high water levels (98.5% full), stormy weather and predation look likely to have hit the survival rate quite hard.

Passage waders included up to 23 Curlew in March, when Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit were recorded; April added Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper, and others passing through in May were Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Sanderling. Black Terns were the stars of the tern passage – noted in late March and early April – while a Sandwich Tern was also spotted among the larger numbers of Common andArctics.

Though now thinned down dramatically, up to 2,000 Black-headed, 400 Common and 200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were the main characters of the early spring gull roost, which also included a handful ofMediterranean, Yellow-legged, Herring and Great Black-backs. The April winds also blew through 13 Little Gulls and 2 Kittiwakes.

Winter species have perhaps been slower in departing. A flock of 150 Fieldfares called in on Carsington on 5 May before exiting stage left, and the day after the site’s latest ever Goldeneye record was chalked up. Meanwhile, right on schedule and in beautiful full summer plumage, our over-wintering adult Great Northern Diver finally decided to find some action on its breeding grounds.

Other highlights were what looked like a six-strong family of Whooper Swans, seen on 24 March, and a week earlier a pair of Garganey. Sacred Ibis andCapeShelduckglimpsed in April were almost certainly escapees.

BIRD OF THE ISSUE: SAND MARTIN

The Sand Martin (riparia riparia), so often one of the earliest migrants back in theUK, is the smallest hirundine visiting theUK. Those moving north and arriving in large numbers across most ofEurope over-winter in eastern and southernAfrica, but there are also sizeable colonies inAmerica andAsia as well.

At Carsington, it is often confused with House Martins, which nest around the visitor centre, Swallows and even Swifts (though these are larger and not in fact hirundines at all). All four hawk for insects, often low over the water, and will hunt together, making it potentially confusing for birdwatchers.

There are tell-tale signs, however: House Martins have a distinctive white rump, the tails of adult Swallows have long streamers, Swifts appear almost completely black and have swept, ‘scimitar’ wings, while Sand Martins have solid brown backs and a brown neck-ring decorating otherwise light underparts.

African droughts have seen populations crash, but generally up to 250,000 pairs nest in the UK(about half as many as House Martins). They inhabit holes in sandy or gravel banks, so often nest along riverbanks and gravel pits, but will also utilise specially-built nest banks at larger bodies of water, such as that built by the volunteer rangers at Carsington this year (see article below).

Very agile flyers, they catch invertebrates on the wing, and during the breeding season are highly gregarious. Arriving on breeding grounds in early-mid March and not leaving until early autumn, they can have up to two broods of 4-5 eggs.

NEW TECHNOLOGY HELPS SPREAD THE WORD – SIGHTINGS ON TWITTER

The CBC sightings board has been busy this year – over 130 sightings reported in the first 150 days of the year – nearly one a day (the more, the merrier). Users of the sightings board should note that sightings can now be posted from most smartphones and are posted immediately, so other birders can get the news via email, if they so desire. Not everyone has, or indeed can afford, a pager system, such as RBA or Birdguides.

Alternatively, please note that CBC Sightings now has a live Twitter account called @CBCSightings, to which all sightings submitted to the website will be auto-emailed. This way, all smartphone users will be able to get the latest sightings straightaway for free, providing they click to “Follow” @CBCSightings from their own Twitter account.

SAND MARTIN BANK READY FOR OCCUPATION

Work on the Sand Martin bank reported in the last issue of the newsletter finally got under way on 21 February. The hope is that these busy, fast-flying little hirundines will nest on site at Carsington – and while the birds haven’t moved in this year, the project itself was a great success, offering up the hope they will in future years.

An existing concrete base was located just to the north of the Wildlife Centre: on assessment it was found to be of the right size and in excellent condition. Ten tonnes of clay had to be removed to expose the concrete base, and four tonnes was reused during construction and for landscaping.

The main bulk of the construction was progressed during March, when around 70 per cent of the work was completed, reports Neil Burns, a volunteer ranger who led an 11-strong project team.

“The construction method was quite straightforward,” says Neil. “At each visit a course of hollow concrete blocks was laid and then filled with a ballast/cement mix with reinforcing rods used to strengthen the structure. Pea gravel was used at the base of the sand bank to improve drainage. As the height of the wall grew, back filling with a dry cement/sand mixture allowed the remaining courses to be added without the need for scaffolding. The wall consisted of eight courses, incorporating a total of 160 concrete blocks each measuring 21x21x44 centimetres. Meanwhile, clay from the original mound was reused to build up both ends of the wall so that it dovetailed seamlessly into the original mound.

“Clay pipes were inserted in the wall at courses 3, 5 and 7,” explained Neil. “These were the entry points for the 36 nesting chambers which were formed before the dry sand cement mixture hardened. Finally, after nine weeks a waterproof membrane was placed over the completed sand bank and then covered with soil.”

Turf was used on top of the wall and grass seed was scattered over on the soil which will eventually reduce the visual impact. The project utilised three tonnes of pea gravel, 14 tonnes of sand and 40 bags of cement, while five tonnes of soil were applied for landscaping. It was finally completed on 1 May, after a total of 400 hours of work by the volunteer team.

FAREWELL TO HOGNASTON VILLAGE HALL

Following Peter Gibbon’s review of the 20 years of the bird club in January, the indoor meetings programme concluded with a close-up view at the birdlife of Brazil’s Pantanal, courtesy of Alan Goddard and his excellent photographs, in February, and a look at other flying wonders – dragonflies – in March, when our guest at Hognaston Village Hall was Dave Goddard (no relation!). The audience was agog to learn about the life-cycle of these often-mystical insects, and amazed at their variety and beauty.

After many years, this was our last meeting at Hognaston Village Hall, as the decision was taken to move to Severn Trent Water’s Visitor Centre at Carsington Water for the 2012-13 indoor season.

With no outdoor walks planned currently this summer (though we did support Severn Trent’s ‘wagtail wander’ in April, which yet again failed to produce any of the migrating yellow wagtails!), the only outdoor event to report to members was a 20^th anniversary celebration day staged by Severn Trent.

Many wildlife bodies joined other organisations on display on the open grassy area adjacent to the visitor centre, but the diabolical weather kept the number of visitors to a minimum. The event proved a good try-out, though, for the club’s newly-acquired gazebo (which nearly took off at one point in the wind) and excellent display boards designed and produced by Steph Hicking. We hope to put these to further good use in the future.

WHAT’S ON

Apart from the proposed autumn trip, mentioned earlier, there are no summer events planned by the bird club, but its indoor programme begins on 18 September with a look at ‘the birds of the Canary Isles’ by Chairman Peter Gibbon. Don’t forget that 2012-13 club meetings have switched to the Henmore Room in the Visitor Centre at Carsington Water, and that for Severn Trent events below, it’s often sensible to book a place with the visitor centre (on 01629 540696):

First Sunday of each month Birdwatching for Beginners (enjoy a gentle two-hour walk led by experienced STW volunteer David Bennett) – Meet Carsington Water Visitor Centre 10am

Most Tuesdays and Sundays – Spotting wildlife: STW volunteer rangers are on hand to help identify wildlife on and around the reservoir – Wildlife Centre10.30-3.30pm

Last Saturday of each month – Sheepwash spinners (learn about traditional wool spinning, with demonstrations, from fleece to gifts and garments) – Carsington Water Visitor Centre (11am-3pm)

17 June Father’s Day in the Woods (charges apply) – 11am-3.30pm

23 June Water Cycle Tour: join a ranger to learn about Carsington Water from the saddle (hire a bike or bring your own) – Call Visitor Centre for timings

1 August Low water gardening day: find out how to get the most of your garden in summer – without constant watering – Call Visitor Centre for timings

25 August Bat Safari: join a ranger for an evening stroll (charges apply) – Call Visitor Centre for timings

8 September Water Cycle tour (see entry above for details)

KNOW YOUR COMMITTEE – Here are the club officials and their contact details …

KNOW YOUR COMMITTEE – Here are the club officials and their contact details

Chairman & Treasurer	Peter Gibbon	01629 534173	peter.gibbon@w3z.co.uk
Secretary	Paul Hicking	01773 827727	paulandsteph@hicking.plus.com
Recorder	Roger Carrington	01629 583816	rcarrington_matlock@yahoo.co.uk
Publicity/Newsletter editor	Gary Atkins	01335 370773	garysatkins@aol.com
Outdoor trips organiser	Peter Oldfield	01629 540510	peter-oldfield2011@hotmail.co.uk
Ex-officio	Steph Hicking	01773 827727	paulandsteph@hicking.plus.com
Membership secretaries	Dave and Sue Edmonds	01335 342919	sue@axgb.com

CBC Website address: www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk (maintained by: Richard Pittam richard.pittam@ntlworld.com)

Newsletter – No1 / February 2012

* * * * Membership renewals are due for 2012 * * * *

If you have already renewed your subscription for the current year, stop reading this message now … We have included a renewal slip along with the newsletter (or sent an e-mail reminder) for those who our records indicate are yet to confirm their 2012 membership.

Please complete and return these slips to enjoy the full benefits of CBC membership. Happy birding!

CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS

A good audience at last month’s AGM, plus some interesting post-presentation discussions, showed how strong we are after 20 years. The talk itself (see article on page 2) was both a history and celebration of the Bird Club, its worthy role in wildlife conservation and recording at Carsington Water, its links with other groups and a look-back at the varied catalogue of events enjoyed by its members over the years.

Membership may not be as healthy today as at its early peak, but is still substantial for an ornithological society based on a single site, and our financial funds have remained healthy throughout the two decades.

By consistently following a well-practiced philosophy of working in collaboration with other organisations for the good of the birdlife, we’ve helped to build a site full of good habitats for conservation. The end product of this effort is an amazing species list now numbering 222 and a breeding population of 2116 pairs counted between 2002 and 2007. This is made up of 80 species proven to have bred and another 15 thought to have done so.

How can we know so much and produce such an excellent report (brilliantly illustrated by skilled artists, notably Steph Thorpe/Hicking) year after year? Quite simply because of consistent research and reporting.

The five-year breeding bird survey, organised and executed at Carsington byRoger Carrington, was a brilliant piece of research worthy of any professional organisation. The next BTO national Bird Atlas will have our area fully covered thanks to a full set of wildfowl counts over two decades, begun by Ian Stanley 20 years ago. Our annual reports are regarded as authoritative reference documents, with a set now sitting proudly on the shelves of the BTO library.

Since 2004, bird sightings have been more regularly reported – and more instantly displayed – courtesy of the brilliant website designed and maintained by Richard Pittam, while members have quarterly news updates via Gary Atkins’ newsletter, which summarises sightings, reports on past events and lists future activities. This agenda has been thinning out in recent years, unfortunately, and there were no trips at all last year.

Our well-established and positive reputation has resulted in strong bonds with local organisations such as DOS, professional bodies like the BTO and private organisations, notably Severn Trent, while the expertise and knowledge of its members is sometimes drawn on by planners involved in new ventures and pressure groups like the Carsington opponents to the wind turbines.

All this goes to show that after 20 years we remain a vibrant and experienced natural history club … but we must keep changing and adapting, which leads us to a survey of opinions we are running to help us gauge members’ views and thoughts on various aspects of the club (see article at bottom of page 2). A questionnaire is included with the newsletter; please return it so we can register your feedback and use it to help mould the club’s development.

******* See you at the next meeting *******

The club’s next meeting will be at Hognaston Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 20^th March. The speaker is Dave Goddard and the subject is dragonflies. So often we catch the briefest of glimpses of these majestic stately insects while birding, but never have the chance to identify them or find out more about them. Well, now you can – courtesy of Dave’s interesting talk and amazing illustrations.

Finally, on behalf of the membership, I’d like to recognise and thank the club officials whose hard work has helped guide the club so far. They, together with their years of service (in brackets), are as follows:

Chair – Peter Oldfield (7), John Butlin (2), Tony Jackson (2), Sandra Neep (3), Dorothy Evans (1), Peter Gibbon (5); Secretary – Kate Hazell (3), John Hazell (2), Sheila Jackson (3), Dorothy Evans (4), Peter Johnson (2), Paul Hicking (6); Treasurer – Maurice Plater (2), Jackie Bird (2), Tony Jackson (4), Sandra Neep (2), Pam Levers (4), Peter Gibbon (5); Recorder – Ian Stanley/Jonathan Bradley (1), Eddie Walker (11), Roger Carrington (8); Publicity – Brian Woods (1), Gary Atkins (9); Indoor Meetings – Keith White (2), Mel Bird (2), Catherine Brooking (3), Paul Hicking (2), Howard Evans (2), Dorothy Evans (1), Eddie Walker (4), Peter Gibbon (3); Trips organiser – Peter Oldfield (10); Social/website – Dorothy Evans (4), Webmaster – Richard Pittam (5); Membership – Maria Harwood/Pat Wain (6), Sue/Dave Edmonds (2); Projects Officer – Eddie Walker (1), Alan Betts (6), Paul Hicking (2); Committee – Richard Bacon,Alan Betts, Pam Price (3), John Butlin(3), Jonathan Bradley (2), Sue Wilde (3), Paul Stanley (2), Jim Rhind (2), Howard Evans (2), Peter Oldfield (2), Brian Woods (2), Steph Thorpe/Hicking (8), Charles Woodwiss (2), Gary Atkins, Pam Levers, Peter Johnson (2), George Reilly, Carol Wragg, Sandra Neep.

Peter Gibbon

TWO DECADES OF DEDICATION TO BIRDS – AND BIRD PEOPLE!

Chairman Peter Gibbon used the first meeting of 2012 to reflect upon the history of the Carsington Bird Club since its inception 20 years ago. He painstakingly researched how the reservoir came into being, the job it was designed to do, and the wildlife its combination of habitats brought into sharp focus.

Carsington Water was immediately a big draw for birdwatchers, not just locals but many from far afield. From such a clear body of interest the Carsington Bird Club was quickly born, and Peter showed some pages from early annual reports, recalling some of the key personalities of those days – some now gone or no longer with us, others still very much around, including first chairman Peter Oldfield, plus those that launched the club’s exemplary reputation for recording, Eddie Walker, Jon Bradley and Ian Stanley.

Many others have been involved in that vital activity since, notably Roger Carrington, our current recorder. Site species sightings have been summarised every month for two decades, and these comprehensive records are presented in the club’s flagship publication, the annual report. This valuable bank of information is used not just locally, by Severn Trent, but also by representative bodies such as Derbyshire Ornithological Society (DOS) and British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and by planning authorities and government officials needing to understand the effects of their decisions on local wildlife. The club’s knowledge and expertise has also been used in local schools and for talks to other local organisations.

CBC members have either led or assisted with Bird Atlas surveys for BTO, breeding bird surveys, the nest-box scheme with Severn Trent Water, wildfowl, wader and gull counts for WeBS, surveys of individual species such as Tree Sparrow, and even collated mammal, butterfly and dragonfly records.

Indeed, collaboration has always been important, and club members worked with Severn Trent rangers and volunteers on a range of features like tern rafts, nest-boxes, a reed bed and a Sand Martin bank (another of which is being installed this year) to enrich the reservoir’s habitats and attract species. A campaign ran for lottery funding for a new bird hide, and CBC/DOS funds ensure regular bird feeding.

During the first five years, Eddie Walker reported, 189 species were recorded. In the following 15 years, a further 33 have boosted the site’s total to 222, which have included some rarities and surprises such as the Yellow-nosed Albatross, Osprey, Spoonbill, Great Skua, Manx Shearwater and Great Grey Shrike. Several years ago, the Great Northern Diver would have figured on this list, but this species seems to enjoy Carsington in winter, and has turned up each and every year since the mid ‘noughties’.

Carsington has become nationally important for some species: the 2,185 Coot seen in November 2008, for example, made the reservoir the 14^th most important site in the UK. In all, 95 species have bred. Habitat changes – and trends nationally – are reflected in Carsington’s breeding records: While the previously regular Stonechat has not bred since 1995, and Linnet and Yellowhammer are increasingly scarce, the Tree Sparrow population has grown from one pair in 1995 to 30 pairs today, Ravens have bred each year since 2004, and Buzzards, with no sightings at all in 1992, are now seen daily and are known to have bred occasionally since 2004.

All this worthy work – and the resulting statistics – would mean nothing without people, and the hard work and loyalty of club members. Seven indoor meetings have traditionally been held each year, together with local walks including the ‘Dawn Chorus’ event in May and day trips as far afield as RSPB Lakenheath and Gigrin Farm in Wales to see feeding Red Kites.

MEMBERS’ SURVEY WILL HELP TO GUIDE CLUB’S FUTURE AGENDA

Those attending the bird club Annual General Meeting last month learned that a few things are set to change as a number of the committee declared their intention to give up their current duties within the next year or two. While new blood is always advisable in order to keep an organisation fresh, for CBC several new committee members must be found in the near future to ensure the club can function at and beyond today’s level of capability and activity.

Arguably some fundamental change is already evident, with no club trips taking place for the last year and a half, and this year there is presently no plan for a programme of spring/summer walks because those who have traditional led the walks are not prepared to give up their time with the poor turn-outs they have witnessed over the past year or two.

The winter season, too, is under pressure as there are not enough members turning up at Hognaston Village Hall to break even when speakers, refreshments and the hall booking fee are all accounted for. An expected move of meeting venue to the Visitor Centre at Carsington Water should help for the 2012-13 season, but quality speakers will continue to require expenses.

In an effort to find out why participation in club events has declined – and discover what members want from the club in the future – a questionnaire is being distributed to survey opinions, ideas and options.

We gave these out to attendees of the AGM/January meeting, so have had some returns already, but if you have not yet replied, please do so.

For those with internet access, there is an easily accessible online version on the front page of the club’s website at www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk.

LOW WATER LEVELS KEEPS SOME BIRDS AWAY – BUT ATTRACTS OTHERS

The second highest annual total since formal recording began at Carsington Water 20 years ago was logged in 2011, with 169 – just four short of 2002’s record. As ever, this included some unusual and rare sightings, and 2012 began in similar fashion with Caspian Gull, Snow Bunting, White-fronted Goose and our now faithful Great Northern Diver all figuring during January.

The low water levels (which got close to 50 per cent late last year, but are now thankfully back up over 80%) had an up-and-down effect, with a greater diversity of waders, but numbers of some species were well down – notably Coot, usually in four-figure numbers but which have not topped 250 since mid-December. The gull roost was impressive in November, featuring 6,000 Black-headed and 5,500 Lesser Black-backs, but has shrunk dramatically, with hundreds rather than thousands using the reservoir to overnight. But again, gull variety has been good – with Yellow-legged, Herring, Greater Black-back, Mediterranean and a first-winter Little Gull all showing up, as well as the Caspian Gull and a Kittiwake surprising the spotters in January.

Flocks of 25-30 Dunlin have been regular over the winter months, while up to 600 Lapwing and 360 Golden Plover have graced the foreshore; the variety of waders has also included Grey Plover, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Snipe.

The WeBS counts have logged up to 322 Canada Geese, 80 Pink-footed Geese flew over in November, when both Whooper and Bewick swans were noted, while December included the first record of a White-fronted Goose since 1999. The conditions seemed to suit Teal, which hit an amazing maximum of 505 in January, but not Coot or Tufted Duck, both well below normal winter numbers, while Wigeon started poorly but – seeming to track water levels – had increased to 170 earlier this month.

Sparrowhawks and Peregrines were regularly seen, and created some dramatic moments for bird-watchers who witnessed close-up views of the moment of truth for their prey. Up to nine Buzzards were seen in the air at the same time, Tawny Owl calls were heard, but recorders went one better with Barn Owls that were seen quartering their hunting grounds in both January and February.

Meadow Pipit numbers have dropped since the rising water has covered most of the wide expanse of mud they seemed to enjoy, but a few are still around with the Pied Wagtails. Flocks of up to 100 Linnets have been seen on a few occasions, and 63 Tree Sparrows were counted at the ranger base feeding station in November, when 13 Crossbill were sighted at Sheepwash. A single Black Redstart on the dam wall was only the fifth site record of this species, while another attractive bird, the Snow Bunting, made only its third and fourth site appearances ever in November and January.

It seems Carsington Water may also provide game birds with a safe haven from the hunting fraternity, with a Grey Partridge surprising bird-watchers onStonesIslandin November, its Red-legged cousin turning up and Pheasants seen more regularly than usual. Next, we should all be keeping our eyes open for early spring arrivals.

RETURNING SAND MARTINS SET TO FIND A NEW HOME!

Sand Martins are among the earliest springtime arrivals to UKshores, and this year those arriving at Carsington Water will find – courtesy of the site’s band of volunteer rangers – the added attraction of a special sandbank designed as a nest site for these acrobatic and ceaselessly active hirundines.

The idea of an artificial Sand Martin bank with retaining wall came from a visit by volunteer ranger Neil Burns to Brockholes nature reserve, and a subsequent meeting of the rangers late last year sanctioned Neil to undertake further research. He approached people involved in similar projects and, drawing on their advice, came up with a design incorporating the best features of such a construction and then spoke to two builders merchants to obtain accurate costings.

Following the successful completion of the Osprey platform project, this latest facility to attract a specific bird species to the reservoir is being built with the help of funding from local residents in Ashbourne (thanks to the Waitrose charity scheme) and the Greenwatch Grant managed by Derbyshire Country Council.

“We had already agreed that savings we had from a donation would be used if necessary, but that still left a shortfall of £430, which was met after we applied for the Greenwatch Grant,” said Neil. “Meanwhile, Kath Cartlidge, wife of our treasurer, told us about the charity funds given to three local causes each month by the Waitrose supermarket in Ashbourne; there’s usually a long waiting list for these, but because the sandbank project had a specific timescale, it was chosen as one of the three January causes and, thanks to the generosity of local shoppers, our share of that was £494.”

The project is due to begin construction in early March, with completion by early April – just as the Sand Martins wheel in after their long journey from Africa, looking for suitable nest sites.

VOLUNTEERS SPRUCE UP SITE FOR WILDLIFE

As well as the Sand Martin bank project (see above), the Severn Trent Water volunteer rangers have been tasked with three main areas of activity to improve the environment for wildlife at Carsington Water.

Groups have been dead-hedging to restrict visitor movement and protect the shoreline opposite the Visitor Centre, around Stitch Plantation, and around a new education area onStonesIsland.

The volunteer rangers also improved their dry stone walling capabilities thanks to two days of intensive tuition from a qualified practitioner – and then used their newly-honed skills to undertake a sizeable amount of restoration of the dry stone walls along the site boundary at the top of Hall Wood.

The new year also brought the task of felling and clearing trees and scrub onWaterSportsIsland. This work was required for safety purposes – to improve the visibility of the water sports team in monitoring and observing what’s going on out on the water – and to enhance performance since trees on the island had provided too much shelter, which impacted particularly on the windsurfers.

But the prime concern of this work was habitat management as the islands at Carsington are unique, and Severn Trent has a responsibility to manage them as islands under the Stewardship Scheme with Natural England. Before the recent work,Water Sports Island was neither an effective woodland nor suitable for ground nesting water birds.

The long-term plan is to get the tree/scrub level as low as possible and manage the island for grasses, sedges and wild flowers. Birds benefit, too, for by removing elevated perches it will have a positive impact on reducing the chances of predators such as corvids to pick off the eggs and chicks of any birds that do successfully breed on the island.

WHAT’S ON

The bird club’s winter programme concludes in March with Dave Goddard’s talk on dragonflies – 20 March 2012 – 7pm – Hognaston village Hall.

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

First Sunday of each month – Birdwatching for Beginners (enjoy a gentle two-hour walk – led by experienced STW volunteer David Bennett) – Meet Visitor Centre 10am.

Last Saturday of each month – Sheepwash spinners (learn about traditional wool spinning, with demonstrations, from fleece to gifts and garments) – Visitor Centre (11am-3pm) .

18 March – Mother’s Day in the Wildlife Discovery Room – Visitor Centre (11am-4pm)

3 April – Bat Safari (join a ranger to learn more about these often misunderstood creatures (£2.50, under-16s to be accompanied) – Ask for details when booking.

17 April – Wagtail Wander (a gentle stroll with volunteer ranger David Bennett to identify summer migrants including yellow wagtails) – Meet Visitor Centre 6pm.

22 & 27 April – Vistas of Carsington Water (6-mile walk; U-16s with adults) – Visitor Centre (10.30-4.30pm).

6 May – Wildlife on Wheels (cycling safari to learn about water wildlife) – Visitor Centre (10.30-4.30pm.

19 May – Carsington Water 20^th anniversary celebrations (fun day with Around Visitor Centre stalls, games, activities and food for all the family).

KNOW YOUR COMMITTEE – Here are the club officials and their contact details

Chairman & Treasurer	Peter Gibbon	01629 534173	peter.gibbon@w3z.co.uk
Secretary	Paul Hicking	01773 827727	paulandsteph@hicking.plus.com
Recorder	Roger Carrington	01629 583816	rcarrington_matlock@yahoo.co.uk
Publicity/Newsletter editor	Gary Atkins	01335 370773	garysatkins@aol.com
Outdoor trips organiser	Peter Oldfield	01629 540510	peter-oldfield2011@hotmail.co.uk
Ex-officio	Steph Hicking	01773 827727	paulandsteph@hicking.plus.com
Membership secretaries	Dave and Sue Edmonds	01335 342919	sue@axgb.com

CBC Website address: www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk (maintained by: Richard Pittam richard.pittam@ntlworld.com)

CBC Newsletters

November 2011 Newsletter (No. 4)

CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS

When Graham Appleton of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) was our guest speaker at the October meeting (jointly hosted by DOS), I don’t think I’ve learned so much valuable and fascinating information in such a short space of time about the trends in bird numbers, populations, habitats and movements.

Graham is the Trust’s Communications Officer and his skilled presentation on the findings from the recently-completed four-year Breeding Birds Atlas project revealed to the 30-strong audience that there was good and bad news regarding British birds. Trends are being established from a phenomenal amount of data collected over the four years of the project. Records for 209 million birds of 571 species were drawn from 180,697 timed tetrad (2x2km squares) visits, 3.9 million ‘roving records’, and 4.4 million BirdTrack records from 17,084 online users. Around 80% of records have so far been validated, and records can still be submitted until December. Perhaps no other country in the world could organise such a complex project at a cost of just £1.5 million.

The first half of Graham’s talk included maps that compared the latest findings with the previous Breeding Atlas (1988-1991) and Winter Atlas (1981-1982). Winners emerged, such as the Buzzard which was expected, but it was the patterns of increase, decrease or even loss for each species that was so fascinating. The Curlew population, for example, had decreased severely in the west, withIreland’s population dipping from 2,000 pairs to 200 – and this westerly decline was mirrored by other ‘farmland’ species like Lapwing.

We have noted less Cuckoos, but that’s not the case in Scotland, where Willow Warblers were also increasing (yet decreasing alarmingly in south-east England). For this and many other marked examples of ‘winner’ and ‘loser’, Graham asked the rhetorical question “why?” For one bird he showed us how a severe decline was tested against global warming and habitat loss, and it was the latter that seemed more serious. Evidently, locations with the greatest species richness in winter and summer were Titchwell and Minsmere, respectively, but to the audience of nodding heads he pointed out these are also the most watched, so that could be a factor!

The second half investigated what we do with this incredible store of knowledge, due to appear in published form in 2013. Graham said he was confident such a depth of data would give the BTO the power to educate, advise and, hopefully, influence important future environmental decisions.

Evidence from the last survey was, for example, used in deciding the location ofLondon’s next airport, guiding the government on wild bird movements during the Bird Flu issue, and as authoritative evidence in many academic papers up to 2008. Information from the latest study should be even more comprehensive. While the RSPB and other organisations gave nothing to fund the study, they will be given all the data as a means of helping their conservation work.

The plight of some species, readily confirmed by this survey, has also given the BTO an agenda for future surveys. A rapid follow-up on Short-eared Owl will be launched because the BTO is not satisfied with the results for this species, and a study will soon start on chats in Wales. Indeed, the future of ornithological research will start from a base provided by the Atlas findings: as an example, Graham said that in all the years of ringing, only one ringed dead Cuckoo had been found in Africa, yet five Cuckoos fitted with trackers were “telling us” every week exactly what is happening to them on migration.

Finally, Graham warned that most of the work for the current Atlas had been done by a certain age group that would probably not be ‘available’ when the next block of Atlas work is planned for 2027 – so, are we preparing a future generation of bird enthusiasts for that task? As he was leaving and I handed him a set of our annual reports covering the Atlas period, he asked if we regularly submit them to the BTO. It is such an obvious thing to do in the future – and it would be nice to see our efforts sit side by side with new Atlas in the library of The British Ornithological Society.

Peter Gibbon

THE MONTHLY RECORD BROKEN IN SEPTEMBER

After reporting the best ever July species tally in the last newsletter, records have continued to tumble with September registering the highest monthly total EVER since the reservoir was built and club records began almost 20 years ago. An amazing 124 species were logged in those 30 days, with the varied highlights including Gannet, Honey Buzzard, Osprey, Brent Goose and Arctic Skua.

The gull roost took a particular interest in the Skua (a sighting that was repeated in October). As many as 7,000 Lesser Black-backs have swollen the roost, and other gull species seen over the past couple of months have included Yellow-legged, Caspian, Little and Mediterranean. Common,Arctic and Black Terns figured in the passage in September.

It looked like the reservoir was yet again to have an overwintering Gt Northern Diver when an adult bird dropped in on 17 October, but this time it stayed hours rather than months. Maybe more will follow. Waders, meanwhile, have continued to enjoy the wide open areas of mud. Nineteen species were logged in September, and many of those hung around into October, when up to 34 Dunlin were a regular sight, along with Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, Ruff, Snipe and, a little less often, Little Sting, Curlew Sandpiper and Grey and Golden Plovers. Little Egrets also showed up periodically, while 210 Lapwing was counted on 2 November.

A large number of geese have been on the move, and as many as 800Canadaand a record 395 Greylag geese were recorded on single days during October. The WeBS count in October also included just over 1,000 Coot and a good range and number of ducks: 320 Wigeon, 265 Tufted, 140 Mallard, 33 Pochard and 30 Gadwall, but also some Pintail, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard and Ruddy Shelduck.

It’s been a good spell for raptors: As well as the Osprey and Honey Buzzard, two Hobbys were seen in September, and the following month brought a Red Kite – mobbed by two Lapwings and a Grey Heron – together with regular Peregrine, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, with a possible Merlin also noted.

Some passerines not often seen at Carsington have become more regular, with the mud quite probably a factor once again. As many as 170 Meadow Pipits were counted, with the odd Rock and Water Pipit among them, and Skylarks, Yellowhammers and Wheatears joined the wagtails (mostly Pied but a few Yellow) on and around the Dam Wall.

Plenty of summer visitors were still around late into September – Redstart, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff were all seen or heard in the last few days of the month, but most were not recorded again in October … apart from Chiffchaff, though even they were few and far between, and a very late Swallow on the 14^th.

Some winter visitors have arrived in droves, not least Redwings, with flocks as large as 800 recorded. Between 30 and 40 Siskin have been logged, and October also brought, Brambling, Crossbill and Lesser Redpoll sightings.

BIRD OF THE ISSUE: HONEY BUZZARD

Carsington can always throw up a few unusual raptors, and recently Osprey, Red Kite and, possibly, Merlin have featured at the reservoir along with the more regularly seen Peregrine and Sparrowhawk, but surely the major star was a rarely-encountered Honey Buzzard – almost certainly returning to wintering sites in Africa.

Only around 60-70 pairs are thought to breed in the UK – often in deciduous woodland and parkland – though numbers do seem to be increasing, possibly because of maturing upland forests. Wherever it nests, in southern and eastern England,Wales, northern England and Scotland, there is an effort to keep the sites secret. Elsewhere, they can occur in large numbers, and sometimes hundreds of thousands of birds are seen passing through known autumn migration points in the Mediterranean such as Gibraltar in western Turkey(and 850,000 were counted during an exceptional season in Eilat,Israel).

The Honey Buzzard is not a buzzard, nor does it eat honey. They are, like the buzzard however, large, broad-winged raptors that can be distinguished by their long, slim, three-barred tails and more elongated and narrower heads which means they could at a distance be mistaken for large pigeons or even Cuckoos. But a decent view will confirm this is very much larger (with its 1.4-metre wingspan) and, like its buzzard cousins, its plumage is quite variable, though under-wing areas are often barred.

And honey? Well, this attractive raptor is a highly specialised hunter, seeking out insects, particularly wasp and bee larvae (hence its Latin name Pernis Apivorous) – so you are unlikely to see it in life-and-death action in the skies, as its only other prey is small mammals.

BOTH ENDS OF THE BINOCULARS

Our first two talks of the new indoor season homed in, directly or indirectly, on bird-watching. Club chairman Peter Gibbon started the ball rolling in September with the business end of the binoculars by giving us part two of his history of bird-watching, bringing us right up to the present day.

Then, last month, Graham Appleton focused on the object lens with his review of the Breeding Bird Atlas. This has involved summarising a mass of records and data received over four years from both dedicated and casual bird-watchers alike to unveil the evolving trends in species distribution across the UK (see ‘Chairman’s Thoughts’ for more detail on this fascinating talk).

Next on the list, in November, is a look at how Severn Trent staff are trying to attract a bird we hope to see a lot more of at Carsington reservoir in years to come – the Osprey. Volunteer ranger David Bennett will describe the project to construct two sets of platforms as part of a broader initiative along theTrentValleyto attract these beautiful and exciting birds to breed in theMidlands.

CARSINGTON’S LOW WATER LEVELS – EXPLAINED

It seems a while ago, but remember the extremely hot and dry conditions we experienced in April. That broke records both for temperature and for the lack of rainfall, which meant that we began to pump water out of the reservoir much earlier than we would usually anticipate.

The summer that followed may not have felt particularly summery as it was the coolest for 20 years, but it was extremely dry with rainfall below average for much ofEngland, including our region. The continued dry weather saw parts of theUKdeclared drought zones and meant we continued to pump water out of the reservoir.

Water from Carsington is pumped to Ogston, near Alfreton – a reservoir that supplies parts ofChesterfieldandMansfield. The prolonged dry weather combined with the increasing demand we experience year on year meant the water was extracted continuously from April.

The current low water level (the reservoir was 64.1% full in mid-October) is a result of these factors – and while all the mud may look quite stark it must be remembered that supplying water in times of shortage is exactly what the reservoir was built to do. It is certainly not a cause for concern and when the water levels on the River Derwent are high enough we can once again begin to pump water back into reservoir, just as we have in previous years.

The mud has also had a couple of positive side effects. Firstly, it has provided the pubic with a useful and graphic example of why we ask them to think about the water they use and encourage them to save water. Secondly, the exposed mud has perhaps helped attract some of the wading birds that have led to the bumper autumn migration all those visiting Carsington Water have been able to enjoy.

John Matkin, Severn Trent Water ranger

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ‘SUDDEN OAK DEATH’

New discoveries of sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum) outside previously-known sites in bothWales andNorthern Ireland suggest that the disease could be more widespread than first thought. Helping to keep it in check is something all those out regularly watching wildlife can do.

About 60 Larix kaempferi (Japanese larch) were found to be infected by the fungus-like pathogen at the Bwlch Nant yr Arian visitor centre, near Aberystwyth, on the west coast ofWales. All these trees were felled. There have also been three further cases, also affecting Japanese larch trees, inCountyAntrim andCountyDown, following the diagnosis of the first known cases inNorthern Ireland at three woodland sites in Antrim in August. The Forestry Commission is also investigating areas of dying larch in south-westScotland and the Isle of Man.

Until 2009, few trees had been infected in Britainand the disease was largely confined to Rhododendron species, particularly the naturalised R. ponticum – but testing has confirmed that the disease is present on larch plantations in no fewer than 58 locations inEngland andWales. The only known treatment is to fell diseased trees in a bid to contain the spread. This has sadly resulted in nearly 2,000 hectares of forest plantation being destroyed.

Let’s make sure that this drastic action does not become necessary at Carsington. But what to look for: When inspecting larch, look for wilting fresh needle growth, dieback extending along branches from the growing tips and resinous bleeds on branches and main stem. Other symptoms include dead needles retained on the bud and excessive side shoot growth, combined with abnormally high cone production. For more detailed information, and pictures of the damage, visit http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pramorum and if you think you have spotted the disease, please inform one of the ranger team.

Dave Drury, Severn Trent Water ranger

WHAT’S ON?

The 2011-12 indoor season continues at Hognaston Village Hall, which for the final event of this year will play host to the club’s Christmas party. The full CBC events programme over the next three months is as follows:

15 November Indoor meeting: ‘The Osprey Project’ by David Bennett, STW volunteer ranger – Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)

22 November CBC committee meeting – STW Visitor Centre (8pm)

20 December CBC Christmas party (includes talk from Dave Edmonds on ‘Birds inMalta’ – Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)

17 January 2012Club AGM – will include a celebration of ‘CBC at 20’ to mark 20 years of the Carsington Bird Club – Hognaston Village Hall (7pm)

21 February Indoor meeting: Talk on ‘Namibia’ by Paul Bingham – Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)

It is usually advisable to book for most Severn Trent Water events at Carsington Water: do so by calling the Visitor Centre reception (01629 540696). The programme for the remainder of 2011 is as follows:

First Sunday of each month – Birdwatching for Beginners (enjoy a gentle two-hour walk led by experienced STW volunteer David Bennett). Meet Visitor Centre 10am.

Last Saturday of each month – Sheepwash spinners (learn about traditional wool spinning, with demonstrations, from fleece to gifts and garments). Visitor Centre (11am-3pm).

16 November – Optics demonstrations (guidance on binoculars/telescopes) RSPB shop (10am-4pm)

20 November – Learn about wildlife in winter, and make a garden bird feeder at open door day in Wildlife Discovery Room. Visitor Centre (11am-4pm)

2/3 December – Optics demonstrations (see earlier entry for details)

3/4 December – Christmas at Carsington (visit Santa Claus and browse for those final gifts in the visitor centre and courtyard shops). Visitor Centre.

4 December – Xmas fun for the family in the Wildlife Discovery Room (make Christmas gifts, create recycled tree decorations, design cards). Visitor Centre.

KNOW YOUR COMMITTEE – Here are the club officials and their contact details

Chairman & Treasurer	Peter Gibbon	01629 534173	peter.gibbon@w3z.co.uk
Secretary	Paul Hicking	01773 827727	paulandsteph@hicking.plus.com
Recorder	Roger Carrington	01629 583816	rcarrington_matlock@yahoo.co.uk
Publicity/Newsletter editor	Gary Atkins	01335 370773	garysatkins@aol.com
Outdoor trips organiser	Peter Oldfield	01629 540510	peter-oldfield2011@hotmail.co.uk
Ex-officio	Steph Hicking	01773 827727	paulandsteph@hicking.plus.com
Membership secretaries	Dave and Sue Edmonds	01335 342919	sue@axgb.com

CBC Website address: www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk (maintained by: Richard Pittam richard.pittam@ntlworld.com)

CBC Newsletters

Aug 2011 Newsletter

No 3 / August 2011

CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS

As I write this, the sun has come out again after a heavy shower of rain. We keep being told it’s been a poor summer, but it certainly seems to have been pretty dry – as demonstrated by the low water levels at Carsington Water. The bonus of this has been an extended, deeper shoreline attractive to a wider than usual range of waders and Little Egrets.

A whiff of autumn is already around and the first birds are back on the reservoir in the form of Pochard and Teal. I read recently an estimated quarter of the world’s bird species migrate – and we have abundant chances of seeing this avian strategy working on the reservoir. That same article also revealed some ‘weird demises’ that came to light as a result of research through ringing: BTO recoveries included a Mute Swan killed by tigers at Chester Zoo, a Reed Warbler found dead in a spider’s web and an Osprey ringed in Strathclyde that was found in the stomach of a crocodile in the Gambia!

Nothing so dramatic at Carsington Water, hopefully, but this year sharp-eyed bird-watchers there have seen rings that unmasked a real ‘wild’ Barnacle Goose among our escapee flock and an Osprey that was a Scottish bird (explaining why it chose not to stay long, dashing our hopes of breeding on the new platforms dashed). Behind such sightings there might be an interesting story, so keep watching our site and recording what you see.

Moving on, do you know when the first non-folding telescope and tripod combination became available to birdwatchers or when the first Act of Parliament was passed fully protecting birds and their nests? If not, may I recommend that you come along to our first indoor meeting of the new season – on Tuesday 20 September – and hear about ‘The History of Birdwatching from 1939 to the Present Day’. The following month (on 18 October) the BTO’s Graham Appleton will be talking about ‘Four Years of Atlas work’, which was completed this year and details the most up-to-date information on wintering and breeding birds of theBritish Isles.

We were on tenterhooks this summer after an Osprey threatened to stay on the new platforms built to entice them to breed. It didn’t happen but it gives us hope! If you want to know more about this project come along to Hognaston Village Hall on 15 November to hear David Bennett talk about ‘The Osprey Project’.

In December, I’m hoping our Christmas party can be ‘home-grown’. I have recently been to ‘Pecha Kucha’ evenings at the Quad in Derby. This is a new worldwide phenomenon that challenges speakers to put up 20 slides and talk about each for 20 seconds: that’s a six-minute 40-second presentation. Could we interest a handful of members in doing this at our party? Let me know soonest (but certainly by November) if you’re up for it, then send me 20 pictures – on any subject of your choice – and I’ll put them on my computer, ready for a quickfire presentation though my projector. We wouldn’t stick rigidly to the time limit, though it might be fun to do so!

Peter Gibbon

IMPORTANT NOTICE: TRIP CANCELLED

For anyone who booked or was planning to do so, please note that our proposed September club trip to the Wash and Frampton Marsh reserve has been cancelled. This was due to a misunderstanding with the company organising the Wash cruise. This would have been the centrepiece of the event for most people, so club officials decided it would not be sensible to rearrange it on any lesser basis.

Peter Oldfield has returned monies to those who had already booked, and notification of the cancellation appeared on the website some weeks ago – but we realise not everyone has a computer so this is to flag it up to anyone not ‘online’.

LOW WATER MEANS LOTS OF WADERS – AND IT’S A RECORD JULY

As autumn approaches, with the usual build-up of waterfowl and gull numbers, Carsington Water can look back on a productive breeding season, and unusually high species records during the summer months. The 95 species logged in June was the best for that month for several years, and 105 the following month was the best July tally ever since records began at this rich birding site in 1992.

Breeding had its ups and downs. Coot, Tufted Duck, Moorhen and Gt Crested Grebe were well down on the previous year, but six Lapwing broods represented an increase, two three-strong broods of Little Ringed Plovers was excellent to see, and two Oystercatcher and three Redshank pairs also successfully bred. Black-headed Gull nests failed at Sheepwash – possibly due to fox predation – but there were 19 chicks from several nests on the tern raft andHorseshoeIsland, with further young possible onFlatIsland.

Eighteen House Martin nests were counted around the perimeter of the Visitor Centre, where Swifts were also seen feeding young. Over in the Hall Wood area, at least two Raven and two Buzzard young were raised.

The very dry conditions saw the reservoir water levels sink which was, at least, good for waders and no fewer than 20 species had been seen during August alone – including Whimbrel, Curlew, Turnstone, Dunlin, Knot, Little Stint, Ruff, Sanderling, Greenshank, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Common and Green Sandpipers, and Black-tailed Godwit.

Peregrines seem to be getting more and more regular, with sightings on many days and as many as three seen at any one time. Two Red Kites were viewed at the end of July, an Osprey kept up this species’ excellent 2011 attendance record with another sighting in June, while there were two Hobby sightings in late August. One or more Sparrowhawks were observed carrying prey into the same piece of woodland on several dates throughout June and July, and as many as six Buzzards were seen aloft at one time. Similar numbers of Ravens were also seen soaring on warm days.

One of the highest numbers of Yellow Wagtails seen at one time at Carsington – 19 – were noted in late August, a family group of Grey Wagtails (hard hit during the last tough winter) were singing on Stones Island in June, while as many as 91 Pied Wagtails were recorded on the same day. Redstarts have been a rare sight at Carsington in recent years, but a family group was regularly noted, often near the Wildlife Centre. Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher and Willow Tit pairs bred as, for the first time, did a pair of Reed Warblers.

Little Egrets have become a more regular sight since June, and as many as four were seen together in August. Gull numbers are now on the rise, with up to 800 Lesser Black-backs counted in mid-August.

One far less welcome visitor is the predatory Yellow-legged Gull that seems to find plenty of warm-blooded food around the reservoir: already this year it has been seen to take a rodent and another Little Grebe, seemingly and sadly its favourite prey last year.

BIRD OF THE ISSUE: LITTLE EGRET

The sight of these beautiful small white herons is becoming increasingly common around the coasts and now also inland in the UK. Yet there is evidence to show that Little Egrets (Egretta Garzetta) were relatively common inBritain up to mediaeval times, even in territories much further north than Derbyshire. Overhunting and a mini ice-age saw them disappear, and for a long time they were considered a ‘continental’ bird.

They eat fish, insects, amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles – so Carsington Water is a good hunting territory for them. And with the lower water levels, widening the wading area and making some stretches of water much shallower than usual, this summer has been a good time for Little Egrets (as reported above).

They are distinctive birds of the heron family, with attractive white plumes on head, back and chest, jet black legs and yellow feet – quite different from anything other than the Great White Egret (or Heron), which is much larger, and Cattle Egret, with lighter legs and orange-buff crest and back, which is a much rarer sight in the UK.

Little Egrets have only been reappearing in theUKin good numbers for around the last 20 years, with the first pair breeding inDorsetin 1996. There are now around 150 pairs breeding in the UK, with another 1,500 overwintering, so they’re becoming a much more familiar sight as they spread around the coasts and estuaries of southern England, Devon, Cornwall, Wales and East Anglia, and gradually push further north. Long may it continue.

NEW LOOK TO CBC WEBSITE

The website has been completely re-written, for easier maintenance and to enable web postings to be pre-prepared and then scheduled to appear at specific dates and times. It will also enable a more flexible approach to editing of web content.

Despite its new look, it continues to provide all the familiar features people seem to enjoy, such as the on-line sightings board and Roger Carrington’s excellent monthly round-up of bird sightings at the reservoir. It also has the ability to allow users to catch-up on any content missed at publication time, such as newsletters or features, which are stored as ‘blog posts’ – so, if you missed a post, or would just like to look at previous postings, simply click on ‘Archives’ and review them month by month, or find them by the online search facility.

Selecting the “Categories” link on the right allows users to focus the content to a particular subject matter, such as Newsletters or News. There are over 12 categories ranging from CBC information, to special features, to details of where to stay and what to do when visiting Carsington Water.

There is also a word “tag” list down on the right-hand-side. This allows users to find a page or pages which have a particular word or phrase: for example click on “Osprey” to locate some content containing that word.

Wherever you find yourself on the website you can always return to base by either clicking the “Home” button at the top, or by clicking the “Carsington Bird Club” header text.

The website has also been written to be accessible by most Android Smartphones, Apple iPhones and iPads, and the like. The web pages automatically format themselves for the mobile you are using, so you need never be far from the information you require!

Have a look round and if you’ve any questions, please ask (via the ‘contact us’ page) – we value your feedback.

Richard Pittam – Webmaster

CLUB WALK BAGS 48 SPECIES

For the club’s June walk – a more ambitious effort than usual – leaders Roger Carrington and Peter Gibbon set a target of 50 species, but fell just tantalisingly two short. After meeting at Millfields car park, the small group was ferried up to Hopton Arm and then took three hours to meander back to their vehicles along the eastern shore of the reservoir, assembling plenty of highlights on the way.

These included a close-up and personal view of a female Sparrowhawk preening, a Willow Tit group going about their family business, an Oystercatcher on a nest, and two families of Moorhens.

The other species recorded were Gt Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Buzzard, Coot, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Gt Spotted Woodpecker, Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch and Reed Bunting.

There were no walks in July and August, reflecting the invariable shortage of both birds and people to spot them!

HELPING TO HALT THE MALTESE SLAUGHTER

We are lucky enough to have somewhere inMaltawhere we can work and stay, so we usually visit two or three times a year. The island is located on the central Mediterranean migration flyway betweenEuropeandAfricaand should be a great place for birding, but in fact it is notorious for the annual slaughter of thousands of birds by shooting and trapping – not for locally important economics or profit; but simply for amusement.

The sound of distant – and often not so distant – illegal gunfire signals the reality of what is happening. Walking around the hunting grounds, as they are called, with literally thousands of spent shotgun cartridges at your feet is one of the most depressing sights imaginable. As was the long-eared owl we came across when walking with friends: it had been shot and had a badly-damaged wing.

We were surprised to discover an Important Bird Area existed right in the centre of the capital, Valletta. This winter roost of white wagtails could, we read, contain as many as seven thousand overnight in the mature ficus trees by the cathedral. It was difficult to believe, so we decided to watch the next day. As we headed for the location in the late afternoon we saw birds coming in from all directions, largely unnoticed by the tourists and shoppers. The noise level grew as the trees filled with birds, and we sat until it grew dark when the calling finally subsided.

When we visited in March this year we were horrified to see that the trees had been cut back. We discovered that they had been were pruned without a permit and that the workers continued to cut the trees, even while police were asking them to stop. In November the birds were observed trying to land on what foliage was left and flying around looking for an alternative site. We have not yet been able to find out just how successful they were.

All is not bleak, though, and there are many people working to change the culture, and educate the future generations to appreciate nature, and not seek to destroy it. After all, things have not always been so good here in theUK.

There are now two wetland nature reserves, one of which is right opposite the largest tourist beach in Mellieha. This year Black-winged Stilts bred successfully there – a first forMalta. At the weekends the reserves are open to the public and we have spent many happy hours there. Dedicated volunteers work in their own time to run, maintain and, importantly, protect the reserves, which also provide a focus for education.

One of the most important tasks is taking school parties around and showing them how the birds live – and this is working. One of the volunteers told us that children are now putting pressure on their fathers and uncles to stop hunting, and that he personally knows of at least one hunter who has given up. More will follow.

It’s refreshing to see that most of the Maltese you meet in the hides are young. One day we were watching a lone drake swim slowly into view: neither of us reacted to the bird as we recognised it, but a group of teenagers in the hide exploded with excitement – yelling ‘Pochard, Pochard!’, taking pictures and calling their friends to come and see this rare bird.

It was a touching moment, and one that shows the tide is turning. We were more excited by our first, fleeting view of a Little Bittern from the same hide. The teenage wardens obviously learn fast, too, for as we spoke to one about what we’d seen he was at first very cautious about confirming the known presence of the bird.

As we chatted, he then told us about a website he and his friend were building on birding in Malta. We checked it out and were really impressed. It’s well worth a look – www.birdinginmalta.com

Meanwhile, the key organisation on the island is BirdLife Malta(www.birdlifemalta.org) which, among other things, manages the two reserves and holds spring and autumn camps to record both the migrations and the illegal activities of the hunters.

Sue and Dave Edmonds

WHAT’S ON

Our Chairman Peter Gibbon will be first up during our 2011-12 indoor season, at Hognaston Village Hall, when he delivers ‘part two’ of his History of Birdwatching on Tuesday, 20 September. The full CBC events programme up to the end of the year is as follows:

20 September – Indoor meeting: ‘The history of birdwatching (1939-present day) by Peter Gibbon – Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)

18 October – Indoor meeting: ‘Four years of Atlas work’ by Graham Appletonof the BTO – Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)

15 November – Indoor meeting: ‘The Osprey Project’ by David Bennett, STW volunteer ranger – Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)

20 December – CBC Christmas party – Hognaston Vill Hall (7.30pm)

For most Severn Trent Water events at Carsington Water, it is advisable to book through the Visitor Centre reception (01629 540696).

The programme for the rest of 2011 is as follows:

First Sunday of each month – Birdwatching for Beginners (enjoy a gentle two-hour walk led by experienced STW volunteer David Bennett) – Meet Visitor Centre 10am

2 September – Wildlife Discovery Room with STW and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust – Wild Fridays (fun-packed day for families with young children in Visitor Centre (11am-4pm)

3 September – Bat Safari (£2.50 – book; bring stout footware and warm clothing) – Millfields car park (8.45pm)

14 September – Optics demonstrations (guidance on binoculars/telescopes) – RSPB shop (10am-4pm)

8-9 October – Derbyshire Beekeepers Association annual honey show and sale – Visitor Centre (1.30-4pm)

14-15 October – Optics demonstrations (see earlier entry for details)

30 October – Halloween family fun day in Wildlife Discovery Room – Visitor Centre (evening)

16 November – Optics demonstrations (see earlier entry for details)

20 November – Learn about wildlife in winter, and make a garden bird feeder at the Open Door Day in Wildlife Discovery Room – Visitor Centre (11am-4pm)

2-3 December Optics demonstrations (see earlier entry for details)