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.

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).