No3 / August 2008

 CHAIRMAN’S THOUGHTS

In this edition, I’d like to report back on an important wildlife issue – the appeal lodged by Carsington Wind Energy Ltd (formerly West Coast Energy), which is looking to overturn an initial rejection by Derbyshire Dales District Council of its proposal to site a wind farm on the pastures above the reservoir.

The company’s appeal was heard atMatlockTown Hallon 1 July, and I attended with the intention of underlining information on birdlife in and around Carsington Water.  On the first day the names of those wanting to speak were taken, with any written evidence submitted for printing on that day.  I gave a two-page document showing bird movement statistics recorded over 15 years by Carsington Bird Club members.  While clearly I was not empowered to speak on behalf of the whole CBC membership (many of whom may well be in favour of green energy initiatives such as this), the committee felt someone should speak on behalf of the birdlife in and around Carsington, so that’s how I approached it.

This seemed even more important after both English Nature and the RSPB withdrew their objections as a result of an ornithology report commissioned by the energy company and undertaken by Atmos Consulting. It summarised 72 hours’ monitoring (over eight months from September 2007) to assess the probable impact on birds of the proposed wind turbines, and was evidently considered thorough enough by other expert bodies.

The appeal opened with the two sides agreeing on areas of ‘common ground’ – including impact on wildlife.  So, with the respective briefs working for the council and the company agreeing up front not even to debate this topic, so long as certain guidelines were followed, the subject of birdlife was already deemed to be of no further concern.  As no-one else seemed set to put up a case for bird conservation, I (encouraged by nods of support from local citizens) asked if I could return on the Friday to put my point of view.

On the day, even though I had been recognised as a speaker, the Inspector then almost overlooked me – signalling he was about to adjourn for the weekend – but I intervened and was allowed to give my presentation.  My essential argument was that surely 15 years of detailed records kept by CBC members – and published in comprehensive form in the club’s annual report – were likely to be of more value in judging the impact on birdlife than a 72-hour survey.  I also aired three papers, presented to a BOU conference in 2005, about renewable energy and birds.  These had to be printed off for all parties, so a coffee break was called, after which I was rather disappointed that the council’s barrister failed to return and listen to my testimony.

I presume he felt I was dealing with a ‘dead duck’ as the issue had already been jointly sidelined as incontestable ‘common ground’.  Yet I felt the Atmos report was selective and, in parts, misleading, with conclusions such as “given the wildfowl resource at Carsington Water and the small numbers recorded it’s unlikely any development would have a significant impact on the integrity of the local population”!

My evidence included several observations each year over the period in question of large skeins of geese flying north of the reservoir and in the vicinity of the proposed turbine site.  I also highlighted raptor evidence, the height at which different species fly, the different types of migration patterns and the impact of variable meteorological conditions.

But I still had one important final point to raise, as I had noticed that the addresses of the wind farm company and Atmos were virtually identical – and found a satellite image showing them as part of the same isolated farm complex – which meant the company hired by the wind energy company to do the ornithological surveys was right next door!

I felt this brought the report’s impartiality into question and said as much, at which point the barrister for the company went on the defensive and asked who was I to challenge something that was good enough for English Nature and the RSPB, suggesting that surely it was beyond suspicion!

We now await the appeal result on 12 September.  If the initial decision was to be overturned I would convey my concerns to both English Nature and the RSPB regarding the apparently close working relationship between the energy company and Atmos Consulting.  I would also query why they didn’t think our comprehensive records over more than 15 years were worth looking at!

Peter Gibbon

 

SPOONBILL ‘FIRST’ IS SNAPPED BY VOLUNTEER RANGER

Perhaps the single highlight of the last three months was yet another Carsington first – a Spoonbill, which dropped in for just half-an-hour on 29 May, but was ‘shot’ (by the camera of volunteer ranger Jim Craw) in that brief time … and the resulting pictures can be found on the website (www.carsingtonbirdclub.co.uk).

May’s total of 113 species seen was the best since 2004, and also provided the surprise of a Turtle Dove, spotted on feeders at the wildlife centre – the first Carsington record of this increasingly rare UK species for 12 years, and a cuckoo, once a common sight and sound in spring but not seen since 2004.

The focus in June and July was breeding, which saw variable success.  The number of Moorhen and Little Grebe broods was lower, and waders had difficulty because of the high water levels, while broods of geese (including five Barnacle broods totalling 18 young), ducks and Coot were closer to usual.  Twenty House Martin nests were counted in and around the Visitor Centre buildings, while a pair of Swallows successfully bred – twice – in the stone shelter beyond Millfields.  A Reed Warbler was singing at Hopton Pond for most of the spring and early summer, and may well have bred, while a family group of Spotted Flycatchers was viewed in Hall Wood.

Up to 27 juvenile Black-headed Gulls were counted in mid July, and it has been a good period for terns, though only two Common Tern chicks were raised at the Wildlife Centre – and only one of those remained by late July.  Black Terns were seen in both July and August, while Common Terns numbered as many as 26 on 29 July.

More recent wader sightings include Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwin and Greenshank, while the ‘local’ Oystercatchers and Redshank had mostly moved away from the reservoir by mid-late July.  A Little Egret was recorded on 23 August, and Shelduck were seen in both July and August.

Among raptors, the most exciting records have been an Osprey in late August, a Red Kite (which seem to be seen increasingly regularly in Derbyshire), and each month there are several sightings of Peregrine Falcon.  After the close-up views of a Long-eared Owl in the spring, there were also clear sightings in June of a Tawny Owl on the memorial at the end of the dam wall and a Barn Owl carrying prey at dusk around Sheepwash.

NB: It’s worth noting that many of the passerines visiting Carsington (like the Turtle Dove above) are tempted to come – and to return – by the bird feeders positioned strategically around the site, so thanks (from us and on behalf of the birds!) should go to the Derbyshire Ornithological Society and to Severn Trent Water for ensuring the feeders are well stocked.

 

SOUTH AFRICA PICKS UP WHERE NIGHTJARS LEFT OFF!

As we reluctantly leave the summer (did we actually have one?!) behind, the club’s events programme moves back indoors in September with the 2008/09 series of illustrated talks at Hognaston Village Hall.

Kicking off with Paul Bingham’s look at the wildlife of South Africa, another talk destined to warm our blood, in October, will be Andrew Sherwin’s view of Goa, the attractive province on India’s west coast.

A highlight of the recent outdoor season was the sparsely-attended trip to Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire to view one of the UK’s most elusive and best camouflaged birds, the Nightjar.   Expertly led by Paul and Steph Hicking, the few other members who attended in July were entranced to see several Nightjars on the wing and one that landed on a tree branch only 30 yards from the observers and, even though it was dusk, offered fantastic detailed views.  A small group of Woodcock were also seen at close quarters as they sped past, too fast to train binoculars on but so near identification was easy.

Unfortunately, the only planned trip during the last quarter – targeting two sites in East Anglia – had to be cancelled due to the lack of people applying to go, which made it uneconomical.  Another trip is, however, planned for November to see wetland wildfowl (see ‘What’s On’ below and the cut-off slip at the end of this newsletter).

 

NEW FEATURES RAISE GAME FOR CBC WEBSITE

For those who are not regular visitors to the Carsington Bird Club website, be assured it’s well worth a ‘surf’ – with an increasingly mature content and new features appearing regularly, courtesy of webmaster Richard Pittam.

In recent months, Richard has added a CBC Forum page, where people can exchange information and comments; just register online and join in the conversations.  An impressive and well-ordered image gallery has over 100 photographs arranged into five categories – Birds, Flora, Fauna, Insects and Landscapes.  A CBC Blog page is where the committee can inform members of updates, stories and information relating to Carsington Water, and there’s another ‘blog’ link that keeps a diary of events and sightings at the nearby Derbyshire Wildlife Trust site at Wyver Lane, Belper.  Richard also encourages us to step out of our parochial setting from time to time, with UK Bird News and World Bird News pages that speak for themselves.

Another new feature is the Definite Bird List that presents the bird records from 1991 to 2007 in a range of digestible ways.  It includes links to web pages describing identification and factual information on common species and is, says Richard, another resource that’s meant to be of educational benefit – particularly for the younger bird-watcher.

All this is in addition to the well-established pages that keep any keen member right up-to-date with sightings and happenings around the reservoir – including site’s biggest “hit” register, the sightings page (and the opportunity to post your sightings), and also club recorder Roger Carrington’s monthly report, back copies of the CBC newsletter, and a range of background information on both the Carsington Bird Club and the reservoir itself.

From April to July this year, there were more than 23,000 ‘hits’, around 9,500 of which were for the basic index, but another 9,000-plus wanted to investigate the latest sightings, and over 1,000 to look at the Definitive Bird List.

 

CARSINGTON VOLUNTEERS BOOST BENEFITS OF AREN’T BIRDS BRILLIANT!

The past year has been another incredibly successful one for the RSPB’s Aren’t birds brilliant! (Abb!) project, thanks largely to the team of outstanding volunteers.

The main benefit is the number of visitors who have had a fantastic experience at Carsington Water, been inspired by the wildlife and learned about the conservation work undertaken on site.  Through the Abb! initiative I, as project officer, and volunteers have been able to change opinions about Severn Trent Water and raise awareness and support for the RSPB.

This excellent work is underpinned by help from Carsington Bird Club by way of the club’s precise wildlife recording, its informative annual reports, with planning proposals, and by guiding Abb! volunteers on walks and providing public information (particularly through the excellent CBC website).  We greatly appreciate this support, so a big thank-you from both Severn Trent Water and the RSPB!

Many visitors to the Wildlife Centre said they felt it had been brought to life by the presence of volunteers and many more reported that while they had visited Carsington Water many times, they had never been to the Wildlife Centre until directed there on an event day.

Forty-five per cent more people were met by the volunteer team in the past year than had been during the first, and the number of Abb! events held grew by 36 to 126.  There were more guided walks and illustrated talks, and the volunteers logged 30 per cent more hours ‘on duty’.  All this helped increase RSPB membership, which is good for conservation, and the only area not increasing was name gathering (which helps in STW/RSPB marketing), and an extra effort is to be made during 2008/09 to ensure as many visitors as possible sign the visitors book.

The third year of the project will also seek to build on the increasingly-solid foundations by maintaining its strong presence at Carsington Water, increasing the number of event days where possible and expanding activity to other sites where relevant.  Abb! children’s activity sessions will be introduced, with encouragement to families to take part in fun, hands-on educational sessions aimed at learning more about wildlife on site.

As for me, I am due to go on maternity leave in early November and will, in the meantime, be replaced by someone brimming with enthusiasm and fresh ideas … Watch out for that new face!

Amanda Lynnes, Abb! Project Officer

 

WHAT’S ON …

Carsington Bird Club’s indoor meetings programme is almost upon us: beginning next month, the talks take place at Hognaston Village Hall and all begin at7.30pm.  Anyone wanting to pop along to a CBC committee meeting (dates listed below) to get a flavour for what activities the committee undertake, feel free to do so.  After the last coach trip was cancelled, hopefully the current offering will prove more popular. Full event details:

16 September     First indoor meeting: talk by Paul Bingham on South Africa               Hognaston Village Hall

23 September     CBC committee meeting                                                    Visitor Centre (8pm)

21 October         Talk by Andrew Sherwin on Goa                                                      Hognaston Village Hall

18 November      Talk by Susan and Allan Parker – Birding the North Norfolk Coast     Hognaston Village Hall

23 November      Trip to the WWT Welney Wetland Centre reserve (see cut-off slip on page 4)

25 November      CBC committee meeting                                                    Visitor Centre (8pm)

16 December      Club’s Christmas Party (entertainments to be arranged)                    Hognaston Village Hall

Booking is often essential (c/o  01629 540696) for Severn Trent Water’s busy events schedule, which is as follows:

Every Tuesday    Aren’t birds brilliant! at Carsington Water:  Learn about the site’s       Wildlife Centre

and Sunday        exciting wildlife; just turn up and use the scopes/bins provided           (10.30am-3.30pm)

6 September       Wateraid Raft Race (charity donations; cheer on STW staff and         Visitor Centre (11am-3pm)

contractors  – also family activities/barbeque)

7 September       Birdwatching for Beginners (first come, first served to maximum         Visitor Centre (10am-noon)

of 25; bring boots, suitable clothing, binoculars and notebook)

5 October           Birdwatching for Beginners (see September’s details above)

Carsington Duathlon (contact James Cresswell 01332 513299 or www.punishingevents.com)

 

11/12 October     Honey Fair (Derbyshire beekeepers explain why bees are                  Henmore Room (from1pm

declining in number and how honey is made; free entry)                    Saturday, 11am Sunday)

25/26 October     RSPB Feed the Birds Day (fun ideas for how to help birds survive       Visitor Centre and Wildlife

                         the winter; also view some of our autumn/winter visitors)                    Centre (10.30am-4pm)

30/31 October     Aren’t birds brilliant! children’s activities (hands-on sessions,             Education Rm (10.30-12.30)

                         outdoor if possible; bring willies/waterproofs … £3.50 per child)

2 November        Birdwatching for Beginners (see earlier entries above for more details)

8/9 November     Car washing for Children in Need (min £4 donation, please!)  Visitor Centre main car park

 

LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS AMONG LATEST CBC MEMBERS!

While membership hovers around the 170 mark (some of those families, of course), one of the more satisfying recent developments is that two schools have joined under the newest CBC membership category.   Since the brainchild of Chairman and former teacher, Peter Gibbon, was advertised,BonsallPrimary SchoolandBrassingtonPrimary Schoolhave both joined – and hopefully will generate an active interest in birds among both the pupils and their parents, as well as give teachers the potential to include the subject in schoolwork.

No2 / May 2008

CHAIRMAN’S NEWS AND VIEWS

A recent Guardian newspaper article – headlined ‘Green v Green’ – reported on the dilemmas faced by objectors to planning applications that have an impact on the environment.  Its main thrust was to highlight ‘how environmentalists are lining up against each other in countryside battles’.  Only the day before this I had an e-mail from the RSPB’s Planning and Local Government Officer forCentral England, Colin Wilkinson, saying the RSPB would no longer object to the proposed wind farm on Carsington Pastures when an appeal to the original negative decision is heard in July.  After being notified of the appeal, I replied to Colin’s e-mail with a list of my continuing concerns about this project and how I thought nothing had really changed.  For the RSPB they obviously have, however, so I phoned him to express my concerns, which prompted him to write a letter.  I thought it worth sharing this with you – the CBC membership, many of whom are also RSPB members – so that, ahead of the appeal, you can see for yourselves the reasons for the RSPB’s change of mind.

Such predicaments are becoming increasingly frequent, according to the Guardian, which illustrates the point by detailing a much bigger wind farm scheme on the Isle of Lewis.  ‘What is clear’, the newspaper says, ‘is that all energy-generation technologies have an impact on the environment and environmentalists are going to have to think more deeply about what their hierarchy of priorities is.’  I think this is obvious to everyone concerned in such projects.

The RSPB is now satisfied by further ornithological survey work and, more critically, its limited resources mean only some ‘contests’ can be taken on.  In the scale of environmental controversies, Carsington is not that important in national terms and the RSPB is a national body.  Carsington Bird Club, however, has local concerns at its heart, so I think we should continue to take interest and, if needs be, still oppose it. I will bring this up at the next committee meeting and would like to hear from anybody with views about the appeal.  I will go to this hearing and will speak if appropriate – but only after thinking more deeply about it.

In the meantime, here is the letter – and, as I say, any views from members are welcome …

 

Carsington Pastures Wind Farm – the RSPB’s view

Dear Members —  You probably know that West Coast Energy wants to build four large wind turbines at Carsington Pastures, a mile north of the reservoir. The RSPB objected to the planning application, which was refused, but we are now withdrawing our objection and we will not be offering evidence at the Public Inquiry scheduled for early July. Your chairman has kindly offered me a chance to explain the RSPB’s views on a case I am sure is of great interest to many of you.

The RSPB objected because of the completely inadequate effort made to survey wintering birds flying over the site. The consultants completed only 14 hours of observations, in just two months out of the normal 6-month winter period for this kind of work. This fell far below standards of best practice, and the RSPB could not be certain there would be no impact on Carsington Water’s bird populations. The Council refused the application for six different reasons, including the lack of information about wintering birds. The RSPB agreed to present evidence at the Public Inquiry unless the appellant produced additional survey data to a specified standard and we could conclude there would be no significant impact on birds.

On17 April 2008, the appellant sent us the results of 72 hours of additional surveys of wintering birds, completed between September 2007/April 2008. Added to the work done previously, this is more than double what the RSPB asked for. Although they did not use that data to complete a collision risk assessment, we decided that the numbers of birds recorded were so small that any risk assessment would show an insignificant level of risk for bird populations at the reservoir. It would have been perverse for the RSPB to carry on pressing the appellant to complete a risk assessment under these circumstances, as well as diverting the Society’s resources when defending several internationally important sites from damage by wind farms both in the region and nationally.

The basis for the RSPB’s objection therefore no longer exists, and it is no longer appropriate for the RSPB to appear at the Public Inquiry. Several other reasons for refusal of this application (notably, landscape impacts) still stand. Other organisations are preparing to give evidence for the Council on these matters, including the Peak District National Park Authority. However, because visual impacts do not have any effect on bird populations, the RSPB is not able to give evidence on this issue.

I hope this open letter explains why we have taken these actions. Even though we are no longer objecting to this proposal, we have won an important concession from the developer, just in terms of the quality of the environmental assessment. The RSPB is involved in over 1,000 planning cases annually to protect important wildlife sites, and the need to base decisions on good environmental information is often a critical issue in those cases.

Colin Wilkinson – Planning Officer, RSPB Midlands Region

 

SUMMER VISITORS ARRIVE – ACCOMPANIED BY FIRST-EVER AVOCETS

The period since the last newsletter has been that joyous time when our summer visitors arrive; it’s always fun to see how early the newcomers drop into the Carsington site.  Swallows were ten days earlier than ever recorded before, on 15 March alongside Sand Martins – and a pair of Avocets, the first formal record at the reservoir of the RSPB’s insignia species.

House Martins and Wheatear arrived at the end of March, while Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs noted in early-mid March could have been over-wintering birds, but the real rush came in April, with greater numbers of those warblers, plus in chronological order Swift (5^th), Yellow Wagtail (11^th), Grasshopper Warbler (14^th), Tree Pipit (19^th), Lesser Whitethroat (23^rd), Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat on the 24^th, and Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler the following two days.  Pied Flycatchers arrived in early May, and that archetypal spring bird the Cuckoo was logged on 4 May, the first Carsington record since 2004.

Monthly species counts have generally been up on the previous few years, and other significant highlights have included the long-staying Great Northern Diver which had gained summer plumage by April.  Having graced Carsington for the first time in March, Avocets reappeared in April (see photos on website), and Ospreys were seen briefly on two occasions – firstly in March when this stately bird was mobbed by Oystercatchers.  A Red Kite was seen in early May, and Peregrines are becoming increasingly regular visitors, while during the spring Barn, Little and Long-eared Owls have all been recorded.

In fact, a Long-eared Owl roosted onStoneIslandin such an obvious position it delighted many walkers before deciding it was too public a position to get any rest!

While the gull roost diminished, terns arrived in good numbers during April with up to 18 Arctic Terns noted on both the 20^th and 24^th, while a Black Tern passed through on 8 May.  Little Terns were also recorded in April, when this theme continued as Little Egret and Little Gulls turned up.  Waterfowl highlights included a Pink-footed Goose among the ‘locals’, Whooper Swans in March, plus Common Scoters and Red-breasted Mergansers.

 

VENTURING OUTDOORS – TO A QUIETER-THAN-USUAL DAWN CHORUS

After the final indoor meeting of the year, in March, when the ever-entertaining Mick Muddiman themed his talk and slides around ‘Within these Shores’, we moved outdoors and risked the cool, damp spring weather.  On 15 April, 19 people, led by recorderRoger Carrington, set off aroundStonesIsland.  Between hail storms, the group located two Yellow Wagtails and a distant Great Northern Diver, also enjoying close views of a singing Willow Warbler and, from the shelter of the Wildlife Centre, a trickled arrival of Curlew totalled 15 before the light went.

Twenty hardy souls braved this year’s Dawn Chorus walk, starting as4.30am.  It was a beautiful morning – calm, clear, and becoming warm – but despite 42 species logged, there was a lot less singing than usual for this time of the day (and year). Those who did add to the chorus were Wood Pigeon, Robin, Wren, Song Thrush, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting and Blackbird – the latter also heard ‘mocking’ something.  On investigation this turned out to be a tawny owl deep in foliage, which quickly flew off.  Another highlight, seen from the Wildlife Centre over breakfast was a first summer Little Gull.

 

RESCUE RANGERS!

On 24 May, Severn Trent rangers were super quick to respond to an alert that a Mallard duck was in distress – caught up in the netting provided to keep predators off the ‘tern rafts’ in front of the Wildlife Centre.  It was very, very windy and the bird had probably been blown into it and become entangled.  Within 10 minutes a rescue boat was dispatched from the Watersports Centre, and it was quite an audience in the Wildlife Centre that witnessed the dramatic rescue as the boat eased slowly towards the rafts, coming round the long way, so as not to disturb any breeding birds.

As they approached the left hand raft, the rangers spotted the distressed bird and carefully cut away a section of the netting, allowing them to lift the Mallard onto the boat.  After a few minutes of diligent disentangling, the rangers had freed the duck from the nylon mesh, and pronounced the temporary prisoner fit and well.  The male bird was then deposited on the edge of Horseshoe Island and waddled off, none the worse for his ordeal.

“It may all be in a day’s work for the rangers, but those of us who witnessed the rescue were impressed at how quickly they responded; the children in the hide were particularly pleased their injured duck was safe and well,” said Richard Pittam, clubman and CBC webmaster, who was among the onlookers in the Wildlife Centre.

 

POLAND OFFERS UNIQUE LANDSCAPE – AND LOTS OF SPECIAL BIRDS

Anyone wanting to see a great variety of special birds and unique countryside should visit north-east Poland– around three hours drive north of Warsaw, and an area I’ve wanted to visit since a boy.  In early May, I stayed for four nights in the vicinity of the Biebrza marshes and another four nights in the Bialowieza primeval forest, seeing or hearing 156 bird species together with regular views of Elk, Red Squirrel and a close-up of a Beech Marten among other mammals.

The marsh area is the most intact floodplain left in centralEuropeand comprises dense flood forests, mysterious alder woods, flowery river dunes and open sedge marshes.  Cranes were seen every day and their call is a constant sound there at this time of year.  So too were the large numbers of the three marsh terns, especially the very attractive White-winged Black Tern, plus three species of goose, twelve duck, a Black-throated Diver and all the Grebe species, while three Harrier and three Eagle species gave great views throughout the week.  During one stop alone, we saw 15 White-tailed Eagles, an Ortolan Bunting and the most obliging Black Woodpecker ever, which decided to pop its head out of a nest hole in a classic pose just as we took our morning coffee break, prompting a rapid volley of photos.

Other stars were Ruff, with the males in wonderful breeding plumage, Yellow Wagtails galore and Great White Egrets.  Fieldfare are the most common form of breeding thrushes, with fully fledged young and Thrush Nightingale seem the most common singing bird, though that may be because of the power of their voices.

There was no shortage of Bitterns booming, Corncrakes ‘crex-crexing’ and Spotted Crake ‘whisping’ – but no sightings despite diligent watching.  Cuckoos were also everywhere and seen several times.  Despite all these gems the two stars had to be two very small birds – Penduline Tit and Aquatic Warbler.  We saw the tit’s incredible nest half built, then returned to the same spot three days and were rewarded with close-up views of the birds putting the finishing touches to the nearly-complete nest.  Meanwhile,Europe’s rarest breeding warbler gave us a supreme show at dawn when several sang atop foot-high sedges.  At the same spot, an hour from our hotel, we saw no fewer than five elk (moose, inAmerica) grazing in the bog.

Onto Bialowieza: with its larger extension inBelarus, this is the last remnant of the primeval forest that once covered a large part of centralEurope.  We stayed in a village that typically had large numbers of nesting Storks including a pair beginning their nest outside our rooms; there were also Hawfinch in numbers, Whinchat and Rosefinch sang, and a single Barred Warbler and Icterine Warbler arrived on our last morning.

But the forest itself is the star and, as a ‘strict reserve’ must be seen courtesy of a compulsory guide.  At one stage we stopped to see a pair of White-backed Woodpeckers – the largest of the black and white species – fly from their nest hole to a nearby branch to mate.  ‘Collared’ are the common flycatchers, with only a few Pied seen, and the white-headed version of Long-tailed tit is even cuter than our own.

A late evening trip to a marsh was organised to see the display of Great Snipe.  Though we saw them only fleetingly after negotiating a knee-deep slog, it was all worth it, with much better views of Pygmy Owl and Hazel Grouse.  The mammalian stars, though – the last European Bison and Beaver – eluded us.

On the final day we visited a large reservoir only a mile from theBelarusborder: Our target was a Citrine Wagtail at the western edge of its range. One was soon found close to the path, and the wonderful male kept coming back to the same low bush for the next hour.

My boyhood dream fulfilled – and it certainly didn’t disappoint – I’d urge people to go sooner rather than later, for while it’s currently largely unchanged, agricultural changes may well occur now Poland is in the EU.

Peter Gibbon

 

SEVERN TRENT DRIVES PENN CARR IMPROVEMENTS

The area around Penn Carr, near Millfields, has been undergoing a facelift.  Survey work indicated the bridge there was in a poor state, so it was removed and replaced by a stone track, which is much more user-friendly, particularly for horse riders, and involves much less maintenance for the rangers.

Two pools have been created next to the new track.  Don’t worry if you sometimes see them drying out, as this is not always a bad thing.  It may not be generally understood, but a large number of sometimes rare invertebrates and molluscs depend on such conditions, in which other creatures higher up the food-chain, such as predatory fish, cannot survive.

In addition, a number of male and female Black Poplar trees have been planted – both at Penn Carr and a number of other areas around the reservoir.   Courtesy of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, cuttings were taken from Hilton Gravel Pits and grown on by the rangers for two years.  Black Poplars are one of the country’s rarest trees, so it’s hoped they will do well.  Other hedging plants – hawthorn, holly and hornbeam – have also been added, along with some oak trees, all grown from seed on site.

A mix of woodland flowers such as bluebells and ramsons has been seeded alongside the new track, and on the bare ground where the bridge was; it will be fascinating to see how this area develops.

It has been great to hear site users’ positive feedback.  The team has had many questions about the woodland work undertaken during the winter to address where trees originally planted 20 years ago less than a metre apart were struggling to survive.  Such dense planting was making them weaker and more prone to disease and infection, while little ground flora was able to develop as not much light reaches the floor.

Thinning them out by around 20 to 30 per cent allows greater competition, a varied age structure, and increased chance of ground flora, which means more nectar for invertebrates – which in turn means more food for the birds on site and an all-round healthier woodland.   This work is done in direct consultation with the Forestry Commission and I hope we will all see the long-term benefits of this work in the coming years.

Keep recording the birds and help with the breeding bird surveys so, together, we can ensure Carsington Water continues to be a success – and thank you for this invaluable support.

Ben Young (Severn Trent Site Manager, Carsington)

 

WHAT’S ON …

Carsington Bird Club’s summer walks are under way, mostly around the reservoir, though a short trip toClumberPark is again being arranged to see nightjars.  There is also a coach trip in June.  Full event programme is:

17 June             Evening walk from Sheepwash car park                                                 Starts7.30pm

21 June             Coach trip to Lakenheath Fen/Weeting Heath (see enclosed booking slip)

15 July               Nightjar walk atClumberPark, Nottinghamshire (make own way       Starts8pm

and meet in National Trust car park)

16 July               CBC committee meeting                                                           Visitor Centre,8pm

19 August          Final summer evening walk from Visitor Centre                                      Starts7pm

16 September   First indoor talk:  South Africa by Paul Bingham                          Hognaston Village Hall

(7.30pm)

Booking is often essential (c/o  01629 540696) for Severn Trent Water’s schedule of events, as below:

Every Tuesday   Aren’t birds brilliant! at Carsington Water:  Learn about the site’s         Wildlife Centre

and Sunday      exciting wildlife; just turn up and use the telescopes provided (10.30am-3.30pm)

8 June               Aren’t birds brilliant! Family Fun Day (everything from quizzes    Visitor Centre (10.30am-4pm)

mask-making to bird-watching/pond-dipping – some charges)

Marvellous Moths (close-up views of those found around res)   Wildlife Centre (1.30pm)

21 June             Sheepwash Spinners: Local experts demonstrate traditional wool         Education  Room, Visitor spinning, an important industry for Derbyshire                            Centre (11am-4pm)

6 July                 Birdwatching for Beginners (first come, first served to maximum            Visitor Centre (10am-noon)

of 25; bring boots, suitable clothing, binoculars and notebook)

20-25 July          NSSA national junior sailing regatta (for info see www.nssa.org.uk)

26 July               Sheepwash Spinners (for details see June’s event above)

3 August           Birdwatching for Beginners (for details see July event above)

Open Day withEnglandLadies Fly Fishing Association               For info call 01629 540769

9 August           Bat Safari (Derbyshire Bat Conservation Group leads an evening          Millfields car park (8pm)

stroll in search of these unique creatures – £2.50, free parking)

30 August          Sheepwash Spinners (details as above – but in Henmore Room)

6 September     Wateraid Raft Race (charity donations;  cheer on STW staff and           Visitor Centre (11am-3pm)

contractors  – also family activities/barbeque)

 

FURTHER REMINDER – 2008 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE

Renewal forms were sent out to the full 2007 membership with the last newsletter.  Many have renewed, but there are still quite a few that have not.  Please check with our membership secretaries (see contact details in the committee ‘box’ below) if you’re not sure or need to alert them to your wish to renew.   Those who’ve not confirmed their membership before August will not receive that month’s issue of the newsletter.

 

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to all new members who have joined since the New Year – namely:  Andrew Brown, Weston-on-Trent; Chris Moult, Stoke-on-Trent; John & Fay Follett, Derby; Sally Packer, Alton; Dr John Payne, Holloway;Gillian Pittam, Swadlincote;  Niall Sinnott, Matlock;  Chris & Jane Swann, Mackworth; and Dave Williams, Kirk Ireton

No3/August 2007

 CHAIRMAN’S NEWS AND VIEWS

On the evening of 17 July the future of the wind farm scheme at Carsington Pastures was decided.  I was invited to make a representation on behalf of the club at the Southern Area Planning Committee of Derbyshire Dales District Council.  A comprehensive report from the officers recommended refusal from the outset, but I still went along to be seen and heard.  Each speaker was given three minutes to put their case: I was the first to speak, followed by 12 others against – all local residents of Carsington.  It was a chance to repeat how superficial the applicant’s environmental survey was and how the winter and migration seasons – when Carsington Reservoir has its optimum number of birds in residence – had been overlooked.  Three minutes seemed far too short but that was the rule.

Other speakers raised archaeological, geological, geographical, economic, social and political objections to the plan – and the fact that the nearest dwelling would be only 650 metres, where it should be 1,600 metres. This scheme was also recognised as the least favourable of six proposed sites within Derbyshire.

When the sole speaker for Carsington Wind Energy Limited rose to speak he looked very isolated and must have known he was fighting a losing battle.  He suggested there was an obligation for somewhere in Derbyshire to have a wind farm in Derbyshire at some point, but an officer stated this was not a binding rule.  It was also suggested the company had carried out further ecological studies regarding newts and bats but this simply underlined how flimsy was their concept of what really makes up such a study.  After claiming Natural England had signalled approval, the officer again stepped in to say this organisation had reviewed the scheme and changed its mind.

On further discussion, another crucial fact emerged that really sealed the application’s fate: Guidance notes for such an application suggest that applicants should consult with local people from 18 months before submitting plans, yet this company didn’t consult at all – a very strange omission for a professional organisation!

The councillors unanimously rejected the plans and, while the company can appeal this decision, it seems unlikely they will after such an ignominious trouncing, so hopefully this really is the end of the whole affair.

We have mentioned before that club finances are being stretched by increasing costs for printing, postage, Hognaston Hall rental, and charges for speakers and their travel.  At the last committee meeting we discussed this and concluded we will have to increase our revenue.  It was discussed at the last annual general meeting that we would propose to the next AGM, in January 2008, raising membership fees and club meeting entrance fees.  There are four months and two committee meetings left to formulate these proposals.  If any member has any views on this I would be pleased to hear them and air them with the committee.

Peter Gibbon

RARE ALBATROSS TOPS ‘RES’ SIGHTINGS – MUCH TO THE WOODS’ SURPRISE

At around 3pm on 2 July, casual birdwatchers Cyril and Shirley Wood were in the right spot at the right time, and suspected they’d perhaps seen something a bit unusual, but they could hardly imagine they had logged only Derbyshire’s second ever albatross record and the first for 50 years). The rarity committees will now deliberate for up to 12 months before deciding on the Woods’ sighting, believed to be a Yellow-nosed albatross, usually aSouth Atlanticspecies.  Yet their privileged view – of what looked like a large black-backed gull that scattered Coot and even Canada Geese as it flopped onto the water – has independent credence from two other sightings, one several hours before, in Somerset, and another several hours after on a fishing pond in Lincolnshire which indicated Carsington Water could well have been on this errant bird’s flight path!

In fact it was a newspaper photograph of the Somerset bird, which had been rescued and released, that alerted Cyril and Shirley to what they’d seen: a large bird (by albatross standards its two-metre wingspan is relatively small!) with a white head, dark eye, dark back and wings and a black bill – though the thin yellow streak at the top of the bill that lends the bird its name was perhaps not quite so visible.  Below is a profile of this bird, so unusual to be sighted in the northern hemisphere …

“A relatively small albatross, the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross is named after the yellow streak ending in a pink tip along the top of the bill. The head is grey with a white cap; upperparts are blackish-grey. There is a white ring around the neck; this white colouration extends across the underside. The underwings are white, tipped with a narrow black edge.  Sexes are alike, but juveniles have an entirely white head and black bill. This species breeds on Gough Island and the islands of Tristan da Cuhna in the Southern Ocean.”

More recently, a stately Osprey turned up, only to be chased off by Black-headed Gulls, possibly being particularly protective since this species has bred for the first time at Carsington.  Three pairs have each raised two young, which is a notable success in a season when breeding has been decidedly mixed.

It was a case of ‘rain stopped play’ in the early part of the summer, as grebe nests were washed away and the high water line meant potential nest sites were under water.  The resilience of birds is amazing, though, and ultimately there were five broods each for Little and Great Crested Grebes, plus 21 Mallard, 12 Coot, and 7 Moorhen broods – and from just one during the height of the floods, Tufted Ducks ultimately raised 15 broods.

Elsewhere, 23 House Martin nests were counted around the visitor centre complex, Hall Wood has seen both Buzzards and Raven raise young as well as being home to several broods of Spotted Flycatcher.  Peter Oldfield reports that Barn Owls have successfully bred on site, but the hopes raised by singing Reed Warblers have turned out to be false, with no sign of breeding in the reed beds!

 

OUTINGS BRING VARIETY – FROM PUFFINS TO NIGHTJARS

It can’t be, can it – a Hooded Crow onAnglesey?  Well, it was, but it certainly caused a few puzzled looks among Carsington’s birders as they scrabbled for field guides to ensure that Ireland and Scotland, and not Wales, is where ‘Hoodies’ are meant to be resident.  But these birds hadn’t read the same books and certainly meant to stay – the handsome male on a hilltop keeping a watchful eye on his domain, while his mate sat on a nest just 12 feet up in a pine tree nestling in a small valley.

The RSPB’s South Stack reserve, near Holyhead, also delighted with good views of Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots and Kittiwakes.  Stonechats, Wheatear and pipits were typical of the territory, but the main prize – and surprisingly easy to spot – were the half a dozen Choughs that obligingly hopped around the well-cropped fields or took to the air in front of us for their breathtaking display of aerobatics among the jackdaws, auks and gulls.

Earlier on, after a lengthy drive, 35 Carsington Bird Club members enjoyed a couple of hours at the Conwy reserve, which is flat, pleasantly open and well laid out with several hides overlooking lagoons and scrapes.

In fact, being next to a tidal estuary and with scrubland packing the fringes of the site, separating it from the busy A55 main coast road, it contains several distinct habits within a quite small area inside its perimeters.

That made for some good varied birding: waterfowl, warblers, hirundines and other summer visitors all figured, while Reed Buntings posed nicely for photos, and the reeds held noisy but shy Reed and Sedge Warblers, and both Whitethroats and their “Lesser” cousins were evident.  Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Curlew and Redshank probed the sand and mud, and overhead several Buzzards and Kestrels soared and hovered. From one hide, and pointed out by local birders, a rare Ringed Teal was spotted.  In all at least 66 species were logged during this club trip in June.

From such variety, it was a complete contrast when a very small group of enthusiasts risked the dodgy ‘summer’ weather to travel toClumberParkin July to see if they could spot just one special species – the nightjar.  Not only did they do so, but they had some really fabulous views of these attractive streamlined flyers, swift-like and hawk-like by turns as they were manoeuvred, hovering up insects, silhouetted against a slowly darkening sky.

A glimpse is often as good as it gets, but there were some excellent extended views, particularly when the humans replicated the clapping of their wings, prompting the birds to make another circuit to check out the action!  But they weren’t fooled for long and were soon lost in the gathering gloom.  Thanks to Paul and Steph Hicking for pinpointing the precise location for viewing them … where an extra bonus was a woodcock in flight.

 

CARSINGTON IS PART OF CRAYFISH CONSERVATION PLAN

A Severn Trent Water Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) parallels a UK BAP that aims to conserve and enhance biodiversity within the UK. One threatened species selected for conservation management in the UK BAP is the white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, for which a Species Action Plan (SAP) has been devised.

Severn Trent aims to become involved in the SAP for this crayfish species to protect and enhance their numbers inhabiting bodies of water within its ownership.  As a large landowner – with over 20,000 hectares in around 2,500 separate holdings, many with crayfish – Severn Trent is in a strong position to be instrumental in moving forward the SAP for white-clawed crayfish.

In August 2003, following a feasibility study, David Rogers Associates introduced 432 white-clawed crayfish (61% males and 39% female) into Carsington Water from a donor population in Nanpantan Reservoir.

There were two release sites – one along the dam wall at the southern end of the reservoir, where the large majority were released, the other into Hopton Pond where post-release monitoring would be more feasible in the shorter term; any crayfish migrating from the pond would colonise the northern end of Carsington Water.

Later, in November 2003, a further 270 predominantly female crayfish, many carrying eggs, were released at the north end of Carsington Water’s dam.
Post-release monitoring is important, though it must be said it’s difficult to detect low-density populations in such a large body of water as Carsington Water.

A survey this year aimed to survey the two release points in Carsington Water as part of the post-release monitoring:  On 14-16 May, 50 small-mesh crayfish traps were set overnight at the two locations where crayfish were released in 2003.  They were retrieved the following day, with searches of suitable habitat near the release sites made by turning over suitable looking stones and using a pond net to catch any dislodged crayfish.  A single male (carapace length 45 mm, weight 31g) was caught near the release site in Hopton Pool, though no crayfish were caught in the main reservoir – perhaps not surprising given its size and the relatively small numbers of crayfish introduced.

The conclusion is that although Carsington Water habitat and water quality are good, it’s unlikely large numbers of crayfish will be found by any survey method until a very large population has built up.

To increase the chances of successfully establishing a population, it’s felt further introductions need to be made into reservoir – and on 21August a further 123 crayfish (47 female, 76 male) were duly introduced to Hopton Pond.  More introductions are expected to happen over the next year with the aim of creating an “arc” site where they can establish healthy enough populations to be relocated to other sites to expand populations.

Ben Young, STW Ranger

AN EAGLE (OWL) EYE FOR DETAIL …

This Eagle Owl was drawn by a budding young artist,  Robert Rathbone from Belper.    Amazingly he is only 13 years old!  He has offered to do some work for the Annual Report, an offer that we will gratefully take up in future. We do indeed desperately need new artists, so if you think you can help please get in touch with a committee member!

BIG DRAW – CHANCE FOR KIDS TO FEATHER NEST

A reminder to those members who have children, grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren – or who ARE children – the more artistic among them can win prizes if they draw a bird while visiting Carsington Water this summer.  But with a deadline for entries of 23 September, the budding artists will have to hurry.

Children living in Derbyshire can enter this new free competition, run by Carsington Bird Club, in three age group categories: 5-8, 9-11 and 12-15 year-olds.  Entrants should fill in an entry form (see CBC website), attach it to their artwork and hand them into the Visitor Centre at Carsington Water.  Local wildlife artist Irene Brierton, who is also a CBC member, will carry out judging in October.

First prize in this art competition, run by Carsington Bird Club, will be a pair of quality binoculars for each of the three age groups, donated by London Camera Exchange and Derbyshire Dales District Council.  Other prizes in each category will include shopping and cycle hire vouchers, cash, books and free bird club membership.

The aim of the contest is to raise children’s awareness of birds and the impact of the modern world on their habitats.

 

No2 / May 2007

CHAIRMAN’S NEWS AND VIEWS

Have you renewed your membership? — As of mid-May, we had 87 single, 64 family and three junior members. This means a total membership of 154, and that includes 12 who were new members, so certainly we are down on the high of around 200 not so long ago. If you have simply forgotten or not got round to renewing your membership yet, please do so as soon as possible. Only paid-up members will receive the newsletter after this issue.  If you know anybody else who would like to join also please encourage them to do so – and reap the benefits of what must be one of the best bargains around!

Wind Farm on our doorstep? – Shortly after news of the proposed siting of a wind farm, with four turbines, 100 yards high on Carsington Pasture I was contacted by a pressure group that planned to oppose it. I offered our experience and knowledge in assisting their submissions to the area council.  Plans show how clearly visible the farm would be from the reservoir, but fail to recognise the likely environmental impact – particularly to birds. The company’s survey talks only of minimal impact, some disturbance to nesting skylarks and great crested newts, but no consideration of other breeding birds, wintering numbers, migration or the reservoir population.

In response I sent the following letter to the local authority:  “As Chairman of the Carsington Bird Club I write with extreme concern about the application to site four wind turbines on Carsington Pasture.  I must admit that available evidence suggests that appropriately positioned wind farms do not pose a significant hazard, though evidence from other countries like Spain and Norway confirms that poorly sited wind farms can cause severe problems for birds, through disturbance, habitat loss/damage or collision with turbines.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has consequently objected to 76 proposals between 2000-2004 and raised concerns about a further 129. The RSPB insists all wind farm proposals are subjected to rigorous environmental assessment before development is permitted and that the effects of any approved developments are monitored before and after construction.

The area suggested for these turbines will be in the flight path of birds regularly using Carsington Water for breeding and wintering, and those on migration. Our bird club has regularly done census work for breeding and wintering populations to show how significant the area is in local and national terms. This year 50,000+ starlings have roosted at Kirk Ireton, the majority of which have been seen crossing over the proposed area twice daily. One could not imagine the devastation a wind farm could cause to such a declining British species. Also flocks of geese use this flight path plus thousands of gulls each winter.  The site is, in fact, right in the middle of a regular migratory route for birds.

Secondly the impact it could have on breeding birds in the immediate area is not quite so clear and, as the RSPB would demand, a scientific study of the area would be needed. This could be undertaken over the next twelve months if started right away with the breeding season upon us or better still over two years to get in a more valid set of results. I am sure members of our club could do such a study for you with your assistance. If you proceeded to accept and pass this application without such an environmental assessment then I would only describe such a course of action as environmental folly.

If, however, the application includes an environmental impact assessment already made by the company concerned I would like to see this to examine its reliability and validity.  I hope we have the chance to talk to you in more depth before this decision is taken.”

The company and local authority were somewhat taken aback by the strength of feelings and reactions of the local people, so the time limit for submissions was put back until early June.  We await the outcome!

It’s farewell and adieu to Matthew Capper, who in his relatively short time as project officer of the RSPB’s Aren’t Birds Brilliant initiative, did much – often in tandem with the Bird Club – to promote the merits of Carsington Water as a birding site.  He often went above and beyond the call of duty, and we wish him well in his new job, based in Yorkshire, which sees him tackle the logistics of ABB activity across the North of England.

… and finally, during the summer we will be sending the Annual Report – our 15^th since the reservoir was established in the early 1990s – out to all current club members.

Peter Gibbon

 

WEATHER HOLDS UP SPRING ARRIVALS BUT DIVER STICKS AROUND!

Carsington Water is becoming a popular venue for Great Northern Divers.  Not only does this relatively rare species turn up, but they stick around – and once again we’ve had long-staying individuals.  Up to three were seen late winter, two regularly since, and one right up to mid-May.  A Black-necked Grebe also showed in the late winter, when arguably a bigger surprise was the presence of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Stonechat.

It’s four years since Bewick’s Swans were present, so 24 on the water nearStonesIslandwas a great sight in early March.  Not to be outdone, 33 Whooper Swans were seen later in the month, by which time the exodus by waterfowl to their breeding ground was reflected by dramatically lower maximum duck numbers.  Meanwhile, a Glaucous Gull, which had been evident the month before along with its Mediterranean cousin, was present again in March.  Immature gulls have been staying longer, and in good numbers, which is bad news for breeding birds as they will scavenge anything edible.

The possibility of terns nesting are minimised by gull numbers, but a pair of Common Terns were seen around the rafts off the Wildlife Centre in May, while Black, Arctic and Sandwich Terns have also been passing through.

Both Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits turned up in fair numbers in March and April, and other good wader sightings included up to 22 Snipe, 51 Curlew, and a Woodcock.  By April, seven pairs of Oystercatcher had set up their breeding territories – one per island – and other likely breeding waders include Redshank and Little Ringed Plover.  Turnstone, Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel were also showing in April, with the latter also producing a record of four on 22 May.

The avalanche of spring arrivals is always exciting, but it was a bit constrained this year by a period of poor weather in late March.  Sand Martins were seen as early as 16 March, but no more arrived until almost two weeks later, when Swallows were also noted for the first time.

Chiffchaffs were here by the first half of the month, but there were no Willow Warblers until April, when Lesser Whitethoat, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler and Whitethroat were finally logged late in the month.  Yellow and White Wagtails were more sparse than usual and it was also the second half of April when the first House Martin, Swift, Wheatear and Redstart were logged.  Spotted Flycatchers decided on their usual leisurely return toBritain, with our first record on 15 May – and a singleton at that!

Raptors blew hot and cold, with Hobby a highlight on 7and 15 May, while Merlin showed near Hall Wood the previous month, when Sparrowhawks, Peregrine and Buzzard also featured.  The Sparrowhawks and Peregrines were also seen to benefit from the assembly of fantastic roosts of up 50,000 starlings at Kirk Ireton: the raptors  were occasionally seen plunging headlong into the swirling balls of starlings.

 

WEBSITE HITS GROW – BUT RICHARD LOOKS FOR MORE NEWS OF SIGHTINGS

The excellent new-look CBC website, maintained by Richard Pittam, continues to attact more and more ‘hits’ from surfers of the worldwide web – the most popular area proving to be the database of online latest sightings, with around 40 per cent of the traffic.  The home page, not surprisingly is the second highest with almost 38 per cent, then at just six per cent the latest photo gallery of reservoir sightings.

The total number of hits from January to mid-May was an impressive 21,142, as the CBC offering steadily rises up the chart of bird-club websites.

With the popularity of the sightings page, and feedback he’s received, Richard believes a lot of people like to have a look at what’s around before they visit the reservoir – so he urges members to log their own observations on the website as well as the record books in the hides.

The website will also be a good place to watch for details of a children’s summer art competition the club is organising.  Entries of pictures/sketches in three age groups, 5-8, 9-11 and 12-15 year-olds will be accepted up to September – with winners/prizes announced in October.  Keep an eye open as arrangements firm up shortly.

 

A NON-BIRDING FAMILY WARM TONEW ZEALAND’S AMAZING SIGHTS

Sharing a car for four weeks with my non-birding wife, daughter, son-in-law and assorted luggage put paid to carrying a telescope – so expectations for this trip were not high.  How wrong I was proved to be.

We started off very well on a far-too-brief two-night stopover in Singapore with a Pacific Swallow on the window sill of the hotel room, a yet to identify kingfisher type species, a Black-naped Oriole in the main shopping street and an Olive-backed Sunbird in the Botanical Gardens.

On arrival in our main target,New Zealand, there was great excitement with the first views of Australasian Harrier, Pukeko, Paradise Shelduck, Red-billed Gull, White-faced Heron, Kingfisher, Tui and Spur-winged Plover. My wife described the latter as a lapwing with yellow plastic stuck on its face!  And although these soon became common sightings – ‘10 a penny round here’, according to one local – we still appreciated them.

TiritiriMatangiIsland, nearAuckland, is a treat and for anyone going a must-do, with endemic species protected from imported predators. The Takahe, like a giant moorhen on steroids, is very impressive … and fearless. Less easily seen was the Kokako, but worth waiting for. First sightings of Bellbird, Stitchbird and Saddleback were obtained on a long walk through the forested area. Some were then easily photographed on the bird feeders at the café!  A pair of rare Brown Teal are resident on a pond near the jetty, and a Spotless Crake brought its young to the same pond.

Fortune really smiled when we called at Miranda that evening in search of the Wrybill – with is wader’s bill turning not down nor up, but sideways!  The tide was well up and there were well over a thousand small waders, which I was astonished to find were Wrybills.  When I’d calmed down I was able to identify other wader species through my bins, confirming them later with the assistance of the warden and his telescope.

Looking for Yellowhead on the mainSouth Island, a ranger advised me that they were now almost, if not completely, extinct in the area.  Several days and many miles later I found out from a motel owner, as we were leaving, that her son protected a breeding population, but there was no time left to find them.  The moral of this tale – talk to locals as guide books can be out-of-date very quickly in this new and changing land.

Better luck came when a comment to my son-in-law, that a very small bird might be found in the forest we were walking through, led him to ask ‘like that one over there?’ – and, yes, it was a Rifleman!  I’ll make a birder out of him yet! On another long walk, or tramp as they’re called in NZ, confusion over which path to take resulted in two good sightings of Weka, well and truly out in the wilds.  With the vast acreage of forests and paucity of roads and people (only around three million in a country the size of the UK), I can understand how this and other species were thought to be extinct in some areas, only to be found later breeding on happily.

Night-time walks produced unforgettable calls and the sounds of scurrying through the undergrowth, but no sightings of the elusive Kiwi.  Disappointing maybe, but these wild sounds were infinitely preferable to the sight of mentally disturbed kiwis on show in a nocturnal house.  We also caught the sound of a small owl species called Morepork, which gets its name from its unforgettable call – ‘more-pork’.

Our visit was timed too late for penguins in quantity but we did see individual Blue and Yellow-eyed Penguins swimming in the sea off the Otago Peninsular, and two of the Yellow-eyed variety were patiently waiting on rocks to complete their three-week moult. These were viewed from a wildlife boat trip we took where we were the only passengers: with such freedom we were able to chase Albatross and Shearwater species out at sea with staff who could confidently identify them. This was a big improvement over the expensive whale trip taken some days earlier at a different site, where the advice on identifying albatrosses from one of their wildlife ‘experts’ went something like “albatross are the large ones and the smaller ones are Mollymawks”.  He was very good with sperm whales though, as they were as big as the boat!

No NZ report is complete without the cheeky parrot style Kea, first seen in a car park guarding the entrance to the toilets and specialising in car aerial and window rubber removal. The similar Kaka were very friendly; we were treated to a display by a group of 17 at Homers Tunnel on the road to Milford Sound.

Scenery, thermal areas, glaciers, volcanoes, mountains and fiords require a report all of their own but, whether you are specifically birding or just looking and experiencing on a non-birding adventure, you cannot fail to see and enjoy both landscape and birds.  NZ is a very rewarding country to visit.  I recorded excellent close views of 106 species and really, only regret not chasing the yellowhead and kiwi species. If you want to see the full list of my NZ sightings it is included in the report that is carried on the website.

 

LIVELY TALKS LEAD INTO LIVELY WALKS

The period since the last newsletter has seen the conclusion of our winter illustrated talks at Hognaston Village Hall, and the start of the spring/summer programme of walks and other outside events.

A change in plans led to Peter Gibbon, our Chairperson, presenting onMallorcain February rather than March. Though this attractive island is the most-visited holiday destination for British tourists, Peter’s talk aimed to convince people that it must also be one of the best places to go for your first birding trip abroad. He has been a dozen times on ‘family’ holidays since the late seventies and his venerable slides were used to show where and when to go and what might be seen. A quick show of hands confirmed how few of the audience had been to the island and that only four had done any bird watching while there. The second part of the talk included a video – ‘Gosney inMallorca’ – which underlined the breadth of birding interest on offer there.

A month later the audience was stunned by the fabulous quality of regular John Gardner’s slides … but perhaps they should have expected this would be the case as the subject of John’s talk was – wildlife photography, and has he’s proved before, he’s one of the best.  He gave the budding photographer an insight into the planning, preparations and patience required to get the best shots of animals, birds and insects – and the landscapes they inhabit.  We can all aspire to better wildlife shots – and this was a good start.

The first time we ventured outdoors was to the UpperDerwentValleyin search of raptors, courtesy of Matthew Capper, until recently Aren’t Birds Brilliant (ABB) project officer and formerly a ranger in this area.  His ‘home’ knowledge was invaluable as we saw Goshawk – the main quarry – together with Peregrine, Kestrel, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, plus a few other specialities like Raven, Siskin and Crossbill.   Matthew was again at the helm as several club members turned up to support an ABB open day at the beginning of April, which saw a number of visitors calling in on a joint ABB/CBC stand or visiting the Wildlife Centre; a guided walk was also laid on.

The regular season of walks at Carsington began on 17 April, with a circuit from the Wildlife Centre, before just under 20 brave souls braved a 4.30am start on the annual Dawn Chorus walk, on 5 May – to be rewarded by a hot breakfast and drink on their return after logging a fairly regulation list of birds.  Most recently, Millfields car park was the start point for the Warbler Walk on 22 May.

… AND NEXT ON THE EVENTS CALENDAR …

* * * Coach trip to superb reserves at Conwy and South Stack, Holyhead * * *

Places are still available for this trip, on 10 June (starts Carsington Water Visitor Centre at 7.45pm). For details/ bookings please contact Peter Oldfield by phone on 01629 540510 or by e-mail: peter.oldfield@ukonline.co.uk

Other forthcoming Carsington Bird Club events, through to September, are as follows:

19 June             Evening walk, with Carsington’s breeding migrants still a focus       Sheepwash car park(7.30pm)

17 July               Nightjar walk atClumberPark, Nottinghamshire (dusk is the time   Meet main car park8pm

to see these elusive birds)                                                            (check website for changes)

21 August          Evening walk at Carsington Water                                             Meet Wildlife Centre (7.30)

18 September   1^st talk of new indoor season by Mike Swales: Churnet Valley –       Hognaston Village Hall (7.30) ‘Rhineland’ of Staffordshire

Meanwhile, Severn Trent Water has a busy agenda over the next few months, too, with the events listed below.  For enquires regarding most of these – for which booking is often essential – people should ring 01629 540696.

2 June               Introduction to fly fishing (for over 7s, charge/booking a must)             Fishery Lodge (01629 540769)

3 June               Birdwatching for beginners (book; bring boots, bins & notebook)         Visitor Centre (10am-noon)

8-9 June            Festival of the Peak 2007 (Information/tickets from PR Promotions   Visitor Centre / Arena

[www.prpromotions.org.uk] … Ticket Hotline 01773 853428.     Marquee

16 June             Morris Dancing (marvel at the quaintest of English traditions)   Visitor Centre (10am-2pm)

24 June             RNLI Lifeboat Family Fun day (children & families, access for all)            Visitor Centre (from11am)

30 June             Motown Spectacular (access for all, for tickets call 01773 853428          Arena Marquee

or visit the website www.prpromotions.org.uk)

1 July                 Birdwatching for beginners (see details, as 3 June, above)

2 July                 Fly-fishing courses – Introductory / Improvers (details as 2 June)

8 July                 Aren’t Birds Brilliant! partnership Open Day (volunteers will show           Starts 10.30am-til4pm

birds and other wildlife; guided walks and competitions)

4 August           Birdwatching for Beginners (see details above)

11 August          Wateraid Raft Race (free partnership fundraiser, access for all;             Visitor Centre (11am-3pm)

for more information contact Michael Ridger on 07747 118933)

18 August          The Wizard of Oz (£7children under 12, £10 adults; performance            Amphitheatre, Visitor Centre

is outside, so bring chair or waterproof to sit on)                                    (opens6pm, starts7pm)

25 August          Bat Safari: join Bat Conservation Group/rangers (£2 – free parking) Millfields car park (8pm)

 

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

We have enjoyed a further influx of new members this spring – with, mysteriously, Staffordshire proving a particularly rich area for recruits!  The full list of those who have signed up is as follows:  T Baggalley, Stoke-on- Trent; Russ Hales, Shrewsbury; Paul Hodgkinson, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent; John and Ann Menzies, Derby; Tim and Rose Morris, Forsbrook, Stoke-on-Trent; Ed Whiting, Cheddleton, Staffs; Celia Wright, Middleton